177 glorious beats per minute!

Well...good news. YES there is a baby in there....and YES the baby has a healthy heartbeat! What a relief. I have to admit I was starting to imagine weird scenarios...like, maybe I'm not really pregnant and I have a huge tumor growing...maybe it's twins and their hearts are beating just at the right time to make it too difficult for the machine to pick up a heart beat...and worse case...the baby is dead. It's hard to control the "what ifs" when you are worried...so it was so comforting to see that little 3 inch baby on the screen of the ultrasound machine. Kicking and wiggling the whole time...doing headstands...rolling over. It was amazing. I've never seen any of my babies this early before, so it was nice...I wish I could have an ultrasound at every check up! Well, lucky me...I get to go back next week because the technician couldn't get one measurement because the baby's head wasn't in the right position. So...YAY I get to see my baby again!!! Maybe she'll give me some more pictures...but, for now, this is what I have:

I'll post more pictures next week -- that is, if I get any more! Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers...I feel so relieved and happy!

Still no heartbeat

Today I went to see the doctor for the 3rd time in 3 weeks to try to hear the baby's heartbeat. No luck yet. He said my uterus is tipped and that the baby must be way far back...so since this was the third try with no luck, he ordered an ultrasound. Worst case scenario: there is no heartbeat. However, he is optimistic b/c my uterus is the right size for where I am... So I hang on his optimisim...because frankly, I am a bit worried. Never had this problem with my first two...and so jokingly I say, "Well I thought the first two were stubborn...now I'm worried about this one!" So I'm TRYING not to be worried, but can't help it. I mean for goodness sake, it's a baby! AND not to mention my body. Scary when you don't know what is going on. Any good wishes and prayers would be appreciated!

Yesterday I went to see the Neurologist...and she agrees that what I've been experiencing are definitely migraine headaches. Ideally would like to do a brain scan, but since I'm pregnant, that isn't possible. However, she did say that she didn't think she'd find anything. So, she prescribed me some pain medication to have "just in case" I have any more. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I will be migraine free! She was a very likeable lady. I immediately liked her. She had a british/irish accent and was a short lady, a bit plump around the middle. Short blonde/gray hair with tortoise shell glasses. Really cool necklace - not the type I could get away with, but it showed her style. She was so easy to talk to and she was easy to laugh. Nice to know that someone who studies brains can be so down to earth - not stuffy and nerdy! It was refreshing! I see her again in 6 weeks.

Next medical update: Tuesday April 24 after ultrasound.

America's Next Top Models

My sis-in-law was kind enough to take some pictures of my boys in their Easter outfits last week. Here are a few of the pictures. You can tell that "posing" just wasn't going to happen! But I think they still turned out cute!

(Doesn't he look so sweet!?!?)

(This is Joshua's true character: MISCHIEVOUS!)

(They are watching a rolly-polly on Jakob's hand.)

Tag! You're It!

Three Things That Scare Me:
1. spiders
2. sharks
3. something bad happening to my kids

Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. Jakob
2. Joshua
3. Heidi


Three Things I Love:
1. chocolate
2. thunder storms
3. BMWs

Three Things I Hate:
1. mean/rude people
2. peas
3. bad drivers

Three Things I Don’t Understand:
1. what was the dinosaurs' purpose on earth?
2. how to make and use a buget (HELP!)
3. why people can't just treat others the way they want to be treated

Three Things On My Desk:
1. Nail Polish Remover
2. a tape measure
3. a small can of WD-40

Three Things I’m Doing Right Now:
1. trying to figure out who can babysit for me this afternoon so I can go to the doctor
2. listening to someone's music - it sounds like Christina Aguilera - not sure if it's my neighbors or someone else...but it's loud enough that I can understand the words
3. being bugged that Jakob refuses to take a nap

Three Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Visit the Galapagos Islands
2. Visit Denmark and Sweden - where my ancestors are from
3. get in fabulous shape - so fabulous that you can actually see muscle definition in my abs

Three Things I Can Do:
1. Make up good bedtime stories
2. teach a song to primary kids
3. give good hugs

Three Things I Can’t Do:
1. keep my house clean
2. ride a roller coaster - only because right now I'm pregnant! i love roller coasters!
3. speak fluent Spanish

Three Things I Think You Should Listen To:
1. Dave Matthews Band
2. My primary kids singing
3. Dido

Three Things You Should Never Listen To:
1. the “world”
2. your harsh inner dialogue
3. hard core gangsta rap

Three Things I’d Like To Learn:
1. how to garden
2. how to sew
3. how to be a better cook

Three Favorite Foods:
1. fruit - all fruit!
2. spicy food - mexican, chinese, thai, cajun, whatever...i like it!
3. dark chocolate

Three Shows I Watched As A Kid:
1. He-Man (I was in love)
2. Highlander (such a cool show!)
3. The Cosby Show

Three Things I Regret:
1. getting involved with C.B. (a guy)
2. not trying out for basketball in 8th grade - b/c of insecurities
3. not going on a mission

Three people I tag:
1. Evaly
2. Carrie
3. Kay

A True Superhero

Yesterday afternoon I was able to talk to my mom and dad (who live in Shanghai, China) on the phone. My mom mentioned a commercial to me that she has been seeing for the past week or so that is broadcast on their satellite TV. This is what it said:

FICTION: Spiderman

FICTION: Superman

FICTION: Batman

NONFICTION: Jesus Christ,

The world's only REAL superhero.

John 15:13

She said that it grabbed her attention every time and just floored her that it was airing in China of all places. Well, I was touched by it and also inspired to share that message with my primary kids during Singing Time. So, I brought some of Jakob's action figures and his Superman pillow case and asked the kids about heros and what heros do for us. Most of the kids agreed that heros save or rescue us, which was a perfect segue into talking about how Jesus saved us through his atoning sacrifice. I had one of the kids read the scripture and it was so cool. The Spirit was so strong and it was AWESOME!

Today I started teaching "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" from the Hymn book and to be honest I was a bit uncertain about how the kids would do. But, they blew me away! It was so nice to be teaching this song on Easter Sunday and to have the Spirit there was even better. I love those kids and my calling!

On another note...the night before I talked to my mom and dad, we had received a package from them and in it was a message that said something like, "Happy Easter and remember our Savior's atoning sacrifice this season..." So, of course Jakob looks at me and says, "What is 'atoning sacrifice'?" So, then I think, "Ok...here goes!" I started by telling him that Jesus died (bad way to start!) and he immediatedly got teary eyed and with chin quivering said, "But I'm going to miss Jesus!" My mind was racing for something to say to make it a happy story and so I said, "Well, guess what? He's alive now! He was ressurrected!" Then his whole countenance changed and the worry and sadness left his face and was replaced with a joyful smile. Then I was able to tell him more about how the atonement allows us to repent and that we couldn't do that if Jesus didn't suffer for our sins. I think he was catching on, but we'll have to do an FHE about it on Monday to further the discussion. Jakob is just such a sensitive soul, and it is so touching to see how much he really understands. But for a pregnant, hormonal mommy, it just makes for more tears sometimes! (Happy tears of course!) I am an easy crier when not pregnant, so you can imagine how hard it is for me to turn it off when I am pregnant! But I'm not complaining...just explaining.

I hope all of you out there had a wonderful Easter and were able to visit with friends and family and especially take time to reflect on our Savior's sacrifice for each and every one of us.

Pregnancy Update

About 3 1/2 weeks ago I suffered from a terrible migraine. The first one I've had in THREE years. A week later, I met with my OB/GYN for my first preggy check up and told him about it. He seemed very concerned about how I experience numbness and tingling in my fingers, hands, lips and tongue with my migraines. He said it isn't that common, and recommended seeing a neurologist. What? A neurologist? That seemed scary to me...but, I took it lightly because I thought, "Hey, it's been THREE years...I won't have another one for a while." Well, about a week later, I had another one. Three days after that, another one. So, I finally called the neurologist to schedule an appointment. She can't see me until April 17th. Bummer. If only I had called 3 1/2 weeks ago...Oh well. Since I'm pregnant, I am beginning to think that these migraines are somehow associated with the pregnancy. I hope not...because then this won't be a fun pregnancy. I was talking to a friend last night who told me that she was able to take a prescription medication for migraines during her pregnancies...so that gives me hope. Then at least I will be able to treat them if I continue to have them.

So far this pregnancy has been easier than the first two - with the exception of the migraines. So, a lot of people seem to think that means it's a girl! Personally (HONESTLY) I don't have a preference. I just want a happy, healthy baby. I am already so immersed in the Boy World that having another little boy would just come naturally to me...on the other hand, having a little girl would be really fun - a little intimidating, but fun. Either way, I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed us with this gift and I know I will love this child whether boy or girl.

Jakob is convinced that it's a girl, and that we need to name her "Balto." If any of you have seen that sled dog movie, then you know where that name comes from. I told him we'd have to think about it...we'll see if he still feels the same way as it gets closer to the birth. Joshua is oblivious - and I don't think I'll really be able to explain it to him until I have a belly for him to see and touch. Then maybe he will be able to comprehend that there is a baby in my tummy.

We'll see.

Happy Easter!