So in February we found out that we were going to have our first baby! Yes pregnant! Its a funny story because you know I had been told in the past that getting pregnant would be hard for me and so I was always just aware of that. Anyway, when I took the pregnancy test I was so scared. I even had to get encouragement from Jenn. HA! When I ran into the kitchen bawling to B he was quite taken aback... but then we were both so happy. It took some reality checks and adjustments at first, that we were going to be parents, but I can't believe I'm going to be a mother.
To hear the heartbeat for the first time is unreal!
To say that I love being pregnant is a lie. A horrible bold faced lie. I throw up a lot, all 9 months I've been sick and it has been awful. Working full time didn't really help the matter, but more on that later. Still though, we found out 20 or so weeks later that I was pregnant with a little girl! I knew it was a girl, I had seen her in dreams, I just knew it. I wasn't that emotional when finding out, but B was. It was actually pretty cute, because well it just makes it all the more real. Everyone was so excited for us, and lets face it, I love clothes as it is, so baby girl clothes... BRING IT ON!!
I am about 3 months pregnant here, I thought I was so huge, HAHA!
It's a girl!!!
Here I am at Jackson Hole, WY, about 28 weeks,
The summer was crazy for us, we were stressed about paying for the baby, B graduating from college, his career path, and just the future in general. It didn't help that I was already emotional so I cried a lot. I have such little faith. There were big changes at work happening, one of my closest co-workers was going to leave, leaving me in charge of everything and 8 months pregnant and I was freaking out. B had applied to grad school and we still hadn't heard anything. Plus it was so stinking hot. Our house doesn't have AC so I was tempted half the time to just pour water over my body. One thought I kept thinking was this is what God expects out of us, is to create children, and so we have to have faith it will all just work out.My parents came up for B's graduation, and on July 23rd the day that B graduated from college we also found out that B got accepted in the HPA Program at Washington State University in Spokane, WA. We couldn't believe it, we only had 3 weeks to find a place to live, move, quit our jobs, and somehow find a way to pay for school and you know provide for a baby. I couldn't have been prouder of my B, not only had he got his degree, but now he was accepted to a grad program was beyond his wildest dreams. I knew if the situation was reversed he would have followed me anywhere, so I knew that we could do it. It felt right, and if it was right then God would help us in everything we were so worried about. So mom and dad packed up what they could, and then a week later we packed up everything we owned and said goodbye to the dear Rexburg we have loved for so long. So many memories in that town, and I had said goodbye before to it, but this time it was permanent. Saying goodbye to North Wind was harder than I would have thought too. That's been my place of employment for 4 years, and the people you work with become like your 2nd family. I grew up a lot while working there, and learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I had made a couple of close friends who I will cherish forever, and I know that I couldn't have survived that job without them. The funny thing is now none of us work there anymore!! It was liberating a little to just leave there, but I will say I will miss the paycheck.
B's graduation from BYU-Idaho
My parents and us
B and his family at graduation
Saying goodbye to my dear friends at North Wind, I miss them!
We had 3 weeks to get things figured out, so we spent time in Parma hanging out with my family and enjoying the hot hot days of summer. It was a great time to be home. We swam and played way too much, and we didn't have to worry about going back to work! Within a week we found a place to live (thanks to childhood friend who happens to be in the same program B was going in to), and got things rolling for B's school loan. During this time I just kept thinking about how pioneers just up and left everything they had ever known to go to a place they had never even seen, yes and some were even pregnant. Faith with every footstep right? My dad and Hyrum decided to help us move up to Spokane and bless their hearts. I do NOT recommend moving when you are 32 weeks pregnant. You feel so helpless, plus it was the middle of the summer. I will be forever grateful to those who helped us. Was I scared out of my mind to leave Idaho? Uh yes, it helps though when you are with your best friend, and you don't have to do it alone. I think more than anything I was nervous about bringing a baby into the world when I didn't even know how we were going to do it! I still continually felt peace about everything though, so that helped obviously.Can I just say we couldn't have made this move to Spokane without my family. I'm the oldest and I seem to have taken care of everyone else, I had been graduated from college for 5 years, had a career, I love my family but I never really needed them like I did with this move. I depended heavily on my husband and my family to keep encouraging me on this endeavor. Sometimes it's hard for me to ask for help, or to show that I'm struggling, or I have fears, but this has certainly taught me it's OK to have emotions!! My parents and family most have all have been our biggest cheerleaders. We constantly feel their love and their prayers I know they are praying on our behalf. The countless tender mercies, or answer to prayers we receive is unreal, it's like modern day miracles! The other day when I was cleaning up the baby's room I just kept thinking, how did I get so blessed? Everything has worked out perfectly. Not that it was easy and still isn't, but I have learned so many lessons, about being humble, accepting help from others, having faith, and learning what it means to just trust what you know is right. I know one day when I'm teaching Young Women's I'll have a great story to tell, haha!
So here we are! Spokane, WA! So far it's been fun, we have a really amazing ward, they are so friendly. We have already made really great friends, and it's like a support system that both B and I need, especially because school is hard and I'm going to have this baby any day! The church just isn't about the spiritual stuff, it's also that commonality that makes it so great.
B and the rest of his cohort here at WSU
Thank you to everyone who has been there for us, from encouraging phone calls and texts, to gifts for our sweet baby. We have amazing friends and family who support us! Hopefully now I will keep up this blog so that I can document all the fun we are having (ok and the work B is doing). If you want to come visit please do, we sort of know our way around now!! Now that I am a stay at home wife and mother, I'm going to commit myself to keep up again with this blog, and hello I will have a new baby to blog about (if she would get here already)...Now for a few more random pictures to catch up!
Maddie graduated High School! I can't believe she's that old!
36 Weeks pregnant!
38 weeks pregnant - taken on my Birthday, I also gave a talk this day!
At Grandma Blaylock's funeral, here are all of the Blaylock cousins minus Chris and Mariah. It was a really great celebration of her life, and seeing everyone.
Here we are with Maddie, her basketball team took 3rd in State, it was so fun to see her play one last time!
B and I on Easter Sunday!
