Happy New Year!

2015 Has been a really big year for Chase and I. Although we moved into our house in December of 2014, we have been working on our house this whole year. It has taken 99% of our disposable income, free time and effort. I am so, so happy with how it has turned out. I am so looking forward to having it done! Especially right before we bring Kate home. I think we will have everything but the carpet and kitchen backsplash done by the end of January. And by the middle of February, when I start the third trimester, it will all be done!

This year we also got our puppy! We started thinking about a puppy in April. Alfie was born March 25, 2015 and we brought him home on May 9th. It was a sweet way to remember our miscarriage due date, April 30th. He has been the sweetest puppy. I adore him. I love that he is part of our family. He is not perfectly trained, but he is very well behaved, does not chew on things he shouldn't (99% of the time), is perfectly potty trained, and is a snuggler.

And of course, Chase quit his job and decided to go back to school to prepare for medical school. That was a big shift for us, but it is going really well. He did great his first semester back, and is still really excited about his plans. I am really proud of him for making that jump. It will good for our family in the long run. And in the mean time, I am still very happy with how things are going! I am sure loving him being home during the break. I love coming home to him being there (and my handy man gets so much done while I am at work!). So I am not looking forward to the late nights during the coming semester.

And finally, five days after Chase started school, we found out we were expecting a baby! The last four months have been nothing but fun. I am so grateful that pregnancy has been smooth for me, and more so that Kate is healthy. The timing really is perfect and I am so excited to see her sweet face and share her with Chase. I am hoping that 2016 will be the first Mother's day that I spend as a mom, if Kate comes a few days early. What a fantastic year 2015 has been, but I am sure 2016 will top it!

21 Weeks

This week we enjoyed a little time off for Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve skiing at Snowbasin and it was the best the snow has been this early in the year for a long time! I loved it. And I did not feel inhibited by my baby bump at all. I was cautious, but I was able to ski as aggressively as I usually do. That night was went to Grandma Nolene's for dinner and gifts. She gave us a card table and chairs that I am so glad to have, but never would have bought for myself. We also visited with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas and they gave us a lifetime table, so we are all set in the table department. That night we stayed at home and headed to Connie and Tony's in the morning. We had breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls, SO good! This year we mostly got clothes, and we got them a pack n' play for Kate so that was exciting. Then we went to my mom's house for second Christmas morning in the afternoon. She gave us some money and some clothes, all good things. We got her an Apple TV for the basement #Netflicks. Grandma Jan and Grandpa took turns visiting. Of course, Bean family drama made it's way into the picture unfortunately (the Bean family party on the 23rd was kind of a drag). We are just glad to have our grandparents still around. Then we went to the Calton Christmas dinner. It's always good, but for some reason this year, including Thanksgiving, gravy was left off the menu. Sad day. Then we headed to my mom's to see Fowlers for a minute, back to Reynolds to see Clark and Hailey, then back to my mom's to sleep. Then next morning, Hudson got his big dump truck. Too cute. 

This year Chase talked a lot about how Christmas is his favorite time of year. I love it too, but I think I can get complacent sometimes that we have to run around so much. But this year, I enjoyed it more and complained less, for Chase, but it really helped everything go more smoothly. This year I finally printed Chase's mission book and it turned out great. He got me a shirt I wanted that says "baby mama" on it. It's cute! 

It's been so incredibly enjoyable to have Chase around these last couple of weeks. I am kind of dreading him going back to school and coming to home to an empty house again. And he has been amazing with getting the house closer and closer to finished. He is about 80% done with the floors and they look amazing. This week, we get our final bathroom counter and appliances!

On the baby front, I have now gained about ten pounds. So much for not gaining any weight in the beginning! I feel Kate move less frequently, but it is more obvious when I do. I think she might have more regular sleep cycles now. I still feel pretty good, very few symptoms. And I now show 100% of the time, but my size varies quite a bit from day to day. I am really excited to get past the 24 week mark, when fewer things can go really wrong. 

Oh! And Avery got engaged on the 19th! Jackson Walker is his name. We keep walking around saying, "Misses Walker, we need your help here!" from Miracle on 34th Street. He is a good guy, decathalete at BYU, from Idaho Falls, and he makes Ave happy. 

20 Weeks!

Today marks 20 weeks and half way through this pregnancy! In the last week or so my low back and hips have been really sore. I might have even had a couple braxton hicks contractions (I'm not sure, but maybe). Everyone says that the second trimester is the best, but my first trimester was so easy that I am now feeling the effects of pregnancy more. Mostly, I am showing more and my clothes don't fit quick right. I have now gained about 8 pounds (153 pounds). Some aches and pains, but I can't complain! I am enjoying it. 

Chase has been able to feel Kate move on two difference occasions now. I feel her almost constantly. The last couple of days the movement has slowed a little bit, but I still feel her several times per day, mostly strongly in the morning. 

Our big 20 week ultrasound is tomorrow and I am really excited! It will be good to get a confirmation of the gender, good health and due date. Up to this point, I have been measuring early. At the 12 week appointment I was 5 days early, and I forget to ask at the 16 week. With any luck, we will be looking at something closer to May 1st so Chase can spend the whole first week at home with us.  

Update on the house; we got kitchen counters yesterday! And we are getting our upstairs bathroom counters today. Chase is hooking up plumbing to the kitchen sink as we speak, and getting started on the wood floors later today. Chase finished finals last week and he has four whole weeks off! I am beyond excited. I get to see him more, and sooooo much will get done on the house. 

Speaking of Chase's school...wow. I cannot express how proud I am of him! He committed 100% to getting good grades and he did it. He had his hardest schedule, and his best GPA ever. He also managed to get certified in phlebotomy, work at Sonora Grill one shift per week, and volunteer at the hospital on Saturday mornings. His resume is going to be outstanding as he applies to med school in 18 months. 

19 Weeks - First kicks for dad!

I have been feeling flutter movements since 17 weeks, but not really any abrupt kicks. On Sunday morning, Chase and I were laying in bed and I could feel very distinct kick movements. I put Chases's hand on my belly and waited. "Did you feel that?" "No." "How about that?" "Nothing." Then suddenly he had the biggest smile on his face! He felt 3-4 good kicks. It was so fun! That was 18 weeks and 5 days.

I hadn't gained any weight up through about 15+ weeks. But I am 19 weeks tomorrow and I have gained 6-7 pounds and my appetite is through the roof! Annnnnd none of my pants fit. Kind of inconvenient, but of course worth it!.

18 weeks

This last week I felt Kate move twice (I think)! It feels just like everyone describes it; like a flutter of butterfly wings. It is very subtle but so fun! My stomach has also really popped out more this week. And I have finally starting gaining weight! I didn't gain any weight before 15 weeks, but I am about 18 weeks now and I have put on about 4 pounds. Hoping for about a pound per week. I also had heartburn twice his week. It's not bad unless I over eat! Now that Kate can hear, I am listening to Disney/Broadway music on pandora at home and singing at the top of my lungs! I also listen to Josh Groban type Christmas music at work. I also started our registry at Target and Amazon. It's a blast getting ready!

Chase and I went to a "first time parent class" at IMC this week and it was fun! Six couple all expecting came to hear about hospital procedures. Susan, the RN that taught the class,talked about developement, nutrition, and pregnancy a bit. She also showed a part of The Miracle of Life. But my favorite part was  at the end when we went on a short tour of the labor and delivery and maternity wards. So good to see! I now feel much more prepared for being at the hospital!   When we arrive, we check in, pre registered of course! And go to triage for about an hour and make sure it is time to be admitted. My goal is to get to the hospital when I am pretty well progressed! I don't want to be sent home home. Then there are delivery rooms that have showers, tubs, and jetted tubs. I really want a jetted tub for labor (not delivery)! Then they showed us the delivery beds- so cool! I am so happy about the options I will have to labor and deliver with. They have birth balls, squat bars, etc. IMC also has a sacred hour policy- they try to get the baby immediately on mom's chest and do not move the baby for at least an hour. I am SO happy about that! I still need to find out what Chase's options to help deliver and cut the cord are, and ask about delayed cord cutting. The maternity ward is pretty straight forward. They encourage breastfeeding and rooming in, which I am so happy about! They have lactation consultants on staff and breastfeeding classes every morning! To say the least, I feel like my ideal labor, delivery and birth will be supported by the hospital where we have chosen to deliver. Now I need to talk details with my doctor! 

This weekend, Connie, Megan and I did our annual overnight-er in Salt Lake. So fun! We shopped a bit and stayed up until 4 am talking. We talked a lot about birthing and what I want and how it was for Connie. I really like hearing other people's stories and experiences. It makes me feel like I am preparing well and I have a good chance to have the birth I want. I am actually looking forward to the whole thing!! However, regardless of how the process pans out, the end goal is a healthy baby and healthy mom. So I am prepared to do whatever I need to in order to get to that goal! 

16 Weeks

Today I am 16 weeks! We get to find out the gender today and I am so excited! Chase and I are going today at 4:45. We are going to have a little party at my mom's house tonight to tell family and friends what we are having. I can't even guess! If I really had to guess, I think I would say girl, but it could be either (obviously 50/50). I thought from the beginning it was a girl, for no reason really. But the last two weeks I have been thinking it could be a boy. I would love to have a mini Chase, of course! Chase and I really love the name Kate for a girl. I would say we are 99% decided on that. I can't think of something that would make us change our minds. We actually decided on Kate for a girl when I had my miscarriage last year, and we still love it. No middle name for a girl. I didn't have a middle name growing up, and I didn't mind it at all. I actually thought it was cool. And I love that I have Calton as my middle name now. For a boy, we are having a harder time on a name. I really love Adam or James, after my Grandpa James Merrill Bean. We talked about Corbin, but I don't love that one anymore. And middle names are hard too. We will probably use a family name. Anyway, it will be so good to know if we are having a boy or a girl so that we can decide!

My bump has started to be more consistent too, rather than depending on what I eat. Now it is always there! I have noticed when I bend over or lay on my stomach that it gets in the way. And my boobs are enormous. I am getting my energy back too! I actually have motivation to get things done when I get home from work each day. I also had some cravings! I went through a Taco Bell crunch wrap supreme phase (three trips in 24 hours). And I am loving juice! All kinds, but mostly orange, cranberry, grape and grapefruit.

I also started researching birthing options. I read "Ina May's guide to Birthing" and I really liked it. It talks about the benefits of non-medicated and no intervention births. My favorite part was how she talked about movement in labor and delivery. My biggest reason for not wanted an epidural is so I can move around a lot and help my body do its job. I also really loved the emphasis on how normal it is to give birth, and how the uterus will usually do most of the work it you let it! Rather than fight contractions and weaken the urge to push, just go with it. And, give your body time to do the work. Don't be in a hurry.

After that book I started "Birthing From Within." Kelli Green, a friend in my ward, gave it to me. She had her second baby natural and said the book helped. I am only 50 pages in and I really like what it talks about. It emphasizes how important it is to have support and people around you that are on the same page, and how giving birth connects you to all mankind and other mothers. It also talks about imagery and visualizing. If I were it visualize labor, it would be peaceful and slow at home, but then when we go to the hospital, my imagery gets very foggy and scary. I have been very concerned about how hospital staff will respond to my birth plan, so I think that is why. The book also says I should come up with my question about birth. My question is, will I feel supported? Because if I don't, I know I will be frustrated and sad. So I have talked to Chase about all of this and I think the process of preparing will be more than adequate to subdue my fears.

Then! I went to the labor and delivery page on the IMC website and wow! There is so much information. It made me feel so much better. IMC supports the "sacred hour" after the baby is born. Staff tries to give the mother time to hold the baby skin to skin for that long, without interruption. I love this!! I would be so sad if a nurse took the baby right when it was born, unnecessarily. IMC also supports rooming in rather than the nursery, and breastfeeding. All good things! But I think the most relieving thing I found was support for a birth plan (I have one already written). They have a questionnaire type plan that I can print and bring with me to labor and delivery. It has a list of approved visitors, how to handle pain medications, and labor preferences. Some of the things on the list are jetted tub (YAHOO!!), birth ball, squat bar, etc. Yes to all! I feel so much better after knowing these options are available. And after several conversations with my doctor and hospital staff, I think I should feel more and more ready.

Gender Reveal!

It's a GIRL! When Chase and I were talking the night before we found out, we were both 50/50. But the next day, I felt like it was a girl. When we were driving to the hospital for our appointment, Chase said, I want a girl. And during the ultrasound, we kept looking for anything that made us think it wasn't a girl, and we didn't see anything! Dr. Barton checked several times at various angles and didn't see anything (besides a couple of little lines that are her girl parts). He said he is 80-90% sure it is a girl. And we are SO happy! Here are some pictures and video...

I didn't get emotional when we found out because I wasn't surprised! Then in the car after I thought of sweet baby Reagan and got a little teary. I am so, so excited.

We have already chosen a name: Kate. No middle name. Just Kate. I love how it is sweet for a baby, a little girl, and sophisticated for an adult and grandma! And the full name, Kate Reynolds, sounds so good! I just love it. We have loved this name for a long time, so I am really grateful that we get to use it on our first baby.

On our drive up to Ogden to our gender reveal party, we talked about things we will get to do with a girl. Chase will get to learn how to do pig tails, and he will screen all of her dates. Kate and I will go back to school shopping and I will drive her to lessons. I am so glad Chase and I get to do this together.

When we got to the gender reveal party at my mom's house, it was hard not to tell family first! But when everyone got there, family and friends, we had each person pick a guess (pink or blue/green sticker), write a name suggestion on the sticker, and wear it around. If you guessed girl, you stood in front of the pink streamers and blew up a pink balloon. And blue for boy. The blue balloons didn't blow up, and the pink ones did! I am so glad we decided to do a little party, it was really fun! Here are some pictures...

I am so relieved to know the gender (and have a name picked out!). Now we will register, get the nursery ready, and wait! We have another appointment December 23rd at 20 weeks and 1 day. This is the big ultrasound where all the little details are checked, and gender can be re-confirmed by the more sophisticated ultrasound. Next up, though, is a First Time Parent class at IMC on December 3rd!