Little Man.

Well the time has come for baby number two. 

We found out March 15th that we were expecting. And we had our first appointment March 28th. I was about 8 weeks along at the first appointment. I realized I was pregnant because I was so tired. Literally the first 12ish weeks I slept constantly. I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't get any sort of morning sickness but I don't function for the first little bit at all. 

Most mornings Charli fended for herself and played while I laid on the couch or in our bed. She was really good and Disney Junior was my saving grace most days. 

In April we had our next appointment on my birthday. That was probably the best gift to see a little ultrasound. We didn't find out the gender that time but everything was looking great and I was starting to finally feel more like myself again. April is a crazy month for us with our birthdays and anniversary. We spent our anniversary in Park City and enjoyed a relaxing stay while Charli hung out at Nana's house. For my birthday Kelly took me to the one place he knows that makes me happy the Apple store. I got a new Series 3 Apple Watch. My other one was so slow and the battery was starting to lack. We hurried and grabbed a pizza at Papa Murphy's and rushed home to watch the Utah Jazz in the playoffs. If you didn't know that Papa Murphy's has pizza's for $4.25 on my birthday then now you know. Kelly's birthday was on Saturday he spent most of the day doing a tractor job and when he got home we gave him his birthday gift of GoPro mounts and Utah Jazz Donavon Mitchell shirt. We also went out with my family on Friday to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my dad's birthday and mine. Charli wore my old school Utah Jazz "Malone" Jersey. It was pretty dang cute.

Also we told Kelly's family on Easter that we were expecting. It was pretty funny to see some of their reactions. We had finished the easter egg hunt at Grandma Smith's and had the kids get ready for a picture when Kelly's sister read Charli's shirt "World's Best Sister"... You can imagine everyone was pretty happy. My family found out earlier because I had received a text saying my appointment was the next day and Marci happened to have my phone at the time. She put two and two together real fast even though I tried to say it was a pap smear. :)

The end of May finally came and we were finding out what baby was exactly. I had been hoping for another girl only because we already have a wardrobe that fills the brim of our crawl space from Ms. Charli. And the due date is literally the same week Charli was born. So all the seasons would work for years to come. Well, the doctor looked and said "That's a boy"... Kelly tried to contain himself but you could tell he really wanted to jump off his chair. I was a little shocked and it took me a while to believe it. I just was holding out for a little girl. I also was thinking that this pregnancy so far had been so much like Charli's was that I didn't really think it could be a boy. 

We told both of our families around memorial weekend that it was a boy. They were super excited and it was fun to see their reactions to the confetti poppers. 

But then around 18 weeks things kind of changed. I realized this kid sits extremely low, I started to get sciatic nerve pain in my left hip and could definitely tell that I could eat a cheeseburger every day where with Charli I never really wanted anything to do with meat. 

June came and that appointment went great and it was still definitely a boy. We may or may not have a picture to prove that one. We also traveled down to New Mexico for Kelly's Grandpa's funeral. I didn't do to bad on the road trip. A few stops and I made it just fine. It was a good time and luckily it was cooler weather while we were there compared to their normal 100+ degrees. 

We were finally HALFWAY! July's appointment was the 3D ultrasound where they look at everything a little more detailed to see that things look good. We got some good shots of him especially of him flexing his little arm. The ultrasound tech asked me a lot of questions about my delivery with Charli and I mentioned that her umbilical cord was super short. She made sure to check the cord and seemed to think it was plenty long. Everything looked great and in August we will be doing the lovely Glucose drink. 

I definitely have shown quicker with this pregnancy than with Charli. Which I expected that to happen. I couldn't handle anything to do with milk especially sippy cups that is the one thing that would make me about puke. Luckily Kelly pitched in and washed all those out for me. I am obsessed with my pregnancy pillow and seems like everyone else in the family thinks they can cuddle with it. I  still get up at least once in the middle of the night to go potty especially if I drink something to late. Also Zantac is my best friend... that heartburn has been something else. Before I started taking it I would almost feel like I was choking when I would swallow my food. I still have Tums every once in awhile as well. 

The best thing that has happened is our boat. I love just floating in my life jacket it takes so much pressure off me and is the most relaxing thing. Its what will get me through the summer for sure. Oh and all the Outshine Popsicles and Zeppes runs. 

November 13th is only 16 weeks away... Crazy how fast time is flying by. I'm hoping to get induced so we can maybe have the chance of not having two birthday's in the same week... hahaha it's just what we like to do I guess.

First Year Of Motherhood!

Isn't it absolutely crazy that I am here sitting down to write about an overview of the first year of motherhood! Let me just say you think you have a ton of different emotions when your pregnant but right now I am feeling all the things. Sadness, happiness, sick to my stomach, butterflies and joy. 

The last year has been a whirlwind. You don't really realize it day to day! But man has it been an enjoyable year. I remember last year dreaming about what 2015 would have in store for us. It definitely didn't disappoint thats for sure. 

  It feels like just yesterday we were announcing that we would be expecting. It felt like I was just throwing up on our way to dinner to tell Grandma Smith we were pregnant. It felt like just yesterday that I felt her kick me and do flips. It felt like just yesterday we were having our first ultrasound. It felt like just yesterday that I was bringing home an adorable little girl that I had no clue how I was going to raise her and what type of mom I would be.  In fact it feels like just yesterday I was that 22 year old girl holding her daughter for the first time. I remember I was thinking did this really just happen? Is she really mine? But at that same moment I felt love. I felt the love not only from Kelly, my mom and wonderful mother in law and all the other family that came. But I felt the honest true love of my daughter and my Heavenly Father. For a second I felt bad that this wonderful spirit had just left heaven but, then I felt grateful that I was the one who got to have her not just for this lifetime but for ETERNITY!

I definitely can't sit here and say that it was the easiest year. We had the sleepless nights, the crying that sometimes felt like it never stopped (not just Charli crying, me too!), there was laughter and excitement. I honestly can say I had the best time learning how to become a mother. I had plenty of phone calls to my mom, questions for my sisters, crying to Kelly out of frustration. But we somehow made it through. 

I don't know what the next year will bring but I can honestly say that I am in love with being a mom. Some may say that I don't work. And to that you are correct I don't have a job that I have to drive to every day. I actually have the best job in the world! I have a little girl that needs me every second of every day. I have a little girl who makes me work at becoming a better role model. It may not pay in dollar bills but it pays in kisses, boogers and giggles and to me thats the best type of paycheck!

 I remember a quote from this past General Conference at Women's Session.

"There are two important days in a woman's life - the day she is born

 and the day she finds out why!"

-Elaine Cannon-

I'm pretty sure that the day I found why I was important took place when there was times when Charli didn't want anyone else but me. When I got to rock her to sleep, spend hours and days holding her, every morning getting to pick out an outfit for her to wear, laying her down for naps, feeding her, playing with her, dancing & singing with her. That was the day I found out why I was important. I am sure there may be a few more things I will be able to add to that list. But man am I grateful that that I got to be this little girls momma!

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me to become a mother. I am grateful that He was there to help me through the sometimes bumpy, rough road. He was able to show me what I was truly capable of becoming. I am grateful that I get to do it with one of the coolest dads I know. I am grateful that Charli will be raised by a dad who is extremely hardworking, dorky, handsome and that she will be able to see the love we have for each other. 

How blessed are we?! Extremely!

We Wish You A Very Happy 1st Birthday Ms. Charli!

Please Never Grow Up.

Meet Charli Kate Nelson {Birth Story}

November 17th
It's 32 degrees and sunny outside
It was a long night that felt like I had no sleep and what little I got was ruined by a bigger contraction. 
I got up and went to the bathroom I noticed that I was starting to probably loose the mucus plug at 8:20am. It was really odd to see all of that considering your not use to a period for the last 9 months. After Kelly woke up I told him that I was bleeding and that I think today really is the day.
I took a warm bath thinking that may help slow things down or at least make me some what comfortable. I made Kelly sit in the bathroom so I could have him there for comfort and to squeeze his arm off. The bath didn't really seem to do much because things got worse.

We sat and debated if we should go to the hospital and sit through the long process at the triage or if we should go to the Circle of Life. I told Kelly to call the circle of life and see if we could get an appointment. Of course its Dr. Bierer's day off and he wasn't there but we were able to get an appointment with a midwife. They gave us a couple options of times and I picked the earlier one feeling bad that Kelly wasn't going to be able to shower, eat breakfast or even do any ounce of preparing. 
We headed to appointment for 11am and the whole time in the car I was in horrible pain and just hated every time we came to a stop light. Once we got to the Circle of Life it took me a long time to make it from the car to inside because of the contractions. Kelly checked us in and I stood there holding on to him. A contraction came on and I just put my head on his shoulder and started to cry. The ladies at the front desk asked if I needed anything and were so nice considering I had to just stand there until that contraction was over. Kelly mentioned to them it had been a long night and morning. 
We finally hobbled our way back to see the midwife and of course having to pee in a cup and check blood pressure had to happen before I could really find out what was going on.
We sat and talked to the nurse for awhile and she was so nice and kind for the fact that I felt like crap, looked like crap etc. 
Once the doctor came in she talked to us to find out when my due date was and what had gone on at the hospital the last couple of days. She finally checked me. 
After she sat there for awhile I thought don't you dare tell me that I am not dilated enough and that I should go home. I wasn't going to go home again...
Then her face kind of smirked and said "Uhm your dilated to a 5 you should go straight to the hospital!"
It was relief to finally here that I was no longer posterior and stuck at a 3cm...

Kelly went and got the car and helped me outside.. I grabbed a few teddy grahams and we drove down Harrison Blvd. to the hospital. It was surreal knowing that we would no longer be the only ones in that car once we leave the hospital again. Texted family at 11:50am to let them know we were in the hospital for reals this time.

Once we parked Kelly got a wheelchair and came and got our crap out of the car. He wheeled me as fast as he could with all of our stuff to the fourth floor. We told the nurse that I was in labor. Once we got to the desk they started asking me when I was due, what my insurance was, who my doctor is, if I was getting induced and blah blah blah... 

Kelly was doing great at answering the questions but I finally looked at the nurse and said "We just came from the Circle of Life and I am dilated to a 5 cm." She quickly stood up and grabbed my wheelchair and took me into a delivery room. 
I knew that they would try and stick us back in the triage and I wasn't going to go through that hence why we went to the clinic first.

We were finally in the delivery room at 12:30pm. The nurse was starting to check my blood pressure, she checked me to make sure I was at a 5 cm, she started to do my IV when we heard a knock on the door. I was thinking it was another nurse when finally our nurse Trina looked at us and said I think its for you. Well, Kelly went and opened it and there was my mom. I was never so relieved to see her in my life, just knowing that she would be there for the rest of the afternoon and night was so calming.

The first nurse tried to put my IV in my left hand she totally messed up and so Trina had to do it in my right hand. They pumped the first bag into me fast so I could get an epidural quicker. The anthesiologist came into our room and asked if he could go do another patient really quick and be back in 10 minutes. I said that was fine.. Kelly thought I was crazy but I figured somebody may be in worse pain.

1:30pm
Well once Dr. Silver came back in and heard that I was dilated to a 5 he said I am sorry I should of done you first. He asked what I knew about a epidural and what he was going to do. I told him no and he started to tell me about it. He explained it like going on a flight in a airplane. He had me roll over and started to get stuff ready to go. I was glad I didn't see any of the tools he was going to use (aka the needle). He put the local anesthetic in and it was just a tiny pinch at first I thought that was it.. then he kept talking to us. I was talking to him when I suddenly stopped he looked at the monitor and looked at me and said are you having a contraction. I nodded. He said perfect time to do it. I was scared at this point because I didn't want to move and end up screwing up the epidural or let alone paralyzing myself or something. But once he put it in and started everything I didn't even feel it go in. 
The whole time I held Kelly's hand and our nurse Trina's hand. It wasn't too bad and it felt so nice to have relief from what I had felt the last 2 days.

They had told me that Dr. Bierer was at a meeting and would be back around 6pm but if not Dr. Davis would deliver for us. I didn't really seem to care since I heard great things about Davis and he seemed very nice.

2:15pm 
Dr. Davis came in and broke my water I was dilated to a 6.5 plus about a half hour later Trina came in to roll off the sheet underneath me. I heard it hit the floor and she said "well I think you lost about 5 pounds of fluid and still had more left, that was a lot of fluid!"
Kelly's mom arrived to the hospital with candy and a gift for me and Kelly. I was jealous of the candy since I only had ice chips and suckers.3:10pm 
checked me 7.5cm dilated
4:20pm 
checked again still at 7.5 cm then given Pitocin to speed things back up.
I became itchy and I felt like I was freezing I guess that is a common side effect with epidural
5:55pm dilated to a 9cm
We were almost ready to go.. yay!
Kelly's Mom says: "let it rip"  I said:"eh how bout not" everyone laughed.
At 6:30 I was checked and at 9.5 cm 
7pm I was almost to a 10 and the heartbeat on Little Miss Nelson had dropped
A couple pushes and I was dilated to a 10cm and ready to start
7:05pm Trina started to get the room ready

I did a few more pushes with Trina and she suddenly stopped and said we would wait until Dr. Bierer got to the hospital. I guess the babies heart rate had dropped every time I was pushing. It would go from 160bpm to 60bpm. She then grabbed the oxygen and put it onto me and had me roll to my side. I didn't get what was going on. Kelly came and stood by me and I asked what was happening. My mom looked really nervous. 
I heard Trina say I think the cord may be around the babies neck. She then said its more common than you think. She said she paged Dr.Bierer and he was on his way. She told us it doesn't take him that long to get here.

Our doctor finally came in. It was odd to me that he was dressed in a nice shirt and pants. I was expecting scrubs since thats what I have seen him in. He put on the delivery gear and we were ready to go. I pushed about 15-20 times when he decided that her heart rate 
I was pretty drowsy and sleepy right before we started to push once he got there, I think everything was finally catching up with me.

Bierer decided after a few pushes the baby was going to have to go around another corner and it would be hard to sit and push her so he guided her out and then used a vacuum to suction her out. Which made it seem like it went pretty fast. I also was glad that he made that call since her heart rate was all over the place.

My mom had worn me that the shoulders are the hardest but after her head popped out the rest of her body slid on out. She didn't really have broad shoulders. 


The cord wasn't wrapped around her body it was just a really short cord probably like 17 inches long so it reached enough to lay her on me and have Kelly cut the cord but they couldn't run a test like they normally do because of it being short.

I was really jealous that everyone got to see her over on the other side of the room while she got shots, weighed and wiped down. I kept watching them look at her and Dr. Bierer noticed it and said "Now no one cares about you since you got the baby here!". We both sat and laughed. I could tell the epidural was wearing off but luckily they give you pain pills before you leave the delivery room. 







We did skin to skin after they had her ready. My parents snapped some photos of us with our new little girl and she was so calm. I couldn't really look at her since they had put her on my neck it felt like but it was nice to finally have her here.

My dad and Marci came in to see her and then everyone walked out and we tried to breastfeed her which wasn't happening she wasn't interested and was exhausted. (I can't blame her she just had contractions for 3 days and then a suction cup to pull her out)

We then got moved to our postpartum room and right as we got there my mom and Marci came in. 
I thought they had left but they didn't both held her a little more and took pictures.

The nurses came in and did her footprints and measured her head since she had the suction cup they don't want a lot of swelling to happen in 24 hours. They also talked about getting her to breastfeed and that they have started a new thing where the baby has to have 2 feedings in 4 hours from delivery before they can have their first bath. Which at 10pm that seems almost impossible since Charli was worn out and so was I.




They had left for a while and I ate a box lunch since the room service was closed for the night. 
It wasn't extremely great but after only having a handful of Teddy Graham's I ate most of it.

Kelly sat and held her and rocked her in the chair. It was so cool to see him finally holding her and getting to experience it. We sat on the bed and held her and tried to get her to wake up to eat. 

We did a couple spoon feedings for her to get something in her system. She wasn't at all interested in doing anything with breastfeeding. 

The nurses then took me to the bathroom with the help of the nurses and started the best thing ICE PACKS & Dermoplast & Witch Hazel (HEAVEN).

We then sent her to the nursery after we fed her and they asked where we wanted her first bath because it would be 3am when she would be ready for it. We let them do it in the nursery so we could finally get some sleep. Not that you get a whole lot in the hospital.

She slept the whole night in the nursery we fed her at 3:30am. 

What a day it was but we are so glad to have Charli Kate Nelson finally here!

Oh Labor.

So almost three days of labor and here is how the story goes.

On Saturday November 15th we woke up and it was a normal day Kelly wanted to get somethings done outside and I was going to try and get some cleaning done. Around 10:35am I could start to feel contractions they lasted consistently for 5 minutes in between until 1:35pm. I had called Marci to see what she thought I should do. They weren't painful but obviously your belly tightening isn't the funnest thing. I decided to finally time them and they were in the guidelines that my doctor had told me that then I should go to the hospital. 
Well, we fell asleep and then woke up around 5:15pm I asked Kelly if he thought we really should go and if it was worth it. I wasn't in the crazy pain that I had read about or had been told about.

At 6:20 pm headed to the hospital just to see if things were going to be picking up and what was really going on. After getting to the hospital and being in the triage for what seemed like forever and walking for an hour around the labor and delivery we finally were discharged at sent home at 9pm.

We were both starving and so we stopped at in and out burger and I chugged my chocolate shake like a crazy woman. I wasn't really that hungry by the time we got home and I only ate part of my cheeseburger. We stopped at a redbox and got Fault in Our Stars, I had wanted to see it for awhile now. We both stayed awake for the whole movie. I relaxed on the couch with the heating pad while Kelly was on the LoveSac with Nala. We went to bed after midnight.


Sunday November 16th

I woke up around 7:30 am with a noticeable difference that contractions started. They were definitely a lot more painful than they were before we went to bed the night before. I timed them and they were at 3 minutes in between with 43 seconds each contraction. We thought what the heck they are more painful and they are timing out to be faster and longer.So we left to hospital at 10:47 am it was 23 degrees outside and sunny. Snow covered mountains.
We started the whole triage room again. They checked me and watched contractions for over 2 hours. They contacted my doctor to see what he wanted to do. He couldn't induce me because of others already pending. I would sit and grab Kelly's hand through every contraction and just cringe. I remember praying that they would keep me because I just couldn't last with how much pain and discomfort I was in. But of course here we are getting sent home. Kelly could tell the pain I was in and asked if I could be given something to help with the pain. After a phone call to my doctor he approved a morphine shot. Yay! We left the hospital at 1:30pm.

Since I was just a few minutes from dosing off and being completely loopy with the shot I told Kelly to go to my parents so he could at least talk and watch TV with them since I wasn't going to be much of anything. 
Marci and Landon stopped by with there kids and we talked about what had happened at the hospital. I remember telling them I felt so stupid for showing up at the hospital 2 days in a row and then being sent home. Landon said you did what your doctor wanted you to do and what we would tell any one to do so its better that you went.
I tried to eat mashed potatoes but wasn't feeling it and could tell my appetite had really decreased. I ate snickers, Cool Ranch Doritos and some Coke. (Great diet right?!)
Towards the end of the morphine shot and while I was asleep I could still feel a lot of the contractions. Which I thought was really retarded since I was wanting to just not feel anything.
Kelly finally packed up everything and we headed home around 9:30pm. Krystal and Kishell came over with a birthing gift (magazines, candy, playing cards) for Kelly and me. It was nice to sit and talk to them. I stayed in the chair in the nursery the whole time. There were a few times I had to stop talking because of the contractions. I had never wanted to scream, yell and cry so much but you are in so much pain you become speechless.


Kelly was trying to get me to eat but I was not very hungry and still disconnected from the shot.. I knew I was in for a long miserable night..

And yes it was a long miserable night.

We took this last belly photo on Saturday night. You can definitely tell she had dropped!

Cravings

I kept this list of cravings throughout the pregnancy!

Between 8-12 weeks.
Did I get a large Pizza & Breadsticks from Papa Johns on a night that Kelly is working a Construction On-Call shift? Yes, I did. I can't turn down a craving for ham & pineapple pizza.. it's never been possible. But it was delicious and Kelly didn't seem to care!

Wendy's Chili.. Twice in one day I would say its a craving.

Potato Chips!! But only Classic Lays, something about that salt!

Zupa's Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup. I can not get enough of that stuff!

I still am a candy fanatic. I realized if I suck on life savers or jolly ranchers when I feel a little nausea it makes it go away and I am fine.

13 weeks craving.
Oh My goodness.. I had been craving a BBQ ever since it has been warm. Our families have yet to have one but I still have faith that we will soon. But, with that being said I still needed to satisfy my hot dog craving.

I know, you aren't suppose to but if you know a pregnancy craving you won't judge. I was at Sam's Club and I realized they had a hot dog... boom & done. It was so delicious. It may have been because of the relish and all of the condiments but it was just so good. I probably will be heading there again soon to get another hot dog.

20 weeks

I finally worked up the guts to try Cafe Rio again.. and guess what I did fine! Yay, it was just that morning sickness!!

I still love potato chips!

Late night snacks are really needed but hard for the fact I am starting the heartburn.

23 weeks

It was 10:30 pm and we hadn't ate dinner. Kelly was asking me what I wanted, I wasn't sure. I felt like not eating because I knew anything that late would keep me up with heartburn. But, he knew how to get me to eat. He told me to order a Pizza Hut dinner box.. I was done. I love pizza.. there is nothing better. Its the one thing that I would probably not care how much heartburn I got!!

The other thing that happened was when we were at Zupa's I had really wanted some yummy Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup and well, they didn't have anymore. Nothing ticks off a pregnant person more than not being able to satisfy a craving.

We also have loved banana creamies lately! Something about raspberry & banana shakes... yum.

This could be the LAST Bump Update?!

This could possibly be the last Ultrasound of Little Miss Nelson before she is here... 

Now that is CRAZY!

We actually were able to get a picture of her this week at our Ultrasound. She has a little dancer bicep showing if you know what you are looking for. I don't know what it is with this child but she loves the duck lips. Hopefully they stay as a pose and not used for kissing boys till she's 35 years old.

How far along are you: 39 Weeks

Dialated/Effaced: 3 cm and 75% effaced to 80%

Total Weight Gain: I gained about 2 more pounds this week so it would be 15 lbs total so far. I had a heavy coat on when they had weighed me.

Stretch Marks: Nothing yet. I do have some pain on my left side mainly because she doesn't sit anywhere else but on my left side.

Sleeping: I have been able to sleep fine with only having to get up to go potty once a night. It really hasn't been to bad. Although I realized my arms fall asleep and become numb a little bit.

Best Moment This Week: I have still been coaching and going to dance. Although I have cut back on moving mainly because its painful and well I can't do a whole lot of stretching with this bowling ball in the way. But I was really bummed at watching the dance girls turn so I made Alexa do a turn combo or two with me. It was great to turn again. I came home to show Kelly the video of us turning... he was anything but happy. He was like "I told you to not dance and blah blah blah.." Well sorry dear I couldn't help it. I look a little funny with the belly and I am totally not balanced completely but it was fun to turn at 9 months pregnant. You may even be surprised that I can still do the splits, it actually feels good to sit in them since my hips are getting tight and tense sometimes.
Little Miss Nelson is going to come out knowing how to turn and she is going to find this years dance music soothing more than likely since she has heard it a ton.

This week I also used a gift card that Kelly gave me for Valentines Day. It was for Massage Envy. I hadn't used it because I wanted to make it worth something. Well a prenatal massage was totally worth it! I loved it. It was the best hour. I can tell that I haven't had as many back pains and it made my attitude better about still being pregnant. I called Kelly and told him how much I loved it and how I want to go back once a month. He laughed and said you have had that gift card for over a year and you now are in love with massages.. Sound about right!

Contractions: Sunday was pretty bad I couldn't walk very well and was definitely waddling. Monday & Tuesday was fine. After the doctors appointment today I have felt a lot more contractions but they aren't up to what they should be to rush to the hospital quite yet.

Cravings: I got a frosty with Kelly tonight and Nala hitched a ride with us. I was very excited to have Ice Cream even though its 20 degrees outside and its suppose to snow tomorrow. Also Kelly got us a Chicago Style pizza for dinner this week. It was delicious. We also stopped at Fiiz drinks on the way home from Grandma Smiths.

Labour Signs? I have noticed that she is shimmying down lower. Now if she would like to just make things move along a little faster.

Happy or Moody? impatient. I am getting to the point where I am sick of being pregnant and I am sick of being asked so are you still pregnant, is it going to happen today, are you at the hospital... I understand the excitement that everyone has but this little girl inside really isn't wanting to leave quite yet.
Looking Forward to? I am hoping that my doctor is somewhat correct and that she will be here before our next appointment. He seems to think that its any day now.. But I don't know if the baby thinks that.

We have talked about how we are going to spell her name, all of the insurance stuff and Kelly has asked me several times if I have a bag packed for him. He also has shown that he is nervous for the time when we are sitting in the hospital.

I finally parked in a parking spot for me.. it was already an empty parking lot
since I woke up early to get clearance halloween candy.

This is at 38 Weeks

On Sunday in between 38-39 weeks

Since I haven't had to go to work the last week it's been nice to be able to clean the house, work on things for the babies room, read a bunch of blogs and of course watch Studio 5. But we also have had our lazy moments.. more than I would like to admit too but look at how cute this puppy is.. ignore the fact that I don't wear make up hardly ever now. 

Baby Bump Update!

How far along: 37 Weeks
How do you feel about being full term: It was a little weird being at my appointment today and hearing that we are on the last few appointments before she will finally be here.
Dilated/Effaced: 2 cm and 75% effaced. Funny story; I asked Kelly if he knew what effaced meant and he replied: The doctor meant that we were 75% left until 'we see her face'... So effacement was a new lesson for Kelly.
We normally can get a some what good face shot of her but today she was sitting so low and ready to come that he had a hard time getting a good measure of her head. After that he said you are A LOT LOWER than you were just 2 weeks ago. It seemed like he was shocked at how much she had pushed her way down.
Total Weight Gain: I weight 158 lbs. that puts me at gaining 13 lbs. from the very beginning of this pregnancy.
Stretch Marks: If I have em', I can't see em..
Sleeping: Where do I begin. I at least don't have insomnia like I did a couple weeks ago. I still have a midnight potty break.. Or I have a kickboxing class going on in my stomach.. then at about 5 am it changes to a Zumba class and then by about 7:15am we take a break and finally sleep. So this little girl is very active and likes punching, kicking, wiggling and twerking. (Yes, I swear her bum is always shaking)
Best Moment This Week: We have been getting her room finished up. I am sorry I haven't posted photos yet. I just want it completely done before you see it. So hold out just a little longer. I have loved getting her clothes ready in her closet and deciding where to put everything.
I also have to say THANK YOU to all of those who spoiled her rotten at several baby showers. I can't imagine how cute she is going to look in these outfits, shoes, headbands etc., It will be so fun to play dress up with her! We are so spoiled between our family members, friends and ward. Thank you again!
Contractions: Well, the Dr. asked if I had them. I said 'I think so but I don't know if thats what it was.' he then reassured me that I probably had and that when they get worse I will know. hhmmm, that was some jinxing because right after our appointment it was on like donkey kong.
Food Cravings: Frosty and Lays Classic Chips
Labour Signs? Don't think so yet.
Symptoms? I still have some round ligament pain going on mainly because she likes to sit and punch right in that spot.
Happy or Moody? My patience is limited. Don't believe me? Ask Kelly. Oops. Don't do that because he would say thats even when I am not pregnant. But lately I have been pretty short and to the point with certain things. Luckily he just sits back and says okay.
Looking Forward to? I am looking forward to getting her here already! We also have been told that we will probably go before our due date since I am already dilated so the new projected date is now: Nov. 12th or 13th. 
Hospital Bag Packed? After some harassment from my sister and dance girls. Yes, it is packed. I have no idea why but it is really hard to pack when you know its not a vacation to somewhere fun. I didn't like thinking about how I was packing to go somewhere for the worse pain in my life. eek.

Every day Kelly reminds me : "Are you ready for the worse pain in your life?" I have started to respond with "Are you ready for me to yell and rip off your hand?" ...  then the subject changes pretty fast.

This week I got a call from BabiesRUs and I had won something off my registry. I just had to pick what I wanted and then go in and pay the tax. So, I paid $12 for this 4moms Mamaroo. It was really easy to set up and Kelly wishes he could sit in it and get rocked to sleep. I was pretty stoked that we won something like this that we really would have never gotten.

Maybe they will come up with adult swings?!



Today, I did the first load of laundry for Little Miss Nelson. This isn't all of her clothes but it was time get everything washed and ready for when she makes her debut. Hope she knows how much she is loved.

The Baby Bed

Last night we were finally able to take Grandma Smith out and get a crib!

 This past summer she was in the hospital for about 3 weeks with blocked bowel and ended up having surgery to remove scar tissue.

Once she was finally released from the hospital she was in a rehabilitation center for a week and a half. Then, once she was home there was constant care from Kelly's mom, siblings and she had home health coming in every other day to do physical therapy and test her heart. 

I am sure I mentioned it before but Kelly has a very close relationship with his grandma. He always has and will. When we were first dating he had told me that one year Grandma told everyone she doesn't want gifts, she just wants to be visited once a week. Well Kelly has done just that since then he has gone to her house every Sunday night. Since she had been so sick we were at the Hospital or Rehab center anytime and all the time. I can't tell you how worried and stressed Kelly was to see his Grandma in such pain and sickness. It was cute how much he loves her but heartbreaking to see him so sad. 

Grandma Smith was the first person to find out we were pregnant since I threw up in her car earlier in the spring while we were going to Taggarts grill in Morgan. Ever since that night she has told us that we need to pick a baby bed and she will get it for us. At first that seemed so far away and we were not even thinking about baby things yet. 

Kelly's Grandma absolutely is a generous person. She has spoiled her grandkids and great grandkids not with just money and gifts but by just being herself and the witty person she is. One of the things she has done with everyone is buying them a crib when they have there first kid. At one point we were so excited that Grandma would be able to know we were expecting and that she would be able to see our new little baby. But this summer when she got so sick, so fast we weren't sure if we would be able to see her reaction when she finally would get to hold our baby. There were a few nights that Kelly would say in the parking lot I am so bummed that she may not be able to go get a crib with us or make it to see our baby born. 

Well miracles happened and they happened so fast. Grandma was determined 75% of the time while she was in the hospital that she would make it to see her granddaughter Mickenzie be married and that we still had a baby bed to get so she couldn't leave any of us yet. Grandma made it home 2 days before the wedding and was able to get clearance to go to the wedding and reception. It was great to have her in the temple and see how happy she was that day. It was a huge goal to be able to go and she even was able to stand up for a few pictures. 

We tried to go two other times to go and look at cribs with Grandma. Either the weather was bad and she didn't feel well or Kelly had to work late. 

Last night was finally going to work. I picked Kelly up from work and we headed straight to pick up Grandma. She was excited and ready to go! She even told us her blood pressure had been high all day because of her excitement.

Once we walked into the store she decided she wanted to sit in a wheelchair. Kelly helped her around the store and we showed her the crib we liked. She then exclaimed "well, let's buy it!"  

She was very happy that we picked a white crib. It was something she had her mind on. We also took her around the store to pick a mattress and she insisted on getting us diapers for the baby shower in a couple weekends. 

We tried to tell her we don't need her to get us diapers since she was already getting us a crib. But we learned one thing you don't tell Grandma no! 

We were looking at diapers and the box had 200 or so inside. Kelly was trying to tell his grandma we don't need that many because our baby will be into the next size probably quickly and they don't go through that many diapers as newborns. I started to laugh and so did grandma! Kelly couldn't believe that our little girl will probably use 10 or more diapers a day when she is born. It's funny how much learning goes on before the baby is even here. 

After we checked out and ordered our crib and conversion rails Grandma told us she wanted a malt. So we took her to Warrens to get one. She had a cherry shake. She hasn't had sweets in a long time but she insisted she was fine now. 

On the way home I had a toddler mattress laying on top of me. It couldn't fit in the back of the trunk so I got to have it squish me. It was quite comical. 

It was so fun to be able to spend time with Grandma Smith and I think it meant a million times more to both me and Kelly that we were able to finally go. I can't wait to have such a gorgeous crib in Little Miss Nelson's room and for her to one day to know that she got it from her Great Grandma. 

This is how we fit a mattress in to grandmas car!

It's a guy thing right?!

I have came to realize that guys AKA my husband does not like stores!

We always struggle to go grocery shopping. I will call and tell him I am going to see what he wants and he will sometimes name a few things. That will last about two months and then he finally says he will go with me so he can get what he wants. Which we always end up getting more stuff not a bad thing but I don't know why he can't just say I would like bean burritos, chips for my lunch, ice cream etc.

Well. The struggle is real my friends.

When we were getting married I remember finally dragging him to Target for our registry. I totally agree its a weird thing we do in society and that men don't get a kick out of scanning anything in the store. Nor, do they sit and dream about that one dish on isle 13 that will look so cute in their house.

I remember scanning something in Target and him immediately asking "Why do we need that?" .. well, it came in handy didn't it! After much convincing and a few others telling him that the list of things we had at Target wasn't stuff he was going to have to buy once the wedding day was over. Although, he still was so stressed out about the whole situation. It's a giant wish list with a few things you need.

Which in our case we both really had essential things so our wedding list wasn't anything extravagant. Bonus of him living in his own house and I guess that I went off to college and had a few reasonable items cut that down a lot!

After the wedding stage becomes something that men just don't know about and that is the
BABY registry.

I don't know if Kelly didn't know that it exists or that we would do one but that soon became another realization.

Tonight, we went to Babies R Us for the first time. Mainly, because I wanted to look at the cribs their because Kelly's Grandma Smith always buys the first crib for each grandchild. She has been on us about going to get one & so we figured a rainy friday night we could finally go look.

I know most people have their own opinion on where they would register and all of that but after looking online at all the different places I think Babies R Us is the place for us. They have some great deals and I feel that its easy to find things & registering online has been a snap.

After a few walks around the store & me talking about different things Kelly became 100% overwhelmed. He began to think that this list we had created was another thing he was going to have to purchase. But just like a wedding registry its a giant wish list. Will there be things that I hope we will get? Yes! Will we get one or two things after the baby is here? Maybe. But, its not like the baby comes and boom, Babies R Us is chasing after you to buy the stuff on your registry. (Although, they give a discount on things not bought on your registry after the baby is here)

Throughout the hour and a half we spent in the store I had to remind Kelly that its going to be okay. No a baby isn't going to be cheap, but we will survive. I really don't think he thought we would survive.. okay we weren't going to survive Babies R Us because we would of made a visit to the ER because a man fell into soon-to-be Dad syndrome. ...Plus the poor guy is starting to see what 'nesting' looks like on his wife.

Our registry really doesn't consist of a whole lot. With the help of family we really have the biggest things. Marci gave me her carseat & baby bathtub.. plus the free raid of little girl clothes she has. Kelly's nieces have already gone through their closets and gave us dresses for us. Kelly's sisters have offered plenty of things for us to borrow from them. And last but certainly not least Kelly's Grandma Smith... what would we do without that woman! From the second she found out we were expecting she has been waiting to go get us a crib. She has always bought a crib from each of her grandchildren.  I love how giving she is & it certainly takes a huge burden off of us.

Our list seems like its very sparse but the things on there will really be the only things we need. I am still unsure about strollers, crib mattress, thermometer, safety things.

Overall I kind of enjoyed looking at what will possibly be our crib & all the little joys of having Little Miss Nelson apart of our family.

I guess I should also let you know that as of last night we may have finally come up with a name for her! Who knows if it will stick but this one may have a high possibility.

By the way we hit the Third Trimester on Wednesday August 20th! Yay! .. I can't believe we have 3 months to come up with a name, start/finish a nursery, wash clothes and stay sane until she arrives.

Also, there has been some spray painting going on her for some things in her room. I can't wait until we actually start to paint her room!

I think after tonight its safe to say I am one excited soon-to-be mama!

The First Kick

Sitting in Sunday School yesterday I could feel the baby moving so I poked Kelly and told him to watch for her to move.

After a couple seconds she did a giant kick and Kelly got a big grin on his face. I don't think he knew you would be able to see her move.

She is starting to become more and more active everyday, especially once I hold still. She's not a fan of that.

Kelly was so funny the rest of the day he would stare waiting for her to move again. We are excited to have our 24 week ultrasound with the Tech on Wednesday. It's becoming more and more real & I am buying more and more little girl things.. oops. (I hope Kelly didn't read that..hahaha)


Little Miss Nelson is an active little wiggle worm.

We are HALFWAY!

I was little excited about being halfway through this pregnancy. Probably because everyone marks it as such a milestone.

We had an appointment the morning before (July 2nd) we left to the Virden Reunion. I was exactly 20 weeks, the doctor was a little behind since he had just got back from a c-section. Kelly didn't want to miss work since he was going to be taking a week & a half off. My mom came to the appointment with me, I will admit out of the appointments I have had at Circle of Life that day was crazy. There were so many more pregnant people it made me start to have a phobia. My mom agreed.

After getting the lovely glucose drink from the nurse and telling me I would be doing it in 8 weeks & that my next appointment will be with the Tech. We finally were able to start an ultrasound. Lets just say Baby Nelson was a complete stinker. Sitting indian style with hands resting on its forehead. My doctor poked and prodded for it to move for a good position well... lets rewind a little bit.

At 16 weeks (May 28th) they had told me what we were having, Kelly & I both left the appointment a little relived but at the same time not sure if they really could 100% tell. So for this 20 week appointment we were hoping to get a definite.. and well after one of the longest ultrasounds we had since the stinker wouldn't move or was asleep we are proud to announce that Baby Nelson is .....

Little Miss Nelson!

I apologize it has taken me almost a whole month to finally announce it. 

Yes, this little girl has her first pair of shoes & yes I have a pair that will match it!

I had them take a guess at one of our last practices at the studio. I figured these girls saw our ridiculous skit to announce I was pregnant that they would be able to find out before Summer starts what this little bean was.

My young women also guessed on the poster of what they thought I was having... it was fun to watch people not know what to do.

Especially the few who signed completely down the middle.. cheaters!

My dance girls found out after our recitals and they all thought it was a boy. I wouldn't budge and give them any hints; which to them made them think it was a boy.

Alexa & I went to Zurchers and got some balloons. It gave them a little inkling that something was happening.

(PS. Don't mind the fact that Jack Sparrow is helping announce and the fact I am dressed as a pirate...We were pirates for our Alumni tap this year.) 

These girls were so excited to know it was a girl & they instantly started combining all of their names together as ideas for Kelly & I.

Kelly was super sick the day of the recital & it was just the beginning of a long week for us.

But, he came to the last performance and sat next to my mom. 

Halfway through the recital he leaned over to my mom and said; "I just had a realization I am going to be going to dance recitals for another 18 years!!" 

My mom just laughed.

So here is our cheer to another girl in the house, dance recitals, dress up parties, drama & everything else this little girl will bring into our lives.

Long Drive.. Day One!

We drove to New Mexico today for Kelly's family reunion. We had to leave a little later than we wanted so we could drop Nala off at the kennel hotel she was going to be staying at. She really didn't care that we left her in fact she remembered the place from our cruise. She was so happy to see all the other dogs and the owner loves her.

We left our house at 8 am and made it all the way to Moab by noon. We stopped and ate at Milt's Diner. It's like Burger Bar but, not exactly. Kelly knows all the good places in Moab from working down there for a few weeks with Questar. (I guess thats a perk, although Moab is quite far.)

Once we got back on the road we took a different way than most people in his family take to get down there. It was through the Indian reservation which to be quite honest is very interesting to see just for the fact it makes you grateful for having a laundry room in your own house.

With this pregnancy of mine we stopped at a gas station on the reservation so I could potty. (I will admit, by the time we got to our Bed & Breakfast I was sick of public restrooms and nasty doorknobs.) We really didn't fit in with the rest of the crowd; A- being white people B- driving a Mercedes.

Everything seemed to go well & we drove through a couple rainstorms, spotted some rainbows.


The last two hours of the drive seemed to go on forever. I was annoying Kelly by saying "Only 100 miles left" ... the last 200ish miles consist of winding down a canyon that the max speed at night is probably 30 mph. It's the worst part of the drive.

After a little over 12 hours and 700ish miles we made it to Duncan, Arizona. It was so nice to walk into the Bed & Breakfast. We watched an episode of Parks & Rec.. which made us both fall asleep.

Cleaning & Cold & Clutter

Over the past couple of weeks I have been struggling with a chest cold. It hasn't really been in my sinus's but its had a ton of phlegm in my chest. At night, I have taken stuff so I can fall asleep but the mornings involve coughing till I pee my pants almost or feel like I am going to throw up. I have thrown up saliva a few times. There is something weird about throwing up when you are pregnant weather or not its food you feel better afterwards.

I am hoping that I am on the last leg of this cold, it really has made it so I don't have any ambition and it really stinks that you can't just dose yourself with NyQuil like anyone else can because your pregnant. Although, after a phone call to the nurses station they told me somethings I can take and I think it has helped with it but, I just want it gone!

There are several things that I want to get caught up on with it being summer. I have to give myself some credit that I have always stayed up on the laundry that never ceases and there are only two of us. 

The only downfall with the laundry is we end up having about 6 baskets of clean clothes that I do a horrible job at never folding. 

I have kept up more on the kitchen and putting stuff away like the mail. I realize that I can't take too many smells in that place. Kelly has been awesome at getting around to do the dishes even after he works late nights. I really do appreciate that. I never liked doing the dishes but now its 10 times worse.

I also have to thank Kelly for his patience with this cold. I know I have been a complete slacker at not cleaning every day and even though he asks to see if I have he understands that it just wasn't going to happen. Man, I married a hunk!

We leave next week for a family reunion in Virden, New Mexico. I am excited to see people I know & to meet those I haven't. It will be a fun time. However, the drive there I am not so sure about... just the idea of sitting in a car for 12+ hours isn't fun. Before we leave there is a lot of work to be done inside our house. I am hoping to finally just get in some super-cleaning emotion and go for it. But, as for now I have felt a little defeated.

These are the times where I think owning a house isn't as fun as it seemed at 20 years old.

We also will have another appointment for Baby Nelson next Wednesday. I am excited for another ultrasound, its always reassuring and I love my doctor and the nurses at COLWC. They are awesome!

Can you believe that next Thursday I will be 20 weeks!!! What the... Half way? 

It's beyond crazy. I am grateful that I have had a smooth pregnancy this far and not been extremely sick even if I could kick this cold in the you-know-what.