A baby update

Well, it has come to my attention that unlike other blogging moms-to-be I don't update about the progress of this little dancing queen in my belly as much as I should or as much as I want to. Partly because everything has mostly been going well and partly because I don't think people read these posts. Are you out there? Oh, hi mom and Ab!

My visits are now every two weeks which really excites me because it means that the time is drawing near and things are starting to set in. The visits are usually about 5-10 minutes long: I go to the bathroom in a cup (which I am pro at), get weighed (which usually ends up with me hanging my head in shame), get my blood pressure taken (it's "looking great" every time), lay down and get measured, then get goop squirted on my hairy stretch marked belly (sorry if that's TMI and yes, I have stretch marks and I'm embracing them) and hear that beautiful beat. Then my midwife asks me if I have any questions which I usually don't (but I remember a list of about 5 things I wanted to ask on my way to the car to leave...pregnancy brain), then we schedule our next appointment and we are on our pretty little way. Let me mention that my sweet Kinzer has come to every appointment with me. At first I didn't expect him to care either way, but he really really wants to be there and I am thankful that he is every time. Plus, him and the midwife and ultrasound technician have some great conversation (can you say best friends?).

A couple weeks ago when the midwife was measuring my uterus with her handy dandy measuring tape she said, "wow, what are you growing in here"? uhhhhh...I started laughing a little bit, then total fear set in, my face got hot, and I thought in my head "Hopefully only one baby"!!! She continued on to let me know that my uterus was measuring larger than normal and they would need to do an ultrasound just to check things out. I don't know why but neither Kinzer or myself said anything like, "should we be concerned"? or "could something be really wrong"? We just went with it and kind of got excited that we were going to get another ultrasound, since they told us our last ultrasound was going to be the one we got at week 20. So we had to wait for 2 days to meet with the ultrasound tech. That means we had 2 days to think about why I could have been measuring large and 2 days to look on the internet at what could possibly be wrong. Google is so awful...I mean, I just have a love/hate relationship with it. I started reading about people who had twins but didn't learn about one of them until week 30. I read about babies having massive growth spurts that pushed their due date up a couple weeks. Gestational diabetes could be a factor (but I passed that test). Some women are just big in their pregnancies (gee thanks!). If you measure large it could be because you have a greater amount of amniotic fluid, which can mean that your baby has a disability or deformity. I was really starting to panic. Everything has been going so well with the pregnancy and if you know me, you know I am a worrier so I worried in my head that it was only a matter of time before something had to go wrong. I hate that I think like that.

The couple days came and went (they were very long days, by the way) and we went in for the ultrasound. I never thought I wouldn't want to see my child, but I was so afraid that the tech was going to tell me something I couldn't handle. I was shaking and sweating. I'm so happy Kinz was there. The tech went over all the measurements and said "Well, everything looks fine. The baby is 2 lbs. 4 oz. and right on track". The final verdict is that the baby had a big growth spurt within a 3 week period and I'm just blessed to have a large uterus which means I'm going to be (if not already) a big pregnant woman. Oh and our due date may be a few days earlier than we thought. They are going to give me another ultrasound around week 36.

I can't believe how much has changed since we last saw her! I'm thrilled that we were able to get another ultrasound. We even scored some 3D images of her cute squished face and puffy cheeks. I don't really know who she looks like. To me...well, she just looks like a baby. What do you think?

It's kind of hard to see, but this is a profile of her face. Eyes, nose, lips, and I love those cheeks!!

Sleepy gal. Again...the cheeks.

 I think she's pretty stinkin' cute, but I am biased I guess.

Some other random facts about the pregnancy so far:

* She is a mover and a shaker, especially when it's time for me to go to bed. I'm not going to lie. It's amazing and all to feel her, but after about 3 round house kicks to the ribs (had to throw in some Chuck Norris commentary), it's kind of annoying. Love her though. Promise!

* The heartburn is killer and gags me until I throw up. Tum tuh tuh tuh TUMS!! And I hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure french fries help my heart burn.

* I'm craving peaches all the time. There is such great produce here in the valley. The pitted fruit is so incredible!!

* I have been spending lots of time at the pool. I go walking every morning before it gets to 100 degrees, then I hit up the pool almost every day and swim laps. It feels like the best exercise, and you weigh 90% less in the water, which feels great to me and my large pregnant woman bod. I just wish it was acceptable to skinny dip in mid day in a public pool.

* I feel really ugly, but Kinzer told me I was sexy today. It made me feel so good. He's nice.

* We have started looking into birthing classes, we found a pediatrician to discharge the babe, and we get to go on a tour of the hospital in a week. I think being familiar with the hospital, will ease my terrors.

Things are really starting to set in. I am getting more and more excited to meet her. Still scared though. Any advice is so appreciated!

23 weeks

Swimming pool

29 weeks. Cute outfit, I know.

Utah: Part 2 [ Pinning Ceremonies, Boy Bands, Black cars, and Birthdays]

I have been away from the blogging world for so long that it feels like I don't really know how to blog anymore. Bear with me. [I just had to google whether I should use "bear" or "bare". Turns out that "bare with me" means get naked with me, FYI. Please don't. Unless you're my hub]

Okay so more of Utah. I'm kicking myself, because this vacation was 2 months ago and the fun memories are slipping my mind.

A huge reason we went to Utah was to be able to celebrate my awesome sister, Haylee's, graduation from nursing school. She worked super hard and after 3 long years and a bagillion cold sores (our family knows stress and cold sores), she finished! Good job Hay!! She also took her NCLEX, passed, and scored an awesome job. I'm really just so proud of her:) I can imagine what a relief it is, and it just keeps getting better - She is engaged and getting married in exactly 6 weeks! Yes, that means we will be back out in Utah when I am 34 weeks pregnant. Sorry Haylee and Craig, but I'm going to ruin your wedding pictures. I am so happy for this couple. They are so great together. I am super excited to have Craig as my new brother-in-law.

I was able to go to her pinning ceremony. It was really neat. I especially liked the part when a boy from her class was giving his speech and then at the end he started singing Josh Groban's, "You Raise Me Up." It was a shocking change after his really hilarious speech. WTG Sis!

My super talented brother-in-law, Dave, produced a documentary about Alex Boye. It's very good. While we were in town the DVD came to the shelves. There was a showing at a local movie theater to kick off sales. Alex even started the night off with a few of his songs. Did you know that he was in a boy band? He was singing songs about being a citizen of the U.S. all while he did some real fancy boy band moves. It was pretty rad. At one point he even called me, my sister, and a couple other ladies down and sang to us. He sang us Happy Birthday...boy band style. :) He has a very inspirational story. Check it out it's called Frontman:The Alex Boye Story. Thanks Heidi and Dave for getting us such great seats. We really enjoyed it!

Nice glasses!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgovv8jWETM

Watch this video! Alex Boye made it along with "The Piano Guys". It was one of the songs he sang at the beginning of the night. The video is really amazing, and I love Coldplay! He commented on John Schmidt's hair being the same color as the southern Utah red rock. So funny!

It was my birthday while we were in Utah. My sister Heidi has a birthday a couple days later. I went out to lunch with my sisters at Cafe Rio. And after we ate we all sat there talking and freezing our little tooshies off. We decided to go out to Heidi's black car and continue the conversation. I tried to capture the moment. Hahaha, it was funny.

Please don't hate me for putting these up. P.S. I love my mom in picture #2, no joke :)

I was able to go get lunch with some buddies and doggies. It was so nice to catch up. I love these people to death. And did I tell you that Amy is engaged! Getting married a week after Haylee, so I will be in Utah for her wedding as well. I'm so happy about this, and so happy for Amy and Cesar. He is a lucky duck! They are a great couple.

 Cheesin' it up for the cameroon.

Oh puppy!

It was a great time in Utah! I miss it so very much. I love my family. I miss them. I'm so happy that I get to go back for weddings. Yay!!

XOXO

4 down

I know I still have a Utah Part 2 portion to write about. But until then, how about a little flash back?

That was a long day of smiling, but it wasn't hard for us to smile.

It doesn't feel like it's been 4 years. It really has been the greatest. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. Kinzer is the very best and my very best friend. And you know what's really exciting? Next time we celebrate an anniversary, we will have an 8 month old daughter! WOW!

Love you Kinz! Happy Anni!

Utah: Part 1 [Head lamps and Razors, Cheerleading, Dog youtube]

Well I guess the time has come for me to update (because I know that the 3 people that read my blog are DYING to hear how my Utah trip went...3 of which live in Utah). I just read a blog where the author quoted her nephew on a mission and he said something like, "It's important to show our gratitude to God by writing things down." I agree, and this post is in large part for me and my record keeping. Don't feel like you have to read it, even though it's going to be really really awesome and hilarious and you'll feel uncool if you don't, just kidding:)

I should start off by saying that this trip was the last time we will be in Utah this year. It was Utah's year for Thanksgiving, but I don't think traveling (driving) with a one month old during the winter months is a genius idea. Too stressful for this Mama. Sad, but true.

We always try to drive to Utah, because flying is a rip. Lucky for us, gas prices shot up 50 cents a couple days before we left. What are the odds? The drive to Utah was hard on me. Especially the part where we plugged my parents address into our GPS and it was set to take us the "shorter way" which was also the windiest way and through Yosemite. We actually got to the ranger station at Yosemite, laughed hysterically, then hung our heads in shame as we flipped a U-ie and back tracked 2 hours. Oh well, we learned our lesson. We just got Utah about 3 hours later than expected. Thanks mom for staying up until 12:30 to greet us! I had to get out and walk around every couple hours. My back was killing me. At least one thing has to go wrong when we drive, so we thought that the GPS mishap was it, but when we were about a mile away from Wendover I decided to change lanes so we could get off and get gas (and gamble, you know how we are *winkwink*). Of course right as I changed lanes a massive old shredded semi-truck tire was sitting RIGHT in the middle of the lanes. Aaaaand, you can see where this is going... a bunch of stuff got ripped out from under our car. Plastic and stuff. Kinzer looked awesome on the side of I-80 with his head lamp and razor cutting off the plastic. We just travel with head lamps and razor blades, no big deal. The Corolla was a champ and got us to our destination safely without his plastic under-carriage.

We celebrated Mother's day a week late because it worked better for everyone's schedules. This also happened to be the day of the solar eclipse. When the time came, we all gather outside with every pair of sunglasses we could find. I don't know what it is, but when I get together with my sisters and nieces I want to start making fun of cheers that I used to do in Jr. High (not a proud moment to be a cheerleader). We all stand on the front lawn and do some hilarious cheers, then Holli reminds us of "THE Kawasaki cheer"

Wet got pride, but we aint cocky,

Gonna run you over like a Kawasaki,

Vroom Vroom *clap* *clap*Vroom Vroom. *clap* *clap*

It's ridiculous and hilarious. And the actions are really the best part of it. Then everyone did jumps as I tried to capture them on camera.

4th time's the charm.

Then we do stunts. Our idea of stunts is a co-ed pyramid. See for yourself...

We hangout with the toothless dog, Henri. He's obnoxious, but his breath smells great!

Did you ever know how beautiful my nieces are? They go to prom and stuff now. It only seems like yesterday that I was doing their hair, playing dress-ups, and pretending they were my children. *sigh*

I went on some great walks while I was in Utah. Kinzer's old boss is so great and gave him work for the 3 weeks that we were there. I was able to catch up with everyone that I wanted to. I slept in, which I hadn't been able to do until we went to Utah. My sweet sweet friends threw me a baby shower. Thank you friends! I love you and miss you dearly. I'm glad that I get to be pregnant with a couple of you. That's fun! 

Here's a picture from the shower:

(Left to Right) Yoga woman Doroth, Sweet Steph, Engaged Amy!!, 3 pregs (Sarah and Abbie are about the cutest pregnants you have ever seen. The only thing growing on me are my ladies. Barely any belly.)

I'm going to call that a good enough and long enough post. I just want to finish with this picture of Abbie's awesome dog that watches dog videos on youtube. I love him, even though he is a tough guy.

Have a nice day!!!

Crave

I am currently craving:

Cafe Rio Salad. Yes please. Good thing I am going to Utah on Saturday! Yesssss...you will be mine!

I have a love-hate relationship with salt water taffy. When I worked at a candy shop in Santa Cruz, I had this stuff at my fingertips all day and it was the last thing on my list to eat. (Why would you eat this stuff when you could have white chocolate pretzels with sprinkles?) The chewy creamy yumminess sounds delightful.

I want the fresh kind from Utah in August. Have to wait for this one I guess, but canned peaches are working well enough. I can't get enough fruit!

A BLT! Well, let's be honest, just bacon in general. Nice and salty. And oh, how I've missed it.

I guess this could go with the last crave. Tomatoes. And I specifically remember thinking about tomatoes around week 8 and it made me throw up. With a little salt and pepper. mmmmm...

I'm starting to realize that this was a bad choice of post. I digress...

I don't know why. I didn't grow up on these. I don't even know why I crave them if I have never really had them before. I did make them for a family I babysat for once. Maybe that scent is coming back to me? Eggy and Syrupy:)

 I love Almond Joys! I always have, always will. Maybe this is just in my head, but chocolate (not a lot) soothes my stomach. At least that's the excuse I'm sticking to.

Banana-Berry Jamba Juice. I think I could drink one of these every morning. Which is saying a lot, because I am still pretty sick in the mornings. So delicious. Ah!

And last, but certainly no least, Indian food. But only if it's a Naan wrap with eggplant from the Santa Cruz farmers market. You just have to take my word for it if you think I'm crazy. Trust me, it is heaven.

I really could go on. The cravings are getting out of control. I don't crave these things every second of the day. Only every hour. Just kidding, but I have been craving these things the last couple weeks. And the cravings set in the second my sickness was gone. Thank you body, for not forgetting that you like a lot of different things and not just bananas, saltines, pringles, and gatorade.

Happy eating!

On my list.

This day will go down as one of the best days of my life. We found out that we are having a little lady!!

So here's the deal with the baby's gender. They say that a mothers intuition is right 75% of the time... Not mine! I was so certain that we were going to have a boy. I had actually had a few dreams about this boy of mine (I still believe that this boy I dreamed about will be in my life one day). I started thinking about being a mother to a little boy, which actually kind of frightened me, but I started getting so excited about things like him following his dad around and just cuddling up with my little man. I pictured life with him as our only child at first and I started to have expectations.

I hope I don't sound disappointed, because I'm definitely not! The ultra-sound technician said, "See those three light spots? (um yeah! Three spots to me = boy, Right?) When we see that, we know it's a girl." WHAT!? I was shocked, then I started to tear up. Luckily Kinzer and the technician were having a nice long conversation about school so no one was paying attention to my ugly holding-back-big-time-tears face. We are thrilled! So thrilled. We would have been so happy either way. On the way home we started talking about our little girl and what she will be like. We hope that:
she will be a good example to her little brothers and sisters
she will be caring and take good care of her siblings
she will be a RED HEAD:)
she will take care of us when we get old and non-mobile (we actually talked about this, haha)
she will be a nice teenage girl
she will be healthy and happy
she will succeed and excel at everything she does
And many other things...

We love her very much. I don't know what else to say other than we can't wait to meet her. I actually feel pregnant now. Today for me was such a big day and quite emotional because of the connection I made with her. She is mine. My little lady!

She was nice enough to put her hand up to her mouth while we were watching the ultrasound. Might have a thumb sucker.

I cry

My emotions are WACKY!

Yesterday I was sitting on the couch with Kinzer figuring out our summer plans. I had just gotten off the phone with my sweet mom when all of a sudden I started crying. I'm still not too sure why. 

*Maybe I was happy to talk to my mom, I always am. 

*Maybe I got a little over-excited about going to Utah to see all of my wonderful family and friends (sometimes I get teary eyed when I think of home). 

 *Maybe my body just needed a good old cry.

*Maybe I was hungry. Most likely I was. I have been starving lately. I'm talking: I eat about every 15 minutes. And a lot of times just a small snack doesn't cut it, I have to stuff.

*Maybe I was tired.

I don't know.

Me: "Sometimes I just cry. Okay?"

Kinzer: "That's what pregnant women do. It's okay with me."

Me: "I'm scared to have this baby. I'm scared for the labor and delivery part."

Kinzer: "Me too. But once our baby is here it's going to be so much fun. (Our definitions of fun must be different) You'll be fine. I'll be here for you."

Me: Starting to cry even more. " So what day should we leave for Utah?"

See? Wacky. And of course it's humorous. 

I have always been a very emotional person anyway. So I don't think this will be getting better any time soon. Poor Kinzer has to put up with this for the next 5 months. He's a trooper.

And another story to show just how psycho I am: I just finished watching The Price is Right and a sweet old man won everything you can possibly win on that show and he was just so grateful and emotional about it. I was bawling! During The Price is Right! The happiest show ever! It felt wrong.

On another note, we have a check up appointment today to see how baby is progressing and then on Thursday we have an ultrasound to find out what we're having. I think that we're having a boy. Can't wait to see!

There's this one boy...

Well, hello there! I thought it was about time for me to do another post. How often am I supposed to do these posts anyway? Ever since I started this blog I am always thinking, "ooo this situation would make a great blog post" and then when I sit down to write out the blog post I can't remember what my clever idea was. Oh well. So as I start this post, I don't really know what I'm going to say. Can you tell? I'm putting it off...did you hear about Will and Kate's one year anniversary?...How about the secret service having some good honest fun while they're out of town?...hmmmm...okay I'll get started.

Let me tell you about this guy:

I like it when Kinzer grows a beard. It's nice.

As I sit here on my lazy bum with my throw-up bowl beside me (just in case) on this warm Fresno Sunday, Kinzer is in the kitchen making spaghetti and meatballs, because I told him that some spaghetti and meatballs from The Old Spaghetti Factory sounded so yummy. So he is whipping up some deliciousness for me. He really is the best. And everyone can say that their husband is so wonderful and great, but I have a hard time believing they are as wonderful and great as mine. 

Kinzer has been so perfect to me during this pregnancy. I might be dead right now if he wasn't around. Seriously. It has been a rough 2 1/2 months, and he has been a gem! A list of some things he has done and continues to do for me:

• Make me food. Even though he knew and I knew I would throw it up. (I'm getting a lot better at handling my hormone-ridden stomach and body)
• Making many runs to the grocery store for gatorade, tums, pringles (weird I know), etc...
• Constantly asking me what he can do for me.
• When he drives he tries really hard to avoid any potholes or bumps so that it won't hurt my stomach.
• Leave church early with me (which I know he doesn't like to do)
• Rubs my feet, gives me hugs, rubs my back, wipes my tears.
• Puts up with my roller coaster moods and listens to me complain.
• Cleans the house and kitchen. And it's probably cleaner than I leave it.
• Cleaned my throw-up bowl a couple times. So yucky! I couldn't stand for that one for very long, it was too nice of him.
• And the other night after I had finished up-chucking, he put his arm around me and said, "You don't deserve this, you really don't".

These are only a few of the things he has done for me and he'll probably never know how much it means. I love him, oh so much!!

Welp. I don't want to be a novel blogger, so I'll finish this post with some pictures that may be of some interest to you.

 Before the morning sickness kicked in and I couldn't handle the smell of anything, we were making fresh whole wheat bread a couple times a week. I think this was the first loaf I made:) Delicious!

 This is when we found out we were pregnant. Pardon my teary eyes, but this was a long time coming.

 Just had to throw in a picture of the spic-and-span kitchen that Kinzer always keeps so clean. I love him.

 Don't be jealous of my "sea bands". They are made for people with sea sickness, but they claim to help with any type of nausea. They worked great. And I wore them for 3 weeks. Yes, they gave me tan lines.

 This week Alison, Kinzer's sister, came to town for a few days and her and her 2 sweet babes stayed with us. I couldn't get enough of little Taylor curling up on her side zonked out. So cute! And it gets me so excited every time!!

 He made this while I was blogging. Holy Cow! Who needs Old Spaghetti Factory when you have Kinzer?

 And last but DEFINITELY NOT least. Our baby/booger/blob/gummy bear. Whatever you would like to call it. The perfectly round ball that you see is the yolk sack. WOW! It's so amazing to us. This ultrasound was at 9 weeks and we have another one a week from this Thursday which will tell us if this baby is a boy or girl! What are your guesses?

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go help my handsome husband clean up the kitchen. See? I'm not as lazy as this post made me sound.

Happenings

This past week was a lot of fun. Kinzer was on spring break so we headed over to Santa Cruz to be with family. I just really love Santa Cruz. The weather and the beautiful redwoods that surround the place always make me think, People live here? Shouldn't this just be where you come on vacation? The second I stepped out of the car I felt like I could breath. The air is so clean compared to Fresno.

I was going to drive to Utah the next day with Kinzer's sister Alison and brother Jesse, but Alison's little boy came down with a fever that lasted through the night. It was a bummer to not go, but on the up side we did get to watch all of general conference which was so amazing by the way. Some times I don't feel like I can relate to the talks very well, but this session was so helpful for me. I loved all of it and I didn't want it to be over. I don't remember the last time I felt that way about conference. Maybe that is why we weren't supposed to got to Utah?

Being in Santa Cruz was helpful for a number of reasons. One of them being conference and family time and another being that fact that my mind was able to get off of how I have been feeling with this morning sickness. We were there for 9 days and I only threw up 3 times, where as before we left I was throwing up about 2 times a day. I even went shopping 3 days in a row and got some maternity clothes that are so comfortable. Why don't people wear maternity clothes all the time? I spent a lot of time outside in the fresh air and went on a bunch of walks. It was really a great time for me. Kinzer built a beautiful box to put some knickknacks in. He has been missing his tools. Since there is no place to store them here in Fresno, he has been keeping them in his grandparents barn, so he was in heaven. I love to see him do what he loves. He gets so excited like a little boy with all his toys.

We had such a good stay and got home yesterday in time for our first appointment with our midwife. She is so easy going, informative, and kind. We're excited to work with her. We heard the baby's heart beat. It was so amazing. Somewhere in there we also heard a SWISH and the midwife said, "that is a leg kicking". I can't wait to meet this baby! As we drove home I kept thinking about this talk I heard at conference by Russell M. Nelson. He talked about the gifts that God has given us; physical, spiritual, and gospel. I started thinking about how amazing it is that there is a body growing inside of me and what an amazing gift it is. All of the developments that this little baby is making every day are a testament to me that God has His hand in all of this and He is aware of the sweet spirit that this baby has. He will help it's physical body grow how it needs to in order for it to house a spirit. I am thankful for this knowledge and thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to be a mom. I can't wait!!!

Here is the link to Russell M. Nelson's talk, "Thanks Be to God":
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng

Welcome Welcome

Well, this is fun isn't it? Ha

I have to laugh at myself because this is not the first time I have started a blog and let's be honest, it may not be the last time I start a blog. I'm not fantastic at keeping these things up, but something tells me that because of the events going on in my life - living in California and being pregnant - I will be more likely to spill my thoughts.

I have always had this icky feeling when I think about blogging, because shouldn't I be writing in my journal or something? I don't know, but I think I can print these posts out some how.

Anyway, this blog is largely for my family and close friends that I don't get to see enough. Especially the ones in Utah. Enjoy!