How We Told Our Family

Since Alex and I have been trying for while to get pregnant we’ve had some time to think about what to do to tell our family once we were expecting. First up, my parents.

THE THOMAZINS:
Growing up, every Friday night, we had Family Pizza night where my parents would order pizza and we would watch movies. So, Alex and I called Dominos Pizza on our way to Riverside and ordered a pizza with the words “Baby” spelled out in Pepperoni. They were less than helpful and ended up telling us they were too busy to accommodate us — Boo, Dominos. But Alex took control and called Romano’s Pizza in Canyon Crest and they graciously created our pizza.

I wrote on the inside of the lid “We’re having a…” and then “Baby” was spelled out in the pepperoni. We drove to my parents after being stuck in traffic for 3 hours and arrive with a cold pizza. My parents had already eaten, I was starving and my parents were already in bed. Nevertheless we were so stoked to share the news with them. I opened the box and said, “Oh my gosh, guys… look what they wrote on our pizza?”

My parents stared and in unison said, “We’re having a… Pizza?” With utter confusion on their faces.

My jaw dropped. “Mom, Dad, what does it say ooooonnnn the pizza?”

In unison, “We’re having a…. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Then they jumped out of bed and hugged us and screamed (well, my Dad said, “Ah-hah! Well good deal!” and hugged us).

Then we ate the baby pizza.

My sister and brother weren’t there for the occasion so I had to think on my feet about how to tell my brother. It went something like this:

JT: “So, I’m looking at two cars. One has a lot of space for my drums and the other is really cool looking.”

Me: “Cool, well just make sure you get one that can fit a car seat.”

JT: “Yeah.”

Me: “For your little niece of nephew.”

JT: “Yeah.”

Alex: “Cuz, you’re going to have one…”

JT: “Wait… what?”

Then he hugged me.

For my sister I designed a onesie with an iron on that said, “I <3 My Aunt”.

I wrapped it up, put it on her bed and told her she had to call me when she was opening it so I could hear her reaction.

She opened it an said, “Nat… are you serious?!”

Then we virtually hugged, talked about baby stuff and wedding stuff and cried because we were both so excited for each other.

 

THE LOPEZS:
On Sunday we were driving back to Camarillo and planned on seeing Alex’s family in LA since they were serving at the Harvest Crusade. In Alex’s family COFFEE is a huge deal. We all LOVE coffee and especially Starbucks — yes, we’re a cult and proud of it.

Anywho, Alex and I text everyone (Mom, Dad, Chris and Amber) to ask what they wanted from SBUX on us. We didn’t know they had already had some and we were meeting them for breakfast so no one was really into coffee. NOOOOOO!! But Alex and I said, “Forget it. We’re getting it anyway.”

So we pulled up and ordered everyone their usual, but on each cup Alex wrote their respective names: Grandma, Papa, Uncle Chris, and Aunt Amber.

Then we took bets on who would notice.  We both decided Amber would notice first.

We found parking and we’re about to meet up with them when a HUGE Harvest mob started coming towards us. Everyone was stopping us for hugs and quick chats but I was so nervous I’m pretty sure I just stared awkwardly at everyone and I was so nervous that someone was going to see the cups!

After the crowd passed Alex’s Mom reached for the tray and said, “Oh! Grandma, that’s me. And here’s Papa’s.” And didn’t think anything of it, since they are already grandparents to little Julian. Alex was holding Amber’s and she said, “Does mine say, ‘Amber Amber’? Wait… does it say, ‘Aunt Amber’?”

Booya, we were right. She figured it out first! Then Debbie turned around and screamed, “Are you pregnant?!”

I was so nervous I just keep shaking my head yes and Alex had a HUGE grin on his face. Everyone shouted and hugged us and Julian looked confused — probably because he was wondering where his Starbucks was.

So there you have it, folks! The family reveal — we are so blessed by this crazy group.

Love you guys!

Baby | 8 Weeks (but really 10)

8 (ahem, I mean 10) weeks! I’m so glad we’ve made it this far little kumquat! Alex and I have begun praying for you specifically based on what size you are, so this week we’re praying for our little kumquat.

I’ve had horrible morning sickness that has lasted all day for the past two weeks and I’ve been extremely exhausted. It now takes me about 45 minutes to get out of bed and shower — a task that usually takes me 10 minutes. I basically have to sit down every 10 minutes in the morning until I’ve had something to eat.

I’ve been a biiiiiiiit hormonal, in fact this week I yelled at Alex while we were enjoying dinner at Panera and everyone started staring. It was not my finest moment and Alex laughed so hard that he cried — so, I started laughing at how ridiculous my whole freak out was.

I don’t have much of a bump yet (the above picture is more of a food baby than an actual one) and that is perfectly fine with me, but I am definitely feeling a little thicker around the middle. I’m going to ride this out as long as possible, but this little baby has had me eating constantly! This past week I ate entire pasta meal for a family of four… by myself. It may have taken me three hours, but I ate it and I’m not ashamed.

So, what were some of your remedies for “morning” sickness? How did you maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy and what workouts do you suggest? I’ve been pretty good about maintaining some cardio, but it’s been hard these past two weeks.

Over and out,
Leelo and Ander +1

I Love Technology

Technology is amazing, let me start off with that. You know why?! Because, I was able to actually see my baby yesterday (10/4/12). It’s about the size of kidney bean but it has a heartbeat… a heartbeat, you guys! I’m telling you, it’s the moment that changed everything for me. I’ve been so skeptical this whole time, worrying if this baby was viable, taking pregnancy tests every day for a week straight, praying and praying and praying for this appointment to come! And it came and it. was. magical.

Just look at that little kidney bean. This picture totally doesn’t do it justice and seeing it move around in there was just ridiculous! It jumped and flinched and I almost lost it. It’s a baby — an actual baby… and I love it so much.

On the not so bright side, this baby is kicking my butt. I can barely eat anything and nothing sounds good except bready-salty things. I haven’t gained any weight yet, mostly because anything I eat ends up in the toilet. Morning sickness is in full effect and I’m pretty much married to my bed. I love sleep… almost as much as I love technology.

But not as much as you, you see… but I still love technology.

Always and Forever.
Leelo and Ander +1

Baby | 4 Weeks (I think…)

We’re having a baby! It’s insane. I still can’t believe it.

For those of you who don’t know, Alex and I have been trying for a little over 10 months to have a baby so this little soon-to-be bundle is pretty much amazing.

Okay, on to the week 4 update, which is pretty much the, “I-just-found-out-I’m-pregnant-week”. I still feel like I’m constantly asking and saying, “Am I pregnant? I don’t really feel pregnant.” At this point, I pretty much take a pregnancy test every morning just to make sure. I’ve already scheduled our 8 week but seriously, it can’t come soon enough. I am a complete wreck. Why aren’t I throwing up yet?! Seriously, you guys, I’ve never wanted to throw up so much in my life and I HATE throwing up.

It’s a whole new experience and am I ready for it? NOPE! I completely thought that knowing I was pregnant would take some anxiety away — boy, I was so wrong! Now I have a whole new set of emotions and questions… even though most of my friends will tell you I’m totally that annoying know-it-all who knows everything there is to know about babies. I had a subscription to babycenter.com 2 years ago. Yes, I’m that person.

What gives me peace in this whole thing though, is that I am completely aware God is in control and that this baby is a gift. I have had so many amazingly, wonderful people praying for us during this time of trying to conceive and I have appreciated them all. I have learned how to trust God even more during this time and I can’t express my overwhelming joy at this blessing. I just can’t wait hug it and kiss it and love on it for a long, long, long time. God is so good and we are so happy to begin this journey.

Keep on liftin’ it up peeps!

We love ya,
Leelo and Ander + 1

Two Lines

Me: “I’m going to take a bath, or we can go in the jacuzzi if you want to…”
Alex: “Okay…”
Me: “We don’t have to.”
Alex: “Yeah, that’s okay. You can take a bath.”

Nat walks to the bathroom, carrying a candle and her laptop to watch a Rom Com.

Nat: (Thinks to self) “Gosh, it’s still early but maybe…”

Nat walks to the cupboard and takes out a test. An early one.

Nat: (Thinks to self) “This makes sense, right? I am 3 days early… but I’m showing some signs. Ugh, what the heck. We’ve ben trying for 10 months why not take one? At least I’ll know and if it’s negative, I can prepare myself. Okay… here it goes.”

Approximately 4(ish) minutes later…

TWO LINES.

Nat: (Thinks to self) “TWO LINES! TWO LINES! That’s pregnant, right? I’ve never seen two lines before. What do I do? I had this whole thing planned out on how I was going to tell him. Dinner and that teddy bear I… oh, CRAP. I left it at our old apartment. Well, Jonna is still there… but how do I explain that I need to go get it?”

Nat: “Hey! I forgot something at Jonna’s that I need for subbing tomorrow. I’ll just go run and get it. Do you want frozen yogurt? Okay, bye!”

(Thinks to self) “He doesn’t suspect… right? No. It’s fine.”

Arrives at apartment. Lots of jumping up and down. Grabs bear. Drives back — slowly and carefully.

Nat: (Opens door — shaking) “Hey, don’t be mad. I bought a shirt at Anthro for work and I left it at the apartment.

Alex: “It’s okay. Hey! I found something awesome. Come look.”

Nat: (Thinks to self) “Oh no! Did he find the test?! I threw it in the drawer really quick before I left. Maybe he found it?”

Alex: “It’s that rug we want. But guess what? It’s 75% off, just today…” (Then he says a lot of other stuff that I don’t remember because I’m so nervous!)

Nat: “That’s so cool, Bub. Hey… I’m sorry I forgot to get you frozen yogurt, but I think that what I did get you is better.”

Alex: (Opens up anthro bag. Looks up) “Is this? Bubbie? Is this?”

Nat: (Shakes head “yes” and starts crying).

Alex begins to sob, holding the bear and soaking it with his tears of joy.

We’re speechless. TWO LINES.

P.S. I took another test like 5 seconds later. A real one and it was positive. Not even my first pee of the day or anything (TMI, sorry).

TWO LINES.

This is happening. Thank you LORD!!

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” – 1 Samuel 1:27–28

Leelo is Enceinte!

One of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes in called Lucy is Enceinte. In the episode, Lucy finds out that she’s pregnant and tells her best friend Ethel how she’s always dreamed of telling her husband they were expecting. In true Lucy fashion, she tries but everything goes wrong and she doesn’t get to tell Ricky in the way she had hoped. At the end of the show, Ricky is performing at the nightclub and Lucy shows up to tell him in a different but very special way.

Since I know you are all dying to find out how she told him, I thought I would also use this clip from my favorite Lucy episode to tell you all…

Leelo is Enceinte!

Engaged | Thomas & Julie Ann

This past weekend, my sister got engaged! It was a wonderful time together with family (current and new). Her fiance Thomas is a perfect match for her. When he called me to tell me he was going to propose I wasn’t surprised. I had seen how amazing they were together and I knew an engagement was emanate.

He proposed on the balcony of our family timeshare in Oceanside, overlooking the beach and it was lovely to say the least. My husband and I enjoyed shooting both video and pictures of their engagement — which was an honor. You can check out my Facebook link for photos!

I LOVE weddings and this one is so special because it’s my oldest, best friend ever!

Congratulations Julie Ann & Thomas!!

Here’s a little video we put together to celebrate:
Thomas and Julie Ann’s Engagement

Recipe | Proscuitto Wrapped Chicken in a Cream Sauce

Adapted from http://www.kwestiasmaku.com/

Guys, I’m not lying — this dish is so freaking good. Seriously guys, enjoy making this fast, tasty and easily Gfree meal. Nom. Major Nom.

What You’ll Need:
Thinly sliced chicken breast
Proscuitto
Asparagus
Half n’ Half
Pesto

What You’ll Have:
Flour (optional)
Olive Oil

What You’ll Do:
In a cast iron skillet heat up a few tablespoons of olive oil.
Lightly coat the chicken in flour (optional).
Wrap each piece of chicken in 1-2 slices of proscuitto and place them in the skillet, 5-7 minutes on each side until browned.

While that is cooking, trim and snap the asparagus.
Steam for 7-10 minutes.
Set aside.

Pour in 1/8 – 1/4 cup of half n’ half and mix in about 1-2 tablespoons of pesto.
Add a dash of flour to thicken (optional).
Stir in steamed asparagus.

Serve with either warm bread or pasta.

Enjoy!

 

 

DIY | Chalkboard Boxes

We have this really, really, really tall closet. And well, I’m 5’5″, so I can’t really reach the stuff at the top. I had this brilliant idea to purchase these canvas boxes to store all our stuff neatly, but there are like a million of them and now I can’t remember what is in which box.

DIY to the rescue!

I had some leftover chalkboard paint and decided to paint squares on the boxes so we could write what was in them. Surprisingly, it’s the first creative thing I’ve done in a long time, so I’m pretty proud. Humor me.

What You’ll Need:
Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint
Brushes

What You’ll Have:
Pencil
Square shaped dish or stencil

What You’ll Do
Turn your box face-up on the side you are going to paint on.
Trace the plate or stencil in the spot you want to paint.
Shake the chalkboard paint, open it up and dip in your brush.
Start a-spredin’ the paint and carefully round the corners.
Let dry 24 hours.
Label away!

You’re done!!

I know, I know — your life is now complete. You’re welcome.

Thoughts | A Year Later

It has been a year since we moved away. A whole year. It is crazy to think all that has happened in a year. Over this last year I graduated from college, Alex received a wonderful job offer, we moved to Thousand Oaks, our nephew was born, we started going to a new church, made new friends, saw old friends, my brothers graduated from high school, my Dad retired, Alex and I celebrated 26 years of life and 10 years together.

Alex began a busy and very rewarding job as a Director of UX Design, and I began my job as a homemaker. It was quite a leap from working 40 hours a week and going to school in the evenings. I was used to 14 hour days and then, all of the sudden, I was thrust into leisure. Granted, I maintained the house, bills, property we own, car, laundry, food, medical, etc — but it was quite a change.

To be honest, I am not sure that I have accepted it as… gracefully as I had hoped. I have had to examine how I view success and worth. Gosh, that all sounds so dreary. But it is the truth. What has been so amazing about this time is that I have learned so much about my worth/value/success in Christ over this past year. I did not realize how much value I placed on the opinion of others (teachers, family, friends, even God). I believed that the more successful I was or the harder I worked the more God would love me. Please do not mishear me. I struggle with this constantly.

The amazing truth that has been resonating in me over this past year is GRACE. True grace; meaning that there is absolutely nothing I could do to make God love me more. God is in me. Everything I do pleases Him and is part of His plan and purpose for me because I know that He is God. And because I know that, I don’t know any other way to live than to bask in His glory and grace. My identity in Christ is bigger than any success I could receive; even an A+ in a class. GRACE has completely changed me.

Truths:
I am saved by grace — but also KEPT by grace. (Col 2:6)
Because of grace I serve — not to fulfill some obligation. (Eph 1:7)
Grace is free, the only condition is that you accept it. Therefore, rules are secondary to relationship. (Rm 5:8)
My identity is in Christ, not in the works I do. (Rm 11:6)

The focus is not on me, it is on Christ. If I stopped for one second and even thought about that, then I would know that no matter what I do Christ is in control. God has promised blessing, healing, and above all grace. Our identity in Him is rooted in our understanding of Grace.

So, where am I a year later? I am changed by grace.

“Grace is the means through which we experience & extend God’s rescue & transformation. Through authentic relationship with God & one another, we nurture safe community, healthy identity, continual healing, diversity & freedom. (Matt. 11:28 MSG).”
— From Conejo Church via www.conejochurch.com

Also, a fantastic blog on understanding grace.