IT'S TIME

Well, we just went to see the peri-natologist and the baby isn't getting nourished- the placenta is failing. So we're on our way to the hopspital. I'm being induced today. Are you ready to meet baby Thelin? Because she's coming, whether I feel ready or not.

5 pounds 2 ounces

On Thursday I went in to my doctor's for my 38 week check-up, and the doctor said he could tell the baby was still super small, so he sent me to get an ultrasound real quick to see exactly how small she is. It turns out she's normal for height, head size, and femur bone length (which I guess is the growth bone, so that's why they measure it for size), but her tummy is really small. She's in the 21st percentile for weight right now, and if she goes full-term, she will be under the 10th percentile, which is really tiny. Right now she's 5 pounds, 2 ounces and usually at 38 weeks babies are around 6 and a half pounds. My doctor said it's nothing to be worried about, she seems to be perfectly healthy, just small. On Monday I'm going to go see a peri-natology specialist to see if there's a reason she's so tiny. If she's not getting enough nourishment, my doctor said we'll probably have to get her out sooner than later, so we can fatten her up. Anyway, I'll update as soon as I hear news on Monday. Also, I forgot to write the best news... She's still a girl! I haven't had an ultrasound since 20 weeks, and I was starting to have nightmares that she is going to come out a boy. Thankfully she's still a girl!

Last Vacation Ever

As many of you know, since October I've been pestering Jade to take me on a romantic getaway, Just the 2 of us, for the last time ever before we're parents. We've taken a bunch of vacations, but I wanted to just have a couple days where it was just me and him, I didn't care where, or what we did, I just wanted to be alone, since I know once I have this baby our lives will never be the same again. Well, JC had graduation on Tuesday, and since we wouldn't miss that for the world, we decided to take a long weekend and make a vacation out of the occasion. Friday after work, Jade and I drove down to Mesquite and stayed the night at the Casablanca. Jade had a gigantic $11 steak (which he said was actually pretty good), and we lost $2 on the nickel machines. In the morning, Jade played a shotgun 18 holes of golf, and surprised me with a massage and facial (he didn't actually perform the services- just made the appointments). It was SO nice! The spa there is actually beautiful and had a 98 degree pool that I wanted to lay in forever. After golf and the spa, we ate at a buffet (of course) and then headed down to Vegas. We dropped Tinky off at my mom's and then went and checked into our hotel- The Trump. Holy cow... It was the nicest hotel I've ever been in, in my entire life. It was incredible. I cannot do it justice, so I'm not even going to try, I'll just say that it was amazing. It's 5-star, 5-diamond, just opened April 1st, and the entire property is non-smoking. The suite we stayed in cost $900 a night (no, we didn't actually pay that much). There was even an LCD TV built into the mirror in the master bathroom (yes, we had multiple bathrooms in our suite). Saturday night we went to a comedy show at the Golden Nugget called "Defending the Caveman", which was like a battle of the sexes-type comedy. It was really funny. Jade and I lost $17 gambling, and we saw the coolest thing- the pool at the hotel had a glass tube slide that went through an aquarium, with 3 large sharks in it, plus lots of little sharks and fish. Jade wants to put one in our next house. It was really neat. After the show we walked around old Las Vegas and watched a Queen tribute at Freemont Street. Sunday we slept in, ate lunch at Nordstrom Cafe (I love that place and I still don't understand why our Nordstrom doesn't have one). Then we went to the pool at our hotel and laid out all afternoon. The pool was ridiculous. There were 5 or 6 attendants, bringing stuff around every 10 minutes. There were drinks, waters, cold towels, a cool misting spray, marinated cucumber slices, watermelon, etc. They had little cabana beds that we napped on and rafts in the pool that we lounged on for hours (literally). Sunday night we walked all around the strip (I was secretly hoping to go into labor so I could have my baby in Vegas) and had dinner and dessert and I even held a parrot that some lady had in front of the Mirage. Monday morning I did not want to check out of our hotel! But we did, and we went to help set up for JC's graduation party. The party was so much fun. There were a ton of people there and it was so great to see all our family and friends. Tuesday morning the boys went shooting and the girls went to see Christopher and Brittney's new baby Julia, who is absolutely gorgeous and HUGE. Then we went to get our nails done. At the nail salon, something crazy happened for the first time- a total stranger touched my belly. It was my nail lady. She told me to sit down, then she put both her hands on my belly and said "girl or boy?" After we got our nails done, we went to JC's graduation. I cannot believe he's a high school graduate! I can't believe he's so old! After graduation we went to dinner at his favorite restaurant (Claim Jumper- another thing UT is missing). Then Jade, Tink, and I headed back to Utah. I always get so sad when I leave Vegas, even if I know I'm coming back soon. Luckily I have Jade to make Utah more bearable.

That's our hotel in the background

The parrot.

The pool with that crazy slide I was talking about (see, I wasn't making it up)

Maternity Pictures

I couldn't figure out how to put the pictures on here, so until I have the actual physical proofs to scan and post, email me if you want the link and I'll send it to you along with the password, so you can see the pictures. They're so cute it's not even funny.

Memorial Day

Best Friends

(how cute are they!)

Let me preface this post by saying that last April, Jade, Jerai, Phil and I all went camping up Hobble Creek Canyon. It was a really fun trip, up until about 5 in the morning, when we all woke up soaked. Literally soaked. When we went to sleep, the sky was clear, so neither of us put our rain shields on our tents, and when the rain started, it was just a sprinkle, but by the time we got the rain covers up, we were soaked through. Even our sleeping bags were dripping. This year, to celebrate Memorial Day, Jade and I decided we wanted to go camping again with our favorite couple, Jerai and Phil (and Remy!). Jerai and I are both pregnant, but neither one of us is having a rough pregnancy or super-uncomfortable, so we decided it would be really fun, and we left for the same campsite up Hobble Creek Canyon. This time, the road was closed, so we unpacked Phil's truck and 4-wheeled in. We set up camp and the girls played and played and we ate dinner and dessert and had such a great time. This time we were extra cautious and put on our rain covers, even though the skies were mostly clear. Lo and behold, 3 am(ish) hits, and what do our little ears hear? The plink, plink, plink of raindrops. We waited in our tents for the next couple hours, hoping the rain would stop, but it didn't. Fortunately we stayed completely dry this time. Around 8 we realized the campout was officially over, and we packed up and headed back. We got soaked on the 4-wheel ride, but warmed right up in the truck. So we all went home, a little sad our fun was ruined. We ended up unpacking and taking a long nap, then going to dinner at Tucanos and to see Indiana Jones instead. That was almost as fun as camping! Now we're back to work. Jade went to Portland until Saturday or Sunday. He's working all week, then Saturday he and his dad and brothers are going to climb Mt. Hood (weather permitting)! As much as I want him to come home early, I really hope they're able to climb Mt. Hood this year, since last year they couldn't because of weather. I hope he's able to go spend quality time with his best friends, even though I selfishly miss him (I'd blame it on the pregnancy-hormones, but I'm like this all the time). Also, I have to write about my favorite baby gift that I received this week... My girlfriend/co-worker Kelsey went to Vegas and came back with a ruffle-y yellow Juicy Couture baby bikini!! It's so darling. The picture doesn't do it justice. I can't wait to see my little princess in her designer swim-suit!! Thanks Kels!

I've been tagged

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JOYS
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1-My family. That one was easy. I couldn't ask for a better husband. Sometimes I don't know how I got so lucky. Sometimes I wonder why he picked me, out of all the girls he could have picked. I don't know why, but I'm sure glad he did. My family is the best, and I can't imagine better parents or siblings. Even my extended family is amazing and I feel so lucky to be born into such a great family. Also, I don't think I could have created better in-laws if I made them myself. Usually people don't really like their in-laws, but somehow I ended up with the coolest in-laws ever!
2-Being pregnant. (Sorry Jerai, but I have to copy this one too). I know some women hate being pregnant, but I can't begin to explain how much I love it. Sure, I feel like a house, but it's so worth it to think that in less than a month I'll have a baby. So I'm scared to death and don't feel ready, but does anyone ever really feel ready? I bet if they say yes, they're lying. Anyway, these have been THE BEST 8 months of my life. I love being pregnant.
3-Tink. I know it's a little ridiculous, but she's my baby!! Everyone says it's going to change when I have my "real" baby, but I don't really think so. I think I'll just have 2 babies.
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FEARS
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1-Jade going out of town. I'm so scared he's going to leave and not come back (for obvious reasons). This fear is sometimes almost debilitating.
2-Something happening to my mom or the kids.
3-Complications with the baby.
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GOALS
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1-Get my pre-baby body back before summer is over.
2-Learn Portuguese.
3-Not lose "Ashton" when I become "mom" (and of course not lose "mom", just to be both).
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CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS
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I have obsessive-compulsive disorder- how can I pick just 3?!
1-Organizing.
2-Cleaning.
3-Scheduling.
I know these are very general, but they rule my life...
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RANDOM FACTS
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1-I check my friend's/family's blogs almost every single day.
2-I want to get my MS in mental health counseling and become an LPC and council children with Asperger's and their families.
3-I'm pretty fearless when it comes to "scary" things: I've been sky-diving, I went to boot camp, etc. The thing I want to do most is go diving with sharks.
~~~
5 PEOPLE I TAGGED
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1- Megan and Ryan Ray
2- Suzanne and Jeff Johnson
3- Chad and Randi Spears
4- Twink and Noah Garfield
5- Jesse and Kimmi Clark

Vegas!

We're back! This weekend was WAY too short. We drove down to Vegas on Thursday and had the busiest and most fun weekend imaginable. Friday morning we took maternity pictures! I'll post them as soon as I get them, but I think they're probably super cute. Jade was really patient and didn't complain at all, and as his reward, he was allowed to leave after the shots with him were finished. He was so happy to get out of that studio. Photo shoots just aren't his thing. Then I had my last baby shower, at Mimi's cafe, with all my friends and family. It was SO nice and so much fun and I was surrounded by my favorite people in the world. I had such a great time. Thanks so much to everyone who came and participated in my special day! Then I went shopping (of course). Then the boys went rock climbing and the girls went to see a play that Cheyanne directed for her school. Then we got home and went through all my goodies that I was given at my shower. Jami and I totally organized everything, and my mom thought we were absolutely nuts, but we had such a good time organizing! I think I started nesting before I was even pregnant. All I have to say is this girl is going to be SO spoiled. She already has a closet full of clothes (literally), and every single thing you could imagine she's going to need. I only have about 10 little things left to buy off my baby registry because all our friends and family spoiled this little girl rotten. Saturday morning we woke up bright and early for Chaz's Eagle Project. We went to 3 neighborhoods in Green Valley and painted curbs by fire hydrants for the city. After 3 long hours in the 105 degree heat, I'm proud to announce that Chaz completed his Eagle project!! (Unfortunately I wasn't a big help. The 2 pregnant women were banished to the car and ended up being runners in between the groups of people, handing out supplies and refreshments. So, sorry I didn't do manual labor Chaz, but it's a lot of work making a person inside of me- I was doing my own kind of manual labor!) Anyway, I'm just so glad I was able to be a part of it. Both my brothers are Eagle Scouts! Congratulations Chaz. Everyone else, stay off the road- he's going to be driving now! Saturday afternoon we relaxed at the pool at the Spa at Southern Highlands. I can't believe how gorgeous it is in Las Vegas right now. Some people might not enjoy the heat, but temperatures in the hundreds beat temperatures in the twenties and teens any day as far as I'm concerned. Then Saturday night Jade and I ran a few baby-related errands and came home for "family night", which turned into a nine o'clock dinner with a neighbor, two of my friends, and two of Chaz's friends. Cheyanne was no where to be found. Sunday we went to church and came home (early) and had lunch and played and napped. I tried to postpone leaving as long as possible, but eventually we did drive back to Utah. Back to reality. Thanks for a great weekend in Veags!

The sexiest baby shower cake ever

Me Cheyanne Momma

Bianca me Momma

Proof that we were actually at the project and at least one of us worked!

Arithmetic

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More May Showers

It's been a busy weekend for us! My family came up on Friday, and we had so much going on! Friday night, my best friend Megan threw me a baby shower for all my Utah girlfriends. It was so much fun. I love games, and we played 3 of the cutest, funniest shower games I've ever heard of. First we guessed the size of my belly. Some of my friends were too nice, the others were really mean! I couldn't believe how big some of you thought I was! It's okay, no hard feelings. I definitely look pregnant now! Then we played the most gross but fun game I've ever heard of. Megan melted candy bars in diapers to look like #2, and we had to guess which #2 belonged to which candy. Congratulations to Julie and Jessica who guessed every one right! The last game was so funny. Megan blindfolded me and Jerai, and we had to eat baby food and guess which was which. Megan was really nice and didn't give us any really gross flavors like meat or pasta, but we did get carrots and peas, along with different fruits, which surprisingly weren't too bad. Jerai and I both kinda sucked at that game. I only got one right, and she only got 2 1/2 right. Anyway, the shower was so fun, and I had such a great time with my girlfriends. Saturday morning my mom, Cheyanne, and I went to Salt Lake for the shower that my mom's mom threw me, for all of my Great Aunts and second cousins and their kids. It was really nice! We just had a little luncheon and visited and it was great catchung up with everyone. Then we headed right back down to Orem for my final baby shower, thrown with love by Cathy, Kristy, and Myrtes, 3 ladies in my ward. It was an open house, so for a couple of hours, different ladies from the ward came by and we visited and had such a nice time. Saturday night we had a couple of neighbors over for a s'mores party in our backyard with our fire pit. It was such a fun (and busy) day. Today was Mother's Day, so we went to church, then to Mother's Day brunch at Mimi's with my mom and the kids. I really hate that they live so far away. Well, I know "far" is a relative term, but I wish more than anything that they lived closer, like maybe in the same town, or on the same street. It was so nice having them here, and so much fun. I hate saying goodbye when they leave. It was hard to say goodbye today when they left, even though I'll be seeing them on Thursday, when we go to Las Vegas. I love you guys!

Baby food. It must've been hilarious to watch.

Me and my hostess.

Megan Ash and Steph

ELLEN!

WOW! All I have to say is Ellen does not disappoint. Wednesday afternoon my mom and I flew to Brubank, California to go to the Thursday taping of the Ellen DeGereres Mother's Day Show (airing on Friday, May 9th). We spent Thursday morning getting ready, then waited for 3 hours until we were let into Ellen's studio. While we waited for Ellen, there was an audience warm-up guy who had us dance and do fun games and dance-offs and such. Then the show started, and it was SO neat! She was really funny and Jessica Alba was her guest and she was beautiful! It was such a cool experience. Ellen even let us use the bathrooms whenever we needed to since we were all pregnant, and she had an ice cream bar set up and a bar of goodies (including pickles, peanut butter, and sardines). She also gave us a bunch of great baby gear, which was so nice of her. And my mom and I were on TV a couple of times! Luckily I wasn't doing anything embarassing. I had such a blast with my mom and I am so grateful I got to have this fun experience! What a treat!