Nursery and Waiting

Well, tomorrow is the ever-awaited day. The one they give you to tell you when your baby will be here. Come to find out, they lie. Well...at least from what I can tell, she's not planning an entrance anytime soon. But what do I know? She's doing a good job of being in the right position and everything. And I am having some pretty intense Braxton Hicks. But, according to Doctor, those mean about as much as the "due" date. So, alas, we wait. And that's okay. We figure she's worth waiting for. :)

While we've played the "any day now" game over the last couple of weeks, I finally finished up the nursery! It's been pretty well finished for awhile now, but there's always more to do! More cute outfits to wash and fold (and re-fold), more cute little socks to "awww" over, more rethinking colors and furniture placement. But it's finally there! Just how I imagined it, and more.

What nursery is complete without a Sleep Sheep?? So stinking cute!

The sweetest thing.

 



Lately I like to write messages on my belly with my finger. It's my way of communicating that she's so cute and so so very loved and our little sunshine. Well, I usually get a response in the form of a swift kick. It totally melts my heart. I don't know if she's kicking me off or just responding to the sound, but she's really cute at doing either one. We can't WAIT to meet you, little one! The nursery is patiently anticipating your warm cuddles and coos. Your onesies are washed and folded. Your tiny shoes can't wait to hug each one of your toesies. And Daddy is about to go in and get you himself if he has too wait much longer to kiss your cheeks. We love you. See you really soon.

The bigger the belly, the smaller the brain.

I have loved being pregnant. It is crazy to watch your body change so rapidly and to feel those little kicks (smack dab on the bladder) every time I eat or lean up against something. We've had some awesome little moments and I hope I don't ever forget this amazing time in our lives. I love the way Nathaniel's eyes light up when he feels her little nudges. And I love the way he talks to her in whale-language like it's the only thing she can understand since she's in water. I love the way he kisses my belly goodnight and then looks at me and says, "I can't believe we're here already." It's a crazy thing--becoming parents. It's once in a lifetime. I'm so glad he's doing this with me. He's so good at it already. And he makes me feel like I'm good at it, too.

Here's a few Make-You-Smile moments from the last few days:

1. Dropping the top to my razor in the shower and finding it resting on the shelf that is now my big belly.
2. The sweet cat-like reflexes I have acquired in response to my complete lack of perception and balance. When one door closes, another opens?
3. Waiting for what felt like an eternity in the doctor's office and playing a nice little game of "What element is ____ on the Periodic Table of Elements?" It was Nathaniel's turn. He asked, "Which element is 'H?'" To which I replied with a voice of total certainty, "Helaman." Our Sunday School teacher would be so proud.
4. Speaking of Sunday's...Feeling baby girl kick every time I sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer." She knows the good stuff.
5. Having the ultrasound tech walk in on our game and ask, "Did you know what time your appointment was today?" "Of course!" I reply. "It was at 1:30." She looks down at her clipboard and wiggles her pointer and middle fingers and says, "It's actually at 2. We were all wondering why you were so early! We thought you might have been bored or something and decided to come in." Yes. Because that's the first thing on our list to do when we're bored. Let's go hang out at our OB's office! Maybe if we're really lucky we'll get an extra pap smear and make it through the rest of the periodic table! And ten more points go to my pregnancy brain.
6. Nearly passing out on the ultrasound table with the same ultrasound tech. Turns out 1 lb. 10 oz. is enough weight to cut off the blood going to your brain. At least we got this cute picture out of it! I'd pass out any day to see that sweet profile.
7. Jumping the gun and setting up baby girl's crib in our bedroom! I can't wait to wake up tomorrow.
8. Out-eating Nathaniel at dinner. Unfortunately, I may out-weigh him soon, too.
Life is oh so good. And keeps getting better and bigger.

Ruffles and Bows

We went to the doctor yesterday for a little check-up...oh...and an ULTRASOUND! I love those babies. We got to see our sweet little one and how much she's grown.

And yes, if you didn't catch that last hint, We are having a GIRL! A sweet little lady-like girly girl! Sweet thing wouldn't dare open her legs for us. haha But we saw enough to know she is a SHE! AH! I just couldn't be happier. We love you so much already, sweet thing.

I have loved being pregnant. I can't think of a time where I have felt happier or more fulfilled. Our little girl has taught me so much already. I don't know if I could explain it, but it's like she's constantly reminding me of God's hand in the world around us. I had a thought last night. Heavenly Father didn't send this sweet angel to the earth in the 1800's or in the 1960's. He his sending her right now. In 2012, when the world's a little crazy and maybe sometimes a bit scary. But she knows. And He knows He can trust her. She is such a sweet little spirit and I can NOT wait to meet her and see her little face!

Oh. And can I mention how in love her daddy is already?? Gun is loaded. Dating applications are carefully filed. Hair-braiding courses have been checked off. He is smitten. Today he felt her move and saw my belly jump as she kicked nice and hard. I'm starting to think this little clip could very well become a reality in our house:

Helllo!

Well....I've been gone forever and have way way way too much to update, so here's what we're gonna do. Flash update!! READY....SET.....GO!

-Nathaniel is HOME!! He's stinkin cute and we still like each other.
-He's in school and has finally decided on a major: English and Linguistics. snap.
-I'm working for the most fabulous woman I have ever met. She has been diagnosed with MS and knows more about life than I could ever aspire to know.
-We're moving to a new place in Rexburg and are super DUPER excited cause we get to be in my aunt and uncle's ward! Party time!!
-We have a new blog!! We're a little bit better at updating that one...and it's about food. So, pretty much better all the way around. thetinpan.blogspot.com
- Oh...and WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!

We Remember

It's amazing to look back on the last ten years. So much has changed in direct result of those September attacks. I never would have imagined as a 12 year-old girl that that day would influence my life so personally. I watched the news and I saw the footage, but I didn't understand. This is what I know now. Freedom and liberty are eternal in their nature. There is nothing, nor anyone, who can change or destroy truth. And it is true that we have the God-given freedom of choice. I am proud to live in and breathe the air of a country that emulates that principle. I choose to defend it and magnify it's principles with my life.
We will always remember September 11, 2001. And I pray with that remembrance, that we will too remember why freedom is so important and why its possession requires such a great responsibility on behalf of those whose lives it graces.

While Waiting.

Wow! over 3 months since I last posted! Can we say SLACKER?? I can. Man. It's not that I haven't thought about it. In fact, I've started and stopped a dozen posts since then but ended up deleting them and writing them in my private journal instead. Does that ever happen to you? Happens to me all the time. I think, "hey...this might make a good post." Then I go to write it out and think hmm...maybe this is better suited for my posterity than for the all-seeing worldwide virtual social network. Call me crazy!

With that said, it has been a good couple months! I have been working, working, working and it's made the time totally fly! My sister came to visit and brought her cute roommate along with her. We had a great two weeks, even though I was a workaholic the whole time they were here. We did get to go to Mesa Falls for a day, Rigby Lake, G's Dairy, St. Anthony Sand Bar, and Kiwi Loco...a couple times. Oh! And who could forget our frequent trips to South Carolina each time Ash would whip out her southern accent and tell us all the story of "where she been raised...if you wasn't manned-up by the time you were two, they'd spank ya and put'cha up for adoption!" ha! I came THIS close to peeing my pants on more occasions than I care to mention. I'm just now overcoming the withdraws I had after they left. (Miss you two cats! You look like babies!)

It is now 4 days until we enter the blessed month of September. That sweet, autumn month will again make its annual appearance, but this time, will bring with its colorful leaves and smokey smell, MY HUSBAND! Thank you summer, it's been fun. SEE YA LATER! I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU GO! Welcome you wonderful Fall, every aspect of your arrival brings back to mind the sweetest memories and renews the hope of memories to come. I love YOU!

Mushy gushy side note: If there is one thing I'm comfortable sharing with both my posterity and the worldwide web its that I love my uniform-wearin, side-smilin, mustache-growin lover boy. I may have failed to see all the blessings of this last year, but he never missed one. He never complains. He never gets angry. He never raises his voice...even when Skype isn't working. He is always patient with me. He loves me hardcore. And I couldn't be more blessed to call him my guy. And I CAN NOT WAIT to get into a normal, boring, everyday routine with that man! Monotony never sounded so good.