24 WEEKS!

Had my 24 week appointment this morning! I can't believe it less then 16 weeks left. Which means....Just over 3 1/2 months left. Whoot Whoot! In my appointment this morning, I found out my kidneys leak protein, weird. Doctor says its nothing to worry about yet since I have a healthy blood pressure and no swelling. Later on in the pregnancy if I have the high blood pressure and any swelling we'll have to worry more about it since it could be pre-eclampsia. I think I remember having this protein problem with Brenden and it turned out to be nothing to worry about, but definitely good to know. Now for this week, no more appointments, just time to have some fun! Chris turns 25 on Saturday! I can hardly believe he's going to be a quarter of a century and of course, I have to give him a hard time about it. Hopefully he can get ahead of his homework this week and we can have some fun this weekend. I'm still trying to decide what to make for Chris' Birthday dinner and what kind of cake I should make him. Hopefully he gets back to me on his dinner super soon so I can make some plans! I am all about planning ahead and getting things in order. Chris on the other hand is just very last minute about everything. I have to say, there are times that this really irritates me and why Chris never gets to help me plan anything. Chris is horrible about planning things. But he's still a great husband, he's such a hard worker, I don't know how he does it. School, work, church, homework, having fun with Brenden and I, going to all of our appointments, and taking such great care of us! Sometimes I think he's Superman!

24 weeks and 1 day!

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15 months old?

Brenden is 15 months old today! I just can't believe that much time has gone by since we brought this tiny guy home from the hospital! Now he's venturing into being a toddler, is over 30 inches tall and almost 23 lbs! Yeah, that's right. After 6 months of not gaining any weight at all and actually losing half a pound, Brenden has put on almost 3 lbs. this month! He is a growing boy! Now if I can just get him to start walking on his own. I know, I know, everyone tells me that he'll walk on his own when he's ready. You try carrying a baby at almost 23 weeks and add a 23 lb. toddler to that. Its not a joyous adventure to go anywhere anymore mostly because I dread lifting him up. Its not so much the carrying him around part because I only carry him in short bursts, but mostly its just having to lift him up from the floor. Being pregnant its hard to get up from the floor, let alone trying to do it with that extra weight of Brenden. I just have to gloat for a minute about how smart my little boy is. Brenden is absolutely wonderful, he's been picking up so many things left and right. I just have no idea how the kid does it. Maybe he's just known all along and has decided to share his knowledge with us now. Haha. Over the past week or so he has shown us so many little baby signs that he knows. Its great. And he says the words with the signs, so I really know he knows what he's talking about. He knows, more, all done, fish, milk, play, outside, game, book, and goodnight. I'm impressed that he knows so many at such a young age, but with both Chris and I having years of training in sign language and using it day to day when we teach Brenden, he has caught on really fast. I'm excited to see how he grows and the many more signs that he learns. Maybe I'll have to learn some with them. When it comes to communicating in sign, it comes almost second nature to me, but when it comes to a specific word, I almost feel put on the spot and have to think about it and sometimes even look it up. I love watching Brenden learn and grow and know that I have played an enormous part of that. And that is why I love being a stay at home mommy. And I love being able to play with him everyday. He has turned into this fun little boy. He loves to play and laugh all day long. He loves playing with all of his toys, especially if you play with him and he's already such a great sharer, we'll see if this lasts, hopefully he shares well with his new baby sister. Brenden is just so full of life! He's always in a good mood, even when he's teething these pesky molars. I'm so proud of my little man, Happy quarter Birthday handsome!

Ode to the Greatest Woman I Know

Have you ever had that one person in the world that you could go to and they would have all of the answers, the best advice, the warmest shoulder to cry on, the person that made you feel like Superman when the world was coming down around you, that one person you could go to and know that everything would be okay just like. I know that I should be talking about my husband, but lets face it, I'm only 23 and I've only been married for well, not even 3 years yet, so this is not about Chris. Although, he has grown into that person for me. But before Chris came around, I really had the best Aunt int he whole entire world. She passed away right before I met Chris, and I'm lucky just thinking that he's helped fill that void for her that I have been feeling. Enough about this silly husband of mine, I talk about him all of the time. This lucky ladies name was Terra Lane, I will be naming our little girl after her, well middle name anyways. My very special mother-in-law shares the first name of Terri, and I didn't want to take that away from her. She's such a special lady. I remember growing up and my Aunt was always there for everything that I needed. I remember following her around like a little lost puppy, I remember wanting to spend every weekend with her, my Uncle would pick me up on Friday nights after homework was done and he would take me to the store on the way to their house so we could pick up fruit loops. I remember getting paid in quarters and life savers for rubbing her feet, and massaging her neck. I would crawl into bed in the middle of the night when I had nightmares, and watch cartoons all Saturday morning long. This was all when I was maybe 6 years old. I remember being older and breaking my nose and not wanting to go see the doctor before she had a look at it and for her to comfort me first. I remember even when I was in trouble with her, always wanting to be by her side. This wonderful lady had taught me so much at such a young age. She had taught me how to do laundry, how to choose my friends, what I should watch when it came to television and movies, she taught me how to clean well, she taught me how to cook and many of these recipes, I still remember today. She gave me the best advice I could ever get from anyone. She knew me better than I knew myself. She knew the potential that I had and how to cultivate it. She knew that I had to make my own mistakes, she taught me how to discipline in love. This woman taught me the difference between right and wrong and how to make things better. This special lady made me see. She taught me that my parents had the same values and that they could help me be a better person. I am so thankful to have had someone like this in my life and I can only wish that everyone could have someone like her in their life at some point. The things that I have grown up learning from her, my children will learn from me and she will live on through them. When she past away, I didn't feel her leave, I could feel the things that she taught me in the things that my parents were teaching me.And so now every time I have a question I need answered, I call up my mom and ask her, her answers are going to be the same because she was raised by this amazing woman. Sure, I can't see my Aunt everyday like I would love to, but I dream of her often and have the fondest memories of her. I know that my children will be lucky because I will have so many stories to tell, so many lessons to teach, and some great advice to give because of this woman. I love her and will never forget, for now she lives on in me.

Salt Lake City and St. Louis!

This last week our little Freeman family went out to St. Louis to see family and have some fun. We left Rexburg last Tuesday and spent the day in Salt Lake City before our flight Wednesday morning. We were able to stay with some friends enjoy some food, yummy smoothies, and go to the new City Creek mall down by the temple. I bought some shoes. Good Day! We woke up early Wednesday morning so that we could make it to the airport by 8 in the morning! We figured since we woke Brenden up at 6am that he would sleep a lot since he normally doesn't wake up until about 9:30. Brenden didn't sleep at all on the plane. Bummer! I love to sleep on the plane. We had this 4 hour layover in Denver and he didn't even sleep there. He just wanted to play. We get on the plane to St. Louis, and no sleeping. He just loves to people watch and he was so great. He just played and read books the whole time. We got to baggage claim in St. Louis and he is asleep. There was no waking this kid up. I stood him up to walk, still asleep. We got him home to gran and gran-dads, gave him a bath and put him to bed. I'm sure he was just so tired. Most of Thursday Chris spent doing homework, so Brenden and I just played in between naps. Had some good food. We finally got Brenden to eat some turkey. Before this trip, Brenden was pretty much a vegetarian. We kept Brenden up a little late so he could see his gran-dad for a few minutes after he got in from his flight. Brenden slept so well that night. He didn't even think about waking up until 10 the next morning. He is such a great little boy. Friday and Saturday was spent doing projects around the house so it would be ready to go on the market next week. I took care of Brenden and played and read some interesting articles while he napped. Friday night we went to a stake production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat. I've only ever seen the movie, and its my favorite Sunday movie, so it was a real treat. We had all piled into cars to go and drove about 20 minutes to get there. Just as soon as we got out of the car I realized that we had forgotten the diaper bag at home. Brenden has been having bathroom troubles all week and I thought sitting through a play for a few hours would probably not be the best with out a diaper bag. It was okay though, I left and drove back to get it and it gave me time to call my little brother and wish him a happy 15th Birthday. I can't believe he's 15 already and taken driver's ed. classes. Wow, how time truly flies. I got back just in time for the play to start. Great timing! It was such an amazing play, they did such a wonderful job. I didn't know what to expect and I was really impressed. It was such a great night. Saturday night, we went to Chris' little brother, Josh's piano recital. All of these kids did so well! Its unbelievable the talent these young ones share. It kind of makes me regret not learning how to play the piano at a young age. It makes me think, should I make all of my children learn to play at least the piano if not more instruments. I guess that's something we can cover in our family home evening lesson this week. After the piano recital we went out for frozen custard. We have frozen custard here in Rexburg, but its not the same as going home with family and sharing some creamy custard. Skipping the last day of our trip, well really because it was the most fun. Chris spent most of Monday and Tuesday doing homework. Yeah, I know he's kind of boring. Ha ha. Well Wednesday we woke up and got everything packed up for our flight back to Salt Lake that evening and headed out for some real fun. We went to the butterfly house, which was awesome. Brenden loved being so close to all of the butterflies and they were so pretty. Some things there were also kind of disgusting as well. They had some nasty beetles and cockroaches. Yuck! After the butterfly house, we decided to take Brenden to the St. Louis Zoo. Sadly he was asleep for everything other than the elephants. They had some baby elephants. Brenden just kept saying baby baby baby. He is such a cute little boy. On the way back to Salt Lake on the place we discovered that Brenden was teething, he had been teething all week and we just didn't know. Which is why his diapers had been so disgusting. He wasn't sleeping on these planes either and so we decided to give him some baby Advil and some teething medication thinking maybe that would help. I had totally run out of ideas. He wasn't cranky or anything just bouncing all over the place.I was putting the teething medication on his gums and noticed he was getting one of his molars in. His very first one! He has been incredibly happy this week for a molar coming in. I am just so proud of him for being so happy all of the time. Our flight didn't get into Salt Lake until 11 that night and we still had to go to Bountiful to pick up our car and then drive back to Salt Lake for the night. We finally made it at midnight and laid Brenden down for sleep. He was awake by 7am the next morning. Jet lagged, maybe? We woke up realizing that there was no water because a water main had broken on the corner that morning! Argh! A shower would have been nice, but oh well. We went out to breakfast with our uncle and then he took Brenden out shopping. Brenden got royally spoiled. Different outfits, and toys! Our next kid won't need any toys at all! Maybe a few that a little more girly, since that's what we're having, but Brenden has been so spoiled being the first grand-kid that our other children wont need any. So just so everyone knows, baby showers in the next few months, clothes only! We had to hurry up with our shopping trip and head back to Rexburg so Chris could go to work. We stopped for lunch in Pocatello. I got Chris to work, and about 10 minutes early! I got home and unloaded the car and started some cleaning. Our neighbors were nice enough to watch Brenden for hours on end! I love having neighbors like that. And today, I figured I would catch up on some blogging while Chris worked on some homework, but now its time to get up and get moving for the afternoon!

20 Weeks!

Half way there already? With Brenden to make it to this point, really took forever!! I can't believe that in 20 short weeks, we'll have another baby in the house. Its still so unreal to me. Maybe having my hands full with Brenden all of the time makes the time go by so much faster.

I'm so grateful for the the wonderful weather that we've had lately. Being outside and playing and taking walks has really lifted my spirits. Most of my days are spent with Brenden and myself, and it gets quite boring. I wish I could figure out some fun activities for Brenden and I to do during the day. Something a little bit more enriching than playing with toys all afternoon. If any mamas out there have any ideas, please let me know, I'm going a little crazy. I'm just thankful that we can play outside a little bit every day.

As far as pregnancies go, I have to say, this is the best one! No nausea, no morning sickness, I don't have those tired spells like I did with Brenden. I don't have any food aversions, or cravings really. The tiredness only sets in if I try and clean the house. Bummer. I'm not too tired, but I'm lacking all of the energy that I really want. I want to run marathons, I want to hike all day long, I want play with Brenden all day long and be able to lift him up high, and pick him up when he wants it, I want to be able to take some serious Pilates classes, I want to do some crazy dancing all day long!

This energy needs to come back to me so I can have my life back. I know it will, I'm just a little impatient.

19 weeks, 1 day

18 weeks, 1 day

I know something you don't know!

Chris and I had the gender ultrasound on Wednesday! Chris won't let me share the results with anyone, but I finally feel like I can start doing the mommy thing and start making tons of little baby things. You know, burp cloths and blankets. We have done such a great job of keeping our pregnancy off of facebook, and we're so ready to share now! We will be making the announcement on Sunday! We're still undecided on whether we'll share the actually gender, or make that part of our April Fools day joke though. So, keep a look out!

17 weeks, 2 days!

Paranoia!

Since going to the doc this week I have been so paranoid! Ever single thing I feel with my body, I think the placenta is breaking apart from my uterus! I just feel like such a paranoid mama. I don't know what it is. I know deep down, that nothing is wrong with my baby and that I am 100% completely healthy and everything is going according to plan, but I can't help but feel a little bit concerned. Dang doctors telling you these things that could go wrong and silly me for letting it all go to my head. Well, that's whats been going on in my life lately. I'm just a paranoid freak!

16 weeks doctors appointment

Yep, that's right! I had our 16 weeks doctors appointment this week. Originally it wasn't going to be until today, but Brenden got me super sick over the weekend and it was just getting worse so I called my doctor's office on Monday morning and they happened to have an opening that afternoon. Great! We went in and my blood pressure was great for being so sick. Last time I went in it was a little high, but we contributed that to having a stomach flu for days before. But this time I was happy that everything was fine. They also needed to draw some blood to test for birthing abnormalities. I'm not too worried about it, you'd think that if something were to come up it would have shown up while I was pregnant with Brenden, but hey, you never know.

Our doctor came in and did our sonogram, heart beat is still right around 160 bpm. This babies heart beat is so fast!! Brenden's heart beat was always around 130 bpm. So maybe its a girl, I have heard that baby girls heart beats are faster, but we'll see. Speaking of gender, we get to find that out next week!!!! We asked our doctor about it when we went in this week and he said that it is a little early, but since we'll be out of town most of next month that he'll do it. He said for insurance reason he would need to have a specific medical reason to put on the order. So he said that he would say he had concerns of a subchorionic hemorrhage on there. Basically what happens is blood can gather between the placenta and the uterus, in more severe cases causing the placenta to tear away from the uterus. I'm not really concerned about it, it sounds like our doctor needs something to check out during the ultrasound.

I'm just excited to find out, I can finally start making baby stuff!! Burp cloths, bibs, blankets, clothes, and so much more! That's the really fun part about being pregnant. That and once we know gender, we'll be sharing our news with everyone!!!

16 weeks, 1 day!

I'm a few weeks into my second trimester and I'm loving it!! I really have nothing to complain about except some neck pain. Which, I will take over morning sickness. I feel so great! I don't get to tired, which is great for having a one year old on the go. I don't really get sick unless I brush my teeth before eating something in the morning. I just can't say how great I feel, but I guess a lot of it is me comparing this pregnancy to when I was pregnant with Brenden. If you're not in the know, Brenden's pregnancy went smoothly, but I was super sick almost the whole time and had no energy at all. But hey, this is great!! But for now, this pregnant mama is hungry!

Labor and Delivery shows

Don't watch them. Period. Especially if you're pregnant for the first time. I just had a first time mama tell me that her nurse at the hospital told her to watch these shows. I think that is just ridiculous! These shows are in no way a true reflection of what normally happens in the delivery room. I swear TLC just seeks out the most high risk pregnancies and documents them for added drama. Even me, being pregnant for the second time, I get freaked put by those shows. Why would you let yourself endure watching such bull? Obviously I feel very strongly about this, so if you disagree, please just ignore me. When your pregnant the best thing you can do for your growing baby is to surround yourself with positive thoughts. Birth stories on television does not do that for me. Which is why I love posting my pregnancy affirmations, they just make me feel great!

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Baby!

We're really hoping to find out baby's gender the week after next even though I'll be just over 17 weeks. We're hoping because the weeek after is finals and then we'll be gone for the rest of the month. We just don't have time to fit it into our schedule after the end of this month, sadly. But we're hoping the doc let's us find out early. We found out with Brenden at 15 weeks, so there's hope.

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Gah!

I'm only blogging about this because I'm so irritated. I'm not naming names not because I don't want to embarrass people, but because I think its not very considerate to do so. I don't rant and rave and be angry on Facebook so I go angry in my posts here just so I can get it out somewhere. It really makes me feel better.

Today I had this experience with a friend that made me just furious. I had some friends ask me if I wanted to go to the timeout for women convention in Idaho Falls. I said yes, thinking I could just buy my own ticket. A few weeks ago this friend asked me if I still wanted to go, after having bought group tickets the month before. I said that I still wanted to go and they said I could pay them and how much it was. I emailed them this morning saying that I wouldn't be able to make it this weekend and that we could work together to find someone. I got this rude email back saying that it was my responsibility and that I still needed to pay. I was totally okay with finding someone to replace me, I just think I was hurt and offended the way it came across and I didn't know how to respond. I took a few hours to respond because I didn't want to respond when I was angry because that's always a bad idea at least for me. I didn't know if I was so upset because I was supposed to be or because I'm pregnant. Dang these pregnancy hormones. The emails just kept getting worse and I just kept getting more and more hurt. Good news is that I did find someone to take my ticket. I sent this friend an apology hoping to feel better even though I didn't think I did anything wrong. There's just something about apologies that make me feel better even if they're not accepted. I didn't think I should have to pay for something I wasn't partaking in, but I had no problem helping out to find a replacement. I don't think I'll ever hear or see an apology, but I don't really care, that's not what its about. It's about doing the right thing for me and feeling good about it.

And my rant is over! Thanks for listening or you know, reading.

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15 weeks, 2 days

15 weeks tomorrow?

Seriously? I know I do this every week, freaking out that yet another week has gone by, but these weeks are going by so incredibly fast. I just can't believe it. I'm well over a third of the way there. Amazing! I remember being pregnant with Brenden and I felt like I wad pregnant forever. This time I just got pregnant looking super fast. This time, I love being pregnant, I love not sharing it with everyone on the face of the planet, I love not being nauseous, I love the support from family, I love our doctor, and I can't wait to hear what we're having because as soon as we find that out, the whole world can know. This pregnancy is so refreshing!

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14 weeks, 1 day

I took these on Sunday, so they're a few days late, but hey, my blogs private right now except to a select few that already know we're having a baby. So I would say, I'm already over it.

Bahhh!

I felt this little lemon sized baby move for the very first time tonight. I'm feeling this baby move and everyone around doesn't even know there's a little one in there. So weird!

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