Tender Mercies

Pregnancy does weird things to your body.  It changes your personality, it changes your body appearance, it also changes the way your body works.  Although I'm changing in ways I didn't know were possible I accept these changes very well.  Holding my little toddler Kennedy has become more difficult and awkward although manageable.  Kennedy has also become way more clingy which I honestly don't mind.
I was given the challenge to look for tender mercies daily and I accepted that challenge.  The biggest tender mercy happened to me the other day.  I decided it would be fun to play a game of competitive soccer for the first time in over a year and well being 3 1/2 months pregnant and just starting this up again probably wasn't the best idea.  I got home that night feeling terrible and I didn't sleep at all because I was worried about the little one that was inside of me.  I kept asking God to for a way to know that my baby was okay and I wasn't sure how it was going to work because I'm not supposed to be able to feel the baby kick for another couple weeks.  But as we all know God works miracles every day and I felt my baby give me a few very reassuring kicks! It was a very humbling experience and I was grateful for it!

I guess its probably time!

Man I have been slacking so badly I haven't written on this blog forever! A LOT has happened since I last wrote.  Some of those things are, Kennedy's first Birthday, Finding out we are expecting, Christmas, and so much more.
Kennedy has grown into such an adorable little girl! She has so much personality and spunk, she has so many different facial expressions and knows quite a few words.  She can say, mamma, dadda, bubba, gaga, papa duck, quack, baaa, woof, hi, bye bye and a few others that I can't think of right now.  Kennedy loves just about everyone and is such a blessing in our lives.  She brings so much happiness and joy into our lives and the lives of so many other people.  Kennedy started crawling on the 4th of July.  She started out with a little army crawl and then started crawling regular.  She is also walking now, She started walking a couple days before her first birthday.  Now she is into everything and is all over the place.
Some of her favorite things are baths, spaghetti, swimming, playing with her uncle bubba, reading books, watching mickey mouse clubhouse,  being with family, swinging at the park, cheese and crackers, goldfish, other kids, babies, and being happy and smiley!
In June I started a job as  a waitress at Tucanos, which was a lot of fun! I met a lot of really neat people and I worked with so many people.  Although this was a really tough thing for me to do.  Leaving my baby for long periods of the day was so hard! I missed out on a lot of things and I felt like I didn't get to see her grow up. There were sometimes that I would work from the time that she woke up which was around 10:30 until she went to bed, so I wouldn't get to see her very much.  That was honestly so hard! Then once August came around I started school and was still working at least 20 hours a week.  It became very stressful and I felt like I didn't have much time to spend with my family.  I came home exhausted and overworked.  I took every second that I had with my family as a huge blessing.  I made it out of school and passed all my classes, I also quit my job at Tucanos and now i'm a free woman! It has been amazing spending so much time with Kennedy and Davy that I don't even know what to do with myself.  One of the main reasons I quit my job was because of the baby inside my tummy.  It was getting too much and I wasn't able to carry all those heavy trays anymore so I felt like that was my best option.
Christmas this year has been spent in Wyoming with Davids family.  It has been a lot of fun.  We had an early Christmas with my family which was great! My parents gave Kennedy a super cute Rocking Giraffe which she loves. She also got a little computer thing from Davids parents which she also loves!   I got a sewing machine and davy and I got a really nice comforter set, a skillet, some nice mixing bowls (finally), a kitchen aid mixer and a nice mattress pad for our bed.  We also got some gift cards and food storage stuff.  It was a great Christmas and I couldn't have asked for better family!
Earlier this year my Grandma Clark passed away, which was a real shocker! I wasn't expecting it because it came on so quick.  The best part of it all is that my dad got to be with all his siblings at the same time, which hasn't happened in FOREVER! It was a sad yet happy reunion for them.  She will be greatly missed and things are still so hard not having any grandma's.
We need to end on a couple of positive notes.  My dad is now the first counselor in the Bishopric which was a huge surprise for everyone! and he also got the opportunity to head back to New Jersey to get some treatments done on his eyes.  He has seen quite a bit of improvement, which means he will be going back the first part of January to get more treatments which hopefully will make him improve even more!
Well this is our year in a nutshell.  I will try and get on more often and recap a few more things that have happened but in the meantime enjoy a picture overload!

Kennedy Jane Allred

I guess now that she is six and a half weeks I better announce our newest arrival! Kennedy Jane Allred was born on November 21, 2012 at 4:48 pm.  She is the prettiest thing I have ever seen and we have fallen more and more in love with her every day! Kennedy weighed in at 8lbs 1oz and was 20 inches long.  She was born strong and healthy and with a strong set of lungs.  I was in labor for 12 hours and pushed for almost an hour.  It was a very long day but I couldn't have done it without an epidural.

Kennedy is very loved by so many people! She is usually a very good baby and only cries when she is hungry or tired.  She still gets her days and nights mixed up, but its okay she is so worth it! She is starting to smile and really look at people when they are talking.  I'm so excited for this next stage in her life! The newborn stage was fun but I cant wait to see what else is coming.  Her smile is so adorable because she has the biggest blue eyes that just sparkle when she smiles! She is definitely the same baby that was inside me though because she still ALWAYS has the hiccups.  She absolutely hates them.  Kennedy loves her baths! I think she would stay in her bath all day if she could.  She loves swimming around and loves the warmth of it. On that note she hates being cold! So after her baths its a race to get her dressed.  Kennedy has just a little bit of hair on top but has a big time mullet! She has the prettiest skin and is such a beautiful baby! She takes a pacifier very well which is super nice especially at night.  She loves being held and loves to cuddle, which is probably one of my favorites.  Right now she is a mamma's girl, but I think that's just because I'm her source of food.  She has been a huge joy in all our lives! Whenever someone comes in contact with her they fall instantly in love! Kennedy is definitely an angel sent from heaven! She has been such an amazing blessing to us! I'm so not excited with how fast she is growing and how big she is already, but I know that every new step is fun and just as exciting.  She loves looking around at everything and has always been super alert! We love you Kennedy an we are so grateful for you!!!  

And now for a picture overload!!

Right before having my baby!!!

My first time meeting sweet Kennedy!!!

 
 

Dear Kennedy

As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy and I'm getting more and more anxious I decided I would write a little letter to my baby girl expressing how life was before she got here and how things are going.  So here it goes;

My dear sweet Kennedy,
I don't even know where to start! These past eight and a half months have gone so quickly that I cant even imagine how fast the next eight years will go! We have been so anxious to meet you and see who you look like and see what your personality is! You already do have a fun exciting personality as it is, I cant wait to see it in person.  You already love your daddy so much! You always seem to get super excited whenever he talks to you or when he rubs my belly, its like you can just tell when he is around! I think you do that just to make him fall in love with you even more and to wrap him around your little fingers even tighter! We sure love you and we sure cant wait until your arrival.  Its only two and a half more weeks until my due date, but we are so hoping that you will get here a little earlier.  We got to see you the other day in an ultrasound and you were stubborn like always.  We wanted to see your adorable little face but you had your hands in the way.  Its alright though because we will see you soon.  The doctor said you will be a little on the bigger side which makes mommy slightly nervous, but I know it won't be too bad I just want you here.
What do I want from you? Kennedy you will be our oldest child, which means we will need you to be a great example to your siblings.  You will also be the oldest cousin on mommy's side of the family, which means you will have the responsibility to be an example to all your cousins also! I know thats a lot of responsibility but I have no doubt you will be completely capable of that.  Your daddy and I will try and teach you everything you need to know but I know that you will also teach us so much! We want you to try new things and be an outgoing girl! We want you to be a friend to everyone and to always do your best! When the time comes for you to get married we want you to get married in the temple for time and all eternity! Eternal marriage is one of the greatest gifts you could ever imagine! There isn't anything that could ever compare to going through the temple with your spouse, knowing that you will be with your family for eternity! You may never know the importance of temple marriage until you experience it for yourself.  Never let your standards drop for anything! Always be strong in your decisions and keep the Lord on your side ALWAYS!! Kennedy you are our amazing little girl that is already a miracle for us! You have been one of our greatest blessings and I know you will have so much potential! You are all we seem to talk about and all we seem to have on our minds! Everyone is so anxious for your arrival! Now that your Cousin (no name) Ranee's baby was born today, I have been even more anxious than ever!! I'm so ready for you to come and make your amazing appearance! We love you baby girl, keep growing strong and come soon!!
Love always,
Mommy and Daddy!!

Seven wonderful months!

Man I can't believe I am already almost seven months pregnant! They have really been amazing I have loved every second of carrying this little miracle! Everyone keeps telling me to just wait until I'm nine months pregnant, to tell you the truth I honestly cannot wait! I know it will be hard going up and down the stairs of my apartment, and walking to and from class all over UVU's campus, but I cant wait! I'm so excited to be able to hold my little girl in my arms for that very first time! I cant wait to bring her home and show her off to everyone in the ward! These months have gone so fast I can't even believe it! I have loved watching my belly grow and get bigger! I have also loved watching all my baby's kicks and hiccups! Being pregnant is such a remarkable experience! But having our little girl will be an even more phenomenal experience!
Life has been pretty amazing here! We moved back from Wyoming a couple weeks ago.  We spent a week at my house in Ephraim just hanging out with my family.  We then spent a couple weeks living with Jordan and Jill ( Davy's cousins) since they were wonderful enough to let us stay there since we were homeless for a couple days.  For labor day weekend we went camping up Manti canyon for three days! It was a great trip and so relaxing! I love camping in the mountains and just being able to spend time with family! Davy was sick the first night which was really hard for me because I wanted to be home taking care of him but I also wanted to be camping.  He finally made me go up the mountain and I came and got him the next morning when he was better.  The trip was amazing and I loved it all especially when he came up! On Wednesday Sept. 5, we got to move into our apartment! Its a little smaller but there is so much storage space, which is something we need lots of right now where we have so much baby stuff! Its so nice being in our own place again!
I'm so excited for this new chapter in our lives, and I know it will be here before we know it! Thanks everyone for your love and support and all you have done for us! 

Its A GIRL!!!

A little less than a month ago we found out that we are having a precious baby girl! Davy and I couldn't be more excited!! We have decided to name her Kennedy Jane Allred! I couldn't be more anxious and excited! On the day that we found out we were having a girl our doctor thought she saw something on her brain.  David and I were super nervous and scared of what could happen.  Our doctor told us it could be a cyst, but that we shouldn't be too worried.  Of course we were very worried we just wanted our baby to be healthy.  Our doctor then told us that we needed to see a specialized Radiologist, so we did a couple days later.  At our Radiologist appointment we got another ultrasound and found out that everything was perfectly healthy with our little girl.  She was growing just perfectly, her heartbeat was strong as can be and she was cute as ever.  We think she is going to be tall though because her femur measured a week longer than everything else in her body.  It really is an amazing experience being able to see her and feel her.  I love laying in bed at night feeling her moving and kicking me.  We are so blessed and so grateful for this miracle. 

Last week I flew on a plane for my very first time.  It was kinda scary at first just because I didn't know what to expect, but after I settled down it was really fun! I would much rather fly home to Utah than drive the long 10 hours it takes to get there.  I flew home to help my mom with Girls Camp.  For a while we didn't know whether we were going to have camp, because of all the fires around there, and one happened to be right by where we went to girls camp at.  Finally the stake presidency decided we would go up Ephraim Canyon.  It was actually a pretty fun place.  We were very crowded, and things were very different, but it was still a fun time.  I really enjoyed being able to spend time with my mom and both of my sisters, but I did also miss my hubby a lot! Before heading back to the air port we stopped in to see my grandparents for just a minute.  Grandma had to see my baby bump one last time before we moved back to Utah for school.  I got back to Wyoming on Saturday July 14, just in time for the Byron fireworks.  Those are always a blast to go to because you sit only a couple hundred feet away from where they light them off so you get a super cool affect.  On Tuesday July 17 I got a text from my mom saying that my Grandma Brown was back in the hospital and she wasn't doing very good.  I got this text while Davy was playing softball so I was around a bunch of people.  I went off and found somewhere I could just cry where no one would see me.  My parents kept me updated all night and around 11:00 p.m. that night I got the call no one ever wants to get.  I got the call that my Grandma had just passed away.  It was so unexpected! I mean she had been weak and kinda sick for a while but we didn't think she was that sick.  I was just talking to her and laughing with her only a couple days earlier.  She was supposed to be getting better so our little girl would have a great-grandma Brown.  But grandma being stubborn like she always is had to go up and meet Kennedy before anyone else.  She always had to be the first at everything and this was no exception.  We just hope and pray that she doesn't keep her up there past my due date... haha My grandma was brought back to her loving Father in Heavens arms by her sweet daughter Caroline, My baby brother Kody, one of her brothers, one of her sisters and both of her parents.  She looked so peaceful and pain free when we put her in her casket.  We did head back up to Utah, only this time in a car and we were there with my family the next day.  I'm so grateful for a loving husband that is so unselfish and amazing! He took two days off of work so I could be with my family during this time. And If it would have been necessary he would have taken more time off.  I'm so grateful for him and for his personality and always thinking of others.

My grandma was one amazing woman! She always made sure she got each of her grand kids something for their birthdays.  She started Christmas shopping in January and didn't stop until our Christmas party every year.  She always spent her money on her grandchildren.  They were her pride and joy! My grandpa spent every minute the last couple of weeks helping her everywhere, since she was too weak to move.  He is one of the strongest men I know, so every time a tear would trickle down his cheek I would break down in tears.  I'm so glad we stopped in to say bye to my Grandparents before I left back to Wyoming, I didn't ever think it was going to be a goodbye until I die. It really was a rough week having to say goodbye to her, but I know that without the gospel it would have been even harder!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN GRANDMA! I LOVE AND MISS YOU!

New Stuff ♥

Wow it has been such a long time since I last wrote! So much really has happened I don't even know where to start.  The school year has come and gone and now its summertime.  Part way through the semester David had to go to Wyoming to work for a week so he could have a job for the summer.  That went well, while he was gone there I stayed with my family in Ephraim since it was my Spring Break, which I really enjoyed.   While he was gone I found out some very exciting news that we had been waiting for, I was PREGNANT!! I found out on a Thursday and he wouldn't be home until Saturday.  It was so hard to keep it a secret from everyone especially him! I went and picked him up from the airport and on his seat when he got back to the car, was a little present.  I wrote out a note that said Congrats Daddy we love you! Then there was a little package with a little baby onesie and some baby lotion.  His face was priceless when I told him.  We are due the day before Thanksgiving and we couldn't be more anxious!
Exactly a week from today and we will hopefully find out the gender of our little miracle.  Its still unreal to me that we will be parents so soon and that we will be seeing out little baby before the end of this year! My pregnancy really has been pretty easy.  Yes I have been sick and yes I have thrown up but I figure that is just the way that the baby has to remind us to take care of ourselves because they are in there and they do need good things.  Its so amazing how many things have to go just right in order for the baby to be born healthy and yes I do worry about it, but I know that God will bless me with the baby that is just right for us. 
Now back on track... After school finished we moved back to Wyoming for the summer.  David has a really good job here so that's why we came back.  He really enjoys what he does and I'm hoping we can get him a similar summer job in Provo next year.  This is our last summer coming back to Wyoming for the summer, particularly because it would be really hard moving everything back and forth plus have a new little baby.  David and I both decided this when we first got married and I feel it is the best choice.  I have been trying to get a job for this summer and I have had a couple of interviews but I haven't heard back from anyone yet.  Its kind of hard for me being here because I am away from my family and I get really bored and depressed here just because I never know what to do. Its alright though because I know that it helps us out financially and so its worth it.  I just really wish I could find a job to do so I can get out of the house a couple hours a day. 
We are hoping to become apartment managers in the fall to help us even more with finances but we don't know if that will work out.  It really would be awesome if we could pull this one off but we will see!
With all these life changes coming so quickly, we have a lot to prepare for.  We have so much we need to get ready for in the next couple months but mostly we have so much to be grateful for! I'm so excited for everything to happen and I just am so anxious for everything!!