Baby Skeletor

I'm sure everyone knows by now that we're having a little one this May. We had the 20 week ultrasound last week and the sonographer got a front shot of him. I know I should be moved and maybe shed a tear at seeing our little guy, but I must admit, I was a little weirded out. At this stage the fetus's skin is very transparent, so you can see his bone structure quite well. I think I like his profile better at this stage

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Christmas 2011

We decided to stay in our new little Texas house for Christmas. It was actually really nice to do our own thing and, of course, not have to share our Chocolate ; )

Dan's "big" present was a set of astronomy binoculars. He & Bridgette like to star gaze together, so I figured that would be something to encourage their hobby.

Bridgette was super spoiled, and still asks daily if we can "play Christmas." Fortunately she got a steady stream of after-Christmas presents for grandparents on both sides. Now that the house has been de-holidayized (new word) she doesn't ask for presents all the time.

Her big gift was a new "Little People" zoo. She can play with her "People" for hours so she scored big time! She also got loaded up with Yo Gabba Gabba gear, which she also loves!

I tried my hardest to read the Nativity story to her in the weeks leading up to Christmas and explain why we celebrate the Holiday but I think the only information she gathered was Samma Claus likes babies. I swear we'll get it straight next year!

I had a nice Christmas as well. Dan usually spoils me and goes over budget, and this year was no different. All morning we kept hearing a barking noise, and I thought he bought Bridgette one of those life-like puppies that barks when you walk by it. After all the presents were opened & the barking continued, he dropped a hint that I should look in the tree branches, and there it was, a new iphone. Stinker. Yes, I know everyone and their dog already has an iphone, so you're probably thinking whoopty-do. Well, I'm addicted to it now, and feel like I have this new found connection to the outside world. So it was a happy Christmas for me : )

T'was the night before Christmas...

"Samma" Claus's crazy antics. He decorated Bridgette's hallway so she couldn't get out!

Stocking stuffers, yummm...

Even Fred (I'm sure you've all met him) got a brother for Christmas, just like Bridgette's getting a brother!

Hope everyone reading this had a fun-filled holiday as well!

What we've been up to.

Thanksgiving:
For Thanksgiving we decided to do our own thing. We woke up, went to see the Muppets and then went out to dinner. It was nice and low key, although I did miss my seeing my family : (

Dan and Bridgette trying to see some stars

Dan was trying to steal my candy at the movies. Don't steal a pregnant woman's candy!

Our water & ice is really disgusting here. Here's Dan's solution

Sitting by the warm fire @ Bass Pro Shop

Street carolers (but not the guy with camel toe)

 We visited the cute town of Grapevine, aka "Christmas town USA." It was so charming, they had all these vintage Santa workshop displays set up, a large nativity, Christmas trees & garland everywhere & they had Christmas music playing over speakers throughout the streets.

It was wonderful not only because it was so festive, but because it was not apologizing for celebrating the actual Christmas holiday and birth of our Savior, not a generic "Holiday" display. I loved it!

Me and my Little Love. She's so big now!

My Loves : )

Yee-Haw -- Christmas style!

Conversing with the penguins

Santa's workshop. Where the magic happens

Camping!

We went camping the week before we moved. Utah has such beautiful mountains and camping spots, and we went at my favorite time of year when the leaves were changing color.

We stayed in a little cabin in the mountains south of Manti, UT.  This was Bridgette's first time camping and I think she loved it. Dan's brother, Chris, and his family were there too, which made it all the more fun!

The down side (for me) was they had indoor plumbing, but turned the water off just days before we got there. So we had to take care of business the old fashioned way...

I'm sure there are fun details I'm leaving out, but my brain is fried and I can't remember a lot of it, so here are some photos! 

Dan & Bridgette loved the fire

Sweet Bridgette

Chris chopping wood.

Kaia is excited to be in nature!

The boys burning stuff.

Kaia hanging out on the porch

Lynsey and her babies

Hanging out on the porch enjoying the fresh air. Dan's about to egg something, which is why he's smiling.

Cruz and Kaia by the fire

Our view of the lake. The forest service did a kill off of the fish, so no fishing : (

She's not in the fire! She's just giving it a dirty look

Bridgy and Kaia

Has it Been Long Enough?

Life has been a whirlwind in the past 4 months. Last I wrote, we were still in Texas for the summer, and were getting ready to move back to Utah.

 Well, here's a condensed version of what we've been up to. We moved to Utah and stayed with my Grandpa for a few weeks while looking for a place. I was so excited when we found a cute townhouse in Draper, it was perfect! We moved in at the beginning of September. Soon after I found out we were expecting baby #2 - yay! 

We celebrated my birthday, hung out with family and tried to fit our things into our new home. Two weeks after we moved in we got an offer we couldn't refuse from Dan's friend/ boss Dave. He offered Dan a branch managing position for the company he'd been doing sales for, assisting us in getting out of our lease, which was surprisingly easy, and taking care of the full move. We just couldn't refuse this offer, so here we are, back in Texas. We traveled around 1600 (give or take) miles to move a 1/2 a mile. Oh well, we de-junked so that was good.

On a side note, I have to say that a "full move" is the way to go. It's expensive, but it was so nice! They literally pack and carefully wrap everything, even the crappy furniture that would probably be improved if it were scratched up!

Here we are in Texas. It's been nice, the weather has been around the 50's and mostly sunny. It's nice to be out of snow for now.

I'm getting bigger every day. The other day I was trying to suck in and thinking to myself, dang, I'm getting chunky! Then I reminded myself, no, you're pregnant!

I was reading a pregnancy book last night while Bridgette sat next to me and I showed her the drawing that most maternity books have, the profile of an expectant woman with the picture of the baby in her uterus. Bridgette looked shocked, and said "SHE ATE THE BABY!"  Sweet girl! I explained that babies grow in mommies tummy until they're healthy enough to come out. Then I told her we have a baby in my tummy. She was pretty fascinated and looked at the pictures in the book for the next while, saying "wow, baby!" I think it's sinking in...

Other than that, we've just been hanging out, visiting new places and getting settled in. If any of you want to visit Dallas, just let us know : )

And Merry Christmas!!!

Saturday.

These are just some things I observed today (and over the last week or so.)

There are going to be thousands of postal workers who will be laid off in the near future, and I'd like to nominate my mail carrier.

He's around 50 years old, and he's probably a mail carrying virtuoso, which is why he's kept his job this long. I've noticed he loves to socialize. He stands around our apartment mail tree, cigarette hanging out of his mouth while showing his young son how to sort our mail. Wow, an amazing mail carrier and a mentor for future mailmen-- we totally lucked out! He also an energy conservationist. He does this by not walking up the three flights of stairs to give me my certified letter, but skipping that step and putting the  "you have certified mail, pick it up at the post office" note in my mail box, even though I was home. He's amazing. I know, you're jealous.

Next item...

I'm very impressed with parents who are proactive in getting their cute little chubby tweens into fighting shape-- Jr. High can suck, especially if you're chunky. I have some advice though. Before taking them to my gym and telling them to get on the treadmill next to me, buy them a stick of Teen Spirit. I admit, by the end of my workout I probably smell pretty ripe. But I try to combat this by showering before my workout, using some clinical strength deodorant and heck, sometimes I even spritz on some of my Womanity.  So moms of cute little Tweens, let's be honest, you smell it, so I'll definitely smell it.

I'll wrap this up now. Obviously all I've done today is go to the gym & get my mail so I need to get some other things done right now...

Family TIme!

This year was the first Henry & Trudy Bradford Family Reunion.

Since we've moved to Texas I wasn't planning on attending because plane tickets are pricey & Dan wouldn't be able to go with me. A week before the reunion my Dad called & said he would be able to get me a buddy pass to fly free!

I was so excited, but really stressed because the flights were only standby. I was so nervous that I'd be stuck in the airport all day, waiting with an ornery toddler. Fortunately the flight to Utah had open seats, so we were off! Bridgette was a little angel the way there, and slept most of the time : )

We were able to do so many fun things on our trip. We visite Lagoon & Bridgette rode her first amusement park rides, and had lots of fun. We went to the water park at lagoon and went down the toddler slides--she wasn't really down with that.

We had BBQ's and crawfish boils, mini-fireworks by Bobby, lots and lots of sweets-- the usual family activities.

For the 4th of July we went to Thanksgiving Point and watched the firework show. It rained a bit, but not too badly. We got there early to get a good spot and passed the time playing games and chatting, and of course, eating! During most of the trip Bridgette was being very reserved and wouldn't go to anyone except me, but finally on the 4th she opened up a bit. I spent a couple hours playing games and chatting while Bridgy played with her cousins, aunts and uncles. She especially enjoyed acting out the "Thinking Chair" song from Blues Clues with Uncle Yikes!

Before the flight home we were able to get some dinner with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Leslie, although Bridgette was being very reserved and would only let them give her quick loves.

Snuggle Time!

Cousin Kennedy showing us her glowstick beard

Kickin' it with Boyd

Enjoying her new favorite treat- watermelon & watermelon rind : (

Cute little cousin Devri

Love Me some Phil Phil & Nicholas Picolas

A million grandkids and counting...

Uncle Yikes!!

First Firework show!

My Favorite firework photo...