Jane, My Hero

 

What would I do without Jane?

She's picked up the pieces-my pieces, juggled work, and kept

me and our family alive with her nutritious meals and snacks.

Her sacrifice of taking a semester off from BYU to help

me and our business is beyond gracious.

Jane is my hero.

When Jane starts her own family one day, and if 

she gets sick like me, I'm going to be there for her like she

has been for me.  There is no better gift than being cared for by someone

when everything seems so hard.

Today, I asked Christian if he remembers me being so sick

when I was pregnant with our other Nies, because I swear

this is the worst pregnancy I've had.

Then he said, 

"...Well, you are a little older this time..."

Tags

Today in the mail, Gigs got his missionary tags!!!

It's happening!

Go, Gigs, Go!!

 

Birth Control

 

This morning, Christian got me out of the house.

I really needed it.

Nothing gives me relief from my nausea.

On top of my medication, I wear a patch, which really

irritates my skin and causes huge welts.

Everything is uncomfortable.

And getting out helps.

So in my PJs, Christian and I drove around while he ran errands,

and I stared out the window.

When lunch came, we grabbed a taco.

Then, when dinner came around, we ordered pizza, picked it up

and ate it in the car.

When we needed gas, Christian got me a big Coke, which

sounds so yummy, but never tastes as good as I think it will.

I am the best birth control for my children.

After seeing me pregnant and moaning and groaning all day long

they will never want to have kids.

Especially my girls.

But once baby girl is born, I will have forgotten

about all these horrible HORRIBLE days.

And that's how we women keep having children.

We forget.

It's kind of a trick.

Skip To The End

 

Today I acted like a mom, got up, put real-life clothes on,

and took Lottie

to her 8th-grade back-to-school doctor's appointment.

Then, after we went to the mall for school shopping.

Online shopping is where it's at because who wants

to be at the mall weeks before the first day of school?

Not this old pregnant mom.

But we did anyway.

With the help of a Chick-fil-A milkshake, we did it.

When I got home, I looked in the mirror to find I had

sat on an orange peanut M&M at some point

during our shopping experience, which had embarrassingly

 stained my behind.

I stared at myself in the mirror and looked and felt unrecognizable.

I'm pregnant, but I don't look pregnant- just chubby,

and I hate wearing clothes because nothing fits, 

And I feel horrible all the time.

I'd like to just skip to the end.

Claire & Gigs

 This morning, Claire sent me a few photos of her adventures

with Gigs.

1. Start propagating plants for the new house.

2. Rip out cupboards and flooring.

3. Visit Claire at work in the hospital and have lunch together.

4. Visit the ASU campus.  Gigs is in love and wants to attend when

he gets home from his mission.

I mean, he was born there, technically, AZ is his state.

Congratulations to Nate & Claire on buying their first house!

I love this and all the hard work that got them here!

Even In My Pjs

 

Today, Christian and I drove Gigs to the airport, 

where he flew to Arizona to visit Claire and Nate.

He's there to help them with the new house they just bought, 

and this is his last trip before he becomes a missionary,

and the last time he'll see the newlyweds for two years.

Then Christian took me to lunch.

I love eating out and getting out.

Christian said he'd take me out every day if that

will help me feel better.

It does.

Even in my PJs.

Soooooooooooooooooooo

 I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooo sick.

This has just been the worst.

Lucky for me, Christian makes me breakfast 

and sets it out on my nightstand

before he heads to work to make sure I have food

in my tummy first thing in the morning.

It lowers the risk of my throwing up first thing.

But eating is soooooooooooooooooooooooo hard.

Everything is soooooooooooooooooo hard.

Tonight, the best thing I did was getting in the truck with

 Christian and to drive to the pastures and see the cows.

I rolled the windows down, stuck my head out, and felt

the warm air on my face, and for a minute, I felt OK.

Then I went home and back to bed.

Check!

 Today, Gigs and I got serious about his mission checklist and sat down
together and discussed everything from picking up his suits

at the tailors, to make sure he has enough socks, the right coat,

and the best shoes and boots.

Also, we scheduled his final missionary haircut.

I can't believe how close this has crept up on us.

I also can't believe that when he gets home in August of '27

he'll have a little sister who will be nearly 18 months old-

the same age Gigs was when we were in the accident.

Happy (Late) Graduation Dinner, Gigs!

I did something today that I haven't done- ever.

I cooked meat.  Today we celebrated Gigs graduating from high school- 

just a few months late, and he requested I cook something from 

Homestead Beef NC. 

So, I cooked meat.  And while pregnant, too.  

It really took me back to my childhood, watching my mom salt and pepper

our Sunday roasts.  Good memories.

My cooking meat is a big deal, and this

first attempt was about what I imagined.

Overcooked and tough.

But we had a fun time celebrating Gigs and ALL his accomplishments, 

including his pending mission!  It's all coming so fast.

I am so grateful I felt well enough to do this today.

And grateful he was a good sport to put on his cap and gown 

for this family celebration.

And grateful for all my beautiful blooms in the garden.

Claire Graduates

Jane Graduates

Ollie Graduates

Shrimp Juice

 Today I woke and felt pretty good.  

Christian knows that getting me out of the house makes me really good.

So often, he stops what he is doing and takes me to lunch.  

Just a simple lunch date can alter the day. I love going out to eat, 

and it's no secret that pregnant ladies would MUCH RATHER EAT OUT 

than in their own kitchen any day.  And that's me.  

I'd rather die than cook (enter: Jane). 

Opening the refrigerator is a HUGE challenge for me,

especially since a package

 (I can't even type this without feeling nauseated) of thawing 

shrimp juice spilled from the top shelf to all 4 subsequent shelves below. 

We can't get rid of the smell. 

 I'm not kidding, I have to tell everyone to please let me know when

 they are going to open the fridge because I have to leave.

Anyway, lunch was the best thing that happened to me today, 

AND I TOOK A BARRE CLASS!!!!!!!! 

I wanted to cry halfway through; it was part excitement,

and part frustration about being out of shape.

All in due time. 

Hello August. Let's Do This.

 I don't love the month of August.  I try and try, but I don't.  

Here's why:

I almost died in August; it goes on FOREVER, it's always too hot

with not enough rain

(when all I want is for it to be cool and fall), school begins in August,

and Gigs begins his mission on the 18th!

Oh, August.

I think this list is really skewed by my "pregnancy grumps."

Today I am 14 weeks pregnant, and feel a little better, enough

 that I'm thinking of going back to Barre to take a class.  

It's been months since I've done a class.

I'm a long way from getting the mic on to teach, but one step at a time.  

Getting out of bed is a huge challenge for me.

I feel so sick, and even thinking about something to eat

sounds horrific.

Christian usually brings me a bowl of steel-cut oats

topped with fruit.

At first, I want to die, but then slowly I get it in me, and 

baby girl is happy, and then I do feel much better.

This morning, Jane brought me a muffin she made

and placed it on my nightstand before she headed into work.

I woke up and was so grateful to have it,

Also, this morning I planned our Back to School Feast and

all the festivities that go along with that.

I've nailed down the theme, colors, and even the menu.

I mean, I REALLY MUST be feeling better to do all that.

Goodbye, July!

Claire, New Jersey, July 2005

July

by Annette Wynne

July's for Independence Day,

For flags and speeches and for play,

For hiding deep in meadow grass

And watching flying creatures pass,

For sailing boats on little seas,

Where just the smallest summer breeze

Can blow; for picking flowers any day;

July comes for flags and play. 

People.Com

Oh, you know, learning about Ozzy Osbourne's death,

 how Heidi Klum stays so skinny and hot, 

AND the huge plot twist in the life of Stephanie Nielson. 

A baby after 13 years, I mean, this is all serious news.

1.4 million views of baby girl Nielson, who looks like a peanut/acorn.

I wish Topher were alive to see this headline; he'd love it!

I'm shocked.

I love you all!

PS.  The headline was a little confusing, 

Many thought I was having my THIRTEENTH CHILD.

HA!  

Ummmmmmm, and no.

 

Go Back

(Lottie, '12.  I do make the cutest babies)

 The cat is out of the bag! 

I'm pregnant 13 weeks tomorrow!!

It's happening, it's real!!!

And it's the biggest shock of my life!!!!

I've been posting about it along the way.

You can go back and read about it. I've posted everything now. 

I hadn't published my posts until I was out of the woods

(I had a miscarriage after Lottie)

 and knew the baby's sex (GIRL!). 

So, go back and read.

Starting Here

(Also, enjoy Claire's wedding photos!)

The Big Reveal

 Today I got an e-mail notification letting me know my blood tests were back.  

Among the terrific news is that all my genetic testing proved low-risk, 

the gender was available for revealing! Yay!!

Christian was leaving in the truck, and I waved him down, trying to catch him 

before he left (which was the most exercise I've had in like 4 weeks). 

I told him that we got the news.  

THE NEWS that we've been anticipating since the blood draw 10 days ago.

He parked the car, and we sat on the front porch swing in the 104-degree

 (plus humidity) weather.

I clicked "See Results".  Guess what popped up?  

FEMALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a girl! 

I was pretty sure it was a boy.  I was very wrong.  

Christian and I decided to keep it a secret and take the 

Nies out for dinner to share the results. 

After we all ordered our food, Christian lingered and secretly 

asked if the restaurant could make pink shakes for our table 

and bring them over in about 20 minutes- after we'd gotten our food.

The cute 16-year-old boy, Garrett, who took our order, could hardly

 contain his excitement when Christian mentioned "gender reveal." 

He brought over the six pink shakes even before we had our first bite of food. 

The Nies were puzzled because no one had ordered shakes

and I said, “Well, guys, surprise, we're having a girl!

Everyone was shocked, mainly because we all expected that I would have a boy. 

Then Claire and Nate called from Arizona; they had stopped for 

shakes after work and were with us in spirit. 

It was a really special moment for all of us.

 And Garrett, who brought us the pink shakes, probably had the best 

story to share with his family when he got home!

Carry On

 This is an important post...

And the photo has nothing to do with it.

Christian and I had a lovely dinner with one of our dearest friends 

and family doctor, who casually told me that 

the patch that is placed behind my ears that I am using for my nausea 

MAKES MY EYESIGHT BLURRY.  I AM NOT AN OLD LADY.  

ONCE THE PATCH IS OFF, MY EYESIGHT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL.

And my old lady glasses can be put away until a further date,

which will probably and inevitably be in the near future.

CARRY ON.

Old Lady

 A few days ago, I woke up and couldn't see.

I should clarify, I could see it's just that everything was blurry.

Being old and pregnant strikes again.

I'm not talking like a little burry, I'm talking, I-couldn't-see-my

hand-in-front-of-my-face-blurry.

What is going on?!

Then I found myself on the computer, 2 inches

away from the computer with Christian's readers on.

The ones he bought last year.

(I'm sorry for all the times I made fun of you, honey).

Then I bought myself OLD LADY GLASSES. Readers.

Not one pair, but THREE pairs because I need one

for my purse, my nightstand, and the car.

Also, went to the dentist, and I need a crown.

Why is this ALL happening at once?

Every Two Hours

 Having Jane home is like having a 

personal nanny/cleaner/personal chef/personal assistant.
She has taken over work at Barre3 since I can't even go near the studio,

 or I will spontaneously throw up.  It's actually tragic. 
She has been planning/preparing protein-rich food for me and baby

then brings it in and waits and watches me take a few bites 

before moving on, just to be sure I'm eating.  

I've been known to request food, get it, and then reject it the second

she puts it in front of me.

Or leave it abandoned on the edge of my bed.

I'm so weird.

She does this for me every two hours.  It's the sweetest thing ever.
Today I requested refried beans from a can on chips.  

She whipped that up, then for dinner brought me quinoa & veggies.  
 I couldn't do this without Jane.

Then I saw this photo of me, as we took photos

for the studio, and I want to scream at her and say, 

"Big news, honey, you don't know it yet, but YOU ARE PREGNANT!"

Halloween Ready Or Not, Here It Comes!

 
I went into the store today to stock up on grape Gatorade

 (my life juice, and the only reason I drink liquid), 

and saw HALLOWEEN HAD ARRIVED!!!!!
I was so excited.  I am 100% on the Halloween train.  Bring it on!

Gigs Is In Mission Prep Mode

It's mission prep time over here. 

We've gotten most of the items Nicholas will need for his mission, 

including his suits, extra slacks, ties, white shirts, shoes, boots, a coat, 

gloves, a hat, an umbrella, a belt, and socks. 

We want to ensure he has enough supplies to last him for two years on his mission. 

Tomorrow, we will take him to the tailor to get his suits fitted.

I can't believe we're here already.

Where did the time go?

I sat curled up on the floor with a blanket,

while trying to be helpful but feeling rotten.

I'm almost 13 weeks!  Shouldn't I be feeling better?

It's crazy to think he'll be living halfway across the world, 

and even crazier to me that I won't get his phone messages 

with him grunting like a zombie for several minutes for no reason.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll miss that.

 

Thank You, Katherine

 This morning, Christian and I went to the Main WakeMed hospital

OBED in Raleigh and admitted because they have some magical nurses 

who can obtain blood from unusual, complex cases — like mine.

Blood draw is taken per regular prenatal testing (including gender!),

I am the worst blood draw case ever.

While I was there, the vascular team came to my room and checked my skin

for my PICC line, which will be inserted around 36 weeks.

Katherine was my nurse, and in all my blood-drawing experiences

was hands-down the best one ever.

She was gentle, quick, and just so lovely, too.

I left the hospital feeling really uplifted!

Thank you, Katherine.

I'll be requesting her for my repeat blood draw at 23 weeks.

I've been reflecting a lot about this baby and all the change that

is coming along with it.  It's often been a little

bit unsettling and overwhelming.

But today in our Come, Follow Me reading, 

I read this from amazing Sister Virginia H. Pierce 

"Even though we may not see, minute to minute, that we are moving 

forward and making progress, I believe we will be able to one day look back

 at our lives and see that we were, in fact, doing just what we needed to be 

doing at just the right time in just the right place. We can trust that the

 Lord will work in and through us. Mormon expressed it beautifully: 

“And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth 

all things which are to come; 

wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.”

Like Mormon, I do not know all things, but I do know that the 

Lord works in faithful, prayerful people to do according to his will. 

I know that by small and simple means are great things brought to pass."

This perspective today has changed me.

I am so thankful for prayer, for hope, for faith,

The Book of Mormon, and for miracles!

I Should Be In These Photos

 I have been looking forward to this weekend 

since Barre3 Chatham Park opened last month.

Aubrey, my master trainer from the Barre3 Home Office, 

was coming to spend time with me and my B3 team.  

With training and workshops for all of us, it will be helpful and enlightening! 

I was especially looking forward to it because 

Aubrey guided me through all my training and certification.

But today I woke up feeling so sick.

I wasn't able to keep anything down, but still determined to NOT miss

this much-anticipated training, I got myself up and into the studio.

BIG MISTAKE.

I couldn't keep anything down.

I believe the studio has a smell that is imprinted in my soul, 

and it automatically makes me feel nauseous. It's truly awful.

I sat in the office while Aubrey, Jane, Christian, and I went over

policies and procedures, and all things Barre3.

First, I tried plugging my nose inconspicuously,

then I unbuttoned the top button of my jeans.

Then I excused myself and threw up in the bathroom, then 

I peed my pants all in the Barre3 bathroom and all at the same time.

I was miserable. SO miserable.

I can't stress how horrible this timing is.

Tomorrow is our instruction training.  I don't think I'll be able to go.

Some leader I am.