The Unveiling

Here is my belly.

WEEK 30

I took a picture a few weeks ago, but decided that the belly has grown a lot since then and I should probably take another one. It is growing at a rapid pace now, but I hope it doesn't get too out of control or else my waddle will get a lot worse. In case you're wondering about the backdrop, allow me to introduce you to Camp Stacey 2008:



We only have one air conditioning unit and so we decided to move our bed into the living room in order to sleep comfortably during the humid summer. At first I wasn't too excited about the arrangement, but I have to say that it has really grown on me. I honestly feel like we're camping every night. Or maybe it feels more like we're having a slumber party. In any case, it's just another cool "When we were poor med students..." story to tell to our kids one day.

Unfortunately, we will not have the internet until we move at the end of July, so there probably won't be too many posts in the meantime. I'm sure my next belly shot will be much more impressive.

I also neglected to post anything for Father's Day, so here's a quick belated note:

Andrew: How could any kid not want a Dad like you? Especially when he can catch a fish like that! (Or maybe it was Eric who caught it...but lets just pretend it was you). Our little tyke always starts bee-boppin' in my stomach when you're around. I'm sure he can't wait to get away from Mom and have some Father-Son adventures. The only thing that calms my nerves about becoming a parent is knowing that it's a two-man gig. Thanks for being wonderful.


Dad: Thanks for wearing really old shoes my whole life (with pride I might add) so that I could have new ones :). I appreciate all the sacrifices you've made for our family and that you've always been a constant rock. Sorry for all those late night calls when I woke you up to tell you that I knocked my front teeth out, or my car broke down. Thank you for your patience and sense of humor.


Dennis: I knew when I met Dennis Stacey, that Andrew was a safe bet. We both appreciate your wise advice and rely on it constantly. Thank you for being 100% dedicated to your children, generous with your time and talents, and always teaching us by example how to live a happy life. That first line wasn't a joke, I knew when I met Dennis Stacey, that if Andrew grew up to be like his Dad, we'd always be happy. Thanks for raising a great son and being the best father-in-law a wife could ask for.

Summer in Ohio

Quiz question for the week:

One of us, in our family of two, is going to work at a science center this summer....and one of us is experiencing adult-onset acne. Can you guess who? Read on.

Next week I (Lauren) start my summer job at COSI (the science place...not the sandwich shop for those of you from Columbus). I couldn't be more excited. There is nothing better than a job that you would do for free if you had to (and I definitely would never be a paralegal for free). I'm glad that I get to spend my last few child-less months, easing my way into the world of kids. For those of you unfamiliar with COSI, it is a hands-on "science/history/everything fun" center. I'm helping with the summer camps which includes planning activities, making presentations, etc. I need to get my creative juices flowing, so I'm excited for the challenge. I just hope that the little tyke in my belly is cooperative during these last few months. I think this job will also score big points with Andrew's dad, the science guru. Working at COSI and producing a new grandchild all in one year?! I'm on a roll. In fact, I think all the Stacey men will find me much more hip. Maybe they'll even include me in their halo games.

I also want to congratulate Andrew for being a "quarter-doctor". He just finished his first year of medical school and made it look easy. I'm happy to report that I only felt like a single woman during test weeks and other than that, Andrew has been a master at balancing his many responsibilities. He probably doesn't feel that way, but I admire his juggling skills and I think he is on his way to being an incredible doctor/researcher/father/...the list goes on and on and his future is bright. Despite trials including a broken down car, acne (he thought he escaped the teenage trauma), a sick wife, h. pylori ulcerations in the stomach, scalp infections from Puerto Rico, etc., he didn't sweat it. Congrats miele.

I also wanted to apologize for not posting in a while. The truth is, I know that the time has come to post one of those pregnancy side shots that everyone wants to see, and I just can't seem to get the motivation to take that picture. It's on the way...

Happy Mother's Day!

We just wanted to tell our Moms that they are the best.


My favorite Mom memory was when we would have "Mom dates" once a week when I was about 9 or 10. She was working at a bank during my summer break, but on Wednesdays she would get off early and we would go to Taco Bell and then rent a movie. I always looked forward to Mom dates. She is wonderful at being patient with strong-willed children and always quietly serving others. If you look in our basement, you'll find beautiful oil paintings that she has made and clothes she has sewn. She may not recognize it, but she has many creative abilities that people like me would love to have.

Among all the other things she could have pursued in life, she has sacrificed all to her children and doesn't seem to mind or keep track of the things she has passed up so that we could have more. I think my Mom can be summed up by a little tidbit that my Dad recently told me. "Your Mom prays for you kids by name every night. I just say 'bless the kids,' but she has to say every name". I'm sure I've probably received some pretty incredible blessings because of those prayers.



Delta is a woman of incredible talents. She can throw together an incredible meal with ingredients from around the house and make it look effortless. She is extremely creative and passionate about art, culture and family history and teaches her children to be well-rounded and eager to learn new things. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and in an area where her religion is a minority, Delta is known and respected for her beliefs. When I look at Andrew, I can see Delta in many of his traits, particularly his ability to be a fiercely loyal friend. I always know that I'm okay because I have Delta in my corner and she won't waiver.

One of Andrew's favorite memories of his Mom is her dedication and support of his involvement in football. She has rarely missed a game (even when you take into account his college career). Andrew remembers at the UNLV game his junior year, he was learning a new position and got "lit up" on a kick return. It was so bad that they knocked him out for a few seconds. As he was lying on the ground, a few of the UNLV players were gathered around, taunting him. The family reported that Delta immediately stood up and shouted something along the lines of, "Get away from my son or I'll come down there myself!" I don't doubt she would have marched on to the field. Her love for each of her children is infinite.

Moms - we love you. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Dendou

Last weekend marked two years since I came home from my mission in Japan. I can't believe so much has happened in so little time. It was such a defining experience in my life that I get nervous the more time passes that I might forget one of the many important lessons I learned. So I thought that I'd mention a few lessons learned. (Sorry this is a long one...and I haven't even scratched the surface)


Lesson 1: The youth of the church are amazing. In Japan, they wake up early for seminary and make the long trip to the church, fully aware that they probably won't be done with school, club activities, and "after school" cram-school until the late evening. I loved being around them. Not just the youth, all the Japanese people I met were simply amazing and wonderful people. Another lesson learned this particular night: flour takes a long time to clean up.



Lesson 2: Take time to ponder. Long bike rides in the most beautiful country I've ever seen provided opportunities for me to think. I received many answers to prayer on long bike rides.


Lesson 3: Faith brings about miracles. I found that usually before really miraculous events occurred, I always experienced some of the most difficult times I've ever faced. My faith was always challenged. Sister Komai (my companion in the picture) was little in stature, but a giant in faith. From her (and others) I learned never to get discouraged because good things were coming.



Lesson 4: This picture doesn't explain anything...I just like it. In Kasai, I learned that Heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children. Sometimes it seems like He is giving us a rock when we asked for bread. But if we give Him some time, we'll realize that He can turn our rocks into bread....and He will.


Lesson 5: Rely on the Lord. It seems like the obvious thing to do for the average religious person, but throughout my life I have forgotten this and turned to other people/places, looking for strength or advice. On my mission, when I had a problem I couldn't call home or try to distract myself by watching a movie or going for a run. Then there were the language barriers that left me feeling alone at times. I definitely learned to turn to the Lord and we got to be great friends.

Now Andrew is going to start teasing me because I really could go on forever. I'll just add that I obviously learned that the gospel is true and Jesus Christ is our Savior (I knew that before the mission too). And I should also say that my companions are pretty amazing and important people to me. Ai shiteru yo!

Mata Nihon ni iru tomodachi ni kokoro kara kanshya shite imasu. Hitori hitori kara watashi wa shinkou to ai o manande kimashita. I'll be back one day.


Everyone should have at least one Japanese grandma. I have two.

Year 1

April 25th was our 1-year anniversary. We celebrated by taking a road trip to Norwalk, Ohio (home of the Norwalk virus for all you med students--they obviously don't advertise that). In Norwalk we stayed at a hotel for a few nights. The hotel reminded us so much of our honeymoon in Hawaii, that we thought we'd take some comparison shots from the window.

Honeymoon

One Year Later

Although our second view was of some storage units and a junk yard...we still found it romantic.

On Saturday we took a ferry out on Lake Erie to visit a little island called Put-in-Bay. For you history buffs out there, Put-in-Bay was where one of the most important naval battles of the War of 1812 took place. We visited the peace memorial they have erected and explored other parts of the island on our little golf cart.



I'm glad we can both say that it's been a great first year...the first of many.

It's a boy!

Sorry that this news is coming almost a month after we found out. In fact, news of this fact has probably spread among most of our friends and family, but we thought we should at least post the pictures anyway. Here is our healthy baby boy:

I know it's probably too early to tell, but I think he looks like Andrew (that's what we're praying for...I keep telling the little tike that I'm sorry if he gets my red hair and freckles). Who wouldn't want their little boy to look like this:

He spent most of the ultrasound doing little somersaults in my belly. He already seems energetic... we're in for a treat. We are very happy to be having a little boy and always had a hunch that a little boy was coming. As a Mom, it's pretty fun to carry him around. I find myself talking to him a lot which I'm sure makes me look a little strange, but I think he likes it. We feel really blessed.

Eating Contests

When Andrew and I started "hanging out" as freshman, he often challenged me to competitions. Races up the stairs by the bell tower at midnight....who could go the longest without a jacket in the winter....friendly games of handprint (don't ask). You name it, Andrew made it a competition. I figured this was just his way of flirting with me. Though he claimed often to have let me win, I must admit that I was a fierce competitor (which is why I eventually got him to marry me....or did he get me to marry him?? I guess we both won).

Now Andrew can make anything a competition, but eating contests seem to be the most popular. One of our most memorable competitions was a Krispy Kreme donut eating contest. I was overconfident and only made it to 4...but I never regret quiting... those things are HEAVY!

Over the years, however, I have realized that Andrew's competitiveness is not just a flirting device...it is more of a driving force in his life. Since then we've had more memorable competitions, such as a challenge his thesis advisor, Dr. Reese, gave us last spring. He didn't think we could both eat (or rather that I could eat) two J-Dawgs (J-Dawgs are large, delicious hot dogs for non-BYUers). Now those who know me well would laugh at such doubtfulness because I can eat more than the average girl. However, his challenge led to this video:




Dr. Reese lost of course and paid us back the $11.00 we spent on the J-Dawgs. Free dinner.

This weekend, we had the chance to go to Utah. Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without a traditional eating contest. This time it was back to the Krispy Kremes. I have already learned my lesson, but apparently Andrew and Gary were ready for the challenge. Surprisingly, it ended in a tie. Both champs ate 20 donuts in 8 minutes for a grand total of 7000 calories each. Don't ask how they felt the next few days. However, I think this is the end of Krispy Kreme donut eating contests indefinitely.