Locks of Love

I really needed to get my hair trimmed, but I thought I have so much hair and it grows back so fast that I should donate it to Locks of Love. I've always wanted to do it, but never thought my hair was long enough, but it defiantly was this time. They used to need like ten inches, but now they only need five. I gave a lot more than that, because I wanted a shorter cut. I love how it turned out. The girl did exactly what I wanted. It reminds me of how it was in high school. I love getting it cut, it always feels so healthy.

26 weeks and finally a real doctors visit!

What I'm feeling this week.

1. Braxton Hicks Contractions- I have been feeling them for awhile now, but didn't realize thats what they were.
2. Middle Back Pain- This last week it has been really bad. I'm fine until about 4 in the afternoon and then it hurts so bad I cant breathe.
3. Charlie Horses- They are back. I hadn't had any for awhile, but they are back and like to hit in the morning when I wake up.
4. Tired- as always. I am sleeping better during the night, but I still am really tired and want a nap. I don't take one though cause I get tired at about 5 and that seems a little late to start a nap.

Well the 26 week mark is here. Now that I'm back in America it is finally time to get ready for this little girl. I had an appointment on Monday. I was expecting it meet my doctor, but he was out of town...again. We did meet with the visiting doctor and found out he may be the one to deliver the baby anyway, since Dr. Portner will be at a wedding the week before my due date.

The appointment went well and they decided that they wanted me to get an ultrasound, so today we did. She is growing nicely and was moving all over the place. The ultrasound tech said she had never had a baby move so much. She was blinking and opening and closing her mouth, which was the cutest thing ever! She was also being very difficult. The tech was trying to get a 3d picture of her face, but she had both her hands, and sometimes one of her feet, in front of her face the whole time. After the ultrasound we went to the maternity ward at the hospital and took a tour. The nurses were so nice and very helpful and put to rest a lot of my worries. They really focus on keeping the mother and baby together as much as possible. They said they will give the baby directly to me and let me hold her for a few minutes before taking here away. They also will give her back to me as soon as I'm done with the afterbirth to breastfeed. They leave the baby in the room with me at all times unless I want to have a break. They also are very willing to let me

move around, use and exercise ball, and even sit in a jacuzzi tub during labor. The hospital also has free child birth classes, which is very good news. I feel a lot better about the fact that I had no options on where I was going to deliver, since everything there is really nice.

Easter Sunday

We did all the typical Easter things. We went to church and when we came home the Easter bunny had visited so we went in search of our baskets. Johnny and I didn't get a basket this year, but BABY did. The stuff we got was pretty cool We got some rattles and pacifiers and bibs, and candy for us. Then it was time for my favorite part, dinner!!! We had the missionaries for dinner because while we were at Church Mary and I saw that they didn't have anywhere to go for dinner so we thought we should invite them since we had plenty of food. After they left Johnny, Joey and I hid the eggs. It took forever because there were about 50 eggs. The kids had a hard time finding some of them, and of course the boys hid some in ridiculous places. All in all it was a good day with family!

We made it!

So staying at the hotel was great for a good nights sleep, but not so great for catching your flight back home. I set the alarm before we went to bed but it didn't go off. We woke up at about 7:30 and our flight left at 6:30, yeah just a little late. So we rushed ourselves back to the airport. I was worried we would have to buy new tickets, but they just put us on stand by for the next flight to Denver. We got in at about 4:00, did a little shopping, when to Olive Garden, and headed home.

We have been having a lot of fun here. Johnny found a really good deal for the Kinect for the Xbox, so we got it and it has been so great. Last night everyone was playing. I NEVER thought I would see Johnny's dad play a video game, but he was having a lot of fun playing with us. It is definatly a work out, we are all soar. Being with family is great!

AMERICA!!!

So we made it. We are in Miami in a hotel (thank heaven). I'm feeling really greatful to be here right now eventhough in a couple weeks I'm going to be missing my hubby so I won't be so enthused about it any more.

Things I love about America today:

• Full bellys!
• Hot showers!
• Fully functioning airports!
• Nice fluffy pillows!
• Time with my hubby that Dominica doesn't seem to let me have!!!!!

Have a nice night everyone!

24 weeks down!

What I'm feeling

1. Sick, I woke up a yesterday with a soar throat, yuck!
2. Tired as always.
3. Excited to go home.
4. Not excited about going home.
5. Like I'm really big. I feel like she must have double in size in the last few days, my belly feels heavy.
   

Sorry, had to laugh

So last night I was at bible study and we were sitting around chatting. The other girls were talking about how they were going to take their husbands to Batibou Beach and I was feeling left out cause I can't go. Then I burst out, "Well I'm going to take my hubby to Target", and then I just laughed at them. I'm cracking up just thinking about it. I think they got a kick out of it too. Batibou is great, but Target is equally as great. Sorry girls had to do it!

Red Rock with the girls!

Last week I went to Red Rock with the girls. Its always nice to go and get away for a day. I was also looking forward to some awesome food. I was a beautiful day, but we didn't swim very much because it was super choppy and that can be very dangerous there, because it is so rocky. So we mostly just laid out. I did go wild and get a blended drink (virgin of course) that was very yummy. Can't remember the name but it was guava and coconut. I would say the best part of Red Rock is their dinner menu, but alas the chef wasn't there that night so I couldn't get the filet mignon I had been looking forward to. I think it should be a crime to deny a pregnant woman the food she wants. Especially when she lives on an island that she can't get the food she wants to eat whenever she wants to eat it. Okay rant over. So I got a burger instead and it was wonderful. I'm really starting to get sad about missing out on my friends lives for four months. I'm going to really miss these girls. They become your family out here.

Farewell Banquet

Saturday night was the farewell banquet. Usually this is just another fun night for me but this time around I was feeling the impact of the fact I will not be seeing a lot of these girls again. It made me realize I'm not only saying goodbye to the 4th semester girls but the 3rd as well. These are the girls I started out on this adventure with. Johnny must have been feeling it too, because about a half hour before the dinner he asked if he could come and said to me, " I'm not going to get to see you anymore". So he came with me. I know we will still talk and see each other over skype, but I really don't know how i'm going to be apart from him for so long. with the exception of me visiting my family for a few days, and him seeing his Nana before she died, we have spent a day without each other since we started dating. I'm really getting sad about leaving. I know I'm doing the right thing for mine and the baby's health, but I really don't want to go. Anyway, enough pitty party, the night was fun. Dinner was great and spending time with the girls is always a blast! I'm really going to miss these girls.

Biggest surprise!

Yesterday started out like any other day. I had a few things planned: take Johnny lunch, meet with my visiting teachers, hang out with Katie at the CAC, go to a movie with Johhny, just regular stuff. So it time to go meet with my visiting teachers, so I headed down to the CAC. I got there and found Cassi. She told me Paige and Sindy would be there in a little so we sat and talked a little. Soon she got a text and she said Sindy was down stairs. We decided to go down there and meet so it would "be quieter". We headed down we walked in the door and I got a huge shock. The room was filled with all my friends. I was confused and first, I thought maybe they were having and RSO meeting that had slipped my mind, but then they yelled, "Surprise!".

I couldn't believe it! It was a baby shower for me. I have to admit I was getting pretty sad about thinking that I wasn't going to get a shower with my girlfriends. My time here on the island is coming to an end, and I hadn't had anyone say anything about throwing one for me. I knew my mother-in-love would have one for me, but I knew I would miss not having all my friends with me. I felt so much love walking in that room. I was surprised that everyone was there(except Meagan, but I understand she was home sick, she is pregnant too).

We had a great time. The girls from the branch brought some great food, and Katie and Brandi had some fun games planned. I had a great time. Thank you all for the planning, and for coming. It made me feel so special!