6 Weeks

We've made it to Week 6 and yesterday we finally made our first prenatal appointment for September 15. It all still seems so surreal.

So far still feeling pretty good. The nausea is pretty come and go. I may have it one day and then the next day I won't really experience it at all. But I tell you what when it hits it does not feel good. And the tiredness....yeesh. We've been hitting the bed closer and closer to 8:00pm the past several nights.

I am trying to focus on the positives and not spend too much time worrying or being anxious about the things I can't control (which is really hard for a control freak like me). Working on being thankful for every moment, every feeling, and all the good things going on all around me.

So onward in the journey....

It's Happening....

So I've really known for quite some time. It's hard to explain because you don't live in my body but I just had a gut feeling (and I have a pretty reliable gut) that something was different. Anyway, even though I've known since I was probably about 1 week (no, really, I'm serious), we finally got some confirmation on Monday, August 18 that I am in fact pregnant.

Woah. It feels crazy to write that out. I'm actually further along than I thought I was--I never knew how you actually counted the weeks but as I type I am rounding up to week 5. I haven't felt too terrible yet, just the general aches and super tiredness. I've also noticed that I get really short of breath a lot quicker than usual. That was really one of my first indications was when I was at a class at the gym that I can normally rock and about half way through I thought I might die (of course I didn't but it was a tip that something in my body was different).

All is well. And we are over the moon excited. Now we just have to wait it out to get over the major fears and worries (or perhaps those never really leave....). So we are looking to fill our days with things that will make it move quickly and also savor the amazing things that are happening in my body.

Stitch Fix #5

Well box #5 has now come and gone. When I opened it, I thought I might end up keeping it all. But after taking a look at some of the prices and trying things on, I decided against it. Here are the details:

1. Top left- Navy blue terry shift dress

This was a good looking dress. It was very simple but had a great fit and was oh-so-soft. However, the $84 price tag just seemed too much for what it was. And so I sent it back. 

2. Top middle- Aqua and white birds on a wire infinity scarf

This was cute but I'm not in scarf season. It's too. hot. in AL to even think about scarves.

3. Top right- Off white chevron crochet tank

At first I didn't think I liked this top but after trying it on several more times, I had a change of heart and loved it. This was the one piece I kept out of this box and I can't wait to pair it with my mint green skinnies. 

4. Bottom left- Orange and white striped tank

I came really close to hanging on to this one. It had a good fit and, like the terry dress above, was super soft. But once again, the price tag just seemed too high for what I was buying. 

5. Bottom right- Chevron maxi 

I loved this skirt. And I wanted to keep it. But after trying it on multiple times, the fact that it was see-through never went away. It wasn't the kind of see-through you could hide or ignore. Obviously I didn't keep it. 

So that's a wrap on box 5. I'm still loving Stitch Fix and highly recommend it to anyone teetering on the edge of ordering one of their own. 

Here is the referral link just in case: http://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3492278

Stitch Fix #4

These were the contents of my 4th Stitch Fix box that arrived in June. I once again loved the contents of the box but only kept 1 item. Here are the details:

1. Top left- Black & White striped cardigan with hot pink accent

I liked this but didn't really love it and decided I don't really need it. 

2. Top middle- Chambray coral necklace

This just wasn't really my style. It was cute but really chunky for a necklace. 

3. Bottom left- Beige blouse

I came close to keeping this peasant style blouse but in the end decided it hugged too tight around the mid-line. The sleeves on this top were super cute but not enough to move it to the keep category.

4. Bottom middle- Pink Chevron swing skirt

Didn't like this one. At all. 

5. Far right- High-low tribal print dress

When I saw the "high-low" part I thought I'd hate this dress but I was so very, very wrong. I love everything about it. The print is awesome, the fit is perfect, and it's hardly a "high-low" style dress. I kept it. And I love it. 

So that was my fourth box. I'm still loving all of the different things the stylists pick out for me--so far they've done a pretty stinkin' good job. If you're ready to take the plunge and order a box for yourself, here's the link: http://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3492278 You really won't regret it! 

Stitch Fix #3

I am once again incredibly late in posting my review of Box #3 but we will blame it on the fact that I've been out of the country (more on that later!). Anyway, I loved my third fix and am definitely still hooked. So here is what I received in my box: 

1. Top left: skinny jeans

This is the first time something hasn't really fit at all--way too tight. Easy decision to send them back. 

2. Top middle: blue chevron 3/4 sleeve dress

The fit was a little funky on this too--just a bit too big. It was a pretty cute dress overall but didn't fit well enough (nor was it quite right for our hot summer coming up) to keep. 

3. Top right: coral lace/pleated top

I didn't like this one much. It just didn't do anything for me. 

4. Bottom left: floral tank

I LOVE this top...like really really love it. It had a great flowy fit and the print is absolutely gorgeous. I wore it on my vacation and felt fabulous! Here it is on: 

5. Bottom right: navy striped tank

I also quite like this shirt. Same sort of flowy fit as the shirt above and super cute with skinny jeans! I can't wait to wear it. 

If you haven't tried Stitch Fix yet, you definitely should. You will NOT regret it. I know I have several friends that have signed up in the past month or so and they are loving it as much as I am. 

Here is my referral link should you decide you want to take the plunge: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3492278

Stitch Fix #2

I'm a little bit late updating on Stitch Fix #2 as it arrived around April 15 or so but better late than never right? I am still pleased with all of the items that came in my box and ended up keeping two of the items this time around! So here is what I received: 

1. Top left--Terry cloth beige and black striped blazer. I loved this. I really did. I came oh so very close to keeping it (ask my sister, I even called for her advice!) but I decided in the end that it's about to be too warm for a blazer AND I already have 3 others. I hope I don't regret it.

2. Top middle--Chevron striped cap sleeve top. This was by far my favorite piece. I love it. It's a great fit, great material, and super cute. Since I live in Alabama I'm sure people will claim it's "Auburn" colors but your wrong it's actually a deep pink and navy. So ha! I kept this one and have already worn it!

3. Top Right--Deep Orange (think coral really) cropped trouser. I thought I would hate these. Seriously. They have no zipper, they are sort of stretchy type material and you just pull them right on up. So I gave them a chance, and I ended up keeping them! They were a bit of a splurge but they are so unlike anything else I own. It was also the only piece that I would have NEVER picked out for myself.

4. Bottom Left--Eyelet dress. Meh. I'll be honest I didn't like this one that much. Sent it right on back.

5. Bottom Right--Black skinnies. These were cute but I really already have a pair that I love.

So I would say it was another success for Stitch Fix! Box #3 is set to arrive in May just in time for our big trip to Rio. If you still haven't taken the plunge, here's my referral link:

http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3492278

You will not regret it! (and keep me posted once you get it...I love seeing what other folks get in their boxes)

Lent, the rest of the weeks...

(A photo from our Maundy Thursday service this year. We ended the evening in our courtyard as a representation of praying together in the garden. It was beautiful and holy.)

We failed pretty big time at our Lenten practice this year. 

But I suppose in some ways, that's part of the point of it all, right? That we try something new, that we experience sacrifice in new and different ways, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  

And I'm ok with that. 

So while we perhaps didn't actually keep to our list (turns out we do better with 1 task rather than changing it up every single day for 40 days), I think we did indeed still live in the darkness of Lent for a few weeks. We spent a lot time thinking about death and sacrifice as we said goodbye to our Maggie. But we also spent a lot of time reflecting on our belief that death does not have the last word. We mourned the pup that we loved so much, but we also celebrated the promise of new life as my sister and brother-in-law announced that they are expecting their first child. We spent time in our dead (for the winter), ugly, weedy yard and over the weeks have watched it slowly transform into the beautiful garden we know and love. We planted two new apple trees and have watched them root into their new home and blossom. We have watched, experienced, and felt the season change from cold and gloomy to days filled with sun and warmth. 

And so, yes, we did not follow our well intentioned list of practices. But I think that we still learned a lot during this Lenten journey about what it means to love and to lose, to trust that death is not the end, to cry and yet be at peace, and to live into the beautiful promise of resurrection in our every day lives. 

We hope you and yours had a very Happy Easter!