30 weeks (plus a few more pictures)

Obviously I got a little behind again with the pictures. It doesn't help that we aren't very consistent with taking pictures of the baby bump every week. We even set an alarm/reminder each week to make sure we get the picture done, but it certainly doesn't seem to help. I guess we just get a little too busy, or perhaps a little too stressed out to get it done. Oh well. At least we have some pictures to show the progression. Even if it isn't every week, I get the gist. And you get the gist.

Pregnancy updates:
-I'm now in the third trimester. And my energy is sapped once again. Boo. There was a tangible change between weeks 28 and 29 for me. All I want to do is sleep or just lay around. I've also been sick with a cold for 2 weeks...probably contributing to the whole lack of energy thing.
-My back hurts. All the time. But it's not my tailbone anymore. Now it's the entire left side of my back. I can't sit in one position for maybe more than 10 minutes before I need to change it completely. I'm looking forward to hopefully not having as much back pain once this little peanut is here.
-I'm not sleeping well. Probably has something to do with not being able to get comfortable. Maybe it's my body's way of preparing me for less sleep once my little girl is here.
-I'm loving feeling my little girl move around inside me all the time. She sure is active! It is so crazy to watch my belly ripple when she really gets moving. Sometimes we play tag, when she's not being stubborn. It's a fun part of my day when she'll play along.
-Starting to get nervous about labor/delivery. Yes, I've read books about it. And yes, I know the professional nursing behind it, but I'm still nervous. Mark and I will go to one of those childbirth classes the beginning of March. Maybe it'll help.
-Getting excited to have a baby shower soon and actually start collecting the necessities for Baby LeBaron. I've been trying to research cribs, strollers, car seats, etc...but I've been finding myself getting overwhelmed quickly.

Needing:
-To find a pediatrician. I've been procrastinating a lot of things this pregnancy, but I want to be sure I at least get a handle on this one.
-Pick out a name for this little one! 

Baby:
-At 30 weeks she is about 17 inches long and approximately 3 pounds. Crazy! Her brain is also starting to look more like a normal brain with all of the characteristic grooves and starting to function more.

And now for some pictures. I'm clearly becoming less photogenic as the baby and I continue to grow. The best two photos are at the very end. :)

25 weeks

27 weeks

28 weeks

29 weeks

30 weeks

I love her cute face! Mark says she has my nose. I'm not sure. We'll just have to see when she's actually here.

PT

Exciting news my friends! I have officially gone to part-time at work. Well, that happened officially the second week of January, but it happened! And let me tell you, it is a relief. Now I can devote more time to getting ready for our little angel to arrive and being a better wifey. So now I work two shifts a week, rather than three. You may think that it would not make that much of a difference. But I will be the first one to tell you that it sure does. I get one more night to be with my husband. And that is everything. Especially when he is stressed out. Finances will be tighter, but life will be happier. Isn't that what it's all about anyways? Finding joy in life even when things are hard.

Meetinghouse Technology

A new year, a new internship. In fairness, I actually started my new internship on December 17th 2012, but most of the internship will take place in 2013.

From August-December 2012 I was an intern with the Wayne Brown Institute, a non-profit capital-acceleration program. I helped with their monthly events by scheduling the venue, organizing the refreshments, confirming speakers and panelists and writing press releases for a few of the events. I did enjoy the people I worked with and had a pretty good time there. In November, I sent more applications out to secure an internship for the Spring semester of 2013. I heard back from a few, but nothing solid came of it.

In early December, the WBI offered me a part-time position through April of 2013. I said I was interested and that I'd have to think about it. Two days later, the LDS Church called me and wondered if I was still interested in an internship I had applied for. I honestly forgot about it because it had been so long, but I expressed interest and had a phone interview. The next day they offered me a full-time paid internship. I accepted it after consulting with the real boss (Airin). Three days after my internship ended with the WBI, I started with the Church.

I am assigned to the Meetinghouse Technology Team. Some of my responsibilities include creating surveys for Stake Technology Specialists (STS') and Facility Managers (FMs), managing feedback and writing and creating newsletters.

Recently, the Church has rolled out a new Youth Curriculum. This Curriculum has many types of media that is available for playback in lessons. This gives us an opportunity to help STS' and FMs with their technology needs, whether it be meetinghouse Internet, mobile devices, projectors or TV's.

Additionally, we recently introduced a new program for STS' and FMs called Technology Manager, that helps them see their meetinghouse Internet and firewalls, amongst other things.

As you can tell, our "customer" is usually STS' and FMs.

The good?

• I work for the Church! I love the environment there. Everyone's purpose is to further the work I have a testimony of. I know some people who couldn't (wouldn't?) work for the Church, but I love it.
• I'm learning a lot. Wireless networks, firewalls, Excel, etc. It is all fascinating.
• I work with a high school friend I haven't seen since we graduated (2005). For those who know Richard Brown, we work together. He is a great guy and I've learned many things from him.
• It's paid!
• It's great for my résumé.
• This allows Airin to only have to work twice a week

The challenging? 

• Plenty to learn. Everyday is a 8-hour long class.
• Nine credit hours at the University of Utah + 40 hours a week at the internship is grueling some days. 

But I really can't complain. I'm blessed beyond belief. I'm four months away from graduating and I couldn't be more excited. This year is going to be amazing. 

A picture a day in 2013

A couple years ago I heard of someone taking a photo every day for an entire year. I thought is was a pretty cool concept. I thought it would be cool to do the same this year. My purpose is to be more of a journal experience, rather than trying to make it an "Instagram" stream of photos so many of my other friends do. By chronicling things I experience or see everyday, I hope to look back on the year once it's over and see something from every day of 2013. I'm not a very good journal writer, so this should be help.

Taking a photo every day has changed the way I think about my day. I try to appreciate every day and capture some aspect of it. I want to be grateful for how things go. So far it has been fun.

The photos are on Facebook, here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.655413301361.2075503.203001058&type=3. I hope to make it every day. We'll see by the end of the year.