Weekend Away

Back in September of last year, my mom proposed that my sisters and I go on a girls trip to California and stay at my parent's condo. Of course, I was all for it. The flights were booked, and then the idea of the weekend drifted out of my mind because President's Day weekend seemed so far away.

When February finally rolled around, I was very much ready to escape the cold and gloom of UT. (I'm not a winter person and never will be.) My sister lives in CA and warned us that CA was cold. Let me just say that compared to the temperatures in UT, it felt like paradise.

We flew out Friday morning, February 15. Going into the trip, we each got to pick 1 activity that we wanted to do, so everyone was happy. I picked massages or facials. I ended up being the only person who got a massage, while others chose a facial. (Which I still want to do someday.) Man, it felt so nice to have the knots in my back worked on. At the end of my hour-long massage, the masseuse said, "Wow, you were very tense." It was an ideal way to start the trip. 

Later, we went to a tasty Italian Restaurant and walked the beach. That evening, we ventured to the hot tub for some relaxation. I love hot-tubs and it was so tempting to dive in, but I resisted the urge and only allowed my feet to enjoy the hot spa. (Thank you pregnancy)

Saturday morning, Jessica decided that we clean up the beach. This was an organized event with over 500 people. We were given gloves and grabbers making the process easy, but also leaving our arms sore from gripping. There was so much Styrofoam on the beach it was overwhelming. 

My mom picked an elegant tea party for her activity. We wore silly hats and enjoyed mini sandwiches. 

Lindsey wanted to explore an Art Museum in LA called The LACMA. There were some neat pieces there. 

An exhibit made for me!

After this, we were all exhausted and starving. We settled on a Mexican restaurant for dinner and it was phenomenal. The guacamole served there was the best any of us had ever tasted. Since eating at that restaurant in CA, I went to one of my favorite local Mexican places. It's definitely gone down on my list and doesn't even compare.

Memories were made and we have some new inside jokes. You're a good sport, Mom!

Sunday was low-key. We spent the morning in church and then headed to a Flea Market (Jill's activity). It was nice to walk around and see some neat stuff. We finished up just in time before the rain came. Later in the afternoon, we went on a "hike" that ended with some spectacular views. It was super windy though.

Monday morning, my mom and I went on a walk. (I've always been an early riser.) The rest of the day was spent eating and shopping. What's new. 

We each took a day to share a thought or something that inspires us. On the day that my Mom shared her thought, she gave us each a cross-stitch of our wedding bouquets. This was so thoughtful and sweet. Here's mine:

Here are all of ours in the order we got married in:

It was wonderful to spend some time to breathe and relax. I've had too much on my plate lately. I'm so thankful to be married to someone who can easily take-over as a single parent for 4 days and do it smoothly. James and I are both blessed.

I've always heard the quote, "Sisters by blood. Friends by choice." I feel like this quote sums up our weekend. I'll always have fond memories of our weekend spent together in CA. Thank you, Mom, for reading the book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" which inspired you to make this all happen.

Oh Baby

We found out right after Thanksgiving weekend that we're expecting a baby! We were ecstatic to see a positive pregnancy test. I'm due at the end of July and it still seems so far away. (The good news is that I've already talked to my doc about being induced a week early. I don't want a 10 pounder which is pretty likely.) I forgot how slowly pregnancy moves.

We announced the news to my family at Christmas. (I hadn't been to the doctor yet, so the due date is off.)

James seems to be excited about the idea of a new sibling, but we'll see if he still feels that way when he actually understands what it means. Andrew and I both had dreams that we were having a baby boy. Andrew's dream was more specific than mine. We named the baby boy, "Bobby." Since then, we've all been calling the baby in mommy's tummy, "Baby Bobby" and I think we'll probably continue doing that until the baby is born.

When I was pregnant with James, Andrew seemed certain that James was a girl. He was shocked when we found out we were having a boy. This time around, Andrew hasn't had any strong inklings or feelings. (I don't think he wanted to be wrong again.) I have been worried to guess myself. We have been talking about boy and girl names and I have a running list on my phone, just in case I'm suddenly struck with a fabulous name idea which hasn't happened yet, unfortunately. 

We've been trying to explain to James that Bobby is in my tummy and he frequently tells people that. Our conversations with him have also led him to believe that he has a baby in his belly too, so sometimes he shows me his gut. (And let me say, James weighs over 28 pounds, so at this point he definitely looks more pregnant than me.) James saw some pictures of the baby and loves them. He recently insisted on bringing them in the car with him. 

Yesterday we found out the gender of our baby. It's so nice that my doctor allows us to do the gender check at 16 weeks. I even got in a few days early. I'm still not quite technically 16 weeks. Let's be honest... I want a girl. It's nice to have one of each gender and to know that you'll have both. I was trying to brace myself for the idea that it would be a boy though, just in case. I didn't want to leave the doctor's office disappointed.

"James would love having a brother, they would be pals, I already have boy clothes, etc." All of these thoughts were thrown out the window when I heard the ultrasound technician say, "It's a girl!" I was thrilled. Now I like to tell people that we can be done after two kids... "2 and through has a nice ring to it." I don't think that's the plan though. 

She has the cutest little profile already

By the way, the ultrasound technician was very thorough in explaining to me why it was a girl and she even drew an arrow on one of the pictures we got to make it undoubtedly clear.

When I phoned Andrew to tell him the news, he was giddy. It was adorable. He seemed like he was going to burst. Apparently right after my call, he couldn't resist and announced the news to all of his coworkers.

I like so many more girl names than boy ones currently, so that is a huge perk. I'm a bit picky with names though. I don't want the name I pick to be too common and popular, and apparently I'm pretty basic because all the names I like are well-known. I think James knew all along that he was going to have a baby sister. We asked him countless times, almost daily even, if "Baby Bobby" was a boy or a girl and almost always he said, "girl," or told us, "sister." 

I've been wanting to snuggle a baby lately and can't wait to hold our little girl in July! We're hopeful that this time around, we won't have a NICU baby and that we'll actually be able to enjoy meeting and cuddling with her. Having James snatched from me after just being born was heartbreaking. 

I posted the following picture of James on Facebook and Instagram to let our friends know our happy news:

"Best brother in the universe!" James is dying to meet his baby SISTER this July.

Snip Snip

Getting used to change can be quite the process. In high school, I cut my hair quite short (chin length) and I didn't like it. I don't think I ever got used to my short hair. Let's be honest, braces didn't help the situation. Since then, I've never wanted to cut my hair short again because I've been afraid of the same results.

My hair has always been thin and greasy which is completely opposite of my mom and sisters' luscious curls. My hair has been nicknamed "The Drape" for looking like a long set of curtains hanging limp on a rod. My hair doesn't have much volume and hasn't always had layers.

This backstory was necessary for you to understand what a big risk I took when I decided to cut several inches off my hair. Some factors were different this time than they were when I last cut my hair short in high school: 

1) I had a good hairdresser. Anne did my hair on my wedding day and has been doing my mom's hair for years. I decided to bite the bullet and pay a little extra for her skill. It was worth it! 

2) I showed Anne some pictures of the hairstyle I was imagining (thank you Kristen Bell) and told her how much I hated my previous haircut. Anne said that a collar bone length is flattering on almost anyone.

3) I told Anne that my hair had to still fit in a ponytail and that was non-negotiable. She listened!

I needed a fresh start for my hair and this change was perfect. I do my hair much more often than I did when it was long because it dries much faster and takes way less time to manipulate.

Here are some pictures! 

Maybe next time it won't take me 7 years to muster up the courage to get more than just a trim.

My Word for 2018

My sister always sums up her year with a word. When she asked me what word described my year, I was stunned. After some thought, I decided that the word "SURPRISE" explains 2018 well.

Here are some surprises that caught me off guard and some drastically changed the course of my year:

• My Grandpa passed away unexpectedly in March. SURPRISE! This loss was more difficult for me than I imagined. It has also resulted in an added role and responsibility to be there for my grandma.
• Andrew's car broke down this summer and it wasn't fixable. Suddenly, we were in the market for a new car. SURPRISE! I'd been expecting his car to die since the moment we bought it, but it lasted years longer than anticipated. If we had to go through the process of buying a car again, I think we would put less money down on the car. We have been trying to play catch up ever since we purchased the car. We now also have a car payment which isn't my fav.
• We finally went on a cruise. SURPRISE! This has been something we've talked about doing for 6 years. I'm shocked it happened! It was worth the wait.

After experiencing the loss that I did this past year, I have learned to cherish the time you have with your family, and always remember to say "I love you."

We were able to spend lots of time with family this past year and I'm grateful for that. 

--In January, we went to St. George with my parents, so my dad and I could run the St. George Half Marathon together.

--In February, we traveled to Spokane to be there for our niece, Claire's, "No More Cancer Party!"

--In April, we went to Disneyland and enjoyed relaxing in CA at my parent's condo.

--In August, we camped near Spokane with Andrew's family which shows you how important family is to me-- I went CAMPING with a toddler.

--In September, Andrew was able to go kayaking with his brothers on their annual trip.

--In October, I spent some time in Leavenworth, WA with Andrew's sisters and mom relaxing.

--In November, we went on a cruise to the Bahamas!

--In November, we also flew to Spokane for one final Thanksgiving hurrah before Debbie leaves on her 18 month mission.

We don't plan to travel much this year as we intend to save money to visit Debbie in Barbados. We're also having a baby in July which complicates travel and life in general.

As Andrew and I looked back over some goals we made in 2018, we were both a little shocked at how many of our goals were forgotten. This year I'm going to do a better job at having my goals visible.

So far, some of my goals for 2019 are going smoothly. (knock on wood) Some have already fallen off my radar though... My main goal for the year is to renew my teaching license which expires in June. This isn't necessarily a fun or easy process, but something I find valuable. I feel secure in knowing that if needed, I could resume my career as a teacher and earn money.

Even though 2018 wasn't what I anticipated and was full of SURPRISES, I love my life and look back on my year with fondness.

We'll see what 2019 has in store for me... 

Santa

The holiday season is so enchanting with a toddler! I love seeing Christmas for the first time (really second, but I don't think he remembers much last year) through James' eyes. He learned quickly not to touch the ornaments on the tree and has been such a good boy and has left them alone (for the most part). The wrapped presents, on the other hand, have been a little too tempting for him.

James has always been a happy kid with a pleasant demeanor. Meeting Santa Claus was terrifying to him though. I was a bit surprised because he usually does well with strangers. His first encounter with Santa Claus went better than the second. No tears were involved. (Maybe he could tell that "Santa" was a guy from our ward.) James was quite squirmy though and was eager to leave Santa's lap. 

Round two was pure torture in James' opinion. I'm not sure why? Maybe because Daddy wasn't with us?

James got a lawn mower for Christmas. He couldn't take his eyes off of it in the beginning--quite literally speaking. Taking a nap and having to part with the mower was pure torture. Fast forward 4 days, and James hasn't touched the mower since. His interest in toys seems to fade quickly. 

Shepherds and a baby wise-man for the win

Cousins in matching jammies

Why is Christmas already over? I love this time of year. The anticipation always takes forever, and then it's over in a blink of an eye. Now we get to clean up all of our Christmas decor. Does anyone like that? Here's to hoping that James warms up to Santa Claus next year.