Christmas Clippings

What a wonderful Christmas holiday we've enjoyed - highlighted by family and friends. We spent all day Friday and half of Saturday in La Grande enjoying "Christmas Eve Eve" with my Mom, brothers and sisters and occasional visits by my cousin Morgan. This included all the usual fun - baking and frosting sugar cookies, last-minute Wal-Mart runs, games, arguing, cramming into Zoey's Jimmy to view Christmas lights, teasing our mother, eating a Mexican feast, teasing each other, opening our "sibling" presents and falling asleep watching The Santa Claus. On Saturday, Eric & I were able to meet up with the Potters for a Chinese lunch - photo ops were limited, but hopefully Kara will share one on their blog.

We spent Christmas Eve night at the Lougees' in Umatilla. Eating pizza and having a mini-Christmas devotional. Music, poems, and some laughter. We then went back to our house in Hermiston and went to sleep. I was awoken by an anxious Eric at about 7:15am. We got all our goodies accounted for in less than 30 minutes. This included the much anticipated Wii - which Eric had set up before we headed to church at 10am in Umatilla.

This is a light up light saber. That you eat! 

My luxurious gift from hubster - Coach "Poppy" perfume. 

Eric's a tool...kit! 

 A lot of our Christmas day festivities are not photographed because I got very lethargic. But, Church was very nice. Dinner was a whirlwind with two other families from the in-laws' congregation joining us for dinner. And then there was the setting up of the new TV and Wii and getting to talk to Elder Alan Lougee, currently serving a mission in Nevada.

Family Wii time. Cute. Even Chloe, the dog, was enjoying it. 

And then there was today. We started out our day with Eric playing a little basketball at the Church, and me trying to get some contractions going. Then we made a Safeway run to find foods we could try in Eric's new Fry Daddy.

The Fry Daddy himself. 

I then made some delicious Chex mix, watched Eric play the Wii for a few hours and then we headed back over to the Lougees because the Tidwells were coming to town! We enjoyed visiting with them.

Now it's back to the daily grind. Work tomorrow for me. Boo. However, we really enjoyed this long weekend together, filled with fun and family and way too much food. Can't wait to get weighed at my Doc appointment on Wednesday!

When Fathers Nest

"Nesting" isn't just for women. Apparently dads-to-be can go into a form of "nesting," too. I hadn't really thought about that until I got a little note in my email from What to Expect when You're Expecting. And then I read a little bit about male nesting, here. And, upon further reflection, especially over the last few days, I'd have to say Eric is definitely doing some fatherly nesting. I suppose you could chalk it up to having no work or school for two weeks and being bored, but let's go with the more sentimental idea of nesting.

Here's some examples.

He insisted we buy the crib mattress last weekend, even though there's a distinct possibility she won't be in it for a couple months.  

He spent several hours at his parents' house getting all our laundry caught up, whites, colors, towels and linens. Done.  

He got out the instruction manual (in atypical male fashion) for the car seat and got it put in the van for baby's first ride "home.'  

He embarked on cleaning out the fridge, and ended up cleaning out the kitchen cupboards, too.  

He got a hold of our apartment managers to let them know our smoke alarm was on the fritz. Subsequently, they gave him a new one and he got it installed - all in one morning! 

This is all within the last week, not to mention the initiative he's taken throughout the pregnancy in painting the cradle, putting together the crib, buying a highchair, etc., - as well as taking such good care of me!  he's also diligent about putting lavender/olive oil/vitamin E on my stomach a few nights a week. Plus, I like that it gives him a few minutes to hopefully connect with the baby and me and this new unique 3 person relationship we'll soon have on our hands. AND, he always tells me good job for taking my prenatal vitamins and tells me how "great" I'm doing at simply being pregnant. I've really been impressed. Couldn't ask for a better partner during all of this or a better baby daddy.

Graham Crackers and Gummy Bears

Okay, so this week has been a little more hectic than I had originally envisioned and a few of our "Christmas Dates" didn't quite happen how I'd imagined.

Example A: Christmas Date #5 should've been working on our Christmas cards (oh what fun, right?). But, by then I felt Eric deserved to go play basketball with the boys and I deserved to enjoy the peace of the apartment solo. And so I watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" while addressing and stuffing envelopes.

On Wednesday, one of my supposed days off. I woke up when Eric left for work, got ready and studied my little stats-disdaining heart out. Then I went to my regularly scheduled OB appointment. My blood pressure was "elevated" - I think due to stress and nerves. But then there was the pressure to get it down by the end of the appointment, which I think only increased it. So, I'm supposed to monitor myself for symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Also, while I had grown in the two weeks since my last appointment (but hadn't gained weight), I was measuring at 34 weeks instead of just shy of 37 weeks. So, the doctor told me she'd like me to get an ultrasound just to make sure the baby is getting the blood flow, etc. she needs. I tell you, I have elevated blood pressure because this little girl gives it to me - literally! First with the gestational diabetes scare, then now with the blood pressure and the smallness. Though, honestly, as long as she's healthy with functioning organs, I think small is perfectly fine for this first time laborer. Anyway, so our ultrasound is Wednesday afternoon and my next Doc appointment is Thursday afternoon. While I'm sure things are just lovely, your positive thoughts are always appreciated.

Blah blah blah, enough of the boring stuff.

We had a double Christmas date last night with the Barkers! Woo who! We'd been neglectful friends, caught up in the flurry of finishing up our school work. And while two pregnant ladies on a Friday night are pretty exhausted looking - we still had fun.

We endeavored to build ginger bread houses out of graham crackers. Here are the results.

Burdette's graham cracker castle. Can you tell what that thing is sitting in front of the castle?

Holly's Dog House. Complete with caroling gummy bears. 

I was going for a classical look. Then my roof caved in, so it got a little harder to decipher.

Eric also had some stability issues. In the end he made lemonade out of lemons and built this Gummy Bear Church of Scientology Temple, complete with the orange gummy bear version of Tom Cruise. 

Afterwards I was privy to a mini-"jam" session featuring Eric on the electric guitar, Holly on the acoustic and Burdette intermittently contributing with the ukulele. I think I'll take up the tambourines. However, by then my feet had swollen to a size not seen since my near-death experience of 2008, so I was lounging feet up and enjoying the sounds of Christmas. It was a lot of fun and we are so glad to have them as our friends.

Oh! And Holly produced an amazing little green wool cardigan sweater - complete with collar and buttons - it will be photographed and shown someday, maybe with a baby in it. Unfortunately I don't have any talent - so I won't be returning the favor.

My Favorite Things

I apologize if my blogging has seemed a little sparse lately. We're keeping our heads above water, but it's constant work as we both try to finish up the last of our school work for this term/semester. Of course, we enjoyed a hearty Thanksgiving in Cove/La Grande. My aunt Steph & uncle Gareld hosted us out at their new home on "the property." In my laziness, I just posted pictures on Facebook. If you haven't seen them, you can find them here.

Last year, we had quite the trouble trying to locate a tree in Hermiston before December 10th, well, apparently they read my blog and so there are tree lots all over the city and have been up since Thanksgiving! Unfortunately, I just barely got the decorations and tree stand down, and due to unforeseen school deadlines, we will have to wait until at least Friday evening to pick up a fresh tree! It's exhausting! By then there are only two weeks til Christmas! Lame!

Next week I go to working three days a week at the Chamber. But, it's not all R&R. I have my stats final to take next week - which means catching up on my Stats, too. Plus, the apartment has been a bit neglected and needs some thorough cleaning, so until that happens, don't ask to use our restroom. Not to mention Christmas shopping & crafting & wrapping & movie watching (notice the lack of baking in there). As well as prepping for the babester's arrival. I haven't packed the hospital bags, washed the clothes, purchased a crib mattress, installed the car seat, put stuff away in the changing table..... it's hard!

And so I'm torn - some folks have requested a Christmas arrival of the baby. But, I have to say, I don't think I'm ready! Except .....

(To be sung in your head to the tune of

"My Favorite Things" )

Seaweed and rice all rolled with some tuna            

Flowing shirts that don’t make me a balloon

Fingers that don’t swell around wedding rings

These are a few of my favorite things

Sitting at the salon with foil in my hair

Not needing assistance to get out of my chair

Using the restroom less times than 18

These are a few of my favorite things

When I feel her move

When I’m scared of birth

When I’m not going mad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I want her out so bad! 

Hazards of the Job

Newly discovered pregnancy hazard. 

Turns out having a built-in shelf isn't really so convenient. 

Year One

Saturday, November 19th marked our First Anniversary.

We used it as an excuse to sneak away to Wallowa Lake for some much needed R&R before our little girl arrives.

Last year, on our honeymoon, it snowed - even at Seaside! So as not to break with a new apparent tradition, it began snowing as we entered Elgin and didn't let up for the next 40 miles to the lake. It made for a beautiful setting though. And by the time it finally stopped, after checking into our cabin, fairing the roads of slick and death, and sitting down to a warm, hearty and delicious dinner at the Outlaw Restaurant in Joseph, there was about 4 - 5 inches of snow in town and at least 6 inches by the lake.

It was literally a winter wonderland, complete with deer, pine trees and Christmas music (I couldn't help myself).

Dinner was delish - and being the off season for tourism there were only four other people in the restaurant - twin elderly sisters and their husbands celebrating a birthday. We sat cozy and warm by the gas fireplace, ate our clam chowder and enjoyed our first evening away.

Our cabin was the perfect cozy retreat. There was a gas fireplace - complete with a mounted buck - large windows looking out on the river and mountains. A heated massage chair. A whirpool, jetted bath tub. A kitchen with everything we needed to cook and eat for two.

We enjoyed several games of Yahtzee, college football, IBC rootbeer, Milano cookies, cuddling on the couch, and a feeling of near isolation. It was splendid and so relaxing.

Eric pleasantly surprised me with his good taste and gave me some jewels to mark Year One.

It was cold, but so cozy, so romantic and so needed. Now, onto the photos.

The view out our cabin windows.... 

I don't think Eric could wait anymore, so when we got back from dinner Friday night, he gave me my anniversary gift. Here is the necklace - it came with matching earrings, too. He told me he felt like such an adult, going to a store and picking out jewelry for his wife. And I feel spoiled! 

Saturday morning we ventured down to the lake. 

Swim at your own risk. 

Headed out for dinner Saturday night. 

 We ate at Mutiny Brew Pub. It was a relaxed place to eat with yummy food!

 Another in a seeming series of gross pictures of yours truly. Trying to show off my new accessories. 

Eric really wanted a photo of his forehead wrinkles. 

This is what marriage has done to him, he says. 

Or maybe that's just what I imagined him saying. 

We rolled out of dodge late Sunday morning. 

The sky was finally blue and it made for a gorgeous view of the lake. 

Whoa, belly. 

Whew, one down and eternity to go! 

Sweeping and Sleeping and Singing

I know it's been awhile since I wrote much of anything. We're just as busy as ever, yet there's not a whole lot new in our neck of the woods. Haven't done a thing with the nursery since we last worked on it. 

I did sweep the kitchen floor, which is noteworthy  - ask Eric. 

Oh, hey, we also went on like an actual date date last Friday! Eric had a training in Pendleton all day, so we carpooled in the morning to work and enjoyed an evening in Pendleton afterward.

 We ate out at Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon and then caught the community production of Guys & Dolls. My chicken fried steak was kind of bland, but Eric's ribs literally fell off the bone and had a delicious BBQ sauce. I only fell asleep during the show twice. And Eric learned enough of the music to send me love texts Monday with lyrics from "A Bushel and A Peck." 

It was a lovely evening.  

We're looking forward to a weekend getaway in just two days. Picture a quaint cabin for two, in the woods, by a beautiful lake, the forest just powdered with its first layer of snow, a gas fireplace, a jacuzzi tub.... We both have been so busy with school and work and life - we're both really looking forward to just being together without any distractions or a list of things to do. 

Then, of course, comes Thanksgiving. Luckily my next OB appointment is the Wednesday before, because I'm looking forward to some hearty food in the name of fattening up baby girl. 

We did find a few moments to get some pictures taken last weekend - I used Christmas cards as an excuse - but I also just wanted some nice shots of Eric & I during this kind of unique time in our lives and in our marriage. 

So, we haven't picked the picture for cards yet, but it won't be this one.... even though I love the tenderness shown here. My photographer extraordinaire didn't really love the washed out background, but I don't care. I still love this photo and thought I'd share. Because, really, we all look at blogs because of the photos, first, right? 

nesting: take one

Wow, what is happening with my face here? 

Here is my 31.5 week belly picture. In comparing this photo to my 27.5 week photo, I don't see much of a difference. But, I definitely feel a difference. It's been harder to sit up or bend over or stand up after squatting down. I'd been getting away with just using an elastic belly band to convert regular pants into "maternity" pants - but lately it's just not very comfortable! This morning I went through a bin of maternity clothes a gal at church loaned me and found some work maternity pants to wear. Much more comfortable! 

In case I forgot to mention it, at the last doctor's appointment, my doctor confirmed that I did NOT have gestational diabetes. I was very glad! Who wants diabetes for Christmas? Not this girl. 

My mom, sister and brother came up for the weekend. 

Eric was in full force performing husband, son-in-law and brother-in-law duties. But he was a trooper and big help! 

Mom and I worked on a few different projects - she's such a helpful gal. 

One was a felt mitten "garland" to put on the tree at Christmas. Riley helped with that project, too. 

I worked on some handmade little gifts for some friends. 

We also sewed a bath towel for the baby and got the nursery all arranged! We've still got some putting away of things to do and some finishing touches (like, say, a crib mattress). But, the furniture is all arranged and most of the wall decor up! 

Probably my favorite set up in the room, currently. Old milk crate as a book shelf!

Not pictured*The changing table. Currently piled high with things that need to be put away.

When things are more polished I'll post some updated photos! Preferably in the daytime so that the lighting is a bit better. It's really pretty airy, yet cozy in there. Eric's new favorite thing to do is just go sit in the "baby room."

Stay tuned.

it's raining babies

No word from my prompt doctor. No news is still good news, right? 

My lovely mother threw me a lovely baby shower last weekend. Morgan, Aunt Steph and Liz all were contributors who deserve kudos for helping it be an enjoyable time. It was so nice to have so many friends around! I couldn't believe that Laura and Jen both made the drives down and over . . . what swell folks! Here's a photo recap.

(I tried to put captions on these photos four different times. Blogger sucks. So, make up your own captions. It's like a fun game!)

Fun, fun. Thanks to all who came, or stopped by. Your presence was much appreciated!

Now, for some rocky road ice cream because the doctor hasn't told me no yet. 

Yeah, I'm a boundary pusher. Hard core like that.