Baby Henry Update

CHEESE!!!

Why is Henry smiling at us?

(In case you could not see the smile -- I pointed it out for you below)

Because he knows what fun we are in for!

During my appointment today, the doctor let me know that his kidney's are progressively dilating. He is sending me to a specialist next week, who will help determine the severity, and also a plan of action (if necessary). Henry is also measuring big -- which is no shocker to me -- but his stomach is a little bloated. As it stands now, he is measuring about a week ahead of schedule. Henry may be a whopper, like Daniel (Dan was over 9lbs, a few weeks early).

Anyway, I don't know much more than I knew before -- but I should know more next week after talking to someone who specializes in this kind of thing. Of course, the kidneys could still correct themselves . . . in or out of the womb.

The doctor mentioned a possibility of early delivery, for the health of the baby -- about a month early, or so. Only time well tell. For now, I will be visiting the doctor every two weeks to keep an eye on things.

When I first found out over a month ago, a Voice whispered to me, "It will be hard, but it will be OK, don't worry." So, I'm not worried. This is NOT supposed to be life-threatening, or anything -- it just adds some adventure to the pregnancy and birthing process. There is a very likely chance that all will be well. Worst case is that it may take some corrective procedures to get there.

We hope for the best. Come what may . . . and love it. :-)

Cracked Heels

Have you ever had cracked heels? OUCH!
For me they come during pregnancy. (Extra pressure on my feet.) Sometimes the cracks can get SO deep, they burn, and cause a lot of pain. This happened to me after spending the day in the kitchen baking bread -- too much time on my feet. Not a good idea.

Charles helped me get some of the extra skin off from around the crack (can't reach my feet), and then I put on my magic healing cream.

I applied generously, and then wore clean socks overnight. By morning, my feet were A LOT better! No more pain.

I love this stuff . . . I'm all better now. ;-)

Patient and Determined

Being patient and determined are two qualities I really admire. On Christmas day Sammi spent the whole day building their new Harry Potter LEGO castle. It took ALL DAY and each section was divided in little baggies with instructions. It was a challenge, but she was patient and she made it happen. Then, later that night, I went in her room and found that she had taken apart the ENTIRE castle! It was in a huge pile on her little desk. She said she had enjoyed putting it together so much, she wanted to do it again. Ugh.

My first reaction was not good. I freaked-out! I just could not understand why she would take it all apart, after working so hard to create it! It was horribly out of order -- no numbered baggies to help build it again. It was just a BIG mess! Truly, it would take a miracle to ever see the castle rebuilt. It was a HUGE pile of LEGOS -- little tiny LEGOS.

And then, last weekend . . . Daniel became determined to be the one to make the miracle happen. He brought the pile of LEGOS to the dinner table, and he began the process of finding EACH PIECE out of the mess. He had an instruction manual, but that was it. He had to find each piece by it's appearance. It was a serious task and challenge. The LEGOS were out on the dinner table all week -- we just ate around them. Daniel would work on it in the morning before school, he would work on it after school, he worked on it whenever he had a spare moment. He was SO focused. It was amazing to watch.

Finally, yesterday . . . HE DID IT! He found every last little piece and made the castle rise from the ashes. It was a miracle! When he was finished he was SO PROUD of himself. (We were all amazed!) He said he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. It was so cute.

After he finished he said he felt so good . . . he felt like he should do the dishes. ??? It was hilarious.

I was amazed to watch him, so determined, and so patient through the process. To stick with the same project for that long was quite the feat! Nothing is impossible if you can just breath and work your way through it! Thanks Daniel for reminding me . . . :-)

Tucanos -- Mormon Happy Hour

Mormons don't drink . . . but we do EAT!

A few years ago, on a trip to Utah -- we went to Tucanos for the first time. (If you are not familiar with Tucanos, it is all you can eat MEAT. They just keep bringing it to your table, until you BURST!) We were lucky and we got to the restaurant before lunch time. By the time 12:00pm rolled around (in Provo, Utah), there was a line out the door, and around the corner. That is when I labeled Tucanos, "The Mormon Bar". (I know I am just assuming that most of the people in line were Mormon, but sometimes you can just tell, ya know?)

Note: I think 99% of the people reading this blog are LDS, but for the 1% who may not be -- we are supposed to be moderate in all things. Food tends to be where we over-indulge. Well, at least, food is where I over-indulge. Oink! Oink!

Meat. Lots of Meat.

It was good at first, and then your mouth just gets salted-out.

And then you wash it down with sugar . . . Raspberry Lime-Aide -- Yum!

Last Friday night was definitely an "indulge" night. Every year Tucanos sends us a birthday card for a free meal in your birthday month. Our good friends also have birthday's in January, so for the past 2 years we have made it a date.

Yum! Yum!

The men were particularly happy about meat. Though, I must say, meat has been a strong craving of mine, so I was happy to satisfy the hunger.

Enjoying the night out. Our first dinner date-night in like a year? (There is my crazy-hair again!) :-) Our fantastic friends: T-Diddy (Tyson) and Rachelle (she is about to have a baby any time!) Love them!

We thoroughly enjoyed our "Happy Hour".

Good food. Good friends. Good times. :-)

Sometimes "indulging" (in moderation, of course) can be just what the doctor ordered!

Unchained Melody

Thanks to my brother, John, for sending this to me . . .

It is the video from Katie and Cole's wedding reception program (November 2010). Katie is my niece. If you scroll to minute 7:30 -- that is when Charles and I do our little number. It was the FIRST time Charles had ever sung in public! I was SO PROUD OF HIM! Love it!

*Unchained Melody is "our" song from when we were dating. :-)

24 weeks . . .

And Growing Daily!
I thought I should document at least one image of this pregnancy. Maybe there will be more . . . but I have a feeling the next few months won't be too pretty. :-)

I have to say THANK YOU to Charles, for picking out my awesome shirt -- I LOVE IT! He surprised me with some new maternity clothes, so I don't have to wear my pink pajamas to church. :-)

*Notice the hair . . . I totally needed to go higher and lower on the braids! (View post below.) It ended up looking like crazy mermaid-hair! Oh well, live and learn.

Hair

I saw a new hair method that I just had to try . . .

1. Braid your Hair. As many, or as few as you would like -- it will make a difference in the amount of wave.

2. Flat Iron the Braids. Make sure your hair is DRY!!!! I had to go over my hair a few times, it was still a little wet, and my hair is REALLY thick!

Look at those cute chubby cheeks. :-) Yes, the prego chub is taking over. *Sigh*

3. Take out the Braids. And there you have it -- wavy hair, without having to wait overnight!

Note: My hair is super-thick and so it was pretty poofy (as you can see). I think it would work really well on "normal" hair, and especially kid-hair! Some hair-product would probably help, too. I also needed to start the braids up higher on my head, and continue them lower. Anyway, you get the idea! I would really be curious to see how it works on someone who has normal hair and not horse-hair like me! :-) But it was fun!

Another Note: It has been over a year since I have had my hair done. I am due for a cut, color, and thinning-out . . . I think I will wait until I am a little closer to my due-date, that way I can feel better during recovery time. I will deal with my poofy hair, and poofy cheeks, a little longer. :-)