Easter

We had such a great Easter this year! Lincoln really enjoyed it! He loved finding all the 'balls', putting them in the basket and then dumping them all out just to pick them up again.

We were able to go to two different Easter Egg hunts this year. First, we attended our ward Easter Party. It started off with a great breakfast made by the bishopric followed by an Easter Egg hunt with all the primary kids. There were so many eggs! Remember, we have 4 nursery's alone!

 

The Saturday before Easter we went to Aunt Ginger's Easter Egg Hunt. 

Some of the Uncles had fun hiding some of the eggs... nice job guys!

That night we dyed Easter Eggs. James that it was just going to be me and him, but I reassured him that Lincoln was going to dye eggs too....or should I say just break the eggs :)

Linc also painted some pretty pictures for his Grandparents

Easter Sunday was really mellow at our house. James decided he should hold Presidency meeting before our 9 AM church. So, me and Lincoln woke up, I made traditional eggs on toast and opened our Easter Baskets. The Easter Bunny brought Linc a new movie, Ice Age and a new ball. But all Linc cared about were the Pringles in mine and James' baskets. Little stink had those jars open in no time!

Linc also got a cute new Easter Outfit. I was planning on taking pictures of him outside in his new outfit, but he had one explosive diaper and ruined this outfit. I wasn't too happy about it. But the one picture I did get of him is cute enough :) I still can't get over his short hair!

After Church we headed to my parents for Easter Dinner. My mom made a fabulous dinner as usual! It was such a nice evening having my grandparents with us. We sat around the table for hours just talking. It was a perfect Easter Dinner - last one as a family for the next 3 years. (crazy)

Yes, it's true!

Yes it's true

Lincoln is going to be a BIG BROTHER to his BABY BROTHER!

I will be outnumbered by boys in our home, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I am so excited to have my boys only be 2 years apart.

I hope they'll be best friends and will enjoy growing up together.

This pregnancy sure has been a trial for me...one that I wouldn't change for the world...

On December 30th I was out running errands with Lincoln. He was defiantly trying my patience. I was getting beyond frustrated with how naughty Lincoln was being and I knew I had to run to Target real quick to pick up diapers. When I was putting Lincs diapers in the shopping cart he purposely bashed his head against the shopping cart handle. Instant bruise on the forehead. I then thought, how could I do this with two kids?! Then I thought, humm maybe I should buy a pregnancy test :)

I got home and put Linc right to bed. I went in the bathroom and took the test. I called James telling him he should probably come home so I could go meet my mom and sisters for Lunch. After our 2 minute phone call I went into the bathroom and saw the 2 lines (I I). My exact reaction, "Holy Freak I'm Pregnant!" I quickly took a picture of the test and sent it to James' phone. I couldn't wait for him to respond so I called him. He answered and I asked if he got the picture. He responded by a simple no, and then he paused and said, "are you really pregnant?" I told him I was and that I was just as shocked as he was! You see my body hasn't been on a normal schedule for months so I didn't even think about taking a test for another few weeks. When he came home we were both so excited and couldn't stop smiling. We then decided we would try to keep this pregnancy a secret as long as we could :) This is why we are now really letting every one know.

I quickly left to meet my mom and sisters for a little shopping and some Lunch. My sisters kept making joking comments about feeling pregnant because of all the food we have eaten over the holidays. Jana said, holding her belly "Baby #4", Kelli said, "baby #2" and I said "baby #2!" Little did they know I really had a baby in my belly!!

A week later my little brother left on his mission. After he was set apart I pulled him aside and told him he was going to have another niece/nephew while he was gone. We shared a few tears. He's such a great Uncle and I was so sad he wouldn't be around to see this little one. 

The next morning my family went to Market Street Grill for breakfast. My stomach was so bloated I was embarrassed! After the MTC, I met up with my mom and Kelli. Kelli said out of the blue - "so when are you due? I know you're pregnant, you might as well tell me" Well, I tried and tried to lie about it, but I couldn't. I told her I had NO idea how far along I was or when I was even due. My mom and sister were so so so excited! Later that night I told my daddy by saying, "Lincoln is going to be a big brother!" My dad was like, "cool." Then I think it hit him. He was so excited. When we were talking it came to our realization that my parents aren't going to be around for this baby. (Let the tears begin!)

I had my first doctors appointment on January 13th. We had an ultrasound: 5 and a half week pregnant. I swear I was ten weeks - by body was already changing SO much! 

When I was talking to my doctor we were discussing the birth. We are planning on a VBAC! I AM SO SO SO EXCITED!!!!

7 and a half weeks

The next week - morning sickness. It was awful. I was sick morning, day and night. I kept passing out. I couldn't keep anything in. I couldn't go to school, I seriously just laid in bed for weeks.  I remember coming and laying by James on the couch one night. I was in tears. I told him how I hated how I was feeling and I hate that I am being such a bad mom! I hated that Lincoln was being neglected. I hated that I couldn't clean the house or do anything. James was so sweet and reassured me that me carrying this baby was the most important thing for me to do right now. James has helped out so much! I seriously cannot believe how great he has been.

The sickness lasted up until about week 11. I then got off my zofran and unisome. I was feeling awesome! I had energy, I slept great, I could eat and I didn't even feel pregnant! It was so great (while it lasted)

2 weeks ago after me and Linc returned home from a trip to Arizona, I got a nasty sinus infection.  On top of that I got a nasty stomach virus.  I couldn't keep water down. I was in tears for days. I finally decided to go to the dr so i could get the sinus infection under control. The doctor was concerned that I couldn't keep any liquids down for the past 3 days. He suggested going to the ER to get fluids and zofran so I could at least start my antibiotics. Well, we did just that. The visit was one of the worst experiences of my life. They did do fluids, but that was it. They weren't helpful, they didn't listen to me and they let me go home feeling worse than I felt when I went in. great.

Between Linc's ear infections and my infection/stomach.

That next morning I called my OB everything that was going on. He had me come right to his clinic. My sweet mom down and picked up me and Linc.  My amazing doctor did another 2 bags a fluid, pumped it full of zofran and also antibiotic for my sinus infection. He seriously saved my life. I felt like I was hit by a train for the next 4 days, but at least I could take my medications and now I am healthy again. What's sad and that all of this wasn't even pregnancy related! 

So here we are now. I am just about 18 weeks along.  I went to my ultra sound appointment yesterday and it was confirmed...BOY! 

At my previous appointment (at 13.5 weeks along) my doctor was doing an ultrasound (I LOVE THAT I GET AN ULTRASOUND EVERY APPOINTMENT!!!) and was taking some measurements. Suddenly, our little guy opened his legs and showed us his goods. My doctor just laughed. He was so surprised by what we saw. He looked at his chart to see how far along I was again, laughed and said, Well, looks like it's a boy! We decided to not announce this right away because lets be honest, my doctor isn't the greatest at telling the gender. He did think Linc was a girl :)

 As of right now, I'm feeling good. Me and Linc keep passing the stomach flu to each other but I think we are finally over it! This pregnancy has been going to so fast. I know I am pregnant but it is a different know of know. When I was pregnant with Lincoln my pregnancy was constantly on my mind. I always thought about it, always knew exactly how far along I was, everything I thought about was baby related! With this one, it's in the back of my mind but it hasn't really hit me yet. I think that's because we are so busy right now and I have Lincoln to take care of. Up until our little guy gets here is absolutely crazy...School, graduation (walking), 7 credits of online classes from may-august 10, brother-in-laws wedding May 8, Family vaca May 9, June packing up BOTH my parents and James' parents for their missions, also farewells, setting aparts, MTC, airport (tears, tears, tears), July - try to stay out of heat :), August finish school, September have a baby!!

We are really so excited for this little guy to get here. There is a lot of work to get done before then. We are in the process of transitioning Lincoln to his twin bed. We need get his big boys room ready, get the nursery ready, and finish putting our house back together (yes, we just repainted our whole house..i LOVE IT!)

Yesterday I was trying to get a picture of Lincoln holding the ultrasound picture so I could post it. He thought it was so funny to crumple it up and throw it. These are the only pics I got. It gave me and Kelli a good laugh :)

And now - randoms about this pregnancy:

My first trimester I could not eat chicken. I can finally eat it again :)

I felt the little guy move at 12 weeks. I can now feel him move all the time. I can tell I'm going to have another Lincoln on my hands :)

I have to eat all.the.time. 

Crackers make me sick

I can't sleep on my back anymore :(

I don't have to nap every afternoon anymore :)

I love watermelon and cannot wait for it to really be in season

I'm not taking zofran anymore

I go to the bathroom at least twice in the middle of the night

My hair is growing!

and unfortunately my pregnancy mask is appearing (great)

My belly button is ready to pop. Any day now and it'll be so noticable

Still wearing my wedding ring. I wore it my whole pregnancy with Linc so I hope that stays the same with this pregnancy.

I love taking baths at night to sooth my back

When I sneeze I get sharp pains (thanks to the C-section)

I have round legiment pains already (thanks again to the C-section)

Linc loves to sit on my baby bump

I'm not in maternity pants yet - although i'm wearing my regular skinny jeans that have an elastic band, and lots of skirts. I'm sure if I tried to get in my button jeans I wouldn't be able to wear them.

We haven't done any shopping yet for this guy. We really don't need to because him and Linc will be exactly 2 years apart so we already have clothes in every seasons for this guy. Although I will need to get new tops. Linc ruined so many of his shirts because of all his drool :)

We love our little guy so much already! September can't come soon enough!