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Some unfortunate news...

On Thursday I went to my first official OB appointment. I was 11 weeks along. I had been spotting the day before but wasn't too concerned. The doctor gave me an ultrasound, expecting to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It wasn't good. I had what is called a "blited ovum". Essentially I was pregnant, there just wasn't a baby. The sperm and egg had met, decided there wasn't enough chromosomal information to create a baby, but my body didn't get the memo. So I had all of the pregnancy symptoms, including the ALL DAY sickness.

I had gone to the appointment by myself because David had to work. Those poor people in the doctor's office, I was a mess! I was scheduled for a D&C at 1:45 today. When I was taking a shower before my appointment I started bleeding heavily. David and I got to the hospital and they made me sit and fill out freaking paperwork. I told them that I was bleeding, nonetheless paperwork must be done. I stood up and had bleed all over their upholstered chair. Serves them right! Damn red tape.

I took a couple of steps and the dam broke. They rushed me to the restroom and I lost a few large clots. There were quite a few procedures ahead of me but they got a hold of the doctor and she rushed me to the front of the line. They finally got me hooked up to the I.V. (after several minutes of stabbing my wrist, to eventually settle on my hand). The anaesthesiologist was called from his car in the parking lot and they got me sedated. I am so grateful that David was by my side.

The procedure went very well. Everything was removed and there weren't any abnormalities. I'm feeling pretty good. Ibuprofen works wonders. I tried to get the doc to let me play volleyball tonight, but no go. I am to take it easy for a couple days.

I am very blessed to have great help. David got out of work and was able to go to the hospital with me. This has been pretty tough for him too. I was SO very blessed to have my friend (who also happens to be my aunt) Dianne come down from Idaho Falls to help me. She has been great. She watched Malia for me, helped me get caught up on chores (oh, the piles of laundry!), and even brought meals for us. She has been so great. I don't know how I will ever be able to thank her enough.

My ward has been great too. My visiting teacher brought me flowers. My Relief Society President brought us a meal. I had lots of calls too. My family in Iowa has been ever so phone attentive. David's family has been great too. We have been very blessed to be surrounded (whether it be physically or in spirit) by loving friends and family. Everyone's prayers and thoughts mean so much to us.

I must admit, it's been an emotional time. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it all. Yesterday afternoon I was on my way to hear my baby's heartbeat and today I am not even pregnant. The Lord sure does work in mysterious ways. Eventhough I didn't lose a physical baby, I lost the dream of my baby. We had tried for a bit to get pregnant and I was so excited. Thus, not having the ability to wait and share my news. I am grateful for my testimony of the Lord's hands in all things. I know that He is mindful of me and that all things happen for a reason. It just wasn't the right time for our family. I know David and I will grow from this experience. I am grateful that Malia is young enough that she doesn't really have a clue what is going on. I am just so grateful for her. I think I took for granted what a precious gift she is.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. My final thought is a quote from Pride & Prejudice, which I am determined to watch tomorrow (A&E version). Mary says, "Misfortunes, we are told, are sent to test our fortitude and often reveal themselves as blessings in disguise." True, true.

Relief Society Lesson

One of my callings is to teach Relief Society every other month, on the third Sunday. I am teaching next Sunday, on the 20th. I thought I'd post the lesson that I am teaching and see if anyone had any input. I am teaching the lesson titled, "God the Eternal Father". Here is the link to the lesson if you want to look at it online http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=da135f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=dc48b00367c45110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0. I realize that all of you may not be the same religion as me and may have no clue what I am talking about. Feel free to check it out and let me know what you think! I love the opportunity I have to teach in Relief Society. It's a good break from Primary. Although, I love my Primary teaching calling too. It shows me how mindful Heavenly Father is of me. I miss teaching and these teaching callings help fill that void.

Sledding Fun

This is my first time trying to post a video. This is when we were sledding up in Idaho Falls.

New Year's Fun

We had our final "Christmas" this week in Idaho Falls. We went up to the Nichols home where my grandparents were staying. We were joined by my brother Bart and his family. We got up there on Monday the 31st, had a yummy dinner, opened presents, and rang in the new year together by playing games. The next morning we took the kids out sledding. Dianne lives in a culdesac and they plow all of the snow into the middle. Good sized hill for our little ones. After that we had a hot cocoa party with the mug sets that great Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids. The next day we went to the Rexburg Idaho Temple Open House. The temple is beautiful. We had a great time and love getting to see family! Here are some pics-

Here are some of the sledding pictures. Mom and Chris got Caleb and Malia these great little sleds. Malia thought it most comfortable to lounge in it!

Here is the Rexburg Idaho Temple-

We're Expecting!

So if you haven't noticed our little "widget" yet... there will be one more Mata in the beginning of August. Sorry for the unconventional blog announcement. I know it probably violated some sort of social protocol. David wanted to tell his family first since we told my family first with Malia. I have known since the beginning of December and all those many weeks is a long time for this girl to keep her mouth shut! Especially since I talk to my family every day, some of them several times a day! Thank goodness for my fav 5! So when we got into Phoenix on Saturday we told his family. Immediatley after I went to my blog and added the widget to it. I called my mom and made her look at my blog. I was trying to be clever. It took her FOREVER to load it up but her and Chris finally got to see it. They are excited but can't believe our timing AGAIN. Chris gets two weeks off from John Deere at the end of July every year. They keep trying to have a family vacation during that time, but either Britt or I keep having kids- Britt in '05, me in '06, Britt in '07, and now me again in '08! I had meant to remove the widget and wait a bit longer to tell others or at least do it in a more conventional manner. However, things got crazy with the holidays, and I spaced it! I know they tell you that you are supposed to wait until you are at least 3 months along to announce- I am only 8 weeks. I just get too excited and can't keep quiet! Who are "they" anyway? So there it is. My due date is August 12th, 3 days after Malia's second birthday. If I go 4 days early, I could have my baby on 08-08-08!! Fun, huh? You know what's not fun? The beginning parts of pregnancy! With Malia I threw up for 5 months straight. I was teaching full time and it was not enjoyable. This time I thought I was in the clear because it didn't start right away. However, a couple days before we took off for Phoenix, the extreme nausea kicked in. The same time two years previous David and I were traveling to Phoenix to spend Christmas with his family. I was pregnant then, too. Traveling and nausea don't mix! I have a really rough time with the beginning part and it's complicated this time with having a toddler by my side. Never good to have your little one witness you spewing. Sorry for the visual. Nonetheless, I know I am very blessed to bring another little one into the world and am grateful for Malia. She may have a lot of attitude right now, but one look at her and I know it is all worth it! We won't be finding out what we are going to be having. We love the element of surprise. If it's another girl we are good to go. All of Malia's clothes will even match up seasonally! If it's a boy... we are not so good to go. However, Britt may help me out since Nathan was born in August and his clothes will work out seasonally. Speaking of Nathan.. Here is a picture of Britt's kids- Nathan (2) and Nora (5 months). Britt has a blog but her internet connection is not always the best so she doesn't get to post often. Sharon (my dad's girlfriend) emailed me this photo that they took of them during Christmas. Aren't they cute? I miss them tons and can't believe how big Nora is getting!