2 out of 7

So last night as I'm almost falling asleep on the couch watching tv, a fond memory popped in my head. 5am gym work outs before a 7am statistics class followed by healthy eating all day, soccer or softball practice, maybe a city league softball game, homework, and bed. This was my schedule at the end of high school. It was crazy busy, very structured, and healthy. I was always on the move and didn't really have time to eat out or be lazy. I miss it so much. I have always been a busy body and frankly, I have too much time on my hands. People tell me to enjoy it while it lasts becasue I won't have time to myself once I have the baby. I know that...believe me I do. I lived in Colorado with my beautiful step kids. I lived in Oklahoma with my sister, niece, brother in law, and dogs. I grew up in a house with 2 older cousins and a younger cousin. We were always doing something with church or music or sports or get together. I loved it. I really miss being busy and having the constant flow of friends. Right now, I go to work and then go home. On the weekends, I have a LOT of alone time. A normal weekend will include cleaning the house, laundry, maybe some shopping by myself, maybe go to the park by myself, church by myself, and then Brian and I might get to hang out a little bit. He is usually gone to one of his friends houses watching football, or playing golf. I like to have alone time every now and then but I am a people person. I need that personal interaction as well.

Now, I'm not trying to lose weight BY ANY MEANS. But I have been thinking about the gym and about what I am eating lately. Yes, I still have my ice cream and Dr. Pepper and all those bad things, but I am thinking more about the gym lately. I am NOT a night person, so I asked Brian if he would go to the gym with me 3 days a week at night. That way, I don't have to do early mornings EVERY day and also so he can go with me. Much to my surprise he said yes! So I was thinking that we would go Mon, Wed and Fri, but when I brought it up again he said how about Tues, Thurs? I told him that that was only 2 days and he smiled. He said that I suggested 3 days a week and he is suggesting only 2. I told him that 3 days out of a 7 day week was not a crazy request. He of course in true Brian Taylor fashion replied, "2 out of 7 is better than 0 out of 7." I had to agree with him there and so will now only have a work out buddy 2 days of the week. Oh, its hard to stay frustrated at a smile like his. :) So tonight, I will be going home, changing, and walking over to our gym to walk for maybe an hour or so. I wish I had some form of music to distract me, but it will just be me walking on a treadmill or elliptical and probably reading a book. Brian has to work late, so I would be home alone anyway. Hopefully this will help me sleep a little better tonight and just feel better in general for the little princess.

Well, I must finish my work and head home to my lonely work out. lol Later Gators!

Hugs and Kisses,

Kayla Jo

Shoo Fly don't bother me!

I will admit my hormones have been a little crazy. I'm past the crying stage now so I don't just randomly burst in tears which I'm sure has been a blessing for Brian. I'm past the craving of rice and beans which is a blessing for me. I'm past the major nausea stage which has been a blessing for both of us. But I'm just feeling icky lately. I can't really describe it any other way. I'm feeling lonely. I'm feeling fat. I'm feeling just plain icky. Not over exhausted or really sick, but just really gross. I've entered the nesting stage which I'm thinking is a little early but I don't mind. I'm cleaning like  mad woman. Top to bottom- vacuuming, dishes, laundry, super detail dusting, organizing, etc. It's ridiculous, but its nice to walk into a clean and fresh house at the end of a long work day. It's the little bit of satisfaction I have been getting from all of this other ickiness. I know it's not a word, but spare me.

I don't know if you've noticed in my album that I have been losing weight. Well I started gaining weight....a whole pound and a half. woot woot! So now, I'm really watching what I'm eating. I'm eating more frequently throughout the day, still drinking the same amount of water- which is a LOT, and eating more salads and fruit. I don't mind gaining weight. I don't have a crazy self image problem or anything like that. I want to do whatever is going to be healthiest for the baby. But I also don't want to gain 100 pounds and have all of that excess weight to lose after the baby is born. I want to make it as healthy and easy for both the baby and myself. : ) win-win.

I haven't noticed a real change in my clothing except it is definitely hard- well actually, impossible to button some of my pants over this little girl growing in me. So for the past 2 days I have worn dresses. I was made fun of the first day because it was a fitted dress. So because I have been blessed with a big caboose as my Granny says, it looked like I was pregnant in my belly AND my butt. I was told that I would receive an F on the red carpet. hahaha I had to check my emotions upon first hearing it, but laughed as I said that I'm not wearing the dress for fashion but because I don't have to button it around, over or under the belly. haha. The dress I wore today I was told is acceptable, but I just think I look like a huge elephant. This same fashion guru who has passed me today and failed me yesterday said that all pregnant women no matter how skinny they are have those days where they feel fat. *sigh* Good, so I'm not completely alone. Thanks Nids for your guidance! I'm glad I can be your comic relief! : )

So yes, I do have nausea, I am completely exhausted everyday no matter what I do, I do have weird mood swings, I have to pee ALL the time, and I feel fat every second of everyday. But none of it matters, because I am the happiest mommy to be in the world that I am being given the chance to watch this little one grow. I have always had mad baby fever, and now I am going to have my own family. It is so exciting to have a child with the man I love. To bring another cousin, grand child, great grandchild, and sister for Izzy and Vini into the world. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her and help her grow. I can't wait to watch Izzy and Vini meet her for the first time. I can't wait for them to have the bond of siblings. I can't wait to watch Brian make funny faces just to see his little girl smile. I can't wait for my Granny to hold her lucky #7 great grand baby. I am so excited and happy and just overwhelmed with perfect wonderful emotions.

Oreo's for breakfast?

No, I have not had oreo's for breakfast, but they sure do sound delicious! I saw on one of my friend's facebooks that he had almost eaten a whole package of oreos and my tummy started rumbling....let me tell you this baby is definitely mine with the sweet tooth it has!!

Well, I can finally stop referring to the baby as it...that's right! We found out we are having a little girl! A precious little princess. We are so excited. We are actually carrying on a tradition in my family. My sister, cousin Jen, cousin Lindsey, mom, aunt, Granny, and Memaw (my great grandma) all had girls as their firstborns! Now we just have to wait on my brother and little cousin Allie to see if the tradition continues!

When I first found out I was prenant, I couldn't believe it! And all I wanted was a healthy baby. I will admit that in the back of my mind I wanted a boy, but ultimately I was ecstatic about being pregnant with a precious little one in the first place! I grew up very much a tomboy. Even to this day my friend laugh at my "unique" sense of style. Or should we say my non-existent sense of style. I dress for comfort, not for fashion. I played year round sports, and I lived in Florida the flipflop capital. While all the cute fashionistas around me are curling their hair and wearing skinny jeans, I can normally be found in a tank top and sweatpants. Comfort- ahhh yesssss even thinking about it now makes me smile. Curled up on the couch reading a book in my most comfortable sweatpants. :) The reason I have digressed into talking about fashion is because I think this is part of the reason I wanted a boy. I'm not going to be able ot give this little girl the best fashion advice. I have gotten practice with my niece and step daughter and other little girls I know. I have picked out really cute outfits, games, etc and fixed my step daughters hair. I think I do an ok job. I guess I'm just being really honest here in explaining that I'm nervouse about having a little girl. I grew up anooyingly tagging along with my brother while his friends played football. I grew up wanting to be exaclty like my brother actually. My hair was cut short and I was ALWAYS outside playing. Now, I do not wish my little girl to have that WRETCHED short hair I had, but I just want her to experience everything she can in life. And if she has my love of sports, I would definitely NOT mind at all. :) Yes, I actually WANT to be a soccer mom- minus the minivan. I can definitely do without the minivan.

There are many things I hope and pray for my child that reaches FAR beyond the realm of sports and fashion....please believe me. I just had to get those worries and thoughts out in the open. haha I hope that she comes to know and love Jesus like I do. I hope she is kind hearted and gentle and loving. I hope and I pray and I know that God has blessed me in so many ways that I can not even begin to understand. I know that He has given me and will continue to provide for me the tools I need to raise this precious miracle. I know that He has given me a support system of friends and family who have children who will be able to listen to my concerns and understand what I'm going through. And I am so thankful. I just need to keep pouring my concerns out to Him and he will continue to give me the peace that surpasses all understanding.

This note is simply my thoughts pouring on to the page with concerns of if I am going to be a good mom...which I'm sure I'm not the ONLY person in the world to ever think that. I didn't exactly have the greatest example from my mom, but I believe that GFod gives me the perfect examples in His word, and has given me an amazing sister who astonishes me everyday with her love and patience towards her kids. If I could be a fraction of the kind of mom my sister is, I know I'm going in the right direction.

 I can't wait to feel her kicks. I can't wait to see her. My heart is overflowing with all of this love for this perfect little being that I haven't even seen yet. Thank you God for this precious gift!

Well, it's time for my rambling to come to an end. This little girl is hungry and is not bashful about letting me know. As Brian golfs today with his dad and other guys, I will be cleaning the house and looking through this HUGE book of baby names. Text me!

Love and kisses!!

Kayla John, little Princess peanut, and pup Emma Lou