Week 19 Update

Again, I apologize for my apparent lack of interest in this blog...I'm having a hard time adjusting to my new work schedule and being pregnant! 

STATS

How far along: As I write this, I am 19 weeks and 2 days!  I absolutely am BLOWN AWAY that I'm almost half way there!!!

How big is baby: Our little baby is the size of a delicious mango!!  Almost one pound!  The baby is essentially fully formed, and vernix (that cheesy white stuff) is coating his/her skin for protection.  He/she can also hear us and is kicking up a storm in there!  

Total weight gain: Today I weighed 138.7 (I think), so +8.7 pounds.  By next week, I'm supposed to weigh 140, but I don't think I'm going to hit that mark.  I've been eating well, just not gaining to much.

Maternity clothes: Oh my, yes.  I love my maternity jeans!!  So comfortable.  I also have been wearing lots of skirts and dresses.  I'm going to need to get maternity scrubs or some other alternative soon though, cause it's really hard to get my scrub pants on in the morning, haha!

Stretch marks: None yet, still faithfully lotioning myself every morning!

Sleep: It's honestly pretty awful unless I don't have to work in the morning.  I'm going to have to change my routine or something, because getting only 7 hours of sleep kills me.  If I don't have work, I'll sleep a consistent 9.5 to 10 hours.  Then I'm happy :)  I've also been trying to take a hour nap after work most days.  That helps me a lot!

Best moment this week: Having this weekend off has been really nice and helped me to get some things done around the house.  I am also feeling the baby more, so see below :)

Movement: I feel the baby at least once a day.  I have to be sitting still and really focusing, otherwise I can't feel it.  I can press my belly down and feel the baby inside there.  It's such a strange feeling!  People describe it like butterflies, but it feels like tickling inside me.  It's strange to me that I can't feel the baby on the outside yet, but I know as he/she gets bigger we will be able to feel more! 

Food cravings: Hot dogs, sausage, bacon (if it's got nitrites in it, I want it!  Too bad I'm not allowed).  Guacamole and salsa.  I have loved spicy things so far and they don't give me horrible heartburn, so that's nice :)  I've also been craving cold water.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still the smell of my dishwasher and plastic tupperwares.  I think it's high time I get new tupperware!

Gender: Unknown, but the doctor at the last visit was 75% sure it is a girl.  I feel like it's a girl, and my co-worker brought up a good point that she only had bad acne with her girls, never with her boys, because of all the extra female hormones running around!  

Labor Signs: None, thankfully, but I did have a bad abdominal cramp the other day when my bladder was really full!

Symptoms (if you don't want to read TMI, please skip!): Shortness of breath, being tired ALL THE TIME, stuffy nose, very small amount of edema (swelling) in my feet, tender joints after standing or wearing bad shoes, sore and swollen breasts, being moody/depressed, some diarrhea (don't know why), horrid acne, and frequent urination!

Things I miss: Having a clear face.  Eating lunch meat/food with nitrites.  Feeling energetic and getting things done during the day instead of sleeping.

Looking forward to: Our next appointment and finding out if we're having a little boy or girl!!!!

Next Appointment: November 20, 2012. 

Week 11-18 Update

I've been SO horrible at blogging.  I really honestly feel so guilty about it.  I need to be updating you all on my pregnancy and keeping a record for the future so I don't forget everything!!  This post will include a lot of pictures, so bear with me.  I'm really sorry to everyone and hope you'll forgive me.

We announced to our families on October 21.  It went SO well!  We did the FaceTime tour and it was so fun seeing everyone's reactions.  My mom and dad were called first.  When we showed them the ultrasound, my mom (who works in a fertility clinic) said, "What is that?"  My dad, catching on quickly, said, "Oh my gosh..."  Then my mom screamed and yelled, "You're pregnant!!!!!"  Then she started crying and asked lots of questions.  It was so fun and great!!    We called Jim and Wendy next, and had lots of trouble with their internet, so it was really lucky we were able to do FaceTime.  Jordan helped them set up the internet and then we called them.  When we showed them the ultrasound, Jim said, "What is that?"  Then Wendy poked him in the side, and said, "It's a baby!!"  It was so cute!  Later that evening we announced to my brother Jared and he was so excited (You're pregnant!), and emailed my brother Jordan on his mission in Argentina.

We announced to everyone in our branch at the Branch Halloween Party on October 26.  We wore these shirts I had made, and they were a big hit at the party.

I told my boss sometime after then.  I was trying to talk to her in her office, and never could, so we went in the laundry room on our unit and I told her.  She was so excited and hugged me, and asked me questions about what I was planning for maternity leave and such.  After I told her, it just leaked out to all other staff members :)

My appointment with my new OB, Dr. Thomas Mead at Dominion Women's Health was so great!  He seemed so nice and easy to get along with.  Here is a picture of our Jelly Baby at 12 weeks, 6 days, along with my first real bump (which is mostly clothes and bloat, if we're being honest, haha!).

We announced on Facebook on November 14 at 14 weeks and 5 days with these pictures.  Baby is the size of a lemon!

And 15 weeks (11/16/12), baby is the size of a navel orange...

Around this time, I had yet another (voluntary) change in my schedule.  I began a job share with the nurse who does Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).  Basically, I work a few days a week as the ECT nurse and a few days a week on the unit.  ECT is nothing like "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest."  It's very beneficial for different patients with depression, catatonia, etc. where medications aren't helpful.  Anyways, with this additional job, I have to wake up at 4:20 AM!!!!  Ahh!!  Needless to say, my sleep has been SO erratic.  Getting only 7 hours of sleep is no bueno for Melyn.  The great thing about this job, is that it allows me to sit at a desk for the majority of my day, which will be especially nice when I'm hugely pregnant.  Also, I get to come home at 2:30 in the afternoon.

We had our third OB appointment and Jordan was able to come to this one!!  Yay, celebrations!  Here is a picture of our baby looking right at the camera!

Thanksgiving was fun!  We went to our friend's house and ate delicious turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, salad, apple pie, etc.  Then we enjoyed a game of Risk.  (We are all very serious players!  No smiling allowed!)

Black Friday was fun because I finally got some maternity pants and some bigger bras!  The pants are SO comfy.  'Nuff said!

On November 28, I treated myself to "Project Prenatal Pamper Day" at the spa.  It was SO relaxing and worth every cent.  I got a massage, facial, lunch, mani/pedi.  I felt so relaxed and beautiful, and would highly recommend a pamper day to every pregnant woman.  Also a HUGE plus to the day was I felt the baby for the first time!  It was amazing!  The massage therapist said, "Now the massage will release a lot of endorphins and make the baby happy!"  So I was laying there feeling great, and I felt four distinct taps/kicks on the right lower side of my abdomen.  I couldn't believe it!  First-time moms very rarely feel their babies before the 5th month, but it was real!

17 weeks (11/30/12), baby is the size of an avocado...

18 weeks (12/7/12), baby is the size of a potato...and I love this bump picture!

Week 10 Update (Originally written 10/18/12)

I finally made it to the double digits!  Yay, celebration!  I had my first prenatal appointment ever on October 3.  I was so excited and nervous at the same time!  The first thing was the dating ultrasound.  It was amazing.  At the time, I thought I was 9 weeks 6 days along.  Well, I guess that's the point of a dating ultrasound, because we found out our little jelly-baby was actually only 8 weeks 5 days along!  I guess I ovulate late, despite my regular cycles.  :)  So that is one reason I haven't blogged for a few weeks, because I've been catching up.  When you're reading all the previous pregnancy posts, just move the week back one.  I guess that all means I found out I was pregnant around 4 weeks!  Anyways, I'm rambling now.  Time to get to the stats!

Also, one little note :)  I may talk about things in these posts that are personal and sometimes gross.  This blog is meant as my journal and memory keeper, so please excuse me sometimes!

STATS

How far along: As I'm writing this, I'm 10 weeks 6 days.  Time has seriously flown!  I can't believe we're going to be announcing to everyone in about a week!!!!

How big is baby: The size of a prune!  Yummy, sweet prunes. 

Total weight gain: My weight fluctuates daily (like pre-pregnancy).  Last time I weighed myself, I had gained about 2 pounds.  So total is around 132.

Maternity clothes: I went and bought a sleeping bra finally from Motherhood Maternity.  The girl there was SO nice and helped me so much!  A little TMI here, but taking a bra off is painful.  Having one on while I'm sleeping helps keep me supported.  

Stretch marks: None yet, thank goodness.  I'm sure I'll get some though!

Sleep: Sleep has been off and on.  I'm still able to sleep on my stomach, hallelujah!  I'll take advantage of that while I can.  But I'm starting to get a tiny bump of fat and bloat, so I'm a tiny bit uncomfortable.  I've been sleeping with a small pillow under the edge of my stomach so that helps a little.

Best moment this week: Coming up with a way to announce to our families!  I'm so so excited!  Jordan and I are going to arrange a FaceTime with both of our families, saying we want to show them some updates to the house.  While we're going through the dining room, we'll show them our picture wall.  My first ultrasound will be framed there, and Jordan will say, "Oh, and this is Melyn's favorite picture she took a few weeks ago!"  Ta-Da!  I'm so excited to see everyone's reaction!

Food cravings: Oh my gosh YES.  It's sick, really.  I'm usually a pretty healthy person.  I don't eat fast food hardly ever and don't really like fatty, fried food.  Well, in the past few weeks, I bought take-out Chinese for some fried rice, egg rolls, and wontons; gotten KFC chicken and mashed potatoes (ate almost the whole thing of mashed potatoes by myself!), and McDonalds.  It really makes me sick when I think about all the gross stuff I've eaten.  I'm determined that I'm going to eat more healthy!  My baby needs it!  And I need it too - fat doesn't sit well with my stomach!

Anything making you queasy or sick: There are some lockers that we keep patient belongings in at work.  I work with a lot of homeless people, so naturally, their clothes aren't kept as well as some other people who have access to a washer/dryer.  I opened the locker one day and the intense smell that came out made me want to barf all over.  It was so sick.  I think my co-workers thought I was crazy, because I was spraying air freshener all over the nursing station!  Haha :)  Also, and this is very strange, but the smell of our dishwasher detergent is so disgusting right now.  Every time I go to empty the dishwasher or heat up a tuppeware, the smell comes out and makes me so nauseated.

Gender: Unknown!

Symptoms (if you don't want to read TMI, please skip!): Nausea is getting better.  It's not 24/7 anymore, just mainly in the mornings.  I'm really hungry a lot, and need to eat every few hours.  It's hard to eat that often at work too, but I manage.  I've been SO tired, and haven't done laundry in forever.  Jordan actually started 2 loads of laundry today (he is so sweet to me).  One thing that I learned while I was in my OB appointment is that I have hypothyroidism!  Apparently, it happens pretty frequently in pregnant women.  Some symptoms going along with hypothyroidism are being cold all the time (VERY bizarre for me, I'm usually hot all the time) and being constipated.  TMI again, but I've been so constipated.  It's awful.  I eat so much fiber, drink tons of water, take Colace, etc.  Ugh.  I've also been a little more moody than usual, but not bad - just teary :)

Things I miss: Nothing really!

Looking forward to: Being able to announce to everyone next week!  

Next Appointment: Well, I fired my other OB because her c-section and episiotomy rates were way too high for my liking.  So I found another with super low c-section and episiotomy rates and have an appointment with him on November 1!!

Week 9 Update (Originally written on 9/28/12)

Time is seriously going by so fast.  I'm starting to think about how to announce to family members, my boss, co-workers, and branch members.  I know the way I'll announce to people in the branch - I'm going to be an oven with a bun inside :)


So right now, my uterus is the size of a grapefruit!  I'm still not showing yet, but most first time mom's don't show for a while.  Of course, every woman is different.

How far along: 9 weeks!  Almost done with the first trimester!

How big is baby: The size  of a grape, or an olive.  (Uh-oh, no one mention olives to me.  The thought of that just made me so sick!)

Total weight gain: 1.6 pounds so far!  My starting weight was exactly 130.  I'm hoping that by eating well, continuing to exercise, and then breastfeeding after having the baby, the weight loss won't be too difficult.

Maternity clothes: Not much besides those leggings and a belly band I've already bought.  

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: Let's just say this - I slept 10.5 hours again last night.  I love my days off!!  Days I work though, I sleep from 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM (7.5 hours).  At least I have about every 3rd day off so I can catch up :)  I'm really going to miss sleeping on my stomach too, so I'm taking advantage of that every night.

Best moment this week: Sleeping, lol!

Movement: None yet, hopefully in about a month(ish).

Food cravings: ICE WATER.  I've been so thirsty lately.  Granted, I haven't been doing as well drinking and eating like I'm supposed to because of this lovely nausea.  So today I've been drinking tons of water.  Also was craving McDonalds chicken nuggets yesterday.  This love affair with McDonalds has to stop!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw meat still.  Chocolate.  The thought of olives.  The smell of my kitchen - seriously, this enhanced smell thing during pregnancy is insane!

Gender:  Unknown, but hopefully in about a month(ish).

Symptoms:  I'm hungry, nauseated, and full all the time.  It's terrible, because I'll eat something that I want and only have a few bites of it.  Sore breasts - and they're growing too.  I'm going to need a new bra soon.  Enhanced sense of smell - I feel like a dog, I can smell everything, including my co-workers perfume after they leave the room.  Being tired all the time.  I had only 5 patients the other day, and was so tired by the end of the day.  I hope my boss will let me only work the general unit when I tell her.  

Things I miss: Eating whatever the heck I want (curse you, nausea).  Being happy and upbeat in general, I'm just so moody and tired all the time!  Definitely looking forward to the supposed burst of energy in the second trimester.  

Looking forward to: My first appointment next week!!  So scared and nervous, but so excited at the same time.

Next Appointment: The big number one - October 3!!

Eight Week Update (Originally written on 9/28/12)

How far along: Eight Weeks!!  Time is really flying.

How big is baby: A little baby raspberry :)  I've enjoyed buying foods that correlate along with the size of the baby.  The raspberries this week were delicious haha.

Total weight gain: A little over 0.5 pounds.  Does anyone know the recommended weight gain in the first trimester?

Maternity clothes: Went and bought 2 pairs of maternity leggings by Ingrid and Isobel.  They're super comfy but don't quite fit me yet, because I don't really have a baby belly, just a bloated belly.  Blahh.

Stretch marks: None yet, fingers crossed!

Sleep: It's been ok.  I switched to day shift again, and it's been rough only sleeping 7.5 hours (I'm sure all you moms out there are laughing at me)!  One of my days off, I told myself I would "only" sleep 9 hours.  Yeah, I slept 10.5 hours.  I've been so tired!

Best moment this week: Is it sad that my best moments so far have been giving into cravings?  Haha!  The best time this week was when I was driving, saw a billboard for hamburgers, and then kept thinking about McDonalds and how amazing a dollar menu cheeseburger would be RIGHT NOW.  Needless to say, when I drove home, I got two of them and they were very delicious.  By the way, I really hate McDonalds.  So this is saying something!

Movement: None yet!

Food cravings: See above for my favorite moment this week :)  Also, never go grocery shopping while hungry AND pregnant.  It's a really bad combination.  I bought the most random crap, including: anchovies (I have never had anchovies before), cottage cheese, pickles (so stereotypical), crackers, lemons, and ginger.  :D

Anything making you queasy or sick: Yes, blah - everything.  I can't stand the sight of raw meat.  I hate the smell of our kitchen.  Our bathroom stinks, and our house stinks in general.  It really makes me sick.

Gender:  Unknown

Symptoms: If you want you, you can skip this section.  It's kinda gross.  Bloating, nausea, GI upset, etc.  I still haven't thrown up yet, but this dang progesterone is messing up my system!  My leg hair is growing really fast, which is so random.  Feeling tired all the time, sleeping more than 10 hours a night.  Irritability and being emotional.  ACNE all over which is so awful.  I can't wait to see my doctor to find something for the acne.  

Things I miss: Having a pretty face.  Being able to eat and cook whatever I want.  

Looking forward to: Getting a baby bump :)  

Next Appointment: October 3, 2012!!

Week 7 Update (Originally written on 9/18/12)

I'm so excited to finally be doing these updates!  These past few weeks of not being able to tell anyone has been torture, and I don't know how I'll last 5 more weeks!!  

STATS

How far along: 7 weeks and 5 days!  Time is seriously flying!

How big is baby: A delicious baby Blueberry!  Jordan's been calling our baby a "baby blueberry," :) and I've been calling our baby a Jelly Baby.

Total weight gain: 0.2 pounds!  Haha to be honest, I'm having a hard time meeting my daily calorie requirement.  I've been using an app to track it all and it's hard!  Especially when you're eating healthy and veggies/fruits don't have many calories.  

Maternity clothes: None yet.  Jordan joked before we found out I was pregnant that the moment I found out, I'd go on a shopping spree!  That hasn't happened yet though.  I'm being cautious...

Stretch marks: None yet.  I know you can't really prevent them, but I've been lotioning basically my whole body every morning after my shower.

Sleep: Really restless!  I have the most insane, long dreams every night!  Like last night, I had a dream I was hanging out with this gay guy from college with all his friends and we were drinking.  Um, what?  I didn't really understand that one.  The night before that, I dreamed that Jordan and I were going down really tall waterslides for hours on end.  At the end of the waterslides, you would land in a really deep pool.  You would have to tip the lifeguard, and we tipped him with pieces of cheese and bread.  HAHA!!!


Best moment this week: Giving in to one of my cravings.  See below...

Movement: None yet, but hopefully in a few months!


Food cravings: YES.  A few days ago, I wanted to make Tollhouse Pie so badly!  Today I was seriously craving pesto sauce.  I gave in and made pasta with roast beef and pesto.  It was so freaking delicious.


Anything making you queasy or sick: Sadly, the day after I wanted Tollhouse Pie, I decided I would throw up if I made it. :(  Also anything sweet besides fruit makes me sick.  There are some cookies on our counter that make me sick every time I look at them.


Gender: I really, really hope we are having a girl!  I'd love a boy too, but this would be the first girl on Jordan's side and the first grandchild on my side.  :)

Symptoms: Oh man!  Morning sickness (or evening sickness, rather) has finally started.  I seriously thought that I wouldn't experience it.  :(  I was sick all day today, so I sat on the couch eating crackers and drinking Gatorade, lol.  
Sore boobs!  Agh!  
Tiredness.  I'm so tired all the time.  But, you know, I'm making a human here, give me a break ;)
Strange dreams.  See above!
Random irritability.  Poor Jordan, he is so sweet and good to me.  The good thing is, I know when I'm irrational, so I always apologize.

Things I miss: Being able to eat anything I want.

Looking forward to: Telling everyone at 12 weeks!  Going to our first appointment and seeing this little Jelly Baby and hearing the heartbeat!

Next Appointment: October 3, 2012!!!

It's Finally Happening!!!! (Originally written on 9/8/12)

It's no secret that Jordan and I have been TTC.  I had a preconception appointment in January, when my doctor told me we could start trying in May.  We have been trying our hardest, and even with a few hiccups along the way and some really emotional weeks, I finally missed my period in August!  I tested on August 25, with a negative.  Tested again 3 days later, August 28, and got another negative.  Tested again August 31, and got the faintest of faint positives!!

Tested on September 1, because I couldn't wait, and got 2 clear positive tests!

That morning, I walked up to our bedroom and announced to Jordan, "Guess who's gonna be parents!?!"  He is thrilled and so am I!  I am, as of today, 6 weeks and 2 days along.  At least that's what my calculator tells me, because I haven't had my first OB appointment yet.  I've been eating really healthy, drinking plenty of water, taking my vitamins, trying to sleep enough, and trying not to stress out too much.  I've been reading SO many books on pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for infants.  My absolute favorite book so far has been Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  I've been trying so hard to keep this news inside of me, and it's so hard!  I want to shout it out to everyone I see - "I'm pregnant!!!"

Here is my first pregnant belly shot :)

My Birth and Family, Questions 5, 6, and 7

Continued questions from the This is Me Challenge

5. How was your relationship with your siblings and parents?

When I was living with my family, my relationship with my siblings was pretty similar to other people's - we fought a lot!  We would have fun and joke with each other, but unfortunately, some of the time I not very nice to my brothers.  I had a hard time learning patience, but my mom persevered and taught me well.  I eventually learned to be more patient as I got older, and it has helped me today in my career and marriage.  Today, my brothers and I don't fight, but we do tease each other a lot!  I can't wait for Jordan to get home from his mission and for Jared to graduate high school.  It's so strange that they are old enough to do things like that!  

My parents and I have a good relationship.  We've always been pretty open with each other.  Parts of our personalities are very similar which makes it hard sometimes (especially when you both want something one way, lol) but good communication helps us out!  I love my parents!

6. What are some lessons/values you learned from you parents?

Communication
Punctuality (especially from my dad)
Respect for others, but especially for myself
Honesty
Hard Work
Integrity
Love of learning
Kindness
Spirituality
Dedication

7. How did you help in your home? 

We had jobs to do every week.  We would each clean our room and a bathroom every Saturday.  Every day we would do different things, like: washing dishes/filling dishwasher, folding laundry (when we were little), doing our own laundry (when we were older), setting the table, weeding the garden, walking the dog, cooking food, cleaning various parts of the house, etc.  It taught me to be a good worker and value the things I had.  

Time to Catch Up...Majorly!

I'm going to start off writing from the time I left off until now, so basically be prepared for a information overload!  

Jordan ended his second year of medical school in the middle of May and began studying for the Step One examination.  He basically was locked in our office from early morning (5-6 AMish) until his lunch break at noon.  He would then study until 5:30 PM, have dinner, and then study again until 11 PM.  EVERY. DAY.  It was exhausting!  I wasn't even the one studying and I was tired from it!  Thankfully, our house was quiet enough for him to be able to study.  I can't imagine what it was like for fellow classmates with a couple kids!  

Jordan and I celebrated our THIRD wedding anniversary on May 30 (in the middle of studying lol)!  Three whole years, and I honestly can't believe how fast the time has flown.  I also can't believe how much more I love Jordan now than when we first got married.  He is everything to me!  I am such a lucky girl to have snagged him :)  I had to work on our anniversary (boo) but I came home to the sweetest and most unexpected surprise.

"3 years ago today..."

"We took the next step"

"And climbed towards eternity"

"Reaching new heights..."

"And we still haven't reached the top yet..."

"I can't wait to see what lies next..."

"Together with my eternal companion <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

We went out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Buz and Neds and then came home and relaxed.  

We signed our lease at our new house on June 15!  It's a three bedroom, two bathroom duplex in Churchill, a major historic area in downtown Richmond.  The house was probably built in the early 1900's and I love it.  There are so many details about the house that I'll highlight later.  We painted every single room and I love all the color - no more white walls here!  

On June 16, Jordan woke up bright and early to take the Step One.  The test is over 300 questions and took over 8 hours...talk about killer.  He was so prepared though, so I knew he would do awesome!  After emerging, I whisked him away for dinner and a fun night out.  We decided to go to a hotel for the night and I can decidedly tell you that I will never stay at a Crowne Plaza Hotel again.  When I walked in the lobby, laden with bags, no one offered to carry my things to my room. When I got to the room, I was disappointed with 2 full size beds, not a king like I had reserved. Later that night, when we turned off the lights, the light from the hallway was streaming in through cracks around the door. I could hear every word people in the hall and in the room next to us were saying. Around 1:30 AM, a group of partiers decided to start yelling in the hall and kept at it for 5 minutes. I finally got so sick of it that I didn't care I was in my garments - I was going to give them a piece of my mind!  I walked out in the hall and yelled at them.  They quieted down after that.  Bahaha! 

I'll update you some more next week! 

A Very Thankful Tuesday!

I'm shocked my last post was May 11.  Floored!!  So today, I'm very thankful that I still have people who read by blog, even though I've neglected it for most of the summer!  Seriously!  You guys are awesome.  So much has been going on in our lives lately, and I promise I'll write about it tomorrow.  Some of the things to look forward to:

• Moving/new house
• Wendy coming in town
• My family coming in town
• Jordan taking the Boards
• Vacation to Atlantis

I hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday and I'll talk to you tomorrow!!  Much love, XOXO!

My Birth and Family, Questions 2, 3, and 4

Continuing with questions from the This is Me Challenge...

2. What are your parent's full names, birth dates and places?

Mom: Melanie Arlene Cuthbert, nee Lassig.  She was born on November 12 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dad: Steven Russell Cuthbert.  He was born on August 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Birth Dad: David Allan Beers.  He was born on November 25 in Bountiful, Utah.

3. What is the date of your birth?  Where were you born?  What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went into labor, how long, her doctor, etc.) of your birth?

I was born on August 8, 1988 - 8/8/88 in LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The due date was 8/7/88 and my mom went into labor that afternoon.  She came to the hospital with her parents, Klaus and Arlene Lassig, and they stayed with her throughout the whole process.  My birth father had died a few months before I was born, and because of that, the last few months of the pregnancy were hard on my mom.  I'm so glad her parents were there to support her.  She was given a Pitocin drip and then an epidural.  She slept through the night while the contractions got stronger and stronger.  Omi (my grandma) was shocked that she was sleeping through the contractions, because she could see how strong they were on the monitor.  I was born at 7:58 AM (almost 8, dang!) after she pushed only three times.  She said I was the easiest baby of hers to give birth to.  Her doctor was Dr. W.G. Pead.

4. What are your siblings names and birth dates?

Jordan Evan Cuthbert was born on January 20, 1992
Jared Thomas Cuthbert was born on October 16, 1994

Busy, busy week.

On Thursday I was able to spend time with almost all the LDS med wives!  13 of them are moving away for residency, and it was sad.  I met a lot of new friends though, and I'm excited.  They hang out every Thursday night, so I'll be able to go at least once a month.  Yay for support systems - they're awesome.

Last Friday I got my hair cut.  I'm growing my hair out, but need to keep the back trimmed so I don't grow a mullet.  That would be so hot.  I've also decided to keep my bangs, because they make me look like an adult.  Everyone commented on how I looked so much older when I first got my hair cut, and I think it's partly due to the bangs!

We went to see The Avengers Friday evening.  Amazing.  Such a cool movie with billions (ok maybe a slight exaggeration) of superheroes!  Jordan even designated each nephew to be a certain superhero.  I'll post the awesome picture later :)

Saturday we had the opportunity to see the incredible Emerson String Quartet.  This group has won multiple Grammys and other awards, and is known throughout the entire world for their classical music performances.  They came to VCU and we got cheap tickets!  Sweet!  They performed pieces by Haydn, Shostakovich, and Beethoven.  I loved it so much I even bought the Beethoven piece on iTunes.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day, and I was super productive.  I finished a wreath I'd been working on, baked bread, and made a yummy dinner.  Relief Society was amazing as well.  They had a visiting teaching conference and I've made a renewed decision to improve my performance.  I've been the worst VT ever.  I've visited my sisters once this whole year!!  So - in comes my perpetual calendar.  I've assigned myself tasks to complete for VT.  Ideally, I'll set up the appointment by the 10 of each month, visit by the 20, and report by the 30.  I'm really excited.  I also found this cool website that makes free printables every month that relate to the VT message.  My determination comes from the feelings and impressions I got during the conference from the Holy Ghost.  Basically, we're here to learn and become more like our Heavenly Father.  He wouldn't give us something to do if we couldn't do it.  Also, the things that are hard for us (our weaknesses) need to become our strengths.  It doesn't matter if it's hard, we just need to push ourselves, because that's how we learn.  So wish me luck :)

Other than that, it's been work, work, work for me!

Jordan had an oral exam for FCM on Monday and did fabulously.  He has been studying for his Neurology exam this Friday.  Then we have one weekend, and he begins studying for Step One!  So wish him luck as well!  :)

An Amazing Tool

I'm sooo grateful for this new tool for information I found.  I can't believe I didn't know about it before!  It's called The Mormon Channel!  Basically, it's online radio streaming 24/7 with conference talks, primary shows, youth shows, music, news, etc.  I - LOVE - IT.  I've just been playing it on my iPhone with the app while I do the dishes, cook dinner, and fold laundry.  If you haven't checked it out, do it now!  Yay!

A New Approach to Flashback Friday

Just found the best idea on Pinterest.  Sometimes I wish that I had been clever enough to come up with these ideas, however, I'm totally willing to use other peoples ideas.  I found this, and want to start using it for Flashback Fridays!  Not only will this help me to start writing my personal history, but it will help you all to get to know me better.  Yay!


So, here goes.


Question number one: What is your full name and how did you get that name?  Do you have any nicknames?


My full name is Melyn Arlene Henderson, nee Cuthbert.  Melyn was my mom's friend's name, and Arlene is my maternal grandmother's name.  I have TONS of nicknames, not all of them nice.  People obviously can't pronounce my name so I've been called: Melon, Maylynn, Merlin (??), Mulan, Mushu (from Mulan - get it?), Melon-head, Melon the Felon, Watermelon, Mel, and I'm sure there are more I can't remember.  Basically, I'll answer to anything!


These nicknames bring back the multiple memories from middle school, junior high, and high school.  I was teased so bad because of my name!  But I love my name because it's so unique.  I've never met another Melyn.  One time a boy in middle school called me Maylynn, and I got so mad at him and everyone else for calling me the wrong name, that I actually grabbed his arm.  Granted, I was only 11 at the time.  I've since grown more mature (haha) and just let people call me anything.

...Bring May Flowers

Well, we haven't done much this past week to catch up on!

My work is transitioning to a hospitalist model for the doctors from having a practice come from the outside.  They had a meet and greet with the new doctors and it was so fun!  One of the doctors is even from VCU, and Jordan knows her.  I'm excited to have them in the hospital so we can deliver better care to our patients.

We walked through a house on Saturday and it was amazing.  4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, almost 2000 square feet.  It even had a huge yard and was being remodeled.  The only downside I could really see is something I discovered after the fact.  The area that house is in had 31 - yes, thirty-one - murders in April. Um, no, we're not moving there.  Dang - it was even in our price range!  So we're looking for houses in "the Fan" and "Church hill" areas, which are basically directly east and west of Jordan's school.  There are a ton of houses in these areas too, and I've got a lot of appointments set up to walk through properties.

I took a class for work on Monday for "Nonviolent Crisis Intervention."  Basically, it's where you learn to  help patients when they're beginning to act out and keep them safe.  You also learn how to take people down, which is super important when you're working on the acute side.  I took the class before when I was working as a psych tech on a Geriatric psych unit in Salt Lake City, but this was a good refresher.

Jordan did amazing on his written exam for FCM!  He's doing so great, and has been studying like a mad-man for the boards.  He has two more exams next week and then begins studying for real, for real.

The weather has been so bipolar lately.  It was 50 degrees a few days ago, and tomorrow it's supposed to be over 90.  I can't wait til they open the pool on Memorial Day!

Families are Awesome!

Today I'm grateful for all you family members.  You guys rock!  You're sweet and supportive, and excited for us when something good happens.

I feel the need, however, to clarify something, because I don't want you to get too excited.  Jordan and I are definitely not pregnant.  I know that when you saw my Pinterest page, the main picture for the Baby board was a onesie.  However, it was just that - a picture.  That's what my Pinterest is.  It's a compilation of things and ideas that I want to do in the future.  It's my planning website.  I'm a planner, and I always have been.  So even though I've been pinning things about babies, natural childbirth, and nursery decorating ideas, I've also been pinning recipes, fashion ideas, gift ideas, house decorating ideas, gardening tips, and funny pictures I want to remember.  I like to prepare for the future! :)

So when Jordan and I do become pregnant, I know you will all continue to be sweet, supportive, and excited.  Because that's what we'll need being so far away - our awesome family members!

House Hunting

Today I'm remembering the many, MANY times I've been house/apartment hunting.  These are the years I have moved since high school: 2006, 2007 (twice), 2008, 2009, 2010, and now in 2012!  I have it down to a science.  First, search Craigslist - every day.  You need to tour the places.  You need to ask all the questions - how much rent?  How are the utilities?  What is the management like?  And in Richmond, how safe is the neighborhood (especially where we're looking, yikes)?  Then you need to narrow it down based on distance to work, school, grocery store, gym, bank, etc.  It's a ton of work!  I'm looking forward to the day we make our last move ever.

April Showers...

It really has been so rainy here in Richmond for the past week.  I can't believe that Salt Lake City has been warmer than us!  What?!  That doesn't make sense.  I guess it even snowed a few days ago in Pennsylvania, so the whole east coast has been having random weather.  Today is the first really nice day in a while, so I've enjoyed that.

First and foremost - Jordan and I have FINALLY finished LOST!  Ugh!  It took us a few months to get through 6 very confusing seasons.  I think I said, "What?  That doesn't make sense!" at lease once every episode.  It was entertaining coming up with our own conclusions to the whole story.  We especially liked how one entire season revolved around pushing a button.  Oh, and how another season revolved entirely around whether they were all dead or not.  It was great.

April 16 was tax day, and I was so extremely grateful that we got our taxes done in January!  What an awesome feeling of non-procrastination.  I've had to file an extension almost every year, but not this year. Woo-hoo!  Here's hoping next year will go just as smoothly!

Jordan had an exam for his Foundations in Clinical Medicine (FCM) on April 16 and did awesome.  He had to get a history and physical on two people and then write up a note on one of them.  We had practiced together, and I think that helped.

We had FHE with Alan and Lyanna on April 16 as well, and talked about the First Presidency message for this month, ate some delicious ice cream (Waffle Cone and Salted Caramel Pretzel - um yum!), and played Sequence.  Such a fun game!

I bought tickets on Groupon for super cheap admission to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum here in Richmond, which we went to see on April 17.  It was fascinating.  He lived a very interesting life, and although the museum was small, we really enjoyed it.

On April 19, Jordan went to court to fight his speeding ticket that he got the day after his birthday - boo!  :(  Amazingly, the judge somehow didn't see that Jordan had a previous ticket, and let him off easy.  All Jordan has to do is go to traffic school, and we pay the court fees.  Yay for nice judges!

This past weekend was my weekend off.  We weren't able to do much because Jordan was studying for his Musculoskeletal Exam on Tuesday, plus it rained all weekend.  But we did go play in a nearby park and then go out to Cheesecake Factory on Saturday!

And speaking of exams, Jordan did great on the MSK exam.  Woo!  He has another exam next Monday for FCM, and the Neurology exam the week after that!  Sheesh!  Then it's going to be what the M2's lovingly call "Crunch Month," which is where they study an entire month (heck, he's been studying all year) for the Step 1 Exam.  The Step 1 is the most important test at this point, because his score will help determine which residencies he may get.  So I'm trying to be a good wife - keep the house clean, do laundry, make dinner, and bring home the bacon.  The month after Step 1 will be a good one, let me tell ya!