Sunday, March 27, 2011

day 86

Okay so here I go again, backtracking a ton!  My life took me in a direction I never saw coming and so here I am weeks later, going back and posting the images I did take along the way.  Sunday (after church), March 27th... every two months dad takes the kids, and puts them against the wall to see how much they've grown.  It's the WT version of a growth chart (pencil on the wall) but nonetheless, I wouldn't change it.  My kids get so excited to see if they've grown.  We haven't been doing this terribly long, just the last six months.  So today was measurement #3.  Each one of the kids has had a month where they didn't even grow a hair.  This month it was Brooke who didn't grow.  She was sad, but I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that the month of March she was SICK, with Influenza for two weeks and then pneumonia for another two.  Jett and Sky were happy to see they had both shot up!  STOP GROWING!!!! 

Friday, March 25, 2011

day 84

I didn't get a picture today, but  today I had a doctors appointment.  I was able to see Dr. Macy (the first time this pregnancy) and see her smiling face.  She's an amazing doctor and I trust her with my life.  I mentioned to her as she measured me and checked my due date, that I knew she liked to be prepared, so to expect this baby to come on September 2nd.  For two years Jett has prayed that his baby brother would come on September 2nd.  She smiled.  I also told her I didn't like this stress business that has come with being 35.  With my first three babies, I never worried for a second that anything would be wrong.  She said, "well, you have to worry about every pregnancy, not just this one."  She was right, but I hadn't.  And lucky (I guess you could say) they ended in 3 perfectly healthy babies!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

day 83

My poor Brookie is so exhausted from being sick.  Ever since I got home from Hawaii,  when I announce to the kids, "be good while I jump in the shower," Brooke comes running up, strips down and says she wants to get in the shower too.  Today was no different.  After she got out, and I wrapped her in her yellow towel, she laid down on my floor and closed her eyes.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

day 82

I'm back and ready to stay on top of the picture a day thing!
So after all that running a fever stuff, I thought she was fine on Monday of this week.  I was ready to take her in if it hadn't broken.  It's never been really high, maybe 100.  She's had a normal appetite and besides a little cough, she's acted normal.  So she was fine except both Monday and Tuesday night she climbed up on my lap EARLY in the evening and said she was tired.  Both nights, she fell asleep in seconds and slept through the night.  This was completely out of character for her.  I mentioned it to my mom and she brought up the fact that it could be pneumonia.  With that I made an appointment for her today just to be sure.  And sure enough, it was.  It explained why the cough seemed to be getting worse, not better, and why she was so tired.  My poor nubie.  She's still my baby and yes, I baby her.  I set up a tray table in front of the T.V. and served her whatever she wanted.  Today, it was obvious she's not good.  I'd give her something to eat and she'd take one bite and say, "this tastes yuck mom."  Even the Ho-Ho and Oreo's I gave her sat after only a bite.  
Did I go on vacation?  Cause it sure doesn't feel like it!!!  It's already a distant blur.  I'm ready for the month of March to be over.  Bring on April, with warmer weather of course!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

day 79

My kid sister!  She's a teenager, officially.  We were invited over for dessert in celebration, but my little family was too sick to go.  I jumped in the shower at 7:30pm and decided to head over.  I had a little something I wanted to give her and to give her a hug at least.  Happy Birthday Miss Megan!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

day 78 Taking note:

I am not very good at this... as you can see, it's been weeks now since I've posted anything.  Yes, I took pictures along the way, but not every day.  I missed several in the last two weeks.  It was about as stressful and exhausting as it's been for awhile.  Keeping up with the regular routine, feeling tired from being pregnant, shooting a wedding, doctors appointments, getting news that I didn't want to get, and trying to get ready for a trip that I wanted to enjoy more than anything got in the way a lot of the time.  I would get too wrapped up in the day and now looking back, I could have taken some pretty awesome pictures those days.  So, I'll go back and post the few I took.  I'm going to still write a note on the days I didn't, for my own sake, since this will be a reminder to me of what my year was like.  I'm regretful, but hopeful this will be a reminder to put the picture of the day at the top of my list.

Friday, March 18, 2011

day 77

Today, not a single thought went into taking a picture.  I was still in recovery mode and I spent the day sorting the laundry and unpacking along with the running to and from schools to take the kids.  Brooke is still running a fever and it makes me wonder, did she run a fever the entire time I was gone?  Needless to say, it was just one of those days.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

day 76

Did today even happen?  It was harsh, as we came in last night on the red eye.  That means we got on the plane at 1:00am UT time and arrived here at 7:30am.  I didn't sleep on the plane.  I sat, completely uncomfortable, tired, nauseous and in the end mad.  So today, after coming home to greet the kids, I slept.  I laid in bed for a few hours.  My husband was kind enough to let me climb in bed while he stayed home from work and sat with the kids.  After a few hours, I came down and planted myself on the couch.  My little Brookie was running a fever and laid there with me.  I dozed off here and there and before I knew it, it was time for bed.  So as you can see, no picture!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

day 75

Only in Hawaii...
The colors of things are just so much more vibrant.  Coming back to Utah, our state looks so blah for awhile.  I may not have loved Honolulu, HI but I do miss the intense color of plants and the blue, blue sky.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

day 74

March 15th
Today, we went to Pearl Harbour.  As we entered the site, the guards began lowering the flags to half staff in remembrance of the last WWI veteran who died today.  It set the tone for the day and the site itself.  To me it felt a lot like visiting the site of 9/11 in New York, many, many lives were lost, they were caught by complete surprise, and it led to war in the end.  It was amazing to watch the video of the actual attack.  The gut wrenching part was realizing there was warning, a whole hour prior, but it was thought to be our own planes coming in.  Later, in the morning we went over to the Battleship Missouri.  A Kamikaze plane tried to fly into the ship.  There is a photo that was taken microseconds before it actually hit the ship.  It's like seeing the photos of the planes flying into the towers.  It just doesn't seem real. 
I'm so glad I was able to visit such a huge part of our history and to have felt and even grieved for the lives lost that day.  I am so grateful for our freedom.  It is precious!

Monday, March 14, 2011

day 73

So, today after some shopping and walking around the area we ran into a friend of Neils' from work who shared the news he had just proposed to his girlfriend.  It was fun news and of course, a photo opportunity.  Nick suggested we go to where he proposed and take some pictures.  I was up for it after being completely disappointed with the lack of things to do around where we were staying.  He said it was just five minutes up the road and he could take us in the car he had rented.  We planned to meet up just before sunset, cause isn't Hawaii known for it's sunsets?  Well, after more like a 15 minute drive and some stress as to where we could even park, we jumped out hoping to catch the sun before it was gone.  I was under the impression it was out on the beach... no.  It was on a cliff overlooking the beach but there was a lighthouse.  I scrambled to get a few shots.  I got a few, but I wanted a romantic silhouette on the beach.  We ran back to the car and down the road, hoping to find a spot we could get down to the beach.  We watched the sun go, go, and gone without a sunset really.  Nothing exciting, nothing like I've imagined Hawaii sunsets to be, maybe it's just Oahu, cause I remember better sunsets in Mauii.  

Sunday, March 13, 2011

day 72

We arrived in Hawaii... Honolulu, HI which is on the island of Oahu.  I was happy, our stay was at a Starwood hotel (my old employer of which I have great memories with), The Royal Hawaiian. 

Saturday, March 12, 2011

day 71

It was a hectic day... but fun in anticipation of our trip to Hawaii tomorrow.
I went and got my hair done and came home to do laundry and pack.  I'm a little sad,  my Brookie is running a fever and I have a hard time leaving the kids behind as it is.  I hope she is okay tomorrow.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

day 69

Today, I shot a wedding.  It was the most beautiful day.  The weather was gorgeous.  My sweet sister in law was kind enough to watch my kids while I was gone.  After the wedding, I came back to her place and hung out until it was time to go get Sky from school.  I could have stayed there all afternoon, just hanging out while the kiddos played.  They got along great.  It makes me happy to see my kids enjoying time with their cousins.  There's nothing more important than family!  My favorite part is that my nieces got excited to see me when I walked in the door.  They ran over with smiles and hugs.  I have a special place in my heart for one of them and I think she might feel that, as she let me snuggle her until it was time for me to leave.  It was the best!  So now for the lesson I learned, I SHOULD HAVE A PICTURE OF THEM!  But after the wedding, the camera was put away for the rest of the day.  I don't want that to ever happen again.  The #1 reason for my camera is to capture my kids, family and moments special to me.  So with that, just a fun picture from the wedding.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

day 68

Talk about hectic, stressful and in the end, emotional!
Today, was all about my doctors appointment.  Being that I'm turning 35 before this baby is born, I've decided to do the screening for Downs Syndrome.  My first reaction, like many, was "there's no need to find out, cause it doesn't matter either way."  But after a long discussion with my doctor, there are many reasons to do the screening.  The screening consists of an ultrasound between 11 and 13 weeks, a blood test then and then another blood test at 16 weeks.  Between those tests, they can determine with 90% accuracy, if the baby has Downs.  The ultrasound was scheduled at the worst time of day and the worst day of the week for me.  I had to do some juggling to make it work.
I went into the ultrasound alone, I've done this before, it's nothing new, right?  Well, I didn't know.  Had I to do it over again, I WISH my husband had been there.  It began as normal, watching the baby on the screen which is always so miraculous to me.  Even more so this time cause the baby is small enough that the entire baby fits on the screen.  It seems even more real than at 20 weeks.  But the second part is what was hard, listening to the genetics doctor come in and go over the results.  It wasn't the most positive news.  Not what I was hoping to hear just before leaving on a trip to Hawaii.  I held it together (I'm still amazed) and cried my heart out on the way home.
Here is the best part, the first pictures of my baby!
 

Monday, March 7, 2011

day 66

This came today!  I'm so excited... I feel ready for Hawaii now!  Neils' company asked if I would be willing to take pictures at the awards ceremony this year.  Of course, my husband being the deal getter made it possible that I got something in return for my time.  Not too shabby eh?  I feel better about carrying all my gear, taking it on the plane and having something that doesn't look like a big (touristy) camera bag that someone would grab.  I'm in love with it!  For those of you that are photogs, I HIGHLY recommend it.  It holds my D700, 24-70, 50, 85, SB900, all my cards, extra battery, battery charger, and there's room for another lens.  It zips up and doesn't look overloaded in any way.   
 

Friday, March 4, 2011

day 63

Cause my kids will hear me say occasionally, "hmmm... what is my picture going to be for today" they will offer up ideas, or give me objects of theirs to take a picture of.  I hear in return, "you can take a picture of this, mom."  It's usually something totally random or just a toy of theirs.  Today, Sky came home from school very excited about what she learned about today.  Their day was centered around Spring, seeds, growth, sunlight, and different kinds of flowers.  She asked if I'd take a picture of her flower.  OF COURSE!  What could be more appropriate on a day like today.  It was a beautiful 50 degree, sunny day.  Thank you sweet Sky for your help.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

day 62

My little lime.  Today, when I read (at week 12) that the baby is the size of a lime, it made me smile.  It's actually a descent size now.  A kidney bean just doesn't seem possible that a baby is that small, but a lime, ok.  It's getting a little exciting!  If only my belly was only sticking out the size of a lime.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

day 60

It was like a big birthday day today.  First I went to lunch at my sister in laws house to celebrate two of our sisters in law's birthdays.  It was also my sisters birthday.  I ordered something online for my own birthday (which I can't wait to get!!!).  I met up at the mall, with my friend Suzanne after school.  We hung out, shopped, let our kids run around the store together, and got ice cream at the end.  It was a fabulous day.  When my husband got home and brought in the mail, this came.  $30 in certificates to Chili's.  What a great day huh?
Awhile back a friend of mine snuck a Chili's gift card into my purse.  In February, I received emails about how kids ate free on certain days.  So, with that Neils and I made a night of it with the kids.  It wasn't the greatest experience ever, in fact when I got home and thought about it, it pretty much sucked!  I could go on forever (cause I tell stories long and detailed like my dad), but I'll spare you the pain.  Low and behold $30 bucks.  NICE.