Birthday Celebration!

Happy 26th Birthday to Me!

I am a very spoiled girl this year. Nick surprised me with a beautiful ring. For a long time I've wanted a ring with my birthstone (amethyst) because not only is it a nice feminine color, it's my favorite color! Imagine that ;) I've had a few pieces of birthstone jewelery over the years like a small necklace when I was in jr.high or a ring in highschool, so I was really excited to get an 'upgraded' version for my birthday. Besides, it doesn't hurt that it's VERY large and surrounded by little diamonds. It is beautiful, and I can't wait for it to get back from being sized so I can wear it!

The bling.

Nick was so cute this year. He got up before I woke up and 'scrapbooked' me a card! So sweet. He's a guy who'll always say what he's feeling, but I don't have many things to keep where it's written down. I got a little choked up just reading his sweet card. I'm sure lucky to have him!

For dinner we went to my favorite restaurant, Joeys, and I had a fabulous meal of Chicken Lettuce Wraps accompanied by a delicious Raspberry Burst to drink.
You should try it!

I was so glad Kay and Melvin were able to celebrate the evening with us, and clearly Bennett had a great time too. Looks like Nick is getting some
hands on practice :)

We capped off the weekend with a Super Bowl party at our house (Go Saints!),
so I whipped up some yummy sugar cookies for our guests.
Don't I look like Suzy homemaker? I try... ;)

Baby Update

As promised, I'm here with a prego/baby update. I wanted to wait until after Jan.15th, because that's when my ultrasound was and we were hoping to find out the sex of the baby. We lucked out with a baby that semi-cooperated, and were able to discover that we are having a BOY! I was quite surprised because I really felt like it was going to be a girl. Well, kind of....you see, I actually always wanted a boy first so he could play the protective older brother role (and lets be honest - a boy would be a bit easier on my bank account). But once I found out I was actually pregnant I think I just really wanted a girl so that I'd have a mini-me to dress up and put bows and headbands on etc. Besides, out of 8 babies that were born this last year to CLOSE family and friends, 7 of them were boys. AND... out of 4 of my friends that are now pregnant, 3 of them are also having boys. I felt like it was my duty to even out the population a bit. But alas, I am joining the ranks of the majority and we are excited to be having a little hockey player first :)

This picture looks a little funny because he's on his back, but kind of turning to the side. So the part that's sticking up that I thought was an arm or a leg or something, is actually the side of his bum and part of his thigh. But it was the ONLY profile pic we could get! (you can also see his little right hand resting on his head)

I thought this little leg and foot was so cute!

The ultrasound was SO neat, and it was so exciting to see the first pictures of our little guy! The ultrasound tech was a little bit interesting, but nice enough I guess - though I basically had to twist her arm to get her to tell us if it was a boy or a girl... She also had a hard time getting all the pictures she needed because the baby was quite content to just lay on his stomach and not roll over to let us get a better profile pic or pics of his heart. I kept having to roll over and try and help her get a better angle, so it took a lot longer than I expected.

The baby bump picture I attached is actually from a couple of weeks ago - I'm 21 weeks along now with only 17 weeks to go! My Dr. will be doing a scheduled C-section 2 weeks early, and we already know the delivery date. May 11, 2010! It's so crazy to think of how close that really is! I'm starting to feel a little antsy now, like I better get my act together and start preparing for his arrival. We haven't done much - just looking online for stuff and thinking about how I want to decorate the nursery. We've also been shopping for cribs and I think I found the one I want, but as for the bedding, car seat, stroller, rocker and all other items I am really not sure yet. Any great suggestions?

I guess that's all for now. Hopefully something else exciting happens within the next little while so you won't have to wait another couple months for a big post :)

I'm back.

Wow. Has is really been almost 2 months since I last posted? As much as I do love the Christmas season, it was hectic and I felt crazy busy for most of it. In the middle of December I snuck in a pre-vacation to Cardston to spend some time with the Schows and the Halls. Lindsay was up visiting from LA so I had to make sure I got down to C-town to get in some good quality time with her and her fam. You'd think with the plethora of hours I was out at the farm we would have gotten a picture together. But no...all I managed to do was snap picture after picture of the cute kids. Think I'm a little preoccupied? I guess we'll just have to get together again sooner rather than later. It was also so much fun to be there for my niece's birthday and just enjoy the Christmas festivities with all the So-Ab people I love so much. Here's a recap in pictures :)

Jill & Dawna were pretty envious of my gingerbread decorating skills...yeah, I'm the bomb.

Notice how J & DJ are holding their houses in the backround...they probably didn't want you to get a close look at them....haha just kidding you guys. It was so fun! Thanks for including me :)

Cute little Dani turned 4 this year, and we had so much fun watching her open her presents and "sharing" with Levi. Well, at least the tissue paper that is.

Here's Beth & Brenan's little McKay whom I LOVE. This face melts my heart, and this was his classic expression every single day. I probably could have watched him play in that jolly jumper for hours. He is so cute!

Little Wil sure loved Nick and would give him a smile any time. Me on the other hand, had to work MUCH harder to get him to smile for me. Little stinker. It's a good thing he's such a chill little guy, I had so much fun cuddling him.

Paul & Tanya Cahoon are two of my favorite people and every year they throw an amazing Christmas party with delicious HOMEADE chinese food. It is to die for. I just realized that this may have been our last one for a few years since he was just called as a mission president, and starts in June. Sad day (for me. not them.)

A reunion of our old crew! (Minus T & A who I desperately tried to get into the pic as well, but they were too far away. Don't worry though- we don't love them any less than B & E or A & C)

Before Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma Mena's house. I love our real tree!

This is the epitomy of Nick's Mom. She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met, and I love her. Nick's Dad on the other hand is not as sweet as this picture makes him seem ;) But I guess we still love him too ;)

Nick is pretty much the best wrapper ever. Don't you love the coordinating bows? (And the fact that he felt it necessary to double up on them for each gift? Yeah...he should probably go pro.) I love him.

Christmas morning - snuggling in our new pjs before the present opening began!

Nick's Mom would probably kill me if she knew I put this picture on here, but I just love how excited she is in it, and her bedhead is sweet. It also doesn't hurt that Bryan looks kind of creepy peering over the back of the box. haha

Nick and I opening our "big" but little presents. An i phone for him, and a video camera for me/us :)

We usually get together with the Gagnon side of the family on Christmas day in the afternoon, but this year we did it on Boxing day and it was great to see everyone, as usual. All of the men even did the dishes. I mean it - they did 100% of the turkey dinner cleanup! We sure appreciated it!

Uncle Jeff & Nick

These kids got SPOILED! Andy, Jaylin, Vincent & Kyla chillin in the wrapping paper

Kyla, me & Alysha on Boxing day. I got this cute new cardigan for Christmas, and I LOVE it. Bring on the bling

On Dec.27th we headed out to Kimberly, B.C. for a few days of rest and relaxation with the Schow fam. It was just what I needed after a couple weeks of busy, busy busy! All we did was sleep in, play games, watch movies, sit in the hot tub and read. Pure heaven. It was so nice to spend quality time with everyone, and see all 6 grandkids play together. They are at such fun ages right now - I miss them when we have to go months without seeing them! Thanks for treating us to a vacation Mom & Dad!

I love the crisp beauty of the Rocky mountains!

The little boys playing with the race cars! (yep, even Nick)

Now G & G Schow have somewhere to put up pics of their grandkids.
It's so cute - Shane & Jennica made it, I want one now!

Ry taking the kids sledding outside the cabin in Kimberly
Seriously, is this not the cutest picture of Dani you've ever seen? I think so...
Ryan, Shane, Jennica, me & Nick "celebrating" New Year's a day early

Just thought I'd end with a pic of the gorgeous frosted trees in Kimberly, B.C.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my massive, belated holiday post. Next post to come: Prego update!

I have an announcement ...

For those of you assuming, hoping and praying...... you are right! After 2 long years of trying, 2 surgeries, too many Dr.'s appointments to count, numerous frusterated - tearful nights, and many many prayers, we are FINALLY having a baby! That's right...as Nick likes to say, "He finally beat the Goalie!" I almost can't even believe it myself, it just seems too good to be true. And I didn't even have to go on fertility drugs! (Which is a relief - just to know that my body could do it itself.)

I am 12 weeks along and just nearing the end of my first trimester. I'm due May 27th, though I already know that I'll be delivering via C-section 2 weeks before my due date. Because of the scarring from my surgery, my Dr. doesn't want me to go through any sort of labour or contractions in fear of any rupturing or tearing of my delicate uterus. (Sorry if that's an overshare for some of you). So needless to say I know exactly how and when the baby will come (which works well for me, since I love to be a planner).

I hope everyone is having as fabulous of a day as I am. Thank you for all your continued love and support and prayers.

Beside You - Marianas Trench

I am loving this new song by Marianas Trench right now. Usually their songs are faster, more punk style - but this one is kind of out of left field for them. I love the chorus, it's very "Lion King-esque". And there is just something about this song that makes me think of my mission. Makes me think of the music we'd listen to like Jericho Road or other Mormon groups. I can't quite put my finger on it though. This always comes on the radio when I am driving home from work, and it makes me just zone out and relax. I just really like it. So, if you haven't heard it yet - scroll down and listen. Enjoy.