2022 History

 Jensen Family History - 2022

Jase, Ellen, Evan, and Eli

This year has been a big one indeed! It seems like every year since Ellen and I have been married we have just had so much going on. To start off this year, Ellen and I began our last semester of college at Dixie State University. After having Evan last summer, we were very much looking forward to graduating and moving on with our family life. Ellen studied Communications with an emphasis in Organization and Applied Leadership and I studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Trying to juggle both of us in school full-time and taking care of a little one was very difficult, but it was well worth it. Ellen attended her classes at night with many students who already had full-time careers. This brought wonderful connections that allowed Ellen to start a new job in January, working for one of her classmates who was a financial advisor. As his assistant, she helps by meeting with clients and helping them fill out their life insurance applications. The nice thing about this job is that she can work from home and have flexible hours. She gets paid exceptionally well for the time she puts in. Her career has been exceptionally beneficial to our family, and her boss has been giving her even more opportunities to help with other businesses that he is starting. 

Earlier this year, we decided we wanted to keep our family growing, and in the springtime, soon after our second anniversary, we found out we were pregnant with another baby boy! We were so excited for all that lay ahead and felt so blessed. In May, we were finally able to finish school and we both graduated with our respective bachelor’s degrees. I normally try to make light of my achievements and act like they aren’t a big deal; but I have to admit that after the last two years of difficult coursework, I felt like I had accomplished a huge task in my life. It felt so wonderful for both of us to finish school at the same time and I couldn’t wait to have a nice break. Deep down I knew that I loved school though and always planned on going back. Right after graduation, I studied briefly for the MCAT for medical school and got a decent score, but I wasn’t sure it would be good enough to get into medical school - which is where I planned on going after a gap year. 

Soon after graduation, Ellen and I moved out to Baltimore, Maryland for my internship at Johns Hopkins University. I was very excited to receive such a prestigious internship and couldn’t wait to continue my studies there. During our time in Baltimore, we had the opportunity to visit New York City once and Washington DC multiple times. It was a great opportunity to have a family adventure! Although social media may make it seem like an amazing trip, it had several downsides too. While it was great to do research in a very prestigious chemistry lab, it was not in a field that fit me very well and I struggled greatly. I found out that I have a difficult time with electrochemistry, but I was also grateful to have a project so challenging for me. Our apartment was expensive and dirty. It was extremely difficult to find housing for such a short period of time; and when we finally did, it was not up to our expectations. There were severe pest problems, and by the time we reached our last week there, we noticed a rat in our basement kitchen! By the time we left, we were both ready to get out of there. We were very glad when we moved back to Utah.

During our last week in Maryland, and upon moving back to Utah, Ellen and I made some other big changes to our original plans. We decided together that medicine was not the career for me; at least not right at this moment, and so we decided to postpone my medical school application. We also decided that it would be right for Ellen to continue her education, so she quickly applied for an online master's program at SUU where she was accepted to study Professional Communications. This was such a scary time with a lot of change, and I was always so nervous that I would never find the right career for me. I have learned to accept that I will always feel this way, but if I just keep moving forward things will work out. They always do as long as you keep moving forward, even if you change your mind later. 

Once we got back to Utah, we decided that we wanted to live up north, closer to Ellen’s family. I also wanted to find a full-time job that was applicable to my degree, and there was a lot more opportunity in the Salt Lake area. It was also very difficult to find housing here that was within our budget. Inflation has caused prices to skyrocket this year! Luckily, we were finally able to find a 3-bedroom basement apartment in Herriman and we absolutely love it. I found a job in downtown Salt Lake City working as a biochemistry reagent formulator. It is a little bit of a commute for me (ranging from 30 to 50 minutes), but I love the neighborhood we live in and so it is well worth it. It feels good to finally have a job that is paying me well too!

Our new lives were well underway when Ellen again went into preterm labor at the beginning of October. Eli wasn’t due until the middle of December, so it was looking like we were going to have another NICU baby. Ellen was in and out of the hospital for the next few weeks and was dilated to a 6 the whole time! This was very stressful, but it was well worth it as Eli was able to stay in until 33 weeks and 6 days gestation - which was a week and two days longer than Evan! On October 29th Eli Dean Jensen was born. 25 days later (a little longer than Evan), right before thanksgiving, Eli came home from the NICU to join us at home! He has been such a joy to have with us and it has been so exciting to have our two littles together. It has been very busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Right after bringing Eli home, we were called as primary teachers for a class of 9-10-year-old kids! We’ve enjoyed our time teaching the kids and obviously love singing time. Right now we bring both boys to class with us because Evan isn’t old enough for nursery. We’re excited to meet our next class of kids come January! We have loved our ward so much. They were incredibly helpful during Ellen and Eli’s hospital stay and we’ve loved getting to know everyone!

Love, The Jensen Family

Eli's Birth Story

Birth Date - October 29th 2022

My cute Eli, 

I love you so much and am so grateful that you’ve joined our family! After having your brother join us eight weeks earlier than we’d planned, I was very nervous that you’d do the same. The closer we got to the third trimester the better I felt about your health, but I was very nervous leading up to your 32 week mark.  

Hospital Stays

On October 3rd I started feeling some light contractions. They calmed down after a bit, so I just started taking it easier around the house (AKA I stopped working on my dining room chair DIY project). I was 30 weeks pregnant, so I didn’t want you coming yet! From Oct 5th to the 8th I got to watch my cute baby Roze (Shantell’s baby girl who is a little older than Evan). We had a lot of fun and I got to take her and your big brother Evan to the children’s museum on the 6th. Well, that might have been a bit too much activity for me because that night I woke up from contractions. Evan and Roze were both sleeping in bed with us by the time I woke up, so I moved out to the living room and called Dr. Peacock (my OBGYN) before your dad woke up to go to work. She told me that I could wait to come in and see her as opposed to going into the hospital because my contractions had calmed down some. So with that plan, dad stayed home from work and we went in to see Dr. Peacock that morning. When Dr. Peacock checked my cervix I was dilated to 1 cm, so I got my first betamethasone shot - a steroid that helped your lungs develop faster. We knew you weren’t coming yet, but with labor having started it was assumed that you’d be joining us sooner than we’d like. The next day I got my 2nd shot. I still wanted you to stay safe inside me for a few more weeks, but I knew that getting your betamethasone shot would help you a lot if you decided it was time to come. I felt much better once you’d had both doses of “your” shot (I say your shot, but I was the one who got stabbed in the butt for you to get that medicine). 

On October 9th I had your aunt Lexie take some maternity photos because I knew you’d be coming soon! I was so sad that I didn’t get to take maternity photos when I was pregnant with Evan, so I made it a priority this time! They turned out so cute! 

On October 10th I went in for a checkup with Dr. Peacock. When she was talking to me initially we made a plan for me to come in again at the end of the week. When she checked my cervix however, I was dilated to a three! We adjusted our plans and set another appointment for two days later. I didn’t end up making it to that appointment however, because I ended up going to the hospital that night! You were 31 weeks and 1 day gestation, so we had to travel to the Murray hospital as the close hospital (Riverton) wouldn’t admit me until you were 32 weeks gestation. 

Upon getting admitted I got ready to meet you! I got an epidural and an IV started. Through my IV, the doctors gave me some magnesium. Magnesium is given to women who are in labor before their baby is 32 weeks gestation, so I didn’t have this medicine with Evan. Magnesium helps prevent brain bleeds in premature babies. Because I follow a lot of NICU accounts on instagram I’d heard about the benefits of this medicine. I also knew that it was not a pleasant medicine to get. My nurse offered anti-nausea medicine prior to starting the magnesium, and I said yes! The doctors started the magnesium fast, to get as much as possible into my body as quickly as possible, but then tapered it off after an hour. I was very dizzy during that first hour, but luckily not too nauseous. After they slowed the medicine I started feeling much better. My epidural was also kicked in at this point so I couldn’t feel much in the way of contractions. Well spoiler alert, you didn’t come that night. I dilated to six centimeters then stopped progressing. After my contractions stopped they turned off my epidural and the magnesium. I spent the next 5 days at the Murray hospital working, doing homework, and watching a lot of TV. Though there were a few times when I thought I may be going into labor again, I stayed put at six centimeters and the hospital let me go home when you were 31 weeks and 6 days gestation. They made me promise to keep you in another day, because once you hit 32 weeks gestation I could go to the Riverton hospital to deliver you! The worst part of this hospital stay was getting my epidural out! Getting the epidural removed didn’t hurt, I don’t think getting an epidural put in hurts that much to be honest, but I didn’t want to get it removed only to go back into active labor again. I asked them to keep it in for an extra night, but after a day and a half of no progression the nurse removed it. I cried two or three times about getting the epidural removed because I was scared that I’d have to deliver you naturally if you came too fast. Even if we had time to put another one in, I didn’t want to have to get poked in the back again! Luckily you stayed put and I got to go home with you still safe inside me. 

The day after coming home, October 16th, I went to get checked at the Riverton Hospital because I was having contractions again. It was our friend Logan’s birthday, so I told him that if you were born on his birthday I would name you Logan. When we went in to get checked I told your dad that this was you picking your name. In triage they measured me to still be at six centimeters and my contractions calmed down, so they sent me home again. I then got to spend the whole week at home! I was grateful for the extra week to spend with Evan. It was really hard to be away from him for so long when I was in the hospital. He spent the week night at Grandma’s house so dad could sleep with me at the hospital. During my home week we also got to have some friends spend the weekend with us! Lynae, Ky, Logan, and Summer came to visit and go to a haunted house (your dad and I did not join them because we don’t like scary things). That Saturday I also got to go to karaoke night with my mom, aunts, sisters, and cousins! They kept telling me I had to sit still and couldn’t dance at all because they didn’t want me going back into labor. 

On October 24th I got admitted to the Riverton Hospital after having contractions again. This was the third time I went to get checked at a hospital, and each time was after I brought baked goods home from your grandma’s house. Dad said that there were absolutely no more baked goods coming home from grandma’s house ever again! When the nurse checked me she said I was dilated to a six + and that my contractions were happening, but not consistent. She said you probably weren’t joining our family tonight, but that I wasn’t going back home either. We started a second round of the betamethasone shots and got me settled into bed for the night with monitors on to watch your heartrate and my contractions. Both times I was in the hospital they had these monitors on until I got moved to an antepartum room (a room in the mother baby unit to free up a delivery room, since I wasn’t in active labor). At this point you were 33 weeks and two days. You had stayed in longer than Evan had, he made it to 32 weeks and 4 days, so I was ready to meet you! This was a hard hospital stay because I was getting tired of hospital food and being alone and bored all day. Your dad would go to work during the day, and spend the night with me. Evan spent his nights with grandma again. Once the weekend hit dad spent the nights at home with Evan. The hardest part of this hospital stay was how many times my IV had to be replaced! I had one IV that worked the entire time I was in the Murray hospital, but had to get 6-7 IV pokes at the Riverton hospital. My IV lines kept dying every time they weren’t in active use, so when they would come to flush my IV once a day my skin would bulge up really gross because the saline wasn’t going into my vein! I also had to get poked multiple times because they had a hard time getting an IV to take in some spots. My least favorite IV was the one they put right in the back of my left hand. 

Birth

On the night of the 28th I was alone at the hospital. I woke up a few times because my contractions were hurting me, but it was late/early morning so I didn’t want to go back to labor and delivery and wake up your dad yet. Around 4:30 I woke up from contractions and also had to use the restroom, so I finally got up and going. When I went to the restroom I found that I was bleeding a little bit, so I decided it was finally time to call my nurse. My nurse came and brought me over to labor and delivery where they checked me and found that I was still dilated to six +, but that I was fully effaced and my water was very very bulgy. I texted dad at 5:15, as they were checking me, that it was finally going to be baby time! Grandma and Grandpa Bake beat dad to the hospital by a couple minutes, and Grandma came in to be with me. When dad got to the hospital he gave Evan to Grandpa and came in as well. While I was waiting for them to get there I got my epidural ordered and it was getting placed as they arrived. It didn’t hurt much to get it placed, but it is still a little nerve wracking to think about a giant needle being used to thread an IV into my back! I love epidurals though, once I had that placed I layed back and relaxed until it was go time. I don’t know if I was more excited to meet you or to know that I could finally leave the hospital the next day. I was also excited to eat again! I spent the whole time I was in the labor and delivery room regretting that I didn’t eat a few of the doughnuts on my nightstand before calling my nurse! 

A little before 9:30 the on-call doctor came to break my water. I didn’t get to have Dr. Peacock deliver you because she was unavailable that weekend. I knew she would be, so I was expecting to have a random doctor deliver you. I didn’t fully believe that you were actually going to be coming until she came to break your water. I was seriously so so excited! After the doctor, Denise Boudreaux-Nippert, broke my water she put an internal monitor on your head to keep a better eye on your heart rate. The nurse put a towel under me and every time I moved more and more amniotic fluid came out! They also stated a small amount of pitocin to help regulate my contractions so you could come. 

The nurse told me to call her back if I felt like I needed to push or felt a lot of pressure in my butt. Around 11 I called her back after starting to feel a ton of pressure in my butt every time a contraction came. She checked me and I was dilated to a ten! She told me not to push and left to get the delivery team. As the delivery team was getting ready my nurse came back to help me do some practice pushes. She had me push three times per contraction, for 10 seconds each time. Once she made sure you were descending she had me wait for the team to get in the room. She showed your dad your head and he saw that you had a lot of dark hair! Evan was super blond and basically bald, so I was so surprised to hear that you had dark hair! Once the doctor came into the room she lowered the mirror to let me see your delivery, and it was go time! I really liked having a mirror because I could see you getting closer to coming out and I knew that I was pushing the “right” way. Because of my epidural your delivery didn’t hurt at all and I didn’t know if I was doing things right! I was expecting at least some pain, but all I felt was pressure. I was nervous about it because my epidural was almost out, so I couldn’t push the button for an extra dose. I only had what was left in my body to get you out! I pushed through four or five contractions and you were here! Your dad cut your cord and the doctor put you on my chest. You had swallowed some blood when you were being born, but were still able to cry initially. I started sobbing because I didn’t think that I was going to be able to hold you! When I had Evan they showed him to me before taking him to NICU triage, but I didn’t get to touch him. I actually found out that I was going to get to hold you when they put a blanket on my chest while I was pushing. I almost started crying right then, but realized I wouldn’t be able to push effectively if I was sobbing!

I was beyond grateful that I got to hold you following your birth. After a minute the nurses took you over to the corner of the room and did your NICU triage while I was getting sewn up. You weighed 4 lbs 3 oz and were 17 inches long, just like your big brother! When you were born your APGAR score was a seven, after five minutes it was still a seven. At the ten minute mark your APGAR score was down to a 4, you were having a hard time breathing and your heart rate was very low. The NICU team had to force air into your lungs. The next few minutes were tense as the nurses worked on getting you oxygen and convincing you to breathe again. Your dad was initially standing by me and holding my hand and Grandma Bake was over by you, but Grandma made him switch spots with her once you started having trouble breathing. Your dad did not want to leave me, but went over to be closer to you. Luckily you started doing better quickly and the NICU team brought you over to say goodbye before taking you up to the NICU. I was so glad that I got to be with you for the first little bit of your life, even though it was scary to watch you struggle and be unable to even hold your tiny hand. 

Dad went with you and the NICU team to get you settled, then met me back in my postpartum room after I was allowed to get moved. I spent a few hours relaxing and snacking (man those doughnuts tasted good) before I got to go see you. You were so sweet and perfect, though it was hard to see your face with the big CPAP mask on. I stayed by your bed until I got close to throwing up (because I shouldn’t have been standing so much) and went back to my room to rest again. I got to hold you for the second time later that night when I visited again.

You spent the next 25 days in the NICU. You came off the CPAP machine quickly and didn’t need oxygen aid after that. Even though you had a rough start to your breathing, you ended up doing great and all the nurses asked why you threw such a fit when you were born! I went home the day after you were born, I was ready to sleep in my own bed again and was so excited to take Evan trick-or-treating for the first time, but came back to visit you every day that I could. I tried to stay and help during at least one of your cares (diaper change, temperature check, foot oxygen probe switch, and meal), but it was hard with Evan at home! Our amazing ward organized babysitting so I could leave Evan each day to see you. One week your dad took Evan to Saint George while he was playing in a laser tag tournament. That was wonderful because I got to spend so much time with you! There were a few times I couldn’t come visit you because either your dad or Evan was sick. Those days were so hard because I knew I had to keep you safe, but I cried thinking about you being alone in your box all day. I just wanted you to get held for at least a little while each day! I know the nurses took amazing care of you, but I wanted you to know how much I loved you. 

On November 22nd I got a call asking when I wanted to come pick you up! I wasn’t expecting to bring you home that day so I was so excited! I didn’t even visit you the day before because your dad was feeling a little sick. I called your dad home from work and we sat in your room while you did your car seat test, then took you home! You didn’t have to come home on oxygen like your brother did. I was so grateful because I would’ve had to spend all day trying to keep Evan away from your tubes! We brought you to surprise Grandma Bake, then took you to meet your brother for the first time. We were so grateful to have our family together right before Thanksgiving! We love you so much and are so glad that you’re part of our family!

Love, 

Mommy

Oct 3rd - Contractions Started (30 weeks)

Oct 5th - 8th - Babysit Roze (30 weeks and 3 days - 30 and 6)

Oct 7th - 1cm Dilated and First Betamethasone Shot (30 weeks and 5 days)

8th - 2nd Betamethasone Shot (30 weeks and 6 days)

October 9th - Maternity Photos (31 weeks)

Oct 10th - Dr Appointment - Dilated to 3cm (31 weeks and 1 day)

Oct 10 -15 - Murray Hospital (31 weeks and 1 day - 31 weeks and 6 days)

16th - Hospital Check at Riverton, Sent Home (32 weeks)

21-23 - Friend Weekend (32 weeks and 5 days - 33 weeks)

24th - 30th - Back to Riverton Hospital (Admitted at 33 weeks and 2 days)

29th - Your Birthday! (33 weeks and 6 days)

Mosaic Turner's Syndrome

    I recently received a diagnosis of Mosaic Turner's Syndrome after completing a blood karyotype a few weeks ago. For those of you who don't know what some of those medical words mean, I'll get there - but needless to say my medical history and medical future have been weighing heavily on my mind.

    After finding out I was pregnant with my second baby I chose to have basic genetic testing done. I really just wanted to know the baby's gender and wasn't sure if I would be able to make ultrasounds for a few months, as I was moving to Baltimore, MD for the summer. This test is completed by drawing some of the mother's blood, then comparing fetal DNA (present in the mother's bloodstream) to the mother's DNA. A few weeks into my stay in Baltimore I received the test results, which indicated that there were markers for Turner's Syndrome in my DNA. Side note: I also learned that I'm having another baby boy! Because I am otherwise healthy, the results were not alarming and we planned to complete further genetic testing upon our return to Utah. 

    Once summer ended I quickly scheduled a time to meet with a genetic counselor, who ordered a blood karyotype for me and an in-depth ultrasound for the baby. From what I've learned, a blood karyotype is performed by taking a blood sample and essentially splitting some cells open in order to examine the cell's chromosomes under a microscope. My test revealed that of the 20 cells they examined, about 30% of the cells were missing one X chromosome. The X chromosome is a sex chromosome; meaning that men typically have an X and Y chromosome, while women typically have two X chromosomes. Girls with Turner's Syndrome only have one X chromosome. As 70% of my cells did have the normal two X chromosomes, I was diagnosed with Mosaic Turner's Syndrome (you can think of it as partial Turner's Syndrome). 

    I quickly learned that having Mosaic Turner's Syndrome essentially meant that doctors don't really know what to expect when it comes to my health or medical outlook; as I could range from perfectly healthy to having symptoms similar to an individual with full Turner's Syndrome (also called Monosomy X). Moving forward I have an echocardiogram scheduled (an ultrasound on my heart) as well as blood being taken to test my thyroid (hormone) levels. Because I have been healthy my whole life so far, we're hopeful that both of these tests will come back showing no issues. If that turns out to not be the case, I suppose I'll meet with more doctors and plan from there.

    As soon as I received this diagnosis I wanted to know what this meant for my pregnancy. Before doing a little bit of research, all I knew about Turner's Syndrome was that it usually made individuals infertile. Many individuals with Turner's Syndrome may not experience puberty or have menstrual periods. My entire pregnancy has been plagued with anxiety surrounding preterm delivery, as my first baby came eight weeks early and spent 23 days in the NICU following his birth. I remember that after the initial excitement of the pregnancy wore off, I spent the night feeling sick with worry that my body may not be able to carry to term again. I think one of the biggest difficulties I've faced this pregnancy is learning to trust my body again, and knowing that it's doing its best to keep my baby safe. I've found a lot of comfort in Instagram posts from Dear NICU Mama as I've tried to accept that it wasn't my fault that my baby came early and had to spend time in the NICU. 

    Some of my first questions for the genetic counselor included how my diagnosis would affect my current pregnancy as well as how my diagnosis would affect future pregnancies. As for my current pregnancy, I met with a high-risk OBGYN to assess the risk to my health and my baby's health. He was confident in our health remaining ok moving forward in the pregnancy (pending results from the echocardiogram and thyroid testing), as my medical history doesn't warrant any indication of my new diagnosis. During my in-depth ultrasound, the technition double-checked the baby's heart walls, as this is a common issue in individuals with Turner's Syndrome. Everything regarding this pregnancy was good news. After learning that my blood test showed markers for Turner's Syndrome, I learned that individuals with Mosaic Turner's Syndrome can have difficulty carrying to term. However, the high-risk OBGYN also said that there isn't any indication that my previous preterm labor was caused by my having Mosaic Turner's Syndrome, so it is possible that I will carry to term this time. Previous to learning of my diagnosis I was monitored for incompetent cervix and prescribed weekly progesterone shots. My many ultrasounds showed a normal cervical length and my sweet husband is still giving me my weekly butt shots. 

    As for my future pregnancies, there are a lot of unknowns. Luckily, Turner's Syndrome is rarely an inherited condition, so it is highly unlikely that I could pass this defect to future pregnancies. However, with having a genetic abnormality there is just a higher risk that my babies could have Turner's Syndrome or another genetic abnormality, like Down Syndrome. There is also a higher chance that I will struggle with infertility. Because my periods have always been regular in the past, we hope that I don't have any hormonal issues that could contribute to infertility; but we just won't know until it does or does not happen. Hearing this has made us especially grateful for our two boys and for our decision to start our family quickly after getting married. I think that this was the hardest news for me to hear, as I hate the idea that my body might limit the number of children that I can bring into my family. I felt the same way following my emergency C-section with my first baby. All of the sudden my ability to plan my family with my husband and with God seemed to be tainted in a way. I now have to consider doctors' opinions, as having multiple C-sections increases the risk of an embryo implanting on scar tissue instead of a healthy area of the uterus. Now, I have to consider that the older I get, the more likely it is that I will struggle with infertility. I could even go through menopause early. 

    Luckily, my head and heart are still rooted in gratitude. Despite my unexpected diagnosis, I am relatively healthy. I've already been blessed with two (come December) perfect baby boys. My husband has been nothing but supportive of me and my emotions as I've learned of my diagnosis. I hope to continue growing my family when the time is right, even if that growth isn't through typical means. I have so much to praise my Heavenly Father for, and I will. 

Learn More about Turner's Syndrome

Our New Home

     We flew home from Baltimore, MD on August 9th! After spending two weeks in my parent's basement and one week visiting our family and friends in Saint George, we were able to move into our new apartment! When we moved back to Utah from Maryland we didn't have an apartment picked out. We were waiting to hear back on Jase's job offers and wanted to ensure that we didn't move too far away from where he would be working. He still ended up with a thirty to forty-minute commute, but we fell in love with a spacious basement apartment and couldn't say no to the price. The day we went to visit Saint George (August 13th) we spent the morning going to an open house for an apartment listing that we saw on Facebook Marketplace. We knew we were going to like the apartment, so we showed up at the very beginning of the open house. After walking through we asked if we could sign the lease right then! They said yes and we were able to head to Saint George daydreaming about moving into our new home on September 1st! 

    Our apartment has a beautiful open floor plan for the kitchen, dining area, and living room. There is a huge island and I love all the cupboards and counter space. I don't know if I'll ever be able to downsize from my big kitchen! 

Down the hall are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the laundry room. We opted for a three-bedroom apartment so I could have an office/nursery space that was separate from Evan's room. I am so glad we did! 

    I have been enjoying scouring Facebook Marketplace for the best deals to turn our apartment into our home. Some of the bigger items that I've gotten from Marketplace since moving in include; a sectional couch, a six-person dining table with chairs (my project, as I want to reupholster the chairs before winter hits), a very large rug, a pack of floor mats for Evan to play on, toy storage for Evan's room, two 5x5 IKEA cube shelving units, and a new bassinet for Eli. I got rid of a lot of furniture that I didn't love when we moved! 

    I think my favorite part of our home is that Evan loves all the space! He crawls all over and enjoys spreading out his toys. He has a play area set up between the couch and one of the shelving units, and he also loves playing in his room. I really wanted to convert his room into a toddler-friendly space, so I'm beyond happy with how much he loves his room. I am also really enjoying having a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and attached bathroom! When we lived in Maryland our "bedroom" was essentially the front entry room, and we had to go all the way downstairs to use the bathroom! I feel like I'm living in luxury now!