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.

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.