I'm growing.

Here are some pictures of my growing belly! (It is time to share them with the world....) They are all cell phone pictures so not the greatest quality, but eh, they are pictures none the less.

I really grew a lot in about 2 weeks (it was insane!) and feel like I've slowed down again. It's funny to notice little differences throughout being pregnant.

Example, I've always been a little big large for the toy on the playground. However, today as I was trying to play with my kids during recess, I found it very difficult to turn sideways and squeeze through the small openings. I have always been able to just turn and slip though. I discovered that I didn't quite slip through easily as I had in the past. It was funny to squish on through though. Baby sure didn't enjoy being in such a tight space. haha

In all honesty, I have been feeling great (in large part thanks to this fantastic husband I have-he is great). I really can't complain about being pregnant. Sure, there are the things I'm sure everyone experiences-I'm tired after a long day at work, and my feet are swollen sometimes, I wake up with my hands asleep, and I have to go to the bathroom all of the time, but I love it. I love feeling her moving inside me and I love watching Brent put his hand on my belly to try to feel her. (She doesn't like to show off though and move when we are feeling for her-the stinker.) I love laying super still to watch my belly move and shake as she tries to get comfy. I love that when I fold my arms and rest them on my belly, she pushes against them to try and get me to move. When we go to the doctor and hear her strong heartbeat, I can't help but smile and love her. I watch the video of her ultrasound multiple times-I can't get over how adorable she is. I love getting things ready for her to come join us and I love going into her room. I feel very blessed.

Calling all Smarties!

So, did you know that you are smart? Because you are. And since you are sooo smart, I decided to enlist your help so you can show off your brains.

What do I really need for Baby Hirzy?

I have been finding a few lists on the internet and most of them seem to have a lot of stuff. I'm wondering what kinds of things are essential to have.

We do have a crib (thanks Mom & Dad!), a car seat, stroller, and changing table (thanks Grandma Blue Hair!), dressers, clothes, sheets & mattress protectors, and a couple blankets.

What else do we need? I'm talking everything, People. From things you think would be obvious, to the not so obvious.

Thanks, Guys. You really are smart.

Jelly Beans Up Your Nose

Johnny stuck jellybeans up his nose

That's a pretty dumb thing to do.

But the other kids said, "Hey, John's real cool.

Let's put beans up our noses, too!"

Well, a kid can't breathe with beans up his nose

'Cause they get all stuck inside.

So John and the kids, well, I hate to say it,

But they coughed and they choked and they died.

That's a pretty grim tale, I must admit,

And it may not all be true,

Still when somebody cool does something dumb

You don't have to do it, too.

So don't be one of those

With jellybeans up your nose.

(I don't know where this came from, but Karmel's kid had it in her homework packet.)

I read this to my students today. They really understood not to copy the dumb things that cool kids do.

D "Like, if I started beating up C and all of you joined me."
Mrs. Hirz "Yeah, because you are so cool we would totally want to be just like you and do everything you are doing. We would so want to beat up C if you were."
C "Hey, why are you all beating me up? That would be a chart drop for everyone."

It was awesome.

Graduation! August 2011

Brent graduated from BYU in June with his Bachelors of Science in Geography with an emphasis in Travel and Tourism. Wah-hoo! It has been a long time in coming, but I am so proud of this kid. He stuck with it and finished.Graduation ceremony was in August for June graduates. We were lucky enough to have lots of family be able to join the celebration. (We did miss grandparents, Stacie, and Hilary though!)

Tuesday we went to pick up Kevin from the airport. We are so glad he could come! I've missed having big brother around. When are you moving back? :) Our instructions were to take him directly to Docs. We weren't allowed to go home first. So, that is what we did. And Kevin had a delicious time eating endless amounts of gross pizza.

Thursday was Commencement ceremony. Brent said he found us in the Marriott because of Kevin's beard. There aren't very many people at BYU with a huge, red beard and so it was easy for him to spot us. Way to go, Kevin! ha.

Thursday night after Commencement we came back to our apartment for some pizza and cupcakes. Brent and I had our first ultrasound on Monday and we found out that we are having a little girl. We kept it a secret from our families until Thursday night when we could surprise everyone together. We made cupcakes with some pink food coloring hidden inside. Someone said "If you see the color, don't say what's inside until we all find out for ourselves." But, Mark isn't very good at following the rules, ha, so he shouted "It's pink!" My mom was so excited that she dropped the cupcake on the floor. Way to go, Mom. It was fun being able to tell our family all together. My dad stood up, gave me a hug, and said, "My little girl is having a little girl." :)

Friday we went to celebrate at Tucano's. Mmm, it was delish. Friday night was

Brent's college graduation. It was almost as long as big Commencement because Brent graduated from the biggest college. I was so excited when they called his name and he got his diploma cover. He is done! And he didn't even trip walking across the stage!!

Saturday we went to temple square. It was great fun. I also learned that day that being pregnant makes me hot and tired very quickly.

Family, thanks for coming to celebrate with Brent. It meant a lot to have you all here.

Brent, I am so proud of you. You have worked so hard the past few years and it has paid off. You are done! I love you and I'm so thankful for your hard work.

20 week ultrasound with VIDEO

We saw baby today and it was amazing! She is beautiful, she is healthy, and she has the most amazing beating heart! We learned that all of her parts (heart, brain, umbilical cord) are in working condition and that she is 12 oz. I had a few tears when I saw her tiny, beating heart. I didn't know what we were looking at most of the time, but the ultrasound tech kept saying she was beautiful and she knows what she's talking about so I believe her. :) I feel so blessed.

This week I....

::drove to Tri Cities, spent the night, and went to Prosser.

::drove to Moses Lake.

::had a camp fire and roasted marshmallows.

::had hamburgers with Jeannie and Brian.

::played with Heathee.

::slept in.

::played with the dog.

::laughed at the cat.

::read a lot of Harry Potter and watched a lot of Harry Potter.

::almost got our parked car smashed by a dumb truck at the bank.

::went to Thai Cuisine and had delicious rice and noodles.

::went shopping with Mother.

and last, most importantly, and certainly not least...

::heard a little baby heartbeat and am 14 weeks pregnant today!!

This one deserves more than a sentence. :)

We found out we were pregnant May 11 with some at home tests. We were quite shocked and so thrilled. Since then we have been to the doctor twice and heard a heartbeat both times. The first time the heartbeat was 180 bpm and most recently it had dropped to 160 bpm. It was such an amazing experience to hear a fast heart beat. It sounded like a horse running around inside of me. We have been looking up "how big is baby" every week and it is incredible to see how much the baby changes each week. We are blessed beyond words and more excited than ever. We are looking forward to changes that will come over the months/years to come.

cause I really like to be a winner....

I have a friend. And he is a pretty cool dude. He teaches 5th grade at my school and is kinda humorous. Well, he also has a blog. And it's a good read. You see, he is having a contest on his blog. And I looooove winning things. Who doesn't love to win? So dear friends, I need a little help and I'm calling on you. You see, I picked one of my favorite old posts. It is about making home visits to students before school starts and I adore home visits. He tells a couple of funny stories and I think you would all get a giggle. I need you to go to this post. If you all look at it, and then tell your friends to look at it on facebook and your blogs, I might just win!

In short:

1-Click on the link below and view this post

2-Tell all of your friends to click on the link and view the post

3-Help me be a winner

4-Accept my love and appreciation

As much as I hate to beg....pleeeeeaaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeee?

Here is a link to the post http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2008/08/while-making-home-visits.html