He's Finally Showing!

It's taken me forever, but I finally feel like I look pregnant enough to actually take some pictures. I've heard so many times that you should take pictures every month to see the difference, but I never felt pregnant, just fatter. My friend, Courtney, took these the other day and I can't say I love myself in them, but here they are nonetheless. My pregnancy has actually been great. The only things I can complain about are back aches, and requiring an hour every morning to find something that fits me (which becomes even more difficult when Ben informs me that the outfit I choose isn't flattering on me). I told Ben the other day that I feel like Tim Allen in The Santa Clause when all his shirts are getting too tight and he can't figure out what's happening to him (except that I know what's happening). People are finally starting to notice my large stomach. At work the other day, I had a five-year-old boy look at me and say "you're stomach is big". I so kindly replied "thank you" (that made me feel really great). To which he said, "no, I mean really big". Thanks a bunch you little brat!
I can actually feel our little boy moving now inside of me. It's a surreal feeling. At our last doctor's appointment we had our twenty-week ultrasound (a month late because of my lovely husband's reservations about ultrasounds hurting the baby), and we could barely get the little guy to move. Ben was pushing on my stomach and the most action we got was when he put his arms up to block his head where Ben was pushing. I told Ben to leave him alone; that he takes after his mother and he just wants to sleep. After listening to Ben complain about our "boring" baby, the doctor informed us that his lack of moving was a good thing, and we might just end up with a mellow baby (I asked him if he had seen my husband...wishful thinking).
My lack of posts is due to my busy schedule since school started back up. Whenever I get a free second, I'm too tired to do anything but lie on my heating blanket and turn on American Idol (which I've noticed has completely taken over fox).





Since Ben decided to post embarrassing pictures of me on our last post (which I tried to erase several times, but he would just post it again), here are some lovely pictures of him with his beard of a month and a half, looking like a mountain man.

A Month And a Half Later....

Well something had to be done. Even if it's just me that goes on to look at the pictures. Jessica hasn't done a blog since December 15th. If you're gonna have one of these things you gotta atleast do it.

Here's what this one is gonna be about. I was going through some pictures of Jess & Me the other day and found these. So I wanna know what other people who browse the blog world think of her hair cut in these pictures, even if you're one of those people who doesn't subscribe, you just kind of peeping tom these blogs, you're welcome to comment, let's see who's really out there, stranger or not! I love the short hair, but she says she's growing it long (I don't know if there's a specific reason for growing it long, besides me liking it short). Dudes can answer too, I know Matt Gregory frequents the cyber world. Gotta love Matt Gregory. Freakin Matt.

-Ben Mack 1/31/09 (Sat.)

P.S. Stay tuned for my next blog. I've got a great one planned. Laughing already!

Merry Christmas

Almost every person we had guess, guessed a girl (including Ben and I). Even the Chinese calendar claimed it was a girl (which is supposed to be accurate). But...it's not. We're having a boy! At least the Dr is 80-90% sure. This actually came as a huge shock to me. I was completely convinced we were having a girl because of two very real dreams I had before I knew I was pregnant. I even had the name picked out and engraven on a picture frame: Eleanor Ruby Mack. But now I have to start from scratch. I don't know why I was so convinced it was a girl since I have always known I would have boys. But what do you name a boy?? Ben thinks we're going to name our kids Bible names like Nephi and Zedekiah (this argument could end our marriage). We'll see...

Here are some pictures of our amazing trip to Hawaii for Thanksgiving with my family. We had so much fun just sitting by the pool sipping pina coladas.

Yes on Prop 8

Although I do not currently live in California, I am still a registered resident of the state, and believe that sometime soon I will move back there. However, it worries me to move back to a place that is trying to change the legalized definition of marriage, that is between a man and a woman. It is not that I do not think homosexual couples should be given the same rights as married couples (which they currently do), but I disagree with the implications that will follow if Prop 8 is denied.

By allowing the term "marriage" to encompass homosexual as well as heterosexual partnerships, public schools will be required to teach that same-sex relationships are normal and right. While many may feel that this is okay, my rights as a parent and as a religious identity are being taken away. I have the right to raise my children as I see fit, with the values I choose to instill within them. It is my right to teach my children about relationships in the manner that I agree with. However, if Prop 8 is denied, the teaching of same-sex relationships will be required in the school curriculum, for children as young as kindergartners, without a parent consent.

Attached is an article written by a liberal democrat stating why he agrees with Prop 8, in regards to children's rights:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-blankenhorn19-2008sep19,0,2093869.story

Vote YES on Prop 8!

I finally have something worth writing about...

I have great news!
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I'M PREGNANT!

I would post the picture of my ultrasound, but I have no idea how to transfer it onto the computer.

I know this may be shocking for most (and probably even more shocking for us) since we have never hinted at having kids anytime soon, but we (by "we" I mean "I") are so excited! I actually think this is putting Ben through an early midlife crisis. He seems to have a heightened level of stress, and keeps claiming that this baby is HIS and not MINE (never mind how I seem to be the one choking down several servings of broccoli each day and being denied even one sip of my lifeline: diet coke, from my anal retentive husband who keeps repeating that HIS baby is going to be healthy). Nevertheless, I am still excited and feel that this could not have worked out any better considering that the baby is due only a few weeks after I graduate. According to the doctor, I am eight weeks four days pregnant and my baby is due on May 31st!

And I'd like to add that I am completely convinced that this baby is a girl, as is Ben, but for completely different reasons. I had several dreams before I even knew that I was pregnant about having a baby girl, so I think it's a sign. However, Ben thinks it's a girl according to the ever-so-accurate Chinese calender. More than likely we'll both be wrong, but it's fun to speculate.

And just so that I can add these pictures...I was lucky enough to tag along with Ben while he did a homeshow in San Diego. I got to hang out with these rugrats again, who I can't seem to get enough of (oh, and my dear sweet family!).

Update

Just so that everyone can validate my excuse for not posting, my computer crashed about a month ago. I know that there are other computers that I can post from (including my decrepit old computer that Ben has inherited), but posting is painful enough without dealing with an incompetent computer. However, Ben was the best husband ever and ordered me a new computer, so I'm all geared up and ready. And since my last post there has been a lot going on:

1. My sister, Carissa, had her little baby boy a month early on September 1st! His name is Tyler and he is the cutest thing. Tyler has been diagnosed with down syndrome, which I feel like is the greatest blessing ever, and I am so excited to be a part of his life.








2. My best friend from high school was married, and I was able to spend the evening with all my high school friends (which never happens).




3. Ben and I went to Lake Powell in August with the Kennedy family and had an amazing time (thanks again for letting us tag along). I have yet to post the recipe that I promised so long ago (same excuse...computer crashed...sorry).


Spicy Chicken Casserole:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chili
1 can corn
7 oz. salsa
1 cup rice uncooked (cook before adding to casserole)
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (I usually put my chicken in the crockpot and shred it)
1 cup shredded mozerella cheese
1 cup shredded chedder cheese

Mix everything together and cook at 350 for twenty to thirty minutes. You can serve it be itself or in tortillas. You can also add sour cream, lettuce, ranch dressing, or whatever you like to the burritos.


4. I started my second and final year of grad school, which is absolutely horrible and I can't wait to be done. I am doing an internship at HOPE Counseling where I get to work with families in their homes doing psychosocial rehabilitation and therapy.


5. Gus is still our favorite son...



6. Ben's parents were nice enough to invite us to the Cayman Islands for a week in September. Although it seems we get enough vacations, this was a much needed break. Thanks you Cyndie and Matthew! We had a great time!







7. My dad took my sister and I to Washington in August to visit our Grandma Belnap and to see the famous Forks!! Yes, we're major Twilight gurus and we even got Twilight sweatshirts!






8. We're still living in Las Vegas...and pretending that we're moving to San Diego soon.


AND...

There's more but you'll have to wait a few more months until I have the energy to post again.

HELP! I need someone to help me change my text color and I can't figure it out!