Happy Anniversary!

Our anniversary was last week. Our vacation to the Dominican Republic was really our present for each other so we didn't plan on doing much except spending it with each other. I got him a shirt and a card- I just wanted more for the occasion than a "Happy Anniversary!"
I got home from work and he brought me in a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The flowers themselves are a beautiful gesture- what they mean to me is even better. When we first started dating, Armando would send me flowers. Not at home, but at school or work- which is pretty much where I was most of the time anyway. They always had a handwritten card- so I know he took the time to go and pick them out at the florist. I never got roses, or daisies or mums... they are stargazer lilies. These huge white lilies with the purple/pink stripes and flecks of gold in the center. When I asked why, he told me they reminded him of me. I can't see lilies anywhere and not think of this man.
That got me to thinking how much our relationship affects me. Songs on the radio bring a smile to my face because we saw the band live together, or I know the silly made-up lyrics he sings because he doesn't remember the real ones. Icee's and hot Cheetos are still one of my favorite night-time snacks because he loves them and I can't handle the heat without my blue frozen drink. He can finish my sentences and we still have creepy moments of  "I was just going to say that! Get out of my head!!"
Now, in the second year of marriage, fifth of our relationship, we are hitting a stride that I didn't know if we would reach or not. I'm bending and he is bending- just enough so we don't break- but enough so we know the other is trying and we are making it work.
I'm so happy with where we are, and so excited for where we are headed. Yay for us!

Kickin' It

I read a lot of books anyway, when I am doing something: getting married, stressed during school.... experiencing pregnancy... I tend to read up on things.

Having said that, I tend to take things in books literally. On the first day of my 12th week of pregnancy I was extremely upset when I threw up my Ramen noodles. WTF! My second trimester was supposed to be full of sunshine and happiness- not 'morning' sickness.

Turns out... gasp!.... not everyone is the same. I had random bouts of vomiting up until 16 weeks. Nothing helped. Hard candies made it worse, filled my mouth up with even more spit- attractive right? Forget gum. Ginger anything disgusts me. I couldn't exactly stop brushing my teeth for 16 weeks now could I? These books are filled with nonsense!
'They' also said that you would start to feel your kiddo start kicking around 16-20 weeks. 16 weeks came and went... no 'butterflies'. As I asked around- most people said it was more around 20 weeks- eff.
I have been so detached from this little one because it still doesn't seem real to me. Only recently have I really started to show, and even at that I just look like those malnourished kids on TV that you can sponsor for $10 a month rather than a 'glowing' vessel of life. Everytime we see little kicks on the ultrasound and Mondo asks me, "You can't feel that?" I feel like a bit of a schmuck. There is a human being inside of me and I can't feel it.
About a week or so ago I started feeling something that was not gas rolling around in my guts- but it sure as hell didn't feel like 'butterflies' felt like someone was twirling my guts like spaghetti on a fork- not exactly what I was expecting. For several more days I felt this twinging, uncomfortable movement... inside. Still nada on the outside. No matter how much I jiggled or pushed I still couldn't feel him.
I finally felt him on our last day of vacation- still didn't feel like butterflies- more like when someone comes up behind you and flicks the back of your ear. It has taken five more days for Mondo to feel it but I'm so glad that now I don't think I'm crazy anymore and someone else has felt him move!
It is very comforting to know that there is a little guy in there moving around and all is well. It actually calms my nerves to be able to feel him moving- I'm not so sure I'll feel the same way when I'm complaining in 4 months when he is kicking my ribs and I can't sleep anymore- but for now I am loving it. Happy mama here :D

The Flip Side

So I already mentioned our sad loss this 4th of July (See previous post), but we also had a lot of fun that day too. We had tickets to go see Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys at Deer Valley in Park City. Park City is this beautiful little resort town in the mountains- it gets a lot of press every year for the Sundance Film Festival. Deer Valley is a swanky ski resort that I have never ever skied at, and probably won't either.
However,  we scored some awesome lawn seats and a Groupon deal for the hotel room so we went: Jen, Casey, Wes, mom, dad, Bud, Rose and Me and Mondo. Wes did amazing- mostly because he could run around apeshit since we were on the lawn. He even got into the band because he could yell 'Wooooo' at them :)
The show was great and I loved that Los Lobos played so many songs off of their old cds, I love the old stuff!

Rose is crazy and so we got to meet the band, get our stuff signed aaaaaaaand got their drumstick :)
Very exciting stuff!

My bag that I am planning to frame with our tickets and drumstick.

Fun day!