Fabulous Friends

In a previous post I wrote about new friends I had made. It's only gotten better.

My former visiting teachers were great. Sara made us a full-course dinner one Sunday night out of the blue. And it was delicious! Nikki and I are definitely friends now. Plus, I absolutely adore her baby.

Ashley (VT companion) got me a little Easter basket. It was so cute! I enjoy talking to her. I feel we click in a special way I don't with other women because we are the same age. Yeah, that doesn't really make a huge difference in friendship, but it's nice to have someone else in the same stage of life as I am. My other friends are all older than me. That happens to me often. Like my mom, I get along with older people, because, generally speaking, I act more mature than my age. In fact, the compliment of the year was from Cherise, who thought I was close to her age.

Speaking of Cherise, she is one awesome buddy. She has taken me under her wing as my doula. She invites me over often for company and healthy meals. She takes care of me without babying me, meaning, she pushes me to do what I need to do, as a true friend should. For example, one Sunday she dragged me out of the house for a walk with her and her daughter to their garden. A couple weeks ago, she invited me last minute to attend the temple with her. I almost didn't go; I'm glad I did. Yesterday, we went on a double date to Jamba Juice and then my house for Imaginiff. Our husbands get along great; they are so much alike!

Another sister in the ward told Justin she wanted to get to know me better and gave him her number to give to me. She has a cute baby girl and she makes the best coconut cake! We haven't done anything together yet.

You know, I think the problem is that all of us women are just waiting for someone else to make the first move. We're afraid of rejection and gossip. I wonder how many other women in the ward and neighborhood are sitting at home lonely waiting for a friend to reach out to them. I need to be that friend! I've had enough people reach out to me that it's time for me to spread the sunshine to someone else.

Maybe Baby?

I think I felt the baby last night. I was already awake around 2 a.m. and suddenly felt a tapping to the right of my belly button. It didn't feel like any normal feeling, and I even made sure it wasn't my pulse. I put my hand on my tummy for a couple minutes, trying hard to focus on the small kicks. Finally convinced, I woke up Justin, but the baby stopped moving, so he didn't feel anything. I haven't felt it again yet.

How did you know when you felt your baby's movements for the first time?

Guess What the Easter Bunny Brought Me?

My family! My dad drove them up Friday night. Saturday we watched General Conference on the laptop. In between sessions we went to the park for a ward brunch and after Conference we had a small birthday party with another family for my little sister. She is thirteen! I can't believe it. Makes me feel old.

Sunday was more Conference and then Easter dinner--fish, since I never get to make it because Justin doesn't like it. During dinner we felt the 7.2 earthquake from Mexico. It was the rolling kind; it felt like we were rocking on a boat. My dad freaked out and Justin was scared because it was his first earthquake. I kept eating dinner and laughing at them. I did feel dizzy afterward, though. After dinner, Dad left for home.

During the week, my mom and sister helped me clean the house. It needed it badly: it hadn't been cleaned since before I was pregnant. Yeah, gross. But the odors (both from food and cleaning products) bothered me, so it only got worse. It didn't end up being as bad as I thought though. Plus, my mom works wonders!

We didn't go out much, as we did last year when they visited, since Justin had the car. We did go thrift-store shopping, of course, and I found a way cute pair of polka dot heels. We saw The Princess and the Frog at the dollar theater and went to the farmer's market down the street. And we used our table (the one Justin's grandparents gave us with the griddle in the middle) for the first time for a special dinner. Friday night my mom and sister left.

That whole week I enjoyed Mom's healthy, yummy cooking and slept greater than I ever have since I got pregnant. Justin and I are still enjoying leftovers and lots of produce. But ever since they left, I have been sleeping terribly like before. I miss my mommy!

Woman at the Well

I am on a spiritual high from drinking from the gospel well:

• General Conference: Amazing! I love Conference so much for the Spirit and motivation it brings.
• Personal scripture study: I've gotten back into the habit almost daily and am learning a lot from the wars in Alma about fighting spiritual enemies.
• Family scripture study: While my family was here, we sang a hymn and had a spiritual thought every night.
• Family Home Evening: My little sister gave an excellent lesson on the Holy Ghost and truth.
• Priesthood blessing: My husband gave me a blessing of comfort. Read about it on my Mormon Light blog.
• Music: Whenever I work on my Mormon Light blog (which is a lot right now due to my spiritual high and my family being gone), I listen to my playlist of MoTab, hymns, Primary songs, and instrumental arrangements. Beautiful music brings the Spirit to my heart and home.
• Patriarchal blessing: I reread my blessing today and was dismayed that I had forgotten so much of the counsel and promises found in it. I need to read it more often.

This past week has reminded me of how important it is to do the small and simple things to keep up my spirituality. It isn't always sin that gets in the way; my recent time-wasting has diminished my enthusiasm for the gospel. I want it back, as I had my freshman year at BYU because of the constant spiritual opportunities and surroundings. I want to be the woman at the well again!

Hmmm, I'm sensing another post for my Mormon Light blog!

Pregnancy Progress

Today I am halfway done with my pregnancy! Woohoo! Nine months is a long time, so I'm a little surprised the first half went by quickly. (Ok, so it didn't feel like it when I was puking my guts out every day.) Next thing you know, I'll be holding a cute little baby in my arms! We find out if it's a boy or girl on the 19th.

At my last appointment we heard the heartbeat again and I felt my uterus. I'm showing, but not distinctly--meaning I look more fat than pregnant. My inner thighs are packing and I'm soft everywhere since I have not exercised in months. I'm going to start walking in the mornings (maybe evenings because it's cooler and quieter) and building up my arm muscles again.

Morning sickness is completely gone; it lasted for four months. For a while I woke up with bad headaches every morning, but that has since subsided as well. Now I'm just tired 24/7 and I can't sleep at night or nap during the day.

Food is not so bad anymore and my appetite has increased. I recently moved on to instant mashed potatoes and peas, scrambled eggs and toast, ramen, and canned pears. I still don't like to cook, obviously, but if something is put in front of me, I'll eat it.

This past week my mom has been here and has cooked for me, so things have changed a bit. I've been eating a lot and enjoying it. I think what I eat makes a difference in how I sleep as well. I have been sleeping great ever since my mom got here (minus when they arrived the first night at 2 a.m.), even with Justin's snoring. I'm going to eat healthier now and still drink more water!