Sugar & Spice

Well, I will be 21 weeks tomorrow and I can definitely say.... NO MORE NAUSEA!!! Thank goodness!!! I can finally eat like a normal person again and have started to feel more like a human being. Can I get a HALLELUJAH?! Amen!

Anywho, while my last post was written satirically, I was being full on truthful. I have never experienced feeling so awful for so long like that. And yes, I still glow with oil, am growing talons and have a tummy that feels a little like it goes from here to Kansas, but at least the nausea is better. I'm still quite tired, but that's because I'm still working full time, trying to get prepared for baby, trying to figure out finances, keeping up with my hubs and extended family, trying to get prepared for a move, teaching six 5 year olds every Sunday in church, preparing for the holidays and still finding time to be ME (ie. spending down time with my hubs and Maren). So, I think I've earned the right to be tired. I haven't let pregnancy slow me down much recently. And thank goodness my hubs is so great about helping because I couldn't do it without him. Seriously. I think as much as I WANT to be Superwoman, my husband really IS Superman. Go ahead, be jealous... I'll wait...

....

You good? Ok. Let's move on.

So, last week, we had that ALL IMPORTANT doctor's appointment. You know the one. The gender reveal!!! Dun dun DUUUUUN!!!!! Everyone was so excited. I was equal parts excited and terrified!

What if we got in there for the ultrasound the found that the baby had 3 arms, 1 leg and it's brain growing outside it's head? What if it had, like, NO spine? What if the baby isn't alive in there anymore (like the last time) and all the "movement" I've been feeling really has just been gas? What if, what if, WHAT IF???? My Superman assured me that I was being ridiculous and I knew logically that I was. But the terror was still there. Haunting me. Keeping me company for those nighttime strolls to the potty. Distracting me at work.

Well, we got into the doctor's office and I went into the room. All the while, I'm practically hyperventilating thinking about all the terrible things that could go wrong and Superman was slap happy like a school boy. Thankfully, he tried to keep me distracted while we waited by making me laugh. Love him.

Anywho, the doc came in, got right into it and there the little Nugget was. Sitting on my cervix. Legs crossed... Yea.

So, he went looking at everything else:

Head: perfect circumference
Brain matter: yep, as much as I'll refute its existence in about 16 years, it's there!
Abdomen: perfect specimen of roundness
Umbilical Cord: 3 different tubes (which is perfect)
Legs: Definitely 2 of them and measuring just right
Feet: 2 little adorable footies that aren't clubbed (a problem I faced as a baby)
Arms: 2 little perfect punching apparatuses
Nose, Eyes, Mouth: Check, check, check
Heart: Perfect (and I mean PERFECT) 4 chambered heart (and for anyone who knows me well, this has been a huge stress for me as I have Congenital Heart Disease and it runs in my family and had to have open heart surgery at 4 months because I had 2 holes in there and have had cousins who've died from the same thing).

So, after checking the vitals, the doctor went back, over and over again. Nugget was sitting there very modestly. Until finally the doc had to push in really deep (OUCH! I think he bruised my pelvis!) and VOILA!

It's a GIRL!!!



And she's perfect!

We are so excited! And now that she doesn't feel like a perfect stranger, I am feeling more bonding now and starting to feel like I can do the next 19 weeks. I will survive and at the end, I'll have this gorgeous little monster to call my very own! YAY!

We've already started organizing things and getting ready. I know I have 19 weeks (yea, that's almost 5 more months) but I'm such an overly conscious planner that I have to or I'll drive myself and my Superman C.R.A.Z.Y!!!



We are getting super excited and can't wait to meet her!

18 Weeks / 4 1/2 Months

Well, at 18 weeks I certainly don't understand how lots of women will get pregnant more than once. I've been miserable. Between getting up twice a night to visit the potty, feeling nauseated for around 6-8 hours a day, throwing up if I get too gaggy before I get a peppermint in my mouth, being affected worse by seemingly insignificant things (ie. food poisoning, allergies, colds, etc) and watching stretchmarks spread across my abdomen like a road map drawn by an in patient at a psycho ward, I'm just not feeling like it's the "best thing EVER!!"

My mom always told me that I would probably really enjoy being pregnant because she did. She told me that she never felt so good as when she was pregnant. I really felt that I had reasonable hope to expect the same.

FAIL.

And I've been so careful to always watch myself when I was trying to get pregnant or wanted to be married so I could get pregnant not to say stupid things like "If I could ONLY get pregnant, I would NEVER complain". I watched other women say it and quietly laughed on the inside while simultaneously wanting to punch their face so hard their nose stuck out the back. Stupid women. They have NO clue what they are talking about. Of course you're going to complain sometimes!! And I made sure not to say that so that I could still have days where I just wanted this baby to come out already because I'm SICK and TIRED of being SICK and TIRED!!!!!

The past 18 weeks have been like that. I vacillate between being so grateful that there is a beautiful little vampire in there sucking my life blood away and bawling because I just don't know how I'm going to take 22 MORE WEEKS of this crap!!!

Don't get me wrong, I really AM grateful. I really DO love this little vampire. And I really AM ecstatic that I finally get to be a mommy. But, I am also a real person, folks. And being pregnant is HARD.

You seriously give up your entire existence to the little beast in there who you have never met. Would you give up your body and mind up for a perfect stranger? My guess is no. Yes, there are exceptions, but mostly, no.

The little alien I'm incubating decides when or if I eat, sleep and go to the bathroom.  It decides how to restructure my body shape (uh, hello there hips and butt that look like J-Lo!). It decides how crazy my hormone levels need to be so that it can live, but it also causes me to break out in zits in places where I've NEVER had zits before like a 13 year old boy starting puberty, my hair to get so thick that I get my hair cut and I feel like it's done nothing to relieve the weight, my finger nails to become like talons of death, and my skin to shine like I've just doused myself in Extra Virgin Olive Oil! Oh and THIS: It decides when I'm done having a conversation with someone because I have to stop mid sentence to sprint the 100 yard dash to the bathroom going Mach 50 to avoid vomiting on the person I'm talking to or on the floor.

I haven't even met the tiny creature of ill repute and this is what I've agreed to do for it?

Really?

There are so many websites out there who talk about loving being pregnant and how it's the greatest thing you'll ever do. Why do women not talk about the facts? Why do they fail to include how stinkin hard it is or how some days you just don't want to anymore?

Because we all want to be superhuman. That's why. We all want to tell everyone and ourselves that it's really not that bad and we can do it because we are Wonder Woman! Here me ROAR! Or wait... don't hear me roar because if I do, I'll gag and then I'll have to find the nearest bathroom or garbage can I can Mach 50 myself to!

Let's be real here. Being pregnant is hard. And sometimes it really sucks.

BUT, I'm really grateful. And I'm excited to get to the end and meet this little twerp who deserves that trip down the birth canal, thank you very much.

Maybe I'm just being hormonal because I'm riding the Pregnancy Roller Coaster. Your guess is as good as mine.

Excuse me while I go Mach 50 myself to the John.

The Return of The Nugget Baby!!

I'm sorry I left you at a cliffhanger last time, but I'm finally able to divulge one of the changes coming to our lives in the next little while....

Our little nugget baby has returned!

I'm pregnant!

"One of us is Expecting!!!"

I was pretty sure that I was ovulating back around the 4th of July and I waited and wondered for a good long time. In fact, I refused to take a pregnancy test until I was closer to 6 weeks along because I was too terrified by the answer. I was afraid that it would say No and we'd have to start the fertility drugs all over again. But, I was also afraid that it was going to say Yes. I was so afraid because if I was preggo, I'd have to be worried that it was going to die in there, or that I would miscarry and suddenly be in an emergency situation, or that I would actually carry the thing full term and it would be still born, or, or, OR....!!!!! Fear is a real thing, folks. Seriously.

But, I realized that the fear won't go away even after this baby is born. I will be afraid that something is going to happen to this kid until I'M dead! That's how it is when you're a parent.

How infuriating! How irritating! How WONDERFUL!

How spectacular to love something that you have created. Something that you and the person you love most in this world have come together and created in equal parts of the two of you. There is no one else who will walk this earth that will be exactly like them. How incredible!

So, I'm due March 18th. The doctors have said I'm out of the woods and now I'm able to finally say it to the world!

I went into the doctor recently to have my monthly appointment and the doc said he was going to try to listen to the heartbeat with the Doppler. However, when he scanned for it, he couldn't find it. Of course, that set me into a panic.

We went back to have an ultrasound and as soon as the picture came into focus, we could see our little Nugget flapping it's little arms and legs, arching it's back and basically acting like a jumping bean. The doctor chuckled and said, "Well, that explains why we couldn't find the heartbeat before! The little thing won't hold still long enough!"

Not quite a Nugget any longer!

If that is any indication of what it will be like when it comes out, boy are Alan and I in TROUBLE!! :)

Sorry to keep it from the blogosphere of space, but I'm hoping you can understand our apprehension.

I can't even tell you how lucky I feel. Yes, I was sick. Yes, I threw up. Yes, I was so exhausted I wanted to cry. Yes, I pee more often than should be humanly possible. But you know what... I'm on the other side of most of that (thank goodness!!!) and I feel so blessed. Alan and I are so ready and willing to be parents. I have wanted this since I was 16 years old. Kid you not. THAT long. I'll be 30 in a couple months. That's almost half of my life that I've wanted to have a baby, folks. I've had to wait a good long time. And because of that, I couldn't be more grateful for that little baby in there who has chosen me to be it's mommy. I hope I can do right by the little thing. But, one thing I can guarantee without any shadow of doubt... NO ONE on this earth will love this little Nugget more than Alan and I. Ever.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaaaaaanges!!!

I can't seem to get that stupid David Bowie "Changes" song out of my head when I think about life lately. We have made some serious decisions about where things are going for our little family and I think they are all going to be for the better. At least, one would hope!

Actually, the changes have all come about because we've reached a turning point in life and Alan and I have come to realize that life isn't going to start in 4 years from now (when he's done with school) but that it's started right now! We're living it! I know... duh! Right? But that point has really been driven home to us lately. And we have no other choice but to get with the program and start moving.

I heard once that our souls crave progression. So, when we are stagnant, we feel uneasy and uncomfortable because our spirits were created to progress and we are stifling that need.

Alan and I had become stagnant waiting to move in one direction or another in life. Alan has always just stayed stationary until he was forced to move one direction or another. I have been quite the opposite. I will plan out what I want to do and then force myself to be flexible when that plan falls apart and life happens instead.

Alan put in an application to start with a Journeyman's Electrical program in Pocatello and had to take a test and interview before he could find out what his placement was in the program. If he could start working for them, he would start at almost $19 an hour, with benefits.

He applied, he tested, he interviewed and he placed 29th on the list of 75 people. That would mean that 28 other people would have to start work before he would. In this economy... we needed a Plan B.

As he started looking around, he found another similar program (although you have to find your own employment and you start around $10 an hour) here in Idaho Falls. As he was looking into the program, he realized that maybe he DIDN'T want to be an electrician after all.

Uh.... HELLO?! Are you kidding me!??!

So, after many prayers and fasting and trips to the temple and research, he's decided he wants to go through the program here in Idaho Falls and do the HVAC program instead. It won't pay as much in the long run, but there are lots more opportunities for positions available and that sounds good to us! Stability is our friend!!

And if all that isn't unsettling, we have been trying to decide what to do about housing seeing as we are tired of the Cave and have made a promise to get out by the end of the year. I cannot stand being a bottom dweller any longer!! I'm serious people... there is NO LIGHT in there!

As I was researching places to live around here, we could expect to pay around $650-$700 a month for a 3 bedroom apartment and more like $850 for a house that would accept our 2 dogs. I was frustrated by the lack of options here but had narrowed it down to 2 different townhouse style apartments. I wasn't getting a feeling either way of which place we were supposed to be. So, like any good, faithful LDS girl, I started praying. A lot. And I would pray that something would come to us and that something would work out so that we would be in the best place to do the most good for Him. And He answered.

I got a phone call from a friend who said that she heard of a house opening up in March. Let me tell you a little about this house:

I wanted to rent it a few years ago with a roommate, but it didn't work out and the owner wanted $850 a month for it. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, fenced backyard, ok for dogs, 2 car garage, comes with washer and dryer, and it's a HOUSE. And it's less than 1 mile from where we are right now.

I told my friend that we could only afford about $700 a month. She said that she talked to the homeowner about it and he was ok with that! So, I called him and he and I have a verbal contract that will get us into that house as soon as the other renters are out! It might be into April, but it's our's when they are gone!

There are a few other BIG changes that are coming, but I can't really talk about them aloud right now because I don't want someone to read this before I'm ready. But, I'll talk about those down the road too. Let's just say that by next April, our life, specifically my part in it, will be drastically different. I won't even recognize it, in fact. And it will be a glorious thing! :)

Guys, I'm here to tell you... Prayer Works! I don't have to say some fancy pants prayer for my Father to hear me, He is listening always. And if you are willing to submit to His will, He will guide you to where He wants you to be. He is preparing you for what He needs you to become and if you allow that process to happen, serious blessings come. His cup runneth over for you. I'm proof of that right now. I only hope that I can endeavour to deserve those blessings.

Street Family Reunion 2013

This year was my mom's turn to plan the reunion for her family. And, of course, since I was the daughter in town, I got to help with all the planning. All I have to say is... never again. What a nightmare! Here is a photo dump. I think most everyone had fun though, so that's a small success.

Caroline, Cody, Maren & Alan

Mom, Katrina and Krystal

Caroline, Louise, Jenny, Rick, April, James and April & James's Kids

Scott, Louise, James, Rex, Broadhead kids and James's kids

Maren, Rick and Cody

April & James's kids, Mom, April & Scott & Idrian's kids (I think) Oh, and Melissa & Dustin's heads

Eating Lunch

Mom, Louise, kids and Idrian at the Tribute Table

Rex & Kelly's Family

Idrian & Scott

Rick & Louise's family do introductions

James & April do introductions

Melissa playing a game

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

Games

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Games

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Games

Jarom's Endowment & Law Reunion

This past weekend was fun as we were able to go to Alan's parent's house in Emmett and go through the temple for the first time with Alan's younger brother, Jarom. He has many disabilities but he's there enough mentally to really zing you with sarcasm and wit whenever he can! He's pretty fun and teases you every chance he gets, even though all he can do is sign it. You get his message loud and clear and you laugh. He's pretty great. I can't wait to get to the other side so that I can actually talk to him clearly. It will be so awesome. 

Funny story though, before the photo dump, Alan had to go with Jarom and Dad so he could sign during the interview and parts of the session for Jarom. So, Friday morning, Alan had to leave early because his parents live about an hour away from the temple and he, Dad and Jarom had to be there at 10:30. We didn't have to leave until about 11-11:30, but they had to leave at 9:30. So, we all got ready and the endowed members left at the house after they left piled into their huge 12 seater van and started for Boise. ....

We got about 20 min into the drive and there was a huge clunk under the van, the power steering went out and the AC stopped working. Lance, who is a mechanic, was driving and he said "Huh.... maybe I ought to pull over and check that". So we did. As soon as he opened the hood, he realized the clunk was the serpentine belt falling off and there was antifreeze all over the place. We were stranded. It was 90* outside, we were all dressed to go to the temple, we had left in exactly enough time to get to the temple in time for the session, and we were stranded on the side of the road. 

Fortunately, Gr'ma & Gr'pa Vickery were following us, stopped off to the side of the road and grabbed Mom, Laureen and Lance and took them so that Mom wouldn't miss Jarom going through the temple.

But, we were left on our own. So, we called Alan's sister, Tauna, and asked her to bring the Expedition (our Expedition) to us and have someone follow along in another car behind her so that she'd have a ride home. She agreed and came immediately.

Then she missed us. Drove right past us and wouldn't pick up her phone because it was turned on silent and she'd forgotten. The lady following her had seen us and pulled over long enough to grab Justin and they zoomed off in chase of her.

They flagged her down and got her to come back. As Carrie was stepping out of the van to get into the Expedition, she stepped ankle deep into mud. So, we had to clean her off a bit and loaded up.

By then, we had about 30 minutes to be to the temple in time. We knew we weren't going to make it and because Jarom has to have the hearing impaired video, we couldn't just switch things. 

We decided that we were going to laugh about it and not be upset because there was nothing we could do. So, we thought that we would just go ahead and do some initiatories or sealings or something when we got there so we could be waiting in the celestial room when the rest of them finished. Mom called a little bit into the drive to tell us that they had made it in time and she would do what she could to get them to wait for us.

We got to the temple by about 10 after noon and there was a man waiting at the desk. He smiled and said "You must be the Vickerys. We've been waiting for you". It was awesome. We all went and got dressed in a hurry and went into the chapel to wait. Alan grabbed me and told me that he was so anxious because the idea of me stranded on the side of the road with no way to help me was driving him crazy. It was sweet.

We made it through the session fine. Jarom seemed to get the majority of what was going on. Alan's signing went fine. He said that the Spirit helped him a lot because much of what he was saying with his hands, he had no clue what he was saying. Which was kind of cool. We all bawled when we were in the celestial room together. 

Then, after, when we were getting ready to leave, Jarom and Alan were taking forever to get out of the changing rooms and when they did come out, Alan told me that Jarom had taken his garments off with his temple clothes too and put his regular underwear back on. He thought it was all the same thing! LOL We laughed pretty hard. So, the reason it took so long was because Alan had to make him go back in and get redressed WITH his garments on. :) Too funny.

Anywho, the rest of the weekend went off great. We went swimming, played games, rode horses, spent lots of time in the sun and enjoyed each other's company.

Here are photos:

Brittany and Justin on the way to the temple

Leah, Jay, Carrie and Corbin on the way to the temple

Lance driving us to the temple RIGHT before the belt broke

Mom, riding along on the way to the temple

We're stranded, but we're sure a happy bunch!

Mom calling in backup. In stilettos and a pencil skirt. She's a regular super hero!

Laureen and Lance as we're stranded waiting for backup to arrive

Corbin frantically, but SAFELY, driving us to the temple in the Expedition

Marjorie that night on our way to dinner with the Laws

She's so cute she makes my heart just melt

Spencer trying out the small pool in place for water kickball. Don't you LOVE his farmer tanned legs!!

Marjie's excited but not sure she wants to jump in

Showin' those legs!

There's a smile!

Dinner with the Laws

After dinner, Corbin got elected to get up, after cousin Bryan who just returned from a mission, and talk about his mission experiences in Mexico

Saturday morning, riding horses! Marjie, Laureen and Alan

Laureen is about to rub some essential oils into my feet.

Grandpa Vickery, Corbin and Grandma Emily sit and talk

Don't know why, but Marjorie is blowing on my toes. LOL

She decided she was going to rub my feet too!

This came out blurry, but this is Mom twirling with Marjorie and Marjie LOVES it!

Caught their attention!