Photo Timeline

Christmas Fun....

Christmas Eve was a bit hectic for both Jeff and I... we had driven down to Ogden on Wed morning to help Sally with stuff around the house, and it was a chance for me to finally get to work on the crocheting projects/gifts I was trying to finish before Christmas (at least I finished Jesse's on time)...

Plus, my parents were supposedly flying into town Thursday morning, so we wanted to already be close enough so we didn't have to drive very far.

Well, Jeff got a lot done at his parents' house, he stayed up till like 5am cleaning and organizing their downstairs... After Jeff woke up on Thursday around 2pm, we got up, dressed, ate breakfast, and cleaned up some more around the house, then ran some errands around town, one of which being D.I., both his parents accepted the fact that they have way too much crap and they ought to give some of it away to people who don't have any crap at all... then went to Costco to buy most of our groceries for our Christmas Eve dinner I was going to make for our Party out in Richmond.

My parents didn't get into town until 6:30 or so pm, we drove down to Bountiful to meet up with Dustin, Travis, Mom, and Dad so we could go to Dad's new favorite restaurant: Texas Roadhouse!

Yummy... everyone got just about the same thing: sirloin steak with shrimp, Jeff got an 18oz prime rib, and I got some type of steak kabob...yummy.  

It was here that Dustin presented to me my gift, since he drew my name for Christmas, an hour and a half massage at Massage Envy! AWESOME! I so am going to enjoy this gift! THANK YOU DUSTIN! of course there isn't a massage envy in Logan, the closest one is in Layton, but I'll be needing to come down that way in the next few weeks for my baby shower in Provo, so it is all good. 

So why was Christmas Eve so hectic? Mostly it was the logistics, driving, and lack of communication.

Well my parent's flight didn't leave the next day (Xmas Eve) till 8pm, and we had already driven back to Ogden the night before, and of course I want to spend time with my family, who doesn't, but with the time crunch on having to be back up in Logan by at least 4pm, to finish the shopping, to start cooking, and just making sure everything was right for the party... didn't seem to happen or work out the way I wanted (and I feel bad a bit for complaining because I really did want to spend time with my parents, because I won't be seeing them again til the baby comes - sometimes I wish my parents lived closer, like down the street!) 

Jeff and I drove back down to Bountiful to meet up with Trav and the parents to go to lunch at Ho Ho Gourmet (in lite of the season festivities) Chinese Restaurant.  Then we drove around town to run a few errands. I suppose we didn't communicate very well, Jeff and I to each other, and us to my parents or to Travis, but apparently Travis was going to leave his car at Jeff's parents' house and carpool up to Logan with us... If I had known this, to make matters better, Travis would have driven up to Ogden with the folks, we do all the stuff we did in Bountiful there, he would leave to take them to the airport while Jeff and I finished up our shopping and put together our secret santa gifts... but no, we stayed in bountiful way too late and just about had to cancel our plans in Logan, when Jeff, my wonderful husband, came up with a brilliant plan: for us to have our Shin Dig at Ashley's house- she did our last minute shopping for us and cooked what she could before we got there.  It worked out perfectly! And I didn't have to stress anymore.  

The food was good, the company was great, we talked, played some wii (the cow jumping race is by far the most fun to play and to watch), and then we watched Joy to the World.  Jo didn't seem too interested in the movie, but it was nice to welcome in the REAL reason for the season!

I am so grateful for my Savior, for his Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection.  I am so grateful to be apart of the True and Everlasting Gospel, to know that Joseph Smith saw and spoke with God and Jesus Christ, Restored His church on the earth, that because of Joseph we can know that God and Jesus are two separate individuals both working for the same purpose (to save us), that we are created in their image, and that the Book of Mormon is really another Testament of Jesus Christ.  Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God, and Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today who guides and receives revelation not only the church, but the world.  I know that it is ONLY through Jesus Christ that we can have faith, repent, and be saved! I love my Savior, my Heavenly Father, and my family! 

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Christmas Day

 Christmas this year was small, but it was fun.  It was Me, Jeff, and Travis.  We weren't sure if Jo was going to be with us or not, so my parents and I got him gifts anyway.  However, those gifts, as well as the ones for Travis, didn't arrive until Sunday. This year we drew names so we didn't have any presents for Travis- only the gift I've been making him, but didn't finish on time, the gifts mom and dad sent us, but were late, and the stocking stuffers we both got for him.  Favorite of all the stocking stuffers was the "Purple Drank" we made and got for Trav. :)

 Jeff was in charge of the camera, hence why there aren't very many photos...

 Travis opening up is stocking stuffer gift wrap from us!....

 bootie socks I got from my mom....

a scarf that looks fairly Indian and crocheted gloves, I honestly don't know when or where I will wear either of them- they are far too classy for me, but Thanks Mom, I love them! 

What we don't have pictures of is the look on Travis' face when he opened up his "purple drank" and all the chocolate and other goodies he got in his stocking....

the look on Jeff's face after he opened up all my random candy gifts, his new Gillette razor and deodorant gift, foot scrub, and stocking stuffers... and then the gifts from my parents... from my dad, a new electric razor for his beard and head...

Jeff just says, "I guess I get the point, I'm hairy, what can I say?"

Later, after we ate breakfast or rather lunch we cleaned up and made our Santa Secret gifts to drop off to our friends and family along the way out of town...

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Christmas at Kent and Sally's (Jeff's parents') 

it was fun, different because Meischa, Kurt, and the kids weren't there, and this time there was actually room on the couch to sit and enough seating for everyone, including Brenda, Jenni's friend, and Travis. 

Kent and Sally had gone out of there way to get all of us gifts, including Travis and Brenda.  Jeff and I got our first box of Diapers... yeah for baby! (we have got to decide on a name so I can stop calling him baby or "the baby").... and Sally made car scrapers out of fleece to keep your hands warm, we got two, because we have two cars, but I hope she doesn't mind, we gave Jo one of them... he totally dug it and thought it was the coolest gift ever! We really did enjoy ourselves, lots of good food, good company, and Mya was a riot to watch. 

 Ashley got Jeff and I the perfect gift... an Epilator! another hair removal product in the form of an electric razor.  Perfect for Jeff because he is hairy, and once the hair is removed he will be smooth as butter (my gift) and when the hair does grow back in it will come in more fine and sparse (Jeff's gift) 

One of the activities we did while at their house was "Flavor Trip" as Jeff would call it, we hosted yet another Miracle Berry Party (the mberry)... this berry originates from West Africa, which has been turned into a powder pill. What you do is take this pill and suck on it, covering as much area of the tongue as possible before it dissolves. Once it dissolves you are good to go to eat all the bitter, sour, and tart foods you want, because the fruit neutralizes your bitter tastebuds, almost deadening for a time your sour, tart, and bitter tastebuds and enhancing the sweet ones.  So when you eat dark chocolate it will taste like milk chocolate, or when you eat lemons it will taste like lemonade, same with grapefruit, a mango, kiwis, limes, dill pickles (will taste like bread n butter pickles), and salt n vinegar chips (sweet potato chips).  The experiment only lasts from 20min to 2 hrs, depending on the person. 

Slip of the Ice...

I'm doing good, although today, nothing to worry about, I slipped on some ice on the way to work and fell on my arm and on my tummy.  Jeff dropped me off at the round-about which is maybe about a 100 yards from the door I enter to go to work, well after walking about 30 steps away from the car, and after he had left, I slipped on some ice rearing the corner to go up the driveway to the door.  Immediately after hitting the ice, I rolled over and grabbed for my tummy.  In panic I started crying and yelled for the boys around me (who were also freaking out, especially after I grabbed my tummy, then realizing I was prego) to help me up.  Thankfully they came to my rescue and lifted me up onto the icy walkway and helped me walk to dry cement.  I apparently had gathered a crowd, because of pain, shock, and embarrassment I was crying.  I didn't know what to do, where to go, or what to say, they were really freaking out, and freaking me out, so I walked away from them. 

I walked into the Taggart Student Center, up the elevator to the 2nd floor, thinking I would go into the catering office and tell them calmly what had just happened.  But, unfortunately I could not tell them calmly because my arm was in tons of pain and I was still crying because I was worried and somewhat still embarrassed about what had just happened.  I was scared that something might be wrong with the baby, especially after landing straight on my tummy!  I walked into the office, Craig (the catering Manager) and Amy (the catering secretary) were in there talking, I stood in the doorway holding my arm, heavily sucking in air trying to get a grip of myself and the situation, but as soon as they looked at me, I lost it. Craig immediately asked, "Did you slip on the ice?"  I wheezed out a "yes..." and then he was off, I don't know where he went, I wasn't paying attention.  I sat down and just started crying again.  I was so nervous for the baby, for the fact that I was suppose to cook the food today at work, for the baby, not knowing what to do next or how to go about doing it.  Craig came back with Jamie (the lady head of Dining Services- she interviewed me for this job) she was carrying a bag of ice... my arm had already swollen up twice its original size!

Amy made me sit in her seat and call my husband. I knew he was on his way to the library to study, he had his only final today, the most important one, his accounting final, the only one that really counts.  I was nervous to call him, because I knew as soon as I was to tell him about my accident I would start crying... and I did.  Word spread, by the time I got off the phone with him, Anthony came in, and some girl from catering, all worried at my expense, and was more than helpful to let the Chefs know what had happened to me and where I was to go next.  They sent me to the Insta-Care, to WorkMed, to have my arm checked out, all the women in the office told me I had nothing to worry about with the baby because it is in so much liquid and padding that he is protected.  

Jeff and I arrived at the Work Med Insta-Care, after filling out some paperwork, measuring my height, and weight, the Nurse noticed that I was expecting and was unsure if they were able to take xrays because of it. They called over to my OB office to find out the protocol.  My OB wanted to see me to make sure the baby was really OK before going ahead with the arm xrays (even though at this point my belly wasn't the thing in pain) They wanted to be safe than sorry, and really the number one priority over my aching arm was the BABY.  So After going to the WorkMed IHC (insta-care) who turned me away because I was prego (didn't want to take xrays without the OB's permission and the fact that I fell on my tummy) sent me to my OB, while in the Dr.s office he checked my blood pressure and the baby's heart rate.  Everything good, but again to be better safe he sent me upstairs to Labor and delivery, to get monitored for 4hrs, I was hooked up to two monitors, one to measure the baby's heartbeat and one to measure my cervix- to make sure that I wasn't dialating or going into pre-mature labor.  The baby had to move or have an increase in heart rate 4x in 20 min, which is why they had to hold me for so long... the good thing about all of it, is 1. the baby is very healthy (maybe a little shook up like his mother -from the fall) and 2. I am in the computer system and got a free trial run of how the Labor and Delivery Team work or what might be expected for when I go to Labor and Delivery for real (kind of got a walk-through pre-test screening).  Now when I go for reals it won't be so unknown and scary (it may still be scary, but at least I know where it is and what they'll do while I'm there)

Then after being released around 2:00pm (and Jeff wasn't with me, he had left the L&D at around 10:30am to go to the Library, and then at 1:30pm he was taking his Final) I had a girl from work come pick me up and take me back to the Insta-care where they then took x-rays... good news, no broken bones or fractures, and I didn't have to pay a cent (workers comp).  However my arm (elbow mostly) still hurts, there's a huge bruise forming, and my arm/hand is so swollen that I was afraid that I wasn't going to get my ring off my finger and they might have sawed it off (the ring, not my finger) but now, even at 1:23am 11 hrs later, my arm is still swollen and I still can't move it... I've got a gimpy arm. :)

I spent practically the whole day worrying in hospital after hospital... and I forgot my phone at home, so I wasn't able to get a hold of anyone nor they me.

I'm glad that I am ok, and mostly I am grateful that the baby is OK... he was my number one priority today, especially after I fell and held my tummy crying (not because of the pain, but mostly because of shock and worry)... in some ways I am glad that this happened because it really put an emphasis on the connection and bond that I have with him already. And how much I depend on the Lord for both of our safety (safeties?) our lives.

Other good news for the day... Jeff passed his Accounting Final and Class (the one that he was most worried about), he got a B in the class, which means he Graduates for Good! And he is officially hired at Liberty Income Tax and starts Jan 6! yeah! (also, the owner's husband owns a media installation and may need extra help; and wants Jeff to help him - I guess it is installing and setting up media for homes such as computers, tvs, dvd players, speakers, surround sound, etc... Which is something Jeff wanted to learn how to do better... oh and the fact that Jeff is fluent in Spanish has been very beneficial to him and will be both in the media industry and taxes.

So all in all, today has been an incredibly long day.  I don't have to go to work tomorrow, The Dr. has got me on Lortab for the pain and the swelling, I've never had it before, but I really like it because it actually works.  Of course I still can't move my arm much, the fact that I can move my fingers at all is pretty impressive! The Lord answered my prayers today, I felt calmness while in the hospital, hooked up to the monitors, I was nervous, worried, and anxious, but then I prayed for peace and he gave it to me, and everything turned out to be OK, both for baby and for mommy! Thank you Heavenly Father!

Thanksgiving Break...

Tuesday November 23 Jeff and I were hoping to get out of Logan pretty early because of the huge artic storm that was suppose to hit around 3pm...  we wanted to be in Bountiful at least before it attacked the North, Logan that is.  Unfortunately because of the "storm" we didn't pack the car the night before like we had planned because we didn't think we were going to be able to leave Logan that day anyway... little did we know that any of that the University was going to shut down the school at 2pm, and Allen (the boss man) was going to close the skyroom at 1pm, and my boss Jeff was going to let me leave as soon as I brought stuff down from the skyroom.... we still had to drive back home to Richmond to finish packing, pack the car, and drive back down to Logan and onto Salt Lake to pick up Travis. The wind started to blow pretty hard, enough to sway cars off the road, it was like watching the movie "Twister", seeing the storm brew right before your eyes in your rear view mirror... it was pretty intense, even though the whole time it all felt pretty unreal. 

We made it through the canyon and onto Travis' house in just under an hour, by the time we packed up the car, and made it to the gas station to fill up and grab some food, the "storm" had finally hit, it was blizzard like outside.  Luckily, it wasn't sticking yet, and there was more coming down than there was on the road.  Just before hitting Wendover, the storm was out of reach and we were in the clear. The drive to Nevada was pretty uneventful, boring actually, and I had to pee just about every time we came up to a service exit. :) yeah fun!

We arrived in Nevada, my parents' house at 2am and slept most of the day (well, I didn't cuz I had slept in the car- so I got up around 7am and went to go talk to my mom while she got ready to take my grandma to the dentist) 

Our time at home was much needed (for me anyway) it had been since May that I had seen my folks, and I forget how much I miss them until I see them and get to wrap my arms around them.  So many wonderful things to be grateful for... I truly do love my family and it is always a privilege and opportunity to see them, because it really is far and few between.  This year however we've been blessed to see and be with my family three different occasions: Travis' homecoming, the family reunion in Missouri, and Thanksgiving.  I most likely won't be seeing my family again until I have the baby at the end of January beginning of February.  I do wish my family lived closer, of course I've got Dust and Trav that live in Bountiful; which is nice- they just need to finish their apt so Jeff and I can come and stay with them.

Some fun things we did while with the fam: Mikke, Jeff, Travis, the girls, and I (excluding Lydia) went up to Reno to Scheels (it's an outdoors store similar to Cabellas, but bigger, they've got a ferris wheel inside their store and a huge aquarium that is part of the building's structure) we rode the ferris wheel.  We also went to the Candy Store or Chocolate Factory that the girls had been wanting to go to all trip, I don't think it is what they expected and seemed to be a bit disappointed, I know I would have been too... the candy just wasn't that good and it was way over priced for what it was.  We were going to go to a Donut Store, but it was closed, they apparently had sold out earlier that morning... dang it must be that good... so instead we went to In 'n' Out burger, the girls had never been there before; which was a real treat to watch... Ivy just scarfed down her burger while making delicious noises of enjoyment "ah this is the best burger ever!" it was really cute (I had never seen her eat so much so fast!) Norah liked her burger too, and Ayden would have liked her burger better if it had just been meat and bun- interesting, but each to their own, no wrong, just different.

I learned this trip with my family and Andrea's girls that I lose my patience pretty fast, which makes me kind of nervous about becoming a mom, will I lose my patience and niceness with my own kids? will I be as bad of a mom as I am an aunt? I love her girls, but realize that because of the distance I really don't know them and get annoyed (or perhaps I don't know how to act with kids, since I don't interact with them ever) easily when I am around them, they are very moody; which is something that I am just not used to (with them or with other kids their age).  This trip also made me realize that I do want to live closer to my sister so I can be more in her kids' lives and they in mine.  I want them to know their cousin, and want them to want to be around me and Jeff, to think we are cool, to not think I am mean and angry all the time.  I want them to get to know us, to hang out, and to have fun. :)

Some other things we did while there, we had a miracle berry party! a party that consists of this berry found in Africa that they've (the pharmaceutical company) made into a pill that you suck on to numb your bitter, salty, and sour taste buds, and enhances your sweet ones.  Then after the pill dissolves in your mouth you eat foods like: limes, lemons, dark chocolate, onions, grapefruit, and dill pickles.  Everything tastes sweet and delectable. the "buzz" lasts anywhere from 20min to 2hrs... Mine only lasted maybe 15 min (I think it is because I am prego)

Also, we took family photos (not professionally and missing two family members) so it was mostly for fun... and it was, just not for the girls, they got bored quick... but here are some fun pictures anyway!

Baby boy names...

Jeff and I are open to hearing any boy names that you may like and are not planning on using in the future... here are the few names that we like: Mason, Alexander, and Ezekiel. open to suggestions!

Estimated due date: January 31, 2011
Countdown: 10 weeks
Gestational Age: 30/31 weeks Nov 22-Nov 28
Trimester: 3rd
The baby is as big as a: Butternut squash, 18in 3.1 lbs

My body:

Movin' on up, my uterus can now be felt four inches above my belly button. This means that my uterus is pushing all the internal organs, that used to be there, somewhere else. So my stomach feels like it's in my chest and my lungs feel like.... hmmmm... they don't even feel like they're there anymore... I guess that could explain why I've been short on air lately.

Indeed, in an effort to provide spacious-enough accommodations for my soon-to-be bouncing boy, my growing uterus has compressed my lungs, limiting their ability to fully expand when I take a breath and causing me to feel like I've just run a marathon when I've only climbed a flight of stairs. While this shortness of breath during pregnancy may feel very uncomfortable (at times), my baby is blissfully unaware and unaffected. My baby boy gets all the oxygen he needs through the placenta. So I'll try to relax and take a deep breath.

According to "What to Expect When You're Expecting" it says that, "that out-of-breath feeling may get better toward the end of my pregnancy, when my baby (and its uterine home) drops down into my pelvis in preparation for delivery.  Until then, I need to be sure to stand straight as I can (given the weight I'm carrying around) and sleep propped up or on my side so that my lungs have more space to... well, breathe."

My Baby
As far as growth goes, my baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds.  I can still expect my baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before we meet.

My baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and he can now perceive information from ALL 5 senses.  Sure, he can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for me -- and my baby -- I will be one of the very first scents my baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly becomes his very favorite (hopefully).

So what's my little boy doing all day while I'm busy feathering our nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along my uterine wall, and even sucking his thumb.  In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a sucker!)

projects...

So you remember when I said I wanted to learn and do some creative crafts? well I made a binnie for Jeff and a scarf for my friend Karissa, however I forgot to take a picture of the scarf, so maybe she will take a picture of it and send it to me so I can post it. Karissa came up this weekend and stayed with Jeff and I, we had a lot of fun, one of the activities that we did was make binnies on a loom... it was much easier than crocheting it on a hook (since I have yet to figure out how to start it and how to finish one)... so the brown one is the one I made for Jeff and the green one is the one she made for me; even though we were both trying to make a hat for Jeff, the brown however fit his head better because it was bigger.

We also watched the documentary movie "BABIES" it had its funny parts, because babies are just so cute and predictable... but as a whole the movie was long and kind of boring, there wasn't much of a plot and there was hardly any speaking involved, unless you count languages that I do not know like, Japanese, Mongolian, and Namibian... I did however understand Californian but those parents didn't speak much to their child.

I think what I will do over the Thanksgiving break is make hair bows with my nieces as an activity to do together, and then for Christmas give them something else... I wish I could write what kind of gifts I am thinking about doing, but then I'd be giving away the surprise, because I know they read this here blog...

So one of the many gifts that my friend Karissa gave me this weekend was a Knitting guidebook- basic and special techniques for knitting winter projects.
Projects in this kit include quick crafts, plan-ahead projects, and long-term projects. Since Christmas is just about a month away, I'll have to get started on some of the plan-ahead projects so that I can finish on time.  Some of these projects both quick and plan-ahead include:  beaded box ornament, soft-as-a-cloud baby booties, classic Christmas stockings, felted winter tote, ruffle scarf, throw pillows, cosmetics bag, and lace centerpiece.

Now if I can figure out how to read and do the instructions I will be set.. I may need some professional help though (in more ways than one!)

Thanksgiving! I am so excited because in three 3 days Jeff, Travis, and I will be in Nevada with the rest of my family till about Sunday morning! The last time we were all together was over the summer when we had a family reunion in Missouri, but this will be one of the first times we've all been at my parents' house... now to only convince Dustin to be there at least Wednesday before he has to go fly somewhere for work, who knew Thanksgiving day would be one of the busiest travel days of the year? more than Christmas?! sucks to be a pilot, but at the same time so wonderful! Sorry Dusty! We are leaving Tuesday night and arriving early Wednesday morning, there is suppose to be a huge storm Tuesday day lasting until the night, but I hope it doesn't impede our travels, or worst I hope it doesn't impede my sister and bro-in-law's travels, their 4 young daughters traveling from Vancouver, WA... if the weather is bad they won't come... no! 

Sunday, a day of Rest and Worship
Friday, a friend from work, Jo a semi-Lutheran from a small farming town in Wisconsin somewhere, told me he was interested in coming to church with me.  Recently we've had a few discussions here and there about the church, or at least principles that the Lord teaches, such as forgiveness, patience, love, and worship. I haven't had much of an opportunity to share about the restoration or what makes "us" so much different than other religions... He is an interesting kid, in the sense that he is very naive and somewhat redneck in his upbringing- whether that's how he was really raised or that is just how he is... I do know that his brother, the one he lives with is VERY ANTI-MORMON... so anti in fact that him and I could be friends, but as soon as he finds out I'm "mormon" he'd tell me to leave his house and never come back and probably get angry at me for not telling him I was mormon before we became friends! (apparently this has happened before, not to me, but to someone). So this bit of information isn't very good, but isn't impossible to work with.  I've been praying for opportunities for me to gain his trust and for us to become friends, being able to talk about important things, spiritual things, principles that can influence his life for the better and help him find meaning in his existence.  He told me the other day that I remind him of his mother (he is a mama's boy), that he felt it so easy to talk to me and for me to understand, and give wisdom and advice where appropriate.  He is a good kid, and being 18, fresh out of high school, coming to Logan, UT (where I think is a small town) he thinks is a HUGE city! Perspective is everything! A person who has never heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Mormons", LDS, Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, or Joseph Smith, especially in our day and age, with technology the way it is and missionary work ever so populating and growing, it is surprising that he had never heard anything about us. His mom is very religious, but no one else is in his family, when I asked him if he was Christian, he asked me what that meant.  Some of the other people at work have been not very helpful in explaining things to him, instead use sarcasm and jokes to laugh about church history and other restoration facts- using big words (although may be normal everyday language for members of the church or even common knowledge, to an outsider it only confuses them more and make them more unwilling to learn, especially when sarcasm is involved, instead they think you are making fun of them... also coming to find out that Jo didn't understand sarcasm, it wasn't something he had ever heard of or witnessed in his life).... In some ways he is like a very small child, and possibly a small child from another country or another planet! 

Today, Sunday, he said he was going to come to church with us, but like most "investigators" I try not to get my hopes up because most times out of naught they never show up.  He didn't show up, he lost track of time and instead went to Harry Potter 7.  Next time :) 

I do have high hopes for him though, even in the short amount of time that I have known him he has grown and we have become friends.  Hopefully one day he will really have a desire to know the Lord and want to be in His Fold! 

29 weeks 6 days... 7 1/2 months

10 more weeks to go! Oh my it has gone by so fast, and it seems like only recently I have been able to show for it! No one questions it anymore and if they do, they're being just plain mean! 

I almost have an outty, not yet, and I'm hoping I don't, but probably will maybe next month! 

The Baby is the size of a small cabbage (however including all of the liquid in my belly I'm sure he takes up the size of a basketball). He is 17 inches in length and will not be growing in length anymore, but will be growing in weight, which he is 2.9lbs right now.

My belly is big enough now where I can no longer see my feet or my legs when I stand, not to mention my uterus is now gigantic and it has taken over my abdomen, forcing my stomach up near my throat, now I understand why I get really bad heartburn, even from drinking water! Also, the baby's head or shoulder is pressing on my bladder causing me to pee every 1/2hr or so... yeah... all you women who have been prego before, know exactly what I am talking about, and just so you know, I am NOT complaining, I realize this is natural and what must happen to have a baby, and I've got it so good, some women are on bed rest their entire pregnancy, luckily I am able to have a job- even if it does require me to stand for 8 or so hrs straight, only time to sit is when I pee... I am grateful non-the-less.

Counting Baby's Kicks...
I probably don't notice him kicking me while I am working because I am moving around so much, but when I am not working he is definitely noticeable.  I went to the Dr a few days ago and she (the nurse) told me to count the kicks he makes, to lie down and pay attention to him, at least once in the morning and once at night.  If he kicks, swishes, or rolls at least 10 times in an hour (twice a day) everything is A-OK, and if not, maybe he is on a break, eat something and try again later, but still if nothing happens then something is wrong... The good news is NOTHING is wrong. He is definitely A-OK, as Jeff puts it, "He is beating mommy up from the inside often." true that.

Sunday Night Activities

We tried very hard to come up with wholesome activities appropriate for Sunday, so here is what we did today after church:

I alphabetized our movies based on the year... yeah so I got a bit bored with the way it was before, straight alphabetically, so now when I feel like watching an 80s movie, I can see them right away! yeah! that's why they call me a professional! ;) I say "I" because Jeff watched "Yes Man" while I organized.

We made taco soup for dinner and homemade tortilla chips (take tortillas and bake them for 10 min or so)... yummy.

We made tender sugar sugar (no I did not stutter, I accidentally added 1/4c too much sugar to the mix, that cup was supposed to go over the cookies when ready to bake, needless to say, we did not add more sugar to the tops of the cookies) cookies from scratch. And even had an arts and crafts session, funny because Jeff is so NOT into "arts and crafts" and got frustrated with the project maybe 1/2 min into it. We made cookie cutters out of card stock, yes they are pretty sketchy with architectural tape holding them together. I made a Christmas tree and Jeff made a Heart.  Then we had a race to see who could make an "X" first, he quit and mine came out not quite an X but more like a pitch fork or a Y with an extra V.  (However Jeff thinks it looks more like Jesus or a witch)

At least the cookies came out yummy regardless of what they looked like. he he he

Then we went to Tithing Settlement, yeah we are current and full tithe payers, our bishop was a bit under the weather, his voice was all raspy and we could barely understand what he was saying, and hoping that the less we would say the less he would say so it wouldn't hurt his throat... awkward to say the least, plus I feel awkward anyway when people give me advice that seems like common sense and I have no response for... like, "the baby is going to change your life, for good, so make sure you keep loving each other. I just want you to know that I love my wife." Um, duh! Of course, I was planning on it! 

I found a game on Jeff's iphone, not meaning to, I was trying to find the dot game for two players- you know the one where you take turns drawing lines to make boxes and whoever has the most boxes at the end wins, well, I was in the process of clicking on it when Jeff sees this other game called, "Who Threw Poo" (and of course he clicked on it and started playing as soon as it finished downloading) it is a lot like "Angry Birds" but instead of birds it is poop and you're throwing poop at your neighbors, the fun thing about it is the pooh sticks to your neighbor (that is if you hit them) and it makes Jeff giggle like a little school girl! my favorite!

eek!

27 Weeks! check out the pics... I'm HUGE and I still have 3 more months! yikes

ok, so maybe I just look a little bigger when I cradle my belly... but I swear, I'm still huge!

Birthday Costume Halloween Party...

Jeff and I went to a Halloween birthday party Friday night, it had by far the funniest and most outrageous moments that one couple could handle in one night!

left to right: Ben, the birthday boy, got run over by a car and was dragged a few yards before he got up and walked himself to this here party! And the Feline!

left to right: Grandma (actually a 14or so yr old boy), 2 Biggest Loser Contestants, Flo the Progressive Insurance Consultant, Antwon the black rapper whose sister was abducted and he rapped about it in a news report, and Jaime the nurse who took care of Ben but didn't really want to get out of her cooking apron.

I went as a peasant girl, using the dress Meischa gave me a few years ago, her old "war" gown. And Jeff went as a mummy. However, everyone thought our costumes went "together" and we were Lazarus and Mary Magdalen - sure why not.

The Naughty Hearse (Nurse) and the Mad Hatter

Zoey, Jeff, Ben

Lee (Scream!) and Jeff the Mummy or aka, Lazarus

"I will eat your BRAINS!" Kitten (Angela) and Jeff

The Chinese Students or as Lee would put it, "the Chinese girls... hahaha"
"You're a tiger...Pugsley"
Flo
Donuts on a string

Craft Sensation....

Lately I have been feeling really "crafty" and actually doing crafts, which is way out of the norm for me. Sure I like to design, but I never get out the glue gun, sew, or tie things together to actually make other things!

And the best part about it is that I've got a list! (what would I do without my lists!) These are things, ideas, and crafts that I want to do and I want to learn how to do:

Sewing - (the best way to learn is to do projects to teach me)
curtains/drapes
table runner
table cloth
cloth napkins
pillow cases both for a bed and for a couch
ironing board cover
apron
dish towels
Baby Stuff- new linens for bassinet, high-chair, car seat, jumper, changing wipes zipper, and diaper bag

Crocheting -
scarves
binnies
kitchen hot pads
baby blanket

Glue gun -
paci clip
hair ribbons/bows/and headbands
magnet bookmarks
wreath (original)

Also, if you have any other ideas for crafts (good for Christmas presents or other) let me know... I would LOVE to learn!

Right now, Mindy's got me making a scarf because it is a way for me to learn the basics of crocheting all in one. So far so good, we started Saturday afternoon, when Jeff and I went over to their house to watch Harry Potter, I of course didn't watch any of it because I was busy trying to figure out how to hold the stupid yarn, plus I've seen them so many times anyway I've got all the movies memorized! I'm so excited that I'm becoming crafty... the more I learn the more I want to know more and the more I end up doing myself, teaching myself, and making up!

Last week sometime, I went over to Sarah's house to learn how to glue ribbons/flowers for headbands and barrettes. Very Fun! also, while I was there visiting her, getting to know her and her husband better, and learning how to do these neat little creations, we went over to Jamie's house (a lady we work with) who was giving Sarah a bunch of her baby stuff; which in turn Sarah gives me stuff that she had duplicates of... SCORE! So yeah, now we have a car seat and a bassinet.

Stacy, is letting Jeff and I borrow almost all of her baby/kid stuff, borrow until they have another kid (I'm hoping that isn't within the next year! I don't want to give it back right when we'll be needing or using it the most) She's letting us borrow a stroller, car seat, snuggle thingy for the car seat, a high chair, bouncer/jumper, a swing, a bathtub, toys, and I'm afraid I'm forgetting something but I can't remember what else. hmmm it'll come to me....

Lorinna gave us a bumbo? Everyone has been more than generous and thoughtful in everything, we definitely appreciate "hand-me-downs"!

Murder Dinner

Friday, October 22, 2010

We were invited to a Murder Mystery Dinner party, neither one of us had been to one before, knew how it worked, or how it might pan out. Since we had only hung out with this crowd one other time we were hoping that personalities wouldn't clash and we'd all have a GREAT TIME!

This is how the invitation read: (Aubrey did a wonderful job in designing the invitations)

The Honor of your presence is requested for Halloween weekend at the Castle Von Morgue, in Deadbolt Transylvania in honor of the Engagement of Neville Aster-Night to Lizzie Bordeaux

To my dearest friends both living and dead, It is with ghoulish pleasure that I announce my engagement to Lizzie Bordeaux, the mistress of the Motel California. I will be throwing a weekend bash for Halloween at my castle, which will culminate in an engagement party the likes of which has never been seen in Transylvania. No doubt most of you already know each other, as we travel in the same circles and haunt the same crypts. I promise food, fun, and terror for all. I've even put in a special order fora a dark and stormy night. So, cancel whatever other plans you might have because I will not take "no" for an answer. I guarantee it will be a night to die for! Eternally, Neville Aster-Night

The entire night, including drinks, appetizers, and dinner was Fabulous and absolutely mouth watering.

The Guests included eight characters, each required to dress up and act the part:

Aubrey: Lizzie Bordeaux. This gothic and enigmatic woman hails from the south of France. Rumors that she hacked her parents apart with an ax as a child are all unsubstantiated. Besides the murders happened while her parents were on vacation in Texas and the weapon was a chainsaw. Regardless, Lizzie has had to fend for herself since her youth and learned the cutthroat ways of business. A sharp and incisive woman, and never one to mince words, she's carved herself out a slice of the Transylvanian dream. Now, she's the respected owner of the Motel California and is engaged to Deadbolt's leading citizen, Neville Aster-Night.
Tyler: Hannibal Schecter, is the world's only documented kosher cannibal. It all began several years ao after he heard that unforgettable lyric by Balihi, "Some Enchanted Evening you may Eat a Stranger." and he did precisely that, and hasn't stopped since. Following the strict dietary laws of his faith has always been a challenge for the hypnotically charming maneater - especially because most of the people who deserve to be eater are either swine or bottom feeders and therefore off limits. Still, he's made do, and has risen to the occasion in high style. Always dressed at the height of classic fashion, Hannibal can often be seen escorting tasty beauties to funerals, wakes, and other society functions. Not surprisingly those beauties are rarely heard from again.

Sarah: Glumda, the Wicked Witch of DePressed. She comes from the armpit of OZ; a place far from the glamour of the Emerald City. In her mountainside village of DePressed, the scarecrows won't dance, the lions won't sing, and even the munchkins are in therapy. Always jealous of the other more prosperous enchantresses, the Witch spends much of her days casting spells of mischief to pass the time. She rarely leaves her remote fortress except to engage in her hobby of mile-high acrobatics on her broom. Feared and respected, Glumda is a statuesque woman with a piercing gaze, pale green complexion, and fingernails that could gut a grouper with a single thrust.

Lucas: Balihi, the RogersAndHammerstein Monster. Constructed from body parts of various and sundry individuals, he is a little bit country and a little bit rock-and-roll - but mostly musical theater. Within weeks of his reanimation, he was accepted to Julliard, received a degree in decomposition, and has been known to terrorize hapless villagers with smarm show tunes until their brains explode. His works include "Graveside Story", "Eternally -Damned Yankees," and "Cats." Balihi is quite the ladies- monster; women adore his stylish, diamond-stud neck bolts and level head. While many women have tried to nail him down in marriage, he always broke loose before vows were exchanged.

Stan: Asthmadeus, the Prince of Dimness. The younger brother of the Prince of Darkness, was never cut out for life in Heck. For one thing, his chronic respiratory condition simply can't handle the heat, and secondly, he's deathly afraid of the dark. In fact, he's rumored to sleep witha nightlight in his cavern -- hence he has been dubbed "The Prince of Dimness." Of course, that not the only reason for the title. The junior prince has never been accused of being the brightest flame in purgatory -- but what he lacks in brains, he makes up for in boyish good looks. Well versed in all forms of decadence, the Prince spends his life party-hopping the world in his silver Rolls Royce (his brother got the gold one). Often seen with his close friend and confidant, Balihi, the two have been known to cruise the crypts for undead babes.

Aubrey #2: Angela Deth, DDS. It is believed that early man's leading cause of death was dental trouble, and Dr. Angela Deth wants to bring back the good old days. This beautiful dentist is famous for putting her patients under -- sixe feet under, that is. The vivacious Dr. Deth earned the admiration of ghoulkind when she perfected the Intergenerational Root Canal. Although she was given the electric chair several years ago, she was mysteriously saved at the last instant by a black out and escaped before the power came back on. Now, she roams the world, performing random acts of dentistry on poor unsuspecting citizens. Angela's favorite patient is the Mummy of King Aldrinktotat, whose 3,000-year-old teeth are a psychotic dentist's dream.

Jeff: The Mummy of King Aldrinktotat. Three thousand years in a tomb can really cramp your style-- so when he was uncovered 20 years ago, the Mummy left Egypt and has never gone back. Since then he has stalked the globe, painting the world red in search of a good time. Madness, mayhem, and wanton destruction often follow in his wake because, hey, this bag of bones knows how to party. Always well-dressed in designer linen strips, the Mummy is welcome in hotspots everywhere. He is also a celebrated author -- his self-help book "Life Begins at 3,000" was on the best-seller list for years. True, he has incredibly dry skin, but the babes don't seem to mind that he's a little bit flaky.

Me: Aretha Garlique. The effervescent Aretha Garlique is renowned the world over as the flamboyant clairvoyant, able to speak to departed souls over the ethernet. She has done seances for royalty and heads of state, and has aided the FBI, and Scotland Yard in tracking down murderers by contacting the dead themselves to get eyewitness accounts. She's channeled hundreds of men from Elvis to Alexander the Great, who, after having him, turned out not to be so great after all. Because of her supernatural powers, she is feared and hated by the undead, which is why she always wears garlic around her neck. The proper way to address her is Madame Garlique.

Clammy and Sweaty...

Sunday, Oct 17, 2010

Last week, Jeff and I were asked to speak in church on our favorite General Conference talk. We didn't hesitate at saying yes. I was so excited to speak! This was the first time since I'd been home from my mission, not that I hadn't been asked to speak up til this point, this was just the first time that the military didn't conflict. Jeff also hadn't spoke in quite some time, but definitely not as long as I, nor was he excited as I was. Because it had been so long for myself, I wondered if anything had changed for me, if I still got nervous speaking in large groups in front of a pulpit, or if I would cry when I felt the spirit. I was excited to speak, especially now as a married woman, another category to add to the list.

Since neither of us had watched or listened to Conference, it was a good excuse to catch up and to pick a favorite. The two talks we chose were: "Be an example of the believers" and "Faith- the choice is yours"

I was grateful that Jeff wanted to go first, I was excited, but not THAT excited! Plus he wanted to get it over with, he was nervous, so nervous in fact that his palms were all sweaty, cold, and clammy, plus it felt like his heart was going to pump right out of his chest! By him going first, he was able to introduce us and the "baby on the way"... a lot of people grinned at his witty charm, and I couldn't help but smile.

He did very well, he didn't sound at all nervous, he sounded very prepared, calm, and comfortable. I was starting to get a bit nervous now because I hadn't entirely figured out what I was going to say to introduce my talk... but I pushed that feeling away and tried to listen intently on my husband and listen to the spirit. It calmed me right down, a moment of rapid heart beats and baby kicks does not help anything!

He was finished and I was up... Honestly, I don't remember much, other than feeling very comfortable up there and knowing that I could have spoken for another 15-20 minutes easily. I've got lots of stories! In some ways I think I may have over-prepared my talk, but I am grateful for it, I'd rather have too much than not enough. Plus the other two speakers were glad that I took up some time- and good time it was!

I am grateful the opportunity we were able to give talks, I'm grateful that both Jeff and I accepted to speak without hesitating, I know that the Leaders of the Church appreciate that. Since my dad has been Bishop, he has commented to me on how difficult it is to find speakers in church, and I think, really, Why? it's like any other calling, you just DO IT, no hesitation. The Lord will qualify you to speak- especially if you aren't very good at it in the first place, and practice makes it easier and makes you better at it... I'm just sayin'

Also, we were extended the call to teach the 15-17yr olds in Sunday School! We are both so excited! Jeff is so good with the youth, he just has a way with them that gets them to listen and obey. I think it is in part that he too is a big kid! hopefully that'll be the case this time around too... :) We are just pleased for all the good that is happening in our life, the Lord does Love us, and we Love Him TOO!

Moab

A few weeks ago Jeff got to go down to Moab with his brother Brett and his nephew Braedon on a camping/FJ cruiser (off roading) trip. I think he enjoyed himself, except for the sleeping part. I told him he should pack a blanket or some type of padding to sleep on, but Brett was like, "nah, we'll man it out this weekend, we don't need no stinkin padding!" boy were they sorry they didn't take it! Other than the sleeping, the trip itself was fun, glad that he was able to go hang out with the boys!