39 Weeks

Friday marked 39 weeks. May 1 is this week, the due date is upon us! I realize it can be any day now but I have been telling myself to hold tight, there is a good chance this little one will want to show up late. I am excited to meet this little one that has been enjoying my abdomen as home for so long now. I will also be grateful for fully expandable lungs. It's hard to wrap your mind and heart around the transition that is about to happen. So many changes, so much to learn, and yet so exciting (and scary)!

39.2 weeks

This weekend has been cooler and rainy. We need this kind of weather more often. It's just been so warm and dry for months now. April has proven more wintery than February. I had to break out tights, boots, and scarves for church this morning again. I wish it would stay cooler, my maternity wardrobe is quite limited and is mostly geared towards cool days.

Friday was my last pre-baby shift at work. Granted, we haven't worked out all the post-baby work stuff yet. We'll see how that plays out. But as for now, I am on leave. I have to say that I am glad to have a break but I also felt a little sad. I enjoy most of nursing, it can be quite rewarding. Also, I enjoy having some sort of useful skill to society, even if it's not the most extreme nursing job. I think I always want to be doing a little bit of nursing work as long as I can still make family and child raising a priority.

she is our only baby right now, but that is about to change.

We got a few things finished around the house this weekend. We did our usual things as well, like a long walk for Ingrid, laundry, and a slow Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon we went to Les Madeleines, a bakery and cafe sort of place. We enjoyed some special coffees and baked goods.

of course a food picture. city hall in view.

We sat outside and chatted. The weather is identical to the weather most of our time in Germany and Austria. The city hall in downtown SLC seemed very European at the moment. While sipping on a nice (decaf) latte, we reminiscenced over our trip. Everything about that moment but the busy road brought us back to that trip. We definitely desire to keep having adventures of all kinds. We also want to be very purposeful with our lives and where we currently live. There is a fine, delicate balance to that sort of life.  We don't ever want to squander time because we are so busy trying to find and do the next best thing. While we are open to all sorts of things but right now, maybe having a baby is just a fine thing to focus on.

35 Weeks

We rang in 34 weeks by spending a lovely weekend with some of our dearest friends from our days in Fort Collins. Since those days, we've all live in separate cities but our friendships remain strong. We had a low key visit, spending most of our time eating, talking, and enjoying precious time together. Davis and I took them to some of the best food spots we know, parks, our church, and the Museum of Natural History. Also, I put on my best effort to convince both families to move to Salt Lake City :) All of us are southern transplants out west, so maybe we will all one day end up back in the south together sometime? The visit was refreshing to me. So sweet to have friends in your home. I definitely slacked off on picture taking, so here are the blogs of Lauren and Libby since I don't really have pictures to share.

Here are the two pictures I have from the weekend :)

Viola and Ingrid

Post Vietnamese dinner park time

So fast forward through another week. As of today we 35 weeks plus a couple days. I feel like the baby has really grown a lot as of late. Or maybe I am just really starting to feel big and uncomfortable. I still get a lot of comments of how "small" I look. I certainly don't feel it. However, I think my longer than average torso has helped me look "smaller". I can tell my lungs can't expand as they used to and my bladder becomes more full at an increased rate. The worst part is trying to sleep with limited positioning. Left side to right side and back and forth all night as my hips alternate getting num. I also have been having more mid-back pain. It's my usual trouble spot from poor posture and nursing work but it's worse and has made sleeping more challenging now. As much as I've grown in the past month, I can't imagine what another month will do for baby and me.

35 weeks, scrub pants for a post work picture
(It's pretty obvious I am not great at this selfie thing)

 We slowly continue to become a little more ready every week. The nursery is mostly ready. I might do a little more decor with some fabric I've had for years. Most of the new items are from Ikea but the rest of the decor I've re-homed from other parts of the house or storage. It's definitely a sort of homely eclectic look, similar to the rest of our house.

Thanks to Davis, we have a few shelves over the changing table (or dresser)

good old safety belt on the changing pad

the start of our book collection, probably the
one "toy" I'm excited to have around

post cards from Albrecht Durer Museum
in Nuremburg Germany have become decor

A few essentials: crib and car seat with
the homemade quilt from Libby.
THANK YOU, LIBBY!

We've gotten names mostly narrowed down. We haven't talked about it with many people yet and I am not going to share any of the final choices on here. Plus, we still don't know the gender and therefore won't settle on a name for a long time. That will just have to wait. I am started to get more anxious about the whole "parenting" thing. Mostly it is trying to imagine myself in this new role with a child I haven't gotten to know yet. Sure, I feel the wiggles and all that but to see him or her grow up with all the strengths and weaknesses, is a whole other thing. When I start feeling worried or anxious, I try to remember to ask God for peace for this moment and to take one day at a time. It is still fairly surreal a baby will be ours and our responsibility soon!

33 weeks

March is nearly halfway over now. It's a bit crazy that today this little one is 33 weeks. Even as the day approaches swiftly, I am still lacking some motivation to get things completed.

another post work picture of high quality :)
33 weeks!

My mom came in from Georgia last weekend to help. She was able to attend the baby shower my church friends had for me. It was special to see our Utah friends show us love and support as our family grows. And having mom there is just extra special, we had a really great time. She helped me organize some baby things, added to the baby wardrobe and needs, and enjoy some final just mother daughter time.  We even managed to sneak in a symphony. Even though I still have quite a ways to go for baby preparing, I have a great start thanks to mom. Next time she visits, I'll be a mother too. That is so weird and crazy to think about.

all the yummy foods at the baby shower, appropriately garden themed.

walk to the park. mom likes our mountains :)

The little one is pretty wiggly and seems to be enjoying taking my energy and lung space. Although a lot of people comment that I don't look very big, I think this baby is just growing inside, not pushing my belly out too far, and taking up all that space my organs were suppose to occupy. According to the doctor everything is measuring just fine.

This warm weather seems determined to stay. I suppose it really is spring time here. Davis has started a few seeds in the ground. We might have some radishes, kale, beets, and carrots sooner than usual. We have put in some lilac and roses as well. We have grand plans for the yard but with the timing of the baby and me working less soon, some things just may have to wait.

the world is beginning to bloom

This weekend should be fairly quiet. We have a few house chores to do but mostly Davis and I are planning on enjoying some time together. Next weekend we are planning for the invasion from Fort Collins friends. So excited about it!

The end of February

Hello!

As of tomorrow, I'll be 31 weeks. So very crazy. It seems long and yet short. Here is a lovely post-work pajama picture from today. It seems the bump is actually growing significantly now, even if it started slow. I am not complaining though, it's been nice to not feel overly stuffed so soon.

I am not sure I mentioned this yet, but the baby room (and Ingrid's room) got painted the weekend before. It's a very light blue/green. Calm, cool colors are my favorite. We moved some of the clutter out as well. It's step one of making this room more inhabitable.

I'd prefer a different rug, but that will do for now.

We have had a few baby gifts come in. I have also visited a kid's consignment shop a couple blocks up the road and picked up some inexpensive onsies, moby wrap, and a few other odds and ends. Maybe by the time due date rolls around I'll be ready. I keep hoping for more of this rumored "nesting" thing to kick in.

First gifts:
Jesus Storybook Bible and BabyLit's
Frankenstein (it's really not about monsters)
I asked for them both, my book taste is varied!

We just spent a lovely long weekend with our dear friend's the Moffatts. They flew in to see us and other folks for a few days. It was good for our souls to catch up with these lovely people. Of course, I am terrible with pictures. I did get a couple of Harper. Harper seemed to have a very sisterly relationship with Ingrid. They enjoyed playing together and then fighting... well Harper wasn't a fan of how roughly Ingrid plays with her toys (she destroys them).

two little monkeys jumping on the bed

Harper's face is cute :)

sporting the pad-stache.

We miss them so very much but are thankful for the time we have with them. This weekend will be quiet for us but the following weekend my mom comes. Maybe then I'll get my preparing done!

I suppose that is all for now.

January things

I've spent the morning battling fruit flies. I am losing horribly. Seven different traps made according to several different internet resources and the flies are completely ignoring them. You see, we've been adding indoor plants to help with air quality and because we like green and living things to be in our house. But it seems there is a price to pay for such living. And that price is sharing your house with fruit flies which seem to multiply by the millions. Ugh.

I promised I'd post a few pictures of the house as things became more settled. I believe I am one of those people who never completely finishes a house. Who can do such a thing all at once? We had the realization that we need to clean out the future baby's room and actually put some baby items in there. This means I actually need to make a registry and start collecting the few more necessary pieces of furniture. This means getting things for the basement and living room will have to be weighed with more pertinent baby items all while living under the same budget. Life is expensive sometimes. Right now our "wants" list is pretty long too. But we have little need, so we are grateful. I have also realized that I am  slow to get baby things sorted anyway. Birthing classes... Pediatrician... Registry... Planning on changes for this new life... Just haven't gotten around to any of it yet. I have been more interested in planning an inexpensive babymoon though :)

the less obvious baby bump picture
with ingrid

25 weeks and a silly husband

Davis's mom just left from a long weekend visit. The weather was lovely and we had plenty of time to visit and enjoy the company. Unfortunately, Davis and I both got some mild stomach thing this weekend. Most likely from bad food but it's hard to say at this point. We tried to not let it damper our fun.

We had to go to Alta and look at the snow

And here are a few pictures of the mostly completely bedroom. I have given up making it look like all those cool spaces you see on blogs and pinterest. We live in the house and it looks clean for about 5 minutes. Ingrid jumped on the bed as soon as I made it. The dresser often becomes a collection ground for chapsticks and other assorted objects. But it's our home and we find it cozy.

Ingrid likes the pregnancy pillow. We call it her boat.

morning light

the beginning of a "gallery wall" in living room

So, that's it. I need to get moving and try to get other things done while battling these flies. I'll take any suggestions you have for this problem! Hope every is having a lovely January.

OHHHHHHH AND

My NIECE was born January 10, 2015. Isabel Marie is doing well, despite being born to parents stricken with the flu. So crazy. Everyone is thrilled she is here and I am super sad I don't get to meet her yet!

Autumn thus far

The leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler, and the days are shortening. Autumn is here and life continues to fly by at break neck speed. I do love fall. So, I am happy it is here.

Since our last desert adventure, a lot has happened. Davis' dear Gran passed away. Thankfully he was able to make it back to Mississippi to celebrate her life with his family. I stayed at home and snuggled with Ingrid. It was an expected passing and we are all thankful she is no longer in her frail body in this broken world but finally made complete for all eternity.

I have had my 28th Birthday recently. I spent it in Virginia with most of my family, post wedding festivities. Everyone treated me to all the tapas I could eat and fancy desert. Davis missed out on the partying since he had to fly back to SLC early for work. I can't believe how much closer to 30 I am getting. I am not really sad about it, it's just way crazy. Davis and I met when we were just 20. A significant portion of our lives have now been spent together. There isn't a thing you can do about getting older, might as well celebrate it and be thankful. I guess so far I am aging well, most patients and co-workers still guess that I am in my early twenties.

One of the biggest things of recent is a little wedding at a beautiful winery in the Virginian country side. My younger brother Daniel (finally) married his sweetheart, Ashley. She has basically been in the family for four years now, but now she is more stuck with us. It was such a beautiful but chilly day to celebrate their union. I love watching people's faces as they make such glorious, life changing promises. Their faces were precious as they went from tears of joy to beaming smiles. We literally celebrated all night long, these two throw a good party.

Perks of being family, front row seats.
Don't they look like barbie and ken? They are too pretty to be real

Vows exchanged, rings on, kiss complete. These two walked down the aisle to the Star Wars
theme. Can't imagine anything more perfect :) (Really... they are too pretty!)

We clean up nicely. Isn't this view fantastic? Oh green Virginia. You are lovely.

Davis and Trey may have eaten more than their share of the
raw oysters.

My cute sister, Sarah, and her boyfriend, Trey. We FINALLY got to meet him.
They are adorable too.

Older brother, Richard, and my sister, Angel, (in law but she is my sister) at dinner.
Gosh, my family is pretty  and awesome.
(Little foot baby niece or nephew coming in Jan!)

These are my fantastic parents. Sweet mom and rad dad.
They got down on the dance floor. Party on!

We sent the happy couple off with a shower of glow-sticks (light sabers?).
We collected them off the ground and had a little post partying rave. Davis
is a neon peacock here :)

It is just so sweet and comforting to be with family and celebrate adding more wonderful people to the clan. There were a lot of overt hints that we should move back east. My heart is torn and yet so full. I am astounded at the friends and family we have been privileged to "do life" with whether near or far and for a season or lifelong.  Ahhhh...  Happy Fall y'all!

hello September

Well it seems crazy we've rolled into September. Fall is rapidly approaching. I love fall. I don't love that it leads to  cold, grey, and dark winter months. The nights have been getting cooler and the temperatures seems to be staying lower on most days. We still have a few hot ones here and there.

Let's move on from chatting about the weather, let me update y'all on things.

The second house we were farther along in the process with fell through. There were some structural problems on top of normal problems and the sellers seemed oblivious and/or unwilling to fix anything. The structural problems were the kind that the lender wanted addressed and fixed before we could even get the loan. Since the sellers didn't seem to want to do that, we let it go. I think that house is already under contract again. I can't help but wonder what they will do about the structural issues with these buyers. Maybe they'll cave in and do something about it. But wondering does nothing, we are back at the beginning of the process again.  I think I am getting a little calloused to the house buying shenanigans now. We have expanded our search to include suburbs south of Salt Lake City. However, I would prefer a lifestyle where you live/work/play/shop/worship in the same neighborhood. It doesn't seem that will be as possible with our budget and the houses available in our price range. So, there is that. It was a busy long few weeks dealing with the house, so it was disappointing to have to start over.

We just had family here for ten days. Our house was full, loud, messy, and fun. It's nice to finally have the space to ourselves again. When people come visit it's like being on vacation in our own town. However, driving the party bus, so to speak, was our responsibility. Sometimes it felt like a lot of pressure to continue to impress. Thankfully Utah is amazing and very interesting. It was not to hard to keep everyone busy, maybe too busy at times.

We took a few days to venture to southern Utah. It's a whole other world from the Salt Lake Valley. We finally got to go to Bryce Canyon National Park. Last time we attempted this for my birthday, the government shut down the all the parks.

We did a short but steep hike down into the Canyon and then back out. It was fun to see the Hoodoos from above and below.

this picture doesn't do justice to the color contrast of
blue sky and orange rocks

back up, Davis carried Parker part of the way

After the descent/ascent, everyone but Davis and I took a break at the hotel for naps and relaxation. Davis and I drove to the end of the park and also hiked a few miles of the rim trail.

rim trail vistas (and getting my sunburn on)

Mars? is that you?

I love how far the eye can see in the west. If we ever move back east, I'll miss the sky and wide open spaces. I do miss green cozy forests of my native lands though too. This country is a beautiful diverse place. After Bryce, we took the back roads home to stop at Capitol Reef. We ate some pies, picked some fruit from the orchards growing in the valleys between red cliffs, and took in the amazing scenery. It's a great spot and it's not as far away from SLC as some of the other parks.

peach pie for this guy in our picnic spot

until next time, Capitol Reef

We also explored around Salt Lake City more with our guests. Sunday after church, we went to Oktoberfest up at Snowbird in the mountains. We walked to our local awesome park, Liberty Park. We ate at a few of our favorite restaurants. All of us checked out the Museum of Natural History. Overall, we had a great visit.

Now, I have to play catch up on the chores and yard work we neglected. I wonder how big our zucchinis grew over the past week? Yikes, I am about to find out.

fully committing

I will refrain from talking about busyness. I am feeling ahead of the curve a bit, it's before 11am and I have some red beans and rice simmering in the crock pot. Well, just the red beans part. It's an experiment but hopefully it will turn out well since I sacrificed a very delicious bell pepper from the garden for it. Beans and rice are not our usual fair around here. I used to eat red beans and rice a lot in college and do love the stuff. But have not had much of it in years. We are officially under contract on a house as of now and in anticipation of moving expenses and dumping all our money at closing, we are reigning in spending. Beans and rice are not expensive and we have a frozen ham bone just waiting to be slow cooked for hours to complete the meal.

So, yes, we did make the giant leap into the great unknown (to us) of being home owners. Let me back up, my last post I was admitting to being fearful, still am, but that was over a different house. The first house we put an offer on we saw twice, walked by it, drove by it, talked about it endlessly,  and stared at the pictures on the internet for over two weeks. When I finally was comfortable enough to make an offer, we found out the day before the homeowners had filed for bankruptcy. So we let that house go, for we did not want to wade into those even murkier waters. I have been trying not to think of "what if we had just decided a day sooner". However, we did pray that it would be an obvious yes or no. And we got an obvious no.

We spent a few more weeks looking at houses. The pickings are slim and the good ones go fast. All the cool kids are moving to Salt Lake City. I kid. There was not a whole lot we wanted to afford or could afford. We looked a nice craftsman/bungalow, I need to research the difference, and decided that this house was quite nice, in our price range, and maybe we should go for it. Overall, I like it better than the first house. So, we are under contract. However, nothing is official until it's official. So, I am holding back some excitement until it's all finished. This means we are fully committing to living in Salt Lake City for the foreseeable future, which was also a long prayerful discussion in the Ware house.

What else have we been up to you ask? Well, living life I guess. Our garden is out of control. Davis planted all these squash varieties that think they own the world. We have not bought but maybe ten dollars worth of other vegetables this summer. Majority of our food comes from our yard. Therefore, we eat a lot of zucchini. I am becoming a master at hiding it in everything. Actually, we have spent more than ten dollars on vegetables. We are suckers for cold-pressed veggie juices from the farmers market. Those are special treats :)

our furry shadow as Davis waters the tomatoes with coffee in hand

picking more tomatoes beside one of the squash giants

wall of zucchini, Lebanese squash, and Ute squash

The weather as been warm but not as hot for as long compared to last summer. Still, we spoiled our fur-child with a five dollar kiddie pool from target. She was hesitant at first but now as soon as we are finished with our walk, she jumps right in to cool off.

I mean, it's really adorable. She is a cute pup to begin with, then she plays in her pool and my heart melts. I'd let her eat all my socks. I might be a push over whenever have children. But honestly, I think Davis is way more tenderhearted than me.

playing his new-to-him accordion, audience not impressed

Davis, being as tender hearted as he is, frequently volunteers to play music for church. He has an old accordion acquired during our Ridge Haven days. It is definitely on it's last leg. We took it to an accordion repair shop here in SLC, yes there is a whole place for that here. The guy said it would take about three thousand to fix and then it would be worth less than a thousand once it was fixed. Obviously, that would be dumb to do. Apparently, accordions have finite life regardless of how well they are cared for and it's less than 100 years. Davis had been wanting a new one for awhile and fixing the old one is pointless, so we bought this classy looking used one. He is a quite the happy fellow. It sounds so much better and is much easier to play. Good-bye belt for hand strap!

We have been trying to get out and about to enjoy summer. There is so much going on sometimes we just give up and stay at home to garden. It always blows our mind that we can do a beautiful hike after work and be home before dark. Two weeks ago, we went up on a Friday evening to Little Cottonwood Canyon to take in the wildflowers on a 3+ mile hike.

I like to try to look shorter :)

up to lake Catherine, nestled between Brighton and Alta

Lake Catherine

kept stopping to look at flowers

for the beauty of the earth...

Lord of all to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise

I mean, this is fantastic. The lighting, the temperature, the colors, the scale, the contrasts... everything so wonderfully crafted. The vistas may have helped us be satisfied with living here for longer :)