Presenting my current pride and joy:

My quilt. Yes I did a photo shoot with the quilt. Please enjoy.




I started this project back in September thinking I had plenty of time. Well the past few weeks I was almost in a panic about finishing this quilt for my baby girl. Thank you to my dear friend Manda for all the help and her endurance of some panicked texts every now and then.

Things I learned about myself throughout this journey.

1. I am no perfectionist
2. I embrace the flaws of my first quilt
3. I am ready for my baby to come spit up all over this thing

Living it up

Juan and I have been enjoying our time with just the 2 of us. We have our dates out. Monday we even saw Avatar in IMAX 3D with Heather & Tyler. I loved the movie and got through the 3 hours without getting too uncomfortable and without a bathroom break! Tyler joked that we should all put on adult diapers so we wouldn't have to leave in the middle of the movie. Not even needed.

(Side note: I am noticing my pregnancy face in these pictures. You know, it's like all people look the same right when they get their braces off. Well all people look similar when they are getting late in pregnancy. Agreed?)
We also attended a 6 hour prenatal seminar this weekend. I volunteered to introduce us first and just spoke for me and Juan. Well as the teacher went around the room, she asked questions of both the wife and the husband. She skipped Juan. He leaned over to me and said, I don't think she thinks I speak English. So he went until hour 5 without even asking a question! But when he did ask about us leaving this summer for an internship (and how to shift dr appts) she asked, are you leaving the country? Really? Just because he's hispanic? Bless her heart, she was innocent. As for me, I asked a gallon of questions and probably drove everyone else nuts. We both ended up enjoying the class and learning a lot. It didn't seem like 6 hours.

Farr's Fresh Ice Cream

Juan and I went out on a mini date Saturday night and we stopped by Farr's Fresh Ice Cream after dinner. It just opened over by the new University Mall movie theater. Also by 5 Guys and Iggy's. I walked into the place pretty full, but let me tell you, that didn't stop me!

It's so cool. It's all self-serve. There are cups, then soft serve machines of custard, ice cream, and frozen yogurt.

Cake batter, banana, berry, mint, cookies and cream.

THEN you go over to the topping bar with candy bars, cheesecake bites (so good), fresh fruit, nuts, hot fudge and hot caramel.

And this is where they get you... you pay by weight. After seeing all the options my first time, you can bet my cup was filled to the brim! So Juan and I both got hefty portions and our total came to $9. Next time I may be able to limit myself a little more and keep my treat in the $2-$3 range. All I can say is it was worth it. I kind of want to go again tonight!

A not-so-flattering picture of me and the ice cream. My toppings are fruit, cheesecake bites, and heath bar. Soooo good.

And here I am at 32 weeks. I had a check up today and all is well. We're getting down to the end here!

Christmas Adventures

First off, my favorite gift I received this year was from Juan. A matted and framed print of "A Light Unto the Gentiles" by Greg Olsen. I noticed it for the first time in the Provo temple a few years ago and have been in love with it ever since:Juan is a GREAT gift giver. His gifts are always so thoughtful and sentimental. He got me custom-made m&m's that had pictures of us on each m&m and personalized messages. Can you eat something like that? I think not. Do m&m's mold or go rotten?

As for my gift-giving skills, I'm hit and miss. Some years I go all out and make memory books or something else really heartfelt. Suffice it to say, this year was a miss. Father's Day. I will make it up to him on Father's Day.

We spent all Christmas vacation with family and missed seeing Juan's family. Up at East Canyon, my family vacation spot, we had a blast playing games and sledding. Here are some awesome sledding shots:

Juan, Sadie, Josh. Sam was all the way in back, but was kicked off when they went over a bump!

Marshmallow-packed Judson.

Juan and Judson.

Rachelle, Benjamin, Heather, mom, me, dad. I sat out of sledding this year for obvious reasons.

Rachelle and Benjamin.

Griffin. He audibly cracks up the whole way down. So fun to watch.

Juan and Caleb.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I sure did but am also happy to be back to a schedule. I guess I live for routine- waking up at the same time every day, sleeping in the same bed, showering in my own shower. Who ever knew I'd be happy to be back at work every day and Juan back in school.

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.