Saturday

It's Saturday and I am happy.

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.

Today I have a few things on my list...

Kitchen
Bathrooms
Floors
Pillows
Scriptures

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.

Floors...that's hard. BUT I can usually convince Clay to do that part so, lets cross our fingers on THAT.

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.

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).

In other news, Clay has felt the baby kick! It was really exciting.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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).

The Monuments Men

So 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.

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).

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.

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!

Weekend Events

Today 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:

-Sleep in until my body feels like it wants to get up.

-Talk to Clay about the possibility of donuts for Saturday breakfast

-Try and convince Paul to build me a crib that I DESPERATELY want.

-Be bored of the superbowl but happy about the burger I get to eat (Paul's are the best!)

-Read Monuments Men

-Work on organizing my sewing room......(bleh)

Wish me luck!

Breast-feeding, Gender, Birthstones

So a question was asked by my cousin and I realized I never covered this- BREAST-FEEDING.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

Idaho Love

You guys, something miraculous happened that I wasn't sure would ever happen...

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!"

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?

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.

Well, I now am happy about it because it means good farming and good economy and happy people!

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.

I realize too that I like Idaho housing. I like how cheap it is and I love my house.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Happy happy fun things

So 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:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/books-to-read-before-they-hit-theaters-this-year?bffb

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.

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.

I am going to attempt reading Pride and Prejudice again...since one of my goals before my birthday was to read a Jane Austen book. We'll see how I do.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Overall life is quite good. I am enjoying it :)

Being Pregnant

Well, I have to say...being pregnant is very interesting.

It's joyous, cause everyday I remember- oh my gosh! I'm growing a person, my child! It's a miracle! 

Nothing quite makes me believe in God...like growing a human being in my body. 

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).

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 :)

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. 

Incase anyone is wondering how this works with Lyme and such, a few things should be noted.

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. 

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. 

We also have me on a pretty 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! 

We will have the cord blood tested immediately for Lyme and go from there! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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! 

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 :)