Evan and Kelsey Shelley

All things baby #2

2012-01-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

We are absolutely thrilled that Baby #2 is joining our family! Our kids will pretty much be exactly 2 years apart, and although that sounds pretty close, we had been working at this thing for a while.

Trying to conceive makes me an absolute crazy person... It doesn't necessarily come easy for my body to do all the right stuff, and let's just say that I am pretty much an expert on "all things fertility." I had been super anxious about the whole "trying to get pregnant" thing since we had a surprise pregnancy and miscarriage last May, and that made the whole waiting game seem even more hard... It was hard to get pregnant with Agnes, and it was hard to get pregnant this time too... I pretty much know and have tried every trick in the book, and luckily things have worked out before needing professional help. I have taken hundreds of pregnancy tests in my lifetime... (Amazon sells Wondfo test strips for dirt cheap, took me long enough to figure that out) Using some miracle herbs that puts my body on track (vitex), tracking temperatures every morning for months and months, other tricks I probably shouldn't mention on this here blog, and lots and lots of prayers... We finally got another little positive at the end of October. I couldn't even get excited until I knew we were out of the first trimester...

So for months and months I cried and cried to Evan about wanting another baby and suddenly I am crying every night that I hope I can really be a mom of two... Gotta love him. I was so anxious about the timing of this thing, hoping my kids could be close in age, and now that I have that babe growing, time can slow waaay down. please? 2nd pregnancy has been funny that way.

Anyway, here are my hopes for delivery this time around... My first delivery was probably less than ideal, and though I loved every second of it, I have some high hopes for a few things this time around:

-I would LOVE to have a VBAC... Having a C-section really wasn't that bad, but sometimes I feel like I missed out on giving birth to my child. sounds lame, i know. Of course an easier recovery wouldn't hurt either. We'll see how this turns out. I had Pre-ecplampsia the first time around and had to deliver early, so the only way I can do the VBAC thing is if I don't have those problems again and if I go into labor on my own. Kinda bad odds... but I will hope!

-I would love to not have a premature baby this time. Agnes was really healthy for being a month early, but was still in the NICU for a few days, hooked up to monitors and on an IV for low blood sugar. It really wasn't that big of a deal and I am so grateful she was okay, but I never got to have her in my room of the hospital and never felt like she was really my baby while we were there.

-Magnesium Sulfate is death. I had to be put on it for a few days during and following my c-section for blood pressure problems. It basically just makes you feel like death. I was totally out of it, passing out while trying to hold my baby, throwing up all night while holding a pillow to my belly hoping to not bust my stitches. good stuff. My biggest concern was that I was waaay too sick to get to the nursery. I wanted to nurse my baby and was so worried because I couldn't try it until the next day, and when I did, I fainted in the chair. awesome.

-Cough of Death. I had a super bad, hacking cough for weeks after my c section (surgery can do that to you) and every time I coughed was like ripping stitches, (or so it felt)

These are just silly things, and if it happens this way again? fine... It was the best few days of my life with that new little lady of mine. I just wouldn't mind snuggling with my babe in my hospital room, while eating hospital food (not an all liquid diet), and feeling great!

Anyway, here we are week 16 of pregnancy! one month until we find out the gender! SO far, things are on track and we are excited for this baby! Now if only someone could help me figure out how to ween my 18 month old. Remember how I was worried about her breastfeeding? yeah. The kid won't give it up! I really don't want to do the tandem nursing thing when baby #2 comes, so any advice would be appreciated!!!

Out with the Old...In with the New!

2012-01-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

2011 was SO good to us... I can't really even believe everything that happens in one year with a toddler around. She has changed so much this year, Evan has made some good career changes, even I made some pretty great changes this year too. Here is 2011 in a few pictures...

January: First rice cereal experience for Agnes... Look at that chunk!

She can roll!

February: First Tooth!

March: Lots of walks with Mom and Dad

April: Playing at the Park, Training for 5k, Agnes can crawl

May: Lots of fun in the Spring Weather

June: Kelsey made her goal of losing 50 lbs since January!

Agnes turns one!

July: 4th of July, Agnes can walk!

Evan goes to war... (an overnight paintball war with hundreds of people) ha...

De Groots move to New York!

August: Spent two weeks in Wisconsin!

Evan got a new job that he loves!

Tanner comes home!!!

September: Agnes and Kelsey hang out

October: Halloween, Found out some good news at the Shelley house!

November: Evan goes to Massachusetts for 3 weeks, Kelsey is sick

Agnes eating at the big kid table at Thanksgiving!

December: Christmas!

This year was so much fun... There were definitely challenges, stress, and some heartache but we are proud to announce that 2012 won't be slowing down for us...

Baby Shelley #2 due around July 10, 2012! We are SO excited! Now at 14 weeks, Kelsey is starting to feel more normal too!

Better watch out!

2011-12-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

You better watch out!

You better not cry!

You better not pout,

I'm telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Love her

2011-10-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

little climber

2011-09-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

This girl loves to climb! While we were in Wisconsin she loved climbing Uncle Ean's wall in his room.... So cute right?!

She really is such a climber though! It has been pretty scary how good she is at it, and how she has no sense of what is dangerous. I looked away for one second and she had climbed onto the couch, up the back and onto the window sill... She climbs the stairs all day long and has always been really good at turning around and going down backwards, but suddenly she thinks she can just walk down like us. She is definitely just like her daddy. She is so determined!

On another note... she is SUCH a talker. She can suddenly say SO many words. She copies everything I say and it sounds almost just as plain as I said it. It is crazy! She especially loves saying "shoes". She carries them all throughout the house and says it a billion times a day.

She can also do all of her animal sounds in English and German... It is SO cute and funny and every time I try to get a video of it, she gets so shy and won't do it! We will work on it this week. She can do: Bear, Cow, Cat, Dog, Lizard, Frog, Bunny, Tiger, Pig, Horse, Elephant, Rooster, Sheep, bird, bug... it is so cute. She understands the commands in English and German...I am so in love with her.

Hello Wisconsin!

2011-09-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

We got to go to Wisconsin in August and we had a blast. I would really love to live there someday! It is just beautiful... I am so sad that I didn't take more pictures of the lakes. It is all gorgeous! We had a great time visiting Evan's friends, eating glorious-rich-smoothy-creamy custard, spending time with family that we miss so much, outlet shopping, running through corn fields, showing Agnes fireflies, going to the Milwaukee Brewhouse on the riverside with friends, going to the zoo, eating cheese curds, walking the lakes, driving for miles... It is all SO gorgeous. I so wish I would have taken more pictures. I felt silly bringing my camera everywhere because I was the only tourist in the bunch! haha...

Cute Cousin Wyatt

Beautiful Cousin Bentley

Visiting Grammy Agnes... We love her SO much!

Evan's family even surprised me with a birthday party! Evan's sister Liesl graced us with her culinary talent and made this amazing salad and lemon ricotta cookies...

And a party isn't complete without one of my mother in law's beautiful cakes! This was the best cheesecake I have ever had!

The many faces of Agnes Claire

2011-08-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

SUPER post!!!

2011-07-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry in advance for the SUPER post!
We went to Lake Powell a few weeks ago and it was SO much fun!!! Thanks Mom and Dad for the awesome trip!

Here she looks like she is crying, but she is acually singing her guts out! haha!

Agnes was pretty clingy (i think she was scared of the cold water) but we still had a blast!!!

Here is a little update on Aggie... I need to blog more, but where does everyone find the time?! haha...

Here are the 12 month stats for the little miss, better late than never right?!

Weight:

18.56 lbs = 9th percentile
Height: 28 inches = 13th percentile
Head: 17.5 inches = 27th percentile

So the verdict is: she is a little peanut! haha... The doctor said she is doing great though!

Lately She:

-Loves to walk! ahhh! She has been taking steps all over, unless she needs to get somewhere fast, then she'll crawl.
-When she does crawl, she does it on her hands and feet (like Mogli) She doesn't like scraping her knees i guess, and she is super fast! haha. She looks like a little monkey!
-She has been talking like crazy! She can do all of her animal sounds!
-She always says, "go go go!" And waits by the front door to go outside, she is like my little pet dog...
-When she wants something, she'll just point to it and say, "yeah" over and over until I give it to her.
-She mastered going down the stairs!! Yay! She still gets a bit over confident and stumbles now and then, so I still have to be right by her. It is so funny though because now she will turn around just to go out the threshold of the door, or anything that has a half inch drop!
-She loves chocolate, and knows exactly what it is when I say it
-She can now put words together like, "Hi Dada!"
-She loves dropping things, and putting things in bins and taking them out. She constantly dumps the bath toys into the bath, and when she is in she is throwing them out! She also loves throwing food now... haha yay?
-She folds her arms for the prayer!
-She has become such a champion sleeper! She never even cries when I put her down. She just rolls over and climbs into her corner in a ball.
-She has this funny game where she will just keep handing me things and say "da" she just laughs and laughs and thinks it is SO funny!
-She understands German commands from Daddy... It is so cute.
-She is really tough. She hits her head and falls all the time, and hardly ever cries about it.
-She loves to sing. It is so funny. Whenever she hears a song, she just sings this long and low "aaaahhh"

-She will say hi to anyone, unless they look at her first, or come too close, then she turns away from them and gets WAY shy!

Well, She has grown up a ton! my little baby is not so little... I know I say that every post, but seriously! Where did this year go?! I feel like she was just born yesterday, and yet I can't even remember what it was like when she was that small and helpless!

We are having fun though... Here are just a few pics to prove it.

Gotta love the baby outside in a diaper!

That's all for now! Thanks for reading the SUPER post!!!

the 4th

2011-07-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

SO grateful for our freedom in this country!

Happy Independence Day!

Here she took some of her first steps!! Yay for having the camera present! haha

First Birthday Party!

2011-06-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Cake and the Smash Cake!

I wish I would have gotten more pictures of everyone there! It was so fun!! I also wish I would have gotten more pictures of Evan... He was just grilling away... I love that man... All in all, it was a wonderful day! I just can't believe my little baby is one. Time really flies!!!

The Loot! haha We took a picture like this every year growing up!

One year

2011-06-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe my little baby is one year old today. This year has changed me. Happy Birthday my sweet Aggie, Kleiner Poopsa, Schnecke, Nessa, Schatzchen, Missy, Ags, My little Agnes Claire... Can't wait to spend many more birthdays together!!

I am ready to be proud

2011-06-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I posted a link to my other blog

www.kelseyschange.blogspot.com ?

Well, I was super self conscious about it... but I can now be proud of it.

I have lost 48 lbs... 17 inches...almost cut my dress size in half...and gained a lot of confidence!

I am absolutely disgusted by my before picture and never showed it to anyone... But I am a new person now, and I can do hard things!

Go check out my progress pics!

This is LOVE

2011-05-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

I love these two! more than I ever thought I could.

I can't believe my little Agnes will be one next month... Where did this year go? It was simply bliss. She is so fun, so active, so curious, so adventurous, so much like her daddy. She is so trusting, so loving, so happy... I feel like I couldn't ask for anything more. I can't wait to start all over and do it again sometime...

Agnes:
-says wow and woah all the time...
-loves to sing in the car, she does this really loud "ahhh" just like her "singamajigs"
-is obsessed with the stairs. When we put the gate up, she climbed up and over it.
-Loves to play
-Loves kids and animals
-will eat literally anything and will always go for vegetables first!
-she still loves mommy's milk and nurses in the craziest positions. Her latest is trying to stand and nurse at the same time... (???!)
-She loves "head, shoulders, knees and toes."
-says TaDA!
-Walks around all the furniture and can stand on her own...but still afraid to take any steps on her own.
-loves bath time.
-She is obsessed with instruments. We have our instruments hanging on the wall and she just stares up at them and claps until we get them down to play. She also LOVES playing the piano. (thats my girl! ) We can't wait to get her a little mini violin someday.
-She loves being outside and still loves the family walks.

She makes me laugh every day... I know there are a million other funny things she does that I can't even remember right now... but here are a few.

I just love our little family.

Picture Overload!

2011-05-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

Lately smiling at the camera is the last thing little miss Agnes wants to do... oh well. This cat that jumped our fence didn't help much either. She was terrified when it came too close.

Lately she is obsessed with standing and getting into everything. It is really fun, but my baby is getting so old.

And of course, she thinks she doesn't need a diaper anymore either...

Day at the Park

2011-04-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Lately she:
-is obsessed with talking on the phone... Everything she picks up goes straight for her ear followed by "wo wo?"
-loves Patty Cake
-suddenly crawls all over the place and pulls herself up onto everything
-first time she has been sick! I know we have been so lucky... She had a little cold last week.
-waves and says "wo" and "buhbuh"
-still falls asleep every night sitting forward... weird girl, but she likes it!
-Loves food... especially colorful food like brocolli.
-Loves her daily walks with Mom and Dad
-Totally scared of strangers and she gives them the dirtiest looks
-Thinks it is so funny when I smell and react to her stinky feet
-totally knows what "milk" is, and if I say it she tries to dive down my shirt

My baby is totally growing up. I can't even believe it. She is not really my little baby anymore, but more of a little toddler. I am just loving this stage though. She is SO fun. Being a mommy is the best thing in the entire world and I never guessed it would be this fun.

Here are her 9 month stats...better late than never

Weight: 17 lbs 15 oz (28 %)
Height: 26 inches (8 %)
Head: 17 inches (22%)

She is my little shorty, and she is thinning out a lot (losing that baby chub...tear)

Sleeping Comfortably?

2011-03-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here is what we found last night after Agnes fell asleep...

Yes...she is sound asleep like this.

We couldn't imagine how uncomfortable this would be, and Evan couldn't take it and moved her... Luckily she stayed asleep!

Earlier we had gone on a family walk and noticed she started bobbing, so we layed her stroller down (poor neck!) but she enjoyed it.

Love this girl!

8 months old!

2011-02-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Agnes turned 8 months old about a week ago! I cannot believe how fast she is growing up!
Lately she:

-Loves clapping her hands
-Flaps her arms really fast when she gets excited
-Dances to music
-Can do the sign for "more"
-Got her first tooth! yay! I feel like we have been teething for months!
-Sleeps through the night!!!
-is starting to hate being swaddled...but doesn't settle down without it
-Can finally roll over both ways (but won't usually do it)
-has gotten "stranger danger" and is very cautious about being in a new place
-Loves dogs. She can do the sign for dog, and tries to "woof" when she hears one. She loves our family dog Libby, and Libby doesn't mind when Agnes pulls her hair.
-Loves fruit...especially whatever mom is eating. Mostly oranges and bananas.
-Loves cold water. (just like mom) She signs "more, more more" constantly when the sippy cup is around.
-is looking like a red head?! What? do you see it? crazy right?
I am just so in love with this girl.

2011-02-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

Life is getting easier. We are finally getting over some issues in the sleep department. Agnes has been going to bed much better, and I am getting better at leaving her there. I have learned to turn off the monitor, close the door, and see her in the morning. It was hard to do, but the last 5 nights or so, I have slept more than I can ever remember! It feels so good.

In other news, Agnes is becoming more independent and less needy of me...this means I can actually get something done during the day! She is getting much better at sitting and playing for a while. For a while there, I was carrying her with me all over the house.

I just love her so much. It is so fun to watch her learn and grow.

Here is my cranky girl after a long day at church... Church can be difficult when there is no naptime...

but she's cute anyway! haha

6 months old!

2010-12-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my Nessa Girl is 6 months old! Where did the time go?! It has been the best 6 months of my life.

Agnes loves:

playing with presents, playing with her feet, sucking on everything, drooling, music, bathtime, talking and squeeling and screaming... Sitting up and standing up (with help), she is starting to love rolling over, she loves mickey mouse clubhouse and baby signing time, and she is always smiling at strangers...she's such a pleaser! ha

She doesn't like:

sleeping in her crib (what happend? she used to love it?! ahhh!), loud noises, sitting in church for three hours, pacifiers...I still try everyday but she will NOT take them...and I am sure many more things that I can't think of right now!

gotta love the baby cellulite! haha

I love her silly faces!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Be safe and have fun!

Christmas Time!

2010-12-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

We are very excited for Christmas! I just love this season...and it's even more fun with a little family! :) In other news, Agnes can sit up by herself pretty well although sometimes she still sinks down the side. She finally rolled over this week from tummy to back. She did it like 5 times one night, and hasn't done it since... So we are still working on it!

My little Poser!

2010-11-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Fall Leaves!

2010-11-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

4 month stats!

2010-11-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Weight 14.9 lbs=70%
Head 16 inch=33%
Height 23 inches=19%

Verdict=short and chubby!

Check out how much she has grown in the last 4 months! It is so crazy to me!

Compare these bird legs...

to these!

I love this girl!

Halloween!

2010-11-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Any guesses of what we were?

We were the story of the Princess and the pea... Evan was the mattress!

It was a happy Halloween indeed!

Tummy Time!

2010-10-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hooray for finally loving tummy time! Agnes used to just dig her face into the ground and cry... Now she is getting strong enough to hold herself up. Maybe we can finally work on rolling over!

I can't believe she is already four months old!

Agnes has been hanging out in her fleece bear suit a lot lately... Evan and I have found a new love for geo caching... So we have been trekking through cemeteries and other spooky places for Halloween treasure...

LOVE

2010-10-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

Grammy

2010-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

This post should have been here months ago, but I was busy with a newborn and stuff.

This is Evan's Grammy, Agnes. She is obviously the inspiration for the name of our little Agnes. She came out to meet our Agnes when she was a week old, and she traveled here all the way from Wisconsin.

I met Grammy over a year ago when Evan and I went to Wisconsin last summer. I just fell in love with her. She is so sweet, so loving, so funny, and seems much younger than her age. She plays solitaire every night in bed on her ipad...

When we left Wisconsin I told Evan that we had to name our future daughter Agnes. He loved the name.

When I found out I was pregnant with a girl, we called Grammy on skype and told her we decided on a name for our baby and wanted to tell her what it was... jokingly she said, "anything but Agnes!" and we laughed and laughed when we told her it was!

It was so beautiful when our little Agnes met Grammy. We all felt a little closer to Grammpy, who had just passed away earlier this year.

Grammy made our Agnes that beautiful cream blanket and gave her this locket... it has grammy Agnes' initials on one side and baby Agnes' on the other...

Anyway, sorry this post is so late, but it had to be posted!

We're still here!

2010-10-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am sure you were all DYING to see what we've been up to right?

Well, it hasn't been anything overly exciting... Just my normal day to day stuff, and I have just been too busy to blog.

Agnes LOVES:

to eat her fists
to kick and splash in the tub
to talk and talk and talk all day
to giggle and smile every time I look at her
to be swaddled up tight
to try to sing to music
to watch TV (bad mother, I know)
to look at herself in the mirror
to swing

I LOVE her

ps I didn't chop my hair, it just looks like it

Him

2010-09-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

I love this boy

and I am going to miss him so much

he is so handsome. and he is my brother and best friend.

Those lucky people in Toronto, Canada... I can't wait for them to meet him.

I love this picture of my mom and him

See you later Tanner... I love you.

singing time!

2010-09-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is 2 1/2 months old! Where did these last months go? It seems like just yesterday I held her for the first time...and yet I can't even remember what life was like without her!

She had a Dr appointment last week where we learned that she is 12 lbs! The doctor was very happy with that...especially for being a preemie. She is in the 20th percentile for head circumference and height, and 75th for weight! Atta girl! short and chunky!

My little Aggie Nessa LOVES music and yesterday she was trying to sing along with me... This video makes me crack up! (Just ignore my "pitchy" voice and forgetting the lyrics multiple times) Thank you Nickle Creek... Oh, and check out Agnes' awesome dance moves at the end.

Agnes also went swimming for the first time last week and she loved it!

And last but not least...my girl slept through the night last night!!! Hallelujah!

Living a dream!

2010-08-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of stills from my music video that we shot on Saturday. Pretty exciting eh?

Thunder

2010-08-19T11:49:00.001-07:00

Today I decided to lay down the last of my vocal tracks for a song, when the thunder started cracking. I have been trying to finish these tracks for weeks, but having a quiet house with an infant doesn't come easily. I was so excited to finally get some time in when I got my girl into the deep breaths of her morning nap as I tiptoed into my not-so soundproof studio. I started running the track, and just when I took a breath to sing, There was a loud crack of thunder. Through the mic, and my headphones and sending the volume to peak out on my recording, I decided this was not the time.

Instead, I went to the swing and picked up my lovely and snuggled her to the sound of the rain pounding on the tin roof of our car port.

I love this.

I love her. I love the way she nuzzles herself into me. I love to lay her on my tummy and pat her back and I feel like I am patting my pregnant belly again. It feels just the same, and then reality makes sense. She was really that precious thing squirming inside of me. I love the way this girl looks at me. It is like she knows so much more about love and life and heaven than I could ever know, and now I actually understand that little children are perfect...she really is.

And then I get scared. As the thunder crashes around our house and the rain pours down, I remember the great responsibility I have. She is going to go through so many trials... I have to be the one to keep her safe from this world. She is going to need me to be there, the same way my mom is there for me, and I hope I can live up to that. If I could be a fraction of that woman, than I would have one lucky girl.

For now I am just trying to learn every day how to be a mom. I love this job. I am so lucky. It is the best job I have ever had, and the only job I have ever really wanted.

I love August storms.

Smiles!

2010-08-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

little update

2010-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have so much I could talk about... and so little time. I can't believe that I am even taking this time to blog during the precious time that the girl is asleep. She does not like to be put down ever...so I don't get a lot done around here. I don't get showered, or dressed...I don't get cleaning or laundry done. But it really is okay. Infact, it is amazing. I wouldn't trade it.

(oh....and that was`one short nap! I will attempt the one handed typing)

Agnes is getting so old and big! I am not sure what she weighs now, but I am guessing around 10 lbs! She is 7 weeks old...still eating about every 2 hours. She loves it, and I love that I am the only person who can give her what she needs. We still are not getting much sleep, but it is getting easier. She is starting to respond to us a lot more which is so fun! She has given us some adorable smiles and really likes to study our faces. She LOVES music. We are constantly moving and singing to her, and she cries when we stop.

I have been really busy with a music project I am working on... It is a pretty cool and big project, but I am excited to be done with it and focus more on being a good mom, and not neglect her during recording sessions and costume fittings. Speaking of costume fittings, post Pregnant body is not pretty, which is stressing me! ha... Even though I am at my pre pregnancy weight, it looks waaay different. I know it takes time... but it doesnt make costume fittings easy!

Well... I have so much more I could say, but my girl is needing some attention.

Blessing Day!

2010-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was such a beautiful day! I just feel like my life couldn't be any more perfect. Evan gave the most beautiful blessing to our perfect little Agnes... and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Here is our Agnes Claire in the same dress that I was blessed in...

The Priesthood brethren, minus my dad...He had to run to his ward.

The whole group...thanks everyone for coming!

My dad and Agnes after the festivities

Bath time!

2010-07-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a little progression video of our little Nessa's love for bath time!

Tutu Cute

2010-07-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

I love this girl.

We're Pals

Happy Due Date!!

2010-07-16T08:43:00.001-07:00

I can't imagine my life without you! This past (almost) month has been incredible... Happy due date my sweet baby!

2010-07-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

Happy

2010-07-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am so in LOVE with this face! Happy 4th of July indeed! Who knew I would get to spend this holiday with this cutie?! Many more pictures to come!

Agnes Claire Shelley

2010-06-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Agnes Claire Shelley
Born 5:56 PM on Tuesday, June 22
6lbs 8 oz
17 inches long

Tuesday I had an appointment with my doctor where we discussed delivering the baby on Thursday. We agreed that at this point, for the safety of me and my baby, she would be better out than in. He sent me over to the hospital for another routine non stress test, and we knew just like every other day, that it wouldn't mean anything different.

Just as we thought, the baby looked good, and my blood pressure was in the "okay" numbers, so the nurse went to send me home, but called my doctor first. He told her that before they sent me home, she should take my blood pressure sitting up and with a manual cuff (versus laying on my left side, with an automatic machine). She did this, and instantly my numbers were really high. The next thing I knew, I was getting an IV, and prepping for a C-section. I thought it was great because I didn't even have time to get nervous about it. I quickly called my mom, telling her this thing was happening within the next half hour.

My mom's cute cousin happened to be there working and got to be in on my C-section. She held me forward during the spinal and really kept me relaxed. Before I knew it, I was completely numb, and Evan was at my side. I didn't even realize they had started the surgery. My doctor plugged in his iphone and blared Norah Jones version of "Imagine." I felt so good and relaxed. I guess the baby was so high up in my ribs, that the drs had a hard time getting her out. Suddenly they had 3 men on top of me pressing down with everything they had on my chest. Since, I was only numb from the waist down, I felt like all of my ribs were breaking and my collar bones were getting smashed. Even the anesthesiologist had to help. It was a little scary, but before I knew it, I heard the most beautiful sound in the world, my sweet little baby's cry. She was screaming, and I was bawling. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever felt.

After being checked out, she was handed to Evan, and I got to see her for the first time. They had Evan take her out to get checked out some more, as I stayed and got sewn up.

They wheeled me back to a room where I waited for word on my baby. She was taken to the level II nursery. She had low blood sugar and had to be on monitors and an IV. I was able to have my bed wheeled in to the nursery and hold her for the first time.

The night was a little difficult, because they had me on Magnesium Sulfate which prevents seizures due to the high blood pressure. The Magnesium was not so fun. It made me really sick, weak, and out of it. I was having such a hard time doing anything, and I was so worried because I couldn't get down to the nursery to feed my baby. Luckily the next afternoon I was taken off the magnesium and felt amazing almost instantly. I was finally able to get to the nursery to enjoy my baby, and feed her. I felt like she wasn't really my baby because I always had nurses around watching like hawks, making sure she was doing okay. By Thursday, I was finally able to have her with me in my room.

Her blood sugar levels were looking great, and I was doing good, so we got the ok to come home! Yesterday we got home and it has been amazing. Being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world. Breastfeeding has been so amazing...I love it so much. Agnes loves her daddy. She always calms right down for him. I think it is adorable. Evan and I just stare at her and can't believe how lucky we are to have her.

I am feeling really good! The recovery has not been too bad at all. I am a little sore, but keeping up on the meds is always good! This whole thing has just felt like an amazing dream. I just don't know what I ever did to deserve this in my life...

More updates to come! I can't believe she is already 4 days old! I wish time would stop...

Nursery Pics

2010-06-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

I am still here just anxiously waiting for the "go ahead and induce" from my doctor. It has been kind of a crazy week, in and out of the hospital and wondering if we were staying or going home. An appointment tomorrow morning could give us more answers as to the exact day... (My doctor said it would be sometime this week) Luckily they are more worried about my health and my little baby is doing great. My heartrate has been super high (while being on bedrest), and my blood pressure is still high, resulting in crazy weird spotty vision, migraines, dizziness...etc. All of the tests are still coming back good though, there is currently no damage to my major organs. I am thinking I will have a baby this week so we can prevent any of that from happening. And then, they say I will pretty much be cured! Once the placenta is out, things will go back to normal!

In the meantime... Here are some pictures from our nursery! I can't wait to snuggle my little girl!

Evan built me this adorable changing table! He is amazing, and it has been quite a fun little project over the last few months.

I still have a few more small things to do, (like hang up the cute hair bows!) but it has turned out fun. The best part about this room is that it didn't cost very much and a lot of it we did ourselves. All of the wood was left in the garage from our last apartment and nobody wanted it... so we took it and created the changing table and wall hangings! We bought the crib and bedding, and that is about it!

2 weeks

2010-06-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

The little baby ticker on the side of my blog is apparently wrong. >>>
It says 44 more days. Take the first number, minus 3 and keep the second number.

14.

The DR says I am having this baby in 2 weeks...if I can make it that far.

I guess I am having a June baby!

I suddenly became very happy, nervous, excited, and terrified all at once!

From the bedside...

2010-05-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting week. 4 trips to labor and delivery, 2 appointments with my doctor, and lots of unknowns. My blood pressure numbers have been all over the place. As of now, I am on bedrest to keep these numbers down. Right now things seem pretty stable if I am always down, but my doctor said things can skyrocket for no reason and take a turn for the worst. In that case, we could have a baby any day, but if things stay the same, we are aiming for 37 weeks or more. So, it is pretty weird not knowing a real timeframe. (I am almost 34 weeks)

They say this happends in 7% of all pregnancies and it is just the way your body is reacting to foreign tissue in your body. The only cure is to deliver the baby... There is nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening.

It is pretty exciting that I could be meeting my little baby soon! But, I am most worried about her having to come too soon! We would love to have her with as little NICU time as possible.

But all is well from the bedside! I just feel bad for not being able to help Evan out more. It is weird to just be lazy everyday. And if you have any suggestions of TV series, activities, or other things to occupy my time, let me know!

Trip to L&D

2010-05-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

Today I had a regular old appointment with my doctor, but was pretty surprised to find that things weren't perfect. I guess I should have expected it, as I haven't felt that great the last little while, but I figured it was just 3rd trimester fun.

My blood pressure was pretty high, and I was sent right to the hospital to Labor and Delivery. After blood tests and lots of monitoring, a couple of hours later I was sent home told to take it easy tonight. Tomorrow I go back for results which will indicate how serious...and potentially how early this baby could come. Crazy! Most likely I will be put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I guess we will know tomorrow!

2 years!

2010-05-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was our 2 year anniversary! It was a fabulous day filled with shopping, Iron Man 2, Tucanos, and Nickel Arcades. It was the best day. These 2 years have flown by so quick, and yet I can't remember what life was before Evan...

I love how excited he is for this baby. He can't stand it. I can't wait to watch him be a daddy.

Speaking of baby... (I know...that's all my blog consists of, but really...this is my life right now)

-She definitely found my ribs. and I think it might be with her feet! (She has been breach the whole time so far... so YAY!) We will soon find out for sure.

-She gets the hiccups a lot... like more than I think would be normal...but I hear that's fine!

-She LOVES bluegrass music! (thanks Nickel Creek!)

Now for my turn:

-9 weeks to go! I really can't believe it!

-Warning may be TMI--My pubic bone is killing me. like I can't even lift my legs to put my pants on, every step I take kills me. And it's been like this for months!

-Heart burn wasn't fun... but now I take Zantac morning and night and I feel incredible!

-Contractions! many times a day...getting quite annoying! Evan and I tried to go on a little hike the other day...we didn't last long. I had one contraction that lasted over 30 minutes. but again...they say it's all normal!

-Yes, the nursery is pretty much done. I will post pics later I promise!

And FYI, I may have just complained a little about 3rd trimester symptoms...but I wouldn't trade any of them for anything!

For Posterity's Sake

2010-04-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ahhh! I can't believe how fast time is flying! I am sure loving it though! She is going to be here before we know it!

A couple of things to rejoice about lately:
-28 weeks...7 months...3rd trimester!
-BYU finals week is almost over, meaning: I get my husband back...he gets some more sleep, and the next time he goes back to school we will have a baby! crazy!
-I am free of a job! YAY!
-I get to do all sorts of projects!-I had an amazing baby shower a couple of weeks ago. I feel so blessed! And our little miss is going to be one spoiled girl!
-Tuesdays are my favorite: the biggest loser, LOST, and GLEE! The DVR can't even handle it... but I can :)
-Can we just talk about the amazingness of LOST? I will be so depressed when it's done!
-Springtime is just BEAUTIFUL!

Yay! SO many reasons to love life. Seriously.

Follow-up Ultrasound

2010-03-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

I'm 24 weeks! 6 months pregnant!!!

Today we had a follow-up ultrasound because our little girl was so stubborn last time and didn't show us everything we needed to see. I was so happy to be able to get another one because our ultrasound tech was training at my 20 week appt, and I felt kinda gypped! So, today we got plenty more pictures... The first thing the tech said today was, "Now who told you this baby was a girl?" I almost died. She was kidding. What a horrible trick. She is VERY much still girl, and growing just perfectly! She was completely folded in half, with her head to her feet. She is very flexible! The tech just kept laughing at her crazy positions! We also found that she is a little over a pound and a half, and growing ahead of schedule which puts my due date up 4 days... who knows if that even means anything though, I'm still counting on being overdue in the July heat just so I don't get my hopes up! I am still just so amazed at how awesome ultrasounds are! I felt like for a second like she was right there with us... She looked so real, so cute...and I can't believe that she is growing inside me. It is the coolest thing I have ever experienced, and I seriously love being pregnant.

We have been busy getting her little Nursery ready! We have her crib and bedding, and Evan has been building her dresser/changing table, and it has turned out SO cute! I am so in love. I will post pictures soon!

Sometimes I get so scared that soon my whole life is going to drastically change, but at the same time I couldn't be more excited. This is what I have wanted for so long...and I can't believe that it's really going to happen to me.

It's a....

2010-02-23T15:54:00.001-08:00

I am seriously so shocked right now! I was COMPLETELY sure this baby was a boy... but I am so excited for our little girl! I can't wait to meet her!
This pic is a little blurry, but here's the proof! Everything just looks perfect so far! I feel so lucky to be blessed with this little gal! We love her so much already! And thank goodness she's a she, because we could only agree on a girl name! (although it will be kept secret!!!)

"Oh Cute! Is it your son's birthday?"

2010-02-22T08:20:00.000-08:00

I was asked that question while checking out at the store about a week ago.

See for yourself:

Spiderman wrapping paper
Teenage mutant ninja turtles t shirtStar Wars Legos

"Haha," I replied. "It's my husband's."

Evan is 24! It is a little late, but better late than never! These silly last minute things that I was picking up for his birthday made me laugh. Everything about him makes me laugh and I love him so much. I never thought that I could really love someone this much. Happy Birthday Ev!

Oh, and make your last minute guesses!
TOMORROW we find out if we will have a mini Evan running around...or a little me!
Big Ultrasound in the morning!

little bump!

2010-02-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

I have so much to blog about, and no time! Today is kind of like a really crazy day for me. It is Parent Day at my job which means our little production show is tonight. I am so sick of the Wizard of OZ and all costumes that go with it, but I am sure the kids will do great! I just hope the techy does OK=ME...

In the meantime...Here are a couple of little bump pics. (just about 19 weeks) Not sure yet if it looks like baby or just fat! It feels like baby to me though...and oh how I love feeling this little thing move around!(and yes, I am an awesome photographer taking these in the bathroom mirror and all)

Speaking of little thing, We find out the gender on TUESDAY! That is right! 5 days! We are super excited! I have had a guess of what it is since the beginning, but do you ever really know for sure?! I am dying to find out! So folks...Make your guesses!!! What do you think we will be having?!

Update!

2010-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

I feel like I finally have something to blog about! Many of you probably heard that we are having a baby this July! We are so excited! My due date is July 16, 2010! I found out I was pregnant on Halloween and I am about 13 weeks along right now, which is so awesome! I just can't believe that it is real.

I am pretty lucky to say that my first trimester has been pretty easy compared to the other women in my family. I was pretty terrified that I would be like my mom and sisters, who had extreme morning sickness, (like didn't get out of bed for 4 months, stuck on an IV, throwing up over 70 times a day morning sickness)... I am pretty shocked that things have been pretty easy for me. I have felt a little sick here and there, I get extremely hungry but not much tastes good, and I am extremely tired, like go to bed at 6:30 PM tired... yeah. I think I am starting to even phase out of these symptoms though... Everyday I feel a little better, which is always awesome... I also think I am starting to get a little baby bump which is just so cute! (I love that having a belly can be cute)

I can't wait to find out the gender of our little lime... right now it's just an it, but I still love it. I have had a few drs appointments and so far everything looks good!

I feel so lucky to be able to carry this little baby, and I can't believe that it is really going to be a baby in the end, and that I will be its mom. It is such an amazing experience. We have been wanting this for such a long time. I know what it feels like every time someone announces a pregnancy and your heart sinks because it isn't you. I know how it feels when it seems like you are the only one that can't make it happen on the first try. I hope no one has felt that way reading my blog... This is such an exciting time, and I am so happy to share the news, yet I know how it feels when it isn't you over and over again.

Other news with us...

We moved to Pleasant Grove! We moved into a townhouse with an extra bedroom for our baby's room. I can't wait to decorate, and get it all set up! I go and sit in there all the time just imagining what will soon live in that room!

Christmas so wonderful this year! We had such a fun time with family. We were pretty excited about these new additions:

Camera!

Bread Machine!Baby Swing!

It was a great Christmas! I need to post more pictures of the event... since we have a bunch! But for now, that is what's new with us!

First comes LOVE. Then comes MARRIAGE. Then comes...

2009-12-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

...a pretty cute Christmas card! We are SO excited!

Fall Colors

2009-10-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

I LOVE fall... I have decided that it really is my favorite season. It is the excitement for the holidays, the crisp weather, new sweaters and coats, a new beginning, and of course, the beautiful Utah colors... Unfortunately, my favorite season never lasts quite long enough, as winter sneaks right in, and stays far too long. I love snow, don't get me wrong, but there is something about Fall.

Last weekend we went camping. I was terrified that we would freeze to death. I wore, no joke, 6 layers to bed. It was heavenly. I love camping...I am so grateful for this beautiful Earth.

...I love taking pictures with Evan, but seeing that there are only two of us around here, we are SO sick of seeing pictures of us like this, this, and this...
The "take it yourself" doesn't work out so well, resulting in... not so many cute pictures of us.
so I asked my little sis, Maddie to take a few shots of us the other day and they turned out alright!

Better than take out!

2009-09-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Cafe Rio Pork Salad... Perhaps one of my favorite things! I found this recipe, made it today and absolutely LOVED it! Try it, trust me you will love it!

Here's what you will need for the whole salad:

Tortillas
Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice (recipe below)
Black or Pinto Beans
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork (recipe below)
Lettuce (NOT iceberg, use leafy green or Romaine)
Diced tomato, onion, and cilantro (pico de gallo)
Guacamole (optional)
Tortilla Strips
Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch (recipe below)

Just Like Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

2 pounds pork (we use boneless pork rib meat, a pork roast doesnt quite get tender enough)
Coca Cola (NOT diet) enough to cover pork
1/4 c. brown sugar
dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water

Put in Crock Pot on Low for 6-8 hours (I just did it overnight)

Drain off the juice, shred pork, (removing fatty peices).

Sweet Pork Sauce:
3/4 cup coke
1 can sliced green chilies
1 can enchilada sauce (I use Old El Paso brand, medium spiciness but any will work)
1 c. brown sugar

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.

Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours or until serving. That's it! SO good! I couldn't believe it!

Cilantro Lime Rice

I just cooked the rice in my rice cooker, then added:

4 TBS melted butter
Juice from 2 limes
2 tsp sugar
salt to taste
chopped cilantro

Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing

1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. buttermilk
2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalepeno (just remove the seeds)

Mix together in a blender. Dressing will thicken a bit in the fridge.

Recent Happenings...

2009-09-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a while... we have just been so busy!

School is back in session, which means I see Evan a whole lot less than I wish I did, but I am slowly adjusting to it. It always takes us a bit to get adjusted to a new schedule. Evan gets used to going straight from an all night work shift to an all day school shift, leaving limited time for homework, sleep, and well... me. But he does it. I can't believe it, and I love him so much for it. He kills himself to support and serve me. He sacrifices so much. Seriously... I feel so lucky to have him.

School is back for Evan...not for me. I love it. I can't believe that I am finished and will not be going back! It is a great feeling! I was really scared to be working...and only working. It sounds so pathetic, but I have had really bad anxiety about every job I have ever had... I couldn't figure out why. I hadn't been to my desk job for months...I just stopped going, I couldn't face it. I was feeling so bad about myself and about my contribution to our marriage. I was not happy. Well...with major answers to prayers I ended up with a new job interview. That wasn't really the answer I wanted. I didn't even want to go to the interview. I didn't want to get the job because I was terrified. (so crazy... what has happened to me??? haha) Well... I was offered the job. I took it. And I can't believe how much I love it. I am so happy and so grateful for it which I have never felt about a job before. I feel like I am making a difference in so many aspects. I can't believe I get paid to do something I love this much.
I know you are wondering what made this great change in me, well...I am working with troubled teens in a drama therapy program and doing weekly field trips with them. I love it.

We have been busy...thus the neglect of my blog.
But we are having fun, and so in love along the way.

Steel Days Car Show

2009-07-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

My brother Tanner got to show off his pride and joy last Saturday at the Steel Days Car Show. This is his 1963 Ford Thunderbird. He has been so working hard to restore it... Check out how awesome it is!
Evan must have been telling quite the story, but I had to show proof that he was here...

I just love you tinnsicle!

I started a new blog!

2009-07-07T12:08:00.001-07:00

Okay people. I started a new blog! It's called, A time for change...

visit

kelseyschange.blogspot.com

if you are with me, or if you just want to support!

okay thanks!

Kels

summer so far...

2009-06-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

I never feel like I have anything too exciting to blog about, but I guess I will just work with what I've got!

Summer has been awesome so far! We went up to Idaho a couple of weeks ago to visit Evan's sister and see her new baby boy, Wyatt... He is adorable and it was so fun to see them!

Our fabulous Garden has been growing around here which we are so happy about... and here is a picture of our cute little house...

We've spent some days in SLC... We went to the aquarium in Sandy which was SO cool... and to the planetarium at Gateway.

This weekend we went down to Las Vegas for my best friend Becca's wedding! It was so fun and so beautiful!

I love these two SO much and we are SO excited for them!
Becca had a Dippin Dots bar at her reception=AMAZING!
I wish I had more pictures to post of us, but when it's just the two of us hanging out and having a blast, we don't have a photographer to follow us around!

And I had to post a picture of (my niece) my Nina girl eating oreos! I can't get enough of her...

So, that's our lazy summer so far...

Kalledge Gradooite

2009-05-25T23:25:00.000-07:00

Look! I did it!

Graduate of Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Music...

President Monson spoke at my Graduation and Presidents Uchtdorf and Eyring were there too!

I kind of bumped into them before commencement began backstage and they told me congrats...

Playing in an orchestra for, lets hope, not the last time!
I can't believe that I am a College Graduate! I hate to admit it, but I never really thought I would finish! I am pretty proud of all that I have learned in the past 4 years!

Here are a few highlights:

-Left home to attend Southern Utah University (scariest and best thing ever!)

-Met some of my BEST friends there

-Had some of my most challenging and growing experiences

-First Kiss as a Freshman in college (I have come a long way!) haha

-Scholarships at SUU for Viola

-Played in the orchestra for Collin Raye

-Symphony Orchestra performed one of my pieces!

-countless recitals, solos, and concerts that my parents came down to see...

-Principal Violist as a freshman

-Failed my first math class

-Retook my math class and did well!

-Found a change was needed... moved home and enrolled at UVSC

-Found out the Math class I retook didn't transfer to UVSC...

-Took 2 more math classes at UVSC which almost killed me

-Lots of dating

-Almost changed my major to Digital Media

-Moved to Carriage Cove

-Performance Scholarships

-Started dating this cute guy named Evan

-Interned in LA for I AM LEGEND soundtrack

-UVSC became UVU

-Sang WICKED with the Symphony

-UVU String Quartet

-Had my most amazing growing experiences as a Violist with an amazing teacher

-Got engaged to Evan!

-JR Viola Recital

-Cowboy Poetry Concerts

-Married my LOVE

-Interned in LA for ANGELS AND DEMONS soundtrack

-learned how to be a good teacher

-SR Viola Recital

-Finished my last semester of school

Plus many more amazing things that I forgot! College really was the best of times!

Now I am on to new and better things... like... what now???

little surprise getaway...

2009-05-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago:
ME: What are we going to do for our anniversary?
Evan: I don't know, what do you want to do?
Me: I don't know... you could surprise me.
Evan: I'm not really that romantic...
Me: It's not too late to change that....
(Silence)...

We dropped the subject....

On our Anniversary I was surprised when Evan came home a little late, (let me remind you, he works from 1 AM to 9AM) with 2 dozen gorgeous roses (he was late because the store wasn't even open yet), news of a weekend getaway, and he built me a garden box that I had been wishing over for weeks. I was surprised. SO surprised in fact, that I hadn't done anything for him yet, since we hadn't really talked about it...

We went up to Logan for the weekend and stayed at the Anniversary Inn... We had talked about wanting to go there sometime, and it was really fun... We stayed in the Grand Bridal Suite which was really nice... We also got to tour all of the other rooms and there were some pretty crazy ones! Word to the wise: don't stay in "Arctic Journey." The penguins are a bit much...

Anyway, it was a wonderful, fun, relaxing weekend....

And I never really doubted Evan's romantic skills... He is always romantic, but life gets a little crazy sometimes, and doing something really special meant so much!

First Anniversary!

2009-05-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time really does fly! It seems like I got married a month ago, but today is our one year anniversary... I am pretty lucky to be married to the coolest, most loving, hard working, most fun, best friend, (and attractive I might add) person I have ever known!

One year down...forever to go!

Here are some photos that I never posted from our beautiful reception in Wisconsin...

Senior Recital

2009-04-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

The end is finally near... and my Senior Recital is this Monday night!
I am nervous/excited for it, and just ready for it to be over!

A Life of FAME and FORTUNE...

2009-03-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

I am back from an incredible week in LA. I can't even begin to express how incredible these experiences were...

This is Grammy award winner and principal Violist, Brian Dembow...
Armen Ksajikian

This orchestra is incredible! Hans Zimmer and Bruce Fowler were up all night finishing the last touches on the orchestration, the copyists were just printing out the music before the session, and the orchestra sees the music as they are recording...and each take is perfect! It is such an awesome experience...
This is the biggest Bass section they had ever had at Sony Picture Studios... (which is really saying something since every big movie since "The Wizard of Oz" has been scored here)... 12 basses! wow...This is in Hans' personal studio...It was quite exquisite, and a completely different feel from James Newton Howard's studio...

I have a picture with Hans...but not on my camera, so i will get it soon...

Anyway... Go see Angels and Demons... the movie is amazing and the music is better ;)

From HOLLYWOOD California

2009-03-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

Just a few Ama-ha-ha-zing things that have been going on here in Cali...

-Hanging out in Hollywood, meeting with the Professional Musician local 47, and going to the headquarters of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers to name a few...

-Hanging out at the Pier and the Santa Monica beach...
oh yeah, and did I mention, We are here for the scoring sessions (yes the soundtrack) for "Angels and Demons"? yeah... We are hanging out with Hans Zimmer...
I like sorta-kinda like living my dreams...

Music Internship

2009-02-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

So, a little over a year ago, I won an internship to go to LA for the scoring session of the Will Smith movie, "I am Legend."

I met with the composer, James Newton Howard, all of his assistants, orchestrators, arrangers, and tech guys. I also met the director of the film, talked to M Night Shyamalan on the phone, met Denzel Washington, and yes... I saw Will Smith... Cool? I think so.

This experience was so awesome. It was so incredible being on the Sony Pictures sound stage with famous musicians making incredible music. Check out the "I am Legend" soundtrack on the video below if you don't remember... It is breathtaking!

So... why do I bring this up? Well, because I get to go back... I got selected to go again in March. We don't know what movie it is yet, but I will keep you posted!

Here are some pics of the awesome trip...

The Music we Made...

2008-12-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend from our high school chamber choir passed away.

Last night our chamber choir had a little reunion and and sang at the Lone Peak Choir concert in honor of him...

It was so fun seeing everyone again... and crazy to see where everyone is in their lives these days.

I love these people so much! And, we missed you Derek...

Moooved!

2008-12-05T08:38:00.001-08:00

so... We decided to move.

and... the apartment we want won't be ready until January...

so.... We moved to my parent's house for the holidays. We have loved being with the family for a while!

Here is Evan fixing holes in the walls at the old apartment...

Evan is showing off our our new apartment called, "the Wheadon suites"

I just love him!

And... Here is our Christmas tree! I love the holidays...now we just gotta get through the end of the semester!

I love you Ev...

2008-10-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

So... I have been tagged by Libby... Why wouldn't I want to talk about how much I love my husband?!

1. Full name: Evan David Shelley

2. How long have you been married? 6 months!?!! Time flies!

3. How long did we date? wow... let me think. Our first date was the end of November, but we weren't really official until the end of December and then we weren't really serious until the end of January... We were engaged Feb 16 and married about 2 months later! We met and were married in 6 months! haha.

4. Who eats the sweets? ME for sure! But Evan is always begging me to make chocolate chip cookies... and I end up eating them!

5. Who said I love you first? I did... Which is weird. We were watching a scary movie (which is also weird because Evan hates them) and right as someone was getting their head chopped off or something I just turned to him and said, "Don't say anything back because I don't want you to say it just because I said it, but I love you ok?"... romantic right? He said it back...

6. Who's taller? actually we are the very same height!

7. Who sings better? wow... this one is tough. I'd say we are completely equal! Evan has always been in musicals, choirs, and punk bands. He actually has more music equipment than I do (by a lot!) We pretty much sacrifice our space in our small apartment for a recording studio... I love my husband!
ps. check out my new electric viola?!and evan's new guitar!

8. Who is smarter? I would like to say we are equal on this one... hopefully we are. Evan knows everything though. When we were dating I felt like I was dating google or something. He seriously is the trivia king. He seems to know everything about everything... come to find out, one of his favorite websites is "howstuffworks.com"

9. Who does the Laundry? I am proud to say that it's probably equal. I'll come home and it's all done! and sometimes he'll come home and it's done... yet I am sure he does it more often than I do... maybe that's because he runs out of clean clothes first?

10. Who pays the bills? EVAN. I need to learn...

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Evan. He sleeps closer to the door so he can leave quietly in the middle of the night to go to work. yet he usually trips on all my stuff in the closet on the way there...

12. Who cooks dinner? I do... And I love every second of it!

13. Who drives? He does. It's his nice car... He'll drive it, unless he hasn't slept for 2 days.

14. Who admits they are wrong? I think we both do... except I am never wrong...haha kidding.

15. Who kissed who first? Evan did. He asked me if he could kiss me and I said no and threw back my head laughing. When I opened my eyes he was right there and kissed me anyway... and I kissed him back!

16. Who asked who out first? Evan did... We went and got ice cream at the creamery.

17. Who wears the pants? good question. I think we are both pretty equal there... We each got a leg in...

I love you Evan! I tag anyone who wants to do this quiz! It's fun! do it...

In Between Sessions

2008-10-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Getting fired up before the priesthood session

Evan's shredding guitar skills

I was taking a break from the keys

Jake and his fabulous new drumset...
And me... trying them out
I could pass for a rocker...

Also our Bass Player, Mandy was not present for these pics... next time!

blessed

2008-10-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

I just had to express how excited I am for this weekend. I love General Conference and I am so excited for the things I know I will hear and feel. I love knowing that I will receive so many answers to questions that I have. I love our prophet Thomas S. Monson and I am so excited to see him and hear from him. I feel like there are so many things going on in the world right now and this conference is much needed to remind us what is important. I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ! ...and to get a short break from our sunbeam class :)

I really shouldn't admit this...

2008-09-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Loves of ours that are currently on TV:

The Japanese Version was so much better... oh well, "Hole in the Wall" is still a good laugh

Ok...So maybe only I am interested in America's next top model...

Heroes...Of course!
this isn't the newest prison break poster...
yet I couldn't give anything away to those who haven't finished the previous seasons yet!
And Of course the new season of Survivor...It never gets old to me

You do the math... yes.
We have more than one show on some of the nights...
Hooray for fall television!!!

Be there...or be Toby

2008-09-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Look familiar?

Let us refresh your memory...

Whitney and Billy thew an Office party last night, and It was a BLAST!
We had golfing Andy, Darrell from the warehouse, Dwight,
Mustache mikes, Angela and her cutest cat Sprinkles.

Thanks to the Office for a great show! Wasn't it a great episode?

Yearbook Yourself

2008-09-12T12:46:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how much I look my mom in some of these pictures... Maybe it's just because I have seen her with more than a few of these very hairstyles...

Watch out Mary Murphy!

2008-08-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

This season of "So you think you can dance," my sister in law created a HUGE judging competition. We had bonus challenges each week including questions like: which dancer will be on the "hot tamale train" this week? Or which couple will get a scream from Mary Murphy? To whether Nigel might lust after a certain girl or not...etc. It was a blast! Then each wednesday night we were to predict the eliminated couple for points and anxiously wait to see if we were correct on the Thursday results show... It was so fun! and let me just say that the competitive nature of the family may have gotten a bit out of hand... We had fun anyway! AND who won the ENTIRE competition??? Who got an exclusive SYTYCD prize??? Who gets to boot Mary Murphy off of the panel??? That's right! I do... It is a good thing Joshua won! Thanks for the fun Mandy! Check out her blog to read my exclusive interview and more pictures of my beloved prize!!

ps...this incredible prize was designed by Mandy herself! So talented indeed!

Noni Idol

2008-08-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Evan works for Tahitian Noni in the German department and they had their huge summer party on Saturday. Evan was a contestant in Noni Idol and did a wonderful job! I love him so much!

Let me just say that TNI puts on a pretty amazing party. It was complete with Chinese dinner, Olympic games tournaments, unlimited crepes, cotton candy and Sno cones, big blow up toys, and amazing Chinese acrobats... It was so fun to sit next to Evan up on a grass hill and watch crazy acrobatics as the sun set...

There was also a huge drawing and yes, Evan won us two airline tickets to anywhere in the continental US, Canada, Alaska or the Virgin Islands... so you got any ideas of where we should go??? We are VERY excited...

So, Evan, thanks for working at TNI. Thanks for waking up at 2:00 AM to go to work every night. Thanks for working so hard and getting us so many Tahitian benefits... And for anyone out there that wants some Noni juice... We've got shelves full in our pantry.

...husbands and hair dressers...

2008-08-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

so we are cheap and box color works great for us...

Let's just thank Evan for evenly applying the color...

He did great right?!

Recipes I am currently in LOVE with!

2008-07-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

I am trying to be a good wife...I love to cook...
and i love to eat good food.
So, here goes. I am introducing you to the most fabulous recipes I have found lately!

1. California Pizza Kitchen's Bbq Chicken Pizza

1 tablespoon honey
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
10 ounces chicken breast - boned and skinned
1 tablespoon olive oil
barbecue sauce, (I love Famous Dave's Sweet and Sassy found at walmart)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 cups Gouda or mozzarella
1/4 small red onion

Directions:

To make the dough

In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir until it dissolves. Let the yeast mixture stand for 5 minutes, until a layer of foam forms on the surface. In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Stir the flour into the wet ingredients, until all the flour is incorporated. If its too dry, add more water. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and put in in a well-oiled bowl. Cover with a moist towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 1 1/2 hours).
One hour before baking the pizzas, start preheating the oven with pizza stone inside at 500 degrees F.
For the Chicken:
In a large frying pan, saute chicken pieces and 1/2 of onion used in some olive oil until cooked,
coat with BBQ sauce.
Roll out dough on floured surface to size of pizza stone, if you want a thin crust, use 1/2 of the dough. transfer dough to hot pizza stone, coat with Bbbq sauce, cheese and top with your sauted chicken and the rest of your red onion.

Bake at 500 degrees until crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling (8-10 minutes).

2. Olive Garden's amazing Alfredo Sauce

1 pint heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbs cream cheese
3/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder

simmer for 15 minutes

I poured this wonderful sauce over fettuccine, sauted chicken and vegetables.

3. Lettuce Wraps

This is the best teriyaki sauce ever! so I improvised and made lettuce wraps...
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
5 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1-2 TBS Honey
2 TBS cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Add everything except for corn starch and 1/4 cup of water and begin heating.
Mix cornstarch and water together in a bowl and dissolve, add to sauce in pan.
Heat until desired thickness.
I stir fried chicken, onion, baby carrots (cut smaller), and water chestnuts. Then added sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Serve on iceberg lettuce with crunchy chow mein noodles on top!

4. Molten Chocolate Cake

I have searched for a good molten chocolate cake recipe and tried and failed many...
this one is great!

1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus more to butter the molds
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, (I used semisweet and loved it!)
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons flour, plus more for dusting

1. In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and
chocolate together until the chocolate is almost completely melted. While that's
heating, beat together the eggs, yolks, and sugar
with an electric beater until light and thick.
2. Beat together the melted chocolate and butter; it should be quite warm. Pour in
the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour, just until combined.
3. Butter and lightly flour four 4-ounce molds, custard cups, or ramekins.
(I used my silicone muffin pan...which were heart shaped :) and they worked great)!
Tap out the excess flour, then butter and flour them again.
Divide the batter among the molds.
(At this point you can refrigerate the desserts until you are ready to eat, for
up to several hours; bring them back to room temperature before baking.)
4. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bake the molds on a tray for 6 to 7 minutes;
the center will still be quite soft and gooey, but the sides will be set.
5. Invert each mold onto a plate and let sit for about 10 seconds.
Unmold by lifting up one corner of the mold; the cake will fall out onto the plate.
Serve immediately with ice cream or frozen custard!

The second little bundle

2008-07-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Krissie and Jake!
New little baby girl Tayva was born yesterday evening!

Here is Evan with his cute new niece!

Taylor and Tate were so excited to see their new baby sister!
Taylor kept asking me if she was done cooking inside mommy,
and Tate just kept saying, "Tayva is out!"

Lake Powell Trip

2008-07-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

The first little bundle

2008-07-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

My sister Whitney finally had her baby on Sunday.

We are so happy to welcome:
Nina Mae De Groot into our family!
She weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and she is 20 inches long.
Congrats Whitney and Billy!

Now we are just waiting for bundle #2 from Evan's sister Krissie...any day now!

We roll tonight...to the guitar bite

2008-07-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

rock band.

yes, it consumes our lives. But we so love it. We purchased this little wonder the day after it came out for the wii... and it has been kind to us--except for the ever growing harder songs.

(note: these pictures were taken at christmas while playing guitar hero...
we are way too into rock band to stop and take pictures right now).

However, there is something I have discovered that sounds even more glorious... more glorious than Rock Band, you ask? what could that possibly be?

Let's try: being in a real rockin band. drum roll please, and I do mean drumroll...

We have finally found the missing piece to our band! My brother Jake got a drumset this week! meaning, we've got drums, E-bass (thanks to Mandy!), Electric geetar (another thanks to Jake and Mandy), keys, mandolin, strings, voices...and Evan's got all the sound equipment. What more could I ask for?

Now, lets get rocking!

Also, here is Evan. He is pretending to have fun at the 4th of July parade...

And last, I found this little number when going through videos on our camera and had to post it... I guess you can see what Evan will be doing in the band...

New to this blogger thing...

2008-07-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

So... I get on blogger like every day... I read EVERYONE else's blog, but I've never really figured out how to get ours going...

So, I'm going to give it a try.

Here's an update from our last two months of bliss:

May 7, 2008 Evan and I were married in the Mt Timpanogos Temple. It was such a wonderful day and because of it, I have never been happier in my life.

Evan's Mom made our INCREDIBLE cake... Here is the master at work!
And the finished product...

Here's my new Shelley fam:
And the Wheadon clan:

For our honeymoon, we went to Midway and stayed at Johnson Mill... I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone! It was a beautiful bed and breakfast with fabulous themed rooms, DELICIOUS breakfast, a large waterfall and pond for fishing and paddle boating and of course, Midway hot springs... It was so relaxing and SO much fun!
Next, We were off to Wisconsin! SO SO beautiful in the spring! We had another reception there and it was So fun! I will post pics from that soon...

Our summer has been pretty busy and really fun! We got back from Lake Powell with my family last week... Evan had a pretty good first time to Southern Utah.

Now, all we are doing is waiting for a baby! Certainly NOT ours! both of our sisters are expecting any day now... So, good luck Krissie and Whitney! We can't wait for our neices!

I guess that's all for now... We'll try not to be strangers!

less than two weeks...and definitely counting

2008-04-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

so... i just thought i would express how very excited i am to now be able to say that our wedding is less than 2 weeks away. goodbye to dress shops, bridal magazines, florists, caterers, etc... thank goodness it's almost here. I am proud to say that i have accomplished quite a bit in the past 2 months... with every day of my life contributing to this wedding, and passing the semester.

But even more of the excitement... more than being done with crazy flower fiascos... terrible centerpieces... wedding gowns that can't be shipped for 6 months... and all of the other problems our club wedd day usually brought... (which later claimed the title "club dread...") I am so happy and excited to share the rest of my everything with my best friend Evan...

Too bad I still have two weeks to wait!