A Quick Update: 37 weeks

Today I had my 37 week dr appointment.  Everything is still going well.  Unfortunatley there is no progress yet, I'm not dialated or anything.  So now I'm even more grateful for the scheduled c-section since it looks like I won't be going into labor anytime soon.  Usually I have been measuring one week bigger, but this time I measured a week small, which is mind boggling because I feel like my tummy is HUGE and growing by the minute.  However, the end is in sight (less than two weeks), and then the real work begins!

Tis the Season

Yesterday we officially started our holiday festivities by putting up the tree and decorating the house.  It's so cute because Abby LOVES to see houses that are decorated with lights.  She say's "Oh, so pretty!"  I think this Christmas will be really fun to watch Abby experience all the fun and excitement.

We did a lot of the decorating while Abby was napping, but saved putting the ornaments on the tree so she could help.  (This is the face Abby makes when you tell her to say "cheese", it's cute, but not really close to a smile.)

We also decided it was a good day to go to temple square and see all the lights.  We are going to have to squeeze in as many activities as we can before the baby arrives, so we are starting early.  Abby loves to look at pictures of the temples, so we knew she would really get excited to see one up close.  On the way up to temple square we stopped at the IN-N-OUT in Draper that just opened.  Cameron grew up in California, so since he's been living here, he's dearly missed the beloved restaurant.  It was packed inside, so we took our food and ate in the car.

Living with a 2 year old, it becomes quite obvious the phrases that are spoken often in the home, because she picks up on them quick.  When we got off the freeway in downtown, Abby kept saying "almost there" even though she really had no idea if we were or not.  I guess we tell her that all the time : )  I still feel like we are unprepared for the cold, we tried to bundle up, but I found that some of the essentials are still missing, hats and gloves, and right now, I don't have a coat that fits.  You'd think we'd never experienced a Utah winter before.

The lights are always so pretty around the temple.  Of course we had to make stops inside all the buildings.  It's a great chance to get warm for a minute, and we also get to act like a tourist and take pictures of everything.   

Inside the tabernacle.

In front of the temple (it's getting pretty difficult for me to hold Abby).  We all had a great time.  It's so fun to share these fun holiday traditions with Abby.

Thankgiving Day

Well, Abby must have known it was a holiday because she started the day at 6am.  She came running into my room, and jumped on my bed.  We layed around for a while, and once Cameron got home from work around 8am we officially started the day.  Cameron's family was coming to our house for dinner, and we were supposed to provide the pies and rolls.  I lucked out this year, because Cam offered to make the pies.  He had a apple pie recipe he wanted to make and share with everyone.  All I had to do was put the Rhodes rolls out to thaw and rise.  SO EASY!  But I did have some last minute cleaning to get done.  Thankfully, we got all this done, and I even had some time to relax for a few minutes (which was dearly needed because of the early morning rise). 

Once everyone arrived, us girls pretty much stayed in the kitchen trying to get all the food going and stuff, and the boys, well, I don't know what the boys were doing, probably fighting or playing video games (the usual).  Dinner was so good, you can't really beat a full spread of Thanksgiving favorites!  We then played some games and just visited.  It was a nice day spent with family.

A year of Thanks

This year has been a great year, so many wonderful things that we are thankful for.

1. Of course, having another little girl is a huge blessing in our lives.  We are also thankful for a easy, healthy pregnancy.
2. Family.  This year, especially, I am greatful for the support of both my family and Cam's family.  They have both been there for us when we need.  I have realized this year the importance of family, and that it truly is #1.
3. My hubby Cameron.  He works SO hard, and sacrifices so much so that we have all the things that we need.  Watching him go to work without complaint everyday, has really taught me to take my "job" as a mom and homemaker seriously, and follow his example and do the best that I can everyday.  I try not to complain, but I haven't mastered that nearly as well as Cameron.  He also is a great father, and LOVES playing with Abby.  Cam is so supportive when it comes to me being pregnant.  I believe that since men don't have to physically endure being pregnant, it's their job to listen to all the complaints and be a shoulder to cry on when things (hormones) are too much.  I'm sure he's tired of hearing my hourly updates on whats hurting, but he at least pretends to care (which is all I ask, really) and seems sympathetic.  He is my true love, and I can't believe how lucky I am that I get to spend eternity with him.
4. Abby.  Although taking care of a 2 year old has it's challenges, there are so many more blessings that makes it SO very worth it.  She brings laughter and energy into our home everyday.  I love watching her learn and grow.  When I look back, even only a couple of months,  it seems like she is growing so fast.  I don't want to even blink because I'm afraid I'll miss something.  I love her so much!
5. Our home.  As we have all watched the economy go down and down, I can't help but be greatful for our house, which we have truly made our home.  Even though it's not "the perfect house", it has everything we need and more.
6. Cam's job.  He loves his job so much, and that means more to us than huge paychecks.  Like the saying goes "if you choose a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life".  This year especially, I'm greatful for his job because we really feel he has a lot of job security, and there is a lot of comfort in that right now.

I'm sure their is more that I should be adding to the list, but these are the blessings we enjoy everyday, so they are on our minds all the time.

A Funny Story

I got this story in an e-mail recently, and it made me laugh. I thought this would be a good thing to keep, so I can look back on it when I really need a laugh.

34 weeks, and Growing Bigger, Bigger, Bigger

Today I had my 34 week appointment. Things are going wonderfully, the doctor tells me I make his job very easy. Although this was my 34 week appointment, because I'm doing a c-section, I only have about 4 more weeks left till D-day. At times that feels like a lifetime away, and other times it feels right around the corner. Lately, I have been spending a lot of time wondering what life will be like with another little baby. I can only imagine how things are going to change, but I probably have no idea how it's going to be.

I am, however, unsure of how my tummy could stretch any bigger. I know it's gonna happen, and it's gotten this big, and bigger before. But, my shirts already barely cover my stomach, my pants don't stay up, and the baby is taking all the room and leaving very little space for food to fit in my stomach.

It's been fun "nesting" and getting things ready for her to join our family. I think we both are anxious to meet this little girl, and I have to admit that enough time has passed since Abby was an infant that a lot of the "unpleasant" things are fuzzy and the wonderful things are all I can focus on.

Singing All Day Long

Abby has become quite the performer.  She loves to sing songs, and when possible, she'll dance too.  I am so suprised at how quickly she can learn a song.  Her memory is amazing, she must get that from Cameron, because she certainly didn't get it from me.  It's so cute, because she isn't shy about singing and will sing anytime, anywhere.  Some of her favorite songs to sing are:

• ABC's
• I Had a Baby Turtle
• The Kids in the Pool (the swimming version of "The Kids on the Bus")
• Popcorn Popping
• 3 Little Monkeys
• Ring Around the Rosey
• and many more from Seseme Street

We've learned that sometimes when a tantrum strikes, or boredom in the car gets to be too much, breaking into a song is a good distraction.  Abby has a real love for learning, and I've found that she really picks up on a topic or idea quickly if it's put to song.  I love this age that she is at, it seems like her little brain is a sponge and is just soaking up all sorts of knowledge.  I have started to teach her some Christmas songs, so hopefully, she will be ready to entertain us during the holiday season!