28 Weeks

28 weeks already. Looking at the picture of me at 7 months, I have to wonder if I'll be smiling in my 8 and 9 month pictures. I'm praying to NOT gain 30 pounds of water this time! The "fun" of pregnancy is in full blast. So much to look forward to with our new baby girl coming and so ready to feel "myself" again once the baby is born. I'm always saying "things we do for our children," and well, I'm living it right now. Having Ellie, and now Kaitlyn makes everything I do seem worth it though.

On a positive note, I saw my heart doctor last week. After wearing a KING OF HEARTS monitor for two weeks, we did catch some very fast SVT-like (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia) rhythms like I had been experienced in the past before my AV Node Ablation in 2006. Well, Dr. David Wang seems confident that this time it's because of the pregnancy and NOT because I have SVT again which was a huge relief! He believes it will resolve when Kaitlyn is born. I have an appointment in June to follow up with this.

Ellie has been adjusting great to the thought of having a baby sister - most the time. We have to laugh that her room is being slowly taken over by baby boxes and various baby things and she is NOT HAPPY about this one bit. She knows that babies cry often and is VERY APPREHENSIVE about having a swaking baby sharing a room with her (even though I reassure her that the baby will sleeping with us for the first few months). She also keeps telling me lately "Mommy that baby sure is getting big!" She's never failed to notice some my fun pregnancy whoa's too... one time she pointed out that my face looks gross (meaning my pregnancy acne). I had to laugh even though at the moment I wondered "do I really look gross?"

Ellie had a big achievement in January as she passed her preschool spelling test for the first time. Since she has been in preschool this school year her teacher, Mrs. Roper, has been giving them monthly spelling words to work on. I have to admit, that at first (because of my difficult start to this pregnancy, fatigue, etc) I didn't work on the spelling words with her as much as I should have. Then in November when I got feeling better, I worked on them every other day to couple of days. She didn't pass the test that month which she took extremely hard, and I took most of the blame for myself. :(

After Christmas break, we started practicing her new words for January faithfully. We made games out of it; to see how many she could write before the buzzer went off, shuffling them up and making it into a flash card game, etc. We worked on them every night but Sunday. I was starting to get worried around mid January that she wouldn't pass again. We started testing her ourselves, and by the end of the month - she could do them perfectly! Check out the picture. I think it says it all. That day we went to McDonald's for lunch to celebrate, and when Grandpa came for a visit a week later we celebrated again at Chuck E Cheese. She has been taking February just as seriously and I KNOW she'll get 100% again! Oh and did I mention - everyone in her class got 100% too that week (apparently she wasn't the only one to work harder that month), and they had a class party known as CrAzY DaY! Ellie loved dressing up crazy for school. Overall, our hard work paid off and I'm so proud of her (and us!) for this big achievement.

We have so much to look forward to in March. I've enrolled Ellie in to a ballet class at THE CENTER in Provo. She will take those classes Monday's and Wednesdays for about an hour. She loved ballet last year, and I've really felt bad that we couldn't afford to put her in one this year. I hope this sorta makes up for it. :/ I've been thinking about putting her in a swim class before the baby is born as well. I'll be glad when it warms up a little more and Ellie can start playing outside regularly again too. For me, other than being excited for the new baby, I can't wait to start another garden. I'm planning a salsa-in-pots garden this year to make things easier and something we can move to another home - just in case.

Shayne's still looking for work and going to school. He's keeping busy at home though working on a potential new website to be revealed later. I hope that it will help provide a supplemental income at the very least, and help me to stay home with the kids instead of going back to work when Kaitlyn is born. He's got just over a year left in school, and I know his graduation will be a very happy day for the Munn family. Hallelujah!

That's the update for now. My next appointment isn't until March 22, and my next ultrasound March 19. 32 weeks. :) Until next blog - ciao!!!

24 Week Ultrasound

We had another great ultrasound on Friday, January 22. We found out that our little Kaitlyn (and YES she is a girl! Shayne insisted we double check that it really IS a girl!!!) is growing right on target with her due date. She is currently about 1 pound, 9 ounces. We've been told that she has very long legs (which doesn't surprise me AT ALL) and she's not going to have a huge head. She's kind of a stubborn little baby though! She moves all the time, but when she senses someone is trying to feel her move that's her cue to STOP. Even at the ultrasound, she wouldn't move for the pictures, which I have to admit made me chuckle. We had to "sneak up" on her just to get this profile! Ellie is the only person to feel Kaitlyn move so far, but I think the secret much be in her gentle touch (or perhaps it's a sister thing!). I found the best shirt for Ellie given our situation... I think it says it all! Check it out! Ellie will be wearing this shirt the first time she meets Kaitlyn. I can't wait! Next ultrasound - March 19. 32 Weeks!

6 Months and Counting!

I had my 24 week checkup today. It's hard to believe sometimes that I've already been pregnant for 24 weeks. I had a hard time, understandably I think, getting excited for this pregnancy. After three years of trying, finding out that we were pregnant was bittersweet, especially in the beginning when we wondered if this pregnancy would carry full term. Plus, after three years of let down, it was hard to fathom that this was finally it - were we finally out of the woods or just gearing up for an even bigger let down?

Thankfully, everything worked out and around 18 weeks I could clearly feel this baby and it was then the bond began to form with Kaitlyn Marie. I started to finally plan and prepare myself for the 22 more weeks I had ahead of me. We are more excited than ever to be parents again, and as the weeks press on our joy builds as we get closer to her due date.

So far so good health wise. Sure I'm measuring a little big, and yes I might be gaining weight a little faster than the Certified Nurse Midwives would like, but everything medically seems to be well at this point. We're of course watching my heart to make sure it's handling the pregnancy ok with my heart history, but my cardiologist feels confident that even if there is a problem we shouldn't need to intervene until the baby is born. Phew!!!

I have an ultrasound on Friday. Checking some measurements, and just peeking at that placenta that was giving us problems in the beginning. I'm very anxious and excited for all my ultrasounds. One month until my 7 month check up and glucose testing! I'll keep you updated and will probably post more pictures of her Friday after my ultrasound. Thanks again to everyone for being so sweet, helpful, and supportive during this time! 112 days until due date! Yahoo!

IT'S A GIRL!!!! and OUR CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve is always special... but this year was EXTRA special for our family because that was the night we found out that we're expecting another precious daughter and sister to Ellie. We had the ultrasound tech wrap up either a blue stocking or pink Santa hat, and Christmas or Christmas Eve we would open it and discover what we were having as a family with many more on the phone. Ellie seems excited but to her, this baby was ALWAYS a girl and she never thought it could be a boy. It was no surprise to her AT ALL. She was right!

We're very excited. I've already read the names book for the girls, and have about 15 names we're considering. Hopefully it won't be long before we'll have a name picked out for her.

It was a great holiday. We spent Christmas Eve with the Munn family again this year. We like to go to the cemetery and light luminaries on the graves of loved family members who have passed on. After which, we had a turkey dinner, acted out a Nativity scene, sang "Silent Night," and once the girls were in their pajamas - Nana read them THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Christmas morning, after opening our presents, we went back to the Munn's to talk to Elder Patrick Munn on the phone. We had a breakfast, and spent the morning in our pj's and enjoying each other's company. Later that evening, we went to Evan and Monyka's home for a traditional Ham dinner. Evan went all out as host - even giving us appetizers of shrimp, sausage and cheese, and crackers and dip. Everything was perfect.

This holiday will be one we will remember for many years. We can't wait for next Christmas when our new baby girl will be with our family. Thanks to everyone for your love and friendship, and for the part you played to make this Christmas magical and memorable. We love you all. Take care, and here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

20 Week Update

Just had my 20 week checkup and ultrasound.... half way there!!! Everything looks really good with the baby. Growing right on schedule, with a strong heartbeat between 150-160 bpm. We took some cute pictures of the baby on ultrasound - my favorite being it's tiny little feet pressed close to one another. We still haven't found out the gender yet; we plan to find out Christmas Eve or Christmas Day by opening the box with either the baby blue stocking, or the light pink Santa hat in it. We can't wait.

I am doing well myself too. The blood clot in the placenta has dissolved completely, but still, we are going to watch the placenta very closely over the next couple of months. I have an appointment for more ultrasounds in one month, and three months, and more to follow as the baby come's closer to it's due date. I've only gained 15 pounds since the start of the pregnancy. I'm hoping I can keep that in check this pregnancy and not gain 50 pounds like I did with Ellie.

I hope you are all ready for Christmas. We're busy today getting ready for the big days ahead. Ellie is so excited for Santa to come tomorrow night! I just know Christmas Eve and Christmas will be a blast this year. We hope yours is too!

Love the Munn Family,
Laura, Shayne, Ellie, and baby #2 :)

The Christmas Tree

Often I do things for others and I do no get the reaction I imagined. Don't get me wrong, I don't do things for other people to "get a reaction"... but I think we are all guilty of imagining how we thought it would play out and maybe a tad disappointed if something doesn't seem "like much" to the person we did it for. At other times though, when you think what your doing yourself is "not much," it can end up meaning the world to the person you did it for... leaving your heart with warm fuzzies and the lasting memory of that moment.

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As we drove up to Grandpa Underwood's house one cold night in December 2009 bearing a bucket of KFC Chicken, we looked forward to the visit ahead. Grandpa's doorway was dark and it would appear to most that perhaps he wasn't home. We rang the doorbell and a orange light turned on just and we heard the creaky door open. Grandpa Underwood answered the door. "Hello. Come on in," he said.

Taking off our coats, we began with our usual greeting hugs and Shayne's Mom and I set the table for the chicken dinner. We ate,laughed, and enjoyed each others company. We were all bursting in our bellies by the end of the dinner. Once the table was cleared, we moved on to the next "item of business." Grandpa needed a Christmas tree.

Mom had already set the tree up and had cleaned his living room for our evening. The living room had collected months, or possibly even years, of dust but now the living room seemed to gleam. Things haven't been the same for Grandpa since his wife of over sixty years passed away in 2004. For years, Grandpa has managed well on his own, and even today at 88 seems to be making it around well. However, Mom moved in with her Dad a couple months ago and I could tell he is enjoying the companionship and comfort of knowing she is there.

"Where are the ornaments?" Shayne asked.

"Under the stairs somewhere," said Mom. Shayne went downstairs and brought back three boxes of ornaments. Some of which were older than Shayne and I put together.

"Lets bring up the bears too," Mom told Shayne as they both went downstairs to bring up more boxes. I had forgotten about the bears. I remember every Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Underwood putting out their collection of Christmas bears. There are usually a husband and wife bear, all with the year sewn on the bottom paw. They used to fill the room.

Coming back upstairs and into the living room with several boxes, they said, "we got half of them. I think this is all we'll need this year."

It was fun to take the bears out of the boxes and see the dates on them. We matched them up husband and wife, and lined them up on the couch. Ellie loved seeing them and cuddling with a few at a time.

After Shayne and I put the lights on the tree, we opened the boxes and unwrapped the ornaments. Grandpa seemed to smile to himself flooded with memories of the contents of the boxes. It was obvious he and Grandma never threw anything away, and they saved anything they thought they might need or want later on.

Carefully Ellie, Mom, and I put ornaments on the tree. We started with some ornaments with our names on them. Yes, they needed some updating due to more great grandchildren and marriages in the family, but it was touching to see our names on these precious ornaments. Grandpa placed some of his antique ornaments on the tree. Not long after, the tree was glowing and sparkling with the ornaments hanging down. It looked beautiful.

It wasn't enough to us even though Grandpa seemed satisfied with the outcome of his tree and decorations so far. We felt Grandpa needed lights in his window. Grandpa stood closely to Shayne as they bowed the string of lights around his front window. Grandpa gave his "notes" to Shayne, and together they made it look wonderful.

"The neighbors are probably in shock to see that the Underwood's have lights and a tree up," Grandpa said with a smile. It was at this moment I was informed that Grandpa hadn't had a tree up in three years. Grandpa scouted out the window as if to make sure people could see that HE was putting up lights. "People keep slowing down as they pass my house!" Grandpa said with a chuckle.

It was so cute to see Grandpa go outside to double check how his now festive home looked. He smiled as he peered in his front window.

One finishing touch. The star. Shayne put the unlit star up on the tree. We turned off the lights in the living room. After everyone was sitting, Shayne turned on the Christmas tree lights. All at once we started saying, "Wow it's beautiful.... it turned out great..... we did a good job, etc." After several moments enjoying the tree, Shayne, Mom, and Ellie left the room. After a moment, I left the living room too.

After a few minutes, I noticed Grandpa was still in his living room. I wondered if he was fixing parts of the tree or if he might have needed help with something. As I went in to check, I noticed his eyes were tearing up. He wasn't looking at me, just softly sitting in his chair and feeling the emotion of the moment. It was then that I realized this had meant so much to him. He was probably having memories of his dear wife, and the times they shared together at Christmas.

I left the room to give him another minute. I felt like if I had stayed I might have been interrupting his moment. After a while, Grandpa came out and it was time to say goodbye.

As we pulled out of the driveway, Shayne and I both agreed how happy and blessed we were to help him put up his tree this year and how good we felt inside knowing how it seemed bring more light to Grandpa's eyes. We drove away slowly, looking at the beautiful scene in the window and noticing Grandpa as he waved goodbye a second and third time. It is the highlight of our Christmas so far.

We knew that putting up the tree would make his Christmas better, but we never would have guessed what it would do for ours. It gave our Christmas more meaning as we remembered the true reason for the season. It is a night we will never forget, and can not be easily topped.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ellie Belly

Ellie has been so cute lately. I've noticed for the past two weeks that when she needs assistance with something, she'll say "HELP! I need Mommy Power!" It cracks us up and makes me feel like a hero when I can "save the day."

She's been going through an interesting phase lately too. Despite all my efforts in the past to make sure she knows to "color only on paper" I have been noticing her personalizing 'her things.' This has been an interesting process to find out what she has personalized next. Of course she personalizes her toys, and bedroom furniture unfortunately, but even the TV and remote belong to her apparently. Even though it is rather annoying to find my house with little "Ellie"'s everywhere, it's cute and I remind her we color and write ONLY ON PAPER. I find myself saying the things I heard my parents say growing up.... "this is why we don't have nice things" being one of them.... Oh the joys.

Ellie has also been trying to figure out how to tell a joke. She loves to make people smile and laugh. Lately, she will come up to Shayne or I and tell us in a whisper to our ear, "Dad, I need to tell you a secret..... SOUR MILK." Then Shayne will laugh, and she comes over to me to tell some other joke. Her favorite being the word, "CASH" for whatever reason. It's pretty funny.

Ellie is also becoming quite the helper. It's not uncommon to see Ellie washing the dishes.... of course at this age, I have to go back and rinse them again when she isn't looking, but I'm thrilled at her wanting to help and never discourage her from it.

If you ever wanted to know, Ellie's current favorite foods are; spaghetti, spaghetti o's, ravioli's (and to think she says she HATES tomato's! Ha ha ha), macaroni and cheese,Ramen noodles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hotdogs of course, cheeseburgers from McDonalds, fried chicken, chicken noodle soup, spring salads with ranch dressing, and her newest favorite ham and cheese sandwiches. She'll try just about anything though, and if she sees we REALLY like it, usually and magically she likes it too.

This kid loves to DANCE too. When I have music on, she will run upstairs and get her dress up clothes on and come back down to boogy. She has to wear her clip clop shoes (short heeled Sunday shoes), and of course princess tiara. I think Ellie has a lot of potential in dance and I wish I had her in dance this year. For sure next fall. Ellie sings quite a bit too. Her favorite song year round is "Jingle Bells."

Ellie loves school and is learning bunches this year. We have a set of alphabet magnets on the fridge, and she likes to play "teacher." She'll take a letter and say, "what letter is this?" I will say, is it "A?" to which she'll reply with a huge smile, 'YES GOOD JOB!' Or if I got it wrong which I do at times just to test her ABC's, she says, 'No, try again.' It's pretty fun to see her learn. She has come a long way since last year.

We were thrilled that for the first time on her own this year, Ellie sat on Santa's lap without crying. In years past, she's been excited to to Santa, but when we came close to seeing him, she took one look and started to cry. When she was two, she RAN away. This year, as Shayne and I were looking over the picture packages, Ellie ran up to Santa before they were even ready for us. She made sure he knows she has been good and doesn't want a "rock" for Christmas. We were thrilled.

This morning, as it snowed, Ellie of course got bundled up head to toe in her cowgirl boots, coat, hat, scarf, and used my gloves to check out the snow. She went in her pajamas and all. It was cute to see her trying to roll a snowball with my very large gloves on.

Ellie also couldn't be more thrilled about her new baby brother or sister. In her prayers she always prays that the baby "will be good in Mommy's tummy." She can't wait for her birthday because I told her it will be around then that the baby will be coming. Of course she wants a sister. My ultrasound is December 22, but are going to ask the hospital to put the sex of the baby in an envelope for us to open Christmas Day. We are thrilled.

Ellie is such a blessing in our family and we love watching her grow up and being a part of her life. We can't wait to have another blessing in our family. Having Ellie makes me so excited to be a Mom again. We hope you are enjoying your holiday season!