Dear baby III:

Dear baby,

I am going to start off by first saying that I am not angry with you, however you did NOT keep your part of the bargain with the nausea. I understand that it is a good thing that I feel this way, and by good I mean good for you. We took you to meet "your" doctor and I am going to choose to feel that you liked her. She seemed pretty excited to hear that you were on your way!!!

The website I am reading about babies says that you are the size of a blueberry this week! It also says you are making brain cells at 100 per minute - that is fabulous!! You have leg/arm buds sprouting, your kidneys are forming, and your tongue is forming as well!! How exciting - I'm sure it is an interesting time for you and I will do everything in my power to help you grow!!

You will be going on your first trip out of town this week, your first concert, and many more firsts I'm sure --- don't worry when you can remember all of it we'll take you again!!! Oh, the things you will get to see in your life!!! Also your dad is so excited to take you to Disneyworld when you are old enough!!!!

Well, I will go for now, but please do me a solid and just skip the nausea tomorrow!?!?!?! It's the last day at the hospital this semester and I'd could really use some help! Remember we are still picking out your name - and a name is for life!!

Love,

Mom & Dad

First Baby Appointment

Yesterday we had our first official baby doctor appointment. We were not sure what to expect, but had heard that it was relatively boring - and it was! I had seen Dr. Garcia previously so I already knew that I liked her, but it was the first time Justin met her - and he gave his seal of approval. We went over questions, do's and don'ts, and talked about future appointments. She did order an ultrasound in 2 weeks given the problems we've had in the past....just to make sure everything is as it should be. So we will be making our way for that in a few weeks, and will maybe get to see our "lil peanut." Then we go back a few weeks after that to hear its heartbeat - so some major few weeks coming up!!

We made it through the week of tests and papers and so just 2 more school days before our 4th of July adventures begin!! I was positive that this week would never end --- but I think we survived!!!

Busy ..... not being busy

This week has been so busy --- so much homework and so little time. On Tuesday of Clinicals I was "sent" home after an embarassing bout of morning sickness. I was sick when I first woke up, and then pulled myself together, but the hospital smells and sounds were too much for this 'ol gal. I got super light headed, dizzy, hot, and then uhhh-ohhh-----the nausea was back. I ran to the restroom and (well..you know) until I had nothing left to give. I went back to the unit and my clinical instructor was like -- "I'm not your mother....but I think you should go home." She took me in the break room and gave me the "mother's treatment" of a cool rag on my neck, graham crackers and ice water (with a straw!!). She went and got Justin out of a patient's room and instructed him to take me home. I made it all the way home without incident until we pulled into the garage and the fun began all over again.

This misery led to me being completely non-productive yesterday - I slept most of the day -I did not do the homework I was supposed to have done. So now I'm behind.....as usual.



That night we had to meet with our Stake President for an interview, and I was just hoping that I didn't have an "episode" during that time. Then Justin was off to Aaron's House for an Elder's Quorum meeting leaving me to my own devices, and more procrastination........as usual.


So here I sit today - Wednesday at 8:11 pm - having accomplished no more than I had done yesterday at this same time.

I need a vacation!!!!!!!!

slowing down......

I am slowing down with the blog posts.....only because this week has been on Turbo and it's only Monday!! We had a test today, a paper/presentation/test/literature review all due within the next 7 days. This is on top of 2 full days of clinicals at UNMH (which we only have 3 more full days to go in this 7 weeks -- YAAAHOOOO!!!!), attending class, and our work.

I have not had any REAL symptoms of pregnancy as of yet - I'm pretty tired each day, but Justin is usually more tired than me so I'm not sure that is pregnancy related?!?! I had one bad nausea day, but it has subsided and that's been about it. Good thing I scrubbed those toilets VERY good on Saturday!!

We cleaned out the baby's room and went shopping -- some more!! We have our first "baby" appointment on Friday and are excited to see what happens (which we've heard it's pretty dull) since it's our first for the first. I'd post pictures of what the internet says our baby looks like now, but I don't want to scare you so I'll refrain.

We have BIG 4th of July plans and are excited for that time to come....especially since we get a several day break from school. A few days doesn't sound like much, but I think our whole class is DYING for a break of any length!

I think that is really it...not tooo much excitement.......yet!

Dear baby 2:

Dear baby,

Today was a big day for you even though you didn't know it. We bought you the car seat you will ride home with us from the hospital after you are born in, we pondered what swing/bouncer/rocker/jumper to get you and (I think) made a final decision. This precious piece of equipment will, in all its jungle glory, rock you to sleep and entertain you on those long days at home with mommy. We began the process of cleaning the room that is to be yours so we can paint, repair, and shampoo in preparation for your arrival. We moved all the wonderful things we've gotten you so far into your closet - your clothes, bedding, toys, bath supplies and even some diapers are waiting for you to use them and fill them with your soft little bum.

This week on the website it says this week your face is being formed, your lungs/kidneys/liver are developing, your heart is beating at 80 bpm, AND you are only the size of a nail head (quarter of an inch). How amazing it is to think of God knitting you together!!!

Well I am off to eat to give you some nutrients to continue to develop into the wonderful person you are sure to be!! Please keep your promise for no nausea - you've done a great job so far! Let's keep up the good work!!

Love you,
Mommy & Daddy

hApPy BiRtHdAy To YoU

In honor of Jenn's 30th (dirty thirty) birthday here are 30 things that I love about her in no particular order.

I love the way she pinches me when she thinks that I am not paying attention to her.
I love that she takes care of me.
I love that she WANTS to spend every minute of every day with me.
I love the fact that she is going to be the mother of my children. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I love her smile and (her cheeks).
I love that she is so incredibly intelligent.
I love that is driven.
I love that she challenges me in every way to be a better person.
I love that she bakes for me.
I love her devotion to the Gospel.
I love that she doesn’t care how she looks in the morning.
I love that she is strong and independent.
I love that she never gave up on me.
I love her big brown eyes.
I love that she can read my mind.
I love how much of an impact she has had on my life. She is very responsible for who I am today.
I love that she never settles.
I love that she supports me in every decision. Even the bad ones.
I love her insight.
I love that she tolerates all of my quirks. And some OCD traits.
I love that she does my homework for sometimes. I couldn’t have made it through grad school without her.
I love that she lets me drive. Always.
I love her sense of humor.
I love that she always lets me buy all of the newest electronics.
I love how she can get in front of a huge crowd and exude confidence.
I love her voice.
I love that she is so selfless.
I love her creativity.
I love that she completes me in every way imaginable and I mean that with all of my heart.
I love her heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENN! I LOVE YOU!

30

Today IS my birthday. TODAY is my birthday. Today is MY birthday. Today is my BIRTHDAY. Today is my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a great day!!! Justin got me some kick butt gifts (this Wii game/exercise thingy I've been wanting and a burnt orange AWESOME backpack), took me out to eat, out for ice cream, made me cupcakes, AND had the girls at clinicals sing for me!!!

So here's to 30 -

You are awesome!!

Dear Baby.....

Dear baby,

I am sooooo excited to get to meet you. I can't wait to hold you, see you, hear you, touch you and even smell you. I think about you 24/7. I talk about you 24/7 (I even talk of you in my sleep). I know you are still super tiny, and according to the website I've been reading every second of the day, you are building your cardiovascular system this week (good luck with that!), but you are our life now. We love you!!!!

Lots of love,
Mom and dad
aka Jennifer and Justin

PS: Please don't make me sick with nausea, constipation, itching, lethargy, swollen this and that or any of that other fun stuff I've been told. Let's start off on a positive note from this day forward - nothing but blue skies and sunshine, is it a deal little one??? We'll talk more as this pregnancy goes on.

And baby makes.......

So most of you have probably heard through some venue that Justin and I are expecting our first baby!!! We are SUPER excited!! If you have been following the blog you know that we've been seeing doctors for a while now in hopes of having our first little one, and after abandoning ALL of their advice and making our own "rules" we are officially pregnant.

Yesterday, in class, we were learning about pregnancy and all the goes into it/what women go through/etc... I started thinking about needing to take a pregnancy test, and so (since I keep them in bulk) I rushed home and took one. I half heartedly looked at the little "stick" as I had done so many times before. I was thinking to myself "Oh negative, again." However, it was not - I looked down, looked at myself in the mirror and saw a look of shock/confusion/surprise all in one, so I looked back down -- then I realized I didn't know what the reading meant???? I frantically searched through the draw for the directions to the test and COULD NOT find them. I rushed to the computer and googled the test's name - Justin was quite confused and asked me what I was doing.....sooooo I broke down and told him (I hadn't wanted to tell him in the event that I was making the positive reading up) and he said "I THINK THATS POSITIVE!!!"

We had a meeting 10 minutes from that very moment, and we had to go there first, and so all I could think about was "what if??" After the meeting we rushed to wal-mart and bought more tests - more importantly tests with instructions!!! I took one - Positive. The next morning (Today) took another -- Positive. So we called the doctor to get an appointment for an official test - we took the blood serum test, which the doctor told us will tell if you are pregnant or not 5 days after conception, and told us to come back in 45 minutes for the results. LONGEST 45 minutes of our lives........she walks in the room and smiles and says, "So are we going to be happy with a positive result?" and we just beamed!!!

By her guestimation we are due around mid-February......She talked about all the FUN things that will happen during the pregnancy like swollen ankles, tender "areas, " fatigue, nausea, constipation, etc....Inspite of that speech I am still on cloud nine as is Justin!!! So I took my first pre-natal vitamin today and feel like it's official.......