Food Log

I have really low blood sugar. I always have. That's why I get cranky when I haven't eaten in a while....and why if I don't eat very soon after I get cranky, I get massive headaches and am terribly nauseated. And I love food! So it works out well. : ) The first 3 months of my pregnancy, I was nauseated all the time. I couldn't really eat very much. My diet consisted of rice and black beans, and smoothies. I lost 23 pounds. Now, that I am able to eat better, I have gained some of that weight back so I have only lost 16 pounds. I want to do whatever it takes to make sure that I am giving the baby all the nutrients that she needs. I started noticing, however, that every 2-3 hours I am getting really light headed. I figured out that it is because I need to eat....even if I may not necessarily be hungry. Because of this, I have stocked up on granola bars, and fresh fruit and veggies so that I can have snacks throughout the day. I have not been doing very good at eating throughout the day, so I decided to force myself to write it down so that I could help keep myself accountable. Also it will help me track how much water I have been drinking. My water bottle is 32 oz, so I just have to drink 4 of those in the day and I will be good! So far my "food log" looks like this:

7:00am Eat Peanut Butter waffles, drink glass of OJ, and take prenatal vitamin
8:00am Start on water bottle 1 of 4 for the day.
10:16am Finish water bottle 1 of 4. Start on 2 of 4.
10:44am Eat granola bar.....eat two actually : )
11:26am Finish water bottle 2 of 4. 1/2 a gal of water down! yessss
12:30pm Eat 1/2 burger, 6 tater tots, drink half of my cranberry limeade, and drink a small chocolate shake.

I have been instructed by the nurse at my doctor's office to drink a milkshake a day since I'm not getting enough calcium....I don't know if I can drink one every day but it sounded good today! Oh, and usually, I have been eating healthy lunches...salads and sandwiches etc, but I just really wanted a burger today so I indulged. So that leaves me with 1/2 gal water to drink, a healthy afternoon snack to eat, and a healthy dinner since my lunch was less than satisfactory. I think that's a possibility. It may also include going to the gym after work and walking, but judging on my exhaustion level right now I would venture to say that it is highly likely that I will NOT be going to the gym today. So I'm just tossing the idea up there to see if it will become a reality. It would be so much easier if I had a work out buddy...more accountability. Have you caught on that I like accountability? So we will see what the rest of the day holds.....

Doctor appt and ramblings haha

Went to the doctor today...YAY! Such an answer to prayer. He checked everything out- which I found out is even more awkward with my husband in the room than if I was alone- and he said that I seem healthy! They took about 11 vials of blood from me which made me a little dizzy but I should get the results back within a week or two. Not only did they do the normal prenatal work up, they also took blood to test my thyroid. The doctor said that I could have thyroid problems since I'm not gaining any weight. Then he was rude. I'm sure he didn't mean to be rude. I mean, you have to see this guy! He is literally my own Luigi. All he needs is the mustache and the green overalls and he is a spitting image! He is really tall and quite nerdy so I highly doubt that he meant to be very rude, but I was a little shocked at how blunt he was. He asked me if I had been gaining weight good or if I was having problems. I told him that I hadn't gained any weight...that I had actually lost 23 pounds total. I also told him that my belly seems to be getting progressively bigger at a normal rate but that my weight doesn't change. Then with his dorky self he said, "Oh, so you were pretty heavy when you got pregnant." I looked at Brian and then back at the doctor honestly a little shocked. I said, "I guess so.", and then there was just awkward silence. I mean, I know from a doctor's standpoint he wasn't being rude but geez people leave me alone! I'm not having twins and I'm not fat! I'm normal. I'm better than normal- I'm fantabulous. The baby and I are both healthy and my clothes are getting smaller and smaller. Those two things make me happy so buzz off! So yeah, I know he wasn't purposefully being rude but he came off a little out of whack.

Along with not gaining any weight I told him that I've been feeling really dizzy and I almost blacked out last Saturday. (another reason he checked my thyroid) He told me that its probably because I am dehydrated. Brian and I both laughed and the doctor gave us perplexed looks. I told the doctor there is NO way I can possibly be dehydrated. He told me that I am supposed to be drinking a gallon of water a day. I told him that I don't know if I was drinking a gallon, but that I know I drink over 2 liters. Well, when I got back to the office, looked at my water bottle and it holds 32 oz. I have to refill that water bottle 4 or 5 times a day- which is a gallon by itself- then when I get home I have a big water bottle that holds 1 liter which is almost 34 oz. I drink at least 1 of those before I go to bed. Then when I go to bed I refill the bottle and put it next to the bed. I wake up all during the night SO THIRSTY! So I drink a liter throughout the night (which makes me pee a lot too haha) So now that I know that I drink about a gallon and a half of water a day, I can tell him on my next visit. If my body is dehydrated after a gallon and a half of water, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with me. haha

Changing subjects completely-----
I have a skype date with Nikki today! We have been regularly setting skype dates and let me tell you it has DEFINITELY helped me with my loneliness issue here in Las Vegas. It's so nice to see her face and hear about how she is doing. I also get to see little Monster No Name which is amazing. He is getting so big! I can't wait to see him in March and give him hugs and kisses. I also can't wait to introduce my little girl to him since we are planning their lives together already. haha. Every time I talk to them I ask Axel if he is ready to meet his little girlfriend....so far I haven't gotten too crazy of a response...but he can't even walk or talk yet so I'm gonna give it some time. : ) I'm just excited to have my skype date with her and reconnect with people again. I get so crazy here doing the same thing every day.

Now, Nikki did get me into this website called Cafemom. I have enjoyed it so far. It's your own space dedicated to moms and their babies and the questions/concerns that we have. It's actually really nice to be able to go there and read other people's experiences and talk to people in similar situations as me. They have discussions of literally EVERYTHING you can imagine. And this site isn't just for moms...there are people who have joined the site who are trying to start their family and just have questions and concerns about what lies ahead of them if they do get pregnant. It is really comforting to know that I can ask a question or vent or voice a concern and someone has been through it or is going through it at the same time. I have tried to connect with some of the moms in my area...not creepy like I'm stalking them...but just trying to start conversations and they all fail. They will respond a couple times and then the conversation dies. Then you have to start all over with someone new. People are just really hard to connect with! I don't understand it. I like people. I like talking to people. I like making friends. But it seems that I'm alone in that desire I guess haha. I'm trying out a new church on Sunday so maybe I can connect with some people there. We will see.

What a blessing!

Well, first I want to say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!


Next, I have been minorly stressing over what I was going to do since I don't have any maternity leave with my job. I called around to a lot of places and they won't take newborn's until they are 3 months old. I would LOVE to be able to quit my job and just be a stay at home mom, but I can't. It's not possible for us right now, so I came up with the work from home option. : ) I brought the idea up to my big boss today and he said that he didn't mind if I did that at all. We are actually going to be taking my desktop from work to my home to use since my laptop isn't very good for work. I can still use my laptop but the screen is broken so I have to hook it up to my TV so that I can see the screen. haha I know I'm ghetto!!!!

So YAY for our family and a HUGE answer to prayer! I know that at least for the first 3 months I will be able to work from home so that we won't be too financially burdened. Now what happens after those 3 months is another prayer request. I am hoping that I will be able to still stay at home and work instead of having to spend $1000 a month on day care. Plus I just feel more comfortable spending time with her instead of some stranger who has 10 other kids to pay attention to. It breaks my heart to think that I might not have a choice....so I'm hoping that my bosses will be happy with my work so that I can bring up to them possibly staying home and working. I don't see why I would have to come back to the office at all, but hopefully they will see it that way too....Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated!

ramblings....

I'm gonna stand on a rooftop, climb up a mountaintop
Baby, scream and shout
I wanna sing it on the radio, show it on a video
Baby, leave no doubt
I want the whole world to know just what I'm all about
I love to love you out loud

I love Brian Taylor!

On Monday it will not only be Valentines Day, but also 1 year and 5 months that I have been married to this wonderful man! I look at this picture and just melt. I love his everything about him and am so blessed to have him in my life!

And now we are adding to our family! It is so crazy to think that almost a year and a half ago we were just beginning this journey of "us" and in just a couple more months we will be a family of 3! I don't hardly know what to think! We will have a beautiful little girl added to our family. I keep looking at the picture of Izzy and Vini and even pictures of Brian and I as kids and I wonder what she will look like. I have felt her kick and move a little and I just can't wait to hold her in my arms and give her kisses! Brian has been talking to her and rubbing my belly and she kicks more when he is around so I'm taking that as her recognizing his voice. : ) Maybe it's stretching is a little bit, but it's a nice thought. 

Oh, and for an update, I have a doctor's appointment! YAY! For those of you who don't know the situation, I will recap. I have been working for the same company for 1 year now. In October, I technically switched over to our sister company because they offer a more affordable insurance and because I am doing administrative work for them as well. When I was trying to get insurance, they were giving me the run around telling me that I had to be with the company for 90 days before I could qualify for insurance. I explained that we were backdating my hire date to the time that I started with the other company. I talked to the owner, I talked to the HR director, I talked to EVERYONE I could and they were literally avoiding me. Well, then I found out that I was expecting on Nov 19th. At this point it was no longer me just trying to get insurance so that I could make sure I had it just in case. This was no longer about me, it was completely about this little one growing in me. Well, they eventually told me that I had to wait until Feb 1st because my hire date with the sister company wasn't until Oct 31st and it would cause too many legal issues. See, the whole thing would make sense if this was a normal company...but it's not. They hired a regional manager for out in Reno, NV and within 1 week he had his insurance card in hand and was seeing the dentist because he had a toothache. So it was really hard for me to not get somewhat hostile when they told me that it would create legal issues for me to have insurance even though at the time I had been with the company for 8 months! So having a toothache is more important than having a human growing inside of you?! It doesn't make sense....just proved more and more that this company is on the "good ole' boy network". 

Well, I finally accepted that I was going to have to wait until Feb 1st to get my insurance. I was trying to keep my life as unstressful as possible so that this little being wouldn't have any problems that I could help at that moment. So in Jan, I asked for my paperwork so that I could fill it out. I had been told that it would take 2 weeks for them to process my paperwork before I could get the insurance so I wanted to get a head start. Surprise, surprise! They wouldn't give me the paperwork because they were thinking about switching carriers. So I asked for both set of paperwork just so it wouldn't take any longer than it needed to be. The jokes on me again because they were considering 6 different carriers and wouldn't know until Feb 1st which one they were going to go with. So I would be eligible for insurance on Feb 1st, but would have to wait until they chose the carrier so that I could get my paperwork and THEN it would take 2 weeks to process the paperwork, and THEN there is no telling how long the wait is for new OBGYN patients. ESPECIALLY OBGYN patients that are already almost 5 months pregnant! So needless to say I was quite the bother...it was probably technically harassment by me calling the broker every single day to see if they had made their mind up about the insurance carrier yet. I told him that it wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't absolutely necessary for me to see the doctor for the baby. After some time and probably some pushing by me, they finally made up their mind and the broker said he would personally process my paperwork so I wouldn't have to wait 2 weeks. 

So this is what led me to my doctor's appointment. I chose a doctor that was not a Spanish speaking office because I didn't want to have any stress with language barriers. (That may not sound hard to do, but this eliminated over half of the offices here! This is Nevada after all!) So I chose a doctor that was close to where I live and called to make the appointment on Monday. The lady was surprised that I hadn't been to the doctor yet. She said that because I was so late in my pregnancy, she would have to check with the doctor to make sure that they could still take me in. She said she would call me back that same day. Tuesday goes by and no call. Half of Wednesday goes by and I call the office and ask for her. She asks me again why I haven't been to the doctor yet and I told her that I didn't have insurance until now. She said that she would still have to ask the doctor and call me back. On Thursday, I call again because I hadn't heard from her and she put me on hold to ask the doctor (which really annoyed me....I mean she had all week to do this! errr). When she got back on the phone she said that he would take me in! YAY! So I have a doctor's appointment on Feb 17th at 10am. And Brian gets to come with me! I'm really excited!

I no longer have the stress of not having insurance and not having a doctor....but now I have a little stress about the tests that they have to do. I mean....I'm supposedly 21-23 weeks pregnant or something like that. They don't know my exact due date because they haven't measured the baby because only a doctor can sign off on the measurements. Sooooooo, I will go to the doctor on the 17th...he will make me take a pregnancy test (which I think is stupid) and will check to make sure everything is ok. Then we will probably schedule the next appointments for blood work and all that jazz. It is a little nerve wracking because I just want everything to be perfect for her. I want her to be healthy and am already a little worry wart. ugh! But I am just praying and thanking God in advance for giving me this perfect beautiful little girl. I am trusting that He is in control of all things, and I have no reason to think that she is anything other than a beautiful, perfect, healthy little girl! Needless to say, Feb 17th can't come any faster! I will actually have a due date and the reassurance that everything is ok. And if everything isn't ok....then I can prepare and do whatever it takes to help her in any way that I can. I just love her so much and want the best for her!

So for those of you who are still reading....which I doubt anyone is because of my ramblings....prayer and good intentions are much appreciated here in Las Vegas for our baby girl!

I will keep you updated!

Love and Kisses!!
Kayla Jo

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

Chicken and Wild Rice

On a normal day, the chicken and rice that I had for lunch would be delicious! As I force myself to eat the protein and nutrients, I think of better easier days when I actually enjoyed eating. But then as I think of those better easier days, I think about the REASON I am having so much trouble eating- my little peanut! Sure before it was easier, but before I didn't have this miracle. I didn't have this precious child growing inside of me and taking from me its nutrients. Before I didn't have anyone to think about but myself. Oh how grateful I am to be blessed with this perfect, wonderful little being! Even if it means that food is gross. Even if it means I'm in a little pain or discomfort. It's so worth it!!!!

I went to visit my friend Priscilla in the hospital when she had her baby. I'm used to my stepdaughter and stepson who are 6 and 4yrs old. I'm used to my niece and nephews who are 4 and 2 yrs old. I'm used to my boss' son who is 7yrs old. But it's easy to forget how little newborns are. It was amazing. I got to see Priscilla and Josh's little miracle- Erin Rachel. She was stretching, and moving her little fingers while she was sleeping. She would wince at the bright lights and respond fondly to voices. She was beautiful. Now, I am the first person to say that most newborns, boy or girl, look like little old men. They are wrinkly and squishy and look like little old men! But Erin is beautiful. She has a FULL head of hair and the cutest little button nose.

I have never been nervous around little kids. I usually am in a little "mini-heaven" surrounded by their smiles, laughter, and many other expressions. I wasn't nervous holding Erin. I only held her for a short period of time, but I wasn't nervous. I got a little nervous after I put her back in the little bed at the hospital because I was thinking- this is going to be me in 6 months. 6 months...only half of a year....and this was going to be looking at my little one. Brian and I will be looking at the features and marveling at the stretching and expressions of our child....OUR child. Thinking about it just sent a little chill up my spine. It was more of anticipation than it was being nervous, but still the feeling was there.

Priscilla is letting me borrow 2 of her baby books for Brian and I to go through. One is of course the famous What to expect when you're expecting, and the other is a baby name book with all of the meanings. We find out if it is a boy or a girl in just 2 weeks and 3 days. I think it will be easier to start focusing on names as soon as we find out the gender. Then there will only be 50,000 names to go through instead of 100,000. lol. It's just getting more and more real everyday. Ya know what I mean? I know I can't feel the kicks and movements yet, but I know that there is a miracle taking place in our lives with this little one.

So even though I can't enjoy Chicken and Wild Rice, I will forever enjoy that pitter patter heart beat that brings me to tears every time. I can't wait to meet you little precious one.

Love and Kisses,

Kayla Taylor

It's Christmas Time!

Well, I'm slightly annoyed at the shipping process for Christmas presents. They brag and boast on tv about out the Priority Mail Boxes save you so much time and how they are so much more cost effective. That is crappola! First off, they don't make the boxes big enough to ship presents. They are small so you have to ship WAY more than 1 box....costing about the same as if you were going to send the big box through UPS. And then its a hassle to try to print the labels online. There wasn't a size listed on the big box that I had, and all that it said online is small, medium or large. So I will have to go to the post office and wait in the oober long line. But I shouldn't complain too much because I waited until now to ship them off.

Ok, I'm done complaining about the Post Office. It's Christmas time! Only 5 more days! I'm so excited! I'm so excited to get pictures of the kiddos opening their presents. I'm so excited for my husband to open his presents and to see his face. He is like a little kid in ALMOST every way on Christmas....the only way he is definitely not a kid is that he doesn't wake up with the sunrise to open presents. I usually will wake him up. heehee! But he shakes, smells, pokes, weighs, and anything else you can do to a present to try to see what it is. He is so bad! I'm going to have to find a good hiding spot for next Christmas.

Well, this year we will be sending out Christmas cards! I am so excited. Brian and I took pictures at a Target Studio yesterday and created a cute Christmas card to send out. We won't pick them up until Christmas Eve so they will be a little late....but look at it as a surprise gift! Think about it- you have opened all your gifts, and given everyone hugs, and the plans for the new year starts rolling in then- WHAM! -you get a Christmas card from the Taylor's! It will be a pleasant surprise! :) Well, anyway below are some of the pictures that we took yesterday. Hope you like!!!

I will put pictures on here from the Christmas Party once I get them off of my camera and on to the computer!

Love and Kisses,

Kayla Jo

Blessings

I love being pregnant. I love knowing that I have a beautiful being inside of me growing and being nurtured by me. The baby is only a little over an inch now. So small and so dependent on what I eat, how I sleep, all my emotions. It's crazy, amazing, and an incredible blessing! I pray every morning on my way to work. There is something about the crisp air outside and a new beginning that just draws me to talk to him. I can't thank him enough for the blessing that he has given me and my family with this little one.

Now, I have said that I love being pregnant...and I do. I do not love the side effects that I have had with this pregnancy though. I am nauseated all the time.....ALL THE TIME. My friend laughed as she told me that I was going to have a Vegan baby because I can't really eat anything with meat. I know it sounds weird, but I went to Panera bread to get a sandwich and some soup. I love me some Panera Bread when it's a little chilly outside. I ordered a cup a soup and half of a turkey sandwich. The soup, I downed in an instant as I was SO hungry! I nibbled on the sandwich trying to get some protein but I couldn't eat even eat half of it. It was ridiculous. And for just a little more venting, I am tired all the time, have terrible backaches and am constantly hungry! But ya know what? It is so worth it. Hearing the heartbeat and seeing my little peanut gives me greater joy that surpasses any hunger, nausea, or sleep deprivation. I've only been to one ultrasound to see the heartbeat and I am definitely a worry wart, so I bought a heart doppler so that I can listen to my little one whenever I want. And believe me, this will be the newest addition to my purse. It will be with me at work, at home, and everywhere in between. Right now the baby is too small for me to feel the movements and the kicks. I am not doing anything bad or living a crazy life, but I just want everything to be so perfect. And I know it will calm me down to hear the heartbeat every now and then. Plus I think it will be a good bonding time for Brian and the baby as well.

Right now I will pull a quote from Juno...yep the movie with the 16 year old who got pregnant in high school. In this movie Jennifer Gardner plays a wife who so desperately wants to be a mother that she willingly accepts Juno's proposition for adopting her baby. After Jennifer's husband in the movie expresses that he is not ready to be a dad, Jennifer states that a woman becomes a mother when she gets pregnant and a man becomes a father when he meets the baby. I believe that is true for most situations. I believe that there are some dads out there who fall in love with the little ones, but I think it's so different to feel the baby's kicks and movement. I think it's different because the woman's body changes and grows as the baby grows and takes nutrients from the mother's body. The dad gets the fun job of late night runs for weird cravings, back rubs, and a little extra work around the house. Those aren't exactly bonding situations for the dad. haha. I think the heart doppler will be a great experience for Brian and I to be able to sit on the couch and listen to our baby.

So far everyone has told me I'm having a girl. And when I say everyone, I'm including people that I don't even know. We just bought a car- a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe- to be exact. We did so because we have a company car that the car seat won't fit in and that is so small I don't feel comfortable with the safety, and we have a two seater truck that will not fit two adults and a car seat. So we ventured out on a day of car scouting. We test drove a Toyota 4Runner that I was totally sold on, but we wanted to check out a couple different cars. We then go to the BMW dealership. This then makes me feel incredibly poor. haha As we are sitting at our representative's desk, directly behind us is a $97,000 convertible something-or-other- in other words a NICE and EXPENSIVE car. We start looking at our options and he shows us a truck. I tell him that we need a little more room than that truck can provide. In true car salesmenship fashion, he continues pushing the issue of the truck. And with the way that I am, the thought automatically popped in my head- "Didn't I just tell him that we don't want the truck? Does he think I'm stupid or does he just not want to sell us a car today?" I am a pushover on some things, but if I tell you no and you push the issue I am not a happy cookie. I told him again that I had just said that that is not what we were looking for. He told me that he was going to go get the key so we could test drive it. I then blurted out, I'm having a baby this summer so we need something bigger for a carseat and stroller and all the baby stuff to fit in. He finally stopped pushing the truck and says "well congratulations! It's going to be a girl, I can tell." This man, who I JUST met randomly knows that I'm going to have a girl? It doesn't seem to far fetched seeing as all of my friends, family, coworkers, and everyone else wants me to have a girl. So on January 8th, 2011 we will find out! I've been trying to think of a cute way to break the news but I think I will just be so excited that I will end up just blurting it out. After all, that's what I did when we found out we were pregnant. I just called everyone and told them. Not cute or fun, but I was SO excited. My dream was finally coming true!

As Christmas approaches, I think about all of the family's with their kids waking up bright and early and rushing to open presents. I think about reading stories, drinking hot chocolate and sitting with loved ones around the fire. And as I think about all of these wonderful things, it is starting to hit me that this is my last Christmas of just Brian and me. Next Christmas we will have a little 5 month old to dress up in hilarious Christmas outfits that will embarrass them down the road. haha I'm just looking forward to having my little family all together. Now only if we could have Izzy and Vini with us as well. Maybe one day we will live close enough to get to have holidays consistently with them. But until now, I am praising God for the blessings that He has poured and continues to pour out on my family. I have a wonderful, loving, handsome husband who loves me. I have two beautiful step kids who melt my heart and who truly are a blessing. I have a little one on the way that has been my dream for a long time. I have an adorable puppy that I can dress up in ridiculous outfits. And I have food on my table, a bed to sleep in, a roof over my head, and an awesome support group. I AM BLESSED.


Love and Kisses!!!!

Kayla Jo