My sisters threw a baby shower for me last weekend. I'll admit my anxiety is worse with pregnancy, so I was nervous. But everything turned out great. I'm so grateful for them, they're always so good to me. Here's some pictures from the shower. They had the cutest mustache theme, Jacob liked it especially. It was such a good time! I can't even explain how grateful I am to everyone who came out and supported us for the soon to be arrival of baby Kayla. And on the bright side of being on sick rest this week, I already finished all the thank you cards. Now I just have to mail them… Lol.
The hosts, my sisters and me. Thank you so much for everything! Sadly, Kristine couldn't make it, we missed her.
Christmas was pretty quiet this year, which is nice. It's crazy to think that next Christmas we'll have an 11 month old. I had decided I was done traveling, so we didn't make it to Katy. We stayed here and spent time together, and with Jacob's family. Christmas morning Jacob and I opened presents. Then we went to his parents house and opened a few with them. And then Gina and Stephen had come over around lunch time and we all ate a Christmas lunch! The next day Gina, Stephen, Jacob, and I went to see Into the Woods. That evening we went back to his parents house where Kim and the kids now were and spent some time with them. Jacob had a whole week and a half off for the holidays, I just had a few days and then I went back to work. Here's a few pictures.
By the time I was old enough to remember, we always had a fake tree growing up. I love that Jacob and I have been getting real trees since we've been married. I can't wait for more Christmas traditions as our family grows!
Christmas morning
This goofball is my favorite
How awesome is my husband? He made me a magnetized scrabble board. Love him so much!
So with Jacob's family we do a DIY present exchange. This year I had his brother, Michael. I tried to make him one of those 'daddy shirts'. The back has a racetrack so kids can play cars and massage your back. I failed. Haha. So I ended up making him a blanket instead.
This turned out much, much better. Haha.
And I think it's safe to say he enjoyed it.
This was Jacob's present from his Mom. I love that she even put his name on it.
Some other random happenings in December…
Jacob was asked to help out with a former employer's float in the local christmas parade. He was pretty excited. I thought it was pretty cute.
The puppies.
Sometimes, Leia has a puppy scarf...
We went and saw the west side of Kyle Field get imploded.
Kaboom!
I had to document this for Jacob, I finally parked in one of those expectant mother spots. His response… it's about time. Haha.
The beginning of December we headed down to San Antonio for Jacob's brother's graduation from the Utah Air National Guard. It was really convenient for us that his basic training was in Texas. In fact, almost the whole McConnell family made it. Unfortunately, his wife (who was 8 months pregnant at the time), their son, one of Jacob's sister's husband, and their 2 girls were the only ones who didn't make it. They were very missed. And I can't imagine how awesome the reunion was when Michael got back to Utah and was able to be with his wife and son again. I was a complete baby when Jacob went to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving without me for a few days. When he got back I told him that he was never allowed to leave again. I can't imagine being in Kiya's shoes. I was thrilled for them to be together again! Jacob and I didn't get to make it to any of the graduation festivities, we did however get to spend lots of time with Michael and the rest of the family that made it there.
Seeing Michael for the first time.
All the siblings that were there on Friday night.
Look. At. That. Belly.
I've been to San Antonio a handful of times, but I've never been to this marketplace. I loved all the shops and of course the culture that was so prevalent. Normally I'm only on the river walk itself and near the Alamo. So it was fun to see this other part of downtown.
Gotta love phone pictures. Ha.
Everything started on Thursday. Janice and Kristy were there with Micheal. And then this was Friday night when more of us had gotten there.
By Saturday, Kim's family had made it there to join us. I love getting shots of Jacob with kids these days. Lol. And it's seriously the cutest the way that Corwin says his name. JaCob. He really emphasizes the C. Lol.
At the time, this was the newest niece in the family. Now Kiya and Michael's baby girl is here. And soon our baby girl will be here. That's 3 girls in a 6 month period. Kayla will be grandbaby #9 on the McConnell side.
Jacob and I were planning on leaving Saturday night, but ended up staying through Sunday. So Saturday evening we went and grabbed some nicer clothes to attend church on Sunday. I really like this dress I found, but it seriously makes me feel prego. Which I am. But that belly...
It wasn't the longest trip, but we were able to spend lots of times Michael and most of the family. It was a great weekend! Also the last weekend for me to travel anywhere. Car rides are so uncomfortable...
Today is day 3 of 5 that I'm on doctor's ordered rest. Here's how it all started…
On Friday at work, my throat started hurting. By the time I went on break my whole throat was hurting and I was starting to get hot and sweaty, my back was in pain, and I felt like I couldn't stand anymore. I went on break and pretty much cried to Jacob the whole time. I'm kind of a baby… + pregnancy hormones = super emotional… Anywho, I ended up sitting in the back for a few hours and I still wasn't feeling any better, so I went home early. Friday night my head would not stop hurting, and my fever got up to 101, so first thing Saturday morning I went to the express clinic. Of course I was negative for flu and strep. Which is good. But I was told it's probably just a virus. Which sucks because it means they can't do anything for me. Yay for being sick when you're pregnant. The doctor there did however give me a prescription for an antibiotic and said if I don't get better in a few days to go ahead and take it. So, I went home and slept, and actually woke up feeling much better. Thank goodness, because I had my own baby shower to go to. Ha. Sunday was good too, but then Monday it came back. My throat hurt so bad, and I was starting to lose my voice. By this point I had barely over a week before my last day of work, just 6 more actual work days. And I already had a check up scheduled with my doctor for Friday so I really just wanted to stick it out. Tuesday was awful. If we weren't so short handed that day I would have left early. I was surprised I even could talk by the end of the day. My throat hurt so bad I felt like it should be bleeding on the inside. Seriously, miserable. Wednesday I finally called into work and went to the doctor. The doctor I saw said what was a virus went away and came back as a bacteria infection. But because I was so far along in my pregnancy she wanted to avoid using antibiotics, which could give the baby jaundice, and try treating the symptoms to see if once they were treated the rest would take care of itself. She also told me I needed to stay home from work through the weekend and get plenty of rest. Honestly I think that was the hardest for me. I really just wanted to get through my last few days of work, I was so close! And I know how hard it is when someone isn't there, and I had already called in. But I'm actually really glad she wrote me a note. To my surprise, 2 days later and I'm still feeling pretty miserable. I did not think it would take this long to get better. I feel like I haven't even progressed until this morning. I had my check up with my doctor and he told me to go ahead and take the antibiotics. Nothing else has been helping. I took my first dose when I got home from my appointment this morning and then I fell asleep. My throat still hurts, and the cough is still there, but I haven't felt so rested all week. I'm really hoping this does the trick. Also I hope I feel better by Monday so I can finish my last two days of work on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Being pregnant has been one of the hardest things I've done. I knew it wouldn't be easy, growing a human and all. But I didn't expect it to be this challenging. I think I've especially had a hard time accepting the fact that I can't do everything. And I know it's okay, I'm pregnant. But it feels like I've been defeated at times.
On the bright side the end is so close!! Anytime in the next three weeks or so baby girl should be here. I seriously cannot wait. Hopefully my health will be better by her arrival. They say it's all worth it in the end.
And since I've been stuck on the cough resting, I figured now would probably be a good time to update the blog. Ha.
