Too Good

Just have to share.

Timeline

Five and a half years ago, I was here:

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, on top of being one of the most unique. I fell in love with it the moment I stepped off the plane - and though I was only there one weekend out of the entire month I was in Australia, I instantly made it my goal to go back again someday.

One year ago, Chris and I decided to move there. To Melbourne, actually, where we have some friends who would help us until we were able to stand on our own two feet. We sold our condo, moved in with my parents, and started on our visa.

Eight months ago, we found a rockin' awesome deal on tickets to Aussie land, which we took the liberty of purchasing (only to find out later how drawn out the visa process really is... a fact we hadn't realized until after taking a chunk out of our pockets). We figured we could just push the trip back for as long as we needed to. No worries.

Four months ago, we read a positive pregnancy test... and realized our dream of Australia would be put on the back burner indefinitely (but also realized how great the new adventure before us would be). But, having purchased our plane tickets already, we decided to have a great 3rd anniversary in the land down under.

Three months ago, we moved into a new apartment. We were ready to have our own space, and we knew it was needed with a baby on the way.

Two months ago, I lost my job. And while we had saved up some money while we were in the 'rents house, we quickly used that up with our new rent and utilities to pay.

So... we quickly realized, with our savings dwindling, that although we'd be able to get to Australia, our funds would be low while there... next to non-existant. It was then we had to decide whether or not to go anyway. Deciding it was the smart thing to do and knowing we'd eventually get there one day, we decided to cancel our trip.

A week and a half ago was our anniversary. Because we take turns every year planning it, I wanted to make it at least a little bit special.... though nothing could compare to a 14 hour flight, the destination being half way across the world (which was the original plan). I decided, a little too late, to use destinations around the valley to make it seem a bit like Australia. The Daybreak "beach," The zoo, Outback Steakhouse, etc.

The only stop we ended up at was this one: The Sydney "harbor bridge" (the overpass on Wasatch between 4500 South and 3900 South). We watched the sunset and enjoyed each other, until the cold was too much to handle. Later, we went to Ruby River... we weren't in the mood for the Outback.

Belly Shots...

This is me at 16 weeks (and looking rather happy, I might add).

This is me at 17 weeks (seriously not sticking out my gut). Amazing, isn't it, what a difference a week can make? I am now 19 weeks... and feel even more large, which is only a smidgeon of what I will feel, I am sure.
I always wanted to be one of those "cute" prego women who gain weight nowhere but their belly. To my dismay, that is definitely not the case with the girl pictured here. I want to say that it's quite amusing the way the rest of me (mostly below the waist) is growing as well... and while I know it's for a good reason, it doesn't quite make me feel better. While some women are lucky enough to wear the same pants they wore before pregnancy, I am forced to buy maternity clothes - which I will only be wearing for four and a half months. And force is, really, necessary. Especially for those of us who can't afford new clothes because we are trying to save every penny for the baby. And the maternity market knows that while we'd rather not buy clothes that will only last us six months (at the most), we have no choice. So, not only are we forced to pay way too much money for what we don't want, but some of us may not ever use them again. And if we do, who knows what will and won't be in style when our next kids decide to come. Sigh...

On the other hand, my sister in law just had her baby - and seeing the proud parents at the hospital and their new sweet little one was all I needed to get me even more excited for our little boy to grace us with his presence.

By the way, his name is Jack.

The Leaning Tower of Dishes

While my days of dreaming about a dishwasher are far from being over, I'm forced to settle with this... handwashing. Ah, the joys. Rather than drying the first half before digging into the second (which just leaves me washing dishes far longer than I'd prefer), this is the result. A literally leaning tower of dishes that, miraculously, stay put (as long as I'm strategic with the way I place them).

I guess it doesn't look too bad in this picture, but I'm really surprised, not to mention thankful, that there aren't more accidents in my kitchen (knock on wood).