Pregnancy Pictures

18 weeks pregnant - Most of my girls at work have started noticing the bump and they're asking questions.

I have been feeling pretty good. The sciatic pain started to improve mid week 18 and pretty much is non-existent now. (knock on wood) Now if we could just get the headaches under control, I would be golden!

Week 19 - near the end of this week Tren and I felt miss Piper moving.

The story - My sweet husband gave up his Utah tickets to take his fantastic wife for a much needed get away to the cabin - just the two of us! We had a blast! It snowed a whole bunch and we just enjoyed our time tucked away in the warm cabin. We watched a movie that night and I ate too much sugar (latest craving). We went to bed and as I layed there I felt her move at least a dozen times before I said something to Tren. He put his hand on my belly and applied a little pressure. Sure enough, he was feeling her move all around. It was so much fun to feel her for the first time together.

Now I feel her all the time. She is most active at night as I settle in to go to bed. I absolutely love feeling her! It makes me smile (and occasionally tear up) everytime I feel her.

These are from our ultra sound at 19 weeks. She is growing ahead of schedule. Everything looks fantastic which was a sigh of relief for me. As a nurse, you tend to know too much that can go wrong - which absolutely terrifies me. I try to keep Tren in the dark with most of the scary things.

I just love these cute little feet
Her legs are ALWAYS crossed at the ankles (what a little lady) and she always has her hands by her face.

One more 19 week picture where you can see my little bump a little better.

I am loving this little girl more and more everyday (which I didn't think was possible because I am so in love with her already)! I am excited to meet her in April!

Thanksgiving #1

We had a 'little' Thanksgiving dinner with my mom's side of the family about a week before Thanksgiving so we could ALL get together with everyone since my Grandparents had been on their mission for the last 2 yrs. This worked out great!
Tren and I before dinner Where's the fun in getting together unless there is a little horsing around

Brindyn, Shaline and Dannion relaxing

Helping out... well Tren is helping, Brandall is there more for the photo op

My Sweet Grandparents! They are an amazing example to all of us on how we should be living our life! They're amazing people who Tren and I just adore!

All my siblings - Me, Stephen, Brindyn, Sean, Dannion, Brandall and Shaline

silly animals

So I had just got home from a SUPER stressful day at work, I was onery and moody! I turn around the corner to head into my room and this is what I see.....
My two cats curled up together, cheek to cheek. I took like a dozen pictures of them and they didn't even move! Too cute! My mood immediately changed after seeing these two.

Let's not forget these rule breaking animals - all 3 of them.

Tren and both the dogs know it's a no no to be on the bed. I hate having their fur all over - let alone on my bed! But Tren loves breaking the rules! I got out of the shower and all 3 of them were wrestling on the bed!
They of course didn't care that they were being naughty! Deisel was hoping I would join in..... wishful thinkin!

Deer Hunt

Hudson had so much fun hunting with us last year - he was eager to go again. This time Tren and Papa took him on the deer hunt last month. They didn't shoot anything but they all still had so much fun.
Here is Huddy with Papa

Look at that grin!
Papa, Huddy and a friend
Weird - It seems like we have a picture just like this from last years hunt! The early mornings are rough! He's excited to go again next year!

Antelope Hunt

This hunt was back in September and one of my favorites I have been on so far. Why you ask? Because I was there when Tren got his antelope! Woot woot!

Unfortunately, I didn't expect to cry when he shot his antelope - I do blame it in part on the pregnancy hormones but I am also an animal lover so it was difficult to see. But I do 100% support hunting because I would much rather an animal die almost instantly then die slowly due to disease or starvation.

Here we are looking for antelope in the warm truck (my kind of hunting)Tren was able to spot a bunch way way way far away, which meant we needed to get out and do some hiking. I turned into the paparazzi while Tren was focused on his antelope. I kept quiet and low just as I was told but I did take LOTS of pictures.
The closer we got, the lower we had to stay so we weren't spotted. Mind you, I am around 13 weeks pregnant, still feeling sick and I am ARMY CRAWLING through mud. I didn't mind at first but crawling for like 20 minutes gets pretty uncomfortable with the sciatic nerve! But I did it and I am so glad I did. It was so fun to be with Tren and see him in action.
After the initial shock and tears (on my part), we took some pictures. These are truly gorgeous animals. Tren did a great job!

I so don't look like a hunter LOL

Here I am in my 'fight like a girl' sweatshirt - no camo, no orange but hey, I kept up with a smile on my face the whole time.

I really wasn't planning on going with Tren hunting, but I had to get out of the trailer and enjoy some time with my man.

That night, we relaxed and played games (my favorite) in the warm trailer.

Tory chilled in bed and cuddled up to Diesel. He LOVED the attention.

Belly is getting bigger

Some little facts of what's going on right now

How far? In the picture, I am 17 weeks however, this little lady is actually measuring a week ahead (I am not complaining about that)
How big is baby? She is about palm size measuring around 5 inches long and weighing in at a whopping 5 (or more) oz.
Total weight gain or loss? I am 1 pound away from my PRE-pregnancy weight. Lets just say the first trimester was pretty rough but I am now slowly putting back on the weight.
Maternity clothes? Nope - I am holding off as long as possible. However, most of my britches don't fit but a belly band has solved that issue for now.
Symptoms? Good night - my sciatic nerve has been KILLING me since week 11. And it just keeps getting worse. Anyone know some good things to do other than stretches to help deal with the pain?? Also the migraines - I am down to maybe 1-2 a week and daily headaches but they keep improving and getting fewer the further along I am.
SIDE NOTE: I am not complaining - I am so grateful to be pregnant and more than happy to be uncomfortable for this little angel to be part of the family!
What I miss? Starbucks! My morning and afternoon coffee, especially with it getting colder outside! And my energy! Luckily my energy is slowly returning and I can't wait to get back into my exercise routine.
Cravings? Fruit has been my saving grace. It has been the only consistent thing I have liked this far in my pregnancy but in the last week or so, candy has been hitting the spot. Poor Tren didn't get any kit kats from the trick or treating candy (not many of the kids did either) because I literally scarfed down about 15 bars. Not good!
Best moment this week: So I work with an adolescent population. Some are pretty smart and savvy, some just choose to be super naughty, others have fried their brains with drugs and some are lower IQ. I happen to be checking in and assessing one of my REALLY low IQ girls. I had her get on the scale for her weight and the girl looks down at my belly and says 'WHOA, your stomach is really fat!' I reminded her that this is not an appropriate comment but she didn't seem to care what I said. She then proceeded to say 'I hope you're pregnant or something!' Again, as I am trying not to laugh, proceed to remind her to use her social skills. Again - nurse Chylie is ignored. She says - 'you have got to be like 8 months along.' I gave up - told her yes, I am pregnant but none of her peers know so it's going to be our little secret. It made her day that we had a 'secret' and quite frankly, she made mine. You gotta love the honesty!

Halloween

On Halloween, Tren and I stopped by the Nelson's to check out my little siblings costumes before they took off trick or treating. I am so glad that we did. The kids looked GREAT!!
Here is Dannion as a Zombie - he had the 'dead look' down!

Brindyn as the headless girl - she looked FANTASTIC! It was crazy how real she looked! I am still a believer that the homemade costumes look a million times better then those store bought ones!

Sean was a basketball player - he basically wanted something that was easy to run in so he could get as much candy as possible since this may be his last year trick or treating!

Brindyn and Dannion playing around for the camera

After, Tren and I just relaxed at home and handed out candy to the kids! It was a great way for us to spend the holiday!

Zoo

A few weeks ago, Shaline and I took our 3 younger siblings to the zoo for some sibling time. It was so fun because my mom use to take the 3 little ones all the time when she was here and occasionally the kids would remember something about the zoo and mom. It was fun to hear about their memories of her. I am glad they remember a few things.

Here is Sean, Brindyn and Dannion

We loved seeing the elephants!

Brindyn, Shaline and Dannion checking out the giraffs. It was Shaline's birthday that day!
White wolf - brought back frightening memories of my recent trip to Yellowstone

We all had so much fun! Shaline had a great birthday!

I just love spending time with my siblings! I can't wait for our next outing, where ever it may be!