I Should Be Folding Laundry

I just wanted to share some talent I'm surrounded by on a regular basis! Here's a beautiful quilt made by my friend Shallise Fage as a belated wedding present. This thing was so huge, I had to stand on my bed to take a picture of the whole thing! This picture doesn't do it justice! She took it to tons of quilting shows all over Utah, that's how amazing this thing is! My husband is a talented artist. He draws completely freehand Celtic knots like these: I'm envious of their skills but I feel lucky to be surrounded by such talented people! Thanks for reading! Mackenzie

I have been feeling the nesting instinct like crazy over the past few hours tonight. I got Josh to rearrange every piece of furniture in our bedroom, namely, the bed, the crib, a dresser, two side tables and two plastic dressers with three drawers each. What a good husband I have. :) But anyway, feeling the nesting instinct is a tell-tale sign that labor is coming soon, so hopefully I'll go into labor on my own sooner than my (potentially) scheduled induction on Friday. I'll make a post tomorrow about my doctors appointment I'm having in the morning. In other news, here's my new bathrobe Josh bought me for Christmas! (from Target) Its SO comfy! Thanks for reading! Mackenzie

I made it! The reason I look so comatose will be explained down below. How Far Along? 40 weeks, 1 day Total Weight Gain: 25 lbs. Maternity Clothes?  Heck yes! Stretch Marks? Tons Sleep: I've been sleeping well but I keep waking up at 4 AM(ish) every morning for the past week Best Moment This Week: Going to my appointment on Monday and finding out that I might be induced on January 4th instead of the 7th! Miss Anything? Not being preggo. Yup, that sums it up. Movement: He's slowed down a ton over the past week. Josh and I actually went to the hospital on Friday night because Linc wasn't moving hardly at all all day. Luckily, after I got checked and I sat on the bed in the hospital for about an hour he started moving a lot again. Talk about scary! Food Cravings: Nothing really. I actually have a lack of appetite. The only reason I really eat is because I know Lincoln needs to eat. Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Eggs, fish, peppermint. Gender: Boy Labor Signs: My Br...

I had my week 39 appointment with my doctor this morning with a lack of news. I'm still 1 centimeter dilated and only 65% effaced. I was however given some good news. My hospital doesn't do inductions on Saturdays or Sundays so my doc said he might be able to schedule an induction date as early as next Friday morning. How cool is that? That means even if Lincoln doesn't want to come out, I'm going to be a mommy no later than the 4th of January. :) I couldn't be more ecstatic. I just wanted to wish my followers a Merry Christmas and I wanted to share a link to my ALL TIME FAVORITE Christmas song for you to enjoy. M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! Thanks for reading! Mackenzie

1 WEEK LEFT!!! How Far Along? 39 weeks Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs. Maternity Clothes? Yup Stretch Marks? They're everywhere!!! Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well this week. Best Moment This Week: Going to see Rise of the Guardians last night with Josh for (probably) our last date before Lincoln gets here. I even refilled our popcorn bucket so I can enjoy some of the buttery goodness today. :) Miss Anything? Being comfortable. Movement: He's not as fierce with his movements but it seems like he's moving around just as much as a few weeks ago. Food Cravings: Peanut butter! Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Same ol', same ol'. Gender: Boy Labor Signs:  More Braxton-Hicks and they're getting a little more uncomfortable so that's a great sign! Also, as of Monday, I'm 1 centimeter dilated and 65% effaced. :) Symptoms: Lower back pain and swollen toes. Belly Button In or Out: Out! Wedding Ring On or Off? Sometimes on, sometimes off. Happy or Moody...

I had my 38 week doctors appointment today. My blood pressure is good and Linc's heart rate is 160 (awesome!) So last week, I was a fingertip dilated and 50% effaced. Today, I found out I'm a tight 1 centimeter dilated and 65% effaced! That means that things are moving along great. My doc said that I'll probably go into labor as early as the end of this week! That makes me SO excited! I got a package from my aunt Mary from California. She made Lincoln a hand made blanket. The edges are satin and the blue squares are dimpled minky fabric and the white squares look like a furry corduroy. Plus, there's a felt heart in the middle. :) Thanks Mary! We got a mattress yesterday (donated by Martha Karr) so we could finally have Linc's bed ready! I think the coolest thing about this crib is that Josh slept in the same crib! His mom saved it and she's letting us use it! How cool is that? Here's the crib sheet we're using. I love the little ...

In wake of the Newtown, Connecticut massacre yesterday, I've heard a lot of people screaming for stronger gun control. Here's my take on the idea. I read an article from the Brumfield P.D. Facebook page. The Chief of Police had a really good point and frankly, I agree with his view. He said that gun laws shouldn't be more intense and there shouldn't be an uprising of 'gun-free' zones. I personally don't want it to be impossible for my husband to purchase a gun in the future for the safety of our home and family. If someone is properly trained on gun safety and they store said gun and bullets safely, I see no problem with people having guns in their homes. Plus, as the Chief put it, "I do not want to take a baseball bat to a gunfight." The Chief also said in his statement that he thought that schools should be better protected with cameras and locked doors and, as he put it, "Dedicate a secure room/vestibule near the entrance for conferen...

I've been feeling so happy and excited for this new challenge on its way. I already love Lincoln with my whole heart and I can't wait till he's here! I'm feeling as prepared as I can be to be a mother and we have (at least I think) everything we need. I have the best husband in the whole world and a sweet little one on the way. I'm just excited to see what the future holds and I couldn't be happier with my life. :)

I'm in the home-stretch! How Far Along? 38 weeks Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs. Maternity Clothes? Abso-frickin'-lutely! Stretch Marks? Yeppers Sleep: Getting to sleep has been challenging, staying asleep has been really easy. However, for the past week, I've been having possibly the most bizarre dreams I've ever had in my whole life. I'm still not sure what they mean...? Best Moment This Week: My big sis cutting my hair and painting my toes last night. I've been feeling pretty darn unattractive for the past few weeks so this 'mini makeover' was just what the doctor ordered to bring my spirits back up. Miss Anything? Not being pregnant. Yeah, I won't take falling asleep really easy and not feeling like I'm going to throw up after every meal for granted again. EVER. Movement: He's still active. However, he has finally started slowing down. Its more like he's doing water aerobics as opposed to kickboxing. Food Cravings: Sugar! It...

     I had a doctors appointment this morning and everything looks like its in ship shape! My blood pressure is good, Lincoln's heartbeat is 136 and my belly is measuring right in the healthy range. Also, I'm 50% effaced (I was 20% at last Monday's appointment) and still a fingertip dilated.      Speaking of bellies, Josh measured the circumference of my belly; 44 inches! Holy cow!      I'm still planning to have a med-free birth and I'm getting antsy for Linc's arrival. I've found out that I'm kind of an obsessive nester. I've re-organized Lincoln's stuff 3 or 4 times and I've unpacked my suitcase twice now to make sure I have everything packed in advance that I can. I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm just so worried that I'll forget something that I need!      I'm very ready to have my baby! I'm looking forward to what the next few weeks have in store! :) Thanks for reading! Mackenzie

I'm feeling SO much more prepared after tonight's purchases! Prior to tonight, we didn't have a lot of the things we needed. Even though its only a few things, I'm feeling a lot better now. Fisher-Price Deluxe 'Snuga-Monkey' Bouncer Something I love about this bouncer is that its really plush and super soft! Also, there's a number of songs, calming sounds from nature as well as a vibration setting. Graco Swing-By-Me baby swing in Scribbles print I love how simple this swing is! Its plushy and soft, like the bouncer and there's a dial on the side that changes the speed of the swing.  Summer Infant Deluxe Baby Bath A feature that I love about this bath is that its mesh so the water just flows through the bottom of the bath, it doesn't let mucky water sit at the bottom of the baby bath.  Not only did we get three things we were needing, I put all three of them together all on my own! I feel so accomplished! I'm SO happ...

I made it to FULL TERM! YAHOO!!! How far along? 37 weeks Total weight gain: 24 lbs. Maternity clothes? Yep! Stretch marks? All over the place! Its okay, though, because they're fading fast. Sleep: I have been having the weirdest dreams this week! Best moment this week: Josh coming home and taking me out to dinner for no apparent reason at all... :) Miss Anything?  NOT being preggo. THATS what I miss the most. Movement: Yep! He's been slowing down a little over the past few days and I already miss his little kicks... Food cravings: Chicken. I can't get enough of chicken, even if something is just chicken flavored. Anything making you queasy or sick: Eggs, fish and peppermint. Gender: Boy Labor Signs: None yet, although I have had an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions and a little bit of menstrual like cramps in my lower tummy. Symptoms: Unable to get comfortable no matter what. Yep, it sucks, but I'm excited for the prize at the end. Belly Button i...

Here's what I have in my hospital bag. A lot of it I can't have packed till the last minute, like my blow dryer and make up, etc. So here's what I have in my bag, other than the stuff I can't pack yet. Let's start with Lincoln's stuff. Socks!  Gumdrop pacifiers Hats! The one in the middle is the one he's going to wear on the way home!  Jeans for the ride home and sweats for the hospital! PJ's. I'm bringing three sets just in case I have to stay at the hospital longer than I'm expecting. I'm bringing four outfits too, for the same reason. The polka dot one is a nursing blanket, the one in the middle was crocheted by Josh's grandma and that's going to tuck him into the car seat and the train one is going to be draped over the top of his car seat. Three burp cloths! Now for my stuff! Two pairs of sweats and a pair of jeans.  Two comfy shirts (both are Josh's) and a more ...

Okay, I hope I remembered everything. I forgot to take pictures of everything before I put it all away. :) Nativity set by Playmobil Clothes and socks by Circo, Carters and Gerber. Blue and green Gumdrop brand pacifiers. The purple hat on the far right was made my my sister-in-law Marisa! I Love You book, colored ring stacker, Huggies size 1 diapers and some earrings (for mama!) from Park Lane. Also, my friend's husband does therapeutic foot massages so Alexa gave me a 'coupon' for a free session!  Polka dot crib sheet A polyester microfiber onesie and a cute little teddy bear! In French, this reads, "Starry Sky" I also got baby bedding and a mattress. :) I had a doctors appointment today! Lincoln's heartbeat is good at 132 beats per minute, my blood pressure is stellar and I'm a fingertip dilated! I'm on my way! I still have a hunch I'm going to have Linc the week before Christmas... Lets see if my su...

I can't believe its FINALLY here! Waiting for this day to come has felt like a lifetime in-and-of itself, I can't imagine how long the next few weeks are going to drag by. I'm getting excited and nervous all at once for this whole mothering thing, but I've got a huge support group behind me, backing me up. (And I feel SO blessed!)  Lincoln,      Mommy and Daddy feel so blessed that you've been cooperative and healthy throughout the journey so far. We both love you dearly and we are terribly excited to finally meet you in the flesh sometime in the very near future. Keep baking for as long as you need (even though Mommy wishes some days that you'd just come out already!) Keep kickin' little buddy, our arms are wide open whenever you decide to make your debut into this big, wide world!      Love, Mackenzie and Josh

In the past week, Lincoln has been dropping further into my pelvis, making it feel like I'm trying to hold a bowling ball between my legs. Because of this, I've been rocking the pregnancy waddle (I occasionally call it "pregnancy swag") Lucky for me, Josh thinks its cute. :) I'm glad he's so supportive. In other news, last night, I was somehow able to shave my legs! For those of you who haven't been preggo, its very satisfying when you can do simple things on your own, like shaving your legs or tying your own shoes, when you're THIS pregnant. I feel so accomplished.

I tried something new with my hair. What do you think? How Far Along? 36 weeks Total Weight Gain: 23 pounds Maternity Clothes? Yep! It's kinda sad though, Josh's shirts can hardly cover my tummy anymore! Stretch Marks? Tons! Although they're already starting to fade quite a bit. Sleep:  My sleep has been pretty good so far this week. Best Moment This Week: Going out to Costa Vida for our date night! Miss Anything? Nothing that I haven't already mentioned. Movement: Lots! He really hasn't slowed down since his peak at 28 weeks. My doc said he should slow down soon but I have a feeling he's just going to keep on kickin'. I think this might mean that I'm going to have a wild child on my hands further down the road. Food Cravings: Chili's bacon ranch quesadillas and their cookie brownie with ice cream on top. Yum yum yum! Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Fish, eggs, and peppermint Gender: Boy Labor Signs: None yet! I think Lincoln i...

This is what we've been generously given as a result of two family showers (one from each side) we were thrown over the weekend. :) Get ready for LOTS of pictures! Lots of diapers! (My aunt Julie made that diaper pyramid. That must have taken forever!) A waterproof crib mattress liner and a crib sheet with little blue stars on it. So cute! Lots of baby books! I'm so excited to read Love You Forever to my little one <3 Dr. Seuss's ABC book Tweedle Bugs disposable diaper liners for cloth diaper liners and a bumGenius brand newborn sized cloth diaper A cute kangaroo stuffed animal from Deseret Book and a penguin bath toy And a whole bunch of important miscellaneous items!  Some hand-made burp cloths A closer look at the patterns A large, hand made nursing blanket A hand-made blanket and burp cloth set with crochet edges. SO cute!  Another hand-made blanket with crochet edges A extra-wa...