Boy, oh Boy!

The results are in and it looks like more people are surprised by the outcome than just me! We may have thought it would be a girl, but we are definitely having a boy! It took me a little while to wrap my head around it because we just assumed it would be a girl, so I had to keep telling myself, "we're having a boy! We're having a boy!" Weston was onboard right away and any thoughts of having a girl were gone as soon as he saw that ultrasound. He was excited, to say the least. Oh he's going to be such a great dad!

We had our ultrasound first thing in the morning because we were too excited to wait any longer. It was so amazing when we saw his little face on the screen and realized there is a baby in me! The last time we saw him (7 weeks) on an ultrasound he was just a little bean with a heartbeat.

Now (at 19 weeks) we could see his spine, his feet, his sweet profile, and even see his little heart beating in his chest.

Technology sure is amazing to allow us to see this, but what's even more amazing is that my body is creating another human body- all on it's own! I don't need the doctors to help in any way; they just check to make sure my body is doing what it should. God and His creations are truly amazing and I feel so blessed to be part of this miracle every day. And now I really can't wait to meet our little guy!

18 Weeks!

Pregnancy is getting to be a lot more fun! And I know, that's only the 2nd trimester talking. I'm sure I'll sing a different tune once I get to be the size of a whale. But for now, I'm enjoying my baby bump and I'm grateful to take part in this miraculous journey every day. This week has been especially fun because baby is moving around! Weston was even able to feel the tiny little kick, which we didn't expect so early. I guess it's safe to say we aren't the only ones excited for next week... when we find out if we are having a boy or girl! Baby can't wait for us to know, so we can confidently say "he" or "she" and actually start thinking about baby names! We have an ultrasound appointment on Tuesday, 9/3. So you have a few days to cast your vote on whether you think this baby Gardner is a boy or girl!

Boy or Girl?

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...

Ever since we got married, my family has been asking the question, "are you pregnant yet?" So when we finally did get pregnant, I didn't want to just say yes. I wanted to tell them in a fun way. We found out we were expecting in May, but I already had a trip planned to Utah for the 4th of July weekend, so I thought it would be more fun if I waited so I could tell my family in person. I'll admit I had to lie a few times when they asked if I was pregnant yet, but I knew they didn't actually suspect anything because they had been asking that question for over a year now. It was hard to go almost the entire first trimester without being able to call my sister and ask questions or tell anyone how I wasn't feeling well. But it paid off being able to tell them in person. They were all completely surprised that I had kept it secret that long (and honestly so was I). 
Heather and Karrie picked me up from the airport and I knew I couldn't keep the secret in very long once I got there. Karrie had told me she was going to make me a welcome home sign when she picked me up, but instead I made them a sign that said, "Thanks for picking US up!" As soon as I showed them the sign Heather looked confused for a second and said, "us?", but then realized what that meant and hugged me in excitement. I think it took Karrie a minute to figure out what was going on but then she was equally as excited. I had them both help me formulate a plan to tell the rest of the family when we all got together for a BBQ on the 4th of July. I think the video idea was quite clever (thank you internet search) so we could capture their expression without being suspicious. But it was really funny because it took them so long to realize that I was actually being serious. Watch and enjoy...




The week after my Utah vacation we went to Weston's parent's house for Sunday dinner. While we were all passing food around at the beginning of the meal Weston said, "Dad, can you pass me the... Terena's pregnant". There was silence, then gasps, and Brittan says, "Wait, are you guys serious? Because I'm about to cry here!" There was lots of excitement around the table after that and it was fun to finally be able to tell them our great news that we kept secret for so long!
Having finally told our families, we had to figure out a way to tell the rest of the Facebook world. I didn't have any fun ideas so we just didn't post anything for a couple weeks. Finally Weston had a brilliant idea and this is what came of it...

Photo Book

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A blog is born

I always said that once I got married or had babies that I would start a blog. It's a good thing I'm going in order. My motivating factor here is that a lot of my friends and family couldn't be at our wedding, so I wanted to share it with you the best way I can. Let me just start by saying our wedding day was the most perfect day! Everything went so smooth and I wasn't stressed out or rushed or even that exhausted. Thank you to all of our great family who were there to help make that happen! I guess one minor hiccup was that Weston was sick the week of our wedding so he doesn't quite look himself in the pictures. He really does have more color than that. :) We got sealed in the San Diego temple at 11 am on February 11th. Of course the sealing and blessings we receive are a beautiful thing. Weston and I didn't even cry until the end when we were hugging all of our close family that were there to attend. And then there was lots more hugging with those waiting outside.

Then there were lots of photos to be taken, with his family, with my family, with our families, with brothers, with sisters... you know the drill.
 

Then our sweet families went to help set up for the reception while we took some couple pictures.

...And took even more pictures at our venue for the reception. It was this gorgeous clubhouse in one of my sister's friend's neighborhoods. I always knew I had to find a good hookup so I didn't have to decorate a church gym. I didn't want to go to all that work, so this worked out perfectly. The most decorating we did was put centerpieces (also super simple) on the tables.

Our reception was SO MUCH FUN! The food was delicious, Weston had already created a playlist and set up the sound system, his sister was on the mic for announcements of cutting the cake, tossing the bouquet, etc. But if you ask Weston, he would probably say the highlight was a little surprise that his sisters Teagan and Brittan helped me put together. Teagan taught us a little dance routine that she made up and we danced for Weston. This may not sound like a big deal... unless you know me, and know that I. am. not. a. dancer. But Weston's family is all about music and dancing, so I know he was thrilled I did this with them. He even cried. How cute! He's a little softy. I've inserted the video below. And Weston's little brother Jaren (who is 6 and a hit with the ladies) was the center of attention as he was break dancing in the middle of a crowd. He was more popular than us! :) At the end of it all, our exit strategy was the perfect end to a perfect day. The wind blowing through that little corridor made the bubbles go everywhere. It felt like we were in a movie. Have I said enough how perfect this day was?!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I've put all of our pictures in the slideshow for your viewing pleasure. I'm thinking my next post will be a tour of our little place because even my immediate family didn't get a chance to see it. But... it's already taken me six months to put this up, so don't hold your breath. :)