One Month

As of today Savanna is six weeks old! However, this is her one month post :)

The word that seems to be used most often to describe her personality is "feisty"... by multiple people, at different times, and so it seems to be the consensus! I completely agree though. She is a sweetheart and definitely has some spunk! She also seems to be the most even match of both Ben and I in looks. At one moment she will look exactly like me or someone in my family and at another moment she's all Ben. Make no mistake though, her mad and crying faces scream "Kelli" ha ha. Her big eyes are all Ben, especially when she makes the buggy eyes, she perfectly matches a baby pic of her daddy.

She is losing her hair on top and it makes Mamma sad, but she's still the cutest! Her hair is the most beautiful reddish brown, and in the sunlight the red is very prominent. We love it and hope the red sticks around! She also has super fuzzy, stick straight up hair (which also matches Ben's baby pic... he really did have hair once!).

Savanna loves getting her diaper changed. She has literally never cried while having her diaper changed. On the contrary, if she is crying the moment I undo her onesie she stops and just enjoys the air. She doesn't even mind the cold wipes. She also loves her baths. Even when she starts shivering at the end she's still happy as a clam!

She's an excellent eater, and a wonderful sleeper ONCE she gets to sleep... she fights that one to the end! She eats about every 4 hours and usually only wakes up once in the night.

She is the most fun and the entire family is wrapped around her finger. The other night last minute we were looking for a sitter so we could go to the jazz game, and both her aunt and her grandma were willing to bend over backwards just for the chance to watch the little cutie. Aunt Kara even braved the horrendous snowstorm and icy roads for her. But what can I say, she is one cute baby! 

These eyes and fuzzy hair are a match for Ben's baby picture 

She is very long and skinny! NO idea where she gets her length from!

And she has the sweetest smile :)

Meet Baby!

Baby girl has arrived!!!!! Everything went perfectly, far better than we could have hoped for! 

Savanna Michelle Olson arrived on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9:44 am. 

I woke up around 4 am on Friday with contractions, and around 6:30 they became consistently 7-8 minutes apart. They were uncomfortable but completely bearable. I took it easy throughout the day, trying to take a nap (although that was a joke since the contractions were MUCH worse when I was laying down... but I was so tired, so I would fall asleep and every 8 minutes I would sit up and wait for the contraction to stop, since I couldn't bear to lay down through it.) I also watched 17 Miracles to pass the time, the movie about the handcart companies. SO GOOD! I highly recommend it if you want a good spiritual pick me up that will undoubtedly make you cry! Anyway, around 3:30 the contractions were 3-4 minutes apart but not more intense than they had been. So Ben and I hung out and played games on our phone together. After dinner we headed over to hang out with Ben's sister and our friends. The contractions were  getting stronger but I still wasn't ready to go in. After all, I see labor every day at work and was quite aware how long first time labors usually last. So, I opted to play Scattegories in between contractions instead of hang out at the hospital! At 10:30 pm I called my work (aka L&D) and warned them we were coming in. Then I called one of my favorite nurses that I work with, and being the SWEETHEART that she is, she met me at the hospital to be my nurse (even though she works day shift with me, she was so kind to come and be with me through this!) 

I got admitted, IV started and checked. I was contracting every minute and a half and dilated to a 4.5, completely effaced and baby was very low. YAY! Around 1:30 am when I was a 6 I got the epidural. The contractions never really got too unbearable, although they were intense. I wanted to wait as long as I could to get it, but by this time I really just wanted to sleep! So I got the epidural and it was INCREDIBLE! Ben slept and I tried, and then at 8:45 I was ready. I pushed for an hour, although it didn't feel nearly that long. It was a beautiful labor and my sweet husband's face when Savanna came out was amazing. He has been completely wrapped up by his daughter and it is the most beautiful thing to watch. We are so so so blessed, and love her so much more than we ever knew we could! We are thanking our Heavenly Father constantly for this beautiful little package!

Just before pushing began

It was Dr. Hartman's birthday as well :)

A perfectly happy family.... even Max loves Savanna!

It is official

Well, it's official... we are building a new home, finally! We picked out the lot and the builder back in October and then got distracted by different lots and different builders and different floorplans... you get the idea. You know us, INCREDIBLY indecisive, both of us. So it wasn't until December that we began negotiations, but the offer was accepted and we had our builders meeting in the second week of December. After that we picked out our colors, which actually was rather fun, and not stressful as we had anticipated. Likely due to the fact that we basically copied the outside of one of the model homes... yeah, we're not much for risk. However, we did pick our kitchen colors from a small palate and have never actually seen the counters large scale... so you can only imagine how many times Ben has questioned our decision :) However, I love it and I think it will look wonderful. Plus the designer agrees so if it all turns out hideous I can really just blame her and won't have to feel too bad, right? On Friday we signed the construction loan so now it is official - they are set to begin digging this week! Oh, I can't tell you how thrilled we are! My in-laws have been SO SO SO kind to let us live here but we are excited to have visions of living on our own again in the future! If all goes well (and we know it usually has some bumps along the way) they should finish around the end of April, so here's hoping!

As for news from the baby front... there isn't much to report. The doctor estimates an eight pound girl if I go to my due date, which is starting to look like reality. I have been crossing my fingers for at least a few days early, but I shouldn't be so picky. She'll come when she's good and ready, I'm sure. I have eleven days til due date, and so far am not dilated or effaced. I picked up some raspberry leaf tea from the health store today... even if it doesn't help bring on labor (although that would be great if it did!) it's supposed to make the contractions more effective and thus shorten labor, so I guess it can't hurt. Besides that I think it tastes good with a bit of honey and helps me get all my water allotment in!

Hopefully soon a beautiful baby girl's face is smiling out at you from this blog... until then!

Family Pictures 2011

This one is my favorite :)

Ben and I had our family pictures taken yesterday before the baby comes. I think they turned out pretty cute~ Enjoy!

Still here... :)

This blog needs an update, although I will forewarn that it has no pictures! This would be due in part to the fact that my computer is sitting under a sheet in the basement of my wonderful in-laws' house ... which is also where you will find our bed and our clothes and our dog... oh yes, and us. That's right, we have become basement dwellers once more. After trying unsuccessfully to sell our house we decided to find the perfect renters, which we seem to have done. So far at least we are very pleased with the cute couple that has moved into our baby, that darling house in Ogden where we have lived for the last three and a half years. While Ben and I are searching for the next perfect house to move into his parents have been kind enough to allow us to stay with them. When we found out I was pregnant it moved up the intensity of the plans to move. You just kinda know when the timing is right, and so we are in the market! We are looking for something in the Davis County area, and house hunting is so not my favorite thing anymore... it sounded fun, like four months ago. Not so much anymore! However, all is going well and hopefully soon I will be able to give some good news from the homefront!
Baby Girl is growing beautifully, we love her so much! I can't believe how fast time is flying by, and I'm sure with the holidays coming up it will just continue to soar on by! I am 25 weeks now, and two people yesterday said something along the lines of "You must be about due, huh?" My sweet smile was followed by an inward growl which they of course couldn't hear! So yes, in case you haven't believed me before now, this belly is getting big! I have zero complaints though, because it means our sweet baby is growing and nothing is better than that! And despite my size I am feeling absolutely incredible. I have been blessed so far with the most wonderful pregnancy and little discomfort so I am definitely one grateful girl!
Lately I am loving this sweet fall weather, which brings the welcoming in of hot chocolate season and snuggling up to my sweet husband while it storms outside... one of my very favorite things. Now that baseball and football are on the tv pretty much ALWAYS, I have discovered a new favorite... laying on Ben's lap falling asleep as he plays with my hair while watching sports. Max joins in and usually ends up curled around my head or my feet or even occassionally he will plop down quite literally right on top of my face. Cute boy can't get close enough and he is quite the snuggler!
We are doing well, sorry for no pictures! Hopefully I will do better next time, but you all know me too well to place any bets on that!

Our story

So I can hardly believe that I am already 19 weeks pregnant. It's going by so insanely fast! Here I am at 18 weeks, although this belly is poking out so fast I probably already need a new, updated pic :)

I woke up early this morning when Ben went to play basketball, and I was laying in bed feeling completely overwhelmed with gratitude. So many of you have been so happy and thrilled for us and I want to tell you all thank you. You have no idea how grateful and touched we are to be so blessed by your sweet words and emotions!

So here's our story, for the record. Last March marked our two year mark of trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully. That time included a year where we hoped we wouldn't have to use medication, despite the doctor's warnings. When we obviously needed help after a year we began a rough year on fertility meds and tests. It was on to Clomid, which failed to cause ovulation. After that it was on to a different, more brutal pill. Three times a day everyday and sick for a few months. It was, quite honestly, awful and I was no peach while I was on it. Ben was a sweetheart for putting up with me. After about 4 months on that came the day I have previously written about, when my doctor informed me I was over his head and needed more help. All this time on these meds ovulation never occurred.

Although these were a hard few months, they were also full of blessings. Never did Ben and I really feel despair over this. We always just felt that it must not be the right time and were able to feel confident in the Lord that it would work out eventually. Don't get me wrong, I definitely had my moments. But Ben was right there to reassure me and to remind me that everything would be okay. This time also provided some awesome quality time for us as husband and wife, for which I am forever grateful. I have been blessed with one stellar man and I count my blessings everyday that we have forever together.

To continue, after the doctor gave me that little tidbit of information we began to plan our next move. Meanwhile I continued on my pills, just in case, and eventually combined the Clomid with the current pill. Still nothing. I had, however, gotten over most of the sickness caused by the pill, although there were still some sweet side effects to deal with. Nothing major but definitely annoying.

In February I discovered a big bump and it was off to the doctor again... It took a few visits but they eventually decided it was a hernia. Surgery was scheduled for March 30, and Ben and I decided to call it quits on the fertility meds before the surgery. After a lot of talk we decided to plan for artificial insemination in the summer, which would give my incision time to heal before hopefully getting pregnant. Just before the surgery, while sitting in Young Women General Conference with my darling beehives, I realized that it was time for me to go back to school. It was quite the clear prompting, and I got busy signing up for classes, figuring out our payment plans, meeting with counselors and adjusting my work schedule, since I had one month before summer semester started. So busy was I with planning school, and so excited to be going back, that Ben and I decided to postpone the artificial insemination. I was excited to be moving on with school and the end was in sight for my teaching degree. Pregnancy was put on the backburner and, you guessed it.... that apparently was all it needed!!

In the middle of May I began cramping and when it didn't stop, I began thinking I should take a test. Not that I thought anything of it, mind you, but I figured I would. On May 31st I was driving home from class and still cramping, nothing major just out of the ordinary. I decided to stop by the dollar store and pick up a few tests. Ironically, as I was driving, I had a funny (in retrospect) thought. Class had been really good that day and I was really getting into the learning groove again. I thought "It's good that I'm not pregnant because I'm so excited to be finishing school right now." Ha ha ha. I'm positive the Lord has a sense of humor and was chuckling at that one.

That night I took the test. Ben had no idea I was going to take one because really, there was no reason to tell him. I wasn't pregnant, right, so this was just routine, something I did every few months. Well, when the two lines appeared, I started shaking and breathing really fast and praying really fast (it went something like... "thank you thank you thank you thank you..."). I went and told Ben and he didn't believe me til I showed him the test.... And the rest is as you know it!

I have felt incredible, and been blessed to skip the pregnancy sickness. This little girl

(Did I mention that? IT'S A GIRL :))

is growing like a weed and measures long and lean. She is kicking out of control and made it quite difficult for the doctor to get a good heartbeat at my 3d ultrasound on Wednesday. Every time they tried she would start kicking and mess it up. LOVE HER! The placenta implanted on the front of the uterus so it's cushioning the movements, which is why I haven't felt any of it yet. I'm okay with that, since I am sure it will come soon enough. We are already madly in love with her and are so excited that she is coming to join our little family. One thing I do know for certain is that this life is one hundred percent in the Lord's timing. And we're so thankful that now is our time for this little angel!

And then there were three

Yes, that means I am pregnant! We are so very happy and feeling so incredibly blessed right now by our Heavenly Father. We couldn't be more thrilled! Baby O is set to make an appearance around January 21, 2012. As of today I am ten weeks, three days, although by the look of my tummy you'd think it was WAY more than that!

I checked this picture dozens of times to make sure it's real. Yep, it is!

Right after we found out and I stopped crying!

Don't mind Ben's goofy smile, I'm pretty sure he was in shock!

Max is still undecided, although he enjoys jumping on my belly, which is always a feel good moment.

10 weeks 3 days. See what I mean? A small bump appeared around a week and a half ago but I chalked it up to my imagination. However, there seems to be no denying it now. Apparently, baby is growing like a weed and there's nowhere for it to go but out!

Yes, we are alive

and well! I have SO many pictures that I've been wanting to blog. First there was our Easter camping trip which was cold but wonderful. Then there was our backpacking trip a few weeks ago which was AMAZING as usual. And then there was the U2 concert which was suh-weet. And I have great pictures of them all to prove they really happened and yes, we were there! However, it is all I can do to squeeze in the time to provide even this tiny update. On May 2 I started school, and I am LOVING it. It was rather unexpected, but when the prompting came I followed, and I'm glad I did. I'm taking eighteen credits, which is insanely cramped in a summer semester, and I am still working full time. So we're still here, I usually have some sort of anthology on American literature or some advanced nutrition book in my face but Ben's getting used to the look! So sorry for the no pics, but the semester ends August 5... maybe I can squeeze some on then :)

St. George on St. Patty's

Meagan, you were right! ... I DO have pictures from a trip to St. George that have not yet been blogged about. So here goes! (Thanks for the reminder).

A few weeks back Ben and I and a few couples from our ward drove down to spend St. Patty's day weekend away from work and relaxing in the sun... too bad it was only sunny one day, but we were still not at work so it was ok! We stayed in a beautiful house that someone's parents kindly lent us, spent a day in Vegas, another day shopping in St. George, and another watching my nephew play in his softball tournament. It was nice and relaxing with too little sleep and too much food (as usual).

Jeff and Jori - my sister and her husband. It was a fabulous coincidence that the baseball tourney was that same weekend. So we drove to Mesquite and ate at the seafood buffet with them and then went swimming. Completely wonderful evening

Don't mind that some of these pics are sideways, I forgot to turn them before I uploaded them and, you got it, I'm too lazy to redo. We went shooting one breezy afternoon... Here's my baby shooting to his hearts content.

Seriously the .22 pistol was INSANELY fun. I asked Ben to get me one for our anniversary or my birthday or something... I want one, he can figure out an excusable time to buy it!

At Brayden's game... it was so cold.

Isn't he darling?! I think I embarrassed him. I forget he's 13 now... oops

soaking up the sun... sideways style

Soaking in the shade while his wife soaked in the sun.

Vegas baby :) Breezy here as well.

Love my sweet Hubby, it was an awesome trip. Wish it was time to go again!

surgery

So I'm having surgery.Tomorrow. On an inguinal hernia. And unfortunately this is the only thing in my life right now to blog about :) How sad. According to my doctor it's a rather painful recovery, which I am not looking forward to. HOWEVER, on the upside this does mean that I don't have to work over conference weekend, which we always look forward to at our house... the best two weekends of the year :) So today I'm rushing to get everything done before I veg out on pain meds for a few days. I'll let you know how it goes!

20 minutes you say?

20 minutes for this workout? All I can say is Thank you, Kara, for introducing me. And also thank you Ebay for selling it to me for six dollars and eight cents. I really appreciate it. I can definitely handle 20 minutes. And it's not too shabby that I'm out of breath and sore the next day from these 20 minutes. Well worth my time I'd say.

Meet Max

Say hello and a hearty welcome to the newest addition to the O fam. Max is our darling new baby, and yes he's a puppy! He's a Shih Poo (Which I feel like an idiot saying, obviously. Say it aloud and you'll feel embarrassed too.) He's a mix between a Shih Tzu and Poodle, which apparently is a very popular mix but I'd never heard of it before.

Anyway, he was a spur of the moment idea... I was talking to my sister who had just gotten a puppy and I decided that sounded fun, so I got on KSL, and it just so happened that about 30 seconds before I did, little Max and his brothers were posted. I had to have him, he's so cute, and doesn't shed, so for the next two days I begged Ben INCESSANTLY to let me get him. I even got Ben's sister on my side, who followed my instructions perfectly (which were, of course, to call Ben a few times a day and beg him to let me get Max, and then to send him texts as well.) Looks like it worked, and Ben is wrapped around Max's little paw... as am I. He's darling, he potty trained in about a week, and he doesn't even yap like most small dogs. So here are some pictures... tell me you could resist this 3 pound puffball. Pretty sure you couldn't.

This is his favorite spot...usually on our feet taking a nap, but he'll settle for squished in between them as well

DARLING!

Christmas and babies

It's time to blog because I'm so sick of seeing my Halloween post! I'm sitting in my little house and just LOVING the lights of the Christmas tree and planning out the remainder of my Christmas shopping. I'm almost done, which is extremely unusual for me since I NEVER know what to get Ben and always go to the mall and walk around about a bagazillion times hoping for some inspiration... but this year inspiration struck early and I can't wait to see his face on Christmas morning :)

There truly is something magical about this holiday... there's such a warm aura of family and love and joy and most of all an increased awareness of our Savior. He is so aware of us and gives us so many reasons to be happy!

On a rather personal note, Ben and I have recently hit a new roadblock on our journey to have children. For just under 2 years we've been trying to conceive, although we knew from the start that it would be difficult. After failed attempts on different fertility pills my doctor looked at me a few weeks ago and said "You're over my head now, you're complicated." The entire time we'd been trying there'd been a lot of peace and a complete reassurance that we had no need to worry. However, those words coming from my doctor stopped me in my tracks. I was at work (since I work at L&D I'm able to just pull my doctor aside when I have questions. So we were standing in the hall when he told me the news) and so I hurried into a supply room and called Ben, which is when I started bawling and freaking out. Of course Ben was perfect and comforted me and remained strong even though the news was just as bad for him. A few days later as I was trying to make my appointments with the specialists down at the U we realized how quickly the expenses would add up as we began this new step in the journey. Of course then the anxiety over whether or not we'll be able to have children of our own combined with the stress of the huge financial burden that this presented.

Ben and I talked a lot and yearned for direction and guidance from the Lord. He has given us immense peace through this entire experience and we still feel certain that He is watching over us. We have decided to put the medical procedures at the U on hold for a short while and feel very peaceful about this decision. I love my sweet husband so much and he's been amazing through everything. He is so faithful and calm and rarely gets his feathers ruffled. Because of him and because of our wonderful Savior and our faith in His plan we're able to be grateful for our time together, just the two of us! We hope for children soon but are peaceful and happy in the fact that all is in our loving Heavenly Father's hands, and ultimately everything will work out as it should!

Halloween weekend part one

Halloween is over at last! Once September ends I pull out my few Halloween decorations and the random costume parts and get really happy at what this all means... fall, snow, hot chocolate, and the nearness of the two most wonderful holidays of the year (Thanksgiving and Christmas... NOT Halloween, although it's a fun one!) I enjoy planning Halloween - the costumes, the activities, inviting family and friends, but when it ends I am definitely ready to move on to bigger and better. With that said, I'm sure Christmas decor will be up at our house in no time! (and don't be a hater... I know Thanksgiving comes first. But what's Thanksgiving without a little Christmas cheer?!)

On Friday we went to Frightmares with a few friends. Pics of that will be coming soon. For now, here is what our Saturday consisted of:

Ben and I greeted our guests in this manner (Ben's sister and her cute little family, and my brother with his. Small and cozy, yet enough to make a tight fit in our small and cozy little home!)

And yes, I did get another new hairdo, and if I say so myself I do love it. Real bangs for the first time in my life, it's so exciting! Although it wasn't looking its best under my witches hat.

We had a yummy dinner and then were off to trick or treat, although the kids were only able to make it through about 5 houses. It was a very cold night! Then we were off to Hogwarts! This is Ben's sister and I accompanied by Dumbledore. A tiny witch was meant to be in the picture but her darling head got cut off!

us witches, enjoying ourselves immensely

Hagrid asked the little boys (dressed as bats) if they had escaped from the Forbidden Forest

Luna Lovegood was not thrilled by Ben's costume, it was too scary for her taste.

Moaning Myrtle, complete with her toilet.

The Sorting Hat

Hope you had so much fun as well!!

LEMON CHICKEN

This, obviously, is not a cooking blog... although I read those like the news. However, I LOVE to cook. I love the smells as they mingle and I love to watch as it all comes together beautifully. That said, I'm a pretty simple cook, and more often than not the meals around my house are quick and last minute. However, as this tantalizing smell is filling my house I decided I must share this recipe with you. Why? Because it's my absolute favorite meal ever and you all must try it. It's very simple and incredibly delicious, at least we think so! So trust me on this, try it out.

Lemon Chicken

chicken breast halves

dried oregano

pepper

seasoned salt

2 TBS butter

1/4 cup water

3 TBS lemon juice

2 minced garlic cloves (opt.)

1 tsp or 1 cube chicken bouillon granules

Brown chicken in melted butter and sprinkle generously with spices. Once browned, remove from pan. Add to pan water, lemon juice, bouillon and garlic. Bring to boil. Combine chicken and liquid and cook. Crock Pot or Electric Skillet:3-4 hours. Oven: 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

I always double everything but the chicken and make extra juice as a gravy for potatoes as a side... mashed, baked, whatever, the juice is great on them all!

He is so sweet...

Really, I have no idea how I got to be so blessed. I try to be a good person but

Ben really is so much more than I deserve, pretty much always.

Sorry for the sappiness but it's true!

On Monday I was feeling pretty down and out. Work wasn't the worst

day ever but it was a bit rough. Then my fertility pills make me sick

and I had just upped my dosage on Sunday.

Ben got woken up at 6 am to our neighbors pounding on the door

because they'd been fighting all night and thought Ben could fix their

problems, so it's not like his day was off to a great start either. Then an hour

before his work day is over he has to run down to Salt Lake for a sign permit

so his day gets extended and he gets caught in traffic. But still what does he do?

He makes an extra stop to pick up donuts and roses just cause he loves me

and I've had a rough day.

Really, I'm telling you I don't deserve that guy. But man how I love him.

Three years and I am such a slacker!

I know, I really am such a horrible blogging slacker! And I hate when the blogs I stalk aren't updated regularly but it is what it is, sorry! Mostly it's that I'm so not computer savvy and have no idea what to hook up where to get the pics from my phone to the computer so I just wait til Ben does it for me. I know. I'm lame. And I watch him and see that it's insanely easy but I just don't bother to ask him what exactly goes where exactly. So it's on my to do list. We'll see how that goes.

So, on July 18 we celebrated our 3 year anniversary! Wow, who knew that life would fly by so incredibly fast? We first went to Hogle Zoo. We haven't been there in years and it was so fun! We saw little Baby Elephant Zuri and she is darling! She knew just how to play the crowd, what with running around with a bucket on her head and playing in the water like a two year old child. Really, it was the most adorable thing! Then we saw the bird show which was also impressive. After the zoo we checked in at a hotel and went swimming before going to the gateway and then the Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square. After that we went to Liberty Park and just walked around. When we were dating we would always meet up at either Trolley Square or Liberty Park, so it was fun to go back there on a date!

They don't even move. That's got to be somewhat boring, wouldn't you say?

Not Zuri or her mother, but a rather cute elephant in itself.

Ben is such a sweetheart and we've had so much fun together. I'm so lucky to be with him. He blesses my life in ways I never imagined and I'm so glad to be a forever family!

In other news, our July was filled with lots of summer fun... here are just a few pics!

This is Tyrel and Meagan's little Mahala bug. We went to their house in Orem and went swimming a few times. She's got a little lobster she floats around in and Tyrel and Ben act like five year olds with Tyrel's water toys. It's always fun to go there and relax!

Ben's sister and her family from Idaho have been down a lot this summer and Ben absolutely adores the new little baby! He always steals him from me and never gives him back!

All we have to do is pull out our Iphones and the kids totally love us! What an awesome trick!

And lastly, over the 24th we went up to Kamas to the demolition derby. We love those! I had to work til 3 so Ben and his friend went up early and went swimming, and I got there in time for dinner at the friend's grandpa's. As always it was amazingly fun! There is just something about the summer sun, dirt in the air, Ben sitting next to me on a bleacher and cars crashing into other cars that just warms my heart! We loved it!