American Fork Canyon

One thing I definitely miss about living in Utah is how beautiful it is in the Fall. Texas is still green and I don't even know if the leaves change but Utah is just a big painted splash of colours right now. I went up American Fork Canyon twice in my 10 day visit to get leaves for Maryse's wedding (they were part of her decorations and send off) and I'm so glad I took my camera both times! It was amazing! Ah I miss hiking up those mountains so bad... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Letters To Baby

Dear baby girl,

We are over 3/4 of the way there! Crazy huh? Doc said you're measuring perfect and weighing around 4.3 pounds. Yeah, you're getting huge. I had to have the flu shot for you the other day. And the Tdap 2 weeks ago so you dont get whooping cough. Did you know how much your mum hates needles? A LOT. My arm HURTS! So you better not get sick any time soon ok?

I also get to see you again for the 4th time the other day! Doc said my placenta was a little too close to your exit path for comfort during our last ultrasound so if it didnt moved then we would of had to c-section you out of there. But good news! That placenta moved right on out of there so we are super lucky on this one! I really didnt want to be all drugged up the first time I met you. As stupid crazy as it is I kind of want to feel the pain of bringing you into the world.. The bigger the sacrifice the bigger the reward, right? And plus I hear that it helps bond us and also help my body recognize that its had you so I heal quicker. I guess we will have to wait and see if all that is true or not though :) Your head is also already in the 'down' position but apparently thats the comfiest position for a 33 week baby. It just means that those little feet have access to my ribs alllll day long.. and night too...

Another bit of good news! You're still a girl. Your great-aunt Cathy had me kinda scared saying she thought you were a boy especially after I told her that the ultrasound lady didnt really get a good look at your gender scan.. But its ok! The collection of pink clothes we have collected for you can stay :)

I'm so excited for you to come! We have been trying to buy a house to bring you home to so you dont have to be squished with us in this little apartment but I dont think we will find one in time :( good thing you'll only be a couple feet tall so we should all fit here just fine I promise :) your dad and I actually set up the crib for you in our room the other day. We had to do a little rearranging but you fit! Nice and close to my side of the bed so I can get to you quick and easy.

We also took our first plane ride together since last time I wrote to you. I dont think you liked it very much though.. You were kicking and rolling like you never have before! Thanks for making my plane ride even more comfortable than it usually is :S you did keep me entertained though so I shouldnt whinge too much..
And want to know something else? While we were in Utah your Nan threw us a baby shower! There were a dozen people there making you cute little headbands. Here's some pictures

 

 

 

You really are just so spoiled! But only coz we love you.

Anyway 6 more weeks till your due date! Its coming up so quickly! Your dad and I have been trying to guess what you'll be like. I was 7 pounds 3 ounces and he was 10 pounds something, I was born with a lot of hair, he had none, I was 2 weeks early... you know.. just things like that :) not long till we find out!!

We love you little baby!

love your mummy

 

 

Hello Third Trimester!

I am officially in my third Trimester!!

Baby is about 14.5 inches long and roughly the size of a cauliflower. She is getting so big!

There is pretty much no where else for her to grow in my belly, its stretched to its max and yet we still have another 2 and a half more months of growing to do..

My clothes cant take any more.

And whats even more depressing is that I discovered my first stretch mark the other day :(

But at the same time I just cant believe what my body is capable of doing. It is making A PERSON.

A tiny little version of Maygan and Alex mixed. It blows my mind. It is legitimately a miracle what is happening inside me. And I am SO grateful! So the stretch marks and acne and exhaustion and lack of sleep are all just little souvenirs to mark the journey to a happy healthy baby. I'll gladly pay that price.

There is still so much preparing we have to do for her.
We need a crib, a car seat, winter clothes, bedding, bottles, bibs, blankets, diapers (still tossing up between disposable and cloth)
The list is ENDLESS! And I just dont know where to start.. or where to put it when we do get it. Our apartment is only 700sq ft and most of it is already taken up :(

We still have to go to a birthing class. Im actually putting that off coz Im terrified and Alex is no help because he thinks they are just a waste of money for information we can get from other people eg older siblings, parents, friends etc.

We also still need to do a tour of our hospital.. And I should probably make a birth plan but in all honesty I have no idea what the point of that is because once that baby's on its way out Im sure whatever I want will become negligable

Just typing this is making me more stressed so Im going to stop now..

You want to know something else thats happened to me lately?? 

 Pregnancy has given me ridiculous pet peeves.

Things that sound so stupid and would have NEVER bothered me before drive me completely bonkers now.

Things like...

When people cant walk the extra two steps to put a shopping cart back in the right spot, they just leave it sitting there in the middle of the lot right next to them. It just makes me so angry!! Lazy people!!

How one of my managers at work will jingle his keys EVERY time he is back on the line. And when he is out on the floor he will click a pen. I swear I am going to end up slapping him for it.

When people make jokes about my accent once they find out I'm from Australia.
If I have to hear "Put another shrimp on the barbie"
or "That's not a knife, THIS is a knife"
or even just the ol' "G'day Mate" in a terrible American-trying-to-sound-Australian accent one more time I might slap them too.
Seriously, what has gotten into me?
I know they are just trying to be humerous but It's getting harder and harder to fake that smile and laugh along..


I even annoy myself with my messy habits. Like how I get undressed and dont bother turning my clothes the right side out before thowing them in the laundry, only to have to do it once I take them out of the dryer and fold them. Why do I do that????


I havent been annoyed at Alex for anything (yetttt) which Im so thankful for because the thought of hurting his feelings over something as stupid as the above pet peeves just kills me inside. That poor man has enough of my food cravings and restless sleeping habits to deal with let alone anything else.
Oh, not to mention the crying.
Yeah it happened a couple weeks ago on a Sunday, I just woke up feeling sad. Got ready, went to church and as soon as we sat down in the pew I just started bawling for no reason. Poor guy didnt know what to do! And neither did I! I just couldnt stop it :( The looks people were giving me werent helping either. Yes, I'm pregnant, just leave me alone and I'll be fine..

Anyway, there is something else we wanted to announce.
Her name.
What's funny is that we chose our kid's names before we were even married so we've known her name for a loonnngg time now. But haven't told that many people.

Allira is an Australian name meaning 'gem'. I've loved the name for YEARS so I was pretty stoked when Alex said he liked it too :) (In all fairness he is the one that chose our boy's name that I turned out to like so it all worked out)

Melodi is my Mum's name. She is the best and I'd love for our baby girl to carry on her grandma's name.

And Cope for obvious reasons :)


Only 89 more days till your due date little Allira! We are kinda hoping you decide to come a week earlier during Thanksgiving break so then your daddy can have a week off just to be with us. But, you know, no rush or anything...

Oh and here is my 27 1/2 week baby bump. Forgive my goofy face, Ive never been photogenic haha