The Zoo and NYC

So my friend Kelly and her daughter Elanor have been my companions the last 2 months. Kelly just barely had a baby on the 24 of this month, so while the time was passing by for her baby to come we tried to do fun things. We used to go walking 3 times a week and Elanor would feed the ducks. I have adopted her as my niece since we are all alone here. I just love that little girl!
So we decided to go to the Zoo in West Orange. It wasn't that big, but Elanor had a blast. Her favorite was not the animals.. oh no she loved this little fountain that was toddler size. It was super cute and funny. Every time we would be walking by it she would run straight for it no matter how far we were from it. She could spot that thing from the other side of the zoo. It was a really good time. It got me out of the house and Kelly too. There was a train ride that just made a loop through the woods and whenever they would ring the bell, Elanor would plug her ears and would say "the train is really loud." It was really fun and I think Elanor had a good time!
Also I guess I should add to the title the zoo, NYC, and a baby because Kelly had sweet Abigail. She is sooo beautiful and a sweetheart. I stayed the night when Kelly had Abigail so Elanor wouldn't be alone. Elanor woke up around 3:30am and when I went in to get her she told me "mommy and daddy are at the hospital having a baby."
The next day I went over to babysit for a little bit while Michael, Kelly husband went to go alone to the hospital. I asked Elanor (who had visited baby Abigail earlier) if she liked baby Abigail and El's response was "I like her just fine!" It was so funny I will never forget that coming out in her little high pitched voice. So anyways that was the Zoo and a new baby.

My old roommate who I lived with in Beauty school actually lives in Connecticut. It's about a 3-4 hour drive, so they decided to come visit for the weekend. It was so nice to have a familiar face around. We decided to go to NYC for Saturday. There was a lot we wanted to do, but plans kept changing, just due to tiredness and walking. We went on the Staten Island Ferry and that was my first time. The day was so perfect. The weather was nice and the company was good. We went and ate some good food, walked around downtown and went to Macy's That place is HUGE! We had so much fun and wish they lived closer, maybe one day huh? It was also nice for Andrew to have a couple around that we both feel comfortable with. Couples here are hard to find here that are in our stage of life and that we both like. I think we all know what I am talking about. So it was nice and relaxing!!

As far as MY sweet babe goes, everything is well. I am officially in the second trimester and have felt pretty good for the most part. I have been more tired then anything, but sometimes still sick. I have felt more at ease about the issues I had posted earlier. I am starting to look for a birthing class to take. I am 15 weeks and have a doctor's appt in 2 weeks and hopefully in another 2 after that I can get an ultrasound to find out the gender of our little pistachio! Boy or Girl what do you all think?

So as far as Andrew and I, Andrew is staying really busy and life just got more difficult since Andrew got called to be the 2 counselor in the Branch Presidency. I know that that is a big responsibility anyways, but back in Idaho and Utah things are so much more organized and "lighter." There is no way I could possibly explain our branch. It's pure CHAOS! If you ever come to visit you HAVE to visit for at least one hour in our branch. Then you will get a glimmer in to our hectic lives. It's been one crazy ride and I have loved every minute of it. I have grown so much in such a small amount of time. As hard as it's been here, I have felt blessed to be a part of it all. It's a lot of responsibility and hard work, but my kids that I teach are incredible and so worth the hard ship. Now my husband's life just got crazier as well. So pray for us, we need all the prayers we can get. We love you all so much and miss you everyday!
XOXO

PS... I promise to post pics of everything when we get back from our weekend adventure.

An update along with a few questions

Today was my third doctor's visit and I must tell you, my doctor is AMAZING!! He is really funny and nothing like a Ob/Gyn doctor you'd expect. He answers all my questions, jokes around with me, and keeps me on track. The doc told me that I am 12 weeks 4 days so according to him I am due OCTOBER 24!!! The big day can't possibly come soon enough. Andrew is a big number person. By that I mean every important date has to make sense. So he is really really hoping that the baby comes on 10-10-10, and I am really hoping that baby pistachio will come on 10-21-10 since that's my grandma's birthday! The doc said everything looked really good and I am scheduled for May 11 for my next appointment.

So I may sound a little personal, but I am seriously nervous for the whole birth. I start getting some anxiety thinking about it. So I asked the doc if I could start doing some sort of stretches or exercises to "stretch" for when the baby comes. I am FREAKING OUT about tearing.. I didn't even know that was possible up from a few years ago. He laughed because he knew I was panicking. He told me everything would be fine and to relax that that wasn't for a few more months. He also said that there wasn't anything (such as stretches) that I can do to prepare.. so now I am asking if any of you know or think has helped to prevent tearing.

I also discussed my fear of any drugs during pregnancy and during birth. I am a very firm believer in keeping the baby as healthy as possible and to not let the baby get a "feel" for drugs. I told the doc that epidural wasn't even an option for me. The needle scares me more than the birth itself. So natural is the way for me to go. Anyways at this doc appt I told him that I haven't been feeling good especially this last week and he kept me right on track by saying "Jessica you told me you don't want drugs and since you have vomited limited times let's keep you on the path you are determined to go." Oh how grateful I am for him. He kept me strong. I was just having a weak moment and he is totally right that I haven't been as bad as maybe I think.

I have decided also that I was going to try my hardest and lose weight while I was pregnant. I DO NOT want to get any bigger than I already am. The doc told me it was possible and to be strong. So far as of my 12/13 weeks I have not gained any weight. In fact I lost 2 pounds.. WOOHOO! No worries I am just being really healthy and strict with what I am eating. Bad news is I don't feel the same weight I feel extremely bloated and uncomfortable. I am ready to look pregnant instead of ginormous.

Last week I had a case of the crazies... It was totally awful! My poor poor husband. I was crying for no reason and once I started I couldn't stop. Like literally I would all the sudden by happy, but couldn't stop crying. I've never had so many tears in my life. Every little thing would set me off. Plus I didn't feel good so that might of had something to do with it. Who knows. I am really good today and actually went out did some errands and hopefully can continue feeling comfortable here. Living here has thrown me for a loop with being preggo and 2000 miles from my family. It really has been hard, I know we're suppose to be here, its just really emotional for me. I miss my family so much and can't wait to visit home. There are a lot of stresses right now so I try hard to just relax and breath. Easier said then done. I am trying to go home in July and plan on staying there for the whole month. I really miss my nephews and Sunday dinners at mom's. Blah anyways I can't think about it, but if you have any ideas on how to overcome my feeling blue please feel free to offer. I would like any ideas you have!

Well sorry for the long post, but I needed to write.
XOXO

A Weekend in D.C.

Andrew and I decided it would be a blast to getaway this last weekend with it being conference and all. It was so nice not to have to prepare lessons!! With us living back east there are sooo many options we have for places to travel. Andrew and I have both been to Washington D.C. when we were younger so we decided that it would be a blast to go there together and "reminisce." Andrew had a half day at work on Friday, so we got a head start on the traffic. It's about a 4 hour drive, but with the traffic and some rest room stops, it took us about 4-5 hours. We arrived late in the evening and headed straight to the hotel. We stayed right up the street from the White House. We unloaded our luggage and went for a walk to the White House. It was such a nice night out and around 10:30 there were still thousands of people out. It was nuts, but we kind of expected that.
We woke up early Saturday morning and went to go get in line for the Holocaust Museum. The line was like wound around 3 blocks. Luckily we got tickets for the 1:00 showing. While we waited we walked up to the Washington Monument and down by the tidal basin. The cherry blossoms were absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! It was the main attraction and it was the perfect time because they were at their peak. All the vendors were there and it was a zoo.
The Holocaust Museum was of course very humbling. I remembered a lot of it from when I was younger, but it meant so much more this time around. I cannot even imagine the things that people went through. WOW it seriously blows my mind. It was also a zoo, but amazing. After that we headed to eat a very pricey hot dog. Everything is pricey there. So we hit everything free that we could. The Air and Space Museum, and some of the Smithsonian Museums. It was so relaxing and the most amazing day. Our feet were about to fall off by the end of the night. We went to the hotel and relaxed for a few hours then decided to eat and go for a drive. After an hour of driving, we went to go see the temple. As soon as we got close it was like a huge white mountain just dominating the sky. It was way cool. All lit up at night and glowing. We parked in the lot and walked around the Temple. Andrew took pictures and I got a few wimpy ones with my phone. It just took your breathe away.
Sunday we drove around some more. We also went to the Arlington Cemetery and there were soooo many tombstones. It's crazy to think how many people died there and all the suffering that happened. We ate some lunch and headed back home. We took a different route home that took us quite a while to get home, but the scenery was VERY worth it. The homes and small towns were breath taking. We stopped at Gettysburg since it was on the way home and it was really cool. I love that old town feel! I really love it out here, but am not excited one bit about the tourist and the heat. (when I say tourist I am not referring to ANY of you!) Actually it's kind of weird to think about the fact that I am not a tourist here in New York. HA it's surreal.
Here are some not so great pictures of our trip.. don't judge

The White House of course


The Washington Monument


The Lincoln Monument


Awww the beautiful D.C. Temple



HA us at the temple


The cherry blossoms.. well one of them


One of the six cannons they brought to Gettysburg from D.C.




Also today is a very special day. It is my one of my most favorite persons birthday...The one person who never gives up on me.. the one person who talks to me whenever I need someone... the one person who loves me unconditionally.. the one person that gave me life. My dearest Mom Happy Birthday to you! I hope you know how much Andrew and I love you SOOO much. Thank you for everything. You are my shining star! Have fun in California. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER!
XOXO