Go Green!

In respect to our recent Earth Day Holiday, just thought I would share a tid bit of how we have changed some things in our house hold to conserve and save!

Save energy to save money.

Jamie sets our thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.

We have installed compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) .

I always try to unplug our appliances when we're not using them. Lately I have just tried to buy the "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.

I ALWAYS wash our clothes in cold water. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water!

We also use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

Save water to save money.

Now this has been a tough one for me...Seeing as I really, really, REALLY, like to soak in the bath, almost on a nightly basis...This I am trying to break!! Other than that, I try to conserve in other ways!

Shutting the water off when I am not using it while brushing my teeth, or washing my hands.

We try to plant drought-tolerant native plants in our garden. Many plants need minimal watering, so we try to find out which occur naturally in your area. And yes there is more than just sage brush! haha

Less gas = more money (and better health!).

I have been walking to work, I used to long board, but considering the whole pregnancy bit, hubby won't let me!! But this saves on gas while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing my risk of packing on those pounds!!! Me walking to work is an extra .6 miles a day, and 20 minutes worth extra of cardio! :O)

Eat smart.

I always try to buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever I can. SUPER HARD where I live, but it does happen!!! Especially in the summer! Phew! And purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.

Skip the bottled water.

We use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.

I bring a reusable water bottle, I prefer aluminum rather than plastic, with me when traveling or at work.


Buy smart.

We try to buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.

I invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. I might pay more now, but I am always happy when I don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

15 weeks!

So we hit our 15 week mark this past Thursday! We were very excited for our visit to the Dr. Last time we were able to see our little baby, arms, legs, head and all! This time we were anxiously anticipating hearing the heartbeat!

Before getting down to business, the Dr. wanted to talk to us about testing our baby for down syndrome. I am not too crazy about the whole test. In all actuality it is pointless for us.

Our Dr. told us that 90% of the blood tests come back positive.. now if a screening test indicates a high risk of Down syndrome, a more invasive test may be used to determine whether your baby actually has Down syndrome, called Amniocentesis. So a sample of my amniotic fluid surrounding my baby would be withdrawn through a needle inserted into my uterus (Sounds oh so appealing). Then the sample is then used to analyze the chromosomes of the baby. The bad part....The test carries a one in 200 risk of miscarriage.

We decided against it. Reason being...we don't believe in abortion (depending on the situation at hand. This case NOT being one of them.) We would not terminate the pregnancy if we were to find out that the baby had down syndrome.

So if we were to find out our baby was going to have down syndrome, the only good thing that COULD come from it, would be giving us adequate time to prepare. But the risk of miscarrying is not appealing. So we opted against it.

Finally the Dr. got the Doppler out, and began the procedure. He was feeling around really low on my abdomen, and I couldn't quite figure why...I can tell my baby has been sitting up by my belly button. 2 minutes into it, still no sound. I could tell Jamie was getting a little worried. So, I took the Dr's hand and slid it up a bit higher. And low and behold, there he was! His little quick heart beat!

The Dr. looked at me and smiled, well, well. There is your baby! He asked me if I could tell where the baby was by the pressure on my bladder, I nodded, and replied yes. I told him I have been able to tell for a couple of weeks now.

Then we heard a sudden loud, short shwooshing noise, repeatedly. The Dr. asked me if I could feel that, I replied no. He said that sound was my baby kicking! He estimated in the next few weeks I would be feeling my lil one!

All in all our appointment went great, and everything checked out fine! We scheduled our next appointment to find out the sex of our baby!! It was to be scheduled the 21st, but the Dr. is going to be gone, and the following week Jamie is working, so we had to push it clear out to JUNE 1st!

We are very excited to find out the sex of the baby. The whole way home we talked about names for GIRLS. This was a change!! Usually we just talk about boy names! Of course we already have one girl name picked out and in stone...but we talked about what we would name our baby if we had more than one! Could this be a sign!???

And for all you belly photo lovin' people who constantly text, and facebook me wanting a picture....here you go! Not much yet! But well on it's way!! :O)

The Joys of Pregnancy!

I was asked the other day what my favorite things about being pregnant so far are, and what things I dislike the most about it. I have a nice long list of things that I do like!

- My husband gives me more back rubs and just does more of the housework in general. I'm a lucky lady.

- Feeling the baby growing inside of me makes me feel so alive and powerful and womanly!

- Feeling like I have a constant friend with me besides my Summit boy!

- My hair is growing like a weed, and the pregnancy glow I have!

- Luckily, I am one of those women who has not gotten sick or extremely tired or anything else in early pregnancy. (I'm sure it would be pretty hard to enjoy pregnancy when you're head is constantly in the toilet.. :o/)

- I love the round, feminine belly I am finally beginning to acquire!

- How much more in tune to my body I am!

- The excitement of my family and friends.

- I feel strong and proud...I know my body is doing something amazing !

- My hormone levels have made me feel extremely mellow, and chill. More down to earth.

- The excitement of finding out the gender of our baby, hearing the heart beat, and anticipating that first movement of him or her!

- Planning for everything once the baby gets here.

- Day dreaming of the days, of teaching my children to snowboard and ski. Taking them hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, four wheeling, paint balling, soccer/football/baseball/dance/gymnastics/piano/guitar practice!!

My list seriously goes on...

As for the things I dislike about pregnancy...

- When parents complain about BEING parents to newly pregnant women, (particularly to people who are well established, and well prepared for a baby.) saying "Oh boy sure hope you're ready! You're life is over!" - no sleep, tantrums, constant crying, gross diapers, no time to yourselves yadayada yada- anything that deals with whining and moaning about parenthood drives me nuts. I know that parenthood isn't easy, I have a younger sister, I received a nice healthy dose of taking care of her to get a pretty good idea of what Jamie and I have prepared ourselves for lol..Parenthood is a GIFT. Making a family, it is precious. Nothing better than family. People who complain the way they do about it, whether to attempt to "freak" somebody out (which is seriously annoying, and yet kind of amusing.) Or just vent..(well then maybe they themselves just weren't ready. Or have other issues?) need to just quit! And be positive, and say nice things...Geeze!

- All the horrible aspects of pregnancy..And how it seems every other woman I meet wants me to be having them!!? The heartburn, the morning sickness, the fatigue, the water retention, the mood swings.... I try to sympathize...to those who are genuine...but to those who are envious (sad but true)...lol seriously..I don't wanna hear about it.

- And Jamie and I's choice to try for a natural childbirth. This one really seems to open up a can of worms..It has been quite amusing to listen to people's take on this. Well more of an annoyance! I am a low-risk healthy woman, and not afraid of the amazing things that my body can do...therefore I do not opt to have someone else "get my baby out." Too many doctors are too willing to take that responsibility and accomplishment from women who don't medically need it. I want to experience the fullness of birthing, like my mother, and my grandmother have. It is one of the most powerful and empowering experiences a woman can have. It is the most natural and amazing of experiences, and all women's bodies are uniquely suited and PERFECTLY capable of it!

Birth does not have to be an ordeal of pain and misery. My mother and grandmother both said they found it quite serene and joyous. ( My mom birthed a 10lb baby naturally!) Sure it is one of the most physical, and emotional experiences they had...but our bodies produce hundreds of hormones and other chemicals to get our babies from our bellies to our arms. When you know exactly what is happening and what to expect you can focus on allowing your body to do what it needs, and already knows how to do.

Yes most women will say birth does hurt.. but perceptions and experiences can change that pain vastly when you understand that it has a benefit, and ends with a purpose fulfilled. I have been learning about tons of methods to go with the flow of and actively assist, rather than fight my bodies work.

Everything I need is already within me, there are said to be "no great secrets when it comes to natural childbirth. It is more about unlearning fears and worries than about learning methods and techniques."

Women have been birthing naturally for centuries. Birthing was simply something women just did. They breathed, grunted, groaned, and moved around according to whatever position their body wanted to take. My body already knows what to do and how to do it. The main thing to learn is to let my body guide me.

A few more reasons I prefer to try birthing naturally:


1. Mothers who labor naturally can move freely, go to the bathroom, walk and change positions throughout labor. According to the Cochrane Review, recent studies have shown that getting medication makes changing positions during birth impossible, even after birth more difficult.

( where I am giving birth, in my birthing room I have a whirlpool. I will be able to freely move to and from during labor when I want, and or if I choose a water birth.)

2. Since you can feel your body's reflexes in natural childbirth, mothers can push better and generally faster. In fact studies show that getting an epidural prolongs your pushing time.

3. The pain during labor serves a purpose by guiding the mother to seek certain positions. For example, if her back hurts, she will naturally seek positions off her back which can help to turn her baby. Having back pain is one sign that the baby might be posterior and needs to rotate.

4. Mothers often describe that their recovery after a natural childbirth was faster and easier since they could get right up and walk and shower. Usually they eat right away and their appetite is normal.

5. Endorphins secreted during a natural childbirth have been found in the placenta and umbilical cord. This may serve a purpose to help the baby adjust to life outside as well as make the journey more comfortable for baby.

6. Research has shown that in mothers who have natural childbirth, babies are more alert and show more interest in pre-breastfeeding behaviours such as sucking and massaging the mother's breasts, as well as the actual length of time they spend nursing within the first 90 minutes.


No there is not a wrong way and a right way to birth a baby. Nor am I completely opposed to a an epidural, nor do I feel that it will make me less of a woman, or a wimp if I ask for it.

I have felt this way far before Jamie and I made the decision to get pregnant. We ourselves, and my Dr, are all on board and very excited for our birth plan!!

May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true.

( My little Buddah Bug age 2 )

Tonight I had some unexpected, happy, and yet scary news come my way!! My lil sister Katie Mae texted me and told me she had a boyfriend!! I was a bit shocked. Happy, excited, and scared. Of course I am happy for her, but the big sis in me most definitely came out tonight as well! It has been a crazy year for her....well for me, watching her grow up. She started her first year of high school last September. Turned 15 this last March, and is getting her drivers permit...and now a boyfriend...OH BOY!!

If you are reading this Katie..haha I am sorry if this embarrasses you. I don't mean to. This has just been an kinda an emotional event for me. And I need to journal this moment :O)

So of course I made her dish the details, name, hobbies, age, classes they have together :O)

Joe, baseball and 14. Yes my parents do know, and are OK with it, and my mother gave my sister THE TALK. haha. All of this REALLY put me at ease. But still, I had to give my little buddah bug the talk as well!! She is growing up fast. It really freaks me out sometimes!! Made me think of how I might react when Jamie and I's lil babies get to be that age...wowza...I am really beginning to understand what parents go through, and what children put them through!! OH MY!

( on the swing at our cabin in Oregon )

( Snowboarding trip to Mt. Hood )

( Parents home in Oregon, in their arena.

My lil cowgirl!! Takes after me!!! )

( Halloween )

( Quite the lil rider!! )

( Katers and my her bird Peanut! )

( Riding at my parents! )

( Katers and her mini horse Golden Nugget )

( Get 'er done girl! )

( <3 )

( Look out boys!!! )

( My BEAUTIFUL, TALLER, and YOUNGER sister )

We're Pregnant!

There was a lot more to February then I shared in my last update! The best birthday present that I received was a positive pregnancy test!!! Right before my birthday on the 17th of February, I took a pregnancy test. There were no reasons for me to take the test, and I had no symptoms, it had just been a few weeks since I last took one, and I was just curious! And then to my surprise, it came out positive!!!!

It was crazy. And I was confused as to how far along I was. Everything in January, and February cycle wise was completely normal. So I called my OB who told me to take a blood test with my regular family Dr, to confirm the pregnancy, and have a quantitative hCG blood test done to determine how far along I was.

I was told that I was about 4 to 5 weeks along at that point and time.

Finally made it into my OB 3 weeks later ( the longest 3 weeks of my life ) for our first official appointment, and ultrasound. I have been seeing Dr. Hansen in Evanston for a couple of years now. He is a wonderful Dr, so I have decided to continue with him throughout my pregnancy. He had prepared me for the ultrasound, and had told me that according to my blood work I was 7-9 weeks, but probably more like 7. Seeing as blood results can be off. So at that point he had told me we were probably going to be seeing what would appear as a "jellybean" on the screen. And that there MIGHT be some appendages, but that they might not show up as arms and legs quite yet.

So I was prepared to see my little "bean castillon" ( as the girls at work call him ) yes him...no I do not know the sex, this is just wishful thinking on our part :O)

Well then, the Doc got down to business, and then a baby popped up on the screen. Then Jamie spoke in awe...right after he spoke our little baby started wiggling and squirming around like CRAZY. And there were arms, legs, a head, and you could even make out a face! :O) He looked as if he were running in my womb! So active, it was unbelievable. Jamie and I were misty eyed, and in complete awe. Our little baby was so alive, and real, I finally felt pregnant! It was a blast watching him on the screen, I could have watched it all day. So cute. Then our little one did something I was not expecting. He stuck his fist in his mouth! And started pushing his feet and hands up against the walls. It was crazy. Then Dr. Hansen spoke up...saying "WHOA...wow...well lookey here, you are A LOT further along than I had anticipated." You are measuring....11 weeks.

It was a very welcome surprise!!!!

Jamie and I just couldn't believe what we had just seen. It was awesome sharing that moment with him. Definitely special.

So today I am 3 months along. And I have felt great! I haven't had any morning sickness. That was one thing throwing me off, I was expecting to be living with my head in the toilet. But not once have I got sick. I am very thankful for that! The only strong symptom I really had in the beginning of my pregnancy was lack of energy. I was just really tired for a couple of weeks. And that really was about it. Then I had a few other symptoms, tenderness, urinating frequently, and food preferences. And on the plus side, my skin never broke out! Actually have a nice glow. Phew!

Seems everything has balanced out now, and I feel spectacular! My energy levels are high, and I just all around feel great!!

Everything is just falling into place! Jamie has been wanting kids since the day we got married 4 years ago...but we also wanted to have things in our life established before we started a family, and we have for a couple of years now. It feels fabulous to start our lil family!! We had been trying to get pregnant since the beginning of August, and I was getting a bit flustered!!!

Summit has noticed a change. A month ago we began to notice that he has become a bit over protective of me. Especially when Jamie is not home at night. He definitely can sense that I am pregnant. And recently he has become obsessed with my belly! He always lays his head on my tummy now, and sniffs it, and even has begun to lick it. Quite odd at first, then cute, but now kinda annoying lol...but still adorable. Its just hard to get ready in the A.M when all he wants to do is corner me and hug my belly. :O)