24 weeks ish!

I'm 24 weeks today maybe tomorrow, depends on who you ask. This has been the week from HELL! I've had an upper respiratory infection, Gavin and Drew have had the flu and Ethan has had the flu and pneumonia. Austin has been lucky to miss everything, and I hope it stays that way. I was in L & D today and thank heavens I haven't progressed any. Still sitting at a 1 and happy to stay there a while. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, so my positive thoughts for the week are.....I'm positive I am glad this is my last one! Pregnancy hates me, and the feelings are slowly becoming mutual!

22 weeks...Here we go!

I personally am not a fan of taking pictures of myself at any time, especially pregnancy. But especially THIS pregnancy. I weigh 60 pounds more than I would like so add the baby into it and it's all over. However for my own personal record for my children I take pictures. I went and saw my OB on Monday. Everything looked great, I felt great and then Tuesday hit. During my appointment we changed the meds I was on as the Terbuteline is nasty stuff that makes me shake like a mad woman. So I asked the Dr. to go to option #2. So I started that on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon contractions came back and hard! So Gavin came home from school and we went to the hospital to find out I have started dilating. I am only at a 1 (barely) but more than what I would like to be. They not only gave me my regular meds but they 2....not one but TWO shots of Terb to stop the contractions. So the water works have started because of the dilating and me having a relationship with my couch. This is the earliest I have ever dilated so that worries me even more. What gives me peace is knowing that I have had priesthood blessings telling me that she will be healthy. Any who, here we go. I know that the Lord is aware of the situation. Now to keep her in there.....stubborn little girl!

Valentine's Cookies

Every year I make large, heart shaped cookies for each of the student's in my kids classes. With Gavin's kids gone, it really cut down the number of cookies I had to make this year from 120 to 30. Kind of a relief since I completely spaced Valentine's Day and the cookies. Austin reminded me on Monday! Good thing....Because that would be a yummy treat to forget! I think they turned out cute. I'll be making some for everyone at Gavin's work on Monday. They always look forward to it!

What's in a name....

Ok so Gavin and I have been mulling over names as this is our ONLY girl together and our LAST! Gavin is so sweet and tells me ultimately it is my decision as this is my only daughter and I have been waiting so long for her. Let me back up and explain our naming history.....

When I got pregnant with Drew the decision was made that if it was a boy, he chose, if it was a girl, I chose. Gavin won. Andrew George (Andrew being Gavin's middle name and George being my grandfather) Then came Ethan. Since Gavin got Drew I get to pick Ethan. Thinking that he would be a girl, boy names weren't even on the radar. So when we found out about having another little boy I was at a loss. So we went to the kids. Zoe loved the name Ethan and the boys wanted Max. One of Gavin's favorite general authorities is Neil a Maxwell. (we like our names to have meaning or after a family member) So came Ethan Maxwell.

OK, back to the original reason for this post. So all we have thought about is girl names. Originally I always thought I would have a little Abigail Elizabeth. Then we both liked the name Avery. And then one day Gavin came to me and said he really liked the name Ainsley. REALLY? What a coincidence...so do I! Well that made it easy, so we thought. But then came the middle name. My mother's middle name and Father in Laws middle name is Lynn. My dear, dear friends name is Lynda whom I love and adore. So Lynn seemed like an obvious choice. But then Gavin mentioned Grace. Hmmmm.......what to do????? So after long hard deliberation we decided we loved Ainsley Grace. When we tell our family we get mixed reaction. The kids (Ok, Zoe and Jared) have had a fit over Ainsley and we've been told it's just too different. WHAT THE HECK! Seriously people.... I don't complain about your name or what you name YOUR children, so why is this such a controversial issue on what I name mine? So what to do. Plus this is the child's name the rest of it's life. Are we making the right decision? Should I be second guessing myself? So this baby will remain nameless until she joins us out of my tummy in a few more months! Thoughts.....anyone?

Our Little Miss Sass-O-Frass

Baby bean has started giving me a run for my money! I ended up in Labor and Delivery today from cramping. I am at about the same stage I was when I started having "pre-term" issues with Ethan. My body hates me being pregnant and it has no tolerance for anything at all! So she's now our little 'sass-o-frass.' I just keep reminding myself that we are having a Girl and this too shall pass. I am also in constant thought of the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and what he endured for each one of us. This is merely a temporary trial that will be rewarded with a beautiful gift from God. So with that being said, I'll take my cramping and remember that this is soon to be over! Oh yes....I'm half way there! Woohoo!!!!!

Our busy little Ethan

I think Ethan has been feeling the pressure of loosing the "baby" spot in the house. He's been super clingy and very needy. We can't leave the room with out fear surrounding him. He is super busy and into EVERYTHING! He can have the look of the devil in his eye and he smiles at you, as he knows better than what he is doing....getting into trouble! But on the other hand, he is SO sweet and SO cute. He knows how to melt your heart. We love our little Ethan and he'll always be our baby boy!

Baby Bean is a.....

Sucking her thumb. So sweet it made me cry!

Can this really be true?

GIRL!!!!!! I can hardly believe it. I am waiting for the Doctor's Office to call me and tell me they made a mistake. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so trying to prepare myself for having a boy. I have been waiting a long time for a little girl! This baby is truly a gift from our Father in Heaven! How thankful we are that we have been instilled with it. We are beyond grateful. Now....TO GO SHOPPING!

We took Austin with us and skyped Gavin's kids in. Liam bet me $5 it was a boy, and now he owes me ;) Zoe started dancing as she is no longer the only girl! We got home and I tried to explain to Drew that mommy has a baby sister in her tummy. We've been calling the baby, Baby Bean. Which Drew has lovingly decided that his beg yellow oversized easter egg is the baby. He asked me if we could go pick up baby bean because it had hatched. I explained to him that baby bean needs to grow a little more and when it's ready to hatch we'll go to the hospital and get her. I'll spare him the details of what really happens until he's older. Ethan could care less, although Gavin and I are convinced that he is doing everything in his power to stay the baby as every time we even walk out of the room he freaks out. We still can't figure out how this baby was conceived with the lack of alone time because of Ethan. It'll be interesting how he takes it when she actually comes home!

We are overwhelmed, excited, and so ready to be done!