My Pregnancy: Week 25

Baby's now the size of a rutabaga!

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches.  Her weight--a pound and a half--isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat.  As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn.  She's also growing more hair--and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Well, you participated in your first family wedding this week.  My cousin, Laura, was married in the Timpanogos temple--the same temple your dad and I were married in.  It is always a neat experience to attend the temple, but this time was unique because I was thinking a lot about you.  I am so grateful for the knowledge we have of the gospel of Jesus Christ--especially for the knowledge that families can be together forever.

In other news, my energy levels seems to be on the rebound from disrupting my sleeping routine last week.  Not that getting up at 5am is any easier, but a new routine does seem to be formulating--just in time to go on vacation!

My Pregnancy: Week 24

Baby's now the size of an ear of corn!

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week.  That puts her at just over a pound.  Since she's almost a foot long, she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up.  Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop.  Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world.  Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

This has been a rough week, baby.  For starters, I started a new shift at work that requires me getting up at 5am!  I have never been much of a morning person, even before I was pregnant, so adjusting to that routine has been tough on me.  Hopefully it will continue to get easier though and the pure exhaustion I've felt most of the week will abate.

As if the anticipation (read as dread) of this change wasn't enough to throw me for a loop, I also woke up with heartburn at 2am Sunday night.  Since I'd never experienced heartburn before, I wasn't sure exactly what was going on.  An hour or so later I finally took some Mylanta and was able to get some sleep.  I was hoping it was just a fluke experience, but the heartburn returned the next night.  Granny D says that's how her pregnancies went: exhaustion, heartburn, delivery.  Looks like I'm in line to follow suit.  Thankfully, the heartburn has subsided throughout the week.

Aside from all of that, there was some good to the week too.  You still seem to be doing great.  You kick much more frequently and often forcefully enough to be seen through my shirt.  I also started thinking more seriously about how I want to set up your nursery and entered craft-mode early in the week to create these two plaques for the walls:

Yes, I got your dad to cave on the Mickey & Minnie theme AND we have decided (knock on wood) that your first name will be Leila.  The middle name is still being hashed out though, so it is a good thing we still have time!

24 weeks!

Yay for Strawberry Days!

Summer in Utah brings about one thing for most cities: a summer festival.  Every week of the summer, a different city throws a big festival/carnival.  My personal favorite is PG's Strawberry Days.  Just about every year, I go to the rodeo (with all of the other hicks that come out of the woodwork) and enjoy me some strawberries and cream.  This year was no different.

A rodeo is a fine form of entertainment.  My grandfather was a heeler in the team roping event back in the day.  Once upon a time he bought me a pretty pink lasso and attempted to teach me to use it.  Never quite got the hang of it, but it sure looked snazzy!

Possibly my favorite part of the rodeo is the pre-rodeo Mutton Bustin'.  For those who haven't discovered their inner-hick yet, Mutton Bustin' usually involves two events and the competitors are children.  In the first, young children get all dressed up and attempt to ride sheep for as long as they can.  None usually last long and the majority end up in tears.  It is probably one of the last forms of legal child abuse, but SO entertaining.

One of my first rodeo memories was going with my family and a family of friends.  All of us kids were entered into the second Mutton Bustin' event: the Cash Cow.  Here are the basics: there is a cow covered with dollar bills that is let loose into the arena.  All of the kids are then allowed to chase the cow and try to grab as many of the bills as they can.  I remember wearing my red cowboy boots, running as fast as I could towards the cow, but quickly falling to the back of the pack.  Then, before I knew it, the cow made a U-turn and I found myself with arm outstretched about to grab a bill when some kid pushed me from behind and knocked me down.  So I didn't end up with anything but the memory.

Yes, I enjoy the rodeo.  AND there were fireworks right after the rodeo this year. :)

Grateful that my loving husband will go with me to the rodeo even though the animals stuff up his nose!

This year, we participated in a bit more of Strawberry Days by going to the parade.  I'm not usually much of a parade person.  You have to leave early to find a place to park, walk an indeterminable distance to the route, stake out a spot, sit and wait for the parade, and then fight traffic once it is all over.  But I know Jason likes parades and my little brother was marching in the parade as drum major for Timpanogos High School, so I sucked it up.

My sharp-looking, talented, younger brother

And I actually rather enjoyed myself.  While we were waiting the parade, we indulged in more strawberries and cream, popcorn, french toast sticks, and cotton candy.  It was a beautiful summer morning, meaning lots and lots of sunshine for Kaysie.  Plus it was fun to support my brother and meet up with some family members.

And now Strawberry Days has come to an end, until next year!

My Pregnancy: Week 23

Baby's now the size of a large mango!

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course.  The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!  Swollen from head to toe?  Increased blood flow, by now an old friend, is to blame. Consider a trip to the shoe store because loosening ligaments will cause your feet to expand even more in the weeks to come.

Turn on the radio and sway to the music.  With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance.  And...you may be able see her squirm underneath your clothes.  Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world.  Loud noises that become familiar now--such as your dag barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner--probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Movement and you are certainly no strangers, although you seem to prefer moving when I'm relaxing and laying down.  I don't mind though, because it is comforting to feel you move.  I think you did kick hard enough one night to wake me up in a shock and I'm glad you did because I was not having a good dream!

Now that my belly is actually looking pregnant, I've been getting a few more comments from people at work who didn't realize I was pregnant.  It is amazing what a difference a couple of weeks can make!  It's like the belly just appeared while I was on vacation.

Your dad and I have also been discussing possible names a lot lately.  We've been favoring Leila since the beginning, but have yet to come to agreement on a middle name.  We both have our own opinions and likes, so it will be interesting to see what we decide on.

23 Weeks

California Dreamin'

We officially kicked off summer with a bang by driving to California to visit family, friends, and Disneyland (of course)!

After spreading the drive down over two days, we were ready to start our vacation off by celebrating Jessica's (Jason's youngest sister) graduation from high school.  This was the main reason behind the trip.  It was a long ceremony sitting on cement bleachers, but Jessica finished it off with a big huzzah and standing ovation from every one of the graduates and most of the audience--one of the advantages to having a last name that ends with Z!

Last But Certainly not Least

Yay Jessica!

After the ceremony, we went out for dinner at Mimi's Cafe.  Congratulations Jess!

The next day, Jason and I got up early to pay our respects to the happiest place on earth--Disneyland!  We still have annual passes and couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out some of the changes they've made in the last few months.  Specifically, we had 4 goals:

1) Get Jason on the newly redone Star Tours--double check and boy, was he a happy camper!

2) Check out the new Little Mermaid ride in DCA--a well done, entertaining, slower ride.

3) Watch the new Mickey's Soundsational parade

4) Just have fun and soak up the magic since we probably won't be going back before our passes expire, especially with a little one on the way!

Happily, all 4 were satisfactorily accomplished, despite some crowds and me tiring easily.

In the middle of our Disney day, we took an extended break and decided to visit Jason's grandmother's gravesite.  He hadn't been there since before his mission, so I (of course) had never been.  She passed away in a car accident when Jason was just 5 years old.  He doesn't have a lot of memories of her, but from what he could tell me (and what his mom could fill in), I know she loved her family deeply.  I look forward to meeting Lenore someday. 

When we were all Disney-ed out--mostly because the park was closing, we made our way back to the parking structure only to discover that our car battery was dead.  We waited a good 15-20 minutes before security finally showed up to give us a jump, had to fill out all of the necessary paperwork that would allow them to give us a jump, and then spent another 15 minutes trying to get the car going.  Thankfully we eventually put the cables in all the right spots and were able to get home where I promptly crashed.

The rest of the vacation was all about family.  Because of location, we don't see the Ziebarths nearly enough.  On Friday, we went up to Huntington Beach where Mama Z introduced me to strips and chips--a yummy combination of tortilla chips, mounds of freshly grated cheddar cheese, and a sweet hot sauce.  We also went to dinner to celebrate Jessica's graduation with Grandpa Noble.

On Saturday, the main event was a trip to Petco Park for a Padres game.  I have never been a big baseball fan, but Jason is and was extremely excited to go with his family.  

Anxious to get to the Ballpark

Family Fun

Enjoying Free Cap Night

We got there late and ended up missing the only runs of the game, but the atmosphere was a lot of fun.  I may never be able to truly appreciate baseball, but I sure do like the ballpark food!

First Professional Baseball Game

After the game, we made our way to the Gaslamp District with one thing in mind--Ghiradelli's (because we didn't eat enough junk at the ballpark).  We indulged ourselves with brownie sundays, banana splits, and hot cocoa before making our way home for the night.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and we bid adieu to our California family Sunday morning.  While it is never enough time, we sure enjoyed the time we had!

My Pregnancy: Week 22

Baby's now the size of a papaya!

Baby's settling into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day.  It shouldn't be hard to figure out when--just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.  Real estate within your belly is getting tight, with growing baby leaving little room for your lungs to...well...breathe.  Expect the huffing and puffing to start soon.  There's not much room for your belly button either--it'll pop out any day now.

Well, Baby Z, as I type we are in California visiting the Ziebarth clan.  Your Aunt Jessica graduated from high school, and we all showed up to support her.  This is the first time we've seen them since announcing that I am pregnant, so my ever growing belly has certainly please them.  Aunt Jessica even bought you a onesie that says I <3 my Auntie Jessica.

You also made your first trip to Disneyland!  While I was good to not go on the bigger rides, we still had a BLAST!  Dad is worried about you being a raised a Disnerd too young, but with me as your mother (not to mention the Larsens as your extended family), that has been unavoidable from Day 1.  I've just about got him convinced to incorporate Mickey and Minnie into our nursery schema (which is currently going to be red, black, and white).  It certainly made me look forward to the day when you will be able to enjoy the magic too!

Grow Baby Grow!

Les Miserables

As part of my birthday present, Jason got us tickets to go see Les Miserables at the Capitol Theatre.  While this is one of my all time favorite musicals, it has been a LOOOOOONG time since I have seen a professional production of it.

The first (and last time) I saw it was when my parents took me in like 5th or 6th grade.  After that introduction, I was constantly listening to the soundtrack and quickly had the entire thing memorized.  Part of the reason behind my admiration of it (besides the poignant storyline, touching music, etc.) is because my dad has always loved it.  I like that it is something we share.

Needless to say, I had a wonderful evening sharing it with my husband for the first time.  Thanks Jason!

My Pregnancy: Week 21

Baby's now the size of a banana!

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting.  And, these days, those taste buds actually work!  Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid.  Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch!

The highlight of the week was that Daddy was able to feel you kick for the first time!  It was so fun to watch his face when he felt that little kick.  He is now consistently touching my tummy to see if you're kicking, apparently even while I'm sleeping.  Needless to say, you are moving around quite a bit these days!

Adventures in Humphrey

Over Memorial Day weekend, my family decided to take a quick trip up to Idaho in order to support my grandma who wanted to walk to Humphrey--a small town (emphasis on small) where she spent a few years of her childhood.  The plan was to caravan up to Idaho (we ended up taking a total of 3 cars for 11 people and a dog) Saturday morning, visit Humphrey (whatever that would entail), spend the night in Rexburg and drive back home Sunday morning.  But with the Larsen clan, nothing ever goes entirely as planned.

Between starting delays, unplanned stops, and slow going, we didn't make it up to the Rexburg area nearly as early in the day as we were originally thinking.  Which was fine, it just meant that instead of lollygagging around Rexburg for a bit, we rallied all of the troops and made the drive straight to Humphrey (about an hour north of Rexburg--right near the Montana border).

Humphrey may have been a small town when my grandma lived there 70ish years ago, but it is now all but extinct.  We spent some time exploring what is left of the old schoolhouse where my great-grandma used to be a teacher.  It was fun to walk around and listen to my grandma and her sister reminisce.

After we were done with the schoolhouse, the plan was to walk the same route my grandma would walk many days to visit friends.  They would make the hike for play time and to help watch over younger children.  The only trouble was that it had been 70 years since anyone had walked this route.  Not to mention there were plenty of new barbed wire fences along our path.

We wandered around the hills for about an hour before deciding it was time to cut our loses, find the highway, and walk back to the schoolhouse.  While it wasn't exactly according to plan, we still had a great time and made it back to the schoolhouse safe and sound.  But the adventures weren't over yet.

Jason and I loaded up in our little Mazda 6 with my great aunt and uncle to take them to find their pickup that was waiting for us at the end we never reached.  To get there, we had to drive on an old dirt road, through an underpass.  With all of the wet weather lately, the underpass was a muddy mess.  We plowed through and dropped off our passengers and then made the attempt to get back to the rest of our clan.  Only our car got stuck in the mud.  Deep in the mud.  Our front right tire was completely buried and Jason was quickly up to his calves in mud.

Thankfully, we weren't stuck there alone without cell phone service.  We called my parents who gathered a crew of guys to help push us out.  We got out of the underpass but were concerned with a grinding noise that was present as we drove.

We cleaned out the tire as best we could and babied it as we drove to the next town where we were hoping to find a car wash.  Only since we were still in northern Idaho, there was no car wash to be found.  Jason banished me to my parents' car (in case the wheel decided to collapse) and we pushed on to Rexburg where we went out to dinner.

After dinner, Jason took off to wash the car down good and proper and try to figure out what our plan would be since we were nervous about driving all the way back home with a grinding noise coming from our tire.  He washed it down good and proper, but it didn't help at all.  He was driving to the hotel with his hazard lights on when a police officer pulled up alongside him and asked if everything was okay.  He ended up getting a police escort to the hotel.

This is when we started to realize that we may be staying in Rexburg longer than planned.  It was too late to do anything that night.  The next day was Sunday and every tire shop in Rexburg would be closed.  The day after that was Memorial Day and every tire shop in Rexburg would be closed.  We called the Primary president to get a sub for our class since it was obvious we weren't making it back to AF by 1.

We got up the next morning and my dad and Jason decided to go take the tire off themselves and see if they could see anything wrong.  It turns out that a small rock had gotten jammed up by the brakes and would grind as we drove.  They got the rock out and the car was good to go again.

Since we weren't making it back to our Primary class, we opted to stay with my family a little longer.  We went to the Annis cemetery to pay our respects to family members buried there and then stopped at Texas Roadhouse for a group lunch before heading home.  We made it back safe and sound with stories to tell and still had a wonderful time making memories with family.