I Should Be Folding Laundry

So I'm going to be a bit sappy for a moment or two so PREPARE YOURSELF... On this day, one year ago, I took 3 positive pregnancy tests. THIS DAY ONE YEAR AGO WAS THE VERY DAY MY LIFE WAS CHANGED FOR GOOD I'm getting a bit teary eyed when I realize all the blessings that have happened in my life since I saw those three pink lines. Josh got a substantial raise not even two weeks after I got the positive results, allowing us to rightfully prepare for our little baby on the way. My pregnancy was 100% easier than I could have ever imagined. I never threw up, I hardly felt nauseous and my swelling was kept to a minimum. My labor was super easy since I got my epidural not even 15 minutes after my water was broken. And most of all, I was blessed with the best little boy this girl could ever ask for. With Josh's work being sufficient for us to live without me working, being able to stay home with this adorable li...

To start, I just have to say, I have the most perfect baby in the world. So Monday the 31st of December, I had an appointment with my doctor. He gave me the awesome news that I'd be induced on the 3rd of January, which was 4 days earlier than when I was expecting. I was ecstatic. I was told to come in on the 2nd at 7 PM so they could check my progress and start some meds to get my labor started. The last week was the slowest I've ever had in my whole life. The days felt like they were getting longer and longer and I thought I might go crazy! Wednesday finally rolled around and I could hardly contain my excitement. I think I repacked my hospital bag a few times because I was nesting so bad.      Josh came home at 5:30 from work. I made some pizza for dinner and as we were eating (and getting more eager to leave for the hospital) I got a phone call. The nurse said they were too full in labor and delivery to have me come in at 7 and that they would call me later once...

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...

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'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 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 ...

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

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...