Wednesday Night

Now that Scott is done with finals Stephen and I have him all to ourselves all day! It is fun because we can stay up late and play if we want and don't have to worry about waking up early or getting homework done. Last night we decided to go to Wal-Mart (we have a brand new one about 3 minutes from our house so we go there often) and get a few groceries and some movies from Red Box. Scott found some fun reindeer antlers to try out...

After we got home we watched "Horton Hears a Who" with Stephen. He LOVES watching movies so on the way home he was planning it out - he said "Mommy sit by Stephen and Daddy sit by Stephen." So we sat on the couch with him between us. He snuggled in and put his cute little arm around my shoulder! It was so sweet! It is definately one of those moments to treasure forever. I love my little Stephen!

Stephen and the Bed

Stephen started sleeping in his "big boy" bed a few weeks ago. He loves it and has been really good about staying in it all night. Naps are the hardest part, although they were in the crib too. He is not always a big fan of going to sleep and this is what I found the other night at 10:30...

The picture doesn't show how blindingly bright that light is showing under the door. Stephen has a floor lamp next to his bed that we turn down low to use as a night light (his old one broke a few weeks ago) and he has learned how to crank it up full blast when he isn't sleepy. So I went in and he was jumping on his bed...and looking a tad bit guilty.Needless to say we have made a trip to Wal-mart to purchase some automatic on/off nightlights and so the party has calmed down a bit. Last night I gave him a book to read because he was having a hard time falling asleep. A while later I checked on him and he had fallen asleep with the book over his cute little face! I would have taken a picture but I didn't want to wake him up.

This and That

I realized that it has been since before Thanksgiving since I posted anything! We have been busy. It would take a million pictures and words to describe it all so I will try and sum it up...

Thanksgiving in Utah - fun fun fun - gooooooood food and I loved spending time with my family.

It took four people to move the turkey to the platter...

My Dad and brother Allen - relaxing after the big meal...like father like son.Talking with my cousin Amanda while trying to keep Stephen from falling down the stairs - you can see my pregnant belly pretty well...
Quist and Smith Family picture - including Aaron, Rebecca, and Anna. This was taken in the BYU Law Library where my brother Allen spends all of his time. Each time the girl snapped a picture for us Stephen would yell "oh that's a good one!" and his little voice broke the absolute silence. It was embarassing and funny all at the same time.

Decorating for Christmas - my favorite thing!!! I only have this one picture for now...the garland has lights in it too..




Birthday parties- Scott's brother Josh turned 26 on the 8th and my sister Celsea turned 16 on the 9th. Happy birthday!

You know you are pregnant when...

You know you're pregant when you jump in the car to leave and realize your cell phone is in the house. Since the car is running and you are a little late already, you honk the horn, hoping that your husband will come to your rescue. (Ok, and I honked the horn because I was feeling lazy). After a few minutes of waiting, you start thinking "it is just on the table in the kitchen what is taking him so long?...oh, wait...." Yes, you then find the cell phone in your pocket and as you drive away you call to tell your husband to stop looking and he just laughs at you.

You know you are pregnant when in the middle of teaching the primary lesson you are suddenly so incredibly hungry that you think you might die before church is over. The only thought in your mind is food and it is so intense you break out in a sweat all over your body ..."who turned on the heater? why did I wear these tall boots- my legs are so hot..." Then, you find yourself devouring all of your two year old's pretzels that are left over from sacrament meeting earlier...yes, during sharing time, in front of all of the primary kids. And wishing there were more pretzels...

You know you LOOK pregant when a four year old girl asks you if you have a baby in your tummy. This four year old then proceeds to ask if it is a boy and when you reply "yes, it is," (how did she know that?) they say, "well, if its a boy you should name him Tony." Tony??? (Upon speaking to her mom later I discovered that Tony is the name of her imaginary boyfriend - apparently, they kiss on the lips).

Only an Arizona November

sunny...mid 70's ... nice breeze ... eat your heart out! :)

The Details

If you didn't catch it in my last post...I am pregnant!

Due date?

April 10th

Weeks along?

19

What we are having?

A Boy - I am glad about this because Stephen will have a playmate and we will save A LOT of money

Names?

We have one but I don't want to post it - so no one can steal it you know!

Have I been sick?

A little at the beginning, but of course feeling great now

Who is expecting the niece or nephew in April?

My sister-in-law, Rebecca and brother Aaron - due the SAME day as me!

Why wait so long to spill the beans?

I was really afraid to announce it because of what happened with my last pregnancy - if you remember, I announced it on my blog at about 15 weeks and literally the next day found out that I had a miscarriage. Also, this pregnancy was not looking so good from the start because they could see some bleeding around the baby in my first ultrasound and told me that I was at risk for another miscarriage.

Needless to say, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the last few months and there were many days where I felt so hopeless. I haven't been allowed to pick up Stephen since I was about 8 weeks and that has been such a challange for me and him - it is so sad having my little baby say "mommy I want to hold you!" and not be able to just scoop him up in my arms. Of course, I can sit on the couch and have him climb up on my lap, but it just isn't the same. I have been to the doctor many many times and literally thought I might go insane with worry on a few occasions. (as a side note - nothing strikes more fear in my heart than the part of the appointment when they check the baby's heart beat with the doppler - I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about it!)

I know that the Lord has been watching out for this little baby and I through out the pregnancy so far. It has been a real trial of my faith and I have learned so much about being positive even though I am still get down sometimes. I have learned that when I start to panic I stop and say a prayer and if I am receptive, the spirit comforts me and tells me that the baby is ok. I know absolutely that the Lord answers prayers because I feel that this baby still being alive and well is an absolute miracle! (as another side note, I believe that every baby born is an absolute miracle...)

Of course we are only half way through the pregnancy and I still have many concerns, but it gets a little easier every day to feel excited about this little guy and anticipate his birth. I can feel him moving which is wonderful and it helps to comfort me too.

I also have to say that I seriously have the best husband in the world. He has been such an amazing support to me throughout this experience. He has always been patient with me through all of my rational and irrational fears. He never makes me feel ridiculous for being afraid of silly things but doesn't let me get carried away with fear either. He listens to all of my worries and has been a perfect friend. He is a wonderful father to Stephen and has done all of the lifting in and out of car seats, carries Steve around when needed, even when his arm is about to break off. He has given a million baths, changed a million diapers and delt with 3 million tantrums. I don't know what I would do without him!

Now, if you have read all of this you are a very kind friend! Just consider it a hundred missed posts from the last few months.

The Big 8 Tag

8 Favorite TV shows (in no particular order - and I just realized that I do not like most sit-coms or dramas...not sure why)

1. What Not to Wear

2. Design on a Dime

3. Life

4. House Hunters

5. John and Kate Plus Eight

6. Baby Story

7. America's Funniest Home Videos

8. Dirty Jobs




8 Things I did yesterday

1. slept in until 9:00

2. cleaned Stephen's booster seat (eewwww)

3. swept and mopped the floor and washed dishes

4. cleaned bathrooms

5. took a nap

6. played outside in sandbox with Stephen

7. went to Savers looking for picture frames to paint black (FYI - it is NOT a bargin to buy frames there...I thought they were super over priced for being used - they were charging $7 for a 5x7 ugly thing with no glass!)

8. Stayed up reading "Anne of Greene Gables" until 12:00



8 Things to look forward to

1. Family reunion in Thatcher

2. Going to Utah for Thanksgiving

3. December!

4. Scott having a break from classes

5. Sister and brother comming home for Christmas from BYU

6. New niece or nephew being born in April

7. Sister and brother-in-law coming to visit

8. My baby being born in April


8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Texas Road House

2. Olive Garden

3. Gecko Grill

4. Matta's (oh how I miss thee)

5. Red Robin

6. Mi Amigos

7. Ned's Krazy Subs

8. In-N-Out Burger





8 Things on my Wish List

1. new jeans

2. a permanantly clean house

3. good makeup

4. stronger nails (weird I know)

5. Stephen: potty trained

6. black picture frames to hang our family pics

7. a computer that we can trust

8. storage shelf with bins for all of Stephen's toys


8 People I tag (don't feel obligated - just if you feel like it!)
1. Kesseli
2. Amber
3. Lisa
4. Ashley
5. Stacie
6. Tiffany
7. Anna
8. Jenna