:D

Welp, i've been thinking about doing one of these things for awhile, and seeing as how my life is experiencing a lot of 'firsts' lately- now seemed like a good time to attempt this whole blog thing. I'm not sure how I feel about making it totally public on facebook & whatnot (and am not sure I even am going to)... I may experiment with some privacy settings first or something. I value privacy on a different level now than I did say, oh, 9 months ago :p

Well i guess I'll jump on the bandwagon as far as doing the whole 'about me' thing...

I've just recently turned 22 and have experienced a complete 180 from where I was in life this time last year... But i'm getting ahead of myself, i guess.

 I'm an only child (ahhh stigmas) and was born in Chattanooga, TN. After my parents divorced when I was 2, my mom and I moved to the Maryville/Knoxville area where we lived until I was 5 or 6. Then my step-dad's job moved us to Lexington, SC where we lived until my sophomore year of high school, when his job transferred us BACK to Tennessee, but this time middle tennessee- Murfreesboro. I graduated form Blackman (meh) in '08 and moved back to Knoxville without knowing a soul there to attend the University of Tennessee. I remained there for 3 years and made some of the best & worst decisions of my life. I have a select few regrets, but for the most part I have learned an immense amount from my experiences and decisions there. 

Lo and behold, on Valentine's Day this past year, my boyfriend and I discovered we (who am I kidding? I'm the Humpty Dumpty here) were pregnant! Though it certainly was not 'planned' (note: do not rely on birth control that you've just switched to and have been on less than a month), we have taken everything in stride and are now super exciting and anxiously awaiting the birth of our daughter- Layla Grace Irvine. That being said, some changes were definitely in order... we both have now moved back to Murfreesboro in order to be close to my parents. He is working at a great new job (full time, weekends off, & benefits!) while I've transferred to MTSU and am working on finishing up my degree. Upon graduation, I will (hopefully) find a job & become the sole supporter while he takes HIS turn to go back to and finish school... that's the plan, anyway.

I am currently 38-39 weeks pregnant, 1 cm (at least) dilated, and chomping at the bit to pop this baby out. Though I haven't had the swelling or stretch marks that some women have, I still feel like a snake that's swallowed a basketball, and relish the thought of nights where I can sleep on my stomach (& without 5 pillows), and days where I don't go to the bathroom 9 million times a day.

SO, though my due date (which is tentative at best anyway, since I couldn't remember the first day of my last period :/ ) is October 8, we are expecting Layla to come any time now since dilation & effacement has already begun. We are also moving into our new apartment in the next 7 weeks :) Until then, i'm focusing as much energy as I can on school. I was able to knock out 5 classes over the summer and am currently in 2 classes this fall. My goal, however, is to work ahead & have both classes completed in the next 2 weeks or so. I've just switched my major from child & family studies to special education, and am super excited about what the future holds for me in that respect.

New major, new home, new baby :D

Life is good.