Still expanding...

 Here's some more recent pictures for the ever expanding belly!

 I'm 30 weeks and 7 days here....

And my most recent belly shot was at 32 weeks and 7 days. The night of our first baby shower...how exciting. I hope to get a post up soon with pictures of that.

Intensive Childbirth Prep Class

Two weekends ago, we took an "Intensive Childbirth Prep Class" through the hospital that I'll deliver at. It was a Friday night and Saturday (ALL DAY!). On Saturday, we were talking about the stages of labor...and every couple in the class was given some play-doh to make a cervix. We had to dilate and efface the cervix to 10 cm & 100%. This is what Steve did with his play-doh! Such a boy!!

So our class was very interesting. There was a total of 7 couples and ALL were having GIRLS! Pretty strange stuff happening these days! I probably know at least 20 people that are having girls between now and March 2012! There must be something special planned for all these little girls!

During our class, our instructor had a fake "pregnant body/belly" for the dads/partner to wear for an period of time...just so they know what us "mamas" are going through. Boy...were they good sports...but Steve got the best workout of all when it was his turn to wear it! He had to wear it during our hospital tour of the delivery/postpartum and nursery tour...which was about an hour...walking around. All the other dads just wore it in class...mostly sitting. I got some pretty good pictures of Steve sporting his pregnant belly!

The highlight of our class was ME....passing out! It sure scared Steve...but honestly it wasn't anything new that I haven't dealt with. Of course, it was during the grossest part...taking about c-sections...pictures, graphic details of how and where they cut, etc. AND...it was right after lunch! I looked at Steve and told him I wasn't feeling well, and that I thought I was going to pass out! He looked pretty alarmed but acted quickly to catch my head and alert our instructor. Luckily I was already sitting down, so they just laid my chair back on the floor. I  was out for a few seconds before I came to. For me, it was quite comical and a little embarrassing! After laying on the floor with my eyes closed for about 10 minutes we sat on the floor while everyone finished the c-section part/video.

The irony of this story is...when my mother was pregnant with me, she passed out at a fabric store. Luckily she was with my dad...but she told him she was going to pass out, he laid her down on the floor and everyone there was pretty panicked. She laid there for a few minutes until she could get up...at which they just left...my dad guiding my mom out of the store while she kept her eyes closed because she was so embarrassed. So as they say, "Like Mother, Like Daughter"...I'm keeping the tradition alive! =) Hopefully our little girl doesn't have passing out issues like me, but at least if she does, I'll understand!

Is that a basketball in your shirt?

So we haven't really been that great at staying on top of taking pictures as my belly grows with our little one inside. I finally decided that I'd need to start pictures on my own. I have had a few pictures taken on my phone..but the rest are on our camera. Anyway...

Here I am at 19 weeks and 1 day. We just found out 2 days before that we were having a little girl!

Here I am at 23 weeks and 6 days.

Here's a quick snapshot I took at 26 weeks 2 days. As you'll see in the picture below, you can't tell much between then and now.Here I am at 29 weeks (after a disappointing lose game with U of U vs. Washington 10/1/2011).

I'm hoping to be able to remember to take weekly pictures from now on as I know my stomach size will increase dramatically between now and 40 weeks. We've only got 10 weeks to go! Which also means, Christmas is in 11 weeks! YIKES!

It's a GIRL!!!

On Friday, Steve and I finally got to find out if our sweet little baby will be a boy or a girl! We quickly found out at our appointment that we'll be welcoming a little girl to our family in December! We couldn't be more happy and excited about this new adventure and most of all, we can't wait to meet her! We know she's going to have to be pretty awesome with us as her parents! =)

Here's a few pictures our ultrasound tech was able to capture even though she was being a little wiggle worm the whole time!
Most of all, we were glad and relieved to find out that she's perfectly healthy and growing right on track! Phew!

Our big day ended with a big bang...spending the evening with family and watching the Bountiful 24th of July fireworks! Probably the BEST show I've ever seen before! AWESOME!!

Who said women are hard to shop for?!

Yesterday (July 10th) was our first wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married a year! It seems like we just got married last month. Yesterday Steve was saying how if they say the first year of marriage is the hardest...then he's a lucky man!! I do have to agree that so far, our first year hasn't been too hard. The first 6 months were challenging for us, but we were trying to get me moved and get his house finished at the same time while planning our honeymoon.

As our anniversary was approaching, we were trying to decide what to do for our special anniversary...and since this will be our only anniversary childless! We tossed around the idea of a night stay in Park City or a romantic dinner somewhere...but ultimately, I got what I really wanted.... a new washer/dryer set! The washer/dryer that we've been using came with the house when Steve bought it 6+ years ago! Needless to say, they were old, gross and not very cost effective at all! So Saturday afternoon, our NEW and IMPROVED washer/dryer were delivered to our house and hooked up! The only thing was...we couldn't use them until we got new high efficiency soap! Grrr! I never thought I'd be so anxious and excited to do laundry...but alas...new appliances sure make it easier! So I'm looking forward to getting off work and doing more laundry and learning how to use our new ultra techy appliances.

We learned from our first anniversary, that getting me appliances for any special occasion makes me happy girl and sure makes my hubby happy too! =)

The things women do!

It seems like when summer starts to creep up the end of May, everyone's lives become just a little more chaotic. On top of trying to juggle work and your normal life (cooking & cleaning), you try to squeeze in all those summer activities... ie. family parties, BBQ's with friends, or summer vacations. It becomes even more difficult for those women who have kids already or are busy "growing a life inside them." It's tough work! Now I know why God had women have babies...men are too big of babies themselves, let alone be the "host" body for 9 months! =)

With that being said, yes, our little Hayward family is officially growing (literally my tummy) and we will have a new member of the family this December! Just in time for....Christmas? No, the end of the tax year! =) We'll know in two weeks if we're having a little Stevie or little Leslie, so we're anxiously awaiting our big ultrasound appointment.

We're both VERY excited about our new little "LB" (aka. love baby) to get here. I would have to say that Steve probably seems more excited because he doesn't have to deal with morning sickness, nasty smells, growing pains, extreme fatigue, etc...we all know the list goes on, and on, and on!

I'll try to do my best to keep updates and pictures of our progress and asking for advice...but who knows what I'll actually get accomplished! ;)

U2 Rocks it in SLC!

Tuesday night, we finally got to attend U2's 360 degree tour that was supposed to have taken place last year. It was well worth the wait...it was an amazing show!!
Here we are at the show waiting for U2 to get set up and go on stage. The Fray opened up for them and they did a great job too.
Of course, here's Steve being silly with Josh...a friend and co-worker. We had a double date planned with Josh & Mandy way back when U2 was supposed to play 6/3/2010...but we FINALLY got to hang out with them and enjoy great music.
I thought the mountains were pretty and green against the nice blue sky (that wasn't raining..Phew!)

Here's a few pictures of the stage as the night went on. They had some awesome lighting to go along with the concert. During the concert, I notice people driving by the stadium on 500 S. in SLC and people were parked on the street watching/listening to the concert. It was pretty funny to watch everyone.

This was a great show to start the summer. Hopefully we have a few more good shows to see this summer. Here's to great music and fun with my honey!