{ so thankful }

I have been struggling with the idea of including all I'm thankful for into one list. It just isn't possible.

So this year I'm going to mention one thing we have come to realize is our biggest blessing, our little peanut! Words cannot express how blessed we feel to have been able to create a child. 

I know so MANY struggle with infertility and my heart breaks over and over with each family member, friend & even stranger who faces this challenge daily. I don't have answers as to why others have this trial, but I do know we have a loving Father in Heaven who has a specific plan for each one of those families. 

It's been hard when I've felt sick & completely exhausted not to complain. It's human nature. But when I sit back and think how truly LUCKY we are to be given this opportunity I am in complete awe. and lucky doesn't even cover it. 

So to those who are struggling, don't give up. I know there is a special plan for you & your family. 

And to those of us lucky enough to bear children... Count your many blessing, count them 100 times over and over! 

Our little life has already changed dramatically in the best way & I'm sure this new year will bring a whole new meaning to the saying "changed for the better"

::24-26::

Week 24:

Brady and I took a trip to the temple one morning this week. We had been feeling baby move more often, but not all day yet. While we were in the temple our little guy started going crazy! He was kicking and bouncing around the whole time. We know he knew where we were & loved it there. It was such a perfect morning & we hope he will always have a love for the Temple. 

Week 25:

Since our day at the temple baby has been moving like crazy ALL day long. I love feeling him & being able to see movements from the outside. He is usually up late at night, early morning and randomly throughout the day. He has found a comfortable position right on my bladder so I'm CONSTANTLY going to the bathroom. I usually wake about 6 times a night to go pee. This week I started having a little bit harder time sleeping and feel pretty restless during the night. 

Week 26: 

We got to have our second ultrasound plus I got my first glucose test! (We think I passed because we have yet to hear back from them) I was expecting the little drink to be the worst thing ever so I was actually surprised when it tasted like a sprite with LOADS of sugar. It really wasn't as bad as everyone claims! 

Our little guy was about 1lb 12 ounces. They scheduled this ultrasound to get a picture if the back of his head because last time they weren't able to. My bladder was about to explode (since you have to go with a full bladder) and of course his little head was right on my bladder. The tech had to push on my bladder for what felt like an eternity until she was able to get a good picture! All looked great & I BARELY made it to the bathroom. We had our regular office visit with our doctor afterwards. Our next appointment is set for four more weeks and then after that we will have them every two weeks! When he started to talk to us about what to do if my water breaks or I have any contractions I seriously panicked! Let's hope he stays in there several more weeks. I'm not ready to give birth just yet! We can't believe we are getting closer and closer to the end! 

love this sweet face! Can't wait to kiss it in 14 more weeks!  

{16-23 weeks}

Week 16-17: 

My nausea finally started to fade and boy did it make life so much easier! Started to feel baby move more, especially when laying still in bed! 

Week 18-20:

Brady was finally able to feel baby kick!(October 14th) I have been feeling really great now that all my nausea is completely gone! I continue to get migraines every now and again, but they aren't super common so I am very thankful! Our doctor went over our ultrasound and everything looked great! They weren't able to capture a good picture of the back of baby boys head so we scheduled another ultrasound for the end of November! We can't wait to see how much he has grown! 

Week 21-23: 

I started to feel even better these last few weeks. I have way more energy and feel SO good! If I am up doing hair during the day for several hours I notice my back is sore & feet are swollen when I'm ready for bed.

My wedding ring was a little too tight when I got pregnant so it's definitely not fitting! My belly button is an innie-outie.  Watching it grow and expand has been one of the most hilarious things for Brady and me! It seriously changes daily. My skin has just started to itch and I have to make sure to cover every inch of my body with lotion! I have lots of awesome stretch marks, and have decided to embrace them since there is clearly nothing I can do about it:) I can't get enough to drink, and always have a water bottle with me. 

I really think the baby hears & recognizes our voice and he loves to perform for his dad! I think he's found his favorite already! Dang it. We're counting down the weeks baby boy!! 

||this guy is 24||

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my husband & best friend! He continues to amaze me every single day! Baby & I are so lucky to call him ours!! To continue the birthday tradition here are 24 reasons he's absolutely the BEST! 

1. He makes me laugh, and always knows how to make me smile!

2. He's so honest & has a guilty conscience that I absolutely love. 

3. He loves the gospel & has the strongest testimony.

4. He is so friendly & is the best friend anyone could ask for. 

5. He ALWAYS finds the positive in every situation. 

6. Rarely is he ever in a bad mood.

7. I've never met anyone who puts more effort & work into everything he does.

8. He treats me with so much respect & is constantly serving myself and others.

9. He has the best heart & never has bad things to say about anyone.

10. He's athletic & always tries to better himself. 

11. He makes me feel loved & special!

12. He never boasts about himself and would rather not be the center of attention. 

13. He is SO adorable with kids that I can hardly wait to see him with ours. He'll be the best dad! 

14. He is very good at communicating. 

15. He's a total babe! Let's pray our kids get his looks.

16. He is so handy & will figure anything out! 

17. He gives the best advice, and isn't a worry wort like myself. 

18. He loves to try new things & is always helping me be adventurous. 

19. He plays with my hair until I fall asleep. 

20. He always makes time for me & I know will continue to do so as our family grows. 

21. He had great style & I never have to "help" him as some wives do. 

22. He's selfless & will put anyone before himself. 

23. He always notices things I do & is quick to tell you how grateful he is. 

24. He's pretty dang close to being perfect!

I still have no idea how I tricked him into marrying me! I love him more and more each day! Can't wait to grow old with you sweetheart! Thanks for ALL you are! Never change!! 

I LOVE YOU ❤️

{half way... already?}

20 weeks:

It's hard to believe I am half way done being pregnant. It has seriously flown by. I have such mixed emotions about being half way! I'm sad to think that I only have 20 more weeks to be pregnant and feel this sweet babe move inside me. Sad that it's halfway over! BUT so extremely excited that in only 20 more weeks we will be holding our little angel baby & my sick days will all be behind me! 

I have truly loved being pregnant, but I must say it has been more difficult than I imagined! I admire all you mommies out there, this isn't easy! My body is so sore & I've experienced more sickness then I would have hoped! All in all, I am so grateful that my body can actually do all it's doing and that I am able to carry a child. I realize how blessed I really am! Plus there is nothing better than feeling those first few movements. It makes it all worth it! 

Last week was a bit of a tough one for us! We decided early on to wait until our 20 week appointment to find out the baby's gender. CRAZY, I know. At about week 17 I started to die, thinking I couldn't possibly wait another day to know, but we waited and waited some more. Our appointment had been set for Tuesday the 15th and we waited ever so anxiously!!

Monday night Brady was finally able to feel baby kicking! I went to bed not feeling so well, but brushed it off because over my dead body was I going to miss our appointment early the next morning! I woke at about two am with the most awful flu. I was up sick all night. I woke Brady in the morning and told him I called and cancelled our appointment. I could tell he was so dissapointed, and I definitely shed some tears. Later Tuesday night Brady got the same bug.

Luckily there was an opening Friday morning, so we set our appointment. I didn't sleep a wink the night before. It was like Christmas morning! From day one I was convinced we were having a girl, and Brady was convinced it was a boy. At about 15 weeks I changed my mind and was set on a boy, however, in the few weeks before we found out I had two dreams our baby was a girl. Brady

knew it was a boy.

We had been telling baby all week that it better cooperate! 

When the ultrasound tech started the baby was laying sideways, she quickly warned us that it might be hard to tell the gender. Within just a minute the baby flipped right over and gave us the biggest spread eagle possible! Brady spotted it before the tech and said "ITS A BOY." She then agreed and said, "that is MOST DEFINITELY a boy!" We were so ecstatic! I'm convinced all my serious talks with him about being cooperative paid off! It was so incredible to see how much he had grown. He insisted on keeping his face smooshed against my placenta so we couldn't get a great profile view. He looked like he was eating away the whole time, taking after his mom already! He got a full body check and we were on our way with a DVD & some sweet pictures!

We could not be more excited to be getting a little boy!!! I hope & pray he looks just like his dad! We mostly can't wait to snuggle him in 5 short months!! 

Breakfast at The Pancake House to celebrate.

Now if only we could agree upon a name... He might be Baby B forever! 

[14 weeks]

September 3rd we got to hear our sweet babes heart beat for the first time! Doc said it sounds very healthy. I'm so grateful for Brade and his excitement to come to each appointment with me, especially on days like these where he captures precious moments! Definitely makes ALL the sick days so worth it! Crazy how much we already love our little peanut... keep growing healthy and strong!