Our Love Story

It has been 3 years, as of today, when Paedn and I started dating when he got home off his mission. But, did you know, that is not where the story begins? Let's travel back a few years....I was 15, almost 16, and Paedn was 18 years old.


How We Met: August 2006
We met one Saturday night at a church dance. (Completely cheesy but we love it!)  I was dancing and being silly with my friend Michaun, who I later found out was his sister. He noticed me from across the room and the next time a slow song came on, he walked over and asked me to dance. We talked and laughed and got to know one another throughout the song, as much as one could while trying to talk during a dance! He did some flirting and sang along with the song. The song he sang that night is actually now our song, I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, by Aerosmith. Then, he did some more flirting and instead of departing after the song ended, we kept dancing through the next slow song. After the slow songs had finished playing, he gave me a hug and we went back to our little groups. Now, because I was friends with his sister, he had an in. He would come over and talk with us throughout the night and then the following nights when we were at the dances.


We kept in touch the following months and would see one another at random church activities. We would always link eyes from across the room and my little heart would flutter. He came to a volleyball scrimmage of mine. The game had already started and I randomly look towards the door and I see this cowboy standing there with his hat on and everything. My heart jumped and I could not help but smile when I realized it was Paedn. He gave me one of his side smiles, took off his hat and went and found a seat on the bleachers. I remember becoming extremely nervous and wanting to impress him. Even while playing, I would glance over at him. I loved that I had someone there to support me besides my famly. (No offense family- I love and appreciate all the support you gave me! It's just different when it is coming from a cute boy!) 


As the months rolled on and there were no longer random activities that would give us a reason to see and talk to one another at, we stopped talking. We definitely would have found excuses to talk to one another and would have gone on dates if only I was 16. For now, I had to be content with the fun memories we had and the butterflies he gave me. Paedn left and served his mission in Eugene, Oregon. During that time we had no communication. (Neither Paedn or I wanted to ask his sister for the other's address to send them letters!) I would hear random updates about him whenever I was around Michaun and other girls would ask about him. It always made my heart skip a beat when I would hear his name, but I would pretend like it was not a big deal.


Dating Years: January 2009-March 2010
Paedn and I dated for a year and a half before becoming engaged. He got home off his mission in January 2009 and not even a week later he found me on trusty-ole Facebook. We talked nonstop. Now, when he got home I was still a senior in high school. I was 18 and he was turning 21 that February. My parents felt like that was too big of an age difference for a high schooler. I was allowed to date him...after I graduated. But, that didn't mean we couldn't talk! We kept talking and getting to know one another better. We started to "officially" date when I graduated. Now, the 1 1/2 years of dating definitely wasn't all smooth sailing, psh but how fun would that be! We think we are a lot stronger married couple today because of all the years of our history. We love looking back and remembering our history together, it makes for a richer story!


The Engagement: March 2010
I had just finished my first day of training at Victoria's Secret and was in a hurry to get home and change to go to volleyball practice. As I was walking out, I grabbed my phone to read the texts I received and then looked up and Paedn was walking towards me. I had to do a double take to make sure it was really him I saw. I was so excited to see him and gave him a big hug. He said he just wanted to come up and surprise me after work even if it was only for a couple minutes. We talked and I kept reading my texts and I had received one from the lady I coached with. She said that practice was cancelled tonight because the gym was no longer available. Hooray! I was so excited to be able to go home and just relax. When we got to my parent's house we sat in the kitchen and talked with my parents about work and the fact that I didn't have to go to volleyball that night. My mom and I decided that we would go shoe shopping instead. I ran upstairs to change and left mom and Paedn talking in the kitchen. When I came back down, mom changed her mind and just said that we could go another night so I could hang out with Paedn. Paedn told me that he had a surprise date planned for me. As I was getting into the car, he took out the bandanna from his pocket and blind folded me. Uhh...ok? I laughed because a few months earlier I did the same thing to him and took him to Glendale Glitters. I just figured this was revenge. We drove around for a while. I tried to keep track of where we were but slowly lost focus because I was getting dizzy! We finally stopped. Paedn came and opened my door and helped me stand up. I wrapped my arm through his and we started walking. I paid close attention to the ground we were walking on. First asphalt, then grass, some dirt, ha I tripped in a pot hole, we walked up a few steps, and finally we were on a wooden floor. He let go of my arm and went and turned on a cd player. When he took off the blind fold we were at Saguaro Ranch Park. He had lead me up to one of the porches and he decorated it in twinkle lights. It was so pretty! He then asked me to dance. My heart was fluttering. As I listened to the songs that were playing I noticed they were all of our favorite songs for one another. The third song that played was our song, I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, by Aerosmith. We kept dancing and he was singing to me like he had done so many years before. He spun me around and as I came to face him, he was down on one knee holding this beautiful ring. I gasped. He smiled, "Hilary, will you marry me?" I stood there in shock, not even breathing. When I finally managed to say something I looked at him and said, "Seriously?!" (haha! We both laugh about that to this day and he always teases me.) After asking him "seriously" a few more times. I started crying and said "Yes!" He put the ring on my finger and then hugged we and kissed. It was so romantic! 
Come to find out later, he asked my volleyball coach to tell me practice was cancelled so he could propose that night. Sneaky!


My Ring
I don't know how many of you have noticed my engagement ring, but it is not the typical engagement ring. Instead of a diamond, there lies a beautiful white pearl. He did this for two reasons. One- he knew I wanted something different. I never liked having something similar as other people. I like to be my own person. Two- The main reason he chose a pearl instead of just any ole ring- He told me he chose the pearl because of how it is made. It takes time and at the end of it comes this beautiful, perfect, white pearl. He said that no matter what we had gone through or what we are going to go through, there will never be a bad time. We will have difficult times but they will never be bad. All the trials, great and small, are shaping us into better people, into a better couple. If we stay strong and worthy, we will end up like the pearl- beautiful and perfect.






                                                                            and to this day....they live happily ever after. 

Emotional Roller Coaster

24 WEEKS

According to some baby websites I am now 6 MONTHS PREGNANT! (wow!) According to others, I will not be 6 months until I hit my 26th week. Either way, whoa! There is only 16 more weeks to go!

 

LORELEI

At 24 weeks our Lady is the length of a half-gallon of milk or an ear of corn! I already cannot fathom how she fits. She gave me quite a big scare this week. Usually, she is very active. I always notice her routine during the day and it gave me comfort. Last Wednesday, I felt like I was a human bounce house. She was everywhere. It was so entertaining. I would be at work and just sit there laughing at my belly. I loved it! Well, Thursday she decided to stop. I would think I would feel her move, but I wasn't quite sure. This happened until Monday. Saturday early morning, I woke up and I had the worst nightmare. I sat there in bed crying and all these negative thoughts were going through my mind. I said a prayer and was finally able to fall asleep an hour and a half later. Then, the same thing happened Monday morning, but this time I was hysterical. I really thought something was wrong with Lorelei. I had not felt a constant, strong movement for 4 days and it was really getting to me. I sat up in bed and was just balling. Paedn woke up and was sincerely concerned. We both said a prayer and then I asked him for a blessing. (A blessing is like a special prayer that we ask for in times of need. Whether it be for comfort, because you are sick, when you need help making a big decision, ect. It is another way to ask for the Lord's help.) So, I asked for a blessing because I felt like I couldn't do this on my own. I was not receiving the comfort that I thought I so desperately needed. As Paedn gave me the blessing, a sudden peace feel over me. I honestly could feel it fill me up. I stopped crying and listened to his words. When he finished, he gave me the biggest hug and said, "Hilary, she is fine. I promise. She doesn't have a lot of room to move anymore." I finally found my comfort. As I started to fall asleep I felt her roll around. My eyes started to well up with tears and my heart was full of gratitude. Since then, Lorelei has been noticeably active. Not crazy, bouncing like mom is a trampoline active, but I feel her rolling around.      

MY BELLY:

My little "basketball", as my mother calls it, is starting to inflate! It is not necessarily gaining inches, but it is filling out so it does not look like a "torpedo" belly, as my sister called it. ("haha! I can always count on them!) I measured it again last night and it was still 39inches round. But, we think it is now a full 39inches. Even Paedn looked at me a few days ago and said, "Whoa! Your belly really popped right out there!" Also according to Paedn, I have a "mother waddle". I have no idea if this is accurate! I think I may just try and walk sassy when he is around. Apparently that's not going so well if he calls it a waddle!

APPETITE:

Yes, my love for food has finally returned! Once the "morning" sickness finally faded off into the distance and my discovery of the effects that diary has on me, my appetite has slowly made it's way back into my life! In my first trimester up until a few weeks ago, the only cravings I had were for sugar. When I mean sugar, I mean candy! Nerds, bottle caps, and of course my favorite, the Nerd's Rope! (I swear a pregnant lady created that!) Even though I still get those hacker-in's for sugar, they are no longer in the limelight. Three weeks ago, I was craving Mexican food, mostly salsa and bean burritos. Then last week I was craving hamburgers and french fries! Now this week, I have mostly been craving pancakes!! I have a feeling this craving will be sticking around for a while. For the first time in my life I have to start watching how much food I am eating. Usually, I would be watching how much food I was eating because I was too skinny and needed to try and gain weight. I do not want to see what happens if I let myself consume food to no end. This is a new challenge for me!

NEW DIFFICULTIES: 

1- Putting socks and shoes on. I have to sit on the floor and contort my legs weird to be able to put my shoes on painlessly.

2- Getting up off the floor.

3- Shaving...this is getting old fast!

4- Sleeping- and it's not because of the midnight bathroom breaks. It is because my darn hips hurt! I wake up probably every hour during the night just because I need to toss and turn to a different side because my hips feel bruised. This is terrible. It gets so bad that it hurts to walk the next day.

5- Sleeping on my side- I am having to train myself to sleep on my side. Usually, I was a tummy sleeper and sometimes on my back. Sometimes during the night I wake up in a panic because I am on my tummy or back and feel like I am hurting Lorelei.

6- Controlling my food intake

HOME UPDATES:

Our little house is transforming into a home! The painting is almost done and once that milestone is over it will feel like a lot less we have to do. I am very excited to start decorating and organizing the new home. That always tend to be both mine and Paedn's favorite part. The house we are living at now is mostly packed up. I officially have a "skinny clothes box". This kind of made me giggle..but mostly made me realize, "Whoa! I am definitely not the same size I was before pregnancy happened!" Which sometimes I like to think I am, luckily my belly is growing more noticeable to remind me otherwise! We have Lorelei's nursery theme all decided. It is going to be "Spring time at the Farm." Sadly, this theme is hard to shop for! There are no farm animal bed sets we can go buy at Target or something, they are all jungle themed. But, that is ok! We have ideas to help tie in the farm aspect of the nursery.

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

23 Weeks

Our Little Lady Lorelei is doing wonderfully. We had our check-up today and her heartbeat was perfect. They measured my tummy today and said I was right on track! So, even though I may look small for how far along I am, everything is measuring at the right pace. Paedn and I gave talks at church on Sunday and I tied in announcing to everyone who was there that I am expecting and due in May. I had so many people come up to me afterwards and congratulating me asking how far along I was. When I told them how far along I was they were just shocked! It made me laugh. When people see me and they do not know I am pregnant, I get either one of two reactions. One, they still have no clue. Two, they ask me what I am hiding under my shirt. So, apparently I am starting to look pregnant to some people. That makes me feel great. 

I am starting to feel Lorelei move around more and more. The other day she was kicking my side extremely hard. I asked Paedn if he wanted to try and feel. Now, every time I do this she either stops or Paedn cannot feel her. He hasn't able to feel her since about 18 weeks. He hasn't been able to feel her since we have know it was a she! Kind of strange to think about it like that. Anyway. when I placed Paedn's hand on my stomach we sat there anxiously waiting for a kick. The BAM! She gave a good strong kick. I looked at Paedn and he was smiling. "Did you feel that?" I asked. He responded with the biggest grin, "Yes!" Then I asked him if he wanted to try and see my tummy move when she moved. We had never tried this before, we did not know what to expect. So, we sat there for a few more moments and then we saw her kick! We actually saw a little bulge pop out on the side of my tummy. It was so crazy! I looked at Paedn and we just started laughing. At first he said, "I never want to see that again." He was completely freaked out. I agree with him, it was so strange! We just kept laughing. Paedn got over being freaked out and loves to place his hands on my tummy to try and feel her roll about. I am now noticing my tummy move more often when Lorelei just rolls. I am excited to see and feel more of her activity. It makes it seem more real...but it also makes me feel more like there is an alien inside of me. haha! My little brother and mom have also had the opportunity to feel Lorelei kick. Ben felt her three times in a row! It was so neat. Then we sat and watched my belly move. Every time Ben would start giggling after and poke my stomach. It was so funny.

Paedn and I daydream all the time about our sweet little lady. We try to picture what she's going to look like and base her personality off of what we already know about her. I hope Lorelei will have Paedn's eye color, a very pretty, light blue. His eyes are just captivating! I think she will have Paedn's nose. We are thinking she will have light blonde, very curly hair. But, I am hoping for a redhead some where in the line! We think she is going to be a little stubborn but a fireball and loving. We are so excited to see her personality grow these next few months and maybe make and change our predictions.  Can you believe I am already 5 months?! The next four months seems so far away, but I know they will go fast.

Front-flowers / Back-stripes

We are moving in about a month and a half, possibly sooner. We are starting to pack some things here and there and planning this new home out better. As of right now, we found a little 2 bedroom "apartment" we are going to rent. It is small, but we are excited to turn it into our own home. We are very excited to paint the walls! This may not seem like a big deal but we are so tired of white walls, it will be nice for the change! Lorelei's room will double as her room and a little office, and since most of the things I am planning to hang on her walls are pink, we found a nice yellow to paint the room. I like the idea of something bright in the room. I have a quilt that my grandma made me several years ago that I am going to use for the room. It has so many colors that it will be easy to coordinate her room. 

 At the beginning of my pregnancy, I thought I was going to take measurements every week. But, I did not because I wasn't really growing. But I did have a couple measurements to compare!

Pre-pregnancy: Waist- 25inches  Tummy- 26inches
11 1/2 weeks: Waist- 28 1/2inches  Tummy- 36inches
23 weeks: Waist- 29inches  Tummy- 39inches

I guess it does look like a Baby Bump!

I have gained 5lbs this past month. Usually, a lady of average weight should gain 25-35lbs in a pregnancy. I have gained about 8-ish pounds thus far. I am still 

nervous about gaining weight nonetheless. Luckily, I still coach volleyball so hitting at the girls will keep my arms in shape and is actually a good full body exercise. I also do wall sits and calf raises at night. I also do little things here and there I am hoping will help!

On a side note, I am liking my prenatal medicine! My hair seems to be growing faster and actually feels a bit thicker. Hooray!

I am excited for week 23! With her sense of movement well developed, Lorelei can feel me dance! She can also hear outside noise better. So, she can hear us read to her and the music playing! I played Michael Jackson yesterday at was dancing around. I am starting her young! 

 She is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound! So she's about the length of a spaghetti squash and weighs about the same as a large mango!