Anniversary

Happy wedded bliss to us! 

Celebrating two years of wonderfulness as Mrs. Jones with this stud muffin.

- xoxo -

Preggo-ness

Let’s start out with my 22-week update from the other day by my beloved PregnantChicken because it is absolutely hilarious. Unfortunately, I won’t post all of it because it then gets into pregnant bodily functions that not everyone needs to know except for myself…

WEEK 22

Guess who’s about the size of a Barbie doll? Hint: it isn’t you. Yep, your baby is about the length of a Barbie but it weighs about a pound and doesn’t have big tits and unachievable body proportions. Although, your baby does have real eyebrows and eyelashes now, which is more than we can say for Barbie – suck on that, doll.

Hahaha!! Do you see why these updates bring me joy? Now then, I thought I’d do a post on my preggo-ness so far since I really haven’t given any details on how I’m doing, especially since  the #1 question asked by people is the infamous ‘how are you feeling?’ I think I’ll break this down into my trimesters so far:

First Trimester

• Extremely tired all the time! I would get home from work at 5:30 and pretty much go to bed by 8:30. What a toddler! I would be exhausted at the end of the day and even considered leaving work early several times just to go home and sleep.
• On top of being sleepy, I was not having very restful sleeps. This was due to bathroom trips in the middle of the night and just not feeling comfortable.
• Not much of an appetite. I thought this was a gift from the Gods! I had only heard about preggo moms who chow down an elephant but for me, I could barely finish a dang quesadilla! I looked at this as a great way to not gain a hefty 50 lbs.
• Super bad back pain. It was so harsh in January that I even booked myself a massage appointment (before knowing I was preggers) which did nothing for me. For weeks, I felt like I literally had been moving heavy objects all day and had a knot the size of a softball below my shoulder blade.
• Morning sickness a bit in the morning and more so at night. I would be gaggy on a daily basis.
• Looked chunky, not pregnant.
• Headaches seemed to be somewhat frequent. Thank goodness Tylenol is allowed.
• Hello, oily skin. This is not a pleasant thing for me since I am someone who’s never had oily skin or breakouts…even as a teen I wasn’t one of those girls who needed to wash their face every night because my skin didn’t need it, and if anything, would actually dry my face out. But now I can tell there is a slight increase in oils, and I have face wipes for night. They are refreshing.
• Hair and finger nails grow more quickly. 

Second Trimester

• Not nearly as tired. I have now gone back to my night-owl routine of crawling in bed around 11:30…maybe later if I need to finish my exciting Lifetime movie.
• Sleeping more restfully now except for the occasional leg cramps that pop up out of nowhere when I’m innocently stretching my legs out. Freakin’ painful charlie horse!
• Feeling more aches and pains. Every so often I’ll get a stretching pain around my hips/abdomen…I guess it’s a normal thing due to ligaments just stretching out and adjusting. On top of that, I’ve had a sore tailbone and even some pelvic pressure already that is so uncomfortable. I’ve had to bring a mini pillow to work to sit on for extra bum cushioning…no, not the inflatable donut.
• Feet are chunky! I am pretty sure I can say I have cankles. I look down and say “Those are NOT my feet!” They are poofy little marshmallows already, making most of my sandals unwearable because they’re too small or tight. It bothers me to wear boring, unattractive flip-flops but good heavens, they are gems! Also, I’ll be investing in pedicures now. I can’t smush up my legs to my body to paint my toesies anymore.
• Alas, my appetite kicked in. This is bad because now I want 3 dinners…and snacks…and those fruit popsicles I bought are probably the yummiest thing ever. Cuss.
• Stretchy maternity pants are the greatest invention ever! I don’t want to go back to buttons or zippers again.
• Hardly gaggy at all. But, it seems I’ve traded that in for some heartburn. Joy. I’m now on the Tums bandwagon.
• Started feeling baby kicking around week 19. It’s the oddest popcorn, bubbly feeling. I’ve only felt it with my hand on the outside a couple of times, but inside there is a party going on. Jake and I have also done the stethoscope experiment to see if we could hear anything, and we’re both convinced we could hear him moving around, I’m sure mixed with normal stomach juice sounds. No heartbeat though.
• No stretch marks on my belly at all, yet!...thighs are a different story. Eff. Thank you, genetics.
• Congestion has been common, especially when lying down and I realize I can’t breathe out of my nose. Additionally, I’ve occasionally had nosebleeds which are also common during pregnancy.

Overall, pregnancy has been such a unique experience. I had no idea there are so many changes your body goes through. If you think it’s just a big belly, melons for boobs, and puffy feet then you are in for a treat! In reality there are so many other things happening that make it a full body experience. Who knew! As the weekly update said, I am definitely not Barbie during all of this and don’t know who in their right mind says they enjoy pregnancy…oh, maybe those skinny moms from the maternity clothes magazine that have no butt or hips and look as if life is the greatest thing ever with their long, lean legs and high heels. Phh, (insert profanity). Anyway, I can’t believe I’m already half through my pregnancy and have been in total nesting mode with buying baby clothes, books, registering for items already, and scouting out the perfect crib and bedding…the fun stuff! That’s the part that gets me excited and keeps me focused on the positive things instead of the fact that I soon won’t be able to see my feet when I look down.

Happy Grad

 

I’m trying to get caught up here on my updates…last week was a busy week! Besides finding out the gender of our little pea in the pod, Jake graduated from nursing school last Tuesday from Utah Valley University! I am SO proud of my hubster. This school stuff has been a work in progress for years now, and for him to finally graduate with all the bumps in the road along the way is a big accomplishment.

Jake had earned his Associate’s Degree back in 2006 and unfortunately had to put advancing further in school on hold for awhile. Being a single, full-time working dad at the time didn’t leave much extra time or money for school, until lil’ ol’ me came along in 2008 to spot him tuition fees and encourage him to go back. Jake had planned to originally go into a medical engineering field (whatever the heck that is) but then decided nursing school would suit him best. He had to take a couple of years of hard prerequisites in order to apply for nursing school and was finally accepted into the program in 2011 among 40 other students out of more than 200 applicants. Just being accepted into nursing school was an accomplishment itself! 

The nursing grads reciting the Nightingale Pledge

The nursing program has been a 2-year program with the option to continue an additional year for a bachelor’s completion. Jake has now graduated with his ASN, giving him the earned title of an RN…or at least once he takes the big NCLEX test at the end of the month to be licensed in the state of Utah. For the nursing graduation ceremony, the nursing graduates have a special pinning ceremony separate from the normal commencement program that the University holds on a different day where the typical cap and gown stuff goes on. For the pinning ceremony, the graduates are presented with a special nursing pin that is given to them by another nursing mentor whom the graduate has asked to participate. It is a special occasion for both the graduate and the pinning presenter. 

Picture of the nursing pin the grads receive

The ceremony took place in the Grande Ballroom at UVU for the 36 graduates and their families. (Notice 36 grads instead of the 40 that started out…lost a few along the way!) The beginning of the program started out with the lights turned off and all the graduates walking in holding a lit oil lamp called the Nightingale lamp, named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of nursing care. The lamp is a symbol of the care and devotion the nurses administer to the sick and injured in the practice of nursing. Later, the graduates then recited the Nightingale Pledge vowing to practice their calling morally and devote themselves to the caring of others. Nursing instructors then spoke to the graduates as well as the Dean of nursing and two of the graduates from the class. Funny student awards were given out and then it was time for the pinning presentation where the graduates would walk up one at a time to be presented. For Jake’s pinning, he chose the Dean to present his who gave him a big hug on stage. I might have gotten a little emotional throughout the graduation.  When it all wrapped up, there was punch and cookies afterwards, which I would’ve eaten ten of but we had plans to eat at PF Changs. Mmm! 

Yay! He did it!

One other thing to add about Jake’s graduation is that he designed their programs for the ceremony this year. All of the guests received a simple folded program outlining the speakers and order of events while the graduates each received a program booklet listing the same events along with a photo of the graduate and a short biography. I think it turned out great and will be a neat keepsake for all the graduates. Since I thought Jake’s biography he submitted was a winner, I’ll share it below:

JAKE JONES

As the youngest and most adorable of three brothers, I grew up in Keizer, Oregon and moved to Utah in search of greener pastures (or snow) shortly after high school. When I’m not slaving away doing homework or wiping butts at Intermountain Medical Center, I enjoy manly things such as watching sports, playing sports, dreaming of sports, and eating tacos. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy spending time with my wife Jenny and son Gage, and look forward to meeting our new little one due in September. I’ve always wanted a career in the medical field because I really enjoy helping people and being able to make a difference in people’s lives…plus, my wife thinks I look hot in scrubs. My plan at this point is to continue working on the Medical/Oncology floor at IMC. Tomorrow, I’ll probably see if my boss is ok with that. Eventually, I’d like to get into the ED where I’m certain to bring home some good stories (without patient identifiers, of course). UVU’s nursing program has definitely been challenging and rewarding, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know my peers. To them I say, may your wildest dreams come true…and stay cool, have a great summer. To my instructors, thank you and remember there were a few that didn’t make it this far, so at least I wasn’t that bad. 

Happy Graduation, hunny! Way to go Class of 2013!

Boy, oh boy!

I think this post is pretty self-explanatory, right? Last Tuesday, Jake and I went to my ultrasound appointment where it was confirmed that our upcoming baby Jones is indeed a boy! It was a bit of a shocker...and I'll leave it at that. :)

During the ultrasound, the radiologist lady did all sorts of things besides just tell us the gender (which wasn't until the very end because apparently baby Jones did not want to spread his legs and show his naughty bits). Pictures were taken of baby's brain, heart (we could see all 4 chambers), spine, aorta, kidneys, cranium size, etc...all to check that he is growing healthy and normal. It was a crazy appointment, and not what I had expected as far as the pictures went. I thought I would see a baby with facial features and didn't expect such skeletal pictures...baby's skin is still transparent so I think the radiologist explained that is why they do this ultrasound around 20 weeks because the organs are fully developed and can be checked for any problems before the skin completely develops. Seeing the spine was crazy! And baby was very active for his picture session. I think it may have been due to my drinking Sprite before my appointment, which is rumored to make the baby more active for an ultrasound. I'm saying it worked. One second he was posing for the camera, and then the next second he decided to flip over to be in some other position where we'd have to reposition the monitor to find him. Oh! And we could clearly see baby opening and shutting his mouth every now and then. Whoa. I think one of the funnier moments was seeing my full bladder on the ultrasound as this big, black bubble next to curled up, squished baby and right after the radiologist had me use the restroom to empty myself, baby suddenly had a lot more room to spread out and decided to have his legs out straight. I think the cutest pictures we were able to take home with us out of our bunch is a couple different foot print pictures. Baby feet are kind of cute. Aww...

Later that day after my appointment, I had Paradise Bakery make a giant 12" cookie to surprise my parents and Gage with that evening. Our surprise was the first time Gage was hearing the news, so he was the most excited to hear about a little brother on the way. I don't think a day has passed where he hasn't mentioned it or asked questions about the baby such as, "Is Junior kicking yet?"...Junior?! Oh heavens. Note to self: Gage does not get to be included in nick-naming or naming the baby.

So now, the nesting period begins! Boy stuff here we come.

Pregnant Chicken

I have been following the Pregnant Chicken blog now for quite some time (even before I was pregnant) because the blogger is soooo hilarious and outrageous. She gets right to the point of all things pregnant without sugar-coating it, and I may find her profanity extremely funny. For example, when she posts about possible medical problems a new pregnant mom does not want to think about that may occur during pregnancy/labor, Pregnant Chicken refers to these posts as "The Scary Shit Series". Another post titled "Porn for Pregnant Ladies" (which I was hesitant to click on at work but did anyway) show pictures of hot male celebs like a topless Hugh Jackman with captions of them saying things you'd want to hear such as, "I hope you still have cankles after the baby gets here because they totally turn me on." Are you a fan yet?

Anyway, when I did become pregnant, I was able to sign up to be on their email list where I'd be sent a weekly email with updates about my developing baby and what's going on during my pregnancy that week. This week's was particularly hilarious so I figured, "Why not share?!" Here is my update...

WEEK 17
Way to pork up, kid! No, not you, your baby, well, if you’re like me, then you too (high five). Your baby is about 5 inches long (from head to rump – I have no idea why they don’t count legs. Legs count in my book but whatev) and weighs about 5oz. So it’s the length and weight of an iPhone. Your awesome little minion is also starting to suck and swallow (punch anyone in the face that says something pervy about that) and is moving joints in preparation for doing the running man at weddings. Yes!
 
You are probably showing now.
 
If you are like me you laughed at that because you started showing when the pee stick showed two lines, or you wondered what the hell I am talking about because you’re wearing the same pants you did a year ago. Both are normal so don’t panic and ignore anyone that comments on your size. I have no idea why people feel compelled to point out a woman’s weight gain (or lack there of) while they are gestating a person when, at any other point in her life it would be considered rude. Keep in mind that very few of these people have much reference for how big you should or shouldn’t be so try to chalk it up to making conversation and go about your business.
 
Also work on your ninja moves because people are going to start touching you too. It doesn’t bother some women, but to others it’s like reaching out to stroke their tongue – awkward and gross. When my friend was pregnant and someone would touch her belly, she would just gently reach over and touch theirs in the same way. It was hysterical and stopped people dead in their tracks.
 
As with commenting on your weight, I don’t think people are trying to be rude, I think they’re just locked in baby mode and forget that the baby container is an actual person.

And it Starts...

Well, my curiosity about maternity clothes has arrived. It's not that I'm busting at the seems, but sitting down in buttoned pants isn't the most comfortable. I decided to go see what all the fuss was about...negative fuss, I might add. It seems that the few comments I've heard from previously preggo peeps is that they hated maternity clothes shopping and that stretchy waist pants felt like they were falling down all the time. They couldn't be that bad, right?

 

Luckily, the new outlets at Traverse Mountain by my house have a maternity store that I could venture off to. I went to Motherhood Maternity (Jake accompanied me...aww) and found a plethora of bright and colorful spring clothes just waiting for me to buy. The store ladies were so nice and helpful, loving the fact that this was a first for me and giving me words of encouragement like, "Don't let the clothes freak you out." After gathering up an armful of clothing, it was time to try them on. I...was...in...heaven! Everything is SO comfortable and light and stretchy. I hate shopping--especially trying clothes on--but this was a great day. I loved that I didn't have to feel guilty about being chunky and that size blah-blah-blah was too tight. These clothes expect you to be chunky! Deal. They even had a small, round belly pillow in the dressing room you could stuff under your shirt to help you visualize your upcoming Buddha belly. Hilarious. So, after a good half hour in the dressing room, a runway show for Jake, and a few dollar signs later, I had purchased new clothes that I just love! I vowed to even shop there when I'm not pregnant because the T-shirts were the most scrumptious material ever. The non-pregnant store rep lady does and you'd never know it. So even though my plan was to save my clothes for a few weeks when I'd more appropriately fill them out, nope, I like them too much that they shall be put to use pronto. Yay! See the Princess Jasmine colored green shirt? FAVE.

Easter

The Easter Bunny came to our house!...and not for Gage since he wasn't with us this year. No, Mr. Hunny Bunny brought a special delivery for me! 

There I was, groggily waking up at the wee hour of 10 a.m. on Easter morning giving myself a pep talk about how I should get up to slap on some makeup for church in an hour. Mornings are not my thing. But alas, my buns were dragged out of bed and I was off to first search for my hubby in the house since he doesn't sleep in past 8:30 a.m.  And what to my wondering eye should appear? My hubby in the kitchen making me a delicious breakfast omelet so dear. Sausage, cheese, avocados and tomatoes. Oh my yum. And there was another surprise - awaiting for me on the table was my very own Easter basket with flowers, shoes and treats from See's Candies. Look at all the fun goodies! Darn him for being so wonderful. Sigh. I LOVE it all. LOVE him. Bestest sneaky Easter bunny. Made me feel guilty for only getting him a Reese's peanut butter egg.

After church we headed up to my parents' house to spend the afternoon. It's a tradition to color eggs, so I came prepared with my Neon egg dying kit I scouted out at Walmart. (Side note: I've always been an anti-plastic egg person. Growing up, my brother and I always colored real eggs which where then used for our egg hunt in our backyard and then used for egg salad sandwiches for the week. I was baffled when I got older to hear people did the plastic egg thing instead and had candy or money hidden in them...isn't that what comes in your Easter basket?? Seems stupid and seems like a buttload of candy afterwards. It's not Halloween!) Anyway, I got Jake to join in the egg-dying fun since he does spectacular ones every year. Here's our final product! 

Easter ended with a delicious dinner of spiral ham, funeral potatoes (mother calls them "holiday potatoes" because she hates the funeral term), asparagus with lemon pepper and raspberry fluff made by me...well, Jake. It was a nice Easter and such a beautiful day outside! I just wish Missy Moo could've been around so I could've taken her for a walk at the park.