It's the Small Things That Matter Most

Hey little man,

Yes, I know, it has been 2 weeks since my last post but hey, I can explain! Well, actually, I can tell you my excuse. Last week (week 18) your momma was  a little bitter. I was hurting a lot that week and just felt like a scrooge so instead of blogging I decided I would skip the post that week and hopefully be feeling better by the next. And guess what? It worked! There are a lot of different things that made my weeks go by better but here are just a few of them:

I've been busy working on getting your nursery together. I know that we have a LONG time till we get to finally meet you and bring you home but since I'm stuck at home anyways I figured I might as well get a little sewing done. Instead of getting lots of Christmas presents for each other this year your Dad and I decided to buy you your crib and dresser. We got that and decided to write letters to each other as gifts instead. I think we might make that a little bit of a tradition in our house from now on. Your Dad and I tell each other we love each other a lot and we get along really well but there is just something about being able to write down exactly how you feel as well as receiving and reading that letter that is pretty special. So, this Christmas my little man was all for you already! :)

This little guy has sure made my day too lately. He is such a sweet puppy. He somehow just knows when you need a little snuggle or someone to play with. That night we put your Dad's hat on him and Grandpas reading glasses. He didn't seem to mind too much!

This is picture of me at yet ANOTHER physical therapists office. Although having to be at a PT office doesn't make me happy, they finally were able to make a difference in how I was feeling. It's not better by any means but I feel like they might be on the right track.

Since momma can't walk around much I didn't get to go see the lights at Temple Square. That's something that I love to do every year and a tradition I look forward to. So this year, my friends and husband being as awesome as they are, decided to all to drive through the lights at Thanksgiving Point. It was fun to be able to see some holiday lights and not have to walk around to see them. At the end of the drive we walked over to the campfire they had and looked at the Reindeer. They sure were big!  

On Tuesday of last week you hit your 18 week mark! I'm sure feeling a difference in my belly and hips! You must be growing big and strong!

On Wednesday of last week your Uncle Taylor flew out to Richmond, Virginia to really start the mission. He has been in the MTC here in Provo since he left a few weeks ago. He got there safe and sound and said he really liked flying. (It was his first time being on an airplane) I have a picture of that phone because that phone was on speaker when he called us from the airport. It was so good to hear from him. We could all tell his spirit has changed already in the few short weeks that he's been gone. I hope someday it is you that's calling us from the airport and headed out on your mission. It has been really hard to have my little brother gone and I can't even imagine how hard it would be if it was my son leaving, but I am also so incredibly proud of the choice he has made in going out and serving the Lord for 2 years. I know without a doubt there is no better place for him to be right now than serving the people in Richmond, Virginia.

All this yarn (and some not pictured) has also made me happy over the past couple weeks. I made NINE scarves for some of the girls in our family. I've done that the past couple years. I've made different styles, but still scarves and it seems like they really like them so I keep on making em :)

This is a selfie. I took it just as I was leaving for Church on Sunday. It was the Christmas program and I sang a song called "Breath of Heaven" in Grandma and Grandpa's ward. I've sang it for the past couple years now and It's something I really like to do. It was different singing that song this year though. It meant so much more to me. The song is written from Mary's point of view and she's asking Heavenly Father if he is sure she is the person he wants to trust to bring the Son of God into the world. She is scared but she says she will do her best and knows that he will be there to help her. It meant so much because right now I know I have a sweet little child of his in my tummy too. Sometimes I worry about not doing a good enough job and wonder if I am really ready for this. When I sang the song it made me remember that I'm not in this alone. I have your Dad, our families, and most importantly I have the gospel and a Father in Heaven who is always there for me to lean on when I need it. 

These pictures are from Christmas Eve and Christmas. On Christmas Eve we always have a big ham dinner, read the Christmas story, play games, eat pie, and open some pajamas. We had so much fun laughing and playing but we all missed Uncle Taylor. It just wasn't the same without him there. 

Also, Beth, Malia, and Milo stopped by for a little visit! It was sure fun to see those little ones! They LOVED playing with Sebastian and carrying him around. It was also really fun for me to visit with Beth. She is like the sister I never had. I love catching up with her and talking about babies! :)

These pictures are from my favorite part of Christmas :) Uncle Taylor got to Skype with us for an hour and a half! It was so good to not only hear his voice but to see his cute face too. He is doing so good! Right now he is in a place called Newport News, Virginia. His area is 4 miles by 2 miles and there are 130 different churches built in the area! He said everyone there loves Jesus and love to talk about him with the missionaries. Not many of them are LDS but they sure love Christ. The area is a little scary though. There is a part of the area where they aren't even allowed to go because it is all controlled by gangs and drugs. I think the rest of the area is scary too but it's a lot safer than that specific part I guess. They are actually making the area a 3 companion area instead of the normal 2 because it isn't as safe there. There's safety in numbers! I'm a little worried about him but I try not to thing about it very much. The Lord is watching over and protecting him while he does his work. So proud of that boy! 

Well handsome, that has been our last couple weeks together. Nothing too crazy but lots of small things that cheered your mom up :) Love you little man! Talk to you soon!

Picture Time

I'm getting a new phone soon and I have SO many pictures I don't want to get rid of. I can't remember if I've posted them before or not so ... This post is going to have a whole bunch of pictures :) super random but fun memories to look at!

Air Force, Family, and Friends

Hey handsome!

I can sure tell that you are growing quick in there! Momma's back is getting worse and worse. I'm not 100% sure how much worse it can get but hey, we are doing what we need to do to get you here safe and sound. I had a few physical therapy appointments and one doctors appointment during this past week. My physical therapist and I had a talk after my last session with him and it wasn't super great news. At first he thought I just had a pulled muscle in my back but after 3 weeks of working on getting those hurt muscles stronger my he thinks (as well as my doctor) that it is more of a disc issue in my back. I'm excited to go see a specialist and figure out exactly what is wrong but I'm a little nervous that my back is bad enough to need a specialist :S The thing that worries me the most though is how this back stuff is affecting you. I sure hope my body is doing what it's supposed to do and keeping you safe and healthy!

Even though Momma is in a lot of pain there is something very sweet that is happening because of it. That thing is your Dad. He is the most supportive and caring man to me and I can see how much he loves you and your sweet self already. I can't bend to load the dishwasher, put laundry in and take it out, and I can't even tie my own shoes. He has stepped up and taken on the role both of us usually handle. He carries me to the bedroom when I can't walk. He warms up my hot pack and arranges my pillows just how I like them to make me comfy. He tells me how pretty I am every single day even though I feel like I look awful. He wakes up in the middle of the night to help me walk to the bathroom when I'm too sore to walk by myself. Sometimes I worry about having a boy. I want to make sure we raise you as a gentleman. I want to raise you to be a hard worker, to be confident, and so many other different things. It's when I think about your Dad and the example I know he will set for you that I feel better about all of that. We all learn best by example and the man you have in your life to look up to is a pretty amazing one.

Speaking of having such an awesome Dad ... Yesterday your Dad enlisted in the Utah Air National Guard! the members from his squadron were there as well has his good friend Kelly. Your Dad and Kelly have been friends since they were in Elementary School. Kelly works on base already so he came over to support your Dad. Dad swore in as a member of the 109th Utah Air Force Squadron. He will supply the radar team with the equipment and set up that they need. I was a little worried that because he is signing right now he might be away for training when you are born but it is looking like he will be leaving in June. It's still right after you get here which will be hard on both of us I'm sure but your Dad and I believe that sacrificing for our country to keep our family safe is worth it. He will be gone from probably the end of June to the end of October for training. It sounds like the 109th squadron will be deployed some time in 2014. Usually their deployments are 3 months long but can be extended. We will see what happens when all of that comes! For now I'm just so proud of your Daddy and I know you'd be proud too :)

Lets see ... what else has happened this week? I got a letter from Taylor on Saturday and found this little gem inside. I laughed so hard I'm sure it shook you up a little in there too!

On Sunday we drove up to Copperton for the Stika family Christmas Party. It was so much fun to be with family. The picture of the handsome little guy is your cousin Grayson. His momma, Jessica, is a cousin and a good friend of mine. I'm sure you guys will be playing a whole lot when you get here.

Your dad and I went to Kelly and Mollie's house to watch a UFC fight. While the boys were watching the fight the girls and I decided to make a run to Hobby Lobby. The girls got yarn so that I could teach them how to crochet and I got the fabric for your carseat cover and your curtains. I kindof LOVE the pattern :) No, I totally love the pattern! I can't wait to get your nursery put together! While we were there was talking to Mollie about all of the things we were looking at to buy for you and I mentioned a diaper bag that i really wanted. She reached in her closet and guess what, she had an extra one! So she gave me that and we gave her our love sac. Pretty sweet trade! Your Dad and I are hoping to buy a sectional for the family room so hopefully now we can since we have room!

We also spent some time with this sweet baby girl (of course). Since I haven't been able to work and I'm getting a huge case of cabin fever. Spending time with her parents has sure made me stay sane! (And your Dad too I'm sure haha)

I think that just about sums up our week! Today marks 17 weeks of us hanging out, I can't even believe it! Only 3 more weeks and we are halfway there to meeting you! We sure love you little man. Keep on growing strong and healthy and I'll do what I can to make that job easy for you. Deal? :)

16 Weeks

Hey little man,

The past couple of days have been long ones I have to admit. Your momma is hurting a lot more lately. I've been seeing doctors, a physical therapist, and a massage therapist to try to make things better for the both of us. I sure hope it starts to make a difference soon! I haven't been able to go to work since last Monday and it is driving me crazy! I've always loved to go to work but I love work even more since I found a job that I absolutely love. As soon and I can start bending better, stand and sit for longer, and not hurt too much, then you and I get to get back to helping those babies get here!

Wanna know what my favorite doctors appointment was though? Your Dad and I got to see you on Wednesday when I went to my OB appointment. The doctor says your definitely still a boy! You were so dang wiggly in there that he had a hard time seeing for a while. You wouldn't sit still! It's so fun to see you moving all over the place! I can't wait until I can start feeling you move instead of just seeing it on the ultrasound machine. The doctor told us at our appointment that you weigh about 6 ounces. He said in 4 weeks you will weigh a whole pound! Do you get what that means? Your weight is going to triple in 4 weeks! I'm so glad that you are growing healthy and strong but please little one, take it easy on me during this growth spurt would ya? :)

On Sunday I started sewing a carseat cover for you. It turned out a little thick so it might just be a winter cover for you :) I was a little bummed but you know what that means? I get to buy new fabric and make you another one! Your dad will sure love that! haha

Tuesday marked the day that you and I have been hanging out for 16 weeks! 

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This sweet little girl came over on Tuesday with her parents and we got to hang out for a little while. Funny story ... She was sitting on the love sac with me (since it hurts to lift her up dangit) and all the sudden my leg felt warm.We moved her and found a big wet spot on my pants and on our love sac. Her parents and I laughed and laughed. It got even funnier to me thinking of how many times that will happen with you around. It's a whole lot easier to get peed on by a little boy than a little girl as I'm sure you will show us very quickly :)

Here's just a few more pictures from our week:

Your dad and I bought this adorable sweater for you. I couldn't resist! Can't wait to see you and your handsome self in it!

I found this handsome picture on my phone. I forgot I took it! This is Uncle Taylor the day before he left for his mission. When I found it it it sure made me smile!

This is the yummy dinner your Dad and I had last night with the Stika's. It sure was DELICIOUS! I absolutely love ham. It's definitely one of my all time favorite foods. Speaking of ... I just remembered I have some in the fridge! Looks like it's lunchtime! :) I love you so much little man! Keep growing healthy and strong and PLEASE wiggle a whole bunch so that I can feel you soon!