and a partridge in a pear tree...

Well, it's Ryan's first [night] of work. And I'm here alone with Ally. I miss him already. I know, I know... it's only the first night. But I'm used to coming home and seeing my man waiting for me at the door with the doggy ready to give me a kiss. Luckily it's not a permanent thing, because frankly if it was- I don't think I would've encouraged him to take the job. I am glad he has this new opportunity though, and I KNOW he was ready for the change which I know will make the adjustment for HIM a lot easier. He's such a good man and he has so much faith that he doesn't even know he has! In the meantime, this is what Ally does to keep herself occupied because she doesn't have her dad to run around the house with.

It's also the day after Christmas and we had a really good day! It was quite a different day for me, but not bad in any way. I missed my family at times, but kept my thoughts occupied otherwise and Ryan had a good idea to help me feel better. He suggested that we do a web video with my parents and Delinda. So even though the sound didn't work (thank goodness for speaker phone) the video did and it was good to see them when I'm so far away. We had a wonderful time with each other in the morning doing our own little Christmas celebration and then a very wonderful time with his family. We got spoiled and got to watch his nephews and niece get spoiled as well! The food was good and so was the company. It's so good to have good families to be apart of on both sides... we are very fortunate. Because honestly, the presents are great- but being with family is all that matters to me on Christmas. It's so important. It even sleeted in the morning which made it a little more Christmas-y for me and not so jealous of the wonderful snow everyone in UT got! We also got to spend Christmas Eve at Ryan's Aunt Vicky and Uncle Lanny house and other family as well and exchanged gifts after a YUMMY lasagna dinner. They spoiled us too!

Today I went in for the second time for another glucose test. The experience this time was remarkably better and I had NO problems whatsoever. Although I'm glad I said something because the lady that couldn't find a vein last time was the only one working in my doctor's office lab and I requested that someone else do it this time. So luckily there was a lady across the hall at another doc's office that was willing to do it. She got me in her lab right on time, maybe even a little early, I told her the right arm and she found one right away! I praised her for being so good. So, we'll see what the results say in a couple of days.

Here's a couple of picts from our Christmas Eve and Day!

It's Christmas Eve... and I'm working. BOO. Luckily there's NO ONE but a few of my coworkers and I here, so I doubt we'll stay very much longer. Or at least I hope not. I'm not sure why it was required for us to even come in. If people call us, well then they're retarded. Sales reps shouldn't be selling or even thinking about work today... they need to be with their families. Just like I do.

Anyway- I reckon that after this we will be too busy to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

We hope your time today and tomorrow and any other time you get to have with your family is WONDERFUL!

Lack of Communication!

Ryan here.....

So, lack of communication is one of the big reasons i just quit my job after almost 7 years. Now since the doctors, nurses, and idiot labtechs dont communicate, Heather has to take the glucose test again and get poked with a needle again. You would think that a labtech that takes blood for a living would have no problem finding a vein.. argh....... ok bye

you think YOU'VE got problems...

28 Weeks

Tuesday Ryan and I went to the doc for my 28 weeks. This was for my glucose test visit. First things first I got my drink and swigged it down in like 2 minutes (they give you five) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. It was Fruit Punch flavored and just reminded me of a very sugary kids drink that I wouldn't normally drink. So exactly ONE HOUR after you finish drinking it you're supposed to have your blood taken. After a few minutes in the waiting room we got called in and got weighed which for ONCE in my life I actually am curious about every time I go. I gained 4 lbs in the last month, which is fine. So over my whole pregnancy- I'm still in the negative. I lost 11lbs my first trimester and then gained one or two then lost again... so I'm not complaining! I've got plenty of chubbiness to go around. Anyway- after we did that the ultra sound tech was waiting for us (which is a first) and we went right in and saw our little guy. It was good to see him again and he wiggled a lot and we got a couple cute pictures. He's still a boy too! The tech said "nope, nothing fell off since last time!" I asked her how much he weighed and she told us he's already 3lbs! She said that for the percentile for how far along I am he's in the 95th percentile. Which... if you don't know what that means (and we didn't- I had to have the doc explain it to us), 50% is average. So at 95% he's big for his "age" and so she said that could be a sign of the gestational diabetes. After the ultra sound was the visit with the doc. Well, after we had waited for her and then visited with her- we were getting to be over our time limit for them to take my blood for the test. Finally when that was through we rushed to the little room where they take blood and this is were the crap hit the fan. As soon as I sat down in that wretchedly uncomfortable chair I told the woman that my veins are hard to find and that it's best to just go ahead and try my right arm as opposed to the left where they usually try and draw blood from. So where does she try? The LEFT arm... and so we're pressed for time, and here's this lady literally poking and prodding around on my arm (luckily just with her finger) for like 5 minutes and obviously not finding a vein. So then she proceeds to tell me that she would probably have to through my hand... painful! And with out even trying my RIGHT arm first like I suggested! ARG. Ryan was getting so mad he had to leave the room. So before she tried my hand I asked her to try my right arm, so she poked around on my right arm and didn't find anything...still! Keep in mind, THE CLOCK IS TICKING! So she pokes my hand- and if you've ever had a needle or IV in your hand you know that IT HURTS! And guess what? She couldn't find the vein there either!!!! So finally, thank goodness, the other person in there asked her if she needed help. By the time she got to me, she checked my right arm- twisted a little and found the vein... it was now 20 minutes over. So we were just pretty much bugged that first no one knew why we really had the ultra sound and that they took like 20 minutes to draw two little bottles of blood from me! And now I have a pretty bruise. Anyway... they called me today and said I passed the test! YAY! Except... Ben is still 3lbs... and they went 20 minutes over. So I told her that and she said she'd call me back. I haven't heard back from her, but I'm thinking that if I was something to worry about- we'd know. Anyway... I've got another appt in 2 weeks. So we'll see what happens then.

Until then, I've got a chunky monkey in my belly.

because I love this picture

Ryan, Me, Delinda and Brookey

this has taken me forever to write...

I think I'm coming out of it. I think I'm doing much better with this. No, not the cold- still got that. I've been in a freak out and stress mode the last oh maybe week or more about becoming a mother. I know this is normal, but I feel very worried about being able to take care of him. I know Ryan will be great and that we'll be great together, but it's really been a stressful thing for me. I've never had a problem with kids, I've always been quite good with babies. But I really haven't been around one for a while and I'm afraid I've lost my touch, and that when it comes to my own kid how different it will be. I've tried to read books about being a mommy and what to do and what not to do and it seriously stresses me out. I'm so afraid I'm going to be walking around with him crying and think to myself "the book told me to do this or that!" and stress out even more. It's been quite heavy on my mind. I haven't really talked about it because I don't want to seem like I'm not excited or anything. I am, very excited. I've also been really stressed and kind of sad that I have to go back to work. At this point, we don't really have a choice, and luckily there's a daycare in my complex where I work. More than anything though I wish that I could be home with him. It scares me to think of someone else taking care of him, especially when he's so little.
BUT... I'm coming out of it now and I'm getting excited to see him and his little feet and knees and nose and all his cute little baby body parts. And I've also decided that I'd much rather have him out of me than in me. I've still got three months... and it'll get worse... but I hurt and I feel awkward and like they all say- this body is not my own. I'm tired... and I realize that will never change. I have years of being tired to look forward to.
My tummy is finally looking like I'm pregnant. Today though, I went downstairs to our little cafeteria type place and got a bagel, a banana and some juice and this lady that works on my floor was going up the elevator the same time as me and said "you saving room for lunch?". Now, she could have meant that because we were having our company luncheon today she hoped I wasn't eating too much too close to when it started... but still. I was like "oh no, I'm eating for two". Things people say... I think some people still don't realize that I'm pregnant and that my stomach doesn't just stick out further than my boobs for fun. Oh well...
Also, we had a couple tough decisions to make this last couple of weeks too- but we made it through and prayed a lot and exercised our faith. And Ryan has given his two weeks at a job he's been at for almost 7 years and will start working for a steel company with his best friend the day after Christmas. It's steady hours plus overtime and benefits and all. It's a big change, but one that I'm sure he'll welcome because he's sick of his current job. I think this will be a much better fit for our little family and will allow him to make more money and have better opportunities. I'm SO proud of him for making this change, I know it's been a hard decision for him.
We have our 28 week appt on Tues and hopefully I can get some remedy for this cough, because seriously- it sucks. I'm hoping to get some good rest this weekend. I'm not making any commitments until I know I feel rested. Peace out y'all.

It's hot. Okay, maybe not "hot" but it's too warm.

This is our forecast for the week. It's December 10th today and it's 75 degrees. Not only that, but one of the "chillers" is broken in our building here at work. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I do know that it's HOT in here. All morning I was having hot flashes like no body's bidness (that's the Atlanta coming out in me) and as soon as I got out to my car for lunch I BLASTED the A/C... IN DECEMBER!!! 15 days before Christmas! What's going on here!? It's supposed to be COLD! I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt and sandals today, and NO coat! Ryan likes it... and I'm not saying that weather isn't nice, but for the Holiday season I prefer cold. I need the cold to cuddle up in a blanket to, and to wear gloves and scarves and jackets... it doesn't have to be FREEZING or anything. Anyway... I guess I shouldn't complain and just enjoy it. I think I would if it wasn't Christmastime. Fine if it wants to be warm after January. But not only do I want it to be colder and rainy or maybe even snowy (I know, that's stretching it) for the Holiday's, we REALLY need it since we're in such a drought! I'd like to have water please. Is that too much to ask?

On another note. I'm still coughing. And it's ticking me off. I'm done with it.

I love the Sweeney Sisters

I forgot to mention that we're registered for the little boy at Babies R Us. Our registry number is 67339806. If the registry number doesn't work, you can search by my maiden name too. You know, just in case you're interested...

Pregnancy Complaints... I mean updates.

• remember that one time i said colds suck when you're pregnant and already REALLY tired? still holds true. and to throw in a cough just isn't nice.
• little guy is starting to kick so hard you can see it outside of the belly. but only if you watch really hard for a while. i mean, i see it all the time because i can feel pretty much when it's going to happen. luckily Ryan saw him do it the other night.
• he also is starting to recognize his daddy's voice too, at least that's what i think. today he was quietly active and then Ryan came to pick me up for lunch and as soon as he started talking to me and baby heard him- he was kicking HARD. i think it's a sweet sentiment, so don't ruin it for me if you don't agree!
• my lower back and left hip or apparently sciatic nerve is becoming more and more of an issue. especially after sitting for an extended period of time on a hard/wooden unsupported chair or surface. holy monkey's on fire it hurts to get up and walk around after that!
• i'm snoring now. i'm used to Ryan snoring and waking him up, but now the tables have turned and he's waking me up! it just started like two or three weeks ago though. and sometimes i wake myself up doing it. i hope it goes away after bambino is born.
• luckily i'm still sleeping pretty much through the night besides the potty calls. although i'm feeling him kick me in my sleep and he wakes me up in the morning now.
• i still feel pretty self conscious about not looking completely pregnant yet- but i'm getting there. some people at work still don't realize i am unless i tell them.
• i'm starting to get some wicked pains in the lower parts of my stomach, some cramps too. i'm really only hoping that he's just elbowing or kicking or doing something to some nerves and it's not something i should worry about, even though it doesn't make it hurt less.
• we have our 28 week appt in two weeks and i'm not excited about the sugar drink- but i am excited to see the little guy again. i want to see his cute nose! that also means that in two weeks i'll be in my THIRD trimester! yowza!
• last night, i woke up to go potty and on the way back to my bed i all of a sudden became incredibly terrified of being a mother. like a wall of bricks hit me and i almost started to cry. what if i do it all wrong? it's a good thing i've got Ryan. he will be an AWESOME daddy. i know... i'll be fine. it was just a moment i had.
• i shouldn't complain... i've been VERY blessed with my pregnancy. these things i'm complaining about are all completely normal. and i guess i'm not complaining really- i love feeling my little baby moving around inside of me and kicking me, and to know that i'm the only one that can do this is amazing to me and a great privilege. my sister in-law and i just agree that being pregnant is joyous, but not necessarily "fun".

How Our Weekend Was Spent.

One of my favorite people got married this past weekend! Congrats to them! She was a beautiful bride and I am excited for their new life together! We helped set up and decorate for it all. It's good to know that the decorations I used for my wedding can be used over and over again! This was round 3 for them!
We went out and bought our Christmas tree! It smells SO good! And it's so pretty! We had fun decorating it. I love a lit up Christmas Tree with all the lights off!
We put the lights up on the house! We have a house to put lights up on! I've been waiting for this day! I think they're pretty stinkin' cute too!
Ally doesn't like the vacuum. So she sat on me. Just like this. Look at her legs! She looks like she's about to do some gymnastics or something. She stayed there for quite a while too! And yes... she totally has an "emo" haircut.

Slide Show of Our Trip!

This is sort of long, but it's for posterity's sake...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our Little Thanksgiving Trek-This will be long.

Ryan and I went to Utah this year for Thanksgiving to visit my family. After waking up at 2:30am Wednesday and having our dear friend Cecilia so willingly come pick us up at around 3:15 to get us to the airport, we got on our 6:15am flight with no problems or lines (although, we JUST missed the lines, they started right as we got through). When we got to SLC, we met up with about half of my family for lunch at Rubios in SLC. After that we really just spent the rest of the day hanging out at Greg's house down in Highland and spent some good quality time with each other. I feel like I'm missing something, but I don't think I am. By the time we got to bed that night though, we'd realized that we had been awake for approximately 22 hours... I was a tired little pregnant lady! Thursday we woke up fairly early and went to the store for some extra stuff, like some Mac and Cheese for Ryan to eat with his Thanksgiving dinner. Let me 'splain for those who don't live in or know what Mac n' Cheese is to the South. It's seriously considered a "vegetable" here. You pretty much can get it anywhere you go here and it's eaten with everything. And Ryan just loves it... so we knew he'd miss it since our traditional meal doesn't include it. But hey, the kids loved it! After our meal we hung out for a little bit and then we sent all the little kids downstairs so the grownups could talk and help my parents decide how to move on to the next chapter in their life. It was really cool to be there with my siblings and parents and figure out how to help our parents who have done SO much for us. After we talked for a bit and came to some conclusions and starting points for them- some of us went to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

It was pretty cute... it had a really good message, but it was missing something. Not sure what- but it didn't completely satisfy me. I didn't really want to see that one- but all the kids did. It was fun to go with them though. After the movie we went back to Greg's and had dessert; apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and red velvet cake- and sang happy birthday to my dad since his birthday is tomorrow. Then we sat and talked some more while the kids played. It was just really cool to all be together and laugh and have a good time. Bed time followed shortly after that!

My sister in-law Sam and I had planned to go shopping EARLY the next morning at Gymboree for good sales on the clothes there for her girls and my little guy too. So I rolled out of the bed at 7:30am, brushed my teeth, brushed out my hair, wiped the residue mascara from under my eyes and threw a sweatshirt on over my ugly pregnant lady jeans and she came and got me at 7:45am! I know! Ryan asked if he could go, but I told him no- it was kind of a girls thing. So we set out on our way to the mall and Sam said Delinda (my sister) wanted to meet us for breakfast around ten because she was going shopping. So we went and did our thing and drove over to Mimi's Cafe where I saw Delinda... and then my sister Shauna and her partner Randi... and my mom... and, and, and... ANDREA! I was so surprised! Then realized that my friend Kate was there too... then saw another friend Bobbie... and then her mom... I was like "What the heck is going on!?" Delinda just looked at me and said "it's called a 'pssshhhh' (hand motion like a shower)!" Sam and Delinda had gotten together and thrown me a SURPRISE baby shower! I was SO surprised too! I had NO clue! It was so sweet and fun, and I felt SO loved and honored! So we had The Maxwell Girls including Linda, Bobbie, Trish and KK, Melissa, Kate, Andrea, my mom, Sam, Delinda, Claudia, Shauna and Randi! It was so great! Thank you to all who came and "showered" me with gifts! After the shower we took family pictures in the FREEZING cold wind, but it was fun. And it was the first time in a LONG time we've had everyone together.

After pictures we said our farewell to John's family and Shauna and Randi. That night Delinda and Ryan and I hung out with Andrea and Travis Green. Pretty low key.

Saturday was spent mostly with friends, in the morning we said goodbye to my parents and then had breakfast with an old friend of mine. Afterwards we SEARCHED for a large enough box to ship the crib, mattress and changing table in that my brother and Sam are so GENEROUSLY giving us. No luck, but it'll get here somehow! Then that night us and Delinda met up with Andrea, Travis, Mark, Ryan & Kate Webb and went to dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square and then went to see the lights at temple square. It was lots of fun. Well, it was cold and we weren't there for long- but it was just right. Poor Delinda was feeling horrible and little did we know that she was suffering from bronchitis and a sinus infection poor girl!

Sunday was filled with sacrament meeting to listen to Greg's beautiful solo (that made me cry and the baby go crazy moving all over the place), cleaning up the place we were staying, resting a little, and a ride up to American Fork Canyon just before going to stay over at the Green's. We watched Hairspray (which I was a little skeptical about) and it was really funny! The next day we ate breakfast, thanks to Andrea's mom, and flew home! It was good to get back to our COMFY bed and little Ally and ... humidity! We had a REALLY good visit. One of the best I've had, I didn't get to see some friends I'd hoped I could- but there will be a next time, and our home is always open!! Only if I know you of course... :)

Tomorrow, when I have more energy and time I will post a slide show for more picture viewing. time for beddy bye!

I'm a tad bit emotional... dang hormones.

I've decided that I don't like it when my husband "goes missing", especially when I'm just about 6 months pregnant. See, every morning he texts or calls me to say that he's at work- which is around 7 o'clock. Well... when I hadn't heard from him by about 7:20 today I texted him to ask if he was there. Didn't hear back for a few minutes... so I called and his voicemail picked up right away. So I left a message. Then my poor little pregnant freak out hormones kicked in and the thought of previously heard sirens (and several of them) popped into my head. So around 7:40 when I hadn't heard from him, his phone was off, he wasn't answering my texts and hadn't called me from work or his work cell phone... NOTHING, I started to well, FREAK OUT. I knew there had to be something wrong because we're VERY communicative (willingly) with each other about where we are and what we're doing, etc. So I knew it wasn't him just "forgetting" to call me. So yeah... I didn't know what to do because I didn't have his work cell phone number. So I called his mom to see if she had it, her voicemail picked up right away. I called her work phone... rang and rang and then her voicemail there, me leaving a sobby message saying I'm worried about him. So at like 7:50 when I'm having to leave the house, I called his work and of course- they don't open until 8!!! AHHHH! Okay, so I'm crying at this point- have been for like 15 minutes. The dog is worried, my head is starting to hurt, I'm starting to breath crazy and get shaky... (I'm sort of embarrassed now to admit this) and I STILL can't get a hold of my RYAN! I of course had been praying my little head off that my man was okay and to please just let him call me! So I'm driving to work but thinking "okay, maybe I'll make a detour and go to his office and see if his truck is parked there and just tell work I got caught up in traffic... even though it's the holidays and NO ONE is driving out here...". I was a mess. I decided to call back in to his office and got his supervisor and got the cell phone number for Ryan and made sure he made it in and everything. Call the cell and he answered!!!!!!! Relief swept over me... and then the tears turned on again! He was okay! Everything was fine! He was safe!

He said he'd been trying to call me for an hour and 15 minutes and that my voicemail kept picking up right away. He'd gotten my voicemails I left him but never me on the phone... and while we were on the phone with each other finally, both of the text messages I sent came in... turns out there was something wrong with DUMB DUMB AT&T. Both of his parents phones weren't working either, and to my knowledge his mom's phone is still acting up even now 4 hours later!

Anyway- I came to realize even stronger than ever (like I didn't know before) that I love this man more than anything in the world and that I simply cannot live with out him! I told him he was NEVER allowed to leave me or get hurt. He just simply responded with "yes ma'am".

I mean, holy hormones Batman! I'd look at this stuffed frog he bought for me for Valentine's Day that the dog loves to sleep on and started to cry, I saw a picture of him on our table in the family room and started to cry... like I had already "lost" him or something. I started thinking of our trip we leave for tomorrow and how I wouldn't be going if he wasn't alright... it was HORRIBLE! I mean, all the worst thoughts that I could think of came to my head! The water works just wouldn't stop! And now... now I have a ROYAL headache, dry burning and glassy eyes and I'm all tuckered out.

Ryan thinks I should call AT&T and make them credit our bill for the month for making his poor pregnant wife so stressed out. He was almost to the point of freaking out too... so that made me feel a little better. Anyway... I'm okay, he's okay and I'm just not a big fan or the hormonal crap going on in my body right now. Happy Thanksgiving if I don't post before then. Oh and if you want some entertainment go to this article my sister sent me.

T.G.I.F.

I'm glad it's Friday. But it's panning out to becoming a pretty busy weekend. Which I'm not especially excited about. I guess it's life... but I'm sick of EVERY weekend being so busy! It's also that time of year too, so it's not slowing down anytime soon. Got engagements pictures to take of some friends, hair to get done, dinner with the in-laws to go to, Stake Conference, laundry...

I went to the doc today for my "24" week check up, even though I'm only 23 weeks. But we'll be in Utah next week so I had to go in early. Got to hear little guy's heartbeat, which always makes me happy. She measured me and basically told me I was good to go! Short and sweet! Next visit, the week before Christmas (at almost 28 weeks), I have to do my glucose test (blah) but the bright side is while they're waiting to test my blood they're going to do an ultra sound so we can see how our little guy is growing and all that good stuff. We're both excited to be able to see him again! I thought we'd have to wait until he came out before we saw him again. So that's something to look forward to in what will be (I've heard anyway) a wretched appointment. Anyway, we're headed off to Utah Wednesday morning until the following Monday for Thanksgiving. I am SO excited... I'll admit it- I'm "homesick". Even though Georgia is my "home" now... my whole family is out West and so I miss them and can't wait to be with them. Luckily every last one of us gets to be together for Thanksgiving. I'm SOOOO excited! And I get to see Andrea, and The Webbs, and Travis and hopefully some friends from my old work (cough, cough, hint, hint) and The Mathews and Emily B.! It will be fun. And also... the MOUNTAINS! REAL LIFE MOUNTAINS! Ryan's not looking forward to the flying part... but we'll get through it just fine. Anyway... I'm just about ready to leave work for the day. Peace out y'all.

Dashing Elves

I had to copy Shannon on this one... it was too funny to resist! Go here and check this cool little DIDDY out!!!

I Got Tagged By M.P. Vest

Seven things about me you might not have known...

1. When I was in about the 4th or 5th grade the neighbor girls and I would go in my room and put in my tape player anything from Paula Abdul to Tiffany to Wilson Phillips and sing along as if we were in a girl band. Sometimes we'd be brave and go with out the music and make up our own lyrics and tunes and record them on the the little black tape recorder with a teal colored record button. I did my own version to that rap song "Wild Thing" by Tone Loc. I wish I still had that tape... although, it might be REALLY embarrassing.

2. We had a bathroom window upstairs that looked over the roof of our family room and the back yard of the house. For as long as I could fit through it, I'd use the counter as a boost and crawl out the window and sit on the roof. I liked to sit up there (barefoot) to look out at our yard or down the hill behind our house. There were always such beautiful sunsets in Flagstaff and we had a good view of them from the back of our house. It was a quiet place to be, but now thinking about it- probably wasn't the safest place for me to be! And come to think of it, I don't think I ever got in trouble for being up there either... I wonder if I sneaked doing it. I can't imagine my mom loving me doing that. Although, I think they had me do it once because one of the bedroom doors was locked and I had to crawl out there and go to the bedroom to unlock the door. I could be making that up too though.

3. I had a crush on Jonathan Brandis when he was popular, for like a second. Back in like 1991 or 1992. A long time ago.

4. Even though I haven't in a while, I like to scrapbook. I'm not super creative when it comes to doing this, and I've only got like one stencil and just a few fun edged scissors- but I do it because I really love my pictures. I have two of those plastic storage containers FILLED with pictures. They are like gold to me and I would be so sad if they were ever taken from me or destroyed! So many memories therein contained! (Yes, I did say "therein".)

5. I like pickled beets. They have to be pickled though- not just regular beets. Another weird combination I like (and no it's not brought on by pregnancy) is warm blueberry muffins with a little bit of butter and a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Also, a grilled cheese sandwich with a smidgen of honey or jam on top of the bread after cooked is delicious. Hey, Ryan even tried that one and thinks its good. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Plus, I blame it on my dad.

6. I used to have a pink blankey that was made for me (I think my mom and a friend of hers made it) when I was a baby that I LOVED. When I got older, I called it my "daddin". Not sure where that one came from. It was pink gingham on one side and then on the other it had pictures of this cartoon girl with red hair doing something... I think primping in front of a mirror and maybe playing tennis in a white dress...or something. It was quilted together with yarn knots. and by the time I was through with it when I was *cough* 16, all that was left was the pink gingham side which was completely see through and a little bit of the batting that was in the middle and the yarn ties. I used to sleep with it and take that thing every where with me- well, everywhere but school. I loved how it smelled (especially after my mom reluctantly washed it-tempted to throw it away) and would rub it's softness on my top lip. I used to also suck my ring and middle fingers on my left hand and twirl my hair. When I had to "retire" the blanket, my dad gave me a feather pillow that he didn't want to use anymore and that became my blankey subsitute. I still sleep with it to this day, rub it on my lip and I still twirl my hair (most of the time, I don't even notice it). But, no- I don't still suck my fingers. I stopped that when I was *cough* 8.

7. I rode the ride at the top of Stratosphere in Las Vegas, NV once. It was just about one of the scariest things I've ever done. It was cool and fun and stuff- but I'll probably NEVER do it again. Especially now that I'm becoming a mother!

I tag anyone who wants to participate. It was actually pretty fun to think of random things about myself. Some of those things I hadn't thought about in a long time!

My Niece the Dare-Devil

So my brother and his girls went to Disneyland this weekend and apparently my 5 year old niece Brooke is in love with Splash Mountain (good choice Brookey!) and loves the butterflies it puts in her tummy! They went on the ride three times! Here she is in front of my brother in the very back and behind the guy who looks like he's about to have a heart attack in the yellow hoodie! She's SOOOO cute!

P.S.- who couldn't love those cute little faces?

Thanks for loving me... I'm glad that people still do. Well, I'm still stuffy and congested and coughing and sneezing and Im thinking it's worse than a cold, so I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. Hopefully he can give me something that will get rid of what I think has become a sinus infection.

Okay, is it me- or are there a lot of people that call a sinus infection or sinuses in general just "sinus"??? Is that proper and I'm not getting it? I've heard on so many occasions "I think I have a sinus." And I think to myself, yes... we all have sinuses, and that's plural. I've come to learn that I have to interpret that to mean "I think I have a sinus infection." Right... See, there are several sinuses... not just one. Maybe it's a Southern thing... or have you heard people NOT in the South say that too?

Anyway... moving on, last night Ryan got to feel The Bun in the Oven or "Ben" as we have affectionately started to call him. He was VERY active last night so Ryan got to feel him move and kick and punch! Ry thought that was pretty cool. And how I know is that every time I've talked to him today he's brought it up... very cute! I'm glad he got to feel him though, because now he's seen him and felt him! It's all very real! I just looked at my Creepy Floating Baby thing and it says I only have 18 weeks left! WHOA! CRAZY! And yes, we're going with the name Benjamin Ryan for now. Well, I say for now- but it's really set in stone. We've got a back up though just in case he doesn't look like a Ben when he gets here. We both like the name though, and it feels right so that's what it is!

Well... I guess I better get back to work. Although, I don't want to. So not in the mood. Darn sales reps... (no offense of course to anyone who sells...)

In Addendum to

my post about the pearls, I received yet ANOTHER necklace in the mail yesterday. So now I have two; one broken and one all in one piece...hmmm, what to do???

P.S.- Does anyone love me anymore? I haven't had a comment in like three or four blog entries...

Mawwiage, that blessed arrangement- that dream within a dream...

In the span of 20 minutes, I've read two articles on marriage that have thrown me for a loop on the Today Show website. I don't know that I'll rant and rave about my opposition to the ideas both of these articles portray- but it does make me sad and my heart hurt for what I believe the true purpose of marriage and a family is, compared to what people seem think it is and seem to be missing out on. I like the Today Show, and I know they're just bringing to light people's "options" for different kinds of lifestyles and such, but I wouldn't EVER think of living apart from my husband by choice or not marry because it would just be better for each of us financially. The word that comes to my mind is SELFISHNESS in both articles. That's just me though. When you wed, you promise to become as one- it's not about you anymore... it's about your family you've just started. Anyway... I'll stop, but tell me what you think. Seriously- I want to know. I have to admit though, the second one is pretty funny though...
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21564357/ and
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21369007/from/ET/

Our Pumpkin Patch/Carving/Halloween Pictures

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wake Up! Wake Up!

I'm so tired today. This is me... (except for I wish I had a monitor like that...)
Ryan and I usually wake up together in the morning, but today he got up a half hour earlier because he had to go in early and I just wasn't up to it. So I decided to sleep an extra 45 minutes... and set the alarm on my cell phone. At about 6:22am I got a text from Ryan saying he'd gotten to work. So I went back to sleep for what I thought would just be another 20 or so minutes. Well...I slept and had weird dreams and snored myself awake and thought "hmm, I thought the alarm would've gone off by now..." so I looked at the alarm and it was 7:29!!!! I have to LEAVE the house at 7:50! YIKES! The dork I am forgot to click on "enable" so the alarm would actually go off! So I busted out of bed, took Ally out and left her outside while I took the fatest wash-my-hair-and-face-and-body-shower EVER, got Ally back in, got dressed, blow dried my bangs, brushed my teeth, put shoes on and was pulling out of the driveway at 7:54am! I even got to work on time! G0 me!
But now... I'm suffering from that time I'm used to having to wake up and eat breakfast and check my email, play with Ally a little and actually enjoy The Today Show. I got a good amount of sleep though, which apparently my body needed. I'm like 98% sure Ryan gave me his cold he's had for almost a week. And Bobbie was right, having a cold and being pregnant at the same time SUCKS! I can take Sudafed, but it doesn't really do anything- plus I feel that it pushes my blood pressure up to high and that worries me. So I think the extra hour of sleep was good for me... I just need to wake up now!
I'll have some pictures up later tonight from Ryan and I carving our pumpkins and stuff. We have a busy weekend and sadly say goodbye to DJ tomorrow... I will miss her lots. I might even cry. :(
Sayonara for now.

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

From our Pumpkins to yours... I hope you have fun with the trick or treaters that come by! I'll post more tomorrow!

I Have a Bone to Pick

And it's with overstock.com. I was reading through some friend's blogs and came across the site wantnot.net. The lady that does this site finds bargains and shares them with readers and you can find some really great deals there. There was one reader who recommended going to overstock.com because for a couple days only they had free Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklaces and all you paid was shipping which was $2.95 (which they are now selling for $19.99)! They were just the small ones and not very fancy, but I was all over that! I mean, might as well try it out right? So I placed my order, on Sept 26th with shipping taking the usual 8-10 business days. According to my account info, they actually shipped on the 28th. Well... 8-10 business days passed and still no pearls. My first indicator that they weren't coming was that they sent them USPS which in my neighborhood can mean disaster. There are three other houses that have the same address except for the very end of the street name which ours is DRIVE, and there is a WAY, and a COURT. So I thought, great- it got sent to one of those others and I'm never getting it. I contacted overstock.com and did a live chat with a CS representative and they said to wait a couple more days and if still no pearls- they would do a trace which could take an additional 4 days and then send a reorder which would ship right away and then it would be ANOTHER 8-10 business. Well, they never came so the second order shipped (and AGAIN with USPS shipping) Oct 16th and as of this past weekend I still hadn't received them. Now I know, I know... $2.95 big whoop. But it was the principal of the matter. So yesterday I got back on "live chat" with them and pretty much told them I was ticked off and that if I didn't get them TODAY I was cancelling my order and never shopping with them again. She asked me to wait the day and if they weren't there they would do ANOTHER trace...etc. Needless to say, I was aggravated.

Ryan got home and called and said "guess what you got in the mail today". Yes, the pearls had arrived. When I got home I saw they had been sent merely in a cardboard envelope of sorts and packaged in a pretty little see-through light blue tulle jewelry bag. I opened it up to see if it would fit me, and as I poured them out in my hand, little pearls that were loose came tumbling out because the string had broken... "You're kidding me right?" were the words I said to myself. After taking OVER a month of shipping for a $2.95 item- they were broken. I'm not even that big of a fan of pearls either! Now, I'm not going to send them back or anything like that- I can restring them myself... but again, it's the principal of the matter.

I've shopped from overstock.com before and NEVER had a problem. My sister has never had a problem. Maybe it was because I didn't pay much for what I ordered? I don't know- but that whole experience taught me a lesson... you pay for what you get.

Here's Our Boy!

We got the ultrasound pictures scanned finally. Hopefully you can see them well. He's got the cutest little nose ever, and love that he's got his thumb and fingers up in the one picture. Can't wait to see his face in person!

okay, okay... the long awaited post...

Well... as if the 5 weeks of waiting until our appointment wasn't enough, sitting in the waiting room for over a half hour was TORTURE! My sister Delinda came with us and sitting between her and Ryan is always entertaining- so at least I had that distraction sitting there in anticipation. We finally got called into the room and I laid down to get poked and prodded at. We got to see the little one's face and profile (I will scan and attach pictures when I can), we got to see two little feet and hands and arms and knees and legs. The heart beating and the little belly. Spine looks good, brain looks good- and we even got a great Skeletor view of the little one face! So I mean, all of this was great and I was laying there with watering eyes looking at my beautiful little child while holding my wonderful husband's hand and just feeling so blessed. But really wanted to see what was going on "down there" on this kid! FINALLY we got a peek, and a good one at that... and well kids, we're having a little BOY come to our family! And boy is he a BOY! No doubt about it!
So Ryan will no longer be the only guy in the house what with me and our little doggy Ally! We are so excited!!!! We both have really wanted to have a little boy, but I've had a few dreams it was a girl and everyone thought I was carrying high even though I'm not really- I'm just really short! And I would say a good 95% of the people we asked or I work with thought it was a girl. I even did! So it's taking a little adjusting to realizing that first I can stop calling him "it" and that I've got to think in boy terms now! It was SOOOO fun to see our little guy moving around in there and to see his cute little face!

We got to call our parents and my brother Greg while they were all together and let them know!

So his daddy is SUPER proud and we both couldn't be happier!

Right Brain v Left Brain

Go to this LINK and try it out. I do not see how she could even be turning anything but clockwise. I even tried to picture it the other way. I guess I'm a right brainer!

Fire and Rain

As we all know there's a lot going on in Southern Cali. I wanted to see mainly if any of the temples in the area have been affected (which haven't) and while looking at the Church website I found this article. I'm so grateful that we are taught preparedness. And I'm also grateful for all of those people who have helped put those kits together and have donated or made the blankets being sent those people who are in need and have probably lost just about everything. It makes my heart hurt to think about how they're going to start all of that over again.
On a lighter note, my sis gets in tonight and we see little Bun Smith tomorrow! I'm so excited. I dreamt last night it was a girl. We'll see! Any bets on what it'll be?
It's also rained (not hard) for the last three days... in no way are we out of our drought yet but it's much needed and I'm so grateful for it. I just wish Cali could get some too! Hopefully they will soon.
Also... why is that some people just don't wash their hands after going to the restroom? You know my feelings on this already... but I'm reminded of it constantly here at work. It really grosses me out. Merely putting your hands under the water for a second isn't going to magically wash away the germs. Sure it's better than nothing at all... but still. Okay. I'll stop. I already wrote about this.

Lastly- did I mention how COOL it is that Ryan's parents and my parents (who live across the country from each other) will be together tomorrow (with my big bro Greg and fam) in Utah when they find out who their little grandchild is going to be?? It is so cool.

Okay bye.

Princess Leia Baby Costume

Okay, this is the funniest/cutest thing ever... if I knew I was having a girl right now, I'd buy this! Even if (she) couldn't wear it until next Halloween!

Ryan said I needed to update my blog. I don't really know what to talk about though! I guess you'll have to deal with randomness. We had a good weekend, and today it's RAINING! All of the prayers are being answered, although we really could use SO much more- hopefully it'll keep coming. We're going to do a Stake fast next Sunday... if I could I would, but I think it's a great idea. There are a lot of denominations here that are doing group prayers and I think it's wonderful.
Let's see what else... the weekend was good. We did a lot of laundry, I mean A LOT. I know, sounds fun. But when it gets to the point where Ryan says "Heather, did a tornado hit our room?" then I know it's time to clean up!
We went to a wedding reception for a couple in the single's ward and it was SO beautiful! It was an actual sit down and eat at a table of your own and watch them dance and cut the cake and toast the couple kind of reception. Haven't been to one of those in a while! I'm used to the traditional Mormon reception (like ours) where you come and go as you please! The decor was so beautiful and she just did such a wonderful job! They are a beautiful couple as well. Couldn't be happier for them.
We were irreverent in Sacrament meeting yesterday. Ryan started off tapping his head to mine very gently and then I'd do it to him until finally I hit his pretty hard and it literally made "bonk" sound! Luckily it didn't hurt, but man we couldn't stop laughing and I of course started to tear up it was so funny. We were looking around to see if anyone heard it because it was so loud! We're bad, but I'm SO grateful for someone who makes me laugh A LOT every day!
There were words of meaning I wanted to share today... but I am at a loss. I'm tired and my nose is stuffy today and it's cloudy (which don't get me wrong I'm glad for the rain) and it makes it hard to feel energetic.
But on a good note- we've got the rest of today, tomorrow, and then Wednesday Delinda gets here and then THURSDAY we see BUN! Woohoo! Can't wait!

Thanks to Ashizzley

Penguin Swing

In case you're bored... or just don't want to work anymore... like me.

Bullets

• I'd NEVER thought I'd say in Georgia "We're in a drought". We need rain and it doesn't seem to be much in sight.
• Why does our dog have to throw up anytime we take her in the car? I know the "scientific" reasons... car sickness or whatever, but why our dog? Especially when I already have a queasy stomach!
• There are some people in this world who should have a job where they work alone... and not in a team or with other people.
• 8 hours of sleep is not nearly enough for me lately, when it's sad that I used to survive on like 6. Oh and remind me NOT to take a Tylenol PM at 10:30 when I have to wake up at 6:30, that just doesn't work.
• I can't WAIT to go see my family, friends and the mountains next month... only 5 more weeks!
• I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner too. Oh and seeing the lights at temple square, hopefully!
• 8 days until the gender of "Bun" is revealed... and counting!
• I love my in-laws.
• I wish I could wear flip-flops to work everyday.
• For the longest time I thought the song "Why Georgia" by John Mayer was about a person named Georgia. I thought it was strange for him to pick that name. Then I realized after he was talking about driving down 85 that he meant here... in GA... where I live... DUH.
• I'm SUPER excited to see my cuz Laura and her family this weekend, and that we get the privilege of them staying with us!
• Is it worth it to come in an hour late and work through your lunch? I'm debating that right now as I sit here typing and wishing I could go for a ride in my car since it's my "lunch time" right now and can't.
• Why do people put their cell phones on "speaker phone" at work? Where everyone can hear? I've seen so many people in general do that... they just walk around stores and from their car to a building with it on speaker. I don't want to hear their conversation, and the only time I do it is when Ryan and I both should hear or I'm changing my clothes and can't hang up or something. They're still holding the phone up to their face/mouth, what's the big deal about not having it on speaker?

On that note, I leave you to read this story. Good times.