Merry Christmas!

It is Christmas day and Nick and I are a little bored. The presents are unwrapped, we have played with our "toys" and now with no one else around, we are watching TV. So I thought I would blog about our Christmas adventures. Since the baby is due in about 2 weeks, we spent our first Christmas without family here in Logan.

Yesterday we woke up and had a special breakfast almond wreath that is a tradition in Nick's family. We took it to the Jensen's and watched them open their presents early, as they were leaving for Price. When we got home I surprised Nick with the idea of a Mexican Christmas. (where he served his mission) We got all the ingredients to make homemade tomales. They turned out to be a great success. Yum. Then we opened our "read" gift. (We decided on 4 gifts this year, a want, a need, a spiritual and a read.) I had made Nick a book on snapfish of the reasons I love him and he bought me a book called, "How to be an extrodinary mom." We watched a few family Christmas videos and talked about our favorite Christmas memories. We also read "The Christmas Sweater" together.

This morning I woke up early. I had been up several times through the night-pregnancy-so at 5:30 I rolled over and told Nick I was ready to open presents. We went downstairs and opened our presents. We are missing our families, but have enjoyed having time together alone before our family of two becomes a family of three.

Let it Snow!

I have been watching the news and hearing about all the crazy weather around the U.S. My brother Joseph and his wife Jessie came home from Iowa-missed a connecting flight in Denver due to the snow, and after arriving in Utah, found out they had no luggage or car seats for their 11 month old twins. I had another friend who's 8 hour drive home ended up taking over 12 hours, not to mention our Vegas friends who had snow too! We have been hit with quite a bit here in Logan- I would guess about 9-12 inches.

Well, the baby is due 3 weeks from today. (which means I am officially full term) The anticipation is killing me. I am so ready for her to come. I have been having inconsistent contractions for about a week. It drives me crazy because I just wish it was the real thing.

I wanted to share a few pictures of a baby shower my sister-in-law Julia threw for me over Thanksgiving break. It was so much fun and so great to see family and friends. We accidentally left our camera at my moms over Thanksgiving, so I haven't had a chance to take pictures of our house for Christmas or the huge 9 month picture. Maybe tomorrow. (mom is sending the camera)

Growth

Here is a great video that we talked about in one of the classes at church today about unity and growth in the church. I like the sparkly lights. When you know that each one is a stake of several wards or geographical congregations, it sure makes you think...

Nick

We can HARDLY WAIT!

I still have 5 weeks and 2 days left, but I seriously can't wait to have our little one arrive. Sorry this is all I post about, but it's always on my mind. Last night Nick and I took a date to the mall and decided to get some pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids. (I had a free maternity coupon) Then we went out to dinner and watched Christmas cartoons with my nephews. It was a really fun night and nice to get out. I have tried not to complain about this last trimester, because all the pain and drudgery is really much better than the first trimester of throwing up so much, but some of you have asked how I am "really" doing. I am feeling big. I have a hard time sleeping at night although I feel tired much of the time. I am still recovering from the UTI/Kidney issue, and a cold. (nothing too bad though)

I haven't been very motivated to get a lot done, but I did finally finish our Christmas letter. If you didn't get it through email, or if you couldn't open it, let me know and I will send it again.

UTI or Kidney Stones

UTI or Kidney Stones...or maybe both. Last night I kept having some intense pain that felt like stabbing pain. As the night continued, it got worse. I never dare take anything, but I knew Tylenol was ok, so I took some and hoped to be able to fall asleep. After laying in bed for an hour or so hurting pretty bad, Nick gave me a blessing and at 11:00pm we headed to the hospital. I felt like I had a UTI. I have had one in the past and it felt just like it. They had me do a urine sample and then hooked up the monitors to check the baby. The baby was doing fine. Thankfully. The urine results showed that I was passing kidney stones-something I had never experienced. They are also treating me for a UTI. They gave me medicine at the hospital and then I had to wait an hour to see how it made me feel. At 1:15 a.m. we were on our way back home. I am feeling a little better today. I am thankful for modern medicine, for the priesthood and for a wonderful husband.

Moving Baby

Feeling the baby move I knew would be the best part of pregnancy. It was something I have look forward to for 5 years. I have been able to feel the baby move consistently since I was about 20 weeks, but now that I am 34 weeks along, the movement seems almost constant and gets pretty hard sometimes. I actually have had a rib come out from being kicked so much and had to have it put back in by a chiropractor. Even so, I love the feeling. I love when she reacts to me singing or Nick's voice. I love laying in bed and seeing my belly move. This picture is NOT my belly. It is one I found online, but it reminds me of how I feel so often and how precious these times are. (see the little foot sticking out?)

Thanksgiving was a such a great time too. We were able to travel to Price and spend 3 days at my parents. We were all there except for my brother Josephs family, and it was so great to visit, eat, and play together. I also had a baby shower. Thanks for all those who came. It was SO wonderful to see friends and family members there. On the way back to Logan, we stopped and stayed a night with Nick's family which was also very fun and relaxing. Now today, I have laundry to do, bags to unpack, and Christmas to put up. Wish me luck!