I'm Pregnant!!

Patrick and I are so excited to announce that we will have our first little baby this year. Baby O'Rourke is expected to arrive on August 3. We are 10 weeks (and 5 days) along!

It's pretty hard to believe that we are going to be parents. This is something we've looked forward to for quite some time, so to have it finally happen is just wonderful!

We first found out on December 8 when we got a positive result from a home test. I was so shocked that I took a test on December 9th and December 10th too. . .just to be sure. I told Patrick by showing him the result on the 8th, to which he replied, "What does that mean?" Once I explained that we were pregnant, he scooped me up and couldn't stop saying how great it was. I'll never forget that moment.

We knew we wanted to use Dr. Gass right from the start, and knew it would take quite a bit of time to get in to see him. Not only that, my insurance from my new job hadn't kicked in at that point, and wouldn't for another 3 weeks. It was pretty difficult waiting around for that first appointment.

Long ago, Patrick and I decided that we'd keep the news between the two of us, but I couldn't help myself. I later confessed to Patrick that I told multiple people :/ (like 8)

Luckily, he wasn't upset!

Our first appointment with Dr. Gass was Thursday, January 6. Immediately they took us back for an ultrasound. Patrick got to see our baby first, and instantly began asking TONS of questions about what he saw on the monitor (in true O'Rourke fashion!). After some photos, the technician turned the monitor for me to see. I couldn't stop smiling. The feeling of seeing our baby for the first time was pretty indescribable. Then our baby moved its little arms, and I melted into a sea of tears. It suddenly became real!

After the appointment, Patrick and I took the ultrasound pictures to his parents house. They were very happy for us. We then went to tell my mom, who wasn't home! Ahhhhh! To add to the drama, Patrick had a rehearsal that evening. We had to wait until that was over before heading back to mom's house. Upon arrival, I barged into her home saying loudly that she needed to settle a bet that Patrick and I had going on. I then pulled out the pictures and asked her what she thought they looked like. Once it all processed, she jumped up and screamed for joy! It was priceless. Another moment I'll never forget.

Everything has gone pretty smoothly. I had most of my sickness during the first few weeks. Every now and then it comes back, although as I improve my diet and eat more often, I'm able to hold it off. The doctor says I shouldn't feel this nauseous for much longer. I can't wait until that part is over. Luckily, I haven't thrown up at all.

I have had a few strange cravings. . .tuna and oranges was pretty strong early on. Also, I LOVE the smell of dill pickles! Yum! Tonight I really wanted potato salad. I've had a pretty strong aversion to hamburgers and french fries, which was once a staple in my diet. Just the thought of them make my head spin. . .blech!

Patrick has helped satisfy my crazies! Anything I need, he takes care of it. Even over the holidays when I needed someone to make me put my "big girl panties" on, he was there kicking my butt, and telling me to pull it together. I really have a wonderful husband, and I can't wait to see him as a father!

I'm looking forward to this awesome journey! What a blessing this child is! We are thankful that God has trusted us with this little life. He is good!

Did you see this guy?

Patrick and I just finished watching the 5th season of The Wire. If you haven't seen it, stop what you are doing right now and watch it. Right NOW! It's pretty amazing.

Anyway, with all the craziness of the series swirling in my head, I got to thinking about how hard it must be to live on the streets as one of the characters on the show does. I thought, is there even a gleam of hope for these people? Then, I came across this story. . .

I just had to share this. I mean, he is so thankful and wonderful. I sure hope there is nothing but positive left for his life!

I'm Back!

. . .for now at least! I was inspired by my friend April, who has promised herself that she would do at least one blog entry per week. It's a new year, right?! I can do that too. So, I will shoot for 52 entries. Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake.

Life is good! I've got a new job working with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). I'm an outreach counselor for the company. I work in 7 counties around the area and teach middle school students all the way up to adult learners about the admissions and financial aid processes for college. I also teach financial literacy. It's pretty amazing! The last few days I've been studying up on the FAFSA. Not only am I in schools working directly with students, but I also work creatively with community partners that serve those audiences. I love my job!

Patrick is great. I am in love with my husband. Yep, head over heels! He's been getting back into the groove of school. I'm still amazed at the fact that he takes kids from sounding like screaming banshees on their instruments to actually producing music. That man has the patience of Job!

I'm falling more and more in love with our dog Lee! He's got quite the personality. Lately, he understands that the kitchen means food, and anytime we are near it, he comes running. . .you know, just to make sure we know that we can give him treats if we feel so inlined.

So it's a new year. I didn't actually come up with a resolution this time around, although, I would like to read a LOT more this year than last. . .particularly the classics. A friend of mine did a 100 book challenge last year. She's Superwoman, though. I'm sure she finished 100 books in the first week of 2010. I'm pretty inspired by her, so I think I'll take on that challenge this year!

What resolutions do you all have? Any at all?

I can't stop watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKsVSBhSwJg&playnext=1&videos=wmCA5WcS58g

Also, I want to purchase this:

http://www.zazzle.com/we_gon_find_you_aa_fitted_tshirt-235823910624825269

Madness, I tell you!

Thanks Mom. Now I get it.

This morning as I walked to my car on the way to the gym, it dawned on me that my mom lied to me. It was out of necessity, I'm sure. I admit that I was perhaps a bit melodramatic as a child, especially about spiderwebs. Spiders bothered me too, but mostly their webs. As a child, my mom told me that if I walked into a spiderweb without having actually seen it first, then it was good luck.

I bought it.

Even as an adult woman, I have believed with all of my being that it is truly good luck if I walk into a spiderweb. I've always thought it kind of sucked to be in that situation, but it was easier to swallow knowing that something good was around the corner. That conclusion made me seek good things, and good things always came. Honestly, having that positive thought planted in me by my mother partly contributed to me sort of becoming a positive person. I mostly look for the good that can come from a bad situation.

As I got into the car (wiping away a spiderweb), I just smiled and realized how profound of an impact my mother's words had on me. I mean, it took me at least 20 years to figure out the truth. Walking into a spiderweb doesn't mean that something good is coming. I don't know what it means, but I kind of want to listen to that song by No Doubt called "Spiderwebs" again. Perhaps I'll hear what was really intended from them. When the song came out, I thought "Gwen is out stocking up on all kinds of good luck"

My poor husband still has to deal with me screaming like a little girl when it comes to spiders and their webs, and I appreciate him for that more than he might ever realize. Hopefully, though, something good might be just around the corner.

Super Cute

That's my sweet pea, Lee!

Straight Off the Chain

Last weekend, my coworker and I went to Atlanta for work. On the way down, we were able to stop by a super cute boutique that had lots of unique gift ideas. One item sent me into absolute hysterics and I immediately made the purchase. It was a deck of Slang Flash Cards boasting to help people "Get hip in mere days". As if that weren't enticing enough, the front cover of the deck showed a lovely couple formally dressed at a fine restaurant as the waiter stood anticipating their order and making sure they knew that "The filet is straight off the chain tonight."

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, the back of the deck asks "Are you over the hill? Dorky, unpopular, or simply into math? It's time to jock some fresh!" Each card has a pronunciation guide, tells you the part of speech to which the word or phrase belongs, a definition, and synonyms. Also included is an illustration to "help with context" and an educational sample sentence. Three words: Solid Office GOLD! My co-workers have been working hard to "up their steez". They have even come to me with sentences they've created all by themselves. Folks, when I hear them talk about how the word triflin' is an adjective and not a verb, or that they prefer the term "onion" to "badonkadonk" I can't help but roll on the floor in laughter! I have a feeling that it will now be hella fresh to death to roll deep with my new hyphy crew, for reals son! I mean, every other triflin' office will be straight jockin' us while we make it do, boo.

Aiight, I'm dunzo. Holla!

Best Day

Today was a really great day. So great, in fact, that I am inspired to blog about it. This morning, Patrick and I went on a run. We've been running together for about 5 weeks, and I love it. It makes me feel like I'm helping to keep his heart healthy, which is a big deal in his family. Then, I worked my tail off at the gym. I WILL FIT INTO MY BIKINI THIS SUMMER! The office was great today. I got flowers from a student and her mother because I helped her prepare for her Spirit Master interview. How thoughtful! It felt a little strange to be honest. It has been a very long time since I've received flowers. The delivery guy walked in and asked for me, and my heart sank. Really, it felt the same as when my name was called for Homecoming Queen at WKU (Fall, 2004 -- but who is holding on to her glory days?)

I had a chance to spend some time with the student I mentor at a local elementary. My student is fabulous, and I'm so lucky to get a peek into her life. She makes my week extraordinary! Then, I had lunch with a great friend who shared with me a community project that she is working with. I'm so proud of my generation that I could squeal!

Upon returning to the office, my sister and her girls were waiting for me! I got to show off my nieces to the entire office. My oldest niece is all about drawing Mickey Mouse. She's 2, so right now he just looks like a bunch of squiggly marks, but her enthusiasm is contagious. Just the fact that my youngest niece is home from the NICU and thriving is phenomenal in itself. How blessed we are!

To top it off, I had a student drop by who I used to teach clarinet lessons to. I've worked with him since he was in the 8th grade, and he's coming to the Hill this fall. First off, I can't believe time is moving so quickly! Secondly, he's coming to the Hill!! GO TOPS! He stopped by to thank me for serving as a reference for him, and to share that he'd been awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Millennium Scholarship! There isn't a more deserving student and family! His entire college education will be paid for. It was tough not to start crying on the spot. I hugged him (probably more than necessary), and told him how proud I am of him.

My goodness, I feel like a princess!