He is here!!!

Well our little guy is finally here, 3 weeks early and a little unexpected, but here and healthy! He was 6 lb 4 oz and 19 inches and absolutely beautiful! His name is Caden Charles Mennear. Here is our story:

So since I was about 20 weeks along I have been going and having growth ultrasounds once a month due to the high risk pregnancy. Starting at 32 weeks I have been having Non-stress tests done bi-weekly. The doctor was keeping close tabs on us.

So this last Friday I went in for the sonogram, an NST, and I had a doctor's visit. NST was great but slowly each month his growth percentiles have slowly been dwindling on the growth chart, and this time the ultrasound showed the same thing. Finally at this visit the doctor looked at me and said, "we are not waiting until 39 weeks I'm going to be honest I'm getting worried." Well if she was concerned so was I. I called Brandon who was a bit stressed because he had his last final that day, I think he was quite overwhelmed but he finished his final and we had a baby.

The delivery for the most part was uneventful. So grateful for that. I was in absolute awe when he came out. I still can't believe he is here and he is real. I am so in love, and dad wow, so is he. Ever since the moment he saw him his heart melted. My mom is here which if she wasn't I'm sure I'd be a basket case. We were not quite ready for Caden to come (not quite is an understatement) so my mom of course has saved the day. Here are some pictures of the cutie.

Last picture of me pregnant. Night we were going in to the hospital.

Dad holding Caden. We definitely had a great view of the East River out our window, don't you think?

First family photo!

Aunt Kristy bought Caden this little dog outfit. 1) I love dogs and 2) I realized I didn't have any newborn clothing, so before my mom came Kristy was off on a hunt for newborn clothing. I have 0-3 months and they drown him. Well here is Caden getting ready for his 1st trip to the pediatrician. I had to dress him up for all my co-workers since I work in this office. Everyone fell in love with him!

Everyone usually gets to post darling pictures of their husbands holding baby and sleeping. I haven't had any of those. No sleeping pictures, only pictures of him holding baby while studying. Every night he grabs Caden while he listens to lectures. Bonding time, Brandon loves it. This particular night Caden was a lot more alert.

More studying!

Getting Closer!!

I Have been very bad at taking pictures throughout my pregnancy. It's horrible but I see all of these beautiful pregnant women, and then I look in the mirror and think, "Man you aren't the most attractive pregnant female out there," but I don't care our baby thus far is healthy and man I am already crazy in love with him.

He's making buddies already. Everyone at works loves him and talks to him on a regular basis. My good friend Tomiko, seriously crazy but I love her always wants to read him stories in the middle of work. It is so funny. We just laugh at her. She also makes sure to say good morning and good night to him everyday. I love it.

He is also very spoiled. My sister in law sent a suitcase of clothes when my family came to town and then ever since people have been so gracious to us. People here in New York typically don't have as many kids as us Westerners so my co-workers after having 1 child are ready to get rid of there stuff. They have given me so much. I am so grateful!!! Things are so expensive and seriously he'll grow out of everything in a month, so I take it with open arms.

Well here are some pics. I am now a little over 31 weeks, and am planning on delivering at 39 weeks to avoid any previous complications. As of now we are set for the day before Thanksgiving. It will be a crazy journey but we can't wait!!!

Here I am around 29 1/2 weeks.


These last few are between 30 and 31 weeks. Starting to get uncomfortable and exhausted!!

Finally time together!

So I am going to recap the last few months of our lives. Let us start with Brandon, all he does is study, especially when finals are coming up. I came into the kitchen and saw this. He had cheetos, separated on each slide that he was studying for school. I just laughed and had to grab my camera. He said he was eating the cheetos too fast so he had to pace himself, he could only eat the cheetos on that certain slide he was studying and couldn't move on with the next pile of cheetos until he started the next slide.

He wanted to make sure he didn't eat the whole bag too fast. Hmmm, I guess it isn't too bad of an idea. I guess I could get some tips from him. His friends had a bet when we moved to NY. One thought he would gain weight and tip the scales over 300 lbs, the other thought he would lose a lot of weight. Sorry Jared and Trevor he is about the same, apparently he knows how to eat in moderation!!!!!

Great day for me!!! I just found out I was pregnant and I was getting ready for a job interview. Ended up getting the job and have been working ever since at a pediatric clinic for a group of pediatricians. I think I must need help preparing to be a mom. I work 5 days a week 8 hours a day with children and then on Sunday in the nursery. I told Brandon I'm am going to have to work on my communication with adults because those times are far and few between.

For easter we got together with our neighbors below us and had fondue! It was great!!

Me at my best!

For my birthday Brandon got me tickets to Circus de Soleil. It was amazing!!! I absolutely loved it but it scared me to death to watch. My palms were sweaty and I couldn't even clap I was too nervous someone was going to get hurt. It was a blast.

The summer begins. Brandon is just doing a fellowship this summer and doing research with an orthapedic surgeon. He works 9-5 and then we play. He keeps me busy, and exhausted running around the city but YAY, finally time together. Over the Fourth of July we went to Coney Island.

Couldn't go there without getting a Nathan's hot dog. I on the otherhand went for the corndog and rather enjoyed it.

Brandon going to town on the hotdogs!!!

And the cheese fries!!! I have to admit I dug in right after him.

The next day we hoped on a train and headed to Long Beach in Long Island. We went with some friends and had a great time. It took us some time to get in the water. It was freezing!!!! But by the end we were all in the ocean having a great time!

Melissa and Dustin as we fought through crowds to watch fireworks!

This was the extent of our firework show. Can you see anything? Yeah we couldn't either, tall buildings in NY kind of scew the veiw, I think we'll watch them on tv next year, but it was great to get out!!!

Isn't he cute? I kind of like him!

This past weekend Brandon and I went to Central Park to listen to the Philharmonic Orchestra. There were apparently hundreds of thousands of people there it was so fun. Then after that we went to dinner. Twice a year NYC has what is called restaurant week. A lot of the prestigious more expensive restraunts have a deal where you get a 3 course meal for a lot cheaper. Brandon and I went to Ruth's Chris and had amazing filet mignon. Loved it!!!!

And last but not least we are having a BOY!!!!!! We found out last week and it was such an amazing experience. I came to tears when I saw our little guy moving and his heart beating! I can't even describe how happy and peaceful I felt. It was so incredible. I walked into work and before I even said anything my coworker told me I was glowing, and I was!!! I felt so grateful and so much love that day. It is amazing how my heart immediately was filled with love. Anyways, we are excited and expecting December 2!!!

News from New York!

Well I haven't posted forever because nothing really new has gone on in our lives here in New York. I go to work and come home and go to bed. Brandon goes to school, studies and sleeps. But lately life has changed up a bit. I go to work, sleep, and lately have had so many doctor's appointments. We are expecting again!!!!! Very exciting news and very scary news at the same time. We are due the beginning of December and hoping everything will go well this time around. I'm just about 12 weeks along. Usually at this point people are seeing their doc for the first time. I've met with my physician 3 times, met with a nurse on 2 different occasions, and met with an ultrasound tech for my 1st trimester sonogram. I've been pretty busy but I'm grateful that everything is being done for us to have this baby.

So for those of you who don't know I have an auto-immune disease called Anti-phospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Basically my blood clots a lot more quickly than it is supposed to and that is why we lost our son late in the second trimester last pregnancy. As they examined the placenta it supposedly had several clots so our little guy wasn't getting the oxygen and nutrients he needed.

I am so grateful they found this my first pregnancy. Many women with this have many miscarriages before they discover this problem. As I've researched I've found that without medication the chance of women with this disorder to give birth to a living infant is about 10% each pregnancy. Can I just say that I will be forever be grateful for modern medicine. It is truly an amazing thing.

Well that's about it. I'm giving myself Low molecular Heparin shots daily on top of Baby Aspirin. I'm participating as part of a study with women who have either anti-phospholipid syndrome and/or Lupus. It is the least I can do to try to help physicians become more aware of this disorder and how to continue to treat it so women like myself can have viable pregnancies. Anyways, that is my story. Keep us in your prayers. I pray every night that our son Aidan will help prepare our other children to come down to us. Prayers are answered.

Visitors!

NEW YORK CITY FUN!!!

Well I posted these pictures backwards so I will have to talk about the trip from the end to the beginning. So my sis came this week with her roommate Mikkel aka (Micky D)which is what I call her. Nickname from our basketball coach in high school, love every minute of her. Also their friend Mel who was so darling. This picture was taken in Little Italy at lunch the day they left. Yes those are tears, Kristy was obviously in tears but Mikkel shed some as well, and of course so did I.


So we went to Mama Mia! Oh my gosh we were all in love. It was AMAZING. Kristy and Mel were on the 1st row and me and Mik were on the 3rd row. The seats were amazing and the show, WOW!!!! Me and Mikkel couldn't stop dancing the whole show! Seriously, go see it.

My little brother came to NYC on The American Heritage Tour with his school. Natalie Barfuss one of his chaperones is like our second mom so she let us steal him for a few hours. It was so good to see him. Love him, he's darling.

So Mel HAD to see Regis and Kelly. Well we didn't have tickets so we had to wait in the "stand by" line for three hours, yes from 6 am to 9 am. It was freezing and getting up at 5 am isn't my thing but it was so fun.

Serendipity of course was a must. Man I probably gained like 10 lbs when these guys were here we ate so much.

So at the Natural History Museum we were getting tired so we had to make some fun. Here is us imitating the animals. Kristy was the winner! Great impression!

My impression not great but everyone else seemed to like it.

Grand Central Station.

Central Park. Great Sunday activity. I thought this was a beautiful picture.

If anyone knows Mikkel she does not dress like this nor does she wear a purse. She went home a true New Yorker. Even bought herself a "Go Go" purse from Chinatown. She got ripped off, we thought it was a Coach knock off at first but it wasn't, anyone heard of GO GO? Mikkel gave into the peer pressure from my sister and I before we really checked the thing out. Funny thing is, she needs one. The first 2o minutes in NYC she lost her wallet. Seriously a miracle she got it back. An honest lady from Queens found it, googled Mik's name, found her work phone number and left a message on Mikkel's work phone. We met the lady that night to get it back. Mikkel you are a lucky girl!

Loved the cannoles. Had to go back twice for these. So good.

Brandon and I at Toys "R" Us. So glad he was able to hang out at the beginning of the trip. We didn't get to see him much at the end because he had a big test today. He was studying like crazy. The girls felt so bad for him because they didn't know it was possible to study as much as he does. Welcome to my world ladies! Welcome to Medical School! It was nice to have company.

Kristy and I hanging out while Brandon was shopping. But of course he always leaves empty handed. That's my husband for you. Gotta love him.

First day out. Let the fun begin. Thanks Kristy, Mikkel, and Mel for coming. The house is already more lonely and empty without all your suitcases. Come anytime, it was a blast. I absolutely love the watch you brought me. Thank you so much!!!

Home for the Holidays

So I thought I'd give a little update on the holidays. First of all my wreath that I am so proud of. Our ward for enrichment has made homemade wreaths as a tradition for years and years. People talk about this activity for a months before Christmas. Now, I am so not artistic but this activity was a blast and I have to show off my wreath. There were real pine wreaths, holly berry, pine cones, tree ornaments, and ribbon. It was great!


So of course I had to put up a picture of the Rockefeller tree and ice skating. My brother and his friend came to visit and we went at the perfect time. The snow was coming down and it was beautiful. The picture of the 3 of us, not so flattering but it was freeeeezing!!!



So Brandon got to Poky about 6:00 am on his birthday. He was exhausted but it was a great gift for him to be home away from studying for a couple of weeks. And again notice my bubble letters on Brandon's Birthday Poster. For me this is good!

Christmas morning, Brandon very happy.


While at home Brandon's little sis got married. Here are a few of the pictures of the reception.





And last but not least a picture of my darling nephew, Ammon. Brandon left Poky a week before I did to start school. So the Friday before I left, Ammon took me on a date. He is so stinking cute. He came to the door with a rose in his hand. When I opened the door he said, "Will you go on a date with me," I couldn't stop smiling he is so cute. Jeff and Amber my brother and sister-in-law said he was walking around the house all evening with rose in hand practicing his speech. It was a great, and he took me to Sandpiper. I definitely could not complain. Well actually once during the "date" he yelled at me for laughing at him. Afterwords I tried to explain to him you don't yell at girls on a date, it is rude. Yeah, I don't think he was listening but I tried.


I told Brandon he had a lot to live up to when I returned home or Ammon would show him up. I guess the talk helped because I got home at like 10:30 at night and Brandon had a candle light dinner ready for me. Gosh I have been getting some special treatment lately. He got me daisys which I love and made spagetti and meatballs. Seriously he needs to cook more often because it was better than anything I had made lately. Anyways that is about it, now I've been brought back to reality where I am looking for a job. But at least I made many good memories. Thanks Ammon and Brandon for my dates. I love you guys!!!