Well it's about dang time...

First...allow me to re-introduce myself.

Hello, my name is MOM.

Yes, it's been um seven months since I have posted anything (embarrasing).

Yes, I have since had said child.

Yes, he is adorable.

Yes, it is LONG overdue for me to write.

Where to begin???

Well first...we have gone from THIS:

(5 weeks prego)

To THIS:

(37 weeks prego...and in LABOR)

To THIS:

(please note the cute shoes. GAH)

Yes.

The boy...he is incredible. His name is Caden James. He is 12 weeks old today (sniff) and is just a ball of fun. He smiles and talks and just LOVES his momma. Not that I'm biased. I will write a post about his birth at some point. Hopefully it won't be another six months.

Life...has changed...a LOT. I am still struggling to come to grips with the fact that I will never just be Ashley ever again. This is an amazingly wonderful thing, but has also made me very sad. Now don't get me wrong. I love being a mother. God has blessed me with this little man, and I cherish him so very much. There is, however, the process of finding the balance between Mom and Me.

I have never wanted to be one of "those" mothers who lose themselves to motherhood. I am still a woman, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, and a giant dork. Ok the last has been made worse by motherhood, but it's still fantastic. You just see "those" moms who lose all semblance of their former self. Yes life changes. No you do not disappear. Just my personal opinion. Take it. Leave it. Whatevs.

This could really turn into a rant because it has been so long and there is so much to say. That, and the fact that I am really in the mood to write. So for now I will spare you the crazy that is trapped in my brain, and try to jot down a few things for another day.

Until next time...

Mommaaa...OooOooOoooOoooo....

I am getting ready to go to Atlanta today to see my family. I will be flying up to spend the weekend (and Mother’s Day) with my sweet momma. We are INCREDIBLY close...like talk twice a day kind of close. And I am thrilled.

Having a mother...for a time...is annoying. They are the ever present conscious telling you to pull up (or down) your shirt, that you are NOT wearing THAT to church, and that you may NOT beat your brother with flip flops (love you Brother Bear!). She is also the ever present uplifter....guidance counselor...and biggest fan.

As I sit and think of my mother, it draws me to thoughts of being a mother. What an awesome...scary...huge responsibility! I will be responsible for another human life.

WOW.

Of course, I must include a gratuitous belly photo. Here is my momma-in-the-making progress:

15.3 Weeks

And here’s the point I’m trying to get to (in a very rabbit trail way)...I have been so blessed to have a great mom. We were not always friends, and didn’t always like each other very much, but she knew what needed to be done so I would end up...well...here.

Mom, thank you for putting up with me during the tough years, and always having faith I would grow a brain eventually. I love you more than could ever be expressed in words.

You rock my socks off.

Mom and Dad. Aren't they so cute?!?!

4 a.m.

Well...I was sitting here thinking...I should blog. And here we are.

Hello.

I'm not sure if it is a therapy thing, a wanting to share thing, or just a thing. But whatever it is...we'll see where it goes!

For those of you who don't know me...I am ridiculously happily married after almost not making it into the second year (this story will come later), 14 weeks pregnant with our first babe, oh...and a mere 23 years old.

Let's start with the pregnant part (that is pretty much the focus here). We found out on February 20th that we are pregnant. It was not planned and a HUGE surprise...I mean HUGE. We do however know that "it" happened on February 6th.

FYI...4 a.m. booty calls are how THIS happens.

Proof.

We are now 14 weeks and 1 day pregnant. Scared. Excited. Clueless. But, our wonderful sweet Jesus is guiding us through it! We have incredible family and friends who are ALMOST as excited as we are, and who are going give this little one SOOOO much love!

I have been a little OCD with the belly pictures, so let's get caught up shall we?

5 weeks, 4 days

8 weeks

13 weeks

Um...HELLO blossoming belly! My sweet parents have decided to constantly tell me how gigantic I am and feed into my twins fear. That's right people...twins fear. I am terrified of having twins, and my sweet sweet family believe I am HUGE and carrying 2 babes...or more. Wonderful.

I guess we will see! We haven't had an ultrasound yet...so it could be possible. We DID hear the heartbeat though! Oh magical! Video provided below for your viewing...but more listening...pleasure.

Well my friends...I believe this is sufficient babeness for now. More to come!