There used to be feet there...

Have you ever looked down at your feet only to see a huge belly in the way? Well everytime I go downstairs I have to turn slightly to the side so I dont fall forward. I laugh to myself everytime and think "hmm there used to be some feet down there" now they are just hidden. Lord help us make it through the next 9 weeks!

Welcome Harley! :)

Saturday we decided to take a trip to the animal shelter in Salt Lake. Not exactly sure why...because if you step foot in one of those, you are TOTALLY bringing home an animal! I love animals, we had them all the time growing up. Shaun doesn't love animals. Lincoln LOVES animals! In fact, in California he kept asking if we could bring my sisters dog home with us! lol

The shelter is HUGE!!! It is a really nice facility. Shaun has said all along if we got a dog it had to be a lab. They are mellow, great with kids, and just all around amazing dogs. That is what my sister has too. When we were at the shelter guess what we saw?!? A black 11 month old, with a white patch JUST LIKE my sisters dog, and Lincoln WANTED IT!!! We took it out to "bond" with it, and it instantly fell in love with Shaun. It was so cute to watch! About an hour later, we were driving home with Harley!

Lincoln LOVES his doggie. And now that he knows his name is Harley, not Luke, they get along great. Harley is already house trained, knows simple commands, and super mellow. It's such a great thing! I love having him around...and he STILL loves Shaun! You should see his reaction when Shaun comes in the door from work! Now all we gotta do is work on being a good walking dog!

C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A

Did I tell you we went to California last week?! I didn't...well that is because it was a TOTALLY RANDOM spur of the moment decision. I am talking, Saturday night at 8pm we looked at each other and said, lets do it! Shaun had a week of vacation from his old job so we wouldn't be missing any work, and we were both ITCHING to get back to California. It has been raining NON STOP for 3 weeks and we needed some sunshine. So we packed our bags, loaded the new car (what better way to break in a new car than a long road trip) and went to bed that night with huge smiles knowing we would be where our hearts belonged the next day.

We left at 5:30am, made only 2 stops for gas and bathrooms (I am telling you I have the best traveling toddler ever!!!) and got to Antioch, my inlaws, a little before 3pm. Not too shabby considering we have a newly potty trained toddler, a pregnant woman, and about 900 miles between us and California! NOT A SINGLE PERSON knew we were coming! The reactions were great!

We sent Lincoln up to my inlaws door with his suitcase and bear, rang the doorbell and Shaun and I hid around the corner. When my mother in law answered, we heard, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?" Then we appeared and she was SHOCKED!!! Two days later I did the same thing to my sister. I put Lincoln up at the door, rang the doorbell and hid. I heard my nephew as he opened the door go "LINCOLN!!!" Then I walked inside, my sister came to the door and said, "I think you are going to make Auntie cry...let me look at you" It was amazing!!! I will NEVER tell people we are coming again! It had been 5 months since I had seen my sister and her family and their reactions were great!!!

Watching my little nephew Gio and Lincoln, who are only 9 months apart, and were ALWAYS together, be together again was so special. My favorite was when they both realized they can both talk now and they said to each other "hey you talk now" It was like they never missed a day hanging out. They were both so happy and in great moods! When we were leaving my nephew was crying which broke my heart and he said "but if Linky go home I have no friend again"...oh man pull on my heart little man!!! We were also able to go to Milo's kindergarten graduation...I have NEVER missed a big event in my sisters families lives so I was soooo thankful I could be there! Funny how I had all these ideas to go to restaurants I have been missing, donut shops, etc, and yet, I found myself just wanting to sit at her house and soak in every single moment because I knew it would be over sooo fast.

We ended the trip with a visit to AT&T park (of course!) and the Giants WON!!! What an amazing end to that really boring game! Sadly I was in the bathroom (thank you Brynlee) when all the exciting stuff was happening so I only heard it over the speakers in there. Oh well!!!

Oh did I mention I got in a car accident while there?!? In my BRAND NEW car!? Stupid girl was reversing in a parking lot, there was a car behind me so I couldn't go anywhere (I wasnt reversing, I was going straight). I honked my horn sooo loud CONTINUOUSLY and she never even ONCE looked! The CRASH!!! Lincoln was in the back seat, totally confused as to what happened. I was pist because I had my kid in the car, my baby in my belly, and my new car was now damaged! THANK GOD she had insurance, the damage isnt horrible, but we will be getting a new car seat, and they will fit the front bumper...when her insurance finally responds to ours! Longest process ever! UGH I am getting so mad again just thinking about it!!! She admitted it was her fault, I said usually when someone is honking you stop! She said her music was too loud and didn't hear anything...uhhh then turn it down next time!!!

The drive back was LONG!!! We made SEVERAL more stops on the way home than before. We left later, which I have learned I HATE!!! We left at about 8:30am and it felt like we drove all day! We didn't pull into our driveway till about 10pm! We did stop for an hour lunch break to let Lincoln out and play. Then at dinner we found a park by a gas station and let him play for about an hour again. So take away those stops and it wouldn't have been too horrible. Oh and add in his new line "how much longer"...oh brother!!! We will always leave early from now on!!!

I am so glad we got to visit. Originally we were going to fly home in November for a week, but with Shauns new job, I am not sure we will. He wants me to fly out still for the entire week, but with a toddler and a newborn, at holiday time, I am a TAD nervous!!! He would drive out and only miss 2 days of work instead of a week...then we would all drive home...just not sure about it yet. We will have to discuss it more. I want to go because I want everyone to meet Brynlee, but I don't want to go by myself. Maybe my mother in law will fly out here then fly back with me...who knows!!! For now, we are staying put, working on our backyard (thank you rain for FINALLY stopping) and will just have to figure out another time to visit. Our next FOR SURE trip is to Disneyland in February! So excited!!!

So glad the 3rd trimester appeared!

Holy moly am I ever so glad the third trimester is FINALLY here! Lately, I have been so uncomfortable. Walking up the steps is a HUGE task and I find myself having to sit down when I get to the top. I am so much more uncomfortable this time, mainly because she is SO low!!! I can also feel my skin stretching at certain points during the day...something I never had with Lincoln. So pretty much, this girl is making me TIRED, EXHAUSTED, and already working me hard! I hope she is not like this when she is born!!!

I went to the dr yesterday and she is healthy as a baby can be. All restrictions have been lifted. She is head down, and 2 pounds. If I continue this way, she is on track to be about 7 pounds. Which Lincoln was 6lbs 13 oz so I think that is about right. I did the glucose tolerance yesterday too so hopefully I pass with flying colors again! :) I am not sure what the big deal is about the drink. Drink it ice cold (my doctor gave it to me at my last appointment so I could take it home and drink before my appointment) and I just chugged it down. It really is just like a flat soda. I did learn it is the same as eating 5 candy bars! I think next time I will just ask for the candy bars! :)

Below is a picture of Lincoln on top, and Brynlee on bottom. Same point in pregnancy, same outfit. You can see I am clearly larger with this one!!! Just think, I will only continue to grow too! Thank goodness restrictions are lifted and we got a double jogging stroller...I see lots of walks in my near future! :)

Say hello to our new Journey! :)

So a few weeks ago Shauns truck had to go into the shop. Normally it would be no big deal, but we had sold my car before we moved to Utah (lets be honest, it would NOT have made that trip) so we were without a car. Shaun had to get to work and back and I needed to get Lincoln to Ogden and back for baseball and my dr appointment. So we got a rental car. First, it was a little Toyota, but it REAKED of smoke and as a pregnant lady with a nose of a dog, that was NOT going to be happening. We went back told them the issue and they very nicely upgraded us to an SUV. Actually, I think it is technically a "crossover"...whatever that means! Anyway, it was a Dodge Journey.

I had shown Shaun a Journey a few months prior as something that fits right in our budget, has the third row option we would want, and is a smaller SUV so good gas mileage. He instantly said no because it was a mini van. Well folks, fast forward a few months and guess who was in love with the car?!? We LOVED our rental. So much that we spent the weekend we had it looking at other Journeys to purchase! We knew we would eventually be getting a new car because Shaun got a new job and would be going to North Salt Lake and back daily, and he wanted me to have something to get the kids around. So it was a time a comin I tell ya!

We couldn't find any that we really loved. The miles were either too high or the price was insane and they wouldn't budge. We have Lincoln with us while trying to car search...have you ever tried that?!? Taking a toddler with you?? SOOO HARD!!! So after three days of the search with a toddler, I had thrown in the towel. One thing I love about Shaun is that when he starts something, he will finish it. He can't just stop. So the next day I sent him out to do some errands for me while I stayed back with Lincoln. HOURS passed and I was starting to wonder where in the world he was...when all of the sudden he pulled into our driveway with a BRAND NEW, 2015 Journey!!! I love it!!!

It has the option to have the back row up all the way, part way, or no way at all (think car trips when the kids are older and fighting...throwing one in the back! lol) so it seats 7, only had 18 miles when we bought it, and it smelt soo divine! The problem is, it didn't have the DVD player we wanted (no biggie, we will install one later) and no tinted windows (again, can totally do on our own) otherwise, it is everything we wanted! I have never owned a BRAND NEW car so I feel sooo spoiled!!! I am not sure if we will ever buy used again because folks, once you go new, do you ever go back?!? The warranty itself is so worth it! EVERY SINGLE THING that could go wrong with the car is COVERED for 100,000 miles!!! So amazing!

Now as I cruise around town, I feel like a real soccer mom. I have my toddler in the back, my baby in my stomach, and my little SUV all ready and driving down the road! :) Honk if you see me!!!

Old stomping grounds...

This past weekend we spent Mothers Day in Idaho. Its just a short 2 hour drive from us so I knew I would be going back to visit sooner than later. Oh my goodness, SOOOO much has changed in that little college town where I learned to spread my wings and fly on my own. In fact, certain streets I felt like I was in a major city. They have built these ENORMOUS apartment complex's around the town that look like they are straight from NYC. Seriously, I am talking about shuttle service from the apartment to the grocery store JUST for those who live there. And Rexburg is NOT huge by any means...I lived on one end of town and would walk to work, Albertsons, which was on the OTHER end of town and it took no more than 20 minutes. So I was baffled when these places offered their own shuttle service around town. Especially since the grocery stores will deliver your groceries for you! Spoiled little peeps be going there these days I tell ya! ;) 

Anyway, we were able to meet up with a couple of my friends who still live around there. We did lunch at the BEST sandwich shop HANDS DOWN. Not just the best in Rexburg, like the best EVER! Millhallow, with Annica and it was great just catching up. She has a little girl and is also pregnant with her second so sharing stories and enjoying some great grub was so fun. We also met up with Sheridan, who has always been like my big brother I never had. Him and I met my very first semester, so 2005. It has been TEN YEARS so I met this guy and I still cherish his friendship and words. There was always a running joke between him and I that he would never approve of the guy I got with. Lets just say, I had a VERY bad stage where I dated HORRIBLE guys. Well, I am happy to report he was wrong and he told me himself, without prompting, that he FINALLY approves! YAY lol !!! I am soooo sad I didn't get a picture with either of these peeps BUT I know I will be going back in a few short months so I will just have to do it then! 

We went to Bear World Saturday afternoon and its always such a little fun gem. You can drive through the park as many times as you want. And although we only did it once, before some of us got sick, it was just perfect. The animals roam free, and sometimes the bears will even come up to your doors, or get ontop of your cars! Its so fun! After you drive through the park they have a petting zoo, baby bears that you can watch play or pay extra to bottle feed them, and then they have about 6 free amusement rides! You get to ride them as many times as you want BUT we warned, they are NOT made for adults of my size...haha and being 6 months pregnant trying to squeeze into the small spaces is NOT fun!!! We loved everything about it though and Shaun even said if we lived a little closer we would get season passes and go all the time. It is so nicely done and small its great! :) 

Our hotel was in Idaho Falls and we had a balcony with a perfect view of the LDS temple that pretty much glowed all night long. The sounds of the waterfalls around it was pure perfection, except the fact that it made me have to pee about 10x more than usual that night! Lincoln was THRILLED for the hotel pool and spent the last couple hours swimming in it with daddy. He is only 3 and already turning into a hotel snob...its pretty cute! 

Sunday we drove home Sunday and enjoyed lounging around the house before we had to face the week head on. We completed the day with Dinner at Garcias and snuggling on the couch. I am so thankful for the weekends that I get to spend with my family and going back to my old stomping grounds was sooo fun although it made me feel OLD! 

Well that's NOT male anatomy...

So today I had my 6 month doctor appointment. Because I went to the doctor later than you normally do (as in how far along I was) my appointments have been off so today is actually when they did the big ultrasound/measurements even though I am 24 weeks. ANYWAY, after my last appointment, I left completely confused and upset. I am not going to lie, I cried when I left the doctors office that day.

You see, I had been told 2 months ago that he was 90% certain I was having a boy. And to be honest, I have felt this ENTIRE TIME that I am having a boy. Everything feels exactly the same as it did with Lincoln and the horror stories you hear from those who have girls (acne, skin color changes, widen hips, etc) were not happening. Plus, I never had morning sickness which they say you are MORE prone to if you have a girl. So I was (and still kinda am) fully convinced it was a boy. When the doctor said he agreed, I was over the moon! Fast forward 4 weeks and I am told with 97% certainty its a girl! WHAT!? You mean his peecee (as Lincoln calls it) fell off? Where did it go? Then he said "although the image isnt great I have a pretty good batting average". UHHH, OKAY?!?!? I was so confused and my hormones were spinning out of control! I was alone and I was a MESS!

Now let me clear something up. I have been getting some backlash because I cried over the thought of a girl. It has NOTHING to do with not loving the child. It has EVERYTHING to do with hormones, being told one day you are having a boy so you get all your boy stuff out, decorate the nursery, you know, the whole enchilada. Only to be told 4 weeks later that its a girl...BOTH times with almost 100% certainty. Tell me what pregnant lady is NOT going to cry with that news?!? Obviously we are going to love her a million times over, spoil her, and I already know she will wrap daddy around her little finger just like Lincoln does. We are forever thankful that so far we have a healthy child growing inside me, that both of us dont have any MAJOR medical issues (again so far) and that is the most important thing.

Okay rant over, back to today. I told the ultrasound tech she had ONE JOB today and that was to find out the sex of the baby. She was shocked, as were most people, the doctor would say one thing, then change it, then go ahead and say that the picture still wasn't clear. Well, within the first 2 minutes of putting the gel and the wand on my stomach, we had a clear image. I am telling ya folks, while there is a small bulge there (apparently her lady parts are still forming and will become normal size in the upcoming weeks) it was NOTHING like Lincoln's ultrasound. I knew it the moment she put it on the screen...even though I said "so its a boy right?!" And you know what, I am becoming okay with it. Now that I know the sex of the baby, I feel like a weight is off my shoulders. I dont know how people go all 9 months not knowing. Although it would probably be easier than being told you are having a child of BOTH sexes haha.

After the appointment Lincoln and I did some retail shopping. He was confused why were were getting girl things...because you know, 2 months ago, we told him he was having a little brother named Wyatt...and NOW we are saying he is having a little sister named Brynlee...yeah he is confused and he yells at us when we "get it wrong" poor kiddo...just as confused as we were!!!

Anyway, we did get 2 cute 3D shots of the little nugget. Technology these days...soooo amazing!!!