Week 16

It's been an exciting week for us! I absolutely love patriotism related holidays in this area, Bellevue/Papillion/La Vista areas are always so vibrant during these holidays, I'm not sure if it's because we live so close to a military base, but it is pretty neat.  Sean and I went to watch fireworks during La Vista days and on Memorial Day we had a nice barbecue in our backyard.  After being a military spouse, I have a new found appreciation for those that have died for our country so we have to opportunity to be free.  I did find myself wishing we were closer to home so we could lay flowers on the graves of our loved ones.  Today marks the 8th anniversary of my grandpa's death.  He was such an incredible man.  I miss him and I wish he was here to see all of these cool milestones that are happening in the lives of his grandchildren.  I am already trying to figure out ways to compile memories of him and my father in law for our baby, I want our child to know how amazing these men were.  They lead lives that we are so proud of.  Both men served in the military, my grandpa was in the Army and my father in law served in both the Air Force reserves and the Army reserves.   Both left this world married to beautiful wives and had marriages with these women whose examples Sean and I are striving to follow.  They didn't care for the things of the world, they placed family and Heavenly Father as their highest priority.  We miss them and know that one day we will see them again. Happy anniversary to my grandpa & grandma tomorrow, married for 55 years with eternity to go together.

I was finally able to set up my ultra sound appointment!  Before I got pregnant I thought that I didn't want to know the gender when I had my first baby, now that I'm pregnant it's crazy how my mind has been changed about so many different things. I can't wait to know what we are having!  I want to give our baby a name as soon as possible so we can acknowledge this little spirit in our lives and refer to him or her by their name.  Hopefully we have decided on a name by then for a girl, we have a boy's name we both love but we are struggling to find common ground with a girl's name. I originally wanted a gender neutral nursery, but the more I look at nursery items I say this would be so cute for a little girl/boy and I'm realizing that I probably should wait on those items until we know gender.  I have however started buying a few gender neutral things.  I bought my first onsie a while back, I think it's actually intended for a little boy but I definitely could pair it with a skirt for a little girl.  I also bought a Spiderman onsie recently, regardless of gender our baby will be sporting the Spiderman gear along with a few other Superheros.  I'm starting to build our our baby stash.  

We decided that every time from here on out that we go grocery shopping that we would buy a package of diapers, starting with newborn size and then going a size up every time with purchase so we have a few in each size.  When my grandma was here she bought our baby a little stuffed giraffe from the zoo and a giraffe pop up book.  I don't know why that started making things so real, but it did!
 I'm also starting to look for maternity clothing.  I'm struggling with this for a number of different reasons.  I don't really go shopping, but when I do, I buy one nice outfit that I will wear and have for years.  I am the type of person that if you gave $100 dollars to, I wouldn't go out and buy a whole bunch of shirts in order to have a lot of shirts, I would probably find a shirt that would last for years and years and spend the entire $100 on that one shirt, sure I will occasionally find a neat item at Forever 21 or Target but for the most part, I like investing my money in something that will last. The predicament with maternity clothing is, you are only pregnant for nine months, and only big pregnant for maybe six of those months, I also don't think I will be pregnant again any time soon after this baby. My approach to purchasing clothes has changed drastically as my pants are no longer able to be zipped up and my dresses are getting shorter.  Clothes that I thought I could get away with stretching out a little just look different and are not working, it seems like I'm going to have to buy maternity clothes sooner than later. I also, for religious reasons, won't wear anything that is a tank top or doesn't go to my knee unless I'm swimming or working out of course, so this limits my choices as well.  It's so hot, and we are going to an outdoor wedding this summer, I just wanted a maternity dress that I didn't have to layer, that met all of my criteria.  So I joined various Facebook yard sale groups, and I am looking for cheaper clothes.  I just can't bring myself to invest a lot of money in clothes I will wear for such a short time.  I made a nice score on one Facebook buy/swap/sell page and purchased 3 pairs of maternity capris and a maternity shirt all from Gap for under $20, and I have also resorted to Target.  So far Target has provided me with the most modest summer options that I don't hate.  If I ever feel like splurging there are a few dresses I wouldn't mind having from a Pea in The Pod, but for the most part I think I'm going to stick Target and do my best to keep an open mind.  I found a dress at Target that met all of my criteria that is outdoorsy wedding type dress, sleeves and all!  It isn't picture below, but I'm sure I'll get some photos in it one of these days.  It's crazy how much you approach the selfish aspects of your life when you are expecting a child, I would rather use the money for nice things for our baby, than nice clothes for myself.  I overheard my mom say to my grandma at church (whispering of course), "Can you imagine Heatherly carrying a car seat and a diaper bag? Hahaha."  Don't you worry mother, I've seen some pretty impressive baby bags I wouldn't mind having and I can't wait to rock the mommy look.  Here are some dresses and websites I have found maternity clothes that I like, all ranging in prices and quality.

 I'm loving this Liz Lange Maternity Dress from Target $24.99 Click here to be directed to their website.

  Pink Blush has some of the funnest maxi skirts I have been able to find, several solids and really fun prints. I hear that maxi skirts are the best during pregnancy. $30 Click here to be directed to their website.

 Isn't this dress gorgeous!  It looks really comfortable as well!  This would be a splurge, I'm sure it would be worth it.  This dress is from a Pea in The Pod for $250 Click here to be directed to their website.

The quest for beautiful maternity fashion is still on!  Where was your favorite place to shop?

weeks 10-15

 A few things have happened since I decided to try and blog about our baby because we were waiting so long to tell family.  I had multiple performances at school happen, multiple projects that were due, I had a sister visit, 3 moms visit, I graduated college, and we announced baby to the world (it even made it to Facebook).  So I have several progression pictures with stories that accompany each of them, and hilarity would have it that in some pictures I have a more noticeable bump than others even earlier on then later there really isn't anything. There's a lot of shifting around that goes on in there I guess.

Ah.  This infamous ten week photo, that in all honesty almost didn't get taken.  I was tired, Sean was tired, we were all tired.  I even cursed some terrible swear words because of my persistent idea that this "has to be done" and it caused some tension between us.  I'm pretty sure this was taken at around 11 pm at night, I had taught class that evening, and that day had driven to Lincoln at 8:30 am which meant I was up at 7 am that day.  Fun stuff.  The funny thing is, most people I've talked to are stressed about the morning sickness they are having around this time, or the exhaustion, or whatever else ails them about pregnancy.  I totally 100% believe God doesn't give you more than you can handle because of this pregnancy.  If I had morning sickness that is supposedly suppose to happen, I probably wouldn't have made it through the rest of the semester!  I was stressed and exhausted because school was kicking my trash, not because of my baby ( well that probably contributed but I couldn't tell).  My baby was the only thing getting me through at times.  I could see a bump, but only I could, and in some of my tighter dance clothes, and now that I'm further along I look at this picture and think psht, amateur.

This was about one of the most disappointing Easter's I've had in a while, I spent it at Tech Rehearsal for the last show of my undergrad career.  I know! I'm terrible! I spent one of the holiest of days at a Tech Rehearsal I probably will be giving myself a hard time for it forever.  Never again!  I loved UNL but I'm so glad I'm done having to make decisions like that, I am so grateful I have the opportunity to observe the Sabbath day the way I believe it should be observed now without conflict.  The day before hand was quite lovely, Sean and I went to church, we made ourselves Easter dinner and then I was off to a night of Tech.  This would be leading up to the 5th time the baby would be on stage with me!

One of the happiest visits of my life with my sister!  She came from Oregon to watch me in my show along with my mom who drove down from Wisconsin.  It was so fun having her here.  When she is around I also feel so supported and loved.  She isn't a dancer, and it was her first time seeing Modern dance, I was a little skeptical of what she would think of the show, but she was so positive!  She also helped me out a bit in keeping my mom's mother day present a surprise.  My sister is sort of a stinker, she dug and snooped before she got here, and somehow found out I was pregnant.  I guess I was getting a little to careless on Wanelo.  So she did know along with my little brother.  Her visit was too short and it needs to be longer next time!  While she was here we went to the zoo which is one of my favorite things to do in Omaha. 

Happy birthday to my Spiderman loving hubby!  We spent most of our weekend watching The Amazing Spider Man 2 in theaters.  I even decorated a cake for him with Spiderman on it.  School was finally winding down at this point, finishing some last minute projects and papers and getting reading for finals!  Light at the end of the tunnel!  

This. I have a series of bucket lists, categorized and such.  This was on my one for life, and it was the last thing I had to accomplish before I became a mommy.  My before baby bucket list is complete!  It takes after a graduation for me to realize how cool it is.   Going into my high school graduation, I kept thinking "This is stupid, I'm getting recognized for something you are suppose to do."  During the ceremony back then it started to dawn on me how awesome and neat it was, that it was symbolic of so many different things.  Like high school it took me a while to look at actually walking as a cool thing.  I thought it was stupid and the only reason I was going to walk and not get my diploma mailed to me was because my grandma, mother in law, and mother showed interest in coming to Omaha, so I made the commitment.  Really, I took a few breaks and I'm graduating with a BA at 25, when in reality that was suppose to happen 3 years ago, I've been a non traditional student, so I figured I should graduate non traditionally from the comfort of my living room.  During the ceremony I whispered to the guy sitting next to me who I had only met a few hours earlier, "If I ever get my Masters & Doctorate, I am NOT sitting through one of these again!"  It didn't take until after the graduation when I had a diploma in my hand that had my name on it and Bachelors of the
Arts inscribed that I was really feeling good about the whole thing.  It was
worth it, I probably would regret not walking if I didn't. I mention Masters degree so freely, I want one yes, but I'm going to just enjoy being alive not having school in my life until I even think about going back.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a few years before that roller coaster ride begins.  Maybe when baby starts kindergarten?   Maybe sooner, maybe later, mostly I don't really care to think about it right now.  I love school, I love challenging my mind and I love learning.  I think what I need to learn for myself is to be able to do that in a non academic environment for now.  I took this picture with this sign as my sort of screw you hour long drive!  We are over!  No more of you BS, no more wind, no more snow, no more rain, no more slow drivers!  We are done!  I'm not sure if I was more excited about the drive being over or the actual graduation part.  60 Miles from Bellevue to Lincoln, an hour and a half of my life there and then back given back to me again!  Woot!
  So by this point we were trying really hard not to tell our moms about our baby, we only had one more day!

Mothers day morning we made our moms a huge breakfast.  We got them all cards that had a picture of our first ultra sound in it and titled each card grandma, grandma again, and great grandma.  We told them to open them all at the same time, and holy molly, their reactions were priceless!  Click here to watch their reactions!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0R3n5tDuTY&feature=youtu.be  I guess babies are a big deal or something.  It was strange celebrating for me.  We went to church as a group during sacrament meeting all the speakers spoke about their mothers, motherhood, and what a special and sacred role it is.  It was a little overwhelming, especially after we let our families know.  Oh, and at this point my mother was all over social media like I thought she would be with the news which was fine but another overwhelming thing to deal with at the moment.  At the end of sacrament one of the brethren asked if all the mothers could stand up after the prayer, I don't know why but I was so nervous about standing up!  Thankfully the bishop got on the microphone and said all women 18 and over would please stand up (mother or not).  I was relieved and felt like our secret was safe, but it wasn't until 30 seconds later that the whole ward knew, the bishop decided to play a game and have all the mothers who had been a mother for 40 years or more raise their hand and he kept saying random things like this, then the "Mother for less than six months" term came up, all of our moms looked at me and Sean raised my hand for me.  I turned bright red and immediately sat down and bishop looked a little stunned and said "Well, this is news!"  I wasn't sure if people were telling me congratulations that day because they knew I graduated college or because they knew I was pregnant.  Either way, it was a nice day at church, and it gave me perspective on what is important in my life and how amazing and privileged I was to be able to become a mommy. When we got home, we went on a lovely picnic with my mom, grandma, and mother in law.  It was such a beautiful day.

I was so sad to see our family go home, It was so nice having everyone here, and finally being able to share the news with them.  Our little one is coming into a loving family.  Everyone is so excited to meet him or her! 

Finally all caught up with belly progression pictures!  Life has calmed down tremendously!  I even almost said I was bored one day, but I didn't because the house was a mess and Sean would have reminded me of probably 100 not so fun things to do to stop being bored.  I now am enjoying focusing my time on my pregnancy, husband, and job.  Yes, I haven't been able to stop craving citrus.  I'm a little bitter about it.  Nothing sounds good. Nothing, other than these items.  I was so looking forward to wanting to eat all the time and I don't?  I thought I would.  No morning sickness but geeze I am picky!  I am not crazy about that right now.  I use to love pastries and pastas and be a crazy foodie ready to try ethnic foods but goodness none of that would work right now.  Nothing tastes as good as biting into a lemon with a bunch of salt does, or the virgin margaritas I have been making myself.  I ate a whole bowl of Tuscan kale salad by myself, it was so YUMMY!  Poor Sean didn't really try because I tripled the lemon content in the recipe. That is the only thing that really sounds amazing meal wise and pizza oddly enough is the only thing that sounds tolerable.  I felt myself pop this week, I could literally feel the tendons under my belly stretching, and felt tons of pressure this week.  This is the bump I've been waiting for!

9 weeks

This was such an exciting week for us!  I was on cloud nine after we were able to see our baby up on the screen and hear his or her little heart beat.   It was a nice, reassuring moment for me.  I have not had any morning sickness, and other than crazy dreams and being exhausted I have not really had much proof there is a baby in there. I was really nervous when the doctor was looking for the picture, a part of me was nervous they wouldn't find anything, and that I was crazy, but she found a picture, baby was sleeping, with a few little nudges baby moved a bit.  We heard a heart beat which is what I was most excited about coming into the appointment. I have always felt weird about showing ultra sound pictures and wonder why people did it, but it really is an exciting thing to see your little baby for the first time, and to others it might just look like little gummy bear, but to the new parents it is the first time seeing their child.  I'm guilty of just staring at it every now and then, I'm so in love with this baby already! 

3 year anniversary

Last year we celebrated our 2 year anniversary in Europe, it was unforgettable and I am so grateful we had the opportunity to have such an adventure before we have children.  This year we celebrated on the weekend and spent our morning in a 2 hour long briefing.  Sean has explained to me a number of times that before you are allowed to do even the most mundane of tasks in the military, it is preceded with a briefing.  Well, having a baby is no mundane task, and it is exactly what is next for us!

  Most likely you are reading this well after our formal announcement to our family and friends.  There are a number of reasons we are waiting to announce, but mostly, I really like it just being the three of us for now.  We are strictly telling people on a need to know basis, we hope to keep it to ourselves until Mother's Day and present our mothers with the gift of our news.  Today was the first day I have really had the opportunity to just revel in the excitement of it.  I am currently a little over a month away from graduating with my bachelors in dance and I work full time as a dance instructor.  I go to school all day long, and in the evening I work.  I have little time for reflection, relaxation, or moments to build excitement.  Originally I was annoyed that I had to go to this briefing, before you can see a doctor at the base clinic, you have to go to a 2 hour long briefing explaining pregnancy, insurance, and cost.  It was basically 2 hours of what to expect when you are expecting.  These briefings are only offered on Tuesdays, because my spring break was this week, it had to be this Tuesday, which also happened to be our 3 year wedding anniversary.  It was not my ideal setting for our celebration.   Once it was over, it really started to hit me, it forced me to slow down and realize that this is real!  We went to lunch afterwards and spent our afternoon looking over THE book that was given to us, we were able to be that happy excited couple I always dreamed of becoming.

  Before today, the opportunities for excitement together have been rare and short, but today we were able to cuddle in bed and relax, it has been a beautiful anniversary for us not only celebrating the 3 years we have been married but what is to come in the near future.