The Starbucks Phone Call

Friday, November 11, 2011

I am sitting in a chair in Starbucks, trying to get some work done. Laptop out. Fresh cup of coffee. In the zone, writing a blog for a client. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to think of the doctor's appointment I had just come from.

Let's rewind a few hours....

That morning I had gone to my doctor to discuss some fertility issues. We'd had talks like this before, so she simply reviewed all of her charts and looked over some charting I had done at home. I really, really like my doctor. She's honest, down to earth, no drama, and to the point. She jokingly said to me, "Yeah, you're really weird" after looking at all my charts. "It doesn't look like your body is doing what it is supposed to. To be honest, I think you might need a little jump start. I think we might need to put you on some meds to see if your body responds to it".

I asked lots of questions about the drugs... about the possibility of having multiples, about the side effects, how it works.... I knew that I needed to talk it over with Grant. My doctor and I agreed that she would write me a prescription for the meds, and after I discussed it with Grant then we would decide whether or not to fill the prescription.

I left the doctor's office and started driving to Starbucks. I was somewhat discouraged. Somewhat hopeful. I was accepting of whatever. I had known for awhile that some of my issues could cause fertility problems and I was praying and telling the Lord that while I would've liked to have already been pregnant, I accepted His will for us and knew that He knew better. As I pulled into Starbucks, Grant texted and said he was in a meeting but he wanted to make sure my appointment went well. I told him we had some stuff to talk about and that we should meet up for lunch.

So now I'm in Starbucks. Trying not to think about this pill and what it could mean and could we have twins or triplets and could I do that and would Grant even agree to it and I'M SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING RIGHT NOW!

My phone rings. It's my doctors office. The office I had just left not even an hour before. I answer it, expecting it to be a nurse. When I answer, I'm surprised (and a little alarmed) to hear my doctor on the other line.

"Oh yes, hi, did I forget something?"

"Well... where are you?"

"Um, I'm at Starbucks? Is everything okay?"

"Do you think you could come back to the office?"

"Today?"

"Or now."

"Right now, yeah, I guess I could... um....." (I immediately start packing up my laptop) ...."Is everything okay?"

"Yes... everything is fine, but um, well... I'm seeing something that might, well... just come back"

"Okay" (I AM PANICKING. PEOPLE IN STARBUCKS ARE STARING AT ME)

"Jen... everything is okay. In fact... everything might be WAY okay."

"I'm sorry?!"

"Just come back"

"I'll be there in 10 minutes"

That drive. Confusion. Fear. Smiles. Back to confusion. I didn't know what to believe. I just prayed.

From then on, the best I can explain it is this. I was greeted at the doctors office by smiling nurses and doctors. We all stand around and stare at pregnancy tests that would later reveal that I wasn't even three weeks pregnant. Follow it up with weeks of blood tests to confirm that the pregnancy was viable. Doctor told me she isn't quite sure how it all happened... but it did.

Meanwhile, Grant meets me for lunch that day. We sit in Panera as I explain to him what the doctor said about my charts, about the drugs. And then I tell him about Starbucks. And what the rest of the morning involved. His eyes lit up, he smiled... he said "ARE YOU PREGNANT RIGHT NOW?!?"

I just smiled and said "They think it's super super early... but yes, they think I'm pregnant"

And this morning, January 31, I'm sitting at my kitchen table. I have a little bit of a belly. I'll be 15 weeks pregnant this week. In my second trimester, looking forward to hearing our little one's heartbeat again tomorrow. So, so very thankful for this blessing!

God is good.

Things I'm Trying

I'm trying to wake up every morning and get fully dressed and put shoes on before I start my workday. I always felt that one of the perks to working from home is that I can wear pajamas and work in fuzzy socks and not put on any makeup. However, what happens is that 2:00 rolls around and I realize that my neighbor is knocking on my door and I am in NO SHAPE to make an appearance to the public. Yikes! So, I'm simply trying to get up and put on real-people clothes and even real-people shoes since I've heard that if you have shoes on you'll be more productive. We'll see.

I'm trying to not turn the television on until after the work day. We'll see how that goes. I really love my late lunch with the Ellen show but I'm gonna try to get some housework done during that time.

I'm trying to eat more fresh foods. This baby inside me loves carbs more than I do (I had no idea that that was possible) and I very rarely feel like eating any fruits, veggies, salads, or anything of a healthy nature. I want pasta and pasta and also I would really like some pasta. But today I'm going to try to eat something a little more on the fresh side!

I'm going to try walking. Yes, walking. Something happened last night and it was the most bizarre experience of my life. I was on the couch, my computer was dying, I stood up to go plug it in, I tried to take a step and then..... I fell. My legs didn't work!! My brain told my legs "it's time to walk!" and my legs were like "NO THANK YOU!" and then I hit the floor. I didn't feel dizzy or faint, I never blacked out, I just simply could not work and totally collapsed. Grant came running and helped me... the best way I can explain it is that it was as if my legs were asleep, but I didn't feel it. Thankfully, I mentioned it on the Facebook and lots of people told me that that was something that can happen during pregnancy (something about loose ligaments?) so I don't feel so crazy anymore. But seriously... WEIRD.

I'm trying to not be sad about Chuck ending. Grant and I started watching the show Chuck waaaay back in our very first apartment in Gonzales, Louisiana. It's been "the little show that could" as it has dodged cancellation more times than I can count. Honestly, it wasn't the greatest show in the history of television, but it was one of "our shows" that we've watched together forever and it was a sweet little show with a lot of heart. We didn't want it to end!

I'm trying to take a deep breath this week and realize I can only do so much. I was pretty discouraged at the end of last week. I felt like I wasn't doing all I needed to do for my personal life and my work life and I felt like I was disappointing people. I was having major anxiety about going into this next work week, but I realize I can't please everyone, I can't physically do everything, and some things are not as much of a priority as other things. I CAN'T DO IT ALL. There, I said it. That feels better. :)
 

I'm Growing!

Thanks so much for your prayers for my dad! Everything turned out well. His heart cath did show some blockage, but fortunately it wasn't enough to require a stent. He'll be treated with medicine and needs to focus on diet and exercise. It was a scary situation, but we're thankful for a wake up call and are so glad that he is out of the hospital and feeling much better!

I've been having a good week, working a lot and eating a lot :) Tomorrow marks 14 weeks for me and I'm definitely starting to show a little bit!

We still have awhile to go, but I'm definitely starting to see a change in my body! We were cracking up the other night cause even my belly button looks so different. It's all such a weird, weird experience but I'm loving every minute of it!

Daddy's Girl

That photo of me and my dad was taken on November 11, 2011. This was the day that I found out that I'm pregnant. I sang in a wedding that night and had to sit at the reception with my parents and Lindsee's parents and act like NOTHING MAJOR WAS GOING ON IN MY LIFE. 

That's my dad. He's pretty much awesome. And Friday morning he had a mild heart attack. He's fine and has been monitored at the hospital all weekend. This morning he's having a heart cath done to see if there is any blockage and to decide what the next steps are, if any. I'm so thankful and so proud of him that he did something VERY out of character... he called 911 on himself cause he knew that what he was feeling wasn't good. I'm SO thankful that he did that and got help quickly. He's always been a smarty pants. 

Prayers for my daddy would be much appreciated. He has been made fully aware that the next time any of us are in the hospital, it will be ME because I will be having this baby. SO WE ALL NEED TO BEHAVE OURSELVES!!!

And Also, I'm Pregnant

Yes. I apologize ahead of time for all the pregnancy related posts that are going to be coming your way between now and late July.

Jen the Newlywed. Is having a baby.

We're thrilled. Excited. Blessed. Scared. Shocked. Tired. Nervous. Ecstatic.

I'm sitting in Starbucks right now, in the very chair I was sitting in on November 11 when my doctor called my cell phone and told me that I'm pregnant.

And now I'm 13 weeks. And getting a little bit of a belly, to be honest. And it's all just very weird.

And very amazing. And God is good and He has blessed us and this wasn't really supposed to happen but He blessed us because He is awesome. And He is bigger and better than any medical test or doctor's words. He is ABLE.

I'll tell the whole story over the coming weeks and months. Just know that we'd covet your prayers and can't wait to meet our little miss or little mister ;)

 

I Want to Be Friends With Them

I love to watch the Ellen show. These girls (they are sisters) were dancing before the show started and Ellen saw it backstage and decided to share it with the rest of us. I'm so glad she did. Seriously. I love them. I want to be friends with them. 

It's like they are dancing at a slumber party :)

Golden Globes 2012: Red Carpet Recap

Words cannot express how excited I am to start award season. Y'all know I how I love award season. And I ESPECIALLY love the Golden Globes. Why? Because it's TV and Movies all together. It's a dream come true. I am definitely rooting for "The Help" to win big tonight! 

To start off, let's review Jen's Red Carpet Rules:

1. I always love jewel tones, and I especially love red heads in jewel tones. Pick colors that compliment your skin tone!

2. Respect the award show that you're at. There are some dresses that are more appropriate for the Oscars, some that are more appropriate for the Grammy's. Consider the setting and the audience.

3. Stop trying to shock everyone. You'll regret it. Just keep it classy.

4. Smile. Stop making weird faces.

5. I don't need to see your business. Keep it covered, ladies.

6. Don't get too crazy with the hair. Simple is better. 

7. Too much print is not a good idea on most people.

8. Jewelry can make or break a look. Wise choices, girls. Wise choices :)

9. Please don't make a dress out of a table cloth.

10. If you make a mistake, you can always redeem yourself at another award show. We all make mistakes. Just don't make them often! 

Alright, let's begin!!

Oh, Amanda Peet. You've already broken my table cloth rule. 

This is a totally normal couple. 

Charlize. I need your lips to have some color. And I'm not sure about this dress. I get the concept but I don't love it. I'm sorry. Your head piece is lovely though. 

Debra Messing. The dress is beautiful. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SHOW SHE IS GOING TO BE IN. It's a musical show (like Glee) but focuses on the behind the scenes drama of a new Broadway show. JEN IS GOING TO BE ADDICTED.

Emma Stone's belt had an eagle on it. Yes, an eagle. Not so sure about that one. However, I love her hair, eye makeup, and the color of this dress. The neckline could be just a bit higher though :)

The color of this dress is AMAZING on her. Stunning. And her hair looked pretty awesome too. 

I wish this picture did this dress justice. I LOVED this dress. She's a best dressed nominee for me. So, so beautiful and classy. 

If I were as beautiful as Jessica Biel, I would not have chosen this particular frock. And that's all I'm going to say about that. 

This dress reminds me of a Fruit Roll-Up.

Julie Bowen is one of my favorite actresses. This dress is beautiful and so is she, I just wish the color was slightly different. It kinda washed her out.

Katharine McPhee. Beautiful dress. Beautiful girl. Again, so excited about her new show. (It's called Smash. Get Excited!)

Well Hello, Nicole! Look at you! She's just so pretty. 

This dress would've been great in another color. COLOR CHOICE PEOPLE, COLOR CHOICE. But seriously, I love her :)

Yaaaay! Octavia Spencer (aka "Minnie Don't Burn Chicken" from The Help) won herself a Golden Globe tonight! This dress looks beautiful on her and is in a BEAUTIFUL color. She is so great.

Piper Perabo was definitely the shocker of the evening. Here's the thing.... this dress was quite impressive. Unique fabric, amazing structure... however I don't think it was very Globes appropriate, and it was a bit see-through and I'm just having mixed feelings. But she is lovely and she definitely made a statement!

Why is she so darling? Why does she look so beautiful in this color? Why is she so skinny after two children? When are my arms going to look like that?!?!?

Not my favorite.

The bodice of Salma Hayek's dress reminded me of the 80's. Not sure why.

Sarah Michelle Geller said her little girl picked out her dress. That is the only reason I'm not going to say anything unkind about it. :)

Tilda wows me every year with her.... interesting.... choices.

This is a great look on Tina. It's one of the best I've seen her hair and makeup. The color is SPECTACULAR on her and I thought she was just lovely!

I'm gonna get on a soap box for a minute. Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses. She is amazing and every time she appears in a movie, it is an Oscar-worthy performance. That being said, I think that every award show should add a new category called "Meryl Streep's Best Performance". She deserves her own category. She is amazing. 

That being said, I REALLY, REALLY needed Viola Davis to win for her role in "The Help". I need her and Octavia to win the Oscars next month. She was so believable that I forgot she wasn't Abilene in real life. 

And what a transformation she showed us tonight! HOW BEAUTIFUL IS SHE?!?

Absolutely amazing! Gorgeous eyes, gorgeous smile, gorgeous dress, gorgeous color!

It's good to be back, people! Leave your opinions and such in the comments!

And Then It was 2012

Well, it's a new year. I'm 6 days late in writing about it, but here we are. 2012. For some reason I've always felt better about even years than odd years. I was born in an even year, I met Grant in an even year, I got married in an even year.... maybe I'm just a victim to the pattern!

So for our 5 year anniversary we went back to Hyatt Lost Pines Resort which we visited last year. We love it there. I mentioned that we were going there on Facebook, and their social media team delivered a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and a card to our room. So sweet!

The next morning we slept in and ordered breakfast room service. Room service is one of my most favorite things in the whole world.

We then drove to College Station to spend New Years Eve with our friends. We ate yummy food, sat around a bon fire, and the girls and I stayed up waaaay too late talking. Such a blessing.

And now it's a new weekend and I'm bound and determined to get some stuff conquered tomorrow. I'm purging the closets, folks. And the drawers. I have far too much clothing and I need to free up some space as our closet is overflowing. I don't wear a lot of things so they can just get on out of here.

Also, I'd just like to go ahead and say that if the maid comes, I will inevitably spill something sticky on the floor within 12 hours. But ice cream is delicious.

One last thing:

Today, I was sitting at Panera with my laptop getting some work done. I couldn't help but giggle to myself as I heard an employee of Panera announce "Panera, your order is ready, Panera... oh, wait...."

Now that's a cool feeling.