A thing called PUPPPS...

So Saturday May 26th I had developed this awful itchy rash that was becoming unbearable! It was on my large pregnant belly, thighs, hips, feet, ankles, and on my arms. It had started about a week ago, just on my belly. My doctor said it's just because of the stretch marks that your itching so bad. Try not to use your nails when scratching, just rub it and it'll all be over in a couple weeks. So I was sent on my way. At work the following days I noticed small ant looking bites showing up on my feet and ankles, and they ITCHED like CRAZY!!! I started freaking out thinking I had bed bugs in my house, and was stressing about bringing a new baby  into a home with bugs that are biting us in our sleep. But the funny thing was that the bites weren't showing up on Benson. I went crazy cleaning and disinfecting, bleaching everything in the house...even the mattress!!!
Slowly the ant looking bites started turning into huge red welts that continued to itch. It started creeping up my legs, to my thighs and then finally to my hands and arms. I was very concerned but it was memorial day weekend and I let my pride get the best of me and didn't want to disturb my doctor. So I just told Benson that I really needed to go to the insta-care. When I went it the doctor knew right away after me answering a few questions of his. I had a condition called PUPPPS or the scientific and medical name is Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.
This rash only happens in 1% of pregnant women!!! I know right!!! What are the chances of me getting it????!!! Well my chances were 1/200 of pregnancies. Also 75% of cases the woman was pregnant with a boy. They don't know much about it because it usually happens late in pregnancy and it won't really hurt mom or baby so not much research has been done. But in a nut shell of what the condition is, is I am allergic to pregnancy and get a rash. The only cure for the rash...is to give birth to the baby, or steroid medication.
So the insta-care doctor sent me home with a cream to help soothe the itch. Slowly my feet turned purple, and swelled to the point that they looked as if I had elephantitis. It was so awful and hurt. It was so hard to sleep and not scratch off my skin. I took oatmeal baths, put baking soda on them, used my prescription cream. NOTHING helped the itch. Benson kept saying I look contagious or like a leper. I felt so ugly and just didn't want to do a darn thing. I hid in my house for 2 whole days, I did not step a foot outside. On Monday (Memorial Day) I emerged from my cave to have family dinner. My family was in shock and wanted to take me to the hospital after seeing my body. But I reassured them I felt fine, I just look awful. Finally my next doctors appointment rolled around (On my due date May 29th) and I couldn't wait until I was able to go in. The insta-care had informed my doctor of my diagnosis. I was there in the exam room, hoping and praying that he was going to help me out. My doctor came in and said he had heard of the diagnosis, and wished the insta-care would have reported the severity of it. He said my case was really bad. Then he had some news that was music to my ears!!! Meet me tomorrow morning at Orem Community Hospital and we'll get this baby out :)!!! Ahhh that was such a relief... I truly was so miserable, induction sounded so amazing!!! So he prescribed a steroid anti-histamine so we could start fighting the rash, and then we'll have the baby the next day so it can start going away.

These pictures aren't the worst of it, nor give it justice!!!

Last week of pregnancy...or so I think.

I am dying to meet my little guy. It is weird to think that I will be a mommy in about a weeks time. I've had 2 weekly appointments and my doctor check me and said " You may not see this baby until June!!!" My hopes were a little dampered to hear that I was dialated to a nothing and I was effaced to a nothing....sad face. To make me feel better the doctor did tell me that 4 out of 5 first time mothers go over their due date. I really wanted to make him a May baby...but we'll just have to wait and see. We finally have the nursery all finished!!! I love it :) We'll slowly obtain a dresser, rocking chair, and futon later to put in the room. Now I'm just sitting and waiting for any sign of labor. I have continued to work pretty much until my due date. I though I'd give myself at least 4 days to have to myself before my due date. My next doctors appointment is on my due date...so we'll see what doc says!!!

New niece...23 more days...

In the middle of April we were blessed with the birth of our sweet little Langi Reid. She is beautiful and I think she looks just like mommy!!! Lots of dark hair and she is just beautiful...welcome sweet girl you have been born into an amazing family!!!

Here are our sweet Purcell girls!!!
Langi (up top), Adelyn, Brooklyn, Avery.
I love these girls SO much!

Well Bense and I are next in line!!! Our little Kymani will hopefully be joining us very quickly. I am currently 37 weeks today. Finally we'll be able to fit the first little boy in that picture above!!! Kymani is very squirmy in his little space, and he keeps on growing. Doctor keeps saying " This is going to be a big baby." with every appointment we have. I am currently still working full time...and a ton of over time. I feel I may just induce myself with how much I've been working. People at work are really surprised that I am still coming to work, and it puzzles me because as long as I feel I can do it, I'm still going to. I don't plan on leaving work until May 25th, that is 4 days before my due date (unless he comes earlier). I am getting nervous excited about giving birth. There is just so much that is unexpected when giving birth. I am nervous that I'm going to be out in public or at work if/when my water breaks? Will I have the car and have to pick up Benson from work first before heading to the hospital? Will I be induced? Will I be able to handle with out an epidural? Will it be too late for an epidural when I really want one? Will labor take it's time and slowly progress or will I have him quickly like the rest of the family? ( Grandma, Mom, and Sister all are known to having their babies withing 45 minutes of their first contractions!!!) Not knowing or having control over the unknown gives me lots of anxiety.

Babies room is almost put together!!! It has taken a long time...but it's almost there. We just need to pick up the crib, buy a mattress, and store Benson's knick knacks. Benson has been working diligently on the art work that will be going into the room and it is finally finished!!! It's amazing and I wish I had that kind of talent, and here it is.

Purple marks, Lymph, A Wrench In Our Plans and Conference Weekend

Pregnancy Moment...Fat Feet. I was so happy to have been able to keep my ankles and normal feet. Then the warm weather came...and I was treated to fat feet. The lymph circulation had slowed in my ankles and feet making them very puffy. I could push my finger on my puffy skin and the skin would not spring right back. It would leave an indent in my swelling for a good few minutes. I had a good time making designs in my ankles. But I know this isn't healthy at all, having the lymph coagulate like that is a bad thing. So I have to rub my feet and ankles out to get all the toxins and lymph moving. Benson just stares at my feet and says...dang. Here is a picture from a long day after work...my toes are so swollen they squish each other...hahaha oh dear.

Pregnancy Moment...Purple marks. Lets just say I was so prideful and kept saying I refuse to let these buggers show up on my body....Stretch Marks. I was a definite advid lotion putter oner. I would slather my belly, legs, and back with creams and oils. Checking in the mirror every night to see if there were any changes or hints of them showing up. I am 32 weeks and I was pretty confident I wouldn't get them if I hadn't seen any by now. Well I was wrong...once again. My first pretty (NOT) silver purple lightning streaks showed up. They are super little...but still my pride was dampered. I wanted to be able to say I walked away from my first pregnancy with out them. But while on Pintrest I found a fun little quote that made me feel better. Hahahahhaha I love it :)

Well I must say everything has been going perfect. Benson and I have been balancing our money, paying bills, paying tithing, being able to put away money into savings and to be honest I was so confident and comfortable in our budgeting. I was so happy being more dependant than a lot of newly wed couples that have a baby on the way. I felt so good about our future. We definitly don't make a lot but we make enough to not qualify for state assistance so we have to be careful on what we spend money on but we were comfortable. Then the wrench came....taxes. It has ruined everything messed up our savings and has me stressing so much. I now feel overwhelmed and have no idea what we are going to do. I personally hate relying on others for finacial situations. I don't want to be the money mooch. I don't want others to look at me like I'm being lazy and not making an effort to be independent from the assistance of others. But we are definitly in a rut. With Benson going back to school full-time, having our little man coming in May, and now this set back....I feel so overwhelmed.
In reality I know that this whole thing is just a trial that has been sent to us, and that there is a lesson to be learned from it. I know Heavenly Father knows us and he won't give us anything we can't handle. He wanted to push us out of our comfort zone and wanted us to recognize that this will test our faith. I have been praying to let Heavenly Father know my thoughts and feelings and I really need guidance right now. My answer came when Bense and I had an amazing conversation with Benson's parents. I just love them so much. They have the greatest advice and are just some the most amazing individuals I've ever known. I'm so grateful for my relationship that I have with them (because I know many people who don't care for their in-laws). I am now feeling a lot better about our situation after listening to their insite. I know that we have full support from both sides of our family and in the end it is going to be fine and work out. I know personally that we just need to involve the Lord more in our lives. He is always waiting to hear from us and he wants to help us. But we need to have humility and come to him in prayer.
I think this trial has also prepared me for General Conference this weekend. A couple weeks ago Bense and I had been invited by our married friends to come over and have Family Home Evening. It was one of the best lessons that I've had. It was about preparing yourself for conference. I had made a goal for myself that this year I need to sit down and really take in and appreciate conference. But I thought to myself...I don't really feel like I'm looking for anything specific to be answered or for and particular advice. Well...a couple weeks later I am realizing how wrong I was. I do have many things that I am searching for in Conference this week. I have my notebook, snacks and my comfortable home to sit by myself (Bense is working :( ) and really take in conference. So I am patiently waiting for 10:00am to start...I am ready for a spiritually uplifting weekend!!!

Accepted... baby news...and a new addition!!!!

We found out last week that through Benson hurrying and pulling things together (THE NIGHT BEFORE it was due) for his BYU application that he was ACCEPTED!!! So in the fall he will start attending BYU. I am so excited and so very proud of him. He wants to move on to bigger and better things for himself and our family. These dead end $9-$10 an hour jobs just aren't going to support a growing family and he really wants us as a family to be comfortable. I couldn't be more happy for him and his mature decision. He's also may want to try and walk on for football, or play club rugby. That decision is still in the making. What ever he decides to do I support him 100% because I know that many blessing will come from his hard work and dedication.

As for us we went for babies 28 week appointment. His heartbeat was a strong and steady 150 bpm. The doc also said that he is pretty big for 28 weeks and he'll be well over 8 or 9 lbs when he arrives!!! Oh dear...and to think he's only half Samoan. With the doctor saying that it only made Bense very very happy. He keeps telling me to eat because our baby is going to be "skinny" I tell him " By me eating  a lot only effects my hips and butt!!! not babies weight!!!" Oh well I'll let him think what he likes :) Also with being an -A ("A" negative) blood type I have to have blood test done. I guess I have a rare blood type that if it comes in contact with a positive blood type I create an antibody against positive blood types meaning my body can attack babies blood "if" I happen to have created the antibody...confusing I know. So blood test was done today and I'm hoping I haven't created this antibody and I will be given a shot so I won't create that antibody against baby. AHHHHH just more stress to our first pregnancy...and this will have to be done with every pregnancy I have...


Earlier this week we welcomed a beautiful new addition into Benson's family!!! Lola and Nathan had a sweet little girl. She is so perfect and beautiful and she makes Benson get all giddy and excited for Kymani to be here. So congratulations to Lola and Nathan on such a beautiful little girl. We love her sweet spirit so much already.

Can you tell how excited he is :)

Had to steal this from her mama's fb page. I love this picture very much.

26 weeks and counting...

6 and 1/2 months...14 weeks to go...oh my goodness. I keep thinking to myself every weekend "Man I better hurry and get some maternity pants..." But before I know it this pregnancy is going to be over!!! I'm feeling great and am continuing to exercise...and continuing to put on the weight...oh well I'll just have to work extra hard afterwards!!! We've FINALLY made progress in the baby's room! We've moved out and given back the queen bed that was in there. So next comes the paint and organization of Benson's things. We only have 13 weeks left!!! Baby continues to grow and make my belly very heavy...big 1/2 Samoan boy growing in there...whew he's wearing me out already.  I love him very much and we are anxiously awaiting! My nephew Jaxon is so sweet, he loves to say hi to baby, kiss my belly and tell me my tummy is as hard as a rock. He seems excited for the new addition. His twin Abbie is a little wary. I don't know if she likes the idea of her auntie having a baby, but she's slowly warming up to it. I think because her mama is having a baby as well in August!!! Babies all around!! Here is the updated belly picture 26 weeks. Also a picture of the twins kissing my belly :)

Benson's update, along with waiting for baby we are also waiting for the acceptance letter from BYU. Bense has decided to go back to school and we are so happy. There was a stressful weekend at the beginning of the month where Bense was running around trying to get everything together to get his application in on time. He was able to get it all in and now it's just the waiting game. Benson continues to work full-time, but now has Sunday's off. I am so excited to start attending our new ward. We've been warmly accepted and I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and the gospel in our lives.


VALENTINES DAY!!!
We kept it really simple this year. I had to work later than I expected and was in a grumpy mood because of it, then I had to drive home in Valentines day traffic. I just wanted to be home with my loves. I completely procrastinated Valentines day and it ended up being real simple and we celebrated at home. I was craving L&L's katsu chicken, Bense grabbed a kalua pork plate. We went home watched a redbox and chilled in our jammies. Bense gave me a gift basket of bubble bath supplies and to have a home bath night. It was so sweet and I'm very excited to use the basket he he he :) Bense rubbed my feet and legs and it was so nice!!! He made a grumpy girl into a happy girl. The weekend before Valentines we went had bought Bense some new sharp looking church clothes. He is so handsome, I love him in a shirt and tie. So that was his Valentines gift that we decided on.

All in all things are going amazingly well. I can't wait to be able to take some time off working to learn and grow to be a mommy. Then I'll start looking for work again to help with finances again. How we'll do it in the mean time? No idea but I trust that the lord will guide us along.

The Nesting Is Setting In...

I feel so anxious...ALL THE TIME. I hate when things are mismatchy, all messes throw me for a loop and all of Benson and I's things... well lets just say we are already outgrowing our apartment. We don't have a ton of storage space and it is starting to drive me crazy. We were using our spare bedroom to store everything that couldn't be put into the front closet, hall closet, our bedroom closet (which my things has TOTALLY consumed), and our spare bedroom closet (Benson's clothes are now housed here). I am getting so anxious to start on baby's room, but we have NO where to put our things. We truly don't have a lot of junk either so it's not things we need to get rid of. So I've decided now that I have weekends off, I'm going to start consuming myself in home projects to get things decorated, organized, and kept tidy just the way I want so I can cut out some of this anxiety.I just feel like I constantly need to be consumed in a project so I've made a list of things I'd like to get done before baby comes :) Lets just say my nesting instincts are setting in and I need to do something about it. Hopefully Pintrest can help me out with cute, cheap, DIY things to help me out. Here is my own personal list of things that NEED be done...here we go and wish me luck!

1. Clean out spare bedroom and find places for Bense's things.
2. Pick out and Paint Baby's room.
3. Find chic organizing tubs, containers, or baskets that go with the theme of our rooms.
4. Refinish our bedroom dresser to match our bed.
5. Get bedding stuff for our bed (it looks so plain) pillows, new sheets.
6. Paint our bedroom to add some flavor to our little space.
7. Make a weekly "duty" list for Bense and I.
8. Start designing and decorating baby's room.
9. Go through my things and see what I can donate or get rid of.
10. Reorganize all closets and spaces.
11. Get more creative (if you see a fun project start it and finish it).
12. Create a work out list to keep mommy and baby healthy :)

I'd die if my house really looked like this...but this is what I feel like right now! Too much stuff not enough room!