Baby is a.....

...a GIRL! 

I can hardly contain my excitement. The morning before we found out, my nerves were all tied up in knots! I somehow got through the first part of the day and then went to pick up Kyle where we had the most amazing ultrasound with the sweetest technician. We told her from the get go that we didn't want to know the gender and when the time came for her to find out, she asked us to look away. Kyle kept joking that he was peeking and it was so hard not to look! It seemed that she was able to find out pretty quickly. At that point, I was sure it was a boy and up until we found out, definitely felt like it was a boy based on my lack of symptoms. We had her write down the gender and seal in an envelope. We went to our favorite Sprinkles Cupcakes where they filled cupcakes with the brightest pink fluff. Kyle and I drove around trying to decide where we wanted to do the reveal and found a quiet spot down by the Potomac near the Lincoln Memorial. I'm so glad we filmed it because there is no way to describe my reaction. Kyle knew it was a girl which is why he doesn't seem that surprised, but I was expecting to see blue. Oh little girl...we can't wait to meet you! You already have our hearts and we think you are the sweetest and best thing that has happened to our little family.

All different types of cupcakes filled with pink! 

You can't hide that color.

We also got to take home some pictures of her beautiful profile. 

She definitely has my thighs.

Before we found out, my mom had sent me these. She knows me too well. She said even if we were

having a boy, I should hold on to them for the future because a child of ours would need to have kitten things.

Once we found out, she sent us the cutest little dress and baby's first running shoes!

I found the BIGGEST balloon ever for a picture to document. 

We are seriously so excited and can't stop talking about it! Can't wait to meet you baby girl!

10 Years

I still remember May 2, 2006 as if it was yesterday. I had gone to school that morning and was called out by my best friend Natalie's mom to hear that my Dad had been in an accident and that I needed to go to the hospital. In the end it was a blessing to me that I knew deep down inside that my Dad was already gone. It didn't make it any easier though when my mom had to kneel down and tell us he had passed away. Most of the time after that is a blur but at the same time, it is vivid and very powerful. At this time of my life, there were already big changes ahead: high school graduation, moving down to BYU to start college... but THIS was a big change I didn't plan for. As hard as it was, looking back 10 years later, I see it as one of the most defining events of my life. And for the better. I still ache for him to be here but I know I've become a better person for having known him and take comfort in knowing he still watches over me. 

This 10 year anniversary was one of the hardest ones. Even harder than the first one. I didn't want it to seem that we have moved on...but we have. And it's a good thing. But on this day, I still wanted to make sure we took a moment to remember my father Sam Love and the amazing person he was and is. My family and I decided that we would release balloons at the same time even though I was on the other side of the country. Kyle and I got three balloons....one for each of us and one for the baby. As we walked outside, a crash of thunder told us that we would probably have to wait to release our balloons with the rain coming...but it was so beautiful to watch my family release their balloons and talk about him. Kyle and I waited for the rain to clear out and then released our balloons a little later. 

I miss you Dad but am so grateful for the time I had with you. For the many dance recitals you came to see me in to helping me with my math homework because it was your favorite thing to do. For teaching me how to ride a bike and teaching me hard work ethic. For coming to pick me up when I ran away and got lost to showing me how much you loved me in so many other ways. For teaching me the beauty of the gospel, reality of our Savior and that the relationships we have with others is what matters most in this life. I can't wait to see and hug you again. I can't wait to introduce our little daughter to you. I'm hoping she's had the time of her life playing with you before she meets us. ♡

Miss you Dad. 

Bumpdate: 16 Weeks

Ahhhh bump photos. I never know the best way to frame them. But this has to be documented somehow. 

This Week's Details:

How far along? 16 weeks!

Size of baby? An avocado :)

Stretch marks? Still nothing but stomach is starting to get itchy which tells me there is growth there.

Sleep? I usually only wake up when Kyle starts to get up which tells me that sleep is going pretty well. I could only last a couple of minutes on my stomach the other night so I think those days are gone for now.

Best moment this week? As weird as it sounds, best moment was accepting that it is okay that I can't button up my shorts. I went shopping and got pants that will be a little more roomy and accommodating.

Maternity Clothes? I am still holding out on buying maternity clothes since skirts and dresses are doing an okay job right now.

Missing? I miss my morning energy at the gym. It may just be psychological but I feel like I am not able to just hop on the treadmill at 5:50 like I used to. It takes me a bit longer to wake up in the mornings so I'm hoping that I get some more energy as time goes on. It also totally depends on the day though. The other morning both Kyle and I were both able to get up and exercise without a problem.

Movement? I lay still every night with my hand on my stomach and try to see if I am feeling anything. I feel like I may have felt things in the past but it may have just been my stomach grumbling. I read the other day, for the first pregnancy, it's hard to feel anything before week 20. I am just so excited for the first bit of flutters!

Food cravings? A bad sweet tooth has crept in. I mean...I guess it's always been there but I feel like I need to have something sweet every night. Kyle went out and got me some cashew milk ice cream and I've tried to only have a couple of bites instead of a whole bowl.

Food Aversions? I'm doing better in this area. I've been able to get down most things especially with me getting hungrier.

Bump? Showing up a little more each day. I feel like it's a lot higher than I thought it would be, but that just may be the overall expansion of my belly as a whole. It's so fun to see it in the mirror.

Gender? I think Kyle and I officially decided we would have the doctor write down the gender and we will do our own gender reveal with a cupcake somewhere in the city. I honestly have no idea at this point. Kyle is still strong on the girl side but I can't say one way or the other. We will see!

Names? I laugh every time Kyle will bring up a name and I can say 'no' without even thinking that hard about it. I find that with names, in order to even consider it, I have to like it from the get go. There are some names that we used to like but they've slowly lost their appeal. Who knows? We could have a totally different name picked out by the time they come.

Labor Signs? Nope.

Looking Forward To? Feeling this little one flutter inside me and finding the gender!

Here are a few other things from this week: 

I went to a USU Alumni lunch and they picked a pretty great spot with a gorgeous view. Also, the scaffolding is coming off of the Capitol, revealing a newly renovated dome. It's extra sparkly now.

This book has been so fun! It talks about how different parenting is in France compared to America. The writer is very witty and it's been fun to look at why she thinks France has a better model to raising children. 

My mom sent us these items the other day. No, we still don't know the gender but this little kitty looks too much like Boo.

If it's not a girl, we will definitely hold on to these for the future (if we have a girl).

My bump was really showing one afternoon and this guy fell asleep on it (probably appreciating the warmth).

We took a Sunday drive out to Great Falls Park and watched the rapids. It was so peaceful.

I find that the more places we visit, the more excited I get thinking of taking our little one to explore! Also, I love Kyle.

We're Having a Baby!

And we can hardly wait for this little one to come! Due October 2016!

Baby Samuel's Blessing

This little babe got blessed this past weekend. We couldn't be there but reliving it through these pictures helps....a tiny bit. He is the sweetest thing. Congrats again Liv and Carl! And Baby Sam...we love you so much! Keep being tiny and don't get any bigger while we are away from you!

Goodbye 2015

We had a great New Year's Eve. We started out by hitting the Utah slopes that we've missed so much. 

We finished up the night with a dance party, watching the boys play another game of Risk, putting together a puzzle, chocolate waffles, and one final nerf gun war! 

Sammy was being a real piece of work and got thrown out in the snow because of it. 

I played for a little bit but then needed a baby fix so I went up to watch through our window and this selfie was taken. 

Love this little nugget.

Goodbye Utah! Thanks for the best Christmas break. Loved this sunrise from the east photo from our airplane.