We're back!!

Wow. Almost a whole year since I've blogged here. I kind of don't even know where to start. You may have been keeping up with me on my design blog, Amen Style, which is an offshoot of my design biz, Amen {Inspired} Design. I guess that's a good place to start.

Since last February our lives seem to have completely changed in every way. It's been crazy/exciting/nerve-wracking/amazing. All at the same time.

So here goes:

• April 2011: Brendan resigned his position in accounting after three and a half years to take a full-time position at NewSpring Church where he is in charge of outreach, care, next steps (ownership class, baptism, etc.) and groups. Obviously it was a huge change and a big decision for both of us, but it has been one of the best things we've done and I couldn't be more proud of him. He's gotten some amazing opportunities already and I can only imagine what the future holds. Plus his co-workers are pretty much the coolest.

• June 2011: After three years in the publishing industry, I stepped down to pursue a career as a full-time designer. Yes, it was a huge leap of faith and a decision that many in this economy wouldn't consider. But, I couldn't be happier.

I really came to the realization that it's what I needed to be doing full-time when I was working on a pretty big project for a client in Maryland. There was no way for me to juggle doing design work, which is my real passion, and working in publishing. It was great run and I had the opportunity to work on some really cool projects in publishing, but that ship has sailed, and I feel so blessed to be able to be doing something now that I truly love. Starting a business isn't for the faint of heart, but the pay off is sweet!

• November 2011: We bought our first house! Yes, leaving the little bubble that is Daniel Island was a little bittersweet, but we always knew that as far buying goes, we'd have to look elsewhere. And so we did, and now we're in a truly beautiful three-story row-house style townhome in West Ashley. There were so many little details that just came together in the process and I think we're still pinching ourselves because it seems too good to be true sometimes! The thought of buying a house was always just very daunting to me and to now have gone through it and be in a home of our own is something I'm very, very thankful for. Not to mention it's only six minutes from Brendan's office. Yay!

We have all of our major stuff unpacked and are now in the process of getting blinds (a big necessity!) and figuring out where to hang stuff, what to paint...you know. The fun stuff.

So eight months ago, Brendan and I have both changed careers, and bought a house. But those aren't the only changes around here. By this time next year, we'll be enjoying a whole new slew of changes in our lives becaaaauuuse......

Oh my gosh, it feels so surreal to even be typing this. I still can't even believe it!

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!

OMG!!!

Ok, is it just me, or does it look like it's smiling and waving at us??

I'm not going to lie. For about the whole first year we were married and I thought I was pregnant every month. So when that first pink line showed up faintly on the stick I was in shock. It was on a Sunday morning and since Sunday is technically a work day for B now, he was already at church and I just had a feeling that I should take a test that morning. Sure enough, it was positive and I will never forget the surreal feeling I had as I stared at the little window on the test. I'm pretty sure I cried and I know I laughed.

It was all I could do to hurry up and get ready to make it to church in time to snag Brendan away for a few seconds to tell him. We were both giggly and all smiles that morning and the days to follow.

We kept it to ourselves for a little while, but we knew we couldn't keep it from our friends David and Hillary for long. We usually have wine night with them about once a week and let's be honest, the only possible explanation for me to sit it out would be because there's a baby in there! So the fateful wine night came that I busted out the lemon-lime soda water and broke the news. There was a lot of screaming.

Then were the families. I really, really, really wanted to be able to tell them in person. I knew we'd see them the week before Thanksgiving in Raleigh, but that was weeks away and one day I was talking to my mom and I just told her. Again, lots of screaming. And crying and laughing.

And since then, we've just sort of been telling people here and there and now making the big cyber-announcement!

Here are a few FAQs about Baby M:

• Was baby a surprise? Mmmm.....
• Are you guys super pumped about baby? YES!!
• Are you going to find out if baby's a he or a she? Definitely. I like green and yellow as much as the next guy, but there's no way we could wait.
• Do you have an inkling about gender? Well, my first thought was boy, but there are some pretty strong persuasions for girl, so we'll just have to wait until we find out in February.
• Names?? We're pretty solid on names, but I'm not sure if we'll divulge them before that grand arrival.
• How far along are you and when are you due? I'm almost 11 weeks and am due on July eighth, which pretty cool because that's my Grandma Martha's birthday and if it's just a few days early could be on my brother Brian's birthday.
• Have you been getting morning sickness? Yes. Yes. Yes. Morning sickness is a lie, really. Because it's not just in the morning. Oddly, it seems to be worse in the beginning of the week and then taper off. It started right at six weeks and has been pretty consistent, with the exception of our Thanksgiving trip to New York- thank God!! Vacation during the first trimester- rookie mistake.
• Any cravings? Not really. More like a lot of things I don't wait. It's gotten better, but on a bad day, meat, cheese, hot stuff, forget it. I'm actually down a few pounds, but the doc says it's not uncommon and I'll make up for it next trimester.
• Nursery plans? Well...of course there are all kinds of things swirling through my head, but until we know if baby's a boy or girl, I don't really have any solid plans. But you know I'll share them when I do.

I'll be checking in much more frequently now to document this whole crazy experience so check back soon! I promise it won't be a year again till I post!