Month of Thanks... week 1

Last year I did a month of thanks every Thursday before Thanksgiving (I know it's Sunday... but, I moved and just got the Internet hooked up today). This year not only will I blog about my week of thanks, but I will send a Thank you note for each blog post. Who doesn't like getting personal mail? I think it's even more sincere then text messages, facebook messages, and emails. This is a nice way of showing my appreciation.

Grant and I have had another great year. We have a lot to be thankful for. Not only did we celebrate our son's first birthday, but we found out that we were expecting again!

The person that I'm sending a card to this week is a very special person to Grant and I. I am going to send a thank you card to our pastor in Boise, Idaho. When Grant and I go to Boise we attend my parents church and make time to see their pastor. Pastor Tom is very special to Grant and I. He married us in 2009, prayed for us and even counseled us before we got married, dedicated our son Jake, and continues to pray for my family. He is a Godly man. A wonderful father, and a dedicated Boise State fan. ;) Pastor Tom is someone I can talk to and ask his advice. He is knowledgeable and dedicated to Christ. I look up to him and his devotion to our Lord. 

Our wedding - April 18, 2009

Shortly after Grant and I got married, I was told I might not be able have children. I was told by a doctor that I had been seeing for over 10 years. I was devastated. After finding out I had poly cystic ovary I saw Pastor Tom. I told him what the doctor had told me and I asked him to pray for Grant and I. I started seeing another Gynecologist (one that is also a friend) and I started taking Glucophage. A diabetic drug. Once I started taking that along with my thyroid medicine (my new doctor had also discovered that I had hypothyroid) I found that my body made it's way back on track. I was pregnant a week after I saw our Pastor and after taking the medicine properly. 

I called Pastor Tom immediately! Tears of joy. We prayed. I prayed. He continued to pray for us. After I had Jake and we came back to visit my parents I brought Jake into meet our Pastor. 

Over the 4th of July I knew we were taking a trip to visit my family and this trip Grant was coming with me. Grant and I talked over and over about who and where we would have Jake dedicated and the only thing that made sense is that Pastor Tom should do it. The man that married us, prays for us, and knows us personally. I called Tom 2 weeks before our trip and he said he'd love to dedicate our little man. WE WERE THRILLED! 

Later that trip we found out that we were expecting baby #2! What a miracle. Children are God's gift to us. Pastor Tom was alerted of baby #2 as well! 

We will be making our way to Boise for Christmas and I can't wait to attend Church on Christmas Eve. I've been going to Christmas there almost every year for that past 6 years. Cloverdale Church of God is a wonderful place that I can call home when I'm in Boise. I just wish we could go there every Sunday! 

Thank you Pastor Tom for guiding us in the right direction. For restoring our faith in times of weakness and being there for all the blessings that come along the way. I'm truly grateful for what you do and how you touched my family. You are a wonderful person and I can't wait for you to dedicate our other son in 2012!

Appreciation and many thanks!

Half way point!

It's really hard to believe that I'm half way done with my pregnancy. It's flying by so fast. When I was pregnant with Jake I felt like it went so slowly. Documenting everything going on with him and myself. Now I just roll with the punches... Literally (this little guy is active)! I'm so busy with my 13 month old so I'm having troubles slowing down to take it all in.

However, this week I feel as if I am slowing down. My belly has totally popped out! Maternity jeans still don't stay up, but I'm slowly introducing them again. The heartburn is somewhat keeping me up if I eat spicier items late, and I am starting to feel sleepy. When I was pregnant with Jake I took lots of naps... Now... None. Jake is so smart and busy! He's walking everywhere and getting into everything. I love watching him explore! Seeing him look at something for the first time brings a smile to my face. He's the most adorable little man.

I feel so blessed to be bringing another little guy into our world in 5 months! 5 months!! I went to the doctor today for my anatomy scan and the tech laughed when she saw me! She said at first she thought I was still pregnant but then she realized this was baby #2! I guess 17 months is close... But, they will be best buddies! Inseparable little guys! Melts my heart thinking about it all! :)

As soon as she turned the monitor on I was teary eyed. Life is such a gift. I'm so lucky to be able to go down this beautiful journey again. Here are a picture from my ultrasound today.

Looks like baby #2 is already settling into the wonderful breech position. I know I'm still early on... but, every time I get an ultrasound that's his position. Looks like my dreams of a VBAC are getting further and further from reality. Once you have one breech baby, the chances for another breech baby are quite high. I will have to revisit this topic a little further along. Until then... I have a healthy little man just growing along. I'm also measuring a week ahead. I'm such a happy momma!

Hope you all have a great week!

18 weeks

Today we went to Tanaka Farms with our friends Cory and Kristen to do a little pumpkin picking. We had such a fun time. Jake had a great time and got really upset when we picked him up out of the patch and headed to the check out line. He loved running around and investing things he's never seen before.

Jake picked out our pumpkin(s), and we will carve them this week. Actually, Grant will carve them. I prefer to decorate them without cutting them. I don't like the mess that goes along with that. ;) Leave that to the boys. 

I turned 18 weeks yesterday and my bump is starting to show! I'm still not wearing maternity clothes. When I put the jeans on they fall down. So, I've been wearing my belly band. 

What's new this week?

~ I felt the baby kick at 17 weeks and 4 days.

~ Craving mexican food still.

~ Cinnamon Rolls with ice cold milk.

~ Anything sweet really... I have to watch myself or I'd eat ever baked good in sight. 

~ Sleeping is still terrible. Some nights I sleep the whole way through, and other's I wake several times... and some times up for an hour at a time. 

~ Heartburn seems to have went away. I think eating early and staying away from too spicy of foods for dinner is helping. Tum's are still by my night stand.

That's pretty much it. Here is my 18 week picture of the week. I think I'll start taking pictures in the same shirt/pants every week and see how much I grow! But, until next week... here you go! 

Here are the pictures from the farm today:

Little monkey likes to run around!

We fed the animals. 

 HAPPY GUY! 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Decorating for Fall.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I loved it as a child, and I love it as an adult. As a child it meant shopping for school clothes, and school supplies... plus getting back to school (I know... I really liked school). And as an adult it means, cooler weather (although not today), favorite shows back on, football, family birthdays, and .... MORE HOLIDAYS!

Growing up, my mom would always decorate the house for EVERY season. When I was a kid I thought it was pointless. Her spending hours making things, and putting things up. Then, I got older. And I do the same thing. I LOVE TO DECORATE. So, with more limited time I decided to make a holiday wreath. I don't like the ones I've been seeing. I went to Michael's today for another project (that I'll post later), and I decided to make my own.

I bought the following:

1. 1 plain Wreath ($4.99)
2. 1 spool of ribbon ($2.39)
3. 2 sets of fall colored flowers ($3.49 + $3.49)
4. Glue gun (already have - took about 3 mini sticks)

Total: $14.36

 And viola! Made in about 5 minutes (made during Jake's afternoon nap)!

What do you think about another project? Project that a few of us girls go to Michael's and head back to my house for a "decorating" party? Making things for our homes? Let me know what you think!

Happy Fall Y'all!

17 weeks.

Not a whole lot has changed over here. Still REALLY into cheese sauce with jalapenos. I love Mexican food! I love cookies. Homemade cookies from Sweet Jill's to be exact. They have a really good pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting... I ate that on Thursday and have been craving another slice since! I recently started liking an old childhood favorite cereal as well... cinnamon Life! SO GOOD! And lastly, my favorite drink is cranberry juice! SO SO SO YUMMY!

I haven't gained any weight yet. I'm so busy running after Jake and going on walks with Brady, that I haven't gained anything yet. I am starting to get a belly though. I didn't really start gaining weight with Jake until about half way into my pregnancy. For the most part I eat and exercise and live a pretty healthy lifestyle. I remember that towards the end is when I gained most of my weight.

This past week I had a few nights of heartburn. Tums are now officially next to my night stand. DARN IT! I'm also not sleeping great. I get up around 2ish and think about everything... and nothing. Last night I slept great though!

 Last night we headed out for a much needed date night. Grant took me to dinner at LA Live and then we went to the Keith Urban concert. I danced the entire time! I only sat during one of his slow songs and drank water. This was my 6th time seeing Keith. He's so awesome!!! Anyhow, Grant and I had so much fun talking, dancing, and being together. I'm a lucky little lady. Love my boys!

 Here are a few pictures from the concert. We had great seats! Baby #2 was moving quite a bit. He's already a country fan as well! ;)

Friends are the family you choose.

So often I talk about how important family is. I have always been the supporter of family is the most important thing. And don't get me wrong, I still believe that family is most important. However, recently I have been realizing that friends are oh so important as well.

I have always relied on my family for every kind of support. Whether it's mental, physical, or emotional. And I still rely on them. But, recently I have found that my friends are just as important. They say that friends are the family that you choose. I truly believe that.

Over the last few years I have seen people change, and true colors arise. I altered my life to NO negativity. If people can't be happy for you... it's THEIR own problem. I have said good bye to a few relationships. Some where painful and some were inevitable. But, I did what was best for the family I was creating. I'm not a negative person. I try to help those that need help, and support them when I can. And if people don't ever reciprocate, then what's the point? I have heard people talk about my relationship, family, etc. Those people are unhappy, sad people. I feel bad for them. I am truly happy for those that are doing well, and genuinely happy! Life is short, and it can't be spent around people that just don't frankly matter.

Grant recently has been traveling A LOT. He's been very busy with work. I have been with Jake non stop, by myself. I know that this is just a busy time for Grant, so I support him. It's just a little harder when your 4 months pregnant, have a busy 1 year old, and NO family close by for support. I have learned that I have amazing friends. I am so lucky! I am NOT alone. I have a few special mommy friends that have been there for me, and I have been there for them. All of us going through our own things, but always supporting each other. Having young kids keeping us busy, they are always making time to make sure I'm not alone recently.

Some days I have woken up tired and frustrated. Frustrated, because my mom is a plane ride away and can't be here to help me with Jake. Frustrated, because Grant is so busy traveling. Frustrated, wondering why I even live in California anymore. Then it dawned on me this week. Even though I don't have family near, I have friends that I have known for years close by. During the week I have lots of play dates, lunch dates, breakfast dates, walk dates, etc. I am busy all day. I'm so thankful for my friends and our relationships. I thank God for the women that are in my life. I'm so lucky to be able to call them friends. These women have become my family.

If my parents could be here, they would be. But, with everyone working and Dylan in school, its easier for me to travel to them. It's going to get more challenging when baby #2 is here though. I'm thankful for the closeness of my parents/grandparents, and miss them dearly. But, thankful for the women that I see weekly for their friendship, and support.

I thank God for what he has shown me. Showing me that I can rely on these strong, beautiful ladies. I don't need to say names, they know who they are and I appreciate their friendship. Thank you for always  being there. I look forward to more babies, wine nights (eventually), girly trips, and double date nights. I love you ladies and I'm so proud to call you friends. :)

Tonight Grant is taking me out for a date night... We are going to the KEITH URBAN CONCERT... VIP!!! I'm so excited to #1: have a date night with my main squeeze, #2: get out of the house, and #3: HELLO PEOPLE... SEE KEITH URBAN! This is my 6th time seeing him. Yes, I said 6 times. I love him!

Anyhow, have a great weekend. I'll put up my 17 week photo tomorrow! This pregnancy is just flying by!! Soon I will get to meet this baby boy!

Love,

16 weeks - 4 months

I haven't been posting pictures of the baby bump, because I'm now finally getting one. I thought it would be cool to post what is going on with me in the frame that I bought... however, I will have to write bigger next time... it's pretty hard to read.

Things are going very smooth! I felt pretty sick in the beginning of this pregnancy... little bit of nausea. But, now I'm great! I didn't eat a whole lot of stuff until more recently as well. I'm finally starting to crave certain things as well.

This child is just like Grant already! I want cheese sauce every day! If I had cheese sauce I would probably put it on everything I eat. It's so bad! I would have NEVER eaten it if I wasn't pregnant! I have to have jalapenos with it as well. Also, I'm eating Thai and Chinese food. LOVE SPICY THINGS! That is what this baby is getting from me. I was like that with Jake until the heartburn kicked in. So, the plan.... eat spicy until that heartburn keeps me from eating anything with spice! ;)

We think we have a name all picked out... but, I'm not totally ready to announce it. Since I named Jake... Grant had the opportunity for baby #2's first name (of course we have to agree on the name). Grant picked Jake's middle name, and I'll pick baby #2's. It's a good little system for us. We haven't really fought over names. We generally like the same names. So that's good!

Everything is going just peachy! My last appointment went well, and I go back on October 11th. There is nothing better than seeing the little baby grow and hearing that heart beat! I just love him already!

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. I turn a new week every Saturday.

Can you all believe I'm already 4 months??