newport beach + a month at home + chad goes on a mission

Way back when (time to play catchup).... We took a family trip (we missed Mike!) to Newport Beach. It is one of our favorite places! It was one last hooray with Chad before he left on his mission. We had the best time riding bikes, surfing, laying out, playing basketball, having game nights, stuffing our faces with the best food... the works. We stayed right on the beach and had a party!

 Yes, we were that hillbilly family that decided AFTER we left the beach, to go to Capital Grill. We got lots of lovely stares :)

We rode bikes everywhere and I LOVED it!!

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't keep up with these two on our runs!

 Rocking a 27 week baby bump! I had a great big growth spurt right before we got to the beach, just what I wanted :)

 I still can't believe Steele is the same height as me now 

(well, I think I still have about half an inch on him!)

Apparently my siblings got all the ABS genes!!

 My brothers are STUDS! I can't believe how much they have grown up.

Our trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip to Rain Forest Cafe. Yes, the food isn't that great, but it is so fun! We surprised Chad (who had his 19th birthday a few weeks before) with a birthday cake. He was in shock and it was hilarious. I was so disappointed that I missed him putting his face in the cake though!

We thought the muscle man represented him well ;)

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to the Newport Beach temple while we were there. It's stunning. There's no place I'd rather be than at the temple with my family!

On our way home we went through the temple together as a family (we're just waiting for you Steele!). It is a day I will cherish for the rest of my life. It was the first time I went through with Chad. We had an unforgettable experience. I can't wait until we get to go again when he gets back from his mission! 

 Tryg and Shelb were married in the LA temple three years ago.

 Tryg's parents, Ole and Marty, were so sweet to join us. We had a great day at the temple and then capped it off with Ruth's Chris. Our favorite! Ole shared the best mission advice with Chad.

Those close to me know how dear I hold my brother to my heart. He is everything in my eyes!

The next day, Chad gave his farewell talk. He did such a wonderful job! I wish I had a copy of it. It was more than just a "I'm going on a mission" talk. He uplifted, inspired, and edified all of us. As he has his whole life. 

Tryg and Shelby had to go back to Provo, but Mike traded places and finally was able to come out. We had a great last week with Chad and enjoyed one last 4th of July with him. 

The week came to an end way too fast and it was time to go home. Chad was entering the MTC on Wednesday so I decided to stay and fly back to Provo with him then, while Mike had to get back on Sunday. Tuesday night came and I decided I needed another couple of days with my mom and Steele. My mom was in charge of all the food at our 4-Stake Youth Conference that weekend (yes, just the DAY after Chad left!) and while she could have done it all along, I wanted to stay and help drive Steele around while she was busy (we live 30 minutes out of town). She did an incredible job by the way, the best food those kids have every eaten I'm sure. Everyone kept complimenting her on it. My mom is wonder woman. 

The day Chad entered the MTC I saw this most beautiful sunset driving home. I know it was Heavenly Father smiling down because one of his elect was answering His call to serve.

My silly little cousin was being so funny one day at the office. Of course I had to capture some of his faces and he wanted to see them after. All on his own, he goes "Send this one to Chad!!!" It was so sweet. But the one he picked just absolutely cracks me up. The second one is my favorite.

I had my flight to come home on Sunday but Mike decided to go to Florida for work. So.... instead of going back to Provo and being alone for the week, I figured another week at home wouldn't hurt anyone :) My two-week vacation turned into a full month (plus a couple days) at home. BEST "babymoon" ever. Thanks to my mom and Steele for letting me invade for so long!

Finally at the airport heading back to Provo.

pregnancy update: week 32-33

Week 32

Spent this week still sick, despite being on antibiotics. I started getting a terrible cough and it made my stomach contract so much each time and let me tell you, it hurt!

My acid reflux/heartburn started making a reappearance, along with minor backaches.

Baby boy is one active little dude! I love it though because it reassures me he's still in there doing good! Sometimes he jolts so much that my whole body sort of compulses. It kind of makes me laugh.

The heat is killing me, I feel like I'm living in a sauna!

My rib cage feels like it's been turned into a punching bag. It is so sore!

No contractions, braxton hicks or anything of the like (at least that I know of). Occasionally I'll get a short bout of pain/cramping but then it'll go right away. I think this is just round ligament pain?

I've been having a hard time sleeping, but I think that's due to being sick more than pregnant right now.

Week 33

I have elephant feet. Nice, big, swollen elephant feet :)

No stretch marks. But my belly has gotten BIG. I had another "growth spurt" this week. My belly button is slowly flattening out. My sister finds it hilarious for some reason haha

Someone had a dance party on my bladder one night this week. I'm not exaggerating when I say I had to get up and go to the bathroom every 15 minutes for an hour and a half. 

I sleep fine. I toss and turn but nothing like earlier in my pregnancy. I'm noticing with each day I get more and more tired as the day goes on. The evening hits and I'm ready to sit now and never get up.

No cravings. I'm just hungry. all. the. time.

I'm noticing there aren't quite as many kicks coming from him lately. He just "wiggles" around. We like to play hide and seek :) I love feeling around my belly and finding where he is. It's never hard. I'm pretty sure he is one big boy.

I'm finally feeling so much better. I still have a cough but I can handle that.

I'm a girl. And I'm pregnant.... which means there's definitely some emotions flying around and a need for some extra loving! Luckily Mike is on top of that :)

I have definitely had pregnancy symptoms/pains, but overall, I can't feel grateful enough for how well things have gone.

pregnancy update: weeks 23-31

Oops. Time to play catchup after my month-long vacation in California and being sick! I wasn't keeping track or writing down anything during the weeks so here's just a condensed, mashed-up version of some symptoms the past couple of weeks (two months!).

Weeks 23-31

 My back pains aren't as bad as they were! But I've traded it off for bad leg cramps at night.

My little boy hiccups like crazy! And moves, and dances, and does cartwheels, and kicks :) I wouldn't have it any other way. I love feeling (and watching) him move. It makes everything so much more real to know he is there right with me. It's a crazy (and amazing) feeling. He is one STRONG boy.

My four-year-old cousin came up with a nickname for my baby. "Me gunna call him dragon! He gunna be sooooo cute!" haha I love that little kid!

I started getting heart burn/acid reflux around 27 weeks. It's gotten better now thankfully and it's pretty much gone away!

I was on my feet for three days straight helping at Youth Conference while I was at home. My feet and ankles got SO swollen! Now I know why they suggest taking it easy when you're pregnant! My feet and hands are getting more and more swollen. I retain water to begin with so I knew this was going to be a little bit of a problem. My wedding ring is starting to get tight in the mornings and when I workout :(

I'm starting to feel the tiredness kicking back in.

My bump doubled in size over the last month! I'm starting to grow a basketball. Around 25-26 weeks it went crazy. I gained a few pounds and it grew a ton. I felt humungous. But I haven't gained any weight since then and I feel like I'm staying around the same size, so I'm starting to get more comfortable with my basketball belly.

I don't think I ever mentioned this before... one thing that has stood out during my pregnancy is how carsick I get. When I was younger I use to get it bad, but then it kind of just went away. It's BACK!

Baby boy is starting to smash my ribs and lungs... and they hurt! I'm really starting to feel the stresses and strains of my stomach, with everything moving around in there and getting a little cramped.

I finally got REAL morning sickness at 30 weeks, more than just a brief stint of it (or at least I think that's what it was ha). At least that's what I think it was. It started one night and I could NOT sleep at all and kept getting up because I felt so extremely nauseous. It continued the next day and all I wanted to do was sleep (which is what I did!). My whole body ached, I had a headache, I couldn't eat or drink anything, I was getting the chills... I just felt miserable. Thankfully it only lasted a day and a half. I'm so happy I didn't have that during the first trimester!

Week 31 was spent with no pregnancy symptoms! They were all washed out by being extremely sick. It's funny to me how I've had the best pregnancy except I keep getting sick-sick. Dang it low immune system. 

Some days this whole thing doesn't seem real to me. Other days I start to panic and can't believe that our baby boy will be here before we know it. But one thing is for sure, I'm so excited (and Mike is too!) that I could burst with happiness. Here's to a great big new adventure!

 

I think he was sticking his bum out for the camera or something :)

Yes - my bum and thighs are the recipients of a lot of the weight I'm gaining!

At the beginning of 32 weeks, I still look somewhat like the last picture. Like I said above, I doubled in size from 24 to 26 weeks and now have stayed around the same. I'm curious to see what the next "little" growth spurt is going to have me looking like!