The Chapman's Chatter

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Saga Continues

Well, I have officially hit the 20 week mark and everything is still going beautifully. I've been blessed with some kicks and minor movements and every once in a while, I can look down, and see that the baby has completely shifted to one side, leaving the other side of my belly unoccupied. So cute!

We are T-9 days until our ultrasound which SHOULD tell us if baby Chapman is a boy or a girl. We aren't picky in the slightest, but I just want to know!!! Let's all hope and pray that baby Chapman decides not to be shy that day. In a moment of weakness yesterday, I day dreamed about storming into my OB's office and complaining of something gone horribly wrong so they'd take me in for an early ultrasound.......but patience is a virtue, right?

According to my updates, baby Chapman is measuring up to a banana this week. Which puts the baby at 7 inches (crown to rump) and a whopping 11 oz!!! Woo hoo!!! I looked over at Ryan the other day and told him that I was past the half way mark. To this he responded, "wow, we should probably start getting ready, huh?" We look forward to crib shopping sometime in the next month. My biggest complaint lately has been that I crave something desperately each evening, but I can never seem to put my finger on what it is. Even after a grocery store run, I pace and dig through everything we have and never find anything that seems remotely satisfying. Oh well. It could be WAY worse.

I had a wonderful thought the other day. I was chatting away or belting showtunes to the baby, as I often do, and I thought to myself, "We were made for each other."

Before I finish, I want to proposition anyone living in Utah, or Arizona near a Rumbi Island Grill. I am willing to do pretty much anything, short of giving up my firstborn, if someone will find a way to get me a rice bowl!!!!! Let me know if you can so I can tell you my specific order......

All else is well!!!
Love,
Brooke, Ryan, and Baby

Thursday, January 26, 2012

All Smiles

Hello All!!!
I am happy to report that at 19 weeks 3 days, things are looking great. I have reached the half-way point in this pregnancy, which is surreal. Baby Chapman is measuring in at the size of a large mango/small cantaloupe and I am finally sporting a bump that looks more like I'm carrying a baby and less like I ate too much for lunch!!! I am still feeling great and the excitement is really starting to build. Last night, I felt actual kicks for the first time!! I had been feeling little movements, like if the baby was changing positions, but now I can feel actual kicks!!! We are anxiously awaiting February 9th when we have another ultrasound which will hopefully tell us if I spend all day talking to a baby boy or a baby girl. (We aren't picky). I wandered through the baby section at Target today and had the time of my life doing so! Everything is just so cute!!! Ryan and I are getting plenty of practice as we baby sit almost every week. I'm just so darn excited!!!

Here is a picture from one week ago.

We love you all and hope all is well!!!

Love,
Brooke, Ryan, and Baby

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

New Business Ideas

Ok, So I think I have a new business idea. Well, 2.

One is for me. I LOVE stamping, stuffing and addressing cards, invitations, etc. I LOVE it!!! Please let me help you!!! All I need is the list of names and addresses, the envelopes, the stamps, stickers, and cards!!!

The second is for anyone truly out of work. One could make a KILLING making late night runs to restaurants, and grocery stores, then deliver to the craved foods to the pregnant women in the area. Every woman would bow to you, and any husband would pay.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Talents

One of the HUGE blessings I receive through serving with the young women at church is to see them use their remarkable talents! I am not afraid to admit that I enjoy allowing my girls to use their talents to bless my life. One of my girls is teaching me to play the piano as one of her service projects. Another just finished crocheting my unborn child a beautiful, and quite warm I might add, blanket. And I asked another to take our Christmas pictures. I love these girls with all my heart and I love that they are far more talented than I ever was. I figure it's a win-win: I am blessed by their talents, and they are blessed for serving me. Everybody wins, right? Here are some Christmas pictures!!!!!

(My instructions to her were something along the lines of, "Ok, you know what Cheesy family pictures look like? THAT'S what I'm going for!!! Think, CHEESE. and not like 'Smile and say, Cheese!' I'm saying, 'Think, Cheese' " She truly gets me.) And I'd also like to thank Ryan for being a wonderful sport.

I LOVE PICTURES!!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Introducing: Baby Chapman

That's right, Folks, there is a baby in my belly!!! Ryan and I are thrilled to announce that I am pregnant and that Baby Chapman should be gracing us sometime around June 18th!!! I am currently 9 weeks along, and I simply can't hold it in any longer!!! Baby Chapman had his/her first debut on camera today and here are some pictures and a video. The video is way more fun because you get to see some waves!!! I am feeling pretty well. I only feel nauseous sometimes and as long as I keep myself fed every 2 hours, I feel pretty good. I have to nap more often, which I don't mind at all! This will be grandbaby # 1 for my parents, so needless to say, I have become the favorite child for the time being. (Having said that, I am sure that once the baby comes, I'll be dropped like a hot rock.) But I'm loving every minute and enjoy having someone to talk to at all times!!! Of course we will be finding out whether Baby Chapman is a boy or a girl when the time comes. I cant wait for that becuase I will finally be able to say he or she and not "it" or "the baby". I will keep you all posted and hopefully once I've showered, I'll take a 9 week baby belly picture, (which is non-existant, but it'll give a good starting point!)

And the Video!!! The voices in the background are my mother and me.....she didn't know the video recorded sound, so ha!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Back to School: A New Motivation

So I had a very depressing yet motivating experience today. I am going to start working with 3 wonderfully perfect souls 3 days a week as a respite worker. Although I've already got the job, I still have to go through the whole hiring process. I was very happy to hear that both my Direct Service Professional (DSP) and CPR certifications will allow me to bypass almost all training. So I turned in my resume filled out an application and felt VERY confident that my extensive experience, fantastic references (which include my boys Jay and Jeff who can account first hand of my abilities), and many qualifications should set me up for the highest starting pay. Of course, I am not in this job for the money and would take the job for nothing. It's very part time and I LOVE the kids I'll be working with and that is why I sought out the job opportunity. But anyway, I met with a neat guy today who would be my supervisor. He, of course, was just relaying the information from the HR department. After we'd discussed what my responsibilities would be and after I was informed that I would have to join the union (not my first choice, but, no biggie), I was informed that although I was very much qualified, I could only make so much because I don't have a degree. (I only have 3 years of college under my belt). I smiled and nodded while I thought to myself, "Oh, so my time and effort is only worth so much because I don't have a piece of paper that would make me more worth it? How about the millions of hours and scars from the bite marks!" Of course, this mind-rant was quite dramatic, but I smiled and nodded and drove home.

When I got home, I did some research, and called good ole' BYU to get some questions answered. I am 30 credits away from a Bachelor of General Studies Major with an emphasis on Family History....All of which can conveniently be completed online......So, Ladies and Gents, I am officially a BYU student......AGAIN!

I have to finish 6 credits before I start the emphasis program. Although I am super scared, and nervous because academics have always been not only not one of my strenghts, but its safe to say it has always been a weakness. But I will have to trust in the Lord who promises, through faith, to "make weak thinks become strong unto them." -Ether 12:27. I know education is a wonderful blessing, it's just never gone very well for me. I LOVE attending classes and I LOVE to learn, but spending all day in class to come home and slave over a paper on a topic I could care less about has never sat well with me.

I beg of you all to remind me of my motivation when I cry at the thought of an assignment. Another motivation......My father told me and my sisters that when we graduated college, he would buy us a car of our choice.......It really doesn't get any better than that!

So first step: complete History 202, and Family Finance. Hopefully in the next 2-3 months if not sooner.
Then its on to 24 credits worth of courses relevant to my interests (genealogy)

It's funny how one sentence can unleash such sudden motivation. It just really bothered me that not having a degree would make a difference. Whats even more bothersome is that if I had a degree in Political Science or International Relations,or even Mathematics, or Theatre, none of which have ANYTHING to do with my chosen career, would make me more "Qualified". Oh well, thus is life.

In conclusion, I am THRILLED to be working again, especially with such a wonderful family and their perfect children. And I really hope I will be able to stay motivated and do what needs to be done so I can reap the blessings and satisfaction of knowing I did it!!!
For your enjoyment, I've included a picture of me on my first day of Pre-school......It really explains a lot doesn't it? :)