It's a . . . . . .

Well we're going to make you wait a little. We'll tell you about the appointment. We found out that my doctor doesn't do the second ultrasound until 20 weeks, but I would have to wait until 21 weeks with how my appointments are scheduled. However, since my grandfather has connections in the medical arena here in Provo, he referred me to an office that will do an ultrasound. He works in the Doctor's Plaza by the hospital, well and there is a clinic there, apparently for several other OB/GYN's, but that is the clinic where they do their ultrasounds and lab work. So it is a doctor's office, not mine, but I made an appointment and I could have gone last Friday, but James had class, then on Tuesday the only times available were when James had class. So I made an appointment for the Friday after. And told James not to schedule anything. . . cause I really wanted to be sure about the gender of our baby before we start buying some clothing.

So needless to say it has been quite a countdown, since I've been waiting to go to this appointment. What I think is really neat about it is that they can put the ultrasound on their website. So I have the password to get onto ours so if you'd like to view our ultrasound you can. But, we are really excited to announce that we are having a baby. It is definitely a baby, it has a heart beat, and little hands and feet. Ha ha, thought I'd just drag it out a little bit further. That's what happens when you grow up with my dad and Chris, and now living with James, the tease in me is bound to come out under those conditions.

Actually, it's been really funny, all of my siblings thought it was going to be a girl. Maddie was even sure that it was going to be a girl, and Chris wrote in his email that he really thought it was going to be a girl. But, James and I in the beginning felt like it was a boy. Especially since I've been sick longer that just the first trimester, then we took that hormone test which said it was going to be a boy. We were pretty sure that we were right. Well and even now that we've been told what it is going to be, we're still pretty hesitant because I had a friend who was told it was going to be a girl and they prepared for a girl, but then the delivery surprised them and they had a boy.

But, as we had the ultrasound done, the technician said the baby was sitting breech, and she tried multiple times to get the baby to move around, but the baby just wasn't cooperating. But, as far as she could see, she said she was 90 percent positive that it was a girl . . . so right now we're confused. We have another ultrasound in four weeks, so if the doctor says it's a boy, we'll be completely confused . . and we'll have to just try and buy neutral outfits for the beginning. So for now it's a girl. We're a little hesitant to tell everyone, because the first test was 85 percent accurate it was a boy, and the technician was 90 percent positive that it was a girl. So we probably won't do any clothes shopping until the next ultrasound!

Confusion

Well got the swine flu vaccine, when I heard that it would also be passed on to the baby, I knew that was something I should do. But, the doctor has been tracking my weight. There has been really no difference in the clothes I wear, since they weigh me with clothes and shoes on, but I went in for my first appt at 9 weeks, and my weight was pretty normal. Then when I went in at 13 weeks I had lost 4 pounds. Then when I got the vaccine they weighed me again, still no change. I'm so confused, my stomach is so clearly getting bigger, and there doesn't really seem to be any part that is getting smaller, so why am I not gaining weight. My doctor told me that I'm supposed to be gaining a pound a week starting at 13 weeks, in addition to the 4 pounds that I needed to gain back. So already I'm at 7 pounds that I need to gain by Sunday. But, at the same time they encourage me to eat healthy foods. That's fine, I'm great at that, but the healthy foods aren't helping me put on weight. So should I secretly run to Krispy Kreme and buy a dozen donuts for myself? Everything I read tells me that's probably not a good idea, but the doctor clearly expressed concern that my weight went down and hasn't gone back up. And the healthy foods fill me up quicker, so I don't want to be stuffing myself beyond comfortable levels. And I've been trying to eat lots of starches, but no change in weight. I really am so confused how I haven't gained weight, but my body has clearly gained a bump. Oh yeah, by the way I tried to post the pictures James took, and my camera is retarded, I think I'll have to take the camera to campus with me one day to add the pictures. Anyone have any suggestions for how to put on "healthy" weight?

15 Weeks

Well I suggested that we document the belly progression, James got a little carried away and took more pictures than I wanted, but he wanted close ups, and me not to look at the camera. So needless to say I probably am not going to any of them, maybe later to show the growth. Anyway, I'm still not feeling completely nauseous free, but it has backed off A LOT! In fact, we went to Beto's a few days ago, I'm amazed I lasted through it! For those family members who don't know, Beto's is a pretty authentic (greasy) mexican fast food place. We really like it, but with all of the things I haven't been able to eat, I really am surprised I kept it down.

But, yes, food is getting easier for me to eat. There are still things that sound really gross to me, but for the most part that isn't the majority.

Well we aren't sure of the gender, but we took a hormone detecting test to see whether or not it is a girl or a boy and the results came out saying that it's . . . . . a boy! James is super excited about it. We actually find out in a couple of weeks what the actual gender of the baby is. Just a few short weeks, but we're already getting ready.

We've slowly been collecting bigger items, we went to this store Kid to Kid, and found a great used baby swing, really it looks and feels brand new, and we bought it for 10 dollars, as well as a really good baby carrier for 15. And we just bought a stroller, we figured we'd buy a new one since we want it to last for a while. One of our friends let us know about a company that was giving out free nursing covers as incentives to buy other things, but I just took the free cover, which looks like it will be useful. But, we had a coupon for diapers at Costco for an AMAZING deal, so we went and bought a huge box of those as well as wipes. We may be going a little bit overboard for now, but we're saving money! And finding great deals. That is the part of shopping that I love. For now we're waiting on furniture, we're not going to buy any if we're going to be moving soon after the baby is born, so that's one less thing we have to worry about packing and moving to wherever we head. So that's one big expense we're not worrying about for now. But, it's been kind of fun getting ready for baby! We've bought little things too like blankets, pacifiers, some cute little shoes, some burp cloths, oh and how could I forget, we found a graco jumper at DI and it's in great condition. That was something my siblings all loved, I think we got it with Melissa or so, but Maddie loved jumping in it. There were several times that she would fall asleep in it, but her legs were still bouncing. It was so cute!

We're really excited can't you tell? At least once a day James starts singing, "Erin, you're having a baby . . " it's kind of fun to have him so excited for it as well.

But, really we are so excited, we'll find out in a couple of weeks for sure if it's a boy or a girl, even though we already think we're having a boy. But we'll try and post those ultrasound pictures.

Oh and this is completely off topic, but the most amazing store came to Utah, WinCo!!!!! YAY!!!! It was so funny, they opened one in Salt Lake and one in Midvale, and we went to Midvale, and there was a line to get in, because there weren't enough grocery carts. It was really fun to go, and I think James really likes going because he was excited to drive a half an hour to go to a grocery store. Anyway, it was so exciting to find out that they were coming to Utah, you would have thought that since the people here are so big on getting good deals on their groceries that they would have come sooner. It was fun, but I had to ask when we got to the check out counter if they were going to change the name (you know to add a 'U') but they're not, at least to the cashiers knowledge. Just thought I'd share that bit of exciting news!

Our Family

I know it's been a really long time since we posted anything worthwhile. One that's because James doesn't care too much for blogs, he likes looking at other people's, but won't contribute to ours. Two because we really haven't had much going on in our lives lately other than school and finding jobs. And three, I haven't really blogged for the last while, because I've been throwing up everyday and trying to sleep whenever I can and really I have had NO ENERGY. Because (da da DA) we're going to be having a baby. We're twelve weeks along, and I'm just starting to get to the point where I feel like I can do things. I must've gotten the bad morning sickness genes, 'cause James thought I was dying the first few weeks. It was quite humorous actually because as soon as we hit six weeks, I was throwing up everyday which got worse to not being able to keep anything down at all. So I figured out that if I take long naps in the middle of the day, I don't feel sick for a little while. I feel kind of pathetic, because I really haven't done anything. I tried in the beginning, I tried to go grocery shopping, but every time I would happen to look at a food item and that was it- HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE BATHROOM! It's been sad, because smelling foods can send me over the edge as well. And while I can't really eat a lot of things, I feel bad for James because he is limited in what he can make in the house. For instance, the other night, he was making a basic pasta dish, and put onions in it, well right when the smell hit the bedroom- had to head for the bathroom and the rest of the night I held a candle right in front of my nose, and I actually had to fall asleep like that. I really felt bad because he hasn't really gotten to eat normal food since I've been sick. And when he does, usually that makes me throw up, which in turn makes him feel really bad. But, really James has been such a great supportive husband- since I've had no energy- we think it's been the lack of food that I'm consuming- he's been doing all of the laundry, the dishes, and most of the cleaning. Other than the toilets which I have cleaned quite a bit lately :)

We've already been to the doctor and he did an ultrasound and the baby is measuring a few days small, but said that's pretty normal. We actually have another appointment coming up in a few days, so we'll see if that has changed any. We're really excited and lucky because the baby's due date is April 20th. Which is the second to last day of finals. The doctor said to take my mother's example as my guide. Well, I was her first and I was 10 days late, but I think the earliest person, was 6 days late. So we're thinking around April 26th, so we're hoping we'll completely avoid finals week altogether.

It will be a little hectic, because assuming James gets a job, we'll probably be moving pretty soon after finals end, but obviously not before the baby is born. My parents are really excited while this baby will make them grandparents, and my siblings are all really excited. Even Chris, is excited to be an uncle.

So far things are going well, we're hoping that this morning sickness will completely clear up in the next few weeks. So I can start eating meals rather than just snacking, and so James can eat whatever he wants too. Our grocery shopping bill has been cut down though, because when we go, I purely choose foods that sound good at that moment . . . which doesn't include very many things.

It's been awhile

It's been awhile, I know. And this isn't going to be a very exciting blog, I'm just tired of the honor code rebellion. Do you want to hear about it? Well you're going to anyway. It's been really annoying, almost once a day, I see (usually a girl) walking around on campus without shoes. I heard one of them saying that it was a stupid BYU Honor Code rule. Come on, people? Really, can you not see the purpose of that rule? I almost want the BYU police to go up to one of these girls and say, okay you don't have to wear shoes, but you can't wear shoes when it starts snowing. I really don't see anything positive that can come out of not wearing your shoes. BYU is not a beach, there is only one place where there is a swimming pool, but I think of how many times my feet get stepped on while walking to class. I mean really, and then after it rains and there are worms all over campus? It may seem like a silly rule to have to spell out, but stores have it. No Shoes . . . No Service! I can see more reasons to wear shoes on campus rather than to a store, so why not rebel against stores?

Another thing that James and I have been noticing a lot, is that there are SO many girls on campus wearing short skirts or dresses. What is up with this? Are teachers telling these girls their dress is inappropriate? They should be, there is a girl in one of my classes who when she sat down I couldn't believe how short her dress was. This really isn't the beach! When you come to BYU you are among the lucky few . . . but you have to agree to the honor code. It's also become quite obvious in our ward, that married women aren't wearing appropriate clothing either. Either that, or they were never taught how to bend over or reach for something without flashing everyone. It's been hard to watch, because as the world's fashions get shorter and shorter it seems like so are the standards of the members of the Church.

Why is there such disregard for the honor code? Really does it hurt you? No, it's like when you are a child and you rebel against your parents rules, didn't we all realize that our parents really did know best, they were trying to protect us? I guess not, because now we're rebelling against BYU. I think it's really kind of sad.

Camping, Reunions, and Reading!

This isn't a super exciting post, because I don't have any pictures right now, my camera battery is charging so I can't upload anything right now, but I thought since I have the time I should write about our weekend. It started out not really being that eventful at all, but that changed. On Friday, James and I decided we were going to go camping, so we drove up Hobblecreek Canyon and spent the night, coming back to my roommate Rachael being here setting up her classroom for the next year. It was fun to spend time with her, because all of our friends and family have left for the summer. Then it quickly came to my attention that the Bateman's were having a family reunion, with all of my grandpa's cousins. So we drove up to Draper for that, and there weren't a ton of people there that I knew, but it was still fun to see my Grandma and Grandpa and some of my cousins. And as far as reading goes . . . . I have been reading the seventh Harry Potter book to James, and today we finished it. It didn't take very long, I think it took just a little over a week. But, reading aloud for that many pages at once starts to take a toll on your throat. But, we're done! I think James liked it, I was glad to have him now know the ending to the series. He liked it, but he had no plans to read it himself, so I had to lend a hand so James could share in my Harry Potter knowledge and excitement.

Anyway, that's all . . . nothing too big, but still fun stuff!

Tired of length . . .

Have you ever watched "What Not to Wear" and laughed at some of the subjects when Nick Arrojo comes and girls start crying or simply refuse to cut their hair. I find that one of the most amusing parts of the show. Why are people so afraid to cut their hair?

I think I may be crazy. But, I have always wanted to donate my hair, that's why I keep growing it out so long. But, then I hit the point where when individual hairs fall out, I can feel them on the back of my arms . . . . and I can't STAND IT! That's about the point where I can't keep growing it. And I go into a hairdresser impulsively to get it cut right then and there. This time it really was impulsive, I was going grocery shopping to Buy Low, but I passed Fantastic Sam's and I decided to turn around. I went and cut my hair on my way to go grocery shopping. I realize that there are a lot of people who get scared to cut their hair, I think I feel quite differently, I get anxious to cut my hair. And once the idea is in my mind I can't get it out until I actually get my hair cut, and it seems to solve the problem.

My only stipulation for my hair cuts is that I can still put it in a ponytail, I don't care if I have to use bobby pins or clips, just as long as I can have something to do with it on a bad hair day. This time I cut off six inches. I always think about just trimming it, but that doesn't really seem to solve the problem. So I always end up with something like this . . .

Maybe one day, I'll be able to cut my hair. . . I'm starting to think that's just wishful thinking.