Goals for 2011

1. Raise a happy, healthy baby

2. Lose the rest of the baby weight

3. Keep a clean house

4. Plant a garden

5. Fall in love everyday

6. Go to the temple every month

7. Go to Grad School (David)

8. Not go into debt (Pay off hospital bills)

9. Get the job at BYU

10. Have a lot of fun

10 that happened in 2010

1. Bought a car

2. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary

3. Found out we were pregnant

4. Graduated from UVU

5. We moved

6. Got a puppy

7. Found out that we were having a boy

8. Visited California twice

9. Quite my job to be a full time mom

10. James was born

Happy New Year!!!

James rolled over!

James rolled over today!!!! A couple times actually! I finally caught it on tape.

Here is another one of James talking.

Molasses Cookies

I found a recipe online that was ok...but I then messed around with it and came up with this one.

1 1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

4 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups flour

Melt butter, cool then blend well with sugars. Add the molasses and eggs. Add baking soda and all the spices and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time.

Roll into walnut-size balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 min.

They do get hard after a day or 2, so to keep them fresh when store them put a slice of bread in a bag with them.

They are so good and even better with a cup of cold milk! They also make a good gift to give to friends and neighbors.

Enjoy!

tiny fingers

See tiny fingers and tiny toes,
Bright baby eyes, cute baby nose;
Hear baby gurgles and baby sighs,
As Mom and Dad sing lullabies.Life is changed, but that's okay;It's fun to spend glad hours each day,
Taking time for all the good
That comes along with parenthood.By Joanna Fuchs
James every day you are getting bigger and smarter. I can't express to you how much I love you and how grateful I am that you chose me to be your mother.You have beautiful blue eyes, lots of dark brown hair, long fingers and toes, cute little ears, a little button nose, I love your big smile and your cute little laugh!I love reading to you and watching your face as I turn the pages. I love singing to you and watching you try to copy me. I love when I kiss your forehead as you sleep and see you smile back at me. I love everything about you.I can't believe that you're already changing and growing so much. You are perfect in every way. I love you so very very much! Thank you for being my child!

How he got his name

Originally we were going to name our baby Milo Glen Andrus. Milo is David's great great....grandpa's name and Glen is my grandpa's name (my fathers father).

Well I wasn't totally convinced that this was his name, and later I found out David felt the same way.

Well everyone knows that we are both Harry Potter fans and so jokingly David and I were saying that if the baby came during Harry Potter we would give her a middle name of Lily or him a middle name of James (for those who may not know - Harry Potter's parents' first names).

Well both David and I said we didn't like Milo for his first name and we both said we actually really liked the name James. And it turns out that James is actually a family name. Once we figured it out it was like that was his name! There was no second guessing this time.

But we couldn't get rid of Milo or Glen so we decided to be a bit unconventional and give him both as middle names.

James Milo Glen

It is a little long but I do recommend reading it

OK here is the story starting Monday morning...

Monday I had another NST and a doctors check up. When I got to the office one of the nurses said "You're STILL pregnant!!!" and the NST tech came out and was surprised to see me she though for sure that they were inducing me the week before.

During the NST there was nothing interesting happening, and that was the problem he wasn't really responding to stimulation but he did have a strong heartbeat. Then I went back to see the doctor and he walked and in and before I could say anything he said lets just get this thing done! I had a slightly high blood pressure and with James not really doing much it was finally enough to get him out.

When I left the office I was 85% effaced and 3cm dilated.

I got to the hospital and the nurses here were so happy to see me again. And Amy Garner (Taren's mom) was my nurse and she was really happy that they were finally inducing me.

I got all hooked up and the started the Pitocin and I got my epidural (so I can say that I never really felt a "real" contraction). The external monitors weren't really picking anything up on my contractions and then they kept loosing James' heart beat, so they wanted to break my water to get internal monitoring going. Well right when they were going to check me to see if it would be ok to break my water it broke on it's own so they got James hooked up and we were able to get a constant rate.

Well every time they tried to turn up the Pit James got angry and dropped his heart rate. So they put it on the lowest setting. I was just not making any progress I was now only a 3.5cm.

Then all of a sudden James decided to scare everyone and dropped his heart rate all the way down to the low 60s. I had several nurses run in they helped switch to my other side got me on oxygen and laid me completely flat. The doctor came in and checked me and since his heart rate went back up he decided that I didn't need to go straight back to the operating room. I was now only at a 4. So the decision was made that I was just not having good enough contractions on my own but the Pit made James angry so I was going to get a C-section. I was ok with this because I had already prepared myself for the possibility.

They up'ed my epidermal and wheeled me in to get started. Although I got the really bad shakes from the high dosage so they had to cover me in a blanket that blew hot air across my chest and arms.

And then at 12:44 am October 26th I heard one of the most wonderful sounds! James finally made his appearance! I barley got to see him and then he was gone but David followed him to get all cleaned up, and I got all stitched up. I have 17 staples in my tummy! James was 8 lbs 5 oz and 20 inches.

(Oh and I can have a VBAC if I want to when I do have other children.)

After getting all stitched and cleaned I had to stay in labor and delivery while James was downstairs waiting in the nursery. I was monitored for an hour and then was taken down stairs where I had to wait another 30 minutes before they could bring him in.

But oh man when they did I could barely see him through my tears of joy. I was just so happy to finally have him in my arms and knowing that I could keep him!

Since it was like 4 in the morning I decided that I just wanted to keep James in the room for the rest of the night. But I could not sleep at all I just wanted to stare at him.

A few hours later and some sleep I finally got all the feeling back in my legs. I was doing so well that they actually took me off my IV and took out my catheter sooner, the nurses say, then most women.

David and I just adore our little James. He really is a blessing from Heavenly Father and we are just in awww that he would send us someone so perfect. He really is amazing and wonderful.

Section C

12:20 am - They took Megan out (I followed of course) and got her in to surgery.

12:30 am - Surgery begins

12:44 am - James Milo Glen Andrus gets his first view of the world. A bunch of people in green scrubs and some really bright lights. He's 8 pounds 5 ounces and 20 inches long.

2:20 - I'm currently sitting in Megan's room as she recovers from the c section. She should be able to finally really see the baby soon. I have tons of video and pictures on my phone.

Tonight's the night...

10:30 pm - Baby's heartrate dropped pretty low (60 bpm - that's bad) and the nurses practically ran in. Got Megan turned and on oxygen and everything went back to normal. Doctor came in and talked about a caesarean section.

11:30 pm - Doctor came in, we talked for a few minutes and decided to go for the C section.

12:13 am - I'm in my scrubs - I look like a dork or maybe like I'm going to be heading into an Intel chip fabrication plant. We'll be seeing the baby soon!

Getting Closer

4:15 pm - Water broke during a cervical exam, monitor put directly on the baby

5:00 pm - Baby's heart rate has had several irregular drops. Megan put on oxygen. Pitocin drip stopped. Nothing to be seriously worried about.

6:15 pm - Pitocin restarted. Megan and the baby are doing great. Got some good contractions going.

7:15 pm - Megan's off the oxygen, contractions are nice and strong and Megan feels great thanks to the epidural. Baby and mom are still doing fine, no worries here (just one very antsy dad!).

It's Baby time!

Ok to kick things off I will write the first blog and then David will be doing the rest.

9:40 am - Doctors appt and NST, The doctor came in and said that it was finally time to go to the hospital to stay this time. I was not in real active labor but they were going to go ahead and induce

11:30 am - Admitted to the hospital, I got to the hospital got all hooked up and started an IV

1:00 pm - They have started the pitocin

3:15 pm - Got the epidural and feeling all nice and numb

4 days in the hospital

Ug What do I say really?

Well today was the 4th day in a row that I was sent to the hospital. (I did not go in on my own will but the will of the doctors)

The hospital called this morning telling me I needed to come back in today because my strip from yesterday was reviewed again and the doctor wanted to monitor me again.

Well I went in and got all hooked up and the nurse said well we are going to induce you we just have to monitor you for a little bit to get a good strip. Well then the doctor changed his mind everything was looking "good" so he was just going to send me home. Well I was not leaving without talking to him. Meanwhile my awesome nurses were doing everything they could to convince the doctor not to send me home saying that I did need to be induced. The baby even had a couple heart rate drops but I guess nothing was going to convince the doctor to induce me.

Ok so I know everyone is telling me that being induced is a lot longer and more painful. I know that it's better for me to start things on my own. But with EVERYTHING that has been going on: High Blood Pressure, the amount of fluid I'm retaining, the baby's heart rate....I would think they would want to get this baby out!

I also know that the chances of a C-section go up as well.

When the doctor came in he said (again) that I have a really big baby and that my chances of doing a C-section is already higher then normal.

I would be ok with things if it weren't the same thing over and over again. Every time I am sent to the hospital they keep saying oh today we are going to induce! Then after 2-4 hours of waiting and waiting they decide last minute to not induce.

It's just emotionally draining when you keep thinking and being told today is the day I get to meet my baby.

39 weeks

Ok so another doctors appointment and again high blood pressure 160/98 (the highest its ever been) so just like always we were sent back to the hospital for more monitoring. And again not a surprise, my blood pressure was only 127/73... I still had to have my urine checked and blood checked which was all normal (although I am a little dehydrated)

After 2 hours the doctor came in to tell me the same old, same old: go home be on modified bed rest...

I was only 2 cm and 65% effaced and so I asked if I could have my membranes stripped again and he said he would do it but it was going to hurt, I thought that I had already had this done it's not too bad just really uncomfortable. But holy crap! When he did it, it was horrible! He actually made me cry. The doctor said "oh did I make you cry?" I said "yes" He said "Oh good then I did it right". Well good hopefully this time it will actually work. He also said that when he was done with me I was a 3+cm dilated and that I was now 75% effaced.

Heres hoping that I will go into labor this weekend!

Preggo Pics

My parents came into town over the weekend and I had my step-mom take my maternity pictures. It was fun. We didn't have a real studio or something so we used a black shower curtain we got from walmart.

Oh and please don't try and guess the baby's name we are still not saying anything until he is born. This is just a little peek.

I have been have some pretty good contractions and the really painful ones I hear are the ones that help you dilate so I'm hoping that tomorrow when I go in they'll tell me I'm even closer to having him. I think there is a good possibility of having him this weekend but it's really hard to tell when I have contractions very consistently and then they stop altogether and then start up even harder and stronger! He's a big baby it's time he comes out now :)

2 1/2 weeks left

I'm more annoyed then anything really...

Today I went in for another non-stress test and everything was going fine but then baby decided to drop his heart rate below 100 for a good 2 min. So they sent me back to the hospital for more monitoring. Once I got all hooked up they wanted to watch me before making any decisions. Well after 2 hours and everything being normal they sent me home. I know have another NST scheduled for Friday.

There are people putting in bets that I wont last till the weekend.

I wouldn't mind to have the baby this week, I'd be ok with that.

I have been having so good contractions too and they are only getting close, so I'm crossing my fingers.

37 Weeks

Today I am 37 weeks! Only 3 weeks left!

But also today was kinda an adventure. We went in for my normal check up and when I got there my blood pressure was 147/88 (not good). We go through the normal appointment (I'm 65% effaced and 2 cm dilated) And then the doctor sends me to the hospital for some more monitoring. Well we got there and I got all hooked up and right off the bat my blood pressure was down to 127/80. The hooked the baby up too and was watching his heartbeat. Well the nurse had to keep coming in and adjust the monitor because the baby would shift. It was fun though because he got the hiccups twice and it was fun to hear them through the machine.

my blood pressure stayed low and after 4 and half hours we got the ok to go home and I'm back on strict bedrest. Which really isn't that bad, I was already on modified bedrest so it's not that different to go on full. Plus it's only 3 more weeks or less.

David was actually kinda disappointed that I didn't get admitted because if I was then we would most likely be having a baby this week.

oh one more thing I get to do another 24hr pee test.

Agency

What do I say... This blog will most likely be all over the place and I hope that it makes somewhat sense as I try to express my feelings and thoughts.

How can I let someone I love do something that is so obviously stupid to everyone else around him?!?!

Everyone can see that he is making the wrong choices and we try to tell him but he just wont listen. Or he is listening but choosing not to heed our warnings. To me it seems like it's like your driving down a road and there are all these signs that say "Danger" "Warning" "Heartache" "Betrayal", but all of these signs seem to be dim compared to the glow of the city in front of you.

This is just so frustrating!

There are even people who have told him that they "support" his choice but then behind his back say that they don't like the situation but they aren't going to say anything because "he needs to learn from his mistakes" even if it ends up hurting him.

I know we all have our own lives to live and we all have free agency, but it's so hard to stand by and watch someone do something you know will end up breaking their heart.

He even told me once that he prayed about it and felt that he shouldn't go forward with this and that he knows that it wasn't right.

I believe that he has gotten his answer, and he is choosing to ignore it.

We all have told him how we feel, we are all praying for him.

I don't know what else we can do! I don't know what else I can do!

I love him so I will just continue to love him (I may not support him but I love him)

October

It's finally October and our baby will be here this month! I know I say this a lot but we are so excited.

Now that I'm here in my last month I'm getting anxious, but in a good way. Every time I have a cramp or pain in my stomach I wonder if there will be more to follow. There are times when I wonder if my water broke, but then I realize that no I just peed a little.

Every time my son moves I wonder if he is getting excited to come out and meet us too (which I know he is)

Our bag is packed (for the most part):

-got an extra tooth brush and toothpaste

-hair brush

- hair ties and headbands

-ipod with "relaxing" music for me (It has everything on it from Enya to Breaking Benjamin)

- video camera, digital camera, and my nice camera and all the hook ups for the computer

-extra contacts and solution

-babies blanket

....There are more things that are going in but you get the point right....

We finished our prenatal class last night. It was a fun informative class, even though it wasn't new information for me it was really good for David. And the nurse who taught the class is also a lactation nurse so the last class was all about breastfeeding. I am planning on exclusively breastfeeding so the last class was really helpful.

As for a birth plan, mine is I think really simple:

- I want an epidural as soon as I can!

- I want to use my own music

- I would like to ware my own hospital gown

- I would like to breastfeed within the first hour

- If I need a C-section I would like David in the room

I don't know I really trust the doctors and nurses.

Again we are really excited and getting anxious. We can't wait to meet our baby boy!

35 weeks down, and 35 days to go!

I really can't believe that D-day is right around the corner! I still feel like I have a ton of stuff to do!

Today we went to the doctor and he said by the time I deliver I will most likely have a 9lbs+ baby! Holy freakn' cannoli! That is one big baby! I knew he was big but I never thought he was going to be that big! But I'm excited. The doctor also said in 2 weeks if I go into labor they wont stop me. Which is exciting and scary in its self! I know with first time pregnancies they tend to go over but with having a big baby this could really happen sooner!

David and I are just so excited to become parents!

6 more weeks

It's getting closer and closer! We are really excited!

I'm having fun being in "nesting mode". The baby's room is almost all put together, the baby's cloths are all washed and put away.

We started going to our prenatal classes and I think it's really good. It helps us become familiar with the hospital we are delivering in, and I think it's great for David. I've done a lot of reading and researching and I've talked to all my friends who have had babies so most of the information we are learning I already have heard but for David it's mostly all new. I also like how during the class our instructor has the husbands doing all of the work and asking and answering the questions.

The baby is still crazy active and he gets the hiccups a couple time a day. And like I said before he is not a kicker but a pusher.

Time hasn't slowed down yet and it still feels like its all gone by so fast!

7 weeks to go!

This is actually me at 32.5 weeks

Wow I can't believe that today I am 33 week pregnant! Time has really flown by! We are so excited!

Things have been going great too! I'm kinda off the bedrest, I can go out on short shopping trips and as long has I don't do anything stressful I can get up and get out and do things.

The baby wiggles and moves all the time but I'm glad that he's not really a big kicker he is more of a push and hold type of baby. He'll push out a body part and just sit like that for awhile and then shift and stick something else out. His favorite spot is under my right side ribs. He'll just sit there all day with his butt sticking out and slide it back and forth. But he is also a little stinker he'll move and move and move but as soon as David puts his hand on my belly he'll freeze, then David will lift his hand up and he'll move and move and then freeze again as soon as David puts his hand back. I think it's kinda funny. We already have fun playing with our baby.

He is going to be fun and we are excited to meet him soon.

Deppressed

Ok so today is the first day of bedrest that I have actually felt depressed. I realized that the State Fair is going on right now and I can't go! I mean there's nothing really special about it but it's something that David and I do every year. It's just something that David and I enjoy, we just walk around and visit all the booths and just hang out and enjoy everything. It's always fun too to eat some fair food. We always split a frozen lemon aid and funnel cake.

I know it's stupid but yes it actually makes me cry that I can't go.

Preeclampsia

I have preeclampsia (or toxemia, or hypertension). Basically my blood pressure is way too high and I have protein in my urine.

When I went in last week my blood pressure was up at 147/88 and my protein level was at a +1.

(a +2 means I go to the hospital for bed rest, +3 to +4 is when they would deliver the baby)

The thing that kinda bugs me is that I was having headaches and swollen fingers (all pre-signs of preeclampsia) and I even did a 24 hour urine test and it all came back "normal".

I already have accepted the fact that I may not get to go anywhere or do anything, I'm just ready for this baby to come early! He needs to stay in there as long as possible! Right now they are thinking that I will still deliver close to my due date or just a week or 2 early which he would still be considered full term.

Another thing I'm worried about is the possibility of having a C-section. I'm not afraid of actually getting it or anything like that, I just don't want one! If it came down to it though, I'd be more then happy to have one if my blood pressure goes to high or if there was something wrong and the baby may be in danger.

Well I go to the doctor in a few hours and if there is any new information or any changes I will post an update.

My pregnancy this far

Besides being on bed rest for these last 2 months things have been going great!

I have overall really enjoyed being pregnant

1st Trimester:

I was a little sick but I was sick all day. I was literally only sick in the morning right when I woke up. I sometimes would get car sick, but again it wasn't has bad as I thought and not as bad as some of my other friends.

2nd Trimester:

I finally started to look pregnant and not like I ate 1 too many donuts. I could really feel him moving and jumping around. I lost 10 lbs instead of gaining, which this is a good thing. This trimester was the breeze!

3rd Trimester:

It started off great! He just wont stop moving, and I love it! I'm grateful that he has stayed away from my ribs the most he'll do is push up on them with his butt and he'll just stick it out and no matter what you do you can't get him to move. It's kinda of funny I can push down and he'll shift but then just stick it out again. The one thing he does do is attack my bladder. It really feels like he is punching it. I think he does it on purpose and then he laughs about it (he already has an attitude). It's also fun to watch my tummy do the wave when he decides to move around.

I haven't had any heartburn, (not once this entire time), not a lot of back pain (just if I sleep wrong), and I don't even notice the Braxtion hicks.

Now though I am on bedrest. Which isn't so bad (so far...) I'm just trying to keep myself busy and entertained. I get to work on baby projects, I don't have to go to work anymore, I have time to catch up on some reading. I feel great and normal, I just have to stay home all day.

I think I'm going to try and make this http://www.honeybearlane.com/2010/08/presenting.html

Always look on the bright side of life...

Well I just found out that I have Preeclampsia so this means that I am now on bed rest.

This means that I get to have my blood pressure checked more often, the protein in my urine checked more often and more blood draws. If things start to get too high they will need to deliver the baby early. So now the main thing is that we keep the baby in the oven as long as possible!

I'm just trying to look on the bright side of being on bed rest...

I get to do more crafts now thats a plus

Music

I love music!

Really who doesn't?

I really don't hate any of it; country, classical, metal, etc

I love how it makes me feel! It helps me de stress and relax. I tend to listen to music that relates to the type of mood I'm in but it always makes me feel good.

I also love to come home a play the piano (even if i do it badly). It's just another way to relax a keep my mind occupied.

I haven't done it in awhile but I love to sing! With being in an apartment with thin walls it's hard to just burst out into song, but as soon as we move I'll be singing all day!

I love that David is also musical. He may not like everything I do but he sings, and he does it well (and I'm not just saying that)

I'm already teaching our son how much music is important and how much it will be apart of his life. I'm not to worried about weather or not he will be able to sing or not because we both do and his extended family sings all the time. I hope he will always let music be apart of his life and enjoy everything about it.

very berry syrup

We LOVE this recipe and it makes really really good leftovers! It also stores really well so you don't have to worry about it going bad. We like it when its warm and it cold.

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tbl cornstarch

1 cup water

4 cups berries ( raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)

In a medium sauce pan combine sugar and cornstarch. Mix in water. Slowly add in berries. boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

I like to use a mixed berry bag of all the berries, but you can use just raspberries or blackberries or any combination you want. (basically just make sure you have 4 cups!)

Enjoy!

It's a...

Yep we are having a BOY!!!

We are so excited. I had a feeling from the very beginning that it was a boy but the first ultrasound said we might be having a girl, so today we had another one done and 100% sure its a boy!

I am so so excited!

Our failed attempt at camping

We were so excited to go camping this weekend but it ended a lot sooner then we planned.

I got off work and came to back home to pack the car really quick and get on the road. We really didn't have a set spot as to where we were going so we decided to head up towards Strawberry.

We finally get out there and drive back up into the woods and find a nice little spot.

It was getting dark fast and of course I felt a little uneasy and started to let my imagination go wild but I thought I would feel better once we got the fire started and put up the tent.

We spent 20+ minutes trying to start this fire! We just couldn't get it to go. We even had fire starter and everything it just wouldn't light! So we kinda gave up and started to put up the tent. Fry then started to act really weird, like he was scared. So I decided to go sit with him in the car ( I was still feeling uneasy and felt better in the car with the dog). David quickly finished and came to sit in the car with me. He looked at me and said he really didn't feel right and felt uneasy and said he felt like we should go home NOW. I said I whole heartily agreed! It was getting to the point where we almost left our tent and was going to just drive away and try and get it the next day. But David quickly jumped out and just grabbed pieces of the tent and started throwing them in the back of the car (we had turned on the car and turned on the brights so our whole site was lit up). When he finally finished we drove away as fast as we could, considering it was a dirt road. As we were driving David looked at our gas tank and noticed something odd...by the time we got to our campsite we were below half a tank when we left the campsite we were almost at a full tank!

I don't know why we needed to leave and we may never know, but I am glad that we both listened to the spirt. I'm sad we didn't get to go camping but it was an adventure.

The story on my hair

Yesterday I went in to Paul Mitchell to see what they could do with my hair. My ultimate goal going in was to get a trim and dye my hair blonde. I knew that I had "multi colored" hair seeing has how it was long and I had dyed it black last summer and then brown in December. So I was just going to be happy with whatever they could do to help lighten it (whether it was just highlights or whatever). Well they did 2 test strands to see how the bleach would take. They wanted to make sure that they weren't going to melt my hair off since it had so many colors and a box color on it, and one of the other really strange thing with my hair was I had this weird black band around the middle of my hair right below

my shoulders. So the test strands came off and yep it was going to break the ends off my hair if I dyed it and that black band didn't even change colors. ( so I would be blonde on top, have a black band, and then blond on the bottom)

So they recommended that I use a remover on my hair to try and strip all the color out (or most of it since the bottom half was really dark) and they also said we could cut off the bottom half, one to get rid of the band and two to get rid of all that "damaged" hair.

So while they were off discussing how to start on my hair, (this was a hair school and the teachers were involved and my hair was so much fun that basically all the students were wanting in) I sent a text off to David asking if I should just cut of my hair. I more or less just wanted someone to say it was ok since I was so nervous because I haven't had short hair since middle school! So I decided to cut it off!

They ended up cutting off 10 inches! Holy Cow!

They still wanted to strip what was left of my hair because there was still a little bit of darker color on the bottom. Now my hair is a strawberry blonde! I haven't seen my natural color in such a long time I didn't know what color to expect! I was thinking I was more of a dirty blonde

But I love it! I was a little nervous that I wasn't going to like it but its just hair and it grows back fast right! I still want to go blonde but I might just end up doing highlights instead of the whole thing.

17 weeks

I am 17 weeks! This is so much fun! So far I love being pregnant. The morning sickness wasn't bad and now its gone. So far my "cravings" have been healthy and I have done a lot to stay healthy. I even lost 10lbs ( which is actually a good thing for me) My tummy says pregnant instead of I ate too many cookies. I can feel my baby move around every once in awhile and that is so much fun and exciting!

We are just so happy!

14 weeks!

Ok so officially the word is out!

I'M PREGNANT! I'm 14 weeks today!

So here is the story so far....

On Sunday February 21st I took a pregnancy test and it came back with 2 little line! YAY!

Because I was considered "high risk" since I had a m/c back in November, my doctor got me in right away. We got to do an early ultrasound at 8 weeks and we saw the heart beating away! It was so awesome!

but heres the annoying part... My due date up to this point was October 27. But because of the ultrasound they changed my due date by a week to Nov 2-4. I don't care I did the "math" and I am still due October 27! ( doing and ultrasound early the baby grows faster and slower for some women so it could be the baby was just turned at a different angle...there was one point during the u/s that she said I was due in Oct)

Anyways...

2 weeks ago I did have a bit of a scare. I was getting ready to go to school and I noticed that I was bleeding a lot! She being scared and worried I called the doctors and called David. They were able to get me in right away and they did an u/s. And thank goodness the baby was still there and the heartbeat was strong and healthy! The nurse did comment though that it was hard to see because the baby was jumping all over the place, and would not sit still! That made me feel better to see and hear the baby again.

I did have to get a Rohgam shot because I am O-

And then today I went back in for my 4 week checkup and the doctor checked me out to make sure my cervix was closed and we heard the heartbeat, again nice and strong! And the doctor really made me feel good. He said that if I had any concerns I could come in anytime just to hear the heartbeat. ( I wish I could go in every day! but I don't want to be "that" girl lol)

I go back in 4 weeks again and then after that we get to find out the sex of the baby!

I'm just so thankful everything is going well this time around!

Spring

Nothing really exciting going on but I just wanted to post some spring pictures.

I helped my brother and sister move out of their apartments and now Garrett is staying with us for a few days. UVU semester is over and at the end of the week I graduate! I do have to take one class during the summer but then I'm done! well.... for now....

And I'm really enjoying the nice weather!

Jessica's Pregnancy Photo Shoot

Jessica really wanted to take some maternity pictures and her friend who was a professional photographer bailed on her 4 times and then he wouldn't even return her phone calls. So when I was down there for her baby shower she asked me to take some pictures for her. I have a very nice camera but its film so I have to really work to try and get a good shot. And here are some of my favorites!

Jessica had her baby!!!

On Saturday I just got home from work and was sitting on the sofa with David trying to decide what we were going to get at the store for the next days dinner when I got a text from my best friend saying she was headed to the hospital to have her baby! So I asked my husband if he wanted to drive down with me since it was the weekend and we wouldn't be missing school or work. So we packed up a few things and drove down to St. George at 8:30. We got into town around 12:30 and Jessica was asleep and just waiting to push (she obviously got an epidural, which she highly recommends) We were able to go to my parents house and sleep for a couple hours. At 3:00 am Jessica called me to let me know that she was ready to push and she would have Tyrone, her husband, give us a call/ text when her daughter was born.

At 4:20am Autumn Kira Joyce Kikookoonalani Harward was born!

8 lbs 4 oz 20 in

And see that cute blanket she's wrapped up in! I made that for her!

Jessica and baby were doing great and got some much needed rest. Around 9:00am I stopped by the hospital to visit the new mommy and the baby. Jessica was saying how serial the whole experience was and how crazy that she gave birth to this little girl that was growing in her belly for that last 9 months.

Autumn is such a sweet little girl already.

Jessica is going to be a great mom, and I'm so excited for her!

Love you Jess!

Easter Weekend

On Friday I kidnapped my brother and sister and we all drove down to St. George for the Easter weekend.

My mom was so excited to see all of us, she said it was just like Christmas!

On Saturday we watched the morning session of conference and then went to the St. George art festival. And during the Priesthood session my sister, mom and I went shopping and had a fun girls night out.

Sunday we woke up and had an Easter egg hunt! I loved it! We then made Popeye Pancakes (aka German Pancakes) and watched conference.

We then had an amazing dinner and hung out and played games until it was time to leave.

It was a fun weekend!

Tootsie Bug Baby Boutique

I just entered the Tootsie Bug Baby Boutique giveaway, entering me for some fabulous prizes~!! You should enter too!! Go to www.tootsiebug.blogspot.com for more details.

I love this boutique! When I know I have to get a cute gift for a friend or baby shower I know I can go to Tootsie Bug and always find cute quality gifts!

Valentines Day 2010

Valentines Day this year was a blast!

My dad had a few extra days available for his time share that had to be used and they couldn't use them so he gave them to us. Every where we looked was already booked so we looked at Lava Hot Springs Idaho.

We drove up on Friday and did absolutely nothing! It was amazing! It was snowy outside and its a small town so we didn't feel like we were missing out on anything.

Saturday we drove up into Pocatello and had dinner at Texas Road House and then went and saw The Princess and the Frog, which we loved!!!!!!

Sunday another day of nothingness! I did make our traditional heart shaped meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

2 years ago on Valentines Day was Davids and mine first date! I say this every year but I'll say it again, I love how David didn't even know that he had asked me out for the "day of love" and he didn't know until we got to the actual date. I love it!

We have had 2 great years dating each other and I still love it!

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

Really yummy! Really easy!

Ingredients:

Chocolate cake mix

*- 1 1/4 C water

*- 1/2 C Vegetable oil

*-3 eggs

(* ingredients depends on what cake mix you have. In other words just follow the back of the box)

1 can Cherry Pie filling

Frosting:

1 pkg Cream Cheese

Powder Sugar

milk

vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Make cake mix exactly as it says to on the back of the box. Mix in Cherry pie filling. Note: yes your mixture is going to be very liquidy. Fill cupcake holders almost to the top and bake for 20-25 minuets (again follow directions on the back of the cake box)

when done take out and let them cool completely

Frosting:

In a mixer, mix cream cheese till smooth. Add powder sugar a little at a time (I don't have an exact measurement because I just had to taste and texture) Add a little bit of milk (again sorry no exact measurement) and 1 cap full of vanilla.

You want your frosting to be smooth and thickish.

I'm really sorry I don't have exact measurements for you. I have just grown up adding things to taste and never really followed recipes. I think of them more like guide lines instead of actual rules ;)

Super Bowl 2010

We had our 2 annual Super Bowl Party this year!

It was a blast! We had a ton of junk food for everyone and plenty of friends and family! I made some yummy homemade salsa, chocolate cherry cupcakes, and cheesy salsa dip!

We really were indifferent about the teams and so I concluded that I was going to cheer for the Saints only because I like the city of New Orleans more! Plus Mardi Gras is coming up!

Well it turned out that everyone who came was also cheering for the Saint!

During half time we had a party to party call with my dads Super Bowl Party out in California.

It was a really good game and it went by really fast! I am excited that the Saints won!

On a different note I liked the commercials for the most part but it just seemed like every commercial was either Bud Light or Doritos!

Yummy Enchiladas with Half the Calories

We love this recipe and it make the best leftovers.

I never have exact measurements because I am always adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Sorry if your one of those people who has to have exact measurements

I will make this again and post pictures of the steps as soon as I can.

Ingredients:

Tortillas

Refried beans with the extra fiber

Rotisserie Chicken (shredded 2-3 cups)

2 Green Poblano Peppers

1 Can Chicken broth low sodium

1/2 lime juice (1-2 Tbs)

crushed garlic

Shredded cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Take your 2 Peppers and place them in a hot pan and blacken. When mostly black peel off skin and cut off stem and take out the seeds. Place in blender with 1 can chicken broth and 1/2 lime juice and garlic (we like a lot of garlic so we use 1-2 Tbs of crushed garlic). Blend well.

In a 9x13 pan pour 1/4 - 1/2 cup of blended peppers and spread so a thin layer covers the bottom. Place tortillas in bottom of pan (medium tortillas= 2, small tortillas 5-6). Spread refried beans on top of tortillas. Sprinkle shredded chicken over beans. Sprinkle cheese over chicken. Pour half of remaining pepper mix over beans chicken and cheese. Place more tortillas on top (medium tortillas= 2, small tortillas 5-6). Pour remaining pepper mix and sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake for 15-20 or until cheese is bubbly

Enjoy!

Things that WILL happen in 2010!

I made a list of some things that WILL happen in 2010. Somethings are already in the process of happening and other things will take a while but ultimately happen by the end of the year.

1. David will be accepted to a great law school

2. We will move this summer even if we end up staying in Provo

3. I will graduate with my AS

4. We will have a baby (and no I'm not pregnant right now but hopefully soon ;)

5. We will get a puppy

6. David and I will have been married for 2 years

7. Eating healthy and getting in shape

8. And we will live happily ever after