Week 2: 10 Things I Live For (Or Can't Live Without)

This is a hard one for me. Of course there are 10 things I live for/can't live without, but its hard to pinpoint those 10 things and put them into words. I'll try though :)

1: My children. Of course every mom is going to say this, but its true. My children get me out of bed every day. They make me want to be a better person and mom. They bring joy to every situation. I may not have as much energy as I need, but they do keep me on my feet. My children are the #1's in my life.

Sorry its so dark!

2: M. He is my best friend and I couldn't face this world without him. He is my rock when I am falling, my shoulder to cry on, my arguer when I am wrong and need to be put in my place (which is never, but if the time were to ever come, he would do). He supports our family and works very hard to do it.

3: My family. They are so important to me. They are always there, even when I don't want them to be, and will always give me an honest opinion. They help me see things I wouldn't see on my own and support the decisions I make. I know they would do anything for me, as I would them.

4: Coffee. Lame, I know, but I couldn't live without it! Being pregnant has been hard because I have had to cut my intake down, but with 2 kids already, and working night shifts, I NEED it.

5: The outdoors. I am so lucky to live in a place that is so beautiful. This past weekend we hiked into a lake close by our house, and it was SO. BEAUTIFUL. I can't even begin to describe the fresh, clean smell of the damp forest warming up with the sun. Or the view of the lake surrounded by huge trees and an eagle swooping down to catch fish. Or the sound of the waterfall rushing down the hillside and crashing into every rock and branch on its way down. Breathtaking and something I could NOT live without.

6: Animals. Cheesy. I love animals. I love how our dog thinks he is tiny and tries to worm his way into your blanket. And our crazy cat that won't leave our yard, just likes to hang out outside around us. I grew up riding horses, and I LOVED the feeling of freedom ontop of the horse. The wind in your face as you gallop along, and the feeling of weightlessness and flying as you soar over a jump. I love animals. I love their innocence and trust.

7: The internet. Modern technology has won me over :) I use the internet daily. Multiple times a day actually. I like that I can look anything up, diagnose myself before I even get to the dr, stay in contact with family and friends 100s of miles away, and have the answer to pretty much any question I could think of.

8: The seasons. Particularly fall and winter. They are my favorite. I love the fall because it cools down. The leaves change and all the yummy smells emerge. Snow is amazing. I don't think it could actually snow too much for me. It is beautiful to look at, and fun to play in. I love the holidays in the fall and winter too.

9: Sweets. I have the worst sweet tooth ever. Which explains the extra 15 lbs I carry. But they are like my crack, only... healthier? Cheesecake is one of my favorite things, but I will take a good white chocolate macadamia nut cookie any day too. Or peanut butter M&Ms, Oreos, kettle corn, pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting, cupcake, white chocolate dipped pretzels, ice cream...

10: My bed. Oh how I love my bed. I love that when I crawl into bed, I get to go to sleep! Its something that I took for granted until I started working nights. My bed is so comfy, and warm, and sleep is so amazing. I can't wait for morning to come so I can go home and sleep!

Week 1: Who I Am

I have decided to join in a 52 week challenge that I heard about on this awesome blog. Not gonna lie, I'm sure I miss a week here or there, but I am going to try my best! So, Week 1: Who I Am.

Well... I am a girl. A daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend. I'm from a small town in Montana that I still live in and have no plans of ever leaving. My family is everything to me. I cherish the simple things in life and am much happier drinking a beer by a campfire than sipping wine in some lavish hotel (although that does sound nice...). Weekends and warm days are spent outside, doing anything from dirt bike riding and camping, to watching my kids play on the slip and slide and working in my much neglected flower bed. I love to read and when I start a good book, I can't put it down until I finish. I stay at home during the day with my kids and work at night as a polysomnographic tech, fancy name for sleep tech. I put my family first and that sometimes means putting my friends off, which I know isn't good, but its that way it is. I'm not athletic, but wish I was. I don't like to cook or clean, making me probably the worst house wife ever. My favorite season is probably fall. I LOVE watching football and am born and raised Packer fan!

And I think thats me. I can't think of much more to share, but you can ask anything and I will answer!

Secret Rainbows

I have been so back and forth on writing this post, when to write it, am I going to jinx things (not that I entirely believe in that, but better safe than sorry), is it too soon, etc. But after talking to my new dr, J, who settled my mind and told me she has complete confidence and no worries, I have decided to take the plunge and share my secret. I'm pregnant again!

I actually found out the Wed after Mother's Day, May 15th. I called the midwives I had chosen last pregnancy since Dr K was leaving, and made an appt. I got in that day, or the next, I can't really remember now, and got some blood work done. They wanted to check my progesterone since I lost BB3. I am so thankful they did. It came back at 16, low. Over 20 is ideal. They are pretty sure that is why I lost BB3 now. I got started on a progesterone supplement. Its a little "pill", looks kinda like a Monistat tablet thing, that I put up my crotch everytime I go to sleep (since I work nights, sometimes I have to do it in the morning).

I have been going in every week to check and make sure there is still growth and a heartbeat, and as of this last Wednesday, baby was looking perfect. Right around 9 weeks, heart rate good and strong, little feet starting to form. My labs last week came back that my thyroid was a little high so I started taking a med for that, but my progesterone is now in the 20's! I will keep taking the supplements until at least 12 weeks when the placenta can take over the production.

This week was my scary week though. I was 9 weeks when I lost BB3, despite its growth stopping at 6. So to see our little one wiggling around was such a relief. I am so thankful that my midwives are so understanding and supportive and let me come in every week to check the heartbeat. They have been my saving grace so far.

Here is the very first pic I have of this baby at my first US



Just a little blimp but a little blimp with a beating heart!

We have told our family and some friends, but haven't made it "FB official" yet. I will probably will really soon now though since J has reassured me so well. BUT, if you are a FB friend, please keep it mum :)

NOW I need something to call this little one! Any suggestions?

Resolutions 4-6

I am still going strong with my New Year Resolutions. I will admit that I do struggle here and there to find something nice to do for others, but then I sit back, realize I am over thinking it, and things fall into my lap.

April in Montana usually consists of rain, sun, and snow. Its Montana. And this April was no exception. So one particularly snowy day, Pumpkin and I made some cookies and went to give them to the road construction people by our house. I told Pumpkin that even though the road construction gets annoying, they are just doing their jobs and we should thank them, especially when its cold and snowing. For some odd reason though, they decided to not work that day! That was ok because I gave Pumpkin some options of other people to give them to: the Policemen, Fireman, or the guys building the house a couple roads over from ours. He chose the builders. So we drove over there, I told them why we were giving them the cookies and went home.

May kind of fell into my hands. I was leaving the grocery store and loading my car when a younger guy came up to me and asked if I had a few bucks to spare because he had run out of gas. I don't know if he was lying or not, and I didn't have a few bucks, but he said he had a gas can, so I took it and got him $10 in gas. Not much, but enough to help a little. And if he was lying, he should feel bad!

June has been pretty hot so far. One particular day it was in the 80's, so Pumpkin and I decided to go through Starbucks drive-thru to get a frappe (me) and a chocolate milk (him). Next to the Starbucks was a man standing with a sign begging for money, work, etc. Normally I don't give these people anything. Mean, maybe, but I have my thoughts and feelings on it. Pumpkin saw him while we were waiting for our drinks though and started to ask questions about him. He then told me he would like to give him something. Like I said, I don't do this. But when a 5-year-old tells you he would like to, you can't say no. So when we got up to the window I asked the lady if I could get a bottle of water also. Pumpkin really wanted to give it to him, so I pulled up by him, Pumpkin rolled his window down, and handed him the water. The guy thanked him and seemed so happy to have a cool drink on such a hot day. The best part though, as we were driving away, Pumpkin told me how nice it was to help him and give him that water cuz he really needed it.

That is why I am doing this. To show my children, and others, that is nice to help and do kind things. Even if the people don't really need it and its totally random, it is nice to show people in the world that there are still good people around.

Have you done anything kind for no reason lately?

My Pics

I gave you a while to take in all the gorgeousness of Reece's proprosal and now here are my Vegas pics! No pro photog, no fireworks, but still fun :)

Hanging in the hotel

Me and my mom laying by the pool soaking in the sun

Family pic in the pool

My little model

Gettin a ride from Papa

Its hard work being so cute



Reece, me, Dee and Miss L

It was so nice to get away and see my family. And heck, who doesn't love a little free time in Vegas?!