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!

The Day that Changed Our Lives Forever

March 26, 2014

                You might have guessed it already, but in case you couldn’t figure out my riddle, I’ll just tell you.  We’re PREGNANT! AH!! I had to write all this down so that I remembered and because writing is such a good outlet for me to get things off my chest and think through problems and stuff.  So yeah.  We’re going to be parents…Let me tell you how I found out, how I broke the news to the hubby, and everything else about this crazy, wonderful day!

                It all started probably last week sometime.  So let’s rewind to then.  It sounds weird, but one day I was just like, “Hey. My boobs look bigger.” And I didn’t really think anything of it because I can be crazy sometimes.  Maybe I’m just finally hitting puberty in that area?? Eh, whatever.  But I won’t lie.  Deep down there was a teeny-tiny seed of home that it might have to do with a little alien growing inside me, but I knew that those chances were slim.  Fast forward to Monday, three days ago.  It was so, so, so hard to get out of bed for work that morning.  I don’t know if I had just gotten to bed late, but man.  Then when I got to work I was still just exhausted.  Tuesday was a little better in the amount-of-sleep department, and I even was able to wake up decently coherent.  But then when I got to work…Bam.  Exhaustion hit again.  That was weird.  But I just chalked it up to waking up early.  That night I ended up dozing off around 8:30 because I literally could not keep my eyes open.  I woke up early again this morning  (around 5:30) and the experience was similar to yesterday.  At least it wasn’t a struggle to get out of bed.  I thought today should be better due to going to bed about 2 hours earlier than normal, but again as I got to work, the exhaustion hit.  I could have fallen asleep anywhere if I just closed my eyes long enough.  I thought it was strange that I had gotten so much sleep and was still so tired.  That, along with some odd cramping in my pelvis and an aversion to food after gorging myself on potato chips two days in a row after work, propelled me in the direction of a pee-on-a-stick pregnancy test.  After all, they are the easiest test to take.  So when I got home, I did it.  I peed on that stick.  And I waited.  I will admit that I watched while I washed my hands.  I watched, and that 2^nd little blue line showed up ever so faintly, and my heart started to pound like it wanted to escape!  I decided to step away, and give the test the 2 minutes like it said, and then see.  I was shaking so bad, I could hardly check Facebook or Instagram on my phone to kill the time!  All I could think was “This can’t be happening!  This isn’t happening!”  After a grueling 2 or so minutes, I went back to check.  Sure as day, there was that 2^nd blue line—although a LOT more bold now.  I could hardly believe it.  All I could say was “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh” and “is this real life?” and I had to keep checking the test to make sure I was reading it right.  My next thought was “How am I going to tell Brennen? How is he going to react?”

 I have been thinking about this for a while because, when you’re bored, what else do you think about?  I had seen something on Pinterest that was just really simple and cute so I decided that would be the best route to go.  I left the test on the counter and made a card that said “Brennen” on the front.  On the inside it said “I’m ‘POSITIVE’ you will be a fantastic daddy!” –Yeah, that whole “positive” thing was my idea, not Pinterest.  I felt pretty proud.  The card looked awful because my hands were still shaking and copious amounts of adrenaline were coursing through my body.  I didn’t know when he would be home and I wanted him to know ASAP, so it was going to have to do.  After a few minutes of letting the shock subside, I decided I needed to go walk it off, so I went to check the mail.  That helped tremendously, and I was able to make a new card that actually looked decent.  I set the card up on the counter like a tent and put the test underneath.  And then I waited. 

When he finally came home from school, my heart started pounding again and it was so hard not to keep a straight face.  I was tripping over my words, I was so nervous.  I knew it wouldn’t be long before he headed to the bathroom, but it seemed like it took forever.  When he finally did go in, I followed, and stood outside waiting to see what his reaction would be.  I will tell now that it has been one of my biggest fears that when I tell him that I’m pregnant he will be upset, or angry because he doesn’t think it’s the right time or something like that.  Well, he wasn’t angry or upset, but more in shock like I was.  It was actually rather awkward.  We talked about how neither of us was expecting it, how shocked we were, and how scared we were.  We also talked about how we’ve been married long enough it was probably time to start a family. 

For me, I put it in the Lord’s hands.  I felt like it was the right time, but I wanted Brennen to be sure, so I just prayed that I would have faith in the Lord’s timing.  Now I pray for the same thing, but in a whole new light!  Now that it’s been a few hours and the reality has started to sink in, I feel excited, happy, terrified, unbelieving and all sorts of crazy emotions all at once!  I am happy and excited because apparently it’s time for us to start this journey and I have faith in the Lord’s plan for me.  I am terrified because I don’t know what this pregnancy will be like, how it will affect my body/emotions.  And I’m also terrified of actually being responsible for the life of another human being—other than my husband.  How are we going to afford a baby? I am unbelieving because this is too good to be true.  I can’t really be pregnant, can I? It all feels so surreal.  I feel like I’m almost in denial about the whole thing.  But then I dig that test out of the garbage and there’s my proof.  Two bold blue lines.  

Monday Musings: Working Moms

The Family: A proclamation to the World says, “mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”  Some people might take that to mean any of the following: 1. Women must stay at home and care for their children. 2. Mothers who work are not good mothers. 3. Mothers who work are unable to teach their children in the home.  Simply put, none of these are true.
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.

Awkward and Awesome

It’s baaaaack!! That’s right. Awkward and awesome is back!! I know you are all sooo excited.  Well, at least I am.  So, without further ado, I give you:
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.

FUN FACT FRIDAY

So, I realize I have never done anything remotely like a FFF, you know, telling you about us and what makes us tick.  I guess I just thought we were way to boring. Well, we may be boring, but we're unique and individual too, so I thought I'd try to showcase that a little. Where should I start?

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!

Lately...

Why, hello! Long time, no see.  This is partially because I have to hook my phone up to my computer to get the internet and posting from my phone app sucks, thus, no posts for a while.  What has been happening you might ask? Well, probably the most exciting thing for me was the dedication of the temple! WOOHOO! If you know me, there is a tender spot in my heart the size of Texas for the temple.

Sorry for any Insta-repeats, my phone is my camera too, so all these pics have probably been seen before.  I went to the Gilbert Temple for the first time today, and it's huge! the ordinance rooms seat probably 100 people and there are three ordinance rooms! The weird thing is that you stay in one room throughout the entire presentation, where in Idaho Falls and Rexburg you get to move to different rooms.  It definitely makes it harder not to fall asleep, but for now, I just focus on taking in every detail of that room.  

Most recently though, probably the most fun thing we have done is go down to Tucson (about 1.5 hour drive) to hang out with our friends Nathan and Holly.  A few weeks ago, they wanted to go hiking up a nearby mountain.  I don't think I've been on a hike since...uh....girls camp, and this was super crazy.  Nathan had us climbing like a 45 degree angle up this mountainside.  But let me tell you, it was worth it.  (Again, sorry for the Instagram repeats)

We all thought Nathan was crazy for making us hike all the way up here.  And then we saw the view.  And that made it all worth it. It felt like we were back in Idaho just cruising through the mountains.  Definitely a reprieve from the every-day life of working and studying. Well, that's all for now I guess.  I will try not to be so lazy and post more, even if our lives are painfully boring to read about.  Hoping to bring back some Awkward&Awesome, and going to start working on a FFF (that's Fun Fact Friday for all you non-bloggin folk) for tomorrow so maybe you can get to know a little more about us, so keep an eye out!