Some pics

Cameron thinks he's ghetto with his pant leg up. Look at his expression. Awwwwwww yeah!

Chad's mustache for Mustache May. It really made me think of him differently... not sure why. But once it was gone, it was like I had my husband back.

We went to Bratfest last weekend. Chad "grilled." I put that in quotes because it was so slow that he only grilled for about 20 minutes out of his 2-hour shift.

Cameron enjoying one of his many hot dog bites.

Sitting by the grills

Cameron and I ate a funnel cake and listened to a cool band, The Damon Fowler group, while Chad was working his shift. He came over when it was done and had a few brats (with Cameron's help!). And then we had ice cream. Yeah, a lot of food!

Then Chad jumped up and took Cameron up front to dance.

We had a lot of fun, but I sure was tired when it was all over. BTW, I have been a bit anemic this pregnancy. My doc wanted me to take an iron supplement, but it hurts my stomach. Last week, I went to Walgreens and talked to the pharmacist who recommended a different type of iron (ferrous gluconate instead of ferrous sulfate). I feel like a whole new person this week. I still get tired, but I'm not exhausted like I was. So, just so you know.

Random thoughts

So, not much to post lately. I have less than 8 weeks of pregnancy left (let's hope it's more like 6 weeks, hint hint little baby girl!) and I'm doing pretty well. Every now and then, I totally lose my patience with this girl for the way she's flipping around in there while I'm trying to relax and get to sleep. But for the most part, I feel good.

Cameron has been a little more defiant for the past few days. He's always been a pretty obedient kid. But he's really been trying to test me. It's usually for little things... getting out of the bathtub, cleaning up his toys, getting his clothes on, etc. after I've asked him to do these things 6 times. I just get tired, ya know? But I'm trying to be more patient with him. I lose my patience so easily and then at the end of the day, I feel bad that he probably felt like all I did was tell him to hurry up or get going or not to do such and such that day. So I need to be more patient.

I've seen two friends' newborns in the last few weeks and it's helped me be more excited for what's to come. Both babies were so little and sweet. I feel kind of bad, but I think I'm more excited to meet this baby than I was to meet Cameron. I'm not too sure why, except that even though I know there will be major challenges, I know how great it will be, too. And I really mean that. I'm not saying this to pump myself up knowing what a challenge it is to have a newborn in my life again. Like I said, I know it will be hard, but it's amazing how sweet and innocent these little babies are. And while it's hard that they completely rely on you for everything, it's kind of wonderful to be able to offer that type of love and service to them.

I think I also feel more confident this time around. It was a great unknown with Cameron. And once he came, my world flipped upside-down. I didn't really know who I was anymore and I had to figure out how to embrace the motherhood role. This time, I know I'm a mom. I don't naively think it'll all be bliss. But I also recognize the tender, quiet moments you can have just looking at your baby.

I have some great visiting teachers and I was reminded today of the great importance of motherhood. I know being a mom has changed me. I serve a lot more than I ever did-- for Cameron and for Chad. But sometimes I think I'm bitter about it... like I haven't changed in the way I would like to. One of my vts reminded me today that we can look to Heavenly Father's example for how to teach and rear our kids. We love them so much and want the best for them. But sometimes it's good to let them struggle so they can learn and find their own way. In the same way, we can improve our relationship with Heavenly Father by knowing how He wants us to learn and grow. We can also have a greater appreciation for the Atonement. I don't know many people that would be willing to allow their child (and not even a perfect one) go through something as incredible as the Atonement and the suffering that the Savior did for us.

I need to work on not getting so caught up in the daily, routine things that happen at home and focus more on the eternal aspect of things. What type of people do I want my children to be? How can they influence other people's live? These are things I really want to focus on.

Time to vent about this pregnancy

This pregnancy has been a lot better than my pregnancy with Cameron in a lot of ways. I've felt way more energized this time around. I don't think about it as much since I'm always thinking about Cameron. I don't get the headaches like I did before (waking me up every night at 4am).

Now, I did feel sick longer this time around. With Cameron, I was sick from week 8 through week 11. This time, I was sick at week 5 and it lasted until about week 15. Yeah. Oh, and my northern-most region was sore a LOT longer this time. But the second trimester was great. I felt the baby kicking, but it wasn't so much that it bothered me. I had energy and was still sleeping ok.

Well, all of that seemed to change on Friday. I think this little girl gained about 5 pounds in a day. Yes, that's not possible (or is it with all the Fudge Rounds I ate?). But that's what it feels like. All of a sudden, her kicks and movements hurt like crazy! I feel like she's huge and I still have 9 weeks to go!!! Could somebody please tell her to stay still for the next 9 weeks? And to stop pushing her butt out so much! That would be so nice.

I remember feeling this way with Cameron, but not this early. I recall my checkup 6 weeks before he was due and how depressed I was to still be pregnant. But I also recall not really really being depressed and uncomfortable until 3 weeks before he was due (cause I quit my job and took long walks and had all day every day to think about how I was STILL pregnant).

So I'm trying to figure out if she's really bigger than we all think or if I'm just being wimpy for some reason. Not sure. I'm definitely not to that point yet where you feel like you can't take another day of pregnancy. But I did lie in bed for a while last night while she was partying it up in there. I tried so hard to get to sleep, but I just couldn't. I finally jumped out of bed and walked around the apt. in the dark crying. Yes, crying. I couldn't figure out how to get her to calm down. A bath? Just relaxed breathing? The funny thing is that for the one or two times I get up at night, she's almost perfectly still. At least that's something to be grateful for. But an hour or two before bed and she's wired! Hope this isn't a sign of things to come! Wahhhh! :(

Ok. I'm done venting now. These past 31 weeks have flown by and I'm sure the next 9 will, too. And then I'll be sleep-deprived and irritable and will wish she were back in the womb. But until then, I'll just try to grin and bear it.

Cameron's bday and pregnancy pics

We celebrated Cameron's bday last Tuesday morning before Chad went to school.  It was a really fun day.  Cameron got some presents from family and some really cool balloons!  He still loves playing with them, although I don't let him play with them when the ceiling fan is on and I think he doesn't like that so much!

Later that morning, we went to Cameron's 2-year checkup (no shots!) and he was given a $5 McDonald's giftcard at the registration desk!  Niiiiiice!  After the doc's, we went to the bank and the post office and then cleaned the Institute building.  While I was cleaning, I smelled something awful.  Cameron had pooped.  And guess who forgot to bring a diaper?!  Great mothering skills, huh?  I thought maybe I could just flush it, but it wasn't the type to be flushed!  I quickly cleaned and then hit up a convenience store to see if they had any diapers (we were really close to campus to pick up Chad for lunch at McDonald's and not so close to home).  The convenience store didn't have any diapers, but they had baby wipes?!  I was a little frustrated, but Chad still wanted to go to lunch.  So we ran home and changed Cameron and then went back to campus to pick up Chad and then back to McDonald's for lunch.

Later that night, we went to a friend's house for a bbq.  Their son was born on the same day as Cameron about three doors down in the hospital.  We had a lot of fun, but forgot to take our camera.

So here are some pics of that morning.

I've had a request to post some pregnancy pics.  And since I always decide to have pics taken when Chad isn't around to take them for me, I take them and they end up totally blurry.  I tried to make some of them black and white to help out a little.  But I'm sorry if they hurt your eyes!

I will be 30 weeks on Tuesday and can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone (remind me of this on Sunday mornings when I'm totally depressed by the lack of clothes that fit me!).  I'm getting more and more excited to meet this little lady.  We still don't have a name.  Chad and I are way too stubborn.

Happy 2nd Bday, Cameron!!

Cameron will be 2 tomorrow.  I was going to get this whole picture post ready and then publish it tomorrow, but I figured I should just do it now.  Just know his bday is tomorrow, Cinco de Mayo.

It's been really nostalgic for me the last few days as I've thought about what I was doing two years ago.  I think it means more to me this year since I'm pregnant.  I think, "Wow.  If I had gotten pregnant around the same month as last time, I would be having our second child now!"  But since I didn't, I still have 2+ months to go.

Just a little note about the last two years...  

Cameron has been such a joy to us.  Sure, there were times I wished I wasn't a mom because of all the crying or tantrums.  But Cameron has made us so happy (why we decided to have another kid-- hopefully she won't be a beast!).  He's really sweet and kind and funny.  I love watching him learn and grow.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cameron!  We love you!

(This was me two years ago, not now.)

These next two pics are the drunky pictures.

And since you've seen more recent pics on the blog (and I'm getting tired of this humongously long post), I'm adding just a few more new pictures.

"Yes, I am 2!"  

These are monkey glasses he got from my family.  Pretty funny.  And btw, it took some work to get his fingers to stay like that!

Hee hee! :)  I love this face.