Half way through Pregnancy!!

Jordan and I are so thrilled to have the opportunity to be parents.  These last few weeks have been especially amazing!  First off, we found out our baby has three knees... a right knee, a left knee, and a weenie!!!!  (This is a terrible picture, but you get the point!)  Thats right, Baby Swarbrick is a BOY!!  I was completely freaking out during the ultra sound, because I thought I was for sure having a girl.  When the ultrasound tech started to write Boy I just laughed / cried / screamed with joy.  

Baby Swarbrick finally started to show at around 19 weeks.  (And thank heavens!!  I was sick of telling people I was pregnant and not just getting fat!)  This photo was taken last week, after I called Jordan while he was busy at school (as usual) and said "Alright, I am pretty sure I just felt a kick, then a punch!"  Jords was laugh because I felt the difference between that first karate kick, then the little jab that came right after. 









And just a week later (Now 20 weeks prego!), this boys dad got to feel him KICK!  I had just eating a delicious cafe rio pork salad and was passed out in our bed.  Jordan put his hand on my stomach while I was sleeping, and apparently baby had a sugar high because he was kicking like crazy!  At first it freaked Jordan out.  He quickly pulled his hand away, but then put it back on my belly to feel a few more movements from our babe.  

Yay for being half way done with this pregnancy!!  Can't wait to meet you little one!!

Yep... Pregnant!

Surprise!!!  Jords and I have a bun in the oven!  And we could not be more excited :)  We found out a few months ago, but just HAD to keep it a secret from family members till Christmas.  As of today I have 15 weeks and 4 days (but who's counting??) And yes- Jordan made me take 2 tests... just to make sure haha

First trimester = most awful weeks of my life.  Morning sickness is actually ALL DAY sickness... and literally NOTHING sounds good to eat.  There were multiple days where I could choke (literally) down a few saltine crackers and maybe a 1/2 a glass of water or gatorade.  I couldn't even open our fridge because my super sensitive nose could smell every little piece of food we had in that thing.  Jords was definitely starting to get worried at this point.  We went to one of our check ups and the doc noticed that I had lost 9 lbs.  (Really??  The one time you WANT to gain some weight for your growing babes and its the only time in our 2 and 1/2 years of marriage I could actually lose weight!?  Talk about frustrating!)  Our doc said if I lost any more weight I would need to start coming in for IV therapy.  (Luckily we haven't had to resort to that.)  Then we got to hear the most amazing sound ever! Our babies heart beat.  When she found it, I just looked at Jordan and started laughing!  He had this look of shock on his face, like he didm't really believe I was prego or something, and that this was a huge surprise to him.  But there it was, over 170 beats per minute.  It was such a comforting sound!  And I can't wait to go in and hear it again :)

Once I hit week 14 I was feeling LOADS better!  And by loads better I mean I could be around people eating without dry heaving.  I have been able to gain a few of the pounds I lost in my first trimester back and am definitely enjoying being pregnant a lot more.

(Don't mind my 1/2 crying 1/2 laughing face in this pic)

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with this (size of an orange) baby.  Being a mom is the most important thing to me, and I can't wait to hold this little one in my arms.  By June 22, 2013 I will be a MOM!!!! 

Kristan Ruby - year 3

It has been 3 years since I got the phone call.  The most terrifying call of my life.  The phone call that told me my best friend had gone back to heaven.  I remember that day exactly..  I remember falling to the ground and not being able to stand back up.  I remember crying so hard I couldn't breath, I couldn't stand, I couldn't eat or drink for days... A lot has changed since that day 3 years ago.  And today felt different than this same day the last 2 years.  Today I didn't moan and groan and stay in bed.  Today I wanted to celebrate a life that meant so much to me, and not really mourn because it was gone.  And that is exactly what I did.  I went through old pictures, read some thoughts in the book I made for her after she died, put flowers on her grave, laughed when I had to explain the reasoning behind old photos to my husband, cried while explaining others... Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.  I honestly don't think a day ever will.  And I am glad about that.  Memories use to be painful.  They reminded me of a feeling I knew I wasn't going to have anymore.  A reminder of a bond that few have felt in this world.  These same memories are now something I treasure, things I want to think about and be reminded of.  They pick me back up in my darkest times.  President Monsen once said that God gave us memories so we could have roses in the "December's" of our lives.  My memories of Kristan are roses, and if she had her choice they would be pink ones :)  I am so lucky I was able to get to know someone who was so hard to lose.  And I thank Heavenly Father everyday for the time I got to spend with her.  

Kris- you are so missed and loved.  I am so thankful for the tender mercies you, and Heavenly Father, send my way each day.  Fly high Mrs. Ruby, and always watch over me.  


Love always, Ambi

Guatemala Day 2-3

Day 2 we (the x-ray techs) worked much faster than day 1.  We were able to get over 1 and 1/2 times as many patients / x rays done in the same amount of time as Friday.  

Here I am with one of the future missionaries :)  

Going over a unique case, he actually had 2 wisdom teeth instead of 1 in his upper left side 

Smiling once I knew a pic was being taken 

Jords and Dr. Rogers again 

Dr Hale and I doing some x rays 

 This gun weighs 15 lbs.  And after 10 hours it gets really tough

Jordan and Dr. Rogers helping a special patient.  Dr. Hale (pictured above) made a flipper (retainer with tooth on it) for her because she was missing her front tooth which Dr. Rogers and Jordan did a few fillings and pulled a tooth on her. 

Another special patient.  We are only suppose to work on pre missionaries, but this little boy almost lost his 4 front teeth :(  Luckily we were able to save them with fillings and only had to pull 1 bottom tooth.

 Before the flipper

 After the flipper.  Her life was forever changed today

 Driving almost 2 hours to attend a church.  Narrow roads??  Totally.

This was the family Jordan and I were assigned to.  Twin boys, a 14 year old who was the "man of the house" and a beautiful mother.

 So excited to each get some goodies.  We passed out blanets, aprons, toys, B.O.M. school supplies, and much more to an amazing ward.  We even took each family pic and had it printed and framed while we were there. 

 Jords translating to the kids.

The family. I went to the bathroom after they said goodbye and cried my eyes out.  They were so grateful to get such small things.  

 Fireside with 1300 people.  This entire room was PACKED.  We were even given little radios with headphones to listen to the translation of all the speakers.  SO amazing!

 Banquet night.

 Delish food!!

Ugliest pic of me ha.  I was tired, hungry, and the last thing I wanted was a pic taken of me.  

Day 2-3 have been wonderful!!  Tomorrow I will be waking up at 5am to get ready for another day in the "clinic."  

Smiles for Guatemala Day 1

Jordo and I made it to Guatemala!!!  We got in late last night, and were up and going at 7:00 am.  It has been a very long, but extremely rewarding day!  We had a little orientation meeting this morning, then boarded all 129 of us on a few buses, and went to the stake center.  We completely take over the entire building and turn it into a medical and dental office.  Patients (all pre-missionaries) would check in, get blood drawn, see medical doctors, then come get x-rays on their teeth.  I am one of the x-ray techs, and this job is so much harder than it looks.  We take a total of 8 x-rays on each person.  It is a 2 person job getting these done.  We had 8 people (4 chairs) taking x-rays.  Lets just say it is one of the only jobs that you are on your feet all day long!  (jordo said he would give me a foot massage tonight... I am holding him to it!)  After x-rays they would go to the dentist for fillings, endodonists for root canals, and then the oral surgions for their wisdom teeth.  Sadly some kids had to do ALL 3!!!!  It would take them a total of 4 hours to see all the doctors.  Day 1 was a success, and tomorrow we are seeing double the patients we saw today.  The oral surgeons even let Jordan and I come watch them take out wisdom teeth (gross!)  Jordan was in heaven haha.  

Here are some pics of Day 1!

 Orientation, in our matching scrubs (presh I know... we totally planned it!)

The 27 dentists lined up (these chairs were completely full ALL DAY!!) 

The area where I was going to work :)   

Jordan helping Dr. Bob Rogers.  Jordan was able to assist  Dr. Rogers today.

My work area 

Jordan and Dr. Rogers 

Husband and Wife 

Tanner and his dad Dr. Perry going to work! 

 Sterilization

 The waiting area we had set up

More waiting (all these chairs were full all day) 

Super Awesome Name Tag! 

Protected by fenses and gates 

And of course by this guy :)   

 By 12:30 we had seen 91 patients

Lunch and Dinner area 

Jordan doin his thing! 

Joran at work

Check back tomorrow or Sunday for another update :)  

Guatemala

Jordan and I have the opportunity to go do some humanitarian work in Guatemala. We leave in just 13 days!!! (Which is also the DAY AFTER our finals end...) We are so excited to be able to go down and help 900, yep I said 900, young men and women preparing to serve an LDS mission. Some of the things our group will be doing down there is dental work (including root canals and wisdom teeth removal), medical work, hair cuts, and pictures to help get these wonderful people ready to turn in their papers. Jordan will be working and assisting one of the dentists going down. I will be helping upload x-rays and filling out patients files, and helping out wherever they need me. We are so excited about this opportunity!! So check back in a few weeks if you want to be updated on how our trip went!!!

KONY 2012

Please watch this video and get the world out.  WE are the ones who can make a difference.  Let's let them know we CARE!  And that we will stop at NOTHING!
xoxo Amber