What I've been upto...

This is what I've been upto the past few weeks. It keeps me sane, and makes for great birthday presents for my nieces.  Brynn usually gets the cream of the crop with these bad boys. Annnd I guess there's a few headbands for yours truly. I think I'll be selling them this summer at a Farmer's Market booth. We'll see. I've even had a few people ask if I'll make some to buy! But heres some samples of what I've been doing while Brynn is asleep. (When I'm not cleaning) 

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Other than that, we are planning to move here pretty soon. Yuck. 4th move in 2 years.  I start my diet tomorrow, I cant WAIT to get off all this pesky baby weight.  Brynn had her baby blessing last Sunday. I'll find some pictures of that to post later.  Other than that, I am so ready for summer to get here! 

PS. I was SO wrong about Brynn being 12 pounds ha ha. She had a doctor's appointment the other day and she weighs 10 1/2 lbs. 

2 months

 Brynn turned two months this past friday.  She is getting so big! I think she's about 12 lbs now.  Nuts!  It's so much fun to watch her grow and learn.  She has started to smile more and talk more.  Every diaper change is our special "talking time" where I will make sounds with my mouth and she will copy them.  I usually get a few smiles while changing her diaper.  She is such a good girl!  

Robbie finally got another job! So that is some good long awaited news.  He has been interviewing for over a year now trying to get a different job, but none of the jobs until now were ones we felt good about him taking.  He is going to work for State Farm now, but until he builds up his clients, he will still be working 30 hours a week at Sprint.  So, needless to say, I will NOT be seeing my husband for a while.  But we are excited and I am very happy for him.  He's been at Sprint for over 4 years now and he hates it.  Its nice to see him happy.  

This weekend I took some newborn photos of Brynn finally...well they're 2 month photos but I'm just going to say they're her newborns because I put it off for so long.  I was able to shoot about 15 minutes before she started wigging out, but I got some good ones.  I'll have to finish shooting another day :)  We also took our first official family photo on Sunday.  It was our first adventure to church as a family, so I figured that was a good occasion to do it.  

Heres what I got!

Out with the bad thoughts...in with the good

Tonight is the last night of my 2 1/2 week visit in good ol' Casper, and it feels extremely bittersweet.  There's no place like home.  I love the people here, being close to my family, the beautiful landscape, how simple life feels in a small town, the smell of Murdoch's, how every person here owns a truck and a dog, and how the "worldly things" aren't such a temptation in a place like Casper.  There are no billboards for lazer-lipo and nose jobs, and there aren't tons of expensive department stores and boutiques here to waste your time dreaming about how you wish you could afford the things in them.  I say its bittersweet leaving here because I don't want to leave, but I miss Robbie terribly.  I can't wait to see him tomorrow night.  I wish I could have the best of both worlds, and hopefully someday I can.  


Back on point here... the main thing I love about Casper is that the members of the church are different here.  Here in Casper, us mormons aren't in abundance like they are in Utah, therefore the members are more friendly here and inviting to those who are new or visiting.  In Utah, members are everywhere, so when you are new or visiting, nobody says "hello" or makes you feel welcome. (In my first ward, the relief society president asked if I was a visitor every single sunday for 9 months...)  The wards are full of cliques and micro-communities.  I am going to try to bring back the "wyoming welcome" feeling to my ward back in Utah when I get home.  I can't complain about how members are in Utah if I'm not willing to try and change it myself.  


The thing I really wanted to talk about tonight was about the lesson we had in Relief Society this past Sunday.  Church was at 9 and I was so dead tired from Brynn not sleeping the night before.  I was running on an hour and a half of sleep and had plans to come home as soon as sacrament meeting was over.  After sacrament meeting, I just had a feeling like I should stay.  I guess the word "prompting" is a more correct term.  I did fall asleep for a few minutes during sunday school (whoops) but it did help me catch a second wind that I was in need of.  In Relief Society we had a great lesson.  I don't remember the teacher's name, but she was a cute, young, bubbly girl who looked to be about my age.  She gave a talk about how important our thoughts are and how negativity can really make a huge difference.  What we think directly affects how we act.  It made me realize that I need to snap out of this negative persona I've been in the past 11 months or so.  While I was pregnant, I felt so sick the entire time I literally felt like I was going to die most of the pregnancy.  When you are in constant pain for an extended period of time, it makes you feel so negative. Not only was I grumpy and negative, I was too sick most of the time to make it through church and when you aren't attending church, you certainly do feel more negativity in your life without that weekly uplift that attending church brings.  I felt angry, annoyed, and I was extremely grumpy and easily irritated.  That became a habit, even through the times that I felt O.K., and carried over into my post-pregnancy.  I have thought negative thoughts for such a long time that I have become a grumpy person.  I am not a grumpy and unhappy person whatsoever, and this girl's lesson made me realize I need to SNAP OUT OF IT!  Think good things about others and myself.  Laugh about the things I can't control instead of get annoyed and frustrated. Smile at the strangers I walk past and make conversation with the lady in the checkout line at the store!  Make the effort to stand out in my ward in Utah and force my way into the cliques, and once I'm there, try to make the members of the cliques realize that cliques are dumb! Let's make everybody feel welcome!  Thats what the church is about, making people feel loved and being kind to everyone around us.  


I tried out my new positive attitude today for the first time since before I was pregnant.  I was at Hobby Lobby. I made conversation with the sweet old lady, Stella, who was cutting my fabric for me.  I smiled at her.  I talked to her.  I could tell it made her day, and that directly resulted in making my day as well.  I felt so happy and alive, how could I stop there?  I got to the checkout line,  and when the lady at the cash register asked me how I was today (like they do to every customer) I replied with the biggest smile and loudly and proudly said, "I am GREAT! How are you??" I wanted her to feel like I honestly cared about how she was doing, and to tell you the truth, I DID care about how she was doing. After paying I thanked her and told her to have a wonderful day. She looked taken back... usually that's their job to say that as you leave, not the customer's.  I am not trying to brag or toot my own horn, but I am so proud of myself.  I have felt so much happier at the end of today than I have in a really long time.  And honestly, after months and months of negativity, I think I deserve to toot my own horn! Go Ashleigh!  


I am on my way to becoming a happier and more positive person like I used to be and I am excited for every day that is ahead of me.  Positive thoughts really do make a difference. I love my husband.  I love my family.  I love my beautiful daughter, Brynn, and I can honestly say I have yet to take a moment for granted with her.  I am proud of that.  She is my whole world and my heart has never before been so full of love.  I love the happiness the gospel brings.  I feel so greatly blessed; more blessed than I feel I deserve.  The feeling of having a healthy baby and being a mommy is by far the best feeling in the world.  I want her to grow up in a family of positive attitudes and thoughts.  I have never been so excited about the future as I am now.

Baby Story

So its been almost three weeks since I had Brynnlee, but I am just now finding the time to sit down and write about it. (She is currently spitting up on Rob and making poopy diapers for him)

On February 7th at 4pm my mom, Rob, and I went to see my doctor before the scheduled induction.  He sat down to explain the induction to us and made it very clear to me that I was at a high risk for  a c-section because my body was refusing to dilate.  I was so nervous and prayed and prayed that I wouldnt have to do that.  At 5, we checked into the hospital and I was hooked up to the monitors.  They came in to get my IV in, and let me tell you that was probably the worst part of the whole hospital experience.  They could NOT get it in my hands for the life of me.  They poked and wiggled it around twice in my left hand and twice in my right.  I wish we would have taken pictures of my hands, they were so swollen I could hardly wiggle my fingers.  Huge hematomas on them lol.  The bruises just barely went away a few days ago.  But finally they got it in my right wrist which sucked because then I couldnt bend my wrist.

After the horrible IV experience, they put the medicine on my cervix to help me dilate.  After about 7 hours I was still only dilated to a one.  I couldn't believe it! Then out of nowhere, my water broke.  Weirdest feeling ever.  I wasnt expecting it to break since I was only at a one and everyone was expecting my water to be broken by hand.  Immediately after that, the nurse thought I was going to deliver quick.  I was having intense contractions and dilated to a 3. But alas, it slowed down and they still planned on giving me the pitocin. After my water broke, I started having what they call "baby shakes".  Basically my body was just shaking uncontrollably lol and it lasted all night and all the next day. So annoying.

They started the pitocin about 4 am and that got things moving along.  Soon after that I got the epidural.  That was a little piece of heaven on earth.  Only down side was that I had to be laying on my right side the whole time because if I didnt, then the baby's heart rate would drop too low and that wasnt good, so my right side of my body was numb but i could still feel all the pain on the left.

About 7:55 my doctor showed up and I started pushing.  I didnt push for long though before something didnt look right on the monitor so my doctor took the forseps (Sp??) and had to help her out real fast.  She was born at 8:18 that morning and there was no c-section! I was sooo happy.  He took about a half hour sewing me back up and then I was able to hold my little Brynnlee as much as I wanted.  I still havent been able to put her down.  I just love her so much and she is such a blessing to Rob and me.

 

procrastinate much?

I am so bad about updating...but everytime i go to do it, there is so much to catch up on that i just say "screw it, i'll do it later".   But tonight i am going to update.  No novels, just short and sweet.


November.... The first time in my life ive been excited about thanksgiving.  I ate so much. Derrricious.


December.... Was eventful.  My grandma perkins passed away after a 10 year battle with alzheimers.  The funeral was beautiful and it was wonderful seeing all the extended family i hadnt seen in years.  Christmas was of course very busy but i enjoyed it all so much.  I was able to see my family that drove down on christmas day and watch my dad play golf on the wii for an entire weekend straight.  We had a blast. 


January....has been miserable.  I need this baby out of me now! I average about an hour of sleep a night between the nausea, peeing, back pain, and overheating.  I know it will all be worth it though in the end so its alright!  The dr checkups have been discouraging...no dialating at all.  We have an induction date set for February 7th if she doesnt come before then.  I really hope she can come on her own though! The dr has me staying at home now just takin it easy and layin around.  It sucks! I wouldnt mind if i were in casper and on bedrest with my dog and family and friends around, but here in utah its pretty boring! no cable, netflix isnt working very well, and no doggy! But like i said....it will all be so worth it im sure! We are just scrambling trying to get everything for our little girl to come home! 


Well theres a short update.  Next post will probably be the "baby story".  Bye!

How well do you know your husband?

How well do you know your husband?

I stole this survey from a fellow blogger and decided it was a good time consuming activity for this boring monday night :)

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? ESPN or xbox football
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch or italian... he alternates.
3. What's one food he doesn't like? tomatoes.
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Water, pepsi, root beer....he doesnt just pick one thing.
5. Where did he go to high school? Davis High
6. What size shoe does he wear? 10
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? turkey with mustard, no mayo, green peppers, lettuce, pickles.
9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Spaghetti
10. What is his favorite cereal? Rice krispie treats cereal
11. What would he never wear? anything pink or flannel

12. What is his favorite sports team? florida gators, utah jazz, minnesota vikings
13. Who did he vote for? He didnt vote...shame on him.
14. Who is his best friend? Me :)
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? I am too messy for his OCD taste.
16. What is his heritage? He doesnt even know.
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? German chocolate
18. Did he play sports in high school? yeah he played soccer.

19. What could he spend hours doing? playing soccer, xbox, watching football
20. What is one unique talent he has? mr. cheeks.

I wonder what it will be next time...

The universe clearly does not want me to get a haircut.  I had to break my 4th appointment this morning. What the crap.

First, it was that the girl who initially turned my hair pink and red ran out of time and couldnt cut my hair (which was a blessing in disguise, I will admit...if she had cut my hair also I could have had a lot worse outcome)

Next, I had an appointment made at the place where they fixed the color of my hair after the first girl destroyed it. I ended up getting a bulged disc in my neck resulting in a pinched nerve, went to the emergency room, and couldnt move my head for a week.

Then, I had a terrible cold all last week and most of this week, and wasnt able to get my haircut then either.

I had an appointment set for right now, which I thought for sure I would be going to, only not being able to go now because I am pretty sure I have some sort of stomach bug and feel like I will vomit any second.  

My hair has grown out so much and so unevenly (I can't believe how fast your hair grows when you are pregnant, it is insane), that I cant even wear it down because it looks terrible. All I want is a freakin hair cut, universe, is that too much to ask for?

Anywho, I am currently laying here trying not to throw up, and I am watching the Price is Right for the first time since Drew Carey started hosting it.  I have to admit that he hasnt ruined the show like I thought he would.  He has also lost a lot of weight!   

Driving to Casper tomorrow.... so excited! Have a good day!