Bulging Baby

I'm sure most of you have seen this picture before. I think its kind of gross looking, and obviously photo-shopped. But this is the image I had in my mind last night. Matt and I were laying in bed watching a movie and I was rubbing some lotion on my itchy belly. (You're welcome for the nice visual.) Plus I like having my belly free when I'm lying in bed because I enjoy watching her move around. Well, my right side suddenly got very tight and began cramping. I wasn't sure what was going on because her moving around has never been painful, but what she was doing started to hurt. Then it was clear Gertrude was popping up to say hi. She shifted most of my internal organs to accomplish this maneuver, so it was quite painful. But I was laughing at the same time as saying "Ow!' because it just looked so darn cool! She had her entire body pushing up and out against my right side. I put my hand over the bulge and she was literally sitting in the palm of my hand. I could feel her tiny body wriggling against my palm and fingertips. So cool! I, of course, got Matt's attention when I started saying "Ow!" That word really freaks him out these days. Go figure. But he didn't find it as fascinating as I did. He actually thought it was pretty creepy looking to see our child bulging out of her mother like that. I'm not a big fan of taking naked belly pictures when pregnant, but I wished I had the camera right at that moment! I could feel what she was doing from the inside and the outside, but it would have been cool to see how it looked to him.

Lesbian Lovers?

I just had to share a funny story that happened today. I had my monthly doctor's appointment as usual. However, we ran into a bit of a problem when we realized Matt needed the car to get up to school at the same time as my appointment. Usually not a big deal. I work with my dad and can borrow his car, or Tuesdays are my mom's day off so she can take me occasionally. Well, my parents are in Disneyland right now having fun. I know they are having fun cause they keep sending me cute pictures. It's torture! I'm here at work and they are playing in the sunshine. But the pictures are really cute, mostly of my nephews, so I can't complain. Anyway, my wonderful friend Breezy didn't have work this morning and told me she could take me. She's the best! So we were sitting in the waiting room, talking, and Breezy made the observation that the only people there other than pregnant ladies were their husbands. She said "I wonder how many people think we're lesbian lovers or something". So of course we both started laughing and now we really do wonder what the other's in the waiting room thought. Hmmmm....if nothing else we gave them something interesting to talk about today!

Thanks Sisters!!

Thanks to my sister Kristine, I have a good amount of maternity clothes to wear. We are pretty close to the same size, so its been very nice having plenty of clothes available since day one. But I am down to one skirt that fits (and its bright orange, so its obvious when I wear the same one week after week). And most of my maternity pants are getting to be too tight. So I decided this weekend it was time to take my first trip into a maternity store and finally buy some things of my own. I actually had a lot of fun shopping! Its been way too long since I bought any new clothes! (Gee, I wonder why) And I was very pleasantly surprised at how cute a lot of the maternity clothes were.

Matt was a real trooper, despite being the only man in the store. And very helpful at running between the dressing room and the store until I found the right sizes. I had a few goals in mind with each item I bought. First, they had to be comfortable (well, duh). Second, they needed to fit now, with room to grow. And third, they needed to show off my belly. I mostly wear big sweatshirts to work because they are warm (my work is freezing!) and comfortable. But I am so tired of the women at work telling me I don't even look pregnant! (I mean, what a mean thing to say to a pregnant woman!) What do you expect when I'm wearing a big sweatshirt? So I had to be sure and get a few things that help me to "show off" a bit more.

Back when I first found out I was pregnant, my sister Theresa bought me a gift card to Motherhood Maternity. Thank you Theresa so much!! I was able to get some really nice things and wanted to show off my new purchases. Plus, a few people have been bugging me to post preggo pictures. So here you go:

These are the most comfortable pair of jeans I have ever owned in my entire life. If I didn't already have a great husband, I would marry these pants! Seriously. AND they are flattering. Usually with maternity pants you don't get comfort and still get to show off your nice butt, but these pants accomplish both. The second I put them on Matt said "We're buying them!" The white shirt is also very comfortable and makes a great undershirt. The vest was a last minute purchase. We found it on the sales rack for $15 marked down from $40. Score! It is so comfortable and warm too. Perfect for the office!

Same jeans. This green shirt is the same style as the white one. Comfortable , but not baggy. And yet there is still room for growth.

This skirt was a perfect find! It is super comfy and a great length. Plus its black and you can wear anything with black. The pink top was really cute and I love the way it fits. Plus, it was another sales rack item. Don't you just love bargains?

Baby Ripples

Do you remember that scene from Jurassic Park when the T-Rex is coming and the water in the cup on the dashboard starts rippling as he gets closer with each step? Well last night I was taking a nice, warm bath and Gertrude started moving around a bunch. The water started rippling away from my stomach and it totally reminded me of that scene! She even had that same beat going, just like the T-Rex's footsteps. No, I'm not comparing my child to a giant, flesh-eating monster. I'm just saying it was really funny!

2008 Rememberies

So I am 100% swiping this post idea from my friend Aubrey. Thanks Muffin! Hope you don't mind! I just loved the idea so much, I had to do one of my own.

MY SUMMARY OF 2008:
Funnest Event:Hosting our first party (my birthday) in our new house, Antelope Island, Girl's Days, Camping with friends, The Tim McGraw concert, Seeing my sister get married, Watching the little screen go from blank to "pregnant".

Biggest Purchase:
My new jaw.

Favorite Movie(s) of 2008:

This one technically came out in December 2007,
but I saw it in 2008 and loved it so much I just had to include it on my list!

Least Favorite Movies of 2008 (or biggest disappointments):

Again, this one technically came out in December 2007, but I remember it as a 2008 movie and a HUGE disappointment.

Favorite Celebrity of 2008:

I just think Amy Adams is so cute! And I love her in every role I've seen.

Props to Heith on his ultra-creepy performance as the Joker! (May he rest in peace)

Least Favorite Celebrity of 2008:

I really don't follow celebrity lives and we don't even have a TV, but there was no getting away from Brittany this year! Every radio station was talking about her and she was starring back at you from every magazine cover in the grocery store. Brittany is psycho, she shaved her head, she lost her kids, she's getting better, no wait, she's a crackhead.

Someone please explain to me how she got famous? Her daddy has money, I get it. But since when was that enough?

Guilty Pleasure:

Best show ever! I truly became addicted.

Saddest Moment of 2008:
My best friend's mom, a truly amazing woman, died; Finding out my dad had cancer; Watching my grandpa die; Seeing my sister suffer through the pains of divorce.

Sickest Moment of 2008:
So much puke! But puking so hard it came out my nose was probably the worst.

Favorite Song of 2008:
"Dance Floor Anthem" by Good Charlotte, "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, "Angel" by Jack Johnson, "It Won't be like this For Long" by Darius Rucker, and everything by Taylor Swift.

Least Favorite Song of 2008:
"I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it". It's even worse than when "Stacy's Mom" came out! And all you have to do is hear the obnoxious song for a second and its in your head forever! And David Archuleta's "Crush". I understand he's from Utah and that's cool and all but holy cow can you say over-played??

Achievements of 2008:
Getting in the habit of blogging, so people can keep up with our lives! Getting further on writing a book than I ever have before. Getting pregnant (with some teamwork on Matt's part).

Things I've Learned:
Insurance companies are stupid, needless middle-men. I can't always do everything on my own. I've needed a lot of help from family, friends, and even neighbors this last year with things I normally can do on my own. I learned I still need my mommy! This one isn't new, but I re-learned how unbelievably lucky I am to have such an incredible husband!

In One Word 2008 was:
Adventurous?

In One Word 2009 will be:
Exciting!

Favorite Pictures of 2008:

I am Looking Forward to:
Becoming a mom, baby showers (hint hint), getting the nursery ready, getting Matt through another semester of school, working less.

My Hopes for 2009 are:
A healthy family, finishing my first novel, being the best wife and mom that I can be.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve was a blast!  We had a bunch of friends and family over at our house for a super fun party!  We started with a Murder Mystery dinner and as people arrived, they got to enjoy some nummy appetizers I learned how to make from a Relief Society dinner.  One thing Matt and I learned in preparing for this party is that our basement is an odd shape for setting up dinner tables.  It took much maneuvering and several hours later to get it set up to where we all fit comfortably.  (This was all, of course, the night before).  Once everyone arrived we ate a dinner of lasagna (I totally cheated this time and used the frozen kind), a yummy salad, and garlic bread.  We had a lot of fun with the murder mystery.  It's always interesting and funny to see what kind of situations and questions come up during the game.  After dinner and the revealing of the murderer (bad Breezy) we ventured upstairs and enjoyed all the yummy snacks everyone brought while a few of the guys rearranged downstairs a bit.  Then we played Mafia.  We had a ton of fun and it was full of a lot of laughs!  We ended up playing Mafia for a lot longer than we planned on and never made it to any other games.  Before we knew it, it was 20 minutes to midnight.  So we pulled out the Martinellis and prepared for the countdown.  Most people took off after the coming of the new year, but a few friends stayed for a little longer.  Breezy and Suzy both stayed the night and the three of us had a My Boys (if you've never seen this show, I highly recommend it!  Super funny!) marathon new years day while Matt enjoyed snowboarding with his cousins.  It was a very fun couple of days!  Hope you all had a great New Years!  We didn't get pictures of everyone, but here are a few pics of our guests in their colored costumes.  (Each character had a color name and they dressed to match).

 

Brian and Anna as Barry Black and Becky

Matt and I as Prof. Pete Purple and Penelope

Julie and Seth as Olivia and Oscar Orange

(L to R) Steve as Grant Gray, Breezy as Ruby Red, Suzy as Yellow Yellow, and Bryan as Greg Green

(Not pictured): Kristine as Petunia Pink, Logan as Dr. Waldo White, and Theresa as Brandi Blue.  Sorry guys.  Matt apoligizes for forgetting to take your pictures.  Your costumes were great!

Surprise! Or not?

With this last Christmas season and my birthday, Valentine's Day, and baby showers in the near future I've been thinking a lot about gifts. Both giving and receiving. When it comes to Christmas, my mom asks for a list at least a month in advance and she never strays from the items on that list. She isn't big on giving surprises because she likes getting people what they want and doesn't like the risk of getting them something they already have or won't like. Now my mother-in-law is the exact opposite. She loves surprises! We usually send her a Christmas list, though I'm not sure she's ever asked for one. In her case, come Christmas morning, you never know what you're going to get. As for me, I think I'm somewhere in the middle. If someone has a list or mentions ideas of what they want, I usually stick with those items. I do like surprising people with gifts, but only if its something I know they will love. Which can be difficult to accomplish sometimes! So I wonder, what do you prefer? Do you like getting gifts you didn't expect or things you asked for? And do you give gifts the same way?