How to Pick an Engagement Ring She’ll Treasure Forever

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round-stone-pave

Congratulations, fellas. You don’t have to sit there wondering how to pick an engagement ring. You live in an era when choosing that most important piece of jewelry is easier than it’s ever been. If your girlfriend has ever thought about getting engaged, she likely has a Pinterest board full of engagement ring styles she’d just love for you to buy her. But if she doesn’t, there’s still good news. I’ll show you exactly how to pick an engagement ring in eight easy, dare I say foolproof, steps. Continue reading →

10 Things Every Single Girl Wishes She Could Tell Her Attached Friends

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couple-kissing-near-single-woman

Since motherhood takes up all the time that my full-time job and sleep don’t, I’ve invited my super-talented sister, Gillian Bodgas, to enlighten us taken gals on what really irks the unattached. I’m keeping this list in mind because I’ve definitely broken a couple of these rules in the past. Read this and commit it to your own memory so you don’t make my mistakes. Take it away, Gill! Continue reading →

The Suckiest Time in Your Life to Go to Weddings

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breast-pumpI thought I had been mercifully spared. My pregnancy and my son Jeremy’s first three-and-a-half months of life corresponded with the longest stretch of time I had gone without attending a single wedding since I turned 25. The thought of squishing my bump into a reception-worthy dress and bopping around the dance floor like an awkward manatee was almost as nauseating as the morning sickness. So when the first invite arrived for an event that would take place in my postpartum life, I was thankful for my extended reprieve and excited to get back into the swing of wedding-hopping. But I neglected one key detail. Continue reading →

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Our First Date Night as Parents

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KissingJeremyBeforeDateNight About four weeks ago, my and Paul’s lives irreversibly changed: We welcomed our son, Jeremy. While I haven’t figured out many things about new motherhood (like how to get more than 5 hours of sleep while still doing the dishes and laundry and feeding yourself and the baby often enough), I have realized that connecting as a couple is more important than ever. Truthfully, my mom recognized this before I did and offered to make the trip to our house to babysit while Paul and I went out–sans bebe–for the first time since Jeremy’s arrival (that’s us kissing him goodbye before we left). The night didn’t go as planned, but we learned some key things that I’m hoping can help you. Continue reading →

6 Big Changes Your Relationship Faces When You Move from an Apartment to a House

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huge new house

Like our new house? Kidding! Ours is about 1/6 the size of this one in Austin, TX.

In the past two months, Paul and I sold our apartment, bought a house, and moved out of one and into the other. Despite only closing on the sale of our apartment mere days ago, we’ve been living in our house for a month-and-a-half now. Even though our new home is far from a sprawling estate, some key feature additions and expansions have changed a lot of things for us. Continue reading →

9 Things No One Could’ve Prepared Me for While We Were Trying to Get Pregnant

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pregnancy-testAs promised, I now present to you the true tale of our fertility journey. But first, a warning: If you think I share too much in other posts, you will definitely not enjoy this one. So stop reading. Now. Go back to the wedding blogs. So why am I writing this? Until talking about fertility struggles is as taboo as discussing the weather, it’s up to those who feel comfortable sharing the details of their process to provide some comfort to others who are suffering silently. So here’s what surprised me the most about trying: Continue reading →

10 Unexpected Responses to My Pregnancy News That Made Me Crack Up and/or Tear Up

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Meredith Bodgas at 13 weeks pregnant

I don't actually have a bump; I'm just shaped that way

I do solemnly swear not to turn Merital Bliss into a pregnancy blog, but because I spent seven-ish months trying for a baby and three-ish keeping my news secret, I have a stockpile of pregnancy-related blog ideas. Here’s a countdown of the best reactions I got from friends and family after they learned I was with child. Truthfully, I like them all equally, except number 1. Trust me that that’ll be your favorite response too. Continue reading →

Maybe to Baby: Two Wholly Unrelated Events That Made Me Ready to Become a Mother (Oh, Yeah, I Have Some News)

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This image will make slightly more sense by the end of the post

As this blog approaches its second anniversary, I have a confession about one of the early post themes I pursued. I interviewed friends with kids for “Maybe to Baby” about how they decided when to have children because I was concerned I’d never be ready to try to become a mother. While hearing their stories helped me realize you’re never completely prepared, it was actually two entirely separate occurrences that made me finally say, “OK. Let’s do this.” Preview: One is heartwarming; the other is fairly boneheaded. Continue reading →

4 Subtle But Hilarious Ways Bridal Showers Are Different from Baby Showers

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No expecting mom would be as happy as I was to receive lingerie at my bridal shower.

On the surface, it’d seem bridal showers and baby showers are indistinguishable from one another. They both tend to be held in some restaurant back room or in someone’s home, they both tend to be women only, and the main events for both are often eating, playing silly games, and opening presents. True, the main difference is pretty darn apparent–the guest of honor is either at the thinnest of her adult life or the heaviest–but do one of the following at the wrong kind of shower and the results would be awkward. Continue reading →