34 Weeks

I was so happy when I read this in my weekly pregnancy email: "You'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. In the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies." It's so nice to finally reach that point that no matter when the baby is born from here on out she will most likely be fine. She should be weighing around 5 lbs now and over 18 inches long.

I have to say that I am ready.to.go. In my last month of pregnancy with Sam I did feel fat, tired, and had the other pregnancy symptoms of heartburn, peeing ten times a night etc. However, I was still working full time when I was a week overdue with Sam and I felt like I could still go a few more weeks. This pregnancy is so different. No only do I feel more emotionally ready to have Brooklyn, but physically I could go today and I would be thrilled. I am so uncomfortable. I have so many stomach pains and cramps, Braxton Hicks contractions, swollen hands, lots of back pain...you get the idea. I hope that these things mean I will go earlier or at least on my own without having to be induced, but I guess you never know.

So we are definitely in countdown mode now. The bags are all packed and ready to go!

*This post really isn't meant to complain and whine about the pregnancy, more just to update my family on how things are going. I will continue to keep you posted!

Getting Prepared

Twice a year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (of which I am a member) holds a General Conference where the prophet of the church along with his apostles speak to us. I look forward to these conferences so much. I receive so many answers to questions and prayers while I listen. I have found over the years that the more I prepare for these special conferences the more I get out of them.

As I try to spiritually prepare this week I have been reading the Ensign. I was amazed that there were several articles that were addressing things that I have been focusing on lately. It really strengthens my testimony in the church when I receive such direct inspiration and answers to the the things that I am pondering.

If you have any questions, if you are seaking divine inspiration in your life, or if you wonder what the Mormon Church believes, I would strongly suggest watching some of our General Conference. You can watch it this Saturday & Sunday on BYUTV or http://www.lds.org/ .

Samantha's 1st Haircut

Sam has had really funky hair since she was born. It has grown into a mullet with so many different lengths. So we decided to even it all out so it could start growing in thicker. She did a great job holding still and was most excited to get a treat afterwards.

As with most mom's it was hard for me. It's just hard to believe that hair at the bottom is the hair they were born with. She is growing up way too fast!

Before

My friend Caresse did a great job cutting it

All cut off!

Circus, Circus

We went to Reno for the Shriners Circus today. It was so much fun. Sam and Nic got the chance to ride on an elephant...both were equally excited for the opportunity!! I am always teasing Nic that he has never taken me to the circus, so now he is off the hook. It was awesome.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

7 years ago today...

I was at the hospital having a very unexpected surgery. I was getting a 14 pound tumor removed along with my left ovary. I will always remember this day as one of the most faith building and spiritually strengthening experiences of my life.

It was lass than 2 months away from my wedding date when I found out I had a tumor that had been growing, for who knows how long, that had taken over one of my ovaries. At the moment that I entered the operating room I was overcome with emotions. Fear was the biggest one of all. I remember leaving my mom and fiance in the waiting room and feeling more fear than I thought I could ever feel. We had no clue how big the tumor actually was, we had no idea if it was cancerous, we had no idea if I would ever be able to have children, we had no idea if we would have to push back our wedding day/plans.

This is the second time that I have been pregnant on this anniversary and both times I have been filled with such immense gratitude. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to bear children. I am so grateful for everything I learned through those few scary months. I am so grateful that everything turned out OK and that I get to live the life dream that I had always wanted. I am so grateful for my healthy body.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am sure it means something different to you :)

Breakfast in Bed

Today Sam and I are having breakfast in bed and watching Princess and the Frog. I am trying to cherish every moment that I have left with just her and I before baby #2 comes.

I really worry that we will lose our special relationship because its always just the 2 of us all day. I love her so much and I hope she will still feel that when things change.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Summer Fashion

Everyone knows I am a sucker for skirts and dresses. They are my favorite things to wear. They are super cute, super comfortable, so you can't go wrong. I always get excited for Spring & Summer because of the cute skirts and dresses that go with the season's fashions.

I am so in love with maxi dresses (and maxi skirts). I still struggle on how to make them cute while making them modest. I have done the shirt under and the cardigan over, but I am not crazy about either. If you have any tips on that please share.

Anyway, these are things I am loving at the moment. I wish I could go shopping right now!

Dresses...

I wish Victoria's Secret had a clothing store because they sell tons of cute clothes & shoes on their website

On to skirts...

I just bought this chevron skirt from Old Navy. I was a little disappointed because I thought it was black and white...but its really navy blue and white. I don't know exactly what you can wear with navy & white that looks good (pink?yellow?red?). But it is a super cute skirt and it's super comfy. It's also great because I can make it work while I am pregnant because of the rollover waistband.

I saw this on pinterest and I am in love with this outfit. I love the pink, white, and turquoise.

Being 8 months pregnant and short on cash means I will continue to just dream of my beautiful summer fashions, but hey its still fun to dream right?

Kings Canyon Waterfall

We took a fun little hike up to Kings Canyon Waterfall today. I am so happy we are having nicer weather so that we can enjoy the outdoors. I've gotten pretty stir crazy lately inside. Sam (along with Nic and I) loves to hike and be in the mountains so its always a fun thing to do as a family for us.

As always there are lots of pictures...

8 months pregnant today!

The waterfall was very pretty

Sam with her hiking stick

On the way back down

Baby, Baby, Baby

I have had several people ask me about baby showers recently and also I have been asked if I am registered anywhere. I honestly thought you didn't have a shower or get gifts with your second baby. I feel very loved and supported with the offers, so THANK YOU! I did go ahead and set up a registry on Amazon.com. Like I keep telling everyone, I have a lot of baby clothes. I saved all of Sam's and I planned my second baby to be born at the same time of year so all of the clothes would still work (I know we are so lucky huh!).

Thanks again for the love friends! Only 9 weeks to go!

Also, we are searching for good middle names that go with Brooklyn. If you have any ideas please share. Right now our top pick is Brooklyn Paige...but I don't feel 100% sold on it.

Judge not, that ye be not judged

What is the secret to not judging people? So many times I get my feelings hurt because I miss judge someones words or actions towards me*. Sometimes I think unfair things about people and then I find out where the person is coming from or their whole story and I feel terrible. I don't like judging people, but I don't know how to not jump to those automatic conclusions.
Do you have any secrets to being good at giving everyone the benefit of the doubt? To first seek to understand and then to be understood? This is one of those things that I really need to work on to be more like my Savior.

*It could be pregnancy hormones that are making me extra sensative to these things right now :)

Thursday

I'm getting ready for a fun day today.

• I am teaching my first cake decorating class. I am excited and nervous. I really hope I can teach the ladies something they don't know. I hope they have fun as well.
• My sister-in-law & brother-in-law are making a trip here from Utah. They will get here tonight and spend the weekend with us. Sam is so excited to see them and have her Uncle Daniel take her swimming.
• I'm 30 weeks pregnant today! Yikes we are getting close.

Have a great weekend! I know we will.