Determination

This weekend I came to Cripple Creek, CO with Mikey for a training conference he is taking. We haven't had much time together the past month, so it was a fun chance to spend some time together driving and hanging out in the evenings. Since I'm flying solo during the day in this tiny mountain town, I've had lots of time to think and reflect on everything :) So why not blog about a few of those thoughts!

I feel I've come to a new phase in my life and walk with God. I feel a new determination in my heart and spirit. So here's a few things I feel I need to express my determination to work on. I think so many times, we have to make a conscious choice to allow God to work in us and make a conscious choice to get past hurdles.

-I'm determined to give it my BEST shot in ADJUSTING as we become parents and enter a new phase in life, realizing this will also change Mike and I's relationship together

- I'm determined to learn to get over things quickly and not hold onto grudges. This is NOT a gene that runs in my family or something I've been taught. I think it's even more difficult being a woman and all the emotions that come with us. I'm seeing too many years of bitterness and unforgiveness over small and big things. I want to learn to forgive and move on quickly!

-I'm determined to be content wherever I am. Before I moved to Durango, I got a couple of prophetic words to not put roots down, and I think I took that too literally. Mike and I are open to wherever God would lead us together. Until then, Durango it is! So I'm learning to make it home :)

-I'm determined to have fun with my kids: silly nicknames for things, praying together, making up crazy dances, laughing together, going on mission trips when they are young, playing the best pranks on their dad....all things I didn't get to enjoy alot growing up, although God has brought awesome friends into my life to fill some void there. I want a JOYFUL home with our new growing family!

-I'm determined to allow God to put His confidence back in me. I can tell I've lost a lot of that the past couple years, confidence in who I am and the ability to build relationships. It's time for a refill and to let the jewel of a person that He's placed inside of me out to shine for others to see...again. When I'm more confident in knowing and living who God has made me, I love my husband more fully. I love others more fully. That's what I desire. Mike and I have been prayed over that the past several months was going to be a season of rest and peace. I think with God's peace comes a trust. I don't think there can be true confidence without trusting Him because my confidence needs to come from my trusting Him. I'm grateful for this season of life.

-I'm determined to be a woman of renoun that God has spoken over me, over and over again. A woman of grace and beauty that loves people past personality differences and perspective differences

- I'm determined to find a way to learn to play the drums! I've ALWAYS wanted to, AND I married into a family with the last name of one of the greatest drummers ever... Gene Krupa :) Coincidence? I think not! Maybe I'll throw some singing in there too.

-Lastly, I'm determined to make up as many prego dances as I can with this belly! The other day, I was in the shower jamming to my IPOD and found a pretty fun dance that's all in the knees and a little booty bouncing. Music is one of my very favorite things and it's fun to come up with new ways to jam out even if my mobility is becoming very limited. I know the shimmy will definitely be out. I already have a terrible shimmy, BUT imagine trying to shimmy being fully prego...you'd topple over!

The Hunt and Hopefully...THE KILL!

So I (Steph) am THOROUGHLY p*ssed off! Today as I was putting away some pots and pans, I discovered mouse pills AGAIN! Let's set something straight from the start. This country girl does NOT do mice. I feel like my home and privacy have been violated. I find it personally insulting (pardon the drama).The audacity of the nasty critter!! Ugh. Last month, we had this same problem for the first time since we've lived in our quaint little apartment. We caught the fatty in the laundry room with a trap (sorry for your mice lovers. I'm really a kind person-lol). So we did major cleaning in our kitchen cabinets, dishes, etc. Mike and I both enjoy keeping a clean home. I can honestly say that. So... where is the evil critter getting in and why?How can anyone be a fan of something that invades your home just to poop EVERYWHERE in it? I would never do that. Neither should mice. I just know it's going to sneak up on my bed at night, when Mikey is on shift, and nibble my toes. I would FREAK! Ok, back to reality...

With that in mind, I'm finishing eating dinner and then heading to City Market to find mouse traps galore. The hunt is on, and the little nuisance is soon to be found! Just to help with any perspective I haven't made clear, if any of you know my husband well, he does NOT like snakes. He freaks out and can't handle seeing one, much less one LIVING in his home. His snake is my mouse. It's all I can do not to call 911 to get him and his guys over here to help me cope. Ok, not really but it describes how I feel!

Disclaimer: Due to pregnancy horomones, Steph's emotions might be a little outlandish/dramatic as she describes her honest thoughts... though her lack of tolerance for mice is very real. Real live mice will be harmed in the next 48 hours with as little violence as possible.

A few "firsts"

The past few weeks, we've have had a few fun "firsts" I thought I'd share.

• The first time feeling baby K move around! A couple weekends ago, I felt a "flutter" and paid attention, thinking it might or might not be gas,etc. Sure enough the feeling came back ever since. It feels like a big heartbeat here and there. It's such a fun feeling for the first time. I might be telling a different story in 4 months when the baby doesn't STOP moving, or so I hear :)

• Our first ultrasound, seeing the baby! This past Monday, we had our first ultra sound. The nurse wasn't very friendly at first which was a real bummer for Mikey and I. In the end, she was a lot more people friendly. I had no clue how all this u-sound stuff worked, and she wasn't super friendly in cordially answering basic questions. HOWEVER...we did have a fun "get to know your baby" session, seeing it for the first time. It made this all more real for both of us seeing the little life growing inside my very own body. We got to see nose, lips, lots of spine, and a foot! We think baby K is a boy. He was curled in a ball for most of the apointment. So we go back in four weeks to get better profile pics. The nurse did think she saw a little "willy" in one pic. If it is a boy, this momma got her wish! I've always thought it would be fun to have a boy first. Having grown up with only brothers, I feel more at ease :) Hopefully we'll be able to scan the printed pics they gave us and post them soon.

• The first time Mikey and I have been apart in a long time. This week Mikey has gone to a conference in WinterPark, Colorado. It's a fire education conference, which is right up the alley he loves to work in. He was on his 24 hr shift on Monday, left Tuesday, and gets home tomorrow! Being pregnant has brought a different feeling with him going 8 hours away for the first time for almost a week. He's great, though, with calling and texting. I love having my spouse as my best friend now. I've tried to keep busy and have gotten a lot of school work done, ahead of the game! Come on Friday

• My first breastfeeding class: Let me say that lots of information all at once can be overwhelming to a first time mom! I was the baby "due date" of the group, but I'm all about learning what I can about this whole process even if I have several months to go (it's the teacher in me). I learned a few good techniques of latching on, how many dirty/wet diapers to know they're getting enough, creams that can help, and lots of "earthy" mommy info I didn't see as being practical at all (another soon-to-be blog posting for sure)! They did have great snacks, and it was nice to meet other prego moms who are at different phases of pregnancy. I'm learning to "filter" information, especially living in a heavily populated hippie culture, which is great for some women...not this girl though :)

There are our few new "firsts" from the past few weeks. I'm sure this year will be full of them!

Easter Baskets :)

This year I made Mikey's Easter "box" hopefully to use in years to come! I found a box and covered it in firefighter themed material. 

My basket Mikey hid for me was super tasty: peanut M&Ms (protein), Saltines, Red Hots, and Vanilla Starbucks bottle Frapps. Nice job Mr. Krupa!

Our rockin' Grandma Krupa sent baby Krupa's first Easter basket in the mail.  It was a sweet little lamb stuff animal and a couple of receiving blankets. The thought alone made our day!  That was incredibly sweet of her.

A little recap

Tomorrow I start my 16th week of prego-ness! So I thought it would be a little fun to recap what it has been like so far, and dear friends keep asking what it's all like, but we mainly play phone tag and haven't had a chance to catch up! Keep in mind I have pretty sarcastic humor so just remember it's my HUMOR, and I'm honestly ecstatic to be on this little journey of creating life. :)

So far it's been a smooth pregnancy. Thank you God. I was super nauseous the first tri, mainly in the evenings (which is fabulous because I teach in the mornings), but I haven't lost my stomach once yet. Again, thank you God. In the first tri, I couldn't sleep very well at ALL. Now days, I need a good nap and 8 hours of sleep that I seriously snooze straight through without waking up. So nice while I can (so I hear)!!

(Since I'm a definite list person, here's a bit of a breakdown for what it's been like so far.)

Cravings? Nothing out of the ordinary. That first tri, I couldn't stand eating chicken. This was a BIG deal because I have ALWAYS loved chicken. Also, smells would turn me off to certain foods in a heartbeat. Some days, Mikey would come home to the trash can on the porch because I couldn't stand whatever smell was in there. Also, on those nauseous evenings, Cheerios it was for din-din. Mikey is super sweet and cooks and does dishes all the time. Since being prego, seeing the sight of curdled food in a soaking pan disgusts me to no end. The first tri I did crave a lot of fast food, which we really don't eat too often: Sonic coneys, chocolate shakes, french fries, and chicken nuggets were my top num-nums. My midwife gave me the one-a-day treat talk last appointment. So I've really tried to tighten back up on the healthy foods, only water, and a limited sweet treat a day. This too is extremely difficult because I have a HUGE sweet tooth.

Bodily Changes? Lovin the ever-growing boobs for the first time in my life! No complaints there :) The first tri was definitely torture trying to go two-sies. Now days, life in that department is a lot smoother! I'm definitely in the in-between phase of wearing my old clothes (pants that are way too snug for comfort) and being in prego clothes (still way too big). A few weeks ago, we went to Farmington to Target and bought a Bell-a-band. Thank God for whoever invented this little elastic stretchiness of comfort. I can wear my own pants unzipped/unbuttoned, and you really can't tell at all. I do have to say my face takes its turn reverting back to puberty in serious break-outs that take a bit to recover from. That's something I'm not used to again.

Other Changes? Yes! I find my self so stinkin clumsy and forgetful lately. The other morning I dumped 1/4 of the box of Cheerios before they ever got to my breakfast bowl! Then I had to take my cereal to school with me to eat before class (because I'm NOT a morning person and run late often). My bowl, milk included, then dumped all over me while driving. Later that afternoon, I remembered to go grab my cereal bowl out of the car. While picking up the dried Cheerios off the floor from earlier that morning, I somehow managed to dump the last of the milk all in my gear shift of my car. Mikey just laughed. Thank God my prego book says this is totally normal for this time in your life. I also can't remember what I'm supposed to get done, who I'm supposed to call, and have missed several appointments I was supposed to be! If you know me at all, I'm the odd duck in society that enjoys being organized. So this is quite the experience of NOT being that at all. I make lists to help, but then I forget to look at them or can't find them :)

Mood Swings? I honestly haven't been a crazy pregnant woman... yet (haha). I do have a good cry over anything for about 5 minutes every other week, and then I'm fine for the day. I feel my biggest mood swing is being tired and having no energy. I know in my head this is normal, but I FEEL like I'm no fun when I'm so blah physically. Mikey's a great hubby. When he sees the tears start to come on occasion, he just takes me in his arms and holds me, and then life is ok again. He's swell. I think other than being tired, being clumsy and forgetful drive me the most crazy. I do try to take a good walk mostly everyday, which helps with energy and being tired; however, I don't like feeling like I'm incapable of pouring and eating my cereal or carrying my books bags! This is a little unnerving when I think about taking care of a newborn infant. I'm counting on that mothering, non clumsy, instinct to kick in!

So that's a recap of what it's been like so far. Keep in mind I'm super ecstatic to be at this place. I'm excited to feel the baby move so that this all feels more real than just a symptom in my body. We are going to find out what we are having at 20 weeks. The end of April cannot come soon enough! Please continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby in all of this!

How our baby's growing!

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. There's not much for the baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Velcro for a good cause

Last night was the official St. Baldricks shaving of heads in raising funds to go toward kids with cancer. It was definitely entertaining to watch as people (male and female, old and young) had their hair (pony tails included) cut and shaved all off!

The event took place at the Train Museum here in town. The hairstylists made it so fun and lively as well as the crowd that applauded, hooted, and hollered (Okie terms?) cheering all the participators on! Nice job to all the DFRA people and their fams for all their support and lack of hair for a great cause!

Here's my hubby BEFORE...

... and AFTER

Mikey's head now feels like velcro!