Here we come 2012...

I can hardly believe that another year has ended! I feel like I have been pregnant forever! April seems so far away at times(like when I get winded after walking for 10 minutes, when I need help tying my shoes some mornings...) and yet, at other times I feel like this little guy will be here before I know it. Since my last post we have definitely felt him move. It is pretty cool. The first night it happened I was half asleep and ended up waking Jeff and then not going to bed almost the rest of the night hoping he would move again- he did not! He is quite the mellow baby so far. He likes to stay curled in a ball holding on to both of his feet. I have had at least 6 ultrasounds and he is always in this same position. I am not sure whether to count my blessing that he stays so calm and isn't kicking the life out of me or continue to stress out when I go almost a whole day without feeling him. More than likely I will do both! ;) Important thing is, he is super healthy and right on track. My doctor is very pleased with his growth and progress so I will try and stay calm. Hahaha! Easier said than done! I am really grateful for the opportunity to be pregnant and share this experience with the love of my life. I am not going to lie though, sometimes it is really weird as well. When I sit and truly contemplate the fact that I am growing another human being inside of me, it's well, strange! I wonder things like how can he stay upside down for hours or days on end without getting a headrush? Is he going to have webbed toes like me? Am I really going to be able to make til the end of this pregnancy without ripping in two(some days I have my doubts!)? All normal thoughts I am sure. Most of all, I am excited to be a mom and watch Jeff be a dad. I know it is going to be a heck of a ride :)

Some other fun events recently were of course Christmas and visits from family! Jeff and Amy and the kids were out here this year and we had such a wonderful time! Their visits always seem to be way to short and go way too fast! We finally got to meet their newest addition and he is a doll! Our Christmas gift to all my siblings and their significant others was a trip to Medival Times. We had a blast and I am so glad we all got to go together. A big thanks to Mom and Dad for volunteering to babysit all the kiddos. I think they had fun too :) We got to talk to Justin Christmas day and he is loving the Dominican Republic. It was soooo great to talk to him, but it also reminded me how much I miss him!

So here is to a fun, exciting, adventurous new year! Can't wait to see what happens....!!

It's a...

BOY!! Jeff and I are so stinkin excited and happy to finally know what this little guy is! I have to admit we were both kind of surprised when we saw the ultrasound Monday. But there was no doubt to us, or anyone else for that matter, that a little boy is baking inside of me :)

I still feel really good and never did end up getting sick which is such a blessing! I am patiently, or not so patiently I should say, waiting to feel him move. So far, he seems to be hiding. He kept putting his arms and hands in front of his face and chest. So cute to watch from his mother's perspective, not so cute to the doctor who was trying to take measurements of his heart! What can I say? He must have some stubborn Skinner genes in him :)

I am so blown away by modern technology! It is incredible all of the things modern medicine can do nowadays. Just having ultrasounds is such a miracle. I saw my son making fists, rolling over, opening and closing his mouth, and got to see the blood moving through his heart! So cool, and so amazing! I am so grateful that he is so healthy and that he is growing and doing everything that he should be doing. I bet he won't be like forever!

SO BLESSED!

Yes, the rumors are true! We are expecting our first baby! My heart is so full and at times, I still want to pinch myself because it doesn't seem real. Words fail me. I am humbled, grateful, shocked, so in love already....For a really long time, I wasn't even sure I would ever be able to have a baby. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us more than I can imagine. Already I have seen the miracles occurring in our and our baby's lives. The journey is not going to be easy, but I know I will have tons of help along the way. I feel the Spirit so strong and know that it is power beyond my own that my blood sugars have been as great as they have and that I have not had to deal with any of the bummer side effects alot of pregnant women do. I feel great and haven't been sick once so far. A true miracle and blessing! Jeff and I are so amazed that we get the opportunity to be parents to one of our Father in Heaven's spirits. We are SO BLESSED and SO EXCITED!!

Another adventure in life...

Today I embark on another adventure in dealing with my diabetes. I am usually not one to talk about my diabetes a whole lot- not because I am embarrassed or shy or like to pretend it's not there ( believe me, I KNOW it's there every moment of my life :) ; it's just that I try really hard for people to know who I am. There is more to me than diabetes.

So anywho, this past week I got a new toy called a Continuous Glucose Monitor. Now in addition to my insulin pump which is connected to my 24/7, I also have a sensor which monitors my blood sugar non-stop. There are obvious upsides to having such a device. Now instead of poking my finger 10-12 times a day, I only have to do it 2! My fingers are singing this things praises for sure! I am constantly alerted if my blood sugar is moving out of my target range and it lets me know if I am heading for a reaction- aka- really low blood sugar. Now, the downsides- I have to wear another big sticky piece of tape with a transmitter stuck in it. It stays on for a continuous week at which time you have to insert another one. I don't know about you, but being only 5 feet tall, I have limited skin real estate. We will see how this goes! Another kinda bummer thing is that I have another bulky monitor clipped to my pants. Can't wait for all the random questions I will get about that! And last but not least, my self-esteem took a temporary hit. I seriously feel like a walking medical equipment advertisement. However, I have the most amazing husband ever who quickly reassured me that he thinks I am beautiful- no matter how many pieces of plastic and wire are both in me, and hooked to the outside of me. :)

I know that to have the longest and best quality of life, diabetes is something I have to work at every single day. I want to grow old with my hubby and family and not from a wheel chair, being blind and legless. I am grateful to live at a time where Heavenly Father has blessed people with the abilities and talents to create such products, because though at times they are inconvenient, they do improve the quality of life for those of us dealing with this disease.

An update...

Hard to believe we are already in the full swing of summer! Life has been treating us pretty well so I can't complain too much. :) We were so excited to welcome a nephew (after 4 nieces) to the family in June - I am so anxious to go and meet Landon! He is being adored by his big sisters, although rumor has it that Kayla won't change diapers, hahaha. The 4th of July was a "blast" as always. Good food, great friends and family, and great fireworks. What more could you ask for?

Another huge milestone was Justin getting his mission call to the Dominican Republic. What a wonderful blessing it was to be there when he opened his call! I think a piece of my heart is going to leave with him when he goes in October. I love that kid so much and can't believe he is ready to go on a mission - time certainly has a way of racing by these days it seems. I was grateful to be there with most of the family when he went through the temple just a few weeks ago. There is so much comfort knowing everyone in the family was worthy to be there - including the ones who couldn't make it. That is something not everyone gets to experience in this life I am sure and I am humbled by the blessings the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon us. I am grateful for the righteous lives and examples my brothers are to me. They are all pretty cool guys :)

Good times!

Time went by too quickly the last few weeks! It was such a joy to have Jeff, Amy, and the girls here. Kayla was so excited to go to Sea World and Grammy got the 3 girls matching outfits for the occasion. It was precious to watch the girls play together and see Hali'a follow Kayla everywhere she went. Jon gave La'akea such a beautiful blessing- what a special and sacred event that the entire family got to be a part of! Now, Mom and Dad and Grandma Betty are off to Missouri to watch Jeff graduate from medical school. What an amazing accomplishment and I know me and the whole family are so proud of him! He is going to be an amazing surgeon :)

Happiness is...

being an auntie! We are so grateful for the safe and healthy arrival of niece #4, La'akea Maren. Nothing brings a smile to my face faster than being with my nieces. I am so very grateful for the special relationship I have with Hali'a. She truly is a blessing to me and our whole family. I am excited to get to know La'akea and know what a blessing she is. I look forward to the days ahead when Kayla and Jocelyn come- its better than Christmas or birthdays :) Families are forever - xoxoxo