29th week

time for another baby update

we have finally made the jump into the 3rd trimester!!

these last few weeks have been a bit rough

our cruise was absolutely fabulous (a full post will be dedicated to it), with one exception-

a combination between pregnancy, flying, heat, sunburns, and lots of time on my feet caused my legs to swell like you'd never believe!

i fondly referred to my legs as thankles- we went above and beyond your average cankles- there was absolutely no definition whatsoever between my thighs and my feet.

terribly embarrassing, and even more uncomfortable/painful.

thankfully i have an amazing husband who would help rub them, wrap them in cold towels, and find me shoes that i could wear.  i also had sweet travel friends who didn't make fun of me and allowed me to put my feet up on chairs everywhere we went :)

after returning home from the cruise, my legs didn't get any better and after a week, josh finally called the dr and told them i needed to get them looked at.  my blood pressure was high and it was a friday so the dr. put me on a light bed rest for the weekend.  luckily, a few days off my feet helped.  that, and lots of water, less salt, and lots of propping my feet up caused most of the swelling to go down.  a few days later, i had a dr.'s appt where they made sure i didn't have preclampsia or toxemia- thank goodness i don't.  i did get some fabulous maternity compression socks (they are anything but flattering/attractive), but they have worked wonders on my feet and legs.

besides my fabulous swelling,

i feel the baby move all the time, especially when i'm laying down trying to sleep

i took a leap of faith in my sewing skills and actually made her her bedding.  i love how it turned out, too!

i still have acid reflux all the time and it's typically the worst at night

still no real cravings, but i eat lots of fruit and ice cream/frozen yogurt/popsicles

she is still nameless- and it looks like she probably will be until we see her and decide for sure what name fits her best

i don't wake up at all during the night.  i don't know if i have a bladder of steel or if the baby cuts me some slack once i actually fall asleep, but i definitely enjoy not getting up all night long!

our nursery chair arrived this weekend and it is absolutely magical

i did my glucose test this past week and didn't think the drink was as bad as everything has made it out to be. maybe i drank one too many jones fufu berry drinks in high school and am accustomed to super sugary drinks.  

the baby room is still in the works- everything has been purchased, it's just a matter of painting the room top to bottom and adding all the little details that we want.

my patients are finally asking if i'm pregnant, and not just assuming that i've let myself go and gotten fat

we are so excited that the weeks continue to tick on by- 

these next few weeks will be busy with working, work trips, showers, showers for friends, family gatherings, working on the baby room, and getting all the little things figured out before she makes her grand appearance.   

only 10 more weeks to go!

i'm actually graduating!

...some thoughts on graduating...

here is my awesome graduation announcement

that's right, graduation is on friday and i am honestly in a little bit of shock that i've finally made it to this point in my academic career.  i feel like all my schooling for the last 20+ years has been leading up to this point and the day is finally here!  i always knew i was going to do a lot of school- my college career started with me wanting to go to med school to be a pediatrician, switched to me wanted to be an early childhood education/special education teacher, switched to wanting to be a speech language pathologist, and then deciding to jump ship to the wonderful world of audiology.  all of those degrees were going to require more than a bachelor's and i was ok with it.  but then when it really came down to deciding on audiology and its 4 year doctoral program, i wondered if i'd really be able to survive.  i mean... 4 more years past my bachelor's seemed soooo long and i couldn't imagine where my life would be when i was (gasp!) 26 years old.  but, at the time of making this decision, josh and i decided it would best for us to get all my schooling done and out of the way before we started a family and because of our situation at the time, i needed to have a career that would completely support our family if need be.  i was fortunate enough to get into my program of choice and had an amazing experience living in logan and studying what i loved.

i am a big goal-oriented person and i tend to set the bar a bit high sometimes.  josh tells me i'm a bit crazy sometimes and usually go overboard when it comes to all the things i want to accomplish in life.  but that's just the type of person i am.  but looking back on the last few years i can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what the future has in store.  i remember reading a quote from president hinkley years ago that i think gave me the drive to work a little harder, strive for excellence, and develop my talents.  it is a quote that i have read many times, especially when i've been down and felt like a failure, that has given me the motivation to move on.  

"you can be excellent in every way.  you can be first class.  there is no need for you to be a scrub.  respect yourself.  do not feel sorry for yourself.  do not dwell on unkind things others may say about your.  polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you.  go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart.  love life and look for its opportunities."

this made me feel like i could truly do whatever i put my mind to.

some of the goals that i set that i really wanted to accomplish throughout my bachelors and doctoral degrees:

- graduate debt free -

this was my #1 goal and took a lot of working extra jobs at nights, on weekends, and during the summers... but i can't even say how grateful i am that we don't have to pay off any student loans!

- specialize in what i love -

not only did i do my audiology degree focusing mostly on hearing and balance, but i was fortunate enough to be chosen for an additional program focusing on pediatric audiology, cochlear implants, and auditory rehabilitation.  i loved what i learned in my additional coursework and practicums and really hope to be able to start working with children with cochlear implants again in the near future.

- do research on a topic i love -

for my research capstone, i was able to study cochlear implants and work on helping to develop better training programs for professionals throughout the state who work with children with cochlear implants.  it's pretty cool to see my research being used to actually make a difference here in utah.

- present my research -

two of my research projects were chosen to be presented at a national children's hearing conference.  in 2010 i did a presentation and in 2011 i had a poster presentation.
- develop a good relationship with my professors and classmates -
i honestly couldn't have asked for better people be around every day.. for hours on end... years on end.  my professors were amazing- they were knowledgeable, kind, understanding, and treated us like human beings.  i respect each of them and the time and effort they put into molding me into the audiologist i am today.  i also adored my classmates- there were only 4 of us in my class but we all became great friends and colleagues and are people i look forward to working with and meeting up with at audiology conventions in the future. 

- keep myself mentally and physically fit -

i wanted to make sure i had balance in my life and wasn't always focused on school.  i started running initially to reduce stress/anxiety and it actually worked well to keep my body and mind strong. i completed 2 half marathons successfully and already have plans for more in the next year.

- organize and participate in humanitarian missions -

i was fortunate enough to travel to mexico, costa rica, and vietnam with my classmates to provide audiology and hearing related services to people in countries who don't have access to the resources we have here in the u.s.  we fit hearing aids, testing adults and children, provided teacher and professional trainings, and donated thousands of dollars worth of equipment to different organizations throughout these countries.  words can't even describe how those experiences confirmed that i am in the right field and truly doing something that i love that will improve the quality of life for those with hearing loss.

- have fun and enjoy life -

despite our busy schedules, josh and i made sure to have lots of fun spending time together, meeting new friends, traveling, playing lots of games, watching lots of movies, and just enjoying our first few years of marriage. 

- get a high gpa -

i know getting all a's in college is a lofty goal, but i really wanted to excel in all my classes.  somehow, i   will actually graduate with a 4.0 from my entire program.... not something i planned on but something i am very proud of!

- set an example for my future children on the power of a good education -

i feel that knowledge is power and i am a little saddened to not be a student anymore because i will not be forced into studying anymore.  but i think it is so important for my children to know that i value a good education and the opportunities that it can provide a person.  i have learned discipline, responsibility, time management, and have found a career that makes me feel like i am making a difference. 

so, what's next?  that's the million dollar question...

i have accepted an offer to stay on with the company i current work for (which is the same one josh works for). i will be working part time at our ent office and part time in our hearing aid clinic.  i plan on working after the baby comes and we may tweak my schedule a bit when i get back from maternity leave depending on who watches the baby.  also, for the last few years i have been a teaching assistant for an undergraduate online class focusing on pediatric audiology and aural rehab at usu and have been offered a position as an assistant professor for the class from here on out.  i'm excited that it's just another opportunity for me to do something that i love and may even lead to other teaching opportunities in the future.

but before all of that happens... josh and i are celebrating graduation with 2 other fabulous couples by heading out on a cruise this saturday!!!

an iphone update

and here is a random selection of iPhone photos showing a little of what we've been up to lately

cupcake decorating class with my mom and sister 

saturday morning breakfast dates

perfect stuffed french toast on the harvard campus in boston

touring the famous fenway park: home of the boston red sox!

sightseeing in the beautiful city of boston with our bosses

spending a day visiting historical sites and getting some excellent exercise while walking the freedom trail

view of boston from bunker hill

enjoying some fabulous frozen hot chocolate at serendipity in last vegas

a quick vegas trip to see josh's extended family

"chicks" appetizer for our easter dinner.  thank you pinterest for the idea! 

easter sunday... happy 22 weeks!

baby girl is growing up strong and healthy... what a squirmy little cutie!

the hubs satisfying his sushi cravings

a view from above... 23 weeks

one of the many sweets we've consumed this week.  this one in particular came from a patient of mine who remembered i said i had a craving for root beer floats :)

not pictured:

martha's vineyard, lexington, and concord and our bosses from our trip to boston

the entire hankins clan that attended the vegas reunion

hanging out with kevin crockett

getting the new yard all spruced up

the cox's came to visit!!

collecting furniture and accessories for the baby's nursery (pictures to come!)

belly update

the belly:

taken one day shy of 19 weeks

i feel like the belly had 'popped' but have been told by many that it hasn't yet

haha

in case you haven't heard...

momma knows best.... 

 this baby is all GIRL!!!

boy or girl??

tomorrow's the big day and it seriously feels like christmas eve!

this last week could have been the longest week of my life and tomorrow may be even longer since our appt isn't until 4:00.

i really am thinking this baby is a girl, but josh is pretty set on it being a boy...

at least tomorrow we'll finally be able to stop arguing about it and start the shopping sprees.

i've been asked why i haven't posted any belly pictures- well, that's because i have no belly... yet.

it's pudgy, but there is no bump to speak of.  i'm still in all my regular clothes and hoping that i get a little belly soon just so all my patients stop looking at me like i'm crazy when i tell them i'm about 4 months pregnant.  but i have gotten my first few pregnant clothes from my sweet momma and i'm excited to start sporting them soon!

i'm definitely starting to feel better- that first trimester was no fun.  i had constant nausea and exhaustion and it is amazing to finally be getting my energy back.  i'm sure josh loves getting his "normal" wife back, too!

current cravings:  popsicles, fruit, and mexican food :)

as of today, i'm 17 weeks!

baby hankins update

first of all, thanks so much for all the love and support!

we received an overwhelming amount of phone calls, cards, texts, messages, facebook comments etc. and we couldn't be more grateful and excited for this little baby to make its big debut.

so, i thought i'd update the blog on everything that has happened these last few weeks.  this will be more of a journal entry than anything really.

first, a positive pregnancy test on december 14th.

it's the first time i've ever even been late so i didn't want to make a big deal of it and i didn't even tell josh.  i snuck away after work one night and took it privately.  when i saw the two solid lines, my heart completely stopped.  in my mind, i always thought it would be fun to announce to josh we were pregnant in a cute way.  well, that definitely didn't happen.  i grabbed the stick and mustered up all the courage i had (remember, he didn't even know i was late) and went out to the front room.  he was watching a basketball game, i asked him to turn it off.  he asked what was wrong and i don't think i said anything.... i'm pretty sure i just sat down and stared at him.  he looked at me like i was a freak for a second until i handed him the stick wrapped up in toilet paper.  

he was puzzled until he asked "what is this?" 

"a pregnancy test"

"what does it mean?"

"it says we're pregnant"

"how do you know that?"

"there are 2 lines"

"did you read that on the back of the box?  are you sure" 

"yes, josh... i'm sure"

"i think you should take another one just in case.  and maybe i'll pee on one too just to make sure we know what a negative one looks like"

and then he turned the tv back on.

haha!  i think both of us were in a bit of shock.  needless to say, 4 very positive pregnancy tests later we were finally convinced that i should at least go get a blood test done.

a few days later the blood test confirmed we were officially (and finally!) pregnant!

so then we had to make the decision of  when we wanted to tell our families.  i have always been iffy on this subject- tell everyone too early and you may miscarry and then explain to everyone what happened.  tell them later and have that big secret bottled up inside.  we decided to tell our immediate families sooner than later because #1- it was christmas time and #2- some of our family members started "sensing" something was up and were having dreams and calling us and asking us if we were pregnant.  definitely awkward and i hated lying to them! 

so, we decided to announce on christmas eve to josh's family and on christmas day to mine.  we just couldn't hold it in any longer.  also, we wanted kristi to know before she went in for her second round of treatment on the 26th in hopes that it would keep her spirits up.   

remember, this is the first grandbaby on both sides of our families so everyone's reactions were exactly what we expected! 

josh's family does a little christmas program every year on christmas eve.  this year we made it so that we went last and i wrote up a really cheesy little poem and josh read it.  

for my family, we gave my parents this present to open very last and asked my mom to read the note out loud.  

haha... there were lots of tears and hugs and talk of future baby names that day.  some that were possibilities and some that were just downright terrible.  my favorite part of the video: "oh... this is the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!"  that was followed by "i call dibs on that baby's first trip to disneyland!"  haha!

we asked everyone to keep quiet until we had our first ultrasound.  we went in for that on january 11th.  everything looked good with the baby and i think that's when it set in a little more that we were actually expecting.  it was so exciting to see our little peanut's first picture!

so, the due date is still a little undetermined.  based on my schedule, it's august 17th.  based on the ultrasound, it's august 23rd.  the dr said we'll go with the 17th for now and possibly adjust it at a later appointment.

so that means i'm in my 12th week and everything is going well.  to answer most of your questions, yes i have been sick and tired.  it hit right around christmas and i had the morning sickness and nausea for a few weeks.  it was really hard to keep the pregnancy a secret at work when i was running to the bathroom to throw up all the time.  this past week has been much better though and i am finally starting to get my energy back (enough to head back to the gym which has been nice).  i never realized how tired baking a baby can make you!

so that's pretty much everything.  i don't have any "mother's instinct" for what we're having but when people ask, we always say i want a girl and josh wants a boy :)  really, we just want a healthy, happy baby but josh's boy names are absolutely dreadful and we can't agree on any boy names we both like  :)  also, all the gender prediction tests we've taken so far have said it will be a girl... and my friend's little 2 year old boy keeps saying it's a girl too so i think that has solidified it for me!

i think everything is still sinking in because it still doesn't feel too real.  maybe when i start showing or when we find out what we're having it'll feel more real.

xoxo
l & j