My Due Date

My due date was a little bit sad. Of course, like every expectant mother I had secretly hoped I would be celebrating that day with my little babe in my arms. Instead I found that I had made no noticeable progress from the week before. Luckily our baby boy's heartbeat was strong, and he seemed to be doing great. I spent the day walking up and down stairs at the only mall my mom and I hadn't been walking at yet.

(Mall walking is the only walking-to-induce-labor option when you're due in the middle of icy winter)

I thought a lot that day about divine timing, and how all the blessings in my life have come at times that were perfect, even though I may have liked many of them sooner. Knowing that Heavenly Father has perfect knowledge and timing, I trusted that he would have my baby boy come exactly when it would be best.

Before falling asleep that night I wrote the following as part of a little letter to my boy:

"So tonight and every night, when I head to bed, it will be with a prayer of trust and a hope that tomorrow will bring you. One of these days very soon that hope will be fulfilled."

Little did I know that just seven hours later I'd wake up in labor...

These photos are some of the last taken of my bump-taken the day before my due date. I owe so much to my mama. She was such a great friend and always happy to keep me busy enough to not get discouraged that baby boy hadn't come yet. During the weeks before he came we went shopping, mall walking, to lunch, a movie and spent time hanging out in my nursery and picking out things for my boy. I thought she was the best then, but I knew it for sure after all she did for me when Owen came. Moms are just the best, aren't they?

The Last of the Bump

At this point my bump is nothing more than a memory-replaced by a darling, chubby, perfect little baby boy. I couldn't move on in my blog though until I finished documenting my bump though. I loved watching my body grow and change throughout my pregnancy. I was blessed with a love for my body and my bump while pregnant. How could I not love my body-knowing the miracle it was performing. 

As much as I loved this bump though, I absolutely love what was growing in it a million times more. 

Twenty-six Weeks

Twenty-seven Weeks

Twenty-eight Weeks

Twenty-nine Weeks

Thirty Weeks

Thirty-one Weeks

Thirty-two Weeks

Thirty-three Weeks

Thirty-four Weeks

Thirty-five Weeks

Thirty-six Weeks

Thirty-seven Weeks

Thirty-eight Weeks

Thirty-nine Weeks

The Final Countdown

My due date is 10 days away. I really feel like this little boy could show up any time-which would be ok with his mama. Before he comes though I want to take just a few minutes to share a few things about this pregnancy that have been on my mind.

-I love being pregnant. I have been blessed to be fairly healthy throughout this pregnancy, and the excitement of growing a baby has made this a wonderful experience.

-Feeling my baby boy inside me fills me with more happiness than I can express. I've loved that we've been a package deal for the last nine months, that no matter where I was I had one of my very best friends with me.

-Nesting is real, and settling into his little nursery was one of the most fun things about this last trimester. I loved hunting for the bargain furniture, washing his little clothes, and sewing his little mobile. Each little thing I did got me one step closer to him coming, and that made all of it extra special.

-I will miss hearing his heartbeat so frequently-but I'm pretty sure the little grunts, sneezes, cries and babbles will more than make up for it.

-I love this baby more than I thought I could, and I haven't even seen him yet. I'm in awe by the love I can feel for someone I've never even seen.

-As much as I want baby boy to be in my arms, and as uncomfortable as I am at this point in pregnancy, I'm trying my very best to make the most of this stage of my life. These final moments before he comes, and everything changes so drastically. One of my resolutions for this year is to be more present in every moment of my life and to enjoy the stage I'm in. So-as anxious as I am to hold him in my arms, for tonight I'm happy to cuddle up on the couch and feel his kicks inside me.

Showering our Little Boy

The day after Christmas our sweet aunt threw us a little family baby shower. It was a full of all of my favorite things-family time, delicious food, and of course celebrating this little boy! It was such a happy afternoon! Our family took very good care of this little guy, and helped us get so many of the essentials for him. It was a very happy day.

 My dear friend Ashley was in town and was kind enough to come celebrate Baby Boy with us. It was so fun to get to see her and discuss all things baby!

A few weeks later the darling second mom's I grew up with in the Alta Heights ward threw me a another shower. It was so fun to catch up with so many people I grew up with. They spoiled this sweet Baby Boy, and took very good care of me as well. I'm so glad a few of my friends could come too. My only regret is that I didn't take more pictures.

These baby showers reminded me once again how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life. I have so many people who care about me and already love my baby boy so much. It's inspiring and beautiful, and I'm so glad that we get to welcome this boy to a world where there is already so much love for him.

What Are You Doing New Years?

I've been looking forward to 2016 since I found out I was pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I made the most of the rest of 2015, and it was one of the best years of my entire life-but 2016 was always the bright light of the future.

The year I would get to hold my little boy, get to look into his eyes, and learn and grow with him.

I can't believe it is actually here. 2016.

I have big hopes for this year. More than anything though, I hope for lots of happy, peaceful moments with my boys. My resolution this year is to be more present-to take more time to enjoy the little moments by eliminating unnecessary distractions, and savoring the details of my life that bring me the most joy.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be my best year yet.

 New Years Eve dinner with the family.

Bumpin' Bumpin'

I'm completely obsessed with my baby boy, and everything that has to do with him-including this (not so little anymore) bump. I have actually loved watching my body grow in this way, and knowing that my little boy is growing right along with me. I'm so amazed by this whole baby growing process, and I feel so blessed to be experiencing it.

Thirteen Weeks

Fourteen Weeks 
(officially in that 2nd trimester and ready to tell the world)

Fifteen Weeks

Sixteen Weeks

Seventeen Weeks

Eighteen Weeks

Nineteen Weeks (It's a Boy!)

Twenty Weeks (Halfway!)

Twenty-one Weeks

Twenty-two Weeks

Twenty-three Weeks

Twenty-four Weeks

It's a Boy!!

Friday September 11th, at 19 weeks we finally got to see our little baby again. I'll always remember how nervous/excited/anxious we felt as we waited for the ultrasound. There were so many emotions-but mostly I just couldn't wait to see our baby. And, it did not disappoint. 

A beautiful head, wonderful toes, strong arms and legs, a beating heart, and a little something else that quickly made us say "It's a BOY!" 

A Boy. A healthy, strong, growing BOY! 

It immediately felt so right-of course he is a boy! He is my little boy. 

We celebrated by buying blue candy, and an "It's a Boy" balloon. We then headed out for "boy food" (delicious BBQ), and went home to watch a "boy movie" (the Avengers). Although I sometimes feel like I have no idea what to do with a little boy, growing up surrounded by so many girls, I could not be more excited to be the mama of this boy.

Dear Baby Boy,

You are growing so strong, and I couldn't be more proud of you. From the beginning I've told you not to worry about a thing, that I would take care of everything and all you needed to do was grow. Thanks for keeping your end of the deal. I can't wait to get to hold your strong hand in mine.

xoxo

Mama