Family Fun

Yesterday we finally got out of the house to enjoy our first "fun" family outing. I've been wanting to go bowling for quite some time so as soon as we got Emmalyn to fall asleep we ran out the door and headed to campus for a good ol' bowling showdown. Fortunately we weren't bowling with anyone else because I am pretty competitive when it comes to bowling, ok let's face it, when it comes to anything, and for some reason, I think being pregnant and giving birth threw my game off...at first. We didn't choose to have bumpers on our lane but thank goodness they were because they saved me a couple of gutter balls. In the end I still beat Joey (it's the only thing I can beat him in) and got back into my groove. It was so fun to get out and to do some form of physical activity. Of course Emmalyn was sleeping but I know when she is big enough to throw a bowling ball she will be another one I will have to compete with, and beat!!

Sleeping is good

It seems that 99% of the pictures that I am able to get of Emmalyn these days is of her sleeping. I cannot complain though because the times that she isn't sleeping when she is supposed I wish she was. Emmalyn will be one month old tomorrow and I can't believe how fast it has gone and how much she is changing. I can already see her personality shining through. It is tough for me to admit this but she's a lot like her mom, fiesty and stubborn but so stinkin' cute! I can say that right?

Anyway, I love how much she wants to cuddle and the noises she makes while she is nursing and sleeping. She makes a lot of grunting and snorting noises. She is also laughing and smiling a lot more and it makes me very happy.

I couldn't ask for a better baby; I feel so lucky to have her as my best friend while daddy is in school. The best part of the day is taking naps with her and then getting to talk to her when she is awake.
I often wonder what she is thinking when I am talking to her. She is probably thinking to herself, "I wish that mommy would change out of her pajamas and take a shower today". Until she starts talking and tells me to do so it isn't going to happen and I am ok with that!! Joey started his second semester of school and so we are back to studying, studying and more studying. Oh well, it is worth it. Life is wonderful and like so many other parents say, I couldn't imagine my life without Emmalyn.

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