And I’m back…

A few months back I posted about all the things I needed/wanted to accomplish (e.g. NaNoWriMo completion, Nolan potty training, increase in craft time). I had such aspirations! Then, in late January, I discovered I was pregnant. I’ve got to tell ya… that puts a new spin on everything. If you have yet to be around me during the first trimester of a pregnancy, you are lucky. It’s not pretty. When I first discovered I was pregnant, I was over the moon. I couldn’t wait to share with Joshua. We’d been trying for a few months, so it was glorious to see the second line on the pregnancy test!

Then, on Groundhog’s Day I got the flu. At least I thought it was the flu. In fact, it was the beginning of my 24/7 pregnancy sickness. I don’t do nausea well. A couple weeks into the sickness, I was having a hard time remembering why we thought it was such a great idea to go for Baby Ellis #3 at this time. A few weeks in I was a blubbery, sobbing mess as Nolan kept asking, “you sick AGAIN, Mama?” I changed my mind. Perhaps we could wait to have the baby. Or maybe adoption would be a better option?

A couple weeks ago I started feeling like my normal self again. I’m easily fatigued, but I’ll take that any day over the constant nausea. Now I’m starting to find the anticipatory joy of pregnancy, the eagerness of meeting the little miracle. I’m nervous about the first three months of life for Baby Tres (our current nickname), but I also look forward to watching the boys get to know their new sibling (not finding out the sex until delivery day).

To keep me occupied, I am studying the role of Stella for a local production of A Streetcar Named Desire! I’m so thrilled for that! I’ve been away from the stage for close to 6 years, and it’s been difficult. Theater is such a big part of who I am. It’s a cathartic, fulfilling, enriching experience I have dearly missed. The first read-through is at the end of May. Rehearsals begin the end of June, and performances are the last two weekends of July. I will be about 6.5/7 months pregnant when the show goes on. Should be fun!

Plus, Joshua and I hope to go on vacation in June. We haven’t even been on a date in about a year. A year! So, when my parents offered to take the boys for a week this summer, Joshua and I immediately started considering potential vacation spots. We think we’re headed to New Orleans for a bed and breakfast getaway. I see beignets in my future. Or should I say I taste beignets in my future? In any case, I look forward to some quality time with my best friend, and the most amazing man I know.

Quick summary of other things… My NaNoWriMo was set aside. I have a lot to write for my book, but I’m not giving up. I just won’t make the deadlines previously set. We hope to get Nolan out of diapers before Tres arrives (potty and DVDs in transit). And we are exploring Montessori schools for him in the area. Jacob might have had his last bottle yesterday. Joshua continues to be a superstar at work, but feels overwhelmed at times. I want to be as supportive of him as he was of me during my first trimester. He’s a seriously amazing man. I am going to take a fun trip to NYC in a few weeks as a farewell trip for Jackie (who, selfishly, still plans to leave me). Finally (and very importantly), we are looking for a church home.

We have a lot going on. Let the ride begin!!!