11 Years ago today....

In honor of my birth son's 11th birthday I'm posting his birth story again. Happy Birthday Kendrick! I was 19 when I found out I was pregnant for the first time. I was just about to start college. It was one of those things that I thought I was invincible from. It was a scary time. I didnt want my baby to have to grow up being the middle of custody battles and have to watch his mom struggle just to provide for the two of them. I wanted him to have a mommy and daddy that loved each other and him. So I started looking at adoption. I went though my church's adoption program. They gave me a bunch of letters hopeful parents had written telling about their families. The first letter I read I knew it was my baby's family. I was able to meet them and a wonderful feeling came over me as I walked into the room where they were. I knew this was meant to be. The next 9months were the hardest. I had so many different people give me their views on what I was doing. Some thought I was an angel for choosing adoption. Others told me I was just throwing my baby away. But I knew the reason I chose this for my baby. I wanted him to have a better life. It wasn't because I wanted anything better for myself. It wasn't because I wanted freedom. I wanted the best for my baby. I continued to keep the family updated on my progress through letters. And they told me more and more about their family. 2 weeks went passed my due date and I was still pregnant. I was getting so miserable and antsy. My doctor decided to induce me. So early morning on May 10th I went into the hospital and was put on pitocin. That is some nasty stuff. I had hard labor for 18 hours and 2 hours of pushing. Kendrick J was born on May 11th 2001 at 2:38am weighing 9lbs 7oz and 20inches long. He was a big baby.

I was able to stay in the hospital a couple of days with him and get to know him. May 13th Mother's Day was my last day at the hospital. I had asked that the adoptive family come to the hospital so I could place him in their arms. It was a very emotional fist Mother's Day for me. I had no idea if I would see him again. The agency was only semi open at the time so I would only receive pictures and letters for the first couple years and that would be it. However, his family wanted to have an open adoption. So they found a way to get me the info I needed to contact them.

Now eleven years later we have an amazing relationship. I feel apart of their family. I love being able to watch my birth son and my birth daughter ,that I placed with them a few year later, grow. I wish we lived closer so we could have more visits but the visits we do have are so wonderful and precious to me. I am so blessed.

Now this mother's day I find my self happier then every. I have an almost three year old little girl and a baby on the way and an amazing husband who loves me and respects me for my past decisions. What a life :)

Spring Yay!

It's been a roller coaster spring this year for both me and the weather. Even though this pregnancy has been easier then when I was pregnant with Layla I still was very nauseous and threw up a lot! Not enough to lose weight this time though. Which is a good thing I guess. I am now feeling better but didn't start feeling better till I was about 16 weeks. I am 19 weeks now. The weather has been up and down as well. We've been having snow and 80 degree weather just about every other day. Easter was a during the warmer part so that was nice. We attended what felt like 50 Easter events. I was pretty Eastered out by the time it actually was here. One of my favorites was the annual Easter egg hunt we have with the Salt Lake City Mommies. An online group of mom from around the area.

We had an interesting Easter this year. We dyed eggs as usual. We had a very grumpy Layla that night. The Easter bunny came and brought Layla lots of fun stuff.

Instead of going to Vaughn's parents for dinner we met up with some of Vaughn's friends and his uncle John for a hike. It was John's birthday and he loves to hike. He told us this was a very family friendly hike. Well not so much! This hike was up in the mountains and there was still a good foot of snow on the trail. We were not dressed for it at all. It was also very icy in some spots. It was actually probably a hike I should not have gone on 4 months pregnant but I did. And I made it. Vaughn had to carry Layla most the way since many times she would fall through the snow. Needless to say when we got back we were all very tired and very sore. I was sore for many days after. But we did get to see a pretty waterfall.

We already had our first camping trip for the season. Well it was wuss camping. We stayed in a trailer. But for a pregnant woman that is ideal. Our neighbor own land up near Duchesne and invited us to come up for a couple nights. His mom was so nice to let us use her really nice trailer so I could be comfortable. It was nice to get away from the icky city air and relax. Unfournatly there were a lot of tiny cactus and Layla who loves to dig and play in the dirt came home with a lot of tiny cactus spines in her legs.

Layla is growing up so fast. We are having lots of fun with her lately. Now that she is talking more she is saying some of the funniest things. I thought I'd share some of them with you...... Explaining to Layla how Mommy and Layla are girls and Daddy is boy. So she says to daddy "Come on boy! Lets go!" L: Is the baby in there too mama? (pointing to my boobs) M: Nope there is milk in there. L: Milk in there? M: Yep, when the baby comes out of my belly that is where the baby will get it's food. L: Food? Like noodles? Had my big belly hanging out because it feels good when I'm pregnant to have a naked belly. Layla was pointing at my belly and daddy asks her "What is that Layla?" Layla answers "It's happy!" Confused I looked down sure enough the crease in my fat belly made it look like my belly was smiling. And too end this blog post I thought I'd share the latest belly pic I took at 17 weeks. We will be finding out the sex (hopefully) on the 14th! So excited!