Our current "happily ever after":

You got it. These days my prince charming pampers me by massaging my swollen feet each day when I get home from work, painting my toe nails (its a pet peeve of mine to have them unpainted and is obviously difficult for me to do myself these days) and going downstairs in the middle of the night to get me a glass of cold water.

In a religion class at BYU one semester, my professor shared a talk by President Kimball, "Oneness in Marriage" that I have never forgotten. I love how he addresses what a realistic "happily ever after" is. "Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills; but true marriage is based on a happiness which is more than that, one which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing, and selflessness."

Based on that criteria, I think we're doin' just about right. :) Needless to say, I think we're also both looking forward to having this pregnancy over and done with in the next few weeks... and seeing what our new "happily ever after" holds in store!!

Thank you!!

Because a shower never got put together and my due date is fast approaching, my coworkers decided to throw me a simple shower on their own and treated me to lunch at PF Changs, and of course, LOTS of presents. I sadly forgot to bring my camera and snap a picture of all of us together, but here is what I came home with. Thanks so much!! I'm definitely looking forward to a nice break from work, but am excited for the opportunity to go back part-time so I don't have to say my goodbyes to all of you yet!!

Summer Lovin'

Has this summer come and gone in a flash for anyone else? There were definite moments (mostly due to pregnancy) that seconds felt like hours, but overall, I can't believe school is back in session, and in a few short weeks we'll be experiencing that freshness of fall.

This is my favorite feel good song of the summer. It played continuously on the radio when we were in Hawaii, so every time I hear it since, I think back to those lazy summer beach days. It surely will remain on my playlist all year long, as I will definitely need a reminder of the beautiful summer days when its 30 degrees and snowing outside!!

Take a peek. I dare you to be unhappy while listening!!

36 week stats

2 cm dilated, 40% effaced, here's to hoping I continue to progress and am not one of those women who measures the same for the next month!!

The doctor's comment of the day: "Is he this active ALL the time?!?" Yeah, pretty much. Hopefully he's right that he'd be surprised to see the babe stay inside another 4 weeks. I think a Labor Day delivery sounds just about perfect. :)

Growing, growing, growing....

Here's a look at some things that have been expanding, other than my feet. :)

We planted a small "garden" in planters on our back porch a few months ago. The "then" and "now" pictures show you just how much it has grown!! We've had a few tomatoes and one pepper, and unfortunately I've neglected to use the basil as much as I could, mostly due to my lack of cooking recently. I am just so proud of myself for not killing it all; the only thing that didn't make it was the cilantro. :(

And my waistline is obviously expanding. You all have been begging for pictures, so here they are. I wasn't lying when I said I was a whale. :) Surprisingly, I stepped on the scale at my appointment last week and had lost 5 lbs since my visit 2 weeks prior. I made a comment that it must have been wrong, because I sure didn't feel like it or look it, and the doctor reminded me that I should just take it for what its worth and feel good regardless. Very true!! One other positive note, doc says he estimates this little boy will weigh in at a high 7, low 8 lb range at delivery, so hopefully he is right and I'll deliver an under 10 lb tongan baby after all!!

24 weeks


26 weeks


28 weeks


30 weeks
(thank you Hawaii for making my whole body swell!!)


32 weeks


34 weeks

500 weeks pregnant....

Obviously, not literally the case, but thats how i feel recently after:
working late far too many days last week + the return of the swollen feet and ankles + becoming overly emotional/hormonal over anything and everything (Vaka won't hesitate to vouch for this!) + coming down with the cold/flu-whatever-horrible-virus-it-is and not seeming to get even the slightest bit better + recent onset of acne that I have never before had in my life + having to wake up 3+ times during the night to relieve my bladder = you get the point.

I promise more positive posts and the anticipated preggo pictures you all have been requesting in the near future... once I am not so tired/cranky/sick. :)