babymoon

braden and i headed to cashmere, wa, this past week. what for? just because. we don't have much time left with just the two of us, so we took a babymoon. we were able to spend some great quality time with the in-laws. braden went skiing with his dad and best bud. we also enjoyed time with some great friends. we had a great time and ate some awesome food.

lately my new thing is bakery's. i found this awesome bakery down the street from us in salt lake. the best lemon chiffon cookies ever. mmmmm. so while in cashmere we of course had to hit up the main street bakery. we decided to walk there since it's not even a half mile away. it was a beautiful morning walk and a good way to justify the pastries we were about to consume. oh my, talk about heaven on earth. their glazed donuts are way better than any krispy kreme i have ever tasted. i know baby harker agreed.

pregnancy update: 28 weeks. baby is growing and his kicks are getting stronger. i feel huge and i can't imagine it's possible to get any bigger but apparently i will. besides being larger than usual i feel good. sleep is not what i would like it to be but i survive. cheers to happy, healthy baby and mommy.

perspective

humble pie

My momma just sent me these two pictures of me, Grandpa and Grandma Skinner.

My Grandma Skinner passed away a couple of weeks ago. She was such a beacon of love and light. When I see her in my mind the only English word that comes to mind is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I know she is so happy to be with her parents and brother who have already passed away.

One day my mom was visiting with her in one of her last days here so her memory was going at this time, my mom was pointing at the pictures around the room and asking my grandma who those people were. My mom came to the picture of Christ, my mom asked her, "Who's that mom?" My grandma sweetly said with a smile, "That's my best friend." Her faith was impeccable and she was the perfect example of keeping the faith through every trial.

May she rest in peace, we all miss her so much.


While these pictures remind me of how much I love my grandma, they also remind me of how cute of a baby I was!!! Wow, I am sorry but I was just too cute. I can't wait to see how much Baby Harker looks like me or Braden.

Braden and I both hope he has my Yoda ears! haha. Aren't they so cute?

Anyone got any humble pie?

24 weeks

I am 24 weeks now. Time is whizzing by. I can't believe it is already February.

Pregnancy is... different, amazing but different. Maybe I am a wimp, but it's TOUGH WORK growing a baby! My back hurts, my belly is sore, I can't sleep, I have a few new numb spots to add to the collection, my ribs hurt, I pee once every hour and stretch marks have popped. I know, I know all you mommys out there are thinking, "You think this is tough, just wait until they come out!" Just let a girl vent a little bit.

Thinking about all the things that come along with the baby, Brady and I get extremely overwhelmed. Not only physically but also parental-ly (not a word? just made it one). But some wonderful insight was provided to me this past week from a new friend. We were talking about labor, she was sharing her experiences. (women LOVE talking about this stuff- I've learned) I told her how nervous I am about the whole labor thing because I have never been to the hospital for any reason concerning myself- no stitches, no broken bones, nada, zip. She advised me not to be nervous because labor is progressive. It's not like you are slapped in the face with all of this pain at once, it comes progressively and that's what allows women to survive, and sometimes even enjoy, labor. It was so nice to hear it put in that way. I really feel like the entire pregnancy, and life itself, is that way. I was able to let out a big sigh after that. I try to be positive but I can't help it, I was born a pessimist. That is why I married an optimist. Another thing to be grateful for. Okay I'll step down off my soap box now.

Baby Boy Harker is growing and moving like crazy. Let's just say he is his father's son, he can't sit still and he loves having my attention at all times. He has a schedule already! He sleeps during day light and is usually kicking me to sleep and kicking me awake. We will have to fix that as soon as we can.

We love him so much already and can't wait to meet him in person. Brady loves putting his ear on my belly and listen to him squish around and feel his karate kicks. I could sit and watch the little twitches on my belly all day.

I might complain but honestly, I could not be happier at this time in our life. My husband is so loving and caring. He makes me beam with happiness. I could not go through any of this without him by my side. I am trying to enjoy every moment in this pregnancy, not taking anything for granted.

This post was a long one... I guess I had more to say than I thought.