32 weeks!!!

I just wanted to update everyone on how our little monkey-to-be is doing. He's getting bigger all the time, and has really found out that my stomach (especially with food in it) is one of the easiest things to compress when he's moving. Heartburn has become a constant companion for me. I know that I am using the toilet much more often than I did compared to months ago, but I can still usually make it through the night, which is unexpected. I can sometimes feel TOO much pressure in my lower abdomen, but with no embarrassing stories yet. Occasionally, I'll get a kick or hit on one of my lower ribs, and it is such a weird sensation. I can't think of a way to even describe it...

I know my belly is not the only thing that has plumped up (let's not talk about my hips, ok?), but Benjamin tells me it's the only noticeable difference. Isn't he great? I did notice last night for the first time that my stomach bulge was pulling uncomfortably on my side while laying in bed. I tried putting an extra pillow underneath my belly while laying on my side, and it seemed to do the trick. I'll have to see if it works two nights in a row.


I asked somebody at a pharmacy counter last weekabout if type "a" or type "b" heartburn medicine was better for pregnancy, and the girl on the other side looked me over, and asked how far along I was. I told her I was about 7 months, and she was amazed. She told me that I didn't look one bit pregnant in my face or in anything she could see. I took a couple steps back, revealing my buddah belly, and her reply was, "Girl, you be lookin' great for no 7 months pregnant. I hope I be lookin' that good when I be no 7 months..." I thanked her, and the gentleman pharmacists answered my question regarding the medication. It made me smile to think of one of the classes I just finished a BYU: multicultural issues and dialects....

It's hard to think that we'll likely have a little boy with us in 8 weeks time. Is everyone sure we're adult enough to take this on? Are you sure we're not just pretending? This is something that I always imagined I would be thinking about when I was older and had grown up. Aren't I still going to attend my Mia-Maids class every week? Aren't I still making lists of the kind of boy I want to marry, and the type of mom I want to be? When did I wake up and these faraway "someday" plans become today, yesterday, and more importantly TOMORROW?!? Any second, we're going to wake up, and Benjamin and I are going to be 15 years old, looking forward to the next youth dance at church, where we hope to get to dance with each other...

Then again, I get to hug Benjamin as soon as he gets home, get him some dinner, and give him a hug as I fall asleep snuggled close. I'm glad I'm still not 15, waiting a month to see this handsome boy. We'll still have each other when we wake up tomorrow morning.


Well, as you can see, our current situation leaves me in a reflective mood sometimes. Anticipation is building.

Roadtrip to Buffalo, NY

As soon as finals were over, I got some help playing tetris with my car and belongings, and we pulled out on a Saturday afternoon. Merry came with me, and I'm so glad that she could. It was fun to share the driving, enjoy catching up, hearing all about how wonderful Dave is (and laughing to myself how I really am the luckiest ever to have Benjamin, despite Dave being so wonderful). We talked about wedding plans, we talked about being missionaries, we talked about anticipating being moms, and we talked about plain girly stuff. It was a blast.

Day one: Provo to Greeley, Colorado

We stayed with Pat and Melissa Ferguson. Melissa was my trainer in the Denver North Mission, and Pat is somebody that we taught together. We got to attend sacrament meeting in a ward where I served as Sister Mullins 3 years ago!!

Day two: Greeley to Nauvoo, Illinois

We got to stay the night in one of the best places in the world, Nauvoo. We arrived too late to do anything in the evening, but we got to wander around the Old Nauvoo Burial Ground before we left the next morning. We also got to visit with Steve (the NRI guy), and he helped fix something with the car. On a sidenote, Merry completely took out a family herd of racoons that were crossing the street as we neared Nauvoo. I'm betting at least 2 or 3 of them had mortal wounds, if not instant relief from them. Beware, Merry is a wild driver in the cornfields...

Day three: Nauvoo to Buffalo, New York

This last leg was by far the longest. Between tolls on I-80, and construction zones every 15 miles, it was a long LONG day in the car. But we made it. We may or may not have killed a bird that smacked into our windshield. And we may or may not have watched a couple of movies on the laptop as we drove. We were both very happy to make it to Buffalo safe and sound. Benjamin's hugs never felt so good.

The next day, we slept in, unloaded the car, hung out at the pool, and visited Niagara Falls. We didn't have time to visit the Canadian side, but someday...

A great trip, with lots of fun new memories, as well as driving literally through memory lane with a dear friend, Merry Packard, aka SP from my missionary days.

Buffalo, here I come!!!!

The hottest thing I've ever seen. Check out this stud!!!
Sorry ladies, he's totally taken.

I am so happy to get to Buffalo!!! I got to visit two weekends ago, and it was long OVERDUE! It was one of my favorite weekends I can remember for a good while. Katie let me mooch off of her time while the boys were working, and we had some pretty fabulous meals when we were all together. I can't even wait until I get to see them all the time. I'm counting down, are you? I leave Sunday!

Memorial Day Weekend

So, I'm just playing catch-up with posting. Lack of organization is obvious. Acknowledged.

Amber and Brooklyn came to Provo to play with me a couple weekends ago. We had a blast. I just wanted to show off the pictures.

This girl will do anything for bathtime.

We were comparing bellies.
I think I finally passed Brooklyn's budah belly up. YES!
Brooklyn was patting the baby in my belly.
This will be her first Heaton cousin (and only for a while).

Fishy family...

We have failed to mention to anybody about other members of our household. We have had some pets, and I wanted to make sure everybody knew how great they have been for us.

At a Christmas party, Benjamin and I landed with the best gift ever...A bag of fish! We're still not even sure what type of fish they are, but they are sometimes all white/clear, and at other times the fins are blackened. We were so excited because we even had a tank at home, that we hadn't done anything with yet. We got them set in some clean water, and immediately headed East to spend Christmas break in Atlanta. We were pleasantly surprised that our two fish were still alive when we returned, thanks to some fantastic fish-sitters. Before long, we had completely spruced up the tank, and it looked so homey. We even got a few goldfish to start a good assortment of playmates.

I know these pictures don't show off our family members very well, but they're there. Keep looking. It's like those "Where's Waldo" activities. And you just tell me what fish wouldn't want to live in this amazing little world. The snowman was a seasonal decoration. We have very festive fish.

But...sadly, in the move, we lost a number of our family members. We tried to find new homes for them before the stress of moving took them beyond our care. It was much more difficult to adopt them out than I would have expected. I guess people aren't as excited to bring fish home as we were. Here is our sole survivor of our fish family.

But it's ok. He has kept me company for the past 8 weeks of Provo life. Would anyone like to adopt him? He's hardy, and at least 6 months old. If not, I'll try my luck at taking him to Buffalo with me this weekend. At least we know his most luxurious home is waiting for him there. Thanks to Garrett and Katie, both Fred and myself have had a nice place to live while in Provo.

(Don't worry Katie, I'll clean your pitcher really good before I leave.)

Baby Shower

This past weekend, a few girls from school and church got together for a fantastic baby shower! It was so fun to have everyone over, not having to work on projects, for once. We had a few games, which Erin rocked. She had the closest guess for how big my belt measurement currently is, as well as having the closest guess for how many safety pins were in a jar. However, Larkin definitely lead the pack at unscrambling the baby-related words. Thanks Merry and Meghan, it was a wonderful party, and I had a blast. And I can't wait to see the handsome little fellow, and dress him in such spiffy attire! Thanks to everyone!! Here are a few photos from the group.

Measuring my gut


Kimberly, Meghan, Larkin, Erin, Amanda, Kyla
Heather, Emily, Merry

Valerie and her 4 month old sweetie!

Job Urine Test

So, I read this months ago, and every once in a while, I read it again. It makes me smile. I thought I'd share it with the world. I did not write it, and do not know who did. Enjoy if you'd like.

THE JOB - URINE TEST
 
Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test .
 
Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their butt, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
 
I guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'.