you know you are pregnant when...

i have to make a quick note and say that this post isn't meant for complaining, it was fun and hilarious for me to think all these up. i am in love with my pregnant belly!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT WHEN...

...it's normal to find a huge bottle of tums in your purse to stop the heartburn that comes multiple times a day...

...you can't see how much you weigh because tipping to see past your belly changes the actual weight...

...you have constant nasal congestion for months...

...you start using a giant beach towel after showering so you can actually cover yourself...

...you are boarding an airplane and keep bumping into the person in front of you because you forget you have to stop sooner now...

...you drop something and wonder if it's actually worth bending over to pick up...

...you know exactly where all the public restrooms are within a 50 mile radius of your home...

...every commercial on tv either makes you sad or hungry...

...you're scared to sneeze or cough because you might pee a little, my personal favorite...

...you have to buy a new bra every month...

...you can't see your feet let alone the shoes you have to somehow get on...

...you can use your belly as a table...

...when your husband has to help you get up so it won't take an extra 30 seconds of your time doing it alone...

...you ask the same question 5 times because you can't remember the answer from the first 4...

...half the shoes you own don't fit your swollen feet anymore...

...you can't paint your toenails anymore...

...you see your innie becoming an outie...

...your toes look like little sausages...

...when the end of constipation is a cause to celebrate...

...your not allowed to carry groceries anymore. even the small ones...

...you search and search for the car keys and they were in your hands the whole time...

...you rarely shave your legs anymore because it's considered "exercise"...

...you have to take a rest after showering because just that is tiring...

...you make jessica simpson look smart with all of the comments that come out of your mouth...

...you want a pickle but end up eating the whole jar...

...you eat less on thanksgiving than any other day of the year...

...you rip your clothes because you just really wanted to fit in them still...


so much to do

this year instead of making new years resolutions, it's mostly "goals before baby gets here". and there is a list so long that i can't believe it. our biggest and top priority is to get rid of debt. we want to live within our means and have only those necessary bills left, like car insurance, phone bill, rent...you know. it's near impossible to accomplish in these next 4 months but with the help of tax returns, we'll be pretty darn close!

then of course there are those health goals we all have, and who doesn't have them when you've got a constantly stretching tummy?...and other things...
but my word, europe took a toll on me health wise and it is time to take control already!!! there are so many reasons to be healthy during pregnancy and i'm currently working on pulling in everything and anything motivating. the worst part? ...tis the season...

working for the government, we get soooo many deliveries this time of year. and normally i'd be all excited, a few treats here and there! but no. i am at the front desk and when these things come in they are for "the staff" and where do they go? OPEN and EXPOSED right here on my desk.  all of them. for me to see. and smell. and ...taste....

we get at least one huge basket a day, then multiple boxes of chocolates/carmels/nuts...this morning a HUGE box of see's chocolates came and i am so proud to announce my strength in having not yet partaken. but i've decided i really need to bring in some healthy things to curve this evil. i'll just start eating a cucumber or a tangerine when i feel that pull. someone give me some motivation.

a few thoughts

~i believe if they could, my ankles would thank me for being pregnant in the winter so i can hide their crazy swollen selves in comfy boots

~i just found out that my next door neighbor is a real live egyptologist. that might be the coolest thing i ever even heard of

~i teared up this morning reading my husband's facebook status "I'm so excited for my son to be born into this world!!!!!! I haven't even seen his face yet, but I've been his friend since before I can remember. I haven't talked to him or heard his voice yet, but I've already had a million conversations with him. I haven't held him in my arms yet, but I know that we once stood side by side. I love my son. He always has been and always will be one of my dearest friends."

~I found this within the wonders of pintrest and loved it:

gratitude

i am overwhelmed by the blessings in my life.  but i want to take this post to recognize the biggest blessing in my life. that would be the gospel.

every single thing in my existence revolves around this blessing. my eternal family, my upbringing, my friends, my values, my goals, and my dreams. there are so many gifts i've been given just because i live what i believe. but lately it's hit me extremely hard. with the life of a poor newlywed and a baby on the way in just 4 short months we've witnessed so many unbelievable miracles.

whether you are LDS yourself, or know someone that is, it is very common to hear us refer to ourselves as "a big family". no matter where you go all you need is to locate your ward and you are set. growing up, when we would travel anywhere, dad would always find the closest ward for us. everyone was always so welcoming and excited to have guests. when we went to ukraine we had an automatic group of family -even if it took us 2 buses and a train to get there.  in rome, we had many people willing to translate the meetings for us and invite us to dinner. no matter where you go, you've got love from our family in the gospel.

and now here, in our little town in utah, we've been blessed with amazing people. if i didn't already have a testimony of visiting teaching, i sure would now. without fail, my ladies come to visit and bring me treats every month. i always know i have a friend if i need someone, and the biggest blessing of all was this:



it was the first time she ever came to visit and out of no where, "do you need a crib and a changing table?" uh...yah! her husband brought it over and set them up in our empty nursery. we love them and who isn't grateful to save hundreds of dollars.

THEN last night as i'm relaxing at home there is a knock on the door. another lady from our ward dropped by an adorable bouncer and a bag of new baby clothes! i about cried pulling them out and imagining my tiny baby boy in them.

(i found the exact one online so i don't have to post my horrible phone picture)

this group of relief society sisters in my ward are my family. i am so grateful for them and the incredible blessings they are to me everyday. and not just by giving us free things! but by being my friend and loving me.

snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

the baby was being very difficult but when it came to showing us it's parts, there was no mistaking it!

it was an amazing moment. as soon as the doctor pulled up this view, i almost cried and looked over at matt waiting to see his reaction. yah... he didn't notice. the doctor didn't say anything for a bit...i just waited. in my own little private moment of knowledge.

then our doctor said: "that is NOT what girls have..." we are lucky, this is his specialty and out of over 300 ultrasounds he has never been wrong. so that, along with the many "boy part" shots we got, i am pretty confident.

i can't even explain my excitement. i have 4 little sisters and no boys, every time mom was expecting we would wait and wait to find out if it would be a boy! i was so excited to tell my dad he's having a grandson.

we already have a name picked out. it came to me in the middle of the night and when i told matt he about flipped. he is very set on it. so now we are working on a tongan middle name to go with it so he can keep part of his heritage. so excited!!!

here was our first shot of him in there, so grateful it looks like he picked up his daddies tongan arms! too funny.



....SIDE NOTE.... i'm so happy that the day we got to find out was the same day we went and bought our very first christmas tree together!! it smells so incredible i can't even stand it! and so far matt has no allergy reactions to it so i can keep my pact of never ever using a fake tree!