30 weeks

I am now 30 weeks and in the last trimester of pregnancy. We decided to name our baby girl Capri, still deciding on the middle name. Capri is getting so active, I think she might be more like Corbin than not. Your about 3-4 pounds now and have about 9 more weeks of growing before you get to meet us. Our family is busy right now buying a house in Logan to bring you home to and we will hopefully be moving in about two weeks from now. I had a dream last night that you were born and you were so darling! I can't wait to meet you. Corbin likes to give you kisses (and zurberts) and puts his hand on my belly to feel you kick. I don't know that he really understands that you are a baby in there but he understands as much as a one year old can. I have been busy sewing you a quilt and making things for/designing your nursery. I love you and can't wait for you to join our little family.

Baby Girl!

Today was my ultrasound, I was so nervous and excited. I have had dreams that you are both a boy and a girl and really had no idea. We are excited to announce that you are a GIRL! Corbin is getting a little sister in August and we couldn't be happier. Everything looked perfect at the ultrasound and right on track. When the ultrasonographer got to the part where she would reveal the gender she asked Houston to look and see what he thought, he knew right off you are a girl. After the ultrasound we went to Babys-R-Us and picked out some new girl clothes to celebrate. I called and told my family and they are so excited. Houston is waiting until Sunday, when his family is getting together to bless Anna to tell them in person...Emily is not happy about it. I can't believe we will be trading trucks and motorcycles for baby dolls and bows, but I am really happy to have one little boy and a little girl on the way.

First Kicks

I felt you kick for the first time today. It seemed very early, I am only 13 weeks. I knew if I continued to feel it, it was my baby though! I love this part of pregnancy, and although I am still sick feeling my baby makes it all feel worth it!

Corbin Lately

Here is what Corbin has been up to lately:

He runs everywhere he goes!
He can do frog jumps, summersaults, walk backwards, spin around, do quick feet, tell everyone how old he is, and that his life is "so hard" (by dragging his hands from his forehead to his chin).
He has six teeth and another on the way.
He got his first haircut this past month.
He can say Mom, Dad, pop, duck (which is stuck), ball, bath, and bike.
He can make the sounds for a motorcycle, train, car, kitty, dog, bird, cow, horse, snake, and click his hands like a crab.
He loves to read, eat popsicles, be chased, watch videos of Elmo, and mostly go outside.
He is also learning to count and will point to each thing on the page while I say the numbers.

Corbin is such a fun and happy little boy. I love everyday that I am with him (which is almost everyday).

Here is a picture of something he thinks is super funny, he puts the rings on his feet and walks around with short little steps.

We announced our pregnancy to the world this week. Our families have known since early on because I was so sick and needed the help. Corbin helped us announce it each time so we thought he should make this announcement as well. We taught him to either point to the baby or give the baby a kiss. He did well until he actually had to do it in front of people, then he always got distracted and we had to help him out. I am finally 12 weeks and not sick anymore. I am due August 31st and we have seen your cute little body in two different ultrasounds and heard your heartbeat once. It is the most amazing sound in the world to me and I will always remember hearing it for the first time.

Baby #2!

I found out a HUGE surprise today. I'm pregnant with another baby! Houston and I were wanting another baby, but were planning on it taking a lot longer to get pregnant. We have always wanted our kids about two years apart and love being parents. This past fall session of conference we weren't really thinking about getting pregnant again until a specific talk. "Children", by Neil L. Anderson. The talk was about how the timing of children is up to each couple but recommends putting children first, before work and education, and Heavenly Father will bless us. I got one of the clearest spiritual promptings I have ever received and was told we should have another baby. Corbin was just over a year old when we heard this talk, but after talking with Houston we decided to trust Heavenly Father. The next few months I prayed to Heavenly Father and told him that we were ready. It took a long time and was difficult to get pregnant with Corbin and we thought it would be the same the second time around.

This morning I woke up and I couldn't believe how tired I was. I thought, "I haven't felt this tired since I was pregnant". Then I remembered the night before getting sick and being disgusted by the chicken we had for dinner. "I'm just going to see if I'm pregnant so I can stop thinking about it", I thought to myself. I went and took the pregnancy test and was so surprised to see that I really was pregnant!

I wasn't prepared at all with a cute way of telling Houston, but I couldn't keep in the good news. I gave Corbin a little jewelry box and put the test inside and told him to go give it to Daddy. He walked down the hall, shaking the box. I said that Corbin had a present for Dad, and Houston said he thought, "Oh maybe it's something she forgot to give me for Christmas". He opened up the box, smiled and said "REALLY?" I told him, "Yep, we are pregnant!". We were both so surprised and so happy to have a new little person joining our family. We can't wait to meet you and hopefully see you in an ultrasound in a few weeks!

Corbin's Birthday!

You are one year old today! It has been the best year of my life! Your the best thing in the world and I love so much. We had a birthday party for you at Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen's house. You got shake and go cars, tons of books about cars, stacking toys, a puzzle, a motorcycle you can ride, and your Grandpa Jorgensen made you a custom guitar! You got your own personal cake to dive into and you started it off with little tiny pincher fingers holding bits of frosting. A few updates on what you have been doing lately: You run everywhere you go. You love cars, motorcycles, and anything else with an engine. Your favorite thing to do is go outside and look at motorcycles in the parking lot and you know where all of them are. You love to read books about the anything with an engine. Your first word was a few weeks ago: Mom :) You give everyone hugs and we ask for them constantly. You eat just about everything but like mandarin oranges, ice cream, popsicles, and grapes best.

10 Wonderful Months!

You are ten months old crazy pants! You are getting more steady in your walking and giggling about everything. You love the dishwasher and guitars more than you can stand it. Your dad is almost done with recruit camp for SLC and I am starting my Master's degree this week. I'm sorry that I sit at my computer more than usual, but it is so much better than leaving you!

I received my Patriarchal blessing this week and someday I will tell you all the wonderful things Heavenly Father has to say about you. You are such a blessing to me and I feel so fortunate every morning getting your cute smiling face out of the crib. I can't imagine my life without you and love you more than life.

My Baby is Walking!

I can't believe your big enough to walk already! You are the cutest little boy ever and so proud of yourself. Last week you took your first steps and today you are walking between your dad and I. You still fall down a lot but you just get so excited. No words yet, just blah bah blah bah bah. You have four teeth now, two on the bottom and two on top, all in the front. You eat just about everything now but prefer grapes and graham crackers to anything else. This week you also learned how to fall asleep on your own, which led to sleeping through the night! It's been a great 9 1/2 months, but I will say that I enjoy sleeping all night. You love swimming in your pool on the deck, watching classical baby on youtube, reading books, and can't wait until your dad gets home every night. I love being home with you all day and am so glad you are my little boy.

Full Time MOM!

Yesterday was my last day of work. I am so excited to be a full-time mom for a while. I love being at home with my baby and can't believe how fast you are growing up. Some of your milestones lately are: Crawling at 6 months, standing up at around 7 months, and you are getting your first tooth at 7.5 months. You are also getting into drawers and the pantry, your favorite thing to do is pull out all the boxes of macaroni and cheese. You still love your bath's and love to go swimming. You have such a cute and happy personality and you love to show off.

Mothers Day

It's my first official mother's day as a mother and I just want to write you a note to say thank you. Thank you for making me a mom and for being the best gift I could ever be given. I love you more than I could have ever imagined loving someone and you bring so much joy to our family. I love waking up to your cute smiles and kissing you on your baby cheeks while your sleeping. I love all your noises and your personality. I remember telling Houston a few months ago that not only am I totally in love with my sweet boy, but I also really like the little person that you are. I miss you so much when I am at work and your always in my thoughts. I don't think I could be any happier unless I got to spend even more time with you. I love being your mom and am so glad you chose to come to me. I love you Corbin!

Love,

Your mom :)

Six Months!

I can't believe your already six months old! I have been busy going back to work and applying for grad school the last three months so we have a lot to catch up on. You can now roll over, sit by yourself, scoot (not quite crawl, you haven't moved your arms yet), giggle, and run with us holding your hands. We started you on real food about two weeks ago and you LOVE it! Your favorite is sweet potatoes and oatmeal so far.

3 Months Old

Corbin is three months old and is such a cutie! Here's a video of him giggling and a few cute pics from the day.

Blessing Day

“Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood we take this baby in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. The name in which we give him is Corbin Brandt Sim. Corbin at this time we give you a blessing that you may be healthy, and kind and loving, especially to your family. And that you will follow the guidance of your parents, especially your mother, and that you may know the things that will bring true happiness and joy to your life. That you will know that the gospel is one of those things. We bless you with joy in your life and to know that your parents love you so much and that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you too. We say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.”

Corbin's First Christmas!

Corbin's first Christmas was a great day. Corbin and I drove up to Logan a week before Christmas to spend time with the family. Houston had to work until Christmas morning and he drove up and made the day extra special to see him after being gone for a week. Corbin got tons of books, some church outfits, a horse from his Grandpa, a jumper from his parents, and a new duck towel from his other Grandparents. Lynn and Terry also bought him a mother goose book and my mom bought him the book guess how much I love you (and also started him a college fund!). He loves his horse and his jumper and is smiling like crazy this week. Some other things that we want to remember about Corbin at 10 weeks are: He loves to have his diaper changed...and hates it if it is even a little messy or wet, he loves his bath more than anything all day, he hates tummy time, he rubs his eyes when he's tired and he likes to burrow down into the crook of your arm and bury his face to go to sleep.

Thanksgiving

Corbin had his first Thanksgiving this week. We spent the week in Logan with my family while Houston had to go back and forth working for Lehi Fire Department. Corbin gave us his first few real smiles this week and rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time. He is holding his head up all by himself and is being spoiled rotten by his Grandma and Aunts.

Corbin found out this week that he is getting a cousin in June! Congratulations Dani and Dave.

One Month Old :)

Corbin was born one month ago and I can't believe how fast it has gone. He is such a good baby, only crying when he is hungry, needs a diaper change, or wants to be picked up. He is happy 90% of the day and is so cute. He has been doing his 'trick' for a few weeks now which is that when he is on his belly he lifts his head up and turns it the other way. He is starting to look us in the eye and make baby sounds this week. He can also hold his head up pretty well when being held. We are all up in Logan again for Corbins first Thanksgiving and loving the time with family.

First Trip to Logan

We all went to Logan this weekend to visit the fam! Corbin was great all the way there and home. We saw Jen, Levi, Emily, Ken, Eli, and Noah over the weekend, and then visited both Great Grandma Pollard and Great Grandma and Grandpa Sim on the way home. We also picked up Grandma Sim (Terry) on the way home and she is going to spend the week with us. The week before my mom came and stayed, it has been so great having help with little Corbin.

Labor and Delivery

I was just feeling like this baby was never going to come! I spent hours walking around UVU and on the treadmill with Houston and nothing was happening. On 10/20/10 I woke up contracting every 3-5 minutes at about 5 in the morning. They were getting worse and worse and I thought I was going to have him on the 20th, which was the day Houston had wanted him to be born. At around 9 I had to go to work and by the time I got there they had totally stopped. I spent the day at work trying to get them going again and had occasional contractions but they were all in my back. I was 2 cm dilated at this point and thought it would probably be at least another week.

I ate lunch and a little while later I wasn't feeling very good. I started to get really nauseated and eventually went in the bathroom and threw up. I was so sick and exhausted by the time 8 o'clock came that night that I could barely make it home. I went straight to bed and slept until about midnight. Houston came home from work at 1 o'clock am and I was still sick and throwing up. He got into bed and I complained to him for a few minutes before we had both settled in to go to sleep.

A little after 1 I had one really bad contraction, felt a pop, and was suddenly swimming in a bed of water. I told Houston "I think my water just broke, quick get me a towel!". I got up and went into the bathroom trying to contain the flood when the contractions hit, and hard. I was in instant labor contracting every 3 minutes. I knew that I was only 2 cm and that I was a first time mom, things were going to take a little while. I decided that I had time to wash my hair and put on some makeup.

I was bent over the tub contracting and I had Houston running around the house finding everything we needed for the hospital. Every time I started a contraction Houston would run in and give counter pressure on my back. It was pretty chaotic for about 45 minutes and the pain was getting out of control. I had no warning and didn't think I would be in instant labor. We got in the car and drove to the hospital in Provo, I had Houston call ahead and tell them we were on our way. We also called my family at about 2 in the morning and said to start driving because we were having the baby today!






By the time we got to the hospital I felt like I couldn't take anymore. Myrinda Barnes was my first nurse and she quickly started my IV and called Dr. Steffenson in to do the epidural. Water was still flowing everywhere and I was still only 2 cm. I was soon extremely numb, which was just what I wanted. I called my mom and told her that they had plenty of time and I was only at a 2. Dani got to the hospital at around 4 am and I told her the story so far. The rest of the family was soon behind her and everyone was very excited. We all guessed what time he would come, how much he would weigh, and how long he would be.





At 6 o'clock the nurses changed shifts and Brittany Duckett was our new nurse. She checked me and I was 4-5 cm and starting to thin more, I was relieved that I wasn't going to have to be induced. My temperature started to go up and so did Corbin's heart beat. He had a baseline heart rate of 180 bpm and sometimes would accelerate to 210! Brittany put internal monitors in to better monitor the baby and I started to change really fast. I was soon 8-9 cm and his little head was getting really low. I was still blissfully unaware that my body was going through anything...besides having a little nausea. By 7 o'clock I was completely dilated and throwing up, which didn't make my nurse happy because the head was so low. We were all just sitting around waiting for Dr. Thorpe to arrive so I could start pushing. Brittany turned off my epidural for me so that I would be able to push and wouldn't be so numb for the delivery.

At 7:40 Dr. Thorpe arrived and I started pushing at 7:45. I pushed through five contractions which was 15 minutes and baby Corbin was here! I was amazed at how easy and fast everything went and couldn't believe that I had just had a baby.








Terah Schiess was the Corbin's nurse and Houston helped clean him off and give him a little oxygen. He had a tight nuccal cord which means that the cord was wrapped around his neck, but he did really well once he was born.

The girls were so excited and my mom was spreading the news to my dad and Joey.



Overall I could not have asked for a better delivery or a cuter baby.

Corbin's BIRTHDAY!

Corbin Brandt Sim was born 10/21/2010 at 8:00 am. He was 6 lbs 8 oz and 18.5" long.

Corbin's Nursery

Here are some pictures of the nursery for baby Corbin. We bought the crib and bedding but Houston made the changing table, I am super impressed and can't wait for the little guy to get here! The rocking chair was a gift from my family and fits perfectly.

37 Weeks!

I am officially term today on Joey's birthday of 10/10/10. I thought it would make a great birthday but it looks like it is not going to be today. Our nursery is officially done and I will post some pictures soon. This past week Houston took some prego pictures of me since I hadn't taken any since I was teeny tiny. I look at those pictures now and can't believe I was that small just a couple months ago. I thought I looked pregnant then, but looking back its barely a bump! I still don't feel as big as I look in these pictures, yet I still have a few weeks left to grow.

Baby Shower

I had my baby shower in Logan today, it was so much fun. We had tons of family and friends I haven't seen for a while. We got books, clothes, blankets, diapers, a stroller, and lots more baby paraphernalia. It was a great day and I am so excited to go home and show it all to Houston. He wasn't able to come because it was up in Logan at my parents house and he had to work this weekend. I can't believe I am almost 35 weeks! This pregnancy has been great and I think I will definitely miss it when it is over.

Our New Favorite Game

Corbin is getter bigger by the minute! I love feeling him kick around and so does Houston. Our new favorite game is when he really starts wiggling to find his 'foot' (we think its his foot, it may be an elbow or a knee). He will then move it to a new spot and Houston will find it again. He is moving all the time and we can see huge movements from the outside. I don't know how he has any room left in there by how squished everything feels. I am still feeling as good as I think a pregnant woman can. I am sleeping great and have the acid reflux under control with a little help from Zantac. I am officially 34 weeks today and am off modified bed rest! All that really means is that I get to work back on the floor at work again and I have to carry in my own groceries...maybe it wasn't so bad after all. I am almost done with my homework for this semester and have been working tirelessly to get it done before Corbin arrives. We are just about done with the nursery as well and can't wait to meet our little guy!

Corbin's First Airplane Ride and Trip to Colorado

Today Houston, Corbin, and I went to Colorado for our "baby moon"...the last trip together without the baby. Corbin was there, just still inside. I was super nervous about flying pregnant but we both had a week off and Lynn and Terry bought us plane tickets so Houston could help them with some yard work. I am still on modified bed rest and have started school again, so a week of resting and time to do homework is just what I needed. We made it safely here and can't wait to spend some time with Lynn and Terry. I always love trips to Colorado Springs and some of my fondest memories with Houston happened here. We go back home in one week and are back to full time work and school for both of us. This is our last semester of our Bachelors degrees and we can't wait to start our family and be out of school.

My favorite things...

So far my pregnancy has been pretty great. I just forget about those 10 weeks of nausea and throwing up..they seem so long ago and not nearly as bad Houston tells me they were :) I just wanted to write about my favorite things since being pregnant. I absolutely love feeling you kick and squirm all the time, it still makes me laugh. I love how thick my hair is and how fast it grows. I love how clear my skin is and how I don't have to worry about my stomach sticking out...cause its HUGE! I love to watch my belly move from the outside when you really get kicking. I love listening to your heartbeat at work and hearing you get the hiccups on the monitor. I love looking at your baby clothes and imagining how it will feel snuggling you in those little onesies.

As far as food goes the beginning started out a little rough but now almost everything sounds good to me. The three things I want to eat on a daily basis are pancakes, spaghetti, and ice cream... of course. I'm not sure any of those are the best things for you right now but I am trying my best to give you healthy food too.

I can't wait to meet you but your not quite ready to come yet. You are 28 weeks and the doctors are wanting me on modified bed-rest until at least 34 weeks. Everything is looking really good this week and we are praying for you everyday.

Here is an awesome picture we got of you yawning a few weeks ago...it looks like your screaming but we were watching and it was just a big yawn :)

Bedrest and Hospital Stays :)

I am now almost 27 weeks and have been feeling great. I am still working full time in Labor and Delivery at Utah Valley which has definitely had some perks. This morning I woke up to go to work and had some bleeding. This has happened a few other times in my pregnancy but they were suspecting the cause was a placenta previa, where the placenta is close to or covering the cervix since mine was low lying at my 20 week ultrasound.

I talked to my doctor when I got to work and he decided that I wouldn't be working today and that I would need to be admitted. I got a few labs drawn, had baby's heart tones closely monitored, and had an ultrasound to see if the placenta had moved. I also got a steroid shot to help progress the babies lungs in case I deliver early. The placenta has thankfully moved away from the cervix, but unfortunately that means I have been having a small placental abruption. This is where part of the placenta pulls off of the uterine wall. So I spent all day in the hospital and was lucky they let me go home tonight.

If it happens again it looks like I will be in the hospital for a while. Houston was able to get off work which was nice to have someone with me all day. I am on bed rest for now and off work for at least 4-5 day. I am not too excited about this because I have to use the paid time off I have been saving up for my maternity leave. I just have to realize the big picture here and I know Corbin is more important than any amount of money or time off work.

22 Weeks pregnant with my little boy! These pictures were taken by Houston on my 25th birthday. 25 has always been my lucky number so I'm hoping for a great year to start our little family.

It's a BOY!

I went to my 20 week official ultrasound today and got one of the biggest surprises of my life. We have thought you were a girl for quite a few weeks now, and I think Houston had finally resigned to the fact he was having a girl first. The surprise was that you are definitely 100% a boy. Everything was perfect at the ultrasound, you are a perfect size and everything looks great. You are 10 oz and 10 inches long! I still can't believe that you are a boy but Houston and I are very excited. I feel you kick all day now and got to see those feet today that you are kicking me with.

I have had two very real dreams about you the first one I was at work and my family was all sitting around to watch an ultrasound. We looked and said, oh its a girl! We were excited but I remember thinking my family was a little disappointed that you were a girl, since our family is already full of girls. It was pretty similar in real life, my family wasn't there but we thought you were a girl. A few weeks later I had a dream that we knew it was a girl and then we went to the 20 week ultrasound and she put the wand on my belly and said, its a boy! It happened pretty much exactly as it did in my dreams and I kept telling everyone this week, that I was going to go to the ultrasound and they would tell me it was a boy.

It looks like Sim boys can only make more Sim boys. Someday I know Terry will have a granddaughter. Cassie was so disappointed when she thought you were a girl and now she is beyond excited. I love you no matter what and can't wait to meet you in a few months.

Baby Girl?

We have had numerous ultrasounds and have confirmed by two nurses on two different occasions that you are definitely a GIRL! I'm so excited and have felt since the beginning of the pregnancy that you are Capri and not Corbin. I'm feeling your little feet kick all of the time now, Marti says you must be a dancer. I'm so excited to meet you in a few months and will get some really great pictures of you in a few weeks at my official ultrasound.

First kick

I felt you kick for the first time today. I had been reading all week about what it would feel like and wondering when it was going to finally happen. Houston and I were up in Logan visiting my family for the weekend and we were sitting next to each other in church. About halfway through the sacrament hymn number 175, O God, the Eternal Father, which is one of my favorites, I felt a distinct little kick on the side of my belly. It wasn't very hard, but I was sure it was you. I told Houston and he smiled. A few minutes later I felt you again, this time it felt like you just brushed up against me or rolled over. It was amazing, but a little strange at the same time. I have never felt anything like it before and have been feeling you ever since. I thought it was really neat to feel you for the first time in church, when we were singing. Music has always been a huge part of my life and I love the hymns.

My favorite line of this song is "With no apparent beauty, That man should him desire, He was the promised Savior, to purify with fire."

Later that day Houston and I were laying down stairs watching a movie when I felt you kick again. I told Houston and he said "I wanna feel it!" He put his hand on my belly and you kicked it in about 2 seconds. I thought it was so unfair that I have been waiting weeks to feel you and all he had to do was ask once! He thought it was really neat though and has been trying to get you to do it again ever since. We've both made it to 17 weeks and I am really excited that I can feel you and be reassured every time you kick or roll over.

16 weeks pink or blue...

I am so excited to be this far into the pregnancy already, time is really starting to fly by. I am 16 weeks along now and absolutely LOVE being pregnant. I still haven't felt you move yet... although I've been trying, but I am feeling so great and love how my belly looks with you growing every week. Its all starting to feel a lot more real. Only one thing could make it better and that would be for you to uncross your legs and one single ultrasound! I have had multiple ultrasounds at work with Houston there and every time we get a good look you either have your legs crossed or your little knees up to your chest. Although they are the cutest little knees I've ever seen, I am dying to know if you are a boy or a girl. We are both about 80% sure you are a girl, but not sure enough to run out and buy something pink yet.

Although we don't know what to call you yet, you are a darling little baby and we love to look at your face on the ultrasounds. You are always kicking and arching your back, we've seen you practicing breathing and sucking on your fingers. You are the most amazing thing I've ever seen and I can't wait to start feeling you kick around inside my belly. Its only a few more weeks until my official ultrasound where we can (with your cooperation) get a definite answer on whether to start buying pink or blue.

Baby Sim

Today Houston came to my work and we did an ultrasound at 12 weeks! I am so glad to make it this far and am finally starting to feel better. The ultrasound was so amazing and in a few short weeks you are now a baby. We put the ultrasound on my belly and there you were. A cute little profile, but you must have been sleeping. We poked at my belly a few times and you started kicking all over the place. You have arms and legs and we could see your hands and feet! Sorry to disturb your nap but it was amazing to see you move and kick. Although I can't feel any of your movements you are moving all the time! You are about the size of a lemon but you are looking more like a baby everyday.

This video didn't turn out as well online as it was on our cell phones, but you get the basic idea.

She's Got a Baby Inside

She’s got a baby inside
And holds her belly tight
All through the night
Just so she knows
She’s sleeping so
Safely to keep
Her growing
And oh when she'll open her eyes
There'll be no surprise
That she'll grow to be
So beautifully
Just like her mother
That’s carrying

This is a song by Colbie Cailat called Capri, I don't know if your a boy or a girl yet so we can't name you Capri. If you were born today you would either be Corbin or Capri Sim. For now your Baby Sim and I love you.

I heard your heartbeat for the second time at work tonight. It was beating so fast and strong... even though it took me forever to find your little blueberry of a body! I have my first appointment with the Doctor tomorrow and wasn't sure if I would hear it then, so I had to sneak a quick listen in an empty room. I could listen to your heartbeat all night long.

Spreading the news

This weekend for our spring break we went up to see my family in Logan and couldn't help but spread the good news. Houston told his parents over the phone because they were going on a cruise the next day and we didn't want them to be the last to find out. They were excited for us and Terry told me she knows just how I feel (sick, sick, sick) and said I must be so sick because I am carrying Houston's baby. We had to wait a whole night after getting to my parents house because we wanted to tell everyone all together. Friday night everyone was sitting around the table (except Joey but he wasn't coming until later) we were going around the table telling what was new. Houston said "We got a family picture last week and wanted to know what you guys think." We then pulled out the ultrasound picture and handed it to Marti. Everyone started squealing and screaming, a few tears were shed, and everyone was so excited. It made being sick for 4 weeks already totally worth it. They asked a lot of questions about the ultrasound and how I was doing, also what a baby is like at 8 weeks along. I told them you are about the size of a lima bean but we already heard your little heart beating and it was the most amazing thing I've ever heard. That night when Joey came home we all pretended like we were sitting around playing 20 questions. It was Marti's turn and she was giving clues about how it was an animal, in this room, smaller than a breadbox, and younger than her. Joey finally said "nobody's pregnant right?" and everyone was silent with grins on their faces. He guessed that I was and we all got excited all over again. I told him I was 8 weeks along and he said, so you only have one more week right? We all laughed and told him it was 9 months not 9 weeks and he would have to wait until Halloween to meet you. It was a great weekend of being pampered and not having to cook anything for a whole week!

Baby's First Ultrasound

Today we got to see your heartbeat! It was 128 bpm at 6 weeks 4 days gestation. I was so nervous last night I could hardly sleep. Houston was calm as usual and wasn't worried at all. I have never done this before and I just wanted everything to be perfect. We got up early and arrived at the hospital at 8:00 am. I have already had morning sickness and the nerves were not helping. We got into the room and the ultrasound tech poured warm gel all over my belly. Right off we could see the little blob of baby and another little blob, the yolk sac. I was so relieved to see that there was only one healthy baby and the best part was seeing the heartbeat. We also got to hear the heartbeat as she was measuring how fast it was. I was so happy and amazed that there really was a baby growing inside of me.

5 weeks today

I made it to five weeks, which is not very far along at all, but feels so much cooler than four weeks for some reason. Only 11 days until the ultrasound and it feels like time is dragging by. Houston is so busy with paramedic school right now and I spend a lot of time alone. I am so excited for him to be done with school and start our family. I'm working and going to school full time but I still have plenty of time to think about the miracle growing inside me. I still can't believe its true, although my body is constantly telling me it is. I think about you when I first wake up in the morning and pray for you when I go to bed at night. I've never met you and you have not been here very long but I tell you goodnight before I fall asleep every night and I already love you.

One of the best days ever!

I found out I am pregnant today. It has been nine months of nothing but disappointment but it was all worth it to see the positive pregnancy test today. I woke up in the afternoon since I am working tonight and had told myself I was not going to test until this weekend. Well, something told me to go ahead and test and I was shocked at the result. I think I looked at that pregnancy test a million times today, just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. But there was definitely a little pink line in the test window. I had been planning for months how I was going to tell Houston, I couldn't wait to see how he would react. He has wanted this just as much as I have and we had been praying and fasting for you to come. Last week we went to the temple and prayed together that we could start our family, and Heavenly Father has heard our prayers.

When Houston and I were dating we were out one night with my family at a chinese restaurant. We were having a great time and when it came to dessert we passed out our fortune cookies and each went around reading what our fortunes would say. Cassie's said "You look pretty", which she did. Mine and Joey's said that we had a loud family, or something to that effect...which was pretty applicable that night. When it came to Houston's fortune it said "Happiness is sitting next to you". It was so perfect and Houston has always kept that fortune in his wallet. So this is where I got my idea of how to tell him we were expecting.

I had bought a box of fortune cookies from Wal-mart when we started trying to get pregnant, in hopes that I would be able to use my idea. I got the fortune cookies out, which were still individually wrapped in their own little cellophane wrappers, and removed the fortunes with a pair of tweezers. I type up on my computer "You will be a DAD on 10-31-10" and printed them out. I then tried to fit my personalized fortunes into the little cookies, but the curve of the cookie was too much. I resorted to breaking them in half, sticking the fortune inside, and dipping the end in chocolate and caramel to keep the two sides together.

I ordered take out from one of our favorite restaurants P.F. Changs and planned on picking it up at 4:00. I had to leave for work a little after 5, and Houston didn't get out of paramedic school until 5, so it was going to be tight. When he finally walked in the door I was so excited and fidgety from waiting, it was everything I could do not to blurt out "I'm Preggo!" He came in the door and I kissed him hello, asked about work, and he answered as he noticed the candlelit dinner from P.F. Changs I had set up for him. He asked "what is all this?" I told him it was our date night, since he was gone so much this week. We sat down to eat and found out that neither of us was very hungry and I realized it was time for me to go to work. "Well, I guess we will skip right to dessert then" I said as I pulled the fortune cookies out of the fridge. "Did you make these?" he asked. I told him yes, and he smiled. "Go ahead" I said as I smiled back. Houston has this silly habit of always eating the entire cookie before reading the fortune, me on the other hand, breaks the cookie to look at the fortune, and then eats it.

He took a bite and said "It's good, did you make the cookie too?" I shook my head no and he asked "Did you put the fortune inside the cookie?" I told him that I had, but he still was not suspecting a thing. He ate the other half of the cookie, keeping the fortune face down, and started talking about school. I was thinking "turn over the paper, I can't stand it anymore!" when suddenly he did. It took him half a second and then a big smile came across his face and he pulled me into a hug. I almost started to cry I was so happy to see the look on his face and have him react the way he did. We were so happy and smiling at each other. I don't remember everything that was said but I remember how I felt about you and Houston at that moment. There's a baby inside me, its truly a miracle and I can't wait to see your heartbeat in a few weeks.