how daddy-to-be deals with mommy-to-be..

Ya know, being pregnant is a lot like they say.

Before I got pregnant I was determined to be 'the exception'

meaning I wouldnt gain much weight (hahaha).. I wouldnt be emotional or moody,

I didnt think I'd get swollen feet and hands and not fit into ANYTHING..

When I sit for too long my ribs hurt, when I stand to long my feet hurt,

and when I lay down the acid reflux kicks in.

Ay Caramba..

So amongst all of this pregnant chaos i try to keep a smile and all that jazz..

but lets get real.

Here's a few examples of how Derrick has mastered the art of dealing with mommy to be:

- the nightly Bio Oil belly rubs.. soooo nice!

-he knows how to sweetly talk me out of unnecessary desserts by offering fruit or veggies.

-he always fills up my water bottle whenever it's low.

-he goes with me to preggo classes and doesnt fall asleep even when they talk about breastfeeding forever. haha

-when I am unreasonable he still lets me win the argument.. (dont worry I end up apologizing anyway!)

-he says, "momma gets what momma wants!":) (thats works for me!)

Lately some of our convos had made me laugh.. he's been such a trooper this pregnancy!

convo #1

while driving home from California in his truck..

Me- I just wanna cuddle on you while you're driving.. but then I remember I'm a fat cow.

Him- Baby you're not a fat cow.. just a fat kitty cat.

He then pulled me in close and told me to fall asleep on his lap. I laughed because he still said I was fat but he said it so lovingly and for some reason it sounded nicer paired with kitty cat and not so much with cow. haha

convo #2

last night when I was changing for bedtime..

Him- Wow that thing looks like it's starting to be a pain.

Me- What, my belly?

Him- Yeah! That does not look very comfortable!

Me- You're just noticing this?..

Him- I'm just saying, wow.. and I love you.

hahaha i love you too.

On Sunday morning Derrick and I hung out in Baby Boy's almost finished room.

(pictures coming as soon as it is complete..)

We played with his clothes and cut off tags and hung them up in his little wardrobe cabinet.

Then we decided to pack up the diaper bag.

It was so funny how we were just kind of guessing what to put in it.

Diapers, wipes, first aid kit, burp cloths, onesies, bottles, etc..

It feels so weird that we are preparing for a little human to take care of.

But we are both so excited.

The other day when we were driving home from date night, Derrick said something in the sweetest way.

"You know, as scary and as hard as this pregnancy has to be for you, I just can't thank you enough for bringing our baby into the world. Our Baby."

I melt.

Baby Bump Update: 35 Weeks!

35 weeks and I am seriously going to POP!

I was just going to post the norm, but I haven't posted any pics of my bare belly

and I think that it's about time I did. One day I am going to show this pic to Baby Boy when he is a rebellious teen. It'll most likely be during one of the guilt trip talks, "I carried you in my womb for NINE dreadful months!!!.." .. haha. Who am I kidding, I wont need to do that!

He's going to perfect, right? :P

So here I am large and in charge.

I never thought my belly could stretch out so far!

Other women who have had boys, will stop me in the store and in elevators and say,

"Oh youre definitely having a boy, that thing just pops right out!"

And I'm like, "Yes.. yes it does."

Two weeks ago we went and got a 3D/4D ultrasound of our little guy!!

It was sooo exciting!

Look at those cheeks!! We are in love with his round little nose, and those lips:)

At first we were told the ultrasounds were like $100+ and I was so sad!

But then we heard that if we signed up for a pregnancy class

at Rosemark for $30 then we would get the ultrasound for free!

So we were like "HELLO!", who wouldn't do that??

Yesterday we went to the class. We thought it was going to be about child birth..

which I REALLY want us both totake so neither one of us freaks out or feels lost during labor.

But when we showed up, it ended up being a Post- partum class, talking about what happens after we bring baby home. Even though we weren't planning on taking that class, I am SOOO glad we did.

The teacher was very honest and graphic.. I have to admit i was pretty much in tears for most of it..

darn pregnancy hormones...

But honestly, just the realization of what physical and emotional things a woman has to go through.. it's kind of overwhelming. And this was AFTER delivery!

But hubby picked up on my emotions (thank heavens!)

and squeezed my hand and told me it would all be okay and he would be there every step of the way.

Yeah... I guess he's a keeper.

The delivery class isn't for 3 more weeks,

so hopefully Baby Boy stays put so we can go and learn about what is going to happen on the big day.

After the class we went to Toys R Us and finally bought a carseat!

Then out of all the places we could have gone to eat, I asked Derrick if we could go to IHOP.

haha.. I guess all that stress made me want some comfort food.

Derrick thought it was hilarious that we were drinking hot chocolate in August, but we loved it:)

We talked about how soon our lives will completely change.

I think it's hard for us to fully comprehend.

I am nervous about the delivery. I can admit that..

I am so glad Derrick will be there to help me through it all.

Who knows when the day will be! ... But when it's all said and done,

we will be a family of three:)

Baby Bump Update : 30 weeks!

Dear Baby Boy...

Although you aren't born yet, we love you so much!

We talk about you a lot already and wonder things like: What should we call you? Who will you look more like? What kind of things will you like to do? Will you be fussy or calm? Will you like taking trips and meeting new people? Will we know how to hold you and how to keep you happy? Who will change your diapers the most? (well.. it'll probably mostly be me since your dad will be hard at work and school for us everyday. He's the best.)

You are already a very active little boy in the womb. You like to have your feet right in my ribs, usually on the right side. It doesn't make sitting very comfortable so I have to sit arched back and stretch out my arms a lot. But I am glad I can feel you moving so much even though sometimes I think you are getting to big for me already!

Your dad and I sometimes feel my belly and wonder what body part of yours we are feeling. It's a fun game, and we'll never know if we are right about our guesses. One of your dad's favorite things to do is to involve you in our decision making. He'll ask you a question, put his hand on my belly and then say "Okay baby, kick once for yes or twice for no" or he'll say, "Kick once if you agree with mom, or twice if you agree with me". You're usually on my side:)

These are some pics from our first family photo shoot, can you tell how excited we are that you are on your way?

We love you baby boy! See you in less than 10 weeks:) xoxo Mom

(Thank you Tara for your amazing photography skills! Check out her blog )

Baby Bump Update : 25 weeks!

My bump, my bump, my lovely baby bump.. Check it out!

(please read the above text to the tune of "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas to gain the desired effect)

SO.. five weeks ago I posted a pic of my bump

and I just cannot believe how much baby boy has grown since then!

It's amazing how the belly just kinda sneaks up on you.

I haven't seen my parents since April, so this weekend we met up with them in SLC and when we pulled up to the hotel I jumped out of the truck and they both looked at my belly and screamed and hugged me. haha

Apparently I have grown quite a bit since week 20.

My sis Lauryn instagram'd these pics of me when we were catching some rays earlier today.

Do I look bigger or what? I'd like to think that it's only obvious when you see the side of me.. but it's inevitable, no matter how you look at it, I am sooo pregnant!!

Being preggers is still going well. I do have to admit that I don't feel like a million bucks everyday.

My back and ribs hurt when I'm sitting in class, at dinner, etc.

A few times a day I feel like I am gonna hurl.. (haha sorry.. I dont know how to put that gracefully..)

but the good thing is I never do, I just feeeel like it.. which is still not fun.

But I am not complaining, I am still loving life and Dad to be is sooo good at taking care of me!

As for baby boyyyyy.. he is still kicking a lot! I love waking up to him moving around in there. A new trick of his is that I dont just feel him in one spot but sometimes 2 or 3 places at a time!

I wish I knew exactly what I was feeling! Is it his hand or foot or cute little tooshie?

If I had to guess I'd say I've felt him kicking AND pounding at the same.. I think he wants out!..

Hang in there little guy, you're not done cooking yet!

We're having a BOY!!

On Thursday we found out we are having a little BOY:)

We were all smiles when we heard the news. My eyes got a little teary,

I feel one step closer to getting to know my baby, my SON!

(... yeah thats gonna be weird to say for a while.. but in a good way!)

The ultrasound was so much fun, we got to see him bouncing around

and we were told he is growing just right, it made us feel good to to hear

the ultrasound tech say things like, "just gorgeous" or "beautiful".

It just made me feel like everything is going okay for our little guy in my womb.

We got to see his cute little feet! These are what I feel kicking everyday all day, and I love it.

After our appointment, Derrick and I went to Barnes and Noble.

We split a slice of cheesecake and looked through five fat books of baby names.

Choosing a name is a toughie! I mean this is kind of important, right?

After being bombarded by hundreds of names we decided

we still have a few more months to think about it

so we ventured to Babies R Us and Baby Gap.

I didn't splurge too much...

BUT Gap was having a sale so we just HAD to buy some cute little onesies,

a pair of bite size jeans and some little shoes that Derrick picked out.

I've looked at these clothes like 3 times already.. (sigh).. I just love my baby boy already:)

Today we had dinner at Derrick's parents house.

His mom pulled out a couple of boxes full of Derrick's old baby clothes!

I am so excited that she kept some of them, needless to say I had mucho fun rummaging through the clothes and picking out some for our little boy.

He's gonna be so 80's vintage.

It seems almost unreal that I am halfway through this pregnancy.

I still feel great, not much nausea.

But just this past week I had some horrible pains in the lower right side of my back.

I called the doctor's office because it was starting to get super uncomfortable to walk around and

I spent three nights sleeping horribly because of the pain.

The nurse said it was probably my sciatic nerve, round ligament pain, or my back was out.

I ruled out my back being out because I've never had problems with my back before.

On the day we got the ultrasound, my doctor (who is also a pregnancy chiropractor) said my back was indeed out!

He said my hips were rotated and a couple ribs were out of place.

How does a person go around and not feel that??

Anywho he crunched me up and I left feeling great:)

But this week I have been indulging in lots of art projects that involve painting,

so when I feel my side hurt I know it's time to stop.

I feel like such an old lady!

20 1/2 weeks!

Here I am wearing a snug tee so everyone can get a good look at my bump.

Regular jeans are not really my friend anymore:(

jeggings are a preggo chick's bff:)

"The sun will come out tomorrow!"

When i was a a kid, maybe around 5 or 6, I would watch a movie called 'Annie' every single day. It's a classic, about a little redheaded orphan who is spunky, sweet, and optimistic.

She would sing about tomorrow being a better day.

I'd like to think I learned a great deal from that little orphan,

considering I still know every song by heart.

Today I woke up with a cold, missing my mom for M Day, lots of house work,

school work, and church responsibilities to prepare for.. all of these things I love,

(minus being sick and missing my mama) but... just so much at once!

On top of it all, it was a gloomy, rainy day.

Well its no surprise that coming from sunny California,

the cold, frigid days in Idaho would begin to get a wee bit old.

And lately, just as soon as it warms up, it's either crazy windy or rainy:(

But I have not lost hope. For where a preggo woman can find Ben and Jerry's

Phish Food ice cream, there is hope. Have you tried this? It's amazazazing.

It's totally a splurge, but I can pull the hungry preggo chick card right?

You bet your bottom dollar:)

No, I didn't buy them BOTH for me.

The other was for my love:)

Ooooh baby, BABY!

Soooo now that I have posted our April events, I can get to the exciting stuff.

We have amazing news... October 5th is a special day because

We are having a baby!!

As of today I am 18 weeks pregnant. So far I have to say the pregnancy has gone well.

I have not been very sick (knocking on wood as I type...)

My May 19th posting will be an exciting one because that is when we find out the gender!!

Everyone asks what we want to have, boy? or girl?

A girl would be fun to dress up and be girly with. But I always thought a big brother would be nice.

I think Derrick wants a girl. Today when we were grocery shopping, Derrick kept looking at all the cute little toddler girls with a huge smile, he is so excited to be a daddy.

But honestly, we will both be ecstatic no matter what sex it is!

Our lives will change so much and we are totally okay with that. Our callings in life are to be righteous mothers and fathers and raise faithful, righteous children. There is nothing I want more in this life than to do just that. There is so much I want to teach our children!

And at the same time, there is so much I need to learn.

I have heard some women say that they have no desire to have kids, it is so hard for me to comprehend that. I know it will be challenging and there will be sacrifices that Derrick and I will have to make, but

I have an immense desire because I know there is no greater calling in life.

But in the meantime, I have 4 1/2 more months to prepare for our little bebita. More pictures to come!

This is Baby Likes at 11 weeks.

It was so amazing to see our baby bouncing around and hearing the tiny little heartbeat.

This is me at 14 weeks!