Baby Girl Cecil- 24 Weeks

The blog has been put on hold while we have been moving. I am now 26 weeks but better late than never. One thing that I have loved about being pregnant is that I get to see my baby girl so often. I have been told by so many people that I am getting spoiled and that I can't expect to have so many ultrasounds every time I am pregnant. Because I was getting ready to move, my doctor in Houston let me have one more ultrasound before the big move to check her growth. I didn't know how long it was going to take me to get into a doctor in Fort Worth so he let me have one more before we left. Eric has been to every doctor appointment and I was so bummed that he had to miss out on this one. He had to travel for work and the doctor could only see me on that one specific day before we had to take off but I was sure to send him pictures of his little baby girl. I was so sad to leave my doctor in Houston but am so glad to have found such a great one in Fort Worth. 

Baby girl was hiding her face from the camera but, she let mommy see her fingers and toes which made me very happy. It is so crazy to see how much she has changed since week 5 and 8. It truly is a little miracle! 

How Far Along?

24 Weeks!! Can't believe it!

Baby Size?

Baby girl is the size of a Cantaloupe. When I went to the doctor she weighed 1 pound 5 oz.

Sick?

Heartburn and little aches and pains here and there but for the most part I am feeling great!

Showing?

Oh yes! This belly of mine is very noticeable now. People say that from the back you can't tell I am pregnant but as soon as I turn around there it is. Eric tells me that it looks like I have a soccer ball under my shirt. 

Maternity Clothes?

Nothing fits and I am just fine with it. I wear lots of leggings and t-shirts, dresses, and skirts. Sometimes it is hard to get dressed in the morning and find something to wear. When I start to get frustrated, I am always reminding myself that I have a healthy baby girl that is growing and I need to snap out of it. It is a good feeling when nothing fits but you have a good reason for it. 

Movement?

Absolutely!! This has been so fun. Every morning after Eric goes to work, I crawl back into bed and love to watch her move around. It has started to look like a tidal wave in there. She is always moving around unless she is sleeping. The kicks just keep getting stronger and I am loving it. I cherish the times that I just get to relax and watch my belly move around.

Making me Sick?

Dealing with raw meat makes me a little queasy. Other than that though, nothing is making me sick at all! Yippee!!

Craving?

Lemonade and Chinese food are now the cravings! I am trying to drink as much water as I am lemonade. Sometimes it is rough but, I am managing. 

Happy, Sad, or Moody?

It is hard to tell how I am going to feel on certain days. Most days, I am happy but I most definitely have my fair share of occasional breakdowns for no reason. I keep reminding my hubby that hormones are a real thing.

Looking Forward to...

Continuing to feel my little baby girl move and getting everything ready for her to get here. I can't believe how soon she will be here. Eric and I are getting into gear and are getting her nursery all ready. I have started to feel a little overwhelmed that I am going to be a mommy to this little child. There is so much responsibility that comes with being a parent but we couldn't be more excited. 

2015 Utah Trip #4- Wedding

Eric and I can both honestly say that this trip to Utah was the best one yet this year. There was nothing better than watching my best friend and sister be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity to a guy that we just adore. We couldn't be happier for McCall and Austin and feel so blessed that we were able to be there with them as they celebrated this special time in their lives. 
Eric and I flew in on the super early flight from Houston and were able to get into Utah at 10am. We spent the say visiting with family and then we were able to be with McCall as she went through the temple. This was something that was so special for me. I loved being in the temple with my parents, husband, sister, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and my soon to be brother-in-law and his family. It was also very fun to be sitting in the session and feeling my baby girl moving around. Nothing makes this mommy happier right now than knowing that my baby girl is healthy. 

On Thursday, Eric and I spent the day just hanging out. This mama went to go look at baby blessing dresses for my little girl, I helped McCall pack for her honeymoon, Eric went to Austin's bachelor party, and we loved catching up with friends and family. Friday was spent helping McCall and Austin move into their new place, catching up with more friends, and attending Macie's dance recital. Saturday was WEDDING DAY and it could of not been anymore perfect. My mom and dad left super early with McCall to get to the Salt Lake Temple and Morgan, Macie, Eric, and I drove up separate. I can't say enough how much I loved being in the temple with McCall and Austin. They walked in the sealing room and I started balling like a baby. Of course, as soon as one of us starts crying, it is a ripple effect. McCall saw that I was teary and she looked at me and told me to stop because she then started crying. Everyone kept saying that I was a mess during the ceremony and I like to blame it on hormones and my baby girl but deep down, I know that it was the spirit and my tears were happy tears for the new Mr. and Mrs. Nate. 

The luncheon was perfect and Morgan, Macie, and I wrote a poem that we read to Austin and McCall. It was pretty funny and people got a good kick out if. After the luncheon was over, my parents, Morgan, Macie, Eric, and I went over to the Grand America hotel to change. My dad was smart and planned ahead that we were going to need a place to change before the reception. He booked a room for us and we hurry and changed and cleaned up a bit before we had more pictures and the reception. The reception was perfect and McCall and Austin just looked so happy. The day could not have been more perfect. We don't have all of the pictures back but here are a few that we took throughout the day.

On Sunday, Eric and I packed up and came home to Houston. It was sad to leave and I miss living close to family but I am so thankful that we were able to go and be apart of McCall's wedding. McCall and Austin came home from their honeymoon to Cabo last weekend and this past week has been to fun to talk to my sister about married life. She is such a great wife already and she and I have loved swapping recipes, ideas, and just talking about married life. I am so glad to have a sister that is married now that understands everything that comes with marriage. I love McCall so much and Eric and I love that she and Austin are married for eternity and for their lives together. 

Baby Girl Cecil- 20 Weeks

Eric and I could not have been more excited when we went to our 20 week doctor appointment. We were most excited to find out if our little one was a boy or girl but we were also very relieved to find out that we have a healthy little baby and everything is looking good in there with our little one. Baby Cecil is a GIRL and we are absolutely thrilled. I thought it was a boy and Eric thought it was a girl so I was very surprised when the doctor told us it was a girl. She is already SO spoiled and loved more than she will ever know. 

How Far Along?

20 Weeks! Half way there!

Baby Size?

Baby Girl is the size of a Banana. She weights 13 oz. 

Sick?

I have been feeling like I am not even pregnant. Besides the occasional heartburn, I have been feeling so good. That first trimester is rough but around week 15 I started to feel like a normal person again. Yippee!!

Showing?

Absolutely!! I have a belly on me. It is so fun and I love everything about it. It makes me so excited to know that my little one is growing healthy in there. People tell me from the back you can't tell that I am pregnant but when I turn around you can totally tell because I most definitely have a tummy. I carry all in the front and not in the back or in my hips. I guess that is a good thing people are telling me.

Maternity Clothes?

Oh yes! I have only bought a couple things that are actually "maternity" but I have been shopping around and have been trying to find things that fit. It isn't easy to find things that I like but I have realized that when you are pregnant it isn't a fashion show and sometimes you just have to wear things that fit. J Crew has had some stuff that has been easy to fit into but mostly I wear dresses and leggings and long shirts. 

Movement?

She is moving around all of the time. I keep telling Eric that we have a little dancer in there. She wakes up super early just like her daddy and likes to go to bed early like mommy. I keep telling Eric that he can be on morning duty with her when she gets here. I love feeling her move around and Eric loves when he is able to feel her playing in there.

Making me Sick?

Nothing!! I feel great!!

Craving?

I crave the weirdest things! Lemonade, watermelon, and chips and salsa are a must throughout the day.

Happy, Sad, or Moody?

I have felt like I have been super happy recently. However, there are many times when I just break down in tears for no reason. Eric has come to realize that many times it is just hormones and I can't control my emotions many times. 

Looking Forward to...

Now that we know that our little one is a girl, we are looking forward to continue getting everything set up for her to come and to continue watching her grow. This mommy has been going crazy shopping for her and I know her grandma's and aunt's are having fun as well. Eric and I love our little girl so much and couldn't be happier she is healthy and growing strong. Now we just need to be patient and wait another 20 weeks until we can get her here and hold her. We can't wait to be a mommy and daddy in a couple months.

Baby Cecil- 16 Weeks

We got to hear baby Cecil last week and it was Mother's day weekend so that called for some shopping for our little one. This mommy and daddy are super excited and baby is already getting spoiled. I am afraid this is just the beginning!

How Far Along?

16 Weeks! We can't believe it!

Baby Size?

The baby is the size of an avocado. The baby is about 4.6 inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces. 

Sick?

By week 14 this mama started to feel so much better. There are some days where I still wake up and feel nauseous and if I am not eating as often as I should then I get sick. There are still some times when I throw up if I eat something that my tummy doesn't like while being pregnant but other than that I feel so much better. I didn't gain a pound my first trimester but once the second trimester started I have noticed that I am gaining about a pound every week to week and a half. Doctor says this is good so bring on the baby weight!

Showing?

Right around week 15 I noticed a little bump. It is nothing big but Eric and I can notice it. It is so fun to be able to see this belly of mine start to grow. My sisters have noticed it and I think it is starting to feel real for them that they are going to be aunt's.

Maternity Clothes?

YES! All of a sudden I needed some clothes that would work with this pregnant tummy of mine. All of my pants are tight enough now that I cannot wear them. Instead of buying maternity clothes, I am just wearing leggings and long shirts, dresses, and skirts. It is so hot in Texas anyway and pants are no fun to wear in the summer so I am most definitely not wearing pants while pregnant in the Texas summer.

Movement?

This week I was laying in bed and all of a sudden it felt like a muscle twitched and then it happened again. It was the best thing and as soon as it happened I knew that it was the baby. The doctor said that many first time moms start to feel movements right around now. Now that I know what it feels like, I am so happy when I feel it everyday. It makes me so happy to know my little one is safe in there.

Making me Sick?

I still don't eat much meat because it sometimes makes me sick. Eric deals with all the raw meat or I just gag while cooking dinner. The smell of fish also makes me queasy but other than that nothing is really making me sick anymore.

Craving?

Every day is different and I crave so many different things. Most of the time, I crave Mexican food or Pizza. So weird! There have been many nights where we have had pizza delivered or ran out late for some chips and salsa. Another thing that I crave big time is lemonade. I love Nordstrom's lemonade so I make a stop there a couple times a week and grab myself one. Chick-fil-a has yummy lemonade as well. I am always making sure that I am drinking as much water as I am lemonade.

Happy, Sad, or Moody?

Every day is different. My poor hubby never knows how his wife is going to be acting when she wakes up. I am usually pretty happy but if someone makes me mad then everyone just better stay away. Someone hit my car the other day in the Target parking lot and it was a hit-and-run. I was so sad and mad all at the same time. I ended up crying all day long. My husband was out of town on business in Utah which was already so hard and I was home with a messed up car. Thankfully, once he got home from his business trip he took my car to get some estimates and he is in the process of figuring everything out to have it fixed. Eric can say that one thing he has learned throughout this pregnancy is hormones are a real thing and they can do some crazy things to my emotions.

Looking Forward to...

We find out in 2 1/2 weeks if this little one is a girl or a boy and we cannot wait. When we were at our 16 week appt. this past week, I knew Eric was really hoping that the doctor would do a quick ultrasound and tell us what it is. The office was busy and I didn't have an ultrasound scheduled so we will find out the end of May. We are so excited and can't wait to find out what it is. Boy or Girl, Eric and I just hope for a healthy little baby. 

2015 Utah Trip #3- UVU Graduation and McCall's Bridal Shower

We spent the week in Utah last week and it was so dang fun. It is always so hard to come home. Eric was in Utah this week again for a day for some meetings and it was killing me inside that I was in Texas and he was in Utah. The Utah trip #3 was for my graduation from UVU. I attended campus at UVU for the first two years of school and then I got married and my husband had already graduated from BYU (the day before we got married) so we moved to Texas for work. Luckily, I was able to finish the last two years of my degree online. I was not sure that I wanted to walk at graduation but Eric kept telling me graduation probably wouldn't feel real unless I walked and I wanted to do it for my parents who made it possible for my to get my degree through Utah Valley University. I have not stopped thinking about my graduation and I am so glad I went back to Utah to walk. Eric, my parents, and my grandparents spent two days with me at commencement and convocation and it was so fun to have them there with me as I celebrated this exciting accomplishment. Mitt Romney was the commencement speaker and he gave a fabulous speech. His speech was something that many of us women could really relate to. You can watch it here. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Emergency Services Administration with an emphasis in Management.

Eric graduated from BYU with his bachelors degree in Business Management in April 2013 and this was the picture that we have from his graduation. It was only fitting that we got the same picture at my UVU graduation exactly two years later in April 2015. My parents threw me a graduation dinner after convocation on Friday with some close family and it was very fun. We went to Brio and celebrated this exciting time.

Graduation from college is something that I will always remember. That diploma is hanging up proudly. Eric was joking that it didn't take me long to get it displayed in our home. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had these past 4 years to gain a college education. Right now, I am excited to be a mommy and to raise my family. However, I feel so much comfort in knowing that I have a college degree in something that I enjoy doing and if I ever want or need to go to work, I have my degree and I can raise my family on it if needed. Now that all this homework and school stuff is over we are preparing for our new little arrival!

Since I live in Houston, I am not able to attend all of my sisters bridal showers. Luckily, my sweet Aunt and Grandma threw her a family shower while I was there so I was able to attend at least one of them. It was so fun to be able to celebrate my sisters upcoming wedding with my family and Austin's mom and sister. It is only 6 weeks away and we are getting so excited to have another boy in the family. 

My mom and I were in charge of the cookies for the favors and mine is still sitting here it is so dang cute I don't want to open it and ruin all the darling packaging. McCall's favorite treat is Sweet Tooth Fairy cookies so we of course had to have those for dessert. I gave McCall a Scout beach bag, beach towels, and sunscreen for her bridal shower. That was one of my favorite things that I received for my wedding so I had to get her one. My sweet husband asked me the other day how much money I have spent on my sister for her wedding ;) I kept reminding him that when your sister gets married you have to get her all the exciting things that you got that no one else would think to get her or things that aren't on her registry. It has been so fun shopping for my sister for her wedding. 

Utah was so much fun celebrating my graduation from college and my sister's bridal shower. Eric and I are now home getting all of our outfits pulled together for the wedding in just 6 short weeks. It is so weird for me to think that my sister is getting married but Eric and I can't wait to be with McCall when she goes through the temple and then be with her and Austin in the temple as they are sealed for time and all eternity. I feel so much happiness knowing that they will be together forever. They are a great couple and Eric and I love and adore them.

Two Years!

Wow! We hit the two year mark. It is so great to be married to the person you love the most for eternity. Eric and I have had so many fun things happen in our marriage over the past two years. Eric graduated from college the day before we got married, we went on a very fun honeymoon, we accepted a job with BNSF Railway which meant leaving Utah and moving to Houston, TX,  and we have served in many different callings in our church and are currently serving in the YM and YW organizations so we get to work together which is very fun. I am graduating in a couple days with my degree, Eric is getting ready to take the GMAT in preparation for graduate school to get his MBA, and I think Eric and I can both say that the most exciting thing that has happened these past two years is the opportunity that we have to welcome a new little addition into our family in October. Eric and I always knew that we wanted to have a big family and it is so fun to see our family growing. There is nothing right now that brings us more joy than to know that we will have a little baby in our home in 6 months. The past two years have been incredible and Eric and I feel so blessed that we were able to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. What a blessing it is to be with your best friend for forever.

How are YOU Perceived?

Yesterday, I gave a lesson to all of the Young Women about the ways that we are perceived. We talked a lot about modesty and our attitude and what people think about us by what we wear and also what our attitude is like. As I was planning my lesson and thinking about the way I wanted to be perceived, there were so many different things that came to my mind. It is so important that we stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. Every week when the Young Women stand up and say the theme, they say that they will stand as a witness of God. I explained to the Young Women that as a follower of Jesus Christ, it is important that we always are being a good example of him and doing the things that he would want us to do. It is a hard world out there and it may be hard sometimes to stand up even when you are standing alone. We talked about if the Savior walked into the room that we were in right now if we would feel comfortable by the things that we were wearing and would he be pleased by the way we act towards leaders, friends, family members, etc. This was a great thing for me to think about and I hope that my sweet Young Women are thinking more about it today. How we are perceived says a lot about us and I think it is important that we are always cautious of the way we are acting, dressing, etc. We truly need to be an example to those around us and show at all times that we are a follower of Jesus Christ. Hope that was a ittle inspiration for the day. 

Final Project

I have been working on finals and for one of my classes, we were asked to create a mission statement for ourselves and to share it with the class. The teacher asked that we think about the things that mean the most to us and the things that we will always put "first" in our lives. As I was thinking about it, I decided that the best way to show the things that meant the most to me was through pictures. All of the things in my mission statement were things that mean the most to me and things that I will take with me to the next life. I am most grateful for my family, friends, the gospel, my talents and gifts, and my education. These things are things that I treasure and will always try to improve. I am a daughter, sister, wife, friend, and I will soon be a mommy. These things bring me so much joy and I am grateful everyday that I am able to know who I am, know the things that matter most, and know the things that I should be focusing on every day to become a better person now and in the future.