31

Yesterday I celebrated my "baskin robbins" birthday. I am sad to see 30 go - I had a wonderful year. I worked so hard before turning 30 so that I would be in the best shape of my life and enter this new phase/decade head on and strong. I achieved that goal. I was in a great place as a wife and mother, planned for baby #3 and I look forward to having a girl. I will always look back on this past year as being one of the best years of my life. I hope to continue strong and make every year a good one.

We took some pictures before going out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. I am 30 weeks along (7.5 months) and feeling great. I can see the weight gain in my face now... hopefully I can start running again after she's born.

HALLELUJIA!!!

This day has been 3 years in the waiting. Daniel saw his surgeon this morning and was cleared to no longer wear braces! His feet look fantastic and he is expected to do well long term. He doesn't need to be seen for another year or 2. I am all smiles and beyond happy. This has been such a long journey and to see it end is thrilling. Of course will still have issues to deal with (mega wide shoes, low muscle tone, etc.) but that is all nothing compared to where we've come from.

Take a look at the before and after of his feet.

1.5 weeks old

3 years old (taken today trying to recreate baby pose)

sitting normally

And to top it all off, my brother called me on Monday and while he and his family were in Brazil they learned that Vanessa's cousin has an infant born with clubfeet and they are struggling to pay for the shoes/braces and clothes to fit him. Plus, they are using the old style Dennis Brown Bar and Daniel had the far superior Ponsetti style brace. So I am going to donate Daniel's shoes and bar plus some of his baby clothes to this family. It makes my heart happy to know I'll be helping out another mother going through this journey and making life more comfortable for her little one.

Can you think of a happier ending?! We've had so many prayers on our behalf along the way that have helped lift us up. To be at the end vs. the beginning of this is an incredible feeling and I couldn't be happier on this day.

24 weeks Preggo

Hey everyone. I've had several people ask me for a preggo pics so I had Brent take these of me this morning. I hadn't put on makeup or done my hair yet... so just look at the belly. :o) I am in my 24th week (6 months along) and for those who don't know yet, we are expecting a girl. I'm feeling good and all is well. Can you believe I still have 3 more months?! I'm going to get as big as Jupiter I'm sure.

Almost a year?

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted. Sorry for the long, unintentional, hiatus. SO much has happened in a year. I guess I'll just bullet point some of them.

*I reached and exceeded my weight loss goals. I lost a total of 50 pounds and for the first time in my life I was in the 170's, a size 12, and at a healthy BMI.
*I completed my first half-marathon in October and my second half-marathon on April 23, 2011. Both were fabulous experiences!
*Jacob had his tonsils and adenoids out in December. Thank goodness my mom was here over the holiday's to help me.
*Jacob finished his first year of preschool (a co-op I did with some friends in my ward). He loved it. He is so excited to be going to a "real" school this fall for pre-k.
*Daniel completed one year of early intervention speech therapy and has improved so much he is no longer eligible for services! YAY! He is such a fun 2-almost-3 year old.
*We have owned our home for one year now!
*We have lived in Oregon for 4 years and Brent is still enjoying his job.
*I was released as Compassionate Service leader last August and am now the Primary chorister. Brent teaches Elders Quorum. Jacob is a CTR4 and Daniel still attends his beloved nursery.

and the biggest news of all...

*We are expecting baby #3 - due in December!