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
She’s here! My girlfriend Christie welcomed Ada Nancy Wednesday afternoon. The little 7-pound gem is healthy, perfect and beautiful. She looks just like her momma. I got to cuddle with her briefly yesterday and I’m still enjoying her intoxicating scent! Congratulations!
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.
Ok, Ok- if any of you are still reading, then thank you! If you haven’t jumped ship during this three month hiatus, then I guess you are Baby or Bust’s most loyal fans. Shelton and I want to wish you a happy new year and hope that your holiday seasons were bright and merry and all that other fluffy stuff. We were very blessed this year with one of the best Christmas seasons we’ve enjoyed in quite some time. It’s true what they say- the giving is so much better than the receiving.
2007 as a whole was a great year for us, one we’ll remember fondly. While it began with the difficult decision to postpone our having a baby, it picked up from there. A major highlight was that we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. Part of my absence from this site in the latter part of the year was due to some professional obligations. Between starting a new job, quitting an old and some traveling for the job, unfortunately Baby Or Bust was a tad neglected.
I maintained a freelance writing job during 2007 and toward November that part-time gig turned into a full-time job offer. It’s honestly one of those opportunities that doesn’t come along every day and the potential is enormous. So I giddily accepted, resigned my position at the cable company and have settled quite nicely into my new work-from-home job. I’m working with this amazing team of people and we’re taking on the web marketing world. There’s a huge learning curve for me- but they’re patient and I like to think I’m picking it up quickly. The company is based in NYC and I remain here in Wichita. What a deal, huh?! I get the sweet New York ad job and the Wichita cost of living.
Shelton continues to pursue his bachelor’s degree and recently received a quasi-promotion into an incredible program at his company. Both should wrap up in about two years leaving Shelton with more tools under his belt that he’ll know what to do with and making any employer very lucky if they can snag him. I am so proud of all he’s accomplishing.
Looking ahead for ‘08- still no babies. You’d be surprised, maybe, but it’s a subject that we discuss frequently. Neither of us can wait to be parents and start our family, but from this experience we’ve definitely learned that we want to be as prepared as possible. So for now, that means accelerating our careers, saving all that money we’re going to need and enjoying being a couple and continuing to lay that foundation. Both of our jobs are going to require A LOT of traveling this year. We keep joking that we’ll meet for lunch in airports. We should be airborn at least once a month.
Happy New Year again- and I’ll make a better point of getting on here to say hello.
– Brandi
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.
My husband is amazing- in case I haven’t mentioned it before. He has sacrificed time and time again for me since the day we started “going out.” Whether it be a TV show that I’d rather watch, foregoing restaurants that he’d rather not eat at but will because I love it, sanity, time and even his education- he constantly bends over backwards to make me happy. And this isn’t something that goes unnoticed or unappreciated. It’s who he is and I love him for it.
What the hell is she rambling about- you’re probably wondering. Shortly after Shelton and I married he decided to quit school. It was a decision I fought fiercely, because I knew the likelihood of him ever returning was slim and I knew it was something he’d regret later on. He justified by saying that I was so close to graduating and starting my career that he would quit now, work full time and let me finish. So that’s what we did.
Last year he found out that his company offers full tuition reimbursement. I told him, as a loving wife would, that basically he was an idiot if he didn’t take advantage. So he has been back in school for a year now- working to complete his bachelor’s degree in MIS. I’m so proud of him. He’s got a 4.0 GPA, loving his classes and really excited about where this is going to take him.
That’s where he is tonight- and four other nights of every week until 10pm. We don’t see much of each other these days. Pass on the way to work in the morning, inhale our dinner in an attempt to at least spend that time together and then cuddle up at bedtime. It’s a small price I’m willing to pay now to secure our future, and more importantly his happiness.