34 weeks

34 weeks and 1 day

I feel so so so BIG!!! Went to my Doctor's appointment. Things look good. He is breeched still...

I am measuring at 36 1/2 weeks...he thinks i may go early (let's hope so) But he's not changing my due date- remains as Aug 17th

My doc calls him "a tank" ha ha....He feels he knows without a doubt this baby will be over 10 lbs.

I have gained a total of 14 lbs.

Heartburn is SEVERE!! No more tums...i'm moving on to the good stuff- Pepcid AC.

My entire groin, thighs, and hips are constantly aching...it hurts really bad to walk. He says it's b/c the baby is so big my ligaments aren't strong enough to support. I even wear a maternity belt!! The thing that's hard with a maternity belt is with how hot it is down here...with it on, i sweat so so much more....sucks :(

I have to choose- do i want to be soaked all day in a furnace or not hurt when i walk??

The siatica i think is gone...

So I have 2 jobs- Biggest Loser Resort and Redmountain Spa. I've decided to stop working at Biggest Loser Resort on my due date. And Redmountain the last Saturday in July be my last day.

Am i pushing it too much?? probably a lil crazy!!

We have asked my sister in law, Trisha to be there for us to watch Pey in case I go in labor in the middle of the night...pretty much she will be at mercy to our beckon call lol.

We have absolutely everything done and completed..and now just waiting :)

Today is Steve's last day for the summer. He is off for 6 1/2 weeks..He starts his LAST SEMESTER on Aug 22nd!!! (so so so ready to be DONE DONE DONE!!!)

so that will be good to have him around all the time to help out and stuff. We are thinking of going up North next week...mainly b/c we have nothing better to do :) Doc says it's fine to travel at 35 weeks (which i will be next week) but not 36. Pushing it??

Besides baby stuff- we are in the water once a day...anything from the splash pad to the pool. Steve's Birthday is on the 24th of July. He will be 27!!! OLD!!! and will be running in the same race he ran last year. So that will be fun. Speaking of old...i'm turning 27 this year too!!! Which ps- excited for my Birthday to land on 11/11/11 this year!!!! PARTY!!!

Steve's mom is coming into town for a couple of weeks so that will be fun too.

We are finally getting past a huge car repair- in total cost us $750. I HATE spending money like that on gay cars!! ugh!!

Speaking of cars, we are actually thinking of trading in our Jeep as well as my Neon and getting a brand new really nice car....don't know what yet??? I would rather have one nice car then 2 crappy cars....

And we figured once Steve starts working at the end of his program (November) he will be working full time- graveyard shift...allowing me the opportunity to work during the day. So it's not like i need the car in the middle of the night..it's just that he would be car less when i would go in for work. So it should work with just 1 car?? hope..

All is Well!!

He's Been There Before

"The alarm rings at 6:30; i stumble to my feet. I grab on my companion's bedding and pull on his sheet. A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise? It seems just a second ago I was able to close my eyes. The morning activities follow study, prayer and such. When it's time to leave the apartment you feel you haven't accomplished much. "We have a super day planned" my comp says with a grin. I utter a lowly faithless breath. "Ya, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street. Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat. It's 9:30 in the evening. The day is almost through; my companion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do. We ride up to the mail box hoping to recieve a lot only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "Air box" We go up to our apartment the day is now complete. The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet.

It's past 10:30pm, my companion is fast asleep. Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep. In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray; I need to talk to Father but I'm not sure what to say.

"O Father" I begin "what happened to us today? I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away. My hands, my aching hands...worn, hurt, and beat; if our area were any smaller we'd have knocked every street."

"Why on missions are the days so much alike? The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike. Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me. I sweat so bad it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see."

"Why do i have to wear a helmet? Isn't your protection enough...people always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff. Please send us some investigators so I can give them what they lack. I want to give them books of mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."

"And what about my family? They don't have much to say. I'm sick of not hearing from them day after day. O Father why am I here? Am I just wasting my time? Sometimes I just want to go home. I'm sorry, but that's just on my mind."

"My companion, heavenly father...what are you giving me? The way he rides his bike..i don't think he can see."

"Now you have it, I can't go on...I don't know what to do. That, my Heavenly Father, is the prayer I have for you."

My prayer is now finished. I stand up, and jumped right into bed. Sleep starts to over take me. I seem to drift away. Then it seems a vision takes me to another time and another day. I'm standing alone on a hill, the view is very nice. A man walks towards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ."

Tears of joy well up inside, i fall down to his feet. "Arise," he states "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak."

My attention to my Savior total and complete. He says, "your mission is similiar to what happened to me. I understand how you feel, I know what you are going through. In fact, it would be fair to say i felt the same as you. I even know how you felt when no one was listening to you at times I felt not quite sure what else what I could do. I know you don't like to ride a bike for you, a car would be sweet. Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds."

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate. I remember when I sweat blood from every pore. Oh, how the agony was great! I see you don't like your companion. You'd rather have someone else. I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth."

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you. I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me the King of the Jews. So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack. I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back."

"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day. I guess when they pounded nails into mine..they ached a simiiar way. It's hard to not hear from home when your family is not there to see. I lost communication on the cross and cried." Father, why hast thou forsaken me?"

"We have alot in common, but there is a difference between us, you see. I endured to the end and fulfilled my mission. So follow, and do like me."

He embraced me with his arms, his Light filled me with his Love. With tears in my eyes, I watched as he went back to the Father above. I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head. I listened then heard my alarm, then realized I was in bed. My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way?" I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today."

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more. Just stop and think of Jesus Christ. He's Been There All Before.

i was watching the Best Two Years today and became very nostalgic. I sent this to my brother, parker :)

it's that time again.....

"My Homeland, Territory, and Element...."- me

My 13th trip to Lake Powell!!

What greater way to spend it than with Aubs :) This is Aubs 3rd time with my family. Her and Jamie are in the running for most times gone with my fam :)

Peyton was a complete angel the entire time. He just loved every minute of it! A natural boater! He'll be skiing by the age of 5!

yes, i'm HUGE! so..i don't know if i would recommend going so far along. I still went on the tubes but due to my size felt a little uncomfortable...the only things that were a little challenging was the heat- especially when there was no air circulation in the house boat...and this trip, there was not a whole lot of food to munch on...and prego in 3rd trimester..no snacks = no bueno. :( This heart burn is killing me...i'll consistently have it throughout the day especially when I'm not snacking on something at least every few hrs. I've gained 9 lbs...so that's better than just a few!!

To think of a new little boy sitting next to them :)

We had so much fun!! I love how much Steve loves my Family. I love how much he interactes with everyone and that he is truly interested in their lives. He and my Dad get along so well with each other....i love how he truly feels like they are his family. I love how much my famly loves him and describes his as a natural member of the fam. From Day 1 he has always felt like he can call my parents- mom and dad. Well, on the trip I heard him call my mom- "hey, mommy" ha ha!! it was funny. I love doing such fun summer activities with family :) So many more Lake Powell memories to come in the next years!!!

To Bradyn

(may be cheesy, but i love it)

Dear Bradyn,

We just can't wait for you to come into our lives!! You have an amazing dad who will do all sorts of fun things with you :) Besides having an incredible Dad- your older brother Peyton already just loves you so so much. Not an hour goes by in the day that Peyton comes up to my belly and says- "baby" and gives you a kiss on my tummy and then lies down on my tummy pressing his check to try to feel you :) Your mommy and daddy are so blessed to both work in areas of love and passion in which we have worked so hard to accomplish in our earlier years. We live in such a warm place and have so many fun things to do outside. We will have you swimming in no time! We are so excited to take you on walks and to the park. You have so many little buddies just waiting to be with you (most of them live far away, but we see them often) We are so anxious to see how much you look like Peyton or if you will look very different from him. And I am so happy to plump you up! You have, in my opinion- an adorable room that is waiting for your arrival! The animals in your room are so happy to play with you soon. Get ready to learn how to pose and smile at the sight of a camera. We have trained your older brother, Peyton quite well. Your Daddy and I will help you achieve every dream you can imagine. Your Daddy and I both had the opportunity of serving missions and are so excited to watch you follow in our footsteps. We are so excited to see you smile, hear you laugh, and watch you as you grow in all stages of life. We can't wait to kiss every inch of you. We love you and just can't wait for you to come into our lives in just 9 short weeks...

Love, Your mommy Brooke, Your Daddy Steve and your brother

(best friend for life) Peyton

Weekend Fun!

Last weekend Joyce, Nic, and Jack came to play! We went to see The Little Mermaid at the Tuachan. It was so fun!! We spent the weekend at the Splash pad, swimming pool, and Dixie Rock. We missed Jamie, Bryce, Stockton and Aubree!!

Amanda and her kids then came to stay a night as well :) We love when visitors come! So many fun things to do here in St. George. Happy to live in such a hoppin place!

As far as a baby update- I'm 30 weeks along! 10 more to go! From here on out I'm being seen every 2 weeks. My first physical therapy appt for my sciatica is on Friday. Hopefully that will diminish soon....

Touching

Peyton's Heart Surgery Day seems such a long time ago. That day was a complete blur. I do remember feelings of worry and stress. I came upon this excerpt in an Ensign article.....so so touching.

The article is called- The Atonement Covers All Pain

by Elder Richards.

Of all general conference talks- this one stood out to me most.

Thirteen year old Sherrie under went a 14 hour operation for a tumor on her spinal cord. As she regained consciousness in the intensive care unit, she said- "Daddy, Aunt Cheryl is here....and....Grandpa Norman...and Grandma Brown...are here. And Daddy, who is that sanding beside you?...He looks like you, only taller....He says he's your brother, Jimmy." Her uncle Jimmy had died at age 13 of cystic fibrosis. For nearly an hour, Sherrie described her visitors, all deceased family members. Exhausted, she then fell asleep. Later she told her father, "Daddy all of the children here in the intensive care unit have angles helping them."

This brought tears to my eyes. Peyton had his own guardian angel in his room with him that day. At the time of his surgery my parents described that the spirit was very strong in the room....and that he was being looked after.

"Fear not, Little children, for you are mine.....wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd."

He goes on to say- "I have noticed that children are often more naturally accepting of pain and suffering. They quietly endure with humility and meekness." I find that so True! Peyton was home in four days on only Tylenol.

What a day that was. So happy it is in the past. It has helped Steve and I to appreciate Life and the blessings we have.

I am so grateful for those who visited and supported us during that time...who helped relive my mind from stress and worry.

We love You! :)

2 Year Appt

Our Little Boy is Growing, Growing, Growing!!!

Weight- 24 lbs 6 ounces - 12th percentile (BIG YAY FOR US :))

Height- 36 inches- 74th percentile (taller than 7/10 kids his age)

We are so excited to hear how he's doing so well!

I learned from my Pediatrician that boys potty train between 2- 2 1/2! I had no clue it was that early! Any good tips, please!!

No more whole milk..we are moving on to Pediasure. Hope he likes it.

His 1st Dentist appointment is on Wednesday!

To enhance him learning more words- our doc gave a good suggestion on just rotating through 4 books instead of a big variety. Also there is a very good speech center here in town that if we are concerned we can take him to.

He had just one shot :)

GO PEYTON!

Steve and i were talking- as much fun as he is...we are SO SO SO EXCITED to have a New Baby soon!!! We are so ready and just thrilled! I want a tiny little baby I can cuddle up with again. It will be fun! and stressful lol