Our Puppy Zozie.

On June 7, 2014 we met Zoii and she joined our family. We were a little worried at first. She was VERY shy and nervous, especially around Andrew. She didn't like men very much so it was hard to bond with her. We had two weeks to decide if it was going to work out or not. After the two weeks she had become so friendly and really started to break out of her shell. She fit into our family perfectly. She is the sweetest most gentle and loving dog. I feel that over the past 5 1/2 months that we have had her, we have really gotten to know each other and figure out each others wants and needs. 

I know exactly when she needs to go outside. 

We know she LOVES the park. She wakes up every morning ready to go! 

She loves to play fetch. frisbee or ball. 

She loves anything that squeaks. 

She learned that we like to sleep in and she got better at sleeping in too. 

When she wants attention she comes over and puts her nose under your arm/hand. 

She puts up with all of our games and teasing/putting things on her.  

Once the sun goes down she gets pretty tired and is lazy the rest of the night. She is adorable when she is tired. 

She loves to chew on antlers. 

She loves to have her neck scratched. 

She loves to cuddle. 

 

 

Pretty much she is the cutest thing. and yes she is our child at the moment. We love her and I am pretty positive she loves us too. I feel very motherly towards her too.. I feel horrible when we leave her for too long or don't take her to the park or don't show her any love. I think part of it is being pregnant and the other part is just me. dogs need love and friendship too. I hope we are giving that to her cause she deserves it.
and yes I just did a whole post dedicated to my dog. I love all the pictures I have of her!
We love you Zoii.
love,alex &andrew

Hello Baby - Week 26

How far along: 26 weeks! 

Gender: BOY!!

Weight gain:  I'm not too sure right now.. probably 8-9lbs  

Maternity clothes: Although most people would probably not even notice, my belly is starting to pop! I am starting to actually look pregnant although I am sure a lot of people think is she pregnant or just chubby. I still feel like I am in that awkward looking stage, just about to hit the "okay she is pregnant" stage. haha I'm enjoying the smaller belly while it lasts. Especially while I'm working, bending and pulling and doing all kinds of stuff. 

Stretch marks: Same old stuff. 

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Sleep is going alright. I fall asleep quickly and want to sleep a lot. However. I have a ton of WEIRD dreams and end up waking up/ feeling a lot more restless these days. I usually have to pee once in the middle of the night but other than that I just wake up feeling achy so I change positions and fall right back asleep. I am actually pretty scared of the lack of sleep I will get once baby gets here. I really like my sleep. 

Best moment this week: Is it weird that I actually loved getting the house clean on Saturday? I feel pretty lame saying that was a great moment of the week but I felt so productive and relaxed afterwords. We were able to just stay in and watch football and basketball and eat pizza. It was one of those nights that was great just doing nothing. On Friday night we went to dinner and a movie which was just what the doctor ordered after such an exhausting week for both of us! We saw Interstellar. It left our minds blown and with so much insight and ideas. I was nervous at first about sitting through a 2 and a half hour movie but it wasn't too bad. 

Miss anything: No back pain.. I'm pretty sure this would be my answer every week if I didn't want to be so boring. It really sucks. especially this week. 

Movement: He is moving and grooving all up in there. I feel like certain positions I lay or sit in, really get him moving. And I notice when I eat how much he likes it. When I wake up in the morning he has started to really move and let me know that it is time to eat. (whenever I get to sleep in that is usually what gets me out of bed, foooood) 

Cravings: How many times a week is it okay to eat Mexican? I'm pretty sure I could have it every day. Broccoli Cheese soup from Panera has sounded amazing lately.. but I don't know if that is the freezing cold weather talking or the baby. 

Queasy or sick: Just lots and lots of acid reflux. every single night. like right now. I need to take a pill. I usually take one every night and it works like magic but I think I need to start taking it at lunchtime. My back was bad this week. I think I had a rib go out because it was my upper back causing all the problem. I think it is better now. Usually when I go to work I find out what body part is going to bug me that week so we will see how it goes tomorrow. As for my lower back still stretching and I started putting Doterra oil on it and it seems to be helping a lot! Why I didn't think of this earlier I do not know! 

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving... or better yet Wednesday the 26 at 2pm. I will have worked 3 days in a row and I am almost positive it will be really rough on my body, soooo I might be realllllly dreading it. and I am really excited to go to St. George and have warmer(?) weather... haha I'm already done with the cold winter, I'm screwed. 

hello cute belly. 

This week all I want to do is plan, clean and make things or dream of making things for baby. Is that nesting? I feel like it is and I am allllll for it. I haven't really gotten much done for when baby comes and I am pretty okay with that most of the time. But then those moments come where I want to do EVERYTHING! There are so many things I want to make and then there is the extra bedroom and that is FULL of all things sewing and crafting... I should probably make some room for baby. I'm not too worried about the stuff we need to get for baby because I feel that will all come with time, however I do feel a little stress about getting a car seat since you need that to be allowed to bring the baby home! If you have any recommendations for a good car seat or stroller let me know. I have researched a lot but I also want a good deal! I'm all about those good deals. I am scouting all the Black Friday deals these days. If you know of any good baby ones, send them my way!

Keep growing strong little man. 

love, alex 

Hello Baby - Week 24

How far along: 24 Weeks, that is 6 months! AH 

Gender: BOY!!

Weight gain: 7 lbs. 

Maternity clothes: Nothing new. Some of my shirts fit funny so I don't really wear them often but don't want to get rid them, and they are working great as maternity shirts! ha I think I might just keep them for that reason. It has been nice not having to buy anything just yet. I am sure somewhere down the road I will need some different pants but for now it's all good.  

Stretch marks: Same old stuff. 

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Sleep has been great. A little achy here and there but I feel that my legs aren't doing as bad when I wake up. I usually am exhausted by bed time so falling asleep has been really easy. I hope it stays that way (the falling asleep fast, not the exhaustion). 

Best moment this week: I have a new niece and baby boy has a new cousin! YAY we are so excited that she is here and that mom and baby are doing great! Her name is Ava Marie Checketts. She was 9 lbs 2 oz and 22 inches long. Big beautiful baby girl. My mom, Emily, and I took Taeden and Caleb to meet her on Tuesday night. She was born Tuesday, October 28, around 11:30am. It was so adorable seeing the boys meet their baby sister. and to see those cute chubby cheeks in person. I am so excited to see her grow and to get to grow up with our little guy. They will be about 3 1/2 months apart. It will be so much fun. 

Miss anything: I'm not a fan of when my breathing gets heavy/ it's harder to breath. This happens because baby is pushing everything in me up making it so my lungs don't have the same amount of room they did before. I really don't like it and it makes me feel weird. I know it will only get worse so I will say breathing normal is what I miss. 

Movement: Again, lots of movement. I know it is going to continue to get more and more prominent and I love it. Sometimes it feels like he is going to kick right out of me, he is so powerful already. When I am really paying attention I can watch my belly move. Andrew got to see it earlier this week and he was amazed. He just gasped and was like ohhhh myyy goshhh. He was in shock that baby was doing that and we could actually see it. It is pretty shocking and amazing and just a miracle. It is amazing what our bodies are capable of doing. Every time he moves it is still the craziest thing to me. 

Cravings: Nothing new this week. I still haven't gotten a good old caramel apple but I think I will buy some yummy caramel dip the next time I am at the store. That will be very satisfying. 

Queasy or sick: Just acid reflux. There are times I feel I have a harder time breathing or have to breath deeper. I feel like my legs and back haven't been as bad so I am crossing my fingers it stays that way. I think it really helps having every other day off of work. 

Looking forward to: Date night. I don't care what we do. Where we go, if we even go anywhere, or even what day it is, as long as it is this week and it happens and it includes me and Andrew together, with no homework distractions. For the last month Andrew has worked every Friday and Saturday night. He has also worked Monday and Wednesday nights. He has had a ton of homework keeping him busy on all other nights so I am really excited that work is over and we can go out again. I am thinking a good old fashioned dinner and a movie date night. 

little baby bump of 24 weeks. 

On Saturday Anna and Jordan threw a birthday party for Ryder Jay. He is turning 1 on Tuesday! I honestly can't believe he is already one. I feel that he was just born. Which made me think the next year of our little guys life will probably go by just as quickly. Ryder was enjoying his party so much. He was laughing and talking the whole time. He was riding the ponies and loved his birthday cake. He just started playing with it until Jordan put some in his mouth and he realized it tasted good too and really went for it. It was an adorable mess. haha

The birthday boy all covered in frosting. 

yummy yummy

cuties in plaid

Baby Ava and I on her birthday :) 

Baby boy, look at all the fun you will have out here! I am glad you still have three months inside but I am getting so excited to meet you. 

love,mom/alex :)