I'm sorry for neglecting our little corner of the internet, but that's just about how exciting our life is. Haha. That is, until we had a baby! Tanner William Larsen was born on November 18, 2014 at 5:02 a.m. weighing 6 pounds, 6 oz and was 19.5 inches long. If you remember, my due date was December 2, so he was exactly 2 weeks early and quite the surprise.
Sunday, November 16th was a pretty normal day. This was the day of the Phoenix Temple dedication , so there were no regular meetings, just the dedication. Later that afternoon, brennen and i went for a long walk at the nature preserve near our home. That next morning, around 1 am, I started having some cramping in my abdomen. I wasn't really worried about it and didn't think much of it until it stared coming and going and keeping me awake. They weren't super bad, but they didn't go away, were lasting about 30 seconds and we're 7 to 10 minutes apart. I called my work to let them know I wouldn't be able to make it in, and spent the day timing contractions. All day I had no change in the frequency or duration, so I just figured I would go to my doctor's appointment the next morning and ask about it. Since I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, we headed to bed around 9. About 10 minutes after I laid down, my contractions got worse and closer together. I monitored them for about 10 minutes. They were about 30 to 45 seconds long and 3 minutes apart. We decided to head to the hospital so they could check me out. When we got there, they monitored my contractions for about an hour and then checked my cervix. I was 100% effaced and dilated to a 4! The nurse called my doctor and I was admitted around 10:30. I received that blessed epidural at 11:30 and they checked me again. I was dilated to a 6! They told me to get some rest (haha, ya right!) and left us alone for a while. At 2 am, the doctor came in and checked me again. I was still at a 6, so she broke my water and propped my leg up on th e peanut ball. If you have never heard of the peanut ball, it's exactly that. It looks like an exercise or yoga ball that got cinched in the middle. It seems silly, but 20 minutes later, I was fully dilated and started pushing at 2:30. Let me just say this: pushing is hard. Especially when you can feel nothing down below. About an hour and a half into pushing, I started to feel some pain in my right hip. Basically for some reason the epidural stopped working in that part of my body and i could feel every. Single. Contraction. It was no fun. I told my nurse, but she just acted like I was crazy and had me keep pushing. So, I used it to my advantage. I could actually feel when I needed to push, and it wasn't when she was telling me to, and after that, it actually went a lot faster. Tanner arrived at 5:02 am, and the rest is history! Childbirth is no joke. It was as hard as I expected it to be, and my labor was actually not as bad or as long as I expected, but it was still hard and totally worth it.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Tanner's Birth Story
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Ketchup
Oh. My. Gosh. Has it really been 7 weeks since my last post? You guys, I'm terrible at this stuff. Terrible. Well anyways, if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you pretty much know what's going on in my life. Nothing. Bit, since it's been a while, here's an update.
Baby Larsen ' s 20 week stats:
Size: about 6-7 inches, about the size of a mango or small cantaloupe.
Weight: a little over half a pound- about 10 oz
Gender: it's a BOY!
Movement: little dude's a freaking acrobat! He was trying to do backwards summersaults and was standing on his head the whole time at our last ultrasound! The tech was not impressed. He is constantly wiggling and moving around. I can especially feel him when I'm trying to go to sleep because I am so still. The other night he kicked so hard I could see it from the outside! I tried to let Brennen feel it, but then he stopped because I moved.
Cravings: food in general. I just seem to be always wanting something to eat. I gained 9 pounds in 6 weeks, and it definitely wasn't all baby! So I'm trying to cut back on my portion sizes and not eat when I'm bored because the more weight I put on, the more I get to take of again after he comes. Don't worry, I'm not starving myself or anything, just stopping when I'm full.
Weight gain: since we're on the subject...I'm like 114 right now. Thats 12 lbs more than my previous pregnancy weight. I'm packing on, and it's scary because I've never been able to gain weight before and now there's nothing I can do about it until he comes. I dont know how easily it will come off, so I'm trying to not gain any more than I absolutely have to.
Sleep: getting more and more uncomfortable since now I can't sleep on my back anymore. Sleeping on my side is getting pretty old. I will be fine until about 4 a.m. and then I only get little snippets of sleep.
We are so excited to be having a little boy! For a while I was 99% sure it was a boy. I didn't even think about having a girl. Well, turns out mother's intuition was right! He is most definitely a boy! since I became pregnant, my desire for shopping has really lessened. But once I found out the gender, that desire came back with a vengance! I've already got a few outfits, plus a bouncer and baby carrier from a lady in my ward. Our next door neighbors have a little boy about 2, and they are moving to Puerto Rico for graduate school and have offered to give me a ton of stuff they can't take with them. We are so blessed to have people around us that can help us out! Ok, enough words, time for pictures!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
13 Weeks
How have 13 weeks gone by already!? Thank goodness they are now flying by instead of dragging! As you all now know, we let loose on social media a few days ago, and the love and support we recieved was overwhelming! We are so blessed to have such awesome friends and family and this baby will be so so loved.
So, I stopped doing week-by-week posts because lets face it, things aren't changing that quickly. But I promise to update regularly on here to keep interested friends and family in-the-know. I don't plan on posting much to facrbook, so make sure to follow my blog and instagram (@gandbplusone) for updates and baby bump pictures. And, without further adieu, here are baby Larsen's 13 week stats:
Gestational age: 13 weeks 2 days
Size: 3 inches, the size of a lemon.
Heart rate: about 145 bpm
Gender: unknown (but we're pretty sure it's a boy!)
Growth: all of baby's internal organs are formed, just growing bigger and stronger! Boy/Girl parts are not formed yet, but wil in the next few weeks. Baby has hands and toes, and is even starting to grow hair!
Movement: none that I can feel, but from the ultrasound, baby loves to dance!
I still have been super lucky with this pregnancy in that I've had no morning sickness whatsoever. However, when I hit 12 weeks, I came down with the upper respiratory infection to end all respiratory infections. I'm still trying to get over that one. And it stinks because 1) you can't really take anything for it and 2) nothing has ever been able to blast through my cold-like symptoms. So pregnant or not, I have have to plow through and hope it ends soon. My cravings have shifted from fresh fruits and veggies to freshly fried chicken and other insanely unhealthy things. Its bad that there's a Popeye's right across the street from my work. They have the best fried chicken. This week my goal is to not eat out at all for lunch. But sometimes I literally forget to bring a lunch, so that plan goes out the window, and fried chicken it is. You're welcome, baby. Ok, enough words, time for pictures! We had our nuchal translucency ultrasound a few days ago, and the tech was able to get some really amazing shots for us. At first baby was wild moving around so much! Then when she needed to see the back of its neck, it stopped moving and just sat there with its back to us and wouldn't move! She would wiggle the wand thing around on my belly and made me lay on my side so she could see what she needed to! Then, of course, when we were done it started dancing again! Little bugger!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
A little peek
Sent this picture to my mom with this caption:
"Not sure if food baby, or if I really have nowhere to put it. Actually, I know exactly what it is. My grapefruit-sized uterus is pushing all my intestines upwards...baby is doing that...therefore, baby bump!"
Thursday, May 1, 2014
9 weeks
Baby is the size of a prune! Hoping this week is not too hard for me. I have a feeling that I'm going to be a little more exhausted since baby is DOUBLING in size this week! His/her little arms and legs are growing and he/she is beginning to look less like a tadpole and more like a human! Ultrasound revealed a strong heartbeat at 168 bpm! We go in for our next appointment and another ultrasound at the end of this month, and we'll probably break the news to everyone on social media.
Morning Sickness: still hasn't really been an issue. When I'm hungry my stomach will just skip "inform mode" and go directly to "survival mode." Sometimes I will get indigestion, but it doesn't usually result in nausea.
Cravings: still fresh foods. Fruits and veggies. Loving fruit filled pastries, especiay for breakfast. Pop-tarts ans Toaster Strudels are the best. I'm also eating more cold cereal (which I guess a lot of pregnant women crave) and a tall glass of ice-cold 2%. Oh, and I got new vitamins that don't make me gag!
Showing: same as last week, but worse. Sometimes I get bloated and it sorta looks like a baby bump, and usually I just tell myself it is, haha.
Signs & Symptoms: mostly exhaustion. All I want to do is sleep. Last week B and I walked around the mall while we were waiting for our movie to start and my feet swelled up. I get really gassy when I eat too fast, and hormones make me mean and grumpy. Oh, I had to go buy bigger bras, too. I have no motivation to do anything. That is anything but sleep and sit around watching HGTV and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Today I was supposed to go grocery shopping after check g the mail and dropping off the outgoing mail at our office, but I turned around and went home to watch two episodes of Bones instead. I have become such a homebody. I don't know, maybe it's nesting? I am still sleeping really well, except I keep having dreams of twin girls (when clearly, there is only one baby in there thank goodness) and last night I had a dream that B died a few months after we got married. I'm pretty sure I was crying in my sleep with that one.
I am still working my bum off at le plasma centre, but I'm getting really sick of it. I'm tempted just to quit and go on medicaid, but then I'd have to get an Arizona I.D. and then I'd have to change the plates on my car (which would never pass inspection or emissions) and then I'd have to buy a new car, which I can't afford because we still owe lots on our new one. So basically I'm too lazy to quit my job and let the government take care of me, haha. Well enough about all that, here's a picture of baby #1 at 8 weeks and 2 days!
8 Weeks
Baby is the size of a raspberry! I can't believe we have known about this baby for a whole month! When I look back it feels like time has gone by so quickly, but when I am waiting for one more week to pass, time seems slower that a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter. And why is the size of a baby always compared to fruit? Why not "baby is the size of a thimble?" Anyways. Lets see. What can I tell you about? Morning Sickness: nope. None. I must be really really lucky because I have had zero morning sickness. In fact, I wasn't even sure I really was pregnant. But we went to the doctor on Thursday and she didn't say I wasn't pregnant, so I will take that as a good sign. Occasionally I will start to feel icky around dinner time, but usually I just need to eat and then I feel better. The only things hard for me to stomach are my prenatal vitamins. I always gag. Cravings: mostly anything fresh. Fresh veggies are my fave right now, whether raw or steamed. All I want to eat is raw carrots and ranch. Fruits are delicious too. Green apples and green grapes hit the spot, and I've been downing more strawberries too. Brennen got me a little smoothie blender as an anniversary gift so I can make all kinds of good things. I'm not a huge fan of bread anymore. I will eat it though, especially with some peanut butter. I do not like overly sweet things. I bought a bunch of ginger ale to help with queasiness, but it only makes it worse.
Showing? Eh. I just look like I'm getting fatter. You know, like I ate 19 too many cookies. My pants are getting tighter around the waist.
Sleep: starting to have weird dreams, but sleeping really well. Probaby because I'm exhausted all the time. I usually take a nap if I can, but then I'm still in bed by 9.
Well, this week we get a peek at our little one, so I will keep you updated on that!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
The Day that Changed Our Lives Forever
Monday, April 7, 2014
Monday Musings: Working Moms
My mother has worked outside the home for as long as I can remember. In fact, she has been at the same job for over 22 years (and I’m 23). I remember coming home from church one day as a youth, and my mom talking about something that was said in Sunday school. One ward member (a male) had made a comment along the lines of, “mothers that work outside the home will go to hell.” Well, you can imagine how any working mother might take that statement. I don’t remember the details of how my mom reacted, or even how she felt, but I do clearly remember how I felt. I wanted to find that guy and kick him in the shins. As a teacher, I have come to realize that the greater learning takes place in the home, not in the classroom. If children spent as much time in the classroom as they did at home, then the story would be different. But the truth is kids just can’t sit still for that long. Plus, the government wouldn’t fund it, but that’s a different argument for a different day. The argument here is that working moms are unable to teach their children because they fail to be at the “crossroads” of their lives. That may be so, but let me tell you about what my working mom was able to teach me while working 40 hours a week.
1. My mom taught me to work hard. Good things do not come to those who sit on their butt. Things that matter come to those who bite the bullet, get their hands dirty, and get stuff done. She taught me that no matter what my dream was, all I needed to do to achieve it was put in the hours and elbow grease.
2. My mom taught me to dream. My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. Whatever I wanted to do, she was behind me cheering me on. Orchestra? Sure thing. Let me find my sister’s old violin so you don’t have to rent again (after I broke the first). Color guard? Absolutely! Choir? I’ll be at every concert. Anything I wanted to do, she was behind me 100%. When it came to what college I wanted to go to, she was more than happy I picked BYU-I. When it came to my career choice, she couldn’t see me doing anything differently. Although she couldn’t come to Chicago on Bonnevaire’s tour with me, I knew she was back home, cheering for me.
3. My mom taught me to listen to the spirit. Her example has always been my biggest teacher. I really started to take advantage of her wisdom when I was in college. I always knew that if I had a question, to take it to the Lord and wait for an answer. She always encouraged me to take advantage of having a priesthood holder in the home and receive blessings from my dad. When I got my patriarchal blessing, she was right there beside me, taking in all the blessings my life had in store because she brought me into the world
4. My mom instilled in me a love of music. She taught me to use my talents to bless the lives of others. Because of her example and encouragement and support, best friends have become like family and my life is richer for it. I can bear testimony of my Savior in a way that many cannot, and for that I will be forever grateful to her.
5. My mom taught me how to be a mother. You might not guess it, but yes. My working mother has taught me more about motherhood than any book written, or lecture given, or scientific study performed ever could. Because she gave all she had for her family. Every moment she did not spend at home was spent doing something for or with her family. The fact that she worked didn’t change that.
You see, not everyone is lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom. And those who have circumstances that don’t allow them to be there shouldn’t be condemned for it. My grandmother passed away when my mother was only 7 months old. Being the youngest child with the next oldest sibling 15 years older, she was raised by her single father. She never had a mother. Not really. In the big scheme of things, I think she did a pretty good job. And I think the Lord knows that too, and even though she wasn’t there waiting for us kids after school with milk and warm chocolate chip cookies, I think he’s willing to overlook that. Because He loves her, and He knows she did the best she could. So if you meet a mom with a job, before you judge her, take a moment to thank your Heavenly Father that you can be with your kids all day. Because chances are, the working mom wishes she could be too.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Awkward and Awesome
AWKWARD AND AWESOME March 2014
Awkward:
1. Having two consecutive days of work off, and feeling like everything has changed since you were there last.
2. Talking to people you don’t want to talk to about things you don’t want to talk about.
3. Spending your Tuesday night reading all the texts from your mom since the beginning of time.
4. Having someone explain to you that the reason he has lost weight is because his “girlfriend is in town.” We’re just going to say “Increased exercise.” Ya, that’s good.
5. Fantasy Football and Macrh Madness Brackets. I just don’t get it.
6. Spending your 45 minute lunch break just trying to find a McDonalds. You live in Phoenix. How hard can this be?!
7. Having to go to McDonald’s after you dropped your Costa Vida birthday dinner leftovers on the floor.
8. Having a male and a female of the only two fish on the planet earth that have live births. I’m a grandma!
9. Admitting to your husband of 4 years that you have the social personality of a crazy cat lady. MEOW!
10. When you have oily skin and even though your mascara is supposed to be waterproof, it smudges up under your eyebrows anyways. “No, I wasn’t going for that look.”
AWESOME:
1. When I come home from work and the dishes are done! Thanks, hubby!
2. Game nights with the hubs, working on our Settlers skills.
3. Those nights that I make AWESOME dinners.
4. Successfully recreating one of my mother-in-law’s dishes. If you want to commit a murder and make it look like heart failure, I’ll give you the recipe.
5. Jamberry Nails. They’re like stickers. For your nails.
6. Listening to the Book of Mormon on my phone while folding laundry. I made it through Alma in 4 days! That’s a lotta laundry!
7. Hemp Golden Glow Bronzing Moisturizer. I’m one sunburn away from skin cancer, so this stuff is a lifesaver!—literally.
8. Illegal Lengths mascara. I cut my eyelashes in 7th grade (WHY?!?). Again, a lifesaver.
9. Finally choosing a mirror for my dining room wall! Now to just figure out a way to hang it…
10. Autocorrect Fails. And Cake Fails. If you Instagram, search the hashtag #cakefail. Find the Belle and Cinderella one. You won’t be sorry.
Ah, Awkward and Awesome. You never fail to disappoint. Thanks for helping me relive some of my most awkward moments of the week.
Friday, March 14, 2014
FUN FACT FRIDAY
Brennen: Brennen is one of theeee most CREATIVE people I have ever met in my life. Like seriously, he will forever be infinitely more creative than me. I wish I could show you all of the mugs and bowls and figurines he made in ceramics back in high school. He practically made the Christmas wreath for our front door, and he's always giving his input with the interior decorating (which i sometimes hate because I wanna do what I wanna do!). He is always thinking up creative and effective ways to fix things or make things. Like how he used tie-downs to hitch his hammock to the railing on our porch. He also started this thing where we take the stickers off our fruit and put them on the electric can opener??? I dont know where that idea came from but we still do it.
Grace: I HATE HATE HATE having greasy things on my hands!! I can't stand it. I stay away from contact with oil, grease, butter, even baby oil. I can do lotion as long as it soaks in, but after putting baby oil on my legs, I have to wash my hands. Whenever I make snickerdoodles, I have to wash my hands after rolling like 5 dough balls in the cinnamon sugar because my hands get too oily from the butter in the dough. A massage with oil? Fo-get about it! (said in a Brooklyn accent). Even lathering soap on my hands is bad. I can deal with wet and I can deal with sticky, but not oily/greasy.
There you go. The Larsen's first Fun Fact Friday! Now you know a little more about our boring selves!





