Finally an Update

It's been 5 months since my last post. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Our baby boy is going to be 6 months a week from today. What a little sweetheart he is. We love being mommy and daddy to our little angel. He is such a good boy and growing up so fast. He already has a tooth coming in on the bottom, and the one right next to it is coming too. He seriously is the most handsome little guy I've ever seen. His big blue eyes and sweet little smile just make me melt. He has recently started sleeping the whole night, in the last two weeks. Before that he would go to bed at around 8pm them wake up at 4:30am and have a bottle. He now goes to bed at 8pm and gets up around 6am so say bye to mommy, then back to bed for a while. He still takes two or three naps a day, which allows mommy and daddy, whoever is with him to do homework and clean up the house. We really are lucky to have such a good boy.
Other news since the last post...we bought a house in July. It is so nice putting money towards a mortgage instead of someone else. It's perfect for us and we're so excited to do a bunch of little projects in it to make it even better for us. The best part for us, is we now have a back yard where Rosten and his sisters and brothers (whenever they come) have a place to play.
Ryan has plans with my brother and dad to close in the garage and make a little workshop in there. He is so excited. We're also going to redo the basement. It's not completely finished now, so we're going to add another bathroom and bedroom and close in the laundy room. It's so much fun to look forward to these things we can do together. We'll probably start next spring or summer, as we'll need to save for a while to get it done. I think before we do anything in the basement, we're going to put carpet in ours and Rosten's room and maybe the living room. We now have hardwood floor in those rooms, and I don't like it because I want Rosten to be able to crawl. We'll see...
I'm in my second to last semester of college. I'm so excited to finally graduate. I right now am going to school two days a week, with online class. Next semester I only have my internship. I'm a little nervous about it because I won't be working at all. I'm doing the internship full-time so I can be done in May and graduate. I'm so excited!!! Ryan and my dad both said I need to walk at graduation, so I will be walking. My dad says it's a huge accomplishment I need to celebrate, and Ryan said Rosten needs to see his parents do important things like that, so it is something he'll know is important. As much as I want to do in the future, all of my kids may see me graduate at one time or another.
Ryan was accepted at Weber State University here in Ogden. We are so proud of him. He is such an amazing daddy and hubby for Rosten and I. So far they have accepted all of his credits from his associates degree in England, and we're waiting to see if they'll accept them as actual criminal justice credits. If they do accept them as criminal justice credits, he should only have a few years left until he will graduate. He wants to work for the secret service, so whatever it takes for him to get in there we will do. I am so proud of how hard he is working and doing his school work. He spends all morning taking care of Rosten while I'm at work, and does homework at the same time, then he switches me and I take Rosten and he goes to work all afternoon and night. What a hard working man. It has definitely been a challenge for us to not see each other very often because we have chosen not to have Rosten go to a babysitter (except for a few hours on Mondays and Tuesdays when I'm in class), but it's very worth it to know that he is being taken care of by his parents who love him and would do anything to protect him. Needless to say, the few hours or days we get to spend together as a family here and there are precious!

Other news in the Wood family, we got a dog!!! For those of you who know me at all, know that is totally out of character for me. I don't do animals or animal waste! But we love our doggy. His name is Wally and he's a cocker spaniel. Rosten is getting to the point now where he just sits and watches him and laughs. It's pretty dang cute. Wally has been such a good dog. We got him when he was only 11 weeks old, so he is still just a puppy. He's growing like crazy though. Last week, we decided to cute his hair, and now he looks little again. It's a lot of fun to have him, but a lot of hard work. Our biggest reason for getting him was we wanted Rosten to grow up with a dog. After we got him we thought we should have started out with a fish or something, but we wouldn't change him now for anything.
Our little dumbo

Rosten and his amazing daddy
Blast from the past.....I'm working hard to get back to this size again. I'll keep everyone posted. So far, I've lost 15 pounds. Only another 25 to go. I guess being happily married and having a baby really does ruin your body. Wish me luck because the training has begun.

Lastest News

A lot has happened since the last post. First and most important is our little guy is growing so much. He is so cute and so much fun to be with. We had the opportunity, a few weeks back, to get some newborn pictures taken of him. We just got them back, so I'll post a few of those here. He is such a doll. I can't believe how much he's changed since they were taken. I took some more of him today, and he looks so much bigger. I guess that explains all of the eating he is doing. I think he spends 50% of his day eating. He's such a joy though. We also bought our first home. We're so excited to leave apartments and move to a house. It's going to be great! We cannot wait. We sign the final papers in a few weeks, then we'll start to move. We should be completely moved in by the beginning of August, at least we hope. We're hoping to bless Rosten in our new ward the first weekend in August. I don't have any pictures of our home right now, but as soon as I get some I'll post them. It's located in South Ogden, so it will be a little farther for both of us to travel, but I'll be done with school soon. I'm hoping that starting in January, I'll be able to just do my internship in Ogden and maybe find a job in Ogden so I don't have to drive to Salt Lake everyday. We'll see what happens. Ryan will continue to commute to his job in Salt Lake, and for this semester he'll go to SLCC this sememster, then hopefully he'll be able to transfer to Weber State University to finish up his degree. We have a lot of big plans...we'll see where is all turns up. That's all for now. I'll post more recent pictures of Rosten soon.

Rosten Parker Wood

Introducing Rosten Parker Wood... He was born on Thursday, May 21st at 10:34pm. He weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. He is the sweetest and cutest little boy ever and we love him so much. We're so happy to have this perfect little addition to our family. The pictures here are not in order (couldn't figure that out) but you'll see how cute he is and is still becoming each day.

Hadlee, Ely, Mackray, Rosten, and Kache...His cousins

from my side of the family (notice all boys)

My doctor with Rosten

My older brother Jared came down to meet little Rosten with

his family. His youngest, Ely, couldn't wait to meet his

new baby cousin, Rosten.

Ryan and Rosten relaxing in the rocker. Ryan is the

best daddy. He is so in love with his son. I'm so

lucky to have such a sweet husband and baby.

Our friends have this tradition, and we copied it...Ryan went to the

store on the day we left the hospital and picked out Rostens'

going home outfit. Isn't he a cutie!

Being a mommy is the greatest job/calling ever. This is the only

time in the hospital we were alone and I could really just

talk to Rosten and hold him and love him.

We got Rosten dressed in his own clothes at the

hospital because he was so cold and we wanted to

see how cute he was in his own clothes. Love him!

Daddy and his boy...this was after he told me he didn't want

to hold him because he was scared of how small Rosten was.

Our little family (sorry I'm half naked and scary looking, this is

literally about fifteen or twenty minutes after he was born)

Right after he came out. Ryan and I were both crying.

I don't think either Ryan or I have felt the spirit so strong in

either of our lives. What a blessing this little guy is and will

be for us!

Thank you to all of you that gave me so much advice and support leading up to the birth of our son. You were all right, it was all worth it!

We Now Have Hope

We went to the doctor today for our weekly checkup, and left with hope. FINALLY!! First it was good because Ryan actually got to go with me. That was a nice change. Usually he has to work but since he switched schedules he was able to go. He heard our little guys' heartbeat for the first time since February. It was fun, and having him there helped me keep my spirits up, which I neede djust in case.

When the doctor walked in first thing he said is, I can't believe you're smiling...that's a good thing. It was pretty funny. Apparently it's not a common thing when you miss your due date. Then the checking and measuring began. We heard the little heart beat. It sounded good and strong, then they measured me. I lost a cm since last week, good news I guess because it means I've dropped. So now the good news....okay not really but it's funny.

As we were walking in I told Ryan since the last two weeks I had been dialated to a 1 or a 2, this week I would be a strong 2 just because I knew that would be how it was. Well that's exactly what he said, I'm dialated to a strong 2 and effaced to 70%. There was very little change, but it is some change, then we made a plan. The doctor gave me the choie to either be started on May 21st or May 26th. I chose the 21st obviously. He said there is still a good chance I'll have the baby before then, but in the case that I don't, I will be started, likely in the morning of the 21st. He called me this afternoon and said everything is set up and I'm a high priority for that day, so I should be in there early and get started.

I know that I've complained about being pregnant so long, but I'm hoping and praying that I will start natually. I have decided that I don't want an epidural unless I absolutely need one, and I know getting induced will cause it to be a lot more painful by forcing the contractions to come. I still want to do it naturally, but getting started may change that. Anyway, we at least now have an official end date. I'm so excited to finally be a mommy.

A girl I work with had her baby on Monday, and I was able to see the little girl on Wednesday. What a sweet, sweet little girl. It kind of made me nervous to think that Ryan and I are going to have something that small to take care of. It's kind of crazy, but so exciting. We've been waiting and preparing for the last 8 months or so since we found out we were going to be parents, and finally it has come. We are so excited. I can't wait to see my sweet husband as a daddy. As much as he loves me and takes care of me, I can't even begin to imagine what a good daddy he'll be. I am so lucky to have him in my life and have him be the father of my children and be my eternal companion. I think my Heavenly Father every day for giving me Ryan. When I was on my mission, one of the things someone said at the MTC was the harder you work on your mission, the better the spouse you will have. I must have worked extra hard, because I am seriously blessed and couldn't have found anyone better. I love you honey. Thanks for being so amazing.

Thanks all of you who commented on my last post. I do realize how silly I was being, I just needed a place to vent. Thanks for allowing me to do so. I'll keep you all posted on what happens with our little guy coming in to the world.

Pregnancy Blues

So someone please tell me I'm not nuts!! I am due tomorrow and I don't think I've ever been so depressed in my life. Okay, so that may be a huge over statement, but really this whole pregnancy bit is getting to me. I feel like the baby is never going to come out, and if he does it won't be until he's about 20 years old. Has anyone else ever felt this way. Please tell me you have. Yesterday I was getting ready for work like always, and I started to get upset because nothing fits because I am so huge, and nothing is comfortable because I'm supposedly so close to giving birth. After this the breakdown began. I just laid on the bed whining to Ryan about wanting the baby out. Finally, after I was already an hour late for work I decided to head out. Then the waterworks began. I called my mom, who can't stand to hear me cry, and just cried to her that the baby was never going to come, that I just couldn't be pregnant anymore, etc. I know I'm pathetic. So I pull into work, and decided I better not go because I had been sobbing and just didn't want to deal with people, so I called my boss and started sobbing; luckily, she has been pregnant and was so understanding and just told me to take care of myself and the baby and not to worry about work. I then came home and laid around all day just hoping that the baby would come. It's a day later and he's still not here, but I feel a little better. I still don't think he'll ever come, but at least I'm not a basketcase anymore. I think writing about it helps, so thanks for anyone that reads this. Now I'm realizing how silly I'm being. One of my good friends reminded me of all the hormones running through my body, which was also another good reminder that one day I may return to normal....maybe. So everyone, please pray that this kid doesn't wait to come out until he's 20. I've never had a baby, but I think that just might kill me. Hopefully it will be very soon that he does make his debut, until then, I'm sure that these crazy episodes will continue, but next time I will spare you all the details.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Momma! I love you!

Here are a few pictures of my momma....

Getting a kiss from a dolphin in Honduras.

On our way home from Texas and a cruise.

On the way to one of our adventures on the cruise.

With my grandma Sullivan, another very important

woman in my life. Love you Grandma!

Mom, I hope you have the best Mother's Day Ever!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you other mom's out there as well.

So this is me about two weeks ago at 37 weeks. I've grown about ten inches since then, okay, only about 4 cm, but it feels like ten inches. This picture was taken at my baby shower up in Idaho with my family. It was so much fun, and as always, my family was overly generous. Thanks to all of you, and all of my friends at the baby shower in Utah for all of your gifts and support. We are now officially ready for the baby if he would just get here. I am now 39 weeks and 3 days now and we're just waiting. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said his best guess in with in a week or so, but we'll see. I'm completely convinced that he's never going to get out, but when he's ready he'll come.

All else is when with us. Ryan got switched back to the sing shift which is sad for us but it will all work out. We were hoping he could switch back in July after my maternity leave, then when I go back to work he would watch our little boy in the morning and I would watch him in the afternoons. It was a little sooner than we thought but that's okay, we'll make it all work. Ryan is still loving his job, and keeping busy with is. I just finished the semester and only have a year left until I graduate. I met with my counselor on Thursday and we filled out my graduation packet and had it signed, now it just needs turned in. I'm so happy to be almost done. What an amazing feeling.

That's about all that's going on in our lives. Hope all you Moms have a Happy Mother's Day! Hopefully I'll be a mom by Mother's Day too.

Only a month Left!

Only a month left and our little boy is due!! (This picture was actually taken in February, so I've grown a lot since then, but it's a start. I had to have my sister email it to me because Ryan and I forget, and I don't like pictures.) I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone, but at the same time how slow it is going. Isn't it funny when we look back at something how fast it seems to have gone, but when we're in the moment and looking forward, it seems like forever. I've never experienced it quite like this before. I've been thinking back to when we first found out we were pregnant, I was 5 weeks along, and I remember thinking, I can't believe I have 35 weeks left. Now I think about it and think I can't believe I only have a month left. It's crazy!

Ryan is getting so excited to be a daddy. He'll be so cute with out little boy. I've been having a lot of contractions, which puts him into panic mode, so he put together our playpen, stroller, and bassinet. It's all so cute. He's also making me pack my hospital bag to keep in the care and he had me pack the diaper bag as well. I think he's a little excited. I love it. I really did marry the best man ever. I've more and more convinced every day.

Thus far, I've been pretty lucky with the pregnancy, and I assume it will continue on that way. I have my days where all I do is cry and complain because I am so uncomfortable or fat, but for the most part it's not so bad. I'm still running on the treadmill, which is pretty nice. I think the biggest complaint I have about this pregnancy business is the weight gain. Seriously, I have never eaten so healthy in my life, and I gain 4 pounds from one celery stick. Okay, big exaggeration, but I can't wait to be able to start losing the weight again. For those of you who have always known me, you know I was quite large before my mission, and I have a huge fear I'll get there again if I'm not careful. Once the baby is born I know it will be better, it's just quite discouraging right now. I think my thighs have tripled in size, which grosses me out, but what can I do. I'll just love my baby boy even more. Luckily, I have a husband who loves me no matter what and thinks I'm the most beautiful woman ever. Please someone tell me I'll be able to get back to normal after our baby is born.

Well, that's as much of an update as I can give right now. I really can't think of anything else. We hope everyone has a great Easter, and remembers the great gift that our Savior gave to us. Love to you all!

What I've done

I saw this on a blog and thought it might be fun! To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (having a baby in a month)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Updates

YIPEE!!! I finally reached the third trimester (according to all the reading I'm doing). I didn't think I would ever get here. Time went so fast in the first part of the pregnancy, but now it just seems to drag, maybe because my due date has changed by two weeks, so I'm living some weeks over again. I still think the baby is due on May 14th though. We'll see who's right, me or the ultrasound. Hopefully I am! I am so ready to get this little guy out of me and have him here to watch and play with. I am so excited about being a mom. It's weird. I never thought I would get this excited, but I am. He's a sweet little boy.

Not much is happening in our lives. We hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Ryan spoiled me as always. We decided that we don't like Valentine's Day on February 14th because everything is marked up for the holiday, so we were going to celebrate in the summer or some other time when there's nothing going on. Well to my surprise, when I got home from work on the 13th, I walked in the house and it was lit up by candles, and he had made us a candlelit dinner, with roses and a teddy bear. It was so much fun. I'm so lucky. I was completely surprised, especially since he usually can't keep things from me. We just sat and ate dinner then cuddled on the couch, well as much as we can without me feeling crunched because of the belly. I'm still in the process of working on his gift. I'm always behind on the holidays; I'm so bad, but when I get it done I'll post pictures or explain.

Last weekend we were able to go up to Idaho to visit my family, and it was my sister's bridal shower. It was such a fun weekend. While we had the shower, Ryan went out with Hal, my stepdad to feed the neighbors elk. He looked so cute. He had hay all over him and he was in chaps and a levi jacket. I just love that man. He's ready and willing to try and do anything. He's never been around a ranch or a farm, but he's so interested in what goes on.

I am faced with a really difficult decision. I have been working in my job for about 3 months, and my boss just gave her notice. She's going to work at another facility and offered me a position to go with her. The pay is better and it's close to home, the big problem is now I'll have to go part time. We have really enjoyed being able to save so much money since I'vebeen working full-time. The job with my boss would go full-time, she's thinking in about two months, a month before our baby is due, and that's still no guarantee that it will be full time at that point. After I have the baby, I'm going back to work, so I think going with her and only being 2 miles from my home would be great, that way I'm close to my baby, no matter what. On the other hand, I have a history with the place I work now, and I'm always guaranteed full-time, but I don't know who my new boss will be and how they'll feel about me going on maternity leave, my school schedule, and all the doctors appointments that I have to go to. Ryan and I have talked and talked but we can't come to a decision. Hopefully my boss doesn't want an answer today because I'm not ready to answer. I really worry about the economy and what could happen if I were to leave my job now that's full-time. Any advice?

Happy February everyone. I can't believe it's going to be over this weekend. Maybe time is going fast.

My Love and I

My sister tagged me to do this about Ryan. Now all of you can learn why I love him so much!

1. Where did you meet your husband?

It's a funny story really. We met through mutal friends. I was roommates with Kirsten and she was dating Damon. Ryan and Damon were roommates and had been mission companions. One day I after telling Damon and Kirsten I was done with dating for a while, they had Ryan come over and we met. I thought he was cute and interesting and later he told me he thought I was beautiful. Well Kirsten and Damon set it up so we went on a double date with them to a U of U football game and the rest is history. We are so grateful that Kirsten and Damon helped us. Otherwise we would have taken a little longer to find each other.

2. How long did you date before you got married?

Our wedding date was exactly 3 months after our first date. I guess you know when you know ;)

3. How long have you been married?

We've been married 1 year, almost 13 months.

4. What does he do that surprises you?

He puts up with what I put him through, especially with my hormonal mood swings since I've been pregnant. He also surprises me with flowers and always no matter what makes sure I know he loves me.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?

He's pretty hot if you ask me. I love the way he looks at me, so I guess my favorite would be his eyes. He does have a nice bum though :)

6. What is his best quality?

His desire to take care of me and our family. He works so hard to provide for us and make sure that we have what we need. Also, the way he makes me feel so beautiful and like I'm the only woman in the world.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?

Sweetheart...My Love

8. What is his favorite food?

When we got married he said he had no favorite food, now he tells me it's anything that I fix. As of late he loves the Chicken Cordon Bleu I made recently.

9. What is his favorite sport?

Rugby

10. When and where did you first kiss?

At my house...he just laid one on me. It was cute because he was so nervous.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?

We love to play Mario and compete to see who gets farther (he lets me win though) Also, we love going to the temple together.

12. Do you have any children?

We have a son that's still growing in my belly. He'll be out in May.

13. Does he have any hidden talents?

He can wiggle his ears like Alfalfa on Little Rascals.

14. How old is he?

23

15. Who said I love you first?

He did. I knew I loved him I just was scared to say it.

16. What is his favorite music?

He likes most stuff. He opened my eyes to Bob Marley and I love him for that.

17. What do you admire most about him?

His kindness to people that walk all over him and that always have and his patience. He always strives to be better and he honors his Priesthood.

18. What is his favorite color?

Blue

19. Will he read this?

Eventually. I think he'll read it at work when he's bored sometime.

20. I tag Candace, Molly, Cortney, and anyone else that wants to do it.

Finally an update!

It's been a while since I posted on here. Let's just say life has gotten very busy with my new job and school starting again. Since the last post we found out we're having a cute little boy. He has grown so much since the last ultrasound we had. We were so excited when we saw him. He's an active little boy. He loves to step on his mom's bladder and make me really uncomfortable. Oh the joys of pregnancy. I do love to feel him more though. It's one of my favorite things. One day at work, he started spinning circles in my belly. It was so weird. I tried to describe the feeling to Ryan but I just couldn't think of the best thing to explain. It was like I was getting sick to my stomach and dizzy but all in by belly. He is a lot of fun though. The other day Ryan sang him "Families Can Be Together Forever." It was so cute. I have the best husband. He's so excited to have a son. We've been buying clothes for him off and on since we found out. What we're really excited to get is the crib and car seat and fun things like that. We've found a lot of stuff we like, so one of these days we'll do out and actually buy some of those things. We've picked a few names but I'm not sure what we'll go with. My favorite is Rosten Parker. Ryan's favorite is Corven (we haven't picked out a middle name for that name yet). We really don't want to pick anything until he is born. We'll see him and know, at least we hope.

Just yesterday Ryan got a call that he'll be working the 7-3 shift at his job. We're so excited; we'll actually be able to see each other. Between me going to work in the morning at 7:30 then going to school and him going to work until 11 at night, we really just see each other in passing. We're so happy we'll be able to be a normal couple for a few months and be able to go on dates and go to bed together at night.

We had a great Christmas. It was a lot of fun to just be together. We were supposed to go up to Idaho, but due to bad weather we couldn't go so we were able to spend the four days we had off after Christmas together. On the last day off we celebrated our first anniversary. It's amazing how long it's been. I truly believe we met before we both came to this earth and fell in love and now we're together again. I can't even express how grateful I am for such a wonderful husband. I'm so excited to spend the rest of forever with him and especially raise a family with him.

We hope all of you are doing well and that you're all safe.