California Visit

In August, Isaac and I flew to Los Angeles to visit my family. My parents had not seen Isaac since December, and I was sick and tired and wanted my Mama.

The flight there was smooth sailing:

                                   

Since we last were there, Bryan had grown a ton. Isaac loved watching him and following him around. He also loved Bandit, our family dog, who does not like kids. We kept them separated as much as possible.

Our trip wasn't much of a sight-seeing vacation. We really didn't do anything except for the most important things: spending time with family and visiting with a few friends. I mostly rested as much as I could and was so grateful to have help taking care of Isaac.

Isaac played outside every day, swam, ate popsicles, watered the plants, developed a love for the movie the Jungle Book, and got to know his grandparents really well. I read books 1-5 of The Work and the Glory series-- probably over 1,000 pages of text. So that gives you and idea of what I did: stayed in bed.

While we were there we were also able to attend my Great-Aunt Darlene's funeral service. I'm sure it was really nice. Unfortunately, Isaac didn't behave well enough for me to see it. Below you will see a picture of him playing on an altar outside the church where the memorial was held. That's where we were.

Here are the pictures from our trip.

Isaac and Uncle Bry
**When I sent this picture to my sister Marie, who is serving a mission, she wrote back, "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??!!!!"  Yep, they've changed a lot. 

                          

On the way to the funeral 

                               

At the funeral

                               

Reading with "Papa" 

Helping Bry wash the cars

Watching Jungle Book... I just love that face!! 

                                  

Watching Jungle Book Again ...  and I love this face too. :-)                   

More time with the hose

                              

Swimming! In a pool that was cool and refreshing! 

                     

                     

I also have to share this fun comparison. This is a picture of my brother Bryan and then of Isaac--both at 21 months old in the same pool. I think they look so much alike! 

                               

And my mom caught this gem of a picture right before we got in the car to leave for the airport. Isaac's two favorite things: his teddy and his doggie.

                           

The flight home was less than stellar. Isaac sat--more like wrestled--on my lap the whole 3 hours and 20 minutes. I barely survived. Luckily the guy sitting next to us was tolerant. 

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a wonderful trip! And thank you Brent for keeping up the home-front while we were gone. 

The Last Three Months

For much of the last three months, our small apartment has looked like this:

                                  

And that is because of this:

8 weeks

We are expecting baby #2 in February 2014! I found out I was pregnant in June and enjoyed the thought for about a week, until I woke up one morning and started throwing up until I wanted to die. Luckily, a good friend rescued me with her supply of Zofran, but unfortunately, it did not solve all my problems. I spent much of the next three months curled up in bed watching TV shows on Amazon Prime, trying to distract myself from the horrible nausea. 

Isaac was very good and played happily around the house (while destroying it at the same time). And Brent did more than should be expected of any husband. Working through busy season while taking care of the house, feeding himself and Isaac, and doing the shopping earns him the Husband of the Century Award! 

I also was so blessed to have the help of so many family members and friends. My sister-in-law Emily went shopping for me a number of times and deep cleaned our apartment with her husband Andrew. My friend Caroline also went shopping for me a bunch of times. And I had numerous friends bring over dinner and watch Isaac for me while I was ill. My mother-in-law also came out for a couple weeks to take care of Isaac and help around the house, which was so generous of her! She ironed all of Brent's shirts, tidied up the house every day, and fed and entertained Isaac the whole time. It was so nice! I tried to count up all the people who have helped me--in big and generous ways-- and there were over a dozen. I am SO grateful to everyone!! 

There were times when I wasn't sure if I could make it. Of course I would, but when you feel so awful, your perception of reality gets really warped. 

I am so happy to be on the other side of that trial. And now I finally feel happy and excited about finding out the gender of this baby. We should know in about two weeks. :-) 

**Note: If you have a smart phone and haven't downloaded the Blogger App, I highly recommend it. You can upload photos directly from your phone. AH! I can't believe I've lived without this for so long! 

The Ultrasound

When the ultrasound began, the tech had the monitor turned towards her so I couldn't see it, but Brent could. His face just lit up as soon as it began. It's kind of surprising to realize that there IS a little baby inside of me. After just a few seconds Brent mouthed to me with wide, smiling eyes, "I think it's a boy!" And I started laughing so hard the ultrasound tech had to stop for a second because I was bouncing the baby. And then she said, "So, do you want to know what it is?" And we said, "Yes....!" And she said, "It's a boy!"

I was so pleasantly surprised! I didn't have any impressions of the baby's gender, but for some reason it's much easier for me to imagine my body making a girl than a boy, so a boy felt like a surprise.

There is a boy inside of me!! Weird, huh?!

Unfortunately I can't post pictures of the ultrasound yet because we don't have a scanner. Eventually I'll get to FedEx and do that, but I just have to say that he's really cute (in a freaky sort of alien way).

During the ultrasound he was really kicking and thrashing, but I couldn't feel a thing. I think in a few weeks I'll be in for it! We got some great shots of him looking right at the "camera" and even one of him yawning (or swallowing--it's hard to tell).

He looks perfectly healthy, but they have to do another ultrasound at my next appointment because he was too small to get a good look at his heart. He measured for 19 weeks exactly, which is just where I am at. So we're still aiming for the middle to end of December.

All I know is that I better get in shape to keep up with this little one! I can't wait to meet him!