D is for Dallas-H is for Happiness

In Provo, we had our set friends group, we all hung out weekly or twice a week or whenever we wanted for that matter. We had the good life. We spent most of our time at the Richards or the Olsens.

Erica and Matson Tanner 

Nicole married to Tyler Richards (Ya cool dude, has his own website)

Tyler Richards and Erica Tanner-bro and sis

Kevin and Heather Myers

Heather's parents (Olsens) live in Provo, we spent SO much time at their house.

Erica and Tyler's parents live in Provo, SO much time at their house. 

This was our going away party. The boys spent all summer playing..tippin.

Don't ask.

It's a no girl game.

I know what you are thinking right now...

How come they all have their shirts off.

Well, we were swimming in their pool and playing bball too.

This is Tyler and Luke, I know what you are thinking..... Because of the red cup, and their expressions and shirtless bodies...but actually....I don't remember what we were drinking, but it was alcohol free. Cuz I had some too, and Miles is alcohol free.

So we sent off tangled lanterns...

Kevin put his right in a tree. Burning. Never saw somebody climb a tree so fast.

All the while, Heather (his wife) was saying, "KEVIN!"

Kevin and Heather are in Medical school as well-in Dallas. (Hence why we had to visit them)

They are of course our dear friends....I'm getting to our trip there, but I got distracted with talking about our friends in Provo...

Nicole and Tyler-perfect faces/perfect couple. 

Sometimes their perfection sickens me....(joke-love you guys) But, they were our dear friends in Provo, and now they are still there, and we are here.

Here's another charming pair. Luke and Christina. Luke is British and had to go back to England-long story don't ask. But I have been facebooking his mum all about it, because I was worried about his citizenship of course. And poor Christina is left all alone without him. But alas, they are still in Provo..

This is the worst ever picture of me...So swollen/fat, and everyone else looks perfect. Somehow all my friends manage perfection all the time, and I have yet to conquer that skill. I always have smeared make up-crappy-root showing hair, and they always just look great/skinny/tan/no smeared make up.

PS this is a 2 AM BETOS stop. (Girl in stripes in front of me is Chelsea Bleak-who we hung out a lot and found out she is my AUNT ROBIN's niece) (CRAZY COOL CONNECTION)

Watch this video to see what went on (at a dif location in Provo) at BETOS (used to be Betos now is Rancheritos) (I taught the owners son in Kindergarten.) (Okay I'm done doing side notes)

So Erica is right across from me, and she is greatly missed, anyway the point of telling you all of this friends details is because you need to know how cool they are, and you need to know them to fully understand how important this trip to Dallas was to me. (Brad loved it too, he is just less emotional about his friends) You see ALL OF THESE GIRLS' spouses and boyfriends went to Timpview High School with Brad. (Erica, Heather, and Chelsea all went to Timpview as well)

So we all became friends because of our husbands-boyfriends, and we were all a match made in heaven, and STILL ARE! I loved thinking that in 20 years we meet up with all our kids and even maybe some of our kids will date/marry each other-fun thought :)

Heather is only 5 hours away. Best ever. Piece of HOME. Love her and Kevin and Cohen.

She met Miles for the first time.

I still remember Heather when she found out I was pregnant-probably most excited out of anyone we told.

She loved him before he was even born.

I love this picture, shows how much she loves him.

Heather has this motherly ability, before she even had her own. Brad loves her baked goods. I love her sweetness to everyone. She has the softest heart.

We talked how we missed our Utah friends (posted above).

We so wish they could come visit us (HINT HINT)

Kevin had a test, and had to study all day Saturday, but we didn't let that stop us me.

I insisted to Brad we go, it was a weekend where Brad had just finished a test, and felt like he could. It was a good prep before our 12 hour drive to AZ for Thanksgiving. 

We visited the zoo.

Cohen was ADORABLE. He is so full of energy. He saw the monkey and said, "whooo whooo" And pounded his chest. If you looked the other way, he would be running away.

Miles was just enthralled with the whole experience. First time at a zoo=success.

I was always behind taking pictures or looking at the animals-all my pics are of Heather and Brad together. (Totally looked like they had 2 kids and were MARRIED-one time a guy even handed Brad Heather's purse when it dropped-awkward)

This zebra could have licked my face. I loved how close these animals were.

At one point we heard the lion roar exceptionally loud. -Never had that happen to me before.

Miles didn't wake up.

I don't think I have ever seen a Rhino this close either-dino spotting.

Hello shaggy bear. You looked like you wanted to jump the trench and eat Cohen.

Good thing we left before you did. You probably ended up eating the Bride of the wedding that the zoo closed early for.

This was my favorite.

Cohen loved this bird and feeding the bird with these sticks.

He was too perfect little boy  so excited and so brave/nervous.

Miles finally woke, and we got a great fam picture. :)

Go ahead and scroll up to my prego picture at Rancheritos....

Swollen face to normal face. Go ahead view the prego.

Bless Miles for being so worth it :)

If you are debating pregnancy you may be worried about all the symptoms.

That is what hindered me from getting pregnant. I was worried about these things, in order of worry.

#1 Stretch Marks-they would be horrendous if I ever had them.

#2 Getting fat- That would be ever so hard to just accept your fatness and not be able to stop it.

#3 Loss of normal breasts- this would be sad to have MILK come out of these, and horror stories about how your boobs are saggy disgusting milk leakers. Gross.

Just know, they are just not as bad. I look at those stretch marks and get all sad and depressed then I REMEMBER very quickly of what a sweet heart I have. Sweetie Heart, munchkin face, love pants-no name I call him is good enough for how much I love his little cheeks. 

When I look at that roll that isn't going away (YET) I think-wow I miss my before baby body-THEN I REMEMBER- This little guy is worth any roll or all rolls.

I feel my squishy not perky chest and I think-grossy. But then I REMEMBER!

So if you are worried about those symptoms, I'm not going to tell you they won't happen to you, but they just might-but I would sacrifice everything for Miles. Nobody knows how that truly feels until you see your baby for the first time. Then your heart collapses and you know they are your new everything.

So wow, I'm a preacher, but I just know I was VAIN and SELFISH-then Miles turned that around, and made me realize what really was important in this life. Not my silly body-my motherhood-my desire for him to return to heaven with us. That's my job folks. And that's more important than my silly body.

Although-I am not downplaying the importance of staying fit and healthy during and after pregnancy.

I am just saying-its nice to have a baby despite all my PRE BABY worries.

Its nicer than my body. WAY.

Now back to the zoo.

Best part of the zoo....

Gave us a little show...

Love the sound effects...

Heather is a great example of healthy and fit after PREGO and baby. 

She works so hard and is SUCH an example to me.

She probably thinks nobody notices,

But I am HERE to tell you. In cancun, she was so healthy eater, while I was gaining weight by the minute. Downin every stinkin calorie in sight. She has some serious self control.

And that you can tell by how skinny winney she is.

Monica and David Harker also live in Dallas and were our friends in Utah.

David is in Med school as well-different from Kevin.

But they came over to eat din din with us.

Sorry Kevin you look like you have a test the next day, but your son-Cohen has the best grin-camera face ever goin-and I had to show the world how stinkin cute it is.

So our trip to Dallas could not have been more of a success-I so wished and longed we lived there, but so many times I am reminded by my little conscience that I am supposed to be in Lubbock-to meet new friends and people and branch out. That does not mean however that my dear friends in Utah and around will not stay and be my friends forever.

So until we meet again Cohen-maybe next time you won't think taking Miles' binkie is so cool.

And maybe, just maybe you can lay in his boppy again and watch tv.

But until we meet again little Cohen-keep dumping out cheerios and putting them back in the container.

Love you Myers Fam.

Miss you Dallas..

We will drive again soon.

Miles can't wait.

'Most windmills ever on a trip' Award goes to.........

Lubbock drive to Dallas.

Holy Smokes.

See you soon windmills because I am already inside my head planning my next trip....

Come out.

See this face??

It is swollen, tired, and ready for about 10 gallons of water to be drained from it.

I got my hair done yesterday. Oh wow. Before I get into that, let's take a trip down memory lane.

22 Weeks pregnant

This face has no idea what it is like to really...be pregnant.

This face doesn't even look pregnant...but then you look at the gut and you say...oh yes, she is.

My face is not even swollen here at 23 weeks.

Let's go back to 39 weeks.

Swollen, tired, and done. Right as I type my little baby's foot is protruding out my side. I love feeling it. I almost imagine his little toes wiggling inside my hands. Oh if only.

(Please notice the veins in my pork sausages hands, I think they cook. I think you could just about eat cooked meat in my hands at this point).

 Wednesday I thought I was in labor. I was sure of it.

I was having intense contractions 5-8 minutes apart for about an hour. Then the next hour they were still bad but further apart. Then the next hour they got even further. And I watched my little glimpse of holding my baby that day fade further and further away. TRICK! 

I have a doctor's appointment today, and he better tell me I am just needing to go upstairs to deliver that minute....cuz I'm not sure I can wait 3 more days. (Providing I even go into labor on my due date).

My next post better be splattered with pictures of a brand new baby right? Or we are all going to get a little crazy. I am sure I am already part crazy here. Nobody tells you the anxiety/swelling/out of body experience the last week is. It is just like...push me over from my right side to my left because my hip is aching and throbbing, now push me out of bed to go to the bathroom 10 times in the night, now give me your hand and pull me up, now pick up everything I drop because there is no way I am getting it. Grunting is common. It just becomes so dang uncomfortable, then to triple that you just wanna hold your baby so bad, because its so close.

Everyone tells me to enjoy it, because soon I'll have a screaming baby, and these are my last few days with little responsibility. But seriously?? That's like telling someone who is single to enjoy their last days as a single person before they get married. It's not like they can go do all these single people things like make out with randoms, go to dance parties and just have a blast. They just want to be married at that point. See as a 9month prego lady I can't really enjoy myself like I could when I was not pregnant, or even just barely pregnant. I can't go do things I would do in my last days of not having a child...it doesn't work that way. First of all I can't move like I could, I can't be in the heat, I can't go play any sport I want for as long as I want...but I can lay at the pool for an entire day....which I have been doing :) So I am ready for him. I was ready for the responsibility when I decided to make this little guy. He is wanted and needed here in the Clark household.

Now you have heard the ramblings of a very pregnant person.

Now, yesterday I got my hair done. Partial highlights with cut, thats what I always get. Now I haven't had my hair done since Forever....Like January.

I bought a groupon here in Texas, I don't know where to go, and I hate paying 100 dollars for my extra thick/long hair that they charge me 10.00 for every extra thing of color I use. So I just buy the groupon and surprise them with my extra hair. Their fault for not specifying on groupon that they charge extra for extra hair. And take a chance that they have some skill in doing hair. Anyway....I call for about 2 weeks, leave messages and all sorts of crazy stuff. I call the number on the groupon and it is disconnected...so I call the salon and the girl is NEVER in. So about a week ago she calls me back. She had pneumonia. Okay, makes sense. So I try to tell her its okay, I'll wait till she is better, but she insists she is better (as she is coughing and sniffing) and just kinda forces me in. So I show up at my designated time yesterday and she has hair like this.

But its curly and permed, and her bangs are short and she is about 40 probably. Now I stole this picture from the internet, so....whatever.

This hair should have been my VERY first clue, and I should have just done a pivot and high tailed it outta there. But I didn't and that is why I am here today to share this riveting story with you.

So there are two girls sitting in the area, they were in their late teens, 19, and 20 I found out later. They each had a 2 year old/3 year old with them. They were dressed scantily and one was pregnant. The lady doing my hair says....these are my grandbabies (pointing to the kids running around). This should have been my 2nd clue to high tail it outta there. Then she says, "Have a seat." So I sit down, and she says, "Now what are we doing?" Partial, I say.

Oh yes, then she starts sectioning off my hair and she says, "You have a sh*t load of hair." This is gonna take up alotta color. (There it is, the hint that I should have to pay extra, but since it was a groupon I"m off clean). There is my 3rd clue to leave. But I don't leave. I stay. I stay in the chair. I don't have the guts to leave. Then she is hacking a lung into her hands, which she then touches my hair. 4th clue. But they aren't clues anymore, they are just reminders of how I should have left on the 1st clue. Haunting me. I have that sick sinking feeling in my gut. And I just accept it. I accept my hair fate. It is going to be orange, and splotty. I just accept it, and I just think to myself I will deal with it when I get outta here. Right now I just need to live with my mistake. So she keeps sectioning off my hair. Then she is searching for something forever, and she tells her daughter to help her look for her color key. She lost it. So they are searching for it. 5th clue. She then says, "Oh &%^ I'm going to have to borrow some." Did I mention the STRONG texas accent adjoined with little to no grammar skills. 6th clue. So she leaves for awhile, and in the meantime her daughter and son's gf and their kids are just sitting behind me in chairs, and her grandbabies are running everywhere and she is repeatedly telling them, "I'm gonna beat your butt, real good." 7th clue. "Your butt is gonna be bright red here in a second girl." (She tells the baby two year old for touching the curtains).

So she comes back with color. Oh hey! Were you going to talk to me about what I wanted???

Nope, she just starts foiling away. At this point I am just outta my mind confused at this abnormal situation. 8th clue.

I just sit, and watch her foil my hair. Knowing at this point, its going to be orange. She hasn't spoken to me at all, she is just talking to her daughter and son's gf behind me, and yelling at the kids.

They aren't leaving because the son's gf has leave in conditioner in her hair, and it needs to be washed out. So she foils my hair, and it was not pretty, and I didn't have the guts to take a picture of it. But normally the hairstylist has it all perfectly folded and neat. . . No, there was foil everywhere. It was a folding disaster. But I didn't say anything I just sat. 9th clue. I knew this was just a haunting reminder of how I had that feeling of GET OUT right when I walked in, but I didn't I didn't get out. And now I am paying for this sin of mine.

Then, she tells me to go sit in a chair while it processes. I see plenty of hair dryer thingys, and that is what I have been put in EVERY other time they want to process my hair. But then she proceeds to do her son's gf's hair. 10th clue. She washes it, then spends forever brushing it, cuts it, styles it. All the while I am sitting there while the two year old and three year old run around my feet with snotty noses and stinky diapers, and no shoes. So 45 minutes later. I am SURE my hair is orange. She tells me to come back to wash out. She washes my hair, and I ask if the shampoo is Tea Tree, which it clearly is because it's burning my eyes and my mom has bought Tea Tree for decades. She says, "Oh I don't think so." 11th clue. She doesn't have a clue what I am saying. I stand up, look at the shampoo, sure enough BIG BOLD LETTERS TEA TREE right on the front. We walk back to the chair. She shoos the children away. Oh did I mention her phone rang probably 4 times during this, and she would stop doing my hair and talk on the phone, sometimes even leaving the building. 12th clue.

She went to brush my hair and was pulling all the hair out from her son's gf, and then she lysoled it. I informed her I could brush my own hair because it was just easier that way. She handed the brush to me FULL of brown hair from her son's gf. 13th clue. 

Is this story real? That's what I keep asking myself? Is this a nightmare of hair, does this happen to people??

Okay, so I brush out my hair. I can't really ever tell what my hair is like when it is wet, but I assumed it was fine. I saw a few spots that were questionable, but I tried not to get too worried, after all I'm the one who didn't pivot right when I walked in, even though I had that feeling.

She then cut my hair in the chair, and the way she cut it, I knew it was off, I knew it wasn't standard. Oh the son's gf was hanging around STILL because her haircut was.....bad. 14th clue.

So I was still dealing with her yelling at her g.kids and talking to her son's gf and daughter, not me at all. Kids are still running around my feet and getting into things, picking up my hair off the floor, etc. 

15th clue. I actually remember thinking while all this was going on, would any of my friends sit here? If this situation came upon them, what would they do. I imagined them storming out, or awkwardly sitting there like I was. I imagined them laughing at me hysterically as I sat and endured this abnormal situation.

So here I sat, getting my hair cut. They eventually left: the family audience, as she started to blow dry my hair, because the kids were just crying by that point because her daughter slapped the little girl. Yes parenting 101 from a pregnant 20 year old. Or 'knocked up' as her mom called her. (Nothing wrong with being 20 and pregnant,  but......there is something wrong with being a negligent mother, and that was very evident here.) Now when they left, I got an earfull. 16th clue. She began to tell me the adventures of her children. See her son, 'knocked up the skinny girl' and now he wants nuttin to do with her, so she done come and live with me, and I take care'ah her and her kid.

And my daughter she was sleeping around when she was 17, and finally got knocked up with some loser, and thats how we got her daughter, then she got involved with this deadbeat who just plays playstation all day and is 27. 

At this point I think I stuttered something like, "Oh wow, you guys should be a reality show."

She replied saying ya, cuz then they could finally pay their bills.

Then she proceeded to tell me enough details for me to write a book, how her daughter wouldn't listen to her that he was a loser, and he wouldn't tell her where he lived, and she wouldn't hear from him for weeks on end, and how her husband's daughter's friend's friend was friends with his ex-wife on fbook and found out he was back together with her, but supposedly together with her daughter too.

And I think at this point I said, "Oh I'm super boring, married planned pregnant at 24, first baby, no drama here."

I was just inserting dialogue when there was a pause. Dialogue that was pretty useless to her, because she just kept going. Then she had me stand up, and she said, "Oh Wow I gotta fix that."

17th clue. She re-cut my hair. Good thing I said 2 inches...it turned into 3 or 4.

She also told me the groupon phone was disconnected because they had not paid their bill on international calls??? 18th clue.

Then I was done. I stood up and asked her if I could tip through credit card, she said, "Oh no the front office doesn't do that." 19th clue.

She said, "Do ya gota check?"

So I wrote her a check tip.

Then I looked at my hair in the mirror and smiled, because it only had a few minor problems that I could deal with, it wasn't orange (only in one spot) and the stripes weren't too zebra, bigger than I like, and yellower than normal, but I didn't complain. I just walked outta there and took a deep breath that I still had hair 4 hours later.

Baby M's Nursery

I am in full throttle mode now.
Meaning......
I bought a boppy, rock and play sleeper, and a new camera today.

Behold, one of the first pictures taken with new camera. Brad took it....now yes my shirt is tucked in strange.....my fingers are 'mini hotdogs' (Brad always says that) and my belly has tripled in size these past few weeks. And not to mention those b**bs. Better for breastfeeding as my doctor says.

Brad said to me: Next time you say you want to run a few errands I'll remember that means you are going to drop $1000.

NOT TRUE. I had gift cards for everything but the camera.

That means I officially have EVERYTHING I NEED!!!!!
So he needs to come now.
NOW.

But now that I am ready, I can show you his room. It has taken me the entire month I have lived here to just get everything just right.

Two days ago Brad and I conquered the bookshelf, which I tried to put up myself, but apparently 2 nails into drywall won't hold all the books.

Dresser: Brad owned before and Chels and I painted it gray before we moved. So...free with 14.00 paint.

Giraffe pic, painted by mwah.

Rocking chair: LOVE! Amazon 89.00, but with points 14.95....so almost free.

Shelf: 14.99 with 1/2 coupon at craft store, painted with paint I already had.

Books: 1/50th of the books I own, not even 1/2 of the BOARD books I own. But thats from being a K teacher and collecting.

Changing table 15.00 KSL painted before we moved out here with Chels' leftover paint.

Shelves: Craft store 6.00 with coupon, painted gray....with paint I had.

Rocking horse: 29.99 at craft store, 1/2 off with coupon, painted with paint I had. 

Crib and mattress: KSL 60.00

Banner: Made by my lovable sister Summer.

Quilt: Made by wonderful Chelsea (Brad's sister)

Down comforter: Mom gift to me.

Bear: Gift to me by aunt Jannette. Thank you I love it! Also, Jannette gave me the adorable colorful wooden balls which are on display on the above shelves. 

This picture better outlines the quilt........

Did you need another view...I think so.

Bookshelf of death, fell on me like 6 times.

Notice the abc poster which I posted about a few days ago. Cutesy.

It just is so wonderful.

Now that his room is ready. He needs to be here. Now. Right now.

Actually I am still missing his changing pad for the changing table.. . . 

But I am buying it on Amazon soon.

Now, lets talk seriously. I need this baby to come this week. If you have ever been 9 weeks pregnant in Texas you understand. Or even 9 months pregnant 7 days from your due date. You will understand.

Everything aches. I mean...everything. And your anxiety to see the little guy becomes too intense. Too hard to handle. So bless him if he decides to come early.

Although a girl told me today, "Some days you will want to trade your child in for a new pair of boots."

I won't say a word about that....you just make your own judgement call on that one.

PS, Brad took his first test in Med school, and of course did just how he wanted if not better, and since I can't post scores because that is bragging, he did well, just know that....and he deserved it and worked so hard.

He woke up morning of the test after stressing to DEATH about it and flapping his arms and looking green said, "I'm going to throw up."
I assured him by putting my hands on his shoulders and rubbing his arms, "You have over studied for this test, you will do well, I know you will."
Then I went on to tell him he needed to eat something for breakfast, toast, banana, cereal, something....he refused said if he ate he would get diarrhea. He is one of those people who has the nerves that make his intestines over work.. . . I laugh at him and have my back turned and next thing I know he is eating a packaged rice krispy treat....
Ya! That's brain food, and that won't give you diarrhea at all.
His friends then informed me he stood outside the test room 30 minutes early just pacing. I am SO glad he is done with that first test, for everyone's sake, but mostly his...

Now medical school/doctor type people thank you. Thank you for doing what you do, because I could never ever not ever.

And Baby M better come early! I need him here! To hold and dress and hold, and take care of.

Finding Things

So when I first got here, in Lubbock Texas...it wasn't hard to find things to do. I had to unpack...slowly but surely, somewhat decorate, and do all these projects for my baby's room. Now that that is all done. . . it's find things to do time. You see I'm pretty immobile. Moving+Brittany+huge belly+baby's head pushing on my pelvic area=not okay. I have 11 days left until my due date. Now I would be happy going into labor anytime now, except not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Brad's first anatomy test in medical school. Now I have never been to medical school, but it seems like you have to be pretty on top of things to be successful. I counted the awake time I have seen Brad this week, I'll add in today's time as well. Monday 20 minutes in the morning, 45 in the evening. WHOA 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Tuesday...I didn't wake up in the morning, but he wakes me up to say goodbye so 10 minutes, and 45 minutes in the evening. We are at 65+55 minutes. Wednesday, another 50 minutes, today I woke up with him and spent about 30 minutes with him, made him toast, then tonight I will see him for probably an hour. So 1.5 hour. He studies with friends so he isn't at my house studying, sometimes they go to campus. If they were here....I would interrupt them too much. WateR? Cookies?
So awake time with Brad....4.5 hours, in 4 days. It doesn't get to me unless I have nothing to do, so I am trying to stay as busy as possible. It will get better when his test is over. But the poor Mr. he is just a zombie. Studying and learning from 8am-10 pm every night, then into bed as soon as possible.

Brad: Brit let's do our race tonight.
Brit: Ya I know I know.

Race to see who can be in bed first. He always wins. Then I read scriptures and he is always asleep before I finish.....this is so not my husband. I am the one who is asleep in .01 seconds. He tosses and turns for 2 hours. But.....the tables have changed. I am the wide awake one feeling the baby kick and roll around until it puts me to sleep.

But I have found the rec center here, and I sometimes just watch people play basketball and wish it was me. Last night I had a dream I was playing basketball pregnant and I couldn't dribble or shoot, and it was really embarrassing and I hated it. Like the dream where you are running but you can't run, ya that same thing. Every time I got the ball someone would steal it from me or I would spaz and lose it. And I couldn't move like normal. Now I played basketball clear up until 6 months pregnant! And hardly anyone knew, just wear a baggie jersey and you are good. But there is one athletic thing I still can do.

So if you are feeling like watching someone swim a lap, take a rest, then try to swim 2 laps at once, and nearly drown.....come watch me at the rec center.....If you are pregnant and haven't taken up swimming yet....its time. There is a point when you suck up, realize you aren't a swimmer and just get in the pool because you can feel some serious relief from the buoyant force.

I only get 23823982 weird looks everytime I go, so I decided today I am going to take my other 9 month prego friend with me. That will turn some heads. Two beer baby bellies in the pool. 

I see these signs EVERYWHERE here..... and I love the advertisement but NO sank you. Not for me.

Even though I get the looks when I am on campus....like what a ..............well little do they know I am not an undergrad that had a rough night. I am happily married my dears, so whisper and laugh all you want. And my wedding ring gets enveloped in skin if I wear it in 102 weather....so judge away. Never in Utah :)