BFFL

Back in November I surprised Jena with a trip to Indiana on her birthday. At the time she was 20 weeks pregnant with her own baby girl. We had an awesome weekend together. 

A few months later the tables have turned and she got to visit me in Utah while I was 26-ish weeks pregnant!

It was so much fun having her here and getting to meet Hailey!

We stayed up waaaaaaay too late, per our usual behavior.

We have to make up for all the lost time because we only see each other about once a year. 

 Went shopping, watched movies, ate yummy food, went to the pool and

 even got pedicures while Zach babysat. 

 Hailey is such a happy girl!

                  She was so fun and this is the face she made every time I said "who loves Aunt Sara!?"

Can't wait till my little one is here in just a few months. 

Then then can be friends for life too. 

The best part?! Jena and family will be out in October for a wedding here in Utah. 

WHICH MEANS THEY WILL GET TO MEET MY BABY GIRL!

Can't wait!

Why I love being a Lyman

Reason number 56375.

We have trials, just like any other family.Though this month my extended family has been especially tried.
I wont go into much detail but things have happened that have caused our life to change for the time being.

Our brother was rushed to the ER one night last week. I want to say that within 30 minutes of him being there, the entire family dropped everything and showed up. I have never seen a family come together so quickly. Mom, Dad, me, Lindsay and every brother lined the walls of hospital room. Even the staff was impressed.  Plans to watch the kids and take care of the things needed in the days to come went into action without skipping a beat.

With a family of 5 boys, I did not expect the love and support they showed that night and in the days  following. I have always known that the Lymans are a tight family. Though they may not be all hugs and kisses; but they have unconditional love for each other (the kind you never talk about being men) and always are looking out for one another.

I am thankful to be accepted as part of this wonderful group and proud to call each of them my family too.

Our brother is ok and will continue to get better as time goes on. God only gives us the trials we can handle and for that I am truly thankful.

Worlds Best Kept Secret

Please excuse my small rant. Blame it on the hormones or what have you. Since I found out I was pregnant, I have read any and everything I could get my hands on regarding pregnancy. After reading pages and pages of information, I have found most women to be very secretive when it comes to this matter. You would think that women would be willing to post anything, no matter how embarrassing, to help another woman in need. But alas, they do not. Because in all honesty it is just that, embarrassing.

So after talking to several of my New Mom Friends these are the tricks of the trade. The untold "gems" that future women get to look forward to, well let me fill you in:

There are several "phases" in the first few weeks/months of pregnancy. For starters there is the "Let me Sleep or I will punch you in the face" Phase. This typically includes wanting to sleep at all hours of the day or night. Falling asleep mid TV show, or conversation for that matter. Though I do not find this phase embarrassing, I find it funny. I do not have the energy to even take a shower some days. And guess what? This only gets WORSE as the months go on. Warning for Men: If your partner is in this phase, do NOTHING other than offer her a pillow and soft blanket and encourage her to take naps as much as you can. This will improve her mood as well as improve your chances for survival during this adventure.

The next I like to call "Accidental contact with my chest and I will kill you" Phase. This includes but is not limited to: Rolling over on your stomach in the middle of the night and wake up to extreme pain so you learn to sleep on your back. A relative giving you a nice "big hug" because its been so long since they have seen you. Small child playing a game and throwing objects at your chest. A stranger brushes by you in public and innocently makes contact. And my ever favorite, running down stairs where a quick bouncing of them can occur and make your eyes tear up.

Then there is the "Who Farted?" Phase where you will have a better nose than a bloodhound. You can smell what other people had for breakfast yesterday. What ANYONE in your apartment complex is cooking.And you can tell as soon as someone used/or needs to use the restroom. This is not my favorite Super Power of pregnancy. In fact, I could go without this one all together.

The "When the F did we get ice cream?!" Phase Not being able to remember anything. Including words mid sentence, not remembering what you were talking about 5 minutes ago.. ... ...

Finally we have our "WHY DID NO ONE EVER TELL ME THIS?!" Phase. Which is typically what I assume women are embarrassed of. At this point you no longer feel like a "lady". This is the constant need to pee. Not being able to go number two, which then turns into major cramping.You will feel 65 years old because of your now need to take fiber pills. You feel fat. You are grumpy. Food usually does not sound good. Small children crying annoys you.  Sometimes discharge. Sometimes light spotting. You will need to pass gas often and can't blame it on the dog, because even the dog runs out of the room when this happens.

Oh the joys of Pregnancy. I am happy to say that I only have 99 days left. Most of these phases have passed and new ones are starting every day.  I have enjoyed endured several pregnancy symptoms and I still know I have a long way to go. 

Yay for me. 

Strawberry Days Rodeo

We have a tradition with Zach's dad. Every year we go to the Strawberry Days Rodeo for his Father's Day present. We seriously have such a good time, just the three of us. Even though next year Baby Girl will have to tag along, this is still one of my favorite traditions. Usually we dress up but I am currently too big for my rodeo clothes (bump alert!) and Zach had just hurried and gotten off work and didn't have time to change. So Dad represented the entire crew this year. 

We may have had to sit there in 90 degree weather but at least we got cool hand stamps, right?

Their "half time show" as I like to call it, was a couple of motocross guys. 

They set up two ramps and did some amazing tricks. 

We love everything from the wild cow milking, to the slightly inappropriate rodeo clown but the thing we love most about the Strawberry Days rodeo is the STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM. YUM!

Its quite simple but still so delish. Sliced strawberries with heavy cream, sugar and a little vanilla extract. 

Happy Father's day Dad. 

And to my Daddy back home, I am so lucky to call you MY Dad. You have had a rough year but you have been strong and continue to be a great example to both Zach and me. We love you!

May/June

5 1/2 months. Yay baby!

Sophie and the flowers we planted 3 years ago for my wedding!

At the food trucks with Momma

I had a fun trip home in May to spend some time with my family. The flight home was horrible. My pregnancy motion sickness got the best of me and I unexpectedly threw up on myself. Yes, that's right, I said ON MYSELF! I was completely embarrassed. I will save the horrific details. I'm still trying to mentally block them from my memory. The sleeping conditions were rough but I always love coming home. This is the first time in my life I went an ENTIRE week without fighting with my brother. Anyone that knows my brother and I will understand just how amazing that is. I was able to go to the beach twice, visit with a couple friends, ate yummy food and just relax. I drove back home with my Dad and made several stops along the way doing some sight seeing. I think that is the most time I have ever spent with my Dad my entire life. It was fun. We didn't want to kill each other by the end of it so I consider it a success. We stopped by my cousins house in St. George where she showered me with the baby items she no longer needed. What a HUGE blessing. Then my Mom finished up her business trip and met us in Utah. We spent the week shopping for the baby, fixing my house, eating tons of good food, more shopping for baby, making things for baby and spending time together. We were completely spoiled. I mean COMPLETELY. Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you have done for us. We don't know what we would do without you. THANK YOU!

 It was so great to have them here and I miss them already. I always like having them around. 

Can you tell I love my dog just a little too much?

Quilts I finished the month. I'm getting better!

And I had to sneak this picture as proof to baby girl that her Grandmother (who does NOT sew) made her a little blanket. This means that even though you are not here yet, she already loves you too much. She did a great job. The fabric says "I love Grandma" all over it and I refused to make it. If its going to say that, then it needs to be MADE by her Grandma. Plus, I was working on the quilt for her anyways.

So far in the month of June:

* Zach and I went for several beautiful drives in search of flowers for his botany class.  

* Family came to visit and had a blast

* I hit 6 months of pregnancy and everything is going great!

* I ate way to much food. 

* Aaron and Lindsay finished their half marathon and we are so proud. 

* The house we are currently living in sold, so we have been on the hunt for a place to live

* Zach was in the Springville and Orem city parades. 

Just when I thought

I couldn't possibly love my husband any more I find this....

Yup, a playlist he created for HIMSELF on my computer while I was away.  He will probably be upset I posted this. I just wanted to point out that they are all songs from musicals. 

That's right, I have finally rubbed off on him.

And I love it.