Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Family Pictures 2014
In early October, we had some family pictures done thanks to Sweet Paislee Pictures. I planned the whole day around our photo session, and even made sure both boys got early naps so they would be in excellent moods during pictures. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned and Gavin refused to smile directly at the camera the whole time. Jaxon was cooperative for the first 15 minutes, and then he decided he was totally done, and not even candy could bribe him to pose. As a result, we ended up with a lot of candid action shots, and I love every one of them. These pictures reflect our life with two crazy boys more than any other pictures we have gotten done, and I also love that Brynlee was included (even though I was about 14 weeks and not showing that much). I would definitely recommend Jena as a photographer if you are wanting pictures done. Here are my favorites.
Pregnant Life...Take 3
Since this pregnancy is nearing to an end, I figure I should write a little about how things are going. In October, we found out we are having a GIRL! I was pretty nervous going into the ultrasound, and I figured whatever gender our baby was I would probably cry. The ultrasound doctor was the same guy that did our gender ultrasound with Jaxon, and he is known for being very accurate at gender predictions. Within 10 seconds, he announced that we were having a girl. He said he was 400% sure. I thought I would be so giddy and excited, but I was kind of in shock. Having three boys would be awesome, but I have always wanted a girl. When I learned a life of pink was in our future, I was in a bit of disbelief. Robie probably thought I was crazy. I just kept telling him I didn't believe it, because I felt like it was too good to be true. We got our ultrasound pictures and called our family and friends who were waiting for the news. I thought for sure that if I found out I was having a girl, I would immediately go crazy buying girl clothes and headbands. It took a couple weeks before I decided I should probably buy something, so Robie took me shopping to get something girly for our baby. As I searched through all the cute clothes at Old Navy, I kind of had a mental breakdown. I couldn't find a single thing I wanted to get, and I was really worried at how unemotional I felt about it all. It wasn't that I was not excited, but I convinced myself that at my 20 week ultrasound they would find a penis hiding somewhere and I was so scared at buying anything pink. I was terrified and scared that buying something pink meant I was committing to a girl, and what if the ultrasound was wrong? Or worse, what if she had something wrong developmentally? Robie assured me everything would be fine, and practically forced me to get something for the baby. I picked a cute fuchsia purple pea-coat (which looked like something I would wear myself), and then we went over to Target and got a leopard print coming home outfit I had been keeping my eye on for a while. At our 20 week ultrasound, our baby was confirmed to be a perfectly healthy baby girl. A weight lifted off my shoulders after that, and I felt a lot more relaxed and excited to start planning a life with a daughter.
In my previous post, I mentioned how my first trimester was really hard. I was so so so sick and threw up a lot (which never happened with my previous pregnancies). Around 14 weeks I started feeling better, and my second trimester was amazing. I felt energetic, I didn't really gain any weight, and I had no problems working on my feet part time. As far as pregnancy goes, this pregnancy has been my easiest...until I hit 32 weeks. In the past couple weeks, I have been so uncomfortable and feel kind of out of whack. Pregnancy brain is real, and my mind has been totally forgetful lately. I am so tired all the time, yet I can't sleep at night. I feel like a kangaroo carrying a bowling ball 24/7, and I have maybe 3 shirts that fit me. I have been having random contractions...NOT Braxton Hicks ones either. They are full blown, breathe through, cry it out contractions that hurt like a B! My skin is breaking out worse than when I went through puberty, and my legs hurt all the time from bulging varicose veins. Yuck, I know. As difficult as things are lately, I find myself enjoying the journey since I am pretty sure this is the last time I will have the privilege of going through it. Every kick and movement makes me happy to know she is alive, but sad to know it's the last time I will be enjoying that sensation within. The fact that my body is creating life inside my belly still amazes me every day.
Another reason why I am enjoying this baby staying inside for as long as I can, is because I am absolutely terrified of having a c-section. I have gone back and forth so many times with deciding to try a vaginal birth again or have a c-section, and every time I come to the conclusion that a c-section would be best. A lot of people I talk to are surprised and confused at why I would want to have an elective c-section when I have never had one before, but I know deep down it is the right decision for me. I don't have the best track record of great labors, and I want to avoid a repeat of Gavin's birth as much as possible. I still have nightmares remembering what I went through during and after having Gavin, and I have done enough research about complications you can have if you repeat a level 4 tear that I am not willing to even risk it. (This pregnancy board thread can give you some examples if you're curious.) Oddly, I feel a sense of peace when I think about having a c-section and I really think it will be my best delivery yet. I am worried about the pain and recovery, but I am positive it will be a cakewalk compared to healing after a level 4 tear (which is basically a vaginal c-section surgery if anyone is wondering). Yeah...now you get why I made my decision.
I am anxious, nervous, and so excited to meet this little girl. We have picked the name Brynlee (Bryn for short), which is a name we have liked since we were dating. I can't wait to see her little face and snuggle her little body, and I am so excited to see Robie with a daughter. He is already so protective and in love with her in a different way than he was with our boys, and it is so cute to see him in that role. I am also excited for our boys to have a little sister. Jaxon was too little to understand much when Gavin was born, but now he is the best big brother and loves bringing me food to ensure that baby Brynlee is being fed and taken care of. He tells me every day how excited he is that after Easter we get to have a birthday party for Brynlee, and he tells strangers about his baby sister and how she has purple eyes and curly hair. It will be nice to have two extra little helpers when she arrives, although I am nervous about explaining breastfeeding to them. Since moving into our new temporary home, I haven't really gotten anything ready for baby, but I feel the nesting instinct kicking in and I am sure my typical procrastination habits won't fail me by getting things ready in the last possible minute. I am 33 weeks tomorrow, and guess what...I'm having a baby NEXT MONTH!!!
In my previous post, I mentioned how my first trimester was really hard. I was so so so sick and threw up a lot (which never happened with my previous pregnancies). Around 14 weeks I started feeling better, and my second trimester was amazing. I felt energetic, I didn't really gain any weight, and I had no problems working on my feet part time. As far as pregnancy goes, this pregnancy has been my easiest...until I hit 32 weeks. In the past couple weeks, I have been so uncomfortable and feel kind of out of whack. Pregnancy brain is real, and my mind has been totally forgetful lately. I am so tired all the time, yet I can't sleep at night. I feel like a kangaroo carrying a bowling ball 24/7, and I have maybe 3 shirts that fit me. I have been having random contractions...NOT Braxton Hicks ones either. They are full blown, breathe through, cry it out contractions that hurt like a B! My skin is breaking out worse than when I went through puberty, and my legs hurt all the time from bulging varicose veins. Yuck, I know. As difficult as things are lately, I find myself enjoying the journey since I am pretty sure this is the last time I will have the privilege of going through it. Every kick and movement makes me happy to know she is alive, but sad to know it's the last time I will be enjoying that sensation within. The fact that my body is creating life inside my belly still amazes me every day.
Another reason why I am enjoying this baby staying inside for as long as I can, is because I am absolutely terrified of having a c-section. I have gone back and forth so many times with deciding to try a vaginal birth again or have a c-section, and every time I come to the conclusion that a c-section would be best. A lot of people I talk to are surprised and confused at why I would want to have an elective c-section when I have never had one before, but I know deep down it is the right decision for me. I don't have the best track record of great labors, and I want to avoid a repeat of Gavin's birth as much as possible. I still have nightmares remembering what I went through during and after having Gavin, and I have done enough research about complications you can have if you repeat a level 4 tear that I am not willing to even risk it. (This pregnancy board thread can give you some examples if you're curious.) Oddly, I feel a sense of peace when I think about having a c-section and I really think it will be my best delivery yet. I am worried about the pain and recovery, but I am positive it will be a cakewalk compared to healing after a level 4 tear (which is basically a vaginal c-section surgery if anyone is wondering). Yeah...now you get why I made my decision.
I am anxious, nervous, and so excited to meet this little girl. We have picked the name Brynlee (Bryn for short), which is a name we have liked since we were dating. I can't wait to see her little face and snuggle her little body, and I am so excited to see Robie with a daughter. He is already so protective and in love with her in a different way than he was with our boys, and it is so cute to see him in that role. I am also excited for our boys to have a little sister. Jaxon was too little to understand much when Gavin was born, but now he is the best big brother and loves bringing me food to ensure that baby Brynlee is being fed and taken care of. He tells me every day how excited he is that after Easter we get to have a birthday party for Brynlee, and he tells strangers about his baby sister and how she has purple eyes and curly hair. It will be nice to have two extra little helpers when she arrives, although I am nervous about explaining breastfeeding to them. Since moving into our new temporary home, I haven't really gotten anything ready for baby, but I feel the nesting instinct kicking in and I am sure my typical procrastination habits won't fail me by getting things ready in the last possible minute. I am 33 weeks tomorrow, and guess what...I'm having a baby NEXT MONTH!!!
(31 weeks pregnant in picture)
Thursday, October 23, 2014
We might be crazy...
...but we are adding another baby to our family.
With how horrible Gavin's labor was, I was really nervous thinking about ever having a third baby. When Gavin was 14 months, I was with friends and they started sharing labor stories. My body started getting really hot, my hands started to sweat, and I got shaky and teared up remembering the trauma my body went through when I had him. Robie and I always said we wanted to have our kids about 2 years apart if we could, but I found myself pushing back and wanting to wait and wait...and wait when that time came for us to try and get pregnant with #3.
Eventually, I decided it was inevitable if we were ever going to have more kids, so I sucked it up and called my doctor for Clomid. After a few months, I took a test and it said POSITIVE. I was a little scared knowing there was no turning back at that point, and it honestly took a while for my mind to register that I was for reals pregnant. Since having a miscarriage, I never fully believe there is a tiny human in my belly until I see a heartbeat on an ultrasound. When we had our ultrasound and saw the little flicker on the screen, I got really emotional and it really sunk in that we are going to be parents again.
When I was pregnant with Jaxon and Gavin, I was nauseous a lot but I never ever threw up. I had aversions to certain foods, so I ate a lot of crackers and cereal. Both pregnancies were pretty mild for the most part, other than normal third trimester problems. This time is a completely different story. I have been so sick. For my first trimester, I threw up every other day and some days I had to force myself to eat a piece of bread. In those first few weeks, everything looked, smelled, and tasted horrible to me. I got physically exhausted from simply walking up the stairs. I have lost 10 lbs, which is crazy to me since the only two things I can hold down are fries and Coca-Cola.
Now that I am 14 weeks, things have been getting a little better. I haven't thrown up in a couple weeks, but I still randomly dry heave and gag at smells, food, and thoughts of food (just typing the word "food" made me gag just now). I am eating a little more, but I still have to force myself to eat a full meal sometimes. Hopefully with every week that passes I will feel better and better, but I am not complaining because I know the symptoms are good and mean my body is doing what it should be doing to create life.
We find out very soon if we are having a girl or a boy. My number one concern is that the baby is healthy, but I won't lie...I would be really excited to finally buy pink since this is probably our last baby. We did the Shettles Method to try and conceive a girl, so we will see how that works out. Obviously it is 50/50, and whatever person we are meant to have is who we will have. I know whoever that little person is, he/she is already so loved by all of us. Jaxon asks me every day if my belly is growing bigger, and he is counting down the days until the baby comes. My official due date is April 22, 2015.
With how horrible Gavin's labor was, I was really nervous thinking about ever having a third baby. When Gavin was 14 months, I was with friends and they started sharing labor stories. My body started getting really hot, my hands started to sweat, and I got shaky and teared up remembering the trauma my body went through when I had him. Robie and I always said we wanted to have our kids about 2 years apart if we could, but I found myself pushing back and wanting to wait and wait...and wait when that time came for us to try and get pregnant with #3.
Eventually, I decided it was inevitable if we were ever going to have more kids, so I sucked it up and called my doctor for Clomid. After a few months, I took a test and it said POSITIVE. I was a little scared knowing there was no turning back at that point, and it honestly took a while for my mind to register that I was for reals pregnant. Since having a miscarriage, I never fully believe there is a tiny human in my belly until I see a heartbeat on an ultrasound. When we had our ultrasound and saw the little flicker on the screen, I got really emotional and it really sunk in that we are going to be parents again.
When I was pregnant with Jaxon and Gavin, I was nauseous a lot but I never ever threw up. I had aversions to certain foods, so I ate a lot of crackers and cereal. Both pregnancies were pretty mild for the most part, other than normal third trimester problems. This time is a completely different story. I have been so sick. For my first trimester, I threw up every other day and some days I had to force myself to eat a piece of bread. In those first few weeks, everything looked, smelled, and tasted horrible to me. I got physically exhausted from simply walking up the stairs. I have lost 10 lbs, which is crazy to me since the only two things I can hold down are fries and Coca-Cola.
Now that I am 14 weeks, things have been getting a little better. I haven't thrown up in a couple weeks, but I still randomly dry heave and gag at smells, food, and thoughts of food (just typing the word "food" made me gag just now). I am eating a little more, but I still have to force myself to eat a full meal sometimes. Hopefully with every week that passes I will feel better and better, but I am not complaining because I know the symptoms are good and mean my body is doing what it should be doing to create life.
We find out very soon if we are having a girl or a boy. My number one concern is that the baby is healthy, but I won't lie...I would be really excited to finally buy pink since this is probably our last baby. We did the Shettles Method to try and conceive a girl, so we will see how that works out. Obviously it is 50/50, and whatever person we are meant to have is who we will have. I know whoever that little person is, he/she is already so loved by all of us. Jaxon asks me every day if my belly is growing bigger, and he is counting down the days until the baby comes. My official due date is April 22, 2015.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Fall at Snowbird
Oh how I love Fall. Everything is magical and beautiful when the leaves are changing and the cool air invites me to wear scarves again.
Robie had a work conference in Snowbird this past week, and we were lucky enough to take advantage of his hotel room in the mountains. We lounged around, went on walk, discovered new places, and took some pictures. My camera settings must have been off a bit, because when I got home half of my pictures were super blurry. I was pretty sad. Everyone knows how hard it is to get one kid to smile, and two is near impossible. Of course, the couple pictures I got of Gavin AND Jaxon smiling perfectly were the blurry ones. Good thing we have family pictures scheduled this coming week, and I can let the professionals get it right with the camera.
Here are a few of the pictures I actually did get. I feel so lucky to have these perfect boys in my life.
On one of our walks, we stumbled upon this awesome playground in the middle of the mountain. There was a mommy and baby moose a few feet away from us, so I was a little nervous for the kids to play there since moose can be dangerous, but we stayed a while and the boys loved playing on all the neat obstacles there.
The Cliff Lodge that we were at had a really nice restaurant on the top floor. The tables had tvs available, which the kids loved, and so did I since it entertained them. I was by myself with the kids most of the stay since Robie was at his conference, so it was nice to be able to eat a warm meal and have the kids occupied at a nice restaurant. I had the most amazing tomato basil soup EVER. I wish I could go back right now to get some.
The boys loved the heated pool and hot tub. We always went at sunset, and it was so beautiful.
We were sad to leave, but grateful to be able to go during such a beautiful season.
Robie had a work conference in Snowbird this past week, and we were lucky enough to take advantage of his hotel room in the mountains. We lounged around, went on walk, discovered new places, and took some pictures. My camera settings must have been off a bit, because when I got home half of my pictures were super blurry. I was pretty sad. Everyone knows how hard it is to get one kid to smile, and two is near impossible. Of course, the couple pictures I got of Gavin AND Jaxon smiling perfectly were the blurry ones. Good thing we have family pictures scheduled this coming week, and I can let the professionals get it right with the camera.
Here are a few of the pictures I actually did get. I feel so lucky to have these perfect boys in my life.
On one of our walks, we stumbled upon this awesome playground in the middle of the mountain. There was a mommy and baby moose a few feet away from us, so I was a little nervous for the kids to play there since moose can be dangerous, but we stayed a while and the boys loved playing on all the neat obstacles there.
The boys loved the heated pool and hot tub. We always went at sunset, and it was so beautiful.
We were sad to leave, but grateful to be able to go during such a beautiful season.
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