TaylorAfter my morning trip to the porcelain throne and breakfast on Monday, I close this week’s reminder. I remove the photo of the head of a nail from the refrigerator and replace it with the week seven photo of a blueberry. Our little ones are getting bigger and bigger. My hand absent-mindedly rubs my belly.As I pose for my two baby belly photos, I notice my stomach. It’s not much. No one would notice, but I do. I read that because of my petite stature, I notice changes sooner than some pregnant women do. I won’t share with Jackson and Kennedy that I’m already fattening up. I’m not ready for my abdomen to be the primary focus of everyone around me.While eating my lunch on a barstool, I notice the waistband on my only elastic shorts is no longer comfortable. I decide I can’t wait until Saturday to shop with Kennedy as we planned. My waist expands and so should my wardrobe. I grab my cell phone.Me: feeling good, need shorts, think I’ll shop todayKennedy: go for itKennedy: catch

TaylorIn mid-November, Kennedy remains home with Jackson and me for today’s noon Chiefs game versus The Panthers. Seems Isaac and Madison plan to meet to discuss their marriage today. Kennedy, though present, is withdrawn. It’s clear to me she doesn’t want to be here.In the second half, she naps on one end of the sofa while I sit at the other end. Jackson and I focus all our attention on the close game. While she sleeps, we try to quiet our cheers and groans.Jackson immediately notices my sudden change in position, as well as my alertness. My hands cover my entire belly. I crane my neck as I focus on the sensation I just experienced. “Feeling sick?” Jackson inquires nervously.Kennedy raises her head from the pillow to see what causes our focus to turn from the game.“Not sick,” I answer, while still trying to decipher the sensation I experienced.There it is again. What could it be?It isn’t nausea, not gas. It feels like butterflies fluttering for a few seconds.As fast as it sta

TaylorOn Thursday, I awake from my afternoon catnap slowly sitting up. While I wait for my body to adjust, I snag my phone from the coffee-table. My alerts notify of three Facebook messages, one snap on Snap Chat, and a text from Kennedy.I read the text first, finding Kennedy will be at Madison’s again this evening. I guess Jackson and I will continue working through our fast-food list. I mentally tally she spent four evenings of the last seven with Madison. It seems Madison’s marriage struggles are more than she can handle. I may try to stay awake until Kennedy comes home tonight to get an update on the situation. Maybe I can assist Madison, too.Later, I decide to take advantage of the forty-five-degree day and venture out for a walk. As I round the corner, I notice Madison pulling into her driveway. She is home early, and I plan to take advantage of this opportunity. Keeping a steady pace, soon I arrive at Madison’s door. Ringing the bell, I attempt to organize my questions while

TaylorMy new year starts with my new puppy’s arrival on January Second. While playing together on the floor, my cell phone vibrates.Jorge: home yet?Me: yesJorge: can I call?Me: yes Moments pass before a FaceTime call from Jorge arrives. When I answer, the first words I hear are not hello or hi.“Hey dork, turn the camera around so I can see your new puppy,” he demands.“And here I thought you called to talk to me.” I attempt to inflict guilt upon my friend for not caring to speak to me. However, Jorge shows no shame. We talk for over forty minutes as I follow the puppy around the house with my phone for him. I finally let Jorge go, so I can take my new puppy to the backyard to potty.I return my phone to my pocket, pick up Nymeria, then approach the backdoor. I bend down, ring the sleigh bells I hung on a post by the door, and announce to Nymeria, “It’s time to potty.” I ring the bells one more time and say, “Time to potty,” again before we head outside. I read online that these

Taylor at Dr. Wilson’s OfficeThursday, March 9 “My dreams of a family consume my thoughts daily. I fear they cause me to cling to the men in my life desperately,” I confess.Dr. Wilson nods before asking, “When you are in a relationship, do you see that man in your dreams of a family?”Cocking my head to the side, I ponder over my visions of family and future. “I don’t. When I envisioned my family, John was never the father figure.”“As we discussed in previous sessions, you are not trying to change these men. You hope they will wake up and change on their own,” Dr. Wilson says. “Did you make the list of traits you dream of in a spouse and father of your children?” When I nod yes, she continues. “Did you make the pros and cons lists of your past three boyfriends?” Again, I nod. She passes an orange highlighter to me. “Please highlight the traits that match those on your list of a dream spouse.” It only takes a moment to complete this task. There is not much for me to highlight.“Now