Almost 35 weeks!

This week has felt so LOOOOONG! I have been waiting all week for Jared to get here and studying for my first lab test.

Pregnancy Updates:

My hips feel as though they are being ripped apart. The baby is SO low and nestling obnoxiously in my hips. 

I have been having just about a million braxton hicks for several weeks now. 

At the last ultrasound, they informed me that our baby is now in the 30th percentile...so she is getting a little fatter! Yay! I love chubby babies.

My fluid has maintained and the placenta is still functioning but they continue to keep a close eye on her.

My dear mother cut up her wedding dress this week to make baby girl her very own blessing gown! She isn't quite finished yet but it is looking absolutely beautiful. And it means the world to me, that she would make the sacrifice of cutting up her wedding dress, that she originally designed and sewed herself, I might add. I seriously couldn't be more excited about this special gift!

I have finally completed a lot of things on my "nesting to-do list"! This week I reupholstered our baby's changing pad, made pillows to match her quilt, found a dresser cheaper than I originally budgeted for (Woo hoo), and finished my hair bow holder made out of an old oatmeal canister! I feel just a smidgen more ready for baby to arrive. 

Sorry for a million pictures of the same things haha.

They also performed a non stress test after my ultrasound this week. This test monitors the baby's heart rate and movement for about a half hour. The test results were great according to my OBGYN. This test usually tells them that the baby is good for another week in the womb. I guess I will be doing one of these lovely tests every week until she is born! Which leads me to my next point....

The doctor ALMOST promised me that they would be taking her out at 39 weeks. My goal at my next appointment is to get him to commit to that by scheduling an induction date. 

Because she is looking a little better, the cancelled my second ultrasound last week. I was sad that I wouldn't see her twice in one week but happy that they were confident enough to cancel it all together.

Life Updates:

This week I biffed it majorly on the ice. In attempt to not land on my stomach, I landed straight on my hip bone. Poor Alex has had to hear me complain about the pain ever since. 

Monday it DUMPED snow here in Rexburg. After dropping Alex off at work, I found myself getting stuck at every stop sign. HOW embarrassing.

Alex's grandparents were kind enough to give us an old microwave they had kicking around. I can't believe we went almost a year without one! I have been nuking EVERYTHING this week. As i type, I have a hot rice bag by my side :)

Alex has a 12 credit class this semester called IBC. It is where groups of students make up a business and try and sell it here on campus. Alex's group finally decided on their product! The oldest building on campus (Spory) burnt down several years ago. After rebuilding it, the school decided to keep the brick and rock from the old building, but never had a use for it. Alex's group decided to make a plague for all the alumni of BYUI out of this monumental rock. It would be a part of BYUI, that the students could take away as a souvenir. I think it's a clever and unique idea. I am excited to see how it all turns out in the weeks to come. 

My old roommates who are wonderful to say the least, offered to bring Alex and I supper AND dessert this week! I was so stressed about my first lab test and was so stoked to not have to worry about making dinner. They came over with delicious food and stayed to catch up! It was a big blessing in my week. I have such great friends!

Alex used his massage gift certificate I gave him for his birthday. I still can't believe it was his first professional massage! That kid has been missing out. He obviously hasn't been in as many car accidents as I have that result in FREE massages. haha. 

To end off this week...JARED VISTED! He came bearing gifts of soft BAMBOO swaddles. I have never felt something so soft. I love that boy! This weekend has been a blast with him around. I hope he comes back soon...perhaps in 4 weeks, when our baby could be making her first appearance!

This next week, I plan on doing school work, going to doctor's appointments, relaxing, possibly watching the two day Bachelor, and enjoying one of the last weeks I have my husband all to myself :)

33.5 weeks

 Pregnancy Updates:

Belly button officially has popped out! ha. The worst symptom lately is insomnia. I can't sleep, I can't get comfortable and I can't even nap. It's awful. I get a lot of homework done though while Alex collects his Zzzzzzz's.

Alex and I picked a name for our little one! It could change between two names depending on what exactly she looks like. But we are so close to a for sure name...it's so fun!!

Lately we have been to a million and one doctors appointments and there are still tons to come! We have TWO ultrasounds next week! We had one this week and here are some pictures!

This is her from a frontal view. She is one creepy skeleton. haha.

These pictures she is always turning away and not cooperating.

Apparently my fluid has gone down again and my placenta continues to age faster than the norm but she is still looking fabulous. She is smaller, in the 26th percentile, but they continue to tell me, they aren't worried about that unless she stops gaining weight. She weighs FOUR POUNDS :) They are keeping a close close eye on her which eases Alex's and I's worries.

Life Updates:

This week I decorated for the next upcoming holiday....VALENTINES :) Growing up, my Mom always made this holiday huge. She would make everything heart shaped, pink and red that day. She would deliver heart shaped pizza to me and all my friends at school, write special notes, and prepare fancy dancy meals. So this year, I thought I would start early with this holiday to tribute my Mom's traditions :)

My Mom sent this to me in a Valentine Day package my Freshman year. It takes up a whole corner of our living room! He is HUGEEEE! Great stuff. 

Alex had his 25th Birthday this week. A whole quarter of a century!!! We had some friends over and ate some of Alex's requests. It was a fun time and his last Birthday not being a full time Daddy.

For FHE this week we had another couple from our ward over to play games. Alex and I relearned Settlers of Catan and had a blast!

Alex left yesterday on a mandatory school camping trip and won't be back until Saturday. I am so so sad here at home by myself. I have tried to keep busy with sewing projects and cleaning, but so far, I just really miss that boy and WANT HIM HOME!

This next weekend, my cousin JARED LEE MACDONALD is coming to stay at our house! We cannot wait! I have missed him extremely! 

Well this upcoming week is going to be SUPER! Jared is coming, baby is growing, Alex is home and we get TWO ULTRASOUNDS!

32.5 weeks....

32.5 weeks!

This week has been great!

Besides Monday when Alex and I woke up to hypothermia temperatures in our house. Electricity in the entire city of Rexburg went out. My first thought...."OH NO...THE FRIDGE/FREEZER." Then I remembered....it's probably colder in here than the freezer usually is. Alex's work was closed so we laid in bed in fetal position. Finally, lights turned on and I made my way out of bed to crank up the heater. Finally, we were able to go on with our day!

This week I have been clearing out our storage and selling stuff we don't use on the bullitin board. Who knew our junk was worth so much!?

Our neighbours moved across the country and gave us a bunch of free diapers! We were pretty pleased with this.

The only thing we have left to buy for the baby is a dresser/change table. SO if you know of anyone who is getting rid of one...let this girl know!

Tonight, Alex and I went to the Vocal Point Concert. It was fabulous! They are so cheesey and so great!

This week I have been receiving phone calls from my parents, Natalie and the boys who are baking in the Florida sun. They have been enjoying Disney World all week! Landon and Easton sound like they are having the time of their little lives! Alex and I asked Landon how the heat was and he explained to us that "the sun makes the hot and the hot makes the sun"....makes sense to me? haha. Love that boy!

So this baby may or may not come early with all these small complications of low fluid, aging placenta and gestational diabetes. So let's start the bets! When do YOU think baby Stevens is arriving?

I have an ultrasound this Wednesday so next week will have more information and updates! Alex is coming and we can't wait to see her little face!

Alex leaves on a mandatory school camping trip this coming weekend. I need TV show suggestions....because this weekend is going to be very very very very lonely. 

ONLY 7.5 weeks left! wooo!

31 weeks! Baby Shower and a million ultrasounds later.

 Pictures from my WONDERFUL Baby Shower when I was 28 weeks!!!!

It's been a while since I posted anything! This is due to an overwhelming amount of greatness that has been happening.

The Christmas holidays in Canada was exactly what Alex and I needed. We relaxed, relaxed AND RELAXED some more!

Some things we did in Canada:

Snow mobiling 
Set up elf on the shelf for our little nephews
Watched bowl games non stop
Ate non stop
Ordered Hat's Chinese food
Girl's day out shopping along with a Boston Pizza visit
Babysat Autumn and let me tell you, she was a dream. I'm in love with her little face.
Went to my Baby Shower hosted by the Hill's! It was adorable and well done! They are the best second family to me in the world!
Scored my parents old plasma tv!!
Watched the Christmas lights in Medicine Hat! Beautiful!
Hot tubbed (excluding this pregnant lady)
Went to the annual COUSIN'S party! Which included Fire Stone, a free virgin drink for expecting mothers, and seeing all my wonderful cousins!
Seeing my Grandmother and helping her move to her new home!
Having the Macdonalds come and visit us in the Hat and play monopoly almost a million times. I still have never won that ridiculous game.
Making homemade turtles!
Brittany teaching me how to make hair bows for our baby girl!
Yogen Fruz
Le Miz
The Hobbit
Tooty Fruity
Moxie's White Chocolate brownie
2 Hockey games!
Tim Hortons
Dwindle every day.
Turkey Dinner
My Mom's famous Tort and turtle cheesecake...enough said.


This Christmas has been the best because it was my first Christmas being complete with Alex. Love that boy to bits! He spoiled me!

This Christmas could have been even better if were graced with Jordan and Heather's presence! But we  don't blame them, DISNEYLAND is a good trade ANYDAY! Can't wait to hear about their adventures this holiday! This is an invitation for Jordan to PHONE his BABY SISTER :)

This was at a little over 31 weeks!:) She is just sucking her thumb...no big deal.

So since i have been back in Rexburg I have had TWO ultrasounds! Baby Stevens gets cuter and cuter every time I see her...I swear. She is getting a little too big and low for good ultrasound pictures unfortunately. At my first ultrasound this week they informed me that her development was perfect but that my fluid was in the bottom 5 percentile. SCARY! They told me if it gets any lower that they will have to deliver her early. We are praying that this doesn't happen because I don't think she is quite ready yet and either am I!!! They scheduled me for another ultrasound in Idaho Falls where they have a better ultrasound machine. This machine can determine the pressures and quality of the placenta and fluid. When I made the appointment i was told to drink 32 oz of fluid and to hold my bladder. Later int he week they phoned me to reschedule my appointment for two hours later and again reminded me to drink that fluid! Ultrasound day came and Upon driving the drive to Idaho Falls, I drank a ridiculous amount of water. Painful enough you think? No. I ended up waiting in the waiting room for an hour and half past my appointment time. I didn't know whether i was going to puke or wet myself. I asked the receptionist how much longer it was going to be because I wasn't feeling so good. She then asked how far along I was. I told her I was 31 weeks and a couple days. She laughed and told me I didn't have to drink ANY water if i was that far along and that i could have had a dry bladder. I WAS LIVID! I think they just wanted some mid day entertainment in that medical center because that experience was AWFUL and UNNECESSARY! Alex sure thought it was funny.....I still need time.

This ultrasound was extra long and I got to watch our baby for a half hour! She was fluttering her tongue and punching Mom the whole way through! In this ultrasound they found out that my placenta is aging faster than it should at 31 weeks. This is also not good news. They told us we would have an ultrasound every 2 weeks to monitor both my placenta and fluid and everything might be okay until full term. We sure hope so! Thank you to friends and family who have had us in their prayers!

This last week SPENCER, my cousin came over for Sunday Supper! It was great to see him after 2 years of mission! I am so excited he will be living in Rexburg for a while :)

I started a quilt with my Mom for the baby! here it is thus far!

I still have to do the ribbon binding around the edge..but it is almost done!!!

I think I will be better at blogging now that holidays are over and my schedule is back on!

Oh yeah.....HAPPY 2013!

HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER!

Fun stuff around here,

I am officially 27 weeks today!

27 week baby bumps!

Alex's sister Katie got her mission call this week! She is going to Salvador, South Brazil! We all got to be a part of the reveal via google hang out. It was extra fun and another testament to me that Alex's family couldn't be any more great! One second I am secretly jealous of the girls now leaving on missions and the next I am grateful this new revelation didn't come until AFTER I met and married my dream boy. The Lord has perfect timing whether we think so or not. Katie is leaving just after our baby is born, so our baby blessing will also be our farewell with her :(! She is going to get about a MILLION pictures of our child throughout her mission....lucky her! haha :) I can't wait to see the lives she impacts in the very near future!

I got a job! haha. Okay. At a call center, yes, but at least i won't be bored and lazy next semester when i'm only taking 6 credits. Jobs don't come easy here in Rexburg. The extra cash will be nice when diapers start appearing on our monthly receipts.

Alex's other sister Jenny and her husband, Steve just found out this week they are having a baby.....GIRL! So now our baby has  girl cousins on both sides of the family to play with!

Last Friday I went for my glucose screening test and FAILED. So i had to go back for the 3 hour test to confirm the results. And....it is confirmed. I'm diabetic and pricking myself 6 times a day. FUN. 

My Dad celebrated his 53rd Birthday last week! Love that man to bits!

This week I purchased two pairs of leggings to give some room to my ever growing belly. My belly button is growing shallow and it makes me laugh.

We picked out a Top 10 name list for our baby! Alex could probably bring that list down to 3 but i'm still trying to convince him of a few....so our list remains at 10.

This Christmas to start off Alex and I's FIRST Christmas married, I have planned a little surprise for him. Today the beginning of it came in the mail. I couldn't be more excited. I will post about it after Christmas!

Lately i have been feeling a lot more energy and have been trying out new recipes for supper and relieving my husband of his long episode of dish duty. Pregnancy is getting better!

This Saturday we made ginger bread houses with some friends. Alex made several contributions that consisted of the lovely "dog house" in the front, the "snake protectors" on the sides, a very helpful hand in holding the falling walls and then finally eating the entire gingerbread house in the matter of TWO days. Can't put perfectly good candy to waste right? Where does this man put all the food he consumes? The world may never know.

We are SO excited to be done with school and go home for Christmas. Even the way home will be a blast with this bundle of joy joining us!

Merry Christmas,

From the Stevens.

25 weeks and FIVE days. Less than 15 left? WOW

These past couple weeks have been crazy with school, holidays, family and a lot of FUN!

We crammed all our homework in and made it to Utah to celebrate Thanksgiving with Alex's family. EVERYONE was able to make it, even rare Michelle who goes to BYU Hawaii! She surprised everyone and showed up one morning exploding from a box! It was fun times!

Thanksgiving break included all of the following:

The Turkey Trot. Most of Alex's family entered the "Turkey Trot" which is a 4 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. Alex's family is full of talented runners to say the least and won a bunch of pies and a turkey! 

Ben my brother in law had a birthday and we celebrated by going out to eat at Banana Leaf! There was food on every inch of the table! GOOD food at that!

My nephew is a DOLL!

My sister in laws planned a family baby shower for me! The invites were ADORABLE! Everything from the invites to the decorations to the food included my pregnancy craving....GREEN APPLES :)

It was so much fun and baby girl got a lot of cuteness to wear. She is one lucky girl. And I am one lucky girl to have been adopted into such a great family!

While we stayed in Utah, Jordan and Heather so kindly lent us their apartment to sleep in! It was such a blessing! This pregnant lady didn't have to sleep on the floor and Alex enjoyed his ESPN nightly before bed...he doesn't have that luxury at home. haha. 

Turkey dinner! It was DELICIOUS! Everyone chipped in, even Alex made a pie! 

Tasha, my sister in law got to feel some kicks from my belly! 

We all exchanged our Christmas gifts! Steve my brother in law had us and got us a Wii! Yes, you heard that right. We lucked out! Steve manages a video game company...and let's just say, everyone wants Steve to pull their name next year. 

Thanksgiving was simply the BEST!

When we got home, the fun continued.

I had another doctors appointment! I got to have another ultrasound where I could feel AND see her move at the same time. It was magical. Baby girl is looking good and healthy. 

We attended Alex's sports banquet! There was free food and Alex got me...i mean himself another free shirt. It was fun to spend some time with his team for the last time.

For FHE we made a Christmas wreath! It started out being fun and then turned into me crying. I blame the pregnancy hormones. We got the ornaments from the dollar store so as we were putting them on, they started falling off one by one. It was frustrating but after a lot of glue gunning and Alex's help we came out with a pretty cute wreath that we were able to make together!

Alex entered into a raffle at school and won us TWO tickets to the Canadian Brass Christmas Concert on campus and $20 dollars to Costa Vida! 

We went to Canadian Brass yesterday night and enjoyed every minute! It was very well done. It made me even more excited for Christmas...if that is possible.

We only have one more full week of school left and we are heading home to Canada for Christmas! I am so excited to spend this time with family and friends. One of my best friends is putting on a baby shower for me on the Dec 20th! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life! 

23 weeks and almost TWO days. Every. Day. Counts.

These past couple weeks have been crazy! I went to yet ANOTHER appointment with my OBGYN. Baby looks healthy and happy in my belly! I have been feeling some FUN back pain and discovered Medicaid pays for 6 appointments to the chiropractor. Don't mind if I do!! I have been to two appointments already and am feeling worlds better! I love FREE stuff!

I'm definitely starting to look pregnant. This is a fact.

Alex won not just one but TWO soccer championships these past couple weeks! That means TWO free shirts for me to laze around in :) He busted up his knee a bit and we are looking into getting an MRI... I hope his knee just needs time and NOT surgery. 

Since my last post Natalie found out what she is carrying! Yep, a little baby girl too! Girls everywhere!

Elections were ultra fun except for the fact that i didn't order my absentee ballot in time to actually vote. Canadian postal service needs to improve badly!...that or my procrastination.

My friends and I hosted a baby shower for our friend and it turned out really fun! I made my Aunt Sandra's famous sugar cookies! That recipe is TO DIE FOR! 

My gift for her was quickly ever so nicely thrown together!

Alex applied to two internships for this coming spring. We are still looking for some options, so if you know of a good one this spring let us know!

Meet our newest addition and only Christmas decoration.....his name is George but Alex insists on calling him BUCK?!

After the temple today, some young women were standing in the cold giving out cookies to those who came out of the temple. WHAT A GREAT SERVICE IDEA? it was cute and Alex sure liked the cookies because he ate his AND mine before we even got home.

I have had old fashioned rolled oats sitting in our pantry for a whole semester so i thought i would finally put them to use and make a giant batch of homemade granola! I got some ideas from several recipes and put together this recipe. I think it turned out mighty fine. It's my daily munchy.

GRANOLA

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cup of coconut
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)

Bake at 300 until desired crunchiness...

Alex and I CANNOT wait for Thanksgiving with his family next week! I can't believe it's less than a week away! 

-Tiffany Lee Stevens