Happy FATHER'S DAY!! IT is officially our first father's day which we are celebrating to the fullest with our little son. Nathaniel is the most amazing miracle to have ever enter our lives...he has been so fun to get to know and love AND he is almost three months old. Time sure does race by. It felt like yesterday I was pregnant and wanting to wait a few more days to give birth. Now we have a real living person, full of smiles, coos, laughs and... so much to fills all those diapers. We are in the club parenthood, we even have the many accessories that come with it, and we could not be happier-or more busy. It's funny how two very involve individuals, with what seems like a million commitments to a million different groups or persons, could stop most of that and in caring for a child, feel even more busy than before. We'll be honest-this business is the best kind, the kind ones loves to wake up to and do over and over again. Most people laugh and say-you're in the honeymoon stage, everyone thinks that at first. All I can say is after waiting for so long to have one of our own, we never want to take this little guy for granted-nor the fun moments. This may help us forget quickly those not so good moments-which are many-and relish in the awesome fun ones .

Ultrasounds, healthy baby, about one more week....

The last time we were able to see our baby it was my birthday, we found out it was a boy, and it was wonderful! We shed some tears of joy as we learned we were going to have a healthy baby. As I went in today, two days before my "guess date" I was told that they would check my cervix and see how things looked. I was trying to be okay with it-but the last time I was checked it caused surges and bleeding and unpleasant muscle tension which I did not enjoy. I really didn't want it to set anything into motion. I told my midwife of my concern. Here I was, undressed, sitting on that wonderful table, trying to express my fears and concerns-all the while trying to be brave. He looked at me and asked, "Are you having contractions?" No "Do you want to know if you're dilated?" Not...really-not without contractions "You have a choice, you don't have to have your cervix checked" What-I have a choice? "Its your body, and pregnancy-you're not swelling, bleeding, or have contractions. You're in extreme health, and there have been no problems so far...I don't have to check you." Really? "Why don't we do an ultrasound instead to check your fluids and make sure everything there is okay and right" An ultrasound! YES!!!! I would love to see my baby again! That sounded like the best upgrade/trade ever! So today we saw our baby again, his face, spine, legs and hands. He moved and did a little show for us. It was amazing. Yes there were those tears of joy again. I feel so blessed for a midwife that reminded me that I do have a choice, that this is my pregnancy and I shouldn't give that up. Isn't that how life is...we conform to limits we are told are proper and sound instead of going with our gut, and following instincts that are powerful and true. This was a little silly experience-but the lesson was learned. We truly mold our destiny-grab our own wheel and drive in the direction we feel we need to journey to. Why do we choice to let other people take over so much? Soon I get to hold that baby in my arms! I am growing as much as he is! Wow this earth experience thing is one crazy adventure. I am so excited for what is to come...

Here are some more awesome photos done by the wonderful Amy Welsh~

two and a half weeks LEFT!!!

So how am I feeling? I have to say that if you were to ask me how I was feeling a week or so ago...I would be stating the truth when I told you I was doing wonderfully, happy inside and out. I could not be feeling better. I had no issues to complain of and I was just enjoying the beautiful pregnant body/stage I was in. Then I had two weeks (just ending the second week now) that were so intense, I don't think that I have yet recovered. EVERYTHING came at a head during these two weeks: stake activities, praxis test for level two, conferences, HOA meetings, Hale theatre acting showcases, and orchestra drama/rehearsals just to name a few. "I'm just a girl who can't say no, I'm in a horrible fix!" This was the song that seemed to run though my mind as my own theme music these two weeks. To be honest, it was a lot, but I was helped so much through it all! Nick, other leaders, awesome parents/teachers and the Lord helped me succeed and stay sane. But now I am feeling...less than lovely. My ankles are swelling at night, I got my first stretch marks, baby boy is in my pelvis, he has completely dropped and that gives me leg cramps that hurt worse than...something that hurts so badly it takes your breath away,thanks goodness for my belly belt-I would not make it as a first grade teacher all day without this miracle worker! So I am now counting down. Two and a half more weeks. I just need to get my sub plans in order (easier said then done) and I will be ready with my birthing breathing (yea hypno-birthing) and handsome hubby/dula man to greet this awesome miracle named Nathaniel into our loving family. I am so excited I can't wait...but I will...two and a half more weeks.

So we took some couple shots of the "three" of us. Our dear friend Amy Welsh took these-isn't she amazing!!! We adore them! Enjoy...

36 weeks and 36 inches!

So...I am at 36 weeks today and measuring 36 inches!! Everything is normal and healthy. He's heart beat is 150, he has dropped and is head down. No breech birth for this baby! I felt the pre-labor surges last week, which I could feel my tummy exspanding at the bottom. Yep, he dropped. But no leaking or other surges after that. So I am doing really well. Well besides the brain not firing as it use to...or should! I am tired...but I think this will be the foreshadowing of the many weeks to come after Nathaniel is born. To be honest, I am SO EXCITED!!!! Not for the lack of sleep, but for the birth of this boy...to finally see him! In five weeks I will have conquered the biggest physical challenge of my life, be able to hold Nick and mine own little baby boy in our arms, and breast feeding (still nervous and trying to figure out about that last one)Holy feats of triumphs!

We finished my Hypono-Birthing classes this past week, and Nick and I are ready to go. We have all the items we think we need, or that the list given to us by the all powers that 'know' state we should have, and our baby room looks wonderful! I walk by the room and just stare at it sometimes...

Oh this baby is so loved!! Nick and I hum, sing and talk to him so much now...more so when he kicks me in the ribs, but I really think he responds in other positive ways as well. He is still the mover/dancer boy we have come to know. I am slowing down my exercise a bit, starting this week-as to not start any early labor. Adding more yoga and less Bum/Bum dance. I am eating my veggie diet, but I do find that since Valentine's Day I have been the biggest cheater! I have not craved things randomly but...when I see something...and then smell it...oh then I just want to eat it! Which makes a restaurant a very dangerous place at times -good thing I don't watch TV, or I would be in huge trouble! So I know that I have not written in almost two months-but now I have a goal to share pictures and update each sunday until the birth-day! Here comes the last stretch! Happy days on to the finished line!

Baby Showers!!!

Baby Showers!!! This is an ingenious idea-talk about the ultimate girls night. I love the chance to celebrate this amazing miracle and to celebrate it with such wonderful women! Each woman who came to my shower, has been an example and inspiration to me-and how blessed I now feeling with being able to share this intense transition with them! I have been blessed with several showers, each one in blue hues and with some of the cutest baby clothes and blankets I have ever seen! Blankets!! I never knew that we were blessed to know so many talented and skilled women! It's going to be so neat when we give Nathaniel a blanket and we can tell him who made made it and why they are important to our lives. Plus, those clothes are so darn cute!! My favorite part of the whole event is getting the advise and words of loving wisdom from these motherhood warriors. Food, laughter and stories were a constant through out, which made me feel like I was almost a part of a wonderful ceremony, a right of passage that, with their blessing, officially sent me off on the ship to parenthood. Another favorite part came after the showers. It was watching Nick open the gifts after they were brought home, and having the same "awes", "how cute", "so little" reactions as I gave! He would of fit right in with the rest of us-in a very man-ish way of course. My heart is full of so much gratitude for the wonderful women that hosted and came to these celebrations! I have gone to so many in the past, but to have one myself...I can still hardly believe it. I am so blessed!!