Photo by Lisa Hoang, Windwardskies Photography
Another sneak peek from our photo shoot

This November will mark our 15th anniversary. The new addition to our little family makes me ponder how it will affect our relationship. I would hope that this shared experience would make us stronger and closer, but I know that the opposite could also be true. I have seen how children innately know how to manipulate and divide parents from a very young age, and if we’re not careful, this could easily create a chasm between us. (I’m not saying that children are little devils, but we all know that kids are smart and know how to get their way.)

Hubby and I have been through so much together, especially in recent years. From his one-year deployment to Iraq, to our homebuying experience, the infertility/in vitro fertilization ordeal, and now pregnancy and parenthood. Each of these experiences helped to strengthen our relationship, proving once again that if we stand together, hand-in-hand, we can face life’s difficulties. We make a great team, Hubby and I. We have certainly grown a great deal since we first met in 1991.

Through it all, Hubby has been my constant source of love, support, and comfort. Even as I was going through surgeries, treatments, daily injections, and the emotional rollercoaster of in virto, I was always comforted to know that Hubby loved me with an unconditional love. One of the toughest things to deal with in terms of infertility is the thought of being a failure. After all, one of the most natural and anticipated events of marriage is starting a family. When that doesn’t happen, it’s easy to start blaming yourself. For me, dealing with Father’s Day year after year was much harder than facing Mother’s Day. I just felt awful knowing that Hubby would make such an awesome father — and I couldn’t provide him that opportunity. Hubby was always quick to assure me that even if we never have children, that he would love me the same and that he was just grateful to be able to spend his life with me — with or without children.

When the Lord blessed us with this successful in vitro attempt, we couldn’t have been happier. It is the beginning of another chapter in our lives.

Despite the challenges and the waiting, I am glad that Hubby and I were able to enjoy our time as a couple for so long before having our baby. I believe God’s timing is perfect, and that 14 years was just the right amount of time we needed to prepare us to receive this blessing. When we got married, I was only 20. We had said that we wanted to take our time before starting a family so that we could adjust to married life before having to adjust to parenthood — we just didn’t realize it would be so long. But, looking back, I don’t regret a single moment of our time together as a couple.

Every time I visit my site, I gaze at the baby countdown widget in the sidebar. Today shows 55 days to go, which doesn’t seem like much time at all. As the reality of impending parenthood descends upon me, it fill me with wonder and apprehension all at the same time. This baby is the result of countless prayers, evidence that miracles do happen. I also wonder if I am worthy of such a blessing and the responsibility that goes along with it. If you really stop to think about it, parenthood entails the care and shaping of a person. What I do (or don’t do) directly affects this baby for better or worse. It is mind-boggling.

I know that having a baby changes everything. I am confident that this, too, will change us into better people.

Sometimes even the best pets make the biggest mistakes. Tonight was Tobi’s turn.

It was after 10:30 p.m. when we arrived home after the bon dance and Hubby and I were both exhausted. We were both looking forward to collapsing into bed, but as we started to wind down for the night, I noticed a large wet spot on the comforter on my side of the bed. It looked too large to be drool, so I peeled back layer upon layer and found that the puddle soaked all the way through to the mattress. Tobi the wonder dog had peed on our bed. On our cherished, quite expensive, Tempurpedic bed, mind you.

Hubby immediately started stripping the bed of everything and headed straight for the washing machine. Tobi was nowhere to be found, obviously in hiding.

The first load of laundry, the comforter, was in at 11:00 p.m., which meant that I was going to be up into the wee hours waiting for everything to finish washing and drying. Hubby used a fabric cleaner to do what he could to clean the mattress. Unfortunately, Tempurpedic does not recommend flipping the mattress. Being a clean freak, this bums me out a great deal. I just hope that when it dries that there won’t be a residual smell.

Hubby was quite upset about the ordeal, but frankly, I just felt sorry for Tobi. The neighbors upstairs were making quite a racket (visiting grandchildren stomping around), so I know that Tobi must’ve been frightened — especially since we were away. He often seeks comfort by lying on our bed when we’re not home, even though he’s usually not allowed on our bed. Our bedroom is closest to our parking space, so I suspect that he also likes to stay there to listen for our car. He must’ve been scared out of his wits to have had such an accident, as he’s usually very good about only using the bathroom in his designated spot in the laundry area.

Tobi sheepishly entered the computer room, but was immediately banished to the livingroom — the doggie equivalent of “you’re grounded!” I might have to get a baby gate earlier than expected to block off the bedroom to prevent this from happening again.

The positive side to all of this? It gave me an excuse to stay up late and edit the video from tonight’s bon dance outing which will be available tomorrow for viewing.

These are the kind of conversations we have in our household:

Me: So, do you want to see my new videolog?

Hubby: No.

Me: Ehhhh?

Hubby: Wait, let me get situated first. I’m getting my clothes ready for tomorrow. Do you think my life revolves around you?

Me: Yes.

Hubby: Okay. What was I thinking?

5 minutes later after watching the video…

Me: So… did you like it?

Hubby: Do I have a choice?

Me: Maaaaan!

Hubby: Nah, bebe, just kidding. That was the bomb diggity!

Champuru vlog #27 is forthcoming — as soon as the good folks at Revver review and processes my video.

Hubby and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary today. How time flies!

Happy anniversary, Hubby! You are such a blessing to me. You are truly my better half and I love you!

Hubby recently took the combo TV/DVD from our computer room to work to watch “training videos” (uh-huh, sure) since the office TV broke. Although I don’t watch much TV, and rarely ever have it on while I’m on my computer (which is always), I do use the TV/DVD to play my exercise videos. The TV/DVD has been MIA for about a week now and I’ve hardly missed it — which sort of tells you how often I get around to exercising.

Here’s a little conversation between Hubby and I, which is pretty typical, but all in fun:

Hubby: Do you need that TV back soon?

Me: No, not really. I hardly watch it anyway.

Hubby: Okay, good, the guys at work want to use it a while longer.

Me: Sure. Now, if you took my Mac, I’d be like, “I need it back NOW. No, I needed it back yesterday!”

Hubby: I wouldn’t touch your Mac. Not if I valued my life.

Me: That’s right. Don’t touch the Mac if you know what’s good for you.

Hubby: Oh, wow. Now I know where I stand in relation to the Mac. That’s sad.

Me: Don’t worry. I wouldn’t kill you, I might maim you though.

Hubby: I’m not talking to you.

Just thought I’d share since I thought it was funny as heck. And besides, I might as well be blogging since Hubby’s not talking to me right now anyway.

Of course, I’m kidding.

Day 26 of 30

This afternoon, our Bible study leader called Hubby and asked him to lead tonight’s group since he was tied up at a meeting. Always willing to help, Hubby accepted the challenge on short notice and started preparing as soon as he hung up the receiver. Hubby is a pretty reserved, quiet guy. Public speaking isn’t something he particularly enjoys, but he is one who can definitely rise to the occasion when necessary. Tonight was no exception.

He led the study like it was old hat to him, imparting wisdom and insight that impressed even me. Seeing how much he has grown over the past 16 years that we’ve been together amazes me and makes me realize just how much I really love this man.

I was so proud of him tonight.

When I think about how long Hubby and I been together, I just marvel. 16 years as a couple, 14 of those married. First of all, I’m blown away by how quickly time passes. Secondly, it amazes me that we’re still best friends and enjoy the simple moments together, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. So many couples I know tire of each other after only a few years. I pray that never happens to us.

K-Mart’s Little Caesars probably ranks highest amongst the most unromantic eateries to take your date, but despite the surroundings, Hubby and I can manage to enjoy it, simply for the company — oh, and for the Crazy Bread. Dinner for two: $8.35. How can you beat that? However, I must admit that spending too much time there might make me reconsider the desire to have kids. For some reason, there is a high saturation of unruly children toddling about noisily, largely unsupervised.

A trip to Borders was next on the agenda. I spent the entire visit in the photography section seeking a book to help me “pose” groups. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything that I was in love with, so I picked up a book for $19.95 with my $25 gift card to show me the ins-and-outs of my Canon Digital Rebel. No out of pocket on this shopping trip. Yee-haw.

We browsed around the LeSportsac and Bass Outlet, but I found myself with buyer’s remorse even before buying anything, so my wallet managed to escape this trip to the mall miraculously unscathed.

This has to be some kind of record for the cheapest night out that we’ve ever had. Normally, we can’t get through a Friday night out without spending at least $50. Hooray for cheap dates!

Day 9 of 30