Sometimes being pregnant can weigh down on you. Plus I seem to always hear negative things about taking care of a newborn. Things like the lack of sleep or how hard it can be to nurse etc. So today I thought that I should be more positive and write the top ten reasons why I love being pregnant.

1. Knowing that Ben and I are starting our family. Knowing that she is part of me and part of Ben.

2. Having people tell you you are cute-even when you’ve never felt further from it. (Oh wait I was trying to be positive!)

3. Feeling her kick and move inside of me. And giggling when she goes crazy or dances during American Idol.

4. Eating (eggs, strawberries, chocolate milk…)

5. Having Ben feel her kick.

6. Wondering what she will look like.

7. Buying cute baby clothes.

8. Feeling like a mom already.

9. No period every month and no birth control

10. Bigger chest

Well, overall pregnancy has its ups and downs, but like Ben pointed out to me earlier today, the downs pass. I love being pregnant and knowing that I will have Hallie with me soon.

I was going through some of my photos and editing them when I came across this masterpiece. I love it!

Favorite

Originally uploaded by crane.brittany

Today Ben and I went to see the Doctor for my monthly checkup. Last week I took the glucose test at the hospital and today we found out the results.

For those of you who don’t know what the glucose test is they make pregnant women fast for a few hours and then have them drink this carbonated orange soda type drink. Then you have to wait another hour before they take your blood. I had heard terrible things about the test and was not looking forward to it at all. I got up the courage and planned a strategic time to go without eating. (After Lunch) My lunch ended up being terrible and I was left hungry but there was no looking back. By the time I got to the hospital it had been 4 hours and then after drinking the nasty drink (I don’t do well with carbonation) I still had one more hour to go. I was hurting for food when the time came for the nurse to take my blood. I feel like such a sissy!

Anyway, today we found out that I am no wear near being diapedic. Women are safe if they are under 140 and I was 74. Iron levels are supposed to be around 36.5 and mine was 35. Doctor Nance said that the levels usually go down and so it might be a good idea to take some Iron supplement pills. I have also gained a whopping seven pounds this month. Which puts me, I’m ashamed to say, at a 21 pound weight gain. YIKES!

We also heard our little girls heart beat once again and found out that she is in position! Her head is down near the birth canal and everything looks good so far. Although the doctor did say that means more pain for me. Again YIKES!

Pregnancy runs in the family

Originally uploaded by crane.brittany

Last weekend my cousin Jessie had a baby shower. It was the first time I had seen her in months and I was so excited to see how her tummy had grown. She got married just after Ben and I did. They surprised the family by getting married in Vegas! (Jessie is the one on the left.) Aimee, in the middle, is my newest cousin. She married Jessie’s brother Colby on St. Patrick’s day, also in Vegas.

Jessie is due June 26 and is having a little girl. They are naming her Brooklynn Ann. So Cute! Aimee is having a little boy and they are naming him Larry Colten, but he will go by Colten. She is due Aug 4. Then there’s me who is due Aug 11.

At the shower everyone in my family kept saying “there’s pregnant women every where!” It was pretty funny. They should see Ben’s side of the family- there are like 6 of us! On my side of the family up until this point only one of my cousin’s has had any kids. So in one summer my grandparents are doubling their grandchildren!

Yeah, for having babies! I am getting so excited to meet little Hallie!

PF Changs

Originally uploaded by crane.brittany

Wow, after almost six years we finally all got together. Yesterday we met up at the PF Changs in Orem and talked for hours. Throughout high school we were best buds and yesterday it was like nothing had ever changed. Appearance wise we all look a little more mature but mostly just my hair color has changed. With the four of us we cover most lifestyles.

Shanna has been married for over four years now. (She met her husband during her senior trip.) Marci just celebrated her one year anniversary with her husband and still glows like a newly wed. Lena is still in the dating scene and as flirtatious as ever. (The waiter even asked her for her phone number and gave us free dessert-Thanks Lena!) And then there’s me of course~married and pregnant.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I had so much fun. We ate fabulous food and then stayed and talked for hours. I love these girls so much and couldn’t have asked for better friends. All three of them are amazing and such great examples to me. Thanks again girls for last night. Next time, lets not wait six years!

washington dc

We are headed back to my second home. Washington D.C. We decided to take the job with the Census Bureau which starts June 23. There are a million papers to fill out and documents to sign when working for the government. However, we are super excited and grateful that they will pay to move us out there. We plan on taking a week or so and visiting friends and family and church sites along the way. The furthest I have ever driven was to Washington State so this is quite the trip for me, especially being seven months pregnant. However, I am excited that we will get to see so many things along the way and it will be fun to just be with Ben. We have been apartment hunting all day, not to mention Ben’s trip out there before. It is not fun! I did find a few places that are in our price range we just hope they aren’t in too scary of neighborhoods. Good luck to us!

Congrats Ben on getting the job. You’re so strong!!!

This past weekend my wonderful mother threw me a baby shower. I ended up having two: one Thursday night and one Saturday afternoon. The one on Thursday was for neighbors and relatives. It was awesome! I enjoyed talking and catching up with old friends and neighbors that I haven’t seen forever. (I shook their hands at the wedding reception, but we didn’t get to talk.) I’m not too into little games etc. so we mostly just talked and chilled-which was perfect to me. I was so grateful that people took time out of their busy schedule to come and support Ben and I in this next step of starting a family. I received so many cute clothes and much needed items like blankets and wash cloths etc. Again, people are so good to me! I’m not sure what I have done to deserve to be surrounded by such good people-I guess it’s just in people’s nature to be so good.

On Saturday some of my best friends came. We ate, laughed, and talked for a couple of hours. Again I was so grateful that they would come. It really meant a lot to me. It showed me that when people have parties etc. I should really try to go because the support means a lot. One of my very best friends Bree even drove down from Rexburg. (Thanks Bree-You’re seriously the best and I miss you already!!) I had friends from High school, the mission, and college. Again, Hallie got super cute clothes which included a little swimsuit for next year-it’s adorable! Everything just made me even more excited for Hallie to come. Although, I’m glad I still have a few more months! Thanks everyone for coming- I loved it!!!!

My mom did an amazing job putting everything together. The food was fabulous and everything looked so nice. She really knows how to throw a party. Thanks mom for doing so much for me!!!

Ben at the DC Temple (My old home!)

Many of you, including myself, have been wondering what our next step is going to be. It’s now the second week into May and we are still no closer to finding out.

Here are our options:

D.C. (The picture is of Ben the last time he flew back there to interview.) Ben has been offered a job at the Census Bureau. However, we don’t know when it starts. He has one more week to tell them yes or no. It pays pretty good and has great benefits, but it is working for the government.

New Jersey right across from Manhattan. Ben has also been offered a job with the Charles G. Koch Foundation. This job starts June 1st yet we don’t know the salary or benefits etc. This is the job that most interests Ben. He would be surrounded by people who share his passion for Liberty and the free market. He would be working with a research team and even holding press conferences to reveal his findings.

Phoenix with U.S. Airways. Ben just recently flew back there and interviewed so he hasn’t heard back from them yet. We did find out that this job has the best perk out of all of them. We can fly free where ever their airline flys. Plus discounts on all other flights and even cruises. Sounds soooo good! I’ve always wanted to travel and this would be my chance.
We are so excited for this next step in our lives-especially the baby! The sky is the limit and we plan to take advantage of it. It’s nerve racking to me to not know where we are going and when but I’m just grateful to have a husband who is qualified for so many neat jobs. He’s the man!
As soon as I know anything I promise to post an update. Until then…… we all wait!

Ben at the DC Temple (My old home!)

Many of you, including myself, have been wondering what our next step is going to be. It’s now the second week into May and we are still no closer to finding out.

Here are our options:

D.C. (The picture is of Ben the last time he flew back there to interview.) Ben has been offered a job at the Census Bureau. However, we don’t know when it starts. He has one more week to tell them yes or no. It pays pretty good and has great benefits, but it is working for the government.

New Jersey right across from Manhattan. Ben has also been offered a job with the Charles G. Koch Foundation. This job starts June 1st yet we don’t know the salary or benefits etc. This is the job that most interests Ben. He would be surrounded by people who share his passion for Liberty and the free market. He would be working with a research team and even holding press conferences to reveal his findings.

Phoenix with U.S. Airways. Ben just recently flew back there and interviewed so he hasn’t heard back from them yet. We did find out that this job has the best perk out of all of them. We can fly free where ever their airline flys. Plus discounts on all other flights and even cruises. Sounds soooo good! I’ve always wanted to travel and this would be my chance.
We are so excited for this next step in our lives-especially the baby! The sky is the limit and we plan to take advantage of it. It’s nerve racking to me to not know where we are going and when but I’m just grateful to have a husband who is qualified for so many neat jobs. He’s the man!
As soon as I know anything I promise to post an update. Until then…… we all wait!