MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We've been keeping busy with our regular Christmas traditions! And Juan got a haircut (by a professional this time). Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas!

And here's a side belly shot since it's hard to tell in the other pictures how I'm growing.
29 Weeks.

Mark My Words

I will go into labor while in the theater watching Alice in Wonderland.

For no particular reason. I want to see it. It comes out 3 days before my due date. And here is my prediction in writing in case it awesomely comes true. That's all.

2 0 0 9

This is going to be a spiritual one folks. And no pictures.

We haven't had a typical marriage. 1 year in, Juan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I cried and cried, he held strong and recognized it as a blessing. That trial was followed by a less-than-successful business venture by my entrepreneurial-spirited husband (and me as a supportive wife). Not to mention the 2 1/2 years of infertility including 2 miscarriages. Juan's attitude marked our marriage, these trials are blessings. It took me quite a while to come around to that.

As for the trial most specific to me, my infertility came to be the biggest blessing of my life and our marriage. I learned to cling to my Heavenly Father, and first and foremost I learned that there was a higher power that had a plan for me. A plan that was most definitely better than the plan I had for myself. Yes my plan was 24 years in the making, baby name pages in my journal by age 9, day-dreaming through middle school, falling into place by the time I was married to the man of my dreams at age 20. But God had a better plan for me, and He'll continue to throw my 'plan' through loops as I get used to this new plan in store.

A few nights ago I laid under our lit tree, reading a Christmas picture book like I did all growing up. After a few minutes I decided to read aloud to our daughter, as she was kicking inside of me. In less than 3 months we are going to hold a baby in our arms, and we are going to be a family for eternity. 2009 is the year that all those trials became blessings to me. Because they all led up to the blessing that is our baby girl.

Straight from his mouth

I'm on the left at 8th grade graduation.

These are the words my dear Juan spoke last night:

"I hope our baby looks like you."

Super sweet, right? And then...

"Well except for ages 5 through 14... you struggled until you got your braces off and changed that hair."
Yes I had braces, yes I had claw-like bangs. But all the way back to 5? Rude!

MIA

I've been trapped in a cocoon of sickness for FOUR days. A cold. Not the swiner because I was vaccinated. But still, 4 days! I have no contact with the outside world.

I missed the first week of the holiday season.

My celebrity gossip has been severely neglected, Tiger Woods, Adam Lambert, what!

I didn't sleep for 2 whole days. My choices of medicines are limited as a pregnant woman. Little Baby A is kicking and wondering why mom isn't moving ever.

My nose is permanently deformed from wearing Breathe Right strips 24/7.

I have begged Mr-awesome-immune-system-Juan to take me out tonight just so I can get ready for the day, breathe fresh air, and air out the apartment of the germs. If you see me out, run the other way, still contagious.

Hope everyone else had a great start to the holiday season! On a happier note, the sickness didn't appear until AFTER Thanksgiving break, and it was a good one this year.

Weekend Get-Away

I made Juan and myself pose in some artistic poses since there were only 2 of us, and I wanted to capture the scenery. So why not live it up and pretend like we are thoughtful and pondering? The weekend was very nice. We got the most out of our 1 night stay in our little B&B Johnson Mill. I just love it there and hope it to be a tradition for us. Maybe not every anniversary, but as often as we can.

Saturday we spent the day in Park City shopping at the outlets. I bought a few more clothes for our little girl and now I am honestly going overboard. But I was good and didn't buy 1 thing for myself, and got Juan 3 of his Christmas presents. Yay! We also went and saw New Moon. I don't know if I'm less excited because I read the book years ago or what. It was a good movie, nothing special. I felt like it was kind of a filler movie.

Ode to Our Marriage

(Vintage Cami & Juan, circa 2001. His yellow pants, reference this story.)

May I address the name of my blog? Blooming Bliss. As in, I hope y'all never assumed my life has reached bliss, we're just working toward that. I'm not one to pour out our deepest darkest secrets on the blog, but you can infer from this alone:

My horrid Target addiction and spending habits

+

Our poor student life

=

Some pretty interesting conversations between Mr Juan and me.

We're not perfect. Never will be. Prefer it that way really.

That said, we have some pretty good times together.

Happy 4th Anniversary Love.

24 Weeks Picture

Dedicated Wife

Last week I attended Juan's intramural football game. It was raining and COLD and dreary, the whole game! I was a dedicated fan and stayed bundled up on the sidelines the whole time.

(Yes that is my High School Musical blanket, we can see part of Zac's face.)

Juan played so well, and they won! It is our church team and this is their second win all season, so it was very exciting. Of course being the self-absorbed person I am, I was sure to get a picture of me and some fellow fans. I did not get a picture of soaking wet, muddy Juan. Next time!

No pictures this weekend, but we did play games with friends, dinner at another friends on Sunday, and a lot of homework on Juan's part, and me working on my very first quilt!

My sister Ginger got a Wii and made a little mii character of our baby-on-the-way. Here she is:

Cutest ever.

Night of Wander

Last night Juan needed a break from studying (he's taking his last test of the week right now!) and I was up to the task. The weather was more than perfect, so we ventured into The City.

After Juan had a conniption from parking woes and almost yelled at a little old lady who took a decade getting into her car, we parked and wandered aimlessly for a place to eat. In and out of 5 or so downtown eats, we finally decided on Acme Burger. Yum. I have a weakness for good burgers, and onion rings + fry sauce. Although my pregnant self gets full MUCH faster than my mind wants it to. Juan downed a burger and a half, always willing to take one for the team.

We then continued onto our new-found park up behind The Capitol in the rich area of SLC. No lights, beautiful stars, amazing view, love that it was pitch black at 8:30, romantic really. We then went on to do a ridiculous photo shoot that I for sure find funnier than all of you, but still I'll share.

I drew this little picture on the wall of the bathroom. LOVE that they let you draw on their walls. It's sloppy because I was afraid someone else would walk in and I'd feel too silly to continue.

Juan. The lighting of the place was dim, so I was surprised to see his sloppy ketchup face from the flash!

Such a pretty burger!

My deliriously happy swing shot.

I begged Juan to get a swing shot too. And he looked grumpy in all of them (concentration?). So I told him to be happy like me, this is what we got.

The end.

Itching for Christmas Music Already

Halloween night was spent with our good friends Amanda and Brian. We went to a corn maze in West Jordan that was possibly more for children, but it was worth the very fall-like photos. We ended the night watching The Village and I'm sad to report that we did not get 1 trick-or-treater. We even left a whole bowl of candy out for the children while we were gone, and Juan is convinced not one piece was missing.

Sunday night was my family Halloween party where Juan and I donned our costumes once again. Here are a lot of my nieces and nephews and my mother, the witch.
Good food, good times. My kind of weekend.

And the video below, no that is not Juan! Ha ha.

Happy Halloween!

Please Advise

Do y'all put all your pictures on an internet site such as photobucket, flickr, picasso, (ps I'm not even sure if all of these offer what I'm talking about)?

I back up all my pictures on my usb drive, and now it has filled up. Juan suggested I dump them all into one of these free sites. Which site is best? I prefer a site that offers cheap prints as well.

Good Ole Fashion Halloween Festivities

I'm so proud of both Juan and my first pumpkin carving. She looks like a muppet! I drew, he did the carving, I get so happy when I see her.

Mario and Luigi! We put these costumes together and I LOVE how they turned out. Juan is hilarious with his mustache.

We had a double party night on Friday. Our ward party followed by my work party. We had such a good time at both and it was so great to dress up for the first time really since we've been married. No promises for the future.

Also I get a million questions if I've bought any clothes yet for our little girl. I FINALLY went out on Friday (3 days after finding out, too long!) and got a few outfits from the Targ.

I love these little owl pants.

I was meant to have this dear dress that I found online before I made this post. The only problem is it's 18 months! Patience.

WRONG number

So I have a wrong number friend. Her number is stored in my phone as 'WRONG number' and she calls at least once a week. In the beginning I tried to get her to stop calling me, as I am not her son-in-law Brock. She said, "no I can't delete your number in my phone because I already entered his correct number and what if I accidentally delete his real one?" She called again. I asked her to please get with someone who can help her delete my number and keep Brock's real one.

That was months ago. No more working with her, I just let it go to voicemail and she gets the picture that I'm not Brock.

And then calls back again a few days later.

Today Juan decided to mess with her. He answered in a creepy low voice, "yes this is Brock". He kept saying Who is this? and then she asked him, what are you? "A human" Juan answered. The point was to scare the lady away from calling my number. Instead we further confused her. She called back again, "What is wrong with you Brock?" And Juan said, "Nothing, don't call again."

Poor woman thinks her son-in-law hates her. Maybe she'll call back again, get my normal voicemail, and realize what happened. Or maybe not, I'm pretty sure that woman is always in a state of confusion.

My mouth hurts from smiling so much...

We are having a girl!

I am ecstatic.

Juan is in shock.

His words: "Now I for sure need to make a lot of money"

I've taught him well about that. Ha ha.

Reunited with an Old Flame

About a year ago, Juan and I had our hearts broken.

And we vowed never to step foot in that place again.

But this weekend, we braved the scene and re-entered what we used to call 'our place'.

Joe Vera's Mexican Fiestarante.

Picture not from Joe Vera's, I just liked the colors.

I'm a lover of all food, but my heart belongs to mexican food. Juan and I spent many a lunch dates and weekend nights at Joe Vera's here in Provo. Never any wait, scrumptious salsa, decadent guac, we loved, oh how we loved. Then Joe Vera's betrayed us, and food-poisoned us both, twice.

Are we crazy for returning? Maybe so. But I longed for the old memories, to reminisce about the times we had there. For the hostess to say, "we haven't seen you in a while".

And...

It was worth it. And we came out unscathed.

Please Provo locals, leave in the comments yummy mexican sit-down restaurants. And keep in mind, fresh guacamole is my #1 priority here.

10 days

I sit here at my work desk glorying in the baby kicking me. Baby likes music, first time I for sure knew it was the baby's kick, I was listening to Tim McGraw. Good taste our baby has.

In 10 days I will be able to call the baby he or she. I will be getting my ultrasound at exactly 20 weeks. I have been very impressed with my patience. October 19, a beautiful sounding day really.

As for more details, the baby is due March 8, 2010. In my cheesiness, I say that I hope baby comes on March 4th, as it is the only date that is a sentence. As people look at me confused I say with gusto and a pumping fist, March fourth!

How could the holidays be better with my growing belly? Our 4 year anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's, my birthday, and then the baby arrives! I tell Juan often he's got a lot of gifts to line up for me. I am high maint when it comes to receiving gifts from my kindly cooperative husband. Not so high maint on what the gift is, just that I get a wrapped gift.

As for whether we want a boy or a girl. I want a girl, Juan wants a little Juan (not that we'd name him that, yes I'm not a fan of the name Juan, just the person). My main and only reason for preferring a girl? The cute clothes. I will gladly give up that shallow preference if baby is a boy. Please vote on what you think we're having!

I gave Juan a haircut

First, we had a great weekend that started off with my fabulous idea of going up into the mountains for a picnic on Friday night. Does the sun hit into mountain canyons in the fall evening? No. Was our Cafe Rio ice cold after 5 minutes of eating? Yes. But was it beautiful and worth it?

Of course!

Crystal and Judson joined us and it was a fun time. Crystal and I chatted while Juan ran around with Judson.

Then I took my first try at my hair cutting skills. Juan trusted me, although he is very particular. After I cut the top WAY too short, and basically gave him a crew cut, I cried. And then by the end he made me feel a little better about it and so I was happy again. The adventures of a pregnant woman going through up and down emotions. So much fun!

Before

After (creepy blank stare and all)

I told him I wouldn't post the finished product since he's not comfortable with it. But guess what, it's my work too and I am proud of my first go at it.

Finally the camera comes back out

I went through this phase where I was too lazy to reach into my giant purse and pull out my camera that is always in there waiting to be used.

But alas, the camera has made its appearance again, so that I can share lovely pictures of our weekend festivities, rather than just boring words.

Last weekend we took my nephew Judson to the State Fair. I always went to the State Fair growing up with my former farmer dad and he had all these animal facts he shared with us. I always want to go to the State Fair every year for nostalgia. So Juan and I decided to go, and we brought Judson along because life is always more exciting with a kid in tow!

Judson's nervous face anytime we moved him closer to an animal.

A baby calf! And Judson not smiling for the camera, he's usually a happy boy!

Juan and I with a cow in the background.

This weekend, our friends Julaine, Jason, and baby Addison were in town. Julaine and I went to Women's Conference and then we ate at The Pie afterwards. I love the downtown location of The Pie, it made me feel young and super hip. Although saying 'super hip' has aged me back to my 24 year old self.

Group picture.

Juan representing the Red Iguana, our favorite downtown place.

Jason can never keep his eyes open in pictures. And I love this one because he looks like he has a ponytail. And Addison, so cute!

So we do manage to have fun amidst my pregnancy tiredness and Juan's study marathons. PS everyone wish Juan good luck, it's test week for him this week!

In Honor of Season 5 HIMYM Premiere

Tonight at 7, How I Met Your Mother folks. Obviously I am obsessed with the show, and really it holds a special place in my heart. It was my companion and friend during my lonely summer. Many evenings I went home after work, ate dinner, then laid in bed and watched seasons 1-3 on dvd of HIMYM until Juan called me from Denver for our nightly chat. So dear friend, a tribute to you, my favorite episode ever 'Slapsgiving' from season 3:



A recent lonely saturday morning, I played this clip over and over and memorized all words. Now Juan and I sing this song often, changing words here and there. It is our new 'moted' (this was a word from my childhood that Juan had never heard of and found funny, so he brought it back, it means the same as 'burn'). Did anyone else use moted? Anyway moted is gone, and You Just Got Slapped is in. My favorite line: "everybody saw it, everybody laaaaa-ughed and clapped, it was awesome, you just got slapped." We love to make fun of each other. And we love this show.

Next step, to learn it on the piano. Any music geniuses out there willing to write up the music for me?

A Letter

Dear Target,

How I miss you! My weekly visits have turned virtually non-existent. Your smell no longer welcomes my joyous shopping addiction. The vibrant colors are no longer warm open arms inviting me to come back soon. For months I have rested in this horrific place, a place I call shopping limbo. Da don doooooooooon.

This purse made my life complete for now. And now, there are too many things holding me back.

You see, there is money to save.

And there is no use in shopping for clothes, as my body will be inevitably changing in the coming months.

But do not fret for long, we will be reunited in just a few short weeks as I will finally have enough information to choose between these two beauties:

I think our little boy or little girl would look fabulous in one of these numbers come March, what do you think?

Why Juan thinks I'm crazy

Yesterday Juan and I took a grocery shopping trip to Macey's. I drove since I swung by and picked him up on my way home from work. Juan rarely sees me drive.

I am a cautious/nervous driver. I get into a lane as soon as possible, no last minute sneaking in for me. Well I was all the way in the right lane and it's a particularly busy part of Provo where people turn right and the lane is often backed up. There are people, including Juan, who skip the long line and sneak in right before they need to turn right. Well as I was driving there was a driver who was obviously trying to sneak in, and I didn't want to let him. I sped up, then would slam on my breaks and speed up again. Juan and I were talking this whole time and he stops and says, why are you driving like a mad woman? And I say, Because I'm punishing that guy for not getting over into his lane until the last second.

Does that make me crazy? Probably.

Then we were at Macey's and Juan got the bottled water that has a blue tint on it. I kind of made a face and he said, what? "Well I think they tint the bottle blue to hide the blue cleaning liquid they pour into it so that they can claim it's pure water."

If you've seen the hilarious How I Met Your Mother episode where they all have moments of realization about each other's annoying habits and they signify it by the sound of a window breaking. Lily chews her food too loud, Marshall sings everything he's doing at that moment, Robin says "literally" even when it doesn't apply. Love it.

Well Juan heard a window break yesterday. And his realization is that he's married to a crazy.

Leaving a note

This last week Juan and I got the dreaded note on our car. "I hit your car". He left his name and number. Luckily for him and us, our 1993 Camry has its share of scratches and scuffs, and his scuffs just added to its charm. But thank you for the note kind boy.

My sister-in-law received an awesome note left on her car at the mall yesterday. "You parked too close to us. SELFISH!" That is just the best. I would love to get that note. I am not the best parker so I'm pretty sure I've verbally received that note several times. But for memories sake, I'd love for someone to write me a nasty note about my driving/parking.

There have been several times I've wanted to leave a note. Like when a certain car parked diagonal across 2 parking spots last winter in our limited underground parking. Or when people cut me off just to slam on their brakes and drive slow in front of me.

Has anyone been brave enough to leave a note? Please share!

Back and Forth all day

Juan has begun school and is a busy boy. We text back and forth all day and send each other crazy pictures in response to some texts. He hasn't had a stress attack yet, but yesterday, which was his first real day of school, he did homework from 11 to 5, went and helped Pricewaterhouse Coopers (the company with which he interned) with some recruiting event for 4 hours, and then came home and was up until 2 am doing homework. Nothing gets busier than that. I am proud of him though. They really try to intimidate the accounting students and prep them for how hard it's going to be, and Juan hasn't been spooked yet, he just trucks along.

As for me, work has been busier, but still slow. I love the flexibility of my job and always find ways to keep busy.

On Sunday the Bishop taught combined 3rd hour meeting. He posed the question, how do you help your spouse when he/she is stressed out. Everyone raised their hand and said, I make him cookies, or I cook her dinner and bring it to her on campus. Then Juan raises his hand, "My wife doesn't stress too much, but when she does it's because of me, so I leave her alone." Everyone laughed. And at first I thought, oh good, they all think I hate my husband. But then my Bishop's wife leaned over and said, they all laughed because they feel the same way! Juan doesn't necessarily stress me out, I just like to have my share of time alone and I'm not afraid to tell him that. Which after our summer, I had plenty of time alone, and with this upcoming school year of Juan's looks like I'll have even more time alone.

I guess that saying is true, be careful what you wish for.

Rained Out

The other night Juan and I ventured over to Rock Canyon Park to catch a movie in the park. Yes the sky was covered in clouds, but what's the worst that could happen, we get all the way over there just to have to come back home movie-less? Well yes, the worst happened. But it was fun!

Here was our awesome view, so pretty. Pictures were taken with my phone, sorry.

As it started to rain, we scandalously (in front of all the Provo daters, not marrieds) snuggled under the blanket to try to weather the storm. No luck, the announcement came, The Shaggy Dog would not be shown due to the rain.

Musicals We So Love

This weekend we went to Sandy Amphitheater and saw Seussical the Musical. It was so much fun!!! It is a beautiful outside theater with normal stadium seats below (more pricey) and a big grassy area behind where we can set up our own chairs. I would love to go see every play they put on at this venue, I will definitely be watching their website.

This is a picture of us looking warm and cozy, but when the sun went down it got extremely cold, like 48 degrees I swear! But the musical was so cute and fun to watch, we didn't mind.

Back: Cami, Juan, Sami, Heather

Front: Adrian, Hailey, Ginger, Griff

A few weeks ago we went and saw Joseph with my parents. To Juan's lament, he missed out on this one, but we sure loved it!

Afterwards Heather and I went a little crazy in the park outside the rec center. Here we are having an hilarious time on the teeter totter! I just love these pictures.