Goldsboro Baby Shower!

Okay seriously, baby Z and I got soooo spoiled at her shower we had a couple weeks ago! We had so much fun! The shower was decorated so cute and we had such yummy food and so many fun people come! It really was a blast. Here are a few pictures:

Thank you so much to everyone who came! We appreciate it so much! Its so good to know that even being far away from home we have so much love and support in our lives and in our adventure out here in North Carolina. We really are so lucky! And a special thank you to everyone who helped... especially the Daughtry girls!! You are the best!

As you can see... I have quite the baby bump. Which is bigger now (hard to imagine, but it is bigger, but then again I am 9 months pregnant) The 2 comments that I had JUST TODAY were: 

1. From an employee at Sam's club: "You're not going to have that baby in here, are ya?" Ummm sir... I sure hope not. 

2. From a little girl that my friend was babysitting who came to Sam's Club with us: "Can you still walk?" This was after we all walked into the store together and were just about done shopping, while I was pushing my own cart. I just replied to her "Nope" and then she was really confused. 

Other comments that I have gotten:

• "That baby looks like its going to punch its way out!"
• "Are you even going to make it to your due date?"
• "Is she having twins?"
• "Its cute.. it looks like you have a basketball under there"

Being 9 months pregnant is so awesome. 

As much as I complain, I am SO GRATEFUL that I am 9 months pregnant. 

Last month of pregnancy and Retiree!

I seriously cannot believe I am in my last month of pregnancy. And boy am I a sensitive one! I don't know why women are so touchy and I really wish there was something we could do to help the touchiness/grouchiness situation, especially while we are pregnant. But for me.. there isn't much you can do. And honestly I haven't been to grumpy that much during my pregnancy its only been the last few weeks. I am just getting fatter and grouchier and more uncomfortable by the day. Romney knows if I am grouchy to just let me be grouchy and I'll eventually get over it. I always try to apologize for being grouchy because I usually don't have anything to be grouchy over. I am just grouchy! Super annoying. And it doesn't help when strangers look at you and say "Wow, you look like you are ready to pop!" Umm... that doesn't make me feel any better, that just makes me think, that you think, I look huge and yes I am 8 months pregnant and yes I am huge, but please, please, please, don't point it out. Its already as obvious as it can be.

Speaking of strangers, and speaking of being pregnant, I feel like people are judging/assuming/stereotyping a situation that isn't necessarily true. (Which I do all the time.. but I don't tell the person what I am thinking!) For example: On our way home from D.C. we had to stop and get gas. We had plenty of treats in the car including my pretzels and my now and laters which of late, I cannot live without. So when I was looking around for a snack I didn't really see anything I wanted. Romney spotted a treat for himself and we were both extremely surprised I didn't want anything (That NEVER happens, not rarely.. NEVER!) So we go up to pay for the candy and the cashier comments "I bet I know who's idea this was!" And looks at me and smiles. I politely told him it wasn't my idea and that the candy was for my husband. (I don't think he believed me) Then the next week Romney and I went out to dinner at a little burger joint here in town and yes we have been in there a lot lately but NOT because I am "craving" it.. Romney suggests it a lot more than I do. And our waitress comes up to our table and asked if "Andy's (the name of the restaraunt) was my favorite place since being pregnant." I was like "It's not my favorite, but we certainly like it!" (mind you, we had just discovered it when I was like 6 months pregnant) People just think that since I am pregnant that whatever I am eating I must be craving and that we can all just blame it on the pregnant girl. False. Not the case. We are just hungry, alright? Same story goes with grocery shopping. I feel like if I get the slightest thing that is unhealthy people are assuming that since I am pregnant I just eat whatever the heck I want.. Which sometimes I do.

Now that I only have a month left, I am officially "retired"! And hopefully I stay retired for a long, long time. I think it will be weird not having a job and not feeling guilty about it.  But it will be so fun to be a stay at home mom and I am SOOOO THANKFUL that I get to be a stay at home mom. It was nice to know that, that is what Romney and I both expected when we had kids. I told him I would work if needs be, but luckily I don't have to. Such a blessing! It will be weird to be home all day with MY kids and not someone else's children. Especially since I have been babysitting for the last 10+ years and being a nanny. It will definitely be different, but I anticipate it will be fun, even with working nights and weekends. Although.. I do hope I get to babysit my nieces and nephews every once in a while. They are all just the cutest!

Here is a couple pictures from my "nanny-ing days" boy do I miss them! Those days were seriously the best. I recommend everyone move to NY and become a nanny. I worked for the best family ever and still miss them all the time! I can't believe how big the kids are now! Love them so much.

Spring has sprung!

I say spring has sprung because it was 86 degrees here today. Jealous?

Isn't spring just the greatest?! Especially this year... And its only just begun! A couple weeks ago Romney and I got the chance to go up to Washington D.C. and visit my best friend April. We always have so much fun when we go up there. This time we got to go on a tour of the Pentagon! That was way neat. April's friend works there a few times a week and has access to it, so he was kind enough to take us on a tour early Saturday morning.  I don't think I ever realized how big the pentagon is. And I have never felt like I was 8 months pregnant more than I did that day. (pretty sure I waddled like it too) I was feeling pretty good, but once I started to go down hill... I went down hill fast! And then we still had a half mile to the car, they don't just let ya conveniently park right up front. I literally, barely made it to the car. Longest walk of my whole entire life.  Still it was pretty dang cool to go in the Pentagon and suffer and see what it looks like. (Unfortunately you can't take any pictures) It would be a lot more exciting on a weekday when there are lots of people there and lots of the military personnel dressed up in their uniforms.

We went to Cafe Rio just about everyday. Rio is just always a winner and Romney and I both wanted it... Everyday. But especially me.. and look at this.. they don't charge you for enchilada style on their burritos out here AND they have military Mondays (half off your meal!) Freaking awesome.

We also did what we do best up there and went shopping. April loves to shop just like us.. so we went to a huge mall and had a blast. Surely spent more money than we had planned, but we found some sweet deals and April had cards and coupons to makes those deals even sweeter. It was awesome! Romney got a killer deal on a suit. At first we couldn't find one he liked so we were sad, but then we found one... and he was super happy! (P.S. how cute is he holding Eve's hand? He's going to be the cutest dad ever!) <3.

Romney even taught me and Eve how to play chess. It took me a while to catch on, and I don't think Eve ever did catch on... But it actually isn't as hard as I thought it would be. Surprisingly it can be a pretty fun game! (I just told Romney about how I kinda liked it and then he started to brag about how he won a chess competition.. in like 3rd grade) Clearly, he's proud.

I am so terrible at taking pictures when we go and do fun stuff.. but here are some random pictures that I do have: 

Candace gives the BEST massages. We found Goldsboro street, more like accidentally drove on it. (our town is called Goldsboro) We went to D.C. cupcakes. Delish! So much fun! We will for sure have to go back in the summer... if we get invited. (hint, hint April) Twice a year just isn't enough. 

Countdown: Single digit weeks!

So I 9 weeks left in my pregnancy. (Yikes it's gone fast!) I feel like just last month I was only 9 weeks pregnant! But I certainly don't look or feel 9 weeks pregnant. We are getting super anxious to meet our little girl... but on the other hand, I think we are both relieved we still have 2 months before she gets here.

I am finally done with all the sickness. I try not to eat too much in the mornings because then I will usually be sick for the rest of the day, but its much better than being sick everyday, all day.. so I'll take it! For the longest time I thought pregnant women were just being babies about most things, but it turns out they aren't! Being pregnant is hard! And extremely exhausting. I saw a quote that explains it perfectly:

Ha SO TRUE!!!

I haven't had any weird cravings. I am just thirsty ALL THE TIME. And water just won't cut it. It needs to be Crystal Light or something with flavor. I try to drink water.. but its rough! Romney has been good to go and work out with me. Some days it is so hard to get off my butt and go. I get tired just from unloading the dishwasher.. its awful. Netflix is just getting more and more tempting by the day. (Any show suggestions???)

I stopped going to Ruby Tuesday after Christmas... Whoops. (My boss never called me and I never called him.. so hopefully we are still on good terms, but I'll probably never go back there, so I'm not too worried) But am continuing to babysit a few times a week. I don't know how people are pregnant and already have children... it is so hard. So I am trying to enjoy these last couple months without any children of my own ;)

Ha I don't know why.. but I have found this to be true as well. Women are just touchy alright?!

I almost forgot! I fainted. I went to go take my Glucose test and they told me I couldn't eat anything. So I didn't. (Obviously) And then I drank the drink that everyone talks about and claims is so disgusting. It didn't even taste bad! I had lime and I thought it was quite tasty. I had to wait an hour before they could draw my blood, they gave me a timer so I would know when to go back in and get it drawn. When I had about 20 minutes left on the timer I mentioned to Romney that I needed to eat something or I was going to pass out (But you can't eat anything until after they take your blood) Then I had about 5 minutes left and I told Romney that I was probably going to pass out. He was just like "Ha, really? Are you okay?" and then we didn't think much of it. I just put my head between my legs and hoped that would help. Finally the stupid timer went off and we went to the lady to draw my blood. When she was taking my blood ( I was trying to keep my mind occupied.. I HATE needles) I could feel my body getting ready to pass out (I've fainted a lot in my day, so I knew it was coming) So I told the lady I was feeling light headed and she asked if I usually faint when getting my blood drawn and I told her yes. She was like "Why didn't you tell me? I would have had you lay down!" So she quickly took out the needle and I could just feel my world going dark. Next thing I know, I hear Romney calling my name and my head was resting in his hand. When I finally opened my eyes and saw Romney he looked TERRIFIED! I have never seen that look on his face. I answered a few questions to make sure I was all the way there and then asked him how long I was out. He said it was only like 10 seconds but that it was the longest 10 seconds of his life. He said when I actually passed out my eyes weren't closed and that I was making weird sounds. He said it definitely didn't happen like it does in the movies.. it was a lot more scary/freaky! (sounds a little disturbing to me.. glad I didn't witness it) at least now he knows what to do if I ever pass out at home. Ha. I was doing pretty good... I hadn't fainted in almost 3 years! Thats a pretty good streak. I'm quite positive I will pass out during child birth, Romney probably will too. Hopefully its not at the same time or else we are both in trouble!

Traveling

Traveling always makes for some good stories doesn't it?

As some of you know, I had the opportunity to come back to Utah for about a week and a half. My oldest sister Shannon flew me home to babysit her little boy while her and her husband spent a fun week in Sunny Florida! Super jealous.. but it was so fun to be able to come home again. When I was home last month, my Dad gave me some $2 bills. You really don't see those much anymore and some people have never seen them at all! Its hilarious paying for stuff with them. I wish my Dad would give them to me more often.

On our way to the Airport (Romney taking me to head back to Utah for a week) we stopped at Subway. I asked the girl if I could pay for my sandwich with $2 bills. She just stared at me. Luckily there was an older woman behind her and she said yes. This girl was like 15 or 16 and had never seen such a thing. She just looked at me again and said "Okay".

Then when I got to the airport I went and bought a water bottle and a couple snacks for my flight. My total was nine dollars and some change (rip off!) so I gave the cashier 5, 2 dollar bills. He was super confused! He had no idea how to count by 2's. When he looked at it, he hesitated for a moment and then counted (OUT LOUD!) 1,2... 3,4... 5,6... 7,8... 9,10. I tried not to laugh. It totally made my day. Those $2 bills kill me.

Right now I am on my way to North Carolina. Yes I did pay $12 for their crappy internet and yes I am pissed about it. I bought Pitch Perfect on iTunes to watch. I was so excited to watch it. Only to find out I have to be connected to the internet to watch anything on iTunes. So I give in and bought the stupid internet. So now I am downloading my movie to watch. Don't worry it says there is 46 hours remaining (to download) It did start at 112 hours.. so we are making progress. Maybe by the next time I fly to Utah it will be downloaded all the way.

So I'm flying with Delta and when they bring you drinks they only give you a half a can. Ridiculous. So I have to ask for the whole can and feel like a fatty. That half a can is going to last me 30 seconds.. my movie won't even be done being downloaded! BTW.. it now says 61 hours. We are making 0 progress up here in the sky. Never waste your money on the internet up here.

So long from 35,000 feet up in the air!

Christmas Vacation!

Romney and I got to go back to Utah for Christmas. That was the first time that we had been home in a year! (Exactly a year! Uncanny!) We had such a fun time in Utah! We got to be there together for 2 weeks (and I got an extra 3 weeks!) and spend time with both of our families. It was seriously so much fun. Romney didn't want to go back to North Carolina.. I didn't blame him. We were having way too much fun here with all our cute nieces and nephews and lots and lots of yummy food. (We are over Goldsboro restaurants.. terrible choices out there) I think we went to Cafe Rio the most. Its just fast and easy. And it didn't hurt to have some delicious home cooked meals. (Those are the best) We got to stay and the Zackrison home and the Blackburn home. So much fun! We have definitely missed both families.

We have both seen our parents throughout the year but we hadn't seen our siblings in the past year, so seeing all of them was super fun. Cole and Jana Lyn (my sister and brother-in-law) finally made the trek out there from Denver after we had been there about a week. Romney had been SOOOOOOO excited to see one of their daughters Scarlett! (She is 2 years old) When we first saw them of course the girls were a little hesitant to see us. (Well they gave me a hug just fine, but were a little nervous around Romney) Scarlett did give Romney a high-five. Everybody went into the kitchen and it was just me, Romney and Scarlett in the living room. She finally just ran up to Romney and gave him the biggest hug out of nowhere! IT WAS SO CUTE! Romney said "Hurry, take a picture!" He was so excited she finally came around and hugged him. He had been waiting a whole year for that!

Romney and I have been married for 2 years now!! I honestly cannot believe how quickly these past 2 years have gone by! And how easy its been. Everybody always says the first two years are the hardest.. well ours have basically been a cake walk so I can't imagine how these next few years will be. I am the luckiest girl in the world. My husband is seriously THE BEST!! I definitely lucked out with that one! We got to go stay in Park City and celebrate. It was so much fun! We love going and staying up there. For sure one of our favorite places and we have missed it a lot in the past year! (And of course we didn't take any pictures)

The first week in Utah we stayed at the Zackrison's house. Even though it isn't my home or my parents house, I definitely felt at home. We got spoiled and got to hang out with all the Zackrison boys and do what they do best... watch sports and play computer games. The girls didn't really play computer games but we did get to go get our nails done and shop a little bit. I love my sister-in-laws! They are the best, and we all get along so great!

That Sunday we went to both my parents ward and Romney's parent's ward. Of course Romney and my Dad wore their New York suits.. and of course I took a picture. I mean.. they just look so good in those suits! It was fun to go to Romney's old ward and meet a lot of the people that he grew up with.

That week we spent the week at my parents house. We got to spend Christmas morning with them and 2 of my sisters and their cute families. I have been waiting for Christmas FOREVER it seemed like! I got Romney a Playstation 4 and that seriously has been one of the hardest secrets to keep! I could not wait for him to open that thing. He really had no idea I had bought him one. We kept joking about getting him a PS4 and little did he know that I had one for him! I cried when he opened it (I'm pregnant alright?!) But seriously... I was soooo excited to give it to him! We both got spoiled on Christmas morning, but it was so fun to be able to share it with family!

What is baby Z?!

As most of you probably know, we are having a baby girl. So thrilled about it! It will be way fun to have a little girl to dress up. I am already struggling not to buy her things. But there is just too many cute clothes out there! While I was in Utah, we had a couple showers. Huge thanks to my friend Sharlene and my sister-in-law Sharli for throwing me one! And a huge thanks to my mom and sisters and sister-in-law Chelsey for throwing me one and to to EVERYONE that came and supported us. We got lots of great stuff.. I am way anxious for this little girl to get here. But we still don't have everything ready, so good thing we still have a few months. 

Here are a few pictures from my showers. So much fun!! 

A HUGE THANKS again to everyone! I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for! Baby  Z and I are so so so so excited for everything! (Oh and Romney too!)