Birthing Class & Baby Shower

We went to a really long Birthing Class yesterday---it was supposed to be 8 hours, but we got done in about 6. It was informative and I am glad we went. I have to admit I am a little more nervous about the whole birthing prospect now than I was before---I guess I enjoyed my ignorance about the whole process.

And, of course, the nurse presenting the class said that Kidney Stones are really similar and since I have been down that road 3 times, I should be fine! But, I don't look back with fondness on those experiences and remembered wanting to die---so that doesn't really bring me a ton of happiness because I know how much those hurt! So, having experienced that kind of pain before doesn't always seem like a benefit to me---because I know how bad that is---but at least my prize at the end is better than a grain of salt!

My two best buddies from work threw me a shower last night with some ladies from work. It was really fun---awesome food, awesome presents, good laughing, awesome cake, everything you need for a great party! Maria got me a Leap Frog named Lily that talks in English and Spanish---very cute. Lily's first words will be "Hola, Soy Lily!"
Here are some crazy ladies being silly!
We got a Bouncer---I was very excited!
We also got a swing! My excitement knew no bounds. I am very excited about the swing. Rob is trying to put it together right now!

Here is the cake they had. It was delicous. It said Lily on top and had pink and blue in the middle in a checkered pattern. Very Fun!

I am currently at home---trying to fight a cold. I have been drinking orange juice and other healthy things all day. I am trying to get better. If I am sick when Lily gets here, then they won't let me hold her, so I am determined to get better! Wish me luck! Having a runny nose, sore throat, etc. isn't very fun.

Letting little things go....

Yesterday I had a SUCKY day at work. Well, the whole day was crappy. I couldn't fall asleep (recent pregnant symptom---insomnia and I hate it!) so I didn't get to sleep until 3:00am. Somewhere in the 2:00am hour I e-mailed my boss to tell her I was going to be in late because I get up in the 4:00am hour and the distance between 4 and 2 is not long enough. Anyway, so I feel asleep around 3am, slept until 10am, got to work around 11:30. After my crappy day, my question to myself was "Why did I even come in today?" I had an extremely unhappy lady at work come in my office, treat me like scum, talk down to me, etc. and it did not make me very happy. I cried all the way home and then cried for a good long while after I got home. Then Rob took me to Arby's, let me get anything I wanted, went home and then I proceeded to eat a lot of food. I calmed down a little, watched So You Think You Can Dance, and then tried to go to sleep at 10---once again I didn't fall asleep until after 12, but it is a lot better than 3.
Anyway, needless to say, it wasn't that big of a deal, and I shouldn't have let it affect me as much as I let it, because it really isn't that important. And, being pregnant amplifies distressed situations a great deal for me. So, today I am trying to not let the little things like ornery ladies at work bother me, because it is really not that important.
I am also trying to not let it bother me that I am not sleeping. I get upset when I have a really hard time sleeping---and then I have an even harder time falling asleep. So, last night I just read and tried not to let it bother me that I couldn't sleep.

Letting unimportant things go is one of my new goals. I am a worrier and I get distressed a lot. I want to be able to let the little things go and only focus my energy on things that are really important-----like where we are going to eat tonight for date night! Just kidding.
(But seriously, it is a pretty big decision---especially when you are 8.5 months pregnant.) Although, sitting in booths at restaurants is my new least favorite activity---my belly usually hits the table! Sad day!

Anyway, letting unimportant things go.....my goal for the next couple of weeks!

6 RANDOM Things!

Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules
3. Write six random things about yourself
4. Tag six people
5. Let each person you are tagging them by leaving them a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your blog entry is up
Here we go!!
Remember they are six random things--(pretty much the first things that come to my mind :))


1) I have a slight case of OCD---self-diagnosed. I can't stand little clutter around my house in some areas---other areas don't seem to bother me. For instance, my husband had his toolbox right next to the couch for about 4 days. I would have just put it away myself, but it is kind of heavy and he doesn't want me lifting heavy things, for good reason I guess. Anyway, I had to kindly ask him to move it. He couldn't understand why his lovely tool box would annoy me right next to the couch in the living room! Anyway, I have a million examples, but I am a little OCD---admitting it is the first step! My biggest annoyances come from the kitchen and living room areas.

2) I get nervous before I teach Young Women's every time. I have been the Miamaid Advisor for a whole year now, and I still get nervous and jittery before every lesson. Yesterday I taught both Miamaids and Beehives, so I had 20 girls. I realize I don't do that great with big groups. It also doesn't help that I was a little nervous, so I got extremely hot and sweaty being so pregnant. I was SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO hot by the time my lesson was over I thought I might pass out.

3) How do I put this......my husband took me to the store on Saturday to get a new outfit before we went to the Diamondbacks game with some friends. He doesn't like my end of pregnancy outfits that I find comfortable-----sweats! Enough said.

4) Here are the jobs I have had in my life---Bennett Communications (stuffing tens of thousands of envelopes), Idaho Falls Teachers Credit Union, Media Lab/STC @BYU-Idaho, Housekeeper at Colter Bay in Jackson, WY, Seagull Book, Nanny, Intern at INL, Idaho Falls Teachers Credit Union again, and Accountant Associate at Arizona State University.

5) I am a nail biter. I quit once because my roommate in college promised me Coldstone ice cream if I did---so I quit, cold turkey. Then, once that "bet" was over, I went right back to being a nail biter.

6) I wish I could eat a Subway sandwich everyday! I love them!

Anyone who feels the need to share 6 random thoughts today---consider yourself tagged!

Baby Shower in Peoria

Here are some pics from my baby shower thrown by my friends Teri and Becky (even though Becky was in the hospital!) who live in our ward in Peoria. I really appreciate it. It was very fun. My friend Camille helped Teri out with the food as well.



Here are some beautiful roses my husband gave me!

Here is a glider chair we just bought tonight to put in our "nursery"! (The poor college kid version of a nursery anyway!)

Here is our play pen we are going to use as a bassinet for Lily when she is small. Here is our stroller and car seat purchase.Those are all of our "big" purchases for Lily. I am feeling much more ready for her to come. I still have some stuff I would like to get ready and do, but overall, I am feeling a lot more prepared.

Picture Overload---my apologies!

Here is a belly pic--gotta love it.
Baby shower thrown by Rob's school friends.

Here are pics from my baby shower in Idaho Falls thrown by my mom and sister. Here is my friend Kelsey. I am holding Emily's baby David. Here is my old Young Women's leader--she was my favorite!
Here we are at Sundance.
Here is my whole family minus my bro-in-law Austin.
Here is my bro-in-law Austin and my niece Jill performing in the talent show.

Here is my sister Jeanette reading fortunes at the talent show.Here is my cute niece Lindsey sleeping with her thumb in her mouth!

Here are me and three sisters by my sisters house in Cedar Hills Utah.

How are YOU feeling.....PREGNANT!

My most oft asked question---How are you feeling? My only response I can come up with is pregnant! What else is a big chubby swollen pregnant girl to say? I would also like to wear a sign around my neck that states how long I have left---it would save me from saying the same thing about 1000 times a day.

You know you are really pregnant and obvious when random people at Wal-Mart and everywhere you go ask you about your baby---which, I understand people are just trying to be nice, but it gets a little old. I was really tempted to tell the Wal-Mart cashier---"What baby?" and then laugh all the way home about the look on her face! But, alas, I am a woose, and I just nicely respond and answer whatever question they ask me.

We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Lily is still in there. My sister said it was a good thing she hasn't escaped. My doctor got called away to deliver a baby so I had to see the PA lady. She was a little weird, and when she "checked" me, it was pretty painful. I am praying my doctor will be there next Wednesday.

I am on the countdown for my maternity leave----12 more working days/3 more weeks after today! I am 4 weeks away from when Dr. Bass said he would induce me, so I will have one week between working and being induced.

I am getting more and more ready with all the "baby stuff" that you need. I still have a few things I need or would like to get before she gets here. But, if she came today, we would have a car seat to bring her home in, a place for her to sleep, diapers, and clothes for her to wear, so we are doing pretty good. I am still working on getting a swing, a boppy and Rob is going to buy me a rocking chair.

We should finally be getting the internet at our apartment today, so I can finally post pictures, since all of our pictures are on our home computer.

Happy Friday!

I.....

I am: very tired
I think: a nap sounds like heaven right now
I know: that I am very blessed
I want: to be able to sleep through the night a couple of times before Lily gets here...I guess my body is preparing me for a newborn
I have: a very awesome, caring husband who takes AWESOME care of me and will be the best Daddy
I wish: I knew that Lily was going to stay in the cooker until Dr. Bass decides she can come out....she seems determined to get out earlier
I hate: feeling overwhelmed
I miss: Idaho and the simpler life (at least it always seemed that way)
I fear: failing or disappointing
I feel: grateful
I hear: the air conditioner humming & the radio
I smell: nothing
I crave: sleep
I search: for peace in a crazy world
I wonder: why I can't sleep
I regret: not enjoying each stage of my life more
I love: Rob, Lily, my family, and the gospel
I care: what other people think - maybe a little too much
I always: could worry less
I am not: a very good crafty, decorator person
I believe: in the gospel of Jesus Christ
I dance: when I take the time to find simple pleasures in life
I sing: in the car so I can stay awake during my commute
I don’t always: have enough Faith when the waters get rocky
I write: e-mails and blogs to keep up with my friends/family
I win: knowing that I get to be a mom
I lose: my patience when I forget what is really important in life.
I never: want to be without the gospel
I listen: to music that lifts my spirits
I can usually be found: at my desk at work or at home resting on the couch
I am scared: about getting Lily here
I need: a husband who tells me to calm down and slow down or else I will run myself ragged
I am happy about: the great things I have in life

Bouncers/Swings....your thoughts

Okay, so I talked to my mother on the phone last night. She told me I HAVE to start getting more stuff ready for the baby. She was slightly concerned that I still don't have diapers, a car seat, and a million other little things she deems important. So, she told me I HAVE to do those things this week. I also have to pack a bag for the hospital. She is right and I need to be more prepared, but I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I do need to get those things done since I have already had contractions, etc.
Anyway, one of my questions going out to those other blogging mothers out there is
Bouncer or Swing and why? I want to get all of the "big" items this week and I wanted to know whether we would need a Bouncer or a Swing? Or does it just depend on my child?

Which one do you think is better?

Grandma Ann

Here is a picture of my cute Grandpa Reeve (my mom's dad) and his wife Ann. Ann is the only Grandma I have known on my mom's side because she married my grandpa when I was probably less than a year old. Grandma Ann passed away on Saturday night. It is sad for the rest of us, but I am sure she is so grateful to be on the other side where no physical ailments can hurt her.
She has been a great example to me. She has come with my Grandpa to all of our family events and always tried so hard to show us that she knew us and cared about us. We got to see her at the end of May when we went to Utah and I am grateful my mom and dad took us to see them so I could see her one last time. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the funeral since it is in Utah and I am extremely pregnant.
My Grandpa was always so cute with her and took care of her right up until the end. My grandpa is definitely one of my heroes. He is getting up there in age, but he still knows all of us, our husband's names, our kids names, etc. The first time I took Rob to meet him (when we weren't even engaged yet) he handed Rob a pedigree chart and asked him to fill it out for my posterity.
That trip right as we were about ready to leave he got right in Rob's face and said "If I ever do anything to offend you, please come tell me! I am afraid you could take me out!" Really funny coming from your Grandpa that he is worried about Rob's muscles. He always calls Rob the muscle bender!
Grandma Ann will definitely be missed because she was so caring and loving to those around her. I will miss her and her cute smile.

Ahh, the joys of being prego!

Being pregnant is just so great, isn't it! Every time I talk to my mom, she reminds me that "In sorrow, thou shalt bring forth children." No exaggeration!

I actually ended up for a short stint in the hospital last weekend with some severe (and I mean severe--I have had kidney stones, and this Saturday pain was worse) contractions. I wasn't dilating, just having severe contractions. I didn't think it was contractions at first because it was mostly in my back, but several monitors on my belly confirmed that they were contractions.

Anyway, I had some again last night---not as severe. I just laid in bed, on my side, drank a lot of water, and cried. These weren't as severe as the first set. The doctor said I had to keep her in there for at least another 3 weeks----I told him I would do what I can, but she seems pretty strong-willed, and if she decides to come, I am not sure I have the ability to stop her.

Ahhh, the joys of pregnancy! Gotta love it.

My other favorite pregnancy joy is when the doctor comments on my stretch marks every time he looks at my belly--He always says "Looks like she found some crayons in there!" Thanks for the reminder!!!!!

On a happier note---Here are a few of my new favorite things--

• New Wal-Mart (There is a new one by our house--I love it! It is like shopping in a luxury store--not a Wal-Mart).
• TGI-Fridays Chicken Quesadilla Rolls (Available in your local Wal-Mart's freezer section) DELICIOUS!
• Nectarines from Sprouts (a local farmer's market/grocery store that has the best produce!)
• Feeling Lily move around (even at 2am, because then I know she is okay!)
  

Ode to my Wonderful Husband!

I just wanted to thank my husband for being so nice to a very irrational, emotional, swollen, pregnant girl.
Last night I went to bed around 9:30--my usual time these days if I have to work the next day. I had just been laying there, pretty awake until 11:30 when Rob came in to bed. He asked me why I wasn't sleeping. I told him I just couldn't get comfortable and Lily was digging into my ribs and it felt like every other part of my body. He came over to my side of the bed and moved my pillows around, rubbed Lily to get her to move, put a pillow under my belly, and tried to get me to calm down. I don't know what my problem was but I started crying. It just seemed really tragic that I couldn't sleep when I wanted to so bad. He was very nice and patient with me until I fell asleep. Anyway, thanks to a wonderful husband who is nice to me even when I am completely irrational for no good reason!
Isn't being pregnant just so great? It also doesn't help that it is 115+ here every day! Gotta love Arizona Heat!

Baby Shower #3

Alright, we are spoiled. Here are the pictures from baby shower #3 with Rob's friends from school! We had one in Idaho Falls at my mom's house with random Idaho Falls people and my high school friends. Then I had a small one with just me and my sisters in Utah. So, this shower with Rob's school friends makes #3. They were very generous and we got some great stuff. I got some scrapbook stuff, some clothes, a little tub, and a lot of them went in together on the play pen/crib we wanted which we are very grateful for and already have it set up in our new apartment. Here is the cake!
Here is Rob getting some food. He got to enjoy this shower too! Can't you see the excitement on his face?
Here we are opening presents. Notice the 2 huge boxes of Costco baby wipes! Every time we get something like that or see diapers he always asks "How long are THOSE going to last?" He usually doesn't like my answer.
Here are the main girls who threw my shower. All of them are girls in Rob's class except for the one in the yellow shirt right next to me. She is married to the one other boy in Rob's class and had the shower at her house!
Here is a picture of the one other guy in Rob's class. Since the shower was at his apartment, he got to enjoy the fun too! I am sure him and Rob are praying that is the last shower they will have to attend!

New Apartment

After many tears, sweat, pain, and agony, we are finally moved into our new apartment. Moving is not an enjoyable activity. But, we had a ton of help from the guys in our ward and my Visiting Teacher helped me clean, so we all survived. There are still some boxes and bags left to unpack, but we are in livable space and that is very exciting. Here are some pictures of the outside amenities of our new home. The pool looks way bigger in this picture than it does in real life. Rob is excited about the sand volleyball court.
It is very nice to have 2 bedrooms and have a place to put more things. I am hoping to be able to finish unpacking this weekend, since it is really to hot to enjoy the 4th of July like normal Americans.
Which brings me to my next point---4th of July in Arizona sucks. I have very fond memories of the 4th of July as a child. Getting up early to go save a place at the parade. Watching the parade. Coming home, having a BBQ, playing in the sprinklers and little kiddie pools in the backyard. Then, we would go down to the river insanely early with tons of twizzlers, caramels, etc. to save a place for the fireworks. GOOD TIMES! In Arizona, it is like 115 degrees, so all of those great 4th of July activities simply become too hot. Annoying and upsetting to say the least. It seems like a very depressing 4th of July when you can't enjoy any of those outside activities.
Last year, we were still determined to enjoy a normal 4th of July and went to the Peoria Sports Complex at like 4:00 to enjoy the festivities. I almost died of heat stroke. We found this tiny spot of shade behind a food tent and sat there trying to not die. I actually left, went back home, got more water and ice and came back. It was miserable.
Needless to say, we will probably be enjoying a Native Arizonian 4th of July---which means you enjoy having a day off of work by being inside your air conditioned house all day. Depressing!

My last topic for today is people who aren't running on all 4 cylinders---i.e. stupid people. Yesterday, we had a little welcoming for my boss and so I was standing around, and of course every person who would ignore me or treat me like crap otherwise is nice and sweet to you asking dumb questions about being pregnant. Anyway, one of these such people asked me how I was feeling. I said besides being swollen and having a cankle, I feel pretty good right now. She looked down at my ankle and said,
"Oh my gosh! What did you do? Did you sprain it?"
My response: "No, I am pregnant."
Her response: "So, you fell down or something?"
My response: "NO, I am swollen because I am pregnant."
Her response: "What? What does being pregnant have to do with having swollen ankles?"

By this time, there are like 10 other random people listening to my conversation and making sarcastic comments to me like, You are pregnant---we just thought you had gotten fat!

Needless to say this person never got the correlation between being pregnant having swollen ankles. She was determined that I must have sprained it or something. She then proceeded to tell me that nothing like that ever happened to her when she was pregnant. You gotta love people who think, "If it didn't happen to me, then it just doesn't happen!"

Speaking of swollen ankles, any advice on how to get a stuck wedding ring off of my finger? Just for the record I have tried swimming, ice, lotion, soap, butter, and drinking tons of water. I also froze my finger in front of my a/c on my way home last night, and nothing!