Married for 9 happy years

Dear Rob . . .

I have no idea when you will read this since I don't think you ever check this blog. Every chance I get to write down how much I love you helps me to love you a little more. I have said this before, but you saved me. When we met, I was living in an environment (family issues) that was difficult to say the least. But you never once judged me or my family and ALWAYS gave me a safe place to be. You have always made me feel safe.

I cannot truly express how much your smile means to me. When I hear you laugh out loud, it still makes me smile. We have a home filled with happiness and laughter, and that is something that I have always wanted. I remember when we were dating that I thought how lucky I would be if I could marry you. I consider our marriage to be the greatest blessing in my life. You have taught me how to let the little things go (a process I am still working on), how to communicate, how to be an equal partner in a relationship, and how to be a better person.

Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for serving a mission and for the blessings I and our family receive because of that. Thank you for being a worthy priesthood holder. Thank you for being such an amazing Dad. My heart melts when I see how much Tate adores you. This new little baby is so lucky to have you for a daddy. Thank you for working so hard and for providing a safe and comfortable home for us. Thank you for being happy and relaxed. Thank you for being active and introducing our son to the wonderful world of sports! Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I am looking forward to spending forever together. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Always,
Ali

Pregnancy Update - Week 19

I stopped taking the anti-nausea meds becuase the side effect of constipation became more than I could handle. The good news is that I have been off the meds for four days now and haven't thrown up. I do feel yucky periodically throughout the day, but it is manageable. I have felt the baby move every other day or so and last night (on our 9th wedding anniversary) Rob was able to feel the baby move as well. What a great experience! We are counting down the days until Monday, when we will find out a little more about this little person.

Pregnancy Update - Week 18

I am about 90% sure that I felt the baby move on Sunday! But nothing since then. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday (and was sick that morning). The hearbeat was easily found and in a great range. I was also able to schedule my ultrasound for the 23rd! So in less than two weeks we should know if we are having a little boy or a little girl! I am so excited!!! Other than being sick on Monday morning, I haven't felt too bad and have been sleeping really well. I spoke too soon on the bleeding gums - that started up about a week ago. Oh well!

Pregnancy Update - Week 17

Not much has changed in the past week. I was sick once (dry heaving) and had another day where I felt yucky in the afternoon. But other than that, it seems that the meds I am taking are doing their job. My appetite has definitely picked up, so I need to watch that. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday and will be able to schedule the ultrasound that will tell us if we are having a little boy or girl. I can't wait!

Dear Tate,

Two years ago today, my life changed forever. My life was blessed so much when you came into this world. Today you are turning two years-old, and I can hardly believe it. I love you so much and feel so lucky to be your mom. You are a very happy little boy who loves to laugh and play. Some of your favorite things right now include Jazz games (and anything else Jazz related); any kind of sports ball (basketball and soccer are current favorites); pretending to play drums (I gave you some chopsticks the other day and you have been banging on things non-stop since); pretending to be a puppy (you like me to play with you and we usually eat "doggy food" - cereal - out of a bowl on the floor); your Dad (you LOVE to spend time with him doing anything); and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny, and Baby Signing Time.

You are such a smart little guy. Your dad and I are always amazed at how quickly you pick up vocabulary and how you seem to forget hardly anything. You have rediscovered your love for signing and often show us signs to things you see or need or want. You are defintely entering an independant stage, where you want to do things on your own and have little patience sometimes, but that is what being a toddler is all about. Your excitement about life is contagious and we love it when you try to make us laugh. You are now a pro at sleeping in a big boy bed. Hopefully potty training will be as successful!

I cherish you and am so grateful that I was chosen to be your mother. I pray that you continue to be the happy person that you are and that you grow into a happy and healthy child. Being your mom has been my life's greatest joy and I look forward to the years ahead. I love you more than I could ever express in words. Thank you for blessing my life. I love you.

Always,
Mom
P.S. Today for your birthday we went swimming with our friends Brittany and Presley. You love the water and can't get enough. You went down a real water slide today for the first time and loved it. Nana, Papa, Charity, Kendall, and Bryan came over to give you gifts after dinner. Tomorrow, family and friends are joining us to celebrate at the local bowling alley. You had so much fun bowling the last time we went, so we thought it would be a perfect birthday party idea. I can't wait until you see your Mickey Mouse birthday cake!

Pregnancy Update - Week 15 & 16

I think the morning sickness might be weakening a little! Yay! I still take one to two Zofran pills per day, but they pretty much clear up any yuckiness I am feeling. I haven't felt the baby move yet, but I didn't feel Tate move until I was 19 weeks pregnant. I have also noticed a few other differences between my two pregnancies (besides the current persistent morning sickness) . . . when I was pregnant with Tate my gums bled all the time! Everytime I flossed my teeth they would bleed quite a bit. Not this pregnancy. Also with Tate, my feet would cramp up all the time at night. I had to be especially careful when stretching and keep my feet flexed. Not a problem this pregnancy. It's funny how different the experiences can be.

Pregnancy Update - Week 14 & Imagination at work

Well, I rang in week 14 last night with the worst sickness I have had. I had a pretty good day, but the later it got, the worse I felt. Finally at about 10:30 I was vomiting so much and so hard that my stomach and throat ached after. Not fun. I feel much better today, except that Tate and I have colds or sinus infections or something. It is snowing today, so we will be spending the day inside, probably watching a lot of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. I can't wait for spring. I would like the snow and the sicknesses to stop!

On a happy note, it has been so much fun lately to watch Tate start to use his imagination. He likes to pretend that he is a dog, complete with eating "doggy food" (Rice Krispie cereal) out of bowl on the floor and sleeping on a "doggy bed" (pillows on the floor). The other day at lunch he was pretending that his drink was a soap dispenser and his bowl of mac 'n' cheese was a sink. He would "pump" soap and then plunge his hands into his bowl of food. It was so cute. Big mess, though.