Staining, Dating, Smiling!

So we got this beauty from Kyle's aunt after we got married:

We love it so much for our DVD's but all of our other living room furniture is black. So, just like our table, we stained it!

This is during the staining...

This is the finished product. We love it even more now!

Date night!

Pregnant Belly! 27 Weeks and 2 days.

Proud Hubby... for impregnating me... TMI? Well, it's true!

27 weeks!

Dear Kacie,

Is it June yet?

I hate it when I don't get to feel you move often. You were so stubborn for your aunts and uncles. They barely got to feel you move! But sometimes I think you just spin around and around inside there...

I miss dad all the time that we are apart. I hope that as our family grows and gets older that we can always have that love that is so powerful. I already love you so much and I can't imagine how it will feel to love you even more and I am so excited to find out what that feels like!

It's so humbling that our Father in Heaven can love us so much even with all of our flaws. As I think about everything your father and I will give up and have to do to have and take care of children it is a bit overwhelming. But I hope that I can always show you through my actions just how worth it you are. I know there will be struggles and hard time but I am so excited to experience them. I hope you always know that I love you with all my heart!

I remember when your Aunt Angela got married I felt like I was losing her and then I realized one day that I was just getting more family and that was a great blessing. I am so very excited that I can now add you to our  family and that we have the capacity and ability to love so many people, and love them so deeply.

I often think about how much I already love you and that helps me understand a little bit of how much our Heavenly Father loves me. I pray that I can teach you of that love so that you will never forget it!

You are 27 weeks old today...

I am so grateful for your dad. I think back on the past 6 months and I'm not sure how he survived! I've been throwing up, sleeping a ton, not cooking dinner, forgetting everything, having emotional break downs and been just plain tired. Your daddy has taken such great care of me and has been so patient with me.

I'm getting a little teary eyed just thinking of how amazing he is! I love him so, so much!

Well, my body is starting to get a little uncomfortable. I've heard people say that they love being pregnant... I think they are crazy! This is the hardest thing I've ever done! And I don't even think I've gotten to the hardest parts yet!

I read somewhere that was talking about all the things my body has, is and will go through and they said "You know what they say, '9 months in, 9 months out!'" Well, let me just tell you, no one told me that before I got pregnant and it's probably a good thing because I might have questioned the whole pregnancy thing. My body is tired.

But please don't let my complaining bother you. You just keep on growing and moving around nice and safe inside my belly for a few more months!

Maybe just take it a little easier on my bladder...

especially in the early mornings...

Love,
mom and dad

Casey Cartwheel and Baby Quilt!

Dear Kacie,

Back in my fall 2011 semester I took a child development class. We had to write a paper about our childhoods and then do a presentation. One of the questions was about our favorite childhood toys. I immediately thought of my Casey Cartwheel. I was telling my family one night that I so wished I had still owned her. Then, Aunt Aubree told me that she had this doll in her room that might be what I was talking about.

IT WAS!!

Anyway, I took it to that class and then the next day your dad and I moved here, to Utah. I did not sign up for classes for that next semester so the things that were in my backpack stayed there. In December (2012) we went on a trip to Missouri. I needed the backpack and when I cleaned it out, Casey Cartwheel was still there!

Basically, we then decided that we liked the name 'Casey' and added it to the list of names we would consider for a girl. I mentioned it a little here but we eventually had it narrowed down to Kalvin for a boy and Karrie for a girl.

After the ultrasound appointment we were talking about a name and I said to dad "Kacie would really like an In N Out burger"and then I said "Our Christmas cards will say 'Love Kyle, Kayla and Kacie'" Dad said "I like that!"

After that, we decided that we like Kacie Jean better than Karrie Jean. We are still open to changing your name when we eventually meet you but I don't actually think that we will.

It just feels right!

Gosh I can't wait to see you.

A couple weeks ago I sewed you a quilt!

I hope you like giraffe's because I do and I am using them to decorate your room. But not really giraffe print just like pictures of giraffes and giraffe statues. Anyway, this is your quilt.

(I realize that if you are reading this, you have probably already seen this quilt. Hopefully...)

I can't wait to get your bed all put together. It is so pink and adorable!

Love,

Mom and Dad

P.S. I did a really good job on that quilt, huh?

Where'd All the Stupid People Go? My Apartments.

It's days like today and yesterday that make me wonder how much longer I will be able to manage apartments...

Sure, the [basically] free rent is amazing and has been a huge blessing.

But when your lease says that your rent is due on the 1st and you have a grace period until the 5th that does not mean that you get to come over at 7:30pm on the 5th to pay your rent and expect me to drop everything.

Guys, if I am sitting on the toilet, I will not get up no matter how many times you ring and knock at my door. It's just not going to happen.

Like, if it was such a desperate matter then maybe you should have come earlier.

Also, there is a slot in my door for a reason.

Why do people think that because my door says manager they can treat me like a robot.

Maybe it's my pregnancy hormones but seriously, there are people that live in apartments that act like children.

There are a lot of things that apartments are responsible for but it doesn't mean you can act like an idiot. Or a jerk. Or bark at me like a Chihuahua. Or yell at me because you didn't ask questions before you signed. Or interrupt me when I'm telling you things you don't like. Or say "I just had a heart attack two days ago" to try and get my sympathy.

Look guys, I know every one's lives are different and we all have different challenges but this person came to me with problems that were not my fault and then cried and then pulled the heart attack card on me trying to get me to do what they wanted.

I probably should have felt a little more sympathy but I just kept thinking of Dwight from The Office. Stanley has a heart attack because of a fake 'fire' that Dwight started. In two different parts Dwight makes these two statement: "Yeah. Right. I filled him full of butter and sugar for fifty years and forced him not to exercise" and "Stanley was attacked by his own heart!"

I don't know this persons life and what they have gone through. I am sorry that they got to a point that they had a heart attack. But you can't pull that card to get out of things that are your responsibilities.

I'm not an unreasonable person and the owner is not an unreasonable guy. But there are rules and laws that are in place for a reason and if you're not ok with them then TELL ME before you sign the lease so that we can work it out before we are legally bound.

And if you want to work things out then don't come yelling at me to start off with because it's not going to make me want to help you. Be nice to me and I'll be glad to help you out!

Seriously. Where's the chocolate?

On a completely different and more positive note, I ordered some things on line this week and I am super stoked about them arriving!

P.S. Baby update coming soon. Pregnancy Brain is so annoying sometimes...

Shhh! The baby is sleeping!

Dear Kacie,

I had a couple over to sign a lease. They have a daughter they are potty training and she needed to use the restroom while here so she saw the crib set up in your room. A few minutes later her dad laughed at something and she said "Shhhh! The baby is sleeping!" He hadn't seen the crib and said "Uh, I don't think there is a baby!"

It was so cute that the little girl was so concerned! but it made me just so excited for when I actually do have a sleeping baby!! Although I hear it won't be for another year after you are born!

And yet, I'm still so excited!

So my cousin Danielle is getting married in a week and a half. I'm not really sure what she would be to you but we'll just call her Aunsin (aunt + cousin) Dano. Anyway, she's getting married and so my family is coming up to Utah for the wedding. They won't be here for long but I am going to get to drive home with them and spend a few days at your grandparents house! This will be the first time you get to meet your aunts and uncles and grandparents. I am pretty stoked about it!

Since I live in Utah, your Aunt Ang was sad that she wouldn't get to have a baby shower for me. But this works out perfectly because now I can share something special with them before you get here!

I went online to register for baby stuff at Target and let me tell you, I don't even know where to begin with what stuff I'm supposed to have to take care of you.

I decided bottles would be a safe bet that I'm going to need so I started with that. When the page came up, there were like 66 different kinds of bottles! AAHH! How in the world am I supposed to know what you'll need?

I tried registering for a diaper bag. Simple right?

Wrong.

There were like 58 different ones and the cute ones don't even have the necessities like bottle pockets on the side! Not that you will have bottles anyway since I don't even know how to pick one!

There were 73 different 'bouncers' and they all swear that they are the best. But half of them look the same to me and half look so high tech I don't know why a baby would need one.

I'm so excited to have a shower. Mostly because I haven't seen a lot of my friends for a long time and it'll be nice to sit and visit with the ones that can make it!

Except let's be honest; everyone will just come so that they can buy adorable baby clothes for you. No one really cares about seeing me!

Just kidding ;)

Dad got to feel you kick and move again last night. Its so much fun! I still just love to see him get all soft and giggly for you. He'll be mad at me for describing him with those words. It'll ruin his manly image. He'll get over it.

Oh, and my pants are starting to get tight! I still haven't decided if it's a good thing or not. I'm 22 weeks pregnant and I just look like I've been ditching out on the gym! I'm hoping you'll start to grow a little more so we can get past the 'chunky lazy girl' look.

Also, last week when I was having to answer the door to collect rent I had five different people say on three different days "I'm so sorry! Did I wake you up?" And I was like "No, it's 4:00 in the afternoon and I even showered today. These don't even look like pajamas!"

Then, Aunt Ang called one day and asked if she had woken me up.

My cousin Desiree asked me if she woke me up.

And today, your aunt Mallory called and asked if she woke me up!

Apparently, we should start calling me "Chunky, lazy, zombie girl!"

I will admit though that I have been more tired lately. Not like I don't get enough sleep but I get tired a lot faster now after doing things.

Anyway, I'm all over the place with this post so I guess I'll go now... Not that I really have anything else to do. Although I am working on making you a quilt!

We love you Kacie!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Kicks, Laziness and Elephants!

Dear Kacie,

You are 21 weeks and 4 days old today. I can hardly believe you've been growing inside me for 4 months already!

You got so excited on Wednesday for some reason. You were moving around so much and kicking too! I thought you would stop after a few seconds but you kept moving so I called dad in and he got to feel you move for the first time! One kick was strong enough that we saw my stomach pop up a little.

It makes me so happy to see your dad getting excited for you! I keep trying to get you to move that much again so dad can feel your kick again. When I asked dad how it made him feel to feel you move he said "Happy, excited... giddy. No, don't put giddy. That's weird" But he totally felt giddy. I saw it in his eyes! And he said it made you seem more real. Like it's really happening!

Then Thursday while dad was at work you kept kicking me and I told dad it was like you were saying "Get up and do something mom!" But don't worry, I didn't give in to you and I stayed right there in bed doing nothing.

Oh wait... that's not really a good thing, is it?

So remember this post when I talked about pregnancy brain?

Well I've discovered that when I wake up at 4:00 in the morning to go to the bathroom, pregnancy brain does not apply. I get a lot of thinking done - sometimes too much thinking - for about an hour I lay there thinking of everything before I fall back asleep again. I guess it's just practice for when I have to get up for you in the middle of the night in a few months.

Speaking of pregnancy brain, I was writing a check for our tithing and I wrote it out for $200 more than it was supposed to be for. Like, I wrote it out in the amount of money we had been paid, not the 10% of it we owe... I'm just glad I figured that one out before I gave it to the bishop.

Needless to say, I'll be glad when I get some of my brain back. Although, I'm sure it'll never fully come back! You will always be the focus of my thoughts.

Here's a fun fact: Elephants pregnancies last for 22 months.

My 'Pregnancy Day by Day' book told me that and said that when I am having a rough day being pregnant to just remember it's only 9 months and to be grateful! I thought that was pretty funny.

Only 4 months left!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Ruffle Butt

Dearest Kacie,

I love being able to call you by your name instead of 'baby' or 'it' or as your uncles have called you 'Kletus' and 'Kranny.'

I had a dream about you the night we found out you're a girl. It was so real that when I woke up and realized you weren't here I was so sad! I'm sure it is smart that dad and I have a few more months to prepare but I honestly can't describe the excitement and anticipation that I feel for your arrival! I guess it's just something that only a mother and father could understand.

I forgot to mention in my last letter that you weigh approximately 10oz and the nurse said you are kind of like a banana because you are long and skinny! I thought that was funny!

On Thursday I made cookies with M&M's. I don't know if I was craving them or if I just wanted to bake something but either way, they were delicious. Let's just say it was a pregnancy craving instead of blaming it on my lack of self-discipline when it comes to sugar.

You know, I really don't want to experience the morning (A.K.A. 24/7) sickness again but at my first doctor's visit I found out that I had actually lost a few pounds since getting pregnant. And that was even with a tiny human growing inside of me! But I think the biggest thing that helped was that I didn't crave sugar for like 3 months! (because I didn't eat anything for like a month). Can we go back to not craving it? Because apparently this past week, you've decided that we need it and we need it constantly. And the worst part is that it doesn't even have to be chocolate. Apparently, we are just ok with all sugary treats now. Blast! But mostly those delicious little cakes that are on sale at Wal-Mart...

If anyone out there is looking for a way to make me happy, these will do!

I spend a lot of time wondering who you will look like... I wonder if you'll be a good mix or if you'll look more like me or dad. It's just so weird to think about how you start out as a tiny microscopic egg and someday you could be taller than me. How is that even possible?? I'm sure one day I will look at you and say "How the heck did I get that out of me?!"and I'm sure that day will come sooner rather than later.

Is it June yet? I feel like I've been writing this post for months!

No?

It's still February?

Oh...

Well, here are the first baby clothes I got for you. Neon is totally hip so I hope you're ok with it!

Also, It's so convenient how they sell baby clothes in sets. Why don't they do that for me? It would be so much easier to buy cute outfits instead of wearing jeans with everything. I need to get me some neon polka dot leggings...

This is what sold me on the pink striped outfit:

RUFFLE BUTT!!!!!!!

I giggle with excitement every time I look at these... And even dad got a little tickled with excitement when I showed him. He is gonna love you!

OH! And I forgot something. Dad really wanted a boy first. He says that then their would be an older brother to look after the younger siblings... He's the oldest kid in his family so he thinks he knows everything ;)

On our way home from the appointment I asked him if he was disappointed you aren't a boy and he said "I really wasn't. It's just annoying because now I have to be all protective from all the boys that are going to want to date her"

If you date a little more than I did but not as much as dad did then I think your father won't have anything to worry about!

Well Kacie, until next time!

Love,

Mom and Dad