June 2012 Update

Wow it has been waaaayyyyyy too long since we last posted. I'll find some pics and do an update now. Yes.

Joshua starting walking on his birthday, after months of teasing us. And he started to say a few words:
tside-outside
Go-obviously he loves to go outside
kwuurel-squirrel
doggy/oof oof
ka ka-bird
duck/kak kak
ca-car
toa-toast/bread
daddy
mama
As of this week he has an ADORABLE new sound. I'll try to get a video of it before it goes away. It kind of sounds like "tickle tickle" with a clicky 'g' sound for the 'k'.

Making a mother's day painting for grandmas

Our first back carry-we both love it

watching the kids outside on the playground

First deviled egg on Easter-YUM

Practice walking with Grandpa S

Trying in mama's sunhat

Grandpa Randy's b-day party

Goats down the street from E's parents

We went camping for Grandma O's b-day

Playing at the park down the street

Playing at our playground-lots of kids here

Playing at 1st b-day party with cousin McCaleb

He loves:
dogs & cats
strollers (for pushing around, not riding in)
books
toast
fish crackers
ducks
string cheese
daddy
peekaboo
sneezing
grandma & grandpa's house
babies smaller than himself (especially ones in carseats that he can rock and play peekaboo with)
music/noise and dancing
'playing' piano, real and on my phone
calling daddy at work
drinking water through a straw
Cheetos
sleeping
his bear blankie from Aunt Barbara (I bought a yard of matching minky fabric to make a few more so we'd never be without 'it'. One for the car, one for grandmas...)
pushing stuff around
closing things
pulling things out
his beanbags made by my friend Kristi
sharing his food with us
sno-cones

A friend and I started a "natural" mommy group with playgroups and mama classes each month and its been crazy successful. Glad there are other mamas out there looking for a group and we could get together to discuss natural parenting (babywearing, cloth diapers, breastfeeding, preventative health, natural birth, homeschool etc).  The craft group I started last year has been less-than-stellar, but it has allowed me to get a few more projects done than I would've otherwise (next month is I-Spy bags). I tried to start a 'dinner swap' group in my complex but nobody joined up :-( Anybody close that would like to join me in any of these adventures feel free! We (I) would love to have you!

I'm learning . . .

• to sleep on my back if I want a morning nap.

• to sleep when baby sleeps.

• to sit up straight when holding/cuddling/nursing/rocking/wearing babe so I don't get a sore back. 

• to enjoy afternoon/evening walks with E and baby.

• that being a momma brings up a whole slew of  issues that you thought were long since dead and grown out of.

• that the Little Man is in charge.

• that in order to produce nutrient-rich milk I need to eat and drink nourishing things.

• to check the diaper when he's fussy.

• that I. was. made. for. this. Bring it on.

• to respect and look forward to doctor visits (even the painful ones).

• how kind and willing to help people are during this time. 
• to plan something to do everyday. (Today it's to adapt a cookie-bar recipe to a drop-cookie recipe.)
• to let go of checking blogs, facebook, and email everyday.
• to hand baby/laundry/dinner over to E when I need a break.
• that while my labor was not perfect, it was beautiful, blessed, and an experience to build on. (interesting article on this subject here)
• how to tell my birth story without glazing over unpleasantness, freaking people out, nor bragging about doing most of my laboring at home without medication.
• the realities of cloth diapering and what really works for us.
• that  while I'm quite old to be a first time Mormon mommy, there are plenty of advantages in Joshua coming at this time for us.

What I'm still at odds with...

• Doing everything one-handed.
• Fixing myself lunch.
• Letting others hold baby.
• Getting a shower and myself ready daily.
• How to get cute pics worthy of his cuteness.
• Encouraging E to go to work rather than squander the whole day at home with us.

Any suggestions?

Ah, Hong Kong.

 So, I used to collect quotes. I ran across these in an old folder and wanted to preserve them here before tossing them. What beautiful memories. God be praised for His mercy and plan in sending me to China.

If you are ever called upon to chasten a person, never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up. ~Brigham young

Yang Kekurangan dijadikan Cukup melalui Korban Tebusan Yesus Kristus.
Translation: That which is found lacking is made enough through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

View all things through the lenses of Eternity. ~James E. Faust

Our standards are not socially negotiable. ~Jeffery R. Holland

If you looked so much like the world, how would they find you? ~Neal A. Maxwell

To live and move among men, requires the heart to break . . . or harden. ~Maclane Strong

Living an inspirational life is more important than saying inspirational things ~Maclane Strong (oh the irony...)

Thick skin, soft heart. ~Maclane Strong

When the Lord commands, do it. ~Joseph Smith

If you love the Truth, you will remember it. ~Brigham Young

The devil thinks Mormonism died in Joseph. But the Gospel is in God, who never changes. ~Kyle Johnson

We will never be alone so long as we know how to pray. ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

When you save a girl, you save generations. ~Gordon B. Hinkley

They will love you , not because of who you are, but because of what you bring them. ~President Ong

I hope that things continue to remind you of the presence of your God and your calling to serve Him and His Son. Stay humble, and remember Whose time this is. ~Jake Weirman

I hope that you feel like you're a successful missionary, because you are.~Summer Hoogendorn

Footprints are not made by the leader that said, 'Go thither', but by the Leader that said, 'Come Follow Me'.


Even if the Gospel changes our lives, what good is it if it doesn't change us? ~Jessica Waters

It is the enemy who can truly teach us to practice the virtues of compassion and tolerance. ~Dalai Lama

Fear not. Consider the chickens. ~Kit Burton

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. ~Chinese Proverb

They won’t remember what you said or did, but how you made them feel. ~Margaret Gnadt

The church in Aberdeen is far from the fish so it doesn’t smell bad. In fact, it’s a very nice church. ~Laura Bailey

Where is a Chinese person? ~Elder Matsamuri

I don’t try my best, I DO my best. ~Sister Ladesma

I was never given the chance to change until I met the missionaries and they taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ~A Chinese convert

I have a remedy so you don’t have to move…we’ll drag down the sun! ~Sister Bautista

Repenting: When you stop seeking some things, and start seeking others. ~Hugh Nibley

Are you satisfied with your wound? He he, you’re laughing. He he. ~Chinese Doctor

By being fearless we see people’s lives change. ~Elder Hudson

What good is Eternity if a person can’t use a ½ hour? ~Elder Erickson

Consecration means that I'll give you my best hammer for your best loaf of bread. ~Maclane Strong

 Actually, the spirit calls me Ted. ~President Ong

I love the Chinese people because under their minds, they have a heart that is soft. ~Elder Julian

I’m glad my companion listened more to the spirit than to the conversation. ~Jake Wierman

Other than the Gospel is gossip. ~Sis Arandia

To share the Gospel in difficult circumstances means to treasure it even more. ~Richard G. Scott

So, is this sweater missionary appropriate?~Pres. Ong

Everything Christ does is an invitation. ~Elder Segars

Your faith must make up for their lack of faith. ~Tyler Whitlock

Your best becomes better everyday. ~Elder Strong

It is better to ruffle a few feathers than to deprive a friend of the knowledge and eternal life of the Gospel. ~Joseph Smith

Our responsibility is to help people have a spiritual experience. ~Satish Tewari

God only uses tools that are organized. ~Elder Hudson

My honor is intact because I have been striving for His. ~Elder Barson

Here is my Facebook Mission album if you'd like to see.

Baby

. . . and it shall remain "baby" until at very least I am holding him/her in my arms and we find out what his/her name will be.
It's been a while since I posted an update on my pregnancy. Well, this arrived today.

I really like it. It's big. Holds a newborn up to 100 lbs, so hopefully this will be the only seat we have to buy. Speaking of buying, I scored this baby for $100 off, making it essentially the same price as an infant-only seat from Walmart. And it is n-i-c-e. I wouldn't mind a washable cover with velvety black fabric and tons of positions through pillows and recline. Especially now as baby is waking me through the night to let me know that my body is no longer as comfortable as a La-Z-Boy...
We also have a (borrowed) bassinet set up in the baby room to move to our room when we bring baby home.

 

Also, my cousin gave us a beautiful crib to use as well, but we won't set that up until needed.

The plan now is to sew a few more things to get ready to little ELM's arrival and paint a wall in baby's room. But mostly continue to get mentally/physically/spiritually ready for labor. I'm so looking forward to it. My mind just meets up with a brick wall to imagine what actually comes after baby actually comes out.

1. Are we still excited? Yes! Like I said, from the reading and preparation I've done so far, I am dreaming of labor and how beautiful it's process will be.I'm excited to the experience to bring E and I closer, and to watch a miracle happen.
2. How do I feel? Still puking. But not as much anymore, since I learned to improve my diet in relation to what nutrients I need in what quantities, and also drinking LOTS of water. Well lots to me, and I haven't had any swelling/water retention at all! My stress level has definitely decreased since making the decision to switch care providers. Again, thanks to my sweet chiropractor to referring me to our current one.
   
3. When am I due? Like I said in the beginning, the doc kept changing her mind. From the first ultrasound (the most accurate) it'll be the first week of May. Please don't ask. I am not being induced unless I am VERY late. And I expect to go at least a week 'late' letting my body and baby get ready on their own.
   
4. What are my thoughts about delivery? Things have worked out themselves very well in this respect. We will be delivering with a midwife in a birthing center close to our home. It is such a calm, private place with a very competent midwife to assist us. That's the most  beautiful part, that this decision has been E and I's. We will be doing the laboring together.
   
5. Is it a Boy or Girl? Still a surprise! Only the ultrasound tech saw, and I doubt she remembers. Well, her and all of heaven. We've narrowed our name list down to about a dozen per gender. I expect we'll whittle it down by half still, then wait to meet the little one.
   
6. Total weight gain/loss? I'm officially back up to pre-pregnancy weight and still have several pounds to go over the next 2 months. E took this pic of my progression on the wii.

 

 After battling with my weight the last few years, it's quite surreal to be told to increase my caloric intake and gain 15 more pounds! It's been a gift of this pregnancy to finally see myself as beautiful. To not see food as an enemy, or as medication. But as something nourishing for babe, and for me, and that junk food is really trash, not what God gave us to maintain His creation.

That's it! 2 months and our lives change. It's like the death of the shuttle program, only opposite. The birth of something new and eternal.

Love Day Tunes

I'm sorry for the messy layout of this blog lately, one day I'll get to it.
For now, I finally got rid of the Christmas songs on the player and added some of my favorite love songs cuz I love my crazy, wonderful man. XOXOXOXO

Christmas Family Photos

You may have noticed my teensy-tiny little bump sticking out of my overalls in those Orlando pics. However, these are, at 5 months, taken over Christmas,  the official 1st belly shots for your perusal and my posterity. 

The whole family includes my Mom & Dad, brother Ryan, his wife Cheri, and children T.J., Andrew, Ashley, Mark, & Jacob. I got to live with these guys for a while when I was fresh out of H.S. and really love them. Then my sister Aimee, and husband Paul. The couple to the far left is us. If you were confused.

Favorite Pics from Florida

(They don't let you stop to take pictures near this sign, so I had to take it through the front window of the van...)

Here's a quick visual review of our trip to Orlando:

Day 1 - Epcot

Day 2 - Recover from Epcot (i.e. Lie in bed all day = no pictures)

Day 3 - Seaworld

Day 4 - Animal Kingdom

Day 5 - Kennedy Space Center

Day 6 - Magic Kingdom