Let Me Explain

I know the title of my last post probably got some of you wondering what was the big deal. I HATE bugs with a passion. Always have, always will. Some are just a nuisance, others are plain gross, and even others are scary. The bug I faced this morning was all three.

When we first moved here, it took me forever just to kill a cricket. I used to trap them and then have Justin kill them when he got home. The first time I had to kill one, I freaked out, called Justin, and cried hysterically because it was ginormous and wouldn't get sucked up the vacuum (old, handheld one). Then I progressed to calmly smashing them with a shoe and letting Justin clean them up (I don't like to touch them even when they're dead).

The king of all bugs (I even hate to say its name) has appeared in our house a few times. Luckily, when I come across one, it's either already dead or Justin is home to rescue me. This morning it finally happened: the faceoff between me and said bug--alone. Naturally, I freaked out even worse than during the cricket experience. Like, someone-died or I-saw-Frankenstein kind of hysterical. I called Justin up and bawled my eyes out. I trapped the huge bug under a small trash can after a frightening chase, while screaming into poor Justin's ear. Justin was super understanding and supportive during the whole ordeal. It took me like an hour and several more phone calls from Justin to finally calm down. The bug stayed there until about an hour ago, when Justin was able to take care of it.

I know I sound ridiculous and crazy and wimpy. But just imagine facing your worst fear alone for the first time!

Angry with God

Why, oh why, did Heavenly Father create bugs? Opposition in all things, right? Well, I can't think of any good things about certain bugs. They should DIE!!!!!

(If you're wondering where this came from, I just had a massive mental and emotional breakdown facing a certain insect alone in my home.)

Birthday

I turned 23 yesterday. This year was the first time I wasn't super excited and planning ahead for my birthday. The reason? More excited about the baby and planning for his birthday! But I still figured something out last minute and the day was great.

We started out by going to the temple. It was wonderful of course. Afterward, we chilled at home, playing Rummy and eating shaved ice (the day before we found a Smart & Final in Scottsdale and bought a huge carton of syrup--Tiger's Blood, what I grew up on). Then my friend Cherise took me shopping. No luck at Ross, but at Burlington Coat Factory I found a pink maternity shirt for $5 and a cute jungle-themed frame set for Baby's first handprint and footprint. Thanks, Cherise!

Justin made me a delicious dinner. I wanted something new, so I chose his aunt's manicotti he's always raving about. It was really good! He also surprised me by renting Monsters vs. Aliens, which I've been wanting to see again. And I got a leg massage. It was a good birthday. The only bad thing was I forgot to take photos!

p.s. Justin washed the dishes this morning! What a good hubby!

27 Weeks

Yesterday was my doctor appointment--not quite what I expected! I had to have more lab work done; wasn't excited about that thanks to previous experiences. The midwife saw me first and found the baby's heartbeat. And the baby kicked the instrument so hard the doctor felt it! She said he is really strong for his age and obviously doesn't like his space invaded. I've noticed that whenever we've gotten ultrasounds, though that was the first time he protested our hearing his heartbeat. He has been moving around so much lately. I even saw my tummy move last night! Sometimes it's a little painful when he kicks hard. Like earlier today, he made me gasp and double over because I wasn't expecting it. I think he's going to be stubborn like his mama and obnoxious like his daddy.

After the appointment, I went fearfully to the lab. I had more blood drawn--painlessly! This phlebotomist was way better than the last. She was fast and didn't have to squeeze the blood out of me. I had to take the glucola test again (yuck). When my results were ready, more blood, then back to the clinic to get my Rhogam shot. I have O- blood, and Justin is positive, which means our baby might be positive. The shot is to prevent my body from attacking the baby. I have to have another one after birth.

So far I've gained 18 lbs. total. Everyone tells me I look so small, but my uterus growth and weight gain are right on target. The midwife said I hide it well, and my clothes do too. But I've still got time for my tummy to grow more. Only one trimester to go!

Baby Bassinet

We bought a baby bassinet last night! I was really bored yesterday and decided to browse craigslist for bassinets. I found a few I liked, read some reviews, and contacted the sellers. I set up an appointment for that night to take a look at one of them since the seller had no detailed info on it for me to look up reviews. I asked a lot of questions and had the lady show me how to use it properly. We liked it and decided to buy it. Saved us the hassle of going to see the other ones farther away and it was the cheapest: $30. It was originally $35, but she couldn't break two twenties. She then asked for $20, but I felt bad, so we pulled together a couple fives from our wallets. She also included a few sheets for free.

I think it's really cute. Not as fancy as the others, but from what I've read, most of the extra perks never get used and babies grow out of bassinets quickly (good reason to buy a used one--save money and get a nearly new item). Also, it's gender neutral; the others were a bit girly or boyish. Just need to clean everything and then we'll rearrange our bedroom! I can't believe the baby will be here in just three months (hopefully not sooner)!

San Diego Trip

From Thursday to Tuesday I went home to good old San Diego. The weather was cool, but divine for me. I miss it already. As usual, I didn't get to go to the beach. I think I'm forever cursed.

Mostly I hung out while Mom pampered me, though I did help her with chores. I got to see and spend time with all my family in spurts (no big gathering like I thought even though I planned my trip around Dad's and my niece's birthday). I went to a Relief Society breakfast activity, I saw my dad's band play, and we celebrated my dad's birthday with an ice cream cake. And it was nice to attend classes at church instead of roam the halls for two hours.

The big event was my baby shower on Saturday. My friends Francine and Kristen arranged it all. The turnout was better than I expected, though many left early before the fun began. We mingled and munched for the first hour, then played the game where a card is taped to your back with the name of something baby related and you have to guess what it is. I was a burp cloth. Next was presents, and then everyone guessed my belly size with ribbon. Genesis, my 5-year-old niece, was exactly right (measuring 36 in.), with Kaitlyn in a close second. Afterward, was the funniest game of all: putting together the baby's face out of Justin's and my facial features cut out from pictures. We ended with Jeopardy, the categories being baby trivia, baby animals, nursery rhymes, and Justin (his answers to certain questions). I hung out with my friends for a few more hours, and Francine and Kristen even felt the baby kick a little. (He was pretty quiet during my whole stay there. It took several tries before my mom felt him.)

It was great seeing friends I had not seen in years and being with my best friends again. I felt so loved! I'm glad I went home. I especially miss my mom. As I did when she was here, I slept great while there. Now I'm back to tossing and turning and waking up every couple hours.

Baby shower pictures

Family pictures

The Perfect Date

Last week Wednesday, Justin and I went to the Mesa Temple. Since it was my last day before leaving for San Diego, we made it a date. At the temple they asked us to do sealings, which always makes me love Justin so much more. I think everyone thought we were newlyweds because of the way we looked at each other and smiled and winked and mouthed "I love you" the whole time. The sealer asked how we met and what our ethnicities were and said I have beautiful eyes. After the sealings, we sat in the Celestial Room and snuck in some little kisses. Going to the temple is always romantic!

We spontaneously decided to go to the Visitors' Center afterward and watch the Joseph Smith movie. Of course I cried, even though I've seen it before. Next was lunch at Olive Garden and baby shopping at Burlington Coat Factory. It was the perfect way to spend the day together before being separated for several days (for only the second time in our marriage, and the first time was only for a couple days).

Mommy Day

For Mother's Day, Justin cooked lunch and dinner (no breakfast in bed since we have 8 a.m. church). I didn't ask for anything special; it was just nice not to have to do anything! At church, they gave us a booklet of a talk on motherhood by Elder Packer. Justin showed his deacons how to make origami flowers for their moms. After church, we napped, played Yahtzee, talked about the baby and labor, and watched The Testaments.

Justin got me a funny card: a couple in a Chinese restaurant reading their fortune cookies. The man's says, "You are a lucky man." The woman's says, "You are married to a lucky man." Loved it! haha. He also got me a pie. Recently we were talking about pies, and I mentioned how much I love cherry pie. I wasn't even dropping a hint or anything, but he remembered it and got me a cherry pie from Village Inn. Unfortunately, it was incorrectly labeled and ended up being strawberry rhubarb pie. Fortunately, it was still very yummy! Besides, it's the thought that counts, and it meant a lot that Justin listened to me and remembered something I like.

A Great Day in the Great Outdoors

Yesterday was amazing. We went up to Scottsdale for Justin to attend a work meeting. He dropped me off at a shopping mall before the meeting, where I browsed through a cute (but very expensive!) baby boutique and got a couple ideas for the baby's room. I bought Baby an adorable turtle rattle I fell in love with at first sight. They also had it in an elephant and a pig. For those who know me and wonder why I didn't get the pig, (1) I have more than enough pig stuff already, (2) it was too pink for a boy, and (3) the turtle was cuter.

Next I played rich birthday girl looking for a pearl ring at the jewelry store. As much as I don't like or fit in with the wealthy lifestyle, I really enjoy the high-quality customer service! After trying on some rings, Justin picked me up and we went back to his work for free golf.

The golf course he works at, Gainey Ranch, is quite the ritzy place. And the three 9-hole courses are absolutely gorgeous. First Justin played The Lakes course, then the Dunes course. It was so tranquil and beautiful, and there was so much wildlife, particularly birds and rabbits. I loved being outside in peaceful nature with my husband instead of being cooped up at home alone. It felt so good to be in the sunshine and fresh air, surrounded by my favorite color--green! We had a great time together.

For more photos, click here.

Last-minute Date Night

Friday evening, Justin and I decided to go out at the last minute instead of staying home doing nothing. We went to the dollar theater and saw Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I really liked it and recommend it. I think it should have been PG-13, though, especially taking into consideration that Harry Potter 4 earned that rating and it was less graphic (can you tell my mommy instincts are already taking over?). Afterward we enjoyed delicious Triple Chocolate Meltdowns at Applebee's. As always, it was nice getting out of the house and doing something together.