My thoughts on being pregnant...

-        I think working while being so sick has helped me stay alive.  Even though every single thought about waking up at 6:00, driving an hour to work, staying alert for 8 hours, and calling a million people on the hour drive home to stay awake is absolutely miserable.  I think work has made it so I have to get out of bed.  There’s no option to be a loaf.  Otherwise, I’d probably lie in bed all day and call Chris to bring me fast food.

-        Our first appointment with the doctor was so easy going.  I was afraid she might ask why the only thing I've been eating is Cinnamon Toast Crunch, apple juice, and fast food, yet she didn't even notice.  It took quite some time to find the baby’s heart beat – almost resulting in an ultrasound.  I also have low blood platelets, if they don’t rise than having an epidural isn't an option.  It's still so early that I'm not freaking out about this yet.  I'm sure I will, because Sisterville did and told me there is no way on earth she'd have a baby without the drugs.  She's a lot tougher than me, so I'm sure I will get this all figured out, for her peace of mind and mine.

-        I don’t notice my mood swings, until all the sudden I flip out.  Two times I've just sat and cried for no reason and Chris just looks at me like I’m a crazy person, or rubs my back until I fall asleep.  I find myself far less reasonable and quite forward. I’m not one to make waves or tell someone a contradicting opinion.  Lately, I don’t even care.  I’m all about telling people what I think.  Since I’m usually fairly passive, I’m actually sort of happy about this.

-        Our move took a serious toll on my energy.  We still have a full room of boxes.  I hear the second trimester is better, but quite frankly I’d just rather lay on the couch after work.  One day it will all get cleaned up.

-        I think December 1^st sounds like the nicest due date.    Just in time to cozy up and be home with a newborn for the holidays.  This also means I won't have to work Christmas Eve and all the days between Christmas and New Years.  I also like that's its not too close to Christmas that I can distinguish between a birthday present and a Christmas present.  Such a great time of the year.

-        Chris is so cute about this little tot.  I often think he is daydreaming and thinking about it more than me.  He checks in on both of us each day, always inquiring about the baby.  As if I know.  I seriously can’t imagine going through this with anyone else.  The thought actually makes me cringe.  He’s the best!

-        The nausea totally stinks, but let’s be honest the tiredness is far worse.   I seriously long for the day I empty the dishwasher and change the laundry on the same day.  I find myself fighting back a mid-day nap and I wouldn't even mind climbing into bed at 7 pm. In fact I might tonight.

-        I love talking about baby names with Chris.  He's been humoring my baby name discussions since we were dating.  I can only think of boy names I like right now.  I read an article the other day on Yahoo that said boys with names less than 5 letters make more money than those with longer names.  The name that makes the most amount of money is Bob.  I full intend to use this information logically when naming my child.

-        On the same topic as baby names.  I've already had people ask what we are going to name it.  I don’t even know what “it” is yet.   I've never had a kid so I don’t know if I have to introduce myself in person to him/her first and I feel sort of weird naming it inside my belly.  I also used to think it was strange when people would say the name was a surprise or a secret. I don’t mind telling people the names I like; just strange to hear people so boldly state their opinions.  I now understand that the secrecy just nips this whole conversation in the butt.  So there you have it – I don’t know what to do about any of this naming stuff and I realize I’m already reading way to into it. Once I think on it a bit more, I'm sure I'll come up with a better answer when people ask.  For now even my options are a secret.  A secret that could be easily pried out of me, if you don't tell me you used to have a dog named that, or something equally as detrimental to fragile pregnancy brain.

P.S. The best thing about telling our news is, I can stop saving all the baby stuff from Pinterest on my desktop and start a real folder. I really like those barn doors behind the crib.

What do all of these 3 have in common?

Due December 1st

Oh Hey...

WE MOVED + Chris got a sweet internship for the summer + I'm commuting two hours a day + our house is a pure mess + we love our new house + more long walks by the Provo River + 4 photography sessions and a million pictures to edit + Chris has a non-working kidney + No internet or TV for weeks equals long walks with Chris + new ward, tough saying good bye to primary + plants outside ready to be planted in our garden + mothers day and birthday gifts to buy = LIFE & HAPPINESS

On our way our the door, life is better and happier with him...

Deer Creek Reservoir Stroll....

 I'll admit we haven't spent very much time at the two lake's that surround us.  I've never been a big swimmer or water girl.  Neither Chris or I had a boat growing up, so when we walked around Deer Creek Reservoir I sort of felt bad we haven't taken more time at the lake. 

The Heber Creeper railroad track runs along the side of the lake.  We found some really great flat rocks and skipped them across the rough water as the wind practically blew us over.  

Chris and I spend a good deal of time before bed each night talking.  However, lately we've both been running in opposite directions.  A good walk always helps us catch up.  No pressure to get everything out in a certain amount time before he has homework, or I'm ready for bed.  We just walk, talk and laugh, something I appreciate more and more as we've gotten too busy lately. 

Oh yes, I must not forget the good half hour we spent seeing how close these little varmints would let us get before they ran in their hole.  Guess you had to be there. 

A Chair Makeover...

Ever since my first chair project, which you can see here.  I've been busy working on other similar projects.  It's become sort of therapeutic after long, stressful days at work.  This is a kids chair my mom bought at a yard sale in Phoenix for about $3.  All she asked is that I paint it red for her.

All my tools are seen below.  I always forget to get a proper paint tray every time I go to Home Depot. I bought a number of these throw away casserole dishes at the dollar store.  They work perfectly fine and I'm sure much cheaper.  I just toss them when I'm done.  I prefer foam rolling the entire thing.  If there are spots I can't get, I just use a foam craft brush.  I hate using cheap paint brushes, and if I invested in a good brush I'd have to clean it.  Once again, I just toss the brushes.  No cleanup required.

The paint associate did a great job trying to sale me gray primer.  I figured I didn't need it because it was just a small chair.  I probably put seven coats of paint on this bad boy.  Note to self: buy the dang primer. 

I got it all painted and was bummed.  It didn't look all that exciting.  So I got out my Cricut - Accent Essentials Cartridge. I was thinking if I could get a good idea for a flower, I could possible hand draw something amazing. 

 Then I quickly remembered I could just make a stencil. Duh!  Don't be surprised if you come over and entire house has been stenciled with Cricut shapes.  This was seriously so fun!

 Notice how my entire stencil is gray and the dot is yellow.  I had cut out everything in gray and somehow lost that stupid tiny circle. After searching forever, I had to re-cut the entire flower just for the circle. How annoying is that? Anyway, then just a little white spray paint and SHAZAM!

Two chairs and one table coming up next....

My Sisters Kids...

Last week I went to Sisterville's house to hang out and we took pictures of her baby.  The last time we took pictures of her baby, he fit in this basket. 

Now he's big and looks at us like we're crazy.  We laid on the floor laughing for five minutes when we saw this shot.  We'd been trying to tell him to smile for at least an hour.  I believed Sisterville had just bribed the older tot with a "chepsi."  The light plug also really adds to this photo.  It was also at this point that we gave up. 

Turns out we did get a few one.  Check out that smile. 

Can't wait to go camping with these guys this summer.  You don't even know, it's the only thing I think about. 

Maternity Photography...

A new leap in my photography endeavors, a maternity session.  Isn't the light amazing in this picture.  I can't believe it's spring.   I've come out of hibernation.  The weather even permitting short sleeves, while the sun is half way down.  An amazing event up here in the snow village. Also in photography news, I've started planning for an upcoming wedding.  I'm shooting the entire event and I can hardly wait.  Check out more maternity pictures on my photography blog.