Tiny Update

So here I am at 18 weeks!

I have definitely been feeling much better, and you can tell because I actually try and get ready occasionally! Last Sunday we went to both the Shumway and the Benavides houses and I got rave reviews on wearing makeup. Haha. Oh well. I know I looked like complete trash for a good 16 weeks and I am ok with that!

Also, I have been feeling the baby move which has been really exciting. At first it was just a weird fluttering feeling, but while sitting down Sunday I felt two very obvious kicks! It was so neat! Mostly I feel the fluttering feeling but every now and then, I'll get an obvious one.

I also got a new phone! Judge away you Apple crazed people, but I traded my IPhone in for a new Blackberry. Yah, that's right, I sure did! Ever since I got rid of my first Blackberry there have been moments when I just knew I would eventually have to return to the Blackberry loveliness! So I did it, and I'm glad I did. It's a better phone for me! IPhones are not the epitome of happiness, by the way! Even Ben approved and he is the IPhones number one fan!

Randomly: I loved the chilly weather we were having and I am sad it's so hot again. :(

Well I have two more nights of work before I get five off so I'm going back for a little nap! More updates to come!

Cha Cha Cha Changes

Well my fabulous 5 days off is almost over :(

However, I did get a lot done and was able to have some great times.

I got to see friends, go on dates with the hubby, and get some family time.

Here are some of the changes:

1) Ben and I are redecorating our place. I just got really sick of our living room because we have used those same decorations since we have been married (over 3 years). We found a few fabulous things at Kirklands and decided to redo everything. We are not close to finishing but we have found some great stuff so far. Maybe I'll post pictures if we ever finish!

2) My baby bump has really bumped! I was headed to the gym the other day and Ben was like "Wow, where did that come from?" It's true. I feel like it just popped out one day. The picture in the previous post was at about 14 weeks. Here is me last week at 16.

3) Yes, you read right. I went to the gym! I hurt my arm the other day and when I went to grab it I just grabbed this soft, lumpy mass of an arm. I even recall the word "Sick!" coming out of my mouth. Ever since then I have been going to the gym everyday! The whole first part of my pregnancy I felt awful and tired all the time so I never went, but I am trying to get back to my old schedule! I don't want to have my baby in March and realize that my whole body (not just my stomach) is a huge, soft mess. So yay for that change!

4) I bought my first pair of maternity pants last night! I was really opposed to the idea, but I actually found some really cute jeans at Old Navy that aren't the full panel (which scared me). I can still wear my old jeans right now, but I can just tell they are getting uncomfortable. Mostly when I sit down I feel like I need to unbutton the top button. I also got a really cute pink maternity sweater. I am SOOO pumped for cold weather. Going into Old Navy and seeing all the coats, sweaters, and scarfs just made me sooooo excited. I want everything in that store right now! Ben and I also spent a long time looking at all the baby clothes. They are so stinking cute! It made me so happy and excited! We get to find out if we are having a girl or a boy on November 3, and the anticipation is killing me!

5) Those are really the big changes as of late. I'm pretty sure all my posts will be about my pregnancy and even after that they will all be about my kid. But honestly, who can blame me? We feel so blessed, and I seriously am so happy that is all I want to talk about. So get ready for more prego/baby talk!

Long Time No Blog

Well it has been a while since I have blogged about anything. I did one about football but that has really been the extent of my desire to blog. My blog has become a ghost blog. So here is a little update:

I have been working full time, on the night shift 7p-7a. This has definitely been messing with my sleep hours. Even on my days off I find myself able to stay up until 3 in the morning and wake up around 1 in the afternoon. Sadly, I have messed with Ben's sleeping as well. He has started to go by my schedule too. On his days off he will often sleep when I do in order to see me more. However, its really not that bad. The hours I mean. The job is freaking hard. Especially since I have felt like trash ever since I got knocked up. haha. I like my job though. I feel like I have learned a ton already. I have also made a lot of new friends, which is nice because I have been mourning the loss of my nursing school buds since they moved.

So, next week is my first week off of orientation. I will be all by myself with my own patients. I have been paired with a nurse this whole time, but she has steadily given my more responsibility. I have pretty much been on my own for a number of weeks. However, she has always been available to answer questions and now she wont be. I was able to make my own schedule so I wont necessarily be working with her. So we'll see how it goes.

It will be nice to work Mon, Tue, Wed and then not again until the next Wed. Not too shabby.

So I have kept true to my commitment to watch more football. Ben and I have been watching all the Tech games. We even went to the Tech vs. Rice game with Ben's brother Rick and his girlfriend Lesla. It was a lot of fun. Here we are:

As far as the pregoness goes, I am still trying to convince myself and others that I have a baby bump. I kept telling everyone I had a legitimate bump, but then I took a picture and realized there was really nothing there....However, that was a few weeks ago, and I am almost 16 weeks now. I think I now have a somewhat legitimate bump. What do you think? I might just be trying really hard to stick my gut out. haha. I'm ready to be out of the "Man she needs to go to the gym" phase and enter the "That is definitely a baby" phase.

I guess I just want some proof that my barfing all the time and feeling disgusting 24/7 means something! Haha. I also have really enjoyed seeing the ultrasounds! Last one I had the baby was moving all over the place. That was nice to see because in the one before, the baby was just sitting there. I might be ready to show more, but I'm not ready to feel the internal kicks all the time. I am also SOOOO ready to know if it is a girl or a boy. I think I still have four or five weeks before that though. Maybe next time I blog we will know. haha. JK--I'll try to be better about it now that I've been feeling a little better.

He won my heart!

So this football season I have commited to Ben that I will try and show more interest in football, and maybe I'll even pick a team or something! So here is a little convo we had to let you know how I'm doing:

Ben: Babe, let's watch sportscenter.
Me: No!! Please don't make me!! I've already promised to care more about the games! Don't make me watch pointless bantering about it!
Ben: But there were football games today, and I want to see who won.
Me: Well I watched all those games, and I will just tell you who won...(obviously lying)
Ben: (Of course he sees right through me) Ok then, who won?
Me: Ummm....Brett Favre...
Ben: Brett Favre won what?
Me: Ummm...Brett Favre won my heart!
Ben: Whatever Natalie. (trying not to laugh)

Background: I recently saw Brett being interveiwed and decided that he is a nice looking guy! I told Ben this, and I have brought Brett up in many conversations lately just because Ben acted like he had no idea why I liked him. I also told him whatever team Brett was on would be my favorite! So there. That's me being more enthusiastic about football! Haha.

He's a good looking football player. See?

LAME-O

Well. I spoke too soon! haha. The nausea has hit me!

I am honestly nauseous most of the time. I haven't really thrown up though- just gaggy.

A lot of it has to do with when I eat of course.

Eating has become what my life revolves around now. haha.

If I don't eat I feel even worse, and I also have to eat often.

However, nothing ever sounds good. I really don't like the food I used to eat.

I am grateful though, because I definitely have it a lot better than some.

These past two weeks have been brutal because I have been stuck in a classroom 8-5, Mon-Fri being tired and nauseous!

Life will be a lot better now that those classes are over!

They were the worst two weeks ever!

However, I did pass my "Mega Code" with flying colors, and I'm proud about that!

(they simulate a code blue and then have you make all the decisions on how to save the patient)

Well, I entitled this post lame-o because that is what I have become. lol.

I have been going to class all day, and when I get home I just crawl into bed and sleep.

I honestly have become so lame. I haven't done anything lately but eat and sleep.

(Oh, and vote for So You Think You Can Dance. haha.)

Also, my first appointment is Wednesday so that is exciting!

Ben, however, has not been lame.

He has been golfing ALL the time! He got all new clubs, a new bag, new golf shirts/shorts, and new golf shoes.

He is definitely LOVING the golf lately.

He has been playing with his friends on his days off,

and I even went with him once! (I just drove the cart though.)

He has always liked to play, but lately he has just really gotten into it.

More power to him! He stays busy with work, friends, golf, and going to get me stuff from the store. haha.

That is really all that has been going on lately!

I am content in my lameness though.

Life will get really crazy soon enough, and so I am totally ok with lame right now.

Here is a cute picture of Charlie and Gus.

Gus wanted to cuddle with us but didn't fit up there.

So he fell asleep with half of his body hanging off. haha. Love him.

One new thing...

So I got new glasses.

This is only a big deal because I have needed some for over 6 months.

I have put off getting some because I didn't really want to mess with it.

BUT I finally did. And here they are.

This isn't really a good picture of them either...but oh well.

I have been feeling fine! No sickness or anything.

I think I speak too soon though. I am knocking on wood that tired is all I get!

I also feel fat and bloated.

I shouldn't be fat already! There is no excuse for it!

Later I will have an excuse...but not now.

I already want my pre-prego body back. haha.

I am just kidding! There is no way I am complaining about ANYTHING.

We are so blessed! Complaining would be ridiculous!

Thanks everyone for all the sweet messages!

Ok. Here it is. :)

So, Ben and I have been wanting to add to our family for some time now.

These past 10 or so months have been pretty frustrating because once we knew it was the right thing for us to do, we wanted it SO BAD!

SO without further adieu....I AM PREGNANT!!! :)

Now it is still very early, but after waiting so long for this there was no way I was going to wait to tell my family. They have been so supportive and helpful, and they often were the ones I would go to when I was having a rough day. So naturally, I went right to them with the information. Our family and a few good friends also got the news, but for the most part we hadn't really told anyone else. However, today at church I had MANY people come up to me congratulating me, and so I could only conclude that my family has done the work of announcing for me! haha. I know that most people wait to tell, but that is just not who I am. In fact, I often over share. haha. So I have a LONG way to go, but I thought I would just officially announce it.

We are so excited! I am pretty sure there has been a permanent smile on our faces ever since we found out! This past week has definately been one of the best EVER! We are so grateful to our families for all the love and support they have shown us. Their reaction to the news made it 2938298343 more times wonderful! We love them and can't wait for what is to come!

NCLEX results!

So this morning I checked to see if I passed the NCLEX.....

AND I DID!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!

I am officially Natalie Benavides, RN!!

SOOOOO nice to have that behind me!

uhhh...

So I have been a SERIOUS blog slacker-offer!

I have good excuses though! I have been super busy! Vacation, Girls Camp, Orientation, New Job, studying for NCLEX (huge test to get my RN), and the taking the NCLEX.

Here is a quick recap...

I have only been working on my actual floor for two days. They were easy days with easy patients so I'm no to sure yet how it's all going to work out. I am pretty sure however, that I am so lucky to be working on that floor! Everyone is so nice and it's just a good atmosphere!

I had this whole week off (which I will discuss later), and then I work three days again on my floor next week. After that I have two weeks of critical care class Mon-Friday. I have to take critical care class, because I am working in the ICU, and they will go over all the intensive care stuff. I am actually looking forward to that! After that class I will be able to get my CCRN (critical care certification), and I will start working nights.

So, I was off all week because I have been studying for my NCLEX, and today I took it!!

We get 4 days payed off for all the studying and test taking which is really nice! This test was pretty much the biggest test of my life, but it actually wasn't all that nerve racking for me! I just approached it very prayerfully, and I definitely received SO much help. I think I am one of the few that left the test feeling pretty good about it. A lot of people said they left the test crying because they knew they failed, but I left crying because of how grateful I was to my Heavenly Father. It was just so amazing how random things I happened to look at stuck with me and came up on the test. Wow. That is no coincidence! The test can be 75-250 questions long and I only got 75. This can be good or bad. You either did well enough they didn't need to give you any more questions, or you failed it so bad there is no point in giving you more! Right at question 75 my test shut off, and I just felt gratitude and relief!

Now I have to wait until Friday to find out FOR SURE if I got my RN.

If not, I will get bumped back to nurse tech with my pay cut in half, and I have to wait another 45 days to take it again!:( So lets hope that doesn't happen. I can't wait until my name tag says Natalie Benavides RN. Ok, I'm rambling!

Friday I get my first nurse salary pay check and I am pumped!

Let's hope I passed, and I can keep that pay! So that is what has been going on! I will let everyone know Friday if I get to be RN :) I will also update about my job once I get to be on the floor more often!

Thanks for all the support everyone! :)

(Me and my nephew Spency on the Fourth!)

Also, I know I am not the best writer/speller/grammar person so I apologize if my post drove anyone crazy. I will take any corrections with a smile! haha.

You Go Girl!

This was the best part of the parade today! haha.

HAPPY FOURTH EVERYONE!!

Finally back!

Well it sure has been a while since I last blogged. Ben and I took a really fun vacation, and then I went to girls camp as the nurse. I just got back today and I am TIRED of doing things. haha. The rest of the weekend I plan on doing absolutely nothing. I start my new job on Monday in orientation so I should be busy from then on. Here are a few pictures from our trip. I really don't feel like typing everything we did OR putting all the pictures on here so here are just a few. Maybe I'll post again about what we did so I can remember what an awesome vacation we had. It was so nice to get away and just hang out with my husband!

Graduation Par-tay!

Well my lovely sister Nicole and my Mom put together a little graduation get together for me on Saturday, and it was great! Good food. Good people. What more can you ask for? A lot of my friends were moving and such, but my super best buds all showed up and of course my family and Ben's family were there. Here are some of the pics:

Here is Ben and I...

Here is the necklace Benny bought me :)

I told him I wanted it when I graduated!

I actually told him when I started nursing school and he remembered!

Here is me with my bestie Megan. We made it through nursing school together!

I sure am going to miss her :(

Here is Chance (Megan's fiance), Megan, Ben and Me! Cute couples!



Here's me and Crystal. I became friends with her when I met Ben.

Going on 8 years of friendship. I love her!

My best friends Rachel and Presley also came. They are so much fun!


Spencer was the guest of honor! Haha. Here is Ben with him.

Here is Spencer and Me! So Cute!

Yay for graduation parties!

Graduation Day

Ok. So graduation came and went, and now I'm officially a Graduate Nurse!

It ended up being a fantastic day! I love that all my family was there with me. (minus Raquel)

I posted all the pictures of me and my friends on my Facebook if you want to see those.

I'm just going to show the pictures of me and my family on here.

There are WAY too many pictures to post all of them!

And there you have it! Graduation day with the fam!

Whoa.

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I still can't believe it's here.

These past two years have been:

Fun. Difficult. Hilarious. Challenging. Crazy. Frustrating. Intense.

Not to mention all the years spent taking prerequisite courses and such.

I am graduating nursing school tomorow :)

3 Year Anniversary!

Today Ben and I have been married for 3 years!

This is the night Ben proposed!

It's been a great 3 years! Let's have more K?

The Bird Purse.

So here is the birdie purse I made. I have been carrying it around.

It's just casual. Like me. Just birds and seersucker.

And there is the dog bowl. haha.

And the award for the cutest kid ever goes to...

THIS GUY!!

Here's a little preview Sister. You have the cutest kid ever!

YAY!! (warning, there are a ridiculous amount of exclamation points in this post)

YYYYAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just passed the second of two tests needed to get my diploma!! YAY!!!

My friends and I were very nervous about the two computer tests we had to pass because they are usually very hard. It is a program called ATI that is separate from our school grade. We had a pharmacology test and a comprehensive RN test (the comprehensive one was a beast of a test with 180 questions), and we had to make certain grades on both of those. If we didn't make those grades we wouldn't get our diploma! SO I PASSED BOTH!! WOO HOO!!

Also, getting a certain grade gives you a 90% chance of passing the NCLEX which is our licensing test we have to take after school. That makes me feel good that I'm in that 90% chance group!! I am obviously retaining most of the knowledge they have been pushing into my head for the past two years! My friend and I definitely did a celebration dance in the parking lot!!!

Now all I have left is our final on Friday which I am not worried about at all. A

fter Friday I will be DONE! Then, graduation next Friday!! YAY!!!

Nursing school is finally coming to an end!!!

Grateful.

I am just so grateful to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Words can't even describe the peace I feel knowing what I know.

The Gospel can answer all the questions. I am just so extremely grateful.

these two are so cute!

Two of my favorite models are gonna have a baby!

Congrats to them, and thanks for letting me take your pictures.
They are bound to have a freaking cute kid!

my brother is a stud.

True statement.

Ben and I recently went to one of Preston's baseball games,

and naturally I had to bring the camera!

Here are some pictures of my cool brother :)

This is Preston right before he struck the guy out!

Yep, that's right. Pitcher, Catcher, and an awesome Batter!

Photos

Isn't he just one good lookin senior?

I told him it would be easy to get nice pictures of him because he was so good looking.

I believe I was right!

Congrats on graduating and good luck!