Dear Baby Girl, Please Come Soon

Today I am 39 Weeks and 2 days pregnant. This pregnancy has been a very blessed one from the beginning. I have felt so much hope and peace within me the whole way through and many tender mercies along the way. I felt it hard to complain much because I have felt so overwhelmed with God's love as he has blessed us with the opportunity to carry this baby. This year has definitely been a different journey from all the rest & I am so thankful for the growth and stretching that have come from the things the Lord has placed in my path. It has given me a greater perspective about what this life is about and how we need to stop and recognize how blessed we truly are. So so thankful both the baby and I have been so healthy and that I am able to carry her till full term...even if this last week of pregnancy has felt like the longest week of my life, I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the joy that I will feel when she is finally here will be so all worth it.

Since I haven't given too many pregnancy blog updates this time around....In short, here are some hi/low-lights from baby girls's pregnancy: The first trimester was a stretching one as we moved into our new home and I was still feeling nauseous and so exhausted all the time. The second trimester, I had regained my energy and we were able to take a trip to the beach and to Williamsburg, VA as a family, found out we were having a girl & excitedly started getting her nursery all together. The second trimester flew by. Then as the third trimester came my belly was so so itchy all the time and heartburn was the worst....not to mention all the pelvic pain and pressure I felt. Thank goodness for Vitamin E oil, lavender essential oil, my snoogle pregnancy pillow, belly band for support and Zantac for my heartburn. So amazing though to feel baby move and watch the belly show every night :) I felt her move a few weeks earlier at 12 weeks, than I did with Camden at 18 weeks. That was pretty neat. Anytime I have worried about how she was doing the Lord has let me feel her move within me and that has been a tender mercy to calm this mama's worries.

Then this last month has been one of strength and clarity as I have felt my Heavenly Father preparing me for something bigger than myself. I also felt like my body has just gotten used to being pregnant and adapted to all the strains and pressures or something...so I have felt lots better this last little while than I did a month or so ago! Ha! Just extremely tired by the end of the day & having to get up to go to the bathroom alllll theeeee time! :) The perks!

It really is such a privilege to carry this baby & I am so thankful to the Lord for entrusting her to us. It seems still surreal that we will have another little babe in our home but I just can't wait. Being a mother is the most wonderful thing and there is nothing more amazing than holding a brand new baby in your arms, knowing they just came from Heaven. It is a little crazy to feel and experience all that takes for a baby to get here but so amazing.

We love this little baby girl so much already and are so grateful she will soon be in our family....the anticipation is just about doing me in but I keep praying for patience and endurance. It has been so much fun making baby girl things. Whenever I start feeling anxious I make another bow or flower hair clip! :) Scott just loves it! HA!

My last appointment is Thursday of this week and we will see if I am dilated more than a finger tip from last week's appointment. Hoping I am dilated some more so that if I do go over, being induced would be a possibility. I didn't want to think about being induced this time around but because my Mom already bought her plane ticket and baby is taking her sweet time, I think we might just have to take that route....but we still have time so we shall see!

So yes...we are still just sitting, waiting, praying & wishing for this baby to get here, yet trying to soak in these last moments with Camden as our only child and the "calm" before a busy newborn gets here. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions like crazy on and off for the last 2-3 weeks but nothing really lasting or sticking yet! Some days I just wish my water would break so that I know it is time!

Our friends out here have been the biggest support, throwing darling baby showers and offering so much help. My hubs has really been the most amazing guy ever, helping get everything around our house ready for this baby girl and helping with our busy Camden when I couldn't wrestle or tackle him any more haha...He would always ask, "Tackle me Mom!" & I would just laugh with my huge belly and say, "When your Dad gets home!"

Camden has grown up so much the last few weeks, speaking in these long sentences and soaking up whatever we say. The other day he said, "Sorry Mom. It's my fault." I was like...how do you know what that means?! :) He is doing so well wearing his glasses, loves playing with friends, playing basketball & baseball around the house, going places like the zoo or the park, and rough housing with his Daddy. He is going to be the best big brother. He always loves on babies and wants to hold them. I know he will have his moments but I hope he is mostly going to be the sweetest. Can't wait for my babies to be together. I got a little teary eyed the other day thinking about how they will always have each other. Siblings are the bestest friends anyone can have!

I have such a special bond with my only brother and am so thankful for him in my life. He is currently serving a mission for our church in Mexico and in his last letter to me he sent me these sweet verses form John 16:20-22, 32-33 to read that really came at a perfect time. They comforted my heart to know I am never alone and that I will find joy in deliverance after all this "turmoil and sorrow"! I encourage anyone expecting soon to read it!

My Mom said my bro Blake also sent baby Emery a little Mexican dress in his last package home and I can't wait to see it & have her wear it! We got to Skype with Blake over Christmas and that was the best! Love him and so proud of his example!

Soo...my mom and baby sister Brinley get in Friday. I have been on the countdown to their arrival since I knew for sure I could count on them coming on the day they were "due." Baby Emery, not so much :) Can't wait for my mama's help. I miss & love her so much. Well....I feel like there is so much left to say about how wonderfully exciting and awesome this time in our lives is...oh the anticipation, but alas that is all for today's thoughts! Next post should hopefully be: Baby is here!!!

We can adjust the sails.

Funny, but I don't actually remember ringing in this new year at midnight or anything like you usually ALWAYS gotta do. As parents it's now like..."Oh look! Bedtime. Yes!!!" So this year it was just morning & then a new year. {K well we did spend a fun evening with friends the night before which was lovely. So thanks Darts. We love you guys.} 

...BUT little did I know that this year would already bring a new perspective on life and a renewed strength to overcome...

Recently, I miscarried at 10 weeks along and as hard as something like that is, there have been so many instances during this time when I have seen the Lord's hand in my life. It reminds me that all is well and God knows what he is doing. I know that God has a specific plan for all of us & that if he brings us to it, he will guide us through it. 

It brings me so much strength to know that the Lord knows and understands all that we go through and will carry us through our moments of grief and pain. I know we are not alone in our trials because I have felt His love and the love of family and friends that are His hands. It still hurts sometimes but I know that I can do hard things through Him who has suffered all.

I am so grateful for Scott who has just been soo so sweet and helpful and amazing. I don't know what I would do without him. I am so in love. I am also so very grateful for my sweet baby Camden who is so happy and perfectly healthy. He is our little light! So many friends have reached out to us by bringing meals, helping watch Camden, sending notes and flowers....God is good! & of course the support of my wonderful family is awesome....My Mom and baby sis Brin came to visit this last week & it couldn't have been better timing.

I really really love this quote from our prophet Thomas S. Monson, because it is exactly how I feel. I believe it to be so true & comforting...

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment...we can't direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude." -Thomas S. Monson

Life Lately

Oh hey there, long time no blog!

I have had lots of choice moments the last few months and I truly feel myself stretching and growing in ways I didn't think possible. OH how our little Camden keeps me busy! I guess it is time for a bit of an update...

Being a Mom is definitely the hardest most challenging thing I have ever done in my life....but oh so worth all the sweet hugs from those tiny arms around your neck and kisses from those sweet little lips. There is a place in my heart that has been filled that I didn't know was empty. My love and joy overflows daily for being blessed to raise such a sweet and valiant spirit. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply because of how much I love Camden. Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for us is so perfect. 

Our trip to DC really made me ponder how extremely blessed we are to live in the country that we do, to have the loving family that we do and of course the ultimate knowledge of the gospel and God's plan for us. Out of all the knowledge in the world we are equipped with the most vital and important knowledge of what we need to do to get back to our Heavenly Father.  

 

We are so so blessed and have little to be down about. I've been thinking lately how what I think are my worst days are most likely someone's version of the very best day. I need to be more aware of that and live with gratefulness every day for the wonderful blessings that are mine.  

 

I heard a quote the other day that says, "Abundance is not what we acquire, it is what we tune in to." So good huh?! & another one was...."Gratefulness turns what we have into enough!" Love it! They have become my new personal mantras. 

 

We heard a story at the Holocaust museum about this Jewish woman who was finally liberated from the death camp she was imprisoned in and a English solider asked if he could get her anything. She asked for warm socks and a bag of sugar. He brought them to her and the socks were falling off her bean pole legs (she only weighed 70 lbs) and she downed the whole bag of sugar all at once. Out of all the horrific and awe inspiring stories I heard I started crying after this one because of how she had been so stripped of her humanity and not even allowed warm socks and sugar....not even allowed these simple mundane everyday pleasures that we don't even think twice about!  

 

It gives me a lot of strength thinking about the survivors of the Holocuast....how they made it through such hard times that were so unjustly thrown at them. They endured and came out stronger for it. My trials are nothing like there's but I have hope that I can endure mine because of all that they triumphed through. If they can survive what they went through surely I can survive my trials. 

 

President Eisenhower visited some of the Holocaust remains after the war and said, "The things I saw beggar description...The visual evidence and the verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty and bestiality were...overpowering...I made the visit deliberately in order to be in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to 'propaganda.'"  

 

It was amazing all the emotions we felt in visiting the Holocaust museum. We felt anger, disgust, compassion, helplessness, and resolve. I am still haunted by it but it is good to remember the past so that we learn from it! 

I've really been learning to lean more of the Lord even more now that Scott has been traveling more. He has spent time in China and Honduras....traveling for a week long period out of every month. It is such a comfort that we are never alone & that we have full access to the infinite atonement! If we just really take the time to pay attention and stay intune with the spirit we can feel of the Lord's literal presence at all times. 

 

Short story...When Camden was a few months old we were driving somewhere in our car....Scott was in the front seat, I was in the passenger's seat and Camden was in the back in his rear facing infant car seat. Scott got out of the car to get gas. Camden started to cry! The car was stopped and he couldn't see us. He thought he was all alone....but I was right there. I was always there. I was just behind him! It occured to me that that is how God feels about us sometimes! He is ALWAYS there for us we just have to tune in! 

{I am also so so thankful for the countless friends we have made while living in North Carolina who have lightened my load and shown me what true friends do. I couldn't have gotten through some of these weeks without them!} 

 

Camden is turning into such a big boy with a big personality. He is almost 17 months now and is the smartest little thing and such a crack up. Scott and I were saying the other night how, as busy as he is we miss him after we put him to sleep....It makes it all the more exciting for a new day to spend with our little sunshine! More Camden stories and updates to come...

Scott hasn't had to travel much in Oct or Nov so far. It is so nice to have him home during this beautiful time of year! :) So looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas time to spend time with family and have a few weeks off to celebrate! 

DC or Bust!

We spent a few days in DC this past weekend and had a blast! It was a pleasant 5-6 hour drive with Mr. Awesome Toddler Traveler in tow. Camden was such a good lil boy the whole trip...thanks to excellent planning and timing on our parts I might add. Planning is everything with a toddler :)

We were able to do everything we wanted and it was just the best trip ever. Great weather, great time of year, great everything. So much to learn and explore. Lots of humbling experiences while viewing the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution at the National Archives, visiting the Holocaust museum and Arlington Cemetery! Something so moving about learning about the price of our freedom.

Our favorite things to see were the National Archives {Now I want to go watch National Treasure}, Lincoln's top hat, the star spangled banner, the phenomenal Holocaust museum {so thankful Camden took a nap during most of it}, visiting the gorgeous Library of Congress & seeing Thomas Jefferson's personal library, visiting the Capital Building, seeing all the monuments and reflecting pool, oh and visiting the White House...I guess that is a lot of favorites!

Camden's favorites were the "Things That Move" exhibit at the American History Museum, anything that looked like a ball and he pointed out every bike on the street! Haha. He also loved every stick and leaf he could carry on our walk around town. Someday he will look back at these pictures and be able to say he went to DC when he was 1!

 

Raleigh, NC Temple

Scott and I were able to get away on a date to the Raleigh, NC Temple last weekend....Thanks to the Haderlies who watched our lil man! 

I'm so grateful to have a temple close by, even if it does take extra planning to get there these days, it is always worth being in such a peaceful, sacred place, set apart from the cares and turmoil of the world. 

We believe that temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred promises & our families can be sealed together for all time and eternity. To learn more about temples and what it is like inside our temples visit LDS.org!

1 Month to a Year!

After church we tried recreating this picture we took from Camden's first time at church at 5 weeks....Look how big our little guy is getting! He turns 1 this upcoming Saturday. From 1 month to a year he sure has grown! Saturday Camden took his first steps all by himself. He just stood up in the kitchen and took a few steps. It was pretty amazing. I almost cried. Haha! We are so loving this playful 1 year old of ours!!!

Hunger Games date night

HG poster via

Scott {Trusty citizen of Panem}, 

You are hear-by invited to take part in the viewing of the nation's most anticipated event, the 74th annual HUNGER GAMES!

Saturday, March 24th at 3:30 pm {aka a date at the movies with me!} 

We shall feast afterwords {utilizing a gift card provided by a HG tribute sponsor} at the Capitol's most favorable dining...Olive Garden!

My only advice, STAY ALIVE! Oh and "remember, we're madly in love, so it's all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it." says, Peeta Mellark : )

XOXO, Brittany

& the candy we will be bringing...

"I support the girl on FIRE" - hot tamales      
"We're all just a PIECE in their games" - reese's pieces

Yayy! I can't remember the last time I was this excited to see a movie! 

_________________________________________________________

...The movie did not disappoint & I just love date nights! 

Thank you O'Briens for watching our lil guy! 

The best things

The best things in life...

  

...Aren't things.

Golden Years

Scott and I are so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents! All 3 sets of our living grandparents have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries within the last few years and each partnership is a supreme example of great love and devotion to us. We are so inspired by their love. It gives us something to really live up to! It seems 50 year anniversaries are especially rare these days so a half century of marriage truly deserves commemoration!

I recently came across a really neat quote about Marriage and love...

“Few things are more beautiful than a couple in love. Whether newly married or celebrating a golden anniversary, couples who keep love alive, who endure the ups and downs of life together, deserve our admiration. We may consider them lucky, but they will tell you that it's not luck that keeps them in love. It's choosing to stay in love, all along the way. They have come to know that love is a behavior, a series of actions and choices.”

& that is the truth... 

...This quote reminds me of our beloved grandparents and the awesome legacy they have laid before us to follow.

Just last weekend we were able to celebrate my Grandpa and Grandma Moon's 50th with an amazing dinner, talent show in their honor, 2 truths and a lie trivia game and a video presentation spanning their life achievements and adventures. It was a wonderful time! I love my grandparents so much! Here are some of my favorite priceless photos we were able to use in the video...Aren't they precious!??

 GQ.

 Love the hair.

Grandpa with my Uncle Rob & my cute Mom...she looks just like Brinley here!

Baby Brittany...ME on my blessing day...

Almost a year old...

6 years old...

 {I will spare you the awkward teenage photos with my grandparents...}

& at our wedding!

Love you Grandpa and Grandma Moon! 

Thank so much for your wonderful support and never ending love & example 

and we know you are going to be just the greatest great grandparents to our baby! How lucky is he going to be to have all these wonderful people in his life?! :)