As some of you know- I work as the senior editor for DietsInReview.com. It was such a privilege last night that I was able to attend the live Biggest Loser finale in LA. It was an amazing experience and rather surreal. All of the contestants looked amazing… stunning.
I wanted to share with you the interviews I did immediately following the show with Ali Vincent– the first female Biggest Loser, as well as Bernie, the at-home Biggest Loser.
Yes I know, Bernie has nothing to do with babies, pregnancy or infertility. He’s cute enough though to think he’ll have cute babies of his own, right?
But I did score an interview with him today and I’m so excited I wanted to share it with all of you.
Check it out! Biggest Loser Interview
Any minute now a little girl, who will be named Ada, will be born to my oldest and dearest friend. Christie was due yesterday and the little booger is just not in any kind of hurry to come meet all of us. As long as I live I won’t forget the moment Christie called to tell me she was going to have a baby. Immediately I was filled with that now all-too-familiar half thrilled/half jealous. I’ve talked about it before, but Shelton’s brother has had a baby, cousins, friends, co-workers- the entire spectrum. No other pregnant person has ever been closer to me than Christie- it feels very much as if my own sister is about to deliver- because she is.
Christie and I met in 9th grade, when we were 14. I’d just transfered in to a new school. I had a hideous haircut, started wearing a bra and makeup, new school my first day of junior high and no friends. Christie and another girl were in my science class, which preceded lunch each day. I remember carefully sitting “near” them at lunch each day- not too close as to impose, but close enough to let them know that I thought we could be pals. We eventually started talking and they admitted to calling me “Shadow” because I was always kind of lurking around them. My persistence paid off and soon the bad haircut grew out and we were damn near inseparable- on and off campus.
The end of that school year her family moved out of state. My world shattered. I’d never known a friend like this. I often think of the Shania Twain song that says “Looks like we made it, we beat the odds together, I’m glad we didn’t listen.” Our parents all told us that we’d likely keep in touch through that summer, but then new school years would start, new friends would be made and one day we’d be nothing more than a box of pictures and funny notes passed between classes.
But we made it. We beat the odds. I’m SO GLAD we didn’t listen. Christie has touched my life in ways I cannot count- and I hate to even imagine what I’d do without her the past 12 or 13 years. At this point, who’s counting? We’ve literally seen it all together- first kisses, first heartbreak, new schools, drivers licenses, high school and college graduations, death of family members, falling in love, marriage, spring break trips, and the list of course goes on. We’ve laughed and cried more together than we have with probably any other single person. So when I say that I feel like my sister is having a baby- I’m not exaggerating.
During the past nine months, I’ve stood on the sidelines watching her grow a little more and slowly start adapting to becoming a mother. I went to see her in Dallas in November for a shower that I’ve never been more excited to throw. We stayed up so late that night and sorted through every single onesie, sock, blanket, storybook and ruffle. And then stood inside that precious little nursery and laughed at ourselves. How did we- Brandi and Christie- get here? We’re not old enough for this. I talk to her often on the phone and try to encourage her and tell her that, while she thinks “this baby is never coming out,” it is a scientific fact that she will exit. I keep encouraging her to eat Mexican food, do jumping jacks, and as I read on one site- stimulate her nipples to induce labor. That’s what friends do- at least the bestest of friends.
I’ve caught myself spontaneously crying over the last few weeks as I try to imagine the scene when I walk into her home and see Christie, my goofy friend from junior high, sitting there with her first daughter in her arms. I’m overwhelmed with emotions I don’t know how to understand. She’s going to be the most unbelievable mother- kind, generous, curious, silly and loving. There will be no shortage of cookies or hugs. I am just so happy for her. Thrilled. Ecstatic. Overjoyed.
Christie I love you more than you know. And I cannot wait to watch you become a mom. I promise to just fall in love with that baby… because I already have. Now- HURRY UP! Every time the phone rings I jump out of my skin and can barely handle the phone.
Our home, early on at Baby or Bust, was a point of contention for some. I’ve never really discussed the horrifying, utterly disgusting emails Shelton and I received during the first few months of Baby or Bust. With people having nothing better to do than spend time forwarding that unkind, filth to me, I didn’t think it warranted much attention. I had written on the “About Us” page that we had just purchased our second home. I meant the second home that we had ever owned, not that we’ve got a home in the South of France where we summer.
People were kind (make that ruthless) in pointing out that we didn’t need a home. If we got this baby, where were we supposed to take it- to a van by the river? It was a huge 90-year old house that oozed with character and charm. For anyone who has ever owned a home with this much “Character” and “Charm,” you know those terms are translated to “Repair” and “Checkbook.” It was a constant work in progress for us and one we knew we’d never be able to keep up with.
After a lot of thought and consideration, especially knowing that Wichita would not always be our home, we decided to sell her. I believe I mentioned we were planning to do so or had just begun a while back. It took only 6 weeks to find someone who would love her just as much as we did. We got a fair price considering we’d been there less than two years.
We sold the house on June 18 and moved into our new apartment the weekend before. People think we’re out of our gourds for selling a house to move into an apartment. But it’s saving us so much money. It’s saving us stress and time. It’s allowing us to “pull up anchor” and explore our options. I hate the idea of burning money in an apartment, but the pros at this point time seem to outweigh the cons.
Let me tell you- it was no small feat moving three floors into an apartment. My brother said he’d seen barns smaller than our house. (Don’t kid yourself- we paid less than a hundred grand for that place). Having grown up in little houses, I was beside myself to move into my version of a mansion. And of course the intent was to bring a little baby home to make those walls seems a little smaller. But now we’re in the apartment where the dog (Tibet) and the golf clubs seem to be duking it out for space under the dining room table. It’s not quite that bad- but we’re purging A LOT of stuff because it’s just impossible to make it all fit and still let this place resemble a home and not the A-Plus Storage.
Can I just say, that I bawled like a baby when I handed the keys over to the 9-month pregnant buyer. She was due in like three weeks and I just couldn’t help but be a pinch jealous that she was getting to do what I had intended to do with that house- bring home her first baby girl. I asked which room they were going to make the nursery. It would be the room we had used as a den. I really do hope they are all adjusting well in their new/first home.
So that’s the story on the house. I’m STILL unpacking, still unorganized. And for the OCD-Annie that I am, it’s just unacceptable and making me crazy. But we’re slowly fitting everything in.
I hope you are all enjoying this GORGEOUS! spring weather as much as we are. The tulip leaves haven broken through the soil in the front yard, I’ve been cleaning everything that will sit still, and while I’m not what you might call an “experienced” golfer, I’m itching to get out on the course.
By cleaning I mean gutting. I emptied my closet on Saturday and took out everything I haven’t looked at, worn or fit into in at least a year. Let me say, two more people could move into my closet now. It’s depressingly empty. I’m donating it all the local DAV. Hopefully someone there will find some better use of it than I. Now I need to get Shelton to do the same.
The biggest clean of all is the house. We’re selling it. (Yes, the ONE house that we own). You know, I love this house. It’s a dream. It has so much character and potential. But that’s the kicker- potential. We fell in love with what this house will be after we spend every penny we have (and then some) remodeling and fixing up. So we’re getting out of here. Hopefully someone will come along and love her potential as much as we did, and have the resources to do it. We would have, but there’s that whole “baby” thing. Haha! The best thing of all- we’ll move somewhere with carpet!! There is not one single stitch of carpet in this entire house. I thought I would like it, but I hate it. It’s impossible to keep clean and we will have wooden feet before we leave with all the splinters we get. So, with that appealing explanation- any offers?
I’ve finally settled into my new job. I started early January as a temp and I’m now making the transition to stay on permanently. I’m still in marketing. It’s a fantastic company that will afford me a lot of opportunities that the agency did not. I’m considering going after my masters degree since they’ll cover my tuition. We’ll see how that goes… I’ll have to take the GRE! I haven’t taken a test in nearly 3 years!
I have more news, but I’ll include that in its own post. Happy Spring everyone!
We’re wrapping up Thanksgiving weekend in Oklahoma City, where we spent the holiday with Shelton’s clan. As usual it was a jam-packed house with more food than one could possibly consume, but somehow we managed.
We did not split the holiday between our two families this year as we usually do. I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal, but as the weekend progresses I’m missing them more and more. I get everyone for Christmas though, so we can wait a few more weeks.
One thing that is very different from my family and Shelton’s is that before we eat, we all go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. I didn’t get that opportunity this year.
During what has quite possibly been the worst, most trying, stressful and challenging year of my life, I’m so happy that I can still smile and have a list of thanks a mile long.
I’m thankful for my incredible husband and the bajillion ways he makes me smile, laugh, feel beautiful and wake up every morning. I’m thankful for the two great jobs we have. I’m thankful for the amazing families and friends we have who have surrounded and showered us with love and support this year. I’m thankful that we ultimately have perfect health. I’m thankful for the thousands of people who have visited Baby or Bust and reached out to us either by email or donation. I’ve never known that perfect strangers could be so generous. The support from all of you has been so appreciated.
This year has not treated us kindly. We started the year learning about our infertility and every single day I’m still working through that and what it means and how it affects our lives on so many levels. It gets easier, but it never goes away. And then this fall my parents divorced. It was quick, but not entirely painless. And while the situation is better now and I think it is for the best, it’s still difficult to deal with. I’m thankful that my parents have made this an amicable split and remain friends. I’ve never been through a divorce of any kind before, so I’m learning as I go.
I’m very ready for this year to end. Hopefully when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st next month, it will box up all the crap that has happened this year and let us start fresh and new. When the clock hits midnight, Shelton and I will celebrate six years since we started dating, and that’s pretty exciting! I’m tired of my heart feeling so sad and I’m ready to get out of this funk I’ve been in and keep pretending isn’t there. That’s my own fault though. I think I’d be a puddle somewhere by now if it hadn’t been for all the wonderful blessings in our lives, many of which I listed above. In the face of all the bad, I’m so glad I can look around and see myself surrounded by so much good.
Thank God for that.