Happy November !

Weird. October went by so fast. In such a slow way. Does that even make sense??  Moving on !

What have I been up to... uh nothing. Feeling better obviously. [did I just jinx myself!] just a few gags and weird breathing fits over the sink every few days. But... I wasn't really bad before. I don't feel as tired. Which is weird. I actually made it thru Sunday without a nap. What is up with that ! Normal non pregnant me couldn't do that ! But this week has been pretty uneventful. It was weird handing out candy on Nov 1. Felt kinda creeper-ish. But we had left overs. I know a lot of counties rescheduled and people didn't know and all kinds of madness ensued and poor kids didn't get to trick or treat. Sad day. Next year I'm totally taking my 5 month old so I can swipe ALL of his/her candy. Oh yeah ! So excited :]

Then... MU game, went to Longhorn. Nummy! How I miss that place and how sad I am that I just now realized I love the Tonion... really? I worked there all the time, and there were always "left over" "sent back" "made too many" whatever, "here-vulture-servers-eat-this-free-tonion" and I'd walk right past it cause it was gross. What was wrong with me ! Anyways. It was a nice double date with my in-laws. I loved it. How weird. Who actually likes going out with their in-laws? It was my idea, and set up and I want to do it all the time. Especially if steak is involved. Speaking of steak. Stupid steak salesman. I hate door to door guys. Sorry if you do it. I loathe you. Especially cause I can't say no. So when I say no 4x and you still push me to get something. I officially want to call the cops. Especially when my husband isn't stepping up and saying "dude, she said no like 20 mins ago, why are you still here?" But on a happy note. I got a box of filets [my fave] that I have no clue how to cook in the amazing way that Longhorn does. So it will probably just be a waste. Oh well. Happy steaks.

Still love my job. Yup. My boss leaves for India tomorrow for the month. Life is going to get a lot more laid back around here [definitely didn't think that was possible] but I'm pretty excited for early days and a few hours of work and sleep :]

OH HELLO! Let me just forget the biggest thing ever. So last week I had my ultrasound. DUH. What the heck. I kept meaning to post stuff all weekend and be like yay babies ! But hello, apparently it wasn't a big deal. Whatever...

So last Thursday was my first ultrasound. I got nervous cause the tech asked me why I was having one when I got there to check-in and I thought she was going to nix it and I would have cried right there. But she said they normally don't do them this early [screw you, I was 13 weeks, I know people who got one at 5 and 7 and shove it] unless somethings wrong and blah blah. But she "squeezed" me through anyways. That's what I thought. Chris wasn't there yet. Sad day ! But I got in the room, loved the girl after we got past me possibly not getting to see my child, and I finally got to see my little one. Still doesn't seem real. Even tho she was shoving that thing into my full bladder and very clearly there was a little human in there. It was so incredible. Everything they say about how you feel in that moment was spot on. I still just couldn't believe it. And I could have laid there staring at that screen for hours and hours. Just watching him/her jump around, and wave, and arch her back and getting a tour "here's the head, here's the hands, count the fingers, here's the umbilical cord, etc" I soaked it all up ! THEN Chris finally arrived. But we got to do it all again :] I really should have recorded him watching since I'd seen it so I kept glancing at him to see his face. It was perfect. Hearing that heartbeat was so perfect. I want it was my ringtone. Not really lol... but sorta really. Such a good day. Got pictures printed, and got to see my little one jumping around like a little bean. Loved it ! I'll post pics at the end.

And I finally told people at work. I kept waiting for the "right moment" and it just felt awkward. I don't know why I find it hard to say "hey, I'm pregnant!" It's like this awkward, look at me look at me selfish spot light moment. I don't know. I'm weird. But my boss knew forever ago. But the techs I hadn't told. But I showed Katie the ultrasound pics and her reaction was good, but I could tell she knew. And she did know ! Piyali came right to her after I told her and was like can she work? OMG what are we going to do ! why didn't she tell us ! and Katie's like.. chill she's fine, she just can't work with toxins. [noted!] So she knew for weeks. And then Brent walked in and im like does he know too.. and she kinda looks sheepish and is like yeah... I told him about 2 weeks ago. I'm like FINE. I quit ! lol So the little students, they for sure don't know. So I'll at least get them. But Katie's fun now that she knows. She makes comments and looks out for me.. sniff sniff. It's cute :] I like us working together. We have fun.

OK no more typing. Sorta. On to my weekly-so-entertaining-pregnancy survey !

How far along? 13 weeks
Total weight gain: Nothing according to the scale at drs office last week. weird. 
Maternity clothes? I want to buy them all ! not cause i need them. But i have a box coming :] yay !
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Is sleep. Nothing different. Except peeing in the early AM.  
Best moment this week: the ultrasound and "telling" my coworkers :]
Miss Anything? Not feeling nauseous. Always what I say. 
Movement: don't feel it but it was crazy to see !
Food cravings: I'm loving wheat thins right now <3 especially with cheese. YUM.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Walking Dead. Thanks Chris. And smells still. Not as bad tho.  
Gender: I might have thought boy for a second today. Not going to lie. 
Labor Signs: no way jose !
Symptoms: Evil cramps. And gagging. Ugh 
Belly Button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :] 
Looking forward to: the day I "pop" according to all these dang blogs ! being overweight doesnt help but geez !

My favorite ^^^

 So far all 10 fingers and toes :]

 creepy halloween face :]

 Strong 160ish heartbeat [superstition says girl!]

 The other awesome halloween shot

not really sure where you see foot... but ok ultrasound tech :]

The White Halloween

So... why am I at work?  I'm not really sure. Everyone else has to school, and "I'll work from home" but I don't have work to do at work, so how would I bring it home. Shoulda stayed in bed.

It snowed. Weird. Since it only "dusted" twice, maybe last year for the whole winter. And here we are, October, and it's snowing. And sticking. Enough to cancel school. Except not really that bad cause they cancel school for all kinds of stuff. And I was such a pessimist about it snowing. There's no way, it won't last thru til morning, it will melt if it even happens. Nope. Still going strong when we left for work at 9am. I hope this is a preview of the rest of the season. Chris just stopped working last week, and how nice if in the next few weeks he's back at it, just plowing snow, instead of cutting grass. None of this no work for 4 months junk. Please ! It'd be such a blessing. I'd love to ya know, save money, since ya know, we're having a new person to feed, clothe, keep warm, have toys and all the cute stuff babies need, or don't need. So fingers crossed people.

And more happy notes. So, we have the smallest one bedroom ever, right? We've been in this small old one bedroom for... 2 years and 3 months. That's the longest I've lived anywhere since the house in NJ I lived in for 5 years. I was 17. Let that sink in. I'm 26. 10 years. So I'm dying. Seriously. A little part of me is dying in this dinky apartment. It's cheap. That's about it. I want white walls, a dishwasher, washer and dryer, even just the hook up for it. I'll go find my own W/D just let me have the hook up ! Well, since the thought of having an addition in May, I've been pushing more than normal to find something and get Chris on the wagon to find a two bedroom. He's fine, honestly, staying in our teeny tiny apartment until we leave NEXT May. Right... only if you want be to go on a shooting spree. Just the two of us barely fit in that dang apartment, let alone another human and all the things babies require. So... I will be moving out, with or without Chris. But hopefully with him. So here's my happy miracle. My coworker from my first job at Marshall is incredible and has a house she just bought in E. Pea Ridge (basically anyone with the last name Perry lives there so it's a good area for family) and it's a 2 bedroom yellow easter house that she's not really going to use. Just needs the address. So it's going to be empty. For a long time. And she thought of us. Cause she's amazing. So she offered it to me and said we can talk it over, look it over, etc etc and see what we think. I'm like LETS DO THIS since I NEED two bedrooms. And this would make it happen. And it satisfies Chris' desire to still have a ridiculously cheap 2 bedroom since she said we can just pay her the same rent we've been paying. Cause any money is better than no money she'd get if no one was there. Oh word? I'm pretty excited. We went and looked at it last week, but only the outside. Someone lives there. It was weird. So I can't wait to see inside. And decide. That's our only hesitation, which I don't even know if its a deal breaker. As long as its not dying inside I guess... Whatever. I'm excited. So so so EXCITED. I was seriously in tears when I got off the phone. This helps in more ways than Paula would ever know ! So if you read this Paula, YOU ARE AWESOME !

So happy day ! I probably should let her know we're interested. I haven't talked to her since last week... Eh, maybe she'll see this :]

 What else. We had this awesome "Fall Ball" last week at church. It was awesome. I wish I had been more involved but I was dying. It turned out so awesome and so much fun. Here, have some pictures!

I love these !

It was fun. And now, my weekly baby update !

How far along? 12 weeks 
Total weight gain: I don't think any. Angel's scale is actually less than the doctors. So... 0? -3?
Maternity clothes? not yet. But stretchy pants are sounding nice. These jeans today are a little tight
Stretch marks? nothing new
Sleep: I love sleep. I sleep well. Until I wake up and have to pee. 
Best moment this week: Denae commenting on my new assets ;]
Miss Anything? Sushi. It's everywhere. And not being nauseous
Movement: nope
Food cravings: i hate cravings, cause i get what I want, and its not as good as i want it to be !
Anything making you queasy or sick: same strong smells. especially when my tummy is empty. 
Gender: still saying girl
Labor Signs: no way. this question should disappear. its scary
Symptoms: throwing up every now and then, starting to go away. now its constant headaches. 
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? On still
Happy or Moody most of the time: frustrated. 
Looking forward to: seeing and hearing my baby in two days at our first ultrasound !!


Oh, and I just want a second to gloat, and not to diminish anyone else's pregnancy woes, cause I've had it pretty easy and I don't deny that. But come see me if you've ever had to do mouse surgery while pregnant. In the 1st trimester, before you're morning sickness goes away. :p It was horrible. But I did it. And hopefully next time, my tummy will be more stable so I don't run to the bathroom in between. #pregnancywin

Happy Friday

Nothing really new. There never is though, is there? Just bored (and that's not new!) so I thought I'd update a little update. You know, for all my avid readers in Russia, China, Germany.. where else? I love it. Even if they are just googling stuff and accidentally wind up on my page without even looking. Makes me happy when I get to see my stats.

Made it thru week 2 at the new job. Still love it. Still kinda slow. We had contamination today. Sad. Bye bye yucky cells. That's pretty much been the highlight of the week. The main girl I work with kind has a crazy spazzy side. Not fun to see. It's a little unreasonable. But whatever. As long as she never yells at me that way, we'll be good ! I think I'm figuring out that everyone is leaving. Katie (who's been here for 5 years) is getting married in June and her fiancee lives in Indiana. Probably won't keep doing the whole long distance thing once they're married. So she'll be gone. Brent (the other "full time" kinda guy) is trying to get into med school. So he'll leave asap. And then there's me. The new kid. Who's going to be gone for two months from May-July. Uh... anyone else see a problem if people are jumping ship? Is this lab going to be run by undergrads ! Ah ! Oh goodness. I won't worry about it because... I can't do anything about it. Definitely not coming to work earlier than I have to from maternity leave. I don't even want to work so.. yeah. Just my fun puzzle piecing I did today of everyone's plans. Joy :]

I still haven't told my co-workers I'm having a baby. I kind of think my boss Piyali would have told Katie since they're bffs, but... she's never said anything. And I almost said something at lunch today (we went out to lunch today! as a group, together!) but it just seems weird to tell people. So I'm thinking when I say I have a dr's appt next week, and come back the next day with pictures of a baby (<3) maybe they'll get it. That's more fun. Less than a week til I get to see my beautiful little Peaches !

And I stole this from Sammys blog post for today. I used to kill my notes feed on myspace with these things. The longer the better. This one's pretty short. But it was fun to read hers so maybe mine will be too ! (Who am I kidding.. fun? psh!)

A. Age: 26. yuck.
B. Bed size: Queen :]
C. Chore that you hate: Right now, dishes. With a firey passion.
D. Dogs: our cute little princess Daisy
E. Essential start to your day: No alarm. Or pepsi.
F. Favorite color: Orange
G. Game: Hold to the Rod. Or my new fave, Dicecapades. 
H. Height: 5’3'' ish
I. Ideal Day: Sleeping in, spending time with Chris, maybe a little travel, shopping, food. 
J. Job title: Research Technician
K. Kids: 1ish sorta. She'll be here May. Or he...
L. Lives: WVa
M. Movie: Hm.. favorite ever! That's rough. Right now... Just Go With It or What to Expect 
N. Nicknames: n/a One day I'll have one. Like Mert.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Don't think so... I will in May !
P. Pet peeves: Attitudes, excuses, empty toilet paper rolls and people repeating "good morning" to a crowd when the response "wasn't good enough."Get over yourself.

Q. Quote from a movie:  “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." Good old Mr Darcy <3
R. Right or left handed: Righty
S. Siblings: Two younger bros
U. University: No more school for me ! Workin' at Marshall tho...
V. Vegetable you hate: Um... ocra. Blah
W. What makes you run late: Oversleeping. All. The .Time.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Just on my teeth. 
Y. Yummy food that you make: All my food is yummy. Z. Zoo animal: Hippos !

Yay me. And wasting time. I had a rough time picking a movie quote. That killed. I kept going to books. I'm a geek !

Trying to stay busy !

So there's kind of been a lot going on. I think this is the first week that I don't have something every night, even though I have a lot I need to be doing. It's just nice to have a blank week on my calendar. I've started week #2 at the new job. I forget if I posted anything about it before. I didn't really have anything to say yet, so probably not. So far, I love it. I will hopefully keep loving it. It's kind of slow right now, which I guess is good, since being the new guy in a fast paced environment is exhausting. And I'm already exhausted. Mostly we're finishing edits for a paper to submit. So I get down time, to update my blog :] and get to help edit the paper. Which I do really love because it gives me such a good background into the research this lab does. Otherwise it takes forever to play catch up. But the people I love. We have normal conversations about normal things. I love it. They're all pretty cool kids. And some of the students are new (-ish) so I don't feel so far behind. Yay new jobs!  On the downside, last Friday they took our employee parking lot. Evil Marshall people. So we're all crammed into half of the student lot. Which is full. All the time. Yay for walking forever from Stadium. It's really not far. It's like a 5 minute walk. And its nice for now while the weather's nice. But when it gets cold, and snowy and gross... I won't be so chipper.

Chris is almost done working. I know I shouldn't be too excited about this, but he's been so busy between local grass stuff, and the 7-11 jobs he got for his dad that make him work sun up to sun down. It's such good money though, so I'm really honest-to-goodness not complaining. But it will be nice when him and I can actually spend time together, and I don't know, go on a date since he won't have to be up at 630 the next morning. We only have a few more months of this ! I gotta take advantage of us time !

On the baby front, not much going on. Still back and forth feeling great and then feeling really not great. It's so sucky. But into week 11, I'm hoping it all disappears in a few weeks. Hello 2nd trimester! So weird... I can't even think straight about that. I still haven't "felt" pregnant, besides the exhaustion, random nausea and sickness, oh and missing that monthly reminder. But really, I don't feel different, minus my crazy moods (according to Chris) and emotional and SO forgetful! Ah ! I used to be a genius! So it will be nice when next Thursday I get to see my little Peaches (finally!) and hear that wonderful heart beating (finally!). Oh it will be a good day.

How far along? 11 weeks 2 days Total weight gain: No clue. I don't like scales in my house :pMaternity clothes? Nope, but pretty syched for the box thats coming my way (hopefully! love you lorien!)Stretch marks? not any new ones :pSleep: Its my favorite part of the day. I'm learning to power thru the exhaustionBest moment this week: people telling me I'm glowing. I don't feel like I'm glowing haha or that pregnancy does me good, or something like that. Its a nice compliment that exhaustion and sickness look good lolMiss Anything? Being able to eat whatever I want without wanting to gagMovement: Nothing still Food cravings: thought I wanted McD's fries last night. Yuck!Anything making you queasy or sick: Still strong smells. Or people talking about gross things. Or thinking of gross things. Gender: More people saying girl !Labor Signs: I'd die :'[Symptoms: Background nausea, every few days actually getting sick, and I've added Activia to my diet if that is discreet enough... :DBelly Button in or out? In !Wedding rings on or off? OnHappy or Moody most of the time: Both haha I feel mostly happy thoLooking forward to: the 2nd trimester and no more sickness !

I guess I have to...

Well, it's about time for an update. I've been wanting to update for WEEKS but I couldn't share any of the things that I wanted to share. So nothing else seemed important enough to update. That's a lie. There was definitely important things. But I just didn't want to.

So yes, it's official. I am pregnant. AH ! Crazy I know. Now for the long drawn out story.

I took my first pregnancy test on my birthday, Sept 14. I planned it just in case I was pregnant, what a nice little present to me. Well it came out positive so I wrapped it up and gave Chris a present on my birthday too. He was confused, but thrilled when he opened it. He was sad I didn't tell him I wanted to take a test. Oh well. I didn't want to get his hopes up if I wasn't and all that.

So then start the long grueling process of having a secret that we can't say. I called my Dr to get an appt asap, cause I wanted (for some reason) more confirmation than being 5 weeks late and 2 positive tests. Well they weren't going to be able to get me in until Oct 8. WHAT ! Three weeks ! AH ! Fine...  So we were dying. Eventually (accidentally) told our dear friend Mert that we were pregnant. She's not technically family so we didn't tell one family before another. But it was nice to finally tell someone. We only lasted a week. Go us.

Then a week before the appt, we had this whole idea on how we were going to tell families, send stuff to utah, extended family. Let's start now so we can have it done by next week. I got a call, your doctor has moved his practice so your appt next week still stands but pick a new doctor. I don't want a new doctor. I like my doctor. Lets proceed to track him down. Have to strategically call my mother in law who's bffs with my doctors nurse (whom I love as well!) and say I have to find them for a check up. Girl stuff. No questions asked. Finally find the new doctors office. Call them, lets get an appt, hopefully it won't be another 3 weeks cause we'll die. "How about tomorrow...?" Uh are you serious?! Uh yes, I'd love to be there tomorrow. That was Oct 3. FINALLY. Got my 3rd positive test. No ultrasound :[ No heartbeat. But blood work. And lots of peeing. Especially when I accidentally trigger the automatic sink and it sprays in my urine sample. COOL. Long story. Another day. So it's official. Made all these decisions. Weird. Next appt Nov 1. And it's definitely an ultrasound visit. YAY ! And Chris will be at this one. I made sure to schedule it around his classes. He wasn't at the first appt, so it would have been sad to hear the heartbeat without him, or get an ultrasound without him. I want him there. That's the point of having a dad. Duh.

So 24hrs later we get to tell people. Rush home to make three pictures frames that would have had an ultrasound picture, but now will have the positive tests (sorry:p) and cute grandparent quotes. These were for our parents. And then we made little cards to send out to aunts, uncles, grandma's & grandpa's. Our bases are covered. My dad cried. It was awesome. He had no idea. Greatest moment. He's even bought stuff already. He's so excited. I love it ! Mark thought it was a joke. His birthday was Oct 4 so we gave him his thing for his bday present. Angel didn't really get what it was cause she was busy taking pictures. It was an exciting moment. Such relief to finally tell people. Then began the waiting for my mom to get hers which about killed me more than waiting to tell people. How do I ask if she got anything. She'd call me right away, right? What if it gets lost? Why didn't I get tracking !? Oh well. As long as I can keep people off facebook until Utah gets their stuff, we're ok. And then I caved one day, finally text her. She didn't get anything yet. It's like Wendesday by this time. Maybe even Thursday and I sent it out the previous Friday. AH! Then 20 mins later she calls :] She said she turned red when she opened it. And was shaking so bad. She said she wasn't crying. But my mom cries all the time. And she was pacing. Im glad she's excited :] I'm sad everyone's so far away. This is her first child have her first grandchild. I'm making a great great grandpa, great grandparents, and grandparents. 5 generations. I'm so excited.

So now everyone knows. Pretty much. I think there are still a few cards straggling in. Hopefully they won't get their feelings hurt from Facebook. Sorry! Blame USPS!

Announcements !

So here's the card we used to announce to non-parents. I'm not sure why its looking squished. Imagine it more rectangle.

10 weeks!

And then a belly pic that McKae requested. I promise the "bump" you're seeing is me being fat. Yay for gaining weight since being married. And I just ate. Sorta. But, hopefully we get better at taking pics and there's better lighting and angle and all that. But yay.

 And then cause I'm crazy and I like stealing ideas, I found the cutest blog on pinterest and she did this about every week. So I'm going to try. So be warned. ~Sunday/Monday time this will be posted. Feel free to skip it. I'm not offended!

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain: 0 so far !

Maternity clothes? not yet ! But i'm pretty excited for comfy stretchy stuff

Stretch marks? not any new ones :p

Sleep: I can never get enough. I can sleep for 14hours and wake up and be exhausted and need naps. Its horrible !
Best moment this week: Finally being able to just tell people. Kind of makes it real. Especially all the love I got at church yesterday once I unleashed Angel :]

Miss Anything? Not being tired and not being sick. AND SUSHI ! AH !

Movement: Nope :/

Food cravings: Nothing. Food.. is food.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Super strong smells. Like the roast in the crock pot for hours yesterday. Nope !
Gender: No clue ! Chris wants girl. Mark & Tracy say girl !
Labor Signs: heck no!
Symptoms: Nausea, and actually getting sick now :/ Lovely

Belly Button in or out? In !
Wedding rings on or off? On unless I just forget them cause I do that

Happy or Moody most of the time: Hopefully I'm happy. Ask Chris. Or don't. Better yet.
Looking forward to: Ultra sound in 2 weeks! Ah !

And the end :] 

Celebrate !

Wooooo! I can't even begin to describe how happy I am right now. Except if you looked at me, I wouldn't look happy since I'm tired, so tired, wearing bum clothes and a hat. But really, inside I'm freaking out !

I got the job offer for the tech position in the school of pharmacy ! YAY! I really couldn't believe my eyes. "This isn't happening!" I finally caught a break. Only took a year. Goodness. It really has been a year since I started looking. Perseverance people !

So my notice was in within an hour of getting the offer letter. I'm done Oct 12, 2012 ! Start there Oct 15, 2012! No pay cuts (no raises either, but hey, I'm seriously not complaining!). Stability, no more insane drama. Seriously. Drama. And it's not even the girls causing it. What is this ! No more lab meetings. No more applications, resumes, all that. I'm done. I'm so ready to be done. Normal 8-4 Mon-Fri with a normal boss, and normal coworkers and normal work.

I am happier than a bird with a french fry! (I've always wanted to use that, but was never that kind of happy!)

So happy day. Good times. Oh October is going to be a great month ! There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. I can start my last official countdown to get outta here. And this time its real. And I'll really be leaving. Almost bitter sweet. Definitely a LOT of sweet, and a teeny tiny smidgen of bitter. YAY!

Old post #1

This one is dated June 25, 2010 (cute I just got married. Aw!) and is titled When Thou Are Converted. It's a good one ;] Enjoy !

So we had the missionaries over last night. Which isn't too much of a surprise because they're always over here. But they shared a spiritual thought with us that I've decided to share as well because it was very profound, touching, I liked it.

The scripture was from Luke 22:32:

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:
and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

This is Christ talking to Peter. And the part the Elders focused on was when Christ says "thou art converted." If you think of all the things that Peter was a part of, all that he saw, and Christ is saying when you are converted. He was there for the Sermon on the Mount, the fishes and loaves, he walked on water to Christ, he was there when others were raised from the dead by Jesus. He was an apostle of Jesus Christ and was there for so many miracles and amazing things. Yet, Jesus still says when thou art converted...

This makes me think of questions so many have asked about those that saw angels, witnessed miracles, and still rebelled from the Church, or turned away and denied the truth. Just because they saw an angel or witnessed Christ raise someone from the dead doesn't necessarily mean they'll be granted a testimony. They still had to work to believe, they still had to be converted regardless of all they had seen.

So what do you believe? Are you converted? Are you one of those people that have seen miracle after miracle and isn't committed? What do you need to do to be converted? Do it. Don't wait.

And once you are converted, follow Christ's counsel to Peter: Strengthen thy brethren. Once you know, once you have a testimony, you are told to go out and find those that are struggling, those that are weak and those that are still discovering for themselves.

Find it for yourselves and then help others. Thanks Elders.