What I Believe

This past weekend I had the privilege of listening to General Conference. For those of you that don't know- I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every 6 months we get to hear talks from our church leaders. It's such a great opportunity to hear what our Heavenly Father wants us to hear and it always touches me greatly.

I always feel so uplifted after watching conference. One of the speakers talked about sharing with more people about what we believe in, so I thought I might get started. One of the things I believe in is eternal families. Of course, since I am about to be a mother, this principle hits home a lot more now. My husband and I were married in the Draper Temple. Marriages that are performed in temples are for time and all eternity- instead of just until death. I love my husband very much- and wouldn't have had it any other way. I want to be with him forever- not just in this life. When you are married in the temple you aren't just sealed to your spouse for eternity- but any children born to you and your spouse are sealed to you as well. That means, that my little girl that will soon be joining our family- will be my little girl forever.

What joy fills my heart when I think of this. I already love her so much! Being a mom has been my goal for as long as I can remember. I even remember when I was growing up and teachers, etc would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thing I really ever wanted to be was a mom. Now that dream is almost a reality- and I am so glad that I get to be with my daughter forever and not just in this life.

Motherhood is a divine calling and I look forward to this new journey!!
If you would like to know more about what I believe, please don't hesitate to ask me- or you can visit the church website at:
http://mormon.org/

32 Weeks Down and only 8 More to Go!!

 Well I am now 32 weeks along!! I can't believe how close we are!! I am getting really excited to bring home our baby girl!! I am also getting a little nervous. It's all becoming really real now! Baby girl is moving around so much - and has taken over my body. :) She makes herself at home- even if it means kicking me in the ribs or bouncing on my bladder. But thats okay. She's probably just running out of space since she's getting bigger!!

I added some decals to the nursery wall

27 Weeks and 2 Days

A view of the nursery so far

 Well, today I am 27 weeks and 2 days. I'm getting so excited for the big day to come, although I know she still needs to bake a little longer. She is kicking and moving around all the time now. Sometimes I can see my stomach move when she moves.

She still likes to tease her daddy a lot and whenever I grab his hand and put it on my belly so he can feel her kick, she stops kicking... but if just my hand is on my belly she'll kick it.

I love feeling her move, and wait anxiously for the day when I can hold her in my arms!!

The new rug

The shelf I painted

Loved this song as a little girl

Baby girls first stuffed animal friend

Baby girls clothes so far!

Me at 27 weeks, 2 days

Twenty Three Weeks Along!

This pregnancy journey is fun! Don't get me wrong, it's not all glamorous but I do love it!
On Friday I felt her kick for the first time! What an incredible feeling that was. Since Friday, her movements have gotten stronger too. It used to be I would just feel the little "flutterings" when she would move. Now I definitely feel a little person, moving around in there. Saturday night I was sitting on the couch with my husband and he had his hand on my belly. She kicked really hard... enough to make me jump a little and Brian was able to feel her kick. I was so glad... I wasn't sure if her kicks would be strong enough yet for him to feel. I love feeling her move around. She is very active.

We got a bit more done on the nursery. Brian hung the shelf I painted and I put the bears on it as well as the Precious Moments figurine my niece got us for Christmas. I found the glider I want, and will order that - maybe next month. I got a rug that should be delivered today. I sure hope it looks good in the room- because I ordered it online so I haven't seen it in person. I'll take some pictures once I get it and put it in the room.

We have three little outfits hanging in her closet. It's so much fun to acquire stuff for baby girl. It makes it feel more and more real all the time. And now that I feel her kicking and moving I feel like I can bond with her more. I love singing to her and reading her books!! Brian likes to try and tickle her!

20 weeks- the Halfway Point!!

On tuesday I hit my halfway point!! 20 weeks- I can't believe it!! In just 20 more weeks our little baby girl will be here! I am so excited. Yesterday I had my 20 week appointment. With that came an extensive ultrasound where the technician checked out organs, etc to make sure everything is developing correctly. Everything looked great! That made me so happy. I was a little nervous this week, thinking that maybe something might be found wrong with my baby. I'm so glad to know she is healthy and growing strong.

I've been feeling my baby move more lately. Last week we went out to dinner and the restaurant was really loud. Man- she was jumping all over the place while we were there!! Earlier this week I was driving home from work and singing along to the radio. She started jumping around then too. That was such a cool feeling, to realize she is reacting to me and my voice.

When Brian comes home at night he likes to talk to her and push on my belly... she loves it when her daddy does that. She goes wild!! I love it too. I love seeing him already connect and love his little girl.
I am so happy we are on this journey together.

Me at 20 weeks

It's A Girl!!

On Friday we had our ultrasound to determine how far along I was. We also knew there was a possibility of finding out the gender of our baby. That morning I had a talk with my little one. I told her that I needed her to not be shy. I said to show the nice lady everything so that we could find out if we were having a boy or a girl. The whole time I've been pregnant Brian and I both felt like we were having a girl. So much that most the time I did refer to her as she... and joked that we were in trouble if we were having a boy- and he would probably have an identity crisis.

So when it was time for the ultrasound we drove over to the office. I was very antsy... 1. because I wanted to know what we were having and 2. because I really had to use the bathroom. :)
The ultrasound technician started things out and was able to determine that we were 16 wks and 3 days which was a little further along than we thought, but not as far as 20 weeks, which is what was discussed at my last appointment. She then allowed me to use the bathroom and then said we would check the baby's gender.

The minute we saw the butt on the screen Brian and I both knew what we were having. The tech then declared, "It's a girl". I was so excited... tears filled my eyes. Now that I know what my baby is, it seems more real. Now comes the fun part of getting her nursery ready, buying cute girly clothes, deciding on a name... now I feel like we can finally really plan for her. I am so excited to be a mommy to this little girl!!

That's The Beat of the Heart

Today I had my second prenatal appointment. I was so excited to go- because I wanted so much to hear my baby's heartbeat. I was not prepared for the surprise I got at the appointment today. When the doctor measured me- he said that usually you measure in cm. how far along you are in weeks. So when he said I was "right on target" because I measured at 20 cm... I was a little confused. As far as I knew, I should be 15 weeks tomorrow. I thought at that time maybe I misunderstood him. Next I got to hear the heartbeat. I think my baby is a little shy because it took us awhile to find it. The doctor had to keep moving the doppler around until we could finally hear it. But what an amazing sound that was!! It's an amazing thing to know something so little - and something inside of me- has got a heartbeat. :)

The doctor was then looking at my chart and asked me if I had an ultrasound scheduled yet. I told him no. He said, well we need to get that scheduled as soon as possible. You'll be able to find out what you are having... maybe we can squeeze you in today... 

I said "really- we can do that already?"

"Yes", he said. "Let's do it soon!"

When the appointment was over he sent me to the front to schedule my ultrasound. When I told the girl at the desk that I was supposed to schedule and ultrasound she asked if this was for my 20 week ultrasound. I said, "Well, I don't know. I thought I was 15 weeks. " She looks at the computer and tells me that the computer said my due date was May 3. Feeling a bit confused and a little excited we continued to discuss. The nurse went back to talk to my doctor. He said he really thinks I am at nineteen weeks and wants to proceed with the ultrasound next week. So, I set up an appointment. We will be able to find out how far along I am and possibly the gender... And now I am just completely confused.