Pregnancy Details

We are due October 20th and are now at 18 weeks. We go in for an ultrasound next week and have been counting down. I really want to know what we are having so that we can start trying to make it a little more real for Tae (who is convinced we both have babies in our bellies). And I want to decorate-but need to know if I can keep it all pink or if we need to add some other colors. When anyone asks what I want, my response is ‘a baby’. We really have no preference. We’ve just been praying for a healthy baby.

I’m surprised at how baby hungry I got before getting pregnant. I’m so grateful for that; otherwise, I don’t think I would have been able to get over my fears and jump again. Really, I was the holdup on adding to our family. Jon was ready for another one the day we brought Taelyn home.

I’ve been asked a lot how this pregnancy is different than the first and if it was harder or easier. I honestly don’t know. I don’t remember a lot from the first time around…which is totally why I’m pregnant again. I haven’t been nauseous, but have been dealing with morning sickness. Yes…still. Every. Single. Morning. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve gotten sick later in the day. Seriously, mornings are easy: I’m at home, proper facilities are very accessible, and I haven’t eaten anything yet. I do remember getting sick – at all times of the day – the whole pregnancy – in every location imaginable – the first time around. Really, mornings are easy.

I think I'm far more exhausted this time around. Jon says I was more tired the first time around. Who knows. ‘Baking’ a baby is terribly exhausting work! I’m sure having a toddler to chase adds to the exhaustion. The first time around was nice because I could go home after work and crash for as long as was needed. I’ve learned I can’t do that now. I wind up with a little hand (two of the cutest hands in the world – might I add) on each cheek, her nose an inch from mine, with her loudly telling me “MOMMA. WAKE. UP.”

We've had a few bumps along the way. During the first prenatal exam, the midwife found a couple lumps in my breasts. Because of being pregnant, they couldn't do a mammogram. It was an emotional few days before we had the ultrasound and found out that everything is fine. About a week later we found out that I have anti-antibody issues, which can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn (a condition in which antibodies in a pregnant woman's blood cross the placenta and destroy her baby's red blood cells). For now I go in every 4 weeks to have the anti-antibody levels checked. I’ll have to go in more often as I get farther along. As long as I stay below 1:16, whatever that means, we are fine. If not, I have to be referred to the Maternal and Fetal Medicine clinic. If I understand everything correctly, if that happens I have two options: deliver early (if I’m far enough along), or blood transfusion into the umbilical chord. Because of the way I am, I want to know what my levels are. Apparently that isn’t how the blood tests work. It only lets me know if I’m still in the safe range…or not.

I think I’m more excited about the ultrasound next week because of the anti-antibody issue. I just want to know that everything looks good and the baby looks healthy.

Happy Anniversary

It has been Five wonderful years for Tamaran and I.
Here is Jon's short recap, for those who are unfamiliar with
the whirlwind romance of Jon and Tamaran.

It goes a little like this:
A little over five and a half years ago....
T and J met at the institute in roosevelt. As Jon tries to make a hasty retreat from the building aunt Ann yells out the door " don't leave there is someone I want you to meet".
Jon reluctantly comes back inside. Aunt Ann yells to T across the activity room " there is someone I want you to meet" . Rather sheepishly J and T cross the room... " so" J says to T "you just got off your mission huh? where did you serve?" T replies "North Carolina where did you serve?" "Alabama" says J. well it was nice to meet you.....see you later they say to each other.
It was a less than dramatic first encounter. It got better from there. A short time later ( I think a month or so) T asked J to go on a group date ( there was no group, just one other couple I think we call that a double date...tricky tricky). J says yes. They go ice skating J wears his ugly wool sweater that is to big for him ( it's very warm). T has second thoughts about asking J out. J informs T that he is working in a bicycle shop, has next to no college, is approaching twenty seven and living at home. T informs J she is nearly finished with a degree in engineering. T has third thoughts about asking J out. They have fun ice skating. J doesn't really expect to see T again. J teaches a sunday school class. J calls on T who wasn't paying attention. J emabarasses T. T stops J after class to talk. T pauses for breath in conversation. J thinks T is done talking and walks off. ( J struggles with social etiquette ). T has hurt feelings. One week goes by T calls J and bravely asks J on another date. J says yes. T says she will be in roosevelt and askes if Friday or Saturday would be better. J says both. J tells T " I will take you out since you took me out last time...my car is broke can you drive?" T bravely says yes again. J and T go to the movie and dinner. They go out again the next night. Sunday comes J is thinking alot about T. T is thinking alot about J. They go for a drive. J thinks " wow T is pretty incredible" J boldly tells T "I think we should date"..(paraphrased) T..."uh alright". (paraphrased) they talk every night for a week. Sunday comes again J meets T's parents officialy at the institute. T is in SLC. J and T talk sunday night. J thinks " I can't wait to ask her to marry me" he tells T he will be out on monday to spend some time with her. J pops the question. ( it was really awkward, remember the bit about social etiquett?). T Very Very bravely says...Yes. ( there's more to this story perhaps not to be blogged about ).
Five years, alot of tears, a whole lot of laughter, a good bit of compromise, two cars, three residence, and 1.5 children later...what a ride. I look forward to an eternity and five years.

I love you Tamaran.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

In the Last Month We

This post could also be called "I'm a Slacker" or "Things I Didn't Make Time to Blog About". It really is just going to be a photo dump so that I feel caught up.

Got Tae a big girl bed. She sleeps so much better in it.

Went to Temple Square (Thanks, Malissa, for taking pictures).

Went to the park to feed the ducks. (Yes she is eating the tortillas we were feeding the ducks. Slightly grossed me out, but what do you do?)

Helped cook at the ASCE BBQ...ok, really I volunteered Jon to cook and Tae ate and played with Nova (Jenni's dog).

Made lasagna. I had to include this because Tae helped. The second picture shows what she did most of the time. She ate nearly two whole noodles by herself. She loves pasta.

Now I just need to cover Women's Conference and Tae's birthday to be caught up!

Yay Jon!! One more class down!

Jon just finished up his second biology class and lab. Happy day! And even better than that, he got an A!