Sunday, December 28, 2008

Caden's Room

Here are some photos of Caden's room all ready for him to come home this week. First is his crib. My grandfather was just dying to buy us something for his first great-grandchild and even though we had been given a crib he was just set on getting this crib he had seen online. So a few weeks ago we got a call that he had ordered us the crib and we were not to argue with him about it, lol. It's beautiful, much darker then the other furniture in the room but I think it looks just amazing. Here are some the little friends he received at the shower seating on the left and on the right are two of the stuffed anamials that DJ gave me when we were dating. We thought that they fit right into his room.
Here you can see the two wall colors kinda and his name that I just finished painting and put up this weekend. I still have the shelves to put up but they just didn't get done and given the bed rest we (meaning DJ) made an executive decision that Caden will never notice that his shelves were not up the moment he came home.

And this is my favorite part of the room. That is my grandmother's rocking chair, which she rocked my mother in when she was a baby. It's 60 some odd years old and feels so good to sit in. And in the chair are two bears that my mother gave me when I was 5. They are pupets and she used them to wake me up for years. They stayed on my bed well into my teenage years and I just never could come to terms with getting rid of them so they have been boxed up for the last 12 years. DJ went and found them, washed them and put them in the room for me to find. So super sweet and I think they make the perfect touch.

I haven't been able to take photos of the basinet or moses basket that my grandmother and aunt gave me. We did narrow it down and found out that they were made in 1939! When I actually remember to take a photo in the daylight hours so you can really see them I'll post it to share. I really love the thought of all the history I have been given to share with this baby => Less than 48 hours now, and I'm starting to freak out just a little bit. DJ promised he's post for you all when the little man makes his debut, guess I better teach him how to use blogger tonight, lol.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas and a fun little survey

DJ and I went out for our tour of Christmas lights last night and had a wonderful time. I made peppermint hot chocolate from scratch, so yummy, and we bundled up in warm clothes then we drove around 5 different housing developments for a little over 2 hours before my bladder called it a night. I found a few houses that made me laugh or just ohh and awe. I love Christmas lights and how the glow just makes a house look so happy.

Then we came home and snuggled up by the lights of our Christmas tree and slept out front. It was a wonderful night through and through.


And speaking of wonderful we received the best ever Christmas present yesterday! I was back in the nursery folding and putting away clothes and other items and organizing how to store some of the goodies for the little man when I heard the door bell ring. My slow pregnant frame didn't make it to the door before my visitor had left (thank you Jess for the bread, yummmmmmm) and when I opened up my door I immedetly notice my front yard looked different. Our great friend James had come over with his landscaping crew and trimed our tree and plants and cleared out all the leaves and just made out front yard look beautiful! I seriously stood there in tears, what a wonderful present. And by the way should anyone need a landscaper there is no better in the world than James and his crew and I will happily pass along his info to anyone who is looking in a heartbeat. But we may be stingey about sharing him as a friend cause if you think his work is good he's an even better friend - love ya man, and your wife too (the CD rocks so hard Chris, thank you=>).

So this morning we got up and thanked each other for our favorite gift we've ever given each other by watching my belly bounce all around. Then DJ made a lovely eggs Benedict breakfast. Not our usual corned beef and hash but that has too much sodium for my blood pressure right now so that tradition will have to resume next year. And we put on the Muppet's Christmas Carol. We are going to go into the office and play our computer game together for a while. And my mom is making a small dinner for the 3 of us since my Dad has to work tonight. We are planning on watching A Christmas Story and The Santa Clause two classics for sure! Wonderful day!

So this is a little survey of things you've done. I've seen different versions on people's blogs and received in an email so I thought I'd list it is as a precursor to New Years Resolutions next week. You change the color of the font if you have done the listed activity. Enjoy and feel free to do your own!

1. Kept a journal
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a butterfly
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Rode a roller coaster that went upside down
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Been to Hollywood
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Stayed up for 24 hours straight
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Had a snow ball fight
25. Held a baby animal other than a cat or dog
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Been to Las Vegas
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Been snowed in somewhere
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Rode a horse
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Made up your own recipe
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Flown on an Airplane that seats 50 or less
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie or TV show
56. Cut down your own Christmas tree
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Gone ice skating outside
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited one of the Smithsonian museums
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
7 3. Stood in Times Square
74. Been in a car accident
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Had a professional massage
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Given money or goods to someone in need completely anonymously
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

100. Swam in the Ocean

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Countdown - Edited

Well I'm in my last official week of being a person with no children. Doc scheduled my induction for Tuesday the 30th in the early afternoon. Our hopes are that I will have a son by the 31st. I'm experiencing tons of emotions that I didn't expect to be feeling. Bed rest sucks, pretty much just as bad as it did earlier in the pregnancy. Spending several hours a day all alone can get really hard especially with all these extra emotions and hormones running through me. I've had one visitor and my girl Amie calls to check on me, but that's pretty much it. The other morning at the doc's office I got to talk with Shelly from my old ward, which was lovely. I miss her even though she only lives a few miles away.

So tonight is Christmas Eve and DJ and I were trying to think of something to do to celebrate the holiday. I will totally admit it's been very hard for me to get into the holiday spirit this year. No family activities planned, no shopping or baking to do, no money to really enjoy any of the holiday events, didn't even make it to the Temple to see the lights. It's been even harder to not have anyone visit or call. The first year we were in the house and the ward people stopped by and the phone rang, the second year had been less but we still felt the warmth of well wishes, this year we've had one visitor and not one call or well wish besides my two girlfriends Amie and Chris. It's made it very hard for me to want to be jolly since I equate the holiday with being around people. So I told DJ last night I needed to bake some cookies cause I didn't want become a total hum-bug and he told me that we'd pack into the car and drive around and look at Christmas lights with the cookies and some hot coco tonight, woohoo. Then he surprised me and said he saved a bit of money from a while back and was going to take me to the movies tomorrow morning. I'm really excited to be out of the house, he treats me so well, seriously he's the best present ever =>

Ok well I'm off to go start dinner. When you can only be on your feet 10 minutes at a time you have to start cooking early or it just never gets done, sigh. And I'm trying to make double dishes so I can freeze one serving for next week when the little one gets here so poor DJ won't end up cooking every night. I have not been that successful at this goal as my current culinary ventures have been cheese sandwiches and meals from mom. Oh but gooey cheese is just so yummy right now.....mmmmmmm.......think that's what I'll do for lunch today.

I wish everyone a safe and spirit filled Merry Christmas. If you are traveling please be safe in the crazy weather that's out there right now. After the holiday I'll post the pictures of Caden's nursery.

***Edited***
Yikes I don't want people to think I was complaining about people not stopping by making me sad. It was/is more of the fact that I can't make my cookies and hundreds of truffles and drive around and give them out so that I got my fill of holiday time friends. Totally understand with Christmas mid week and traveling people are all out with family. But thank you for the happy comments and emails and calls, don't worry I know I know I'm loved and I love all of you very much too. Just was lamenting being stuck in the house - but it's so worth it for him to be happy and healthy!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Bedrest

After a brief trip to the hospital this morning I was sent home to be on bed rest until the little man makes his debut. My blood pressure was scary high and they found I was spilling sugar. So now I'm home and laying down with orders to not be out of bed except for once an hour. I go back on Sunday to the hospital to have some more tests. And then on Tuesday if things are still looking the same we're talking induction.

Oh and this Tuesday I was 70% effaced and 1cm dilated! Yikes - guess I better pack a bag here soon and find a pediatrician.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tagged =>

I may have been tagged by Miss Natalie (she has a family member named Christine too) and even if she didn't intend it to be me I'm sure that she won't mind if I join in the fun => So here it goes.

One Word Tag
Where is your mobile phone? purse
Where is your significant other? cooking
Your hair color? brown
Your mother? friend
Your father? stable
Your favorite thing? baby
Your dream last night? none
Your dream goal? mom
Room Your In? family
Your hobby? photography
Your fear? death
Where do you want to be in 6 years? home
Where were you last night? parents
What you're not? drama
Where you grew up? California
The last thing you did? shopped
What are you wearing? sweater
Your TV? Small
Your pets? cats
Your computer? oooooollllllddddddd
Your mood? tired
Missing someone? lots
Your car? dirty
Something you're not wearing? socks
Favorite shop? craft
Your summer? long
Love someone? yes
Your favorite color? blue
When is the last time you laughed? today

That was fun! Not as easy as you think it will be.

Well in other news the lady at my work who has been making my life miserable, bashing my religion and making horrible comments about me to others that are so not true just because she doesn't like my religion............resigned this week. WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She has been trying to make my life even more miserable these past few days and next week I'm sure she will try to top herself. So I'm sorry to say I have resorted to a very childish method to keep my head from spinning and saying something I would regret. Of course I do pray and ask for help but when she gets particularly ugly I hum somewhat loudly "ding dong the witch is dead." I know so childish but it makes me get through her horrible comments and I haven't lost my cool yet.

So I've started to have some contractions => Doc said this week he would be ok with me having him any day now, yikes! I was worried about his lungs not being ready but Doc assures me that since I've been on steroids for most of the pregnancy that he would be just fine. So come the 20th I'm in let's have a baby mode. Secretly I'm hoping he comes before Christmas. His nursery is almost done, I'll share photos as soon as I'm finished.

And I'll leave you with a few shots from my co-workers photo shoot. Her 18 month old was sick with the flu so it was quick and to the point, but still very fun.


Friday, December 5, 2008

Date night achieved and other fun stuff

DJ and I finally got to go on our date night tonight. We went out to the Surprise Party and watched the hot air balloons get up in the air, saw the sky divers land in the dark from 4000 feet up and enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display. We shared a yummy bag of hot fresh kettle corn and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Then he took me over to the Golden Spoon for some dessert, mmmmmmmm mint frozen yogurt and chocolate chips, perfect. We came back to the house and watched a favorite - The Chronicles of Narnia (I bawl everytime Aslin sacrafices himself, in the theater the little girl next to me kept asking her mom if I was ok, lol). All in all it was a wonderful night that I loved, too bad the camera battery was dead and I didn't realize it =< We had a wonderful time talking about the baby and our thoughts on all sorts of stuff - we just really connected which was so nice

Tommorrow we get to go to a baptism, do a little grocery shopping then I'm going to my mom's for a girls night with some friends and DJ is heading off to a good friend's house to enjoy a little testosterone fest watching the fight. It will be a packed day, but I should be able to stay off my feet for most of it so I can tell the doc when he asks on Tuesday that I followed the rules.

Baby Caden had the hicups today for an hour, poor thing. It was fun to feel but I did feel sorry for him after a while. I only have two more weeks until I'm considered full term enough to have him. I'm gonna try to be a good girl and just let nature take it's course but I'm very tempted eat a habenaro pepper while jumping on Amie's trampoline to encourage this little man to join the world. He dropped about 6 weeks ago and I do believe I learned a new appreciation for the word unfomfortable, lol. But on the positive side I've not had heartburn related to him being high, only when I don't eat regularly and I've not had that can't catch my breath feeling that some of my girlfriends have told me about. My blood sugars have started to give me a bit of problem, but that was to be expected at this point in the pregnancy. For the most part they have been in great control and my A1c's (a test that registers your past 3 month average of your blood sugars, good control is 7 and pregnancy goal should be 6) have been 5.3 and 5.7. My doc is very pleased. He's also pleased with my weight gain, drum rool please..............a total of 1 pound at this point, lol. He keeps shaking his head and laughing cause I'm on a good dose of steroids for my arthritis and I should have gained a ton of weight. He laughs and tells me that he gains weight just writing my perscription for the stuff and that I will actually leave the hospital lighter then when I got pregnant. I told DJ that had I know having babies would help me lose weight I'd have been begging Heavenly Father for this a long time ago and he would be raising a football team!

And speaking of babies I'm super excited because after not being sucessful getting any of the 3 photographers I know booked I was able to book a maternity shoot with a photographer that my mom works with. Her name is Nancy and she's lovely and artsy and very talented. I'm very excited to try her out. She also is extremly talented with blown glass and beeding. I've seen some pieces my mom has received as gifts from her and I'm just in love with the beauty of the glass. I am going to get her website information so I can share it with you all, it's just so very yummy.
Then I was also able to schedule a newborn shoot and in March a family shoot with Kylie of Next Step Photography. She's Julie's sister in law and I really like her style. It will be so weird to get to let go and have someone else be in charge of the photography. DJ and I haven't had a shoot that is just us in a actual portrait session since 2003, the first offical pictures of us as a couple was the wonderful pictures Heather took at our sealing, can you believe that? Shame on me. Well it has been a combinaton of things that caused the delay but really that is way too long. Anyways was able to check those items right off the list - woo hoo!

And I booked a few Jobs myself. I took some family photos for my girl Amie & my co-worker Nichole. I have a maternity shoot for Casey coming up and a wedding in June. I'm going to start up again with weddings as of March and family shoots as of Febuary. I have to get a bit of research to get done on some advertising options so that I can make my little business better. In CA I booked a ton of jobs but out here I've not pushed the business very much cause I was a bit burnt out after 30+ weddings in one year, yikes! But with this little baby on the way and the very real chance that I will be out of a job come July of this year and if not 08 then 09 is looking very very likely with the state of the Surprise budget I need something in place for sure. So if anyone is looking for weddings and such I'm here, just give me a call. My studio lighting is going to be here soon and of course there is always outside.


Went and finished the shopping for the baby too. We got a ton of clothes and I mean a ton of clothes for the shower and through a huge donation from Casey Lu and Amie. Seriously the kid will be just fine until about a year old! So DJ and I were able to go out and get all the bottles, pacifiers, bath stuff, crib bedding, blankets, moniter, diaper bag and all the odds and ends of babydom. It was fun and we were blessed by my BIL & SIL giving us some $ so we could afford it all! I had so much fun shopping for the little man and everything really started to get real putting the stuff away => My mom came over and we sorted all the clothes by size and washed everything and got it hung up and folded, seriously baby laundry is just so much fun to do (I know, I say that now. lol). There are so many things that I can't wait to put him in!

This week coming up has all sorts of fun activities we are signed up for; a work holiday brunch, the drive we've been doing for the west valley crisis center is done and we get to deliver the goods, Heather and Dave's Christmas party - have to get my gift still and decide what yummy dessert I'm bringing, another baptism and my hunny and I are planning a night to finish the nursery. I can do everything from teh sitting position too, woohoo! It's gonna be a good week I can tell!

Ok this was seriously longer than I planned and I have to sign off so we can read tonights portion of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, a new tradition we started this year we read 10 pages a night starting Dec 1st and it should be done christmas eve - love that story, hopefully we can keep this tradition up!

Happy weekend all =>