Journey Laughed!!! 12-13-11

This is Journey's FIRST REAL LAUGH!!! It lasted well over 2 minutes and it is absolutely adorable and made my entire day!!! My mom was throwing a jacket (wrapped in a plastic garment bag) into the air and catching it. About 45 seconds into the video you'll hear Journey kinda gurgle like she can't catch her breath or something and it's because my mom was pretending she was going to throw it up in the air but wouldn't so she'd stop mid giggle. Lol


UPDATE: My video wouldn't post but you can find it on facebook under my video's :D

Life is Great

Just an update on life.... Life is great!! What can I say? We are immensely blessed with the jobs we have, a beautiful daughter and a wonderful marriage. Life can't get much better!!

Journey is now 4 1/2 months and has started to giggle (with a LOT of effort on her parents part) and she'll roll from back to front with ease! She loves going outside and any new sound imaginable.

This last weekend I was able to go up to my cousins baby blessing. We've had a unique summer where we had 4 baby's born in 4 months!! It was a lot of fun to get the 4 baby's together. We had (from left to right) Lillian, Journey, Jayden, and Olivia. How cute huh??

Derek and I are doing great! Derek is still working as a draftsman and taking physics to put towards his pre-rec's for Master's school. I'm amazed at how he balances everything sometimes! He is so good with Journey too :) I love watching her smile at him when he walks in the door.She's definitely a daddy's girl as much as a mommy's girl.

Not much is new here. We're just puttering along, workin', livin' and laughin', but life really couldn't be much better. Enjoy the photo's :)

Much Has Changed

Wow... I have not updated this in a very, very long time...

Journey is now 3 1/2 months!! She's gorgeous and smiles a ton!! She is generally a very happy, smiley baby that loves attentions, silly sounds and new toys. She's got the cutest pout on the planet! I can't help it. She sticks out that bottom lip and I just want to catch it on camera. She doesn't pout all that often but you can definitely tell when she's not happy!!! She can now grab objects (including my hair) tightly in her hands and bring them to her mouth. She can't roll yet but she's pretty close!! And... She'll also grab my thumbs and pull herself to a sitting position and from there a wobbling standing position :) It's so much fun to see how big she gets and everything she's learned week to week. It's amazing to be a parent!!!

Journey is such a trooper!!! We've spent the last week between Seattle, Washington and Victoria, BC, Canada. Poor girl has spent hours in a car seat, held in a plane and been on a 2 hour ferry. Not to mention the dramatic temperature & humidity difference!! But she has actually done rather well. She's definitely sick of her car seat but... after tomorrow she wont have to go back in it for quite a while.

It's been a good vacation but I'm looking forward to getting back. I've seen some amazing things the last 8 days but I'm ready to sleep in my own bed and get back to a more manageable routine. I've found out that I do not do well living out of a suitcase and on such an awkward schedule... I have no idea how some people do it!!! Especially new moms who breast feed. Holy smokes it's hard!!!

Well, I've gotta go. Gotta leave to catch a flight at 5:30 am tomorrow morning :S Hope all is well!!!

Journey Lynn Wiggins!!

Our baby girl was born Saturday July 23rd at 1:53 pm!!!! She weighed 6 lbs 7 oz and was 19.5 inches long! She is truly heaven sent and we couldn't be happier!

I went into L&D at 7:30 AM Saturday morning, was dilated to an 8 upon arrival, was given an IV with antibiotics which was supposed to run for 4 hours before delivery and given an epidural at 8:30. Thank HEAVEN for Epidurals!!! Even if my left leg did turn to jell-o lol. I went from a pain level of 8 to 0 in no time!

They were trying to buy time for the antibiotics to kick in so we sat around in the delivery room until 12:15 when they finally came in and broke my water. At 1:20 they came back in and had me do a series of "practice pushes". After the first series of 3 the nurse looked up and said "hold on, I'll go get the doctor." So... She went and got the doctor and while he was suiting up I did 3 more series of 3 and when he got to me I did 3-4 more series and she was out!!! I pushed for 25 minutes (and that's including the time that I wasn't pushing so she could find the doc).

I'm so grateful and proud of Derek!! He didn't turn green or pass out during the process ;) He's such a loving husband and he did everything possible to make it so I was as comfortable as possible. Seeing him with Journey made me so incredibly happy. He's such a good father!

I love being a mom. When they held her up for me to see I couldn't believe the love I felt for that little girl. She is truly a blessing in our lives and I couldn't be happier!

We were able to come home the next day around noon. It felt really good to be home!! The nurses had kept me up the entire night so it proved to be very relaxing to come home :)

Derek took the week off at his other job and we had so much fun!! He is so cute with Journey!! It was fun to just watch him hold and talk to her. He's so good with her and she loves cuddling up to his chest and falling asleep.

We are so incredibly happy! Now that she's here, I can't imagine life without her. She's definitely got us wrapped around her tiny finger!!! Pictures soon to come :)

Little by Little

Hey Everyone!!! I guess it's been quite a while since I updated this!!! So... here it goes :)

Derek & I are loving our new job as Motel Managers!!! It's interesting to see the different cultures and the different types of people that come through our front door. It's also really different living in St. George! I mean... we were only 15 miles away but what a change!

Derek is a week 1/2 away from his bachelors! I'm so excited for him!!! Then maybe he can take a breather for a while :) I'm a week 1/2 away from being done with summer classes. Thank Heavens!! I've loved my History class but my CIS class is driving me INSANE. Why do I need to take a class that honestly doesn't do more than the help button inside the program? Oh well, it's almost over and then I can move on with bigger better things!!!

We spent the 4th of July working at the hotel but it was actually really fun! We went out for fireworks at about 9:45 and all our guests were pulling their chairs outta their rooms and coming over to join us! It was one fun party :) It was also fun because a couple (not staying with us) had a little boy and his big sister kept turning him so he could see the fireworks (since they light them off in two different locations). He was so cute!!! He'd giggle during the big ones that didn't make noise and would kinda squirm with the loud ones but big sister made sure he got to see every last one! It was cute :)

Journey is Due in 2 Weeks and 3 Days!!! Or... 17 days!!! I'm thinking she'll come early but we will see. The Doc says I'm progressing and I've been having some sporadic mild contractions so I can hope right?! Derek is hoping for July 18th so that him and Journey can share a birthday :D Sweet huh? He's going to be a great dad!! You gotta see the big teddy bear Derek bought her! Haha.. I'll post a picture. The thing is 53'' tall and big enough around I can hide behind it! Anyway, we're doing good and life is great!

The Big Move!

A few weeks ago Derek and I applied for a Live in Couples Motel Management job and we got it!!! Saturday we moved in and thanks to many family and friends it went really smooth!!! We're so thankful for everyone who helped!!

Our first week has been rather... exciting? Lol we have definitely done a lot to catch up on what the previous manager slacked on. Not to mention dealing with crazies and druggies.... That's been a hoot! It's been interesting to say the least but I think after we're all caught up it'll be a fantastic job that will give us a lot of experience.

Everything has been going well, we're keeping super busy and anxiously awaiting the end of July :) I hope everyone out there is doing well!! Love you all!!

Wonderful Week :)

School is OUT, Finals are DONE and we are FREE... at least for a few weeks ;)

We're both done with school and finals for this semester and Derek walks in Dixie State's Graduation Ceremony tomorrow :) I'm so happy for him! He doesn't officially graduate until the end of July, but it's still exciting. He only has 2 classes this summer so it shouldn't be too bad... hopefully!

I have FINALLY reached the 3rd trimester!!! 12 weeks to go until we meet our little girl. We're so excited!!

At our 26 week doc visist we got to see Journey's toes wiggle. Lol I don't think I've seen anything that funny in a long time! It was way cute and just funny to me. Oh, and he did check on the gender again (call me cautious) she's a girl :) Haha.. about as sure as a doctor can get!

Journey is Definately a Daddy's Girl!!! The other night Derek had his hand on my tummy and Journey was kicking like crazy (like she always does for him :P). Then, after about an hour of kicking wildly, she just stopped and went quiet. I assumed she'd finally got worn out and was curious to see where she was so I lifted up Derek's hand. She had curled up and gone to sleep right beneath his hand! It was so cute! I have to say, I'm a little jealous sometimes. I can push and prod all I want and she never kicks like that for me!! Let alone fall asleep under one of my hands. But that's ok :) I'm just glad she kicks him. I'd be sad if she wouldn't kick for him at all!!

All in all things are going rather well for us :) We had a great Easter weekend together and not much has changed overall. We got some pictures of us on Saturday and so I thought we'd share :)

<---- this Pink shirt photo was taken at 25 weeks :)

The Start of Many Countdowns!

These last few weeks have been crazy busy! We went camping for spring break and had a pretty good time 4-wheeling and riding the horses. Well, until Derek went out to help my youngest sister put the bit in the pony's mouth. The stupid horse decided he didn't like that and reared up on him! We both hated that horse before, but that did it for us. Anyway, here's a few pictures of his battle scars (which have healed up quite nicely now).

(top to bottom: right forearm, left arm, and last is right bicep)

Ok, so the title says the start of many countdowns and that's definitely what it is!!! We have 4 weeks left until Finals week! 5 Weeks until IRONMAN (I have the opportunity to volunteer with the Leeds Ambulance again this year :D )16 weeks until Derek gets his Bachelors!!! And *roughly* 17 weeks until Journey Lynn is born!!!

We're so excited for the next few months. They seem to be coming at us at an alarming rate but that's ok. We'll take it :)

It's been really fun as Journey has gotten a little bigger. She's become more of a sleep in beauty queen and a wide awake night owl. Lately, she wakes up around 10 and really gets going at 11am which is during my Biology class. I definitely feel her more and she is the biggest distraction when I'm trying to figure out what cations and ATP is. Lol, oh well... I enjoy it :D and at night Derek gets to feel her move a lot because she's constantly active! It's so much fun :)

Thanks Laurel for the picture taken for the Ward!

Derek and I are doing well, school is keeping us both busy and work is keeping Derek pretty swamped, which is awesome! I still cut hair but I do it by appointments only because it's a little easier on my back than sitting on the hard barber chairs when I don't have anyone coming in. Anyway, all is going well with us and we're enjoying life!!

It's a GIRL!!!!

We had our 20 week ultra sound today and it's a GIRL!!! Her name is Journey Lynn Wiggins and she's right on track to be born July 29th. We really had to fight her for that Gender Shot tho! She was trying so hard to keep her foot in the way and finally (after much poking, prodding and rubbing) gave us a peek :D

Fun facts:

*Journey goes nuts when I drink OJ. Within 20 minutes she's kicking and squirming like crazy!!!

* Derek and I both felt like it was a girl before the ultra sound

* After Journey is born we'll have a 5 generation picture taken of Journey, Me, my Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma! Sweet huh?

*I've only gained 4 lbs thus far but NOT for lack of eating

*I feel her so much now! She's been on the constant move since I felt her first kick a few weeks ago. It's fun in the mornings to just lay on my back and feel her squirm and stretch.

* Journey is very sensitive to other people putting their hands on my belly. She'll be kicking constantly and as soon as someone else puts their hand on my stomach she goes still and refuses to kick!!

<---- Little Journey Lynn. We fought hard for this photo. She didn't want to show her face at all but she finally moved and looked at us :)








<-----Journey was turned away from us when we first started. All tucked up into a cute little ball :)

<-----Nothing between those cute little legs!!! It's a girl :D

18 1/2 Weeks

AH!!! So excited!!! Lol we only have a week and two days left until we know the gender!!!!! I don't really care if it's a boy or girl but I feel like it's a girl. Derek wants a boy but he thinks it's a girl! Haha I don't think he'd know what to do with a girl. He has all brothers in his family. My family has been a bit of a shock for him ;) Girls = Drama. What can you do?

Today I made the best decision ever! I went for a horse back ride and I feel better. I've needed to get out for a while but because of the wonderful rain/snow we got I haven't had much of an option on my days off at home. By the way, for those of you who are somewhat concerned that I'm riding a horse while Prego... My doctor gave me the green light. As long as I only WALK and I ride a gentle horse he says I'm fine to ride. He also said I can continue until my balance gets all outta wack or my belly hits the saddle horn. Whatever happens first ;)

Oh! This is my little belly at 16 weeks :) I know I put it up a little late but we'll have new ones next week with ultra sound pics and *Hopefully* a gender and name announcement

Anyway, life is good and we're anxiously, impatiently waiting for next week to get here!

First Kick!!

Today I felt the first definite kick from our little one!! It was amazing! Haha I had just hit snooze on the alarm clock and was debating if I really wanted to get up or go back to sleep when I felt it. I thought it was a kick but wasn't sure so I pressed on my belly a little and I felt a kick again in the same place!!! Then I woke Derek up and put his hand where I had felt it and about a minute later he felt it too :) It was really neat! Weird though, the only way to describe it was that someone was pushing from the inside and that's exactly what was happening! I felt it a few more times after that but the first was so neat! I can't wait until the baby is big enough that we can both feel more of the movements!!

Finally Finished!!!

Before Derek and I got married I started crocheting a blanket. Well... it's been almost a year and I finally finished it!! I know... it's pathetic. But trying to make a blanket that long was crazy time consuming and I got burned out every 2-3 rows lol it was fun and I think he likes it ;)



















His blanket is a little over 6ft long and I'm not sure how wide it is lol. I love the pattern! It's super simple and way easy to do once you get started. He thinks he's Super Man in the 2nd pic and was playing peek-a-boo in the 3rd lol and I thought I had a few more months before I had a kid!!! :D lol Love you Derek :D

13 weeks and an Awesome Ultra Sound!!!

Last time I blogged I said we wouldn't be having an Ultra-Sound till 20 weeks. But, I had a little bit of spotting and the doctor wanted to make sure all was well... Which it was :D :D :D :D

If you look close you can see the little one's head, chest, legs and the outline of one arm. It was the most amazing experience ever to watch our little one kick, stretch and move!!! Although I wish the little one would have held still long enough for a decent photo lol that would have been nice!!!

Anyway, All is well and the baby is right on track! We're enjoying the experience more and more and are so excited for July to come!! Hopefully during my next appointment I'll remember to record the heart beat! Still won't know what the gender is until March but we're ok with that :)

12 Weeks!!!

Monday we heard the heart beat!!! That was.. incredible :) to say the least. I can't believe how fast the heart rate is for our 4 inch little baby! The doctor compared the baby's heart beat to mine and I about laughed. It was so fast in comparison!! He says that I'm moving right along and then dropped the bomb :( We won't be doing the ultra sound next month at 15 1/2 weeks. We'll be doing it in March at 20 weeks!!! We were hoping for next month!!! Oh well, I guess another month of waiting to see the baby on screen wont kill us!... Right?

School started Monday. I love it! I can't really speak for Derek though. I think he's just ready to be done and is going to welcome a year or two off! Anyway, everything is going good for us! Hope everyone else is doing well!!!

Life is Good

I decided to make this as much a family blog as a baby blog :) So, Just an update on life in general!

Derek will walk in May and graduate this summer with his bachelors!!! I'm so excited for him!! He's worked really hard in school trying to finish up! Then he'll do two semesters of Pre-Recs and we're off to who knows where for his Masters Degree! Exciting right?

I'm doing most of my Pre-Recs this semester for the Surgical Tech program. I should only have one class and a lab during the summer so hopefully it works out and the baby cooperates and doesn't come before finals ;) I'm also back at Mike's Barber and Beauty! I love it there! They are a great group of people to work with and I enjoy working there far more than my previous job.

Life is going good and we're happy :) We're super excited for the newest addition to our family and can't wait to meet him or her in... 6 months!!