Kiera Soleil Pond has arrived!

Kiera was born on October 2nd in the evening. She was 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Towards the end of my pregnancy, i felt like she was never gonna come but since she was born the time has just flown by. She's almost 3 weeks old now & growing a little everyday. She is so smart & so feisty, i love it! I can just sit & stare at her for hours, it's so amazing to think i made her. She has beautiful dark hair & we think her eyes are brown. She's so perfect. And her dad is absolutely in love with her. It's so funny to see how protective he is of her & how he just hates to see her cry. He's so gentle with her & she just looks so tiny when he has her. It's fun to watch him with his little girl. It's a whole new side of him, the daddy side. We have the most wonderful little family. And I also have to add, skye loves her! We don't really let her get toooo close for safety reasons of course but when the baby cries if i'm in the bathroom she sits outside the door barking until i come out & when i ask her "where's the baby?" she runs over to kiera and sits at her feet. She has done so well adjusting to the new addition. Here are some pictures of my beautiful princess.

38 weeks!

Haaappy Biiirthdaaay Tooo Meeee...!

I had the best birthday. On Saturday i went out with a select few to Red Robin, (while my sis in law melissa was getting married...i couldn't go due to the basketball under my shirt but ryan went and had a wonderful time, he said it was beautiful) Then we bought a cheesecake and went over to my tia silvias. It was a good day. Then, on my actual birthday, we bbq'd carne asada and just hung out. Me, james, and chris decorated the house with tons of balloons and streamers and star confetti that ryans family sent me (thank you guys for everything, it made my day so much better) and to finish the day my mom made me a birthday cake. It was a very simple, chill out day but it was one of the best birthdays i've had because i had my family with me and everything just went perfect. And Ryan bought me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers! I wish i could keep it forever! Last week was long and full of ups and downs but when i finally stopped and remembered how much i'm loved by He who holds the world in His hands, I stopped stressing and began to see the good start to sprout. Life is good.

Ready to Pop Or Not...

Here's a random belly picture for those who like keeping up with my progress. Some people say i look like i'm ready to pop and some people say i'm still really small. I think it depends on what i wear. I just like to think of how great it'll be when my belly is flat again... 33 weeks.

Orange County Fair!

So, we went to the orange county fair this week and it was so much fun. We didn't do rides or anything but it's ok, i just love the atmosphere. And of course the funnel cakes! You can't do the fair without the yummy treats they have. I was so surprised at how well my body handled all the walking and everything. I was tired by the end but i'm so glad we went. It was so much fun!

30 weeks!

We're now at 30 weeks and getting anxious! I'm so ready to see jo and be able to give her kisses. She's getting so big and moving so much. It's really fun, except for when she plays my ribs like a xylophone. Ha. So, we've been back in california for about a month and it's been nice to be around family. So many things are different than i thought and our plans with moving situations have changed but i feel in my heart it's the best thing. Ryan has been so patient with everything, (he leaves the house at 5:30am to be at work on time) He's wonderful! We're doing great and are so happily awaiting our bundle of joy. It's really good to be able to see my mom whenever i want and hang out with her. It's fun to see how excited she and my dad are about being grandparents, they are gonna be great and will love it!

Moving Day.

So, we packed up and had a looong 15 hour drive to sunny southern california. Ryan drove the moving truck, towing his truck behind it, my mom drove my truck, and I went back and forth between the two vehicles trying to keep relaxed. I only fell asleep once during the drive, it was only for about 45 minutes but when i woke up my feet were really swollen and aching. I didn't dare fall asleep after that! I kept myself cool, calm, elevated, and hydrated. It wasn't as bad as i thought it'd be and at a long 15 hours it took us (no exhaggeration), it really wasn't that bad. Our moving truck was lame and it would overheat driving uphill so sometimes we'd reach the max of 20 mph...it was pretty sad. But we made it! It wasn't as easy saying goodbye as i'd thought it'd be. I've made so many great friends that i'm truly gonna miss. My girls. Karen and Hailee, i'm gonna miss our weekly girls night. There's not a whole lot to do out there but we always found activities and had the most awesome time. Mostly cuz hailee grew up in a bubble and had never done all the normal things most people do as kids...i.e. mini golf, chuck e cheese...Lol.

I'm also gonna miss the mountains. They were my backyard. I wanted to take a picture before we left but it just wouldn't do them justice. They are so beautiful! I'm sure living there your whole life and seeing them day in and day out, you just get used to them just being there. There was not one day i didn't see them and just think of how awesome they were and i felt so lucky to be so close to them. Especially, when the leaves start changing and you take a drive up into the mountains, you just don't get that here! All the reds and oranges, it so breathtaking.

Well, this is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and i'm both nervous and excited. It's gonna be wonderful!

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.