Yep that's me!

I wanted to share this pic today. It's been 15 years since I moved from Southern California with my Family. My BFF from Childhood, Sarah, (the blonde on the Left) found me on MySpace and sent this pic to me. I LOVE it! 

We are totally dressed like the 80's in the 90's. 

The photo was taken by our HUGE Pine tree in my front yard at  2248 Toluca Dr. Remember those huge fires that happen in California a few years ago?  Yep, it took that house. It's so amazing what happens in 10+ years time. Those were the good ol' days.

From L to R Sarah, Me (standing), Chris (my brother) always on my back, and Shelly (Sarah's sister on the ground)

BaBy TaGgEd!

Personally I like reading about others pregnancies just because I wonder how "normal" mine was or wasn't. 

.1. Where were you when you first found out you were pregnant?

I was sitting on my girlfriend Haley's kitchen counter. About to be sick.

.2. Who was with You?

Ben. Haley was in the other room with Dan

.3. How did you find out that you were pregnant?

Well, I was kinda stupid (well, Maybe denial)  I was living with my parents and started getting sick in the morning. I had to eat a bowl of Captain Crunch with a piece of buttered toast, or I would HURL! and i had to eat it very first thing. Even before I went pee. Plus at 3:30pm (break time at the shop) I would be so queasy and exhausted I really had to force my self to go back to work. But other than that I was SO tired all the time and was eating CONSTANTLY.

.4.  What was your first reaction to finding out you were pregnant?

I ain't gonna lie......I was REALLY scared to have to tell my folks. But at the same time I was so excited to start my "grown up" life with the guy I loved and our baby that I knew it would all work out.

.5. Your Husbands Reaction?

Ben I think was really nervous about having to tell my parents too. He just kept telling me everything was going to be alright and that he would never let "us" go.

.6. Who was the first person you told?

I'm pretty sure it was Haley. And only because I was in her kitchen.  We told my parents the next weekend.

.7. Did you plan to get pregnant?

No...but wouldn't trade him for anything

.8. Was everyone Happy for you?

To my utmost surprise my parents and his parents were thrilled!!! 

When we went to tell my parents that their unwed daughter was going to have a baby they told us they were very excited to be grandparents. And they wanted to do anything they could to help us out. (Yes, my jaw dropped to the floor, I couldn't believe the relief I felt)

.9. No #9?

.10. Did you go out to celebrate?

No, I don't think so anyway. I can't remember

.11. Did you want to find out the sex?

Yes! How else do you prepare?

.12. What was the Sex?

Male, they gave me 5 ultrasound pics of the Scrotum.

.13. Did anyone throw you a baby shower?

Yep,  I had some super friends and family members that showed me so MUCH love and support, I really felt blessed. and looking back I KNOW I was blessed to have lived in such a small community that allowed me to be surrounded by such fantastic people. 

.14. If yes, who?

My mommy and my Grandma.

.15. Did you get any outfits at the baby shower that you just know you weren't going to put on your baby?

Heck no! ALL of my friends have good taste! Just kidding, yep there was this one Utah Jazz onsies that I'm sure I made a funny face at when I pulled it out of the bag.

.16. How much weight did you gain?

I think it was like 50lbs. I tried not to pay much attention.

.17. Did you loose all the weight that you gained?

Um...let me think about it...No. 

.18. Did you get lots of stretch marks?

No, the ones I already had just got bigger. :(

.19. What did you crave the MOST?

Pizza and Ice Cream, and French Fries. Even though just thinking about the Pizza gave me wicked heartburn.

.20. Did you crave anything Crazy?

No thank goodness. But I think Jackson might be a Pica Boy now, You know how he loves to lick tires.

.21. Who or What got on your nerves the most?

Ben, but not because it was his fault. And having to work every single weekend.

.22. Were you married at the time?

Nope, but very soon after.

.23. Did you have any complication during your complications?

Nope. Whew!

.24. Where were you when you went into labor?

I was at home. and it was very early in the morning, I woke up thinking I had to go poop.

.25. Did your water break?

No, thankfully. I kept running through embarrassing scenarios in my head that I was going to be at the grocery store and drop a jar of pickles so no one would know what happened. (now that I have actually had the baby I know that it would not be that simple.)

.26. Who drove you to the hospital?

Ben, after I hollered at him that it really was time to go to the hospital, and that I wasn't just trying to get out of work.

.27. No 27...

.28. Did you go Early or Late?

Late, 2 days to be exact. I was really bummed out because everyone kept asking me "when are you do?" and I would have to say, "yesterday"

.29. Who was in the room when you gave birth?

Just Ben and Me, and the doctors and nurses. Although everyone was at the hospital, It was just me and Ben relying on one another to get us through.

.30. Was it video taped?

No, someone told me they don't let you do that anymore for Malpractice reasons.

.31. Did you have any drugs for the pain?

Well, I didn't originally plan on it but was REALLY happy afterward that I had. It may the birthing experience so much more pleasurable.

.32. Did you go natural or have a C-Section?

Is  "natural" supposed to mean Vaginal? Because I thought Natural was with no drugs. But since you already know I had drugs...yes, I had a vaginal birth.

.33. What was your first reaction after giving birth?

I just started bawling! So happy to finally have my little baby in my arms. AND Will his cone head eventually be normal?(it did by the way)

.34. How big was the baby?

9 lbs 15 oz. 21 inches

.35. Did your husband cry?

Yes.

.36. What did you name the baby?

Jackson James. Jackson after Ben's middle name and James after my dad.

.37. Did the baby have any complications?

No, well, a little bit of Jaundice.

.38. How old is the Baby today?

He will be 3 in 3.5 weeks.

.39. When is the next one coming?

When Heavenly Father says it's time.

.40. No 40? I think Dot just doesn't know how to count?

.41. If you could, would you do it all over again?

Heck yes! I can't imagine my life any different.

All right, that's it, every detail. Well, not every Detail because that would be gross. But nearly as much. So Tag to all who haven't been tagged yet!

Jax, Ax, and El-V

Yep! Thanks Right! Jax (Jackson), Ax (Axel), and El-V (Elvis).

Axel and Elvis are Jackson's Cousins (2nd cousins). They live in California and this is the first time they have come to Utah. They got to experience lots of new things like riding on the 4-wheelers and the Gator, Having some oh-so-SWEET Enterprise Corn. They also got to enjoy the Cornfest! And last but not least, a Trampoline! They were so fun to follow around with a camera capturing SOME of the highlights of the too short trip.

This is Ax-man (as my Aunt Julie calls him) He is very sweet and LOVES his Grandma

Jackson and Axel on the slide in Grandma Wendy's Backyard

Big Boy Axel being Brave on the Slide.

And this is Elvis and Jackson. I love this picture because Elvis looks soooo much like my Cousin Brian (his Dad) when he was younger. Right down to the mischievous sparkle in his eye!

Jax, Ax, and El-V

This is my Aunt Julie (Axel and Elvis' Grandma) She is a REALLY Brave soul.

She came from Southern California to Southern Utah

(approx a 7 hour drive-IF you only stop 2 times)

with a 3.5 year old and a 2.5 year old-

BY HERSELF!!!

(see--told ya she was Brave)

We were so excited she made the trek with the boys. It was so fun for all of them to play together. And they played so good-

No screaming, fighting, or even biting! lol

This sweet little dog just wondered over to my Grandma's house,

the boys chased her down and she was so sweet.

Not even a growl when they all tried to hug her and hold her.

Bubbles, bubble, Bubbles.....I just have to say, I LOVE this picture.

Elvis is constantly on the go.

I had to change the setting on my camera to be able to get a good shot!

Thanks Becca!

I've been Tagged....

Six Random Things About ME...

1. I have HUGE feet. Size 12.5. Ok, ok, its a 13. (I was trying to make myself feel better)

2. I love my Croc Flip-Flops! and where them everywhere. (Yes, even to church...I know Dot, Double whammy)

3. I daydream of being a stay at home Mommy with my Jackson and being a full time photographer.

4. I am a procrastinator.....I tell my photo jobs that they will be done at the end of 2 weeks, and i don't even start on them until the night before my 2 weeks are up.

5. I secretly LOVE reading Dr. Suess books and Watching Disney Movies with Jackson. (probably more than he does)

6. I feel like I am the luckiest person in the whole world to have Ben and Jackson. And to have such great friends that like to have impromptu Girls night out at Village Inn. 

Rules:

Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leave them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

ThE fIvE...

Ten Years ago.....

1. I was a Freshman in High School about to get my Drivers Liscense.

2. I worked at Marv's Drive In for $6.25 and was making GOOD $$$

3. I was playing High School Basketball and Loving it.

4. I had my first boyfriend....Ammon Nielsen (and my best friend was dating his little brother)

5. I was driving my 1980's Chevy Blazer. My dad and I traded off and shared.

Today's "to do" list:

1. Get boxes from Wal-Mart

2. Get everyone to work and Grandma's

3. Work ALL Day

4. Pick everyone up from Grandma's and work

5. Clean my kitchen and cook dinner

6. Start packing and cleaning a room

Snacks I enjoy:

1. Cheese

2. Pepperonis

3. Sugar Free Jello with Reduced fat calories and Sugar Whipped Cream (I know sounds Nasty, but seriously, don't knock it till you try it.)

4. Jerky

5. Diet Pepsi MAX

If I were a Millionaire:

1. Travel

2. Buy a house

3. Put some away for college, investing....(not that investing is a GREAT Idea right now)

4. Build my mom a House

5. Pay off debt

Places I have lived:

1. Redlands, CA

2. Enterprise, UT

3. St. George, UT

Wow.....talk about memory lane, But kinda fun. I tag Haley, Erin, Cristi, Susan, and Wendy