2nd pregnancy

So, in case you're curious, things are going well. I'm 9 1/2 weeks, and if you look at the ticker on the side bar and see how many days I have left, you'll see that it's quite a long time!

I've felt so much worse this time around. Never threw up with Cameron and I haven't thrown up this time (my mom never threw up during her three pregnancies, either). But, I started feeling gross almost immediately with this one. And it still hasn't stopped. Luckily, my OB is a Saint and prescribed me Zofran. It's not quite the miracle drug I was hoping for (to completely take everything away), but at least it was something that helped me function... and through the holidays, which I was really worried about.

I think I'm coming out of the worst of it. I'm hoping that things will pretty much be gone by the time I go home in a few weeks. It's been really nice having my family around to help with Cameron. Let's hope they can be around when I'm 36 weeks pregnant and packing.

Oh yeah, guess I should mention that we will probably be moving this summer. Where? Who knows. But Chad's funding is running out and it would be a good idea for him to get a job teaching at some other school (for experience and more money) while he works on his dissertation. So, that means that we'll probably be moving around a bit during his career--so he can move up, etc. But it's kind of exciting.

Prayers have already been answered, though. We found out we were pregnant and then a few days later realized it would probably be best to move this summer because of lack of money from UW. The baby is due July 30 and our insurance runs out July 31!! Well, I just assumed I would eat a lot of spicy food and lift furniture, etc. in those last few weeks to get the baby out before the 31st. But it still made us a little nervous since the baby will go to the doc a lot in the first few months.

Then the other day, Chad got an email that said they would extend our insurance coverage until October!!! Wow! Things are still up in the air... where will we be by then? Will we not even need this other insurance because of Chad's new job (wherever that will be)? But we're so grateful for this blessing.

I've been nervous about having a baby again. Cameron can be a handful at times, but it's something I'm definitely used to. And I like that he can communicate with me. So I've been really nervous about it. Then, the idea of moving to a new place with a newborn didn't make me feel too excited. I remember how hard it was for me after Cameron was born (with postpartum), and I've been worried about it.

But yesterday, I received a sweet assurance (even if it was little) that things will be ok. I was trying to get Cameron down for a nap and was singing some songs to him. I think I was singing, "I'm trying to be like Jesus." I got so emotional during the second verse. Don't know why. But I had this overwhelming feeling of love for him. It's amazing how much you can love your child. So, I started to feel a little more comfortable with the idea of a second child.

I'm sure I'll freak out a lot over the next 200+ days... wow, it seems like a long time put that way! But I'm so grateful Heavenly Father knows me and knows what I need to help me accomplish what He wants me to do.

Christmas

Ok. So, Chad flew home today. I was super sad last night, but a little too tired this morning to be depressed. We got up at 4:30 and dropped him off at 5:30. He go through the line and security with about 30 minutes to spare. And then he flew to Cleveland. And, he's still sitting in the airport. Yes, you guessed it folks... they CANCELED his flight. And why? Because of crappy Madison fog.



This reminds me of two years ago when I was 5 months pregnant and we were flying home for Christmas. Madison had too much fog so no flights were going out. We could drive down to Chicago and hope to get a flight from there, but we knew our chances would be slim getting anywhere from Chicago. So, we hopped in the car and drove to VA. 17 hours. Ugh.



UPDATE: I just got a call from Chad that he and some friends (new friends he made in the airport) are splitting a rental car and driving the 9 hours to Madison. Oh man. Poor guy. He felt kind of dumb cause before they canceled the flight, they offered seats on a flight to Chicago (and that would have been about a 2 hour trip). But there was no reason for them to cancel the flight anyway (not that the passengers were told of), so he didn't know.



Anyway, that's been my Christmas, as of late. Below are some pics that my brother took when we all got together last Saturday. The next day, Chad and I drove to his parents' place a few hours away and stayed until yesterday afternoon.



I've had fun and will enjoy being here a few more weeks while Chad is at home studying for his prelims, but I know Cameron and I will miss him.



Study hard, Chad!

Merry Christmas!

Turkey Bowl, Winter Chill, and a Turkey (and I'm not talking about the bird!)

Thanksgiving Day, Chad, Cameron, and I braved the 20-ish degree weather to go play (or watch others play) in the Turkey Bowl.  I say "brave" the weather kind of sarcastically.  In years past, the weather has been much worse with inches of snow on the ground and a lot colder.  Cameron and I bundled up (knowing we would just be standing there) and I was actually pretty hot when I first got out of the car.  But I gave it about 30 minutes and started to freeze.  Poor Cameron was just not himself (except that he ate about 20 donut holes...gotta keep up his pot belly, I guess!)...he wouldn't talk at all and his poor little nose and eyes kept running.  We stayed about an hour and then went home and left Chad behind.

Before Chad shaved his beard (see last post re. his birthday party--and look at the pics), he wanted me to take some pictures.  At his party, he had a weird handle-bar mustache and extremely long sideburns.  He shaved everything into a regular mustache the next day and begged me to let him keep it.  What do you think?  Should I have let him keep it?

  (BTW, the first and last pictures are mostly for the Shorter family.  Most of them can do a weird face that Chad does to me all the time)

Chad's bday party

Chad had a root beer party last Friday night.  We had about 20 adults over (plus their kids).  It was a little nuts.  Poor Chad...he wanted to invite the entire ward, his whole dept. at school, and probably all of the students he ever taught.  But I had to remind him of the size of our apartment!  I think the number we had was good.

I should've taken a picture of all the root beer.  Chad is still working on finishing it all.

Like his facial hair?  Yikes.

I should've taken more (and better) pictures of all the people there, but I was busy trying to be a hostess.  Maybe I'll do better next time.

The Big 3-0

Well, it's official.  Chad is 30 today!!!

And because he's so cool, he decided to dress in his tux to go to school.  Awesome.  

Reminds me of a time when we were dating.  We were talking on the phone about Chad's coming to see me in Richmond (an hour from where he was) the next day.  I mentioned I wanted to go to Walmart so that we could get some plastic eggs for an Easter Egg hunt I wanted to do for his nephews in a few days.  I said something about wearing my prom dress (as a joke) and Chad said he would wear his tux.  Hee hee.  Yeah, ok.  So the next night comes and Chad walks out of his car in a tux.  To go to Walmart.  So, naturally, he wouldn't let me go to Walmart in a shirt and jeans.  I had to change into my prom attire. 

Back in the day...

We randomly saw this other guy wearing a tux at Walmart.  So we had to take a picture.  

Back to present day...

So, here is Chad in his tux.  I think he looks rather suave, don't you?!

 It was a little early this morning, so I'm going to give him his bday gift tonight when we go to The Outback!  Yessssssss!  Happy 30th Birthday, Chad!!  We love you!

This is Cameron Sunday morning before church.  He got this outfit from aunt Shanan.  I LOVE it and thought he looked so cool for church.  Thanks, aunt Shan!

Firm, steadfast, and immovable

I was feeling a little down and worried the other night about the future.. not just for myself, but for my kids (Cameron and future children).  How will they handle the situations they face?  How will I handle the fact that they are facing them?  

I said my prayer and got a bit emotional.  I was really worried.  And then the phrase, "stand firm and immovable" came to mind.  I felt so much peace after thinking that.

I searched on lds.org tonight, trying to find a talk given containing this phrase and I found this.  And I gotta say, I cried when I read it.  I could feel the Spirit witness to me that what Sister Jensen said is true.

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth.  I know that the prophet is called of God and is His mouthpiece.  I know he will never lead us astray.  And I know that I should follow his counsel because it is what Heavenly Father would have me do.

I know that " The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is an inspired document that contains truths.  I know that families are important and that I, as a mother, have such a unique role in my children's lives.  I can be such a source for good and can be an example of love and compassion, as well as obedience and righteousness.