Third Trimester Malarkey

Let's pretend that I haven't been neglecting this blog (along with many other things in my life) for the last month or so. I found myself all of a sudden in the third trimester, and not feeling awesome. Queasiness and fatigue are a really great combo... The last couple of days, however, I have been feeling more like myself again! Yay!

I wanted to see my bump progression, so I made this collage. It is nice to remember that I was not always this large, squished, awkward, and uncomfortable, and that soon, I won't be anymore!

I'm 31 weeks now (or in my 7th month). Everything is looking awesome! I gained a LOT of weight last trimester, but it hasn't been as crazy the last couple of weeks. Last month they found I am/was a little anemic, which helps explain some of my exhaustion. This baby just wants all of my iron so she can be buff. It's fine. That's what supplements are for anyways, right?

New and emerging 3rd trimester symptoms for me include:

• Heartburn - (From water. Seriously.) So bad I want to swallow a glacier
• Leg cramps - What a wake up call!
• Not sleeping - Especially at night, when I really, really want to
• Increasingly strong kicks to the cervix - Yeow! Zing! Hello! 

But, it is really starting to get close and real that this baby girl is gonna come play at our house so soon. Despite all of the uncomfortable and unpleasant things, I am so grateful, and we are so excited!

I feel like all of the things that didn't apply to me in the first two trimesters all of a sudden... DO. I never thought this time would come. Haha It sounds silly, but I'm just all of a sudden THERE. I spend a lot of time researching labor pain management, nursing, recovery... all kinds of baby things. I haven't packed my hospital bag yet, but it's definitely on my mind. I'll just say. It's gettin' real REAL over here.

We got to go down to Colorado last month for a weekend for my baby shower down there! It was a whole bunch of driving (24 hours) for a very short stay. But, it was nice to see everyone and be completely spoiled with baby goods.

One of my favorite parts was getting caught in an intense, fork-gesturing conversation with Malena, and showing her my bare belly. Her reaction: WOAH.

My favorite Grandpa Hays quote of the weekend was, "Sorry, I can't hear you. I'm half deaf in one ear and blind in the other." If anyone asks, I get my sparkling wit from him... And Jane Austen. ;)

And, I like that I have a bump picture with Logan in it too. :) Thanks, Mom. He definitely deserves a lot of credit for putting up with some joys of pregnancy--especially the ones that I don't handle well.

I have gotten my crafty bone back! It skipped Christmas, but now I'm back in the game for Valentines and St. Patricks Day. I really, really love random holidays that tend to be the smaller ones. The Day of Love is no exception. I went a little crazy with [cheap] decorating. Mostly, I used printables from this link. But, I did try some embroidery and make a few little creations of my own.

For St. Pattie's Day, I've actually created my own little printables. I am definitely an amateur, but, I had fun making them. Here's my favorite. Because I love the word Malarkey.

        

I like printables because they are cheap and easy. Throw them in a frame and voila!

I hope I'll be a better blogger. I've had so many blogs come into my mind the last month and I just never got the motivation to write them. Then, I just get stuck doing the boring update ones. :/


Remember to take pictures of your belly button BEFORE you get pregnant, and that milkshakes are an excellent source of calcium. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. ;)

Eggs

This is a Public Service Announcement about eggs and the proper way to eat them (this week).

For the last week or so, I have REALLY been craving eggs. (Of course, they are yellow.) Let me tell you exactly the right way to eat eggs (this week at least). You scramble 2 of them, put them in a tortilla, pour some salsa over the top, roll it up, and consume enthusiastically because it is so dang good!!!!

Any variations of this formula are wrong. 

Of course, I would start craving eggs like crazy right after we move away from our beloved little chickens. Needless to say, we are out of eggs. Actually, we have one left. But it's just not enough to satisfy. 

While I was still waking up this morning, I was whining at Logan that I just really needed eggs and nothing else in the world would satisfy me. He showed me this. 

Well played, Logan. :)

I had buttered rice and fruit for breakfast. (Even though he did offer to go next door and ask to borrow an egg.)

Other Cravings:

• Peaches
• Pizza
• French Fries
• Cookies
• Juice

I'm at 25 weeks this week. Here's a picture last week at 24 weeks. (For those of you who don't speak pregnancy, that means I'm in the 6th month.)

For some reason, I am only capable of remembering to take these pictures late at night when I am tired, sore, and have already slept on my hair at least once. But hey, I'm pregnant, so people usually only have nice, occasionally untrue things to say to me about my appearance. 

She's now 9 inches and just over a pound and a half. She's getting pretty high up and close to my ribs at this point, and I am really feeling it--mainly through heartburn. 

Did you know that water can give you heartburn? It's true. Take a gulp and expect it to be creeping back up your throat for the next hour. 

Baby girl's kicks are getting pretty powerful. I've always wanted to be able to do that cool wavy belly- dance thing. She has definitely helped me achieve that goal... Just not quite as I had pictured. ;)

Pregnancy brain is a REAL thing. I'm forgetting Birthdays, my close friends' majors, and just little daily things. 

Life in the Burg is always exciting. We still know way too much about our neighbors' every move. We still live in our little pod in the land of isolation known as married housing, and we're still happy. :)

Oh, and Logan is still sleep talking/ moving. Last night when I rolled over, he sat up abruptly and started to try to climb up in the air and stab. He told me (while stabbing) he was climbing a tree to get the clan chiefs. Apparently he was protecting me. I'm just glad he didn't decide I was a clan chief. :) That's what we get for listening to so much Wheel of Time. 

Remember to keep Tums close at hand at all times, and remember to smile today. Oh, and most importantly: Remember to eat some eggs. The right way.

Rexburg Married Life 101

Our Colorado Christmas was a blast! We're so grateful that we got to go. And yes, it was a little white too. Baby Searle made quite the haul for not even being born yet. (Plus some big presents from her mom and dad.) She is going to be very loved. I chopped my hair off! It's definitely easier. I'm still learning how to make it look good.

         

We got to talk to this cutie with a Canadian accent. ... She's serving a mission in Mexico.

Right when we got back, we got to work packing. And let me tell you something. We're really good at packing and moving. We have our priorities perfectly in order. For example: We had our popcorn bowl (tall and skinny) but no mixing bowls, our measuring spoons but no measuring cups, and our dishwasher soap but no dish soap or scrub brush.

And we only figured this out because we tried to make pancakes. We had to make pancakes because Logan said that is what little tater was craving.

32 Tablespoons of all purpose baking mix and some wet ingredients later... We realized that we had not only left our normal pancake mix behind, we had left syrup and jam behind as well.

I guess that's what we get for forgetting about Fast Sunday. And for the record, maple frosting isn't half bad on pancakes AND you should never follow the instructions on the box. They don't know how to make pancakes that are actually edible. Or maybe it was the whole tablespoon thing...

Needless to say, we are excited to bring some of the... totally unimportant things that we left behind this weekend. And next time we move, I will be packing the kitchen instead of avoiding it and having Logan do half of it. :)

Here are our sophisticated moving pictures.

        

Moving to the Burg is like moving to a foreign country. There is a whole new culture that you have to learn. For me, that means a rich culture of foibles to write about. Muahaha.

Don't worry. I won't change my blog name to "My Sweet Life as a Stu-Spouse." It just doesn't have the same ring to it. But, it is totally cool that I get a stu-spouse card so I can still play on campus.

We have to get used to traffic and pedestrian-central again. No more country roads with no one on them but the occasional tractor.
Fact: You can tell noobs apart from Rexburg veterans by how they cross the street. Noobs hesitate and wait to make sure you stop. Veterans step out into the road and don't even spare you a glance. Right of way, baby!
Just remember not to J Walk or text in the crosswalk unless you want a $50-$75 ticket. No, that's not a joke. Welcome to the Burg.

We also have to get used to apartment life. Every living space has quirks, right? Well, most of the quirks of this one involve sounds of neighbors and the outside world, which is louder here than what we're used to.
Facts:
Our upstairs neighbors shower every morning at approximately 7 AM. It's a great alarm clock because it suddenly sounds like a pipe burst in our apartment and is flooding the house. Maybe we'll get used to it. ;)

A garbage truck will come and collect the treasures in the dumpster (also very close to our bedroom) at approximately 8:30 AM. EVERYDAY. Seriously. Everyday. Is that necessary?

If the TV is on upstairs or if anyone is talking, we know about it. If they drop something, yeah, we know about that too. It's a little creepy. I feel like stalkerhood has been forced upon us. I wonder what they know about us...

We have to get used to married student wards. When you put a whole bunch of newlyweds in one space, things get a little weird.
Facts:
When you comment or teach in a MSW and want to refer to your spouse, you will and MUST insert complimentary adjectives at all times, and in all things, and in all places. Examples: The other day, my beautiful wife and I were... I was having the worst day ever, and my sweet, loving husband...

In testimonies and talks, you've got to assure everyone that your spouse is the best, most hard-working, most beautiful/handsome, etc. spouse in the world. The answering thought in everyone's mind will automatically be, "Actually, mine is." Because we are all newlyweds. And we all have the best spouse. Duh.

Everyone is constantly touching each other. This is normally ok when it doesn't get awkward. Sacrament PDA ranges from arm around the shoulder to slightly uncomfortable [for everyone else] back rubs, to multiple kisses in short periods of time.

Babies everywhere! I now understand how being in a MSW can make people feel like they need to have a baby. So many people have little tots! It's crazy.


Pregnancy Updates:

I'm in week 23 now, and baby girl is as active as ever! Her favorite things to do are body slam and summersault. I've decided that she's probably going to be a ninja, a gymnast, or a punk rocker. I love that I can feel her moving so often. :)

I have been craving:

• Yellow Food [duh]
• PEANUT BUTTER
• Doughnuts
• Ice Cream
• Burgers and Fries
• Pizza
• Sweets, sweets, sweets!!

I am normally not a sweets kind of person. I live by my salt tooth, not my sweet tooth. But, apparently my daughter loves sweets. Thanks to these cravings and the holiday season, I have put on some actual weight this month, which is good. :)

Pregnancy brain is starting to be a thing with me. I barely stopped myself from apologizing to my food for cooking it too long in the microwave. I can't remember words. I'm spacey. What was I saying? ...

But really. I even forgot to journal the other day. This is actually a big deal. I have journaled everyday for at least 3 or 4 years without missing. But... life goes on. :)

New Year's Resolution:

I've picked 4 classics to read.
Mansfield Park - Austen
Wuthering Heights - Bronte
Undecided Book - Cather
Silas Marner - Elliot

The whole all women authors thing was unintentional, by the way.


Remember:
Waffles > Pancakes
Do a ring check before you flirt.
32 Tablespoons = 1 Cup
If you serve a mission in Mexico, you will have a Canadian accent.

:)

The Truth About Pregnancy and Banana-Strawberry Milkshakes

Yesterday was the 20 week mark! Wooo! We're halfway!

Here's the bump. (And we always end up with like 5 pictures of me blurry while Logan takes as many as he can before I take my phone back, so I had to include one of those.)

This is us last week anxiously awaiting our ultrasound.

I've got an active little GIRL kicking and summersaulting all day long in my belly. We are so excited to have a girl! Although, Logan is a little disappointed that there aren't 2 little ones in there. Next time.

I officially wore maternity clothes for the first time yesterday. And let me tell you. H&M maternity jeans are pretty rockin'. They are more comfortable than my regular jeans and they are 10 times cuter anyways.

I'd highly recommend them for pregnancy and maybe just for those days when you plan to consume large quantities of food. They are thus far approved for the following activities:

• Napping
• Bending over
• Folding laundry on the floor
• Looking fabulous

I know, I know. Too good to be true. And I've been wearing them less than 24 hours. I'll keep you updated on the hidden wonders. Maybe I'll even write a poem.

My cravings have often been sticking to the "yellow food group," but have taken a sweet turn.

Examples:

• Bananas
• Fried bananas
• Banana-strawberry milkshakes (Not to be confused with strawberry-banana. There's apparently a difference. A huge one.)
• Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
• Pasta
• Tatertots/ french fries/ potato chips
• Nachos
• Pizza

My favorite thing about craving milkshakes is that Logan is THE greatest milkshake-maker known to man. Who knew?? They seriously always taste just right. Bonus hidden spouse quality! 

The funniest thing about cravings to me is that seeing or hearing something seemingly unrelated can make me crave random things. 

Example: I saw a green plastic bag last night. I had the sudden urge to eat sour cream and onion chips because [duh] they come in a green bag. 

Logic at its finest if you ask me.

I cry about really important things. Really. 

Like the day I didn't want to go outside because it was too cold. (Won't Rexburg be fun, then?) Or the time that I poked Logan in the belly button and he joked that I don't have a belly button, but that doesn't mean I could take his. Oh, and after watching Pearl Harbor... Oh boy! That was a mess.

Pregnancy is just weird. And that's the truth.

In other news. Amelia and I have been trying to come up with a plot for a good mermaid story... And we're starting to wonder if maybe there is a reason for the lack of decent mermaid literature... Bummer. Mermaids are awesome. 

Mischief Managed.

English Lessons and Updates

My little sister came to stay with us for Thanksgiving. She is constantly explaining to Logan and me things that teenagers say and do. I'm not exactly sure when we became so old and out of touch with hip things. . . But it's happened. I'd like to share our personal favorite:

"Same" or more commonly, "Saaaaammme!"
You say this under the following circumstances: 1)You can relate to something 2) Something is really weird 3) Or just because. . .

. . .

Remember when people used to come up with actual sentences to explain their thoughts and feelings? Ones that were specific to each situation? Yeah, me neither. Same.

Another favorite is "GOALS!" This is when you see something that you want to happen in your life. (Often used sarcastically or even interchangeably with "same.") But either way, it must always be spoken with super enthusiasm. Think soccer. "GOOOOOOOOAALLLLS!"

Thanks for the education, Liz. I guess I shouldn't have spent time studying grammar and English in college after all since the language will consist of one word sentences within a few years. ;)


Happy Week 18 to me and little tater! I will now post all the bump pictures ever. [Kudos to Hannah for teaching Logan and me that trendy saying before her mission.]

Because I believe in posting "real" pictures as well as cute ones, here's one I took when I was feeling pretty queasy, wearing a baggy shirt, and before showering. Isn't pregnancy sooo glamorous?

It is amazing what a shower will do to improve our appearance, isn't it?

      

I know it looks like I'm just arching my back. . . I don't really know how to help that. My posture is truly just that awful. But, I promise it is a real bump, and I promise that the upper half of my belly button has joined the ranks of the smooth flat skin around it. (But I'm not going to post pictures of that. You're welcome.)

Cravings this week:

• MAC N CHEESE
• Fried things--especially tater tots
• Spaghetti and meatballs
• Pizza with green peppers on it 
• Mashed potatoes and gravy for breakfast
• Sherbet ice cream
• Taco Bell
• Soda
• Blueberry muffins
• Anything and EVERYTHING I hear, see, or read about other people eating. (Logan, they're eating french fries...)

I've been craving a lot of sweets, which is really unusual for me. I guess it must be a girl after all! A few days time will tell.

My belly has still been sore off and on from all of the stretching. I am not as nauseous on a daily basis. I am still exhausted a lot. Baby moves around a lot. I eat like a hobbit-- breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses. . . .


We had a lovely Thanksgiving, and a great Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We scored on baby items and other gifts.

Our best and favorite find:

Check out the new ride. I really wish I had taken a video of Logan putting it together and getting really excited about the turn radius (This baby turns on a dime!!) and the fact that he can race it up and down our super long hallway. (Can I do this when the baby's in it?!?)

Believe it or not, Logan picked this travel system out and was the most excited about getting it. I guess dads-to-be have ways of nesting too. AND it helps that it was a super awesome deal. You can't beat $99.

Other Black Friday adventures include: channelling our "inner Kristie" and putting anything we might possibly want in the cart and sorting through them later, buying things for each other on the same card that were surprises so we had to turn around in turns at checkout, and not staying out particularly late or going out especially early, but still finding deals.

Thanks to all for the Birthday wishes yesterday. The baby told me to take it easy by making me queasy, and I had a wonderful day. 24 seems so much older than 23 for some reason. I'm expecting my "Welcome to the Mid-Twenties Club" card in the mail any day now.

I'd like to end with a little video of what I like to call the "covey dance."

Don't be deceived. Putting on coveralls is always an adventure.

Stay joyful and remember why we can.

Grateful to Be at Week 17

Week 17 Updates:

The little babe and I are at 17 weeks today. Here's a picture taken a couple of days ago. According to the pregnancy bible (AKA What to Expect When You're Expecting), the little spud is about 5 inches and 5 oz this week and can now hear my voice.

I really don't know how to take bump pictures. Everything I try feels awkward. So... Soak up the awkward and rejoice if you're one of those lucky souls who doesn't herp de derp often. ;)

My belly has been VERY sore. There is a lot of stretching going on in there. And I still have a long way to go. Yikes! My belly button is already starting to look a little weird and flat.

My clothes are getting uncomfortable. I am currently pulling a flower child move and boycotting bras. (I know, TMI.) But I haven't burned them or anything, don't worry. 

I love my belly band because I can wear my jeans unzipped when I can't wear by trademark [at least these days] yoga pants.

I have been able to feel little nudges from little tater for a little over a week now. They make me so happy even if they don't feel that different from regular tummy gurgles and bubbles. Logan has even been able to feel it from the outside a couple of times the last few days. 

This year we will be celebrating Hanukkah. ... Ok, not really. We will just be celebrating on Hanukkah because that is when we have our ultrasound! Woop! 

Boy or girl? Logan says a boy or twins. I say a girl.

Cravings lately:

• Pie
• Fried things (Fries, chicken tenders, tater tots...)
• Mashed potatoes
• Yellow food (still)
• MAC N CHEESE
• Hawaiian haystacks

In other news...

We are officially going back to BYU-Idaho in January. Logan's got a full class load and we have an apartment. It is bittersweet, but it feels right. We're happy about this decision.

We took a hatchet to Logan's beloved Giant Atlantic Pumpkin. The seeds are huge and fat! We saved some for planting.

Logan hatched.

Lizzie is here with us for Thanksgiving, and we are as "funkhalt" as ever.

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Don't trample or be trampled scoring deals. Remember to wear your eating pants (or invest in a belly band.) And most importantly, remember how many things we have to be grateful for.

Harvest Widow, Checking Out! Baby, Checking in!

So... I have been seriously neglecting my sweet blog. But, in all fairness, I have been doing something much more important.

I have been laying on the couch. A lot.

And if this doesn't sound important, then you probably haven't seen this picture yet.

That's right. I've been sick and exhausted. Growing a baby is hard work!

I'm in my 14th week, and hoping to be less sick and more energized very soon. It seems like just when I think I am starting to feel human again, I have a very sick day... or 3.

But, we are VERY excited about this little tater coming our way. It was planned for, prayed for, and hoped for, and we couldn't be happier.

You know. Except for the times when I feel the need to cry about laundry... and Christmas traditions... and whatever else my hormones choose to pick on that day. Thank goodness for my patient husband.

I am normally ruled by cravings, but I have mostly been craving:

• Mustard (I even put it on fried eggs once)
• MAC N CHEESE!!!
• Other yellow foods (Especially cheesy things)
• Tomatoes (Including nasty V8 juice)
• Other day-to-day cravings (This week's examples: Crispy chicken tenders, green olives, smoothies, Taco Bell, mustard pretzels...)

Anyways. Enough excuses. Let's get down to business on a couple of updates.


Sad news: Dawn died. :( We had him at our house for a couple of days trying to nurse him back to health, but we found him dead in the shop the next day. Oh, it hurts my heart that he died alone. But, it makes me happy that he knew he was loved and purred much on his last day.

I have never loved a cat before, and I will never love one again.

My guard kitty. May you find many reasons to purr in kitty heaven, Dawn. We miss you.

Potato harvest has come and gone...

I started writing about potato harvest, including Wizard of Oz allusions and explanations galore, but I lost steam once I started feeling very sick and never came back to it. These pictures of weird potatoes and harvest shenanigans will have to suffice.

Harvest life at the cellar looks like this:

I bet you never had a potato gun THIS cool.

Look! It's a duck! No... It's a deer? Nope. It's a potato.

One potato to feed them all.

Harvest life in the field looks like this. 

We went to General Conference in Salt Lake! A first for all 3 of us.

Beet harvest has also come and gone, and not a day too soon! We finished right before the rain and cold got really extreme.

Sugar beets are hideous.

And crazy to harvest when the fields are super muddy.

This picture covers 3 stages of beet harvesting. They grow with leafy tops, then they are scalped (the white things), then a digger comes through and gets them and puts them in trucks.

We were very blessed to have a safe harvest. And I feel especially blessed to have Logan home more often. This harvest widow is checking out for the year! :)

Halloween has even come and gone! Logan got to wear his dream costume.

Introducing:

Dumbledora the Explorer and Gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe.

I wish we'd thought to take a closer picture, but here's what we've got.

We went to a Trunk or Treat party with our church, and everyone tried to find nice ways to say they had NO idea what we were. "Your costumes are so creative... I'm wondering if you can explain them to me."

Most people thought they were funny once they got it. Except for our little primary kids. They couldn't even begin to understand Logan's costume. And didn't I know that the shoe on my head was way too small to match the gum??

Hopefully I will be a more consistent blogger.

Stay happy, and remember to tie down your wheel lines for the winter! (If you read my Farming 101 post, you'll understand even if you are "city folk.")