Baby is Getting Older

As of today I am 14 weeks. Hooray for 2nd Trimester!! Let me tell ya, so far it has been pretty rad. A few weeks back I went on a good nonpuking up streak and didn't puke for 5 whole days. It was wonderful, I even had energy. So morning sickness is getting better and is starting to go away, for good I hope. If I throw up it is usually on Thursdays only, not sure why but that is the pattern. I also haven't needed ginger ale as often. Heartburn still exist but Tums have rescued me there. I love having energy again, it isn't at 100% and I am always ready to go to bed by 8:30 pm, but it feels different to me and I hope to get a lot of baby stuff done on this wind of energy.

My clothes are getting tighter so I have reverted to wearing sweat pants or skirts when I am at home and the same work pants that are currently the only ones that let me breath. I should do side pics of my belly, those will come later. I don't think I am showing that much but I am rounder and firmer in that area. At first, I felt like I gained 10 pounds because my 3 meals turned into a million tiny meals (disclaimer, I am not one to count the scale pounds, that just doesn't matter to me, I base it off how I feel, when I work out I feel good so I work out and try to eat healthy, but mostly eat what I want and Yes that has changed since the bun has been in the oven). At my first doctors visit I learned I only gained 3 pounds, at my second visit I discovered that 2 of those pounds were lost due to morning sickness. Yesterday I jumped on a reliable scale and I am back on track to keeping this bun happy and healthy.

Anyway, so back to clothes. I am grateful I have some local friends and long distant family members willing to share their preggo clothes with me. I tried shopping and was lost at what to buy and where to start. I tried a few stores and figured out what works for me but the price for a pair of pants was outrageous, $65 for a pair a jeans EEK! So I bargain shopped and found a pair of maternity capri's for $5!!!! SCORE!!!! This pair will last me until I get other arrangements made. :)

On to the really good stuff. At our second visit we had an ultra sound and got to see the little one.

WOW WOW WOW!!!

First of all, the ultra sound really tickled. I am very ticklish and kept giggling as the midwife moved it around to find the sucker. It was fun to see my belly move on the screen.

The amazing part of our first visit was hearing the heartbeat. It was amazing and still brings me to tears when I think about it.

The amazing part of our second visit was this.....

(Front view)

The baby actually looks like a baby and not a bean anymore. It was seriously amazing, it is really really hard to describe what I felt other than JOY!!!! It made it even more real cause it was moving and looking at us and probably wondering why I was giggling so much. :)

(Side view)

It was beautiful and priceless and I cried and this wonderful feeling came over me and stayed with me and Lars for a very very long time and still comes back when I stop and ponder on this. I love it and I never want to forget this feeling. I love how all these emotions just keep building on eachother and getting better and better.

We find out what we are having on August 22nd.

Any guesses????

Muppet Monday

As you go through life remember that other people are working on going somewhere as well, even if they aren't fit for the job, admire their efforts and willingness to become better.

Bobby and Courtney Together Forever

Introducing.....

Mr. and Mrs. Bobby and Courtney Kallush
Aren't they cute.
First wedding we have been to for years.

They are a fun couple that we have know for a few years now.
Her dress is georgous and I love love loved her colors
They threw a really amazing 10 out of 10 reception.
Elder Chadburn, well not an Elder anymore.

Vickie, the cool sister.

Sexy Bots

Over the 4th of July weekend Lars' half brother, Glenn, and step-sister, Bonnie came to stay with us. We had an absolute blast hanging out with them. They were the coolest house guests and oh so fun. I love being a big sister and YES I did wake up early just to jump on their beds and wake them up.

We took them around to some fun touristy stuff and ate lots of delicious food. We went to Venice Beach, Downtown Disney, and Hollywood Walk of Fame. Every time we went to leave the house I would shout out, "Barlow, Madsen, Smyth Bots...Let's Roll Out." (The reference is from Transformers) Those are each of our last names, long story. Eventually we shortened it to "Sexy Bots" :) We loved having them and look forward to their next visit. Enjoy the slideshow of our adventure.

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Muppets Go to Hollywood

So we had family come into town over the holiday and we took them to Hollywood. Pictures will come soon. For this weeks Muppet Monday I wanted to find a video about them going to Hollywood. Well I found this new trailer and so I am posting it instead because I am, let's face it, obsessed with this movie coming out and this trailer showed a lot more awesome stuff. They are coming back to Hollywood and I keep getting more and more excited. And yes, when we register for baby stuff The Muppet Show series and anything else to do with The Muppets, Looney Toons, Tiny Toons, or The Animaniacs will be among it.

P.S. It will also be my dream to go the priemere of this movie. I am gonna find a way to make it happen.

Oh and I just found this site that I had to share. http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Muppets_(2011)

Life and 2 Most Recent Frequently Asked Questions

SO Life has been pretty busy for the last few weeks. Lets bring you all up to speed. In May we found out we were pregnant :) and things have pretty much taken off even more so since then. I always felt that when we decided to take this step in our lives then it would happen in a perfect time for us and it would be awesome and beautiful. After all we are playing against our own deck of cards as everyone else is. So far I feel that the timing couldn't have been better, I really can't complain. A lot of things have fallen into place that is helping us move along. And I know that it is an answer to our prayers. We were waiting for a bigger apartment to become available and it just so happened to come available the week we found out we were expecting. Right time and right price. We jumped at the chance after thoughtful prayer and have since moved into our new apartment. We went from a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom townhouse. If any of you have ever been to our old townhouse in SLC, UT then it is pretty much the same, just with no basement and no master bathroom. We love it here and love how this place just swallows up everything we own. It will take me a while to get things settled and decorated. Guess we are in our nesting phase. Now if you come and visit us you will get your own private space and we have air conditioning.

Both our jobs are going pretty darn good. Lars likes what he does and likes the people he works with and has goals that his employer is helping him accomplish. They see the value in him and do their best to reward him. I love my job, sometimes I have to deal with stupid people, sometimes I am acting like the stupid one. But for the most part I like where it is going and feel good about where I have been. For a while my job was really frustrating and stressful and I was unsure I was going to keep with it. But I had an attitude check and roughed it out and I am so glad I did. I have something in the works and as long as I need to work I am hoping that my job will allow me to work from home from time to time after the baby is born. We will see as time gets closer.

Now for the 2 most recent frequently asked questions.

But first...*DISCLAIMER*

*****Going forward when I talk about being pregnant on my blog and all that comes with it please PLEASE don't think I am ever complaining or be offended by what I say. I am a very optimistic person but I will be honest on my blog about what I am truly feeling or thinking. I never liked faking anything or painting a rosey picture. I have vowed never to complain about this experience because: 1) We have waiting for this day for a while now. 2) I read enough books and did enough research to know sort of what to expect. I realize that my body is changing and pregnancy comes with a lot of ups and downs. It can be a roller coaster ride I guess. I knew before committing to this that it was going to be an all or nothing package deal and I am so very fine with that. I am merely sharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences here so I can journal this and so my family and friends can follow my life's adventures and participate. All of my family lives out of state and I hope they read this from time to time. My intention has never been to hurt or offend anyone. And I don't know all there is to being pregnant so I am very open to your thoughts, advice, comments, and would love for anyone to be a participant.******

Okay

As we have been announcing our pregnancy to our friends and family these have been the two most frequently asked questions.

#1 How are you feeling? Any morning sickness?

I remember when I was younger my Mother told me that she didn't have hardly any morning sickness. So I assumed that because I was her daughter and because I was "Super Stephanie" that I wouldn't either. Well...at about week 6 I quickly realized that I was no exception to the rule. Actually the first few times I threw up I thought it was awesome because it gave everything more reality. I remember writing in my journal afterwards and describing what it looked like. Gross I know, but I am silly like that. Then it became an every other day thing. By week 8 it became an everyday thing and I started to recognize my puke, which honestly made eating a large chore. Obviously I have to eat, but deciding what became a big deal. And grocery shopping and opening any fridge became a nightmare. I quickly found my friendly foods, yogurt, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cheeze-its. Every week that would change cause I guess my body got used to it and reminded me that tricks won't work. Right now the fan favorite is fruit smoothies, saltines, and soup.

Funny though when I am singing I don't feel as sick. So I try to sing where ever I go. Thankfully I was only sick one day when I was at girls camp. But since I have returned I have been down with a head cold and sore throat that I think came from a combination of throwing up so much that the acid made my throat sore and just having a cold. However, I haven't been sick while I have had the cold so that rocks. Guess I know the cold will be gone when I start to feel nauseous again. EEK! Anyway, I think I am figuring out the balance I need to give my body from being sick. 1) Eat a little bit often and rotate what I eat. 2) If it smells bad then don't eat it. 3)Listen to my body 4) Sleep Sleep Sleep

I read and heard that it gets better by the 2nd trimester which I am only a few weeks away from, currently I am at week 10. I think I can hold out until then. I would like to avoid taking anything for having morning sickness if I can. Guess time will tell.

#2 How does Lars feel and what was his reaction?

Lars is so awesome. He is more enthusiastic than me most of the times, and I am always happy so that is saying something. Which I am so grateful for because his cuteness and attitude strengthens me when I am feeling weird. He is so helpful around the house and lifts me up when I am discouraged because I can't do everything in one day anymore. Plus he is just so fun and I couldn't be more happy that he is so into this.

He makes me smile.

So that's a catch up from us for now.

Anaheim Stake Girls Camp 2011

Last November when they called me to the Stake Young Women's I knew one of the highlights of the calling would be going to Girls Camp. I have been looking forward to it all year. Let me tell ya it was a blast. The camp was pretty cool, different from my youth, of course to this day I don't think any camp really roughed and lived it up like the Grand Rapids Stake did in my day. This camp had a lot to do and some of the best camp food ever. They had an endless salad bar and nachos. I really liked being a leader. I got to see many good things happen that I never saw as a youth. At times it was frustrating (when the girls wined endlessly about the horrible 3 mile hike or trying to sneak into cabins in the middle of the night only to get caught by the Sleeping Giant Preggo Stephanie). But at the same time it was incredibly rewarding to the see the girls grow, and see when they have been touched by the spirit, and feeling the spirit inside myself grow. We were surrounded by many many tender mercies. I was over the 4th year cabin, we only had 8 girls, but they were the most amazing 8 girls. Plus being in the Stake I got to go around to all the girls cabins at night and sing them goodnight and deliver their mail. All the girls were awesome and I so enjoyed being with them. In a way I got to relive my girls camp days, some of the best and most memorable days ever. I don't know who I would be if not for my girls camp days and I was so glad to be apart of this girls camp and to get to know them more and to just love them.

I loved it and cannot wait to go again.

Please enjoy a slide show of all the fun we had. Just so ya know it is kind of long because there was much fun to be had.

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