28 weeks

I am 28 weeks today. Down to the final three months. It seems like quite a bit of time but still baby shall be here before we know it. It finally feels more safe, for a lack of better words, to really start thinking about names, baby registry, nursery and allowing myself to get excited for this huge transition. Also, as time passes, I can feel more and more of this little one's movements. So beautifully strange to think there is another human being knitted together in me. Just weirded myself out a bit there. It's just so incredible.

I am still overwhelmed by most of it. The new things that we are throwing into the mix of working towards this transition is job stuff. Much contrary to what most people think about the nursing career, my nursing job has proven to be very inflexible with my desire to transition to a truly Per Diem position. Silly enough, I am already Per Diem and it shouldn't be too hard to do this... But I've basically been working part time or more and management doesn't seem to want me to do much less than this. Davis' work is also proving more challenging to get any sort of approval to work from home so we can one day a week do a switch of who will stay home with little one. I want control and for all these things (and countless other things) to go the way I desire. Daily I need the reminder to lean into God's promises to provide.  During this waiting time, we have also had several conversations about how we'd like our family dynamics to be and what values we'd like to emphasize. Lately we read an article on the Gospel Coalition website (you can read it here!) that has brought peace and reinforces what we have been thinking. It's also convicting how easy we fall into this temptation. How beautiful a life is one that is marked by peace knowing that with God, we lack nothing and miss nothing?

It's been a quiet month for us. No traveling and no visitors. I don't have any pictures of anything epic happening.  So here are a few of just regular life.

Here is the "bump" at 27 weeks.

Davis built our crib last weekend. That is about all the progress we've made :)

The weather has been the opposite of winter-like. We even opened our window
last Saturday for the fresh air.

Nature around us is responding to the warmth
I am excited for spring but nervous for either a wintery spring
or a long hot dry summer.

Ingrid soaking in her days as the only "child" while Davis studies his new favorite
cookbook of Persian recipes. Yum saffron!

Ingrid's morning nap

I had today off from work, which means I had a long slow morning. That is my favorite thing to do on my day off. Ingrid joined in by taking a nap in the sunshine. I know life will be different soon and my slow mornings will have the addition of a little one to attend. I am eager to see what joys and trials this will bring but want to soak in these last few months of our current life.

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!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I cannot believe it's Christmas Eve already. Where did this month go? It doesn't help that we haven't had any significant snowfall yet. However, that should change tonight! Snow is acceptable and very welcomed when I am off work and for the Holidays. After that, I'd rather not have to deal with it and only want it in the mountains.

front door views from yesterday

Anyways! It's Christmas everyone! I sort of slowed the settling in process to do more seasonal things like cookie baking, attending holiday parties, and working extra. For the surgery world of nursing, it's our crazy time- boy it's been crazy. Lots of over time but that also meant missing out on somethings or being very late. Not much progress of late to the house, our pictures are still piled along the walls, waiting to be hung. The basement is all but forgotten except to run down and do a load of laundry. Once I get it a little more set up, there will be a house tour. Today's post is mostly to let you know we are still alive out here in Utah.

I've been feeling good during this phase of pregnancy. I am still not showing a whole lot.  I am measuring about on target. We had a big ultra sound a couple days ago. Davis got to see the baby for the first time. Well, it's the first time either one of us has seen him/her outside of the gummy bear- looking stage. I am beginning to feel more movement. It's been a little delayed because the placenta is anterior and blocking a lot of the punches and kicks. As far as we know, things look good. It's exciting and a bit unnerving to be somewhat in charge of helping this little life flourish and yet there still is so much you can't do.  We have a few pictures from the ultrasound, most still make little one seem somewhat alien-like. We got to watch some punches, kicks, and very cute yawns. It's pretty amazing. It still doesn't seem that real in the coming year we will welcome this child into the world. After Christmas, we'll start really focusing on getting ready. We haven't done a thing yet, other than tell Ingrid she is going to have to get used to being the big sister :)

caught mid "yawn"

20 week "bump"

Davis' work party was at the aquarium this year. Excellent location for a work party, if you ask me! Dressing up provided an opportunity to take picture of the "bump". I think it just looks like I ate too many burritos. At some point, I'll cross the line of looking definitely pregnant.  Davis also took me to The Nutcracker ballet last night. It was the most professional production I've ever seen. It was so lovely, every bit of it. We want to check out their performance of Alladin in the spring.

the living room

Ingrid modeling the new rug

my family

This is the best I have for pictures of the inside of the house. But I figured a little taste might be nice. Today I want to bake some more cookies, Davis' favorite german cookies. Davis is helping with music during the Christmas Eve service tonight. Additionally, I need to get a chicken in the crock pot and take Ingrid for a walk. She has been a bit neglected due to crazy schedules and rainy days off.

I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas. Such a beautiful but hard time of year for so many.

It's been a whirlwind around here lately. Forgive me for being a slacker. I know you were desperate to catch up on our lives.

I honestly am not sure November even happened it was such a blur. It was one of those months we never could catch our breath. The light at the end of the tunnel is here,  soon I'll try to update a little more in depth.

We just got internet back today. We moved into our first home that we bought or technically are renting from the bank. It's cute and cozy with fantastic mountain views from the kitchen window.

That is just one of the pieces to our lives lately. I'll save the rest for later. Now I need to run to errands quickly before a friend comes to help unpack more.

our first home

The listing called it a "cottage". We like it a lot. Yes, I took the picture from website because it's rainy today and winter as taken the leaves from one of the bushes.

from one of kitchen windows

It's not the best shot of the mountains, there are clouds obscuring the peaks. It's a pretty view though. I am always amazed at the beauty of Utah. I love these mountains even more with snow on them too.

gratuitous Ingrid picture

Ingrid enjoyed a rainy morning nap after a long night of sleep. Oh to be a dog! She is enjoying her new yard and sniffing a house that once at cats in it.

Well, I'm off to run those errands. Hope everyone is enjoying this Advent season.

houses and hiking

I think every update starts with "we've been busy". I am beginning to wonder if I just exaggerate our actual busyness or if we really are busy. But, alas, we have been a bit busy. This time it's been looking at houses to buy. Can I just say, this whole idea of buying a house is quite scary to me? I know it's like renting from the bank and hopefully we can at least get some of the money back. It's hard for me to commit to any place and sign my name on any line. We've seen a handful of houses of varying quality. The housing market here, at least the area we want to live, is challenging. It's more expensive per square foot here than the southeast but it's cheap compared to California. But a lot of people in our buying range are trying to purchase here. We found a little house built in 1907 that is in good shape in the general area we want to be. Everything is walkable and there are plenty of parks and large old trees. I guess you could say the area we can afford is "in transition". It can be a little hit and miss in ascetics due age and growth of suburbs in the past. But as with most of Salt Lake City, it's pretty darn safe. As more young folks move back into the city, it definitely can get much better.  Overall, I want to feel confident and care-free about committing. We will be here for at least three to five more years due to work. I know other people do this sort of thing all the time. That is great for them. I am still scared. I realize I am asking my confidence to be based on knowing with certainty the future.

I'll update y'all on the final verdict on this matter in time. But what I am going towards is how desperately I think knowing the future will give me confidence and peace. I think it would be gracious of God to give me foreknowledge in all life matters. When I think about that, I realize knowing would really limit the present moment. Already, a struggle is to not look to the future calendar and count down to the next big thing planned. If I were to know all things, would I really embrace the grace, love, mercy, and joy provided in the moments of life? I doubt I would. I am hoping I can see this need to trust God as a form of mercy and grace in my life. That goes not just for home buying, but all the things I worry that could happen or desire to happen.

There are other things we are realizing that we thought or wish we could control and plan that is ultimately not up to us to make happen. This also is driving me back to Jesus. Trusting. Trusting in a constant, loving, covenant God who is present with us moment by moment.

We always talk about how much there is to do here daily. We often are worn out come Saturday, we rarely go out to enjoy it. Sundays have become with busy with a ton of church responsibilities. However, this Saturday after getting good sleep, we skipped the farmers market and headed for the mountains. We had a lovely hike in the Uintas trekking Lofty Lake loop. Below are a few of the sights.

meadows with streams flowing

 Ingrid is about to take off sniffing

snack break with a view

snow patch, Ingrid flipped out
she loves to run around in snow and stick her nose in it

wildflowers, glacial lake, and rocky mountains. incredible.

So, that is where we are currently. Hope everyone is having a lovely summer.

it's not the house that makes a home but this is our current house

 

Probably the main reason you may have read this on occasion was to see what our new place looks like. So, I pretty much haven't done any decorating/updating/furniturebuying since about week three here. Davis and I have been discussing a lot how much space we need/want. Our current place is rather large for us. Probably after the lease is up, we'll look for something smaller to free up our budget more for giving and living. This place is a huge blessing though, we hope while we are here to utilize the space to build community. When the move came up quickly, to land this spot was an answer to our prayers and my anxieties. The area is super central to so many unique corners of Salt Lake City. But that being said, I've backed off on filling the space because when we do downsize, fitting our belongings will not be too challenging. 

Today, after a quick run to Target (danger!) and the library, I snapped a few shots of our living. Additionally, the garden is in full swing and some photos where taken as well but I will do a separate post to save y'all reading time. Sorry for the bad pictures, I am not planning on keeping them so I didn't try very hard.

front porch is well loved
Ingrid followed me around during the photo shoot

 

 

 

 

she got in the way a lot

all of the delicious mint taking over

dining room

living room

my snack bowl of what was cottage cheese

love the windows and the natural old wood

marcus, reminder of the circle of life

 

guest room, ready for guests

most used room in the house, therefore messy

upstairs living space, so much space!

our bed, we got a queen size when we moved
our first large(r) bed in our whole lives

little creeper and the other side of our room

she still does this here

I am having issues with the computer tonight, so I am finished for tonight. Come visit, next post will be our beloved garden boxes :)