I Use My Time Wisely

Using my time extremely well at work mixed with being excited about the parasite turning into an actual baby, this is what I've found.

So in this one, I love the changing table. The mirror actually folds down to be a changing table. GENIOUS. It just makes sense to have your baby facing you while changing, instead of sideways. And the two edges of the dresser are actually for dirty diapers. There's holes in the top, and the droors pull out. I love the upholstery on the fronts of them, too.

At first, I thought this was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. That is, until I discovered it took Daddy four months to draw and paint it all. The other side of the room is night time with glow in the dark stars, and a moon night-light. I just thought it was so creative and fun! Not to mention a TON of work!

I really do like the pink and green color scheme. I also really like the name on the wall. I think I'd probably buy wooden letters and paint them myself and hang those on the wall with ribbon instead of actually painting the name on the wall. But I do think this is very cute.

I also found themed party ideas for little kids. This was my favorite, though I don't think anyone could truly appreciate it unless they've read the Fancy Nancy books.

For each of the girls' place settings, they had gloves with feathers, and a beaded necklace. I love the idea of a sundae bar with all of the toppings. So posh.

Obviously, I have a lot of time on my hands at work. It's really difficult having to wait eight more weeks to find out what we're having. I can't wait to start buying things and setting up the nursery. I'll have to thaw out my debit card before then. ;) (For those of you who don't know, my debit card is at the bottom of about four inches of ice in the freezer right now. Being pregnant, I also developed super picky eating habits. I found I was probably spending more money on food than I should, so I decided I lost my card privileges. I can no longer go shopping without Ross being there and having his approval first.) I'll be thawing it out once it's time to start getting things ready though!

My Midwife's Name is Jennifer.

I went home before my appointment to get snacks, change, and grab the paperwork we needed. Hello pregnancy brain. Ross wanted me to bring him an orange. So I put a couple oranges in a bag. There was also a bag on the couch that had Ross' leftovers from lunch the day before.First I left and remembered oh yeah! I forgot the medicaid card. Went back. Realized I hadgrabbed the wrong back. Switched bags. Oh dang! I left the medicaid card again. Went back. Uhm, I have NO idea where I'm going. Went back to grab the directions I had just looked at. Finally picked Ross up and was heading to pick up my records from my first visit. Went the WRONG way. Got lost. Finally on the way to my real appointment. Lo and behold, the directions I had looked at weren't making ANY sense anymore when I understood it completely ten minutes ago. I'm so glad Ross is so smart and figured out how to get there. I thought it was hilarious so I thought I'd share. Now on to the main point of this post.

We met our midwife at our 12 week appointment. Other than being slightly disappointed we didn't get an ultrasound, I LOVED it. We arrived a few minutes late. I hate being late for anything so I was a little frazzled. Probably something I get from my mom. There were probably a half a dozen kids in the waiting room. The kids knew the nurses and midwife by name, and the other way around. They'd come running up to the door yelling their name with excitement and the nurses would pick up the kids and just play with them. Everyone was just so happy. The receptionist was the first to say that she was so excited to have us, and we heard that probably three more times throughout the appointment.

When we went back to the room, the first nurse came in just to go over my previous records, and take my vitals. She was so funny and just NICE. She asked if we wanted anything to drink. She even asked what Ross wanted. When he said he was ok, she wouldn't take no for an answer and repeated his choices. My midwife's nurse came in next to go over more history. She was just as funny and kind as the first nurse. Finally the midwife came in. I was so excited. She was a little more serious, but still not serious. Just a really fun, kind person. Going over my paperwork, we discovered that the previous doctor's office failed to inform me of two pretty important results from the lab work they did. They also didn't do a thorough full physical/exam with me. I'm not really the secretive type and don't really have a problem sharing what's going on so here's what's up. The pap they did came back abnormal. Also, they found Group B Strep in my urine and if it's not treated, the baby will have it. 5% of babies die from it. I'm not really concerned, but it would have been nice to know so we can get it taken care of! Needless to say, the Dr I previously visited will be getting a phone call from me this morning.

We were there for close to two hours. The first nurse came in after the exam to draw my blood. She was hilarious and so kind. The midwife spent so much time with us, just getting to know us and answering any concerns and questions. She told us to go set up a new appointment (the other office just told us to leave). As we were leaving, everyone came out and said bye. I just wanted to hug them all! I'm really excited to get to know them better and spend more time with them. You can tell everyone really loves there job and are genuinely kind. They really do care about you. Pretty much just the greatest visit experience of my life. I wish I had a picture of my midwife, Jennifer, to show you. I'm sure I'll get a few as the weeks go by.

AND I haven't gained any weight in the last four weeks. HALELUJIA! I honestly thought I gained 7 pounds from my popsicle diet. Only three more days and then being pregnant is supposed to get fun, right?

My Latest Obsession I Thought I'd Share

I've had a lot of obsessions lately. From Pad Thai to Popsicles. Usually they last about a week and I find something new to obsess over. I really hope my latest sticks around a bit. I've been using my down time at work to find different freebies and coupons online and thought I'd share my favorites!

www.hip2save.com

This gal posts her latest finds, and allows guests to post theirs.

www.joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com

This is one of my absolute favorites. She posts her shopping experiences. If she doesn't mention it, she didn't buy it. She also lists how much she spend, the retail price, and what her total savings were.

www.couponmom.com

On here, you put in your location, and it'll give you a list of all the grocery coupons in that area. For Provo, the only ones they have are for Smith's, but still a great deal! Their general idea is that if you use their coupons, it'll cut your grocery bill in half. I don't know about you, but Ross and I can sure EAT, so I'm excited to give it a go and see what I can find.

www.coupongeek.net

This gal posts coupons for both restaurants and grocery items. Sometiems you'll find free samples, or restaurants that are giving out free food.

www.deallocker.com/blog/

Again, this one has free samples and coupons to different stores.


If you're on facebook, if you 'like' some different companies or products, they'll give you coupons for free stuff, too! How cool is that?!
http://www.heyitsfree.net/2009/08/25/current-facebook-freebies/
This site posts different facebook freebies they find. Love it.

I've also signed up on different diaper sites for free samples and coupons. The sites often lead you to different coupons that you might be interested in as well. I heard Babies R Us sends you some pretty good coupons every now and then if you go one their mailing list, but I haven't tried that one yet. Everyone knows I can go on and on about how much I love the free section on KSL, so check that out, too! There's always a lot of animals there, but there are usually some great finds in there, too!

Anyway, so that is my latest obsession, and I thought I'd share! http://picky-palate.com/ This is the other thing I've been drooling over. The recepies are super easy and look so delicious. I haven't been cooking lately, so I can't wait to get my stomach back to get back in the kitchen!

This is why I'm so lucky

My husband's pretty great. And he never makes that face at me. I'd say that I'm pretty fortunate to be married to this kid for ETERNITY and that makes me pretty dang happy.

Wanna know what else makes me dang happy? He served a full time two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Romania. He always sets such a good example for me and his little brothers and sisters. He's the most kind, patient person I know. I've never heard him say anything mean or negative about anyone. He's pretty great.











This picture is a two parter. I love that Ross reads his scriptures every day. It sets a huge example for me because I really struggle in that area. I also love that he loves his family and always helps them. He's so selfless and really does care about his family. He loves his parents, especially his mom. (And he's not afraid to give her a kiss on the cheek even though he's 22) :]











Wanna know how else he's great? He's the best of friends with his brother. And he's ok with being a little goofy sometimes. The key word is a little. He's sure to give me an age/maturity level check sometimes, but he has fun.







I love that Ross is tall. If you know me, you know I love shoes. Really tall shoes. I can wear my shoes and not have to worry about being too tall. (selfish and bratty, yes) I also love that Ross is active and likes to play. I've had a lot of fun going to different games and being his cheerleader. I love watching him.




Wanna know what else makes me pretty dang happy? Ross always makes time for me every single day. He always does his best to make sure I get at least a little bit of attention, no matter how busy he is. He works really hard at all that he does. Lately, he's been especially busy with school and work. He has NO time but he's always sure to save some for me! He's really great at putting a smile on my face and making me laugh. And he doesn't even get mad when I accidently give him a really bad haircut. He doesn't even care!






This is what makes me the most happy though. Out of the millions of girls, I got to be sealed to this wonderful person. We get to be married for FOREVER. And in a few months he gets to be a dad! How great is that? Yup, I'm one lucky girl and pretty dang happy. I love you husband!

I Just Took On a Midwife

What? Yeah, I just took on a midwife. After talking to a few people and doing some homework, I have decided to go natural. Tuesday I went to my Dr. appt with the OB GYN. I was really grateful to have some questions answered, and even more excited to get to see our baby! The main lab area though, where they check all your vitals, and do tests felt like a kitchen in an apartment or something. When the gal drew my blood, I looked away for the initial poke, but then continued to watch. Blood started spouting from there the needle was and I kind of freaked and the needle fell out. She waits a little, and then goes in again, this time a little higher than before. I decide to not look at all. "Oh no, I think it's going to collapse." A few seconds later... "Yup, I just collapsed your vein." Bless her heart. I hadn't eaten all day and was now spinning and light headed, convinced I'm about to vomit all over this poor girl. I did get a couple granola bars and a bottle of juice though! She decides to just work up a lab order so I can go in whenever I'd like to the outpatient lab area at the hospital. Wonderful. Up until my appointment, I hadn't really made up my mind about how I wanted this whole labor and delivery thing to go down. I've had a lot of time to think and do research and have decided to take on a midwife and do things naturally. I think I would actually love to do it at home, but I wouldn't put the neighbors through that. Maybe someday. Wish us luck!
By the way, this is our REAL sea-monkey. It was 1 inch long, and had a heart rate of 178. We love our little blob and are so glad it is healthy and staying put! It's been quite the adventure so far and we're excited for what's ahead.

Ross is getting the best birthday present EVER!

I probably could have organized this better instead of just throwing random thought on here so we'll try this again. News has been leaking so we figured we'd just come out and clear everything up. Yup, it's true! Ross will be getting the gift that just keeps on giving for his 23rd. Looks like all those hot pregnant mamas from Grandview 2nd and all the cute kids we STARE at during church finally got to us. Our little sea monkey is supposed to be done cooking on November 21st and we couldn't be more excited, aside from the throwing up, becoming the pickiest eater on the planet, and lack of sleep of course. Due to the suddent and constant lack of energy P90X is on hold and will now become my 'body after baby' work out plan. So bring on the chubbs! We do want to have bilingual children so Ross has a little while to brush up on his language skills. He's going to be the Hispanic influence.

Name suggestions are more than welcome. We have a few that we like but we're always entertained by suggestions. Well, at least I am. Among the winners that we've heard is "Rupert".

Epic FAIL.

I kept a surprise a secret for six days. PERSONAL BEST. Usually I just spoil surprises within minutes of planning them. So far in our married career, I have managed to ruin Ross' birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day for both Ross and myself. This last weekend was supposed to be so impressive, it would have made up for every holiday and birthday for the next year and a half.

MONDAY: I texted Ross and told him that I had gotten a phone call saying we had to meet with the Stake President this coming Saturday at 1:30. It was a lie. A couple Sundays ago, while sitting in sacrament meeting the bishopric kept looking over at Ross, so it was believable. Like I said, it was a lie. There's an Italian restaurant in downtown Provo that we sometimes drive past. We have heard great things about it and have always wanted to try it out.

THE PLAN: When it came time to go to the "meeting" I would give him directions to the restaurant. Then I would tell him that there was no meeting with the Stake President and that I just wanted to take him on a surprise date. At lunch, I would tell him that we were going to see a play. Really though, we'd go do a session at the Salt Lake temple. (the Salt Lake temple does live sessions.) BRILLIANT plan! I was so excited and couldn't wait!

Later in the week, Ross gets a call from someone in the ward asking if Ross and I can babysit Saturday at 6:30, he says we'd love to. To make sure we'd be back in time, I decided I'd have to move the meeting time.

THURSDAY: We were supposed to get a dishwasher. The guy called and said he'd come between 11 and 1. Well, I'd be at work and Ross would still be in class. So, I had Ross give him a call and reschedule, thinking he'd just come at a later time. I get home from work and Ross says he'd be coming sometime on Saturday, and he'd call Friday night to set up a time. GREAT.

FRIDAY: I'VE KEPT A SECRET FOR FIVE DAYS!!! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF AND SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

SATURDAY: THE BIG DAY! Ross has a basketball game at 9. I am so excited. Before we left for his game, Ross said our family prayer and prayed that the meeting with the Stake President would go well. He was convinced! Dishwasher guy STILL hasn't called, so everything will work out. While Ross is playing, I pretend to be talking on my phone. During half-time, I tell Ross that the Stake President called and said his wife was in the hospital last night. He asked if we could have the meeting at 11 at his house. Ross was convinced. SCORE.

While Ross was in the shower, I took our temple clothes and hid them in the car. I covered up the shelf where they usually are with a towel so he wouldn't notice something was missing. I got my bag together with a camera and everything so when I'd update our family blog, I'd have pictures and evidence that it really happened.

11:45 Rolled around. Ross was about to put on his tie so we could leave. Then Ross' phone rang.

Ross: "Hello? Yes, this is Ross Loveland. 11:15? Well, my wife and I won't be home, but we should be back about 11:30. Yeah, 11:30. Ok, Sounds great! Thanks so much!"

CRAP!!!!!

So Ross had told the dishwasher guy that he could come at 11:30. I had kept this secret for six DAYS and everything was down the toilet. Ross was all ready to go when I just looked at him, frantically trying to decide if we'd have time to do lunch and make it back before 11:30. Disappointed, I finally just decided to tell him. I looked at him, and said, "Don't bother putting on your tie. There's no Stake President meeting." All week we had been talking about this meeting and how nervous we were and wondering what it could be. Ross just stared and said, "Are you serious?!"

I then told him about my plan. I had kept that secret for SIX DAYS. Needles to say, Ross was impressed and felt special for my efforts.

Dishwasher guy came. e pulled out our dishwasher and told Ross he'd give us time to clean it up. The floor under the dishwasher was revolting. We took out the bucket and Pine-sol and cleaned it. I chose to dump our basket of nasty down the sink. Dishwasher friend didn't tell us he had disconnected the drain. The bucket of nasty was now all under the sink and flooding out from the cupboard. GREAT start to the surprise day alternative.

After the dishwasher was installed and bucket of nasty cleaned, Ross said we could still do lunch. We drove to the restaurant and tried to open the doors. CLOSED till 3 on Saturdays. Whoops.

So then we decided to just walk around downtown. We ate some Mexican and went to a bookstore. It was a HUGE bookstore with a ton of really cool stuff. (like a $1,200 burnt Book of Mormon) There were TONS of super old books and a whole room of just books in other languages. We spent hours there and decided it was our favorite store in Provo.

It turned out to be one of the greatest weekends ever even though absolutely NOTHING went how I had planned. It was fun just walking around, though the salsa at the Mexican place wasn't nearly spicy enough. We would have never discovered that bookstore. I was pretty proud of myself for keeping it a surprise for six days. Though, later I didn't really see the point in keeping it a surprise if nothing worked out. It will be a while before I can out do my personal best. Ross said ti still made up for his Birthday. And Christmas. And Valentine's Day. It was an EPIC FAIL (especially with the Italian place being CLOSED anyway!!), but a really great weekend .