A visit from the Cook's

Last week my parents, sister and niece came to visit. It was pure awesomeness. We danced, we played, watched a movie and worked on nursery and house projects. Okay, I’ll be honest, everybody pretty much helped with the house projects but me. I pulled the pregnant card a lot. In my defense I couldn’t be around paint fumes or lift heavy objects which were most of the projects so it’s not all due to my laziness, just a little bit due to my laziness. Plus, I think I got enough of a work out playing just dance with Alli and Haddy, I was very sore for many days after.

One of the highlights of the long weekend was testing out our new camera on Haddy. We had a lot of fun dressing her up and posing her in various places around the yard. I am sure Alli will also post some of these pictures on her blog because they turned out so cute! I can’t wait to test out our camera on our own baby here soon. Here are some of my favorite pictures from that day.

The pooper

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make this flip. I give up.

Still a girl! We double checked:)

Last week while my family was in town visiting Steve and I had our 3^rd trimester check up and ultrasound. Since my mom and sister where in town they really wanted to come along and see our little fetus. It was a lot of fun to have them there! Our little girl is doing great! The first 3 ultrasounds she was measuring a few days behind but this last visit she was measuring 2 days ahead of schedule! She weighed approximately 2 lbs 6 oz and she is in the perfect position for delivery (head down face foreword) which I was glad about. I know she can still move from that spot but I’m hoping she doesn’t. It’s so weird how proud of her I already am. She is the perfect little baby in my eyes.

She is still moving a lot! It becomes more and more frequent everyday and a lot stronger.  We have yet to decide on any name in particular yet but the top 3 in the running currently are: 

1.) Isla
2.) Claire
3.) Aspen

My favorite is Isla and Steve’s is Aspen. Claire is one we both mutually agree on but aren’t quite sold on yet. It may even turn out to be a completely different name in the end. Who knows???

Anyways…  Here are a few pictures below from our 3^rd trimester photo shoot. Our ultrasound tech turned it over to 3D for a few minutes and we got some great shots of her face, although her arm was covering up part of it. Also, look forward to some awesome 4D shots in about 3-4 weeks. Working at a doctors office has it's perks sometimes. A radiology rep is giving us a free 1 hour 4D ultrasound (whatever 4D means) session just for fun. We can't wait! In the meantime here are some of her latest model shots. Enjoy:)

Side profile... Look at that large noggin! She's going to be smart, but hopefully not a smarty pants:)

3D... It takes a second to see it sometimes but you can clearly see her side face and her little arm is held up by her left eye on the right. Looks kind of like she is rubbing her sleepy eyes. How adorable:)

I love her so much...

Another birthday!

Steve and I are lucky to have birthdays so close together. I really like it that way, I especially like that his birthday is first because I always stress about making it perfect for him and it’s nice to just sit back and relax once it’s over:)  This year on November 9^th we celebrated my 27^th birthday! Interesting fact… Baby turned 27 weeks on my 27^th birthday. Kind of cool I thought. For my birthday I wanted to get a rocker/glider for the baby’s room so that day we left work early and went glider shopping! This activity was the perfect birthday present! It combines all of my favorite activities into one.

1.) Shopping
2.) Shopping for baby stuff
3.) Shopping with Steve
4.) Talking about baby stuff

So basically I had a blast!

We spent a total of about 5 hours going from store to store looking at different glider/ rocking chair options. It turned out to be a little more difficult making a decision than I had anticipated! I had my “ideal” chair in my head and qualifications that it must have. My list was long in my head but what we ultimately ended up with was just practical. It is, however, the most comfortable practical chair my little bum has ever sat in! I’m sure to appreciate it all of my late nights up with the babe!

 We did manage to fit dinner and registering into our evening as well and my mom and dad sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers with an adorable teddy bear along with it for the baby. I’m so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life and I truly have no complaints! I am one happy camper:)

Steve's Birthday!

Steve turned the ripe old age of 32 last Friday (the 28th of October) and we celebrated in style. Steve woke up to a fabulous breakfast spread that morning and lots of really nice birthday wishes. Later that day he got to do his favorite thing ever... Golf! It was a gorgeous day and he said he had a great time. Later that evening we went out to dinner with a group of friends (14 of us to be exact) and then had cake and ice cream after at our house. I tried a new recipe this year and think it turned out great! It was a chocolate cake with like a whipped cream frosting served cold. Yum:) Below is a picture of Steve blowing out his invisible candles!

I was a bad wife this year:( Not only did I NOT take any pictures besides the one above but I also forgot candles. Minor detail's I guess but I especially regret not taking more pictures. All well. At least Steve had a great day and got to be surrounded by good company.

I am so grateful for Steve. Here are a few of the reasons why I love him so much and why he is such a great husband and man in general:)

He makes me relax! Let's face it... I can be an emotional wreck sometimes! Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones, I don't know but he always knows how to get me to chill out!

He makes me laugh! He is always joking or being sarcastic and it's hard to stay mad at him for too long because he will turn a stupid fight into joke that always makes me laugh and forget about the reason we where arguing in the first place. (He calls it debating:)

Everybody loves him! I get compliments on my husband all the time! He is incredibly responsible and takes the pressure of supporting our little growing family very seriously. He is always encouraging me to save money and he doesn't just tell me to do something and then not do it himself. He is a great example to me and definitely inspires me to try and be better.

He is amazing at his calling! He is the Elders quorum president and has already been able to bless the lives of many by visiting and giving blessings to various members of the ward when they are in need. He really takes his role seriously and is an inspiration to others.

He's handsome! (Or as my beehives say "he's hot")! A little awkward??? Maybe, but still a compliment:)

He is friends with everybody.

He loves our dog as much as I do and obsesses over all his little quarks.

He is going to be an amazing father. I already know this, he is GREAT with children. Even a year later all of our old nursery kids will still come up to him and say "look mom (or dad) it's my best friend Steve!" Children adore him.

He is active in church, physical exercise  and most important my life. He helps me all the time whether it's bringing food to work so I can eat or taking out the trash at home (a job I despise) or entertaining the dog so he doesn't become too lazy or depressed.

I LOVE that he has so many interests. Golf, mountain biking, friends, movies, traveling, researching, decorating/designing, me, family and many other things.

What a blessing it is to have him in my life. I love him:)