Starting the countdown!

These were taken on Mother's Day- which I got to celebrate this year! I never thought this time last year that I would be pregnant at the same time this year. I had such an awful day of it all last year, I would never want to revisit the anger, frustration and grief I was going through. Looking back now I see what I was supposed to learn and how I could have handled my emotions. Everyone is different though and maybe it was all just how I deal with loss. I feel stronger that I went through losing a pregnancy, and that I have something to offer if someone is having as hard a time as I did. I'm beyond grateful now for what I went through; I just wish I could have been more grateful at the time- that's what we are supposed to feel right? Be grateful in the face of adversity? Perhaps that was another trait I was supposed to learn amongst many others. One more thing I can teach my kids some day. My life is pretty spectacular with such a wonderful family, amazing husband who loves me through thick and thin, the fullness of the gospel, and the wonderful blessings of temples. I do have so much to be grateful for.

I had taken a picture in this dress a few weeks back, so we had to take one again and compare! I think I officially have a basketball under my shirt and I also have an 'outie' now! I've had such an easy, uneventful pregnancy with tons of movement from Garrett every day and night. I feel very blessed that I've had no reason to worry at all this whole time. Now we are praying that the last few weeks and the delivery goes as well.

We are starting our childbirth classes this week! Once a week we will go to an evening class of either childbirth prep, infant cpr or breastfeeding for the next 4 weeks. I'm excited!

Bring on the in-your-face bare reality of labor!

29 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Update

First off, I have to admit I have the greatest family and friends anyone could ever ask for. I came home one day to find a surprise Doorstep Baby Shower waiting for me! Just presents, no people so I still don't know who all contributed. I know my family did to some extent, but other than that I have yet to thank anyone personally for all the generosity!

I was shocked that all of this was strategically placed in one laundry basket! Look at all that swag! I'm a very lucky girl.

21 weeks 3 days

These shots were taken at 21weeks 5 days. I finally got to see Garrett's hands and face!

These were taken at 23 weeks 6 days. The second picture shows his hand by his face. I so love seeing these profile shots, they melt my heart. I'm so excited to meet this little peanut.

26 weeks 1 day

I will get to see Garrett again next week in 4D at my specialist's office! I'm super excited; Dustin is planning on coming with me to that appointment. So far at each visit the nurses tell me that Garrett is a hyper baby because of his fast heartbeat. I'm just glad that it's such a strong one. He moves very strongly and very often, it even catches me off guard at times and makes me jump. He has also decided lately that he likes to be a lowrider/kicker...I'm not too sure I like his new found positions and moves, but at least it's not all the time!

Despite all the little aches, I love being pregnant and I love seeing my belly grow and altogether going through all the changes. I feel so thankful every day that I have been blessed with this opportunity to become a mother.

I can't wait to meet our little Garrett in three short months!

Surfside Marathon

Dustin has done it again! He ran his second marathon on February 26 at Surfside beach at Galveston! I'm so proud of him! He worked super hard while in the middle of his job and graduate school to be able to run this race. He said that it won't be until the fall that he runs another one for two reasons- 1. summertime is too hot in Texas to run a marathon even at 7am, and 2. He's tired.

Here he is looking like a kid going to school. Everyone is lining up at the start/finish line. You like those black spandex shorts on the dude next to Dustin? We laughed at all the men wearing tight running shirts and spandex only for shorts..Dustin joked about taking off his shorts and wearing only his spandex....nervous laughing came next from me.

And they're off!!! All of the race is run on the beach right next to the water.

This was the only time I was able to see Dustin the whole race. They doubled back and ran down the beach the other way and only passed us once. Dustin is between these two people. I couldn't get my camera to focus quickly enough to get a picture of only him.

(About 2 1/2 hours later) He's almost done!! Here he comes!

Yippee!! He's done! He finished this race much better than his first, but he still had trouble walking and standing for longer than about 30 seconds at a time.

Congratulations Dustin!! You finished another marathon!

I'm so proud of my strong, handsome, athletic husband!!

Our Growing Garrett

19w4d

Our little Garrett is bigger and stronger these days! We went in last week for the appointment that measured organs and bones, and we were able to see little feet and strong leg bones and a bigger head, among many things. I loved the feet the most- I wish we could have got a print out of those!

Last weekend while sitting near a music speaker at Dustin's marathon I felt Garrett's first strong kick, or maybe it was a punch! It was so exciting to feel such a strong movement that was undeniably from him. I think he liked the bass in the music because the other day in the car a song came on that had some bass to it and I felt him kick then too! Or maybe it's all coincidence, but I'll just think he'll be a musical person! I think perhaps he will like mexican food too, because he went a little crazy one night after a few bites of a burrito! Anyways, since last weekend there have only been a few days that I haven't felt him move so definite, but he always makes up for his quietness.

I have such crazy joy from feeling him move. I absolutely live for his movements every day! I love talking to him especially when he moves- maybe he will respond to my voice after a while..? I look forward to meeting Garrett and seeing who he ends up resembling the most, what personality traits he picks up from us, if he will be loud and playful or soft spoken and sweet, or a little of everything!

I told Dustin the other night I didn't feel old enough to be a parent and raise a child of our own. He laughed and said no one is ever really ready to accomplish that task! I'm a little scared and nervous, but so excited. You'd think with being a couple short years from 30, and with waiting for a long time for this opportunity to come, I would feel completely prepared for a task like a family. Well I don't feel totally prepared, but I'm ready for it as much as anyone could be I think.

First Belly Shot

17 weeks 3 days

If I were smart I would have taken the picture after getting ready for church, but I didn't. We have been taking pictures almost weekly of me in my bathing suit...but those will never make it to a public site. Ever. They will merely be for Garrett's baby book (maybe) and a family album. But here's one for public eyes, and I'll take a few more as I grow. We are anxious for the next couple weeks to bring the first kicks!

First Impressions

Yesterday was another OB appointment, and we had a few questions and concerns, and a few blood tests in line. We weren't sure if we would get an ultrasound, but with the concerns I had they of course were glad to take a look. I must mention again how much I love my office and the fun we have at every visit. Dustin and I were seeing the Physicians Assistant and we asked her if there was any way we could try and get a bum shot to see what we were having....it was a long shot, but she was totally having fun and was excited to look herself.

First we saw a wonderful full body shot.....

Then after a few little looks around, something else made its grand appearance....

And wanted to be sure and be seen...

(15 weeks 5 days)

Yes ladies and gentlemen, IT'S A BOY!

Garrett Riley Stubbs

We all laughed and laughed at his casual, open stance. He's already so much a boy!

We are simply ecstatic! This is the first grandson (out of 4 granddaughters) in Dustin's immediate family and will be grandson #4 out of 9 grandchildren in my family. We are thrilled! We are used to being around so many little girls, it will be great fun and different to have another boy in the mix.

Guess What?!

Surprise! We are 13 weeks pregnant! It was a surprise to us too when we found out, but it all miraculously happened ( due much to numerous prayers and much fasting from our family and friends). Our due date is July 21, which is actually my grandma's birthday, just one week after mine. Dustin and I are ecstatic about this pregnancy, and we feel, as well as our family, that this will be a great pregnancy and all will go fine. All my appointments have gone great with strong heartbeats, and a growing baby every time. My doctor says I can't do much more exercise than swimming and walking, but really to tell the truth- I've been so tired, I've barely even been walking very much anyways! I do miss running though so much! I'm living vicariously through Dustin.

I haven't been too sick, just a few weeks of afternoon and nighttime nausea and insomnia in December and November, then it all turned into fatigue and headaches and a little moodiness...

We could barely keep all our excitement in this long. We are happy we can now share our news for the new year!

(12 weeks 4 days)

Dustin's First Marathon!

On New Year's Day Dustin ran the Texas Marathon, which is in Kingwood just a few miles from where we live. His parents were here, so we hung out along a spot where Dustin would pass us with each loop they had to take for the race. We handed off water, gatorade and GU packs as he needed them. It was such a fun experience to see him run! And he did fantastic! The last two miles both legs cramped up really bad, but he was able to keep going in a slower pace. He had kept up a less than 8 minute mile the entire time! He came in at number 98, out of 300 marathoners, and at 4 hours 10 minutes. His goal was less than 4 hrs, and had it not been for his cramping he would have beat that time out of the water!

He did so fantastic, and I couldn't be more proud of him! All my family came the last hour to see him come across the finish line.

He's trying to recover here, but I want a picture!

He's letting us know about where it all hurts, and he's motioning to his whole body. ha! I couldn't help but get one as he's lying down, unable to stand for a second longer...

All runners got a medal.. I can't seem to find it right now, but it is huge! and weighs about 8 pounds at least, all in the size of the state of Texas.

Dustin signed up for the Surfside Marathon on February 26! Wish him luck again!