Birth Day

It's not every day that you get to witness a miracle.

I guess that's one of the reasons why I will always remember the events of November 10, 2012.

Brian and I had spent the previous day running errands, cleaning the house, and getting ready for the pending arrival of a certain little baby boy.

We got all of our chores done and decided to reward ourselves with a celebratory dinner and little get-away.

We talked over pizza about how this little guy was going to change our lives when he came.

I even told Brian that I thought I would be pregnant for another week or two.

(BOY! Was I wrong?!)

After dinner, we packed our overnight bags and headed to the exotic city of American Fork to "Hotel Walker" where a King-size bed and jetted tub awaited us.

My very pregnant body was in heaven.
Then the morning came... and I woke up in a rush.
A rush of water.
Yup.
Water broken.

As soon as we realized what was happening,
Daddy Brian kicked into gear.
I've never seen my husband like that before.
He hopped out of bed, packed our bags and ushered me out to the car.

Overnight, a huge snowstorm blew in and we saw the most snow we had seen all season.
We drove the 30 minutes back to our house because I had everything packed up and ready to go.
OCD.
I know
Plus, the hospital was only 10 minutes from our house so I knew we'd have enough time.
In all honestly - I mostly wanted to make sure we had the camera before we got to the hospital.
OCD.
I know.

We checked into the hospital and it seemed like everything went so fast.

Part of that is because it did.
4 hours after checking into the hospital,
William Walker Grimmett entered the world at 7 lbs. 12 oz.

Here is an audio vignette that my amazing husband put together.
Listen in now to hear how the labor and delivery went.
(I can't listen to this without crying.
The end is a tear jerker!)

As soon as they put that little blue baby in my arms and he let out the first cry,
I knew all was well with the world.

I will never forget this moment.
Again, a tear jerker.

The rest of the day was filled with a lot of firsts.
First feeding.
First bath.
First bowel movement followed by first diaper change - one that included William peeing all over his daddy.
That was a tear jerker as well simply because I was laughing so hard.

While the number of "firsts" we are encountering now is wearing thin,
the excitement and joy that this boy brings into our lives is ever-increasing.
William made me a mom.
William made Brian a dad.
And he definitely makes both of us completely and utterly happy.

I think I like this motherhood thing.

Love much,
Mama Beth

The Process

Where do I even start?

The past couple of months

(Yes, I do realize it's been more than two months since I last wrote)

have FLOWN by. 

I know that it's just silly pressure that I put on myself, 

but I really wanted to document this pregnancy better that I did.

I guess it's the journalist in me.

Or maybe it's all the ideas I found on Pinterest while we were trying to get pregnant.

Or maybe it's my need to compete with everyone and everything and be the best at anything I try to do.

Including being the best at preparing for, having and taking care of a baby.

Ya, I know.

Obsessive.

But what's actually happened is somewhat miraculous.

I've just let myself enjoy this process,

enjoy my new job,

and enjoy preparing for this new little life.

Oh, we've snapped a few pictures along the way so I'll post a few of them here

but I'm so glad that we've just tried to take in everything that is new and exciting and changing.

Which is a lot of stuff.

At the beginning of September we went on our last "couple" trip.

My sister has generously donated half of her child-rearing tools to us 

because she recently moved across the country.

So we drove down to San Diego to pick up a few things

and we were able to be there for my nephew's birthday.

It was a blast and seeing the energy and excitement he has for life made me really excited to have my little boy.

Later that month my sisters and mom threw an AMAZING shower for me and Baby G.

I'm seriously so blessed to have them in my life!

They are all such great examples of mothers - in so many different ways.

So now that I've totally overwhelmed you with pictures I'll wrap it up now.

Brian and I have had so much fun getting ready for this little man.

I can't even imagine how this baby is going to change our lives.

I'm actually trying to not think about it.

But for the meantime, little guy, we sure love you.

And we can't wait to meet you.

(But daddy says if you come before election day, he won't be there.

So hold out a few more days - at least)

Love much,

Mama Beth

Good Morning

A few month ago I started working at KSL as a part-time, on-call Associate Producer.

The hours were crazy.

I was working whenever I could, doing whatever they needed.

It was hard because I was sick the entire time,
but it was a job in TV News and I was just excited to not be waiting tables anymore.

Soon they started talking about making me a full-time AP.
This was a huge relief for our little family because that meant
we could get insurance for our little one.
I hear that's kind of an important thing.

So in June we started talking full-time.
 July they started having me fill-in as a producer.
I would cover shifts for co-workers who were out of town or home sick.
It was great because I got some good training
and the opportunity to prove myself.
Then they assigned me to several Olympic shows that I was completely in charge of.

Needless to say,
I was definitely working full-time.
Just not getting the benefits.
So at the beginning of August I started asking more questions about
a permanent job with the company.
Apparently, there were already plans in the works.

And here I am - 3 weeks later - training to take over my own show.
You're looking at reading the words of the newest 5am producer in Salt Lake City.
My own show.
A 42 minute news hole.
Full-time.
All mine.

It's been an adjustment shifting to the morning crew.
I work 10:30pm to 7:30 am.
Then I come home and sleep.
Baby G is getting adjusted, too.
He doesn't know what to think about the new schedule,
but I try not to let him make all the rules.

Physically: I can feel my body adjusting.
Mentally: My brain is learning to function at 2am.
Emotionally: I know this is the right thing for our little family.

Amazing how everything is falling into place.
As much as these overnight hours suck,
(and are probably the worst thing for a pregnant asthmatic)
working this show means we won't have to find a nanny for Baby G.
He will always be with one of his parents
and that gives me so much comfort.
We truly are being blessed.

So,
long-story-short,
if you suffer from insomnia: Facebook me.
I'll be up.

And if you want to reach me during the day,
beware of the sleeping beauty you may be waking.

Love much,
Beth

Weekly

I've been awful at updating on this whole baby bump thing.

I've managed to take some pictures along the way though - 

Usually I end up taking them after receiving "angry" texts from my sister.

She's great and I owe her big time for keeping me on top of things.

So I thought I'd post some of the pictures I've snapped along the way.

The progression is kinda fun to see.

(I had more pictures than this, but SOMEHOW they got deleted)

23 Weeks

26 weeks
Sorry this one isn't as great of a view.

27 Weeks

It's nice to have people acknowledge me as being pregnant now.
Before I was still in that awkward phase where I just looked fat.
Oh - and I had the first person (not family) touch my belly.
Kinda weird.

I am really trying to take more pictures.
Don't know why it seems to be so hard to stay on top of.

I can't believe I'm almost in my third trimester.
This baby is coming way too fast!

Love much,
Beth

Firstborn

Take a look at these two chipmunks.

Makes me wonder what our nugget will look like.

Definitely going to have a good set of cheeks.

Brian says this is a good picture because it was before his awkward stage.

(I'm still not sure that awkward stage has ended...)

Today was a big day for our little family.

Are we going to have a little miss know-it-all who is completely bossy (totally unlike her mom)?

Or are we going to have a little athlete who is pushed into every sport by his dad?

This was Brian's first live peek at our little one.

He was excited.

I was anxious.

I tried to relax on that oh-so-luxurious bed,

but it wasn't until we started seeing our little one that I forgot about that device pushing on my stomach.

It was absolutely amazing to see all of the little features.

Brian was quick to count the fingers and toes.

That's always his big concern.

I was busy holding back the tears.

Emotional Beth.

I blame the hormones.

After checking every other organ in the baby's body,

my wonderful OB-GYN settled in on this little beauty.

I couldn't tell right away.

I actually asked my doc if he was serious.

Apparently he doesn't joke about these things.

You can see the spine on the right side of the picture,

it leads down to his little bum,

and then the "evidence" is sticking out right below.

We are thrilled!!!

I'm sure I would say the same no matter what the news was,

but it's even more fun because Brian and I have felt like it's a boy.

So let the shopping begin!!!

(Thanks to my mom and sister for starting me out with this one.)

So I guess this means I better get even more used to sports...

Sports.....

And more sports!

Love much,

Mama Beth

Control

Are you there bloggers?

It's me... Beth.

I've been busy.

And sick.

And busy.

That's my story and I'm ...well... you know.

Stickin' to it.

So baby news first, I guess.

Brian got to hear the heartbeat for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

He says it sounds like a galloping horse.

It's so cute how excited he's getting about this little life.

I love hearing him pray for me and the baby.

It gets more and more real every day.

As far as side-effects... I can't say that I'm experiencing too many.

Except for my ability to deplete water in the blink of an eye.

I also have a terrible memory lately.

I seriously cannot think for the LIFE of me.

Case and point.

Forgetting my wallet when I need to fill up the gas tank.

The sickness is starting to subside,

although my graveyard shifts this past week have not set well with the little one.

More on that later.

I'm not showing a whole lot yet.

It depends on what I'm wearing,

but I just feel like I'm getting fat right now.

I do think I might be a little more emotional than normal lately.

But a lot of that could have to do with the lack of sleep I'm getting.

Actually I'm probably getting more combined hours of sleep

since I've been on graves,

but I don't think two 4-hour naps is the same as 8 solid hours of sleep.

Why the graves?

When I was hired on at KSL,

I was part time/on call.

Part of the reason they needed someone is to help through the summer with 

all of the time-off requests.

Particularly for 2 and a half weeks when the morning producer gets married.

Well... those 2 and a half weeks are here.

Yippee....

So I'm working 2:30a to 10:30a for 10 more days.

But this hopefully won't happen again because....

I'm going full-time with KSL!

 I'm so excited and it's such a blessing.

I will be the night AP and specifically assigned to field producing.

So any of you watching KSL...

come visit me when the anchors go out and about across Utah.

I'll be there... making them look good.

I look back at the past 6 months and I'm overwhelmed by everything that's happened.

The frustration.

The sickness.

The lack of motivation.

The blessings.

 And that's the most important - the blessings.

I've watched my wonderful husband apply to job after job ,

never hearing anything back .

I've bit my tongue and held back on my desire to step in and "fix the problem."

I've stressed over moving away from my parents and how I'd handle it.

And how they would handle it.

I've worried about insurance for out little nugget

and paying for this new life.

I've panicked about my own health, my ability to carry this child

and provide enough nutrition and oxygen for the both of us.

But for now,

I'm letting go of my concerns.

I'm giving trying to give control to the only person who really can control.

Only He knows how to take care of this child.

Only He can teach me certain things about this little spirit.

And only He knows what's to come.

A lot of this hit me when Brian and I went to visit

his brother's gravesite on Memorial Day.

Eric died when he was only 6 weeks old.

I can't even imagine what his mom went through.

I can't think about burying a child so young.

I don't even want to talk about it.

But I got to thinking about how Linda and Russ didn't have a choice.

They didn't ask for that.

I'm sure they didn't want it.

But it happened.

And they learned from it.

In fact,

Brian has talked several times about how what his mom learned through that experience has shaped his views and his outlook on life.

I don't know if I would go as far as saying that it was a blessing,

but it was a learning experience.

And that's what we're here for, right?

To learn.

To grow.

To have experiences.

So I guess,

for now,

I'll just try to grow and learn.

And help my baby grow and learn.

How is it that I feel like I'm the child in this situation?

Love much,

Beth

Hillcrest 1st Ward Senior Tribute

Last year I was asked by my father-in-law to help him put together video tributes for the graduating seniors in his ward. He was the young men's president at the time and they wanted to change things up for their annual Senior dinner. The "I'm a Mormon" campaign was very popular at the time so we styled the videos after that. They were OK. At least that's what I thought of them.

Flash forward to the present and my father-in-law is no longer the young men's president and Beth and I are living in his basement and now members of that ward. The young women's president is the same as last year and apparently she thought of last year's video more highly than I did because I was once again asked to put together a senior tribute video.

I reluctantly accepted but this time I wanted to do something different. I wanted it to be better. We had just bought our new camera and this was the perfect opportunity to test it out. So with the help of a few friends (Ben Peterson) that lent me the rest of the equipment I was ready to go. Unfortunately, I only had two weeks to get everything done and my father-in-law would not be in town to help me with the interviews. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it. But as with all service efforts I wasn't alone and the end result, if I do say so myself, turned out very good.

The seniors I got to know are all very different but very special in their own way. Each one has a testimony of Jesus Christ that has grown during the last four years of high school. I think putting all of their interviews together, instead of separating them like last year, helps show them as individuals but also how together they provided strength to each other as members of the same ward.

You probably don't know the people in the video. I didn't either when I first started. But I think that you'll still be able to enjoy it as you listen to them share who they are and what they stand for. I know that I learned a lot.

Let me know what you think! I hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed making it.