Expecting the Unexpected

 

A steady, but hasty Boom Boom Boom Boom has  become the most welcomed and precious sound imaginable for us.  It's the sound that confirmed that becoming parents isn't just a  hopeful dream to be chased, but a very real living, breathing, pooping reality for us in just 6 months.  Someone, pinch me!!!

 

The journey to this point is of course very personal to us, but I would like to mention my gratitude for a caring Heavenly Father who loves me and knows exactly what I need much better than I do, and a wonderful Dr who is an angel in my eyes.  Oh, and thanks Kelly Clarkeson for the billion times my husband has told me, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

 

 

 

Michael and I tend to be pretty big on financial planning.  We had the billiant idea at the beginning of the year to buy a nice, family-friendly car to get paid off by the time any little squirts arrive.  Three days after we purchased our Buick Enclave, a big plus sign appeared on the magic pregnancy test stick.  We still have full intentions to pay her off by the time Cran Baby arrives. Wish us luck!

 

 

 

 The first appointment was better than Christmas.  During the ultrasound it kept squirming and curling up into a ball.  I think it's a cuddle bug like me :)  Having some fears reassured at this 8-week appt also meant it was time to tell family. It was so liberating to be able to FINALLY spill the beans to those we love, but I really was grateful for the time when it was just mine and Michael's precious little secret. 

 

I promise he was happy this day.  I just have to throw out a cheese-tastic shout-out to a best friend who makes me so happy and proud. I think our kids are gonna high-five me someday for picking out such a studly mate.

 

Then came the pregnancy symptoms.  Constant  reminders that Cran Baby is still there and not wanting to be forgotton.  Hospitals are smelly.  REALLY smelly when you're pregnant.  I admit to smearing the inside of surgical masks with toothpaste/essential oil to tolerate most patient's aroma. 

The arrival of my beautiful niece, Hallie has only amplified my excitement.  She's perfect, and has my brother's nose.  I think she's going to be one heck of a partner in crime for our babe.  There's also two other cousins on Michael's side that are due around the same time as me. Yay for built-in buddies!



 

Sharing the news with our friends has been on a as-we-see-you-we-blurt-out-we're-pregnant kinda basis.  Before meeting up with friends, we would decide who would be the one to divulge, and the other would just sit back and wait to see what they came up with.  For my long-distance best friend I sent her this little gem in honor of a true pregnancy classic.  

 

And the facebook announcement...

Now comes the waiting and growing.  My short person torso is kind of a lousy hiding place.  I tried on a maternity shirt and am convinced all t-shirts should have built in side rouching.      

We're so happy and blessed to have the love and support from some pretty incredible family and friends. I'm now 13 weeks, with a babe the size of a peach. ( Maybe a lemon? these pregnancy apps need to all jump on the same produce bandwagon and get their stories straight.)  Due date is the day after my birthday on October 17th. 

YEAAHHH BABBBYY!!!





It's the insomnia talking

It is currently 4am.
I've had 2 cups of cocoa and 3 cutie mandarin oranges.  Must keep patients breathing for two and a half more hours.  Thought I'd spit out some random updates.

-We have a real Chirstmas tree named Holly.  She's really pretty and curvy, but maybe just a little tipsy turvey. 
-Michael attempted "Teaching Natalie how to snowboard: take 2."  It is still TBD whether or not there will be a take 3.
- Had a grand realization that I must be part Hobbit.  The curly hair, round face, short stature, stubby toes; these are my people
-Got my sweet father-in-law to hang my curtains.  Everyone should have a retired military man hang their curtains.  Sturdy as a rock and straight as an arrow they are.  They might even be bullet-proof, but I didn't ask.
-I finally stopped the vicious Kohl's cash cycle.  You know what I'm talking about: you get the Kohl's cash, then have to spend it, then get more Kohl's cash, then have to go spend that too.....
-Michael never has to take another general education credit class again. Boo yah!
-I'm officially and RRT (registered respiratory therapist) and can now put letters behind my name and let my brain turn to mush.

 curtains+tree+yellow+piano+goofy chair chaise thingy adds up to one heck of a room if I do say so myself.



 

The tree hunt began at the conclusion of a very long no-shave November.  Glad my Paul Bunyan approved of our tree though.

 And we attended an ugly sweater party.  The magazines were part of a game that we had just dominated. 



I should probably go save a life, or at least go restock the the equipment room.
Later Alligator!

Much much more than a snack cake

 

A hot topic on the news and social media today is the closing of Hostess brands.  This topic is much dearer to my heart than the loss of delicious snack cakes.  For 31 years my father was a dedicated employee for Hostess brands.   About a year ago,  he found it necessary to leave the company for a rival one to ensure job security.  Despite his change of companies, the Hostess brands company will always  be special to me.  It is what paid for the food on my table, clothes on my back, shelter over my head, and so much more for many many years.

Some thoughts I have as I look back include:

 

 

• The mascott is named Twinkie the Kid
• During high school my best friend and I got paid to pass out bread samles at grocery stores. Best job EVER!
• During the premiere of Shrek, they dyed the inside of Twinkies green. Those were my favorite
• Wonder bread was the first company to sell sliced bread
• My dad always had a trunk full of snack cakes ready to hand out to any neighbors that crossed his path. 
• Mini muffins tast so much better when they're microwaved
• Michael and I used to live right by the Hostess bakery in Ogden and could smell baking deliciousness early in the mornings from our apartment
• Bread men are some of the kindest, hard working people you will ever meet.

 

 



My dad used to say that he wanted us to get an education so we wouldn't be dumb bread men, but never once was I ashamed of where my dad worked.  I am a proud Wonder child, and grateful for his employment all those years.  Farewell Twinkie the Kid. I owe you.

 

 

 

 





An Argument for October

 

 

I have a firmly rooted belief that October is the most superior month of them all.  Year after year it manages to capture my heart all over again.  Besides the obvious fact that it's my birhtday month and Halloween, there's also the fact that it's the month in which I fell in love with my man.  And the fact that sports get good again(Hello San Diego Chargers Football and Utah Jazz Basketball).  It could have something to do with the way pumpkin bread smells, or how cardigans feel, or perhaps the way haunted houses make me giddy as a vampire in a blood bank.  Whatever the precise reason, October rules!!

 

 

October 2012 had a beautiful start with a shopping trip with my precious Bos and Daph, oh and thier moms too!

 October 2012 also involved a lot of pumpkin guts.  Sharing the slime with friends, family, and the youth of our Ward was well worth it.

A beautiful fall wedding at the temple helped us remember what's most important in this life.

 

And the ever popular 4th Annual Halloween Costume Party was spooktacular!!

 

 

A trip to St.George/Las Vegas with some dear friends helped us unwind after putting in a lot of hard hours at work.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Finishing off the month with some fantastic little trick or treaters was the cherry on top, or shall I say candycorn? 

 

Sorry other months, it's nothing personal.



The Lucky Lady in a Limo

 

I said it once, and I'll say it again; my man knows how a birthday girl ought to be treated.

I worked for ten hours during the day.  And it sucked.  Literally.  I probably sucked a liter of snot out of babies. TMI? Anywho, it was a busy busy day to say the least.  I am grateful for the dear souls at the hospital who made my day special, as well as the sweet family and friends who called/text/facebooked/sent good vibes my way.  It truly made a difference. Thank you. 

 

 

Michael used to have to commute an hour to Salt Lake every day for work. It was a little rough on him to say the least.  He vowed to never drive to Salt Lake again, and I guess he meant it because this sparkling luxerious limousine was our method of transportaition.  So glamorous!

 Twenty-two is fun to do!

 I was having a Justin Bieber moment.

 

 The sunset was to diiiie for!!

 The limo brought us to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for dinner for two at The Roof.  It was magic.  I could not wipe the smile off my face.  My husband's face, the temple view, my massive flower bouqet, the red velvet cake, and the mind reading piano lady all brought me so much joy.

 

 I kinda cried when the flowers arrived.Everythind was too perfect.  My blessing are many. 

 Yes. Please.

 

 

I love you, Michael.  You make each year sweeter! Viva la Birthdays!

 



If I wrote classic novels...

Ahhhh, novels.   I have had the great joy of reacquainting with them since finishing school.  After completeing nine consecutive semesters, the thought of a textbook makes me want to dry heave.  My favorite novel of all time is definately Pride and Prejuide. Even the first sentence gets my blood flowing, "It is a truth universally acknowldeged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."  In honor of my love of this Jane Austen classic, I will now recount some of my own universal truths.



 

It is a truth universally acknowldeged that... 

Frisbee Golf deserves more publicity.  There's something therapeutic about chucking some disks around with your honey.  Try it!

 

It is a truth universally acknowldeged that...



fantasy football has a misleading name.  It should be as carefully constructed and thought out as the U.S. Constitution.  It is a delicacy that Michael specializes in.

It is a truth universally acknowldeged that..

There has to be at least one perk to working a 12 hour night shift.  This gorgeous sunrise happens to be one of mine.  Working as a respiratory therapist has been one of the most challenging/fulfilling things I've ever done. 

It is a truth universally acknowldeged that...

You don't feel like a real homeowner until you've been TP'd.  Thank you to the little rascals who generously donated a couple rolls. But seriously, who uses Charmin extra cushy brand to TP?  





 

 

It is a truth universally acknowldeged that...

TGIF!!!!!!!

Happy Friday! :)

 



In the Summertime

Summer is in full swing in Crandall Town! We even got an indoor pool!  Ok, so our basement flooded and we've spent the last week and a half building a very close relationship with our wet-vac, but it's fixed now and we're ready to party!  Work hard, play hard is how we try to live our life and here are a few shots of the play hard part, because no wants to see a picture of me getting boogers out of patients.  Ever.

We really love Boston.  Sometimes we pretend he's ours.  shhhh

My dates to the Idaho Falls 4th of July Parade.  Keep your eye on the one on the right, she scrappy.  Especially when it comes to battling for Chick-fil-a coupons 

Planted this lovely with my Mama three years ago. Every year it get prettier and prettier.

  Everyone should have the privilege of planting a flower with their Mama.

My first time headed up to the Alpine Slide in Park City.  Great company, great views, and I even got a caramel apple all to myself.  





He's good.

Maybe someday I'll get lessons...

Wannabe hipsters?  And for the record, Shelb and I did not plan on the matching pants.   

Manager Mike, but when he does this well at work I like to call him... Magic Mike;)

Perfect Pinkalicious Princess !!

And now for the grand finale:

1. Mama-in-law is a dunking machine.  She also ran a half-marathon this weekend. Wonderwoman?
2. Daph-o-dill and her mama, Sierra.  Lovely joys in my life.
3. Juggling is cool
4. Dominic not only wearing cowboy boots, but also Mario swim shorts.  What a rockstar.
5. Birthday girl! I seriously thought the dunk tank was the funniest thing EVER. Laughed every time.
6. Feet.  My feet, actually.
7.  bahahahahah
8. She made that pinata. Seriously. Overachiever.
9. That's all folks!