The Waiting Game

How did the time from October to January happen so fast? Fall was so lovely but much too short.
We went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze at the end of October. Westley had a blast!

He chose a huge pumpkin

Playing in the giant corn pit with Daddy

Little Go-Kart racer

CHEESE!

Giant Corn Pit

Halloween - Pinocchio, Blue Fairy, and Gephetto! 

Proud of himself for catching a leaf in the wind

Iowa winters are unlike any other place. It fluctuates between bitter, icy cold and warm sunny days in a matter of 24 hours. At least it keeps things interesting, right? We have had only two major snow storms so far. One dumped about 8 inches of snow on our yard. You should have seen Chris attack that driveway... with a fury only found in a man who is mad to see so much snow! :) I am sure grateful for his muscles and strength, especially lately.

We had a very nice Christmas. It was good to be with family for the holidays for the first time in four years. Westley loved his presents from his great-grandparents, grandmas and grandpas, great aunts, aunts, and uncles. Thank you everyone for making it a special time for us!

It's been a rough last two weeks. I know other women have had a much harder time with their pregnancies than I have, but the last two weeks have really tested my mettle, and that of Chris and my family too. I went to my 36-week appointment the Tuesday before last and they found I was already dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced. I was pretty excited to hear it, because Braxton Hicks contractions had started to give me trouble every night. The Braxton Hicks had intensified and I started to get a lot of the same symptoms I had the night that Westley was born... hot flashes, nausea, bowel troubles, etc.

Tanner and Westley lounging at Bass Pro Shops

Chris sporting a new Mask/Car Seat Cushion

Waiting for Food!

Westley was such a fast birth, my water breaking at 2:30am and him being born just 20 minutes after we got to the hospital, it made me a little hopeful that this labor was going to be just as fast and efficient. Well, the symptoms have persisted every night for the last two weeks now! We went in that Friday to the hospital after being checked at the Midwives (who told me I'd dilated to 2cm and was 75% effaced). We walked around for four hours and had some more good contractions. When we went up to labor and delivery to check, nothing had progressed. They sent me home.

That day, I had found out that I tested positive during the Group B streptococcus screening. This added a new dimension of mental and emotional stress, because the Labor and Delivery nurses said they would optimally like me there at least 4 hours before the baby is delivered so they can administer the necessary antibiotics to protect the baby from getting anything. I began to really stress about getting things perfectly lined up (Chris getting here from work in Johnston, getting Westley to my parents, and getting to the hospital 20 minutes away, not to mention fighting with the weather).

I know that this underlying stress has affected everything a lot, because we went in with another false alarm just 24 hours later, thinking my water had broken (it hadn't). They sent me home after my three-hour long stretch of contractions disappeared AGAIN! Dilated to 3cm, still 75% effaced. I cried and cried because nothing was happening, except I lost my mucus plug that night. Monday we had that massive snowstorm and I was having rough contractions and pains all afternoon. Mom came over and brought Westley and me to their house, so I would have some piece of mind until Chris was able to trudge his way home through the mounds of snow. The contractions got harder, so we went down to check. The darn things disappeared again, as soon as they hooked me up to the monitors.

So every night, my contractions are getting feistier, waves of the same symptoms keep beating, sometimes for hours on end. I wake up in pain and nausea every hour or so. This has made for a very sleepless and edgy household. Poor Chris has really been suffering with me. He calls or texts every day when he can to check and see how I'm feeling. He doesn't get phone reception when he works in the growth chambers, so he has all his co-workers on alert, has my ringtone set to a Tornado Siren alarm, and tells them to grab him if they hear it. :)

I love him so much. I'm really starting to see that this horrible time of frustration is actually a blessing because we have been able to spend so much quality time together. Lots of walking at the mall, sharing yummy meals, talking and praying together. I love him more and more and know that Heavenly Father knew exactly the type of man I needed to help support and love me. And Westley has been really sweet and attuned to my emotional needs too. When I have breakdowns (about every other day - lol), he comes over and wipes at my tears and says, "Mommy, sad? Or happy? Are you okay?" Chris had to explain that sometimes Mommy isn't sad when she's crying, but cries when she's happy too. It's been sweet to watch him take on a protective role with me, just like his daddy does.

You know, I am really, truly blessed to have so many people who love and care about us. So many friends and family offer their support and love right now, I can feel the strength emanating from them and their prayers on our behalf. We know that this time is special and are learning to love it, despite its challenges. Hope to have a concrete announcement soon though! :)

New Beginnings

3 Months Later...

Yes, finally writing a blog post. Sorry it's been forever. Settling into our new life has taken so much adjustment and work, but it is wonderful. We are very happy and feel blessed every day.

Pretty awake for 3am!

Our move happened with a bang... literally. We left Rexburg at 3am on the morning of July 28th, with our little Pontiac Vibe packed to the very rim with everything we owned. We sold or donated whatever wouldn't fit. :) The ride was smooth until we got to Rock Springs, WY. I offered to drive for Chris, as he was running on only a few hours of sleep. Unfortunately, we both had slight feelings of uneasiness about me driving that specific stretch, but didn't voice those concerns to each other at the time. So I took the wheel and started out for the I-80 highway.

We ended up in a very bad situation, being in the blindspot of two semis, who sandwiched us in between them upon merging onto the highway. We literally ended up squished between them, and I had to put on the gas in a last attempt to break free before we were crushed all the way. Our car burst forward, scraping the sides against the semis, and we were struck on the right back side of the car by the semi on the right. The impact shot us back behind them and sent us careening off the road. We prayed aloud in desperation as our car sped across a ditch, caught air and skidded, and I was able to stop the car less than a hundred yards from a deep ravine.

It has horrified me in my sleep over and over the "what should-have happened's". That last desperate burst of gas saved Chris from being crushed in the front passenger seat, Westley's carseat being in the left-side back seat so we could fit our back seat down put him in a safer place, having it happen right out of a major city with the resources we needed, and so many other little things remind me that we were watched over and specifically blessed. It was a horrible experience, but we were given what we needed to cope with it.

Our poor little car... it's still drivable (another blessing), but definitely not going to be same again. Our BRAND NEW tire got shredded in the accident. So we got another one. ;)

It was a rough start. It took a long time for Chris to be able to secure a full-time job. But once again, the Lord was just waiting to give us an ideal situation. We were searching for several weeks, applying and interviewing like crazy. It seems like the biggest financial dry spell we've ever had. Luckily, my parents let us stay with them while we were waiting for our housesitting job to open up at the beginning of September. We loved our time in the hectic, busy house with all my brothers. It was a really special experience to be with the family after such a long time apart from them.

About a week before our housesitting situation opened up, Chris got a call back for his dream job! He was hired on as a contract research worker for a scientific agricultural Innovations team with Pioneer-DuPont, one of the largest agricultural innovators in the industry. He works every day in a team of three research associates/assistants, supervised under a scientist, to do research and data collection in the Soybean Growth Chambers there. He gets to experiment, collect and analyze data, share his educational experience and insights on a daily basis, and overall work as a team member to produce some pretty neat stuff. That's in my words... I'm sure he could give you a much more accurate description if asked. Hee hee! :D

So for now, we are enjoying our new place immensely, loving our respective jobs (Chris at Pioneer, me being a full-time Mommy), and glad to be here in Iowa. The people are so genuine, the gas prices and groceries are cheap, and the weather has been absolutely gorgeous for the time of year.

Beat, after a long day of playing with Daddy

Looking at FISH with Daddy at Bass Pro Shops

Our little baby girl is growing like crazy. Had my 27 week appointment yesterday, along with my glucose test and a flu shot. She is incredibly active and has a sweet feeling about her. They were originally concerned because she was measuring pretty long in her legs, but after a second ultrasound at 22 weeks, they just said she's going to be very tall. Guess she got some Hadden genes this time! Her profile was similar to Westley's, so obviously she is going to be a cute little thing. As far as names, we have a few different ones picked out so that we see her we can decide. We are pretty sure her middle name will be Angela, after Chris's mother though. It's fun to be preparing for a girl this time. My mom cried when she realized after 24 years, there is finally going to be another girl born! Chris said, "Hey... now we boys won't outnumber you anymore!" So glad I'm going to have an ally ;)

Well, I'll write more later in the week. We are going to a corn maze and pumpkin patch this weekend so look for cute pictures if we can get our rambunctious 2-year old to sit still for a nano-second!

The Closing of a Chapter

Well Graduation is just 3 days away and then comes an opening of a new chapter of our lives. It has been great to study at Brigham Young University-Idaho. I have learned so much from my professors and the experiences that I have had here. I will miss it all dearly, but that’s not to say that I’m not ecstatic to be finished with my Bachelor’s degree.  In a week Lindsey, Westley and I will be moving to Iowa. We have a house sitting job near her parents and I’ll be looking for work (I have some interviews set up) and studying to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). We’ll work for a year, save up money and apply for Grad schools. As Lindsey said in our last post, we’re also excited to be expecting another little one, come next January. Life has many adventures ahead for us.

Westley after his ER visit

Let’s look at some adventures that have recently come. A few weeks ago, Westley decided to take his first trip to the emergency room. He rolled of the bed and went face first into our bedside table. Lindsey put him asleep in our bed when I was already sleeping because I work at 4am. Well when he fell, it was the biggest wake-up call. Scared me big time. We went to the ER because of a huge gash on his nose and it took 3 nurses and myself to hold him down to allow the doctor to stitch him up. When the doctor was finally able to have a look, it turned out to only need the skin glue they use. That night was the busiest night we had in a while. Westley absolutely hates the doctors and cried the entire time. After we left the hospital, Westley stopped crying and said “French fries?” So we went and got him a few fries.

Later the next weekend we went up to Driggs, ID and saw the greatest fireworks show that I have ever seen. It even competes with Disney shows. It was at Huntsman’s Golf course, owned by the politician who ran in the republican primaries for 2012. The Beach Boys were there and played a concert before the fireworks. Westley loved them; he danced with mom and ran around with me. I was also glad to see him enjoy the fireworks. He wasn’t scared at all. What I appreciated most about the fireworks show was the Patriotism behind them. The show discussed our heritage as Americans and it was heartwarming and brilliant.  I am glad to be an American and I am grateful for my personal family heritage here in this land.

                                                                                                                  

Westley enjoying some
distant cousins 

Two weeks ago, Lindsey’s Great Grandmother passed away. I only knew Grandma Maxine from the day of our wedding, but I could tell that she was a spunky lady, full of love. Lindsey and I decided to take the trip down to Provo, UT for her Graveside funeral service and visit with family that needed Lindsey’s warm comfort. Lindsey would say the opposite, but I believe she was a blessing to others as well as they were to her. Due to our limited means, we tried hard to find family to house us while we were down there and ended up staying with Lindsey’s Great Uncle, who she had never met. It was a great experience and opportunity to talk about family history and get to bring family we only met over Facebook closer to us. I am grateful we made the trip and that Lindsey found comfort in it.

Rexburg had a bit of excitement last week, just in time for finals. On a day that seemed very normal at first, we ended up seeing a torrential downpour that turned into a flash flood. Our house was not affected by the flood, but many of our neighbors’ and students’ houses were. Many buildings on campus were flooded so bad that students were knee deep in water as they left to go to safer areas. The University was prepared for the cleanup and with all the custodial crews and maintenance crews we were able to have most of the school up and running by the next day.   

Other than finals and garage sales, everything else has been pretty normal in the Wyman home. We’re excited to make our way back to Lindsey’s hometown and continue into the next chapter of our lives. I hope to make it better than the last, which I want to always make our goal. If any would like our new address, feel free to call, text, Facebook, or email me, and we’ll be sure to send that info your way. We love you all and hope all goes well in your lives.

Announcing...

There is not much valid excuse for waiting almost four months since our last post...  Sorry, Grandma! We are always busy. :) But we are all happy, healthy, and getting ready for a large series of changes heading our way. 

The biggest of those changes is... *drumroll*... We are expecting Baby Wyman #2 in January! I thought something was up when I couldn’t keep my eyes open most of the time and Westley’s naps suddenly seemed way too short for my liking. Sure enough, our little baby is growing fast and healthy. We had our first ultrasound last weeks and the little person was moving around and being adorable already. We are so excited and happy.

Unfortunately, this round isn’t half as easy as last time. As I write this, I’m sipping some Peppermint Herbal tea, hoping that it will help even the littlest bit. I am sick morning, noon, and night - pretty much all the time. The very thought of food makes me gag, a lot, and every time I try to cook something on or over the stove, it sends me to the bathroom.

Westley has been trying to figure this out… last night I attempted to make chili on the stove and couldn’t hold down my food. While I was heaving in the bathroom, he followed me in with a concerned look. He studied me for a second and then started to laugh hysterically, full belly laughs and giggles. He thought I was doing a funny trick just for him. I am grateful for my little toddler, even though he wears me out, because he is a spot of comfort and joy through the horrible days. 

Our favorite things to do right now are to go to the park and slide on the slides, read books especially the Curious George one from Grandpa Joel and Grandma Lisa, and watch Dumbo curled up on the couch. He is talking much more fluently and has started to say phrases. He tells us what he wants most of the time and is very good at getting his point across. A typical two-year-old, he has his bad moments and his “I’m trying to see how far you’ll let me go” times, but overall, he is a very good boy. I am remembering the toddler behaviors from when my brothers were growing up and that has helped me to be more patient with him, but to also know what he is capable of understanding and doing.

Westley is an avid flower lover like Mommy. Every time he sees blooms, he has to stop and smell them all!

 He usually exceeds our expectations though, is smart as a whip, and likes to learn new things. The other day, he was playing on a blanket that had words and letters on it, and he pointed out the letter “z”, and very proudly and loudly said, “Z, Z, Z!”.  I never showed him that, Mr. Smartypants. He plays a little letter sounds game on Chris’s IPad about once a week and I guess he picked it up there. I am always shaking my head in amazement with him.

We celebrated his second birthday on May 4th, with dear friends. He loved the Curious George cake I made for him and had a blast with all his presents. Thanks everyone! He's a spoiled but sweet little guy. 

As far as our other big changes ahead, we are preparing for Chris to finish his last semester here at BYU-Idaho. He will graduate July 23^rd, and we will be moving probably the 28^th or 29^th. It’s very bittersweet for us to think about moving on. We have been in Rexburg together for almost 5 years, so it has been “our home” for a while. It will be sad to leave at the end of July and not be coming back this time. We have made so many valuable and strong friendships here and had so many molding experiences. But life rolls on and new adventures await!

We will be taking a year off to prepare for grad school, have the baby, and save up. We are going back to my hometown, as the jobs and economy are more promising. It will be great to have my family there to help while we have the new little one, and to have us all together for perhaps the last time. Cory, my oldest brother is returning from his two-year mission for our church next week, and I really look forward to spending time with him, and with Joshua before he heads out on his mission shortly after.

It’s a miracle how things keep working out for us. A dear family who I’ve known forever is going to let us help house-sit for the year that we will be in Ankeny. That will give us just the right amount of time to get things under our feet and send us off to grad school, wherever that ends up being. I really and truly believe that Heavenly Father loves us and is aware of our needs, and that He continually paves a way for us to keep our little family provided for. It is a very vivid testimony to me that families are important and when we work our very best to love, support, and protect ours, He blesses us with the things we need.

Other recent highlights in our family was a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for Memorial Day weekend. We had planned the trip as a kind of anniversary present to celebrate when we got engaged and when Chris was baptized into the Church (both events on April 20^th, but obviously different years J ), but there was a series of bad landslides up in Jackson then and predicted snowstorms through the Teton Pass, so we had to postpone it. And we are sure glad we did! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, just right, and we had the best time we have had in a year. It was very touristy and reminded me a lot of Park City, but more family-friendly. 

We stayed just Friday night at the Miller Park Lodge Motel, right in the heart of downtown Jackson. We didn’t expect much for the price, but were extremely and pleasantly surprised. We got a large King bed suite with a Jacuzzi tub and a small kitchenette for an amazing price. They were very kind and courteous to us and we loved the location. It was right across from a clean city park where we took Westley to play that afternoon. The touristy shopping and art gallery district was only a block away.

We went to a fantastic café that I had read raving reviews about online. They had the most comprehensive Gluten Free menu I’ve ever seen, it was really hard for us to stay within budget and not get overexcited. It was called the Lotus Café and we had ourselves a feast that I still dream about. Best of all was the GF Roasted Garlic Naan bread they served as an appetizer. Yummmmy!

We walked around the galleries and shops in the evening and took a drive through the newer parts of town. Westley loved all the new sights, sounds, and experiences, but had a rough time winding down (hence the car ride), but conked out at 10pm in his car seat.  It was really fun to get away, just explore, and have time for each other.

The next day we hadn’t planned to do much, but it ended up being much more exhilarating than even I planned.  We woke up and walked to the town square where they had a fun Memorial Day parade. I tell you, Idaho and Wyoming know how to put on fun parades! There were cowboys, Indians, and Old West gunslingers, horses, veterans, clowns… you name it. The nice thing is that it wasn’t too crowded that you felt stifled too.

Westley’s favorite part was the candy that he was given. No one in the parade could resist his cute face and he figured out how it worked real fast! If anyone passed nearby, he would smile, put on his best “Precious Moments” begging eyes, and hold out his hands. Chris and I got a kick of out him pulling out all the stops. He liked the horses too and kept saying, “Horse!” over and over.

We packed up and thought we would start to head home after eating at a GF sandwich shop for lunch, but I remembered that the Teton Village, a little further up into the mountain, was a must-see tourist spot. So Chris indulged me. We expected just to drive up and drive by and see the ski resorts before heading home, but when we got there the weather was so nice we decided to walk around. We stopped in at Guest Services to ask what they suggested for us to see, and what a surprise they gave us! 

There is a beautiful aerial tram system that trails up the Rendevous Mountain, which has peaks at almost 11,000 feet above sea level. I knew of it, and wanted to go on the tram, but knew well in advance that is was way out of our budget at $35 a person. So, I didn't even think about it. However, the ladies at the Guest Services said that if we had come all the way from Rexburg, we HAD to go on the tram. They told me they wanted to treat us to $5 tickets so we wouldn't miss the experience. I was genuinely astonished and grateful that they would do that for us. So, Chris and I jumped at the chance, because how often will we get to have that kind of experience again?!

I was a little worried because I was starting to feel the first twinges of morning sickness that weekend, and wasn't sure how Westley would handle the ride up the mountain, but kept my little anxieties in check because I knew it was a once in a lifetime experience. I had been on an aerial tram once as a girl when my family went to Palm Springs, CA, so I knew it would be something that Chris would enjoy. 

We boarded the tram and I held on tight, expecting the tram to sway and make me nauseous, but the ride was a lot smoother than the one I'd experienced in California. Westley absolutely LOVED it! My little adventurous kiddo. :) He didn't seem phased at all that we were climbing up a mountain in a strange cable car. He just held on to his daddy and said, "Whee!" 

The view was everything expected and promised. Naturally being up that high it was a little cold and quiet windy, but the scenery around us was breathtaking. We could see the Grand Tetons and several of the Western mountain ranges rising high above valleys of lush green and winding rivers. Pictures will never do it justice, of course. I couldn't believe we were there and doing it! We were up near some of the most challenging ski runs in the US, where many Olympians train the hardest peaks, and got the chance to visit with a young skier on the tram ride down. It was invigorating, I was so glad we got to go up. 

So that's our latest report of our adventures. We really haven't done much else except for work, school, church, and being sick. :) We love you all and are looking forward to hearing your news and adventures too this summer. 

Love, 

The Wymans

Keeping Busy

Hello everyone! Sorry that is has been a while. We have been very busy recently with all sorts of things. I am three weeks into my second to last semester and working hard. I am taking Classes in Medical Microbiology, Evolution, Biochemistry Lab, and Human Physiology. Currently I have been learning the mechanisms to Immune response and sympathetic & parasympathetic division of the central nervous system. 

Lindsey has been very busy working to help Zella with everyday things and it seems to get harder and harder. I hope to be better at helping her with the responsibility but with work and school I am gone all day. Lindsey is great about everything though. I couldn't have been more blessed than I am to have her in my life. She decided that she is going to learn Danish for fun and to help her get a better understanding of her family history. 

Westley is as rowdy as ever. He has a little Elmo potty/stool and loves it. He uses it as a stool to get up to high places where he doesn't belong. He carries it around to the locations that he wants to reach. He also has learned how to open the oven, microwave, and fridge and make all sorts of messes. Its hard for us to keep up. His favorite TV show is Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and he knows how to say "Daniel". He loves blueberries, popsicles, chicken, and popcorn, but hasn't learned that the bowl is there to prevent a mess. He just dumps it out and then eats. He is cute in all his adventures and we love him very much. All is well here in Rexburg, ID and we love all of you. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Play'n in the snow

Zzzz...

Look'n cute in dad's winter hat

Christmas morning stocking

Westley enjoying a bubble bath