Now for a little back track… I’m going to do my best at giving you the condensed, simplified version of what has happened this past year.
April 2009: After six fun, strenuous, exciting, overwhelming, anxiety filled, accomplishing years, I finally graduated with my Bachelors in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Dixie State College.
May 2009: I was hired by Wes’ aunt, Sue Yocum, to design and produce a product for her educational consulting company, a project that started out as a “side” job, since I was still working full time for M&R Gallery of Photography.
June 2009: I took on two sessions of swimming lessons, was working for M&R Gallery of Photography, and was completely consumed with building this new product for Empower Educational Consulting Company. The product is ready-made Literacy Work Stations that teachers use as a supplement for their small group centers. (I know, unless your in education it doesn’t really make sense).
July 2009: I was asked to produce yet another addition to the product I was already working on, an addition that is three times bigger than the original product I designed. This was a huge opportunity for Wes and I, but we definitely had to make sacrifices. I had to cut my time back at M&R, and I made a lot of trips down to Phoenix, AZ. The product was on a timeline and I was the entire production team, which was the start of a work frenzy. From this time, until about Christmas I worked an average of 15 hours a day...another reason why no one has heard from me.
August 2009: Found out we were pregnant!!!!
September 2009: Starting feeling the awesome affects of pregnancy. I threw up three to eight times a day, got an awful rash all over my body, and was extremely fatigued. But, still had a lot of work to do, so my laptop and I hung out in the bathroom next to the toilet. This is where I spent most my time until Christmas, which was when my “pregnancy” sickness finally let up.
October 2009: Now… Wes really did a lot during all those months, but he remained the silent supportive one. However, this month my sweet husband was in a car accident, which totaled our Saturn, leaving us to one car. How thankful I was and still am though that he is ok. This month we also experienced a Ward change. The boundaries in our Stake were re-organized and our little section of four-plexes were taken out of our Ward and placed in the only “new” ward that was made out of the reorganization. With this change my husband received a new calling as Young Men’s President. Not only was this humbling because Wes was already juggling a full time job, 16 credits at school and a pregnant wife, but it was also humbling because we didn’t know anyone in the Ward and the entire Young Men’s Organization had to be called. But, he has taken the calling with faith and I have been so proud of him. He has such a huge impact on those boys and it has been a huge growing experience and blessing for both of us. I also received a calling as the CTR7 Primary teacher. A calling that I have loved!! I learn more from those children than they ever could from me.
November 2009: Found out we were having a BOY!!!!!
December 2009: Wes made it through his finals, was asked to be a teacher’s assistant for the Business Professors at the school for the Spring Semester, and was put on a team of four members who would represent the Business Program at Dixie in a Financial Competition. Oh yea… we also celebrated Christmas.
January 2009: I officially completed the last piece of Empower’s Product, and we delivered our first set of kit’s to one of the biggest school districts in Phoenix, who bought the product for every teacher in every school. Wes started his last semester at Dixie State College, and started his juggling act with his job at Webster’s Countertops, 15 Credits, a part time job being an assistant for the Business Professors, his Church Calling, preparing his analysis for the Business Competition, and of course…. His Pregnant Wife.
February 2009: The reality hit, that we officially had 2 months left before we became parents, and we didn’t even own one thing for our sweet boy. We quickly became research fanatics and after much contemplating, found the crib and car seat that we wanted. We made a trip to Phoenix in my dad’s truck, cause of course I have to make things complicated and Phoenix was the only place that had the crib I wanted (but we scored a bunch of coupons to the store that we got it at, which made it a deal we couldn’t pass up). But, let’s just say driving back from Phoenix with a 7 ½ month pregnant crazy woman and a truck stacked high full of boxes all strapped down Grizwald style, was an adventure that Wes and I will always remember. However…. well worth it… we love our furniture!! I also was given a baby shower by some of my dearest friends. There were so many people who came and supported me, all of whom I love and feel so much appreciation for.
March 2009: Wes had his 25th Birthday, and was completely spoiled. Although… I will be the first to tell you that he deserved it. I bought him a new road bike. He has been wanting one ever since he bought me mine two years ago. I’m SO excited to start riding with him. We decided it was the one recreational hobby that we could do together. I’m telling you, there is just something about hitting 35-40 miles an hour on a road bike that just gives you the biggest rush! Oh.. and did I also mention that he got to go attend a Jazz game and he got an X-Box…..I don’t think he can complain much about his birthday.
This month also brought on a mile-stone in my pregnancy, my only prego pics. These were taken last weekend, while we were up north. I do have to thank my dear, sweet brother for these. He is currently serving a mission in San Berdino and has missed my entire pregnancy. I realized I needed at least one piece of evidence to prove that I was really pregnant.
36 Weeks Pregnant
Which, leaves us with today. I'm now 37 Weeks pregnant, dialted to a 3 and 50% effaced. To be honest I can't really believe it, I guess this entire Journey has almost been an out of body experience. I can't believe that in possibly one week, I will start a new chapter of my life. A chapter that is by far the most important one that I have opened. If I told you I was 100% ready and completely confident, I would be lying. What I can tell you though, is that I am extremely overwhelmed and honored to be the Mother of this sweet little boy. I can also tell you that I have cherished the every moment I have had with my husband the last 9 months. I couldn't do it without him. For four months he did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen by himself, because every time I tried I threw up. He went on many night outings across town, because the only thing that sounded good was a smoothie 25 minutes away from our house. He patiently listened and held me numerous times when I broke down crying because I felt too inadequate to be a mother. He also patiently listened and held me when I broke down crying for no reason. Every night he has made sure I am perfectly comfortable before he gets in bed. He has gotten up in the middle of the night to get me a drink of water, and he stopped at every pit stop while driving to Phoenix, because I had to go to the bathroom. It has been all of these simple acts of love and a thousand more that has made me love him even more than I did. I have also cherished and loved how excited he is to be a dad. I have loved watching his face fill with excitement every time he feels the baby move, or how involved he has been with everything that we have bought our little boy. Or when he sat with me for hours just sorting through all the new clothes we got from our shower. Or how excited he got when we got our crib home, and he was bound and determined to set the entire thing up by himself... since he IS the Dad! These have all been moments that I will never forget!!
And with that entire novel said and done.... Here is to a new start. Hopefully a new and better chapter of my life that will bring even more love and more simple moments that I will cherish forever......
