My turn next!

For what you might ask? Well, it's my turn to be a mommy! I'M PREGNANT!!

Brad and I found out on Valentine's Day (the most romantic day of the year) that we will become 3 in October of this year! October 21 to be exact. We are very excited for our own little bundle of joy, but it's still a little startling to think that we will be responsible for a little one soon. We have so much to read, ponder, and prepare ourselves for, and it's only 6 months away! We could use all the advice you have, and be prepared for us to ask you all tons of questions. I'm sort of in that panic phase (it's right after the uber-excitement phase) where I realize I have no idea what I'm doing...

Our first ultrasound was at 9.5 weeks (Jelly Bean is 1 inch long):


We started calling the baby Jelly Bean, for obvious reasons, and even though Jelly Bean doesn't look like a jelly bean anymore, the nickname has stuck. This is what Jelly Bean looked like at 12.5 weeks (2.5 inches long):


As of today (Wednesday) I am exactly 13 weeks and Jelly Bean is almost 3 inches long! The time is flying by and Jelly Bean has already grown so much in only 3 short weeks. Life truly is a miracle. We won't find out if the baby is a boy or girl for another 5 weeks. We will keep you posted!

Also, I recently found out that I have 3 other friends who are also due in October! Chelise in El Segundo Ward, Julia in Texas, and Aubrey in Huntington Beach. What fun! Now it's a race to the finish! :) Can't wait for all the fun play dates in October!

I'm an Auntie!!!

We went to visit my family down in O.C. this weekend. We had planned on only staying there Friday night to Saturday night, but my sister Claire went into labor Saturday morning! She was in labor for only 12 hours (only 25 minutes of which was pushing at the end) and my first nephew, little Jaxson Dean Mendenhall, was born at 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Brad and I wanted to stay with them Sunday also to visit them in the hospital.

Little Jaxson was 7 lbs 12 oz. and 20 inches long. He is so adorable (and not just cuz he's my nephew). See for yourself!!



Isn't he the cutest?! Here is a picture of the cutest little family. My sister Claire, brother-in-law Sterling, and their new baby boy Jaxson Dean Mendenhall.



Unfortunately, little Jaxson had a couple of complications the first night after he was born. His white blood cell count was high so they started him on antibiotics to help him fight off a possible infection, and his breathing was a little too shallow. They took some chest x-rays to see if there was anything in his lungs, and they found that his collar bone was broken, probably from the delivery!! Poor little guy. So he has had to spend the last couple days and nights in the NICU, but even by Sunday evening, he was doing much better and eating like a champ. If he continues to do well, he will hopefully be released Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

Claire was released from the hospital this morning and she is doing very well. Again, congratulations to a cute little family!

AND I'M AN AUNTIE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!


UPDATE: Jaxson has come home from the hospital (Tuesday, April 14)! All his culture/blood tests were normal yesterday and today so they released him. He is crying loudly, pooping much and often, and doing everything a newborn baby should. His poor little wing is still broken (his right collar bone) but the doctor said it should heal by itself within the next 5-6 weeks. Congratulations Claire and Sterling on your beautiful baby boy who is now home with you!!

It's gonna be a great weekend...

Brad and I fly to Utah in 3 hours. We are taking tomorrow (Friday) off and spending the weekend (returning early Monday morning for work) with Brad's family in South Jordan, Utah to see his little brother Jordan return home from his 2 year mission in Peru. We are SO EXCITED! We haven't seen the Jeppsons since Thanksgiving last year, and it will be great to see Jordy again! It will be nice to have the entire family together again. Good things happen when the whole family is together...

It will be a fun-filled weekend of family togetherness, General Conference, Girls' Night Out (Priesthood Session), yummy home-cooked dinners, and Rook! CAN'T WAIT!

See you all when we get back!