Letting the World Know

Most of my immediate family and close friends know I'm pregnant again.  The ones who know our struggles with infertility and loss.  The ones who have been our biggest cheerleaders and greatest supporters. 

I wasn't sure how I felt about doing a big Facebook reveal to let every other Tom, Dick, and Harry know, but ultimately I decided I definitely wanted to share this exciting time with friends and extended family.  Facebook is good for mass sharing.  I'm sure you've heard.

When I was pregnant with Elena I don't think I posted one belly shot.  In fact, I know I didn't.  Maybe a tagged photo from my baby shower made it on my timeline. I never updated my status with how many times I peed the night before or to share the current state of my vulvar varicosity.  I dare you to google that one.  I am not one to complain in general, but I never would even dream of posting my pregnancy woes for others to eye roll.  'Cause that's what I do if you FB complain.  Especially about pregnancy.  I'm aware that I'm hypersensitive because all that I've gone through.  Even still, my threshold for public complaining on FB is very, very low.  We've all got problems.  And I guarantee someone is begging for yours.  I digress.

I actually felt bad posting about my pregnancy with Elena.  Felt bad because several close and dear friends, whom I knew would see my updates, were struggling with loss, infertility, adoption difficulties and the like.  I knew how it crushed my heart just a little bit each time I saw someone post SURPRISE! We're PREGNANT.  I hated being that girl.  But sometimes I was. 

After I had Elena, I realized I had been a little bit foolish in my thinking.  Sparing others feelings, while considerate of me, I suppose, sort of took away from my own glorious hallelujah I'm the freaking one that's finally pregnant moments.  I have always had a tendency to put others' feelings before my own.  This case was no exception.  Not that I would ever be one to gloat or attention whore myself to the point you'd want to block my updates {jeez, I hope that's not me}.

In any case, I decided this time?  This time I'm sharing it.  I'm making it Facebook official.  This exciting and miraculous time.  My first little miracle is becoming a big sister.  My body is carrying another babe.  I am doubly blessed.

If by chance, you are that girl, like I was, with a  hurting heart, I implore you....Don't let it break your spirit if your miracle hasn't happened yet.  Instead, let it serve to remind you to always believe and hope for what your heart desires.  Miracles DO happen.  My heart will be praying for *YOUR* miracle.

I did a photo shoot Monday in hopes of capturing a picture to use as our FB announcement.  My subject was less than cooperative for what I had in mind, but was adorable nonetheless doing her own thing.  Here are some of my favorite photos.  She kills me, this kid.

Winning shot.  Going live on Valentine's Day. 

Hopefully by the time her sister arrives, she'll have warmed up to the idea. 

Such a professional

Shirt

 

When you ask her, "Who's gonna be a big sister?" she points to herself like this and says "ME!"

My sunshine girl

ME!

Social Media Wake-up call: Instagram love

Wow. Clearly I have been living under a rock. I seem to be part of the older crowd here in blog land {35...gasp}so I'm thinking I deserve a reprieve for being so inept when it comes to social media.

I'd say I've got Facebook on lock. I could probably post, comment, or upload a photo in my sleep.

Twitter, well, I try. And I'm learning. I did finally learn what a hashtag was a few months back. That cleared up a lot of confusion. And embarrassment. Because, yes, I was openly saying pound or, worse yet, number sign #truth. 

Pinterest is another time suck favorite. I've made quite a few recipes and even some DIY crafts, which I'll share soon. It's pure genius.  I don't know whether I should be happy or sad it didn't exist in the days of my wedding planning. 

Not only have I been pinspired to DIY and try new recipes, but I've even traded in my yoga pants and hoodie for an actual #ootd.  Though I still don't own a bib necklace or know how to tie a scarf.  As fabulous as Pinterest is, not gonna lie, I get a case of mom guilt every once in a while because I have yet to bento my one and half year old's lunch or chalkboard paint the interior walls of my house. 

And then there was Instagram.

I love taking pictures so when I discovered Instagram upon getting my iPhone {a year and a half ago} I was all over it. I loved the different filters and how it could make my average cell phone pics look like  maybe I  knew a thing or two about taking pictures. And it was much easier than hipstamatic which I still don't get. Do people even use that anymore?

I obviously wasn't blind to the fact that most every blogger on my blog roll invites their followers to follow them on various social media outlets with their 'Follow me on twitter, pinterest, Facebook, Instagram' buttons.  But I never quite got what it meant to follow one of my favorites on
Instagram. And it took until very recently for me to realize what following on Instagram actually meant. #duh. I don't even know how I realized it and figured it out. But somehow I did. And holy shitballs. A whole new world. I am obsessed. And I can't stop. And my unhealthy attachment to my phone has just gone to a whole new level.

I try to only use my phone for social media stalking when Elena is asleep. Naptimes are too busy so I find myself lying in bed until all hours of the night glued to my phone. I may need an intervention. I've always been a voyeur of sorts. I'm totally curious about people. How people live. What they eat. Where they shop. What's in their fridge. Probably why I love reality TV.  And definitely why I love reading blogs.  It's getting to know the tidbits about people.  Translation- I'm nosy.

So if you see a new follower request, or lots of likes and/or comments from a certain kcamp07....don't be afraid.  It's just little old me.

Busting out the sidewalk chalk on an 80 degree day last week

Celebrating Nana.  Would have been my mom's birthday on Saturday.

Token wine shot.