2 more months to go!

Lots of updates today. Last week we had another ultra sound, just to see her progress and everything. It was the coolest thing. We even got a video! She is doing good but a little bit smaller than we were expecting. That's probably due to my high blood pressure. She's only about a week behind and the doctor isn't worried. We got to see an awesome shot of her hands on her cheeks and by her mouth. She likes to touch her face a lot. It was so cute and made us so excited!

This past weekend I felt really weird, sore, and extremely exhausted. It's almost like I could feel my blood pressure rise. On Monday when I went in for my doctors appointment my blood pressure was 152/110. Not good! So the doctor put me on bed rest :(. He is also having some other tests done on me. And he gave me some steroid shots for little Noelle's lungs so they can develop quicker, just in case she comes early. Today my blood pressure was way down (125/81) and he said it was most likely because I was off of my feet and not so stressed. Apparently I stress out a lot and that's just what my body does or how it reacts. Noelle is doing good and her heartbeat is healthy and is still moving a lot. Bed rest has been okay. Michael has been so wonderful and patient and I really don't know what I would do without him. Thank you Michael! I have a great visiting teacher who is always calling to check up on me and a great ward. My dad brought me lunch and brought us some groceries. Thank you! My mom came down yesterday and cleaned our house, did the dishes, bathroom, etc. It helped so much and I am so grateful for her. Her and my sister also brought me some books to read. If anyone has any suggestions on what books to read or other things to do, please let me know! Sometimes it gets so frustrating and discouraging not being able to do anything really for yourself. You have to rely completely on someone else. It sure has made me grateful for what I do have. I have felt a lot of mixed emotions the last couple of days and I am realizing what things really matter. My faith has gone to a completely different level and I'm learning to be humble, that's for sure. Noelle is healthy and I want to do anything I can to keep her that way. Me and Michael are to the point now that we just can't wait to hold her and look at her. It's getting so close :). Only 2 months, more or less! Thanks for everyones support and love!

Week 29!

I'm feeling tired but good. I'm 29 weeks along now (wooohooo!-only 11 more to go, or around there) and I'm really feeling huge. I don't know how any one else felt, but I feel like she's growing by the minute and getting much heavier. I went to my doctor's appointment and my blood pressure (bp) was ok. He's said that I was maintaining, which I really didn't want to hear, but at least it's not getting worse. I have to take one more bp pill a day and the doctor made me cut my hours at work. So now I am working part time and going home to take a nap. My hands and feet are swelling up a little too and being off my feet will really help with that. The good news from my doctor: she's moving a lot, she has a very healthy heart beat, and my weight is doing great! Like I said I'm trying to stay off my feet more so our little house is suffering a little. It takes a lot of control for me not to clean or do other things with the extra hours I have now. Michael is really good though and cleans for me, without even being asked :). The top 3 chores I've hated since I've been pregnant:

3. Making the bed
2. Doing the dishes
1. Cleaning the bathroom (particularly the bathtub)

I've really started to love the color pink. Ever since we knew that our baby was a girl everything pink looks so cute. The other colors are great but for some reason I just want to buy pink things. Maybe I'm just weird, did anyone else feel that way at one point? I think everything "baby girlish" looks cute to me. We're getting so excited to have her here with us and I honestly feel like I am getting to know her already. My sister Alyson sent me a text the other day about how she already feels that little Noelle is part of our family. Me and Michael totally feel that way too and I already want to protect her in any way that I can. My motherly worries are already starting (which isn't unusual if you know me, I always worry). 11 more weeks to go, that still sounds like a lot, but we are getting more excited with every passing week!

I love fall!

In honor of fall and the last day of September, I've decided to change my background. I love fall! I love the cool weather and wearing sweaters and jackets. I love the smell of leaves and of pumpkin candles. I love Halloween, carving pumpkins, and eating baked pumpkin seeds. I love going to the mountains and seeing all of the leaves change. I love the memories that I've made with family and friends and for some reason fall just brings that out. I love stepping on leaves and hearing that sound. I love going on walks during fall. Anyway, you get the picture. This year is the first year that I didn't go "back to school" and I actually miss it. I don't miss the homework or the tests but I miss the whole new clothes, new books feeling. I guess I'll just have to wait until I have kids who are old enough to go to school. We're doing really good and should have some more updates on everything soon. I hope everyone is doing good and enjoys conference weekend!

Pregnancy Comments and Gratitude

So things are good... My blood pressure is lower and according to the doctor everything is on track. I’m 26 weeks and it finally feels more like I am making progress in this pregnancy. A little while ago someone thought that I was having twins. Those who know me and have been pregnant before understand why at first that statement isn’t the most flattering. Most people are surprised when I say I’m due at the end of December, they think I should be due sooner. I’ve gotten plenty of comments on how terrible it will be to have a baby born around Christmas and how we will have to make their day extra special. And the advice from people I hardly know keeps on coming every time I go to church or work. At first all of this really bugged me and irritated me. I don’t get mad very often but some of these women would make me really angry. But when I take a minute and let all those comments pass and really think about the little girl inside me everything just seems to go away. I’m so grateful to have her and a husband who is so loving and caring in every way. Things haven’t been easy in a number of ways and it’s funny how Heavenly Father tries you and tests you to help you to become more grateful. I got this quote on an email the other day that I wanted to share.

"Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said: 'Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." 'And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious' (D&C 59:7)."The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord--even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace."When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?"President David O. McKay observed, 'We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude . . . , which . . . goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous. '
~Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35 36

I am grateful for the things in my life that make me who I am and shape me in to more of the person that Heavenly Father wants me to be. I’m grateful for the power of prayer. Sometimes it’s hard to know that our prayers are working and really being heard but I know they are because we have a Father who loves us and knows what is best for us. And I’m grateful to everyone in my life who,in little and big ways, help me to see who I am.

Missing Eric

So lately I have been missing my brother Eric a lot. There have been times where I have felt him so close and these times, as good as they are, are sometimes more difficult. As I am getting closer to having this baby and as things are changing in the lives of my family I am wishing so much that Eric could be here to experience it all with us. As I have been studying the scriptures and praying I have been comforted to know that Eric IS experiencing it all with us, just in a different way. About two months ago I was talking to a friend from high school and he lost a brother a while ago. But he said some things that really made me think and helped me to find some peace. He said:

“You know, this may not only bring your family here on earth closer, but since love can still pass through the veil, then it can still bring your brother closer to your family and help in the healing process he is experiencing in the sprit world. And there are things that he can still do for you and your family on the other side, even things that he couldn't do here, such as praying for things that you do not because you are not aware of them. But he is."

My testimony of Eternal Families has been strengthened so much in the last few months. I can’t tell you how much I long to see my brother. I know I won’t see him in this life, but I know with all of my heart that if I do my part here that I will see him again. I am so grateful for the gospel and I know that this is Jesus Christ’s true church. This gospel is a gospel of happiness. And as much sadness and heartache we experience Christ brings a light and a peace to me that cannot be replace by anything else. I know his atonement is real and that he knows each of us. I know Eric is working and learning and is happy. I have not been able to doubt the fact that he is happy and this thought has come to me so many times. I miss him so much, every single day. I love him and have felt closer to him. (I just felt I needed to share these thoughts. It was probably just for me to hear them and share my testimony.)

Baby, blood pressure, etc.

So my blood pressure was way up the last time I went to the doctor. He put me on a higher dosage of the current medicine I was taking. Of course I asked him if it was safe. What was I thinking? He is an expert on women issues, babies and the medicines that they can and cannot have. It’s totally safe. But if it gets worse he will try another medicine and if that doesn’t work I will have to go on bed rest. I’m not looking forward to that option but I will do whatever to keep our baby safe and healthy, which means keeping me safe and healthy. I’m frustrated with the high blood pressure but my doctor said this just may be how my body reacts to pregnancy. But I’m feeling good and getting bigger. I’m 22 weeks, so a little over half way. I know I’ve come a long way, but it sometimes still feels like December 22 is forever away. I’m sure enjoying the maternity clothes. They are so comfortable. I never thought I would say that :). We’re getting so excited to have a little girl in our lives. I feel her move a lot and Michael finally felt her kick last night. This was the first time he felt her and he was so happy. Things are going great!

IT'S A GIRL!

It's official, we are having a girl! We went in to get the ultrasound today and the very first thing the doctor saw was what makes a girl a girl. He double checked it and was very sure and so were we. We're so excited! I'm so happy to finally know the gender. I don't have to call the baby "it" anymore. She was moving a lot and is at the right size that she should be. This is the coolest feeling ever. Michael was very excited and shocked all at the same time. I feel so happy and blessed right now.

For bigger and clearer pictures go to: (you have to log in to facebook to see these) http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32567909&id=193306163