Baby Update: 28 Weeks

The Bump:

Here's the bump at 28 weeks!

Maternity Clothes:

My sister-in-law Angie lent me her amazingly comfortable pajama bottoms. I am in heaven. If I could lounge around in them all day I would. I actually got them for her when she was pregnant and on bed rest. Thanks for letting me use them Angie! You are a complete lifesaver. 

I'm wearing a lot of my old pants with the help of my bella band. I can still fit into my lowrise jeans and capris which is a good feeling considering I can't see my legs when I look down anymore.

Best Moment This Week:

Taking Wednesday off work for a doctor's appointment and then spending the morning with Brett. We had a lazy morning, went to the appointment, heard our little girl's heartbeat, and then got lunch at the Olive Garden. It was so fun to spend that time together.

Movement:

Our daughter is one active girl. She keeps me up at night with her tossing and turning. Sometimes I feel (and see) an elbow or heel slide from one side of my belly to the other. It is a really strange feeling. Baby girl especially enjoys kicking me in the ribs and tickling the bottom of my tummy with her fingers. She also gets hiccups occasionally which makes me smile. 

I've been getting a little worried for when this baby comes out. She literally moves all day long and I wonder if she ever sleeps. I'm hoping she is just an active sleeper tossing and turning and jabbing me while dreaming about whatever fetuses dream about.

Food Craving:

Still loving my grapefruit, guacamole, apples, green olives, orange juice, milkshakes, and hummus. My newer cravings have been for Pace Juice Bars (especially the peach and lime flavor), omelets, chips & salsa, steak, and grilled cheese sandwiches (mozzarella).

 

The item that really "hit the spot" this week was the strawberry cheesecake swirl frozen yogurt from Frogurt.

I added kiwi, strawberries, and granola. It was absolute heaven in a cup.

What I Miss:

I miss being able to lean over and pick things up. 

If I ever drop something I grunt like a cantankerous old man and then reluctantly prepare myself to lean over and pick it up. After spreading my legs apart as if I were attempting some yoga pose I reach down with my fingertips and I finally pick up the cursed object. 

Something that used to take me 2 seconds to pick up now takes me about 10. 

It is so humiliating.

Sleep:

Sleep is hit and miss at the moment. I can sleep pretty well but I often wake up either because the baby is moving so much, I'm uncomfortable, or my squished bladder is full. I do consider myself lucky though. I know most women at 28 weeks don't get as much sleep as I am enjoying.

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Spring Break! Brett and I have set some fun plans here in Utah for the week of Spring Break. We're going to go to the planetarium, the aquarium, a few nice dinners, a picnic, and some hikes. Can't wait!

I am also looking forward to the wedding of my incredible best friend Chelsey Kaplar to my equally amazing friend from high school Parry Cutler. They are getting married on August 5th in the Salt Lake temple. This was seriously a match that was years in the making. When I first met Chelsey in 2006 I tried to get her to write to Elder Cutler on his mission. But she didn't. Then when Parry got back from his mission I tried to set them up on a date. Again, didn't happen. They finally ended up meeting three years ago when I set them up on blind dates with other people (sneaky sneaky huh?). I set up Parry with my little sister and Chelsey with one of Brett's friends. A year after that group date (and after months of hanging out randomly) they finally started dating and now they are engaged. Chelsey says they just had to get together when the timing was right for them. :)

Symptoms:

I'm happy to report I haven't thrown up in a month! I'm so happy to have the whole morning sickness out of the way. Sadly, the fatigue that I struggled with through the first trimester is back with a vengeance. As if fatigue in the third trimester isn't bad enough I also just found out this week that I am anemic so I'm on an iron supplement to get my red blood count back up. Hopefully my energy improves a bit.

I have braxton hicks contractions everyday but I don't really feel pain (usually). I can just feel my stomach tightening for 30-90 seconds and then it goes back to normal.

Baby Update: Starting the Third Trimester

My sister-in-law Katie has the cutest way of keeping her family posted on her pregnancy. I thought it would be a fun way to document the rest of the pregnancy. Thanks for the idea!

The Bump:

Here's the bump in all its glory at 25 weeks and 3 days! I feel like I exploded just over the last two weeks. I'm starting my third trimester. Doc says baby is measuring about two weeks ahead. 

Here's hoping for a June baby and not a huge July baby. :)

Maternity Clothes:

A couple weeks ago Brett and I bought a couple pairs of maternity work pants on sale at Kohls. I'm still wearing some of my old pants with the help of my bella band (complete life saver by the way) but I am loving the comfort of my maternity dress pants. Most of my shirts aren't maternity shirts, they are just shirts that are long and/or flowy enough that I can get away with wearing them. 

Most fun recent purchase? Brett bought me some incredible comfy yoga pants. I love coming home and slipping into a pair of those and one of Brett's large t-shirts.

Best Moment This Week:

Brett and I went to a wedding on Saturday. It was only my third temple wedding that I have been able to witness and it is always such a wonderful opportunity to be present at such a wonderful event. My favorite part was hearing all of the promised blessings of a celestial marriage and being reminded that because of the covenants that Brett and I made, our family will be together forever. Hearing the promises of the temple moved me more than ever now that I am carrying our first child,
our first promised blessing. 

Movement:

So up till last week I mostly felt faint little flutters and thumps. Now I can tell if this little girl is ever awake because if she is awake she is moving. She's the most active in the morning when I am teaching my first four class periods and late at night when I lay down. She also seems to kick a lot more when I eat apples. She is quite the powerful kicker and she responds when my belly is touched. Just yesterday Brett was hugging me and he felt a swift kick in his stomach when our stomachs met.
I told him our little girl was just saying hi.

Food Craving:

Grapefruit, grapefruit, and grapefruit. I tell you I can't get enough of them! If I sit down and start with half of a grapefruit I will ultimately end up eating another, and another, and another.
Just last night I ate three (that's six halfs) in one sitting.

Baby girl is also loving guacamole, apples (especially green apples), green olives, orange juice (the favorite has been Simply Orange with Mango), milk, milkshakes,
hummus and pita bread, and BYU Creamery ice cream.

What I Miss:

Sprinting. I'm coaching track and although I am able to demonstrate a lot more than I thought I'd be able to, I still can't do what I'm used to and it is very depressing.
I miss the completely freeing feeling of sprinting as fast as I can and feeling the wind in my hair.

I also miss my waist. I see cute clothes in the store that flatter the waist and make a mental note that I will rock that outfit that once I have a waist again.

Sleep:

I've been pretty restless lately. It's hard when I am trying to fall asleep and our little girl is just doing summer saults and kicking all over the place. I love feeling the kicks and I savor the moment, but then I end up staying up far to late counting the "thump... thump...thumps" that she sends my way. It's getting harder to get comfortable and I find myself tossing and turning all night. (Which is really different for me considering that I usually have no problem sleeping or getting comfortable). The positive change in my sleep? I'm no longer waking up to excruciating leg cramps in my sleep anymore. Those evil charley horses plagued me almost every night from weeks 16-22. 

What I Am Looking Forward To:

Spring break! Brett and I were planning to take a train to San Francisco for our babymoon, but we decided it would be better to hang around close and take a mini vacation here in Utah. We're going to go have a spa day, go out to a few fancy dinners, see some sights, and spend some money on activities we normally wouldn't. I can't wait! Also, Brett and I are moving to Salt Lake City at the end of May.

I am so excited to live closer to family and friends in the city.

Symptoms:

I'm so happy to have the whole morning sickness and extreme fatigue out of the way. I still throw up about once every couple weeks but it isn't because of nausea, it's usually caused by coughing in the morning. My gag reflex is still super sensitive. 

Right now I have a lot of energy and I've been in a very good mood. Baby girl has caused me to have some sciatica, pain and tingling down my legs, but that comes and goes. I have had more back pain as well as my belly continues to push out and out.

Let's Hear It for the Boy!

If you get irritated by that girl who goes on and on and on about how amazing her husband is and just gushes about all the amazing things he does, then you may want to stop reading now because this is going to get gushy.

Last chance. You're still here? 

Well here goes. 

This man...

 

deserves a massive thank you. Brett has been an amazing support to me over the last few months. Here is a list of just 10 of the things he's done the last few months that have meant the world to me.

1. While I spent a few months vomiting a few times a day, Brett was at my side rubbing my back, holding my hair, with crackers and a cup of ginger ale to help ease my stomach when I was through. 
2. Brett single-handedly washed every dirty dish for nearly three months so that I could "rest" (aka pass out for five hours) and avoid throwing up. 
3. He has made the drive to and from Provo between work and class to bring me Einstein Bagles, Jdawgs, Olive Garden soup and salad, and anything else my heart desires. 
4. He has rubbed my swollen feet, my achy back, and my growing belly.
5. He has cooked when I am too tired to cook, he's cleaned when I am too worn out to clean.
6. He still snuggles me even though I've inherited a new sleeping habit from pregnancy (snoring!)
7. He has been understanding when I've been frustrated, emotional, and moody. 
8. He surprises me with notes, treats, and acts of service to remind me that he loves me.
9. Brett tells me I'm beautiful and compliments my ever-changing body every single day. 
10. Brett has been completely selfless and willing to help in whatever way he can. (Oh and he hasn't complained once).

 

In addition to all that, Brett has been a huge support to his parents in SLC while they have been going through a rough time. For the last few months Brett and I have been taking trips up to Salt Lake City every weekend and sometimes weekdays. Back in November we received news that Brett's dad Cliff has cancer. In December, Cliff went through two intensive surgeries. Cliff has recovered beautifully from those operations and is now on his third week of chemotherapy.

Cliff is the most active man you will ever meet, but the surgery and the chemo have made it difficult for him to do the things he's used to doing. Brett has spent his weekends doing whatever he can to help around the house and be a support to his parents. He spends his weekends rubbing his dad's feet, shoveling, cutting firewood, pruning trees, painting (his parent's entire basement), working in the garden, moving five full filing cabinets (drawer by drawer), moving furniture upstairs, moving furniture downstairs, organizing the garage, hanging blinds, installing light fixtures, and doing anything else to help his dad and mom. I don't know how he has all the energy to do it, but I know that I am really lucky. Brett is a helper. He will do anything he can to help the people that he loves and it makes him so happy to serve. I feel so lucky that he loves me. I'm so lucky that I have him as my husband and I know he will be an incredible Dad. 

So let's hear it for Brett! He sure deserves some recognition.

Belly Update and First Track Practice

 

Here's the belly at 23 weeks 3 days. 

I'm back to coaching track again and this season is definitely different than any other track season because I'm carrying a football in my stomach. I must say it feels weird wearing my old track gear with a pregnant belly. I feel like a track star who got into trouble.

Today was our first practice and I was a little worried going into it. I have quite the hands-on coaching mentality and I usually do every workout, drill, etc. with my kids. This made me wonder, how on earth am I supposed to coach? I can't do abs anymore. I can't do any exercise while on my back. I can't exert myself and I can't sprint. I'm barely allowed to break a sweat. In addition to that we had over 200 kids sign up for track this year.

I'm happy to report that today's practice went very well. Since my belly isn't too huge I was able to demonstrate all of the sprinting drills thanks to a support belt that my sister-in-law gave me. I did however have to keep reminding myself to take it easy. My muscles remember how to do all the drills and they want to do them perfectly and quickly. I had to keep reminding my legs to not get carried away! I also had amazing returning athletes from last year who remembered every drill and could help demonstrate to the other athletes. 

It's going to be interesting changing up my coaching style but I think I'm up for the challenge.

It's a...

Baby Bump Photoshoot: 19 1/2 weeks

Brett and I went to a nearby park with our Canon Powershot and played model and photographer (since I finally have a bump to show off). It made for a really fun date. 

Here are the highlights, along with some of my favorite quotes about pregnancy.  

Before you were born I carried you under my heart. From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart.

~ Mandy Harrison

I begin to love this creature,
and to anticipate her birth
as a fresh twist to a knot,
which I do not wish to untie.
~ Mary Wollstonecraft

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, 

in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die. ~ Mary Mason

 

Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous. 

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

~ Elizabeth Stone

 

 A great joy is coming.

~ Author Unknown

No language can express the power and beauty and heroism 

of a mother's love. ~ Edwin H. Chapin

 Life is always a rich and steady time when you

are waiting for something to happen or to hatch ~ E.B. White

 

Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, 

and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder 

who in the world you will turn out to be. 

~ Carrie Fisher

Pregnancy Questions, Thumper, and the Power of the Words "You Can't"

There are many things I don't miss about the first trimester of my pregnancy. I don't miss my sensitive gag reflex that glued me to the toilet for about ten weeks. I don't miss the fatigue that made it nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning and nearly impossible to avoid my bed after 3:30pm. I don't miss my limited diet which blandly consisted of saltine crackers and popcicles.

But I do miss those 14 weeks before we shared the news, when Brett and I had this little sacred secret that was for only us to know. Now that my belly has grown, the secret is definitely out.

I'm happy to grow rounder and wider as the weeks pass. It is a visual reminder of the growth and actual presence of our baby. A reminder I need now that I'm no longer dealing with the daily symptoms of pregnancy I was so accustomed to.

It was hard at first to not share the news with the entire world, but now that it is fairly obvious there are moments I wish that my belly were still flat and the secret were not out.

When people find out women are pregnant they immediately start asking questions:

Most of them are innocent enough:

"When are you going to find out the gender?"

"When are you due?"

"Who's your doctor?"

"Have you had morning sickness?"

Some not so appropriate: 

"Are you coming back to work next year?"

"How much weight have you gained?"

"Have you been constipated?"

"Was your baby planned?" (No joke. I literally have been asked this one over fifteen times and I've realized there is no correct way to answer this question).

"Do you have any names picked out?" (Which is innocent enough, but it becomes inappropriate when they start bashing those names you love).

"Are you planning to get an epidural?"

Now I don't mind the questions. A pregnant belly is an instant conversation starter and I know that the majority of these people are just trying to show they are interested in the pregnancy. While all of the inappropriate questions do get annoying, the one that tops the charts of starting the most awkward conversations involves the last one on my list, "Are you planning to get an epidural?"

It's not the question that is so bad, it's the comments that I receive after I answer this question that is what makes it the most obnoxious. See, I am planning to have a natural childbirth (cue the laughing, scoffing, eye roll, and/or mumbled yeah right).  Which is why this question is my least favorite question.

Just today, I ended up having this discussion three times with three different women. After I said the dreaded words, "I'm planning to have a natural childbirth" these were the responses: 

One woman said, "That's a nice thought but it'll never happen." 

Another woman laughed out loud and bluntly responded, "No you won't." 

And the last said, "You can plan all you want but after one contraction you'll be begging for the drugs."

Now my favorite part about this is that I met two out of these three women for the first time today and this exchange occurred in our very first conversation. The other is an acquaintance from work who I've spoke to a handful of times. First, how do they know me well enough to make such a sudden determination of how I will handle the labor and delivery? Second, how do they have the nerve to so boldly shoot down my plans and desires when they barely know me? And last, what is so wrong with just saying, "That's great" or just nodding and changing the subject?

I find it very sad that some women feel they are entitled to tell women who are planning a natural childbirth that she can't do it, that it is not possible, or that she is out of her mind.

A little bunny once said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." If you don't support a woman's decision to have a natural childbirth or if you think this woman isn't cut out for it then please don't share your opinion. There is nothing wrong with saying "Know that your plans may change. I had a hard time and ended up having an epidural." What is not okay is making a judgment of the pregnant woman by saying "You can't."

When it comes to natural childbirth, I wish women would help to empower other women. Whether or not you had an epidural or a natural childbirth you can help to empower and support a woman who has that as her goal. Why belittle a woman with good intentions going into her labor/delivery?  Just because one woman chose to have an epidural doesn't mean that another woman is completely incapable of doing it without. Instead of focusing on what a woman cannot do lets instead focus on what women can do. We are women. We are strong and capable. Our bodies are made for this. For some women giving birth naturally is the single most empowering moment of their lives. Why take that away from a woman by telling her she is incapable? That she is weak? That it is impossible?

I recognize that many women who plan to have a natural childbirth often change their plan and ask for the epidural. I know that this may even happen to me. However, I wonder if that number would change if women were more supportive of one another. One thing I learned in my life is the terrible strength of the words "you can't." Those negative words become negative thoughts and those thoughts lead to actions. I wonder how many more women would be successful in their natural childbirth plans if the other women in their lives would just say "you can." Those two words are a positive mantra that lead to success.

I'm sure that I will have this conversation another hundred or so times over the course of my pregnancy but I luckily do recognize that although these women are choosing to put me down instead of lifting me up, it will not affect my plan to have a natural delivery. I did not make this decision lightly. My decision will not change because of a stranger's opinion of what is possible or what I am capable of. 

"Attitudes are contagious.  Are yours worth catching?"  ~Dennis and Wendy Mannering

*** Edited to specify: This post is not meant to be pro natural childbirth or anti-epidural. What I wanted to focus on is the need for women to support other women in the choices they make. 

Plato's Closet and Finally Looking Pregnant

After months of definitely FEELING pregnant, it's about time I look pregnant. My bump decided to finally make an appearance last week and I decided it's high time I wear some clothes to show it off.

Over the weekend I went with my Mom and my friend Chelsey to Plato's Closet in Draper. Chelsey has been trying to get me to go with her to Plato's Closet for years, but we just never got around to it. Boy was I missing out. This is not your average second hand store. They have really cute clothes that are fashionable but still with the thrift store price tag. They had their Grab Bag sale on Saturday and we thought we'd try and score some clothes. Sadly, we got there after all their clearance items had been picked over, but we still decided we'd see what bargains we could get.

I ended up spending $70 and all together scored about eight different adorable outfits. Now, they aren't "maternity clothes" which is nice because I will actually be able to wear them after the baby. I bought some long jersey fabric shirts, flowy empire waist dresses, cardigans, and a few tight stretchy shirts with ruching on the sides. I've had so much fun wearing my outfits the last couple days because they really show off my new cute shape.

I am hoping that I won't have to buy a lot of legitimate maternity clothes. My goal is to only buy a few necessities like some nice maternity dress pants for work.

I've realized putting the word "maternity" in front of the word "clothes" is the equivalent of putting "wedding" in front of the word "dress". For some reason just the word "maternity" means adding an additional 50% to the price. I'm so happy I was able to buy adorable clothes for $5-$14 a piece that I'll be able to wear while pregnant and while I'm not.

Bump

Today the baby decided to show itself.

18 weeks and 5 days!

Valentine's Day = Gender Day!

Brett and I are so excited for February 14th. 

First, even though we've been in love for nearly five years, this will be our very first Valentine's Day together! The first two were spent in different countries (Brett was on his LDS mission) and the last two were spent in different states because of our track and field schedules.

Second, Valentine's Day also happens to be our 20 week ultrasound appointment! So we will find out if little Baby Birkeland is going to look like this:

or like this:

 

Vote on the right-hand column whether you think Baby Birkeland is a BOY or a GIRL! 

In my classroom I've tried to keep my students involved in the pregnancy. It's been fun. I keep a sign on the board that says "This week Baby Birkeland is the size of..." and then I either bring a fruit to class and keep it up at the board for the week or I just write it down. (Because who wants an onion in the classroom?)

We thought we'd make finding out the gender a bit interesting. At the back of my classroom I have two posters. One is pink and one is blue.  My students from each class period have voted whether they think the baby is a boy or a girl. Whoever is correct gets a treat after we find out the gender.

The boys are definitely in the lead at the moment. Mostly because the boys only want to vote for boy and the girls tend to be split.

As for what Brett and I think the baby is? Well for some reason we both think it's a boy. Now we have no real reason to suspect that this little one is a boy, except that it just feels like it and we tend to always refer to Baby as "he".  Do we want a boy more than a girl? No, not at all. But for some reason, if we find out the baby is a boy we won't be one bit surprised and if it is a girl we will both be shocked but completely excited.

2 weeks to go! Can't wait!

Metaphors

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.

-Sylvia Plath

 

This may be old news to many of you, but for those of you who still haven't heard Brett and I are expecting a little addition to our family on July 1st. This sonogram is from 12 weeks. I'm about 18 weeks along now and we will find out the gender on Valentine's day!

I just realized my last post was over seven months ago. I apologize, life has been very very busy. I promise to post a recap very soon as well as weekly updates on the belly and baby. 

Recent Happenings

So a lot has happened since our last post:

1. Mapleton Track and Field won the district championship meet! It was a blast to coach such a great group of kids. I can't wait to coach them again next year!

2. Brett and his fellow BYU brethren brought home another conference championship!

3. Brett and I both got teaching jobs! I will be teaching 8th grade English at Mapleton Junior High and Brett will be a Special Education TA at Reagan Academy. We feel so blessed that the two jobs I took this spring lead to two amazing opportunities for both of us! It was a rough few months there, but we know now it was all worth it.

4. We are moving out of our place in Provo to a basement apartment of an adorable home in Mapleton (2 minutes from my school!) We make the move on June 26th!

5. We went on an incredible trip to Montreal over Memorial Day weekend. Brett served an LDS mission there for two years. It was amazing to walk the streets he walked and experience the wonderful goodness of poutine, the metro, Haitian food, beaver tails, etc. We'll be posting a more in depth blog about the trip but here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure. (Click here to view our facebook photo album from the trip.)

6. My brother Mike and his cute little family are moving to Salt Lake City from Mesa Arizona next week. We are so excited that they are going to be so close! Katie got a job at Wells Fargo and Mike will be focusing on his photography business Eli Mac Photography.

Man vs. Two Women

So, Haley went to work this morning and I was to go shopping. Last night we went over a list of things to buy at the store formerly known as Albertsons because they had a sale starting this morning. Haley's favorite kind of chocolate chips that are usually $2.50 for one bag were on sale for 98 cents a bag! Haley instructed me to buy 10 bags, enough to make her incredible chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for months.

I went to the store at 8:45 am and the shelf was almost barren! There I see a lady in her thirties with who I assume was her mother hoarding what was left. The ad said you can only buy 6 per customer. Well, these little deviants had a system of one lady grabbing six, going through the self-checkout station and running to the car to drop them off, then returning for more. So, as I'm standing there watching, I realize that there is only one more box at the far end. I remembered how much Haley LOVES those chocolate chips and I knew I couldn't fail her.

The women looked at me with a gaze of curiosity. Then I lunged forward and took the whole box!! Then their gaze became one of disgust and honestly a little angry. They obviously knew I couldn't buy all twelve in the box, so they waited to see what I would do with the six extra bags. "Well," I thought, "two can play at this game."

So I continued shopping, then I found myself in the domestic area of the store. Nobody was around so I moved a big section of napkins for sale, stashed 6 of the bags, returned the napkins to their proper place and headed for the check-out. Sure enough, the women were still in the area. If they were men I would have worried they would jump me with the way they were looking at me. I bought my six bags, dropped off my chips in the car, then went back for more! I entered the store, bee-lined it to the napkins, snagged my other six bags and returned to the check-out area to rub it in the faces of those women.


So, I bought twelve bags of Guittard Milk Chocolate Chips for my wife and I'm pretty sure I seriously offended two women in the process. Ha! The joke is on them for trying to hoard all the chocolate chips.

Looking beyond the flaws...

Here is my usual bedtime ritual:

I brush my teeth, I may or may not floss, I wash my face with cetaphil, and I remove my contacts. I lean forward closer and closer to the mirror (because I'm blind without my contacts) and then, turning my head slowly from one side to the other, I examine my face for any little zit, flaw, red mark, etc. I may pick at a scab on my chin, pluck a few stray hairs from between my eyebrows, and squeeze a white head or two. I turn out the bathroom light, close the door, and head to bed.

Last night, somewhere between clawing at that scab on my chin and and prodding my face with my fingers in search of zits, I paused for a moment. I realized that although I was looking at myself, I wasn't really looking at myself. I was looking my flaws, each and every one of them.

I saw the big red mark on my chin, I saw the annoying scar on my cheek, I saw the peach fuzz, the stray hairs and the crooked teeth. What I wasn't seeing was me. The big picture. Beautiful, lovely, me.

So many times we focus on the flaws. We focus on the zit, the scab, the scar, the extra 5 pounds, the stretch mark, the wrinkle. Likewise, we focus on the one thing during the day that didn't go our way; the flat tire, the menstrual cramps, the broken dish, the stain on the carpet, the gossiping neighbor, the messy kid, the argument, the leaky pipe, the empty bank account, or the bad grade.

I am guilty of turning out that bathroom light without ever seeing the big picture. I pick at all my flaws and I don't bother to step back and really look at myself. I don't bother to see the the dusting of freckles across the bridge of my cute button nose, or the way my eyes crinkle up when I smile. I'm guilty of sometimes ending my day in a bad mood, laying in bed reliving each annoying experience while simultaneously laying right there beside the greatest blessing in my life, Brett. I am guilty of often forgetting that those little flaws in my days, as annoying as frustrating as they can be, can't even compare to the wonderful people and experiences that enrich my life daily.

Tonight, during your bedtime ritual, take some time away from scrutinizing the flaws of your face and the low points of your day.

Don't forget to look at the whole you: wonderful, beautiful, lovely you.