The Weekend Ritual {November 24, 2012}

This is the ritual between Sam and Gator every Saturday morning.... I think its really sweet:

He wants until Sam says hello, then crawls up and begs him to take him to go play. 

Smart Dog. 

19 Weeks {November 26, 2012}

It is seriously so crazy how fast time is flying by. I can't believe that I am almost HALF WAY DONE! In some ways I feel like I just started. Being pregnant is different than what I had imagined. I think I focused more on the gaining weight and getting a huge tummy, and I just didn't realize all the other parts that go into it.  Its crazy just how many things change when you're pregnant. I was talking to my mom and Sam last night and we were talking about how much being pregnant is like running a marathon (its weird how I can relate ANYTHING back to running a marathon). Here are a few of the comparisons we came up with:

1.  Its a slow process
2.  It doesn't matter how much prep you put into it, you still never really feel ready and you just have to start.
3.  You have to drink plenty of water, especially at the beginning, or the end is going to suck. 
4.  Slow and steady is key.
5. Some miles really suck, and others aren't as bad
6. You chafe in places you didn't realize could chafe. 
7. During the race a few times you are going to ask yourself "Why did I do this? Did I really want this?" haha
8.  You have to make sure you keep eating consistently or you will crash.
9. If you eat the wrong thing, it is really bad. 
10. When you have to go, you have to go
11. When your clothes don't fit just right, its the most ANNOYING thing ever, even worse than normal.
12. Having a cheering section helps.
13. Having a partner helps.
14. You have to "check in" regularly and stop at "aid stations"
15. It's a solo thing, but you never really do it alone. 
16. It's exhausting.
17. It's one of the biggest accomplishments of your lifetime.
18. You have to look for the good parts, sometimes they are hard to find, but they are always there. 
19. Throwing up is not the worst thing that can happen.
20. You are very aware of just how vulnerable you actually are, but you have to keep going. 
21. Being pulled off the course half way through seems like the worst possible thing while you are in the race. 
22. Your heart breaks for the people you see pulled off the course before the finish line.
23. Crossing the finish line seems like the scariest thing when you start, but by the end it doesn't matter how scary it is, that's the only thing you want. 
24. After you finish your focus almost always turns to eating something really bad for you (like Cafe Rio or an entire cake). :) 
25. Once your cross its the best feeling in the whole world. (I am excited for this part). 

I am sure there are so many more, these are just the ones I could think of. I think I do better with things once I can figure out how it relates back to a marathon. I think this is because running a marathon is one of the hardest but best things I have ever done in my whole life. I feel the same way about being pregnant. Once  I can see how its like a marathon, I think my head switches gears and I know I can do anything. Its a good feeling.

 We had such a great Thanksgiving with my mom's family. I love going with them because they all are friends and we all get a long so well. Its fun to go with family and feel like you are with friends too. It was fun because Kati was here too. I miss that girl now that she's gone.

We went to the craft fair, like we always do. It was way fun. We did some Christmas shopping and went to dinner for Kati's birthday, since she won't be here for it next week.

I think I finally picked a paint color of the the baby's room-- Silver drop by Behr. Here are couple of rooms I found online painted in the same color:

I think we'll paint next weekend. This weekend all the energy I had went to shopping and putting Christmas up. Luckily, we got Christmas all put up, and an excellent start on Christmas. Check done on feeling accomplished. 

{November 26, 2012- Week 19}

Dear Baby:

I think I can feel you move a little bit. I don't know for sure though. You are getting bigger- or least my tummy is getting bigger and I hope its you not me. I bought you some clothes this weekend, but you won't be able to wear them for a while. I bet you'll like them though. 

I worry about you a lot. I just want you to be healthy and strong and stay in there until April. I hope that's what you'll do. I think both of us will be much happier of you stay there until the middle of April (I don't think I'll even mind of you don't come until the first part of May). Just get big and strong ok! 

Its fun to think about next year at this time. I think we'll be looking for toys and Christmas jammies for you! It will probably be really different than this year, in the best way possible. We are really excited for all the fun things we will get to do with you once you get here. 

We are really excited to meet you little one! Keep growing strong and healthy! 

Love you!

Love, Mom

Pregnancy update:

I have been getting tummy aches lately. I feel like I would feel lots better if I could just lay on my stomach, but that's not happening. 

I feel like my tummy is getting bigger by the day. Its funny to watch how much it changes. 

I am still feeling pretty tired, but most times I can just push through. I feel like I have the most energy about an hour after I eat breakfast, then is slowly goes down after that. 

I have been absolutely starving in the mornings. I have to basically jump out of bed and eat something fast or I feel like I will die. I still get a little sick after I eat, but not too bad. 

I have got a few more sodas lately, but they never really taste that good and I usually only take a few drinks. I just don't really need it. 

My low back still hurts, but stretching really does help a ton

I feel so much better when I walk a lot, I just have such a hard time convincing myself to get out and do it

I still love cheese crackers. 

Here I am at 19 weeks: 

Dr Appt {November 20, 2012}

Today was my appointment with the doctor. It was quick and easy. I was seriously in and out in less than 15 minutes (which I LOVE). He found the heart beat SO fast. He seriously stuck the thing on my stomach and there was a heartbeat- no looking. I loved it. I always feel such a huge sense of relief every time we hear it. Its like my little sign from the baby-- "Still in here, still growing!" It makes me so happy to hear that sound on the monitor. Dr. Lunt said that I should be able to start feeling more movement in the next two weeks or so. I can't wait for more movement. I have gained 3 pounds since the last visit. I think that's about average. I still have really good and low blood pressure (thank heavens). So happy to report everything is going well!

18 Weeks {November 19, 2012}

Time is seriously going by SO fast! I can't hardly believe that I am almost half way done! That seems so crazy! Things have been going pretty good, I am still doing about the same. Still a little tired, but I have been sleeping really well. I feel like when I sleep its a pretty deep sleep. I have been having all kinds of crazy dreams, and the weird part not at all baby related. Just weird. One thing that has kind of been bothering me is that about 15 minutes after I start eating I get really nauseated. It only lasts for 5 or 10 minutes, but its weird. Its almost like the food has to hit my stomach and then I feel better, and to be honest being nauseated for 5 or 10 minutes is not bad. I have had a pretty mild pregnancy, and I am really grateful for that!

I feel like I can feel the baby move on my right side. The other night I woke up and felt, what I feel like is the baby moving , for like 5 minutes. It was fun to think he was up and kicking away in there. I can't wait until I can feel and see more movement. I think that will be so exciting, and I think Sam will love when he can see and feel it too.

The name is not really moving anywhere. I still am pretty set on Hudson. Sam doesn't think he likes it very much but is only coming up with really crazy other options. I think we are going to end up fighting about this until the end. My bet is that this little one ends up a sweet little Hudson :).

I finally got the whole room cleaned out and ready to be painted for baby. EVERYTHING is out. Its funny because now that its empty Sam, Gator, and I have spent more time just sitting on the floor in there, than we have the whole time we've lived there. I think its nice to just have a room completely empty. Next week we will get paint on the walls. I really want to get the room pretty put together by like February because after that things start to get a little busier, and I don't know that I will have time. I will have to wrap things up at work, Ali is getting married, and we are throwing her shower down here after that, and the big kicker, I have no idea how I am going to feel and would rather not have to worry about it. So, that's the goal. The room pretty much done by February.

These are the colors I think I want to use:

Here is some of the furniture that I like for the room:

I like the idea of having most of the things in the room be gray, white, and navy blue and then doing accents of red and mustard yellow. I think I want navy blue and white striped sheets if I can find them, and a navy blue and white chevron quilt. I also found a gray glider that I like too. I think it would be cute to have two small red and yellow pillows on the glider. Getting ideas and starting the room has been and will be a lot of fun. I am excited to see it all come together.  

{Week 18 - November 19, 2012}

Dear Baby:

You're a BOY! We are so excited that you are! We got to see on an ultra sound last week and we watched to wiggle and move for a little while. The ultra sound tech told us that you are a very active baby! You are also a silly baby. You were wiggling and moving all around and then towards the end you must have gotten tired, so you crossed your little ankles and sat down! We all laughed! The ultra sound tech also kept telling us that you have a very cute face! I bet you do! We loved being able to see, and we love knowing that you are a boy! You will be a perfect fit into our family.

I think I can feel you move sometimes. I can't feel you move much on the front of my tummy, but I think you like to kick my side. The other night you wiggled and kicked for a little while, and I loved being able to feel you getting some exercise in there. I am excited for you to get even bigger and stronger so your dad can feel you move. I think he will love that. 

I think I already told you this, but you're middle name is going to be Ricky. Its after your Grandpa Ricky. I bet you know him really well and getting to spend lots of time with him in heaven. Ricky is a very special name in the Weldin family, and we are thrilled to give it to you. I know that your Grandpa Ricky is more than happy to share it with a sweet boy like you! We don't have first name for you yet. I told you before and I still think you your name should be Hudson. I think it is such a cute name, and it reminds me of one of my most favorite places in the whole world, New York. (there is a big river that runs through New York called the Hudson River). Your dad has been coming up with really weird names, but the name he thinks he likes right now is Benji. I just can't name you Benji. It reminds of a dog that use to be on TV. I think I might win this one and get to name you Hudson. Cross your tiny little fingers! 

I bought some stuff for you to wear. I am getting excited to dress you all up once you're here. I bought you a cute navy blue and white striped beanie for when you get bigger. Its really cute and it will keep your cute little head nice and warm when it gets cold. You're dad thinks that we need to buy a boat for when you get here, can you believe that? He thinks you are going to be all ready to wakeboard next summer. Just kidding, but maybe when you get bigger we can get one and you can learn how to ride and we can so much fun on the lake as a family. I hope you like the water and the lake.

My little primary kids are really excited about you. They are always touching my tummy and saying things like "There's a good baby in there." "You have a good baby" "I love your tummy". They are so excited to meet you when you come. I think you will just love all the primary kids. I think my kids are right too, you are a good baby!

We just love you little one!

Love, Mom

Here I am at 18 weeks:

Dressing a Boy {November 16, 2012}

Everyone has been talking about how fun it is to dress girls up, and how boys just aren't as fun to buy clothes for. I was a little bummed because buying clothes is kind of my thing. Well, thank you Pinterest! I found SO many cute ideas for dressing boys and my fashion fears have vanished! How adorable are these boy outfits!

I am seriously dying over how cute these are! I have a feeling baby boy Weldin's closet isn't going to be any smaller than my closet. :) 

Time to Reveal! {November 16, 2012}

Now that our parents know what this sweet little baby is, we can safely tell the rest of the world (and we will because we are SO excited).

Baby Weldin is a...... BOY

We are so excited for this little mister to join our family. 

Now, we just have to agree on a name. 

At least the middle name is already taken care of -- Ricky. 

Yay! A boy!!

Introducing Baby Weldin {November 15, 2012}

We had the ultrasound this morning and things went SO WELL! It was such an amazing experience to be able to see our sweet little  baby. The ultrasound tech kept saying the whole time "You have a really active baby." Hahaha Sam said, "Yup, this baby has ADD!" Hahaha "It really didn't stand a chance to not be really active." haha The tech would try to take a picture and this little one would just wiggle and move around everywhere. Everything looked great. All the body parts are accounted for and the heart was still just pumping away like it should. We verified that there is in fact only one baby in there too.

When the tech was trying to check and see if this little one is a boy or a girl the baby stuck its hands between its legs and touched it's toes. Hahaha The tech, "Well, I guess we'll have to wait a minute til this one is ready for us to see." haha The baby kept showing us it's face though. After we had seen what we needed to, the baby decided it was tired of trying and crossed it's ankles and "sat down". We have an ultra sound picture of its little ankles crossed. So cute.

We are BEYOND excited that everything looks good and that there is plenty of room for this one to grow. The tech said that I have a front attached placenta and so that's why I haven't really felt the baby move too much, but I will more the stronger the baby gets. I do feel little twitches on my side, especially my right side and I am convinced this little one is kicking my side. The tech said that I would be able to feel kicks on the sides since the placenta is only in the front. So, I am going to just believe that's what I'm feeling :).

Here are a few of the pictures:

This is the legs crossed one! 

We know what we're having, but we are waiting to tell everyone until we can tell our parents in a fun way.

Ali is ENGAGED

I am so excited for Ms. Ali and her new husband to be Lukas! They got engaged today, and Ali sent me these pictures. We just love them both and are so thrilled for their new life together!

Time To Vote {November 14, 2012}

I am DYING to get to my appointment tomorrow to find out if this little one is a Mr. or a Ms. I posted the question on Facebook and Instgram and asked our friends to weigh in. The tally (so far):

Boy: 36 votes
Girl: 15 votes

The funniest part is that I have absolutely NO CLUE what the baby is. I have gone back and forth, but never really got set on one or the other. I guess tomorrow we will see.

P.S. I am not sure, but I think I may have started to feel the baby move!!! It may be just air or something, but it's quite possible it was this little one getting some exercise! :)

17 Weeks {November 12, 2012}

Sometimes it seems like time is flying by, and other times it seems like its dragging. Its weird. Part of my can't believe that its almost Thanksgiving and that I am already 17 weeks, but the other part of me feel like I have been waiting for this time forever. Crazy how that works. I am feeling really pretty good. I got A LOT accomplished this weekend, for the first time in a long time I actually really cleaned my house. Its AMAZING how much better I feel when my house is completely clean and things are all put away. I am still working on getting the room cleaned out for the baby. I really only have a few small things left that I have to figure out where I want to put them. I got rid of a BUNCH of stuff and I think I will have at least one more big load of throw away and give away before I'm done. McKall is always really happy when I get rid of clothes, because most all of them end up in her closest. Its like a free shopping trip.

I still can't decided what or how I am going to decorate the baby's room. I know I want a white crib, and I want to incorporate gray into it. I guess it will get a lot easier once I actually know what the baby is. I did find a dresser that I really like, and possibly a glider too (both are gray). I am going to hold off buying furniture for a little while though. I still have plenty of time to worry about that.

Pregnancy wise I really am doing pretty good. I don't feel quite as worried about food and nausea lately. I mean I need to eat regularly, but I don't get quite the panicked feeling I use to. Maybe I am just becoming a better snacker? I started eating ants on a long (you know celery, peanut butter, and raisins) and I LOVED it. It was tasty and crunchy. I have also eaten quite a few apples the past little bit. Sweets have not been quite as tempting to me as they were before I was pregnant, except the kiss candies (pretzels, hugs, and a m&m). I love those things. We made them over the weekend, and I just love them. I still have been able to pace myself and just eat a few a day. It's weird to have this much self control. I am still loving cheese things (crackers, mac and cheese, grilled cheese). I swear I eat cheese crackers every day. I especially love the white crackers (like white gold fish and white cheese its). I just love the salty and cheese combination.

My low back has been hurting me a little bit. I noticed it a lot more last night when I would get out of bed. I think I may have just over done it with all the cleaning this weekend, because it feels better this morning. Its funny how I have something happen, and then like the next day or the next week on my pregnancy app they talk about it. They really have their timing down well.

I have started compiling my "get done before baby" list. It's weird just how motivating a baby can be to get all the stupid little things done that I have put off since we moved into house 3 and a half years ago (crazy huh)!

{17 Weeks- November 12, 2012}

Dear Baby:

I am getting SO excited to find out if you are a boy or a girl. Only 4 more days. I have been working on your room this weekend. I got it almost all the way cleaned out for you. Its a nice room, I think you'll like it. I read on my app that you are just getting so big and learning to yawn! That's pretty cool.

Last week I bought you some clothes. Mostly you will wear them under neath you'r clothes, but at least you have something now. Some of the onesies I bought you have stripes. I love stripes, and you will probably have to wear them a lot. You will look cute in them. Right now its getting really cold, but I have to buy you short sleeved clothes because by the time you get here it will be warm again. I will buy you warm clothes for when you get bigger.

Since it's Thanksgiving time, maybe I should tell you what I am thankful for this year, and since I am 17 weeks pregnant I will tell you my top 17 things:

1. I am thankful that I get to carry you and watch you grow in my tummy.
2. I am grateful doctor's offices, and that I can go there and hear your heart beat and see you on an ultrasound. 
3. I am grateful for healthy food to eat, and that I have so much of it around me. It makes me happy to know that I can feed you health things. 
4. I am grateful for your Dad. He is beyond excited for you. You are really lucky to have such a good dad.
5. I am grateful for my parents and your dad's parents. They are the best parents we could ask for, and will be the greatest grandparents to you.
6. I am grateful for my sisters. They are my best friends, and will be the best aunts to you. 
7. I am grateful for your dad's brother and sisters. They are so supportive and kind. You are so lucky to have such great aunts and uncles in them. 
8. I am grateful that we have a home to get ready for you to come to. 
9. I am grateful that I have a job so I can afford to buy you the things you need.
10. I am grateful your dad has a job and works so hard. He is and will be a great provider for us. 
11. I am grateful that me and your dad get to teach primary. I feel like its getting us ready to teach you. 
12. I am grateful for such amazing friends and neighbors that are all so excited and supportive of our family. Everyone has been so kind and sweet to us about you. You will have lots of great people to meet when you get here.
13. I am grateful for our family members that are in Heaven. I am grateful to know that you will get to spend time with them and that they can take care of you before you are born. 
14. I am grateful for eternal families and to know that no matter what, you are mine forever. 
15. I am grateful for all of our extended family and what amazing people they are. 
16. I am grateful for a car to get me around in, and for seat belts to keep you and me safe. 
17. I am grateful for our sweet dog Gator and what a fun addition he is to our family. You will just love him. 

I feel so lucky to be able to carry you and I love watching my tummy grow knowing that you are inside. I feel so lucky to be your mommy. I love you little one. 

Love, Mom

I have done so much better with walking and exercising this past week. I really feel SOOO much better when I walk and I am committed to walking pretty much every day.  I started stretching at night and it really seems to help, especially with my low back. I found this stretch online to stretch your hip flexor and have been really trying to do that a lot. It really helps. Its been pretty COLD here lately, thus my giant sweater. I have been loving to wear outfits just like this one A LOT (big sweater, short skirt, leggings, and boots). I am telling you what, I feeling really good about avoiding the maternity section, I may live in leggings but I think I can avoid it. (I hate buying clothes I can't really reuse, drives me nuts).

Sometimes, depending on what I wear I look way more pregnant than others. I kind of like that I can really emphasize it, or I can almost hid it. My favorite thing about these pictures is Gator in the corner- just watching the neighborhood cats out the window. Its our morning ritual, I get ready and he watches the cats out the window. :) 

{November 9, 2012} Pregnancy Thoughts

Being pregnant has been such a new experience for me on so many different levels. When I was younger I would always joke that I didn't want kids, and I sure as hell never wanted to be pregnant. My friend reminded me last night that I tried to convince her to be a surrogate for me if I ever decided I wanted kids. To think back to how I felt then, and then compare it to what I feel now, I feel like a completely different person. I have never felt so honored to be able to carry this sweet baby. It seems strange to me to not only enjoy most parts of being pregnant, but to actually feel really blessed to be able to do it, its a whole new level. It's hard for me to explain just how inadequate I feel. I do not regret the feelings I had before, I needed to feel that way to be able to be where I am today. It's just so strange to do such a complete 180, and to feel like I can understand both sides.

I feel like being pregnant is a pretty spiritual experience. I feel like I am part of this amazing miracle. Its almost like I feel like I have a little part of Heaven with me, which I guess is exactly what this little one is. I was talking to my friends last night and shared my feelings of how I can't understand how someone could be pregnant and still not believe in God. Its unfathomable to me. I feel like there is so much evidence of  Heaven and our Heavenly Father in pretty much every aspect of pregnancy. This little quote/photo is constantly in my head:

I feel like I need to find a way to incorporate into the baby's room, or at least in my house somewhere. I think it would be fun to have a picture of our little one, or the ultrasound or something as the background.  

I started cleaning out the room for the baby this week, and my freakin heck, I have so much crap! I am going to have to slowly go through things and really throw away EVERYTHING we don't need. Its just gross how much stuff we have that we don't need. No more hoarding for the Weldins. We are going to have a nice clean, organized house at least for the when the baby comes home. No promises after that. 

I bought the first baby items for this little one. Since we don't find out what it is until next week I went neutral. Here's what I bought:

Yup, plain white onesies. Pretty exciting right. 

Striped onesies. I would dress a girl or a boy in these ones. I told Sam its just what I put with them that will change depending on if this one is a girl or a boy. I love stripes so I feel like this poor kid is going to get stuck in them all the time. 

I think I need to start buy diapers, they just aren't as fun to buy, and to be honest I don't know what kind or brand to buy. Any suggestions? 

Kate's Wedding {November 3, 2012}

Kati's wedding really turned out so beautiful. It had Kati written all over it. It was classic and simple, and fairly neutral, just they way she is. I am super disappointed I didn't spend more time taking pictures. I hope her photographer got some good ones. Here are the ones I took with my phone.

We ate Kati's wedding cake in the kitchen after everything was over, and it was the perfect way for us to end it. We are good eating sisters! :) 

I am so happy for you Kati Lyn! Welcome to the family Justin!