Somebody has been naughty

The other day I left our sweet dog inside, which we have done many many times. He usually just sleeps on the couch and waits for us to come home...

 But this day was different:

I walked in the door and he wouldn't even come over to me. All I could do was cry! I looked for things that might be Jeff's then left it so I didn't ruin too much if anything was for me. Two of the gifts he shredded were for Norris. He had diapers EVERYWHERE and then some socks he pulled out of the packaging. There was something Jeff had to re-wrap and a couple other things that were for the both of us that he chewed on but didn't ruin.  I guess you could say he hasn't been left alone and I don't even feel bad about it! He gets to go back out side when we are gone, lucky for him he has a dog house. Maybe after Christmas we'll try again but I don't need him having all the fun and opening everything for us!

36 and 37 weeks

Well the last couple of weeks have been pretty uneventful! After last month I'll take a boring couple weeks any day!
I am now considered full term and although I don't feel as though he will be here any day I guess you could say he really could show up any time now! I have finished his room and have my bag partially packed with a list of things to add when the time comes. I also have his stuff packed and ready, but I still need to make a couple hats for him. We are getting excited but I think our families are a little more anxious than us! I think I still have it in my mind that I will go over my due date and have come to terms that it will be okay if I do. Everything will work out even if that means costing us a lot more money!

Here is week 36 in pictures for your viewing pleasure:

 This is what I look like from the front (obviously) and in Jeff's sweats!

And here we have week 37:

Why do I feel like I got huge again? I really can't tell if I have dropped or not, I don't think I have still but my stomach looks different every day and I know the little man is low. Only time will tell!

Dresser

There have been a couple of projects I worked on for the baby's room. Before I even got pregnant I told my parents I wanted the dresser/changing table they used for me when I was a baby. I wanted a black crib and knew it would look like a whole new piece painted black. So the weekend we broke the news to my parents it was put on the list to bring up on their next trip. I had it for about three months sanding it all down and then priming it then I sent it back home to my Dad for him to spray it black. I could not be happier with how it turned out! 

Here are a couple before pictures:

I already started sanding here

 

And here are some after pictures:

Seriously... LOVE! Thanks Dad for helping out and doing the finishing touches! Again, I love having pieces with history! (sorry pictures are not that great but with it under the window I had to use flash or be at a weird angle!)

Relief Society Christmas

Last week I had the opportunity to be a part of the Christmas program for the Relief Society get together. A couple of days before I started thinking about it and what I would say, but the more I thought the more I realized how difficult it was going to be! They wanted me to talk about my feelings as I am about to become a first time mom and then talk about how I thought Mary might have felt. I talked to Jeff about it and I told him I had no idea how to even compare Norris to Jesus! Then I talked to my mom and told her i felt bad because I really hadn't sat and thought about how i feel. Most of my concern has been about how different life will be and making sure we have all that we need to welcome the little guy. After some encouraging words from my mom I sat down and wrote some stuff out. I will share it here and for the most part it is what I said but I did add a little bit here and there as I spoke er cried through the whole thing. It was very overwhelming but a great experience!

I’ve thought a lot about what I would say tonight. It has been much more difficult to put into words and share my thoughts as I approach motherhood than I thought. I believe pregnancy brings on every single emotion possible, as it has for me. Thinking about this next month is overwhelming. I know my Heavenly Father has trusted me with one of his precious souls and I could not have been given a better gift.  I also have the blessing to experience my last month of pregnancy during one of the best times of the year. We are surrounded by the love and constant reminder of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ this month and I often wonder how Mary could have felt knowing who she would bring into this world. I wonder if Mary’s thoughts and feelings at this time in her life were similar to my very own.

As a new mom I have many fears and expectations of what it will be like. I fear the unknown, I don’t know what my marriage will become, I don’t know if there is something wrong with my child that has not been detected, and I have no idea what kind of mother I will truly be. I know what is expected of me by others and by myself and I often wonder if Heavenly Father really knew who he was trusting with one of his children.

Do you think Mary knew the extent of the miracles her son would perform on this earth? Heavenly Father trusted her with his only begotten and she obeyed him and exercised a tremendous amount of faith. I can only imagine her fears and expectations during this time for her. You want so badly to do everything right. You want to raise your child knowing right and wrong. You want to be an example to them and instill good standards. You want them to be close to our Heavenly Father and you want Heavenly Father to know you are doing your personal best.

I know I will not be a perfect mom. There will be many trial and errors, many tears, and many times I will kneel on my knees to ask for help. One of my biggest comforts is knowing I will never have to do this on my own, Heavenly Father will always be there! I have already spent many times on my knees as we have prepared for our first child. There have been plenty of moments where I have been overwhelmed and have asked myself “what have I done?” Then there are the moments I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I am so ready to be a mother. I am ready to take on one of Heavenly Father’s biggest gifts and most rewarding experiences.

As I think about Christmas this year it has a different meaning. I think about the emotion and preparation Mary was going through. Now I know I am not giving birth to our Savior, but I am bringing our own little miracle to this world. I have no idea what he will accomplish in his life as I’m sure Mary did not know all either. She had many fears, she had a love of a mother and a faith in Heavenly Father. She worried about all the things us mothers worry about today. She wanted to teach her son right from wrong. She wanted to teach him unconditional love and Mary wanted to be an example to him. But just like any other mother, she learned along the way. I can only hope and strive to be the mother she was and offer all that I am to my family and Heavenly Father. 

There are many unknowns before me but one thing I know for certain is I am about to receive God's greatest blessing, and that through him I can be the mother he wants me to be. I hope and pray as we celebrate this Christmas season we feel the love of our Heavenly Father and celebrate with him the birth of his son, our Savior. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

South Jordan baby shower

A couple of weeks ago we went up to Jeff's parents and had our second baby shower. I was surprised with how many people were there and it was so good to see everyone, and meet new family! I had one request for this shower and that was that Jeff got to be there and open all the gifts with me. So after the game and food he came out from hiding and got to open everything! It was fun to see his reaction and I'm glad he was able to be there!

We got lots of goodies and had a fabulous time! A big thanks to my sister-in-laws for putting it together and another thanks goes out to everyone that came! We are so blessed!

Kidney Stones and 33 weeks

I am a little behind on my belly shots but I have a good excuse! It all started last Monday. I woke up feeling better than I had the week before as I was just getting over a cold and the little boy I babysit showed up. While he was napping and playing I began to get uncomfortable (this may be a little TMI for some sorry) I would sit down to pee and nothing would come out or only a tiny bit would. This went on for a couple hours then it started to become painful and I thought it was just a UTI. Probably around 11 that night I called my mom and told her what was going on as it was to the point that I could not sit or lay still. We thought worst comes to worst it was getting to my kidney and just irritating it a little. Another hour goes by and I knew by this point something else had to be done so I went in to labor and delivery. (Jeff is still mad I did not wake him to go with me). I told the nurses what was going on and so they hooked me up to all the monitors had me pee in a cup then waited for the results. Norris was doing great I was not contracting and the results came back said i had a little bacteria and sent me on my way with a prescription for a UTI and told me to take some Tylenol. I felt dumb! I did not get any sleep when I got home and right about the time Jeff got up and got in the shower I started throwing up. I just thought it was the flu on top of everything else. Drank some water and tried to get some sleep. Didn't happen. He came home with my prescription and saw I was even worse off and continued to decline. I finally called and made an appointment to see the Doc that was covering for my Midwife (she broke her shoulder 2 weeks before) and around 3 we went in. The Doc came in and I was so overwhelmed with pain I was crying. He asked me what was going on I told him where the pain was and he examined me. He told me if I still couldn't keep food or water down by the next day they would have to admit me. I was then sent to do blood work and get an ultrasound on my kidneys, bladder and baby's fluid levels (I was on watch for having too much fluid). During the ultrasound my left kidney was functioning fine but we sat there for about 45 min. watching my right and got nothing. After trying a few things and waiting forever she finished and I went to get my blood drawn. After poking me in one arm and getting nothing they tried a heat pack on my other arm and still got nothing. I was so dehydrated nothing would come. After all of this I went home took the medication he gave me and was finally able to sleep for a couple of hours. Wed. morning i went in and was able to get my blood drawn, only after she had to go digging for a vein (if you know me you know I do not do needles well... and at this point I had to lay down so I wouldn't pass out). I got a call that same day from the ultrasound results saying my kidney wasn't functioning well and that it was most likely a stone. Thursday my blood work came back and the Doc called again a little more concerned at this point because my blood work did not come back great. The Creatinine levels for a normal pregnant woman is supposed to be around a .5 and mine came back over 1.2, so 75% higher than it should be. I was then sent to the pharmacy for my 4th prescription and my last resort. This one was supposed to help open the kidney valve and help me pass the stone, the next option was to have it surgically removed... at this point i would have done anything! Jeff called one of his friends and they gave me a blessing, thank heaven for the Priesthood! Friday I had to get my blood checked again and then i went off to Vegas with my mom... in what could have been the longest car ride of my life! I knew that she had a lot to do and that i should be walking around as much as I could so I ran some errands with her. Finally around 8 or so that night I began having a lot of discomfort again and felt I had to go to the bathroom every few minuets but not much would come or it was a little painful. After an hour or so of this the pressure was gone and I went to bed. Saturday morning I woke up a new woman! I tell you what it was night and day and could not have been at a more perfect time! Just got my last results back today and everything looks to be going back to normal! I am so so so glad that fun little experience is over and would like to give a shout out to my dad and thank him for passing those genetics on to me! :) I was very blessed to have so many people check on me and offer to help with so much! I'm surrounded by amazing friends and family that is for sure!
and now for 33 weeks...because week 32 was quite possibly the worst week of my life:

Norris is getting big! He is over 4 pounds and close to 17 inches in length! His bones are starting to get hard and he is starting to fill out and put some fat on. The kid is pretty active and does not like when my belly is being pushed on. He is head down and definatly a boy. We are getting more and more excited to meet him. I feel as though this pregnancy has flown by and find it hard to believe we're down to less than 50 days! We have been talking more about what he might look like and really it could go either way. He could come out with the darker features of the Garduno Family or he cold come out blonde and blue eyes like his parents and Coache family! Either way we'll be happy but I think he has a pretty good chance of having the Coache blue eyes... at least I hope he does. We'll know soon enough but keep growing Norris we will be ready to meet you soon!

Baby shower

This past weekend my mom, sister-in-law and best friend threw a baby shower for me in Vegas. I wasn't sure I was going to make it all week but my mom came to the rescue and drove all the way up to Cedar to get me so that I could be there for it! For those that don't know I was lucky enough to get and pass a kidney stone last week! HOLY COW do they suck! Back to the baby shower! After a long week I was glad to have a small get together of family and close friends. Everything turned out so cute and little Norris got some great stuff! Our last big item is the car seat then we will be set for this little guy to arrive.

I served milk and cookies for dessert and had little bags so people could take them home

 How cute is this diaper cake!? Loved it!

 This is quite possibly one of my favorite blankets for the little guy!

 I had to put a picture of the baby shower invite. My mom made them and seriously they turned out SOO cute!

Thanks everyone that came and a HUGE thank you to my mom, sister-in-law and Julie for putting it all together for me! We can't wait to use the swing, stroller, all the blankets and little outfits he got!

Litte things

I have been making a few things here and there. I wanted to make a blanket for the little guy so I did. I also wanted some shoes for him so I made those. When ever Jeff is doing homework I try and sit down and work on something too so last weekend I made a banner for my baby shower. I didn't need to but I was bored then decided I liked it enough that it will go above the crib until we is born and we have a name, then the original idea will go up! So here are the things I've made:

I love how the blanket turned out! The front is minky and the back is flannel.

I think this is how i'll put it up in his room but attached to the wall with more than just tape!

I added a little extra flair for the shower. I think it turned out cute and it was free because I had everything around the house!

Grandma's Chair

I have a feeling this is going to be difficult for me to write about but maybe it's time I talk about it. Quick back ground I have always planned on using my grandma's rocking chair for the baby but I originally planned on painting it and re-covering it. Well I did re- cover it but decided to leave the rest as is, here is why
Back in August we all went on our family cruise. The weeks following that quickly became a mess of information. After many doctors visits and waiting for what seemed like forever, we got some awful news... Grandma has cancer. Deep down I knew something was wrong but never thought we would be told we had about a year left with her. I can't begin to explain how hard that was to hear. It has rocked my world.
That weekend I made plans to go home and all I did was cry. I cried all the way home, I cried when I saw my dad, I cried when I was getting ready, seriously I cried A LOT! At one point my dad came upstairs and saw me and when I went to hug him I just let it all out. I lost it. I told him all I could think about is how much she was going to miss, how much we were going to miss. How this could very well be our last Holidays with her. It was raw and it was painful but it was real and still is. I can still feel that tug on my heart. It catches me off guard most of the time but I have gotten to the point that i can stop and instead of think of how much time I have left with her I think about how lucky I am to have her still! She has not stopped living, her or my Grandpa. She still goes to her water color class, church, shopping and everything else she did before. She is still my Grandma! She is an amazing woman and I have been so lucky to have the memories with her that I have.
Now I know she reads my blog from time to time and she very well could read this post, So Grandma know i am doing better and I too am at peace with it. I can't wait for you to meet our little Norris and share that experience with you! Even more so I'll be able to rock him in the chair I grew up sitting next to watching as you painted or worked on one of your many crafts and share stories of my childhood.

Here are a few before pictures of the rocking chair:

And here are some of the after:

Now just imagine those cushions in the blue plaid as well... 

 Look close and you can see paint splatters all over, I love it. I love that is has history and it's sentimental. The chair isn't the only thing going in his room that has history or is sentimental I'm using the same dresser my parents used for us when we were kids. I'm getting so excited to get his room put together. In just a few more weeks I hope to have it done!

Here they are together and just a couple other peeks of things that are going on in there. Notice the bed with no mattress?! I don't want to risk SIDS at all... Kidding kidding! That is a purchase we will make after the baby showers!
Grandma I hope I can do your chair justice. Thank you again for helping me re-cover it and giving me that craft day with you!

30 Weeks

WHAT? 30 Weeks?! That's crazy to me! It has been such a fun few weeks for us. About 2 weeks ago I was laying in bed and not really paying attention to all the movement going on in my belly until I realized there was a rhythm to it. That's right! I could feel the baby hiccuping and it was so fun! I don't know if it's Norris or what but it seems like he has them a lot now! Then Monday night I was just getting in bed and I usually like to sit up and feel him move. Jeff was studying next to me and I pushed on my lopsided belly and for the first time felt some part of the kid. Honestly I have no idea what body part it was but Norris did not think it was so fun and started moving like crazy. I got Jeff to stop studying for a min to watch my belly, he has seen it move before but never the baby moving across my belly. I don't know how to explain it but for those who have been pregnant know it's not the sudden kick but when you can feel them changing positions and see some part of the body move across.  Those are my favorite to watch... Jeff... Not so much, grossed him out a bit. Shocking I know :) Here are some pictures of my 30 week belly:

By now little guy your measuring about 16 inches give or take and 3 pounds! You have pretty much hit most of your developmental milestones by this point and concentrating on putting on some fat. Your eye site continues to develop but even when you're born you wont be able to see more than a couple inches in front of you. As you continue to grow there will be less and less of the fluid around you that protects you but you'll still be safe, trust me mom has put on plenty of extra padding! We went to the doctor last week and I did my glucose and iron tests and everything looks good so far. I also had lots of questions for the midwife and she answered them just as though she could read my mind. That gives me a lot of comfort for when the time comes and I won't get any pressure to induce labor or anything else. That makes me happy! I'm not sure if you know but your mom is pretty set on doing all she can to have a Natural un-medicated child birth with you. Lots of people think I'm crazy but it is what I want and have always wanted, I think your dad is on board for the most part but we'll have Grandma there too to help sense she delivered both me and my brother without pain medication. We're I'm excited for our class tomorrow and to learn as much as we can about the process before you arrive. Just remember any time after Christmas and before your Dad starts school again would be great. I have a feeling the first few weeks of your life is going to be a little crazy and we want your dad around as much as he can be before he has to leave us! We love you very much, keep growing strong Norris!

Elders Quorum

So Jeff has a new calling in church he is the first counselor in the Elders quorum. He has officially been in for a little over 3 weeks and has already helped move someone out of the ward and just got news that he needs to help someone move in this Friday. Now I know how great of a calling this is for him and our Family and I know that it means sacrifice and maybe it's my hormones or the fact that I NEVER see him with work and school already but it makes me sad that not only do I spend the majority of my week alone but now my weekends are being consumed. Now I know we receive blessings from service and would never want him to turn down the opportunity but come on!!! Like I said... hormones! I just miss having him around and had to vent for just a few. when it comes down to it it's not the church it's the school, I am SO over him being in school no wonder why I never got married while I was in school! Seriously I'm done now but...
I'll leave you with a sneak peek of the baby's room:

P.s. I really am so so so proud of Jeff for all that he is doing. He works so hard at work to get his store up then works twice as hard at school and does homework nonstop. I know he is tired so many nights but honestly the man doesn't complain. I tell ya, he's a stud! I won't lie either I'm excited for his new calling it will give us a real chance to get to know people in the ward. Right after we got there they stuck us in Primary and people still ask me if I'm new in the ward, sad huh?! It will be fun to be more involved and have people know us! Like I said just needed to vent and now I feel guilty for being frustrated, but that's life and I know it could be so much worse! I am truly truly blessed!

Prenatal class

I am happy to report Jeff was able to stay alert the whole time. The first class was not bad but I will admit the talk about hemorrhoids about put me and him over the top... I really did not need a full description of what they look like, sick! We also watched a video on relaxation techniques he can use to help me during labor and then sat on he floor and he got to practice. We went on a tour of labor and delivery and they kind of gave us a run through of the room and different things they offer to help with labor. I can't say i'm ready to go through that but I now know some options and have a few I will be putting on my birth plan. Only 11 more weeks to go... crazy!

27 weeks

It only took six months but I finally feel pregnant! I can feel this kid moving all day long and I love it! He has finally decided to move up and out of my lower region so I don't feel like he's going to come out anymore. In the last week or so he has found my sciatic nerve again and it takes some sweet positions to get him to move off, i think Jeff really enjoys watching while the maneuvering is going on! I will have to agree with most that the second trimester is WAY better than the first and now that I'm in my third I'll have to wait to make that judgement. We've been pretty uneventful around here with the pregnancy so I guess I'll post my lovely self!

Holy cow did I grow... or the babe but whatever! I really don't feel this big until I look at the pictures. Maybe that is why I only do them every other week.

So by this week Norris is about 2 pounds and around 15 inches or so (I'm going with the longer measurement due to the fact he has a good chance of being a tall kid) He is now seeping and awake in regular intervals and is now opening and closing his eyes. I hear by this time I can start to feel hiccups but I don't think I have yet, as there is no rhythm to his movements. I saw a picture of a little baby born at 25 weeks the other day and it's crazy to think that is what our little guy looks like (obviously with different characteristics). It's crazy how we're down to 90+ days. The time has flown by! Our only request kid is that you come after finals and before Spring semester starts, now I know I can make that happen, but i'm not into the scheduling thing and I really just want you to come when you are good and ready... that means no earlier than 37 weeks but if you want to wait until 42 weeks that is fine with me! Keep growing big and strong little man!

The first Anniversary

Wow what a year! Jeff and I celebrated our first anniversary last Saturday. We considered the cruise we took back in August as our big vacation to celebrate but we still wanted to have a little get away. Jeff's parents recently bought a cabin up past park city so we left Thursday and spent a couple of days there.
Friday we drove around and looked at a bunch of the cabins, enjoyed sitting on the deck putting a puzzle together and watching the deer graze! That night we went into park City and hit up the outlet mall, I must say we got some cute little things for our babe and I scored big with some shirts that will fit now and hopefully until January!
Saturday we drove up to the olympic park and looked around, went and got something to eat then found a little park to eat in and enjoy the perfect weather!  Saturday night we went to the same hotel and room we spent our first night together in and actually got to enjoy it! Last year we had to be up crazy early to leave for the honeymoon so it was nice to relax and talk about the past year, and enjoy the free dinner we got... dang was it good!

 This is one of the deer that came by while we were sitting outside.

One of my requests was for a real fire, the first night didn't go so well and it was late but Friday night Jeff a fire rollin' all night for me!

 This is the bobsled up at the Olympic park

 The ski jumps... and a nice frontal view of my lovely self, wow that's rough!

 This was either before or after dinner on Saturday. What a cute husband!

 Oh and this was the loft in our room then below were the couches and chairs with a desk and other stuff!

This past year has been one of the best I have ever had! I won't lie adjusting the first couple of months to marriage was difficult for me but Jeff took it in stride. He has been more than patient with me and we have grown so much together. I always knew I married the perfect guy for me and I can honestly look back and say I would do it all over again and again and again. I have learned so much from him and love him more today then I ever have and that's how I feel every day! I cherished our weekend together because with him working and doing his masters I don't see him much or get that one on one time and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate our first year together! I love you Jeff, you're my rock!

25 weeks

I wish I had something interesting to write about being pregnant but (knock on wood) I have had a pretty easy one so far! We hit 25 weeks Wednesday and I have kept myself pretty busy painting his room. I am proud to say it is finished and i love it!

Here is the 25 week picture, please excuse the clothing it was after church and I keep forgetting to take pictures so this is what you get!

By this week Norris is measuring around 13-14 inches from head to toe. He weighs between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds and is slowly starting to put on some fat! As for me I feel him move all over, I haven't experienced him in the ribs yet and he really doesn't bother me much not even at night, guess he knows how much I like my sleep! Jeff still has not seen him move but it is because he doesn't watch long enough. Oh and by the time he gets to bed and I try to get him to see he's far too tired. The man is a busy busy guy right now with working full time and getting his masters, I really don't see much of him during the week and feel so bad when he is so stinking tired! What an amazing guy I married and can't wait for him to be a dad! We are counting down the days when the baby will be here and when he will be done with school and able to enjoy each other once again!

Diddy goes to Vegas

Last weekend Jeff was invited to play in the worlds softball tournament in Colorado so I decided that would be the perfect weekend to get the baby registry done. I have become rather picky on who I let watch our dog as he is quite spoiled and the babysitter I wanted wasn't available... until I was already on the road. So I packed his things and prayed it would go well and to my surprise it did!

You could say we have come a LONG way from back when I wanted him GONE! With Jeff working and doing his masters full time right now my little B gets a lot of attention and keeps great company these days!
A quick thanks to the parents for putting up with him and their little dogs that did not like him one bit! It was a good time!