Albica

Disneyland Vacation

2012-01-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

The week in between Christmas and New Years we went with my family to California to go to Disneyland for three days. It was a trip that had been planned since last February and even though it had been planned for so long, my sisters and I really had no idea how we were going to pay for the whole trip. We're each in different seasons of life but one thing we all have in common is right now we're all...well, poor. It is what it is.

Well to our surprise, our main gift from our parents this year was they had planned to pay for the whole trip. Tickets, hotel, gas, food, pretty much everything. Needless to say many of us cried when we read the poem they wrote letting us know, including ahemAlbertahem.

The week we went was insanely busy, it was even in the papers here in AZ how busy it was. They even had to turn people away who came to buy new tickets. We were like sardines crammed into Disneyland but it was still a blast. Exhausting, but a blast. It was Ruby's second time but now she was old enough to actually understand and enjoy rides and stuff!

She surprisingly loved being in this carrier. We got it for Sophie but Ruby wanted to try and ended up loving it!

We only saw a few characters...but this was her face for every one

We were so exhausted at the end of each day!

Love.this.picture.

Having the girls there with us definitely made it more magical. The times I was having the most fun were when we were in Fantasyland, Toon Town, or A Bugs Life Land doing things that Ruby could do and watching her have so much fun. Kids really do make things more fun :)

It was such a fun trip, thanks Mom and Dad!

Christmas

2012-01-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was really fun. I really liked going to church on Christmas, it reminded me what it is all about. Our ward choir put on a beautiful musical program...that I enjoyed from the Mother's Lounge. The joys of a newborn :)

Before the actual day of Christmas though....

We went to McCormick train park in Scottsdale a few days before to let Ruby ride the train. She loves cars and trains right now so we thought she'd love it! The line was over two hours long though, so we went and rode the smaller volunteer train. She was stone faced the whole time but I think she really liked it.

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional party with my mom's side of the family. This year felt different though because it is the first Christmas without Papa. He's always been such a big part of our Christmas Eve traditions and loved to watch all his grandkids open presents. So this year, before going over Grammy's house for dinner and presents, we went and visited Papa. It was really special and I'm sure will become a tradition.

Ruby loved participating in the Secret Santa gift exchange between all the cousins. Technically they're all my first cousins, but ever since we older girls got married we got kicked out of the cousin exchange and now do the White Elephant exchange with the adults. So now our kids take our places!

Christmas Day was great. Since we had church at 2 we did all our present opening with the girls before we had to get ready for church. Christmas this year was simple, and small, but perfect.

Ruby loved opening her presents, even the clothes which I thought she would find boring. It's a good thing too because that's mostly what she got!

Bowling with daddy down the hallway

Then Sophie woke up and we opened presents with her.

Can you tell what our favorite gift was this year?

After church we went over to my parents house, where we got a big surprise and the girls opened their gifts from grandma and grandpa.

In hindsight, I don't know why I fretted so much about Christmas. I was so worried about what to get the girls and the fact that we couldn't get them much this year, or much for each other, but it ended up being a perfect day spent with family, laughs, tears, and a whole lot of love.

2011-12-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

I opened up my pictures this morning and discovered these:

I have no idea what camera they were taken with or why they're so fuzzy, but I'm kinda in love with them...these two melt my heart

Updated: they were taken with the webcam and right after I posted those pictures I discovered this gem: (when i uploaded it the sound got way off, but still cute nonetheless)

Yuletide Activities

2011-12-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

The past several years haven't really felt Holidayish to me.I'm not sure what it is, maybe just getting older, or busier, but it feels like probably as far back as high school the holidays are suddenly over and I never really feel like I got into them. Now that Ruby is getting older it's getting easier because she gets excited for things. So besides watching "choo choo" (The Polar Express) oh, like 30 times in the last week alone, here are some things we've been doing.

Helping decorate my parent's tree. Even though Amber and I are married and living out of the house, they still do it on a night we can all be there to help. I love this tree

Then going to get our own tree! All bundled up in their cute new hats and Sophie loving it as you can see

Ruby loved helping to put on all the ornaments

Ruby still loves when I plug it in and it gets all lit up. I love that this tree is full of ornaments from growing up, ornaments Albert and I have gotten together, and now the new tradition we're starting of getting a new box of ornaments every year. My family did that every year growing up, we'd go pick out a box every year and as we get married and move out we each get one from each year to put on our own trees. So all our trees still have a little bit of home :) Albert and I started that this year! Christmas will be small this year, but that's ok. We have our girls, each other, and plenty of other blessings. Oh, and leaving for a week long California/Disneyland trip the day after Christmas helps!

A Name and a Blessing

2011-12-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, December 4th, we had the opportunity to bless our sweet baby girl in church. Albert's parents and two of his brothers came in from California for it and it was so great to catch up with them, seeing as we only get to see them a couple times a year. Last time we saw them they didn't even know I was pregnant! Albert gave Sophie a beautiful blessing and blessed her with some really special things that I'll always remember. I jotted them down also so I could put it in her baby book and hopefully she'll cherish that when she gets older.

After the blessing we had a luncheon/dinner at my parents with our family and some friends. Thanks to those who were able to make it on this special day!

Sophie's dress is so special to me. Ruby's was too, because she was blessed in my blessing dress, but Sophie's is from my Grammy and Papa. My sweet Papa Millican passed away on July 20th, when I was 28 weeks pregnant. The next day I went with my mom and Grammy to get new clothes for him to be buried in, and this dress was hanging there. I commented on how pretty it was, and my Grammy asked if her and Papa could please get it for Sophie. We knew Papa was with Sophie now, preparing her to come to earth. Grammy even put that in his obituary after she listed all the other grandkids, which meant a lot to me. So Sophie will know that her great Grammy and Papa got her blessing dress for her. Grammy still says everything is from her and Papa, which I think is so sweet. She looked so beautiful in it.

Sophie and Grammy

2011-12-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

Ok...I promised details to come, not details to come soon. But seeing as Miss Sophie Bug is 7 (seven!) weeks old already, I better get to blogging. I have been wanting to tell her birth story, but again, seeing as she's seven (how did that happen?!) weeks old already and I have so much more to document, I'll make it brief.

-October 12, my due date, came and went. Much to my dismay.

-I had been at a 3 and 75% for 3 weeks but nothing was happening yet, so on Ocotober 15 I went grocery shopping with my mom and goofy golfing with my extended family that night. I was hoping the walking would put me into labor, but went to bed feeling nothing.

-I woke up at around 4:30 on the 16th, Sunday morning, to use the bathroom and couldn't fall back to sleep. I just laid there thinking and had a feeling I wouldn't be going to church that day and thought how badly I just wanted to hold my baby

-A little before 6 I started to say a prayer. I had a long talk with Heavenly Father about how I just couldn't do this anymore, emotionally, physically, I was just done. I prayed and said that if there was some great reason for her to not be here yet then I would wait, but if it was ok could he please let her come that day (I honestly said that day. I was desperate)

-I finished praying...and five minutes later had my first contraction

-From the very beginning they were consistent, and after a while I got up to see if changing positions would make them go away-really hoping this wasn't false labor!

-ate some cereal, started to shake and get really nauseous and they were coming every 5 minutes apart

-woke Albert up and told him I thought I was in labor and to please come out and be with me

-we watched a movie for a while and I thought I better go shower and get ready if this was really it. This was just before 8 and I remember thinking "it's already been two hours, this is going fast! I can do this!:

-since we had planned and prepared to go natural I wanted to labor at home as long as possible

-I got in the shower and being upright made them start coming really close together. I immediately started to get sick in the shower and had to lean against the wall to get through the contractions. I told Albert it was going fast and had him call my parents to come get Ruby

-got out of the shower and made it to the bed, my parents got there and entertained Ruby

-I stayed sitting on the edge of the bed in my towel for 45 minutes or so because every time I'd stand up it would get much more intense. Albert sat behind me and held me and we swayed through the contractions. Pushing the side of my face up to his seemed to help and just having him close to me got me through the contractions

-I finally put some clothes on and moved to the couch. Ruby was getting scared seeing I was in pain and started to cry so my dad took her and went to his house and my mom stayed there to be with me and Albert

-I don't know how long I sat on the couch breathing through the contractions but I would guess 20 minutes or so.

-suddenly everything changed and I knew I was transitioning because I was getting no relief between contractions and the pressure was so intense. I really didn't want to go to the hospital too early though so I kept saying no to Albert and my mom telling me we should go (in hindsight, had we left earlier, she could have been here sooner. I was like holding her in)

-finally when the pressure was so intense I felt like I could push, I realized we needed to go, and fast!

-we quickly got out to the car and my mom followed us to the hospital. It's a 25 minute drive and Albert was going like 70 down Lindsay to get there!

-about halfway there things changed again and I realized that she was coming and coming now so I really had to try to relax my body and ignore the urge to push

-got to the hospital, pulled up to the ER and he runs in to get a wheelchair and gets me inside, leaving the car running but my mom parked it for us thankfully

-there were like 4 people waiting in line ahead of us and Albert is waiting all politely, not saying anything to anyone, so I say "Albert tell them she's coming now!" Thankfully a nurse heard me and says, "oh is she having a baby?" My response, "NOW!"

-A nurse wheels me upstairs, completely bypassing triage, and I realize we hadn't called our midwife back! Albert starts to call her but we round the corner and there she is waiting for us. Thank goodness!

-get into a room, get up onto the bed, Diane checks and says, "you're complete! Next contraction go ahead and push!" (music to my ears!)

-a contraction hits me, I push, my water breaks

-with each contraction I pushed with everything I had, and even some in between contractions. Basically the pressure was so intense I couldn't not push, except for when her head was halfway out I suddenly lost the urge and they told me to and I said I can't!

-I definitely felt the ring of fire people talk about. It's such an intense feeling it was almost like having an out of body experience, like I could feel it but I was also witnessing it happening at the same time

-I pushed for ten minutes, and when the pressure/pain got so intense I didn't know if I could take anymore, I pushed with every bit of energy I had and there she was!

The relief I felt in that moment was indescribable. Physical relief obviously, but also an extreme sense of emotional relief. She was here, I did it, and I didn't have to wait anymore! They immediately placed her on my chest and the first thing I said was, "I did it!" This was such a huge thing for me because I was so scared to go natural. I wanted it so bad, and had prepared so much for it, but was so afraid I would back out at the last minute. But here she was, I had done it! I remember looking at my mom at the foot of the bed, and looking up at Albert with tears in his eyes, and down at Sophie, and being so, so, so proud of us. We had created this perfect little baby, out of the pure love in our hearts, and we had just worked together to bring her here. He was with me every step of the way. Going through that with him made me love him so much more, and seeing him look at her still makes my heart swell.

What I loved about this whole natural process was all the bonding we got to do. I didn't get that with Ruby, they whisked her right off to the warmer and I didn't get to hold her until she was about 20 minutes old. Sophie was placed right on my chest, the nurses quickly finished up and left us alone, and I nursed her right away. It was pure bliss.

After I nursed her and they did her measurements, my parents and sisters came in and brought Ruby in. Except Ruby didn't walk in, this big girl who looked like Ruby walked in instead. Where did my baby go?! Introducing her to her new baby sister was such a special moment, and we were now a family of four!

So that wasn't as brief as I intended, but there is just so much to share. This was such an intimate experience for me, I can't imagine having babies any other way now. Feeling what my body was made for, what Heavenly Father created it for, to bring children to this earth, was such an incredible experience. As intense as it may have been, it was worth every ounce of pain.

Since having Sophie our lives have changed tremendously, but all for the better. Ruby just adores her, and Sophie is definitely her baby.

And Albert and I kinda like her too...

She's Here!

2011-10-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sophie Ann Holmstrom

She came on October 16 (finally! 4 days late) at 10:10 AM

4 hours of labor, ten minutes of pushing

weighing in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces &

21 inches long!

TONS of dark hair

Absolutely perfect!

We couldn't be more in love. Details to come, I promise!

Day for the Dads

2011-06-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to my two favorite men!

This handsome young man, who is the best example of what a husband and dad should be,

And this lad I call my own, who is my best friend, and an exceptional husband and daddy!

I'm pretty lucky to call them mine!

Oooohhhh, We're Halfway There

2011-05-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Oooohhhh, livin' on a prayer!

Sorry, just had to throw out a little Bon Jovi

Can you really start singing that song without finishing that line?

Me neither.

And besides, it's totally relevant....

because we are {almost} halfway through this pregnancy over here!

Like 3 more days or something til 20 weeks so...

I'm callin it, halfway through baby!

Sorry for the extreme lack of posts.

I give you exciting news and then drop off the face of the earth for almost a month.

We moved and no longer have internet access so I can only blog at my parents, and every time we go over I'm too lazy to cart my laptop over there.

But...I'm keeping in tradition and leaving you with more exciting news.

Wanna see the cutest little profile EVER?!

Is it just me, or does LITTLE MISS look like SHE'S from Whoville?

Cutest nose ever!

Yes! Come October we will be having another little girl join the family,

and we could not be more thrilled.

We knew it, just KNEW it!

Now if October just wasn't so far away....

Looking Forward

2011-04-26T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today... today should have been a hard day.

Today was my due date, for the baby we lost back in October.

Now I know due dates aren't always spot on,

but this means that sometime around now I would have another little baby in my arms.

Ten more tiny fingers and toes to love on.

Two more little cheeks to kiss on.

Another baby to steal my heart.

No one ever tells you about the complete and utter emptiness you feel after a miscarriage.

It's a dark, dark time.

I would think I was fine, and then it would wash over me stronger than the previous time and I'd find myself drowning in the sadness of it all.

But, if I know anything, it's that Heavenly Father has a plan for me.

And for this baby.

I know we'll see it again.

And with that knowledge, I have found peace in this.

I strive to stay positive, looking forward, toward the better things that lie ahead.

So today, we celebrated this baby.

We got some white balloons, and the whole family headed to the park to release them.

Little notes were written and attached,

even Ruby wrote a love note for her little brother/sister

My little family basked in the moment, knowing we would all be together again one day,

and then we released the balloons, and our sadness with them.

This was a day of celebration

We all watched as our love floated up with these balloons to meet our baby in the heavens

We watched until they turned into tiny white specks against a blue sky, and then disappeared, taking our love notes with them

Of course I had my moment of sadness, but it passed quickly and I was filled with an overflowing amount of love, hope, and trust that all is well

So I hugged my family, kissed my babe and baby, and smiled.

Because this was a celebration after all.

So what should have been a hard day, turned into a celebration of something beautiful, something so much bigger than all of us, and that is His plan.

We will see our baby again, and until that day, we love you baby.

So we'll continue looking forward, always to better things.

And it helps when you have something to look forward to....

Because did you notice? Were you paying attention?

No? Take a closer look....

16 week Baby Bump!

ALWAYS TO BETTER THINGS

Rookie Mistake

2011-04-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

I just changed Ruby girl's diaper.

A nice, stinky one.

I got her all wiped down and changed, as quick as I could before she tried to flip over and get poop on the wall.

Then I picked her up and began to playfully bounce her as we walked out of the room.

It was then that I realized,"why is your leg so wet and clammy?"

And then I realized that my hand was resting under her butt.

Her bare butt.

Yep, I totally forgot to put another diaper back on!

Ha. I got a good laugh out of it.

Silly me....

Big Bear

2011-04-10T22:12:00.000-07:00

This is super late and a total catch up post, but it's worth catching up on.

Back in February we went to Big Bear California and stayed in a cabin with my family.

Besides Ruby and I both having mega colds,

it was a fabulous time!

It was super freezing and snowed the whole time!

Ruby experiencing her first snow fall! She was a little snow bunny in that outfit

Albert found this SWEET little snow suit in the back of the closet...

and it fit perfectly! I about died when I saw it on her!

It snowed so much several times that we literally got snowed in and it took several hours for my dad to shovel us out so we could go somewhere

Ruby didn't really know what to think about being pulled around

But she did really like these goggles!

It was a really fun, relaxing few days. We watched movie after movie, ate so much good food, slept more than I have in a long time, and a whole lot of snuggling!

I wish I had more pictures of the trip, like our sledding adventure when we found a sweet hill in someone's front yard and made ourselves at home with our sleds. It didn't end well for Rubes though...considering my sister had to literally pull her poor little body out of the snow after we flipped and my entire body landed on top of her and flattened her like a melted snowman! So, so sad :(

But besides that, a really succesful trip!

Family Pictures

2011-04-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone...I advise you all to breathe...we're all alive over here.

Whew.

I know you were all worried!

My computer is on it's way to meet it's maker...

and I don't mean Dell.

It's kicking the can and hardly lets me upload pictures without inducing an unhealthy amount of frustration and anger and it's all I can do to keep from chucking it into the wall.

And let's be honest...what's a post without pictures?

So I have a ton of posts to try and catch up on, and I have the best intentions for that to happen.

Key words: best intentions.

Moving on....

A few months ago, as an anniversary present to each other, we got our family pictures taken.

The super lovely, and I'm not just saying that, she's really a gem,

Connie was kind enough to squeeze us in before her big move to Kentucky.

We could not be more in love with them!

I also could not be more in love with this little toothy grin

These are just a few of my favorites.

Really, they were all great.

I would upload them all...but remember....compy sucks.

These will always and forever be some of my favorite pictures.

I was so happy she could capture the emotions and love we have for our little girl!

Thank you Connie!

Two

2011-03-08T20:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Albert and I had our two year anniversary.

TWO. YEARS.

We were supposed to go out of town, but he only got Friday off and Sunday off...with no Saturday off.

So we scrapped that idea.

We didn't do anything spectacular, but we spent almost the whole day together, which almost never happens!

So it was still a perfect day.

From day one, Albert has kept me laughing. It's what I love about him.

We gave each other a B-E-A-utiful daughter

And he's just my best friend.

I wouldn't have ever pictured myself with someone like him, which is why it works.

Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing.

We compliment each other, and he takes care of me.

I'll spare you all the mushy gushy details, I simply wanted to say:

Albert, I love you more than anything.

Thank you for giving me the best two years of my life.

Here's to many more....ya?

2011-02-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

I love this little round faced, rosy cheeked, wide eyed beauty that I get to spend every day with.

I sure love my girl.

A Big Birthday Party For A Big Birthday Girl

2011-01-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend we threw a birthday carnival for my birthday girl.

It was weeks in the making and in my opinion, it went smashingly!

I bought a kit on Etsy which allowed me to print off everything and put it together.

Invitations, decorations, party hats, signs, and pretty much everything else you need for a carnival birthday.

I was exhausted after it was over, but it was so worth it!

Ps: I never thought I'd be that mom that throws the massive party for their kid that won't even remember it. But I am, and I loved how it all turned out!

The birthday girl coming out to see her party

I love this dress I found in an antique store a few weeks ago. The red and white stripes reminded me of a vintage circus

The dessert table, and a very festive great grandpa.

I LOVE how her cake turned out, and I kept the mini banner to put in her baby book.

Carnival games

Awesome friends making popcorn and cotton candy, which was a hit!

Rubes loved the bean bag toss we made

We also set up a photobooth with tons of fun props for the guests to take pictures, and I'm going to send them out with the thank you cards. It was a big hit!

And this awesome couple flew in from California JUST for Ruby's party! How amazing is that?!

Kristen is one of my best friends and Ruby's godmother (ya ya, I know Mormons don't really have godparents, but whatever, Ruby does, and Kristen is amazing at it.)

(ps I don't know why these look so washed out on blogger, they look normal otherwise)

Ruby was showered with lots of great presents from friends and family, and then we stripped her down to her skivvies and let her have at her cake!

Which she obviously really enjoyed!

I really couldn't have been happier with the way it all turned out.

Everyone seemed to have a great time, kids and adults alike, and despite Ruby being super tired and clingy, I think she had a fun time too.

We love our Ruby girl!

1

2011-01-27T07:53:00.000-08:00

Today, my baby girl turns one.

ONE.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad.

She has grown up so fast!

It seems like just yesterday I was here:

And now we're here:

Ruby Mae brings me so much joy and happiness every day.

I am completely enamored with her.

Her smile, her laugh, her kisses, her constant wonder at this big world around her.

And I want to give her the whole world.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always.

For all of eternity, my baby you'll be.

Scrunchies Are In

2010-12-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

I love my scrunchie faced girl

Mother Nature

2010-12-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

had a present waiting for me when I woke up this morning. (finally!)

I didn't even have to get out of bed to know what it was...the feeling that little humans were dancing on my insides and trying to crawl their way out of my body told me just what I needed to know.

It's aaalllll gooooddd though.

This means we're on our journey to eventually have #2, take two.

Here's to hoping it'll be sooner, rather than later. :)

Ps: it also isn't so bad because I woke up with Little Miss's bum in my face.

I love her in bed with me

Shmoctober

2010-11-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

is over.

And I realized I pretty much only posted about our loss.

Downer.

While it was pretty much what consumed most of our thoughts, emotions, and energy for the month, there were also many many good things that happened in October.

And before I forget all of them, I want to quickly recap the highlights...considering Turkey Day and Christmas are literally around the corner.

Every October my mom's whole side of the family does the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk in celebration of our Grammy who is a 5 year survivor! I not only walk for Grammy, but for my mom, my sisters, myself, and now for my baby girl.

4 generations:

Then a few days later my mom, sisters, and myself had the opportunity to go to Time Out For Women.

My great dad got us a hotel for the night so it was a girl's weekend! There were laughs, tears, and even some wetting of the pants! {not it!}

(stupid blogger rotated it)

We also go to the demolition derby every year at the state fair.
Oddly enough, for a family of girls, we really enjoy this!
Nothing better than the smell of grease everywhere, indian fry bread (which for the second year in a row made me sick. thankfully though this year didn't include barfing in those sick nasty bathrooms), and cars slamming into each other!

And yes, I was in a wheelchair. This was just a few days after passing and I was still so weak there's no way I would have lasted walking around all day.
Doctor's orders!

Then came Ruby girl's first Halloween! She was a ladybug-meets-fairy-princess-thing. Not quite sure, but at least she looked cute! We went to our neighborhood carnival....

then finished up that night by having our annual family pumpkin carving! This year we made it into a contest!

Ruby girl cheered us on from the sidelines...

And I won! Dwight Schrute is always a winner...and Erik is always the creeper in the background.

On actual Halloween we just passed out candy with my parents...and as you can see someone had a good time!

And to end the Halloween season, we went to a party with a bunch of our friends. It was really a lot of fun!

We had Simon & Garfunkel, Buddha, Doc Brown, Ricky Bobby, some tourists, a sexy pirate, and I'm not sure what Albert and I were doing...but can you tell what we went as?

Hint: our shirts say "So Bright" & "So Vivid."

All in all, when trying to look at the positive side of things, October was good to us!

My Ruby Blue

2010-11-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

Ruby loves me.

Like, she reaaaallllyyy loves me.

Lately I'm the only one she'll go to, and sometimes she likes to literally stay up ALL night because the second I put her in her crib she screams hysterically and says mama mama over and over, forcing me to drive around at 2 am to put her to sleep, only to have her wake up and hour later ready to play, leaving me very very grumpy and passed out on the couch while grandpa plays with her until six thirty am.

And then I come home from the procedure (rescheduled to today) and all she wants is mama mama mama.

I love it, I do. It melts my heart and makes me exhausted all at the same time.

And then, I discover pictures like this. (thanks Mandy!)

And I forget about the exhasution part, and my heart just turns into a pile of mush on the floor.

This Week's Schedule:

2010-11-01T09:11:00.001-07:00

*Blood transfusion

*D&C

*Papa's skin cancer surgery

Bring. It. On.

Is It...

2010-10-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

too early to start dressing the wee one in Halloween garb?

Me thinks not.

Onesies and skirts...

(good thing that's a onesie or it wouldn't be the only thing playing peek-a-boo, if ya know what I'm sayin....)

Halloween jammies...

compelete with ghost feet

and am I the only parent that thinks it's adorable when their babies cry, and instead of pick them up right away, grab the camera?

And there are plenty more Halloween outfits to still wear. And there may be a witch's hat to subject her to. Good thing we've still got a few more weeks in October...

On an unrelated note....does the babe look ANYTHING like her mama? All I ever hear is how she looks exactly like daddy...there has to be some of me in there somewhere!

And on another unrelated note....the wee one wore jeggings today. Jeggings.

Awful name? Yes.

Adorable on her? Absolutely.

The Unknown

2010-10-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

I don't have all the answers.

I don't know when this whole ordeal will be over.

I haven't passed anything yet and therefore still have all my pregnancy symptoms including but not limited to: nauseau, fatigue, hunger, back pain, and oh ya that pregnancy bump.

It's frustrating, really, not knowing "when."

I don't know when we'll have another baby.

I don't have all the answers.

But, I know someone who does.

And I've turned everything over to Him, knowing I'm in good hands.

Until then I rely on a little face around here for my sunshine.

I don't know why blogger turned this one.

I don't know what it is, but I love watching her play and laugh and crawl in her jammie jams. I just think she looks so cute in them.

She makes going into the unknown a lot more bearable.

2010-10-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

Dictionary.com defines a miscarriage as: the expulsion of a fetus before it is viable, esp. between the third and seventh months of pregnancy; spontaneous abortion.

Babycenter.com defines a miscarriage as: the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks.

It should say: a loss of a piece of you, a piece of your whole being, of who you are in the first 20 weeks.

To me, miscarriage means: a piece of your world crashing down as you stare at the ultrasound, trying to make sense of what you deep down know you're seeing, and trying to fill in the spaces of what they're not saying.

It means crying on a table while your husband holds your hand and tries to be strong, only to break down himself on the long drive home.

It means your family crying with you and not knowing what to say because really, nothing can be said to take this away.

It means constant tears, whether it be 3 pm or 3 am, because I don't really know what else to do but cry.

It means praying every five minutes and thanking Heavenly Father for the healthy 8 month old squirming in your arms.

It means tears as I shakily try to type this up.

It means really trying hard to summon the faith that you know you have somewhere to get through this.

It means, as My Albert said, another reason to look forward to the next life.

I miss you already, baby. Your dad and I were so excited for you. But I know this is all part of Heavenly Father's plan, and we'll see you again. Until then, I love you.

Many thanks in advance for all the love and support.

Washer & Dryer

2010-09-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

We're selling our washer and dryer since we are moving and don't need them anymore.

They're both in great condition!

$300 for the pair

If interested please email me at erica.neel@asu.edu

Ericaisms

2010-09-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

My husband grabs me. A lot.

Not in a playful way, or a...other way.

(you know what I'm talking about, don't act like your husband doesn't try that)

In a oh-crap-I-have-to-change-my-unders-AND-the-sheets-because-I-think-I-just-wet-myself way.

I roll over a lot when I sleep. A LOT.

I'm ten weeks in and already can't ever get comfortable.

And without fail, almost every night starting about 2 weeks ago, at some point in the night when I go to roll from facing him to facing away from him, he bolts up and grabs me frantically.

I'm not sure what his deal is. He says he thinks I'm falling off the bed.

Well apparently Saturday night I had had enough.

We were driving home from California yesterday and started talking about how he had grabbed me the night before. He relayed the conversation to me:

Me: rolling over

Husband: frantically grabs me

Me: frantic breathing, death glare, "If you grab me one more time, I will punch you in the face."

Husband: ".....ok"

A few hours later, I go to roll again. This time, pre roll, I turn to husband:

Me: "DO. NOT. GRAB. ME."

I can't be blamed for my harsh words.

I already think the girl from the ring/grudge/sixth sense/any other scary movie is going to pop up beside my bed at night and grab me, actually being grabbed in the night isn't making my extreme paranoia any better.

Dose of Ruby

2010-09-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

I've recently been informed that I don't post enough pictures of our little booger.

Yes, that's what she's called around here. Thanks to My Albert.

Booger, Boogs, Booger Face, it's all in the mix. Don't ask...

I was thoroughly perplexed. Isn't that all this blog has become?! A shrine of The Rubes?

But...I went back through and realized they're right. I haven't even posted a picture of her since July!

Gasp!

If Ruby is what the people want, Ruby is what they'll get!

Which means, picture overload.

Consider yourself warned.....

Here's what The Rubes has been up to:

Sometimes, she's shocked that I don't do the laundry

And sometimes, she just looks darn cute (all the time)

Sometimes she looks like I never comb her hair

And sometimes she likes to play peek a boo (and have a blingin' earring)

Sometimes she gets impatient waiting for that next bite

And sometimes(most of the time) she goes pantless. And sometimes I take diagonal pictures for no reason

She likes to practice kissing. At 7 months. Looks like I've got a trouble maker on my hands!

Sometimes daddy wants to play with her in the rain. So he did! And he liked it!

(If you can name that movie we're automatic best friends)

And sometimes she liked to be tossed in the air

And look like Chuckie while she's flying (please oh please oh please zoom in on these. Her face is priceless)

Sometimes she parties too hard

And sometimes her short hair cooperates and lets me put a clip in it!

Sometimes she rocks the overalls circa 1998

And sometimes she grows a bead beard

Sometimes she looks like Aunt Jemima

And sometimes we don't wipe her face after lunch, then let her play in a cardboard box. Because we're that ghetto

AND! Ruby is the most flexible little 7 month old I've ever seen. I swear she has double jointed hips. A few weeks ago she started being able to go from a laying to sitting position. BUT! She has her own way of doing things. She doesn't do the ol' roll to the side and push herself up thing, oh no no. She has to be unique. She starts out on her belly:

pushes her legs straight out to the side in the splits:

pushes herself back using her arms:

and TADA!

It's really funny to watch. She can do it so fast. Up, down, up, down. To go back down to her belly she just swings them back out to the splits and pulls them back around her. If I can figure out how to upload my videos onto the computer I'll show you!

So there you have it people.

You asked, I answered.

Ruby is growing like a weed. The other day at the doctor she was almost 21 pounds!

And she's super duper clingy lately, just to me. If I put her down or walk out of eyesight she goes ballistic like someone is sawing off her legs. It's ridiculous, really. But, I'll never have this time back with just my Ruby girl, so I'm trying to soak up as much of it as possible. I know the next 7ish months will fly by and she will be Big Sister Ruby, and as excited as I am for this new baby, I'll miss it just being me and her. (And My Albert, of course, but you know what I mean)

That's it I've gotta go snuggle her right now...

Hello, my name is Myrtle

2010-09-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Fertile Myrtle.

My Albert brought up the idea of trying to have another baby.

And then we held hands.

And 3 weeks later, there I was.

Staring at 2 little blue lines and thinking, "Man that happened fast."

That's how it happened with Ruby too.

Yes, I am with child.

Yes, this was planned.

Yes, Ruby was only 6 months old when the No Vacancy sign once again was hung on my womb.

Yes, I am aware some people think we're crazy.

Do I care? No.

Are we beyond excited? Yes.

In other news, if anyone is in need of a 2 bedroom apartment or knows of someone that is, let me know.

We'll be moving at the end of this month and we're hoping, praying, and crossing our fingers and toes that if we can find someone to replace us, they might give us our deposit back.

2 bedrooms

1 bathroom

Duplex, ground level, feels more like a little house

Cute white fence out front & small yard

Washer/dryer hookup

Wonderful neighborhood, EXCELLENT ward

(let's not talk about us having to leave the ward...I might start crying)

$600 + utilities

Ch-Ch-Changes

2010-08-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

There is a new man in my life.

Well, I wouldn't say new, I did have a relationship with him once.

You could say we got pretty close.

My Albert didn't really like me inviting him around the first time, let alone inviting him back.

But I've gotta follow my heart on this one. I need him.

He's so soft and warm and is the best cuddler.

He's been there for me, through the thick and thin.

The late nights.

The early mornings.

He's the best kind of friend a girl could have in a time like this.

I'm sorry honey, but I win on this one.

Thomas is back.

But don't worry honey, it's only 8 more months......

Home Sweet Sale

2010-08-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

This sale is going to be amazing. I love this sale blog and am constantly swooning over the things they post. The blog is listed under my "Lovelies" tab, check it out because they have some super cute stuff!

Update!

2010-08-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hey! Mae Flowers is updated with tons of new headbands to check out! Get yours now!

A New, Improved Erica

2010-08-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

So...I am pretty much a sham. A dud. Whatever you want to call it, I have really dropped the ball on something. It's actually very exciting news!

I'm pregnant!

Sike! Or psyche? How do you spell that in that context? Doesn't matter, because I'm not pregnant.

BUT! Something very exciting IS going to happen to me! Beginning of 2011 I will be a new person. You heard me. This sister, daughter, friend, wife, mother extrordinaire is turning into a full fledged AUNT!

I know, right? Pretty legit.

Here's the part where I dropped the ball though. I forgot to mention this until just now! It's not like my sis peed on the stick yesterday, contrare, she is in fact 18 weeks along! AND as if that isn't awesome enough, she found out yesterday what she is having. AND to make things even MORE awesome, she found out her fetus has MAN PARTS! Did you hear me? Man parts! As in, it's NOT A GIRL!

I was beginning to think this family couldn't do anything but girls, but we are so super stoked to have a little man in our midst. Besides our dad and the son in laws, they don't count :)

SO. I am embarking on an adventure unknown to me until now. I've been a mom, now I get to be an aunt. And I could not be more excited!

But since I'm not the one birthing him, I guess I should give a shout out to the one who is! CONGRATS AMBER AND ERIK! You're going to be super duper parents. And I am, of course, going to be a super duper aunt to your little stud. And him and Little Miss will grow up being the best of friends. Oh and just a word of advice, I would invest in some of those peepee teepees. Take it from someone who has been sprayed by urine, it ain't pretty. And Ruby's a girl! Imagine what those little boy parts could do!

PS: What's that? You want to see a picture of Amber's adorable-way-smaller-than-i-will-ever-be-at-18-weeks-along-baby-bump? And photos showcasing that he is in fact a little man? Well ask and ye shall receive!

So cute.

2010-08-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

I've made some really stupid choices.

But he wasn't one of them :)

Tender Moments Part 2

2010-07-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

As a mother, and specifically as Ruby's mother, I am constantly having little tender moments that remind me how good my life is.

She shows me everyday, in her own little way, how much she loves and relies on me.

Lately, I've been especially grateful for the tender moments she shares with her daddy.

Ever since she was born, if they're together and they're quiet, I can count on walking in to see that they've fallen asleep together or she's fallen asleep on him.

And not just together, but always in some cute cuddly fashion.

Ruby doesn't cuddle. Unless she doesn't feel good, THEN she'll cuddle with me. Any other time, forget it(although I wish she would)

I'm not exaggerating when I say he is the ONLY person she does this with. He's the Ruby Whisperer.

(same shirt, different days)

And just today I walked in from Visiting Teaching to find this. He's got a way with her

Ruby sure loves her daddy

Representin'

2010-07-24T23:51:00.000-07:00

Here in the Holmstrom household we know how to celebrate right!

Ya know, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, St. Patty's Day, Columbus Day, Groundhog Day, Boxing Day...we don't discriminate.

Why should PIONEER DAY be any different?!

This is the place, my friends. This is the place

(Thank you Baby Gap for this luscious display of pioneerness)

Plea to Father Time

2010-07-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Miss Ruby thinks she's big or somethin'

She:

eats hamburgers,

strategically plays cards,

AND

sits up.

WHAT?! Excuse me?! I did not sign up for this! I signed up for nursing, cuddling, cooing, rocking, and all things associated with babies. BABIES. Not 5 {almost 6 :( } month olds who think they're 5 YEARS old. Where in the contract did it say they would grow up?

So please Father Time....keep my baby a baby for just a liiitttlllleee{lot} longer!

Slowing Down Time

2010-07-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

...is the name of the game lately. Or at least I'm trying to, considering Miss Ruby is almost SIX MONTHS OLD! Ugh. Just saying that makes me sad. Where did she get permission to grow up?! She started rolling over just before her 5 month mark, and now she's eating "solid" foods. Does rice cereal and oatmeal count as solid? Eh, if you ask me, if it's not boob juice or formula it's solid, and it is so weird actually feeding her with a spoon. I feel like she's 5 months going on 5 years and she's already too old! The first time I tried rice cereal she didn't really like it...

The second time went a little better, although I think more ended up her nose than in her mouth...(ps...look. at. those. BOOBIES! ha! kills me...)

The third time we tried oatmeal, and it went really well! She was lunging for the spoon and yelling every time she would take a bite, My Love and I were just dying!

I love this little girlie more than anything, I just want her to stay my little lovey forever! I mean honestly....couldn't you just eat her up?!

And lastly, have I ever shown how Lovey sleeps? I don't think I have. It's absolutely hysterical. Ever since she was born she would sleep with her arms up by her head like a goalpost, but at around 2 months she started doing this:

She tucks them under her head! Not next to, UNDER! That's how you know she's really relaxed is when those arms get up behind her head. Ahhh this girl...she is the cuteness

Check. It. OUT!!

2010-07-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone Mae Flowers is finally up and running!! Eventually it'll be moved to a real, more professional site, or at least a more professional blog, but until I have the time and fundage to do that this will suffice! So please please please head on over to

rubymaeflowers.blogspot.com!

In the near future I'll be adding more belts, bracelets, necklaces, and lots more fun stuff so check back often!

Hoping and Wishing

2010-07-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

that I win this giveaway!

Because remember this post?

Well, things are almost up and running! I've been working hard and things are almost ready to go, but a custom label for the site and lovely labels would make things so. much. cuter!

Slash I have no mula for them otherwise so the site is dull and the products are without labels, but if all my wishes come true then I'll win!

Cross your fingers for me, will ya?

14

2010-07-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

...is the number of stitches My Love had to get in his forehead 2 weeks ago.

A crash, clang, bang, boom head on into another truck

and a visor to the forehead makes for a pretty wicked scar.

But don't worry...he's still dashingly handsome!

AAAANNNDDDDD...

2010-06-28T07:25:00.001-07:00

...this one. Do you own TOMS? Do you love TOMS? You should. They're like heaven on your feet. I'm just sayin...

Really Really REALLY

2010-06-27T22:11:00.001-07:00

want to win this giveaway! I la la LOVE Vintage Pearl!

My Love

2010-06-21T23:13:00.001-07:00

To My Love,

I know this is a day late, and you'll probably never see this because you don't read my blog, but I want to say it anyway:

I love you.

Yesterday was your first official Father's Day with a child. Last year didn't count, since I was pregnant and sick as a dog and wrote "get yourself The Office Season 5. Happy Father's Day" on the bottom of the grocery list because I was too lame and sick to go myself. But of course, as is your style, you didn't utter a word of complaint. I tried to make this Father's Day much better for you, especially because it was your birthday as well.

Happy Birthday My Love.

You have made me happier than I ever thought I could be. You loved me when I thought I was broken. You love me so much now even when I don't deserve all the love you give me. You are patient, kind, generous, humble, smart, funny, handsome, and you make me....MORE ME.

You are an amazing father to Our Lovey. You have exceeded all of my expectations for you as a father. I knew you would be a good dad, but you are even better than I could have ever imagined. The love you have for our little girl amazes me every day, and she loves you so much. She told me :)
Thank you for everything you are as a husband, father, priesthood holder, and as my best friend.

Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday My Love!

Teaser

2010-06-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

So... you like this?

The clip, not the adorable winking child. You can't have her!

Or these?

Or this?
Well you're in luck! Soon I'm going to be selling them and you can have one too! Headbands, hair clips, necklaces, belts, bracelets, etc etc etc.

Get excited!

I know I am!

Baldy

2010-06-18T10:52:00.001-07:00

I have always had ridiculously thick hair. I love it. Wait, I hate it. I've never been able to decide.

It's a pain in the butt to do sometimes, and my mom used to buy me shampoo and conditioner for horses, but it makes for pretty hair once it's done.

And then I got married, and for some reason my hair started falling out.

Stress? Lack of sleep? I have no idea, but it literally started falling out a ton once I got married.

Then I was pregnant and it slowed a little but would still fall out a lot.

Then I birthed this little beauty:

bahahahaha this picture makes me laugh every time I see it. She used to make the best faces!

And this started happening:

Oh this is nothing. You should see when I'm in the shower. Except...that would mean you'd have to be in the shower with me, and that ain't happening. You can keep on dreamin'

You should see my tile floor, the area I get ready, my shower walls, my pillowcase, my carpet (I pretty much forbid anyone to sit on our floor because it's so bad. Our vacuum is broken, but the carpet hides it...unless you're down near the carpet. Don't look). Pretty much we're living in hair.

It's everywhere! I can feel my hair thinning out because it falls out in chunks. A friend a few weeks ago said it is looking thinner. Blast.

So basically what I'm saying is, if you see a bald woman runnin around Mesa with a baby that looks like the one pictured above, don't be alarmed.

It's just me and Rubes.

Giveaways

2010-06-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

I would really really love to win this giveaway! (scroll down to the bottom) The aqua and red one would look so darling in My Lovey's room and I've been swooning over it for a while now.

Also, this one. From the same shop and I La La Love them. :)

I'm funny, I know. :)

We Start 'Em Young

2010-06-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night My Lovey and I headed out to good 'ol Phoenix for the Diamondbacks game with my parents. This is a typical Friday night for us, hangin' with the rents while My Love works. Exciting? You know it. We first stopped off at a little hole in the wall mexican restaurant that my parents love, but to be honest, all it did for me was make me pass enough gas to power a hot air balloon. Carolinas, me and my intestines will probably not be back to visit.

But I digress...the most important thing is that this was My Lovey's first Diamondbacks game! First of any kind of sport actually. AND...she got to wear her first D-Backs tee! And she looked so adorable. My family has been big D-Backs fans right from the beginning, so naturally we had to start Lovey off as a fan when she was young! She did so good, she loved all the lights and sounds that were going on. I wish My Love could have been there to see her enjoy it. I so appreciate all his hard work and how much he does to provide for me and Ruby, working two jobs so I can stay home with her, but the practically a single mom thing can get lonely sometimes. And I know it's hard on him having to miss so many moments with her. But anyway, back to the game.

We hung out...

Enjoyed the game...

Napped a little bit...

Quilted...

And hung out with grandpa...My Lovey is such a grandpa's girl, it's really cute how much she lights up when he's around!

Even though the D-Backs lost, it was still a really fun night! Thanks mom and dad for letting us tag along!

Little Fish

2010-06-16T11:49:00.001-07:00

On Memorial Day we took The Rubes swimming for the first time. At first she was a little apprehensive, but then she loved it! (Not to mention it was right in the middle of nap time, so if she wasn't so enthralled in everything going on she would have been a total crank!) She looked just delicious in her little swimsuit! She's still a little small for her floatie so we just eventually took her out because she was frustrated that she couldn't sit up.

We hung out most of the time in the hot tub, minus the hot, because she loved all the bubbles.

It was such a fun time and I'm sure we'll be doing it a lot more this summer!

Don't look at my chest. Total cleavage. I need to add material so it goes up higher. Pervert, I know you just totally looked, I told you NOT to look!

Wanted: Dishwasher

2010-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Ok...I get that this neighborhood was built in the fifties.
I get that we live in a "Historic District," and I'm cool with that.
But when you own some apartments in 2010, can you please, please, PLEASE update and put in a dishwasher?!

Washing dishes is the bane of my existence. I loathe it. I'd rather have the fleas of a thousand camels infest my armpits than wash dishes by hand. Which results in this:

And then I spend forever washing them all, which leads to this:

...and this...

....AND this...

Call me lazy, but I'd much rather spend 5 minutes loading those suckers into a dishwasher and spend the other 85 staring at my cute child. There's an hour and a half of my life I'll never get back.

And...before you think it, because I know you were about to...I am well aware of the ghetto-ness that is our kitchen "curtains." Being able to see out a window when it's dark outside makes me practically wet myself with fear so this was our quick fix when we first moved in. 2 months later and we're still rockin' it. I'll get real ones someday...

Like Father, Like Daughter

2010-05-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

I walked in from a church meeting a while ago and found this in our bed.

Brings a smile to my face every time I see it.

My goodness...I am a lucky girl

Family Night

2010-05-25T17:46:00.001-07:00

Oh how I love My Love and My Lovey.

My Love doesn't have a lot of time off, and he hardly ever has Monday nights off. Well this past Monday, he did. So we lived it up, Holmstrom style. AKA low key dinner and hanging out. But, considering we never eat dinner together, this is heaven to me.

We grilled chicken, made some pasta, and feasted til our bellies were full!

We watched Baby Einstein. (soooo boring by the way! how does that ever hold their attention??)

We played on the floor.

There were lots of kisses

And giggles. Yes! Lovey giggled for the first time on Monday! Music to my ears...

Then we read a goodnight story...

And it was off to bed for My Lovey...

We finished with ice cream and an intense round of Phase Tenage. Which of course I kicked My Love's tooshie in!

I lalalove my little family

Tender Moments

2010-05-20T18:18:00.001-07:00

Last night, Ruby started to cry in her crib.

I went in to put her pacifier back in and after I did I just softly rubbed her cheek a few times. She reached up with her tiny little hands and just held my hand to her cheek.

I melted.

I love being her mother.

Weekend of Awesomeness

2010-04-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was pretty much awesome. We were supposed to go to Cali for a wedding, which didn't end up happening, so The Husband had the whole weekend off! Wahoo! In addition to a weekend that I saw him for more than like 5 hours, this girly was in town:

Kristen!

She's one of my besties, and moved back to Cali the day after we graduated. Foolish.

But she's getting married in July! And I'm a bridesmaid! And she was in town for her wedding dress fitting! AND she stayed with us Friday and Saturday! Awesome!

So we went to The House of Texas Road Friday night with our friends from ASU.

And know what else is awesome? The fact that my head is twice the size of Kristen's

Kara and Toni

Katrina and Kristen

And on top of awesome food, this little miss was super smiley ALL WEEKEND! I could just eat her up!

On Saturday, we had Kristen's second and third dress fittings, so she could take it back with her to Cali. We ate at Paradise Bakery for lunch, and on the way to the airport we made a little pit stop:

(I was so scared I was shaking. I totally wanted to back out but Husband really wanted to do it)

The first earring went in, and the waterworks started.....by me!

(I BAWLED)

And so did Lovey..

But after a few minutes of tears we were all happy and ready for a classy family photo in the mall!

After saying goodbye to Kristen, Lovey Lou and I hung out while Husband got his mane, I mean, hair, cut off. Hey! There's the man I married! I may have actually said that afterward.

And to top off a great weekend, we snuggled!

I love these two more than anything. What made your weekend great?

Boob Juice

2010-03-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love my body. Insert tone of sarcasm. For the past, oh, year and a half or so I've been having some chest pain. During my pregnancy it happened all. the. time. Well a couple weeks ago it happened a few times, really bad. Long story short, spent 8 hours in the ER, didn't find anything of course, and it was overnight so I had to leave Rubes with my sister while Albert and I were at the hospital. I didn't have a backup supply of milk so Miss Ruby had to take formula. SHE LOVED IT! Not. It was sooo sad! She would hardly take a bottle all night and because I had to have a cat scan I couldn't nurse for 2 days because of what they injected me with. So what I'm trying to say is, it was horrible. Poor little girl would look at me like I had betrayed her!

Fast forward to this past Tuesday. I had to have some follow up tests done on my galbladder to see if that's the perpetrator causing all this ruckus, and what did they have to do? Inject me with some radioactive crap again. So what happens to Miss Ruby? She goes on formula again. She does ok with just a bottle or two of formula if I have to leave her, but being on it straight does not agree with her little body. It goes all "Erica at 7 months pregnant" on her and she can't poop! I feel ya girl...I feel ya. No bueno. Anyway, today I was allowed to start nursing again, happy day!

Because I was really getting sad seeing faces like this when I couldn't give her what she wanted.

And I was SUPER happy to see faces like this when she got the boob juice!

GOT MILK?

Family Birthday and a Blessing

2010-03-09T10:33:00.002-08:00

Two days ago, the 7th, was mine and the hubby's one year anniversary! A few weeks ago I read on this lovely blog that they call anniversaries a Family Birthday. I just love that! Since it was on a Sunday we couldn't go out and do anything, so on Friday afternoon we dropped Ruby off at my parent's house and headed up to Payson for the night. It was so much fun, we went out to eat, saw a movie, antique shopped, actually slept through the night, and just enjoyed having one another's undivided attention. However, it was really hard for me to leave my Lovey. I made it as far as my parent's driveway before I broke down in tears. Albert tried to tell me we could take her, but I knew we needed time together so i had my few moments of sadness and we were on our way.

On our actual family birthday, Sunday, we saw no better way to celebrate than to bless our Lovey in church!

It was such a special day.

My wonderful husband blessed our little girl,

she wore my blessing dress which my great-great-grandpa, so her 3-great-grandpa, bought me,

and we were surrounded by so many family and friends.

Four generations:

My Grandma Millican

My Mother

Ruby

The Hubby's parents and two of his siblings even came over from California!

(For those looking at Albert and his parents and thinking what the?!...he's adopted)

It was a wonderful day.

Good friends, good family, good food.

We got to witness the power of the priesthood,

feel the love of all those who have helped us get where we are in our lives,

and most importantly, be a part of the greatest blessing we have been given:

our family.

We couldn't have asked for anyone more perfect.

2 Week Pictures

2010-02-23T19:37:00.001-08:00

Two weeks ago the Rubes had her pictures taken by a good friend of mine who gave me a photo shoot and the opportunity to sit down with her and design a baby announcement all for free as my baby shower present. I know, awesome right? Ruby was two weeks old and I think they turned out ADORABLE. There are a ton more but the files are so big it's taking forever to load. So this will have to do!

And just for kicks...because Ruby is a beast when she stretches!

I Thought I Loved Him Then

2010-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Mr. Holmstrom is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

The Lord knew what he was doing sending him my way,

but waiting until just the right moment to do so.

I had to experience a lot before meeting him, and I'm glad I did.

When he came into my life, I was finally ready for him.

We met and started dating right away.

Four days in, it was me who said "I love you" first.

I thought I loved him then.

Five weeks later, he proposed.

I thought I loved him then.

We were engaged, and I loved it.
And I thought I loved him then.

Three months later we were married. I had never been happier.

And I thought I loved him then.

Two months later we were pregnant. We were ecstatic.

Nine months he patiently took care of me while we waited.

And then we had her.

And I thought I loved him then.

But then I see this.

And I've never been more in love.

The Story

2010-02-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know it's been 2 weeks (that's right, Miss Ruby is TWO WEEKS OLD!) and I have yet to tell the labor story. I don't want to do a ridiculously long post, so I'll try to condense it and be as brief as possible!

It started Monday night, the 25th, I thought my water was leaking so we headed to the hospital to get checked. False alarm....very disappointed! Tuesday morning I got up and got ready for my 39 week appointment and felt fine, didn't expect anything to be out of the ordinary. When I got there and they weighed me I was up almost 5 pounds from the previous week. I knew something wasn't right because I had been consistently gaining only a pound a week. Then when they checked my blood pressure it was pretty high for me which I knew also wasn't normal. As soon as the Dr. got in and saw that both of those numbers were up, he said he was admitting me. I was only at a 3 and about 85% effaced. My mom was ecstatic I was being induced, Albert was pretty excited too, I was torn. I was happy she would be here sooner, yet scared to be induced. I had wanted her to come early, but on her own terms. So we headed home to get our bags and let Albert shower and headed to the hospital.

We got to the hospital around 2:30, got to the room and got all hooked up to the monitors, and at 4:30 they started me on the Pitocin. I had been contracting since the exam that morning, but nothing major or close together. The pitocin caused a little more contractions, but still nothing major. I would have a few painful ones close together, then go a while without any pain. At 6:30 Dr. Holmes got there to check me and break my water. I was at a 4 at this point and 100% effaced, and as soon as he broke my water the pain came in full force! Within minutes the contractions were a minute apart, lasting a while, and extremely painful. Back labor is the worst! I've always had a pretty high pain tolerance, and I was in so much pain. I had wanted to try and go natural, but Albert knew me better and suggested I get the epidural since I was in tears and started throwing up from the pain. I felt a little disappointed in myself, but decided to get it so I could try to relax and enjoy labor as much as I could. Albert held me while I got the epidural, and let me say....that thing is WONDERFUL! Why did I ever want to go natural?!? My family got there and visited with me for the next several hours, since they were going to be there for the delivery. I felt zero pain, not even the pressure from the contractions. After a few hours the nurse checked again and I was at an 8 or 9. My sweet husband and dad gave me a blessing because my anxiety started to kick in and I was getting scared. I felt so much better after that and knew I could handle whatever came next.

Just before midnight the nurse checked again and said we would start pushing soon. At midnight I started to push and Dr. Holmes got there about 20 minutes later to deliver. Albert was....incredible. To be honest I expected him to be cracking jokes and trying to make me laugh all through labor. I expected to get annoyed with him haha. Instead he was calm, pulled together, supportive, and exactly what I needed. I couldn't have done this without him. I put him through you know what my entire pregnancy, I wasn't always the most pleasant person to be around, and he was always the best husband to me. He was right by my side while I pushed and talked me through everything he was seeing so I knew my effort was not in vain. He was so cute, getting excited when he could start seeing her and told me how proud he was of me. I pushed for forty minutes which actually flew by! But can I just say real quick....pushing hurt! I've always heard you just feel "pressure," but there was so much pressure it was painful! I felt like I was delivering a watermelon out my butt! I knew she was close because my family started to freak out and Albert said she had a lot of hair. Then when her arm came out Dr. Holmes lifted her arm and waved it at me haha.

After nine months of waiting, 8 hours of labor, and 40 minutes of pushing, my little Ruby Mae was here. I felt nothing as far as knowing she was out, but the look on Albert's face, the look on my family's face, and the amount of crying that was going on told me that she was here. Albert was crying which was so cute, my mom and sisters were bawling, and as soon as Albert cut the cord and the nurse took her over to the warming bed and I got my first look at her I burst into tears too. The doctor got me all taken care of while the nurses weighed, measured, cleaned, and gave Ruby her shots. Finally, after 20 long minutes of waiting the nurse handed my precious baby to me and I just burst into tears. Albert was by my side, my baby was in my arms, and I have never felt closer to Heaven then I did in that moment. It was the most incredible feeling and I could not help but feel an unbelievable range of emotions as I looked at her. I knew her before I came here, I knew her while I carried her for 9 months, and I am so thankful I've been trusted to be the mother to this beautiful baby girl.

Miss Ruby

2010-02-01T19:04:00.001-08:00

Ok I know I need to do a full post of the labor and details about her, but I just don't want to right now. Haha is that bad of me? No, because all I want to do is stare at my precious little lady. I'll get to the post eventually. So instead, I will shower you with pictures of Miss Ruby these last 6 days!

I lalaLOVE how she looked in this outfit!

And she's very proper! (did this all by herself)

This is pretty much how Albert and I spend our time...with our eyes locked on her.

Notice something about this picture? She's actually awake!

Daddy's finger tastes so good!!

This little lady has stolen my heart. Not to mention she has her daddy completely wrapped around her little finger! I love watching him with her...I am the luckiest girl in the world.

2010-01-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

Ruby Mae Holmstrom

January 27, 2010

12:40 AM

8 pounds, 21 inches long

Tons of dark hair

PERFECT.

She's already changed so much!

I love this little girl more than I ever thought possible.

Full post to come. Right now I want to hang out with my baby.

Dear False Labor

2010-01-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

....you suck.

You're like a cruel joke my body is playing on me, toying with my emotions and getting my hopes up. Two days now? Really? I think that until you're ready to turn into true labor and actually give me a baby, you can just stop.

That is all.

PS: Yes, I haven't posted in years. Yes, I have tons of posts to do. Yes, I have MORE than enough time to do them. I just don't want to right now.

December 17, 2009

2009-12-16T21:05:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I graduate from ASU.

Can I have a quick minute to brag?

*I'm proud of myself.

*I'm 21, and graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Education.

*If you go straight to college out of high school and go full time every semester, that's normal. But so often college students switch majors/don't know what they want to do and it takes them longer. I was fortunate to know what I wanted to do since I was little, and just went after it.

*I also completed it in 3 and 1/2 years, instead of 4. I'm graduating a semester early.

*A few times I didn't want to do it anymore. I went through a rough patch in life and school definitely got put on the back burner on my list of priorities. My grades tanked, and it took A LOT of work to get them back up.

*I've learned a lot about myself through my years in college. I definitely don't have a lot of school spirit, and I don't bleed maroon and gold, but college in general has been good for me. It's helped me grow up.

*I love teaching. Maybe I won't teach right away, since I'm going the family route, but I know I do want to do it someday.

*As of tomorrow night at 9 pm, I will be a college graduate. The first in my family.

*I am proud of myself.

Please don't take this as conceited or snobbish or braggy. I think it's ok to be proud of yourself as long as you're not prideful. I'm just happy I'm at this point in my life. Share in my happiness :)

2009-12-15T21:02:00.000-08:00

This past week, Mr. Holmstrom and I had the pleasure of having our pictorals taken by the fabulous Kate Lines. She was kind enough to quickly edit some of them and email them to me to display at my baby shower 2 days later.

Um hi. I am in love.

PS I almost fell off this branch into the Salt River below. Pre-pregnancy I wouldn't have been afraid at all to walk out and balance on that branch.

I'm a little more protective of my body these days.

I can't say it enough.

I love this man.

I love this baby.

I love that in a month and a half I'm going to be a mom.

Christmas Help

2009-11-25T21:04:00.000-08:00

What do you guys get your husbands for Christmas? Do you go all out and spend lots of money and get them big things? Do you do something sentimental? I keep asking Albert and all he tells me is small things like movies. Maybe it's just me...but I want to get him something better than movies for our first Christmas. He's so hard! He will put like zero thought into it so I'm pretty much on my own....and I have zero idea what to get him. Any ideas?!?!?

Things That Are Making Me Happy Today

2009-11-01T17:55:00.001-08:00

1. Waking up to my husband who said, "Good morning beautiful."

2. Bajio chicken salad at my parent's casa for dinner.

3. My new pajama pants. I LOVE wearing pajama pants in the winter. And my cute belly on top of them. Ya, I just said it was cute. Pregnancy is beautiful, and I love my belly.

4. Having a husband who does this: (I hate doing the dishes without a dishwasher. Like, I HHHAAATTTEEE it.)

5. Remembering this moment:

6. And this one:

7. Feeling my little one move all around inside me, all day long. Seriously, this little girl is an acrobat or something!

8. The fact that I'm due 3 months from today!

9. That Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and knows what's best for us, even when we don't. Like how he let us know it was time to start trying for a baby 3 WEEKS into being married. We thought it was crazy too. But, he had a plan for us...and today I'm happy we had the faith to follow it.

The Great Pumpkins

2009-10-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

So tonight we carved pumpkins with my family. We've carved pumpkins every year as long as I can remember, it's definitely a family tradition. Mr. Holmstrom said they never really did it too much growing up, along with a lot of other things my family does, so I love bringing him into our family traditions. I also love carving pumpkins with him because it reminds me of this:

This was the night we met. Well, it was technically meeting for the second time, when I randomly invited him to my pumpkin carving party, and we totally hit it off. Started dating the very next day! And you all know the rest of the story. So pumpkin carving with him will always be special to me.

Back to tonight. We went to my parents house and carved pumpkins as a family, minus Amber and Erik, who were camping. My grandma/grandpa Neel and cousin Steven even joined us!

I love how albino I look compared to my hispanic husband.

I'm pretty sure Mr. Holmstrom's and my pumpkins blew everyone else's out of the water.

Can you tell we have baby on the brain???

His is an ultrasound picture and mine is a pregnant lady silhoutte. Creative right??

Oh...and for those of you with dirty minds, those are the babies LEGS. Get your minds out of the gutter!

Thank my sister Ashley for pointing that one out.

Opinions needed....

2009-10-29T22:18:00.000-07:00

Black crib? Or white crib? I think white cribs are really cute and would look great with the bedding I have picked out, but I think black or brown are cuter with boys bedding and want to be able to use it when we have a boy someday. I don't really want a brown one though, i'm not a huge brown person. Help me decide!!!

Dear Babycenter.com

2009-10-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks for telling me my 25 week old fetus weighs about as much as an average rutabaga. She was once a kumquat, and now she's a rutabaga??!! Where do you come up with this stuff?? It was a much needed chuckle after a long, hard day.

PS: did you hear that? 25 freakin weeks!!! Ya baby!!!!

PPS: My mom just walked inside and literally said these exact words: "Does anyone know where my balls are?" to which her, my sister, and myself all started giggling. I'm still cracking up at it. We're so mature.

PPPS: Albert was talking to the fetus the other night, and whispered to her: "Please don't be a lesbian." I may or may not have cracked up really hard at that sentence too.

Edited to add: it's now a few hours later. Sitting on the couch, pouting, my mom said: "I lost my balls" in a sad, sad tone.

Mail Time

2009-10-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

So there are several letters I need to write. Some things are just driving me crazy, and others I need to thank. Feel free to make fun of me, or don't. I don't care either way. Here is an insight into my brain. And keep in mind, it's a pregnancy brain, which is prone to all sorts of craziness anyway.

Dear constipation: Thank you for leaving. My rumplestiltskin is very thankful. I could take a break from the gas though, and I think my husband would agree.

Dear heartburn: Take a hint from your good friend constipation, and get the heck outta here.

Dear guy who lives in the studio next door to us: Why must you ALWAYS be showering/using water at the same time I need to shower? This whole scalding hot/freezing cold water thing is getting really old. And I'm tired of having to climb back into bed naked because I'm too lazy to put my clothes back on while I'm waiting for the water to heat up. I mean my husband's not complaining, but really...cut a girl some slack and just don't shower, do dishes, or flush the toilet in case it's when I need to shower. K? Awesome.

Which brings me to....

Dear builders of our apartment: Why did you put two apartments on one water heater? It's really quite annoying.

Dear sugar cookies: Get in mah bellaaaayyy!!!

Dear Boobs: Really? REALLY? You think getting even bigger is a good idea?!? I'm pretty sure you're going to be the size of bowling balls when all this is over. I hate you.

Dear Patrick Dempsey: Why are you so dreamy? Thank you for providing me with some eye candy every Thursday night, even though you are the same age as my dad. You slay me.

Dear Baby: I am so freakin excited to meet you I can hardly stand it. I love you more than I knew possible and you're only the size of an ear of corn! Even when you kick me in the boob, I still love you. Hurry up and get here so me and your dad can love all over you. He's pretty excited you know. And he's going to be the best dad you could have ever asked for. Him and I are so grateful you're being sent to us.

And lastly...

Dear Albert: I don't know how you put up with me every single day. I am a snarky, crabby, grouchy old preggo lady who somehow finds something negative in just about every situation, and you still love me. You make me a better person, and for that I am grateful. Thanks for already being a terrific dad to this cute little fetus. I love you!

Workin' Woman

2009-10-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know of any part time evening jobs? I know it's a long shot, especially in this economy, but I could really use an evening job that I can do after student teaching and on weekends. Let me know if you know of anything. Thanks!

Viente Tres

2009-10-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

So I never posted a pictoral last week at 22 weeks, going along with my 4 week pattern. Not that I'm growing rapidly, I've kinda peetered out and am growing a lot slower now. I think I just made up the word peetered. Is that a word? I don't even know. Anyway, here I am today at 23 weeks. (I know I chopped my head off. Pregnancy hormones have taken over and I had a tear stained/puffy eyed face. Aint no thang.)

Well hello thick arm, how nice of you to make an appearance.

Seriously, why does my arm look like a tree trunk??

Overall, things are going great. She moves all the time now! Mostly only I can feel it, but my mom and Mr. Holmstrom did feel her the other day. If I annoy her long enough by poking my belly she usually gets ticked and kicks back real hard. She's feisty, just like her mom. I hope that's a good thing. And she's more than 11 inches long and weighs over a pound now. What I want to know is how babies weigh so little when they're so long?? Sleeping has become a little difficult, I wake up everytime I need to move, and a body pillow takes permanent residence in between my knees every night. Mr. Holmstrom says he shares a bed with two people: me, and Thomas. The body pillow. Yep, he named it. And my back is in shambles already, even though I'm only halfway! So I got one of those sexy maternity belts you wear under your clothes, and it seems to be helping. Pregnancy wise, we're in good spirits, and we just can't wait for the next 4 months to fly by so we can see this little sweet girl!

Oh the Drugs...

2009-09-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

So. As you all know, because I wasn't too quiet about it, this summer was horrible for me. As in the bane of my existence, HELL, a crapfest all around, you get my drift. I enjoyed this summer about as much as I enjoy having my entrails cut out and BURNED! I spent basically the entire summer like this, except replace that toilet with one of my mixing bowls we received for our wedding that I'm pretty sure I will never use again:

Not fun.

But then, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel, in the form of a little yellow pill!

Oh Zofran, how I love thee.

The sweet release you give my poor, achy little tummy.

You saved me heart, body, and soul this summer.

We shall never be apart as long as my womb is being rented by a vicious (although very cute) little tenant.

You see folks, I love this medicine. Probably too much. What is that doctor? You want to ween me off my miracle drug that brings me light and joy? Ok yes I will do that.

secretly pops sweet yellow pill in mouth

But then, last week something terrible happened. I ran out. Ok no big deal Erica, call in a refill. Looks at budget. No money! AAAHHH runs around in a fit of despair. Don't panic, i can do this. And to my surprise, I could. I wasn't feeling too crappy so I thought hey I must REALLY be over the worst of it! I can totally not take this anymore!

cue evil laughter from the depths of the womb

The fetus had a plan. A plan to make her mother hate life all over again! Hello, fetus, am I not the one who gave you life? Gives you food? Sings sweet songs to you to make you happy? Heck, I contributed in making you so darn cute, because I know you totally are! And do you see all those cute clothes over there? Those are for you when you decide to grace us with your presence. And sure, I may shine a flashlight in your eyes, or poke at you occasionally to get you to move, but cut a woman some slack she just wants to know you're still ok in there! Sheesh! No need to go all summer of 09 on her again!

Yes, the unthinkable happened. I woke up this morning barfing. Barf. Heaving. No no no I thought, I can't do this again! My body has been riddled with enough! So I continued getting ready, decided to try to go to student teaching anyway, where I was told I looked green. Perfect.

After throwing up in the trash can and having to track down the janitor, I decided to call it a day. I just didn't want to be running into the hall every ten minutes to empty the contents of my stomach so the fetus could have a little more play room!

I called my mom just to vent my situation a little where I got a butt chewing about letting my meds run out. But mom! money! it's expensive! But she just wouldn't have it. And guess what she did? Went and got it for me. Geez I have the best madre ever. I'm sure she wasn't complaining about me when my little fetus form made her miserable.

So anyyywwwaaayyy...long story short...I heart Zofran.

The End

The Big Announcement

2009-09-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

So...I'm a bit of a dork. I didn't like the way I told my family about being pregnant, because I thought it was a little lame. I have heard of so many cute ways people tell their families, but I just couldn't contain myself long enough to plan anything so I just told them that night. So when the time came to tell them the gender, I really wanted to do something cute. But then again it's ME we're talking about and I'm not that creative. So after 18 weeks I still couldn't come up with anything. This is how the morning went down:

*Find out it's a girl

*I decide I'm starving and must have a bagel from Einsteins NOW so we leave the doctor's to get one, and Albert tells me he's going to call his mom and tell her. We had decided not to tell anyone from my fam til that night so we could do something cute, but then when I actually found out I was so anxious and couldn't wait!

*Go get a pink It's A Girl balloon and surprise my mom at her work. She about peed her pants because she thought she was going to have to wait until that night. She convinces us to drive out to Phoenix and surprise my dad at his work. I already told my mom, so what the heck??

*Go to walmart and get this shirt: (We're a big D-Backs family)

*Drove out to Phoenix...dad was at lunch. We hung it on his door and hid in his office, then when he came back he was all surprised and happy and gave us hugs and congratulated Albert on not being able to make boys either.

*When we were at my parent's later that night, Albert accidentally slipped to my little sister that it was a girl. So she already knew, so did my parents. They all played it off for the other 2 sisters though and acted like they didn't know. My mom went a little overboard and actually got mad at them for not being on time because "she really wanted to find out!!!"

*We hung the shirt on our little chalkboard door and covered it with a sheet

*Albert guarded it with his life and wouldn't let anyone peek.

*Everyone waited and waited and finally everyone was there

*TADA!!! It's a girl! Hugs, screams, you know how it is...

So everyone was real excited. After having all girls in my family, we know girls....We can do this!

IT'S A.....

2009-09-01T19:10:00.001-07:00

YAY!! We had our ultrasound today and found out our baby is a girl! We are beyond thrilled, and not at all surprised. I had an extremely realistic and special dream when I was in the hospital that it was a girl and ever since then I have one hundred percent thought it was a girl. Don't get me wrong, I would have been happy with a little boy too, but I'm glad my intuition was right! Now I get to start planning all the cute things I can do!!!

Bumpalicious

2009-08-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!

I try to post a bumpalicious picture every 4 weeks to track my progress. Last time I was a few weeks late, so for those of you getting sick of the baby bump...too bad! :) I am 18 weeks tomorrow so let's just call this the 18 week baby bump! Personally, I like the way it looks. I am very comfortable in my skin these days (well I'm technically very uncomfortable, physically, but looks wise I'm good!) and don't mind my belly growing. It's a reminder there's actually a little miracle inside me! And now for some other good news...

Tomorrow we find out what we are having!! I am beyond thrilled, a little nervous, and definitely anxious. I haven't even had an ultrasound so I just want to see the little one! So stay tuned for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

*Edited to add: What do you think of the haircut? The hubbster did it :)

Cal-I-Forn-I-A

2009-08-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the fam and Albert and I packed up and headed to Cali for the weekend before school started for most of them. I had already been student teaching for 2 weeks and Aubrey had been in school for 2 weeks too, but for the other 3 college kids it was a last hoorah! before school started. It was so fun. I am exhausted and don't feel like writing a lot (ya right, I always say that and end up writing a novel) so I'll let the pictorals do most of the talking.

I lalalalove the beach. We checked into the hotel and headed straight to huntington beach for a little bee bee que. PS I also enjoy this picture of me. I look so happy.

Don't mind my shiny boobs commonly called headlights when this happens.

More often than you think.

The flash just likes to reflect off my bra.

Aint no thang.

Nothing like a weenie roast and smores on the beach.

This is what la padre has to do when he offends la madre.

Grovel.

Feeling Free.
Ignore the headlights :)

This is what happens when you combine a crappy camera with moisture in the air.

My whole family minus Ashley.

Don't you love how my little sisters tower over me?

This is also what happens when Erik and Albert get together.

Their gay sides come out.

At night Amber read out of the scriptures to us.

I was listening, I promise.

I just documented it by taking pictures of everyone and of myself laying in bed looking sexy in pjs and no makeup. Love it

I love my husband. He makes me smile

I hope I'm as cute and still in love as my grandparents when I'm their age.

This is how I spent the whole day. In a lounge chair, watching my husband play,

workin' the floppy hat.

I'm not sure if I pulled off the look, but I sure enjoyed trying.

We rented beach cruisers and rode up and down Newport across the ferry to Balboa Island.

My dad rode tandem with his mom.

Adorable.

I love Newport Beach. There is ALWAYS something going on and some form of entertainment.

This old black fella stole my heart with his amazing rendition of Unchained Melody.

He was also a bit insane.

Old man+wind pipes+pocahontas music+little hip wiggle=entertainment at it's finest.

Newport Pier. I love this man.

I almost lost my hat to the wind. I took care of that.

Huntington Beach regular who hammers a nail into his nose.

Sick.

Yet I stayed and watched the entire thing.

And I'll end with this gem

It was a great weekend.

I was sad to come home and get back to reality.

Cali, I will be back SOON!

14 Weeks

2009-08-18T20:49:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken 2 weeks ago but I never got around to posting it. I am now 16 weeks and look basically the same but this was taken at 14 weeks. I am constantly reminded of how "big I am." Thanks family. I'm sticking with the story that I am short and have no torso so the baby has nowhere to go but out, as I have read online several places. It makes sense. Considering I have LOST a ton of weight, not put on any, I can't say it's weight gain that is making me big. I don't really like these pregnancy pictures because I always look like I'm sick, and my boobs look weird in them. Boobs is a funny word. So anyway here is the 14 week baby bump:

I went to the doctor today for my physical exam, since I had yet to have any sort of appointment that actually did anything besides talk to me or ask "are you sick? are you puking?" After today I would rather have those talking appointments. Nothing like stripping down and having an old man all up in my goodies. How do they just look at you and try to carry on a normal conversation while they're doing that?! I mean hello sir, that is my boob you are squeezing, can I please just stare at the ceiling in embarrassed silence or do we really need to discuss your childhoood? You are old enough to be my grandpa. Oh great, now I just imagined my grandpa in this situation. Awkward. And one other thing. Warning: If you don't like female reproductive words or want to know my personal biznass, stop reading. So to recap: strip down, old man doctor, legs in stirrups...you know the drill. Wait, I'm sorry, did you just ask me if I wanted to see my own cervix?! As in, the inside of my yayhoo?? Um...no thank you. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. That is one thing I never need to see. DO WOMEN REALLY DO THAT?!

Ok, enough about my lovely appointment. I just thought it was an interesting start to the day. Women with babies: Have you had any weird situations like that? Do you feel as uncomfortable at these appointments as I do? Hit me up with your stories, I really want to know.

Sidenote: I really do like my doctor. He's fab. But really...my cervix???

So You Think You Can Dance

2009-08-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Yay Jeanine!!!
SYTYCD Season 5 Winner!

My sister, mom, and I are very into this show,
and our favorite from this season took the big win!!

We were STOKED, to say the least.

This girl can DANCE!

Not to mention she is GORGEOUS!

She definitely had some memorable moments this season,

including this sexy little number:

What the folk???

Shmupdate

2009-07-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well I am a terrible blogger.

I am the world's best blog stalker,

but never find anything interesting to post on my own.

So I'll just give a brief update on what's been going on.

I am doing much better!

I haven't even been in the hospital for 2 weeks!
For me, and how the rest of my summer has been, this is fantastic.
In fact, I haven't even gotten sick since I was in on the 15th.
And I even got to go see Wicked!! And loved it.

Look! I'm even wearing makeup! And I have a bra on!

Well, that pretty much sums up

my update as to what I have been up to.

Wow I'm boring.

My days consist of sleeping in,

eating whatever I can stomach at the moment,

and reading a lot of Harry Potter.

Alone.

On my couch.

G-rated.

Like I'm really going to get dressed when I'm all by myself. Please.

The doc says he sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

At first I thought he was refering to the fact

that he's old and in my opinion a little cooky.

Then I realized he was talking about me and getting better.

YAY!

This is great since I have to start

student teaching in less than a month! Yikes!

In other news, I do a lot of blog stalking and find myself really

looking forward to these posts every day.

Holy crap this girl cracks me up!

Read it.

Welp...that's all folks.

Love, Erica

Everyone...

2009-07-14T18:08:00.001-07:00

...please pray I am feeling good on Friday. Albert got me Wicked tickets for my birthday last month before I was sick and it's this Friday. But based on yesterday and today...things aren't looking so good. I really really want to go, but having to run out of the theatre vomiting isn't an appealing option either. So prayers would be much appreciated.

Love,
Erica & Baby

Baby Bump

2009-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Ok...I'm actually a little embarrassed to post these,

because to me they just show how big I already am.

But la madre insisted.

I'm already portly as it is,

do I really need to be so big already??!!?

Oh well.

My family has taken quite a liking to it, rubbing my belly

and making comments about how "cute" it is.

I can think of a few other words,

but a baby is a miracle so I should be happy about it.

So without further ado, I give you....

The 10 Week Baby Bump

And just for kicks

The end.

A Miracle

2009-07-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a terrific day. Besides the fact that I am doing MUCH better (knock on wood, right???) and can keep stuff down/generally feel better, I went to my obgyn and got to hear the heartbeat!!!! It was fantastic. I didn't know if I'd be able to because I'm just 10 weeks but we did! My mom went with me because Mr. Holmstrom was at school and of course she cried. I was just in shock, that galloping noise was the best noise I have ever heard. Music to my ears. I have been saying for weeks that if I could just have an ultrasound or hear the heartbeat or SOMETHING then maybe I would be in better spirits because I'd have some sort of justification for being so sick. Sure enough, my spirits are way up. Soaring. There is a BABY inside me! It makes everything this past month seem much more bearable and worth it. I am so excited. I go back in 4 weeks, and then 4 weeks after that we'll be able to try to see the gender! Wow. This is all so incredible. I'm having a baby!!!!

PS: I'm huge. At only 10 weeks I could not figure out why I'm showing so early. I mean already I definitely look pregnant. However, my mom read today that women who are short and have a short torso aka ME show pretty early since there's no vertical room for the baby to fill.

Translation: I'm going to be GINORMOUS!!

Conversations of a Sick Pregnant Woman and Her 12 Year Old Husband

2009-07-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'm back! Back from the dead that is. Geez louise I bet after that last post you all thought I just couldn't have any more fun, rrriiiiigggghhhhttt??? I knew it. Well think again my friends, because this post is coming to you after a 4 day hospital stay last weekend and a 3rd ER visit on Independence Day. That's right folks, it just doesn't get any better than this. However, after all the venting, and crying, and feeling sorry for myself (which, ok i'll admit, still happens occasionally) I have really REALLY been trying to keep my spirits up, even when everything I eat is coming up too. :O)

Anyway, I have decided that Mr. Holmstrom and I have some funny conversations when I am weak and sick and barely lucid. Did I use that term right? I don't know why I'm sharing this, but it gives a little insight into our cooky world we live in. Both of these happened Sunday for example.

Me: g rated, lying half dead on the couch, puke bowl/water/half empty roll of toilet paper next to me.
Mr. Holmstrom: scavenging the kitchen for anything to eat, since I haven't cooked in months. Seriously.

Mr. Holmstrom: farts. "I'm sorry I just keep farting."
Me: in my head: ya right, you've been doing it all night and day. out loud: "it's ok honey, i fart too."
Mr. Holmstrom: "i KNOW."
Me: coming to my own defense. "hey! mine don't smell, and they're silent!"
Mr. Holmstrom: "neither do mine! but they're just so loud! It sounds like I'm stepping on a duck." proceeds to make farting noise over and over. and it really DID sound like stepping on a duck!
Me: quietly roll my eyes

A little while later, the hubby sits behind me and holds my shaking body as I throw up the yogurt I ate 20 minutes earlier.

Mr. Holmstrom: "that smells good."
Me: "ya, it tastes just like it did going down too."
Mr. Holmstrom: "that's good..."
Me: continues to vomit...

Needless to say, we are awesome. And slightly disgusting.

Sick

2009-06-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been gone. I have been very sick. I have tried to not complain, I have tried to look for the positive, but I can't anymore. I am miserable and in more pain each day than I thought imaginable. As I sat here getting ready to type I was throwing up apples and blood into a bowl. This bowl never leaves my side these days. Sorry if that's gross. I'm tired of sugar coating things. I've been to the ER twice in a matter of days, gotten very dehydrated several times. Eating has become near impossible. Even simple tasks like showering exhaust me greatly. Some days I don't get out of bed all day. Don't get me wrong, I am more than thrilled to be having a baby. But 32 weeks seems too far away and I have to constantly remind myself that I'm having one or I start to regret ever doing this. I'm sorry for my negative attitude. I am constantly apologizing to those around me for being this way, I thought I could be stronger. But being a shell, a weak and empty and pain ridden shell of who I am, is taking a toll on me. Hopefully I will return sooner rather than later, because this is extremely depressing. I do not write this to gain sympathy, but prayers would be appreciated. Please. Any strength I can gain from anyone is much appreciated. Again, I'm sorry. I'm really trying to be strong.

~Erica

02.01.10

2009-06-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ok I know the last post was super short, and this one won't be much better. However, i. am. exhausted. So it might be a while before I get back to posting regularly. There are a lot of things I want to blog about but I am just too tired. So for now I'll just leave you with the details of this pregnancy since I didn't give any before. Well, there was this one night....just kidding. Not those details! I always knew I would want to have kids pretty soon after getting married but I thought like 6, 7 months maybe. However, I started getting the feeling we should expand our little family only about 2 weeks into being married! Even I thought that was a little soon so I tried to ignore it. But the feeling only got stronger so I brought it up to Mr. Holmstrom who, although a little hesitantly, said he had been thinking about it too. At about 3 weeks into being married we took it to the Big Guy and sure enough we both felt we should start trying. About a month later Mr. Holmstrom started to doubt and brought his concerns and fears up to me. So we took it to the Big Guy again, and again, and again. And while my assured feeling never left, he just wasn't feeling anything. After a few days he came to me and said that he knew he needed to trust me and he felt that was his answer, to trust in the faith of his spouse. We both felt good about it and went forward with the plan and then I kind of forgot about it. I mean having a baby was always on my mind but I hadn't gotten pregnant yet and was coming up on another period so I figured it would still be at least another month. I happened to have a pregnancy test in the bathroom from a time previously I thought I was but wasn't, and last Wednesday just woke up and decided to take it. No idea why, considering I was sure I was about to start in a few days, but the thought just popped into my head to take it so I did. So I took it and set it on the counter, not even paying attention to it because I was sure I wasn't, then I glanced down and saw it. Pregnant. Excuse me? What?! No, this has to be wrong. I stared at it for a few minutes then went in to talk to Albert. He was sick and happened to be home in bed. I walked in and told him I took one and it said pregnant and he popped up straight in bed and said What?? I started laughing and told him not to get his hopes up, I wanted to take a few more tests first. (At this point, my heart was racing and I was shaking because my boobs had been, and still are!, for days and that was not normal, so I thought it might be true). So I got ready for work, went to the store and bought another test and took it at work. Positive. I still was not convinced so I took 2 more throughout the day. 4 for 4. I called the obgyn and asked to come in and get a test done because I still was not believing it, and she said they go off the urine test so if I took that many they consider me pregnant. Holy cow! I'm pregnant! That's all I thought all day. That night we went to my parents and everyone happened to be there so we told them all. Everyone's different reactions were hysterical. My mom dropped to her knees on the floor and just stared at me for a few minutes, mouth open, while everyone else was screaming. Needless to say once she got over the shock and stopped crying, she was ecstatic. Good crying, not bad. She went out the very next day and spent a boatload on fabric and started a baby quilt! 9 months mom, you can slow down. Anyway, I intended this to be short, sorry. All weekend it was hard for me to believe, even though I told anyone who would listen. But yesterday morning was great because I went to my delivery doctor and had to take a urine test so I could get a letter saying I'm preggo for my insurance. It was just such a comfort to get the confirmation from a doctor that I am indeed pregnant! I'm going to be a mom! And little Baby Holmstrom is due February 1, 2010!! Only 8 months away! Thankfully, I have not been sick at all. Yet. I'm really hoping I do not get too sick. My boobs hurt like the dickens, I can't even sleep on my stomach, and I feel some soreness in my belly occasionally from my uterus expanding, but besides that I'm good. However, as I mentioned above, I am exhausted. Beyond exhausted. No matter how much I sleep I never feel rested or energized. I've heard this gets better after the first trimester but I hope it comes sooner than that. It's hard always feeling like I'm about to fall asleep. Words can not express how excited we are for this little bundle to come into our lives. I know Mr. Holmstrom will be a terrific father just like he is a terrific husband! I can't wait to introduce our little baby to everyone! Thanks for all the love and excitement, we really can not wait!!

Love,
Erica

11 Weeks

2009-05-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yep. That's how long I've been married. And guess what....

My eggo is preggo!

sorry for the disgusting pic. I'm a little tired lately :)

details to come later

Honeymoon Lovin

2009-05-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

I know this is 2.5 months late but since I never got around to it, here's the honeymoon post! Our honeymoon was...surprising to say the least. In the end I needed a vacation from my vacation!! But because of Mr. Holmstrom's and my extremely conflicting schedules before and after we got married it was fabulicious to spend 24/7 with him for an entire week!! That was the best part. Well i'll get to it and tell you all about our honeymoon!! It started with a one night stay at a freaking awesome resort out in Gold Canyon, compliments of the parentals. Thanks madre y padre! I would recommend it to anyone.

This picture is in our hotel room, though the pictoral doesn't show the awesomeness of this place. Notice the big smile on Mr. Holmstrom's face? Oh that's just because this is after the pillow fights and deep conversations about our endless love for one another. Ain't no thang.

After spending the weekend here vegging and relaxing together, we headed out Monday morning to Cali to leave for our cruise! We were going on a 4 day cruise down to Mexico before our open house in Palmdale that weekend. I was STOKED to say the least. We were cruisin' along, loving life, and then BAM:

(literally)

Yep. This fantastic little adventure happened. A gas truck a few cars ahead started skidding out and sliding, causing everyone behind it to slam on their brakes, including me. Except Ol' Blue here decided to be a hoe tart and lock her brakes so I literally just skidded into the truck in front of me. All the while screaming loud enough to wake a dead horse and Albert screaming at me to stop. "Thanks honey! I wasn't trying to stop before but now that you mention it I should probably hit my brakes before I ram into this unsuspecting dodge in front of me! You're the best!" Anywhozer, long story short: the accident happened, stood on the side of the freeway forever talking to the cops, got towed to a nearby garage that would let us store it there for the week while we were on our cruise, waited 8 years for the rental car to get there, worked all that out, and were back on our way to try to make our cruise. Oh, little detail, when the accident happened we were an hour from the dock and about 3 hours before check in ended. We should have been able to make it, but everyone was working slower than snails and by the time we left the rental car place we were 20 minutes from check in ending and still an hour away, in 5 mph california traffic. Yes, I cried. And Albert felt bad. But...there was nothing we could do so we pulled over at a grocery store to collect ourselves and decide what to do for the week.

Luckily Albert's best friend works at a Marriot and got us a sweet deal in Anaheim. We decided to go to Disneyland and the Newport/Balboa area and just relax for the week before the open house. Not a cruise, but I knew we could make the best of it. So we did!!!

We visited the amazing Perry's pizza in Newport

Climbed up on the lifeguard tower to watch the sunset

Then the next day we went to California Adventure!!

I introduced Mr. Holmstrom to Tower of Terror, he had never been. Loved it. We may or may not have but definitely did ride it 4 times in a row. Mr. Holmstrom lost his cookies!

We found a turkey the size of New Guinea, slaughtered it, and devoured it right in the middle of CA Adventure. The looks from fellow theme parkians made me question my morals.

We turned into bugs for a little while

and took advantage of every possible space we could! We were on our honeymoon for crying out loud! Don't judge

After a fabulicious day at CA Adventure we went back and relaxed at the hotel then the next day we went to DISNEYLAND!! If you know me, and I assume you do if you're reading el blog, then you know my heart resides at Disneyland. For reals. I've wanted to go with Mr. Holmstrom for a while and I was so happy we finally could!! We were celebrating our new marriage after all!

We made pals with the locals...

and headed out on a pirate adventure where we found the lost treasure of El Capitan de Bustaba

We explored caverns and caves

and posed with the famous Cinderella's castle. We're cute.

At the end of the night we became besties with Brer Bear, Fox, and Rabbit over at Splash Mountain. My super sleuth water preventitive technique worked like a gem, thank you very much

Indulged in the FAB-U-LISH-US Gibson Girl Ice Cream while watching the fireworks. There is nothing more magical than being on Main Street, eating Gibson Girl, watching the fireworks. Have you seen those fireworks? They're bomb. dot. com.

Mr. Holmstrom and his wife were very sad the fireworks were over. Disneyland closed early that night so that marked the end of our D-land experience together. Until next time!!

The next day...what day was that? This post is so overdue I can't remember everything. This was Friday, I think. Yes, because after this we drove back to the garage to clean out Ol' Blue before they totalled it :( RIP Ol' Blue So Friday morning we got up, checked out of our hotel and drove out to Newport where we rode the ferry to Balboa Island!!! Oddly enough, Mr. Holmstrom is from California, lived there his whole life, and has never even heard of any of this stuff! It was like we spent the whole week doing Cali the Neel way!

Ignore the no makeup. The second I got married I stopped getting ready!

I heart Balboa Island. I always imagine what it would be like to live on one of those streets in one of those cute little beach houses. There's a street with lots of little shops and it's really fun to walk down and window shop. Too bad we spent a year just trying to find the street! I had never walked there before we always drove there as a family. We finally found it though, don't worry

We also found a very colorful Cebra!! Or a Zow, I'm not really sure what it was. But I liked it!

I introduced Mr. Holmstrom to the World Famous Balboa BarsI wanted a picture on the Balboa Island bench but you can't even see it. Tear

Yep. He's wearing a Curly t-shirt. Did I mention I married a ten year old?

The weekend ended in Palmdale for the open house. We stayed with his best friend Zane and his wife Emily and hung out Friday night with some of his friends I had never met and some of his family. I know it's not ideal when you're on your honeymoon, but the whole week wasn't exactly what we expected. And it was nice to meet the people he grew up with. The open house went so great! I was nervous because I meeting people I had never met but it was so wonderful to see so many people who have known him his whole life and love him so much! Definitely reassured me I married a great guy.

My parents came over for the open house, which worked out perfectly because without them, how would we have gotten home??? Ol' Blue was a wreck!! So...our honeymoon ended by us turning in our rental car and riding home with my parents. Fantastic. Oh well. Despite everything, all the stress, it was still a fabulicious week with my man!!

Oh...and a lot of this!

Well there it is. A rundown of our unexpected and surprising honeymoon. But....considering the car is totalled and we both walked away with absolutely no injuries or even soreness, I would say we are pretty dang lucky.

I'M BACK

2009-05-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

Welp, it's ofish. I am the worst blogger in the history of blog world. But I'm back! And, for your viewing pleasure, I'm back with a fabulicious update of the last 2.5 months of married madness. I'm talking honeymoon, our housey, marriage shtuffff, etc etc. You know you're excited! Buckle up because it's going to be great. Oh, and because we all know posts aren't as much fun without pictorals, here is a treat for your eyes my mom found fit to email me. I'm so glad she did.

Titled: The Flasher

Another Neel Bites The Dust

2009-05-17T19:17:00.001-07:00

Apparently Amber and I getting married 9 weeks apart wasn't hectic enough for the Neel fam. Last night, my older sister got engaged!

FINALLY.

Her and Nick have been dating for 5 + years and he finally popped the big question.

The tentative date is March 2010

so we'll see how la madre holds up with planning another wedding!

(off the record, I think mine and Amber's about killed her. 3 in a 14 month span is just craziness)

THE MADNESS BEGINS!!

ps: this is not a picture from last night, it's just the only one I had on the lappy

I'm In LOVE With A Link

2009-04-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

So...this morning I woke up. Like most days. However, this day was different. For one, The Bert had not kept me up since four puking his gutters out. That was different from yesterday. But like most days I took a shower, well who am I kidding I don't do that more than I do do that, but that's besides the point. So today I showered and then proceeded to turn on the lappy and attempt to steal internet from the classy Hambone bar across the street. SUCCESS! This is where the story gets really really exciting!!!! I plopped down on my couch all g rated, like I do most days, since I have decided I don't like wearing real clothes at home anymore, and turned on the internet, and signed into my email. Because for 47 days now I have logged into my email frantically about, oh I would say about 12.7 times a day, to see if the email from my photo-grapher saying my wedding pictures were there. Up until today, nothing. But today, today was different. You see today, as I'm sitting there all g rated with a towel on my head and a rumbling stomach and da sick sick hubbs dying in the next room, THE EMAIL WAS THERE!!! and then the heavens opened up and god said "i hate you alfalfa!" Well, that last part didn't happen. But what did happen was me peeing my pants a little out of excitement. Because they're awesome. And we're awesome. And you may call me vain, but that's because I am. And i'm pretty much in love with the pictures of me and da hubbs, and the reception, and everything. Because it. was. awesome.

Enjoy!

GALLERY: http://www.sloanphotographers.info/darkroom/proof/?client/2009/ericaalbertwedding