Mother's intuition

You know how you always hear people say "mother's are always right," or "always follow your mother's intuition"?

Well today we found out the gender our baby and that my mother's, along with Nathan's mother's intuitions were indeed correct.

We are having a GIRL!

On April 15th, one day after I told my parents that we were expecting, I received this brief email from my mom:
"I am so thrilled with you news!!!!
And may I be the first to call it - it's going to be a girl!"

After we shared today's news with Nathan's parents, his mom said:

"I was pretty sure that you were going to have a girl. I just knew it!"

So I guess the sayings are true--a mother's intuition is always correct (needless to say that they only had a 50/50 chance).

These ultrasound pictures are for everyone, but particularly for the grandmas. Enjoy!

Intuition picture courtesy of Google images

4th of July

This year we did pretty much nothing for the 4th of July--which was fine with us. Our lives have been so crazy and busy with work/life that we appreciated the down time. We went to church, took naps, talked with our parents on the phone, and did not get to see any fireworks because it just started pouring rain here in Iowa City (it's 8:00 pm).

The one thing that I was determined to do this year was to take a photo in front of a corn field in our Old Navy shirts. Ever since Nathan and I were engaged we have always purchased matching flag shirts from Old Navy to wear on Independence Day. Some people may say it's corny and cheesy, but I think it is a fun and cheap tradition.

The LONGEST day of the year

The 21st of June is supposed to be the longest day of the year due to the summer solstice. For me, yesterday was a longer day for other reasons. Here is how my day went:

6:00 am--woke up to go to the bathroom, and head back into bed to lay down for another 45 minutes before I have to get ready for work.

6:15 am--I notice that I am feeling REALLY nauseated. I head to the bathroom and ended up vomiting. I think to myself "hmm...I haven't thrown up like that in the morning since I was about 6 weeks along in my pregnancy. I have a feeling this is going to be a bad day."

7:00 am--I vomit again.

7:55 am--I vomit for the 3rd time within 2 hours. This is not a good sign. It's time to call the doctors office!

8:00 am--call my OBGYN. I talk to a nice man and explain to him what has just happened. He takes down my name and phone number and said he would pass the information on to my doctors nurse and that she will call me back.

8:20 am--vomit for the 4th time.

9:02 am--vomit for the 5th time.

9:05 am--Nathan decides to call the doctors office again since no one has called us back. He was told that the nurse was on the phone with another call, but that she would call us as soon as she got off the line.

9:42 am--vomit for the 6th time. Something is seriously wrong! I ask Nathan for a priesthood blessing and he administers to me. Still waiting for a phone call from the nurse.

10:15 am--I somehow manage to take an hour and fifteen minute nap.

11:45 am--Nathan calls the doctors office for the 3rd time. I finally talk to my doctors nurse. She asks me lots of questions and comes to the conclusion that I most likely have a flu bug. She encourages me to try and drink some fluids and see if I can keep them down, and says that she'll call and check in on me in a few hours.

12:00 noon--I vomit for the 7th time. Afterwards, I try and slowly sip on some sprite hoping that it stays down.

1:06 pm--vomit for the 8th time. Sprite is not saying down! This is really not a good sign.

2:03 pm--I vomit again making it now a total of 9times! I really hope my doctors nurse calls soon!

3:12 pm--I vomit for the 10th time.

3:15 pm--Nathan calls the doctors office and we talk with the nurse. She said that my doctor is sending a prescription over to the pharmacy and hopes that this medicine will help me reduce the nausea. *Note: the prescription cannot be taken orally since I can't keep anything down!*

3:25 pm--Nathan heads to the pharmacy (thanks honey...you're the best!).

3:52 pm--I vomit for the 11th time as Nathan returns back from the pharmacy.

4:00 pm--take the prescription medicine and hope that it works!

4:38 pm--I vomit for the 12th time. I don't think the prescription is working, but maybe it needs some more time.

5: 37 pm--I vomit for the 13th time.

6:14 pm--I vomit again making it now a total of 14 times! If I go once more...we are calling the hospital!

6:49 pm--sure enough, I vomit for the 15th time! Nathan calls the after hours number for the OBGYN clinic and he talks to several people. They told us to get in ASAP so that I can get hooked up on some fluids!

7:00 pm--leave our house and head to the hospital...FINALLY!

7:26 pm--stroll into labor and delivery in a wheel chair and they show me to my room. This is not how I pictured my first trip to labor and delivery.

7:32 pm--vomit again for the 16th time in a 13 hour period! It came to an average that I was vomiting every 40-50 minutes--NOT FUN!

7:45 pm--I get hooked up to an IV to help get me hydrated. They also give me some medicine to help reduce my nausea. They check my urine, heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and check to see if they can hear a heart beat for the baby. After moving all around my lower abdomen, we finally hear a heart beat...PHEW! Huge sigh of relief!

8:45 pm--I'm feeling better, and I don't feel like I have to vomit again! YEAH!

10:15 pm--I am SO THIRSTY! My nurse brings me some water with lots of ice in it--HEAVEN! I slowly take sips as I don't want to push myself. WOW...water has never tasted so good.

11:00 pm--they check my urine again to see if I'm hydrated enough. The urine didn't look so great so they gave me some more IV fluids.

11:45 pm--they give me some apple juice to see if I can keep that down. I slowly sip on that...so far so good.

12:45 am--they give me some saltine crackers (which tasted like cardboard by the way). I slowly nibble on them and hope that they stay down.

1:15 am--crackers stayed down! Man...I am so tired and exhausted.

1:50 am--I give the nurse another urine sample. It looks great and I'm hydrated.

2:20 am--after filling me with about 2,550 milliliters of fluids (about two-thirds of a gallon) they unhook my IV, and I am officially discharged. We leave labor and delivery hoping we never have to go back until December.

2:28 am--Nathan and I get in the car and head home.

2:45 am--we walk into our house. I take a sleeping pill, use the restroom, brush my teeth, put in my retainer, get dressed for bed, and say prayers.

2: 53 am--lights out...I am EXHAUSTED!

It was ONE LONG DAY that I hope I NEVER have to repeat. It was so tiring and exhausting. I could not have gotten through all by myself. Nathan was so helpful and kind. I know it was hard on him too and he stuck it out like a trooper. Thanks so much for your help honey!

Clock picture courtesy of Google images

Happy Father's Day

Since I did a photo tribute last month to some of the best women I've known in my life, here is post for the best men I've known in my life.

**Again...in no particular order**

Nathan's father--this man is very loving and caring! He has welcomed me into his family as if I were his own daughter (and he gives the biggest hugs in the world)! His knowledge of the gospel is profound which always leads to interesting conversations.

My maternal grandfather (I like to call him Grand-daddy)--This man was one of the most honest, virtuous, and faithful men I have ever known. I think the best word that would describe Grand-daddy is integrity.

My paternal grandpa--This man started our little eternal family by sealing Nathan and I in the temple 5+ years ago. He has been such a big part of my life an is a wonderful example of giving ALL you have to serving in the church.

My father--He has always been a wonderful example to me in serving others. My father frequently shared his testimony of the Gospel with us and this helped form the seed bed in which my own testimony of the Gospel developed.

My sweet husband--how could I not put Nathan in this post. He is my best friend and a wonderful example to me of what a TRUE gentleman is like. I think the best word to describe Nathan would be chivalrous.

I am truly blessed to have all of the wonderful men in my life. Happy Father's Day to all.

Thou shalt not steal

Nathan was so proud of me that he wanted me to post this story on our blog.

Last night while Nathan was at a church meeting I went to the mall to run some errands. I ended up staying at the mall longer than I intended due to a torrential down pour (gotta love the Midwest storms). While I was waiting in line to purchase some Reese's peanut butter cups I noticed a teenage kid nonchalantly trying to steal a candy bar for himself. He made eye contact with me as he was in the act committing the crime, and yet he still took the candy bar--idiot.

As he walked by with the Nestle crunch bar in hand I grabbed him by the wrist! I scolded the teenage kid and told him that he should not steal and that it is flat out wrong. After saying that he was sorry (probably for getting caught) he put the candy bar back and caught up with his friends.

So there is my heroic act of trying to rid the world of theft and crime!

Two-and-a half Culmers

Here is the proof!

Here is what I have felt like.

Here is when we are due.

Dog picture courtesy of Microsoft Publisher

Sweet hour(s) of prayer

A few weekends ago, I came out one morning to find this:

Nathan had fallen asleep that night on his knees saying his prayers and never made it to bed. What makes this picture even more adorable is Kronk, who is snuggled down by Nathan's feet. I'm just glad I was able to get a couple shots before Nathan or Kronk moved.