Twenty Weeks!!

These pics blow my mind.

I guess this really is getting real!

10 Weeks!

20 Weeks!

Oh BOY oh BOY!!

That's right! We went to our 16-week ultrasound, and Mr. Coffee Bean was very cooperative for HIS first photo shoot!

Needless to say, we're thrilled! Now I have a valid excuse to blame this all on Luke ;)

We're so happy to finally put a HE to our little baby-to-be.

Another Random Pregnancy Survey

Not sure why, but I've really enjoyed thinking about all these questions. So here's another little survey.

1. What name did you and your spouse call your baby before you knew the gender?

We started out calling the baby “It” which we both disliked, so we changed it to “Coffee Bean” around week 6.

2. When did "Oh-my-gosh-we're-having-a-baby" really sink it?

Probably when we heard the heartbeat for the first time (about 10 weeks). That was pretty incredible. Luke may have freaked out a little bit…but we both agreed it was awesome! I was just excited, because it finally made it feel real.

3. When you think of yourself as a mom, what's the first thing to come to mind?

Holding and snuggling my little baby <3 span="span">

4. Is your nursery complete? What's the theme and what do you have left to complete?

Definitely not. We are trying to convert half of our office into a nursery, and we’re not really going w/ a theme. We’ve got a crib and rocking chair (from when Luke was a baby), just need a dresser and/or changing table, as well as bedding, and some décor. We also have to finish clearing out all the storage and office stuff.

5. List 5 qualities you hope your baby will possess:

Intelligence, a cheery disposition, individuality, determination, fearlessness

6. What's your ideal labor experience?

I want to be able to move around enough to be comfortable, I want the baby to come as quickly and naturally as possible, I want to be able to focus on the experience rather than the discomfort/pain, and most importantly, I want to have a healthy baby and healthy mom!

7. List 5 things that have changed in your relationship with your spouse since you've been pregnant: 

This has been a crazy transition time all around – baby coming, Luke quitting his job and starting grad school, me training a replacement at work while dealing with morning sickness, living on a restricted income.

We’ve both been more stressed out, more overwhelmed, more easily irritable.

He’s frustrated b/c I’m so sick and he can’t do anything about it.

At the same time, he’s also been more caring and compassionate, trying to do everything  he can to help.

I’ve been more frustrated at feeling so miserable and helpless.

He doesn’t like that I don’t want to cuddle anymore (thanks to my internal easy bake oven).

We don’t spend as much time together, since I’m sleeping more, or being sick.

I dunno, that’s way more than 5, but I’d say overall our relationship hasn’t gotten worse – we still love each other, and care about each other, and are trying to take care of each other, and we’re excited for all the changes – things have just been a little strained due to all these factors.

8. List 5 things you think will change once your baby arrives:

Goodbye sleep!

We will no longer have side-by-side computer time (Luke’s desk is moving into the bedroom so he can study and baby can sleep uninterrupted).

I will hopefully not be puking and nauseated all the time!

Pretty sure I’ll actually love being cooped up all winter long, which normally makes me stir-crazy! Nothing like a little baby to make you love wherever you’re at!

I get to start driving the Mustang, the more baby-friendly of our two cars.

9. Where do you think you'll be when you go into labor? Why?

I’m sure I’ll be at home, since I plan on finishing up my time at work around Christmas (around 36 weeks).

10. Have you been talking to your baby? Playing music?

Talking to him/her, yes, usually at night when I’m laying in bed. Luke uses every opportunity he can to play rock music really loud, so baby will develop an appreciation for good tunes.

11. In what ways do you hope your baby is like your spouse?

I hope our baby is smart, determined and inquisitive like my husband.

12. In what ways do you hope your baby is like you?

I hope our baby enjoys good food, is easy-going enough to not take life too seriously, and appreciates the beauty in life.

13. How long will you wait for the next baby, or if this is your last one, why/why not?

Depends on what the rest of my pregnancy is like…if I end up being sick through the whole nine months, it will take a miracle to get me to sign up for this again (or at least a live-in babysitter/cook/housekeeper). Ideally, we would like to have two kids, within 2-4 years of each other. I don’t want to wait too long for number two to come along.

14. What kind of grandparents do you think your baby will have? 

This baby is going to be so lucky! All the grandparents are so excited! This will be the first grandchild for my mom, dad, and step-mom. For Luke’s family, it’s the first local grandbaby (they’ve got two grandbabies who live in the Netherlands). I think everyone is going to be very sweet and loving toward our baby.

15. Who will be with you during labor? Who will visit you in the hospital during your recovery? 

Luke is the only one who I definitely plan on having there with me. I hope my mom can make it, but it all depends on when baby decides to come. I would love to have all my family come visit me once he/she arrives though!

16. How much will you tell your baby (child, teenager) about your past? Why/why not?

I think I want my kids to know their parents, before they were parents. I think both Luke and I did a lot of things that helped us to become the people we are today. We may not be proud of everything we did, but we learned and grew from those experiences. I want my kids to understand that even when they make mistakes, life goes on, they can move forward and make better choices, and most especially, that they are still good people. Obviously the details may be condensed, or withheld until applicable, based on my child’s age and maturity level. I don’t think my kids need to know every little detail of my history. Just enough to understand me and see me as more than just “Mom.”

17. Do you have any hopes for your child's activities (sports, academics, school preference, activities, etc.)?

I hope he/she is able to find something to be passionate about, and pursue it. I don’t care what it is, so long as it make him/her happy. I may be a little partial toward reading and art, while Luke is leaning toward athletics and academics. But I’m sure we’ll be happy no matter what.

18. When will you tell your baby about the birds and the bees?

Oh boy. If our child is anything like Luke, I’m sure it’ll happen when they are relatively young. Haha. Not touching that one until I have to!

19. In what ways do you hope you'll parent like your parents did? In what ways do you hope you aren't like them? 

I want to be a loving, nurturing parent, just like my parents were. I want to provide my child with everything he/she needs, and be a comfort and a cheerleader. I want my kids to see their parents as a united front, a team that works together for the good of the family.

20. Which childhood memory do you hope your child will have (similar to one you fondly remember)? 

Family vacations camping at the beach, the excitement of Christmas eve, delicious food and laughter at family gatherings, doing yard work and then playing in the pool together, and most importantly, lots of hugs, silly traditions, and love.

21. And finally, Be annoying! What "advice" do you want newly pregnant women to know?

Pregnancy is not something to jump into lightly. I can’t imagine someone doing this for the wrong reasons – to save a relationship, to find meaning in their life. Figure out yourself first. Then bring on the baby.

I guess that was more advice to women looking at getting pregnant. But still good advice, IMO.

Ok, try again…advice for newly pregnant women – stay positive! Everyone is going to give you advice about how to deal with pregnancy. Just do what works for you. Focus on taking care of yourself as best you can, and managing your life at the same time. Supposedly it gets better ;) No, really, it does. Especially when you can see that little baby swimming around inside you!! Try to be as happy as you can, despite your physical circumstances. It really does affect you. You can do it! And you’ll have a beautiful baby in your arms at the end.

Pregnancy Q&A

Fun little pregnancy survey that I came across the other day:

Your name?
Stephanie

Baby's fathers name?
Luke

Are you still with him?
Of course ;)

Were you trying to get pregnant?
Yes…first try! We thought it would take a lot longer lol.

When did you find out?
May 10^th 2012

Where did you find out?
In the downstairs bathroom

How far along were you?
About 4 weeks along (LMP)

What was your reaction?
Giddy! I was pretty sure I was pregnant, as I’d been tracking my cycles, and knew I was off. It was very surreal.

Who was the first person you told?
Luke

How did you tell the father?

He was still asleep. I got back in bed w/ him, and woke him up. I told him I cheated and took the test early (even though I had told him I was going to wait a couple more days). He asked me if I passed, and I said “Definitely!”

What was his reaction?
He was pretty shocked and wanted to check the actual test. I showed it to him. Then we just sat in bed talking and trying not to freak out!

When is your due date?
January 12, 2013

Have you had any morning sickness?
Still do (almost 16 weeks along). It’s been pretty intense :(

What are your fears?
Having a healthy baby, having complications. Taking the diabetes test. Labor.

What are you most happy about?
I am so ready to be a mom!

Do you want a boy or girl?
I think I slightly want a boy more, but a girl would be so fun to accessorize (haha!).

What does the father want – boy or girl?
A boy, of course (but he’s also excited either way!).

Do you know what you’re having?
Not yet...we find out next week.

Do you have a name picked out?
We have been tossing around a few, but haven’t made any decisions.

How much weight have you gained?
2 lbs (still not gaining b/c of morning sickness, but the doc says my uterus is growing at a normal rate. She says I’ll probably catch up in the next few weeks. I am however several inches bigger around the belly and hips).

Have you felt the baby move?
I don’t know…maybe? *wishful thinking*

Do you plan on a natural or medicated birth?
My plan is to go as natural as I can, but I’m not ruling out medications if I feel I need them.

Are you scared about labor?
Trying not to be. I’m anxious to start my birthing classes, which I think will help me overcome the fear.

What do you think will be the worst part of labor?
I really don’t want to have a super long delivery. I don’t want them to tell me my baby is too big to come out of my body (grow, hips, grow!).

Who will be in the delivery room?
My DO, my husband, and probably my mom.

Are you having the birth videotaped?
Probably not. I’d be okay with pics though.

Do you think you will cry when you see the baby for the first time?
I’m sure I will :)

What do you think the fathers reaction to the baby will be?
I think he’ll be very calm and collected, making sure everyone is healthy and taken care of. Then I think he’s gonna be in awe (I’m sure we both will!).

How do you think family and friends will feel?

Excited! They’ve waited a long time for this (9 years!). 

Our Little Coffee Bean

By now, you all know the big news! A baby is in our future!!!

As soon as I'm able to end my very intimate relationship with my toilet, I will hopefully be able to keep everyone posted on our happenings here, so stay tuned...

Hi,

It's me.

I'm still around.

Just haven't had anything blogworthy to post lately. Been too busy/tired/stressed/in pain. But overall life is still pretty good. We're getting through it.

Just thought I'd take a sec to share these amazing pictures that don't have much to do with me (other than being the lucky one to take them, so I get bragging rights).

Lynnsay - senior pictures 2011

Isn't she the cutest sister-in-law ever??

Where, oh where, has Stephanie been?

Hi,

I know I haven't been around much lately. Been dealing with some health issues. Feel free to visit my food blog here for an explanation as to what's going on. I will try and post more later.

Love you all!

Stephanie

Hi fam and friends!

So...Not much exciting going on to blog about here. We're both really busy w/ work, and Luke w/ school as well. But we're both mostly happy, healthy and sane. I have a few pics to get up here sometime, when I have time :D

Mt. Timpanogos Hike 2010

Hi all! Life has been so busy, I haven't had much time to keep up the blog. But, we had an amazing hike, and I wanted to share it with you. So, here is our latest trip up to the top of Mt. Timpanogos.

September 26, 2010 - Bring it on! Beautiful sunrise!

It was a perfect day for hiking! Much nicer than the hike we did this time last year! And despite all my fears, the hike wasn't nearly as scary with proper gear and snowless trails (even though there were still a few narrow spots where I felt my heart quicken). My tip for those who are fearful of heights: iPod! Lots of loud, pump-you-up and motivational songs to get you through those steep and skinny parts on the trail.

There were so many people hiking this day (we went on a Saturday, which apparently is the day to hike Timp). Lunch at the top was great! We had the best view in the house ;)

I think next year, I'm going to make something much fancier for lunch. Some guy brought his camp stove and a can of soup. That smelled so good! Dehydrated GF soup? That would rock!

Yep, not so afraid of this rock trail without 2 feet of snow about to throw me off the side of the cliff to my death.

The remains of the glacier.

Emerald pond.

And yet, somehow they managed to find enough snow for skiing down the glacier...go figure.

Yes this guy wanted to get up close and personal. But who could refuse such a cute face!

This was my "Look Ma! No snow!" moment. See last year's post at this exact spot.

I have never seen a rolly-polly fuzzy caterpillar in Utah! We used to keep these as pets when we were kids. They didn't seem to live very long...

Tired faces.
I think I'm in love with this mountain.

I Heart Faces Beach Fun Challenge

You all know how much I love the beach! I always say that Utah would be the perfect place to live, if only we had an ocean....I tell Luke quite often that I don't care where we live when we settle down, as long as there's a beach nearby. That's my only prerequisite...well, the most important one anyway :)

Anyway, over at I Heart Faces, they're having a Beach Fun contest. Of course I've got to join in!

Here's my favorite picture of Luke having fun at the beach! We were visiting the Oregon Coast after flying out for my little bro's graduation, and we happened to be there the weekend of the sand castle competition! Some totally awesome creations there! Great photo op!

Visit I Heart Faces to check out everyone else's beachy pics!!

More pics of our Oregon trip (and more sand castle creations) can be found here.