I first heard about The Paper Mama’s photo challenge from Jess at I Rock So What {how cool is her header?} and I thought it would be a fun way to introduce you to the new bump too!

After seeing another one of my pregnant pals belly pictures on Facebook {who is only a week or two ahead of me} I feel huge! I am even wondering if I’m having twins or triplets! I haven’t had an ultra-sound because my mid-wife doesn’t do them until closer to 14 weeks.

Is my bump also probably a little bit of LA fish taco? Possibly, but honestly on my worst day it doesn’t look this big so I’m sure it’s babe. But sheesh!

I am 11 weeks as of Wednesday & ready to be out of the first trimester. I still have only had a few encounters with the porcelain throne, but the nausea, headaches & exhaustion has got to go. 

My cravings now are bagels, anything Greek/Mediterranean that’s loaded with feta cheese {I know} & tzatziki sauce, milkshakes, yogurt & the worse craving for Chick Fil A ever in my life. 

I got a craving for Chick Fil A on Sunday of ALL DAYS. I wanted the largest lemonade & chicken salad sandwich ever. But of course it was Sunday. The closest thing I could come up with was Panera but was sadly disappointed. So first thing Monday afternoon I pulled on leggings & the best covering shirt I could find & made my way to Chick Fil A. And it did not disappoint.

My emotions have also been running high. Everything makes me cry. The Kardashian season finale. The Real Housewife wedding, Gossip Girl. Ok maybe just TV stuff but still tears abound.

Maternity Dress by NOM from Gilt 

And now enough about all of that.

Here is my official entry for the photo challenge.

Background. A few weeks ago we had a Kardashian marathon courtesy of Netflix & Kourtney & Khloe were making fun because Kim always takes pictures with her underarms showing & her mouth open.

Me. As Kim.

I could win a look a like contest don’t you think?

Currently:

Obsessing over…

Maternity clothes! DUH. I have worn nothing but leggings & t-shirts that pre-baby belly were to big but are fitting now. 

Working on…

This blog post & packing. We’re moving into a short-term rental & until probably May-ish when we can find a house we like.

Thinking about…

How tired I am! 

Anticipating…

Sleeping in the king size bed that our new temp apartment comes furnished with. 

Listening to…

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion part 1. 

Eating…

Just got done eating beef stroganoff, did nothing for me. 

Wishing…

We’ve moved out already. I’m at the point in our current place where I hate it & can see every flaw & don’t want to clean or straighten up. Ugh.

P.S. My blogs anniversarybirthday was two weeks ago, but I didn’t realize that until about 30 seconds ago. I thought it was in February. Egg on my face. I usually do a big week long giveaway but this time I want to do something different. If you are a reader of this blog and obvs you are since you are in fact…reading these words I want to do a huge thank you post & would love to feature your blog. Please leave your blog and Twitter link in the comment section.

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When the 3 year old class comes parading in front you to do their rendition of Jingle Bell Rocks you tear up, you tear up so much you don’t even mind when the Dad who is clearly high & reeking of Jim Bean shoves his camera in your face to catch the name of the song.

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When you consider making all kinds of crafts that will only end in tears, usually yours, because of the mess, the lack of organization & the waning interest, but you still pull up another tutorial for Salt Dough ornaments the next day because dammit it’s Christmas time!

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When you stand in line at Toys R Us at 5 AM on your anniversary to get the Leap Pad & still walk out empty-handed because there were at least a 100 other people in front of you.

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When even after the Toys R Us debacle you race across town after Target tells you they have the Leap Pads. Beg the operator to hold you one because you will be there in 20 minutes, but breathe a sigh of relief when she assures you that she doesn’t need to hold you one because they have plenty. But you still manage to not get one when you arrive at Target in 15 minutes & watch someone else pick up the last one & start hollering FUCK in the Children’s Electronics aisle.

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When you contemplate pushing the offending Leap Pad buying mom… just because.

You know you’re a mother… at Christmas time

When you contemplate paying $60 more for the Leap Pad on Ebay

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When you consider buying a drum set.

You know you’re a mother…at Christmas time

When you want nothing on that day but to see your child smile.

Now your turn to answer!

via pinterest (duh where else?) 

 Also linked up to Kat’s Writers Workshop

Long before I was a mother stroking the cheek of a pre-schooler while we role played the Bernstein Bears I was a 16-year-old girl embarking on my first solo adventure. Bible College. My intentions were good as I made my way to evening church serves & early morning intercession. 

What starts in the dark…

I was finishing up my kitchen duties for the evening & listening to the local Christian contemporary station when he walked into the cafeteria in a large white t-shirt & baggy grey sweatpants. My eyes did not immediately lock with his nor did my heart stop as he stared it me. It was a non-event {at least for me}. As I finished cleaning, I made small talk with him & the other boys that had made there way into the kitchen area well past dinner. 

It wasn’t long before a Tasmanian devil card made its way to my hands & prayers passed my lips as I did what any normal God fearing courtship focused teen did. I prayed for guidance & direction. Here standing in front of me was a boy who I normal would not even give a passing glance to, had it not been for the fact that he was telling me he had visions of me as his wife. I had to pray about it if only to get him to move on.

I said a prayer, I laid down a fleece & before I knew it I was in a relationship that was completely against the rules with someone I couldn’t even stand. But when words like God, visions, dreams, spiritual & the one come floating past your ears you to tend to become a little more than hazy. 

We were quickly engaged in hopes that, that would eliminate the pressure of the rules that so weighed us down. It didn’t & by Spring of that same year I was packing my bags to go home & plan a wedding for a relationship that would never make it past the opening bell. 

I could & should get into all the details that followed my exit from school & the demise of the relationship, but I think that’s best saved for another time & RemembeRED prompt. 

What starts in the dark…

It’s 7:00 & dinner has finally finished. Mom has a PTA meeting & Dad is going wherever Dad’s go at this hour {I have my suspicions}. “Upstairs to do your homework scout” Mom instructs as she’s clearing the table. Dad grabs the trash bag on his way out & tells Mom to make sure she locks up. After I know they’ve left I call Chase. “They’re gone. I’m coming over.”

Once I meet up with Chase we meet up with Malcolm & Tessa at the rec center. As soon as we arrive Malcolm let’s us know it’s time to head in.  We make our way to room 207 just as the clock strikes 8. Inside, just as I imagined I see my Mom & Dad sitting near Malcolm’s parents along with almost every other parent in town. At the podium is Mayor Jensen he starts the meeting.

“Today was a good day all. Now let’s discuss possible mischief for tomorrow. How can we make the lives of our kids a living hell?”

WOE prompt

How many times did you hear from your parents {I know I did!} or how many times have you said to your own kids “What do you think I do, sit around dreaming up ways to make your life miserable?” Yeah. That.

Love born out of fire, tried against the grain.

Waiting on the moon. Finding a groove & loosing it.

Chasing cars, chasing pavements & chasing papers.

When I was sad, you craddled.

That time you were sad & I waited.

Like that time we made magic.

Like that time we made him.

Like that time you left me breathless. 

via pinterest

Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop: 3.) Write a post in just eight lines. (inspired by Mommy Nani Boo Boo)