Love this man!

This last weekend Mike took me out on a date to our new favorite restaurant Ruth's Chris! 

We were just sitting there deciding what to order based on what the other person likes so that we could share when I realized I love marriage.

I know he likes meat, so I have learned to love trying every restaurant in town's crab cakes as our appetizers. 

And he knows that I like dessert better than food, so he orders me Key Lime pie and Crème Brûlée!

We just go together. We just understand each other. 

We no longer have to pretend to be something we are not, and we just get to grow into something better together!

I love that we can just talk all night, and it doesn't have to be forced. I love that he knows when to take my hand, and what to say when I need comfort.

I love how hard he works, and how much he loves his job! I love getting to watch him succeed at all he does! He got TSgt last year, and last month was given a new position as mission director! 

The best part is how hott my husband looks when he comes home in uniform!!!

 Better than him in uniform is seeing him with our kids! I couldn't imagine a better dad! It doesn't matter what he has going on that day he is the 1st to read, play, and cuddle our kids! He lives for them, and I love everything about his love for them! 

 Mike has taught our kids at a young age a joy for physical activity, and they all love working out with him... I don't get it, but it is fun to watch them all do sit ups and push ups together at night!

 Growing up I use to picture the dad my kids would have, but I couldn't have imagined God had such a good one in store for me! 

 Even with how hard he works he also gets up early to do homework for he next degree, takes care of our house and yard after work, makes sure I get time to relax, builds all the crazy pintrest ideas I find, and always makes me breakfast in bed on the weekends so I can sleep in! 

As we come in on our 6th wedding anniversary next month I just can't help but thank God for this wonderful man he put in my life to lead me, care for me, and to be my forever!

I love you Michael, and am so proud of all you do!

1st Appointment

We had our 1st doctors appointment this last week! Mike and I took the day off, went to the appointment, then went shopping for baby stuff (which is weirdly so much fun).
This was our 1st appointment for the baby and with the midwife we decided on, so we went it not sure what to expect. We honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience! The office is so warm and welcoming, the staff was super nice, everything was done in one room (from blood work to the ultrasound), and we got to see our baby! Holding my darling's hand while watching that fast tiny heartbeat may have been the most breathtaking moment of our marriage so far! 

They gave us a few pregnancy books and magazines, a gift cards for a free nursing pillow, sling, and nursing cover, and a pregnancy journal. For every question we had they got us literature for us from what medications are okay for me to take, information on genetic testing, to making and sticking to a birth plan! 
We spent awhile just getting to know our midwife, and how their practice works. She partners with an OB that I get to meet also, so if for some reason something goes wrong I have both on Baby's Reece's team! 
They made my next appointment with their ultrasound specialist to get all the pictures of baby we want, and to get us an exact due date seeing I never started having obvious signs of "being a real girl". 
Until then we are starting to master this pregnancy thing! Mike does breakfast in the mornings and gets Jenna out the door, so that I can take my time and get ready in steps while eating :) Mike is "forcing" me to eat super healthy, rest a lot, and take fish pill, so his baby can have a big brain lol....And I am happily letting him take such good care of me and our baby! 

Picking a hospital- Part 3

Last night was Sushi dinner and Tour St. Luke’s Night! Romantic Right lol ;)
We are still really glad that we did the hospital tours now for a few different reasons ranging from the obvious getting to compare pros and cons to free loot :) Mostly though it helped to see the hospitals in person, because both of them had a lot more to offer then their websites described, and we feel much more prepared to make the best decision for our family!
It was one of Mike's few requirements that we choose a hospital with a NICU, so that narrowed our search down to the 2 main hospitals. Boise does have a few other options that we decided not to visit.

St. Luke’s offers a lot of the same great things that we liked about St. AL’s. They definitely are very different though, and each has a kind of family that they are a better fit for.

Things Jacqui likes~
• The # 1 pro that St. Luke’s offers it familiarity! The doctor’s office I have gone to since I was 15 is at St. Luke's, so if we pick Luke’s we get to skip the finding an office part when we pick our new OBGYN
• It is also where Jennabelle was born, so I know my way around
• Double Beds, so dad can sleep in the same bed if wanted
• The Nursery will take baby if mom needs rest, but otherwise they allow/encourage you to keep your new love in the room with you
• They stress the security of the baby, and have multiple rules in place to keep your family safe
• They have a Jacuzzi in every birthing room
• They have a lactation specialist team that you can see to help with nursing even after you have gone home from the hospital.


Things Michael likes~

• Experience- Luke’s Boise has more babies born daily than anywhere else in the state
• St. Luke's Children's Hospital is home to Idaho's largest and most experienced Level III NICU!
Their NICU is close to Labor and Delivery and they do "Crib Notes" to keep parents informed & part of what is going on with baby
• Each mom has their own nurse during Labor and Delivery to give one on one care
• They are flexible about visitation time
• Parents get the final word on who is in the room, and how things go during the birth process.

We did decide what hospital, and thankfully it was clear to us which one was the best fit! Now we are on to the next step of picking an OBGYN/ Midwife! Again I loved hearing everyone who contacted me with input about the hospitals, so if you have any doctor suggestions please message me!!

Picking a hospital - Part 2

Mike and I went to the Perinatal Tour at Saint Alphonsus Family Maternity Center this last week, and I must say I highly recommend that any newly expecting parents out there do this at your local hospital! It was fun to hear about all the different classes out there are, and all the options for pregnancy care there is. We were with couples from all different stages of the baby making process, and  kind of felt like a snobs with pen and pad taking pros and cons notes... We are not stuck with a hospital! We have time to make the best choice for us still! Not everybody gets that, because they wait until their last trimester to go to the tour, and their doctor only delivers at one hospital. 

So anyways we really did like St. Als, but Mike says that we have to see what St. Lukes is like now before deciding...especially seeing I am comparing 2013 St Als to my memories of having Jenna at St. Lukes in 2006.

Things Jacqui likes~

• Lots of education for all stages of pregnancy to post birth
• One room for triage, labor, and recovery
• They stress that the parents are in control
• The bed can change into lots of different positions so mom is not just laying on her back the whole time
• Large recovery rooms with a pull out couch for dad
• Lactation specialist available at all times

Things Mike likes~

• Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that is right above the maternity ward, and encourages families to be with baby (encourages nursing)
• That they do everything possible for the baby to never leave the room
• Celebration meal for the parents after birth
• That the whole maternity ward is locked going in and out with very few staff able to give the permission for people to come and go, so baby is safe
• Valet Parking! 

The Little Extras we think are cool~

• Mom gets a massage 
• They have 2 gardens to walk through just for the maternity ward for walking off labor and family to relax it
• They have a playground for siblings
• They play a lullaby through the whole center when a baby is born
• A professional photographer is available to come take cute picture of baby while you are still in the hospital 
• Really nice, inviting, and calm facility! 

Thank you

Last night I was standing at the back door sipping tea watching Jenna do every gymnastic trick she knows on our trampoline when Mike came up behind me and said, “I love our life so much babe"! Then he asked "don't you"?
At the moment I just took it in and smiled at him, but all day today I have been thinking about those words. As a busy American human I tend to forget to stop and think about what I have, especially when I have a goal in mind I forget about the blessings in front of me. But I am really am so happy that my husband is happy, that my daughter has parents who can afford to put her in 2- 2 hour classes a week just to learn to do flips on the trampoline, that Mike and I could take a 4 day weekend this weekend together just because we wanted quality time with our kids and each other. I am so thankful for this life, for my best friend, and our kids. I am thankful for our supportive parents and awesome siblings who all adore our kiddos. For having fun friends, a great church, and people who make us smile. We have nice things, a great home, life in a free country and Love from God who has blessed us so immensely!
Today I feel overwhelmed with gratitude, and want to thank everyone who reads this for your part in my life!




Yes, Michael I love our life too!

  

Picking a hospital - Part 1

My favorite part of this whole thing is that we get to do, and be excited for EVERY SINGLE STEP! With our older kids we didn't get that! Mike didn't have a say with Kade, and I was so young I just trusted my mom with a lot of the big decisions for Jenna, but this time it's all ours!

Once we decided to take this journey of becoming new parents I started the obvious take prenatal vitamins, replacing my morning coffee, and Mike and I put our Wine Tour on hold!

Now to start month 3 in a positive light we are looking into what hospital we want to have our baby at, and what kind of doctor we want to use.

I have had the same OB since I was 15 years old. However this last spring she became the main OBGYN on-call at St. Luke’s Boise, so she is no longer taking non-emergency clients. This means that I get to pick a new doctor... We decided to pick a hospital 1st, so that it narrows down who we pick.

That being said, we scheduled private appointments with all of the local hospitals and birthing clinics over the next weeks, so that we can decide where we want to spend our babies "Birthday"! I had Jenna at St. Luke’s, but haven't even seen what others have to offer, so I am ridiculously excited to weigh all our options!!

If anyone has any pros or cons I'd love to hear them, so comment or message me personally :)

I can't wait to tell this to my sweet baby one day!

Big Weekend to Start Month 2!

Month 1 came to a close-
Last week I found out that I am not pregnant. I know in my head that we just started, it can take months to conceive, and we are in no hurry. My heart was more disappointed than I expected.
To cheer us up Mike got Sushi and wine! Some of our favorites that we can't have when I am pregnant. We also bought a pair of gender neutral booties, so the we could take pictures for our announcements when the time finally comes! If you know me you know that I love pictures, so taking them is always a fall back pick me up when I am sad! Shopping for baby stuff was fun...picture me holding up every cute fancy outfit at the same time Mike is holding up every sports  baby item forgetting that it was booties that we came for! Now add super excited for real baby shopping to my list of moments I can't wait for!!!

Well it took some prayer, but I snapped out of it and I am ready to continue our adventure!

Month 2 started strong-
Friday night we went out on the town with our good friends who The Air Force is taking away from us, Saturday was our daughter's 7th birthday, Sunday we had family over all afternoon for Halloween cookie making, and Monday was Columbus Day (which Mike and I have a yearly kid free day date planned). We definitely had a fun filled busy weekend, and seeing it was already packed my body thought..."let's ovulate"! I never knew how exciting something so natural can be! I will keep everyone updated as things progress... Until then please keep us in your prayers!

Happy Anniversary!

It was our 3 Year part 2 anniversary this week, and I am happier then ever to be married to my Michael! We took a few days off to just enjoy each other kid free, went out with friends one night, and spent most of the time doing things to remember why we are best friends. On our official anniversary we stayed in bed late, watched movies, ate junk food, and then went dream shopping for all the plans we have for our future! 
About 3 weeks before our anniversary Michael gave my anniversary gift! 
The keys to a 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE!! He made sure it will fit all 3 of our kids =] while saving us ton a month on gas (from our van that got 17 miles to now getting 44...a TON) Plus it gets free oil changes, maintenance, and car washes for 3 years! 

So the gift is actually that I get to put all that savings from our monthly car fund to our NEW BABY FUND!!
He gets his anniversary gift soon I hope! ;)

Wishing, hoping, planning, and praying!

I realize that we haven't been trying long at all, but I have never wanted something like this before! Both of our kids are from previous relationships, and to say they were not planned is a huge understatement. So far in life when I want something, I want it now, and it happens!
I wanted to marry Mike, so I did the next month. I am known at work for the speed I do things, if you want something done fast I am your girl. But this isn't something I get control over the speed at which I get it, and that has turned me a bit crazy!!!
Thankfully, I have a fantastic husband who knows how to handle me when I start to freak out, and can make me smile when I forget how happy I am that we are getting to experience the planning part of having a baby together!


Today I am just thankful that no matter what happens in our future baby's life he/she will have my passion, and a strong, patient, incredible daddy who will love us both so much!!
Until then he says we can pick names and go doctor shopping...YAY!! 

Let the baby making begin!

Like most couples Mike and I went into marriage with big dreams of our future together, and those definitely included having a child together. We both came into our marriage with a child, both loved being parents, and wanted to experience the joy of having a baby in a strong Christian Marriage! 

Well over the next years Mike and I took turns wanting, and not wanting a child at the time. Then one day I realized that the dream of being a mom was one given to me by God, and it was not going anywhere. I decided to tell Mike that I for sure wanted a baby thinking he would get mad I changed my mind, which is crazy cause Mike never really gets mad... Especially not at me! But I went ahead and put the ball in his court to decide what was best for our family. He prayed, we talked about everything that it would change, and we prayed.

A few days later Mike and I were officially on the exact same page!!

(We have a note board in our Kitchen that we write different love notes to each other, 

and give each other good news)

While making Jenna breakfast I looked up and read...

I melted… I cried…and I never cry! I called my husband to thank him for loving me & our future so much, and then called my doctor's office! 

So started the adventure of our baby!