THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

I guess I jinxed myself with the second to last post. I was bragging on how "easy" this pregnancy has been. Well, the good news is that I have yet to lose my lunch, breakfast, or any meal with this baby. The bad news is that I have been losing a lot of blood and having sharp pains in my belly. This was day 4 of those same symptoms, and I decided to head to a DR to make sure everything was okay. The great news is that I saw the baby's heartbeat for the first time and it was strong! And the cervix looks perfect. Also, I went to one of the best OB Women's health centers in the west. The Mary Birch Women and Baby center is amazing! Their staff was wonderful! I was treated by a perionatologist (Dr who deals with high risk pregnancies) who just "happened" to be on staff that day. I felt very reassured after leaving that I had received the best treatment possible. (Shauna - I thought of you the whole time) I realized how blessed I am to always have such great Dr...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!! WE WILL TRULY CELEBRATE WHEN WE SEE YOU IN NEW YORK. BUT UNTIL THEN, TRY AND ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY! HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF BEN, THE BEAN, AND I. THINKING OF YOU!!!! MISS YOU!!!!!!! Benjamin in his Easter tie and bee hat. He really reminded me of you that day. :) Cashmere about to sneak the duck out of Ben's hand......Ben is too focused on the chocolate bunny.....chicks dig him..... Trying to get an up close of Ben and I. Like Ben's pirate tattoo ? It's from the b-day party on Saturday.....and would not come off! Kisses from Benji make my day. This picture is of Ben and I right after he found his Easter eggs that Grandma Reva hid. Did I mention it was 91' that day?!?! If it was 91 degrees on Easter, I think San Diego is in for a scorcher summer this year! Up close on the preggers ! Such a perfect picture of how the belly has grown quickly, minus the closed eyes! Seriously....do I look like an Easter egg??? ;) We love you and can not wai...

I don't want to jinx myself.......but this has been the easiest pregnancy so far! You might (or might not) remember with Ben, I lost 15 pounds in the first trimester and water even tasted gross. I had a really hard pregnancy with Ben. But, this has been a breeze so far. Yes, I sometimes get nauseous after I eat food, but I have not thrown up once!!!! Now that is reason enough to throw a party!!! I have not seen an actual OB doctor yet. After my family practice doctor confirmed the pregnancy, he referred me to an OB doctor that specializes in high risk. This is just a precaution because of how the last pregnancy went. Just being extra careful. My appointment isn't until April 24 th . I am so anxious to know when my actual due date is. December 8 th is just an estimated guess. But who knows? I could easily be farther along! I actually think I am, or I popped early. Because to me....I look pregnant! It just happened in the past week since being here in Cali. I even bought a pair...

On March 14th, Ben and I hopped into our car and headed to Sunny San Diego. We drove through some sleet and snow in Utah, a little rain, and some crazy winds. But for the most part it was sunny skies. We got to San Diego safe and sound. Here is Ben taking a break in the drivers seat. Extra large lemonade included..... Passing the AZ state line from UT to California. I LOVE the drive from UT to CA - especially on a sunny afternoon like this one. By this time we had passed the crazy weather back in Utah. * Last stop * Mad Greek Gyros Restaurant - Baker, CA - This was Ben's birthday dinner. We were on the road, but I still wanted to have something special as opposed to the ordinary fast food. It was YUMMYYY!

Operation Home front helps out families of deployed soldiers. They have an office based out of California. Since I knew we would be in San Diego around Easter, I checked out their website a few weeks ago. They were doing a Easter basket give away on the morning of the 15th of March. We went to this event. Ben was able to meet the Easter bunny, get his face painted, get delicious cookies, and receive an awesome Easter basket. It had play dough, a soft fuzzy bear, candy, and a Hot Wheels San Diego Padres edition motorcycle. Ben was hesitant of the bunny at first. But in the end he didn't want to leave and kept saying, "BYE BUNNY! BYE BUNNY!" Here he is munching on his cookies with his Easter egg stamp on his cheek. So excited about his Easter basket! The Operation Home Front van Mommy and me all finished and heading home to get ready for Chuck E Cheese!

On Benjamin's actual birthday March 14th, we took a road trip down to San Diego and had a birthday dinner at the Mad Greek Gyros restaurant in Baker, Ca (right below Vegas). But, on March 15th we had Ben's real birthday celebration at Chuck E Cheese's in San Diego. Grandpa Tom and Grandma Reva got Benjamin a special Elmo cake, and spoiled him rotten. We missed Grandpa Tom as he had to work that night, but we still appreciated the spoiling! Guests at Benjamin's party were: Mommy, Grandma Reva, Great Grandma Sue, Aunt Bonnie, Cousin Katlyn, (Uncle Billy was feeling under the weather) Faye(Grandma Sue's friend), Uncle Daniel, Uncle TJ and his girlfriend Jessica, Adam, Sarah, Ava, and Austin Bresee, Jeremy, Jeanette, and Brianna Cross. WE MISSED YOU DADDY! We took lots of pictures and video camera footage! Ben's 1st birthday he ate his cake with a fork, one bite at a time. This birthday was the exact opposite. He went to town on this cake, one handful at a time! B...

Ben and I are heading out to California tomorrow to celebrate his 2nd birthday! We will then fly to New York to meet up with Dan for a few days before he leaves to the big boy sand box. For some reason flights are cheaper to New York from San Diego than from Salt Lake?? How does that make sense? Well, it works for me. I could use some family time right now. I will continue to keep you posted on our adventurous life from the blog! See you soon sunny San Diego. My flip flops are packed and ready! See you soon Dan and Gardner Family in New York!!! What's the weather like?

I won't be able to see my toes in about 25 - 30 weeks......... Yah baby ready or not.........That's right folks, I am pregnant! Totally unexpected and totally excited. We tried our hardest to prevent this while Dan was deployed....but I guess it was meant to be. I am due December 8, 2008...unless that changes. The good news is Dan should be here for the birth. And then will shortly be back permanently from his deployment a few weeks later! And just a heads up - I am the fourth spouse now in Dan's unit to recently pop up pregnant. Must be something in that deployment water......

I'm not sure if it's because Ben had an original due date of St Patricks Day or the fact that I have Irish and scottish heritage in me.......but I love St Patty's day. Ben got these special pj's on a recent trip to Old Navy. He also got Easter pj's that say "chicks dig me" with a little chick on the front. I love Old Navy! "Mom's Lucky Charm" Hamming it up for the camera and looking as cute as ever! Our handsome boy

This month Ben turns 2 years old! Where does the time go?!?! He and I went to see a movie in the theatre together as a "mommy and son" date. He sat through the whole movie just like a big boy!!! We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. Ben LOVED it. He would get up and dance in the aisle whenever the Chipmunks would sing. Too cute :) Here we are before going out for our "Mommy and Me" time.

To keep you updated on Dan's deployment, I decided to post a few pictures from his training. He is training hard and preparing to go to the big boys sandbox. He says to say hi to everyone and to tell you he loves you. He appreciates all the prayers and support coming his way. If you need his address or phone number to contact him just send me an e-mail. If you don't have my e-mail, then leave a comment or call me. We miss him so much and hope for a quick and safe return! You can also keep up to date on him by visiting his unit's website. http://191cssb.blogspot.com/

While having so much time on my hands recently, I have been renting movies to watch at night when Ben falls asleep. I also took Ben on a "mommy and me" date to see his first movie in the theatre. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks. He sat through the whole movie......except when he would jump up and dance to the chipmunks singing. :) He is growing up SO fast! I can't wait to take him to see Horton hears a Who. And I too am looking forward to some movies coming to the theatre. Below are a few that I am interested to see. Which movies are you looking forward to seeing in the near future?????? To watch the movie trailers just go to www.youtube.com and type in the movie name to the search engine. That's how I watched the trailers. The Other Boleyn Girl 10,000 BC Sex and the City movie Horton hears a who Miss Pettigrew lives for a day Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the crystal skull And the one I am really looking forward to........ 21 Opens March 28th, 2008 Ben Campbell (J...

I have been tagged by Kelly! This is the first time I am following through with a tag! I feel like I deserve an award.... Here are the rules: Find the book closest to you with at least 123 pages. Turn to page 123 Find the fifth sentence Post the next three sentences Tag 5 people From New Moon by Stephanie Meyer - "That was usually about when the screaming started. I wasn't paying attention to where I was driving-just wandering through empty, wet side roads as I avoided the ways that would take me home-because I didn't have anywhere to go. I wished I could feel numb again, but I couldn't remember how I'd managed it before." I tag Heather, Megan, Adele, Jeanette, and Tammy!