26 weeks!

I'm now 26 weeks along and doing great! Baby jo is growing everyday and getting stronger too... i love feeling her swim around in there. It's such a weird thought that she is her own person already. She's still inside me but i have no control. None. She moves when she wants & everything. I love her so much more with each day that passes.

BuMp BbQ

We had a bbQ with our friends today as a farewell. We're moving and also our friends terran & summer are moving. They're heading up to Montana, and so you know, it's country. It was so fun! Bu-tars made his awesome pulled pork and potatoes & the rest of us just brought snacks to add to the food pot. We're gonna miss these guys.

SuNNy Day!

Today was such a beautiful day! It was totally sunny & breezy, it was awesome! I packed us a lunch & we walked down to this little park by our house. It was perfect. Skye enjoyed getting out and taking in some fresh air. Isn't she cute!

Utah Showers

So, this last week at work they had a baby shower for us and then this saturday we had a family/friend shower for Alexa and I. It was so fun and we got so many awesome gifts! Baby Jo is totally set with clothes! She's got more clothes than i do but i know she'll definately go through them faster than i do. So, we had yummy food and a couple of fun games thanks to my wonderful pond family. I wanna add, it's been so fun being pregnant with my sweet sister in law alexa. It's been nice to have someone to compare body aches, symptoms, and all these 'fun' pregnant things with... I'm really gonna miss her. But... Landon is due very soon. Yay! She's gonna be busy!

Viva Mexico

So, we have some new neighbors that moved in downstairs and i suddenly feel like i'm living in mexico. First of all, the space downstairs is sooo small, there was no way i'd live there with ryan and skye. (that's why we're upstairs) And they've got two families...yes, two, dos families living down there. Four adults and a handful of kids. And that brings me to the noise... i've never known anyone to slam as many doors as they do. Oh my gosh. We can hear everything. The talking, the crying, the tv, etc. I know..i'm just venting but it's ridiculous. Best of all, this is their railing, to their front door, for all to see. Isn't it beautiful... I know ryan probably gets tired of hearing me complain about it but it's just too much!

LiNdEy'S TaG!

3 Joys:
1. Family
2. Skye (my dog)
3. Hot 92 Jamz

3 Fears:
1. Being Hurt
2. Being Lost
3. Wrapped Gifts

3 Goals:
1. Have a Baby!
2. Pack & Move
3. Save $

3 Current obsessions/collections:
1. Cleaning (nesting)
2. Online Baby Stores
3. Wearing Skirts

3 Random surprising facts:
1. I Love to Color
2. I'm Not a Cuddly Person
3. I Love Making Things...Tutu's, Purses, Headbands, etc.

Graduation Day!

Ryan graduated today! He did it! I am so proud of him! Watching him as the graduation started, i had this overwhelming feeling of happiness in my heart that brought tears to my eyes. In the past couple years, ryan has changed and grown so much. He's become an amazing and wonderful man! I'm so grateful that i get to spend my life with him by my side and it makes me so sobbingly happy to think of what a wonderful father he will soon be. I love you ryan.

*Pretty Pretty Princess*

So..... It's a Girl!!! It's officially a girl! I'm so excited! We went for our ultrasound and everything looks great! A healthy (big) baby girl! It was so amazing to be able to see her move around in there. My little princess. It's so good to finally know that she's a girl for sure, i've been peeking at girl things with hope but now i can look whole heartedly. It's so fun! And ryan's excited to have a little princess. It was funny, the ultrasound lady was like "well, it's not that there are boy parts hiding in there that we can't see...this naughty little girl is showing everything she's got! Total spread eagle...she's definitely not shy" HA! This is so fun. And at one point the u.s. lady was like "ok, look, here's your bladder..." And then you just see this perfect little foot kicking and kicking and kicking it. The u.s. lady was like "and there youve got it....the reason you need to pee so much." I have to say, it's hard to be mad at that. Seeing her so clearly and now being able to feel her as well as knowing IT'S a she... it's so unreal, so exciting. I can't wait to see her in sept.

Two Hearts In One

Just got back from the dr's. I'm still good and healthy. Yay! We heard the heartbeat this time, it was going crazy! It was really cool to be able to sit and listen to it. Such a miracle. And good news, the dr said judging by the heartbeat its either.............a boy or a girl. Yeah, that's what she said! It made me laugh though. We go on April 24th to find out for sure. I can't wait, yes i can.

Baby Ryan Is Here!

So baby ryan decided to grace the world with her presence yesterday! We were so happy! The vibes worked and she came on St. Patricks Day! I went to see her today and she's adorable! Karen's doing good, she's recuperating and will hopefully be feeling completely better very soon. She gets to go home tomorrow. Yay!

*Two Preggie Bellies*

So this is me and my bestest friend Kare bear. We went to the mall yesterday, it was so nice to get out. One, cuz i hardly ever do anymore (im usually asleep every night by 9pm) and Two, we have to go out when we can before her belly pops. She's due any day now. We're crossing our fingers for St. Patrick's day just cuz we think it'd be cute. I also thought it'd be cute to get a picture of our baby-full bellies...although mine is still tiny...it's very much in there. So, we had lunch and walked around shopping...by the time we left, karen was having dilating pains and i was super bloated and in my own pain. So, this is what it's like shopping with kids....it's already started....

It's really in there.....

So we went and had our first ultrasound yesterday, it was such an exciting day. I laid there looking away and when the ultrasound lady said "there's baby" i didn't wanna look cuz i was so nervous but i did and look! That's it! It was so great to be able to see it cuz up until then, it still felt so unreal... i mean, you get all the symptoms and you know things are changing in there but it's not until that moment of seeing the little miracle that you know it's really happening. The coolest part is being able to see the little heart vibrating, you can actually see it beating! And hear it too, it's so amazing. It makes it all so worth it. So, i present to you, the first picture ever taken of my little jelly bean. Enjoy!

First Dr's Visit

Today was my first dr visit for my pregnancy. It went really well, they said it looks like i'm gonna have a pretty healthy pregnancy. That's such good news! We tried to listen to the heartbeat but as the dr said, "the little bugger is hiding!" Ha! The dr could hear the heartbeat in the background but she knows what to listen for...unfortunately, me and ryan couldn't hear it. But, i get to go in next week for an ultrasound to see the little bean. My estimated due date is September 14th.

I really miss joe today.

Morning Sickness Should Be Shot!

So, this past week i've been experiencing morning sickness. It started as nausea here and there... ok......then last sunday, i throw up once and BAM it's here! The first thing i do everyday when i roll out of bed is throw up. In the books they advise you to keep crackers by your bed to munch on before you get out of bed to help. Here is what they don't tell you... the crackers DON'T stop you from throwing up, they just make it easier for you to throw up because it put something into your stomache. If not, you are sitting there longer, dry heaving until you reach down far enough inside your belly to pull whatever acid and junk you can find to dispose of. Beautiful huh. It's true. I spend most of the day trying to feed my tummy with food that stinks (everything just stinks these days) and trying to hold it down at the same time...this is horrible. Not to mention when my body becomes uncomfortably warm, i become dizzy/lightheaded and i feel like i'm gonna pass out. I'm so worried that i'm gonna be in public somewhere or at work, and either pass out or vomit without warning. I can say this though, looking forward to one day holding this little miracle i'm growing inside me helps me be strong. (as does bonking ryan on the forehead whenever i feel the need) I've had many growing and life changing experiences in the last 4 years but i think this is promising to be the biggest.

Once there was a snowman...

Sick...

I've been so sick this week, it's horrible. I have a sore throat, cough, sneezing, phlegm, itchy/watery eyes, and i haven't been able to sleep for like the last 4 nights. I don't wanna be sick anymore, i can't stand it. I've been here at home in bed since saturday night when we got back from taking momz & james to the airport. It did snow alot today though, it was beautiful! It made me smile.

Christmas in January!

So, my mom and james came up to visit this last week and we had a chance to celebrate christmas! It was so fun! We had a whole christmas dinner with turkey, smashed potatoes, corn, yams, green bean casserole, etc. And of course presents! My family wasn't able to celebrate christmas because of my uncle joe being sick and passing away soon after, it was a rough week for everyone but in the end, i know it's gonna be a good year. It even snowed one of the days for my mom, she loved it!

levantarán las alas como águilas

My uncle joe has been a part of my life since i was born. My grand mother died when i was a month old so my mom and dad took him in. My mom was so attached to her mother that she still says that she knows God waited to take her mom til i was born & settled in, so that she'd be ready to let go and it wouldn't be so hard but i think that between me & joe, WE were what kept her busy together. Joe was born with so many conditions, he was estimated to live til about 12 years old and here he is. He turned 48 this last july. I like to think me & james are what kept him going... we prolonged his life by keeping him so active and on the top of his game. (Those who know us well, know what i mean) ((and kimo did his part too)) I feel so grateful that i was able to have joe in my life, i have learned so much from him and it has made me a better person. He taught me how to love, unconditionally, he loves everyone. And i mean everyone. He taught me how to forgive..........and forget. He taught me not to care what other people think, it doesn't matter, when it was me and him, even in a crowded place, it was only us. He taught me how to be a child, it's not how old you are, it's how old you feel. I still like coloring, and i like to think he has a part of that, i loved to color with him, he taught me it's ok to color the sky green and the people blue, it's whatever you feel. He taught me to be strong. He has never cried one day in his life, and i mean never. He taught me to be patient. Throughout my life there were times i had to wait on him, especially these last few years when i've cared for him and tended his needs. It's one thing to do things because you have to and it's another to do them with patience and love in your heart, Sometimes we take for granted the things we do each day. Joe loved riding his bike, sometimes a little too much, but only when he'd gone too far and we couldn't find him. Since he's gotten really sick, he can barely walk. He loved getting up in the morning, getting dressed & ready for school, 'wetting' and combing his hair (and if you know joe, you know what i mean by 'wetting'), making his breakfast and packing his lunch for school, making his coffee, and heading out to the bus. He didn't need to be told what to do, he just did it. He loves animals, all kinds of animals. We've had dogs, cats, hamsters, a guinea pig,a rooster, fish, birds, and i think that's it. He's crazy about pets. And we can't forget the guitar, he loves his guitar. He'd play from sun up to sun down if you let him, and he'd sing too. English and spanish. Sometimes i think he played just for the chicks, joe loved the ladies. He was a little ladies man at school, it was so cute. And he always talked about getting married but always said he wan't old enough. He wanted sons, no daughters, just sons. Maybe it's a guy thing. And his favorite dish was spaghetti (and again, if you know joe, you know what i'm talking about). Joe loved church, he was so social, we'd walk in and people that i'd never seen would say, "Hi joe!". He was such a positive example to my life.
My mom called yesterday to inform me about joe's health. It seems he won't be with us much longer. It's breaking my heart. I can't seem to get myself to stop crying, for so many reasons. I think a part of me always thought he'd get better and get back to normal. It must be the same part of me that still believes in santa (i can't believe i just shared that). I just keep remiding myself how happy he will be when he gets to see grandma. I hope he is proud of me and maybe he will tell her what a beautiful young lady i have become, and what a wonderful man i've married. Joe loves babies, well, children in general. I wish he could stay long enough to know my kids someday but i will never forget to share stories, pictures, and videos of their uncle joe so they will know how wonderful and crazy he is. Not a day goes by that i don't say something, or remember something, or tell ryan a story about joe. I don't know how my life will change when he is no longer here, but i hope he will always be with me. I feel like a part of my heart is changing, it's not leaving or becoming empty, it's just changing. I love joe with every part of my being. I know that he is going to a better place. It's hard, i won't lie about that, but i know his time here on earth is almost over and i'm grateful for all the gifts he's given to me while he's been here. I hope i can share them with others so that they may continue to brighten this earth we live on. "Si alguien te pregunta, como estas, como estas, como estas, Si alguien te pregunta como estas, como estas, como estas...Bendecido, muy bendecido, bendecido porque cristo me salvo, Bendecido, muy bendecido, bendecido porque cristo me salvo. (one of joe's favorite songs) P.S. I hope anna calls me joejorin forever.

Look...No Really....Look.

This.....is what a skidmark looks like... This futon, is a skidmark on the underpants of my driveway... it belongs to the lady who lives in our basement. We came back from California 3 weeks ago and it was sitting there, right along our driveway. And... unfortunately, it's been sitting there ever since. Right in plain sight for everyone to see... Can you believe this. I'm thinking about calling the number for "Big Pick-up" to see if they'll haul it away, is that mean...