Just Ranting...I think

Have you ever felt like you could not enjoy something that was going on in your life for fear of hurting someone else's feelings?  If not you are lucky because that is how I have felt the last few weeks.

I have a couple friends who are going through infertility and I know all about what they are going through and more.  Ever since I found out I was pregnant I have felt like I can't be joyful around them because it will hurt their feelings.  At first one of them was great and seemed very happy for us but lately it has been the opposite.  When I am around if the conversation turns to me and anything about the baby she will get quiet and usually leave.  It breaks my heart because I know exactly what she is going through.  Another friend has been completely MIA since I told her I was pregnant.  It hurts and maybe (hopefully) I am just reading too much into it.

I understand their pain and what they are going through and their disappointment each month.  I wish they could share in my joy but at the same time I guess I can understand when they can't.  I spent 3 years almost going through heartbreak month after month and now I am walking on eggshells.  I don't bring up the baby around my friend because I don't want to hurt her but shouldn't I have the right to be happy?  I wish I didn't care so much but I do know her pain.

I pray every night for her that she will get to experience this joy but I also know that God has a plan for everything.  I hope and pray for friends that are going through this journey that some day they will see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It has been a very long journey for me and it's not over.

Moving Right Along

It has been a few weeks since I posted about our wonderful news.  I have been feeling really great just tired. My sister (who is due in January) was not happy to hear that I didn't have any morning sickness as she was pretty sick the whole first trimester.  I was just tired for most of it but no other problems or symptoms.

I have been craving cookies :)  So Matt now calls me the Cookie Monster.  Other than that I usually crave things once someone says something but haven't really had anything that I MUST have yet.  We shall see if that happens.

Here are a few pics even though I am not much of a fan of showing my growing belly!  I think it's great but sometimes it's hard to wrap my head around it when I have concentrated for so long on losing weight!

 14 weeks-just starting to show

17 weeks and wow there it is! 

Some people amaze me.  I have had several people tell me how big I am getting or that I look like I am waddling   Umm thanks?!?  I think hearing that upsets me most because I don't think I should be this big already and I know I am not waddling!  I should just be happy that the little one is healthy but would really not like for people to keep pointing out my weight gain!

Schafer Party of 3

I am so excited to finally announce that Matt and I are expecting!  We have been waiting to tell this news for over 2 years!  The road has been long but it's finally here.

Credit: Ken Doll Photography

Matt and I struggled the last 2 years to get pregnant.  Last year we thought it was finally going to happen when I found out on Halloween that I was pregnant!  We were so excited but there was a part of me that had a bad feeling.  Well those bad feelings became true on November 30 when we had a miscarriage.  The next few months were like a blur of emotions.  Finally in February we were back on our fertility treatments and all was going great.  After a few months the doctor suggested trying an IUI so we did and the 2nd one we had worked!  I was still worried with everything that happened last time but after an ultrasound at 6 weeks and then again at 10 weeks and hearing that wonderful heartbeat I felt tons better!

Credit: Ken Doll Photography

I knew exactly how I wanted to announce our pregnancy and the only photographer that would work was Ken Doll.  He did our wedding and is the best!  He is a close family friend so it just made sense.  We did our pictures last week and I was so excited to see them!  He did such a great job.

So, here is to a great 7 more months or so!  We can't wait.

Go VOTE for my sister-in-law

Hey everyone, please help my sister-in-law out by voting for her basement make-over.  Check out this link and vote for #97!!!!  All the entries are towards the bottom. Just click "vote" under 97!

http://www.vintagerevivals.com/2012/08/epic-room-makeover-giveaway-contest-2012.html


You can see more on her entry at www.forkingapple.blogspot.com. 


THANK YOU!!!

The Cat Lady

So I have NEVER been a cat person.  I grew up with dogs and thought cats were so anti-social.  I love dogs because when you come home they run up to you happy and loving and the only cats I had ever been around would just scatter!  So needless to say cats where never on my list of pets.

Miss Rocky the first day we got her.

Until I met Matt.  He and his dad are what I would call a little obsessed with cats.  They think of them as people and tell stories about them as if they actually did something.  I found it quite entertaining as we were dating and now realize I do the SAME THING!  Ugh what happen to me.  For instance Matt will tell me while we are at the store that Rocky texted him saying she needs more treats.  And yes what do we do, go buy treats. (We are sad and need a human baby soon).  I listened to Matt tell me stories about Smoke his cat from back home all the time and could see how much he really did like cats.  I told him I was not a cat person and we would not be getting a cat.  Well 4 years later we have 2!

She loves to ride in the car....and drive!

yes, she eats my breakfast when I am not looking!

We got Rocky while living in Texas and she was perfect.  She loved on us when we got home and pretty much stayed out of things and just kept to herself.  I got this bright idea that she needed a friend once we bought our house, so in comes Hank.  He is a terror!  I could have a whole blog just on things he does!  but again, my heart is his and I love that little guy to pieces.

Such a sweet face after I found the mess on the floor.  Only a mother could love :)

So after saying I would never own a cat I have grown to love the 2 we have.  They are very different from most cats I knew growing up.  They come when we call, they love on us when we get home, and they don't scatter when people come over unless they bring their dogs with them.  :)  I do believe that Hank thinks he is a dog though.  He likes to get in the trash and pull out food, he chews up everything, plays with the dogs toys and is not afraid of water!

      Hank not impressed with my work outs!                    He spent the first few days on my chest 

 And yes, this is what I came home to yesterday.  The dogs were NOT in the house so I know it was a certain little black animal.  Gotta love him though cause he curled right up in my lap and started to purr so loud.


I have now become the cat lady how might possible be a little obsessed too and will tell you stories on my cats all day long.

A Trip to Galena, Illinois!

We took a quick trip to Galena, Illinois to celebrate Matt's uncle's 60th birthday.  I had never been to Galena and now I can't wait to go back.  The weather was great (pretty sure Linda ordered it especially for us!), food was wonderful and the company was even better.  The town of Galena is so neat with how it is built and the fun shops down main street.  I can not wait to go back and spend more time with everyone and do more exploring.

The birthday boy himself, Cal Schafer!

 All the boys in front of Cal's beauty.  Matt, Matt, Don, Pat, Cal and Neil

 These two are at the top of my favorite people's list!

 The Pinterest inspired collages Linda made.  The one on the right is made out of the old barn's wood and siding.

On Saturday night we went to this local place called the Log Cabin and I had the most wonderful steak I have ever had in my life!  I highly recommend this place if you find yourself in Galena.  It was actually the place where Cal and Linda had their first date and is a family favorite!

All 3 Schafer boys, Don, Cal and Pat.  Sometimes I wonder how they survived!

 The women that keep those boys together, or at least try.

 The whole gang of Schafers! We missed Matt and Meg!

 My favorite!

Bedroom Decorating

We have lived in our house for over a year and I have been trying to figure out what I was going to do on the wall above the headboard and have such a hard time trying to figure it out.  Well finally I was inspired by none other than Pinterest!  

This is what we started with...bare wall, so boring.

We went to Hobby Lobby and got what we needed and almost everything was half off!  I love those sales.  I got to painting and lining everything up and this is the finishes product.

We love it and it was so easy and inexpensive to do!