Pregnancy Update

I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by! I love being pregnant and especially feeling our little guy move inside of me! But I am so excited to finally meet him! As are Matt and Rian! Here is a little progression collage again.

I wanted to do a Maternity Photo Shoot this pregnancy and my friend, Kjirsti, offered to do it for us. She just got a camera for Christmas so it was fun for her to play with it and take our pictures. For some reason, when I put the pics in the collages, it made them lower quality, but I am posting them anyways. I don't want to redo it! So here are a few of the pics...

I went in Monday at 1 for a routine appt. I was dilated to a 3/4 and my Dr stripped my membranes (sorry if it's TMI). Then another Dr came in to check me (apparently I had a really good cervix according to my Dr and she wanted the other Dr to check it out). She told me that I already progressed to a 4/5. And I've been feeling contractions on and off since ever since! But they won't stay regular....and it's frustrating. I keep thinking maybe this is it, but then it's not! I know he will come when he is ready and I really hope it's before Thanksgiving! I would love to be home with him before the holiday!

We had a little scare a few weeks ago....I've been consistantly measuring small since 29 weeks. Before the Dr would schedule an ultrasound, Matt and I went to our Branch President to help assist Matt in a Priesthood Blessing. (For those of you who aren't LDS or don't know what a Priesthood Blessing is, click here) Let's just say that the blessing wasn't too reassuring, and basically said things that you would never want to hear or expect in a blessing. Luckily one of the doctors I see is LDS and he got me into an ultrasound asap. The ultrasound showed everything was okay. I am still a little worried though and ask for you to remember us in your prayers. Only 9 days to go.....

New Calling Update

Thank you so much for all your wonderful words of wisdom on my last post! I'm grateful for all the encouragement and great ideas. I should have clarified this in my last post, since I have many friend and family who aren't members of my Church and who do not know what a CTR 8 teacher is. Primary in our Church goes basically from ages 3-11. CTR 8 are the kids who have or will be turning 8 yrs old this calendar year. This is such an awesome age in our Church because it is the age that a child is baptized! So basically I will be teaching lessons to 7 and 8 year olds. I am so excited to be working with this age specifically! I have 5 boys in my class and hopefully 2 baptisms next month :)
I'm not sure what I was so worried about honestly. I feel like Sunday went amazingly well! In fact, last minute they combined the CTR 7 and 8 class (the other teacher did not show up to church) and I was very scared to take 8 very rowdy boys and 1 girl on my first day of class, but I stepped up and did it. All I had to do was lay down the law, and they basically behaved from then on. Matt says that primary here is just a little different from stateside; they seem to be very wild here! And that I just need to teach them how and when to be reverent. Easy enough, right?!
The kids are really great and I am already starting to love each one of them. Amazing how quickly that works, huh :) They were participating and pretty interested the whole time, so I feel really confidant!
Matt (who I made stay with my on Sunday, even though I didn't even need him!) said I was a natural! I mean, I have worked with elementary age kids since I was 16 yrs old. He said he was pretty impressed with me, my lesson, and the kids behavior and participation! Last week they were pretty rowdy in class, so I am feeling really good!
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who commented and let you know how I did on my first day of teaching primary!

New Calling

So I had this feeling that I was going to be called as the CTR 8 Teacher, when the Primary Presidency called last week and asked if I could substitute until a new teacher was called. When we were asked to meet with the Branch Pres last Sunday, I knew for sure it was happening. I am so embarrassed to admit this, and I will blame most of it on my pregnancy hormones, but I cried when he called me. I converted to the Church when I was 21 and have never even attend primary, let alone know anything about it. I didn't want to say no to the calling or anything, and I totally accepted the calling without hesitation, however, I was sick to my stomach with nerves and uncertainty.
After attending last Sunday's classes, I feel a little more comfortable with the idea, but I am still really nervous about the whole thing. How do I keep 5 boys interested and engaged in my lesson for an hour? The manual is very helpful, but at the same time, some of the lesson ideas just won't work in our group setting. Anyone have any good websites or ideas on lesson planning? Or just words of wisdom in general?
I haven't held a calling in over a year and I know that is part of why I am so nervous. Ever since Matt graduated and we left Logan, we have been floating from home to home and ward to ward. Now that we are finally settled down for longer than 3 months, and our records are finally in our home ward (or branch in our situation), of course, I am going to get a calling. I know I'm not alone when it comes to getting nervous about a new calling. But I can't help and think that every Sunday these boys' parents are going to ask them after church "what did you learn in primary?" and it is up to me to make sure that they can answer that question. As I type this, though, it doesn't seem like it is that hard of a question to answer or a task for me to deliver. They are basic gospel principles and I know that I will honestly learn a lot from these kiddos and the lessons. I can do this!!! Right?!?! :)

My Growing Tummy Part 2

When we were talking on Skype this past week, both my sister and my mom asked to see my tummy. I thought I would post another progression chart. So, enjoy!

You can click on the collages to enlarge them. although I wouldn't recommend it considering they are pictures of me. Who knows how much longer I'll agree to this picture taking?!?! :)

'D' Day Preview

Yes, 'D' as in Delivery Day!!
A few weeks ago, I started noticing that my lower abdominal would hurt when I lifted one leg to get dressed or shave, or wash my legs/feet. I said to Matt, I don't remember feeling pain like this this early in my pregnancy with Rian. I took out my pregnancy books to research pain in lower abdominal and only found stuff regarding the stretching of ligaments....all normal stuff. Fast forward to two weeks ago. Matt and I decided to do a leg workout together. I was definitely sore for a few days after the workout, so I took a few days off from working out and waited for my body to recover. In the meantime, I continued looking up soreness in lower abdomen....no success. A week later I felt fine. I would still feel weird when getting dressed and showering, but I didn't feel sore or anything so I figured I could workout.
Wednesday morning I was doing an leg and arm workout at home. Right after I finished a friend called and asked if I wanted to meet her at the gym after Rian's dance class. I decided walking on the treadmill would be a good cardio workout after doing arms and legs in the morning and since Rian's class is at the gym anyways, I should take advantage of being there. So I did. Big mistake!
That night, I was in the worst pain of my life. I couldn't walk or get up from a sitting position without my lower abdomen killing me. I knew something wasn't right. There had to be something in my books about this kind of pain. I started looking in the index for anything that could relate to my symptoms....soreness, pain, tightness, abdominal, but I found nothing. At that point I just started reading the index knowing there had to be something in my books, I just couldn't find the right word myself. Finally I got to P. Pubic Symphsis Dysfunction. I read about it in my book and then researched it on the internet. I think this is what I have and decide since it isn't harmful to the baby I would wait it out for the night and I would call the Dr in the morning.
I couldn't get in to see my regular Dr the next day, but decided it didn't matter who I was seen by, my pain was too intense and I needed to be seen. I didn't want to walk in the office claiming I knew exactly what was wrong with me, so I let the Dr do her exam and then told her about my findings. She didn't really like my suggestion. She said that my cervix was already dilated to a one and, therefore, thought is was either a bladder infection or contractions. However, it didn't hurt when I pee'd and I know for sure I wasn't feeling contractions, I wasn't cramping at all, I was just sore and tight and I only felt pain when I moved around. But I went along for the ride, because I would rather have a concerned Dr than one who didn't want to take the time to worry. While my labs were being processed they admitted me to the Mother/Baby Unit to hook me up and make sure I wasn't having contractions. Man, laying in that hospital bed brought back many memories! I just hope this next labor/delivery goes as smoothly as my first did!
I wasn't having contractions! And my labs came back normal. The Dr still did not want to diagnosis me with Pubic Symphisis Dysfunction. She told me to take it easy and re-visit this issue with my Dr at my next appt (in two weeks). So that's where we stand at this point. The pain level has definitely gone down since taking it easy the entire weekend, but it still isn't completely gone with certain movements.

My Growing Tummy

From the week we found out to today! Click to enlarge. There's more posts....scroll down!

Kristin & Joel's Wedding

My friend, Kristin, got married on May 16th. That's really why I stayed back in California while Matt went back to Guam....and I am sure glad I did. I had the BEST time! It was so fun to see Katie and Luke! And of course, I always love to hang out with Marissa and her hubby, Andrew! Kristin made such a beautiful bride and I know her and Joel are so happy together! Congrats! Oh yeah, and I had to post a picture of the cute 'kiddie' plate the caterers brought out for me. I was feeling a little nauseous, so I was munching on some saltines. The caterers noticed and asked if I needed anything. I declined and just explained it was the morning sickness. Five minutes later they bring me a plate with fruit, yogurt, crackers, and bread. It was a really kind gesture and everyone at the table got a kick out of it!

Missing Our Little Girl...

It just made sense to leave Rian down in San Diego for the week after we returned from Utah. Although we really didn't need a babysitter until Saturday, Matt's mom, dad and sister, Lauren, watched her during the week and my parents from Friday night on. Although we missed her tremendously, we figured that we will be living out of the country for the next 3 years and it would be good for all of them to spend some quality time with Rian before we move in 2 months.

So how did I spend the week while Matt was at work and I was home, alone, with no little girl to keep me busy......well, I tried to stay as busy as possible!

Tuesday afternoon-drove up from SD by myself. It was so weird not having Rian in the backseat! Gym with Matt. Made and ate a nice dinner together...weird again not getting Rian's food ready before mine :)

Wednesday-recruited some of the other wives to drive to the cliffs of Malibu and dolphin watch! We saw some...see pics below!!! Then we ate at the most yummy frozen yogurt place in Malibu (I'm still dreaming of it)! Went bowling with Matt's Command (co-workers). Went grocery shopping and made some of the best street tacos I have ever had!!



Thursday-the sun was out that day, so another wife and I went to the beaches of Malibu again. This time we saw a sea lion...see pics below!!! Then went out to dinner with a group of friends.



Friday-went with some of the ladies to the nail salon! Something I never get to do when I have Rian with me. Then Matt got off work early so we went to an early movie and then to a nice dinner!

Saturday-got all dolled up for the Ball!!!!!! Had a blast at the Seabee Ball.....post to come ;)

Sunday-spent morning blogging. And now just anxiously waiting for my mom and Rian to drive up here!

I'm not going to lie, it was nice to have some alone time just Matt and I, but gosh, we missed our little girl so so much! 5 days is a loooong time! But we talked to her everyday, several times a day on the phone and she has no idea how many hugs and kisses are coming her way once she gets here!!! Thanks to everyone who helped watch her for the week, we really appreciate your help!

Two Lovers Point

After a nice ride in our air conditioned car, we enjoyed the beautiful views from Two Lovers Point. It's a lookout located high on the cliffs above the water. Legend has it that two forbidden lovers jumped off the cliff to proclaim their love for each other many moons ago.

We went too late in the day though. The sun was reflecting off the water, so you can't really see the true beauty of the water...at least in the first collage. It was still an amazing view, just next time we'll go in the am.