Janae Says...

Every year I write down all that I got for Christmas. I explain every year that this isn't because I value gifts or things. I just like to keep track and have it to look back on. I like lists.  From Brittney - Teethers - Baby toy From Kelsey - Starbucks gift card  From Rachel - Face mask - Coconut vanilla hand cream - Coconut bath salts - Coffee coconut body scrub - Chocolate almond bark From my bosses Jay & Trudy - Bath & Body Works gift card From my boss Dan - Amazon gift card From my boss Scott - Movie tickets From my FitBliss Secret Santa - Plant based protein bars - 3 chocolate bars - Bath bomb - Coffee coconut body scrub - Cactus & rose candle - Burt's bees chapstick From Kellie - A 64oz water bottle  - Baby pajamas From Jake - A journal with aged pages, and a personalized pen From Amanda - A handprint paint kit for mom, dad, and baby From Jared & Amo - Baby pajamas - Taco book & toy set - Grinch pajama pants  From mom - Macrame plant hanger, candles,

Monday, November 1 was a standard day. Did a leg press workout at Vasa in the morning. But after eating leftovers for dinner, I went and looked at Anytime Fitness, to try and find a gym that's not as busy as Vasa is at 6am. It was nice, but they are quite small. It's double the price of Vasa. I still want to see if any rec centers in Sandy or Midvale are good. I picked up some Crave Cookies for us, and we watched Dear Evan Hansen.  November 2 I started off with an indoor walk while listening to an audiobook. The morning was a struggle as I missed my grandpa. I got a maple (bacon) donut in his memory that morning. I struggled with sadness all day. Matthew was extra sweet and understanding. We went to dinner at Olive Garden, and he asked me to share memories of my grandpa. I was really emotional. I was too tired after dinner to make a German chocolate cake, but chatted with my dad for a half hour about grandpa.  Wednesday, November 3 I did my bench press workout at Vasa. I had an

I decided many years ago (like probably 13 years ago at this point) that I wanted to have unmedicated births if I could. And when I learned that I didn't have to birth in a hospital, I decided I would find somewhere else instead.  After doing lots of research and visiting several places and talking to lots of midwives, I decided that we would do our birth through The Birth Center . (We are currently undecided about laboring at home versus the birth center itself, but are leaning toward the latter due to space and condo proximity.)  As soon as someone hears that, they ask me why. Why a birth center? Why unmedicated? They don't mean it in an attacking way. Many of them are genuinely curious. And it's a valid question. I have SO many reasons for making this choice, that it is a little difficult to answer in the quick way I think they expect; it's a long conversation! So I thought I'd sit and write out some of my reasoning for choosing a birth center, unmedicated birth,

October 1 I picked up donuts for our gender reveal just as a couple. I put together our social media announcement while Matthew's friend Kevin was hanging at our house. I posted the announcement and went to a wax appointment. It was fun to get all the likes and comments on that announcement. Matthew cooked some ground turkey for spaghetti for us for dinner.  Saturday, October 2 we did cleaning and laundry. I went to Orange Theory. We watched morning session of general conference. After showering, I was super tired, so Matthew did the grocery shopping and made me nap. He helped out a friend for a few hours that day. I did client check-ins. I went to Old Navy for baby stuff, and hoped to find maternity clothes, but they didn't have anything in store. I went to Target and got some ultra high rise workout leggings and a baseball for our announcement. I stopped at storage and picked up my fall/winter clothes. We had a late night dinner at In-N-Out.  October 3 I made some pumpkin rol