Christmas Eve

The holidays were so much fun. Rick and I were able to spend lots of quality time together. Good thing we really like each other huh! On Christmas Eve my brothers Regan and Ray and Edyn, Payton, Dylan and Wyatt can up to our house and went sledding for a few hours. It was lots of fun. I was the designated hot chocolate passer-outer. It's a good job. You should try it.

Nice Landing, Edyn!

Wyatt trying to start something!

Rick

Regan Snowboarding

Payton Cruising

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

Does anyone know how to flip these pictures?

After the sledding event, we all trekked down to my parents house in American Fork in the worst snow storm this winter. The drive usually takes about 35 minutes to get there, but this time it was 1 hr and 40 minutes. The rest of the family met us there for dinner, a snowman competition, and the annual acting out of the Nativity. No major mishaps this year during the little playm except for one really excited shepherd and a bald donkey!

Marley's duct tape elf shoes!

"It's a Boy!"

On Thursday, Rick, my mom and I ventured out to get the Ultrasound. We were so excited and both very distracted all day (I kept thinking that this is better than Christmas). It was snowing a lot with lots of traffic, so we were both worried we would miss our appointment. But, we made it. As we started the ultrasound and were able to see the baby's picture on the monitor, he was moving his hand up by his face . . . looked like he was waving. We were so glad to see his tiny face and body, hands and feet. My mom's favorite part was the tiny little hands and feet! We also got to see his brain development, heart pumping and lots of other good stuff. He rolled over a couple times and was kicking a bit while we were watching. When the doctor asked if we wanted to know the sex, we said "Yes!" (Rick has been frustrated every time we have gone to the doctor that we haven't known sooner.) The doctor immediately pointed out that this was definitely a boy! We and many others were very surprised! For some reason we were all thinking it was a girl. Not quite sure why though. Roger, my brother and extraordinaire of predicting boys from girls in the womb, was one of the only people who were right. "It's a boy." With a boy first, Rick will have a "little buddy" sooner and we will be in keeping with the rest of the family on both sides--the oldest is a boy. We will also get to have a "big brother" in our family. Lucky us! He looked cute and healthy as far as we know and we can't wait for him to get here. We are thinking a lot about names. If you have any great ideas, let us know . . .

"Flutters"

I was just sitting here at my desk after a long day at work reading friends' blogs and I think I just felt the baby move!!! Its happened a couple times and I've passed it off as something else, but that's got to be it. I feel a little like at any moment an alien might jump out with a song and dance! "Hello, my darlin . . . ."

Temple Furniture

Rick has been working a lot lately on furniture for various LDS temples. Most recently its been the Tonga, Rexburg, and Laie, Hawaii temples. I think that someday we are going to have to take a tour to visit all these temples and the work he's done. When we were first married, Rick and I talked about doing this (without the furniture in mind) and following in my Grandpa Fred's example. During his life with my awesome Grandma Barbara, they were able to visit 89 temples! We will have to make them proud. I'm sure Rexburg will be our first stop!

I'll post pictures of some of the furniture pieces soon.

Daily Developments

When we first found out we were pregnant and made the announcement to our families, they were so excited. We gave both of our parents a Berenstein Bears book about grandparents. A few days later, Rick's sister, Laura, gave us a book that tells about the development of the baby each day. Today's entry includes something to effect: the baby from crown to rump is now 4 inches long and the legs are now growing longer than the arms. She can now move all joints and is practicing primitive breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid. PRETTY COOL STUFF! It's so cool to know what is going on each day. My belly is definitely getting BIGGER. I'm having a tough time wearing my normal pants, but I don't yet fit the maternity ones. I'm sure that will come soon enough.

A Heart Beat

We went to the doctor yesterday and got to hear the baby's heart beat. So neat. (I know neat is not a cool word to use these days, but its the best word I can think of.) I can't believe there is a little person inside of me that is doing its own thing. It took a little while to for the doctor to find the heart beat, but once he did, it was strong. Of course I cried a bit and Rick listened with a big smile on his face. We are happy. Yeah!

Baby Barton

Cami, my great sister-in-law sent this sight to me as a count down for when the baby is due. Its great because you can see the baby's development too. Only 191 days to go!!!!