From This to This

On my last post, I put up a pic of a nursery set we loved... I waited like 2 weeks and when I went to order it, I can't find it anywhere now!!! I've searched the web over, each web site is permanently out of stock or says "page can not be found"

So, the deal is, Tyson loves turtles, and neither of us are the biggest fan of the color blue, I don't know why, but Tyson's favorite color hands down is green, and from what I have looked at, the green sets really draw my attention... so I found this:

So, if you look really hard, there is a turtle on it, along with a monkey (that stands out the most) and a croc and some bug, maybe a dragon fly. We both like the greens and I guess we'll just try and accentuate the turtles.

My mom gave me her JC Penney catalog, and this set was on their website, a four piece set (sheet, comforter, dust ruffle, and bumper) for $169.99. I googled it, and found a six piece set (same set plus a valance and diaper stacker) for $175 at lots of other places, so I went with the six piece set for $5.01 more, plus no shipping.

Then... Saturday night, my sis and I were at the mall, and we parked by Penny's and decided to check out their baby section... there it was, the four piece set for $149.99, marked down to $99.99, and if you spend $100.00 you get $20.00 off, so I could get the four piece set for $80.00 and just return the six piece set I had just ordered online... Well, the online order hasn't even shipped yet, so I was able to cancel my online order and save $95. Even if I decide to order the diaper stacker and a valance separate, I'd be saving quite a bit! I was so excited to find such a smokin' deal! I think I'll make the valance, just take the comforter and match a fabric or two. Designing a valance doesn't overwhelm and scare me to death as much as designing an entire nursery does!

I am now 23 weeks along, and feeling so much better. I'm so thrilled to be able to enjoy this a little more now. I know the next few months will fly by, so we are just working on things little by little. I do have a question for all of you moms out there, we are looking at buying a bassinet, and have been offered a moses basket to use for the first little while... what worked best for you, I'd love to hear some feedback, because I have NO CLUE!

21, almost 22

Well, the doc appointment went very well. I love my doctor, she doesn't not get "too" excited about things, I think she has seen a lot (delivering 2,800 babies last year) and my little upchucking blood didn't seem to bother her much. She said that this kind of thing doesn't happen to all pregnant women, but tissues are tender, there is so much extra blood, and since I threw up so hard, I just tore something in my esophagus, but it heals itself pretty quickly. It was still scary to me, but mostly because I was in an open air bug filled clinic that was filthy with a doctor that barely spoke English that wanted me to get on an ambulance and spend my last day or two in Costa Rica in an emergency room having who knows what done... (that's scary right???)


We heard the baby's heartbeat, 158 BPM, I'm on track with growth and weight, all is looking well, and my ankles aren't swollen anymore, that last flight gave me kankles for a day or two, very depressing :)


Here is the latest 21 week pic:

I'm finally growing a little bump, a lady at church patted me on the back for finally getting a little bulge, I guess its about time. I feel bigger than this picture looks, but I'm only going to keep on growing...

We picked out this for the nursery, what do you all think?

We have this obsession with turtles I guess, and we both like this one so much! I like the green's more than the blue's, but I think if we paint the walls green, that it will pull more green. My mother in law offered to take me to pick out custom fabrics and make our own, but that thought really stresses me out for some reason, and I already like this one, so I think I'll just simplify things and buy this. I think I could handle picking out fabric for a quilt, but I don't think I can do it for an entire nursery... who knows?

Things are going well, little Ethan moves around constantly, and is getting so strong... its all happening so fast!

We're Back!

We made it safely back from Costa Rica at about 11:30 PM Monday night... what a trip! I was more than a little worried about this trip, flying, the food, the heat... but my worrying was all pretty much a waste, we had a blast!

The first day of our adventure was pretty much all travel, we left SL at 6:30 AM, landed in Houston about 3 or so hours later and had a 6 1/2 hour layover. We ate, walked around, ate some more, walked around, watched a movie on the portable DVD player, and played card games. We then got on another flight to Costa Rica, and landed safely there about 3 hours later. By the time we got through customs and got our rental car it was past 11:00 PM... so it was a very long day. We stayed at the Hampton right by the airport so we could just crash, then begin our travels the next day.

Our first part of the trip was on the North East side of Costa Rica, Guanacaste. It took about 5-6 hours to drive there, but through beautiful rain forests and coast lines. We stayed in a condo on Flamingo Beach for 4 nights, and it was right on the beach. It had rocking chairs on the porch that overlooked the beach, it was so beautiful! We just went to all the different beaches, Tyson snorkeled and saw a 8 foot sting ray.

We went and did an all day tour of the Arenal Volcano. It such a beautiful area. We drove in a tour van for about 5 hours, stopped for lunch, then went on a hike at the base of the volcano. The weather was much cooler and it was raining pretty much the entire time. We only got to see the actual volcano for about 2 minutes when the clouds cleared out. But we saw white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and tons of birds on our hike.

After the hike, we went to a natural hot springs that is heated by the volcano. There were about 6 pools, the one at the top was about 104 degrees and each one got progressively cooler, the bottom one was 97 degrees. I got in the bottom one for about 15 minutes and then sat on the side while Tys tried out the other warmer pools. Then we had an amazing dinner at a hotel that is right on the side of the volcano. Our tour guide said that when its clear, at night you can see the lava from the volcano, but it was too cloudy the night we were there.

Friday, we made our journey down the coast to about the middle of Costa Rica on the West side to Jaco. On the way, we stopped at another National Park and saw this guy:

The river was just packed with them, it was so crazy, we were totally safe, but the cows drinking on the river bank might not have been...

We stayed in a condo right on the beach of Jaco. The waves were pretty intense so I didn't do much swimming there, just at the pool. Tyson wanted to get in some more snorkeling, so we went to another National Park, Manuel Antonio, down the coast a bit.

We walked for about 2 miles (in flip flops, in 97 degree weather) to get to this beach:

Once we were there, it was totally worth it, but I was questioning it the entire way there. Along the "hike" we saw several sloths, birds, and iguanas. It was all so incredibly beautiful.

After we hung out at the beach for a few hours, we made the 2 mile trek back the car. Tyson's grandma didn't get to go with us because she is still recovering from a concussion, but she made the request that we stop at Hotel Paradore, which is on a peninsula right up from Manuel Antonio. We decided to eat lunch/dinner there and enjoy the amazing view (oh, and I so can't eat all that food, but I tried ;)

After our big day at Manuel Antonio, we decided to just rest and lay low on Sunday, I think the heat was a little intense for all of us... Then the weirdest thing happened, I ate a bowl of cereal and a banana, and it just didn't sit well... I haven't thrown up for 5 weeks, so I was really trying not to throw up... but I couldn't keep it down. But then I threw up blood! It was so scary... we called my mom and sister trying to find out what I should do, we'd be back in the US in less than 24 hours... We all thought I should at least go get checked out, so we went to the local clinic. My blood pressure and temperature were perfect... then we met with the doctor. He said he wanted me on an ambulance to go to the main hospital in the capital, San Jose (2 hours away) to have endoscopy done.

We were freaking out, but for some reason, neither of us felt like this is what we should do. Tyson got me some saltines and sprite, said a prayer with me. Then we called my doctor here in SL, and she said, DO NOT have any procedure done in Costa Rica. She said if blood was in my urine or bowel movements, or if I couldn't stop throwing up blood, then to get medical attention immediately, but a little blood (about a tablespoon) meant that I probably tore something when I threw up and I just needed to lay low and let it heal up.

I went to bed at about 7, and slept until about 8 the next morning... I felt totally fine, no blood in my excrements (sorry, so gross), and I was keeping food down just fine. We felt if we could just make it to Houston, we would be okay. This is us on the last day before we left the condo, such a beautiful place.

We made it back to not only Houston, but Utah just fine. I have a doctor's appointment today, just to make sure everything is alright. It was really scary, but we feel so blessed that it wasn't anything worse.

Costa Rica is a beautiful and fun place. The sunshine did both of us some good. We had such a fun time together, and I'm so happy we did this before we have a family... those long car rides aren't fun. And for the record, I am so grateful to be an American, and to live where I do, and have the many blessings that we have. When we walked into our house Monday night/Tuesday morning, it really hit me how much I have to be grateful for, there is no place like home.

Also, one last note, I'm now 20 weeks, and our little guy is more active each day, he almost never holds still, and we are getting so excited. My mom is coming out soon to help me get some shopping done and get the nursery ready, can't wait!

A Healthy Little BOY!

Well, the day that we have patiently been waiting for has FINALLY come!
I thought this week would go so slow, but I should have know better, this week flew and our long awaited 11:00 AM appointment was here before we knew it.

When we went into our little room, the lady gelled my belly up, and then said we are going to look at mommy first, placenta, cervix, and then baby... but baby was right there... baring all! The tech said that our baby was being naughty and was showing us the goods right up front. It was clear on the screen just what we were looking at and then she said, "It's a boy!"

We were both in shock, I mean, Tyson knew it was a girl... but nope, he is getting a little son of his own, and we are just thrilled!

I haven't been able to feel the little guy move for the last 2 days, so I've been a little extra nervous about this appointment, but his back was facing out, and he wouldn't roll or move for the tech hardly at all. He finally did roll over and he's been kicking like crazy every since.

I have a history of heart problems in my immediate and distant family so they took an extra good look at his little heart, and everything looks just perfect, we have a healthy little boy growing strong. He's measuring a few days ahead of his due date, and looks completely perfect!

I feel so blessed, I didn't care whether it was a he or she but healthy... so we are looking forward to our little guy here in about 5 or so months, now we can stop calling the baby an it, and start shopping and planning for our little Ethan Edwin Hacking to arrive.

Wish us luck, we are off to Costa Rica Sunday morning for 9 days, I figure if I can be sick sitting at home on the couch, I can be sick sitting in the sun on the beach right??? Thanks for all of your comments and support, we are so excited!

The 8 Tag

Shalisa tagged me, so here it goes...

8 things
8 Things About Me Here are the Rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV shows
1. Wheel of Fortune
2. That 70's Show
3. Oprah
4. The Office
5. We always watch Heroes, my hubby loves it, but I can't get into it
6. The Biggest Loser (absolute favorite)
7. Cooking Shows
8. Old Seinfield and Mash reruns (I know, how exciting, huh)

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Went to work for a full day
2. Did my mom's, dad's, and mother in law's taxes
3. Ate dinner with Tyson's mom
4. Went grocery shopping
5. Watched "A Goofy Movie" with Tyson
6. Laundry
7. Fell asleep during our movie
8. Tyson took me to bed at 9:05 PM

8 Things I look forward to
1. Finding out if we are having a girl or boy (9 days & counting)
2. My parents, sister, and nephew are coming out to stay with us today
3. Finishing our house
4. Going to Costa Rica (11 days & counting)
5. Feeling a little less sick all the time
6. Buying baby stuff and getting the nursery ready
7. Being a mom
8. Learning to speak Chinese better

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Ruth Chris (our boss took us here twice over the holidays, its so good, but so so so pricey)
2. Market Street
3. PF Changs or Asian Star
4. Tempanyaki or Benihana
5. Bajio
6. Quizno's
7. My kitchen (when I cook)
8. Bombay House (it was my favorite before I got pregnant... not so much right now, I hope I like it again)

8 Things on my wish-list
1. To have a healthy baby
2. To continue to build my testimony
3. To have more energy and desire to exercise more
4. To get our wedding album/book done before Baby Hacking arrives
5. To catch up on scrap booking
6. To always enjoy life and be happy
7. To be a good mom
8. To grow old with Tyson and my family

8 People I Tag
1. Nikki W.
2. Kim
3. Panda
4. Megan G.
5. Brandi
6. Tralina
7. Whitney
8. Amanda G.
Or anyone who wants to!

Just a quick update, I haven't thrown up now for 2 weeks and 3 days... I'm still feeling a little "sick" but yesterday was the best day I've had in a long time and today is going pretty good so far also. I just want to feel well enough to enjoy traveling in Costa Rica... I used to love Mexican food, and now... well, not so much. I'm taking granola, gatorade, and tons of snacks with me just in case!
Can't wait for next Friday! Any guesses? Tyson is holding strong on a girl... have you heard that new song by Darius Rucker, "It Won't Be Like This for Long?" Its so cute, and we listened to it together on Sunday night and just cried... I kind of think its a girl now too...
Have a great rest of the week!

A Good Week, and Some Good News

Well, I've survived another week! I haven't thrown up for 10 days now, I'm on a roll! Yesterday, we had our 16 week appointment. It went really well, other than waiting for about an hour and a half in the waiting room, but hey, when your doc is delivering a baby, what can you do, you just have to wait! We heard the baby's heartbeat again, 160, which is still the coolest thing to me. I'm measuring and doing well, and I've only gained 2 pounds. I got my orders to go and get our 19-20 week ultrasound, which we are way excited for, but at 19 and 20 weeks, we'll be in Costa Rica. So I had to see if the radiologist would let us do it right before we leave, 18 weeks and 4 days... and YES, he said that would be just fine, so two days before we leave, we get to find out what we are having!

Tyson has known from the beginning that it is a girl... I still haven't completely decided, I never really like someone to say, "I told you so." So I won't give in either way... :) Although, I've had very strong impressions that we are having a little boy... so in 2 weeks, I guess we'll find out! Boy or girl, we are totally excited. We are looking forward to our little getaway, and then come back and start working on the nursery and all that. I appreciate all of your comments, I really am trying to enjoy it, its just hard when you feel so darn crummy, but it could always be worse, and feeling the baby move makes it totally worth it!

First Post of the Year

Man, I have been a slacker, only posting once last month. A lot of things have changed in the past few months, and I fully realize that only more change is coming... Now that I'm moving onto the second trimester, I'm feeling a little better, the energy is coming back too, I cooked dinner and stayed up until 10:30 last night, I know, exciting huh? But this is a landmark for me, I haven't cooked, cleaned, watched a movie (without falling asleep) with my hubby, and stayed awake past oh, about 8:30 PM in about 8 or 9 weeks... Like I said, a lot of things have changed for us. Tys is a good husband though, he hasn't let any of it bother him, and he is so sweet to bring me a piece of toast and sprite while I lay on the couch.

My sweet dad called me this morning to see how I'm doing today, its a day to day thing with me... anyway, he said he was sitting in his work truck thinking about all the changes coming into our life, all great and wonderful, and better than I could ever imagine now, and how happy he was for us... it was really sweet. He told me about when I was little, my parents had a corvette, and the car seat laws, well, lack thereof were different, and I was sitting on my mom's lap and rolled her hair up in the window... the corvette was sold and a more "family-friendly" vehicle was then purchased.


Last week was "week 14" and I've heard from so many people and I've read a lot about 14 being the "magic" number. I have been looking forward to this lucky week for awhile now, and lo and behold, I got the flu... ick! I've never thrown up so much in my life as I did in a space of 5 days. But I'm on the mends and haven't thrown up for 4 days now and counting :)


Saturday, I got my hair cut, went and bought a few "maternity" clothes with some Christmas money, went to lunch with Tyson's grandma, and then Tys took me to "Seven Pounds" Have any of you seen this movie? If you haven't I won't go into a full review and spoil it, but it is very interesting, one of those movies that makes you go, "huh, I have a good life" I was already a little overwhelmed by the movie and then... I felt the baby move for the first time, I was crying pretty hard, and the lady next to me must have thought I was a freak! Coolest feeling ever, Tys is jealous that he can't feel it for a few more weeks.


We are getting really exciting to find out what we are having, I've been looking at bedding for the crib, color schemes, but I haven't bought ANYTHING yet... it's been so hard not to grab some cute little outfits, or the shoes, I love the little shoes! Anway, just a little catch up of the last few weeks in our crazy lives. Hope you are all having a great start to a great year! Oh, here's a picture, sorry, its a little blurry, Tyson was laughing while he took it- (Clothes really hide it, but I definitely have a baby bump :)