Sunday, June 24, 2012

25.5 weeks


Sunday, June 24, 2012




How far along? 25.5 Weeks

Total weight gain: 10-12 big ones (this is the only time it is ok to see that scale creeping up! That means our baby is growing, so grow baby grow!)

Maternity clothes?  Pretty much every day.  I’ve come to the conclusion that what I wear really makes a difference as to if I look pregnant or not.  And they are just so much more comfortable! 

Stretch marks? not yet

Sleep: I know it is going to get harder and harder but I have had some difficult nights.  Its funny how turning over during the night is such a challenge! Mostly just back pain so I try lots of different positions.  Thank goodness for a sweet husband who hasn’t kicked me out of bed yet for tossing and turning all night!

Best moment this week: We REGISTERED for baby items.  It was so much fun and also completely overwhelming!  Thanks to my sister Merri for taking time out of her busy day to come rescue us at Target!  She really helped speed up the process and answered so many questions.  J was a great sport and he humored me with all of my indecisiveness!  I adore him!   But man, talk about overwhelming.  There’s like 50 kinds of pacifiers and 40 different bottles and it goes on and on.  How the heck is  a 1st time parent supposed to know what to get?  Good thing Baby D will be little and won’t remember all the mistakes we make!  And lucky for us we’ve had some amazing examples of parents to watch before we have to dive in! 

J scanning an item for our baby registry! 

Yeah the horizontal stripes really aren't so flattering are they :)


Miss Anything? Just missing my old back with no pain J  It could be so much worse though so I’m NOT complaining! 
Movement: All the time.  Today in church I could feel movements up close to my ribs.  It was crazy to think how much our boy has grown already and how he’s already up that high or close to my ribs.  He also woke me up one night with his strong movements.  I think feeling the baby move and sharing it with J is one of my favorite things about pregnancy.  It is SUCH a miracle to think that I am growing OUR baby.  A piece of J and a piece of me.  I am in awe!  The best part of a busy busy day is coming home, laying down next to my best friend and just watching and feeling our boy wiggle. 

Food cravings: I don’t think I’ve really experienced any serious cravings yet.  Nothing to exciting yet.  I hope I do get a craving though so I can say I had one J  I want to experience it ALL!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, doing great in that dept.

Gender: snakes and snails and puppy dog tails! 

Labor Signs: No.  Have felt my uterus tighten up which is crazy cool, but it doesn’t hurt at all.  J loves to feel it when it’s all hard and tight, it amuses him!

Symptoms:  Also feeling that uterus tighten up occasionally.  It often happens when I stand up.  I am trying to drink a lot of water and hope that helps, even if it means running to the bathroom frequently.

Belly Button in or out? Still in and we still can’t see the bottom of it.  I think I have the worlds deepest belly button.

Wedding rings on or off? On!  I’m so grateful I’m not swollen yet.  I will be grateful for every good day where I’m not sick or swollen or on bed rest.  I feel like the luckiest pregnant woman alive, especially given my circumstances. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! But I definitely get emotional too…if I’m being completely honest.  But I do think the majority of the time I’m blissfully happy! Although I did make a craft (I’m trying to slowly decorate this house) and I used gorilla glue.  Well the glue expanded to 3x the original size and ruined the project!  I was devastated and may have overreacted a bit, haha.   I do tear up a bit easier, oh poor poor Justin.  They never talk about how pregnancy affects the man.  He’s being a great sport! With back rubs and hugs and unlimited patience. 

Looking forward to: Finishing my LAST week of work and then swimming, resting, cleaning, organizing, and just getting ready for things.  Also can’t wait for the FOURTH OF JULY.  Time with family is my favorite thing!  I can’t believe that next year we will have a baby to dress up in red white and BLUE!  I just can’t wait!

Not looking forward to: Our prepared child birth classes being over - tear!  They have been wonderful (of course made even more wonderful since my husband has loved them and been super interested in what we learn. AND that my big sister taught us!  She is FANTASTIC!) I don’t want them to be over because they get me so excited!

Misc.: This week I got the results back from the lab that I do not have Group B strep yet.  YAY! My sweet friends have also started planning my baby shower and I am just so blessed to have such great family and friends in my life.  I’m so excited for all that I have in store!

Have I mentioned how grateful I am for my Sunday maternity dresses my sister Tiffany and dear friend Angie gave me.  They have changed my Sundays!  THANK YOU GIRLS!

24 1/2 weeks!


June 19, 2012



How far along? 24.5 weeks

Total weight gain: 9 pounds-ish

Maternity clothes? Pretty much all I wear.  So comfy and some of them I even think are cute!  I’m so grateful for ROSS, my sister Tiff who gave me all of her maternity clothes and dresses, and my BFF Angie who leant me all of her dresses.  I finally looked forward to church again rather than dreading it.  What would we do without our family and friends?  Well I’d be home hiding on Sundays ;)

Stretch marks? not yet, fingers crossed

Sleep: its not always easy, but it will be worth it 

Best moment this week: Had our first comment on Saturday from a stranger who asked if this was our first baby and when we are due.  It was exciting to know that I look pregnant to some people now! 
We also celebrated Father’s day.  Nothing big, but I wanted J to know how I feel, that I am the luckiest gal alive to be his baby mama :)  He is going to be the best dad in the world and I love sharing all of these special experiences and firsts with him.  He is my rock and my best friend.  I’m especially grateful for his FULL support in all I do.  He supports how I feel about how I want my labor to go and he even agrees (or plays along like he does).  He has been amazing and so supportive going to our birthing classes taught by my sister and we’ve both learned so much.  But knowing that he is right by my side supporting me in everything means the WORLD to this hormonal gal!  I LOVE YOU J!!!

Miss Anything? How can I complain.  I know I am so so blessed to be experiencing this pregnancy.  I’ve dreamed of this for as long as I’ve lived and my dreams are all coming true.  Wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

 Movement: It’s the BEST!  I love watching and feeling him move all the time.  I love sharing it with J too.  It is crazy how some movements are slow and look gentle while most are quick and very jerky.  

Food cravings: Still loving cheese since I had it at my birthing class. Mmmm it’s so good!  Not really too bad of a craving though, it just sounds delish.  My MIL gave me a huge block of cheese on Father’s day when she heard!   It’s so good, but not good for my hips I’m sure!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, thank GOODNESS!  Well I guess I should take that back.  In our birthing class tonight talking about the IV’s and needles etc made me a little queasy.  I remember when I had my surgery a year ago (WOW, a year ago we were having that surgery praying so hard to have a baby) and I got the IV and was sore and bruised from it for at least a week or 2.

Gender: BoY oh BOY!  

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: I had to buy Tums this week for the dreaded heartburn.  BOO!     
                                                    

Belly Button in or out? Still very in

Wedding rings on or off? On and Perfect

Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! Dreams coming true! 

Looking forward to: quitting my job and getting my house clean and in ORDER!!!! 
Misc: Watched a documentary this week called business of being born.  I liked it for the most part and really agreed with a lot of it.  It was great to know that Merri is teaching the same stuff for the most part and isn’t biased but is honest.  It was informative and useful.  I love learning about it all and trying to educate myself and J as much as possible. 

I also got to experience the fun glucose test.  I downed a small bottle of fruit punch stuff (1.5 minutes thank you very much) and then they took my blood to see if I have gestational diabetes.  It wasn’t bad at all!  Tasted like a more sugary Hawaiian Punch and it wasn’t a normal sized water bottle, it was smaller.  However, as I’ve gotten older I’ve had more difficulty with doctors and needles and having blood drawn and I was so proud of myself that they took 3 vials of blood and I didn’t get sick or light headed or anything.  Hallelujah!    Now here’s to hoping that I don’t have diabetes.  That would be no bueno! 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

23.5 weeks


6/12/12 (last day of 23 weeks)

How far along? 23.5 Weeks
I think I'm pretty obviously pregnant right?  I don't look like I just ate a big meal...I feel like in the last 3-4 weeks it just popped.  

Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs give or take
Maternity clothes? YES and I love them! 
Stretch marks? Not yet.  I had  a scare this week after I woke up I thought I had suddenly gotten them all over my belly, but it turns out it was just marks on my skin from the sheets. I stood in front of the mirror and almost screamed!  It was quite frightening! ;)
Sleep: My poor back – Moving and turning over has become a chore, partly because I want to take my pregnancy pillow with me.  Sleep isn’t awful but it isn’t great either.
Best moment this week:  We SAW my belly move.  It is amazing.  I love to lay with J and just watch it move.  It is really amazing  and I love sharing it with J more than anything.  I LOVE feeling and now seeing this baby move.  It’s a miracle!

I LOVED watching J put the crib and dresser together.  It was the sweetest thing!  But the ABSOLUTE best part about it was watching him after it was all set up and done.  Every single time he'd walk by the nursery he would turn on the light and go in and look around.  He even texted me before it was finished and said, "are you excited to get the nursery put together?  I am! It will be fun to see what it will look like!"   And he sure loves it.  He loves to look at it and admire it.  It's ADORABLE!  

Also people are just SO nice.  People at work are so concerned for me.  They remind me to drink lots of water if I’m out in the sun or they will grab something or someone (a child) from me if I’m carrying something to heavy.  A few ladies even mention how “small” I look and I love that ;) 

Also LOVE my sisters childbirth classes still.  I’m sad we are ½ way through.  They are fantastic! 

 I also FINALLY found ONE dress to wear to church and I love it. I finally felt pretty last week when I went to church.  Now if I can just find a few more. 

Miss Anything?  Nope, loving every minute.  Ok maybe occasionally when J is having his Mtn Dew I used to love to take a few drinks, now I try so hard not too. 
Movement: all the time. we love laying in bed before we go to sleep and watching and feeling him wiggle.  I've waited and dreamed of this my entire life!
Food cravings: This week I wanted more cheese and a hamburger.  YUM! 
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: Let’s hear it for the BOY!  Let’s give the boy a HAND!  (come-on...sing along!  FOOTLOOSE)
Labor Signs: Nope.  I have felt my tummy really tighten up a few times but it doesn’t hurt at all. and it isn't labor signs

Belly Button in or out? In IN IN
Wedding rings on or off? On and gorgeous
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY although I have been a bit more moody this week than I would’ve liked.  I started going through all of my teaching stuff and am TOTALLY nesting and it has made me a bit emotional. Poor J
Looking forward to: more nursery decorating, getting the house CLEAN and ORGANIZED, and seeing and feeling MORE movement with J.  I can’t get enough! 
Items bought so far: Just today we bought the CUTEST pack n play off of craigslist and I LOVE IT!!!  The family was SO nice and cute!  So up to this point we have: crib & dresser (target), bassinet (free from Tiff), pack n play (craigslist) and a few adorable outfits from a sweet friend Carmen at work, and my Best Friend Ang got me the BEST picture frame to hold an ultrasound picture, I LOVE IT!

How CUTE is HE working on putting that dresser together.  I SURE  LOVE THIS MAN!  I loved sitting back and watching him work.  

the pack n play (also has a canopy and bassinet) Isn't it cute!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Trip To Colorado


Over Memorial Day weekend Justin and I decided to go up to Colorado Springs to visit my sister Tiffany for her birthday and my nephew Michael’s birthday and so that we could FINALLY meet sweet baby Lucy.  My dad’s sister, my Aunt Karen, was also going to be in Denver visiting her son.  When we learned this we knew we HAD to make it up there so we could see her.  I just LOVE my Aunt Karen and really wanted Justin to get to meet her too!  I hadn’t seen her in YEARS!  

We left Friday the 25th and returned home the following Wednesday the 30th.   It was a short trip, but then again they are never long enough. 

The drive up was great!  NO car problems and a safe drive = a great trip.  It took about 12ish hours I think.  So a long drive, but it was also beautiful. 

Saturday was full of FUN.  My Mom and Dad as well as Merri and her family were also all up visiting.  Merri had gone up the week before to help Tiffany and my Mom and Dad had planned on going for sometime since we thought Michael was going to be baptized this weekend.  (He is not being baptized until end of July now though due to Rog having to work)  We sure missed Katie and Kade though, it’s never the same when part of the family is missing.  So Saturday we all headed off to “The North Pole, Santa’s Workshop.” It is a little amusement park with rides for little kids.  It was great fun to watch all of the kids having such a blast and watching Pop loving every second.  Even if he was just on the sidelines holding Rhett or Lucy.  Pop bought all of the grandkids ice cream from the ice cream parlor and he took Maggie and Rylee on the merry go round so many times I thought he’d walk off spinning.  He smiled all day long right along with the kids.  It was priceless.  I tried to convince Pop that our baby needed ice cream to, and that it would have to go through me to get to him J  Sadly that argument didn’t fly but Pop did buy me a great frozen yogurt later to make up for it. 

Sadly I didn't pull out my camera enough here either.  I just snapped a few pictures at the petting zoo part.  
Rylee and J feeding bambi

My little Michael feeding the animals

Haha, just thought he looked funny!  

J and I at the North Pole :)


Sunday was Tiffany and Rylee’s birthdays.  It is hard to know how to make a bday special for a mother of 4, especially when her hubby is gone and it falls on a Sunday so we can’t take her out.  So we did our best.  We set up a few little decorations and Pop cooked an amazing meal.  We also made Tiff stay in bed until after 9 and Lucy must’ve KNOWN it was her mommy’s bday because she slept 12 hours that night.  GO LUCE!    The kids helped me make Tiff a special breakfast and we took it to her in bed.  Orange Julius, French toast, and strawberries.  The kids Loved taking it to her and quietly wishing her a happy bday.  IT was adorable!  We had to be quiet because Lucy was in the bassinet next to Tiff still sleeping.  I worried Maggie and Briggs would not be able to contain themselves but they all whispered happy bday and were amazing!   Later that day we had church and just tried to relax and enjoy Pop’s yummy meal. 

Monday was a special Day.  Pop took his oldest grandson and us up to Denver to the Natural History Mueseum where we met up with Aunt Karen and our cousin Donny and Susan.  It was a fabulous day that we will never forget.  Michael was in HEAVEN.  Pop let him pick where we went in the museum and Michaeal was fascinated by the science and facts. 

Michael at the museum by a golden T REX tooth.  What  a handsome boy!  

How do YOU measure up??  

My one regret for the entire trip is that I didn’t get a picture of me and my aunt Karen.  L I can’t believe it.  I guess I’ll have to settle for stealing on of my sisters pictures of her with the grandkids.  We had a great time visiting with my Aunt and the Freeman family.  They are wonderful and we sure love them!

My aunt told great stories about my Dad when he was little.  One I really enjoyed was when my dad was about 2 or so, he carried around his Dad’s (my Pop’s) big heavy ash tray. (I didn’t know my Pop used to smoke – not my dad but his dad) anyway it broke and cut my Dad’s hand pretty badly.  They had to take him to get stitches.  They wrapped it up but my aunt said that ANYTIME they’d unwrap it and my dad would see the stitches, he’d tenderly hold his hand and say, “Poowr Baby, Poowr baby!!”  HAHA I thought that was pretty funny! 
She also told us that she was 14 when my dad was born so anyone who didn’t know their family too well thought my dad was hers because she was always holding him and taking care of him.

When my Aunt Karen was born, she wasn’t able to see her parents for a few weeks because her brother had meningitis and so a family member took care of her for many weeks.  I thought that was interesting too. 
ANYWAY we had a great visit in Denver and made great memories. 

It was the CUTEST THING!  J was sitting at the top of the stairs talking to me while I got ready (see my preggo belly in the background) and Maggers came right up and sat next to J while playing the ipad.  LOVE!  It was adorable to say the least!

Tuesday was our last day in CO and we wanted to make the most of it.  We woke up and Tiff, kids, Pop, and J and I all drove through the beautiful Garden of the Gods (after a delicious breakfast of the creamiest oatmeal made by Pop).  Then we went to Seven Falls, this beautiful waterfall up in the canyon.  I had been there once before but was very excited to take J and Pop. 

It was BEATIFUL!  First we rode an elevator up to a lookout where you can see all 7 Falls.  Poor Pop had to take a business call, but we didn’t mind.  We were just happy to have him with us! 



Then Michael, J and I were brave and hiked all of the 224 steps up to the very top.  Michael liked being between J and I for safety, it was so cute!  But he braved his way all the way up, way to go!  It was a beautiful view.
At the bottom of the falls there are lots of rainbow trout and another kind of fish that everyone enjoyed feeding.  

J and Maggie Pie

Nat and Lil Lucy, we finally met and were instant friends! Isn't she beautiful!  I love her in that yellow!  

Long way to go!

Don't look down!

1/2 way to the top

I really like this view! Hubba Hubba!  wink wink

We made it!



Pop and the middle daughters at Seven Falls


After the Falls J and I said goodbye to Pop, Tiff, and kids, and we went on our separate way to the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway. 

It was fantastic.  It is a 3 hour train ride up a cog railway that goes to the summit of Pikes Peak.  The entire trip up is narrated by someone aboard the train which was fascinating.  She gave lots of interesting facts and info.  We learned about the car race up Pikes Peak each year as well as the marathon race.  The fastest car on record took a turn at 76 mph (IMPOSSIBLE I SAY!) and the straightaways as 120something.  When we did get to the top we talked with a man that drove and said he couldn’t get his car to go more than 30 up the mtn and it wouldn’t go more than 15 around a sharp turn.  There are also no guardrails, so J and I were quite happy we chose the railroad route! 
All aboard!  Time to go J! 

on the way UP


the tree line

We also saw Marmots, a rodent of unusual size (ROUS’s) above the treeline.  J had told me about these on his trip to Yosemite, so I was excited to see some in real life.  There were also some hikers the train picked up at the top of the peak who rode down with us and they told us they had thrown up 3 times from altitude sickness.  WOW. 
the cog rail road

the Marmot 

Yep that's snow! 













When we got to the top it was like we were at the TOP of the world.  We could see in every direction and it was breathtaking…and COLD.  I loved sharing these memories with my Best Friend!  On the way down we enjoyed the view and had a little difficulty keeping our eyes open.  With all of the activity of the last few days, sitting still for a little bit on this peaceful train ride made us a little sleepy.  We managed to stay awake though.  J  It was amazing.

On the drive back J and I may have gotten a little turned around and had to drive through the garden of the Gods a few extra times trying to find our way out. Good thing it was beautiful! :)



We had an AMAZING trip.  We are so grateful for Tiff and her sweet hospitality.  And we just adore her sweet children.  Thanks for an unforgettable trip Tiff.  We sure Love you and wish we could’ve stayed forever! 
Tiff also got out ALL of her maternity clothes, body pillow, bassinet, and a book called Babywise, and she gave them to me.  I am so grateful for her kindness and generosity.  However in case she decides to have any more babies (she is just so good at it!!) I’ll take good care of it all.  Thanks again!! We can’t wait to come back!!