Happy Birthday Michael!

I'm so grateful you are in my life. There is no one else in the whole wide world that I would want to share all these memories with and spend forever with. Thank you for working so hard and for caring so much about our family. You are my strength and my best friend and I couldn't get through this life without you. Thanks for ALWAYS, ALWAYS making me smile and laugh! You are such a wonderful father and I'm so glad our kids have you as their dad. They sure are lucky! Noelle has so much fun with you and she is always going to you for hugs and kisses because she loves you so much. I know things have been hard lately but I'm so glad we get to go through it together. Thank you for loving the Lord and for honoring your priesthood. I hope you have a GREAT day and I love you so much!!!! Happy Birthday!!

Love, Lindsey

Weekend

We really needed this past weekend. The week was just a mixture of emotions and the gloominess of the rain didn't help. Although we love when it rains we really needed some sunshine. So thankfully Saturday had some sunshine and we took advantage of it. First off I was able to go get a prenatal massage Saturday morning. Michael got this for me for Mother's Day . Months before though I had mentioned what I had wanted and referred him to a few different websites. He got the hint ;). It was an hour long and was wonderful. The first thing to make it that way was that I got to lay on my stomach. They had these cushion things propped up so it supports a pregnant belly very well. And it did a great job. I could hardly even feel that I was pregnant. Which is saying a lot because I am constantly feeling aches and pains and the weight of my pregnant stomach. It relieved a lot of built up tension and afterward I felt relaxed and not sore at all. Have I mentioned how I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again? This is my sleeping position of choice and I very much miss it. But I'm willing to wait as long as I need to to get this little guy here safely.

So anyway, later that day we went to wheeler farm and had a picnic. Afterward we went to feed the ducks but they weren't very fun. I think they get very spoiled there. There were almost as many seagulls in the pond as there were ducks. Then we went to see the rest of the farm animals. Noelle kept wanting to go see the pigs but they were hiding in their little pens. On our way out we saw that they were giving pony rides. At first Noelle didn't want to ride them but as we were leaving she said "I want to ride the horsies." So we went back and she got her little ride. I think she liked it.


After Noelle's nap we went to Grandma and Grandpa Fullmer's and she helped them do a little yard work. Well mostly she was just a distraction. We have to go over to their house later in the day or else they never get anything done :).

She has this little wheelbarrow there and we try to get her to push it around. But I think it's just easier for her to carry it :)

It was nice to get away from our apartment. We have a good amount of space but it's just nice to be away from all the things we had been doing all week. Noelle definitely needed a break. Plus the apartment is kind of a mess as we're trying to organize better and get things ready for baby Michael.

1st Dentist trip

On Friday we took Noelle to the dentist for the first time. She has been talking about it all week and has been asking to go there. I showed her a video that the dentist office prepared for you to watch and I showed her lots of pictures. Finally we went and she was fine waiting. Then we went back to get some pictures taken of her teeth. She did not like that part. Thank goodness Michael was there. She was very upset at the thought of putting that vest on. So they decided they weren't going to do that. They want her to enjoy coming and there was no need to press it. After a little anxiety, some tears and a very sweet nurse and dentist, Michael laid Noelle down on his lap and the dentist was able to count her teeth. She has 19 of them. Her last molar is taking a little longer to come in. But that's normal he said. She has an underbite which we were very aware of. He said that it probably won't correct itself on it's own because it's a pretty big one. So when she is around 4 or 5 she will get it corrected. Not looking forward to all that. But we'll deal with it when it comes. They gave Noelle a gold coin and she got to put it in a machine that gives you a toy. She was very excited about that. She was also happy to leave with a new toothbrush :). As a bribe all week we were saying "If you're good at the dentist then we'll take you to go get some ice cream." Yes I know ice cream probably isn't the best reward after getting your teeth checked, but it sure kept her wanting to go to the dentist. Since then Noelle hasn't stopped saying that she went to the dentist. I think she is very proud of herself.

One of those "what just happened?" moments

So we've been pretty exhausted today. Last night Noelle woke up with the croup and it wasn't a very restful night for any of us. I was up at 6:30am with Noelle. And then later we went to the doctor. She's feeling much better but has been very moody and tired. Noelle went down for a nap around 1:00 and soon after that I fell asleep and then Michael did as well. Earlier that day I had called my doctor's office to make sure it was okay with her that I got a massage, because I'm a little high risk. As usual no one answered so I just left a message for the nurse. Well during our nap when both of us were asleep I got that call back from the doctor's office. I remember Michael handing me my phone and I remember the nurse talking and (I think) telling me it was perfectly okay to go get the massage. But I have no idea what I said. I remember saying something but I couldn't tell you what it was. I was pretty out of it. I've done this a couple of times with friends and family and afterward I'm always surprised to learn that I actually made sense or had a conversation with them. Lets hope I did with the nurse. If not she probably just laughed to herself and hopefully remembered that my memory is a little mixed up due to me growing another human being. Michael and I both had a good laugh, which is something we needed after a very long, hard and emotional day for both of us.

Baby and other news

Baby News:
I'm 28 weeks today. Part of me is breathing a little sigh of relief while the other part is getting nervous and scared. Last pregnancy in about a week or so my blood pressure started to rise. At 30 weeks we had an ultrasound and Noelle was growing a little behind schedule. At 31 weeks I had to go on full bed rest and I started to get protein in my urine. And at 32 weeks the protein level was extremely high and dangerous and I had preeclampsia. On that same day Noelle was born via emergency c-section all within a few hours of finding all this information out. So yeah, I'm a little nervous. If things went how they did last time I will have a baby boy in the NICU in 4 weeks. I have to say that I thought about all of this today and just started crying. A lot of feelings and emotions were brought to the surface and I just couldn't hold it in. I don't think things will go the same way but you never know. And if anyone knows me really well I am a worrier. But I've been pretty calm this pregnancy so far, it just hit me today. We've prayed A LOT over this and we know that whatever happens is according to Heavenly Father's will and he'll take care of our family. On a more positive note: My glucose test went great and I'm not even close to having gestational diabetes or being anemic. My blood pressure the other day was wonderful and my doctor is very positive about everything. Last week I went to a prenatal water aerobics class and it felt so good and I should be getting a professional massage this week or next. Yay! Baby Michael is moving a ton and it brings me so much joy to see and feel him moving. I've grown really attached to this little guy. And I really hope that things will be different this time.

Other news:
I'm not trying to get any sympathy but maybe letting others know will be a way of getting some job help. About a week and a half ago Michael lost his job. It's a very long story. In short Michael has been with this company for about 2 years and it started out great. He started off with one job and about 6 months later he was promoted to an engineering type of job. He had that job for over a year and there were no problems until recently and it was just time to leave. So that has been a little hard on us. And I've been worrying a little about insurance stuff. Michael has been non-stop applying for jobs and he's been going to different workshops that the church offers. The good news is, just today Michael set up two interviews for this week. Even if nothing happens from them at least he knows his efforts are paying off. We know that we'll be taken care of because we have been doing all the right things spiritually. It just takes some faith and patience, which I am again trying to get more of.

Last week was a rough one and this week started our hard as well. However I feel very blessed to have what I have in my life. A wonderful, dedicated, loving husband who loves us and Heavenly Father. A bright and beautiful daughter who really is the light of my world. An extended family who are so supportive and who I love so much. A testimony of the true church of Jesus Christ. My list could go on, but what I just wanted to express is how grateful I am for a mindful and loving Father in Heaven. I found a dove wrapper that has been in my wallet for quite sometime. I forgot about it but Michael found it this morning and showed it to me and it says "Count your blessings, not your worries." So again I'm trying to do that, because I really have so many.

And today is my brother Eric's birthday. He would be 21 today. Happy Birthday bud! We love and miss you so much and I wish I could give you a great big hug today. Love you!!!

And some random pictures

This is a funny one of Noelle but notice that flower in her hair, well she has loved putting flowers and bows in her hair lately. She is very good when I do her hair anyway. She just sits still almost the whole time but lately she has just been so excited when I tell her I'm going to do her hair. She insists on picking out a flower or bow lots of the time as well. And this morning after she got dressed she even said to me "do my hair, mommy." :)

We went on a picnic a little while ago with Tanner, Nina, baby Eric and Alyson and we had so much fun. It was a perfect day to fly a kite and Tanner and Nina got her one. She was very curious about it and she even held it for a little bit, but it didn't last that long. Uncle Tanner does so many fun things with Noelle, it's so cute.

Goofy one of Michael wouldn't you say? Those two are always dancing together and Noelle LOVES it.

Noelle has been waking up a lot earlier lately and it's been a little frustrating. But this also means she will take an excellent nap. Well this was her today after some playing, watching tv, and a visit to the library. She was exhausted.

Our Walk 2011

Our March of Dimes walk was on Saturday and it was so much fun. We actually met our goal so thanks everyone who donated! It meant a lot to us. This year we did the walk in Salt Lake and it was at This is the Place National Park. There were so many people there. We registered, I got my t-shirt and we headed off to the pavilion with music, sponsor stuff, and food. One of the local news stations was there and there was just so much enthusiasm in the air and it was contagious. Noelle LOVED the music and just wanted to keep dancing and dancing. There were so many families there who had had loved ones in the NICU and it was very touching to be around everyone that in some way experienced a little what we had. Some of the children had far bigger problems than Noelle did and some didn't. It just made me grateful for this wonderful organization who gives so much love and support to all these babies and their families. There were so many people on the walk. Half of it was uphill and that was a little challenging for me but I did it. It was a great day and this is for sure going to stay one of our family traditions for years to come.

Here are some pictures from our walk

She just couldn't stop dancing to the music

The beginning of the walk

Of course I had to find a restroom

Here are some signs that were along the walking route

Quite the group of people!

She really enjoyed eating her creamie at the end of the walk

I made up some pins with Noelle's NICU pictures in them and we put them on everything, including our clothes

They had a big blowup slide there for all the kids, Michael went up with Noelle. This was the steep steps going up.

And this was the best I could do with them going down the slide

5 more days!!

I thought I would post this photo book again that I did of Noelle's adventure in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). It helps put in to perspective a little bit of what preemies and their families go through when they are born so early. Noelle didn't have very many problems but she was in there for 5 weeks and it was still very hard and scary to have her away from us. We got a lot of support from the March of Dimes and we felt that we weren't alone. The day we got to take her home was the best day ever! I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms whenever I wanted. Please take a look at it and donate a little to help babies like our Noelle get a healthy start in life. Go to this link here to see the NICU book and go here to make a donation and help little babies and their families. I have 5 more days, help me get there!!!

One more week!!!!

Only one more week until our March for Babies walk. I'm excited to be taking Noelle along with us this time. She is such a blessing in our lives and has the sweetest heart. I know I've written this a lot but she inspired us to do this walk and continues to inspire me every day. Here's one last try at convincing you guys to donate ;) (wink, wink). It's important to us and that's why I'm posting so much about it. Thanks to all the donations we have already received and all the support from friends and family. Help me get a little closer to my goal! Again, thank you all so much and it really means a lot to us. Click here or go to the right side of my blog for the link to donating :)!!

Moms

I read this on a friends blog and thought it was so cute so I had to share.

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine..

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Sunburn in May

Yesterday Noelle and I took about an hour or so walk on the parkway that is by our apartment. We did this all spring/summer/ and fall of last year and we love it. I wasn't feeling the greatest yesterday because of this cold I'm getting over. But my body was just craving some sun and a little exercise. And Noelle was going crazy inside climbing in the stroller and just needing some sun herself. We even fed the ducks. After we came home I actually felt a little more energized. But my cold is still around. Anyway, later that night after Michael got home from work he pointed out that we both had gotten a little sun from the color of our skin. Sure enough our arms and face had gotten a little burnt. I got it worse than Noelle and it actually is a little painful. It just makes me happy that now when we go outside we need to start putting sunblock on. Oh sun and warm weather, will you please stay around?

a little of everything

You know I really don't have much to write about today. I just wanted to post something new for the week. The last 5 days haven't been very fun. I have come down with a horrible cold (or something worse). I feel a little better today and I'm hoping that my health will continue to improve. I have a busy and fun couple weekends ahead of me and I would like to be as healthy as possible.

Baby Michael is moving around a ton. I'm only 26 weeks but I sure feel much bigger than that. I think he has some long legs like his daddy because I am feeling him all over. I'm getting used to the fact that I am uncomfortable all day long. And I think I'm actually sleeping better. It's more like I'm just used to not sleeping well with this pregnancy so my body has just given up and said "you need to sleep."

Noelle is 2 1/2. She is becoming such a big girl. She's not potty trained yet but I'm confident that will happen when she wants it to. She loves going to nursery and talks about it all week. She is just talking and talking and talking. Talking in sentences and saying new words every day that I didn't even know she knew. She has been waking up more often during the night and I'm not exactly sure why. But hopefully that will come to a stop soon cause I am not ready to get up in the middle of the night yet. Getting up with a baby is a necessity. Getting up with a 2 1/2 year old is ridiculous. She loves outside and hopefully we'll be spending more time in the sun since it is May.

Our March of Dimes walk is less than two weeks away, May 14th. It's usually around a 3 mile walk. I don't know how long I will last but Michael and Noelle can finish it if I don't. I'm excited for this walk. I love going and meeting and seeing others that have gone through similar experiences as I have. It just makes me feel good about being a part of something more than myself and just the daily things in my world. I'm still taking donations and am hoping others will understand the importance of this cause and donate just a little. Come on guys $5 is really not that much to go towards something important that helps little babies and their families :). This link will take you directly to my team page, go here.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Noelle putting on some of my thick winter socks. She is loving doing things on her own these days.