Last Minute BABY MOON!!! <3

Friday May 17th we woke up in Colorado, went to sleep in Nebraska and Saturday May 18th went to sleep in FLORIDA!!! It was a pretty crazy 36 hours or so, let me explain :)

We found out a few weeks ago Brandon was going to get a week off work around Memorial Day.  We originally had planned to go home but at this point I had already bought my tickets to fly home June 3rd- 12th.  We went to lunch and wrote out a big pros and cons lists of going home or going on a baby moon! I had to convince Brandon a little about this whole "baby moon" idea but it didn't take much work ;) We decided that with me going home a week after his time off we didn't really need to go home anymore.  Also the thought of an 18 hour car ride one way was NOT appealing to me in the least! We then started to think about things we won't be able to do once baby girl gets here….LAY ON THE BEACH! I talked to my midwife about flying to Florida and she said "GO FOR IT!!" I found this website called lastminutetravel.com and it has great deals! We were able to fly to Fort Lauderdale, FL, stay at a Hilton hotel and have a rental car for 9 days for $700 per person!

We had some warranty work that we have needed to get done on Piper but its hard to get it done when its your HOME! So we thought this was the perfect time to get it done.  I found a Forest River dealer up in Sidney, NE and scheduled the work.  Brandon got off work Mid day Friday and I had Piper pretty much ready for travel.  He hooked up and off we went to the big ole city of Sidney! Kidding….its a very small town with NOTHING to do BUT it is the world headquarters for Cabela's so Brandon was happy about that! We actually stayed at Cabela's campground which was just across the street from the RV dealer.  We had free electric obviously cause it was only a one night stay so I fully enjoyed cranking on the AC and relaxing a bit with my hubby as our vacation was about to get started.  Saturday morning we got up around 7 and dropped Piper off.  You know you are a VERY emotional pregnant woman when you tear up driving away from your 5th wheel!! It just made me sad, Piper goes everywhere with us, we are NOT supposed to just leave her in a unfamiliar place all alone!

Piper at Cabela's Campground :) 

Our flight didn't leave until 3:45 so we had time to stop by REI in Denver and pick up our jogging stroller.  I am SO stinkin excited about this stroller I can hardly wait! I have been reading, watching youtube videos and reading reviews about the BOB since I found out I was pregnant, now I just need baby girl here so we can go for a walk! I may have to take Easton for a few walks before Bashlyn gets here :)

Our "Plum Bob" Brandon is so funny! 

We got to Fort Lauderdale about 10:30, because our flight was delayed from Denver due to lightening. By the time we finally got in and ready for our rental they had no cars.  We walked out to the garage and the guy goes "sorry man all I have is mini vans left" Brandon goes "no you have to be messing with me" haha then it was silent.  The manager tried telling us this was an upgrade and there was another guy there trying to get a car and he goes "upgrade for WHO, does it look like I have 7 kids??" It was pretty funny now that we look back but we did not feel too cool driving away in the mini van that night.  We got to take it back the next day and exchange it for a car.

Brandon had fun doing "hot starts" in the Mini Van! :) 

We got to our hotel and it was beautiful!! It was right on the inter coastal waterway and they upgraded us to a water view room for our whole stay! About 5 minutes away was the beach and a fun little restaurant area we could walk to.  It was fun to sit out on our balcony in the morning and watch all the yatchs and boats go by.

Tuesday it was pouring in Fort Lauderdale so we decided to go to Key Largo, part of the Florida Keys.  I seriously have never seen rain like that before in my life! It was so hard and fast you could hardly see!! They say it only rains like that for 30-45 minutes and then its done but man if you get caught in it,  your soaked!

Rain in Fort Lauderdale!! 

I had seen on instagram my cousin Alex was in the Keys so we got to meet up with him on our way.  We got to hang out for an hour or so and catch up.  It was so crazy seeing him in the Florida Keys of all places! I really wish we could have spent more time together but with everything so last minute for us we didn't really have solid plans.

After we left Alex and I almost cried (again with the EMOTIONS!!) we thought, hey lets go to KEY WEST! So we drove all the way down to Key West.  It was about 2 hours from where we were and really was a gorgeous drive! We got to Key West and drove around a bit before we had lunch. It's just a tiny little island, 2 miles wide and 4 miles long.  We had lunch at the Southernmost Beach Cafe, it was seriously so beautiful and I had Mahi Mahi tacos that was caught that morning! We hung out on the beach a bit and then decided to check out the sunset in Mallory Square.  They have a whole sunset celebration every night in this little area.  There are restaurants, street performers, singers, and lots and lots of people.

Driving on the 7 mile bridge! 

Standing with my wonderful husband watching the sunset in Key West as a street singer sang "Let it be" I was completely overwhelmed.  That is a moment I will never forget in my whole life.  I feel so lucky to have found a partner in life that balances me out.  He encourages me to live life for today instead of always doing the "responsible thing".  In that moment I was so happy we had decided to go on this trip.  It was last minute, it was crazy and it was something we never do but it was absolutely worth it! That ONE moment, watching the sun go down, with Brandons hand on my belly was more special to me then anything.  I feel so grateful to have discovered what life is all about:  Making memories, fill up that memory bank and let it overflow!  We have found a really good balance of having minimal debt WHILE LIVING life. I am thankful my husband has a great career that affords us to be able to go on trips and experience the world.

Oprah has a house on that Island! 

My love!! 

After the beautiful sunset we walked through the little downtown area where there are a lot of bars and restaurants.  Brandon heard a really good county singer and he took me over and started slow dancing with me in the parking lot.  I can't even remember the song now because I was trying not to cry again! We decided to go into the bar and listen for awhile.  We ended up staying for a couple hours and listened to the guys set until he was done! He was so good! It was such a cool bar, it was all open with a tree growing right in the middle of the bar.  Brandon had a few beers and we shared some wings.  I had a virgin pina coloda so I felt like I fit in a bit :) This was my most favorite night of our whole trip!

Haha Daddy had a few beers and was trying to be sweet even though this is a little inappropriate! :) 

After that we went to a restaurant for a snack and I had some delicious crab cakes and we watched the happenings as people walked by.  By this time it was about 11 or so and we decided "lets just stay the night!" so we did, we stayed in "hotel Altima" aka our rental car!! :) It was pretty funny, we didn't sleep much at all but it was so worth it.  We walked on the beach a bit and saw a crane! We slept in the car for a few hours and then got up to see the sun rise.  Then we went and had the best french toast.  It was godiva white chocolate with fresh strawberries!! Then we spent a good portion of our day at the southernmost beach, enjoying the sun! There was a guy renting umbrellas and beach chairs so we got a couple of those and he was so cool.  Throughout the day he would bring us frozen towels and frozen pineapple! I have to go back to Key West.  It is such a beautiful little town and everyone is just there for good clean fun.  Everyone is so nice and happy! We will definitely be back!!

The rest of the time we just experienced the area.  We went to miami and miami beach and that was an experience!! We saw a lot of things you would NEVER see on little ole CDA Beach :) We took a water taxi from our hotel around Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, FL.  We got to see the homes of some of the rich and famous, seriously crazy to think about homes worth 32 million, and its just ONE of their homes! The yatchs are crazy huge but you never see anyone on them!

Its crazy to have less than two weeks to get ready for a trip.  It was nice for me being pregnant because I didn't really have to worry about being "bikini ready"  Lets face it, no abs here! :)  We didn't have a huge buildup or countdown, we just went! It was so fun and so unlike us! We had such a wonderful time and it is a trip I will cherish forever!! Thank you to my amazing husband for taking me on such an awesome baby moon! I love you and I am so lucky to have you in this life!

Happiness is a Journey!

If you would have told my 18 year old self I would be a stay at home wife someday, I wouldn't have believed you.  I never pictured myself in that role.  My mom worked growing up and I got to see her work her way up through a company and have great success.  I always thought thats what I would do.  I have a VERY goal driven personality.  I have sticky notes and lists everywhere.  I put things I've already done on the lists just so I can cross them off.  I like having goals, things to do and achievements I can make.  I enjoyed working very much and enjoyed the relationships I developed in the workplace.
When I joined Brandon on the road, the first few months were pretty hard for me because I didn't know what my purpose was anymore.  I had gone from working at a great company ( and getting recognition for doing a great job) and planning a wedding to poof, nothing to do with my days.  Brandon would say "this is everyones DREAM, why can't you be happy" but it wasn't my dream, it was something I had to work through myself.
After being on the road for about 8 months now I can say I have worked through it and I feel amazing.  I am so incredibly happy and honestly feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be given this opportunity in life.  It just goes to prove that you can have a plan all you want but God really has the ultimate plan for you and he knows what he's doing!  I have found great things to give me purpose to my days and I have learned I don't have to be defined by what I "do".  Since September I've been doing accounting work for a friend back home a couple hours a week.  I love this, I have learned so much, I feel like I'm putting my degree to use and it gives me a little folding cash of my very own! I recently applied and was selected to be the treasurer for the National Sisterhood United for Journeyman Lineman. (http://www.nsujl.org)  What an amazing honor this is.  I handle all the books and keep all the financials straight, again using my degree! This is a volunteer position and a lot of work but its exactly what I wanted.  Its so cool to be a part of an organization in the beginning stages and watch it grow.  NSUJL is a non profit organization that is able to offer financial benefit to IBEW apprentices, journeyman and their families that get injured or pass away on the job.  I love it because its something I can do that is a huge part of Brandon's trade but its not directly related to Brandon.  I don't NEED him to do it. I can do it on my own and support him in just another way, while supporting the whole trade.
I've also really learned to love being a stay at home wife.  I take great pride in keeping a clean house, having the laundry done and cooking good healthy meals.  I love making Brandon's lunch for him, knowing I have provided him with a nutritious meal.
Speaking of doing laundry Brandon got me a new washer and dryer for our 5th wheel!! I decided I really wanted some before Bashlyn gets here because I didn't like the idea of living in the laundry mat when she spits up or worse every 5 seconds on her adorable clothes!! Our 5th wheel already had the washer hookups but it didn't have the dryer vent drilled out.  There is NOTHING worse then having to take a drill to the side of your brand new 5th wheel.  I was watching from inside to tell Brandon if it started splintering or anything and I heard him take a huge deep breath before he started the drill.  Of course it started raining right in the middle of him putting in the hole so he had to finish in the pouring rain, poor guy....but he got it done and it looks amazing!!

Seriously so scary!! I almost cried.  Notice how nice it looks out......half hour later it was pouring!!

Finished product! Love love love!!! 

When Brandon and I were in New Mexico we noticed there were NO roadside coffee stands like back home but there were all these little water stands everywhere.  We were like what are those for?? Well once I got pregnant we decided we would stop drinking the water from the RV parks cause you just never know.  Brandon was still using tap water in his coffee when we were in Greeley and he got sicker then I have ever seen him so after that we said ok no more tap water at all.  Then when we moved to Sterling we found out the whole town is not able to drink the tap water due to salmonella poisoning or something like that....so now I know what those little water stands are for!! :) I go once a week and fill up our water jugs.  The first time I did it I came home soaking wet, I didn't have the hole lined up perfectly and that water comes out so fast! Now I'm a pro!!

Bashlyn has been kicking like crazy the last two weeks.  She kicks all the time, morning, noon and night! I love it because Brandon gets to feel her at least once a day and now you can see my stomach moving when she kicks :) We had our doctor appointment yesterday and they said I am measuring perfectly and her heartbeat was 152.  They found it immediately after putting the doppler on my stomach and then it went fuzzy (because she was moving).  They go does she move a lot and I said oh yes all day! I love love love it, what an awesome feeling! Brandon and I cleaned out every storage cabinet and cubby last weekend so we are totally ready for Bash as far as space goes.  I think she has more storage areas then we do!! :)

Bashlyn's gifts from Bashlin Industries...where she got her name from!! :) 

26 weeks 1 day! 

Just Between Friends

When I first found out I was pregnant we were in New Mexico.  I had joined a group for mommies expecting in August and a couple of them had mentioned a "just between friends sale".  I hadn't heard of it before, or if I had never paid attention cause I wasn't a mommy, so I looked it up an found out it was a huge consignment sale.  When we moved to Greeley, I looked online to see if there was a sale coming up.  There was one in Greeley but we wouldn't know what we were having yet.  Brandon and I went to check it out and we weren't really that impressed, the stuff wasn't that nice and we didn't buy anything.  Then I saw there was a Denver one in April and I thought "Oh I hope we are still here in time so I can go".  When we got moved to Sterling, I talked to to Kelli about it and we decided we would go.  It worked out perfect because the Saturday sale was the same weekend the guys had class! Kelli and I were so excited to make a trip to the big city.  We all car pooled together to Denver.  We left Sterling at 5:30 in the morning, stopped by Santiagos for breakfast burritos and we were on our way.  The guys had to be at class at 8 and we pulled in at 7:15.....I guess Justin drove a little fast :) We hung out with the guys for a bit and then Kelli and I left to start our fun day.  We went to breakfast at The Original Pancake house and I got the same french toast I got in Salt Lake....soooo yummy! Then we headed over to the sale and got there about 9:45.  We thought there would be a huge line but the parking lot was dead! We were one of 5 vehicles.  It was pretty funny but as it got closer to 10 it filled up a bit.  The sale was huge!! There were tons of toys, books, strollers, car seats, high chairs and clothes clothes clothes! I was looking through the clothes and thought I would work my way through the 0-3 month section, until I realized the WHOLE rack was 0-3 months on top and bottom.  My arms started to get tired from browsing the higher racks so much.  It was so fun, everything without a star was 25% off so of course Kelli and I were so excited when we saw "no star".  I would throw things in my bag and then go to a table and sort through and make decisions on if I really wanted it or needed it.  Its funny that a couple weeks ago we spent $20 on one little hoodie for Bashlyn and here I am at the sale going "do you think $4 without a star is too much for this whole outfit".  I ended getting out of there for a little over $100 for hundreds of dollars worth of stuff.  It was a blast! After the sale we went to costco and stocked up on some goodies, of course I got two watermelons, two pineapples, a case of apples, 4 lbs of strawberries and tons of other produce.  Bashlyn loves her fruits and veggies! in 4 days Brandon I went through a 4lb case of strawberries and a whole watermelon!! After Costco we went and picked up the guys from class and met up with Eric and Shelly for dinner.   It was such a fun day and all the timing worked out perfectly! It was honestly probably one of the funnest days I've had on the road.  Having a girlfriend to hang out with in Denver and go shopping for my baby girl, sure doesn't get much better than that!

Yesterday there was a Brighton just between friends sale so Kelli, Katie, Easton and I jumped in the car and went to that yesterday morning.  We got to meet up with Shelly and do a little shopping.  I got a couple things but not too much.  Kelli got a sweet carseat that she had been wanting for $30 so that was a major steal!! We all went to lunch at Olive Garden and then hit up Costco cause I was out of strawberries :) It was another great day! I am going to get so spoiled having these wonderful women on the road with me but all I can do is live for today and enjoy it! Its starting to get nice here, finally! 79 on Sunday and 82 on Monday so I hope it sticks!!

I've already been yelled at for shopping and buying clothes for Bashlyn...whoops :)  I honestly haven't bought that much and if you know me you can't expect me to wait until AFTER my baby shower in June to shop for my baby girl! Especially when there are SALES!!!! Honestly, a cute little baby girl can never have too big of a wardrobe or too many clothes! Theres no more just between friends sales until September so I am done for now :) I think I'll have a hard time shopping retail now after going to these sales.  The stuff is so nice and most are reasonably priced! If you have one around you, you have to check it out and make a girls day of it! It was so fun because all the shoppers were either moms or pregnant ladies, I loved it!! <3

We're Having a GIRL!!

So as you know the anticipation leading up to this appointment was overwhelming.  I spent my week cleaning, organizing, reading, doing anything I could to make the time go by as fast as possible! On Friday I planned to sleep in as late as possible, do my nails, clean a bit, shower and get ready...that should get me to noon when Brandon would be home and then we would head to Greeley.  Well by 11:30 I was just finishing up my nails and had to jump in the shower, so the morning went fast enough and I was even a little behind schedule! Brandon got home about 12:40, showered up and we hit the road.  We were both a little quiet on the drive.  Its such a crazy feeling, so much going through your mind.  Finding out you are pregnant, seeing those two lines is incredible, life changing!! Finding out what you are having, whether is it early at 16 weeks, around 20 weeks or when you deliver your baby, is life changing all over again.  That is when you find out what your first born will be.  This will be a "big sister or big brother" to your other children.  Once you find out, it is no longer "it" or "baby" you can call them by their name, if you have one, and he or she.  The shopping starts, the dreams start, everything changes! So with all that going through our minds and had been for many weeks leading up to this we were a little quiet on the drive.  I tried to talk about nonsense to make the time go faster but it didn't work.  We got there and after a few minutes they called us back.  The ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know what it was and we both said YES! She put the goo on my belly and put the wand on there and I said "oh Brandon look at her little face" then immediately the tech goes, "Its a girl!"!! It was insane, I thought it would take a few minutes into the ultrasound to find out but nope it was right off the bat.  It was so crazy how in that two seconds our life changed forever! We got to see her brain, all ten fingers and toes, arms, legs, kidneys, face, everything! It was by far one of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my life! The tech said she is in the 41 percentile so measuring a little small, "small like momma" they said.  I said "well I hope she gets a little of daddys height!" She is measuring more towards 8/20 instead of 8/15 but they don't want to change my due date because "babies come when they want to" and its not a big enough difference to change it so She'll come sometime around middle to end of August :)

Baby girl just relaxing!

Cute little hand! 

Look at that sweet face <3

After the appointment my loving husband agreed to take a "reveal picture" with me. So we pulled around to difference part of the parking lot, set the laptop up on the trunk of my car and took our picture.  It was awesome getting to write "We're having a girl!!" on the chalkboard.  My hands were shaking so much, it was hardly readable but we made do.  After our photo shoot we went to Babies R Us to go shopping! We looked at carseats and found the carseat we want and confirmed that we still want the pack n play and front carrier we had originally looked at.  We got a couple thing for her, I got her some bows and Brandon got her a zip up.  He was adorable, he came up to me in the store holding this tiny zip up and goes "its 6 months, the smallest they have but can we PLEASE still get it" how could I say no to that! Baby Bash definitely has daddy wrapped around her finger already! As we were shopping this lady looks at me and goes "well look at you still rockin the heels, you look so adorable!" "I said oh thank you so much, I'm wearing them as long as I can, we just found out we're having a baby girl today!" She said "oh congratulations, I have two little girls and they are incredible you two are glowing!" It was so sweet.  After that we pretty much told everyone we saw we were having a girl, including the lady at cold stone that night :)

I've had a few people ask about how we came up with Bashlyns name so here is the story.  If you know me, you know I always have the next 10 years planned out, something I am working very hard to not do! I feel like Brandon and I have been talking about having kids and raising a family since the day we met! We have literally had bashs name picked out for YEARS! In 2009 Brandon was working in his tree trimming apprenticeship and he came to me one day after work and he goes "I have a girl name I want to put on the table but I NEED you to have an open mind to it and not shut it down right away because I love it" With that lead up I was really nervous, but agreed to have an open mind.  He goes "Bashlin, like the tool company"  I think I was silent for a good few minutes and said "I'll have to think about it" and that was that.  I wasn't sold on it.  I thought "bash has such a negative connotation, I don't know if I like it".  I thought about it for a few weeks and kept saying it over and over and fell in love with it.  I told Brandon I loved it and he was so excited, that became our little girls name! He wouldn't let me tell anyone though because he knew we would get negative comments about it so I had to keep it in for so long until now! We started talking about middle names when we found out I was pregnant and we knew we would give our boy Brandons middle name Joseph, its passed down through  his family on his dads side for many generations.  I said, well I love my middle name so I'd love to pass it down to our girl, so thats how Bashlyn Val Underdown came to :)

I talked with my doctor and she said I shouldn't fly after 34 weeks so I booked plane tickets home for June 3rd-June 12th and I'll be about 30 weeks.  I cannot wait to fly home and see all my friends, I miss my girls so much!! I am glad I get to have more than a week home so we can do lots of coffee and lunch dates!

22 weeks....Just keep waiting.....

22 weeks out of 40....less then 18 more to go and we will hold our sweet baby in our arms!! I am so excited and get overwhelmed with happiness and being a little scared daily :) I found out I was pregnant at the earliest possible day, about 4 weeks.  That night Brandon goes "When can we find out if its a boy or girl" I laughed and said "in about 4 months" he was really bummed.  Time has really gone fast though and I knew I would be 20 weeks before I knew it.  My doctors office wouldn't do the ultrasound until I was 20 weeks but my midwife said I could come in the DAY I hit 20 weeks so thats what I had been planning on.  I had another appointment and they said well we'll just do it when you come in for your every 4 weeks...which put me at 21 weeks.  I was a little bummed but thought "its only a week I can do it."

Heres where it got emotionally taxing and draining for my little pregnant, hormonal self.  Our appointment was set for April 3rd.  Friday March 22nd we knew Brandon would most likely get called to a different job so I changed my appointment to March 27th so I could see my doctor one last time before we moved. "whoohooo a whole week early!!"  A few hours after I changed my appointment we found out we were being moved to Sterling which was still close enough for me to drive so I changed it back to April 3rd. "dang, back to the original date, I'll just forget that I COULD HAVE found out a week early"  Then we found out Brandon works half days on Fridays so I changed the appointment to April 5th so Brandon could go. "Its only two days, I can make it two days"   The doctors office cancelled on me on Thursday because the Ultrasound tech was sick and being how I can only go on in Fridays for Brandon, we had to schedule it for an entire week out and here we are at April 12th and I'm 22 weeks along. "Enter sobbing and heartbeak here, a WHOLE WEEK?!?"  When I got that call, I seriously felt like my world was coming down.  The receptionist was so casual about it and acted like it was no big deal (she's obviously never been pregnant!!)  I explained my situation, asked if I could go anywhere else, see anyone else, go to the hospital ect so I could go earlier and she said no.  I had that lump in my throat and was trying so hard not to cry on the phone.  She told me I could leave a message for a midwife and explain and they might let me see someone else so I did, somehow I got through the message without bawling but I think my voice cracked a few times.  I cried for a good two hours straight.  I had been waiting for this appointment for so l long and then it was just gone!  The midwife called me back and said they only had those slots available for emergencies and although I felt like this was an emergency...it was not.  "gee thanks for being so sensitive!" I called other doctors offices in town to try to get in and no one was open.  I looked into an elective ultrasound place but it didn't work out either so my only option was to wait...and it sucked!

Then comes the week of the 12th, I was feeling better and knew I just had to get through a few more days to get to Friday.  Monday a huge winter storm hit Colorado (right after we had just gone through all our winter clothes on Sunday and put them in storage) and we had several inches of snow and ice.  To make matters worse we were froze up.  No water....our heated hose was on so we're thinking it might have been frozen in the ground but who knows.  I was out of water for 2 full days.  Tuesday Brandon's crew called it early and came home about 10 because the wind was blowing so bad and it was a wind-chill of -9.  Then he tells me he thinks he's going to have to work a full day friday to make up for Tuesday and doesn't think he can go to the appointment.  So I called the office and they didn't have any openings, Brandon called the office and explained what happened and they didn't care and STILL didn't have any openings.  I called a few places in town to see if they had any last minute cancellations with the storm and they didn't.  So my options were to wait another week or go alone.  I knew I couldn't wait another week so I started brain storming on how I could get through this alone and how I could still make it special.  I decided I would just have the lady write down the sex and we would find out together that night.  Needless to say I was heartbroken and I just kept thinking "I knew having a baby on the road would be hard but I didn't know it would be THIS hard".  Thursday Brandon told me his foreman said he can take off early so I get to pick him up at noon and he gets to go!! I cried tears of happiness this time when I got that text, thank goodness!!! All I need is this appointment with him, then he can miss the others thats ok, but not this one!

To say the least, today has been a very long and emotional time coming.  I am glad its finally here and now I just need the next two hours to go by quickly so I can go pick up Brandon and we can be on our way!

Today is the day, we get to finally see your sweet face baby and you will become our little girl or little boy.  I am excited to see all your changes you've gone through in the last 13 weeks.  The feeling of getting to see you at 9 weeks was indescribable.  You were flipping around and so tiny.  I am trying to prepare myself for how today will go but I just cant, its going to be amazing and I thank God it worked out that daddy gets to be there too.  There are so many people anxiously awaiting to see pictures (maybe video) and find out if you are a girl or boy.  You are so loved by so many all over the country!

Halfway there!!

Dear Baby,
Its hard to believe as I sit here that I am 20 weeks 4 days along! We are over halfway there!! Gosh your daddy and I are so excited to meet you! I've been really lucky and didn't get sick at all in the beginning part of the pregnancy.  I was tired a lot and needed to nap at least once a day for an hour or two but other than that I felt great!  A few mornings ago I woke up the most nauseas I have ever been in my life!! I didn't know if I could make it to the bathroom but I laid there for about 15 minutes and it went away. I'm hoping it was just a fluke!  I've been waiting to feel you moving around in there but hadn't felt much from you yet.  Two weeks ago when your daddy and I were coming back from Salt Lake, I was driving over a pass and it was snowing and I felt 3 little bumps right in a row.  I said "I think I just felt baby!! Your daddy was laying down and he sat up so fast and put his hand on my stomach but we didn't feel anything again.  In fact I didn't really feel anything again for a couple more weeks until last night! It was probably part of the chocolate easter bunny I ate that got you squirming, at about 9:30 I felt all these little bumps right after another.  I grabbed your daddys hand and he felt it too! Gosh it was the coolest feeling!
Your daddy started with a new company last week so we had to change your appointment to Friday instead of Wednesday.  We cannot wait to find out what you are and get to see you on the big screen! Last time we saw you were 9 weeks and you were such a little jelly bean, you are going to look so grown up now! 4 more days and we will know if you are our little princess or little man!

~Mommy and Daddy

Life is so crazy how everything works out! We've been in Sterling for a week now and love it! The town is so much nicer and cleaner than Greeley, despite the fact I can see the largest prison in the state of Colorado from our 5th wheel! We've never lived somewhere with friends before and it truly makes all the difference in the world! We're about an hour and a half from Greeley so we can't go to church and small group every week but we're going to try to go once a month.  We went on Sunday with our friends Justin and Kelli and baby Easton and it was such a fun day! The service was wonderful as always and such a fun treat! Then we all decided to go to Estes Park and drive through the mountains.  Its so beautiful up there! We didn't see too much wildlife but saw a huge herd of elk.  It was such a fun day!! We had a campfire Friday and Saturday night and those were so fun, just sitting around talking.  Its funny I remember when we first got told we were moving to Colorado Kelli said they were so excited to have friends in Colorado.  Flash forward 3 1/2 months and now Brandon and Justin are working on the same crew and Kelli and I are neighbors! Its truly just the best feeling in the world to know God always has your back and is looking out for you.  He knows what you need when you need and it.  Last week Kelli and I took the guys some sonic drinks and caught them at a time they could take a break.  It was really nice to meet Brandon's whole crew.  His foreman is so nice! Its so nice not having to worry or even think twice when sending Brandon out the door each morning.  I know he is on a great crew and they will take care of him and thats all I could ever want.  He's really happy with this crew and job.  This apprenticeship can take its toll on you but I truly feel like we've caught a break this time.  Brandon is on a great, safe crew and I get to live right next door to Kelli and still be within driving distance to my doctor! Life is GREAT!!

Salt Lake City and Sterling, CO

To say these last few days have been stressful is somewhat of an understatement!! Tuesday we left for Salt Lake and the drive was pretty nice.  It was a clear day and the roads were dry.  It was about an 8 hour drive for us and we got in around 6:30, grabbed some dinner and crashed.  I didn't sleep well at all cause of the bed and constant noise outside all night long.  Wednesday night we got to meet up with our friend Chance... soon to be Uncle Chance :)  The guys were drinking beers and I was drinking lemonade, which I paid for later with horrible heartburn!  It was pretty funny when the conversation turned from linework to baby names :)  Thursday afternoon our Friends Mike and Cayla got to town, so they could pick up Mikes Journeyman ticket!!!!!!  We got to see them for a bit on Thursday and then Friday morning we met up again.  We all went to breakfast as we waited for the call that he could go pick up his ticket from local 57.  I got the most amazing french toast at breakfast, and I'll probably be craving it for the rest of my pregnancy now! We went to the hall with the McBrides and it was such a crazy feeling.  This apprenticeship is so hard dealing with the unknown, and having what you do know change all the time.  Getting to see one of our good friends get that hard earned ticket and listening to the union director congratulate him and talk about the work was so cool! It makes it all worth it, all the tears, frantic moves, unknowns about the jobs, moving from company to company and crew to crew.  In about 16 months we'll get to experience that....not that I am counting or anything! Its crazy how similar we are to the McBrides.  Little Wesson is 11 months and thats when Mike topped out.  Well Baby Underdown should be about 11 months when Brandon tops out, how cool!!   We left salt lake about 11 and I was in tears as I hugged Cayla goodbye.  I cried for over an hour, blame it on the hormones or lack of girlfriends on the road but goodbyes are getting harder and harder for me.

At 11:45 Brandon got a call from Mountain States that said we were moving.  He was going to start at Hooper in Sterling, CO on Monday.  Thankfully we mapped it out and it was only about an hour drive.  We were so excited because we have friends there and Brandon will actually be working with a good friend on the same crew! We were also stoked because it was by far the shortest move we have made at this point, our other moves were 15+ hours and trying to do that in one day would have been CRAZY!! Granted it was our shortest move yet, it was by far the WORST move we've made! We got home to Greeley about 7 and I started mentally planning what I needed to do to get Piper ready for the move.  We woke up Saturday and looked at the temps and they were negative and it was a blizzard out. Perfect day to move :( I got everything done inside and Brandon started on the outside.  About two hours later we were ready to hook onto Piper.  I was frozen solid because it was so cold.  The snow and wind was blowing so hard it would just sting your face when it hit you.  I was in my car warming up and I looked up and saw Brandon backing up to the Piper.  Its my job to make sure he's lined up, tell him how close he is ect. So I jumped out of my car and started running over to help.  I had my head down and my hand on my hat cause I was so cold and trying to avoid the pelting snow.  Next thing I know, I am dropped to my knees. Yeah, I did it, I ran right into the 5th wheel hitch!! I looked up and saw brandon getting out of the truck as fast as he could with a look of terror on his face. I tried to get up and said I am ok, I am ok. SOMEHOW I did not knock myself out or split my head open, I honestly don't know how. I ran right into that thing so hard! All I did was scrap my finger a bit. Brandon and I both agreed I'll be wearing a hardhat next time we move!

20...feels like 2! oh it was sooo cold!! 

All that happened in "Astra vs 5th wheel hitch"

Poor Piper, having to move in these conditions :( 

The Drive to Sterling was terrible, the roads were complete ice and Piper even started to fishtail at one point.  What should have been about an hour drive of course turned into 2+.  We made it to the RV park though and got all checked in.  Made it to our spot and we are only 4 spaces up from Justin and Kelli so thats super exciting! I have to say I LOVE this RV park so much!  I haven't slept so good since December! There are no trains, jake brakes or anything in here! In fact since Saturday I haven't even seen another vehicle driving through the park! Its wonderful! Brandon starts on his new crew today, I am so excited to hear how it goes!! I am so thankful to be in Sterling because I can still go to my doctor, my hair lady, our church and small group.  Granted its an hour drive but I'll take it rather than having to start over completely! Maybe we'll get lucky and one of my midwives WILL get to Deliver baby U! Brandon only works half days on Fridays so I am going to call today and see if they can get us in on a Friday (maybe this one!) because I really want him there when we find out, so we'll see!

Our spot....a little cramped but we love it!