Dino Date

We bought a Groupon for two passes to the Museum of Ancient Life and dinner at Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point. Since neither of us had school/work on Presidents' Day, we took our Groupon and went on a date!

We were probably the oldest people there, other than the parents there with their kids, but we still had a great time. We took our time and looked at every display and did all the little interactive activities together. After spending a couple hours at the museum, we made our way over to the restaurant and enjoyed a nice dinner.

It was a fun date, and probably one of the last times we can go out for a long time without having to worry about a babysitter!

Encounter with a dinosaur

Celebrating a belated Valentine's Day

My blackberry lemonade - it was soooo good and I got at least three refills

Valentine's 2013

We are going on a "big" date courtesy of Groupon over the holiday weekend, so we kept our Valentine's day pretty low key. Dave woke up early and made me pancakes before I left for work (he is the best pancake maker ever), and then I made him a heart pizza for dinner. Happy Valentines Day!

I was actually quite proud of my pizza! I struggle to draw a good heart on paper, so I was pleased that I was able to mold the dough to look like something other than a blob.

35 Weeks

We're approaching the final countdown! Only five weeks to go, unless she decides to make an early appearance, which babies in my family tend to do. I'm not planning on her coming early (just so I don't drive myself crazy if she comes late), but we're going to have everything ready just in case.

I'm a split personality these days.  When I think about how much I still want to do at home, or as I prepare for maternity leave at work, or when I visit the diaper  aisle at the store then I think "please stay in!! I'm not ready!!"

But then when I can't sleep or sit comfortably, or when I wish yoga pants were suitable work attire, or when I think about holding her and what she'll look like (I imagine dark hair that curls when it gets longer and dark eyes) then I want her right now.

At my appointment this week my doctor told me I don't have to worry about having a 10 lb baby - phew! She is measuring on the petite side for now, but still feels big to me!

Her bed is ready and waiting! We don't have the space to set up a formal nursery or even a crib, so she'll bunking with us in a pack-n-play until we get a bigger place (hopefully) this summer.

Snakes, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

At my school we regularly confiscate items that students bring to class against better judgement and hold them in the office for mom or dad to pick up. These items include footballs, skateboards, scooters, iPhones, iPods, Nintendo DSs, Nooks or Kindles, money, toys, etc. Today, however, we got something new...

Meet Lego, the snake (I didn't have a camera with me, so this is Lego's relative I found online)

Lego was found in the pocket of a second grade boy. When we asked him how he got there, the boy said that "he must have just crawled in" and that he didn't bring the snake on purpose, but we didn't need to worry because Lego was a trained snake and wouldn't hurt anyone.

We explained to him that pets do not come to school and Lego was going to have to stay with us. We got a container for Lego, sent the boy back to class, and called dad to come pick up our little friend.

We all had a good laugh and moved on with our day until two hours later when the same boy was brought back to the office because he had a snake in his pocket.  Again. Apparently Lego had a brother.

It was both hilarious and frustrating at the same time.  When asked why he didn't tell us about having another snake in his pocket, he explained that it wasn't in his pocket the first time he came down because he left it in his desk. Lovely. We reemphasized that snakes do not come to school - no pets, no bugs, no toys - they all should stay at home.

We called home, and this time we sent the boy and Lego's brother home from school. I'm sure he is going to have an interesting talk with his mother tonight. Oh boys....

31 Weeks

We're headed into the home stretch! March used to feel very far away and now it's just around the corner, especially if she decides to make an early appearance.

Right now all we have for her is a bunch of clothes (she'll be well dressed thanks to her cousin Emma!), and I am suddenly feeling very unprepared. It's time to go out and buy a few essentials, like a car seat, crib and diapers, and I have a feeling one of our next dates is going to be a baby shopping spree.

I am feeling great these days and quite often forget I'm pregnant until she starts doing somersalts. My doctor says everything is right on schedule awarded me with the title of "Lowest Blood Pressure of the Day" at my last appointment. I suddenly developed an appetite a week ago and snack pretty much the entire day. As I write this I have one hand in the cereal box, even though we just finished dinner...

Mavs vs. Jazz

For Christmas I bought tickets to the Jazz game on the night Dallas came to town. THe game was last night and we had a great time cheering on the Mavs, but unfortunately our support was not enough to give them a win. They played great and held the lead until late in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz went on a streak right at the end and won the game :(

I was surprised that my Mavs jersey still fit since it's a youth size. Our girl is really starting to pop out now - only 10 weeks to go!

Christmas 2012 - Part 2

After Christmas we still had another week and half to spend in Washington. We were very busy and never short on things to do. Some activities included a shopping spree at Value Village (my favorite thrift store), seeing the Hobbit, stomach flu (not fun), spending time at the cabin, lots of games, and lots of food.

The night after Christmas I had a baby shower with the people I grew up with in Sammamish. At the shower people shared funny parenting stories along the theme of "The Worst Thing My Child Ever Did". I laughed so hard at some of the stories and learned that no matter how vigilant a parent you are, kids will put you to the test. I'm sure we have a lot of exciting times headed our way! 

The Lambert & Paxman families - friends for over 12 years! 

Dave went snowboarding three times over the break with my dad and siblings. I'm too far along to join him on the slopes, but I was able to go for a snowshoe adventure in the woods near our cabin. There was lots of fresh snow, and we had a great time blazing our own trail.

The Snowshoe Gang - Brodie, Nat, Amy, me, dad & mom (Dave took the picture)

Knee deep under a snowy log

This year we spent a quiet New Year's Eve at the cabin with my family playing games, watching Amazing Race, and eating yummy food. In past years there has been a firework show at the top of the ski hill close by, but sadly nothing happened this year. We did, however, get to pull some New Year's poppers and were rewarded with these awesome toys and crowns. Welcome 2013!!

Christmas 2012 - Part 1

We are spending this Christmas in Sammamish, WA this year with the Lambert family. Our 7th Christmas together! We are both super excited about the holiday break this year because it's extra long for both of us - almost three weeks. We don't start school again until January 7th. There are some benefits of the student life :)

Before leaving for Seattle, I was able to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert with my sister, mom, and aunt. It was so, so good!

The day we arrived, we went down to Seattle to see Elf, the musical, at the theatre. We both love the movie and thought the stage production was well done. At intermission we found Santa hanging out in the lobby!

Over the weekend we went up to the cabin. I LOVE all the snow - it just makes it feel like Christmas.

Dave and I made a snowman up at the cabin. All the rocks are buried 10 feet under so for the face and buttons we had to use scraps from the kitchen. He has grapes for eyes, a pickle nose, and pepperoni buttons that Jobe was particularly fond of!

We went down to Seattle again to see the lights and the gingerbread house display at the Sheraton hotel. This year the theme was Disney and they were all so neat! My favorite was probably King Triton's palace.

On Christmas Eve we went to the botanical gardens to see the lights. I can't imagine the work it must take to put up all those lights!

In lieu of a cake...

It was Dave's birthday this weekend and instead of a birthday cake, I made him some homemade macaroni. Dave was more than happy with the switch, but still wanted to blow out a candle so we stuck one in, sang real quick, and then took it out before it melted into the dish. It doesn't look that appetizing in the picture, but trust me, it was delicious. Mmmm!

25 Weeks

I decided it was time for a proper belly shot, even though it feels a bit weird taking pictures like this. I've reached the point where people no longer feel hesitant to ask if I'm expecting, because I'm definitely showing! I am, however, in an awkward stage where nothing really "fits". My regular clothes are too small, but the maternity stuff is too big. I'm sure I will grow into it (and then out of it) real soon!

Me and baby girl at 25 weeks

According to the baby websites she's the size of a rutabaga, but having never seen a rutabaga, I have no idea what to think of that. Is a rutabaga a scary size? It doesn't sound like the most petite of produce, but still a long ways off from watermelon (phew!) I feel her moving around all the time, and she is most active at night when I want to sleep - I hope this is not a sign of things to come...