"D" Day is Coming!

Today, I went in for my check up and things are looking great! I'm measuring 38 and a half weeks and he has dropped a little! Well, the doctor of course had to check to see if I'm dialating or anything. Good news, I'm measuring at 2cm and I'm 70% effaced! The doctor thinks I'm going to have him before the 14th, and then told me to make another appointment in a week and he will see me then, if not sooner!

Reality is kicking in big time. All day Ive been in this panic mode pretty much. I'm now afraid every ache or pain is labor! I've been having contractions but nothing major, nothing to rush to the hospital about. They happen here and there and aren't close enough to count! But as soon as they are 5 min. apart or my water breaks then, it's time! I'm trying to stay calm but can't, I almost wish the doctor wouldn't have told me that.

Nick said I need to prepare myself and basically tell myself every day that this could be THE DAY! That's a little frightening! Our 1 year anniversary is the 10th and I really don't want to spend it in the hospital giving birth. He can be here a day before or after but not the day of. It's so surreal, Nick is so excited and so am I, but I mean I'm the one who has to do the hard work to get him here!

We will let everyone know as soon as I go into labor, Nick is going to call our mom's and they are going to pass the word onto family, and Nick or I will text/call all of our friends! I'm just hoping it's a quick labor and delivery; that's the only thing I worry about at this point. Pain won't be too bad, I want all the pain meds they can give me!

Also, my shower was this past Saturday and it was absolutely wonderful. Neacel got plenty of cute clothes and shoes, blankets and tons of other cute things. We just have a couple more things to get him and I this weekend and then bags will be packed and ready to go! I can't wait to play "dress up" with him and all the clothes we got; he is a very well dressed and spoiled child! He has tons more than I do!

Is it a Monster?

Yesterday, I went to the doctor again and to my surprise I grew an inch in 4 days! I'm now measuring 38 weeks and I'll be 37 on Friday! Could I be getting ready to have a monster? This whole pregnancy I've been measuring ahead at least a week and a half, then for 2 weeks he decided not to grow! Between then and now he has had like a major little growth spurt by growing 4 inches in less than about 2 weeks. So again I'm measuring ahead by about a week and a half!

Next week the doctor said that if he is going to come early that I should start dilating, if not then it looks like he may be a little stubborn and we will induce after my due date! I don't know if I can seriously wait that long, I pray that next Wednesday something is going on to let me know he will be here early!

His moving is slowing down which is great for me, doctor said that he is getting ready and we will just have to wait and see what Neacel decides! But when he does move I feel like he is trying to tear open my stomach to get out or something. He starts going crazy! Nick and I are going to have our hands full I believe, this could be a monster!

Last night, Nick and I went to the gym (Funny I start that now and not months ago). We want to start going every night, just a little something since we both have gotten pretty lazy. I ended up biking 2 miles and then I felt like I was going to die! Today I feel great though so I'm willing to do that again! Nick ran and lifted weights. Hopefully, we can keep this going like we want, it would help me shed those baby pounds that I'm dying to get off already! Plus, I heard that working out towards the end can induce labor, if you haven't done much exercise your whole pregnancy! So I'm crossing my fingers that one night my water will break or something to let me know that he is on his way! I'm just ready to have him here with us, and bring him home and lay him in his crib and just stare in amazement! So if you know of any ways to induce labor, please share!

That Elephant Disease

So I had a doctor appointment last Friday and things are going well. In 2 weeks Neacel went from measuring 34 on the dot, to 37!?! He is growing a ton I guess. I'm not dilating (which no one said how painful it was to find out!) and he still isn't dropping. He and myself are healthy and happy, I guess you could say. I have truly been blessed with this pregnancy, it's had its rough times but the positives out weigh the negatives. We both are healthy and haven't had any complications, thank goodness! The worse thing for me has been swelling....

Speaking of swelling, my right leg swells to the point that I look like I have tiny sausage links for toes and no ankles, it's hard to explain but it's really bad. Friday night Nick and I went to the movies, I sat there the whole time in no pain and leaning more on my left side. Well, when we were walking out my foot felt really weird, tight in a way. Once we were outside we kinda laughed at how swollen my toes were, it looks funny! When we got home and I put PJ's on I got a good look at my leg, Holy crap it seriously looked like I had that elephant disease in my leg and foot. I had no ankle and the inside of my foot had a bubble and basically, just wow!

We couldn't think of a reason why it would do that and thought it was just because I was going strong all day; I had been walking a little more then usual but I had been drinking a ton of water. I carry around this 2 qt bottle that I fill and drink it all before bed. So I went to bed, woke up Saturday and everything looked normal again. Since then, by bed time every night I have the elephant disease! I laid around a ton yesterday and kept plenty of fluids in me and everything, but for some reason I was still swelling! I took a bath because it usually helps and guess what? It didn't!!!!

I'm going to the doctor again tomorrow for my one week appointment and I'm hoping that I'm swollen so I can basically just say: "Look! I lay around and drink a ton, prop my legs up for hours and I'm walking as much as I can and basically just doing everything you have told me to and well this is what happens!"

He constantly tells me just relax, drink plenty, walking helps, baths help, blah blah blah... If they help, can you explain why this is happening to me!? It's the only place I'm swelling and basically I'm tired of it!

Here is a picture:


It's not the greatest to show the swelling but you get the point! See how my ankle is totally not even there? I hope he has a better answer for me other than just keep drinking a ton, propping my leg up....blah blah blah!

But just a little over 3 weeks to go!!!! We put the carseat in the car and my hospital bag is basically packed! It's all happening so fast, but I'm so excited to have my little boy here!

Baby Shower Time!

Brandi took on the task of making my baby shower invites, and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. I absolutely love everything about it! It's not plain, which is a total pet peeve of mine, I don't like plain things! Its boy colors but girly enough for me! And she even included a preggo picture....wasn't expecting that but its all so freakin cute! Brandi your truly amazing thanks so much hun!

If I forgot anyone please feel free to come to the shower!

That is friends of mine or Nick's and of course friends of the family!

Here is a copy of the cutest invitations ever:

Random Things Ive Been Meaning to Post

Baby Update!

I went to the doctor last Friday and things are going well! He hadn't grown any so I was measuring exactly 34 weeks; which I was not to happy about! I'm ready to have him out now, I was worried that he/I hadn't grown, but Dr. Terry said that at this point the baby knows how large he should be so there will be times where he will grow a ton and times where he will not grow at all. If, by my next appointment he hasn't grown, then we will worry! So my next appointment is next Friday and then I start going every week!

I'm 35 weeks today and still wondering where my pregnancy has gone. It's scary to think that I could have him any day now, YIKES! My hospital bag is pretty much ready to go we just need the few odds and ends that Ill grab while running out the door! Neacel is still moving a ton, and I feel each and every movement. I now can tell when he is rubbing his knee or elbow up against me; I still haven't figured out which is which though. But I can tell the difference between a hand/foot to an elbow/knee so I'm pretty proud of myself for that! My sleep filled nights disappeared in a heartbeat. I'm lucky to get a few hours a night and sleeping pills don't always work! Nick usually passes out before me, then I'm trying to fall asleep with everything working against me! An over active child that can't seem to sit still long enough for me to fall asleep and my wonderful snoring husband! It's a battle that I just can't seem to win! Oh well pretty soon the baby will be keeping both of us up. The difference then will be that while Nick is at work I will be able to take small naps while the baby sleeps!

I now have the wonderful reminder of being pregnant in the form of stretch marks! It took about 33 weeks till I found any, but one night Nick noticed one on my tummy and Ive been blessed with a few more since then! Also my belly button is starting to pop which is the weirdest thing in the world! Pregnancy is just completely weird in some ways, amazing in others!

We both are getting really excited that he is going to be here. To Nick its been forever and he is so excited to be a dad; to me its been way to fast and Im scared to be a mom. Either way it's almost done, which is a true blessing, because I don't always love being pregnant. I just want the baby. I wonder if with the next one, I can just call the stork and see what we can work out!

Here is a tummy picture at 35 weeks and you can kinda see the crib in the background!

Here is a picture of the bedding we picked out. We wanted something that we could use for the next baby, keeping in mind it could be a girl. This is cute and could very easily work for both genders! But I love it for my little boy!

Working!?

I love my husband very, very much and appreciate everything he does. But sometimes I have a hard time believing his job is hard. He will explain to me what he does over and over and I never seem to understand and I don't think I ever will. Sunday night we were talking and he was saying how he wishes that I wouldn't think his job is so easy and be thankful for all the work he puts in (because we all know that if he could he would stay home and sleep most of the day and play video games the rest of the time). I am thankful for everything he does and after us talking about it I realized that I am thankful for everything but that I don't always express it. Well, Monday I get an interesting email from him saying:

"So this week at work we are having “office Olympics.” Today the events were typing (wpm) and using a can of compressed air (one of those air dusters) to blow a ball down across the office, around a corner, and into a box. The events are done individually, and then the team scores are combined to determine 1st, 2ND and 3rd. Donna and I won 1st in the typing, and second in the canned air race. Tomorrow is miniature office golf. I won a snack pack of mini reeses fast break candy bars, and a regular reeses peanut butter cup candy bar. Individually I am in first place after the first two events. Whoever is first at the end, wins a big prize. Whatever team is in first at the end, wins a big prize. And whatever team (the office is split in two) has the most points at the end, get to go somewhere nice for lunch, like Bennhanas or something. Also, Thursday we all get pizza to celebrate the end of the olympics. Fun."

Are you kidding me? I just sat there laughing, he is so cute! First he's mad at me for not thinking he works a ton, and then sends me this email! Things like this are why I think his job is easy! The company truly spoils their employees. I know he was still in first after the miniature golf but not leading by much. But this is how the office olympics turned out:

"So for the Olympics, they decided not to do the shoe box race. Instead, they decided that people would get points based on how early they got here today. And unfortunately, I was late, cause I have 40 minutes of overtime, and can afford to be. So that sucked. Anyway, as a result, I got third in the individual, and second as a team, and first as a group. So I got us a $5 Wendy’s gift card, and a $10 Café Rio gift card. So that’s good."

And I remember him saying something about having Cheesecake Factory for lunch or whatever with people at work! I know he works hard but sometimes when things like this come up its hard to believe he is even working! They even had award ceremonies. Here are pictures from the first one! I told Nick to send more but I don't know if they have any others.

Nick loves his job and does work hard, but they have plenty of fun on top of everything else.

I love my husband and everything he does for me and the baby. He has provided a wonderful little home for us as a family and works hard so that I can stay home right now. I thought being a newlywed couple meant you have a crappy place to live and never have even a penny in your pocket, food would never be in the fridge and you never get to go shopping for needs or wants! Nick made me realize that's not true. I have more than I could ask for and he never complains about us needing or wanting something. I couldn't ask for a better husband, he is just absolutely perfect!

Thanks so much for everything hun, I love you always and forever!

Company Picnic!

Nick's company had an end of the summer picnic for all the employees and their families about 2 weeks ago. It was so nice to put faces with people that Nick tells me about, they all seem to just love Nick's sense of humor. He seems to get along with everyone just great, which I know makes his job alot easier!

The picnic was catered by Joe Morley's and tasted so good! We had ribs, pulled pork with cheese and bbq sauce, cole slaw, potato salad (my favorite) and rolls. Then for dessert they went and got tons of yummy snack cakes from the Hostess Bakery Outlet, but Joe Morley's also provided like a mocha cheesecake with chocolate on top. I know I shouldn't have eaten it but oh my gosh it was like heaven! I took one bite and there was no stopping me from there!

Before lunch some people played softball, Nick was out there for a while and did very well! I didn't know he could play. I'm constantly learning something new about him! After lunch they had a raffle. The biggest prize was a 32 inch flat screen TV which of course we wanted. Other than that there were tons of gift cards for all different kinds of things. A car wash, American Express gift cards, gas cards, Energy Solutions Arena ($100), Snowbird ($200), restaurants(Cafe Rio, Applebees, Cheesecake Factory, etc) and a few others. Well, we were pretty sure he wouldn't win anything, if anything we really wanted that TV; along with many other people. But we ended up getting a $75 gift card to Chevron! Yeah so they are one of the more expensive places, but it's still $75 in free gas, so who cares?

Make Me Babies

Ok so first of all I want to say Thanks to Brandi for putting this on her blog. I've been dying to know what our little one could look like...now I think I should have waited till he "pops" out!
Thanks for the laugh sis!




What do you think about my little new baby Neacel?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?



My little Neacel looks so girly!
And if we had a girl she would look like this....



What do you think about my little new baby Olivia?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?



I don't think I want a girl now....
Im really hoping our kids don't look this bad. If so, is there a return policy?

My New Found Obsession

Vacuuming! I vacuum at least 3 times a day sometimes more. I just hate walking around the apartment and then stepping on something. So I vacuum and then a few hours later I will again, if I feel something on my feet. Sometimes I simply do it because I look at the floor and it looks dirty! I can't just vacuum that one room but I have to do all the rooms! I'm turning into my mother, she is obsessed with cleaning and I can feel myself getting there.

I can't stand dishes in the sink, things on the floor, dust drives me insane, just tons of little things. I don't like windows closed either, it's so pretty outside and usually there is a nice breeze, so I open all the windows in the house. I figured I will let everyone look into the apartment while they are driving past!

Enjoying the life of a stay at home mom....to be

I am officially a stay at home mom...(to be)! I was working as a nanny for a while and well, it just didn't work out. I was getting really stressed over little things and was expected to do more housework than usual. Most of my nanny jobs I made about $300 a week and wasn't expected to clean the house unless it was messes that the children and I made (because a nanny is expected to take care of the child not the home). With this past job I was doing my best but I couldn't clean the house for her (plus I was making less then half of what I usually make!). I can barely clean my own how am I going to clean someone else's?

Well, she wasn't to happy with this and basically let me go on Sunday. Which is OK because I was ready to quit anyway. So this week has been interesting for me.... I've never been one to stay at home, I enjoy being out and working; not so much working but being around other people. I like making my own money and feeling like I'm helping out with things.

Well, Monday was interesting. I thought I was going to go insane... I cleaned the house and watched TV and was still totally bored. I kept calling Nick at work but he can't talk long so it didn't help a ton. As soon as he got home I was so happy, plus we were going grocery shopping so I would be able to get out of the house.

Yesterday, was better =). I started organizing and re-decorating a little in our bedroom (the one room I ignore the most). I couldn't do it all but it already looks better. But, other than that the house was clean so I didn't have much to do other than laundry and picking things up. We went to the library because I still needed to find something to do in my free time, I decided reading was the best.(So if you have any suggestions on books to read please let me know). With all this free time, I decided to curl my hair and spend time on the way I look! Yay no more frumpy days!!!

Today has been a ton better, I got up early, because my visiting teachers came over then I ironed Nick's clothes for work and made breakfast since he went in late today. Slacker! But I don't have much to do, finish our room and maybe work on the hall closet which has turned into a junk closet, but we will see. Other than that read, nap and watch TV!

Monday totally sucked being home all day, I hated it and now I'm loving it. I have time to watch "Rachel Ray" and 2 episodes of "What Not to Wear" and still get more than enough done. Nick gets home and I'm in a great mood, which I know he loves seeing that I was a total beast before. My visiting teachers even said this morning that I look better and sound so much happier. Its totally true, I'm so much happier, I look at things in a more positive way, I'm excited to clean and organize things, not because I have to but because I want to and have time to. I have time to sit and play with my hair and makeup which I have always enjoyed doing, but before it was just hurry and get out the door.

I'm happier about this pregnancy, I'm loving every little thing he is doing. Not loving whatever he is doing to my pelvic bones but other than that, I'm loving everything! Reality hit harder this morning while talking to my mom. I was saying that I go to the doc next week and Ill be 34 weeks and if I'm still measuring 2 weeks ahead then... 36 weeks! 34 or 36 both of those numbers are extremely close to 40! Our little boy is going to be here really, really soon!

I never pictured myself as a stay at home mom, I never pictured myself as a mom actually but I'm enjoying my free time. I won't have as much time to myself for much longer but right now I'm totally enjoying every minute of it. I want to organize and clean everything. Read anything and relax which is something I have NEVER done. Plus, now I can get involved with more at church. Before I didn't have time after work I needed to get a million things done now its total freedom. Tonight I have an Enrichment Night and its getting to know everyone, since there are so many new women in the ward; which is perfect for me because I don't know anyone except my visiting teachers. Tomorrow is my water aerobics class, Friday is Nick's company picnic, and Saturday is Women's Conference, with a dinner at the Stake Center.

I do hate not making my own money and kind of stressing over what money we do have, but Nick tells me not to worry. Plus, me being in a better mood and keeping the house clean I know is enough for him. He loves getting home and relaxing and not having to listen to me nag him about me having to clean everything and how he gets to sit there and watch TV! Now we both relax, eat dinner and relax some more!

I'm never going to want to work again, I'm getting use to this "easy" life just a little too quickly!!!

Little Baby Neacel...

Is just about here! I went to the doctor Tuesday and I'm measuring 2 weeks ahead still so the doctor is starting to agree with me that this might be an end of October early November baby! FINALLY =) But he isn't going to change the due date for a few more weeks once he does the internal exam....which sounds really scary because I have no clue what is going to happen!!
So Neacel could very well be here sooner then we thought. He is still head down which scared me a little bit, I asked Dr. Terry if that was OK. Ever since we were able to tell what position he is in he has been head down and I asked if there is a possibility if he has no sense of direction!! I read that at this point and before that the baby is moving a ton and is usually head up because they then know up from down. I was just scared Neacel didn't. Dr. Terry said its fine and that its probably just his way of saying I'm ready to get out. We both got a good laugh out of it. With him being head down I can now tell what is what, and Neacel LOVES sticking his butt out. Unfortunately, it really hurts! He doesn't have any room anymore the poor thing...He is just constantly tossing and turning, oh and we can't forget the hiccups that happen at least 3 times a day. He is still very active and I'm so excited to get him here. This whole pregnancy has been a blink of an eye but now its starting to slow down....still fast but nothing like it has been.

We were going through all the clothes we have for him and I'm amazed. He is absolutely spoiled rotten already and I haven't even had baby showers yet! He has a ton, but every time Nick and I see something really cute for cheap we buy it....Neacel has clothes from newborn to 24 months. More of the newborn and 0-6 months but still, he has more shoes then I do, a pretty fun book collection, and some cute little toys. With tons more coming...I love my little boy, but we are already spoiling him and he isn't even here yet. Nick said a few weeks ago, "Just think he will be here in a few weekends!" and its pretty much true. I mean not exactly a few but not many more if he comes early! Reality is starting to hit more and more and its really scary! I'm going to be a mom, and this little boy needs me for everything and I need to be there. This isn't a kid I can hand over to some one else and leave and return the next day or whatever. He is 100% depending on me! Its amazing and yet the most frightening thing Ive done. I'm responsible (along with Nick) to raise this little boy, teach him right from wrong, take care of his Boo-boo's, keep him happy, make sure he is always healthy, and so much more. The weight of the world is going to be on my shoulders and its starting to get there now. While I'm taking care of him and teaching him I still have to find a way to be a wife and keep Nick happy too and spend time with him! On top of it all keeping the house clean which I have a hard time doing now and keeping myself from turning into a "frumpy" mom.... I'm understanding why moms are called supermoms! I'm so excited yet at the same time I want to just freeze time and wait a little bit longer for all of this, unfortunately, that's not a power that comes with being a supermom!

My Company's New Building

So back in July the company I worked for moved to a brand new building. A month or so ago we had the ribbon cutting ceremony. Here are some of the pictures.