More to come later

Just a small update.. I am home from Idaho now and it's hot hot hot here. I am going to be posting pictures next week. I had a lot of fun, but now I am busy with putting together the baby's room. I am starting a quilt for the little man and am excited to see the finished product. Andrew is doing good with work and with his calling. My poor husband is working a lot of hours and not feeling well at the same time. He's quite a trooper that one!

The baby is doing really well. I am officially 29 weeks on Friday and am getting bigger and bigger. He sure is active and sometimes a little out of control, but we still love him none the less. I can't wait to see his little face. I had a doc appt today and he is still healthy and the due date is still the same, Oct. 24. I take my glucose test on Friday so hopefully I'm in the clear with diabetes. I'll post everything on my next post.
XOXO

East coast to West coast update

It's been a while since I posted last and thought I would just do a small update while I had some time. So the middle of June Andrew's parents and his brother came for a visit. We got to stay in New York City with them in this fun apartment that was on the 39th floor that over looked the city and the Hudson. It was beautiful! Andrew and I were so lucky to have them come because they spoiled us. It was so nice to have their company and for them to see where we lived and where Andrew worked. We got to see Broadway plays (Phantom of the Opera was my favorite of the 4!)and go to a Yankee's game. Also saw a Redbull's soccer game, they happened to be playing a Brazilian team so it was perfect. We watched the world cup soccer games every morning as we were all getting ready and walked around the city. We went to the planetarium and ate at some really fun restaurants. They got to see where we lived and I think they really enjoyed their time with us. At least I hope so. I would have to say that that was probably once in a life time opportunity for me. I'm just a little Idaho girl that has never experienced anything like that. I felt so unexperienced, but loved every minute of it as I got to experience it. So thanks mom and dad for that wonderful time and opportunity! We sure had a blast.

In June, Andrew let me go to Idaho to see my family one last time before this baby comes (and also to escape the heat of the east) I am so grateful for him to give me and the baby up for 5 weeks. What a blessing this has been for me!! As much as I miss Andrew I am having a good time seeing friends and especially family. My amazing husband has stayed behind to work and accrue PTO for when the baby comes. I am so lucky to have him. What husband unselfishly stays behind to work while his wife goes clear across the country to just play and doesn't even get upset that he can't come. WOW that's pretty awesome if you ask me! So I am here for another few weeks and then back to Jersey for me. The baby is getting so big and things are going well with him. I will be 25 weeks on Friday... I can't believe how fast this is all going, but I am not going to lie I am very excited to have him out. I am not the number one pregnancy fan! They say he should now be 1.5 pounds and 13 1/2 inches long. I can feel him getting bigger for sure. I feel a lot less graceful when I walk... I think I have started the waddle which I try and avoid. This baby is going to be one crazy boy and very spoiled I am sure..

Boise has been good and I have been playing a lot with my nephews here. We've been to Roaring Springs ( the local water park) and to the pool a bunch. I finally got tan after a MEGA sunburn! We've seen movies and played video games and just have had a blast. I will have to post pictures when I get home of all the fun times. We had a fun 4th of July. Family came over and we did a BBQ and roasted marsh mellows and of course lit some fireworks. The boys loved it and we just enjoyed our independence. My dad has a cabin in McCall, Idaho so we went up there for a night and had a blast. It was so beautiful and just nice to have trees and greenery again. This week all my brothers are coming into town and we are headed up to Island Park Idaho for a huge Fisher Family Reunion (that is my mom's side) it will be so fun to be with all my family and especially the brothers I haven't seen in a while. When we come back we are having a birthday party for my one nephew and then a baby shower for me the following day. On Sunday I am driving to Provo to go stay with Andrew's mom and dad and am excited to do that. They are also having a baby shower for me and we are going to make some blankets for the baby. I am excited to see everyone that will be there for that!! So as you can see I have not stopped going and going since I got here and probably won't stop until I actually get on the plane to Jersey.

Andrew has been doing well. Work has been very busy for him and he said that as soon as I left he got all these responsibilities. Which is excellent. I hate him feeling guilty for not coming home on time from work when he has so much to do, but he knows I don't mind. So it has been good that I have been gone so he can focus on that. He is still loving it and feels really good about being there. Which everything we've gone through there makes it worth it in the end! As much as we love our apartment, I think we are both excited for one day to make it to the suburbs (that will be way in the future). We can only handle Jersey city life for so long, we are for sure managing though. Andrew is enjoying the city and being able to explore. He loves big cities and he says it feels like home to him. Like this is where he belongs. He is teaching me so much about living outside my comfort zone whether he knows it or not. His calling is going well but keeping him busy. He had to go to Scout Camp one day and had some good stories to tell! Andrew is so excited to be having a boy and can't wait for the little munchkin to come. He always says when he comes we are going to _____ or when he gets here I am going to teach him ______. It cracks me up. I love that even though this was a complete surprise to us, he is thrilled to be a dad and he will be the GREATEST dad ever!

Well just thought I'd share what was happening. These post always seem to be longer then I expect, but oh well, I hope you enjoy them!

XOXO

19 weeks already

I am shocked that we are already at our half way mark! WooHoo for that accomplishment. We had an ultrasound last night and our sweet baby seems to be growing and healthy as can be at this point. As most of you know I was 99% sure we were having girl and Andrew was sure it was a girl up until a last week when he had this dream of a curly brown haired little boy. So I called my mom to see if she still thought we were having a girl (we call her ultraSandi because she is always spot on about what gender your baby will be) she told me that just that morning she had a little boy pop in her head but was still hooked on a girl. AH I was so confused... boy or girl, boy or girl? Kept running through my head. So at our ultrasound we told the tech that we wanted to know the sex of this baby. As we were watching the ultrasound this little baby is one crazy babe. It was rolling, tumbling, punching, kicking, and flipping all over the place. The tech had a really hard time trying to get everything done because baby wouldn't sit still for not even 5 seconds. I'm nervous for the handful this monster will be.
So boy or girl you ask??..... it happens to be a............

BOUNCING BABY BOY!!!

I'm in shock that is the world used the most for this pregnancy.. we should probably just name him that! The tech told us that my umbilical cord was all over the place and they didn't have the best equipment so she was a little unsure because he wouldn't stay still as stated earlier. She told us to check on my next ultrasound to make sure, but we're are pretty positive it's a boy.
We are super excited and nervous. I guess that means no bow making or any cutisy things to be put on a baby girl, but that day will come. We have so many boys in Jess's family and my poor niece Mia has no girl cousins. I just hope that our little boy will be as cute and fun as all our nephews. The more I think about a boy the better it is. I loved having older brothers to look up to and watch over me. So I love that fact that he'll be an older brother to those siblings that are someday to come. We don't have any official names yet, but they'll come.
So I'll post some baby bump pictures on my next post it just popped the other night. Weird how it can do that.
Anyways everyone have a good Memorial weekend! We're going to New Hampshire with some of our best friends so we'll post those pictures when we get back
XOXO

Pics I promised... kind of a long post

Sorry some of these are side ways.
This is Susquehanna River in Harmony Penn where Joseph and Oliver received the Aaronic Preisthood and then baptized one another. It was a little hike down a trail to get here, but it was really peaceful. It was really quite surreal to know that you walked the same ground that the Prophet walked. We also saw the corner stones of the house that they lived in and translated the plates. It was sooo little you could hardly believe that's where it all took place.

This headstone is where Joseph and Emma's first baby was buried.

This is Emma's parents headstones. On the other side it looks like the baby's. All old and worn out.
This little brook was on the way down the trail to the River. I just loved the way this picture looked all covered in moss. Just thought I'd add it in.

Us by the Susquehanna River.

The site of where John the Baptist gave the Aaronic Preisthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Andrew and I got free tickets from DirecTV to go to a Yankee's game. We aren't the biggest fans, but hey for good seats that are free who would pass that up. It was just nice to do something out of the ordinary for us. One of Andrew's co workers got the other 2 tickets and they were good company. We had some pretty sweet seats and the baby pistacho enjoyed the hot dog.. or two!
From this picture it looks like we are really far up but we could see everything really clearly.

So these are some of our Young Women.... so the one in the middle isn't active so we went to watch her soccer game. The other two are sisters and then we are missing one other Young Women.. yeah that's right we only have 3 active YW.
Here is us watching the game. The other lady is Claire, she is the Young Women's president and actually served in Andrew's parents mission in Brazil. She is awesome and has been so much fun to work with.

Claire, Ashely, and Emily. Just a side note, Claire had her baby boy on the 12.

This is when I went to the zoo with Kelly and her daughter Elanor. Obviously these are the penguins.

A red panda

Elanor loved this fountain, it was her absolute favorite!!

So just a small update. We went to Syracuse for Andrew's cousin's baby blessing. It was really nice to see family and be there for them. We drove around and went to Joann Fabrics. My dream come true! We had really fun seeing them and their sweet new baby. The blessing was great and we enjoyed lunch with them after. On the way there we went through Scranton Penn.. Andrew's dream come true. He is obsessed with the Office and he took a bunch of pictures and ate at a diner that was delicious! Andrew will have to post his pics, I'm not sure where they are, but we had a lot of fun. On the way home that's when we stopped through Harmony Penn.
On to more exciting news, Andrew's bike got stolen, our gas got siphoned along with our gas cap being stolen.. and better yet, we're pretty sure it happened at church, and I got another parking ticket when baby sitting. Oh the joys of New Jersey, you've treated us so well already! I told Andrew that my Idaho mind would not be a very good criminal mind because never in a million years would I think to steal copper out of A/C units to sell for money, or siphon gas, and so many other things that I have learned about being here. I'm nervous to get hardened but I am afraid it's coming.
Other than that we are doing well. Andrew still loves his job and he is starting to get more responsibility with his calling so that will be interesting when it gets full blown. Our baby is growing at the right pace. I had a doc appt on Tuesday and everything looks good. I haven't even gained one pound, but I am defiantly starting to round. I'm thinking I might have to get some new pants for this little belly. In 2 weeks we find out the sex, so I'll have more to post then.
XOXO

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL, AMAZING, FABULOUS MOTHERS OUT THERE!! I HOPE YOUR KIDS BEHAVE TODAY AND THAT YOU ALL GET SOME REST. THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST.



As for Andrew and my mother, thank you for being our number one supporters our whole lives. Thank you for all the many small and many big things you have done for us. We couldn't be more grateful or appreciative of EVERYTHING you have done. We love and care about you so much and would never be where we are today without you! Happy Mother's Day
XOXO


Love you so much,
Jess and Andrew

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