tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44329060623483104342024-03-13T00:15:02.126-07:00miss danyelliDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-7947772532774891302015-04-07T23:19:00.001-07:002015-04-08T15:01:47.852-07:00Inspired<div style="text-align: center;">
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I just finished reading this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carry-On-Warrior-Embracing-Beautiful/dp/1451698224" target="_blank">incredibly inspiring book</a>. I LOVED IT. Seriously never have I laughed out loud so much, and then pages later have tears in my eyes. After reading it I'm more inspired to love others, and follow Christ. The author is so incredibly real, and honest about her faults (which are totally relatable) and it just really was a great read. </div>
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So anyway, even before I read this book, I've been inspired. Inspired to do all sorts of things. This book just helped me along. </div>
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I've said it before, and I'll say it again...and this time, I really seem to be serious. I need to write a book. About my experience and journey with Lyme. Sigh. It's heavy, and hard...but <i>important.</i> So, I've been writing. I have actually written quite a bit! It's really hard though, and most of the time I think, "Who's going to want to read this crap?!" But my honest to goodness goal in this, is to have some sort of affect on people like the book above had on me. I want people to see that through hard trials, they can find hope. And <i>hopefully, </i>they can find joy in the journey. And even better, find God. I don't know. Or they might just find a bunch of depressing stupidity that isn't even inspiring at all. Either way, I'm trying. </div>
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I'm inspired to be better in the kitchen. Do you know I somehow have this reputation for cooking a lot? Well...I don't know. I have no idea how people get this impression. I guess because every time I DO cook, I take a picture and brag about it. But the thing is, those are literally the only times I cook. I unfortunately get a lot of take-out, and a lot of like...snacks. It's just sad really. I have all these beautiful cookbooks that sit with dust because I'm too lazy or scared to try them out! I also have these amazing cooking tools- like for instance. ICE-CREAM MAKER! I got this like...two years ago maybe? I don't know. All I know is I haven't even gotten it out of the box! I WANT TO MAKE ICE CREAM! I just haven't. </div>
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So.</div>
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I am starting, yet again, a new website! Ha! It's called "CookBook Reviewed". It's going to be all about me making my way through different cookbooks, reviewing them (based off recipes I've tried in them), along with reviewing and talking about all these awesome cooking appliances/tools that I use. So, hopefully it will help me be more daring and exciting in the kitchen. Eh? We'll see. </div>
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Overall, life is amazing. I seriously thank Heavenly Father every single day for blessing me with such an amazing life. I don't know what I did to deserve this moment in time, but it is very good and I am trying to soak it all in. I wake up, hang with Asher, WHO by the way, is literally the cutest human being to ever grace the earth. I truly believe that. I just don't think it is possible at all that there's ever been a cuter baby. And he makes me SO happy. Clay and I are both self-employed and building up successful businesses. We are trying new things, and constantly trying to improve, and it feels really good. I was telling my mom how I just feel so happy right now, and she said, "Well, it's your turn. You can't have it bad all the time." or something. And yeah that's true I suppose. </div>
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I just feel like I still have a lot of random trials. But different perspective. It's like...I have some serious issues that are really annoying and I could completely get depressed about them but I just think it's not worth it. For instance, my jaw is so messed up. Did you know this? Probably not. Slowly over the years, my jaw alignment has been getting more and more stuck. It constantly pops (which is painful) and gets stuck. I previously had to wriggle it one way or another to get it unstuck. Well, a few months ago I had some major dental work done...8 cavities or something, along with a root canal. My mouth was open for hours, and ever since, my jaw had been so so so much worse. I cannot open it very wide at all. Most food is really hard to eat. All crunchy food hurts my jaw with every bite. I literally can't open my mouth wide enough to eat even a banana without cutting it up into small pieces. I hurt everytime I yawn. Most nights my jaw just aches as I am going to bed. It's an issue. </div>
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Then there's my feet. My freaking feet. Oh my gosh. </div>
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After my pregnancy I found that my feet hurt all. the. time. And by hurt, I don't mean like...oh I'm so tired at the end of the day. No. I mean the second they touched the floor, extreme pain. If I worked out, I was limping. After months of this, I finally went to a podiatrist, who x-rayed me and diagnosed me with "fallen arches", or "plantar faschitis". I forked out hundreds of dollars and got orthotic inserts...to which then did nothing for weeks and had me TERRIFIED that I wasted our money, and that I was doomed to pained feet the rest of my life, and wouldn't be able to do my exercise classes which really help my entire LIFE! Well, I'm really happy to say, after over a month of wearing these danged orthotics...I am not in pain after working out. My feet still get pain way sooner than they used to...but they are much better than they were a few weeks ago, and for that I am grateful. </div>
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Also. Did you know I suffer from acid reflux? I have for years. It's a serious problem. And by serious I mean it has gotten insanely out of hand the past few months. If I eat pizza, I will wake up in the middle of the night and be in so much pain it is hard to breath, swallow, and really live. ha! Usually the system is, I wake up, beg to Heavenly Father to take it away, and sit in pain for 2-3 hours until it simmers. Well...the past few times, I have been in so much pain I throw up. It's awful. I hate it. So...now I don't eat pizza. And I've also ruled out lasagna (which unfortunately I made freezer meals and have a bunch more lasagna in there...), yogurt, milk, and basically lots of cheesy greasy things. It's really annoying. But manageable I <i>think.</i></div>
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Then there's my adult acne. Blah. It will never leave me. I'm convinced. Acne for life. Woohoo!</div>
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And then...if we are being 100% here. Which we are, we want to have another baby. And the process of getting pregnant here is not so simple. Trying to get back on antibiotics proved to be insanely harder than I anticipated. Having the stress and reminder that,<i> no Danielle. Lyme is not gone. It is always a part of you. Remember those achey joints I still give you every now and then? Remember these risks you still have? I am still here. </i>So not fun. </div>
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But I don't spell all these out to like...feel sorry for myself. Truth is, I really don't. It's like...I really feel like everyone has crappy things in their life. No one has it the same. And even if we DO have it the same on the outside, in writing, its never the same on the inside. But the fact is, life is hard. No matter what. Life can just be really hard and have a lot of annoying things in it...but it doesn't mean you have a bad life. And it surely doesn't mean you did anything to deserve it. It doesn't mean you are worse off, and it doesn't mean you are being punished. It's just life. </div>
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I feel like I've learned that life is NOT fair. It just isn't. And God gives us hard things, because we can handle hard things. It makes us grow, and learn, and gain compassion. I feel like since I've learned the simple fact that life is hard, and THAT'S OKAY...its been much easier to deal with the hard. </div>
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I have these random annoying trials that truly do cause me a lot of pain and panic sometimes, but I always come back to, <i>it's okay. All will be well. It always ends up okay in the end. </i>And it really always does. </div>
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So anyway, that was a long rant. But, that's my life right now. Till next time!</div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-75649139401888279742015-02-04T20:33:00.000-08:002015-02-04T20:33:58.571-08:00DreamsSometimes I realize I am such a dreamer.<br />
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I have so many dreams.<br />
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Today I almost bawled my eyes out because I felt so lost. I felt like...what am I doing? I feel like something is missing. What's wrong? Something is out of place. Within my SOUL!<br />
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Well.<br />
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I went to yoga tonight for the first time in AGES. I went because my danged feet are ridiculous and their arches have fallen and balh blah blah...they hurt all the time. End of story. Point is- I went to yoga because of a lesser strain on the feet you know? Well I was there and kept thinking- WHY HAVE I GONE SO LONG WITHOUT YOGA! Do you not remember you are freaking inlove with yoga? That it centers you? That it belongs in your life?!?!! Namaste.<br />
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Dreams came souring back to me that I used to have. I used to yoga at least twice a week. It was brilliant! I remember dreaming of becoming a yoga instructor. How amazing would that be! Ah!<br />
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I dream of CREATING and people consuming of my work and it making their life happier. I love to create! I love pretty things. I want to make pretty things. I love to create pretty spaces. Ugh.<br />
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Another dream. I dream of having the perfect house that has everything I want in it...but I just never have enough money to do that. Slow and steady I guess.<br />
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I REALLY dream have having a house full of little children just running around in happiness while their parents are home working away, playing with them, creating, and loving every second! I think that will happen one way or the other.<br />
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Seriously, I was in quite the slumps earlier, and one session of yoga turned me around. See why I need it more in my life? I MUST DO THAT MORE.<br />
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In other news- Asher is quite literally the cutest baby that ever lived. Oh, he gets me. Here's one thing though...he is SERIOUSLY dramatic. Like, I am pretty positive he is wayyyy more dramatic than any other baby I've ever seen. He is really getting down the fake cry and its kinda hilarious. I actually love it when he's dramatic. I bet I wont when he's older...but right now, he's so funny. He also has gotten into this great habit of pooping about 30 minutes after I put him down for a nap. Like, every time. Which wakes him up for good. It's awesome!<br />
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Alrighty, till next time.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-29495094878333860102015-01-28T20:59:00.000-08:002015-01-28T21:00:44.919-08:00Okay, sure. Why not? Well, WHY NOT? I guess I'll try this again. Cause like...my baby is stomping his feet in his crib at 9:47pm and I dunno. I don't see myself falling asleep anytime soon.<br />
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Being a mom is a funny thing. I mean, for me right now...I am in the phase of: "Do I let him cry for 5 minutes to see if he falls asleep? Or will that overstimulate him and he will have an even HARDER time falling asleep? But if I go give him his passifier now, am I just teaching him I'm at his beck and call every time he makes a peep? Aren't I making it so he has no ability to self-soothe? But he DID have a runny nose today which maybe means I should comfort him or give him some slack in this self-soothing department?" In fact, these are the very thoughts that are running through my mind RIGHT. THIS. INSTANT. Because really, he's crying and it's just sad.<br />
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I hate hearing my baby cry. But! His face can be really cute sometimes when he does it. But I really don't love letting him cry all by his lonesome in a dark room. UGHHH the dilemmas of a first time over-thinking mom.<br />
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In other news...I LOVE LISTS. How do you people live in this world without lists?! Here is the truth. I have a spiral notebook that every single day turns a new page. Every day I write a list of "To Do Today". It is mostly the same each day, but certain things rotate.<br />
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ALSO, I have a list that is permanent on my fridge. It's a cleaning schedule. NO. I AM NOT PERFECT AT THIS! I know you all love to think I perfectly stick to my organization and lists, but no. Usually my daily to do lists contain what I was supposed to do the day before. Sigh...I try my best. But I actually LOVE my cleaning schedule list.<br />
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<i>Side note: I just heard him cough like a CHOKING sound and then SILENCE! Of course I run in there and what do you know? The child has his fingers in his mouth. He just gagged himself. Stinker. </i><br />
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So back to the cleaning schedule. It goes something like this.<br />
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Weekly:<br />
Mondays: Change sheets and do laundry (Just FYI, I barely ever change my sheets. I put this down in hopes that I become a better person and change my sheets...but it hasn't helped)<br />
Tuesdays: Baseboards and dusting.<br />
Wednesday: Windows and wipe down banister<br />
Thursday: Bathrooms<br />
Friday: Fridge, microwave, stove (outer stove)<br />
Saturday: Monthly item<br />
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Daily:<br />
Kitchen<br />
Wipe up slobber (FROM THE DOG!)<br />
Make bed (this has actually been LIFE CHANGING!)<br />
Floors (another that is just wishful thinking)<br />
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Monthly:<br />
Clean oven<br />
Vaccum stairs<br />
Clean tubs (yep, I barely EVER do those)<br />
Something else that I can't remember right now and am too lazy to get up and look on my fridge<br />
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Now, again...I am sooooo imperfect at this schedule, but honestly it helps a lot! My kitchen is mostly clean, the slobber is way better maintained, and everything else is doing pretty good too. Hoorah!<br />
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Also, I make my lists first thing in the morning after I get Asher up.<br />
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I guess that'll be all for now. I hope that sweet perfect blessed baby boy goes to sleep eventually.<br />
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Till next time.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-90544331186656768702014-11-04T19:09:00.001-08:002014-11-04T19:09:39.766-08:00Still hereSigh...who knows how this blogging thing will continue, but sometimes I just feel the need to write.<br />
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Being a mom is extremely hard. Some days are magnificent. Everything goes right, and I think- YES! This is what I was looking for! But truthfully, most days are HARD. Like today for instance, when my sweet baby boy decided to take ONE NAP! Seriously! Like...he usually takes a few. And he was so tired too. All day long...rubbing his eyes, soooooo fussy. Literally, he cried most of the day. And I kept trying and trying to get him to sleep, and he would do it for 15 min max. Sigh....needless to say, I am making a brownie in a mug right now.<br />
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In other news, I've been slowly making a quilt here and there. I finished the top! Now its just a matter of putting it all together and quilting it Hopefully I can manage that...<br />
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Clay no longer works at his job. There was a huge lay-off and....his entire department was a part of it. Pretty big bummer, but we are thinking a blessing in the long run. All things happen for a reason! And I truly believe we are going to head in a better direction from this. I get stressed sometimes about it, but mostly I am hopeful.<br />
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It's been nice that Clay doesn't have to go into work in the mornings because I can go to the gym! 4 workout classes a week! BOOM!<br />
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Well, that'll be all for now. My brownie in a mug just got done and I will go eat it and watch tv. I really wish I had energy and emotion enough to work on my quilt...buuuut...I don't! Oh well.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-36379951800205916842014-07-16T12:47:00.000-07:002014-07-16T12:47:34.591-07:00The Birth of Asher Well, I figured I better get this down before I continue to forget! It's already fading, though it was probably the most intense experience of my life.<br />
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It all started when Friday, about noon...I started noticing my underwear was wet...too much information? Don't worry there's more coming. So I didn't think much, I figured...you know...pregnancy is weird and I'm constantly discovering new "fun" things to deal with.<br />
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Well every time I went to the bathroom it just seemed more and more wet. By the time 5:00 rolled around I thought, you know...I better check with Molly about this. So I text her and say, "Awkward question...but I feel like I'm...leaking? Is this normal?" And she says, it could be amniotic fluid...better go get it checked at labor and delivery. So...Clayton gets home and I say, "Not to alarm you...but I've been kind of...leaking. Molly thinks we should check if its amniotic fluid." He gets a little panic in his eye, but we are thinking, eh...its probably nothing. Keep in mind its 10 days before my due date.<br />
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We make it to the hospital and they set me up in this room that is basically a closet. They say- "This is the backup of the backup of the backup of rooms...tonight has been CRAZY. We are totally out of rooms!" So you know, that's comforting. But I am probably going to be leaving anyway...so no problem.<br />
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They test the fluid and while waiting for results check to see if I'm dilated. She says, well, you are barely about a two. I know women go weeks being dilated at two so no big deal. She asks if I've been contracting at all and I say no...but I have been having some cramps here and there...like right now I feel crampy. And she feels my stomach and says, "well dear, that's because you are having a contraction!" So I say... "Oh! I guess I've been having contractions off and on then..." About then the results came back and she tells me, "Well, you are definitely in labor! That was amniotic fluid...your water is breaking!"<br />
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We told them we want to have a natural birth...no epidural, no pit. She says okay...we will try for that, but we are on a time table now. I first remembered leakage at noon so I essentially had till noon the next day to give birth without risking infection. And it was already about 6pm. My doctor was already at the hospital delivering for 2 other patients and he was really wanting to put me on pitocin to get things going. He wanted me to have the baby by 16 hours. So, I sat in my closet of a hospital room and waited while Clay ran home to get some last minute things we didn't have in my hospital bag. I continued to have my "crampy" contractions about 5 minutes apart consistently. About when Clay got back (very quickly we only live 5 min from hospital), they moved me to another room, which they said is also a backup room (no bathroom, pictures, anything...but a bed and monitor really- super small) and my labor really started to pick up. They kept saying, "I'm so sorry- we will get you in a real room soon" but it was a while...Clay and I would walk the hall, rock back and forth, sway, and I was handling it. It was painful, but manageable.<br />
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They finally took me to a room when things were really picking up...I was having contractions about 2 minutes apart by then and they were longer and harder so we were thinking, I wonder where I'm at! I've got to have dilated more! She checks me and says with an awkward face..."oh man, you are still at a two...maybe close to a three...I'm going to check you during this contraction, it will hurt, but I need to give the doctor an update" so she checks me while I'm contracting and it hurt like hell but she said, "Okay I feel comfortable telling him a three...its really a stretch, but it will make him feel better about waiting on the pit". SO I kept laboring. We got a birthing ball and that was nice...I would stand up walk, lean on Clay, lean on the sink, take deep breaths, moan out, I was DOING THIS! This lasted a few hours and we thought, okay- now I have GOT to be dilated far. She checks me and says, "Oh man you are just barely a 4"....WHAT?! My contractions were two minutes apart and INSANELY huge. She was monitoring me and confirmed I was having intense, BIG contractions. I continued to labor like this for two more hours and I was at a breaking point...I was thinking- okay, I know at some point they will make me get on pitocin because this isn't progressing fast enough and I have this dang time table because of the water breaking. Pitocin equals epidural, epidural equals no pain. Do I keep going and end up at that result no matter what and have gone through the pain for nothing? So Clay and I decided together that next time she checked me, if I hadn't progressed, I would get the epidural and pit. She checked me two hours after the last check (at a 4) and I WAS STILL AT A FOUR! Oh my gosh. Clay and I were shocked. We were like...how could I have just gone through 8 hours of active labor and only dilate 2 centimeters from when we first go here? Well...that was it, I said- get that anesthesiologist in here I want that epidural, and lets get this moving! Took another half hour or so for him to get in there and another half hour to get it going...the epidural didn't hurt at all to go in so I thought- great! He's a great anesthesiologist! So pretty soon my legs got numb...ish. I could still feel them and feel touch but I couldn't move them myself. I was feeling some pressure, not pain, but pressure and I was told that was a contraction. I thought- fantastic! This is so much better than before. They told me to try and sleep and they'd continue to check me here and there...well...nice thought. But every two minutes I could feel this intense pressure in my butt hole and vagina. Again, it wasn't necessarily PAIN but it was still intense. This lasted about 5-6 hours and I seriously just laid there thinking...everyone I've ever heard of getting epidural gets to sleep...how could they sleep through this?! They checked me and I was at a six. A SIX! I had gone from a 4 to a 6 in 6 hours with the PIT! Oh my heck! They said, "Well...we are going to break your water because it hasn't fully broken yet, and hopefully that speeds things up". So they break my water and leave us be.<br />
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Within fifteen minutes I was feeling INTENSE, PAINFUL pressure in my bum and vagina...like A LOT! I started to panic and cry and I was feeling like I needed to push. But I thought- no way? It's only been 15 minutes since I was at a six?!! I have four centimeters to go! But I was like- holy pain, holy pressure, this baby is COMING! I told Clay to call the nurse and tell her I felt like I needed to push. Of course, being me, I felt stupid...I thought- they will think I'm crazy...I was literally JUST at a six! There's no way! But also why isn't this epidural working?! She came in and said, well its possible breaking that water is all you needed to get going...and what do you know I am at a NINE! I dilated 3 centimeters in 15 minutes! I told her I was in pain and she had the anesthesiologist come in to give me another dose of epidural...well...I don't know how well it worked. I'm starting to believe it didn't work that well and that I was having a "window" that they talk about where the epidural misses or something. Point is, I was feeling every contraction, and I was panicking. She told me to start making small pushes with my contractions if I could, which was really hard to do because all I wanted to do was push like I was pooping (haha sorry, but its true!) and it was so hard to breath and push only a little. There was SO MUCH pressure. So much. With every contraction she would stretch me. Pretty soon she said, "Oh he looks like he has blonde hair! I'm going to feel it. Oh it is long!!! I'm playing with it." haha, and I thought oh how fun...can we get him out of me now? She called the doctor in (we had been doing that small push contraction thing for about 20 minutes or so) and he got me all ready and they told me it was time to push with all my might, like I was pooping (ha) three times for 10 seconds each with each contraction. I did this and he would stretch me through every push with his hands and oh my gosh- it felt SO much better to push than to not. SOMEthing to work towards, giving into my body's desires and intuition that it was time to push, it was working. I have to tell you- I felt powerful while pushing. It was HARD. Hard hard work. But I felt encouraged as every push they told me I was doing amazing and to keep doing exactly what I was doing. They never told me when I was supposed to push because I always said- I think its time! Its building!!!! And then they'd say okay go! 1...2... etc. I pushed for about a half hour with Clay on one side, my nurse on the other, my doctor down under, and all of them rooting me on. There was a moment when I knew it was the end when they all got intense saying, "hurry one more! again!" and I could FEEL he was there. I WANTED to keep going and I wanted to push with all my might, and it was so hard but I thought, "I'm doing it! I'm having a baby!" Then, I did. The second his mouth was out of me we could hear him start to cry. Everyone in the room was shocked and my doctor said, "Oh wow he is already trying to cry!" and by the time he was all out of me (within seconds) he was wailing. Best sound in the world. They tried showing him to me but I couldn't really see him and then they whisked him away to the other side of the room. I was told earlier this would all be just barely a few minutes and he would be back to me. Well, it took more like 10 minutes and there was a baby nurse that both Clay and I soon decided we hated. Don't take this lightly. I am a person that generally gives everyone the benefit of the doubt...but she soon proved herself to be a horrible person. She was checking him and Clay said, "I think there's something in his mouth or throat"...he could hear liquid in there. He said that she didn't even look at him and said, "Oh he's fine". Clay was pretty positive about it but it was all pretty hectic. Pretty soon I heard her saying, "Where's that measuring tape? Hmm I need to find that measuring tape." And all I kept thinking was- "I DON'T CARE HOW FREAKING LONG HE IS- BRING ME MY BABY!" and keep in mind he is just wailing the entire time since he got out of me. Well finally they bring him over and immediately the second he is put on me he is quiet :) It made me so relieved because the hormonal emotional woman who just gave birth to a human being thought, "He's forgotten about me! It's been too long! He won't know me! We've missed our bonding time!" well, that couldn't be further than the truth. He knew me, I knew him, and it was perfect. A perfect moment. Until...I noticed he was breathing weird. Very pained sounding. Not natural. I asked about it and they acted like it was fine...but both Clay and I were very adamant that it wasn't fine. They came in and had some nicu nurses working on him and after a WHILE...he got it all worked out and was breathing fine. But hello? Clay knew he saw and heard liquid in him when that evil baby nurse wasn't paying attention!<br />
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We had some special time just me baby and Clay and then Clay's family came to meet him. It was wonderful.<br />
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Later that day...not THAT much later mind you. Only a couple hours or so after he was born...the same baby nurse comes in and says, "Well I'm sorry but I need to take him for a bit." And I ask why and she says she needs to draw his blood for something or other. None of this sounded familiar so I said, "Can you do it in here then?" And she says no she has to take him away because she has to run an IV. I say, "Well how long will that take?!" Oh, about a half hour (like its no big deal for me to have my brand new baby taken away for half an hour?!?!). I really don't feel good about it, but don't know what to say so I just say okay...and unfortunately Clay would faint if he saw an IV, and none of our parents were there so off he goes, my precious brand new child! With this evil nurse. None of it sounds right to me and I feel so uneasy. Within 2 minutes she is back and says with a smile, "Oh good news! I didn't have to torture him...I got him mixed up with the baby next door..." and we are like..."um..." and she said, "This is the Phillipp baby right?" Yes..."Well he doesn't need to do that then!" And leaves. Doesn't say sorry, acts like this is totally normal to almost accidentally RUN AN IV IN MY 2 HOUR OLD BABY! Oh my gosh. I about had a meltdown. Clay and I just looked at each other in awe. We were pissed to say the least. We decided from then on our baby goes no where without Clay, that we need proof for everything, and that we trust our gut! So far it has been right every time. But seriously. Thank heavens for those wrist bar scan thingies because that had to of been how she realized her mistake. But seriously! Ah. I still am not over it. So she will forever be known as the evil nurse to me. Half of the problem was that she acted like it was no big deal at all. IT'S A BIG DEAL!<br />
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I think of the hospital, and I feel sick to my stomach. I HATE THE HOSPITAL. To all you crazies who like it...who are you? What is wrong with you that you enjoy being bugged every 20 minutes? Here is what happened. I have a nurse, my baby has a nurse, each of us needs to be checked every couple hours. Then the baby needs certain tests done (never all at once?), the baby needs shots, the baby needs washed, I need to give a blood sample, time to bring food in, time to order my food for the next few days, time to pick up the garbages from the room, time to introduce you to the new nurses at shift changes (not all of them at once- but mine, and then later the babies), and all of these things are done at different times than the nurses giving us our checks every couple hours. So when I say every 20 minutes, I am not exaggerating! It was literally EVERY 20 MINUTES we were being bugged. So pretty soon we said, "How soon can we leave?" and they kept acting like it'd be so hard to leave and we had to stay at least 24 hours blah blah blah we have to get approval from baby doc and my doc. Okay well, the baby doc was strongly wanting us to stay 36 hours but we just really didn't want to because everything on the baby was perfect. And he said, "Well, ultimately it's up to you- you could've left yesterday if you wanted...it's your decision I can't stop you" and we thought- what the crap? What are these nurses talking about then? So we wait a bit longer for my doctor to show up and he seriously DOESN'T EVEN CHECK ME! And says, "When do you want to leave?" And I said, "Right now." and he said, "Okay sounds good!" So it's like..umm okay why are these nurses acting like we are insane people for wanting to leave. I believe its all about money. At one point, my mom was really getting upset at the nurses and saying, "we want to leave as soon as possible, please do whatever you need to do now so we can leave" and a nurse said in a baby voice, "Well I know grandma wants to leave but these two sure don't, they need all the rest they can get!" referring to me and Clay. Ummm- I was done then. I said, "No, I WANT TO LEAVE. I am not getting any sleep here. I want to leave as soon as possible," and she didn't really have a response to that. ha.<br />
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We stay longer for our "lessons" which are basically a checklist they read to us and give to us. Don't shake the baby, oh! Okay. They probably told me that a billion times before I left. I'm like- yeah duh that's only the one thing they teach you your entire life growing up to NOT SHAKE BABIES. GOT IT! Finally we got out of there and oh my. Home is heaven! I love home. We all felt so much better.<br />
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And now...we live! We feed him, we burp him, we wrap him in a blankie, we watch him...ohhhh we watch him. I spend my entire day watching him! I think this is the first time in five days that I have done anything but just watch him. But he is laying right next to me :)<br />
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I love him. I love him so much. He is pure perfection, in every way!<br />
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Also, I love Clayton. He was so amazing during my labor and delivery. He comforted me, cheered me on, told me how amazing I was, and everything except the putting of epidural in, he was right by my side and right up in the heat of it. He watched Asher come into the world, and has protected me and him, and done everything to make me and him happy. He encourages me to rest as much as I can, and asks me how I'm doing all the time. He loves little Asher to pieces, feeds him, burps him, changes his diapers, and all SO well. He actually is really quite good at all of these things. Like, REALLY good. He's a natural. It's a very sweet experience.<br />
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And that...is it! Other random items...I barely tore, with just a few stitches, am recovering very nicely. Still pretty crampy so I keep up on IB profen. I am not breast-feeding because of Lyme...so...another fun over-share...my boobs are hard as rocks and VERY VERY VERY in pain. We are hoping this only lasts a week or so before the milk stops trying to come in. Another random- the hospital said that on average they have 4-5 deliveries every 24 hours. The 24 hours I was there, there were over 16 births. We all think it was the super moon that caused it!<br />
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Overall everything is fantastic! Sure there's been some bumps, but what doesn't? He is perfect and that's all that matters. I'm a mom! It's amazing.<br />
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I look at him and think of all the pain, the patience, the days I would cry and cry wondering if I would ever get this...and it is all worth it. I'd do it all again. He is so special and I would do everything for him to be in my life.<br />
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Welcome to the world little Asher!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-85724097339119076662014-06-11T07:38:00.000-07:002014-06-11T07:38:16.177-07:00Watch your step Danielle! Because apparently third trimester is when you no longer know how to walk or go shopping without trying to kill yourself!<br />
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This started mostly the other day when I was at TJmaxx...squatting down to look at something on the bottom shelf. Nothing extraordinary...you know, normal action and all. As I begin to stand, I feel my center of gravity shifting, and my entire body shifting backwards....its as if time was moving in SLOW MOTION. Imagine those cartoons...you know, like where someone moves backwards a hundred steps to gain their balance and then crashes into something causing a ruckus. Well, thank the dear heavens that didn't happen! I did in fact, move backwards what felt like a hundred steps (but it couldn't have been more than five since I was in an aisle) before gaining my balance and nervously looking around me to see if anyone had seen this embarrassing display of pregnant balance.<br />
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But, whatever pride I gained in that experience for recovering, certainly came back to haunt me this morning as I was walking up the steps I walk up every single morning for work. Oh, you know...just TWO cement steps. Well for whatever reason, my pregnant foot decided to catch on this step and I STRAIGHT UP FELL ON THE GROUND, AND RAN INTO THE DOOR TRYING TO RECOVER, which I did not! If you're wondering, I scraped two toes, a knee, and an elbow to the point of BLOOD. Also, tore a hole in the pants of my MOTHERHOOD MATERNITY pants! That's right! So, those are becoming shorts I suppose. Oh also it caused my big toenail to rip halfway off...which is just great since I was planning on getting a pedicure soon.<br />
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Of course the first thing I did before even getting up was look around to make sure no one saw me. No one did! That I know of! Thank the heavens!<br />
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Next I thought- oh my gosh they probably heard me run into the door, I better get up before they come and see me on the ground!<br />
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I got in the office and both my co-workers were headed toward the door with worried faces- "was that you?!"<br />
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Oh...yes, it was me. In all my pregnant glory!<br />
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Got myself bandaged up...and let me tell you...these wounds sting! I haven't like...scraped myself since I was a child. Like seriously, the last wounds like this I remember are from bike riding...they are NOT fun. No wonder kids cry when they fall off their bikes. I didn't cry though! Thank goodness. That' would've been embarrassing.<br />
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The good thing is, that I am realizing now...is...I didn't land on my back or belly, which could have been an issue...and the little babe is moving around like he always does when I drink my green smoothie...so all should be well I suppose.<br />
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By the way, have I told you how ready I am to have this baby? Like READY. I am telling you- there were times when I'd get in positions to try and make him move like crazy because it was just the most fun. It still is...BUT, now I have to get out of those positions because every movement is like- YOWZA BOY! What organ are you pressing into now??!! Most things are just uncomfortable these days, and things like getting a new roll of toilet paper from the bottom shelf of the cupboard have me grumbling.<br />
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Oh well, its all worth it. I just feel like this will be the longest 6 weeks of my life waiting! Mostly I am just so excited to see this boy and mother him on the outside :)Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-57011029381195192292014-05-10T10:52:00.000-07:002014-05-10T10:52:04.835-07:00Saturday Morning thoughtsWell, I have to tell you, I am getting SO excited to plant my garden this year! I loved having it last year and I learned SO much about things I liked and didn't like. For instance, I LOVE cherry tomatoes, but I HATE picking them. I mean for realsies, that plant went INSANE with hundreds of cherry tomatoes and it was just a pain to me!!!<br />
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Also, zuchinni was a waste of space! For my family at least. Clayton doesn't really like zuchinni, and I don't love it enough to eat out the BAZILLION zuchinnis that came...it was hard to keep up on. Give them to your neighbors! You may say. Well here's the thing about this area, EVERYONE has zuchinnis coming out of their ears...so its pointless. I'll just take some from my neighbors instead :) Also, that danged plant took up the majority of the box! No thanks!<br />
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I loved having lettuce. I also loved the bell peppers and carrots. The onions flopped, which I don't even know why I planted onions cause we sure don't go through them a lot. The cabbage was way cool, but kind of a lot of effort and space for ONE harvest.<br />
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I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to plant this year. I'm pretty positive there will be snap peas, lettuce, spinach, kale, tomato, carrots, bell pepper, MAYBE green beans...I've got to just map it out and see. I'm still sticking with my two 4x4's, maybe if this year is super successful I will expand next year.<br />
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I really need to clean up the area cause its kind of become a mess. It's funny how moms just know better in so many things. My mom said to me last year about a spot in my yard, well you may want to do it this way because this is a nice spot for flowers that you may decide to plant sometime in the future. I just brushed it off and thought, YEAH RIGHT. Flowers over here? Too much work. Now I'm looking at my yard and thinking, oh, flowers would be so nice along that fence! Mother knows best, Danielle.<br />
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Clayton and I care more and more about our house and yard each year. Patty tells me its because we finally decided to live in our house, and stop thinking about moving. I disagree. I think its because our bodies have felt healthier and more capable each year since we've lived here. We finally have the ABILITY to do things! We have the energy in our minds and hearts to care about things other than our aching bodies. It's so nice to have interests. I was reading something the other day about how our life can only do so many things or be interested in so many things before certain criteria are met. The first criteria is like, house/food/clothing. The second is health, physical capacity. Then it goes on to hobbies, and other things. It really lit a light bulb for me because I just always wondered so many times when Clayton and I were trying so hard to get well, how did people have the energy to do all these things? I know you'd think it'd be logical and like, duh. But in the moment it just doesn't feel that way. Looking back I am like- DUH! But in the moment I just didn't know why people even cared. I thought, seriously what a waste of time to work on your yard so hard. Or I thought, that just isn't priority for me...I'd rather spend my time doing something else. Now that my physical health is so much better, I get so excited to fix up our house and yard! So does Clayton. How refreshing :)<br />
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Are you wondering all the things I'd like to do to improve our house? I'll tell you :) Number one on my list is a PATIO! Ah! How I'd love a patio in our backyard! But patios cost money, and incase you forgot, we are having a baby here soon...so its hard to justify spending large sums of money on things that aren't needed when you just never know if we may be needing that for baby complications or what not.<br />
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With a patio comes a back door from our dining room to the backyard. Right now there is a window. And in order to get to the backyard, we have to go through our garage. It's just a pain. Not horrid or anything, but it would be nice to just go out from the house. You know, luxuries.<br />
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Other items include: soft water tank, sprinkler system, re-sod our backyard (it is sooooo lumpy and has random dips all over the place. I kinda worry for our little tyke when he starts running around cause it kinda could break someones leg if they weren't careful- hey maybe I just found an excuse that made this a NEED?? hehe), granite counter tops for kitchen and bathrooms, and new baseboards and crown molding. The counter tops and molding are kinda like WAY last priority cause its just cosmetics really. But boy would they make the house look nice!<br />
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In other news, I have been having braxton hicks contractions! Its pretty frustrating. Because you know, apparently you should stop what you are doing (like working out) until they stop. So...its just not the greatest being limited. Also I was getting them in bed last night, so I had to roll out of bed (not a fun activity) and stand and walk around our bedroom. I really don't think I've been much of a complainer yet in this pregnancy, and the thing is...I feel very complainy these days. I feel so uncomfortable and squished! I don't logically understand how this baby is going to gain potentially 4-7 more pounds! Where will he go? He is already punching my ribs all day long trying to stretch out! Its amazing what our bodies are capable of.<br />
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Today I am making a fudge truffle cheesecake. Anyone whose made this knows the love that goes into it. Its a massive amount of bowls and what not. Well I have to tell you also that I am such a cheesecake snob. I mean, unless its from the cheesecake factory, or homemade by myself or a sister (don't really think my mom makes cheesecakes), or of course the master herself, GRANDMA, its just not good. I'm sorry- but so many people are so satisfied with fake cheesecake. That's all I can figure that it is, fake. Cause its like trying really hard and there must be cream cheese in it or something but it really just tastes disgusting and not even worth my sugar intake. People don't get this about me. Except maybe my sisters and mom and grandma. I really just think most people don't know how to make proper cheesecakes. I wonder if they use shortcuts, or just don't use the right recipes, or what. All I know is I've tasted far superior cheesecakes than the majority of people in (dare I say it?) the WORLD. I really believe that too.<br />
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Alright, well this has been a sufficiently long and random post. I'm guessing only Megan will read it at some point because we are pretty much the only ones who blog and read blogs anymore :) Love ya Megan!<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-24421000673438517352014-05-01T10:36:00.000-07:002014-05-01T10:36:36.968-07:00Lyme Pregnancy WoesEvery time someone asks me how I'm feeling, I say honestly- "Great!"<br />
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I really have been SO so blessed with this pregnancy. No complications, no extra pains or worries, the baby kicks all the time, all my levels and hormones are on point, everything is as it should be.<br />
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I am so lucky!<br />
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I have been exercising, and eating very healthy this week. I ate sweet potatoes, avocados, lots of veggies, green smoothies, berries, oats, some homemade whole wheat bread, things like that.<br />
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Well, yesterday I woke up feeling exhausted. So so tired. And not even just tired. My legs were heavy, my arms were heavy, and suddenly I flashed back to Thanksgiving of 2010 when I truly realized, something is wrong with me...this isn't normal. My body felt like it did when I was in the throws of fighting Lyme. Every movement was such an effort. I felt weak, and like I could just lay my head down and fall asleep and not do anything and be completely satisfied.<br />
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It worried me.<br />
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I thought, why am I feeling this way? I have been so healthy!<br />
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A couple thoughts came to mind...though I had been healthy, my diet was SEVERELY lacking in protein. Also, the day before I had worked, gone to the gym, gone grocery shopping, unloaded and put away lots of groceries, did dinner, cleaned kitchen, made bread, and by the time I was done it was 9:30. I THINK the reason of that heavy day was that I was working hard and not feeding my body enough protein. So yesterday night I ate a meaty spaghetti at Patty's, I ate a bunch of lara bars (not super high in protein but has some) and rested, and this morning I woke up feeling renewed. My body doesn't feel heavy anymore! (Even though at the doctors office the scale tipped way higher than I've ever seen before!) What a relief.<br />
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The fear still remains though. I worry all the time that it is coming back for me and Clay. I worry that I will experience what I've read about for so many women with Lyme...that they have FANTASTIC pregnancies, much like me, and as soon as they have the baby the Lyme comes swooshing back in their lives with an even greater force than before. That as soon as I have a baby to care for, my body will feel heavy and tired again, and what if I'm not enough?!<br />
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These thoughts terrify me.<br />
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Then, today at the doctors appointment, I asked about testing the baby for Lyme. It was met with not the best reaction...but I need to do more research on this to help back me up and help me decide what the best route to take is anyway.<br />
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What if my baby has Lyme?<br />
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Yes, I am the luckiest. I am so blessed. I have had an amazing pregnancy! But. I have these special little fears that no one would even know to ask about. I may feel great, but it doesn't take away the fear of what's to come.<br />
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I AM the luckiest though. I AM so blessed. Even if all these worst case scenarios happen, I KNOW what to do. I KNOW what it is. I will understand why its happening! Just think of all those poor women and babies that this happens to that don't understand. I am so lucky and so blessed that I have the knowledge I do and that I have been through what I have so that I can fight whatever comes my way! And as with everything, I have the Lord on my side, and he will help me through anything.<br />
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I know I can do it. No matter what it is. I will handle it, and my body is capable. I know the power and strength my body can have and I WILL be the best mother for my child.<br />
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Alright, good pep talk!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-51599275632372104072014-04-28T07:52:00.000-07:002014-04-28T07:52:00.948-07:00Life's ups and downsThis last week has been crazy.<br />
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Sunday was Easter, which was great.<br />
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Monday morning I found out that a sweet little five year old boy from our ward we just moved out of passed away on Easter from a 4-wheeling accident.<br />
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Wednesday we went through the temple with Makayla for her first time (very special!).<br />
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Thursday, we went to the funeral of the little boy. His dad (our friend) said to me, "Make sure you squeeze him tight every day." with tears in his eyes (referring to our child coming soon).<br />
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Saturday we celebrated Makayla and Allen getting married! Oh my gosh it was so sweet. They are such a great couple and I couldn't be happier for them!<br />
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And alllllllll week this baby has been doing olympic sized events inside my belly!<br />
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I just feel like life is crazy. There are so many things that happen that can jolt us and remind us the sanctity of life and relationships and how quickly they can be taken away. And there are things that can just bring so much joy as well. I'm SO happy for Makayla I can hardly stand it, and at the very same moment I am SO sad for our friends who just lost their son after only five years.<br />
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I'm grateful for my knowledge of the Savior, and of the plan of Salvation. It would be so much harder without it. One of the speakers at the funeral said when he was preparing his talk he felt an overwhelming feeling that Landyn (the boy who passed away) was reunited with his grandma (who passed a few years ago). I believe that. I am just sad for the family that had to say goodbye so early.<br />
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The temple is so special. I love that whenever I go I am reminded of the smallness of this earth life, and how great the plan of salvation is. It truly is the plan of happiness! It helps bring perspective and peace.<br />
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I hope I can use these experiences to be a better mom and a better person who cherishes the moments more!<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-36662980040553100862014-04-15T19:00:00.000-07:002014-04-15T19:00:01.023-07:00A little catchup1. I just completed my (hopefully) last tax season ever! I mean, really that's kind of a big statement and an exaggeration since I still plan on doing some tax returns each year for friends and family and potential others if they want. I have no idea how this mom thing will go for me but if I can handle a small (and I mean SMALL) small small side business of doing taxes once a year, it'd be awesome. But let it be known, I have officially worked 7 tax seasons as a professional.<br />
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2. I am a mess over the nursery. I have all these booming ideas and then I worry late into the early hours of the morning, PAST midnight, when I need to be sleeping, all about if I would regret painting a chalkboard wall, or if it will look stupid to have a rug under the rocking chair, or if a dresser is really a good idea in such a small room or if I should go with a changing table that is smaller, and if I should do a garland, or if that'd be too busy, and THE LIST GOES ON! I mean seriously, I worry about these things and it keeps me from sleeping! It drives me bonkers! The whole night I say to myself, "Danielle, worry about it tomorrow- just go to sleep....PLEASE just go to sleep...COME ON NOW JUST STOP THINKING!" It rarely works and I've decided I probably will just be like this until its done. So I plow forward.<br />
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3. Paul finished the crib and it. is. GORGEOUS! I mean, seriously. Better than I could've imagined. I'm inlove with it! If all things go wrong in that nursery, that crib makes up for it. It's amazing. I'm so lucky.<br />
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4. I go through spurts of eating superbly, and then pretty much not great. I usually have a green smoothie each morning no matter what (banana, oats, chia, spinach, orange juice concentrate, frozen strawberries, water), so that's good. But sometimes...like...yesterday. I ate an ENTIRE box of macaroni and cheese by myself for lunch! Yikes! But today I ate a huge spinach salad with tons of veggies and an entire avocado...so you know, I am hoping it all balances out.<br />
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5. I'm SO excited for this baby to come! I have a feeling he'll be the most wonderful human being ever to have existed. Also, I am a little nervous. I have these fears that I'll just...suck at being a mom. Anytime I voice these opinions everyone is like- blah blahlbalh you will be amazing! I know, I know. But I can't help it! I don't KNOW what I haven't experienced yet, you know? Like, what if I have a baby and HATE IT?!?! This is my worst nightmare. I don't believe it's possible but there's this fear (I'm sure coming from the devil) that I will be awful or something. Also, I am starting to think...ah! I need diapers! Isn't that kind of one of those necessities? Oh, and uhh...FORMULA??!! Like, I'm not breastfeeding my baby...so I should probably have some on hand! And I need to look up like...how much a baby goes through formula and how fast. Cause do I just get one can, or a billion? These are the things that suddenly come to me and I get all crazy anxious about. I just need to do my research and do my shopping.<br />
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6. I am finding that I feel so cramped and squished...this is seriously not good since I still have two weeks before I even hit the third trimester! It will just get a hundred times worse, I know. Everytime I bend over it is such an ordeal! And everytime I move from one side to the other, it is so hard. I'm seriously concerned about that third trimester. How will I survive!<br />
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7. We both feel so blessed! Life is just amazing. We are so happy and excited about everything in our life.<br />
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Hopefully my next post will be pictures of the baby room eh? And maybe I'll be sleeping better.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-13245058532768249012014-03-31T15:57:00.002-07:002014-03-31T16:00:54.971-07:0026 in 26Here are 26 things I want to accomplish while I am 26, because I just really never get sick of making lists and goals in my life...even if I don't fully accomplish them:<br />
<ol>
<li>Read a classic</li>
<li>Finish the Book of Mormon before the baby comes (July 22-due date)</li>
<li>Redecorate hallway</li>
<li>Organize basement storage shelves</li>
<li>See a play at the Playmill</li>
<li>Master a new song on the piano</li>
<li>Master a new song on the guitar</li>
<li>Go snowboarding</li>
<li>Learn how to use my new Silhouette Cameo (learn all of its functions and try them at least once)</li>
<li>Read all of the conference talks that occur while I'm 26. </li>
<li>Plant flowers in the front pots and keep them alive!!!</li>
<li>Replant a vegetable garden</li>
<li>Walk/elliptical/bike/move 500 miles.</li>
<li>Go to the temple 12 times</li>
<li>Have a baby</li>
<li>Decorate baby room</li>
<li>Blog 52 times </li>
<li>Get blog books printed</li>
<li>Clean windows- inside the cracks and everything</li>
<li>Read a self-help book</li>
<li>Help get Clay's second book published</li>
<li>Establish a budgeting system</li>
<li>Go snow-shoeing</li>
<li>Sand and refinish my table, with plenty of gloss finish</li>
<li>Learn to use my ice cream maker and make some ice cream</li>
<li>Plan and execute another freezer meal day (ideally one for summer and one for winter)</li>
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Some of these are repeats from last year, which is pretty self-explanatory I'm sure. But I'll explain anyway- I didn't accomplish them. ha :) Try try again! Also, some are repeats that I want to repeat- like flowers and garden! Coming up with 26 things is hard. Did you notice one of these things is having a baby? I decided that was a big enough item to go on the list :) Also, the 500 miles thing. When I say that, it sounds HUGE. When I think about it in detail, its really not that huge. Do you know how easy it is to walk a mile? Like way easy. I do a mile on the elliptical in about 10 minutes. So if you think of it that way, it's not that far fetched to think about me moving 500 miles. Also, I plan on walking a lot this summer, ALSO I plan on walking a lot with the baby in the bob. I love this list! I think some are super fun ones, some are super productive, some are super spiritual, and some are helping develop my talents. I mean, how much more well-rounded can I get?! </div>
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I'm excited!</div>
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PS- I still believe in blogging, I do. I like recording things other than pictures and small quick captions. I like expressing my thoughts. This is why I am trying the achievable goal of 52 blog posts, which is trying to be at least once a week. I want to keep this up. It's important to me and my sanity I think.<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-62809218644901137032014-03-30T06:07:00.000-07:002014-03-30T06:07:46.189-07:00Happy 26th BirthdayIt's 6:49am on Sunday morning and it's my birthday!<br />
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The snow is falling, my body is sick (cough, cold, bleh), yet I am very happy and very grateful.<br />
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Yesterday, among feeling sick and gross (coughing up snot is so not fun...Clayton tries his best not to glare at me when it happens, he gets soooo grossed out), I looked in the mirror and saw my pregnant belly and smiled. There were so many moments in recent years where I truly wondered if I would ever be pregnant.<br />
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Did you know I considered not even trying? I was too scared of the possibilities of passing Lyme to my baby. I thought, how selfish of you to consider it. Well, research and doctors helped me change my mind about that and a LOT of prayer and meditation.<br />
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Then there was the fact that we simply couldn't get pregnant by ourselves. I thought, maybe this is a sign from Heavenly Father. Maybe this is our blessing, the inevitable.<br />
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But as you all know it all worked out and I am indeed pregnant, with our first sweet child. He kicks me all the time and moves around and I just love him to pieces already!<br />
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I've thought a lot about what I want to do this year, my 26th year. Honestly it's been tough. I have thought about making goals like I did last year. I accomplished a lot of them and did a lot of fun things (not all of them) that I wouldn't have had I not made the list. But honestly when I made that list I had a goal in mind. DISTRACT. My life was soooo not where I wanted it to be. Clay and I were both just working and surviving. Hoping that something of hope would come soon. That's the truth. I wanted to take charge of my life and make things happen. And I did! And it was great. We had such a happy, fun, summer...which I attribute to my list :)<br />
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Mostly this year I want to just be the best mother I possibly can. I think these things describe a good mom: loves God, loves family. When I think of my mom, who I think has done (and still does) a marvelous job at the motherhood duty, those are the two things I think. I hope so badly I can be like her.<br />
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But, I think I still want to think of 26 things I want to accomplish this year. It's fun. And motivating.<br />
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Well, I've finished my tea and my nose is finally clear (the reason I woke up is my nasal decongestant wore off...I squirted some more in and now I'm clear finally), so I think I'll go back to sleep.<br />
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Happy Birthday! I am glad to be alive.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-17939743155299899582014-02-15T10:23:00.000-08:002014-02-15T10:23:41.679-08:00SaturdayIt's Saturday and I am happy.<br />
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I already made myself some perfectly delicious almond flour pancakes with bannana and pure maple syrup, along side 100% orange juice. It was SO GOOD! Perfect start to the day.<br />
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Today I have a few things on my list...<br />
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Kitchen<br />
Bathrooms<br />
Floors<br />
Pillows<br />
Scriptures<br />
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I have decided that after this blog I will start on what I want to do least. That would definitely be the kitchen. I hate doing dishes and wiping counters so much I want to kill it. Who wants to spend their spare time cleaning the kitchen? I don't even mind the bathrooms as much. Clorox wipes have literally saved my bathroom cleaning life. Just wipe wipe wipe and you're done! I mean pretty much anyway.<br />
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Floors...that's hard. BUT I can usually convince Clay to do that part so, lets cross our fingers on THAT.<br />
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I have one tiny tiny pillow in my living room. It's fine and all and I still love it but I have two couches and one of them is a leather couch that is not very homey feeling and so it desperately needs pillows! I have decided its definitely time to put pillows and curtains in my living room. So my goal today is to get a start on that and possibly go to home fabrics or something to see the possibilities of fabrics.<br />
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I also may do my nails...they have gotten pretty long and its hard to do certain things. I like them shorter I've decided (Clay will be disappointed).<br />
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In other news, Clay has felt the baby kick! It was really exciting.<br />
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Also yesterday was Valentines Day! I have to say I did some pretty cute things. On Thursday I brought home a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murpheys. Now this is nice on two levels. Clay LOVES papa murphes pizza. I mean, love love loves it. We have had it for his birthday dinner before. I don't at all. I mean, that's not true. I still eat it. But it always, without fail, gives me heart burn. Not ALL pizza does this- Papa Murpheys does. It's an issue. But anyway, that's number one reason this was sweet of me. Number two reason (and main reason) was I was being cute because the first big move Clay made on me back in our baby days was sending me a heart shaped pizza on Valentines Day! So it was all cute and stuff. Clay was super happy.<br />
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Then yesterday I left him a note in a bag with oreos and milk (and a cup so he could dip the oreos) that said, "Dear Valentine, we go together like cookies and milk!" How cute! Clay is also obsessed with Oreos. If I had to say what Clay's favorite foods in life are, I'd say they were Papa Murphey's pizza, Oreos, and Doritos. Anyway- he loves Oreos and milk so this was perfect. I didn't come up with this cuteness on my own of course, I saw it online...but it was perfect for Clay. He also loved that.<br />
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Anyway, I just was pretty proud of myself, so I figured I better record it somehow cause I totally spaced taking any pictures of any of it.<br />
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Clay got me a ring that is a gold owl type thing, super cute. He picked it out all on his own. And apparently there is more to come! Just hasn't gotten here yet. YAY! I am so excited- I told him he was required to tell me on Valentines Day what he got me if it hadn't gotten here, and he said that wasn't how it worked. SO...I have to wait and see!<br />
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Alright, I better get to those dishes. They wont do themselves (which by the way, lets get some scientists on that shall we? Put dirty dishes on the counter and have them magically scrape themselves, put themselves in the dishwasher so they are most space efficient, but still washable, and then have the kitchen self clean its own counters...really, someone should figure out this technology).<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-69320533099952902322014-02-01T08:47:00.000-08:002014-02-01T08:47:01.824-08:00The Monuments MenSo I started the Monuments Men by Robert Edsel...I am about 7% in (I LOVE this feature of reading on a kindle app...it tells you how far along you are in pages and percentage!). At first I was concerned I wouldn't get into it because it reads better than a textbook, but not really like a novel either. It's odd. But I decided to push through the first chapter and I am really enjoying it. It's super interesting.<br />
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Like...I may be putting myself out there as a history fool but I didn't realize that Hitler was SO SO SO obsessed with artwork. I didn't realize that he got denied into an art school, and it made him obsessed with proving them wrong. He had a room-sized replica of what he wanted to build to display all the artwork he collected and his goal would be to one day be able to sit and eat lunch and have his dog by him and be able to look at his favorite art pieces whenever he felt like it (not a bad goal, sounds great...I just am not up for killing thousands of people to get there).<br />
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So far the story is really just setting up the scene. Hitlers obsession with art, the art professional's game plans in how to protect it, etc. We haven't gotten to the Monuments Men quite yet, but are getting there.<br />
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I'm so glad I'm in a reading phase right now. I go through reading phases and not reading phases. Reading really makes me think about things a lot. And I swear it makes me a bigger dreamer. I always finish reading and feel like I have more ideas for my life. No matter what the subject. What a great thing!<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-6838250682672325072014-01-31T12:01:00.002-08:002014-01-31T12:01:50.090-08:00Weekend EventsToday is Friday and I think I speak for all mankind when I say, "HALLELUJAH, PRAISE ALL THAT IS HOLY I LOVE MY LIFE!" This weekend I have the following plans:<br />
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-Sleep in until my body feels like it wants to get up.<br />
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-Talk to Clay about the possibility of donuts for Saturday breakfast<br />
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-Try and convince Paul to build me a crib that I DESPERATELY want.<br />
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-Be bored of the superbowl but happy about the burger I get to eat (Paul's are the best!)<br />
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-Read Monuments Men<br />
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-Work on organizing my sewing room......(bleh)<br />
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Wish me luck!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-72358409651982997082014-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:002014-01-27T10:10:47.624-08:00Breast-feeding, Gender, BirthstonesSo a question was asked by my cousin and I realized I never covered this- BREAST-FEEDING.<br />
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Yeah, not doing it. That is one thing my doctor was sooooooo adamant about all through treatment. And I have to say, even though she was extreme on a lot of things...I have to agree with this one. Lyme spirochetes HAVE been found in breast milk, and I'm sorry but I already feel like I'm taking a huge risk here being pregnant in the first place, I surely don't want to risk any more by breast feeding when I can keep my baby healthy and alive with formula! I'm so grateful for formula...and I really think it'll be great. Do I wish I could breast-feed? Of course. I would for sure if I didn't have this danged disease...but I do, and that is life. I will formula feed! Case closed.<br />
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I want to find out the gender very badly. I have to wait until my 20 week appointment, and that's like...lightyears away. Just joking, it's about a month away. FEELS like lightyears. The problem is, everyone ELSE wants to find out just as badly if not more! Siblings, friends, everyone is just- WHEN DO YOU FIND OUT?! Always talking about it. It makes it harder to wait!<br />
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If you're wondering- I have absolutely no preference, and I can say that with 100% honesty! I am just excited to find out for name choices, decorations, clothes, etc. And just imagining it! I'm just so excited for any kind of baby! :) Clay would rather have a boy at this point, but I think he has said he really only wants a boy because he loves our boy names we have picked out. No, I'm not going to tell you what they are!<br />
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If you're wondering what my thoughts are on what it is...I have no idea. For years I have had this gut feeling that my first would be a boy. I mean, I've been convinced of this for a long time! I've always said, "Oh I know I'm having a boy first...I just do"...well flash forward to this past month. Suddenly when I'm thinking about the baby, my mind will automatically say "she" or "her" and I'm not consciously thinking this. It just comes into my brain automatically! So...there's that. So you can see why I have literally no idea what I'm having. I haven't done any of those tricky wives tale things because Clay doesn't want to be excited one way or the other and then have it switch on him when we confirm it. I have a friend and a co-worker who are convinced it is a boy, and I have a sister-in-law who had a dream about our baby and it was a girl, and Lizzie said she imagines a girl (but to be honest I think many of my family pictures a girl...cause that's kind of a common occurrence to have girls in my family). We shall see!<br />
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I have been looking at birthstones. Mine is aquamarine, Clay's is peridot, the baby's will be Ruby. Well...I was telling Clay it'd be fun to get a ring with Ruby stones in it for the baby's birthstone. And he thought I meant getting a ring for the baby to wear. Ummm...nope! He still thinks it's weird. I think it'd be marvelous to wear a ring with my baby's birthstone! Boy's don't understand these things though.<br />
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Well, that's all for now. If you have noticed, I'm not really caring that much about putting pictures up. I only take pictures with my phone anymore, and post those straight to instagram. I think I will probably just write on here and do pictures on there and print books separately in the future. But of course a pic might end up here every now and then too.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-58427918714709664892014-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:002014-01-24T07:00:13.198-08:00Idaho LoveYou guys, something miraculous happened that I wasn't sure would ever happen...<br />
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The other day my co-worker said, "It's snowing!!!" and I automatically (I think just cause I'm used to doing this) said, "NOOOOO!" but then in my heart and mind I said, "Oh good, I'm so glad...we need moisture for those farmers!"<br />
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Now incase you don't know this...it is a common prayer in Idaho church congregations, in homes over meals, and basically all prayers around the state, to pray for moisture. Our state relies heavily on the farming community and without moisture, well...its just not good cause we have to grow those potatoes somehow right?<br />
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I realized in that instant that something had changed in me. I love my fellow Idahoans more than I hate the cold. I've always been annoyed when people prayed for moisture in the winter. Moisture in the winter means one thing- snow. And I never much cared for snow.<br />
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Well, I now am happy about it because it means good farming and good economy and happy people!<br />
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This got me to thinking...I feel like this is the first winter I have been in the middle of where I'm not severely unhappy. It's been a bit of a mild winter, but definitely in the 30's everyday. I have to say one thing that probably is making a big difference: gloves. I got these GREAT gloves from Ross for $7 and let me tell you...I think it's the best $7 I've ever spent in my life. I no longer scream on my way to work how much I hate my life! Warm hands on a cold steering wheel makes so much difference in one's outlook on life. Trust me on this.<br />
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I realize too that I like Idaho housing. I like how cheap it is and I love my house.<br />
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Also, I love Idaho nature. Even though the little tickies still scare me, I feel like I can see the beauty that surrounds me. Idaho is FULL of so much beauty. I love it. This summer we did lots more activities than we ever did before and I can't wait to do more! I found a list of 75 things to add to your Idaho bucket list. It's a bunch of fun things to do in Idaho and I plan get started on that list!<br />
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Idaho is generally full of really nice people. I've always complained that people aren't quite as colorful here as in Oregon...but I've found that if I look deep enough, or get to know others well enough, I can find some colorful folk around here. But really, people are generally nice. Of course you have your exceptions, but I like nice people.<br />
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Of course I still love California and Oregon (my top two choices of living if I had a chance) but I don't know...I think I'm coming around to Idaho, finally.<br />
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At least I'm making great progress...I mean seriously, I'm writing a post called "Idaho Love" in mid-January...a VERY cold time! Good for me.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-62710023417579343772014-01-23T08:22:00.001-08:002014-01-23T08:23:33.409-08:00Happy happy fun thingsSo my friend Lori texted me and asked if I wanted to join in with her and her sister on reading through a list of books (we will be picking and choosing of the list) that are coming out this year in theaters. This is the link to the list:<br />
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http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/books-to-read-before-they-hit-theaters-this-year?bffb<br />
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We started with Labor Day because it comes out first and the movie looks good! I invited some of my other friends to join in and they are and its great! I totally read the book! I really needed some motivation to read...cause...sometimes I just get out of the zone.<br />
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I'll tell you if you're interested that this book was really good. I liked the writing style (pretty different) and the story. It's NOT plot driven, so if you need a lot of action and movement in a story...probably not for you. Very character driven. WARNING: I do not suggest this to anyone under the age of 18. It is narrated by a 12 year old boy who is going through puberty and there are some topics covered that really shouldn't be read by a youngin. Also, some adults might not like this (I mean...I didn't really love this, but I also didn't mind toooo much, but I didn't feel it overpowered the book so I was able to look past it), for instance my friend has a 12 year old son and was weirded out a lot by some of the scenes. After all those warnings...seriously I was very pleased with it! I like slow moving books that have character arch's and growth and things.<br />
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I am going to attempt reading Pride and Prejudice <i>again...</i>since one of my goals before my birthday was to read a Jane Austen book. We'll see how I do.<br />
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Clay has been an organizing maniac since the appraisal. That's all he wants to do. Make every nook and cranny in our house organized and clean of junk! He has thrown so much away. It's great, and it's...eh. He likes me to participate in this activity and sometimes (all the time) I just feel like laying in bed and watching tv. Oh well, it is good. We will have our room totally free for baby stuff by the end of the week I think! Not that we are getting anything huge...I will wait for garage sale season for that I think.<br />
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I heard the heartbeat of my baby last night because I'm a freak and worried so much that something was wrong because my belly shrunk. What a relief :) The baby was moving like crazy! I couldn't feel it, but the doppler was indicating movement with scratchy noises. I love hearing that heartbeat! And I love that my baby is active and moving!<br />
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I, myself, have been very active and moving (and lazy on my bed too I guess with the tv watching), but I make it to the gym pretty often! I feel pretty good about that. Let me tell you something- I DO THE ELLIPTICAL FOR 45 STRAIGHT MINUTES! You guys, this is a miracle. I've discovered something...ellipticals weren't meant for doing by yourself. I can't do it that long by myself. I think I'd be lucky to get 10 minutes in by myself...without thinking I'd rather die. But when you have a friend talking with you the whole time, it is easier. I know people that can do ellipticals by themselves for an hour and I have to say, you people are not human.<br />
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I have been doing great on my new "diet" thing. I seriously have been eating whole foods breakfast and lunch pretty much every single day since the new year. It is FANTASTIC. It makes me feel really good and its just great. It's really motivating to have someone to report to.<br />
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Overall life is quite good. I am enjoying it :)Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-36685420724082035512014-01-22T13:28:00.000-08:002014-01-22T13:28:00.032-08:00Being Pregnant<br />
Well, I have to say...being pregnant is very interesting.<div>
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It's joyous, cause everyday I remember- oh my gosh! I'm growing a person, my child! It's a miracle! </div>
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Nothing quite makes me believe in God...like growing a human being in my body. </div>
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It's also terrifying. I have days where I am so nervous. I constantly worry that this really isn't happening, or that it's going to be over anyday now. I don't think I'll stop worrying until the end (and probably for everyday till I die).</div>
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I have felt the baby move! Not every day, and mostly when I am very still for a long amount of time. I'll feel this little flutter. And I am told that is the baby :)</div>
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I wish I could have a doctor appointment everyday to hear the heartbeat. I hear that you can buy your own doppler (and I haven't just heard this I've researched it), and I actually consider getting one all the time, but it's pretty expensive and I should just have faith and wait till my monthly appointment. </div>
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Incase anyone is wondering how this works with Lyme and such, a few things should be noted.</div>
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We have a marvelous medical professional who understands our situation, and made the time and effort to make a phone appointment with Dr Jones (east coast, big wig Lyme Doc) to discuss Lyme pregnancy protocol. She discussed it with him and has prescribed me the medications needed to minimize the risk of passing. </div>
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The research shows that if you are on 2 antibiotics from before conception, and through your pregnancy, the chance of passing lyme is less than 1%. I am on these very antibiotics they suggest, and have been since before conception. </div>
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We also have me on a <i>pretty </i>strict diet. I only eat processed sugar once a week at the most, and I still limit my gluten to once or twice a week. I eat whole foods for breakfast and lunch everyday of the week, and my dinners are mostly healthy, though I do cave sometimes and get Little Caesars...or Taco Bell...or something like that! </div>
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We will have the cord blood tested immediately for Lyme and go from there! </div>
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All of this...is done with the hope that our baby doesn't get Lyme :) If it does get Lyme, well, that will be a whole new discussion for me and Clay. </div>
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I'm going to be honest with you too..because I feel like this was a direct blessing from God. Clay and I didn't get pregnant on our own, and there wasn't really an explanation for it. We tried and tried, and the doctor essentially said after analyzing our test results that he couldn't see a reason we wouldn't be getting pregnant after how much time had passed. We then went to a clomid and IUI combination. You can look those things up if you don't know what they are. But one thing to know about IUI's is, the sperm is washed before it is inserted to my uterus. </div>
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What I later found out was that HIV positive patients often use IUI's to help them get pregnant without passing to a baby HIV. The washing of the sperm lowers the risk significantly. Both Lyme and HIV are infections diseases, and therefore one would deduce that the wash would help Lyme passing go down as well. Overall, I felt a great peace when I read about that...that this was all meant to be and that the IUI was always in our plan, to help with the Lyme issue. </div>
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Anyhow, maybe you can see why I get so worried. It took so much to get here, and there is so much I feel like we have to lose. Pray for my nerves will ya! </div>
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Overall we are so happy. All the time we just look at each other and smile and say, we are having a baby!!! It really is a joyous time :)</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-10869442376507443172014-01-21T13:11:00.000-08:002014-01-21T13:11:00.224-08:002013 goals by numbers updateSo...people have asked how I did on my 2013 goals by numbers...<div>
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I have to be honest with you. I kind of lost track a bit around the middle of the year. I think the reason is....I had a lot to focus on. We were desperately trying to get pregnant, counting days, taking temperatures, seeing doctors, researching Lyme and pregnancy, feeling emotional, and then of course, GETTING pregnant-through really stressful ways (by the way), and then...well...being pregnant! Needless to say, the last half of the year I was really focusing on one thing and one thing only- GETTING A BABY IN MY BELLY! Then...KEEPING A BABY IN MY BELLY! Oh, and I should probably mention another biggy- Clay happened to PUBLISH A BOOK! I don't think I've told you how much time and energy that took from <i style="font-weight: bold;">both </i>of us. Wowee a lot. </div>
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However, I feel I did pretty durn good, even though I did not even got close to meeting these goals. I still did a lot more than I think I would've without them! </div>
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Here were the goals and what I accomplished (I think...again, I kinda lost track a bit):</div>
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Play 1000 songs on the piano- <b>336 </b>played<br />Read 12 new books- <b>5 </b>read<br />Make 52 new recipes- <b>39 </b>made<br />Have 12 memorable dates with Clay- <b>12 </b>dates<br />Read Genesis through 2 Kings of the Old testament- <b>Genesis </b>read (a bit of exodus)<div style="clear: both;">
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I don't regret making these goals at all! I do think I like my birthday thing better-having a list of things to do before the end of the year...I think I will keep doing that each birthday, until I don't want to anymore!</div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-53226467125043744372014-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:002014-01-20T13:00:50.507-08:00Cleanin houseSo we are getting our house refinanced which is VERY EXCITING!<br />
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We will get a lower rate, shorten our loan to 15 years, and <i>hopefully </i>get our danged mortgage insurance off!<br />
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Because of this...we had to get our home <i>appraised. </i><br />
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Now...you need to know something about Clay. When something like this happens, he gets stressed, and he gets to work, and he puts YOU to work. We slaved and slaved and slaved away on Saturday and part of Sunday.<br />
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Here's some of what we did:<br />
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deep cleaned kitchen<br />
deep cleaned bathrooms<br />
vacuum basement<br />
rearrange basement<br />
carpet basement bedroom<br />
clean out closets<br />
touch up paint<br />
take down Christmas lights<br />
sweep out garage<br />
vacuum and mop hard floors & tile<br />
clean walls of slobber<br />
dust<br />
put away laundry<br />
carpet a closet<br />
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aaaaaaand I feel like I'm missing something. But seriously, it was a lot of stuff. We were both exhausted by the end and its all done and just like I predicted...the appraiser didn't lift up the toilet seats, pull back the shower curtains, OR open all our closets.<br />
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That's okay. It's good to have some sort of motivation for cleanin up house every now and then.<br />
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Our house is cleaner than ever, and it smells good. We are trying our best to not live in it.<br />
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Here's to hoping the appraiser decides our house is worth lots of money so we can drop our mortgage insurance! And here's to hoping the day we close on our rate it is lower than EVER! (1%? Lets hope for that...ha)<br />
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Really though, this will save us a TON of money in the long run...which makes us so excited. Giddy, really!<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-86009913213449709572014-01-03T08:25:00.000-08:002014-01-03T08:25:49.617-08:00Healthy Body 2014<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alrighty, so I mentioned my new years resolution with Lizzie to eat more moderately and such. Here is what we've come up with:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">RULES:</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0da4ed53-58df-bf33-794e-9700d95be860" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Breakfast and lunch are whole foods</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Go out to dinner only once a week</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Small healthy treats are permitted once a day (no replacing meals though)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Small sugary treats are permitted once a week</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Report every breakfast, lunch, and treat eaten to partner with pictures. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NOTES:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whole Foods: Whole grains, fruits, veggies, no dairy, no processed foods</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is okay to go skip a day on holidays. Try to keep it to just one day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you go out to lunch or breakfast with a friend and can’t eat whole foods, try to make up for it at dinner and eat whole foods then. If this isn't possible, don’t guilt yourself, the majority of the time you are on track! It’s okay to not be perfect when we are eating moderately. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember that eating moderately is the way of the Lord and we will be healthiest and least stressed eating this way. It might not shed the pounds like a crazy diet, but it will help our body and soul be at peace and feel its best. We will feel closer to the spirit and be beautiful because of it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now you may be wondering, "What is a healthy treat?". Well if you are a freak like us, you have tried many forms of natural sweeteners such as dates, coconut sugar, raw honey, pure maple syrup, etc, in order to sweeten things without using poison sugar. Because we have been so NOT moderate, we try these things to help us eat treats without the guilt...so anyway, we have decided that treats used with natural sweeteners, and no white flour are okay to eat in small amounts each day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are on day two of this so far so good. ha! Hopefully we keep it up. I've also exercised everyday this year :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We (Lizzie) are trying to get a good solid list together of ideas for breakfast and lunch that are whole foods. It's harder than it seems! So far we've done oatmeal, smoothie, soup, salad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's to a Healthy Body in 2014!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PS- My dear family...just doesn't understand hashtags. I will try to explain them. Hashtags are when you put the pound sign (#) infront of a phrase or word. When you do this, the REAL purpose behind doing this is to group like things. Group pictures, group phrases, etc. So my purpose on instagram for using the hashtag #healthybody2014 is that I can click on that hashtag and see all the pictures I have tagged. So all my "healthy" pictures having to do with this resolution, are grouped in that one spot and not jumbled through all the rest of my pictures. ALSO, other people can use that hashtag and add pictures to the group. So if you took a picture on instagram of say, a smoothie, and said, "Oh I love starting my day out right! #healthybody2014" Then your picture of your smoothie would show up in the same group as my healthy pictures. It's just a way to group things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That being said, that isn't what a lot of people use hashtags for. They often use them in replacement of sentences just for fun or whatever...it's completely defeating the purpose. But the original purpose is to group like things, as I am doing :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So hopefully that clears THAT up. </span><br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-31915917973461283112014-01-01T13:58:00.003-08:002014-01-01T13:58:49.100-08:00Happy 2014, baby!<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/11695311116_0542cb1647_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/11695311116_0542cb1647_o.jpg" /></a><br />
Oh man. I am convinced that this will be my best year yet. Really, best year of my life! Why wouldn't it be? I am growing a baby in my belly and come July, I will hold it in my arms and kiss it!<br />
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Ah. That is a beautiful thought.<br />
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Also, new goals are here! I and many of my siblings have often tried the all or nothing type diet thing..."NO SUGAR! NO GLUTEN! NO DAIRY! NOTHING THAT TASTES GOOD PLEASE!" cause we just never seem to be good at moderation. My dear husband even knows this about me and reminds me of it a lot how I just don't have control. Even though I hate when he tells me this, it is true.<br />
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Well this 2014 business is going to be great. It is the year I shall master moderation! My sister Lizzie rang me up this morning and we discussed all our thoughts and wishes for health and moderation. I am happy to say we came up with a list, and are starting the new year with some really healthy plans. It's not a diet! It's what I really think moderation is meant to be.<br />
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I hate when people use hashtags in replacement of sentences. BUT I think hashtags are really useful for grouping photos. Therefore, I started a hashtag on instagram called #healthybody2014. I will take pictures of food, of me exercising (i mean kinda<span style="text-align: center;">), and tag it with the hashtag so all those photos will be grouped for quick motivation! I hope you'll all join me and use it as well. I like having others be healthy with me so that I feel stupid if I'm not healthy. You know? Peer pressure still runs deep in my blood :)</span><br />
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The only other resolution I have is to keep track of our budget and actually have solid real numbers I can say, "Yes, we saved this much" or "We overspent in this category this month" you know? I know, I'm an accountant- I should LOVE budgeting, right? Not so much. But this year, I will do it.<br />
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So, to recap, healthy body and budgeting. Those are my resolutions.<br />
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Hoorah hoozah! I feel good.<br />
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Happy New Years! I really am convinced it will be the best year yet.<br />
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PS. This past week my belly has popped out a bit! People are noticing other than me and Clay! It's kinda fun but kinda weird!<br />
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And I really just wanted to get this pic on there cause I love it.<br />
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<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/11695319816_9078c5472f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/11695319816_9078c5472f_o.jpg" /></a>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-73329031054894997182013-12-31T07:30:00.000-08:002013-12-31T07:33:02.145-08:00Quiet morningsYou know what? I've never totally considered myself a morning person because I hate getting up each morning. Well, with quite a bit time off at home lately (with the holidays) I have come to notice something. When I don't have to go in to work, I usually wake up at 8 or earlier, <i>naturally.</i> How backwards is that? Everyday I go to work it's like I wish I were dead because I don't want to get out of bed. I think really I just don't want to go to work.<br />
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So anyway, it's 8am here in the Phillipp household and I turned on the Christmas tree one last time for the year and am writing some quiet thoughts.<br />
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My pregnancy dreams are crazy. Last night I dreamt that my car stopped working, so I tried just in the parking lot to unlock my car and I saw somone elses car unlock, so I tried to see if my key would turn it on, and it did, so I took it! All of a sudden down the road I thought, oh CRAP! What if I don't get back with my car part (cause like, I was going to fix it myself or something?) before the owner of this car is done working out?! (Cause I was at the gym) And then I was like, oh dear they would be so confused! I feel so bad! And what I keep wondering as I am awake is...why was my concern for their confusion...and not for the fact that I just stole a car? Well...I kept going anywho, thought I'd risk it I guess, and then suddenly, I FORGOT WHERE I TOOK THE CAR FROM. As in....I also forgot where my dead car was! So yeah that was really stressful. It never resolved.<br />
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The other night I dreampt that I had gotten Hugh Jackman out of the country illegally, and if I didn't make my court date ontime to prove that I was innocent, I would go to jail! Tom Habberford from Parks and Rec was helping me gather my evidence, and he was being so slow, and turns out- we weren't going to make it ontime! I knew what that meant, I needed to flee to Mexico. But I woke up so who knows the outcome of that.<br />
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Seriously, stressful dreams!<br />
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I am officially 11 weeks pregnant today. I hope that means that within a few weeks I will no longer get sick at night. Now, I feel silly even complaining- so I wont. Cause seriously, that's all that happens...night sickness. I don't even throw up! It is a bit irritating though...so hopefully it goes away :) But if it stayed, there could be worse things.<br />
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I'm going to complain for a bit. I am sick of people being so judgy towards others because of their clothes, hair, or freaking BODY. It's annoying. And I know I'm judging those who are judging so it's kind of ironic or whatever, but seriously...I get sick of it. I have this person on facebook who twice now has like openly judged styles and I think its rude. And arrogant. She clearly feels she is an authority on the matter and I really don't think ANYONE is an authority on the matter. I don't even think those people from "What not to wear" or "Fashion Police" or any of those shows are authorities on fashion. Okay- and the people of walmart website. I have to admit to you I have in the past looked on that site and giggled...but I always felt a bit guilty afterwards and I realize why now. Who freaking cares how people dress and why should I have the right to judge them for it? It's rude! Out of all the reasons to laugh at or put judgement on someone, why would I choose their looks? First off, I HATE when people say something like- did you see her lips? or her nose? Or their kids? Like- that is the worst. I hate when people just judge someones actual face or body that GOD GAVE THEM. Do you think he made a mistake? Do you think he appreciates you calling them ugly? Gosh. And as far as what we wear...if people like wearing crazy outfits, or pajamas, or unflattering things...I say, good for them! It doesn't hurt me, and I say, if they feel confident in something that I don't- good for them! Yeesh. I'm sorry- I'm just sick of this type of thing. I feel like it's so natural and normal for people to slap on a general judgement, and even specific judgement, about bodies and clothing and it does no good to the world. Can you imagine if you were a person that found yourself on a site dedicated to making fun of how people look? I would be devastated and feel humiliated for a very long time. I think people forget that we are all human beings with hearts and feelings. I'm choosing not to support these things anymore...and that's my rant for the day!<br />
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I'm excited for the new year. It will be good I just know it! Have a fun night everyone! And I probably wont blog till next year so...<br />
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ha ha...New years humor :)<br />
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PS- Clay says his Christmas diet (eating lots of crap) doesn't end until Jan 2. What? Don't good habits start on Jan 1? I say. He says, no no- he will have leftovers from New years Eve to eat on Jan 1...so best wait to start on Jan 2.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432906062348310434.post-73111001905566724332013-12-26T09:00:00.000-08:002013-12-26T09:00:52.370-08:00Merry Christmas 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was the way we announced our pregnancy on Christmas Eve this year! I put this on instagram and facebook, and I was exactly 10 weeks! We got so much love and comments and contrats it felt so good!</div>
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Christmas even night. I was so happy all day! I was literally just dancing around the house because I was so happy to be sharing the news with everyone. I'm so happy I'm pregnant! And so happy that people can know now!<br />
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It's crazy. Everyone told me that the pain would all be worth it when it finally happens, and it will all just be a memory when it's my turn. It was so hard to believe. Honestly, Clay and I both thought it wouldn't happen for us. We had been through so much pain and disappointment and when it comes to health, we felt like we never caught breaks! And figured this wouldn't be any different. I'm happy to say that the pain is gone and I am so happy. However, I do remember the pain very clearly. I still can look back on the hard times and I think that's what makes me so happy now. I remember very much how hard it was to go through what we did and still do. Which makes the aches and pains of pregnancy feel minimal.<br />
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I have felt so blessed these past few weeks. I have a baby in my belly! A baby with a beating heart! It's growing and I am just so happy this is happening to us! I feel so blessed to have a home. I feel so blessed to have food and clothing and more than I could ever need. I've been thinking a lot of our early marriage and how we had so little! I felt it was so hard back then, but really it wasn't. But I am really glad I have enough money to buy berries and fast food now :) I feel so blessed that Clay and I have jobs that provide for us and we have two families who love us both so much. We have amazing friends and so many wonderful people in our life. We have knowledge of the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ and we see his hand in our lives. I just can't believe how blessed we are!<br />
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I've always had the belief that life balances out...and that it can't all be good and it can't all be bad...but honestly my life felt quite out of balance for a while. I still had many good things but they were so hard to see when I had constant disappointments coming from so many angles. We still have our trials and we still have things that we will be fighting and dealing with our whole lives, but this blessing has opened my eyes to the balance of good and bad in our lives. I feel so much more positive and happy. I'm finally headed in the direction I knew I was always meant to go.<br />
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Merry Christmas! Can't wait to start the most exciting year of our lives!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02567918036484603809noreply@blogger.com6