04Aug 2014

6 Months

By K + Z 0 50 Days of SUMMER!, Family, Pregnancy Permalink 0

This week was jam-packed with family and friends. So much, in fact, that I totally failed at taking adequate pictures of all that went on.

I have been working on a lot of fun work projects lately. One that was released just this last week was a new supplement product I have been working on all the graphic design on. Along with all the other supplements that Warrior Fuel Supplements creates, we have been working on a new BCAA product. It is so fun to see the labels in some local gyms!

I think one of the questions I get the most whilst pregnant is “what are you craving”? Besides peanut butter Oreos, I can’t get through a whole day without a nectarine. It has become a daily treat for me. My mother-in-law picks them up by the crate for me at Costco. Zach caught this blissful moment one day on his way out to work…

Wednesday all the girls in the Hendo family met at Hearth on 25th Street in Ogden for dinner. Even our sister-in-law Siri is in town from Philly. It was fun to have all of us in one place. I wouldn’t recommend Hearth…it was my choice (I saw that they had won some dining awards in a food magazine) but we were all kind of bummed with our entrees. The truffle fries, though, were a hit!

Friday Zach and I went out with our friends Angie and Gordo. We went to dinner at Trio and then saw a movie at the Tower. Both Angie and Zach made friends. Angie, with Gary…

Zach, with a raptor in someone’s front yard…

Saturday we had my future sister-in-law’s shower at my house. It was thrown by our Fotheringham extended family. I totally failed by taking zero pictures of the decor. But at least we had a great group and Brittany got so me killer gifts! We are so excited for my brother. Our family is literally doubling this year!

Sunday we went to a sweet baby blessing of our friends and neighbors. Lindsey and Mike blessed Tagg and it was one of the sweetest blessing I have ever heard! It made me super excited for baby girl to get her wiggly self here.

Speaking of baby…this child is all out! This week my bump feels like it has doubled in size. I don’t know if she had a growth spurt or what, but she has grown significantly this week. Also, another milestone for me, was feeling her move. Not just jabs and kicks, but actual fluid movements. I can feel her rotating around or swinging her arms (or legs? I don’t know which?) across my belly. She also likes to bunch up all on one side of my abdomen!

24 weeks

We are working on some major baby stuff as well: planning a baby moon, scheduling maternity photos, and getting our last big items for her nursery. I know I have 3+ months left…but you never know when these bambinos decide to show up. We’ll be ready for her!

28Jul 2014

Blondes Have More Fun

By K + Z 0 50 Days of SUMMER!, Activities, Friends, Pregnancy Permalink 0

It was refreshing to be home for (almost) a week before setting off for the weekend to Zach’s cabin with my high school friends.

My brother bought his first home! I still can’t believe he is getting married in less than two months. Zach and I took him a house warming gift for Family Night: Little Caesar’s Pizza and Peanut Butter Oreos. The Oreos were my contribution, considering it is my newest addiction and pregnancy craving.

He hasn’t officially moved in yet. There are still a lot of things he is planning to work on before we haul his stuff all over there. My mom doesn’t mind, however. She is trying to convince his fiancé to move in first so that he can stay at home longer with my mom. She is having a hard time “cutting the cord” as my dad tells her…daily.

Also, I’m blonde. I’ve been wanting to do it for months, but it has taken some time and patience on my part. I still have my dark roots, but the majority of my hair is so light that when I look down most days I don’t even recognize myself!

Zach had to work on the 24th of July, so we didn’t do any holiday activities during the day. As soon as he got home, however, we set off for the rodeo! We went out for dinner and then drove to the Energy Solutions Arena for the event.

The Days of ’47 Rodeo is a lot different that our other two rodeo experiences: the Ogden Rodeo and the Jackson Hole Rodeo. These guys are serious business – ranked worldwide! We couldn’t think of a better way to spend this particular holiday.

Friday, after everyone got off work, a few of my high school friends all met at my house so we could drive up to the Hendo Cabin together. We had dinner in Bountiful and then made our way up to Causey.

As soon as the sun went down we were out making s’mores…

Whitney completely rocked my world with her jar of Nutella. I will never look at a s’more the same again! A little square of Hershey’s chocolate seems sad in comparison now. She has ruined me forever…

After a late night we all slept in. Once we were all up and going we decided to take a little adventure down to the reservoir. We found three old tubes in the garage of the cabin and planned to float in the water.

We also had a picnic on the shore of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and bags of snacks.

It was a great weekend with beautiful weather. We were so glad my friends joined us!

This weekend also marks the end of my 23rd week. I am officially 6 months down, 3 (and some change) months to go!

I am growing used to all the movement that is going on inside me. This little lady is moving almost constantly now, most active around 8:00 in the morning, then again at lunchtime, and 10:00 at night. 6 months for me marks the last month I can go without maternity pants. My days of rigging my pre-pregnancy pants with rubber bands are over. This babe is still sitting really low – the majority of my bump is below my belly button. I can still fit in most of my tops, but my pants can’t take it much longer. Along with my pre-pregnancy pants…I might retire my bathroom scale. I haven’t hit double digits in terms of weight gain yet, but the rate at which I am growing I know it will be soon around the corner. Other than your typical pregnancy symptoms I have nothing unique to add. Other than I love being pregnant. I can’t wait to add this little one to our team…

22Jul 2014

The Happiest Place on Earth

By K + Z 0 50 Days of SUMMER!, Activities, Family, Pregnancy, Vacation Permalink 0

I have missed out on the Hendo Lake Powell trip for 3 years in a row. This year, with my work situation much different, I got to go! Since it was put on the family calendar months ago, I have been waiting for this week to come.

We left Wednesday after Zach could get off work and made the drive down to Page. It was the fastest drive to Powell I can ever remember. We only stopped twice. The second stop was in Kanab so Zach could get a giant snow cone.

After stopping at Walmart for some food and supplies we didn’t make it to Antelope Point Marina until around midnight. This year the Hendersons decided to sleep on the houseboats in the marina that night and leave early the next morning to our campsite. Since we have such a large crew, we rented two houseboats. Bright and early the next morning we filled up and pushed off to meet Zach’s parents at our home for the next five days.

We started our day off right with some paddle boarding. It was my first time, but became a daily activity for Zach and I.

The kids were so thrilled with the thought of swimming all day that they didn’t even notice when some of the adults ventured off to do some surfing and wakeboarding. Even though Zach was a little hesitant, he let me surf first and then wakeboard.

It was a different sensation trying to get up with a pillow under my swimsuit, but the captain was patient with me and I was really safe [no wake jumping allowed this trip].

Zach also tried his hand at surfing. It’s his favorite and he makes it look really easy…

We spent the rest of the night eating dinner, lounging on the houseboat, and playing games.

Day two we took the two boats to a drive down a canyon cove. It ended up being a little longer excursion than we planned and we got home just before dinner time. Right at Zach’s favorite time of day. He calls it the “Golden Hour” – when the sun goes down behind the red rocks and you can’t get sunburned, but it is still light enough to be out on the water. We did another paddle boarding session along with a little canoe ride while enjoying the sunset.

Zach spent the rest of the evening doing his version of “sun bathing”.

The next day we took everyone over to a nearby cliff for some cliff jumping. The kids would have stayed for hours, but we had to make a run to the marina for some supplies.

Mark and the boys also rigged a zip-line from one of the houseboats to the rocks. It wasn’t super professional, but it worked. It provided hours of entertainment for everyone, including Zach.

The evening was really relaxing. Papa got a full-body massage and Zach and Georgia had a dance-off.

Our last full day was Sunday. With the last full day usually comes lots of sunburn and tired kidlets. There were measures that had to be taken with certain pale-skinned nieces – layers upon layers, with an added stylistic choice of goggles.

Early Monday morning we made our way back to the marina with the houseboats and all our gear. We made the drive home from Page [along with four stow-aways]. Overall it was a successful trip – no injuries and no serious damage to any boats, jet skis, or other equipment. The only casualties were a few head colds and some sunburned cheeks. We can’t wait for next year already! Thank you Mark and Jeanene for a fantastic weekend in my favorite place on the planet!

This week also marked the end of my 22nd week. That 6 month mark is approaching!

14Jul 2014

21 in Las Vegas

By K + Z 2 Family, Food, Pregnancy, Vacation Permalink 0

Later in the week Zach and I went to the Jazz scrimmage to check out the new Jazz players. It was all Zach talked about the entire week leading up to it. Not only was it a sporting event, but it was free. Nothing makes Zach happier than a free date night. It was fun to see what we have in store for the upcoming season…

Friday night when Zach got home from work we left for the airport to head to Vegas. Zach and I’s wedding gift to my brother was a suit for his reception. We planned to buy him exactly what we wanted, but weren’t having the best of luck in Salt Lake. So we decided to make a quick family trip to Vegas to find Blake his wedding suit. Blake and my parents decided to drive and by the time they arrived in Las Vegas our plane had landed. They picked us up from the airport and we went straight to get food at the Wynn Buffet [in our comfy plane attire]. Luckily any attire goes in Vegas. Zach fit right in, double-fisting cookies and cream gelato.

We spent the rest of the night walking the strip, people watching…

It was so nice having my brother and dad in Las Vegas with us. That meant Zach had two friends to gamble with until the wee hours in the morning while my mom and I hung out in her room.

The next morning, after breakfast, we drove to Fashion Show Mall. We went in and out of a few stores [as many as my dad and brother could handle] until we found the winner.

I have to admit it made me a little emotional to see him trying them on. The thought of my baby brother getting married still doesn’t seem real. We are so happy for him!

Afterwards we took everyone to BurGR at the Planet Hollywood. Even though the wait was crazy, my dad and brother went gaga over their custom burgers. We had some time to kill before dinner so I dragged everyone over to the new Sprinkles Cupcakes at the LINQ.

My parents hadn’t been to Vegas before this trip in over 5 years. Since everyone got to do something we each were dying to do [mine was obviously Sprinkles] my mom requested that we visit Hershey’s World at the New York New York. She was in heaven.

The upper level was Reeses land. I tried to get a photo in front of the peanut butter arch, but it turned out to be a much less glamorous photo op. (It’s super slippery, probably to prevent children from attempting to scale it).

The next morning my family left early to make the drive all the way home. Since our flight didn’t leave practically until the next day, Zach and I decided to have a big breakfast and walk it off at the Forum Shops at Caesar’s.

We spent the majority of our last day roaming from hotel to hotel. We tried to stay inside the majority of the time because temperatures outside were at 109 degrees. After Caesar’s we went back to Fashion Show Mall. And because we hadn’t eaten enough, I made Zach walk back over to the Venetian to grab some dessert at Bouchon.

We managed to catch the last little bit of the Argentina vs. Germany soccer game before heading off to dinner at Nobu back at Caesar’s. I am excited to be able to come back and try a roll other than a California roll. Sushi is still the only thing I miss when it comes to pregnancy no-no’s.

We had such a great weekend with my family. They are crazy. The only family crazy enough to venture to Vegas in July, apparently. We can’t wait until September to see Blake in his new suit!

As for the babe and I, we were coming to the end of 21 [weeks] on this trip. How fitting? 21 in Vegas. Nothing new to report other than I am growing bigger. My bump is starting to expand and my selection of pants that I can wear are dwindling. She is becoming even more active as the days go on. Zach can feel her move almost every day and my mom even felt her move over the weekend. I love the kicks – they reassure me that all is well.

As for this week, Zach and I are looking forward to Lake Powell with his family. We are taking baby girl to her mom’s absolute favorite place! Hopefully the temps don’t hard boil my baby.

29Jun 2014

So Much Summer

By K + Z 0 50 Days of SUMMER!, Activities, Family, Food, Pregnancy, Restaurants Permalink 0

Family and food. What more can a girl ask for? Our summer is officially in full swing.

We went out with Zach’s parents for dinner on Monday evening for Family Night. Mark, Zach’s dad, requested to sit outside. The weather was perfect and our meal was delicious.

This week was my turn to plan our afternoon for Activty Days. We had popsicles at the local splash pad. I was worried the kiddie splash pad would be a little juvenile for the girls, but I was wrong. Sometimes I forget how young these gals really are. They keep me laughing…and on my toes!

Wednesday night I totally spaced dinner and decided to drive up to Kaysville with Zach for some “World Famous Corn Dogs”. It wasn’t fancy, but it was extremely filling. I haven’t had a corn dog in three years. This was a great finale to hold me over for the next three years.

Thursday I took my built-in best friend to the pool to swim some laps. I have been slacking at hitting up the SDRC [running on the treadmill at our club house is so much more convenient] and decided to break my streak. Baby girl has been constantly moving lately. Her movements feel more and more pronounced as the days go by. As I was swimming back and forth I would feel her move steadily. I hope she takes up swimming like her mom so we can do laps for real one day.

Besides the Kaysville Corn Dogs, we checked off another summer restaurant we’ve had on our list. Rye, a little hipster restaurant, down town. They are known for their breakfast, but we dined there for dinner.

Zach loved the Coke in glass bottles and I was ga-ga over their branding and menu.

Zach highly recommends the fried chicken. I selected a shrimp appetizer and was pleasantly surprised.

Saturday morning I drug Zach out of bed to hit up the Farmer’s Market down town.

We got tri-tip, a giant bag of sweet basil, and some honey wheat bread.

Afterwards we had brunch at the Park Cafe. The pancakes were on point, as usual.

And because we hadn’t eaten enough, Zach begging me to stop and get an obnoxiously oversized snow cone in Bountiful. I passed, but Zach was so distracted with his treat that he made me drive home.

We concluded our Saturday night at City Creek testing out rockers for the nursery and dining at Brio. Zach is taking this daddy business pretty seriously…

Our weekend ended at my parents house for Sunday dinner celebrating my dad’s 56th birthday. I made him a version of his favorite dessert [Eclair Cake] but jazzed it up for the summer by trying it s’mores style. It was beyond rich, but pretty good if you ask me. Pinterest is always keeping me entertained with these new summer recipes.

And because I am a slacker, weeks 18 and 19 have officially come and gone. This week marks the half way point for me and my gal pal.

23Jun 2014

Nestful?

By K + Z 0 50 Days of SUMMER!, Activities, Family, Food, Personal, Pregnancy Permalink 0

This week of my pregnancy has been my favorite thus far. At 17 weeks I started to feel what other pregnant people call “flutters”. Almost as soon as I hit 18 weeks I started to feel sharper and more pronounced movements. Everyone I talk to tell me it feels like a fish flopping around. I am not sure if my child is just wild and crazy like her mother, or if she is surprisingly strong, but these movements feel more like actual kicks to me. Tuesday morning I was sitting at my desk working and I felt another pronounced “kick”. I decided to put my hand on the exact spot she moved to see if I could feel her again. Almost instantly she kicked again in the exact same spot, moving my hand. It surprised me so much that I gasped out loud! Since then I have been feeling her every single day. Zach hasn’t felt her yet, but I suspect in the next couple of weeks it won’t be hard for him to recognize these movements.

Feeling her makes it seem more real to me. After getting all my work projects done each day, I work on a projects for her. Sometimes it is just serging a silly fleece blanket. Yes, girls wear camo too, of course…

This week I cleaned 6 black trash bags of clothes out of my closet. I saved a few soft t-shirts to make into headbands. Having a serger has made sewing projects much more obtainable for me. And if I can make a baby headwrap, anyone can make a baby headwrap. Is this what they call nesting? Because if so, I think it is hitting me a bit too early…

I have tried to keep the more private details of my pregnancy to myself, but have decided to document them for my posterity by making a baby timeline of each week. I record things we did that week, any special milestones [like this week’s movements], ultrasounds, weight gain, and the like. My mom documented certain details so well that it was important to me to do the same. I loved reading about what she craved, how she dealt with certain symptoms, and other general details. And even more special to me is how I can see so many similarities between us. I have never seen any traits of myself in my mom. We don’t look alike at all and our personalities are polar opposites. But I will say that we have more similar in our pregnancies than anything else in our lives. It’s meant a lot to me to read about hers – it has helped me thus far through mine. Not like I have had a difficult time at all, just that I can relate to her in so many ways.

Non-bambino related things have been that Zach is back at playing ice hockey steadily two times a week. I love when he has games at the Oval in West Valley because I can run around the track while he warms up and then relax and watch his game afterwards.

Also this week I made a print for a client and liked the phrase so much, I made one for myself. It will reside in our upstairs hallway when I get the chance to hang the thing up.

As for our summer list of things to do: we checked off one item on the list. We tried Pago, a restaurant I have been dying to dine at for months. It was really good. I liked Zach’s meal more than my own, but we are definitely going to go back again. Besides, it won 2014’s most favorite Utah restaurant. So that was enough to convince us both to try it out!

And because we hadn’t indulged enough – I made Zach drive to Smart Cookie to get a red velvet number. Swig still has bester sugar cookies, if you ask me, but it was the perfect indulgent treat.

Lastly, after an eventful Sunday with family, I started a new parenting book which I adore thus far. It is my third pregnancy related book since getting knocked up. I had read previously from reviewers on this book that Americans don’t really love it. I can totally see why. When Zach and I visited Paris for our four year anniversary I constantly gawked at French children. They were always in stores, restaurants, and public places – and always so well behaved. I have been trying to figure out how French parents get their children to act so mature and polite – and this book is an entertaining clue into their posh parenting tactics.

Or maybe it’s because I secretly would move to France tomorrow if Zach would come with me. Regardless, I love it so far…

Category Pregnancy