1. Do you work full-time? And, if so, what are your plans for working in the future? – Adaena
I surely do work full-time. I work a basic 9-5 office job that I have been at for 4 and a half years. We have a very tight-knit group of ladies…and I am very blessed to know them. I have two gals that I have been here with the entire time and I feel as though they are my aunt’s or my older sisters. My plans for working in the future are in a different industry…I am going to be a full-time mom and housewife. Thankfully, Jeremy makes enough money (and we live frugally enough) to support us and I am really excited about getting to be at home to raise our family. So my last day at work will be February 12th. I chose that day because I didn’t want to miss out on one last birthday lunch with my co-workers. Hey, I’ll do anything for a free lunch 🙂
2. How long did you wait to tell Jeremy? How did you tell him? – Lindsay
I waited almost 10 days to tell Jeremy about our pregnancy. It was already a really stressful time for him when I found out…and I wanted to keep from adding another stressor to his plate. In our relationship, Jeremy is the grounded, stable, responsible adult and I am the flaky, whimsical, girl who dances around alot. So I knew that it was in his best interest at that time to wait till the moment was right. Plus, I was crappin my pants in fear. And whenever that happens, it is best to change your panties first 🙂 You can read all about how I told him here.
3. Just wondering if you’ll share nursery progress as you go along, or reveal at the end? – Laura C.
Laura, that is an excellent question. What would you prefer? I am open to either one 🙂
4. When did your clothes start becoming too tight? Have you bought anything new? – Lacey
My gut expanded the moment I found out. I have this special skill of being able to look 5 months pregnant…and I have had that skill since teenagehood. It’s really useful for freaking out your mother, by the way. So my clothes were instantly too tight. I still can wear most of them with a belly band…and I still have one pair of jeans that I can button and sit in comfortably. I give that pair two more weeks tops. I have bought a lot of new tops at Goodwill and TJMaxx and Target….especially sweaters and some cheapo t-shirts for the upcoming winter. Surprisingly, some of American Eagle’s sweaters and tops tend to be a little longer so they are definitely becoming a maternity staple. Also, I did go on a bit of shopping spree for out of season dresses at Gap…I scored four of them for under a grand total of $40.
5. How old are you? How old were you when you decided to start having kids? – Heather
I am 28. When I was 21, I decided that the perfect age to get married would be 25 and the perfect age to start having kids would be 28. I didn’t know Jeremy then. We ended up hitched when I was 26…so I am a year behind 🙂
Actually – Jeremy and I had a deal about the whole procreation thing. The deal was that I would keep my mouth shut about having babies for the duration of our marriage. When he was ready, he had to tell me he wanted to ‘start trying’. At that time, I would personally decide whether I was ready…but keep it to myself. If I wanted to take the plunge into scaryville, I would stop taking the pill. Otherwise, I would keep poppin’ em like candy. I guess you know what happened.
6. When did you tell Sherry you were pregnant? Did she figure it out on your Nashville trip? – Mandy
I told Sherry the night before I told Jeremy. I was at the grocery store and she was talking ALOT about babies. Granted this was when both her sister-in-laws were prego and her other BFF Cat had just delivered, so she was in total baby-celebration-mode. So right there in front of the cake mix I blurted it out. She knew that we were ‘not preventing’ so I don’t think it came as a big surprise. But she did scream. Everyone on aisle 4 looked at me. And I didn’t even have it on speakerphone. It was the perfect person to tell first…I would consider her one of my real life best friends (no, we don’t just talk about blogging all the time), she doesn’t know my family or friends here in GA so there would be no slip-ups, she is obsessed with other people’s infants and pregnancies, and Sherry is very excitable and talkative…which actually calmed my tattered nerves and helped me feel better about rockin Jeremy’s world.
On the Nashville trip, Sherry had all sorts of helpful information for me (like carrying a bit of candy in my purse to ward off nausea) and made me feel oh-so-important with a million questions (nursery? names? anterior placenta?). Since I am easily freaked out by random stuff (oh, like a humanoid parasite growing inside of you) I really loved that I had a friend right there with me to remind me of the end result…a brand-new baby 🙂
7. What are you tossing around for baby names? – 2kidsfromjersey
If there was a job that required me to name babies all day, I would be first in line to apply. I love naming babies. I even had a Word document prior to our wedding with approved names on it. And yes, Jeremy received it in an email that said “I reserve the right to name our future children anything I want.” I generally like old fashioned names, or unusual biblical names, or family names.
For boys, I really liked Ty (short for Tyler) Torrin and Jude (Short for Judah) Valiant…but we decided that the final choice is the one that is the best: Will (William) Jackson. Yes, our baby is going to be a civil war hero.
For girls, I really liked Samantha Kayla, Alexandria Renee, or Sarah Katherine. Finally Jeremy & I ended up with Isabella Ann. And yes, we will call her Bella. Bella Bower. And no, it is not because of Twilight 🙂 Although, that doesn’t hurt.
8. H1N1 vaccine: Yay or nay? – Sandra
Jeremy & I decided to just get the regular flu shots and not the H1N1 vaccine shot. It was a personal decision that I think is the right one for us and I feel great peace about. If I die, well, I hope you will take care of my boyfriend. No kissing is allowed.
9. Were you actively “trying” and if so, did it take you long? – Sandra
We were actively “not preventing”. Like I said in question #5 – Jeremy said that he wanted a baby & I decided after that to get off the pill. That was in March after my grandmother’s funeral. So it did take four months to get my egg successfully spermified.
10. Have you two discussed how many you want total? Will this be the only baby Bower? – Sandra
We have. We want at least four biological kids. Four kids kinda runs in my blood. And the option after that to adopt has always tugged at our heartstrings. We will have to wait and see how tired and broke we are 🙂
Whew! Ten more questions answered. Nothing too surprising, I think. Most of the answers are pretty generic but you may wanna weigh in on the reveal-nursery situation or laugh about our boy-name choice. Anyone else out there with a civil war general’s name? Or heck, any Bella’s?
And keep checking back for part 3 of Baby FAQ next week where I tackle the next ten inquiries!
i’m glad you’re sharing all this info!! i love reading about babies and moms to be 🙂
and now i realize why you were freaking out to tell your bf. i just assumed you both were actively trying and that he would be totally in-the-know of all the dirty details 🙂 makes sense now, since he didn’t know for sure what your side of the baby decision was.
No laughing at names here :). We have a Ty (Tyler) and then had another boy – went w/Reid. Congratulations! Oh, and I personally would love to see the nursery as it progresses.
I like both of the names. Classic and not too trendy or weird. I definitely think you share the nursery as you’re doing it… don’t make us wait…. puh-lease…. my baby fevered little heart couldn’t take it. 😉
I think you should share your nursery plans from start to finish! Even all the ideas that you might decide to throw out the window. 🙂
Congrats on your little growing bean! I do have a Bella…. Isabella Grace- we call her Bella. ( Actually we call her anything that comes to mind, Bella bo Barbie, Bellina, Bells, you get the idea). It is a sweet name. Happy baby making to ya.
Thanks for answering my question! : ) Too funny and fun that two of my favorite bloggers are such good friends.
You are not too crazy….I also thought 25 was a good age to get married and 28 for babies (my mom had me at 28)…I did get married at 25 although a few weeks later I turned 26, but we’ll have to wait until next year to see if 28 brings babies!! AND Randy and I always wanted 4 kiddos but the older I get the more I wonder if I have lost my mind, hehehe.
One more question to add to the baby FAQ if you want…have you thought about cloth diapering? Seems like all the mommy bloggers I read lately are all about it and I’m intrigued to see what others think….
LOVE the name Bella. : )
I totally want to see the nursery in progress. I’m not that patient.
Also, have you given much though to the controversial “Birth Plan”? I mean, do you want to prepare for all possible details right down to your baby being delivered at the exact moment when Mariah hits the crescendo of “Always Be My Baby,” or would you prefer to go with the flow and decide what you want as it comes along?
katie, it is so fun to read about your perspective on all things baby since I am just a couple months behind with my little one. I must say how nice it was to read that another couple had decided (like us) to forego the H1N1 shot. And in response to question # three, I would love to see what you are doing along the way. 🙂
I LOVE the name Bella and always have. However, I married a man with the last name Fanella and Bella Fanella is just plain mean. 🙂 Love your choice of names, though!
These are great…keep the FAQ coming! I’m impressed with your procreation deal with Jeremy, that definitely takes a lot of self-control to not push it at all, ever. And then not to tell him for four months that you were trying as well 🙂 Very impressive!! Can’t wait for next weeks questions and answers.
i thought valiant was kind of neat for a name. my grandmother was the last of 13 children and her parents ran out of names so they let the doctor name her; he came up with iola. can you believe that?
I baby-sat a brand new Bella baby last night!! And she wasn’t named for Twilight either…
I just have to say it….I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!! And I also want to see the nursery progress, I dont want to wait!! I can feel the baby bug pushing my biological clock…
I love following your blog and I’m so excited for you! It s nice to see someone else out there who wants 4 kids and is considering adoption as well! I think most people think I’m crazy :). (no kids here yet)
Ok well- I love that you told your bestie first–so did I! I didn’t plan it that way but she heard it first nontheless.
I think the name choices are very sweet, I love the name Bella and have wanted to name everyone of my babies Bella but I get outvoted! 😉
I say progress shots on the nursery–don’t hold out on us!!!
And as a mother of 3, I highly recomend Bradley Childbirth classes. They are extremely worth it and teach your hubby how to help relax durring labor–The weekly backrubs alone make for a good reason to go, plus all the great information!
But I am big on childbirth education and all that jazz so I will try not to get on my soap box!!!
Thanks for including us in in all this!!!
Nursery info-heck yea! Please keep us updated on all things baby decor in the Bower house!
Your names are super cute…just like your baby will be! William is one of our choices also. Tough decisions!
Great post, I enjoyed all of your answers.Your last day of work is my babies due date.With names you have to pick what you like and stick to your guns. My family has had a lot to say about the name we have picked for our new son John “Henry”.I personally like the names you picked.
it would definitely be fun to see the whole nursery decorating process.
i love the names!
I would love to see the progress and how you decided to do whatever it is you decided to do. Kind of like what Sherry and John are doing with their basement.
I would LOVE for you to share your nursery as you go. It’s always nice to see a grand before and after… but seeing others thought process and how they piece things together is so helpful!
Oh, and by the way… CONGRATS 🙂
I second (or 10th?) the vote on sharing the nursery as it progresses! I think the baby deal w/ your bf is an awesome idea! A great way to take the pressure off everyone. I’m waiting for my hubby to start talking about babies because I know I talk about them waaaay too much!
Sherry sounds like a great friend – I’m glad she put some of your worries at ease. 🙂
And if we have a boy, his name will be Will (William) too!! Great choice!
please, Please, PLease, PLEase, PLEAse, PLEASe, PLEASE keep us updated on the baby nursery! I want ideas for my future nursery!
LOVE the names Bella and Tyler.
I LOVE your blog and am so excited for you about being pregnant. I’m currently cooking #3. We too are hoping to adopt after this one. Thought you might enjoy two AMAZING blogs if you’re even considering adoption. All three ladies are members of my church in Franklin (outside Nashville)
http://www.joiningthejourney.blogspot.com/
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/
http://oatsvallteam.blogspot.com/
Congrats again! My husband and I decided before we were even married that we’d work as hard as we could so I could stay home with our kids. We’re both so happy we did! It’s not for everyone and it’s so hard sometimes, but I wouldn’t want it any other way! You think you have lots of plans for the house now? Wait until your at home all day. My poor hubby, if he only knew how long the list was — I only let him in it in VERY tiny chunks!
I love the idea of seeing your progress on the baby room. You’ll do such a great job at that! I’m pregnant with our first (due April 20), and our girl name is Bella Luz (Beautiful Light). 🙂 We have loved the name ever since the move “Bella.” You must see it! I go back and forth every other day between Isabella Luz (lovely) or just Bella Luz… The middle name is my mil’s first name, who has been fervently praying for a granddaughter since before we were married!
I want you to share the nursey remodel step by step!!! I would love watching it take form and going through your thought process. What a fun way to be along for [your pregnancy] ride!
Thanks for sharing with us. Can’t wait to watch you take this wonderful journey. Like Julie, I also want to direct you to an amazing blog. It’s Soulemama by Amanda Soule at http://www.soulemama.typepad.com. It’s a helpful and inspiring blog. I think you’ll like it.
Great age to have kids! And Isabella is one of my all time favorite girl names and Emma Leigh of course! I only have boys so I HOPE you have a girl. She would be sooo cute! And please share the nursery as you go. please please please!!!
Love Bella! So sweet. And YES, please share in-progress nursery photos. For those of us in the newly married and having babies sometime soon catergory, we’d appreciate the in-process decisions, tips, disasters :), etc. Thanks!
I love the names!
I vote for showing the nursery progress along the way. If not totally, then at least in parts like John and Sherry did for their nephew.
Thanks for letting us into every corner of your life – ha! I can’t believe you two already have your names picked out!!! Josh wouldn’t have a serious discussion with me about baby names for months – He said I had to at least be in the second trimester. Anyway, this time around (for #2) I’ve decided not to bring it up at all and let him bring it up. We might have our baby born without a name, who knows?!!
I like the name Will, but with Bower? Will Bower is so close to Will Power. That’s a lotta name to live up to!
katie i am so happy for ya’ll!! wish i was closer to bring you some meals, share in the preggo shopping and carry your groceries! xoxo
Haha! Tricia – I never even thought of that. I guess that is putting high standards on such a little guy (if we end up with a boy!)…but he better get used to it. I plan on pushing him to be President one day…or at least a Senator. Afterall, we are gonna need taking care of when we finish redoing our home!
XO – Katie
So glad to read you are able to stay home with your kids (not that there is anything wrong with working moms). I was able to stay home and went back to work when my kids were 12 and 16 and it was great!! Congrats, you two!
If we get a vote, I’d love to know as much about the nursey, and as soon as possible!
Thanks for answering all our questions. I hope you’re getting lots of sleep!
I love all of the question-answering! You are so generous and brave to share all of this with your nosy (and slightly-stalkerish) readers. Thanks 🙂
Oh, and I definitely want to see progress pics of the nursery! None of this “wait to reveal ‘ti the end” bs!
Four is a good number, and I like classic names too. We have 4 girls, and for some insane reason we are thinking about adding #5, but only thinking. Our girls’ names are Kelsie Elizabeth, Julia Marie, Grace Alexandera, and Sophia Margurite. I vote for showing the progress on Baby Bower’s room.
Thanks for sharing all the info. My hubby & I are in talks about when to start a family (we were married same day as you). I definitely want to see nursery progress all along the way.
Btw, have you thought about possible color schemes for the nursery? I’m sure you have, dish girl!
My brother and sister-in-law are expecting in February and they have decided on the name Isabella Faith, calling her Bella.
Rachel – that is such a small world! We hadn’t heard Isabella as a popular name until after we started telling people…I guess that means that it is on the up and up 🙂
XO – Katie
you’re such a sweet mama already!
Oh, how sweet! I didn’t even realize you were pregnant! Many congrats. Motherhood is the most amazing thing in the world. It completely re-invents your heart. God bless and best wishes for a safe and healthy pregnancy!
I stumbled on your blog recently and have been going through the archives. Just getting caught up today. Congrats on the baby. I had to put a plug in for Sarah Katherine as that is my name but Sara Katharine (after Katharine Hepburn). My family called me Sara Kate, which some of my friends think is hilariously southern. =)
I have a cousin named Bella Jean and I love the name!! She is actually a triplet… Alanna, Bella and Farrah. Congrats to you and Jeremy!
I am so glad you can make you can be a full time mommy. What a relief! You get to be a mommy! Unfortunately and fortunately, I can’t leave my job -love it/ and I would be living in a box with a baby without it! I will be looking to your blog to find ideas to make life with a baby Easier. I love your blog cuz you keep it real. Sounds like something you would write in a year book! -keep it real!
Ha! My husband’s name is Robert Lee. Will is in good company 🙂
why have four biological ones? when the world’s resources are already strained and there are so many children in the world without homes, why do you have to have four before you adopt?
just an honest curious question.
Honestly we would probably try for four kids before adopting because we would need that much time to save up for the adoption process. The bio kids would be cheap…and a future adopted one would be the expensive child. Some people say don’t have any bio and just adopt but personally I like the idea of Jeremy adding to the gene pool 🙂
xo – k