I will be the first one to admit that I have had an extremely easy pregnancy thus far. I was never sick, didn't have any weird symptoms, and was able to wear my own clothes up until the last few weeks.
With that being said, that doesn't mean that I don't still struggle. This whole thing has really taken an emotional toll on me. I can't count how many times I've had to vent to Ethan or called my mom in tears because I'm struggling with one thing or another. I feel so bad because I know they're tired or hearing about it, but there's no way I could keep it in or I would have a complete breakdown.. not pretty.
I just keep telling myself I only have three months left, and then I think to myself, "It only gets more stressful after he's actually out and can cry amongst other things. Of course I'll love him and it'll all be worth it, but it's going to get harder." The inner dialogue I go through on a daily basis is ridiculous.
It's so funny because all of the things I thought I would struggle with are coming to a peak. I can't count how many times I was told not to worry about those things because when I was pregnant and growing a baby, it would be nothing like what I was envisioning because pregnancy is beautiful, amazing, etc. Well I can now attest that I was in fact completely correct in what I assumed I would struggle with.
Maybe that's why I have avoided reading any books or magazines about being pregnant and what I should be experiencing. It's because I know what I struggle with outside of being pregnant, which means for me, that those things would only be heightened during pregnancy. I don't need someone telling me what I will and won't be feeling.
Like I said before, I really have, physically, had an easy pregnancy. But just some food for thought; just because someone isn't showing that they're struggling, doesn't mean they're not having a hard time too.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Cake Mix Cookies
Tonight we went to our friend's Leslie and Martin's house for Family Home Evening. We were joined by two other families from our ward that we enjoy spending time with as well. We started off with a little story about Jesus for the kids and then it was off to the kitchen for Apples to Apples! It was fun to play with people we didn't know as well because we never knew what people were going to choose! I'm happy to report that I just so happened to be the winner!
We all brought treats and I did my trusty cake mix cookies. I swear, they are always my go-to when I don't have a ton of time. They turned out great as usual and they were the first dessert gone! So, I thought I would share the recipe!
Cake Mix Cookies:
We all brought treats and I did my trusty cake mix cookies. I swear, they are always my go-to when I don't have a ton of time. They turned out great as usual and they were the first dessert gone! So, I thought I would share the recipe!
Cake Mix Cookies:
1 Box cake mix (I tend to use some kind of chocolate, but any kind works!)
1/3 C oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Add in any fillers you want! I used Mini M&M's and mini chocolate chips, but again, you can use whatever you want in your cookies.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 8-10 minutes.
*I also tend to drop them, that way they flatten out a bit, but the middle is still soft and chewy.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 24, 2014
About time
I mentioned before that Ethan and I went to my parents house for Christmas. I couldn't help but to put up what little decorations I had. I put them up the week before Thanksgiving so when we came home from Charlotte it would all ready for us to celebrate the season.
Fast forward to today, our decorations were still up and I decided they finally needed to come down. It wasn't because I wanted to keep them up, it was because by the time we took our stockings down to take them to my parents house, there were only two things left to take down and they eventually just blended into our decor so I didn't think about it.
Christmas has officially been taken down. I'm starting to think of some possible decorations for Valentine's Day, but we'll see. I always have high hopes of make tons of decorations and then real left sets in and it doesn't happen. Maybe this will be the year!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
24 Weeks
How big is baby? According to my pregnancy app, he's as long as an ear of corn.
Total weight gain/loss: Let's just not..
Maternity clothes? Yep. We did a little shopping spree yesterday so I finally have some maternity clothes!
Sleep: Sleeping great!
Best moment this week: Shopping spree!
Movement: Definitely, he moves even more at night.
Food cravings: No cravings here
Food Aversions: Nope, and never did. :)
Gender: It's a boy
Labor Signs: Nope!
Pregnancy Symptoms: Gaining weight
Belly Button in or out? It's still in, but definitely working its way out
What I miss: Working out and not getting short of breath 1 minute in.
What I am looking forward to: Getting my house clean!
Upcoming appointments/events: I have my next appointment in 3 weeks.
Milestones: Last week of my 2nd trimester!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Heaven is Here
For Christmas, my mom got me a book called Heaven Is Here.
It's the story of Stephanie Nielson, the author of NieNie Dialogues. She's absolutely amazing. Stephanie and husband were in a plan crash in 2008. She had over 80% of her body burned and her husband, who was flying the plan burned about 40% of his body and broke his back.
The book is about their life. From dating to raising a family, from the plane crash to the recovery of it all. She has such a way of writing that makes you feel like you could be best friends with her. She writes things that are so personal, but make such an impact. Just like the cover says, it really is about hope, triumph and everyday joy.
I haven't finished the book yet, but in one I read about half of the book, I couldn't put it down! Even without finishing it yet, I have no reservations in telling everyone they should read it! It has such an amazing message and I can't wait to finish it!
It's the story of Stephanie Nielson, the author of NieNie Dialogues. She's absolutely amazing. Stephanie and husband were in a plan crash in 2008. She had over 80% of her body burned and her husband, who was flying the plan burned about 40% of his body and broke his back.
The book is about their life. From dating to raising a family, from the plane crash to the recovery of it all. She has such a way of writing that makes you feel like you could be best friends with her. She writes things that are so personal, but make such an impact. Just like the cover says, it really is about hope, triumph and everyday joy.
I haven't finished the book yet, but in one I read about half of the book, I couldn't put it down! Even without finishing it yet, I have no reservations in telling everyone they should read it! It has such an amazing message and I can't wait to finish it!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Little buddy
This past Saturday our friend Leslie asked if we would be able to watch her kids while she went to a doctors appointment. We happily said yes. They have a little boy that's almost three and their little girl is about 6 months. They're so cute and fun, and little Calvin just LOVES Ethan.
We decided to divide and conquer. I took Corina and Ethan took Calvin. Calvin was so excited to show Ethan all of his new toys that he got for Christmas, and Ethan was a total champ and sat and played with him for quite a while. After they got bored with the toys, they sat down to watch a movie and Calvin cuddled right up to Ethan and stayed there the whole time.
I can't even explain how much it makes me swoon to catch a little glimpse into what our future will be like. I can't wait until Ethan has a little buddy of his own to cuddle up with on the couch and watch cartoons on a Saturday morning!
We accept
Last year, Ethan went down to Provo for a career fair. We knew that he would be graduating soon and he was looking to find himself an internship/job. We got his resume in top shape, he did some research on the companies that would be here and he was off!
While he was there, he spoke with about 12 different companies. One of those companies was a company called Precoa. It is a marketing and consulting firm for funeral homes. It's still not 100% clear on everything they do, but I get the gist of it.
He met with the manager of the planning center, which is essentially a call center for the company. They had a good conversation, and the manager told Ethan that Precoa would be going to Rexburg for BYU-Idaho's career fair as well. He gave the name of the regional consultant that would be coming and they said their good-byes.
A few days later the BYU-Idaho career fair was underway. Ethan went to Precoa's booth where he gave them his resume and talked with them for a few minutes. After their discussion, the guy offered Ethan an interview the following day.
After the interview, Ethan felt pretty good. They told him that they would be taking his name and resume back to the headquarters, which is in Portland, where they would make some decisions about who would be getting another interview in Portland.
About a week later, we received a call saying that they were very interested in having Ethan come and interview. They were going to fly him out, set him up in a hotel and he would be interviewing with multiple people from the headquarters.
So, a few weeks later he was off to interview and it went great. There were five other guys that interviewed for the same position, as well as another 40 earlier in the season. They were super impressed and it wasn't long after he got back home that we were being offered a position.
Fast forward about a month, we got the final offer and we accepted to start with them in April! We will find out our options of where to go March 1st and will make our decision soon after. We are so grateful for this blessing in our lives. It could not have worked out any better. Not only will he have a job, but it will also be able to count for an internship! We know it's going to be a little stressful moving just a mont before I'm due with our little guy, but we have no doubt that everything will work out just as it should!
While he was there, he spoke with about 12 different companies. One of those companies was a company called Precoa. It is a marketing and consulting firm for funeral homes. It's still not 100% clear on everything they do, but I get the gist of it.
He met with the manager of the planning center, which is essentially a call center for the company. They had a good conversation, and the manager told Ethan that Precoa would be going to Rexburg for BYU-Idaho's career fair as well. He gave the name of the regional consultant that would be coming and they said their good-byes.
A few days later the BYU-Idaho career fair was underway. Ethan went to Precoa's booth where he gave them his resume and talked with them for a few minutes. After their discussion, the guy offered Ethan an interview the following day.
After the interview, Ethan felt pretty good. They told him that they would be taking his name and resume back to the headquarters, which is in Portland, where they would make some decisions about who would be getting another interview in Portland.
About a week later, we received a call saying that they were very interested in having Ethan come and interview. They were going to fly him out, set him up in a hotel and he would be interviewing with multiple people from the headquarters.
So, a few weeks later he was off to interview and it went great. There were five other guys that interviewed for the same position, as well as another 40 earlier in the season. They were super impressed and it wasn't long after he got back home that we were being offered a position.
Fast forward about a month, we got the final offer and we accepted to start with them in April! We will find out our options of where to go March 1st and will make our decision soon after. We are so grateful for this blessing in our lives. It could not have worked out any better. Not only will he have a job, but it will also be able to count for an internship! We know it's going to be a little stressful moving just a mont before I'm due with our little guy, but we have no doubt that everything will work out just as it should!
Monday, January 13, 2014
23 weeks
Alas, it's time for me to get back to this blog! It has been neglected long enough. So to get back into the swing of things, we'll do a pregnancy update. (Excuse the blurry picture)
How far along? 23 weeks
How big is baby? During our 20 week appointment they said he was in the 61st percentile.
Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs. Ouch.
Maternity clothes? I finally bought one pair of pants for work and some leggings that I'm in love with! Still wearing all my other pre-pregnancy clothes.
Sleep: Sleeping great!
Best moment this week: Getting in to my leggings after work every day. :)
Movement: Yep! At exactly 20 weeks we had the first kick and he hasn't stopped since.
Food cravings: I don't have cravings, but I have really been enjoying hamburgers/cheeseburgers. :)
Food Aversions: Nope, and never did. :)
Gender: It's a boy
Labor Signs: Nope!
Pregnancy Symptoms: Gaining weight, being hungry
Belly Button in or out? It's still in.
What I miss: Having a stomach that doesn't stick out.
What I am looking forward to: Getting a nursery put together, which will have to wait until we move where ever we're going to be moving to in April.
Upcoming appointments/events: I have my next appointment in 4 weeks.
Milestones: Getting a pair of maternity pants.
How big is baby? During our 20 week appointment they said he was in the 61st percentile.
Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs. Ouch.
Maternity clothes? I finally bought one pair of pants for work and some leggings that I'm in love with! Still wearing all my other pre-pregnancy clothes.
Sleep: Sleeping great!
Best moment this week: Getting in to my leggings after work every day. :)
Movement: Yep! At exactly 20 weeks we had the first kick and he hasn't stopped since.
Food cravings: I don't have cravings, but I have really been enjoying hamburgers/cheeseburgers. :)
Food Aversions: Nope, and never did. :)
Gender: It's a boy
Labor Signs: Nope!
Pregnancy Symptoms: Gaining weight, being hungry
Belly Button in or out? It's still in.
What I miss: Having a stomach that doesn't stick out.
What I am looking forward to: Getting a nursery put together, which will have to wait until we move where ever we're going to be moving to in April.
Upcoming appointments/events: I have my next appointment in 4 weeks.
Milestones: Getting a pair of maternity pants.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Christmas card
This year I decided to design a Christmas card to send off, mostly to family. I love how they turned out and I can't wait to do next year's!
Front:
Front:
Back:
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