The nitty gritty of pregnancy

I love seeing a pregnant woman. I have thoughts of sweet baby kicks, cute little baby bump, and a perfect little snuggily baby during nap time. Let's be honest though...It's not all sugar and everything nice...

heartburn sore hips runny nose gag reflex love handles weekly weigh-ins gas bloating body odor fatigue...nice way to say DEAD TIRED

Those are all problems with pregnancy but this time for me...the worst is that I can't kiss Brandon. Something about a kiss on the lips makes me gag. I feel so badly for him and I hope he can hang in with me for the next 3 weeks or so. He has been great so far. Even though he's working and going to school he some how finds the energy to get up at 5, work all day, go to school, and still pick up all the pieces when he gets home at 8. (By picking up pieces I mean making me eggs!)

A new haircut

What do you think?

Can I just say...

I have spent so much time in my mommyhood thinking and wondering a few things... 1. Am I good at being a mom? 2. Am I doing this right? 3. Am I missing out, should I be working or going to school instead? Those questions look ridiculous now that I see them! I am the best mom! I love what I do! My babies are happy, healthy, loving and smart. They are mine and I am happy to say so. I am learning that there is no where else I would rather be. Ever since I got pregnant with this baby I feel empowered. Empowered with the strength to be a mommy. I'm a mommy!! ps I'm 9 weeks pregnant! My baby is the size of an olive. YAY!

Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah

1. Guide us, O thou great Jehovah, Guide us to the promised land. We are weak, but thou art able; Hold us with thy pow’rful hand. Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Feed us till the Savior comes, Feed us till the Savior comes.

2. Open, Jesus, Zion’s fountains; Let her richest blessings come. Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Guard us to this holy home. Great Redeemer, Great Redeemer, Bring, oh, bring the welcome day, Bring, oh, bring the welcome day!

3. When the earth begins to tremble, Bid our fearful thoughts be still; When thy judgments spread destruction, Keep us safe on Zion’s hill, Singing praises, Singing praises, Songs of glory unto thee, Songs of glory unto thee.

Text: William Williams, 1717–1791. First verse trans. by Peter Williams, 1722–1796. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.

Music: John Hughes, 1873–1932

Exodus 13:21–22

Doctrine and Covenants 45:57

We sang this song at church Sunday and I realized that I love it. I love the music, the words and the meaning. What a special song for me.

Blast from the past

When I was in 5th grade I started band. I played the trumpet and I LOVED it. We would have concerts (Probably playing Hot Cross Buns) with all 4 elementary schools. At the practices I met Jessica, a fellow trumpeter (actually cornet). I went to Ready and she went to Wadsworth. We soon became good friends and I couldn't wait to be in Jr. High Band with her. We were best friends. We were always together. I don't even think we had other friends, just us. Until...I don't even remember what year it was (Either 9th or 10th grade) but I messed everything up. I don't remember exactly what happened but I do that she liked a boy and I didn't. Either way, we fought and that was it for us. I soon realized that I was so wrapped up in myself and friends that I was lost. I had no idea who I was. I had never thought about the future and I never really made my own decisions. I was lucky that my friends made pretty good decisions. So...I had no plans and really bad grades. Losing Jessica taught me a lot. I made a HUGE turn for the better that year. The first thing I did was I got my Patriarchal Blessing. The next thing was I improved my grades and GPA. I soon had a plan. I would go to business school and become a secretary. That fell through so I went into Cosmetology. I was good at it. I even competed in Virginia Beach and won 5th place in the region. Things have changes in the years since. I have always had a plan but the paths often lead me to another plan. I don't know how but Jessica and I started to email a few years ago. Recently she has moved closer so I am excited to see her again. What is funny is that the petty things that happened aren't a big deal at all. I feel like we have always been friends even though we haven't been for the last 10 or 12 years. I heard this song and even though I'm not find of Miley Cyrus...I love the words...

It's the Climb I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming but, there's a voice inside my head saying, you'll never reach it. Every step I'm taking, every move I make feels lost with no direction, my faith is shaking, But I, I gotta keep trying. I gotta keep my head held high There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle And sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. It ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about whats waiting on the other side. It's the climb. The struggles I'm facing, The chances I'm taking, Sometimes might knock me down But no I'm not breaking. I may not know it But these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, Yeah, just gotta keep going. And I, I got be strong. Gotta keep on pushing on, cuz There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle. Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about whats waitin on the other side. Its the climb. Keep on moving, Keep climbing, Keep the faith, babe. It's all about, It's all about the climb. Keep the faith. keep your faith

Stripes and Polka Dots

80's

We took these pictures in July. It was my last shoot before my camera went bonkers. I'm kinda ok with that now. I am excited to try new things and focus more on my kids. I still love photography and will pick it up again when I have the money to get another camera.

8 Week Check-up

Today I was SO excited to have my first prenatal appointment. We have all had that ringworm so I thought that I'd have to cancel it but Jan said that she would watch the kids here so I got to go! So I got there and I waited and waited. (I soon learned that because I didn't want to apply for WIC and Medicaid that they double booked my appointment on accident. I guess people don't refuse often.) For the first hour I had a counseling session about my health and lifestyle. They asked questions like, "Does you husband hit or abuse you?" Then I had mt appointment with the Dr. SO DISSAPOINTING! I didn't even get to see the baby! I have to go get the ultrasound next week which I'm not excited about getting a babysitter again. I just hope that the ringworm is gone by then. Anyways, I can't wait to see my little gummy bear...until next week.... This is what I saw through the window today...naptime...cute!

How I Defeated Morning Sickness...sorta....

This pregnancy has been much easier then the others in the way of morning sickness. I don't know if it's due to my knowledge and experience with the others or if this is just easier this time. Either way I'm excited about all that I am learning and implementing this time. I thought I could write it out so that I'll know for next time and others can try my little tricks too! 1. Eat all night long. Whenever I'm pregnant in the beginning I wake up 2-4 times in the night to go to the bathroom. After I go I grab a bite of something, whether I'm hungry or not. This time I found that Kashi's Autumn Wheat works for me. I also eat almonds and sometimes saltines through the night. 2. Water. Sip all day long. I carry a water bottle with me all day and refill it a few times. A big part of my nausea is due to the taste in my mouth. Not drinking enough water makes my mouth almost foamy. Even when drinking enough you will have increased saliva and I spit all day long. Also I cramp if I don't have enough water...not good. 3. No sugar. This time I have learned that sugar makes me nauseous. I'm talking sweets as well as too much fruit. I have also found that rice, pasta, and breads are hard on my stomach. I don't know why and haven't really looked into it. If I am eating a little bit of whole grains it's ok as long as there is protein with it. Ex: Tortilla with meat inside. Toast with eggs. Fruit is ok but only a few pieces. (A trick to eating the most healthy friut is to choose fruits with the most vibrant color on the inside, or the meat of the fruit. ex: plum vs apple.) This has been hard because I still want a chocolate chip cookie even though I know it will make me sick. 4. Protein. I eat a few bites of protein whenever I start to feel sick. This has been hard to eat when I feel sick but it wakes it go away almost immediately. It is hard to fix my own meals and sometimes I gag the whole time I'm fixing it but it's worth it to feel better in the end. A few things that work well for me is cheese sticks, nuts, cubed ham, eggs, shredded wheat, and I am going to try ezekiel bread. 5. Small portions. I remember that I will be nauseous again in a half hour so I just eat bites at a time. Otherwise, I will be full and sick. 6. Ginger. It works for me. I found a candy called, Reeds Ginger Candy. I bite off 1/3 and hold it at the roof of my mouth. I have been told to try peppermint and I have been thinking of trying Altoids. (The ginger candy has sugar buy I don't get sick from it) I think that's it for now but I will add more as I learn more. When I was at my sister's house last week she helped a lot by telling me what to eat, because I can never decide what to eat, and a lot of times making it for me so that I don't have to gag the whole time. Also she picked mint and boiled it. The smell filled the house and was soothing to me. I hope this helps anyone struggling. Let me know what you do!

Ringworm

Ok so it's ringworm. We think from the cat. I feel so yucky and terrible that Nix has atleast 15 all over her body. We got cream and put it on last night and it itched so badly! I have one on my arm and I woke up scratching it in the night. Poor Nix. I have one concern...since yesterday, they have grown a lot. Makes me wonder if it really is ringworm. Makes me wonder if we need to give her oral medicine. ugh. This is annoying. Now, what to do with the cat. We have paid more for these "free" cats then I ever thought we would.

Chicken Pox...really?

What a week! I decided last minute to go out of town to visit Jen, my sister. A few days after I got there I started cramping and feeling horrible. Totally drained. I called the nurse at the clinic I usually go to and realized that it's probably a urinary infection (I usually get them during pregnancy). I found a Dr. out where I was and went to her. I soon found out that she was just a gynecologist not an obstetrician. ugh. Whatever. She grilled me and made a very bad impression. She said that I had no "real" symptoms. She asked me about my medical history and I told her about my depression. She asked me if I was taking anything for it and I said no, that I am strangely happy when I'm pregnant. She had a nice comeback of, "Well, that's no reason to keep getting pregnant." Nice, I think at that moment I lost respect for her. Anyways, she made me drive to a lab for the urine test and she said that she "Might" call me back the next day. So I waited and after realizing that the pain was worse I called. She was not there. I decided to call my Dr from home and they prescribed the meds that I needed. The next day I realized that I say bug bites on Phoenix and they were getting worse. Hmmm....what causes itchy spots? Yes you called it! Chicken pox! At least we think. I'll take her in Monday to make sure. Guess who else has it?? Not Atti, ME!