Emmalyn is here

I am so excited to announce the birth of our daughter Emmalyn. She was born on Saturday, December 13th at 1:39 am. I wish I could share the entire experience with everyone but I will spare you the details and say this, bringing a child into this world is an incredible experience and one that I will never forget. I can't believe just a few days ago she was inside of me and now she is in my arms, looking at me and allowing me the privilege of loving her and being her mom. Joey and I feel very blessed to have our healthy and happy baby in our home.

Joey is an incredible father and and a very proud one; I can see it in his face as he looks at her and she looks at him. He is handling all of this very well seeing that he has had to take finals this week with little sleep and a lot of studying. We look forward to all of the changes this will bring into our lives and the miracles we will see along the way.

The Countdown Is On...

I thought it would be fun to do a poll to see when friends/family think this little one inside of me is going to make her arrival. Now here is the catch...the doctor that I was seeing in Colorado gave me the due date of December 21st after my ultrasound, but the doctor here in Utah has given me the due date of December 26th according to the "wheel". When I went to the doctor on December 1st for a check up he was surprised to see that I was already progressing (dilated, effaced, etc.) and wanted to move the date to the 24th but I told him not to bother with the dates anymore; she'll come when she comes. I have another appointment this Friday and we will see what he says then. Obviously I would love for her to come sooner than later but not until Joey has completed his last final which will be the evening of December 17th. It is getting more and more exciting and I can't believe that we will have our daughter here before the year is over!! What a blessing it has been to create another life and to carry her for the last nine months. It makes me appreciate my mother and all the other mother's in this world for the sacrifice(s) that they make. Thanks mom!!! Maybe I will honor you by having our little girl on your birthday; Christmas Eve.

Thanksgiving Day

I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I love Thanksgiving food and smells. There is nothing like a juicy, moist turkey accompanied by a heap of mashed potatoes/gravy, homemade roll and PIE. Thanksgiving this year was so different than in years past. Instead of eating two Thanksgiving meals, one with the Olson's and one with the Thorpe's, and being surrounded by many nieces and nephews, we spent turkey day in Utah because travelling was out of the question. Fortunately Joey has relatives that live here so we weren't totally alone and I didn't have to make the expected Thanksgiving meal. I don't even think that our little kitchen would have had the capacity to make it all.
We had a great time with Uncle Reed and Aunt Bobbie and meeting/getting to know cousins (Lisa, Greg and family and Holly and Quentin) that Joey hasn't seen since he was a little guy. They were all so nice and I even made a Christmas craft with the ladies. I felt pretty good about myself once it was completed and now it sits in our living room as the only Christmas decoration...for now.
I am now 36-weeks along in my pregnancy and anticipate the arrival of our daughter. I truly believe that the Lord makes the last few weeks as uncomfortable as possible so that we look forward to the labor and delivery; otherwise we might want to keep these little ones inside of us.

Flag Football

One of the best things about being at BYU is playing intramural sports. Unfortunately I have not been able to join in the fun of playing but I have been able to go to a handful of flag football games to watch a bunch of "old" men from the MBA program play against much younger men. It is a blast and Joey's team is now in the championship game in the end of the season tournament. I love watching Joey play sports; especially when he wins. Not to brag, but I am going to, in the last two games Joey has made the winning touchdown with only seconds remaining in the game. His teammates called him Reggie Bush as he dove into the endzone to score. The other wives and I cheer the team on and get a little fiesty on the sidelines when the refs make bogus calls or when someone tries to mess with our husbands. It will be sad when the season ends but I don't know how much more "the baby" can handle me jumping up and down and screaming at the team, "GO, GO GO!!!"

My baby walking on to the field to take care of business

Such focus and determination

What an incredible catch for the winning touchdown

It's a sad day in my "baseball" life

November 12, 2008 was a sad day for me and my "baseball" life. As most of you know, I have truly enjoyed watching the Rockies play since the the former left-fielder Matt Holliday made his MLB debut four years ago. On the 12th Holliday was traded to the Oakland A's. Although it was devastating news, it has been a rumor for so long that I was expecting it. At least he went to the A's instead of the Yankees, Phillies, or Cubs; the few teams I despise. I'm not quite sure what kind of reception I will give him if the A's ever play the Rockies in an interleague game. I would like to cheer for him still but the fact that he left the Rockies over money makes me a little sad. I guess it wasn't enough for him to be making $23 million in two years ($9.5m in 2008 and $13.5m in 2009). Why are professional sports all about the money? What happened to playing the game because you loved it; you eat, sleep and basically live for the sport. Well best of luck to him...but who am I going to stare at and scream at the top of my lungs for come April?

Playing at the park

Over the weekend of November 2nd my parents came for a lovely visit and to be a part of Eisley's blessing. While here I asked papa "o" to take some pictures for me and for the baby. We decided to go to a park and play around while my dad snapped some great shots. I had a lot of fun but was accused of taking away Joey's man card because I made him take "maternity" pictures with me. He said that we didn't need to take "engagement-like" pictures again, I was already pregnant. I thought that was pretty funny so I told him he didn't have to take any more pictures. Joey was a good sport about it; just one of the reasons why I love the man.
I'm coming up on 34 weeks and truly looking forward to having this baby. I feel like making a countdown chain like I used to do for Christmas; since my due date is right around that time I think it is a great idea. Then every night before going to bed I can rip off a link until the day the baby comes!!!!

Date Night in Salt Lake City

For our date night we decided to go to Salt Lake City to visit the temple and to take in the sights. It was beautiful and such a wonderful evening. These days getting out of the house is an exciting time and getting to be with my husband for a few extra hours is even better. He has been so busy with midterms, information sessions with prospective internship companies and studying. I love date nights!! It is probably a good idea to take advantage of this time before we bring our daughter into the world. I'm at about 32-weeks and well the bump is growing, and growing and growing and she keeps moving around. Sometimes it seems like she is going to come right out but she better not because I have the cutest coming home from the hospital outfit for her. Let's just say she is going to be the cutest Christmas baby ever. In two months you will know what I am talking about.

Salt Lake City temple at sunset

A walk around Temple Square

32-weeks along

Happy Day

In September my niece Eisley was born. It was so exciting to get the news and then the next day be able to go to the hospital to see my sister and Dan and their precious daughter. She is so adorable and I loved being able to hold her and change her diaper...yes I enjoyed changing her diaper. What a miracle it is when a new child comes into this world. I can't believe that she was inside my sister just a few days ago and now she is here experiencing all new things. The best part about it all is watching my little sister be a mom. My sisters and I have always said it would be hard to imagine Candace being a mom but as I have watched her over the last few days it isn't hard at all, she is a natural. I am proud of her for being such a trooper and looking so beautiful after such a long and trying labor. It makes me more and more excited for December to come so I can see our daughter for the first time and watch Joey as a father.

Six months and going strong...or getting bigger, it's one of those

I can't believe I am in my sixth month already. I had my first visit with the doctor here in UT and well let's just say that I don't recommend moving to a different state in the middle of a pregnancy. It is such a pain and hassle. She's moving around more and more each day and letting me know she is one active baby. I think we have the next Olympian gymnast or swimmer growing inside of me. I love it though because it becomes more real each day and it is incredible how close I feel to her and the bond we are creating. I've read in one of my wonderul pregnancy books that this is the time that she can hear and recognize my voice. Wow!!
Joey is finishing up his second week of grad school and is loving every minute of it even though it is overwhelming and demanding at times. He is already having to decide and interview for internships next summer. I wonder where we will end up?? I wouldn't mind going somewhere we have never been like Switzerland or Connecticut, but then again we might end up there if they offer us something we can't refuse. We should know by January where we are going and how soon we will have to move...again. Let's just say that we will be pros at this moving thing by the time we are finished here at BYU.

It's About Time...

After so many requests I am finally creating a blog so that our family, friends and co-workers can keep up with what we are doing these days. I am very excited to do this even though I am not a very creative person or a poetic writer.

Here I go...Joey and I have been married for more than a year now and can't believe how fast time truly flies by. During our first year of marriage we enjoyed trips together, hanging out with our families and making new friends in good ol' Castle Rock. We also received the wonderful news that Joey had been accepted to BYU to get his MBA and that we were going to have an addition to our little family.

Just a few weeks ago we found out that we are having a girl and my due date is on December 21st. The Lord knows us better than we do and has decided to bless us with so many changes in our lives. Change can be hard but we welcome both of these changes even though it means that we are living in the heart of Provo, UT. The good thing is that I know that there is light at the end of this tunnel and we will only be here for 2 years. At least that is what we hope will happen. We both love CO and want to return after Joey graduates to settle down and raise our family. For now I will soak it all up and enjoy every moment. I know this a wonderful opportunity for Joey and it will give me a chance to spend more time with my sister Candace who lives in Lehi, Ut; about 15-20 minutes North of Provo. She is also expecting a girl and is due in about a month, I believe it is September 26th. Lucky!! It will be fun to have cousins so close to each other and to be able to share this first experience of childbirth with my beautful sister.