2014 is going to be BIG!

Literally and figuratively, 2014 is going to be a BIG year for Ben and I. I am ringing in the new year at 23 weeks, with a beautiful baby bump that is only going to get bigger, Ben is getting ready for school starting next week, and our plans with a new home, new job (for Ben), and an expanding family will only get bigger as the Davies Duo becomes the Davies Trio (sorry, no alliterations :( ). 

Needless to say, we are pretty excited. Pregnancy wise, I am loving my second trimester, and with the exclusion of today, I haven't been nauseous for about a month! Sleeping is okay now that I've found the exact formula of how to sleep comfortably, but I'm still struggling with staying in comfy positions. After about 16 weeks a prego lady shouldn't sleep on her back because the uterus is bigger and higher up in the abdomen and can press down on the Vena Cava, the main vein that carries blood back to the heart after oxygen has been distributed throughout the body, slowing blood flow to to the uterus and the baby, and to mommy causing nausea, fatigue, and slowing of fetal heart rates. It's not good, but let me tell you, it is hard when you are dead asleep and don't realize you are once again on your back until you wake up to pee (this happens a lot for me these days as Finch gets bigger). Now, I know you can't help when you are asleep and the body naturally changes positions to improve blood flow throughout the night, so really, your body is protecting the baby and yourself by prompting you to roll over onto your side after a little while, but for a while I had to learn to accept that rather than have a mini heart attack each time I realized I was on my back for too long. I am also having a lot more energy which has been fantastic, and like I said, the nausea is gone (knock on wood) so I feel like a semi human again. Now I mainly worry about slipping on the ice, falling over from my balance being off, finding the next foot rub, food craving, and not wetting the bed at night ( I play a game of seeing how long I can go before I have to wake up when I have to pee, then I start to dream about finding a bathroom and then I panic knowing that at some point, my bladder is going to show me who's really in charge). So far it's Liz: 6, Bladder: 0. *victory pregnancy waddle*.

Now, isn't that the cutest maternity top? I LOVE stripes, I seriously have stripes everywhere in my wardrobe :)

Also, our little Finchbird (we are calling him Finch which is short for his middle name, Finchley, partially after my one of my favorite literary characters, Atticus Finch, and a province in London, my favorite city in the world) is doing so well. He kicks more and more now, and landmark moment: Ben felt him kick a few days ago for the first time! He touched my tummy while we were watching a show on his laptop when I felt Finch kick. I asked Ben if he felt it and he said yeah. I told him that was a kick and he got excited because he thought it was just a hard heartbeat from my abdomen. Nope, it was a kick! We've discovered that Finch is fan of folk music, opera (he really is my son, Luciano Pavoratti has the kick of approval :) ), and I have a new playlist ready so I can introduce him to my favorites while he is in my tummy and can't escape :). When I lay on my left side especially, I can feel him moving, and when I lightly tickle my tummy, he responds. We are pretty much head over heels in love with this baby, we've probably watched our ultrasound 20 times and it's only been a week since we got the disc. 

It is getting pretty surreal thinking that I am in my sixth month of pregnancy now and that we have about 4ish months until he gets here. Ben starts school next week and by the end of his semester, I will be either about to pop, delivering the baby, or a new mama. Let's hope he makes it through finals, I don't know what the policy is for missing a final for a baby ;). We are working on our nursery now, and I finally filled out a baby registry, it is hard trying to think of what I will really need and what is just fun. Currently, my mission is to find a rocking chair/glider for the nursery so I can rock Finch to sleep or nurse him in a comfortable place for us both. My mom had a rocking chair for me when I was little and I have fond memories of her holding me, singing and rocking me to sleep. I would love that for my little boy :).

Thinking about 2013, it's been a crazy, but wonderful year. Ben and I couldn't be more blessed as we look back on our adventures so far. I have grown to love my husband so much more than I could have ever imagined, and I have had some hard, some wonderful, some funny, and some bittersweet lessons given to me. I wouldn't change any of them, they are shaping me into the best me I can be. As I look back on 2013, I realize that I have never been more loved or watched over. My family has been such a love and support to me and both sides, and the Lord has truly kept us in His loving hands over and over. We have always been provided for, and my testimony of the gospel and my love for my Savior has only increased and I know it will only get better in the year 2014. While I am missing my brother and have a long time before I see him again, and while I am probably too poor to see my family whenever I would like, I am so grateful for my family. I am grateful for opportunities to love, serve, and get to know them even more with each day as they are shaped into who they want to be. I look forward to seeing what 2014 has in store for them all,  2013 has had ups and downs for all of us, but I can't help but look back at 2013 with very fond and loving memories for not only me, but also for my family and friends.

Have a wonderful New Year, and cheers, be safe, and see you all next year ;) !

Mission Possible, Baby Kicks, and Baby Jesus

          Well it is snowing in Rexburg, and most of the population has dispersed throughout the country to celebrate Christmas with friends and family. Ben and I are preparing to enjoy a quiet and happy Christmas with just us, our cat, the baby bump, and our little tree.

           Last week was a very wonderful, and very bittersweet week for me and my family. I left early early on Saturday morning to go to Salt Lake City to see Daniel off before he reported to the MTC. There were a lot of fun, wonderful memories were made, and many tears were shed. We spent Saturday at Mr. Mac getting Daniel his new suits and ties. Daniel looked awesome. He has lost about 90-100 lbs since beginning his weight loss, and we found that he looks very dapper with grey and navy blue. On Sunday, we went to a morning Christmas concert in the Conference Center that showcased Deborah Voigt, and John Rhys-Davies. Yes, folks, Gimli was there, reciting scripture, and flying through the air as he retold the inspiration for "A Christmas Carol". It was fantastic. Daniel and I had just seen The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug the day before, and it was fresh in our minds. Later, we spent the day with family and enjoyed our time together. It was a busy busy week, and Daniel and I laughed and had great memories, quoting movies, and making jokes until our poor parents could hardly stand it any longer.
          When it came to taking him to Provo, life suddenly seemed to fast forward. So fast, too fast. Suddenly we weren't just eating lunch, we were driving towards Provo. Suddenly we weren't just driving through Utah, we were getting off of the freeway exit to Provo and we were only five minutes away. Daniel and I were trying to decide which movie was worth being the last quote we said to one another. We went from Kung Pow, Galaxy Quest, James Bond: Casino Royale, Joe Dirt, and then back to Kung Pow. It was wonderful, and so fast. Then we were at the Provo temple, saying our last goodbyes, hugging, smiling, taking pictures as a family which included my mom accidentally recording me instead of taking pictures, making Daniel touch my tummy in case my little guy moved one more time for him, and then we were pulling up at the curb at the MTC. We gave our last goodbyes, and then watched as Daniel walked away, embracing his future, excited beyond imaginable belief to be FINALLY going on a mission, and that is when I began to cry. I'm even crying now, as I write.
           His journey has been so long, and so rough, and there have been so many times when he could have turned back and nobody would have thought any less of him, and he could have resumed school, gotten a job, or given up. No, he never did those, he prayed, he fasted, and then he got back on his feet and got back to work. The Daniel who started the journey of weight loss and mission prep and the Daniel today who is serving a mission in the MTC are so different in such a beautiful way. He is such an inspiration to me, and so strong. I couldn't be prouder of the man he is becoming and for his dedication to the Lord and his determination never to give up what he knew he needed to do to be the man he wants to be. He is doing so well now, his letter to us said that he was loving the MTC, his lessons, and his companion who is very shy. He is where he needs to be and he is so happy, and so excited. So many prayers have been answered in his behalf and even though he can't read this and won't see what I have said, I know that he, my parents, my brothers, and I want to thank you all for your support to him and your encouragement in his behalf, and your love. He needed it and it has meant so much to us and to him.

*wipes eyes and rubs tears away smearing mascara* This is going to be a long post, I hope that everyone still reading is okay with moving forward! Today, Ben and I met with our new doctor, and got to see our little boy again. When we first moved back to Rexburg, I was very much caught up in the hubbub and joy of pregnancy research. I recommend that every mother get carried away in research because you learn a lot about yourself, and you learn a lot about what is out there. I did research on natural birthing, I met with midwives, I watched "The Business of Being Born", I joined the newslist for "Mama Natural" and thought that even though I have always professed to wanting a C-Section and to be knocked out, I could change and be Mother Earth in a bathtub with candles, Enya, and Ben in a swimsuit helping me push, naked, while everyone watched and cheered me on. I saw so many naked women birthing in bathtubs I wasn't weirded out anymore. Then I realized that I needed to step back use the research I had gathered, and the knowledge I had from my nursing courses, and let the Holy Ghost guide me to what was right for me and our son.

Now let me preface this next part by saying that I am making this opinion for myself, and after researching many options and prayerfully considering what would be best for me, my son, and our family. I think that whichever you choose, whether it is elective C-Section, Natural Labor with some interventions, natural labor without interventions, Induction, Epidural, Water Birth, Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies (yes they are different), home birth, birthing center, hospital birth, eating your placenta, not eating your placenta, breastfeeding, or not breastfeeding you have the right to choose whichever, and I will never judge you, I will just hope that you have done your research, you have considered your options, found the right doctors, midwives, doulas, birthing coaches, and that you are happy with your decision. I don't care, all I want is for you to and your baby to be okay. 

              Ben and I decided after meeting with both sides, and learning about possible health complications that run in the family, to go with a doctor, have a hospital birth, and if I have the time to do so get an epidural (even though I don't know if I will have the time, apparently really fast births runs in the family, yay on one hand, holy ouch on the other). We met our doctor, and we love him. He was awesome, and we got to do a surprise Ultrasound. We got to confirm again after a lot of joking, that we are having a boy, still (once again, he was not shy, I may have a budding nudist in my hands come April/May) and he looks wonderful. No abnormalities were detected, and he is even a little bigger than we thought meaning that my due dates may be off, so we may need to shift the due date a week or two :) All is well, and we are thrilled. He was so beautiful, and I love that I got to see him :) I feel his kicks over and over, and I know with each kick he is doing well. He loves music because he moves around a lot with it, and I feel this warm fuzzy feeling when I listen to something, especially Christmas music (I'm not a big Christmas music person so I know it's not me) and primary songs, and when I sing. More and more, he looks like Ben as a baby, but he always has my nose, and I am so thrilled as I think about what he will look like and smell like, feel like, sound like, and be like. Each and everyday, I fall more and more in love with this little boy that is an answer to prayers and my dream come true.

Sorry for the odd angles, my computer wouldn't let me get a better shot of our picture. This is our son's face :)

Lastly, I want to finish with the joy of Christmas and family in this Christmas season. I may not have a hugely decorated tree with lots of tinsel, holly, and mistletoe, and we may not have many presents under the tree, but we are so excited for celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. As I listened to "Away in a Manger" during Sacrament meeting yesterday, I couldn't help but marvel in the joy of the birth of a Savior who would love and serve and atone for the sins of all of God's Children. I love that there is more service rendered, and family is more valued during this time of year. I wish that this spirit would continue throughout the year with all people, but I love that each day I can remember Him, His life, and rejoice that He lives, and has overcome death and sin for us all, that He has shared His love and life to each of us if we but seek Him out. I testify that He lives, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that He came to Earth to live for us, to teach us, and to show us the way to be able to return to our Heavenly Father. All is well with Him in my life and I love that I can celebrate His life and His gift to me, my family, and to all of us in this Christmas season. I wish you all a very Happy and Merry Christmas. Whether you have family or not, I hope you have friends, and loved ones with you at this time. I hope that you know you are loved and appreciated for all you do, and I hope for you to have the best Christmas and Holiday season imaginable. 

Have a Merry Christmas.

Love,

Liz, Ben, and Baby Finch (yes, the name is changed)

'Tis the Season to Be Grateful

Okay folks,

Since I will be moving this next week and really won't have much time to post what I'm grateful for on Facebook on Thursday (or all month, I guess, I am not a huge fan of following the fb trends, I just don't do as much on fb as I used to apart from like pictures, posts, or funny memes these days) I wanted to post here what I am grateful for and who I am grateful for in my life. Thanksgiving has always been a very fun holiday in my family  because I have my mother, Mary, and she cooks like the angels of cooking have gifted each of her fingers with magic (am I right? All of my friends who have stayed over at my house can attest to this because they never wanted to leave, her food was that good) so I have always been spoiled with her very best of pies, apples and yams, stuffing (my favorite), fruit salad, vegetable and fruit dipping trays, yummy ham and turkey, and of course, her rolls that are to die for. My dad, always had the turkey and did a wonderful job with it, with getting family together, and starting off our family dinner. Together, they were and are a great team in the kitchen and in the home. Each year after we had stuffed our faces with yummy food, we would go around the table and talk about that which we were grateful for. I loved it, and I will miss being able to do that with them this year. I have yet to experience what it is like in Ben's family for Thanksgiving, and what traditions they have, but I can already tell you, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law make incredible food too, and already I have seen and appreciated so much the love, gratitude, and caring they demonstrate to each other, so I am sure this will be a great experience before we rush off to Idaho a few days later.

This year has especially been an incredible year for Ben and I. We have moved twice, and will be making our third move (I guess we should just get a fancy wagon and start a new life as gypsies because I am beginning to feel like we are wandering souls...Ben will shake his head when he reads this, I am slightly fascinated with gypsies and have managed to sneak them into a Thanksgiving blog hehe). I have graduated from college, and am now preparing to become a full-time mother. Ben is going back to school, and we are embarking on the journey of finding what makes him happiest as he finds the path that gives him a career he can love. There have been many ups and downs and many tender mercies from our Heavenly Father. I can already say that my testimony has increased exponentially, and through experiences that are sacred to my heart, I have come to learn that I am never alone, and that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and my husband so much and has provided blessing upon blessing in our behalf. I am learning each and everyday that I am nothing without my Savior, Jesus Christ, and that I am so grateful for His teachings, example, and love in my life because I have always felt His love and light when I felt too dark to move forward. I am so thankful for the journey I have embarked on this year in growing closer to the Lord and for the joy I have found through it.

I am grateful for eternal families. Ben and I have been married for over a year and were able to go to the temple for our anniversary. That was so sweet for us to be able to relive our wedding day, but also to be able to help others find eternal joy. I am so grateful for temples so close by and for the blessings of being able to go so often. After almost passing out last time I went, I have had to wait for a little more energy to go, but I miss it everyday and am so grateful to know that if Ben and I live our lives worthily, we can be together forever. As we approach the time when our son is born, I can't help but feel eternally grateful for him to be sealed to us and for us to be sealed together. I love the joy of family in my life and the support we feel each day from our family, and I marvel at the love of a Heavenly Father that brings a plan of happiness to His children that enables us to be able to be with our families forever!

I am grateful for Ben. Each day he goes above and beyond to take care of me. When I hurt too much to sit up on my own he has me wrap my arms around his neck and he helps me sit up. If I need comfort, he snuggles me, holds me close, and talks through any concerns I have. He sings to me our songs when I need encouragement, and he is always trying to make me laugh. (He succeeds about 98% of the time, it's those cheesy puns, I can't help myself). When I fall asleep without being able to finish my nightly routine, he always makes sure my phone is plugged in, and that I am tucked in safely and soundly. Every morning before work, he makes sure to wake me enough to kiss me and Robbie goodbye before leaving. He has watched I don't know how many 80's and 90's pregnancy flicks over and over because I love them so much (Three Men and a Baby, Junior, Nine Months, Father of the Bride 2, Look Who's Talking, he knows them all word for word now).  He truly is my best friend and my better half and everyday I find that I am more and more helplessly in love and irreparably unable to live without him. God truly knew I needed Ben in my life and I am filled with such happiness that he and I are together forever. He works so hard to care of me and Robbie, and works so hard to be the best husband and man he can be and everyday I strive to be a better wife, mother, and woman because of his influence and example. He has been the best decision I ever made, and I am so happy for all of the memories we share.

I am grateful for family and friends who love Ben and I for us being ourselves. On both sides of my family I have found such love and support I could never imagine anywhere else. I think I can boast to anyone at this point that even though my family isn't perfect, they are the best family in the world and the best family to and for me. I laugh all the time with them, I grow with them, and I feel such love from and for each of them. As I approach this upcoming week, I have family on both sides who are giving up their Thanksgiving to help us move. It's not the most desired thing to do on one of the biggest holidays of the year, but they are doing it for us and have only asked what more they can do to help. We are so blessed and so loved, and I am eternally grateful for each of my family members and what they do each day for us. I am grateful too for friends! For those of you I haven't seen in a very short time to a very long time, I love you all, and I miss each of you when I am away. There are so many memories to be grateful for, so many laughs, bonding moments, and times when support has been given and received, and I am grateful for such relationships. You all know who you are. Thank you, for being my friend. I know I have some quirks, but I have loved every moment being your friend.

I am grateful for my cat. Yes, the dreaded cat lady part of me is coming out and I don't care. I dedicate this next paragraph and probably a few future posts to my little Zola. Zola, you are a cat, and can't read this, but I'll probably force you to listen to this after this is posted so you know what I feel. We got Zola a few months after a losing a loved one. Ben and I were heartbroken and very sad, and I began to be very depressed. After a couple of months, my friend, Sheila, convinced me to go look at shelter animals in Rexburg (that was depressing) and after being depressed about stray dogs and cats without homes, we went to a cat shelter near our old apartment and I saw a little black cat in the driveway who molested me with his love. He was awesome and I felt very drawn to that shelter after. I couldn't help but wonder why I felt so drawn. Finally, I talked to Ben and our landlord about the possibility of getting a cat and they both said it would be fine. So we went, and I wanted a black cat after seeing the one on the driveway (plus, black cats are the least adopted cats because of superstitious myths). That specific cat didn't want my love, so I began to search and found Zola. After smelling my hand, she immediately jumped into my lap and wouldn't let me go. I was hooked and we adopted her on the spot. She has been such a blessing after so much hurt in my heart and has been an inspired member of our family. I think the Lord knew I needed something little and loving in my life and she filled that void. She is so sweet, and lets me hold her like a human baby and talk to her in my irritatingly high pitched kitty cat voice. She always talks up a storm and sits on a perch when I do my makeup so she can see what I'm doing. Since getting pregnant, she won't let me out of her sight and has even fallen asleep with her paws on my baby bump. She is very affectionate and protects Ben, myself, and even Robbie. I am very grateful for her and what she does each day for both Ben and I.

Last, but certainly not least (I hope anyone reading this isn't offended by the order of these gratitudes, I am grateful for everything, I just can't force my friends to read such a long post because it would literally be a novelette) I am grateful for my little Robbie. Robbie, I know you have my nose, and I know that you always send out love to me when I have a hard time because I feel so much love from you already, and I know you like to do somersaults in my tummy and make me hiccup like your dad. I don't know what your eye color will be or what your hair color is yet, but I love you so very much, and I thank God each day for you in my life and already can't imagine life without you. I am so grateful for my son, and for the joy he has brought into my life. Knowing that I will get to be his mother brings me such purpose and joy. I know motherhood won't be easy, but it is already worth it being able to be his mother. I can't look at fruits and vegetables anymore without thinking of how big he is this week and how big he will be next week and two months from now. I am so grateful for him and for what he brings to my life already. I feel like lifelong dreams are coming true.

Ben and I are so grateful for all we have and for the life we share. The Lord has never held back blessings from us and we are constantly showered with love, tender mercies, and hope. I am so grateful for Him in my life and for the knowledge that I am never alone and that I am His daughter and can return to His presence someday.

On a day like Thanksgiving, I think of these things, and want to engrave in the fleshy tables of my heart the blessings I receive everyday so that everyday I can remember to be grateful for what matters most of all. I have so much. I may be poor in money and possessions, but I have so much to be grateful for in my life. I love my husband, my son, my family, my friends, my cat, and I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ with all of my heart. I am grateful for every person in my life who makes me want to be better and who inspires me to keep going. I have so much, and my heart is full. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone reading this, may you enjoy all it brings and know that I am grateful for you!

Drumroll please!

Today has been a pretty special day for Ben and I. We were lucky enough to be told by our sister, that there is an elective ultrasound company in our area that did gender reveals, and they were having a special of $60 2D and 3D ultrasounds with gender reveal. Because of our move, we wouldn't have been able to know if we were having a boy or girl until after we had settled in in Idaho again and had gotten insurance concerns out of the way. That would have taken a while, and I was NOT going to wait if I could help it!

After 4 months of calling our little one "Baby", "Baby Rose" (in case it was a girl), "Lovebug", and "Angel" I was very ready to have a name for our baby, and to make it personal. Plus, I have been dying to go shopping and look at more than just gender neutral yellow and green jungle animals at the store. Let's face it, while those are cute, I wanted more. I feel like singing, "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid everytime I go to the baby section, changing the lyrics to fit my needs for gender specific outfits that make me squirm with excitement!

So after our appointment today with our lovely technician (who was so nice and so friendly, anyone who is expecting a baby in the California area, I totally recommend Cindy, we loved her!!) we know what we are having and we are totally totally excited...drumroll please!

Without further ado, let me introduce our bubbly, bouncing, baby boy, Robbie Weston!

Isn't he a handsome little guy? He already looks like he may have my button nose, and was clearly moving around tons like his daddy. It took about two minutes for Cindy to point out that we were having a boy, he wasn't very shy about it (probably because he knew I couldn't handle the suspense any longer!). We are so thrilled and so overcome with joy. Even though we felt we may have a girl for a while, I kept feeling this itching little feeling that I had a little guy who would come first. Sorry, Robbie, for calling you "Baby Rose" for four months, now we can call you by a more masculine name and get ready for you to come with lots of fun boy stuff to play with!

Also, in a progressive note,today marks my fourth month of pregnancy (16 weeks!!) and I am starting to show a little bump now and am loving maternity leggings/jeggings. I felt utter and complete joy when I slipped them on and they didn't push on my tummy and felt like stylish pajamas. I can understand why some women secretly wear maternity clothes instead of real clothes, they are definitely so much more comfy. My nausea is so much better, I still have days like yesterday where even water made my tummy unhappy, but my energy is so much better, and my discomfort is so minimized by the joy of knowing we have a little man on the way!

For baby themes, we are going with monsters and mustaches. I love mustaches and have for years, and have been quietly snatching mustache baby outfits since getting married so I could have them for when a little boy came along. Good thing I did, I have some very cute ones now to dress my mini man in!

Thank you all for your encouragement and support, we are so thrilled to be starting our family and wanted to share the joyful news to you all. Our hearts are full of joy and gratitude for such a blessing.

Until next time!

Love, 

Liz, Ben, and Baby Robbie :)

New Beginnings...

Hello All!

After a year of debating whether or not I wanted to start a blog, I finally decided it was time to do it (forgive me for the bumps on the way, I'm sure there will be many!).
It's been a crazy busy but wonderfully happy few months for Ben and I since we moved to Northern California for a little while. It's been Ben's off track with classes at BYU-Idaho and we've been staying with family and deciding whether or not California was the place for us or not while we have had some soul searching about careers.
Turns out, we love the weather and being closer to family on both sides, but the Lord has had other plans for us, and our new beginnings are once again, just beginning, hence the title of this post.
It's been a dream of ours since we got married to start a family. I have always loved children, and Ben and I have longed to have the pitter patter of little feet in our home. While we love our cat (I can guarantee she will be a frequent flier in these posts since she is my sweet companion all the time), we have long felt the desire for less hairy and far more time consuming additions to our home.
It hasn't been an easy road for us to start a family. I have long dealt with health problems that have concerned me about whether babies would be in our future or not, and there have been many teary nights, and fervent prayers in the behalf of starting our family (but I'm sure I may post more in depth on such issues at another time).
When we decided to move, I had just quit a stressful and difficult job, and had just finished my internship for my Medical Assisting program and we had been trying for almost a year for a family. I was tired, I was worn out, and I was at the point that I couldn't handle the frustration of another month of hoping for a baby and not getting what I wanted (for those who know me, patience is not my favorite virtue). I decided I just needed to disconnect myself for a little while from the baby world and find some inner peace.
Then we moved, and we started to settle in to our lives in California with Ben working, and I trying to find some sanity again after some very high strung months of study, work, and school. For the first few days, I felt so tired I could sit down anywhere (and I mean anywhere) and fall asleep within seconds. I thought this was pretty normal for me and didn't think too much of it considering what I had just left behind with the move. Then it got to the point where showering and getting out of bed felt like a marathon. Not normal. Especially after my medical training I was seeing red flags and wanting to know what could be going on. Was I that stressed? Did I have Mono? Was my thyroid having issues like my mom's had when I was younger? I just didn't know. Then I started having problems with being able to eat. My stomach would hurt after every meal, and I could hardly move some nights because it was so painful. My appetite began to cut back, and I again, began to worry.
I have a mild gluten allergy that I am sad to say, I don't take very good care of, and yes, I know, that can be a problem. I began to cut out ANYTHING that had gluten and still I was feeling so ill I could hardly function. What I thought had only been a week turned out to have been a month to two months of agony, and Ben and I began to really worry.
Then, I started to crave lots of meat, all the time, and almost gag at the thought of any vegetable. For those again, who know me really well, this is when pigs start to fly and when Hell begins to freeze over because I am the last girl in the world who goes to a restaurant and asks for chicken or a steak with potatoes over a salad, I've just never been a huge carnivore and have always straddled the line of vegetarian. Darn that sushi and bacon. With those gone, I would probably have been a vegetarian years ago.
That's when Ben suggested I take a pregnancy test. I didn't want to because I didn't want to deal with another negative sign. I hate urine tests, and I hate pee sticks. I just didn't think it was possible, and with my health issues, being a month or two late wasn't a big deal. But, to appease my worried hubby, I took the test, misread it, and then took the second one before I really realized both were positive.

*Heavens opening, choirs of angels singing, flash mob dancing in Disney character attire*

This was fantastic. And still is. I'm 15 and a half weeks along now, am in my second trimester and can hardly believe the love and the joy I feel being able to finally be the mama I have dreamed of being since I held my first babydoll. I have thrown up I don't know how many times, and I have lost a lot of weight from not being able to eat very much without throwing it up (doctors tell me I'm still fine and baby is great). I still have days where showering feels like someone is trying to make me run a 5k while drugged I am that tired, and I pee so often I should just put a TV in the bathroom (just kidding, but mommies reading this know what I'm talking about!).
My baby is the size of an apple, and soon I will feel kicks. It has been so surreal, and so incredibly wonderful.
Seeing our baby in the ultrasound jumping around and dancing for us at 12 weeks was breath taking and Ben and I fall more and more in love with our lovebug each and everyday.
Now, for the other plans apart from parenthood the Lord has brought to our attention: We are moving back to Rexburg, ID. In two weeks. On Thanksgiving. Instead of sitting around a table eating turkey and pie and talking about what we are grateful for, we will be driving across the barren wasteland of rural Nevada, being grateful for loving parents and siblings who are willing to help us move. We have been so blessed to have so much love and support from them, and we are so grateful for their willingness to help us out in such a meaningful way.
Our hearts are so full of gratitude to Our Father in Heaven at this time. It has been a struggle with work, finding jobs, saving money, health issues, having a baby, and all that comes with life, these past few months, but the Lord has truly carried us through each situation. Each night, I marvel at the will of the Lord and how perfectly His plan fits into our lives more than anything we could ever come up with for ourselves. I am surrounded by love, by goodness, and by miracles, and it is at this time of year that I can look back on an entire year filled with them.
I just have to bear testimony of the blessings that come when you trust in the Lord and allow Him to guide you in life. Sure, it would have been nice to have a life plan laid out for me to see, but the Lord knows that I need to learn patience to truly be happy, and I definitely am learning patience, faith, and trust in His plans for me, my wonderful husband, and a beautiful apple sized baby. All is well in a world filled with chaos when you have the Lord on your side, and all is well for us.

 This is our 12 week ultrasound of our baby! Already a total beauty, and so excited to show off for us during the ultrasound!

Our baby announcement. I am actually due on May 6, 14', but we love these pictures that my dad took for us.