Birtha does Lake Powell, and other such nonsense

We went down to Lake Powell for the few days prior to and including Conference Weekend. And it was probably the most perfect trip of all time. The weather was incredible!
It was not too hot, not too cold, and it never got windy like it usually does down there. The water stayed glass the entire time - which translated to very comfortable, non-bumpy boat rides for little ole me and the Fetus, whom we affectionately call Birtha {for now}.


I've been repeatedly pestered to post belly shots. I truly love to see belly shots of other people. Turns out, I like them much less when they're of my lovely largeness. But, your wish is my command. Above and below, Birtha at 30 weeks, enjoying a little boat ride.


We found the coolest canyon with this "fire dancing" on the canyon walls the entire time. It was one of the coolest canyons I've ever seen in all my days of exploring Powell. At the back of the little canyon, another boater informed us that if you hike up a little, there is a waterfall. So off we went, over the river and through the woods to find this mystical waterfall.
We had to overcome many obstacles - including climbing this creatively rigged ladder made of old ski ropes and driftwood.

The men tested it out before I attempted it.

Tell you what, Birtha loves an adventure. Best part of the adventure is a tie* between finding a little frog hopping around the wet sand, and watching Nate try to scale a slimy moss-covered wall. He failed miserably and ended up leaving a sliding butt trail down the steep mossy slope and doing a back-flop into the freezing pool of water below. The adventure ended when we realized that the little drizzle next to the scary ladder actually WAS the waterfall. It was breathtaking, I assure you.

*Not a tie at all. Not even close. Sorry little frog, you can't compete.

And in other news needing updates:

The nursery is coming together!

Rhett, my manly man, set up the crib like a pro.

He's so stinkin cute I can't even stand it.

We had a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Venessa last week. I'll let you guess just by looking at our bellies who is further along. And if you guessed me, well you'd be wrong. She's a whole month ahead of me. It is beyond me how she's got a nearly full-term baby inside there. Where does she put it? It was at this exact moment that I realized the honest truth of my hugeness. But aside from that, so SO excited that we are having kids just a month apart! And they are both little girls, so I can't wait for them to have a cousin their age to be buddies with! I know my cousins were my absolute best friends growing up. I would love to see that happen with our kids.


And one last belly shot to bid you farewell - 31.5 weeks and counting!

food for thought

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

"pregnant women do the weirdest things."

This morning I was enjoying my breakfast of champions at my desk. My boss came into my office to hand me a file, looked at my plate of deliciousness, and said,

"That looks disgusting. Pregnant women do the weirdest things."

I was eating a peice of toast with peanut butter and jam on it.

not ready not ready not ready

So I had a little panic attack this week when I went into a store to buy pillows, but instead I was bombarded by Halloween decorations. Suddenly, it occured to me that school starts this Monday, and as soon as kids go back to school, Halloween comes in the blink of an eye. Then the moment Halloween hits, suddenly it's Christmas, giving no thought to the fact that Thanksgiving has all but vanished into thin air.

I have a bun in the oven scheduled to make her appearance on December 9th... and I'm not ready! The time flies by so fast. I can't handle it. The room that will be Baby Birtha's nursery (Birtha is just what we call the fetus, not the child) is still currently filled with boxes that I need to go through and unpack. I have not purchased any baby essentials like cribs or carseats, instead I buy darling little baby clothes that don't really count on the be-prepared scale. Dang, I've got to get serious and get my act together! I think I will feel better once I have the essentials covered.

I'm open to any suggestions as to what in the world is considered essential. Seriously -- little help?

You probably could have told me so.

Frankly, you probably should have told me so. But here's the thing: It's my first time. I don't know any better. When the doctor tells me at ELEVEN weeks that he's absolutely sure (aka 80%) it's a boy, why would I question that?

But I know all of you questioned it. Every single one of you with any children or any experience in the whole baby-makin' business probably rolled your eyes when I announced the proud gender of my baby at 11 weeks. But you were all way too nice to say anything. Didn't want to steal my thunder, rain on my parade, whatever. So you smiled and gave your congratulations and well-wishes. But inside I know you wanted to pull me aside and tell me it's really too early to tell, sweetie, so... better not count on it. And then naturally, I would have thought you were some bitter bean who clearly had to wait much longer to find out. ;) So really, I shouldn't be surprised that here we are at 16 weeks with a fetus that has amazingly morphed genders.

That's right kids. As of yesterday, it's now a girl! And the doc's just as sure this time as he was the last time. So I don't know what to make of all of it. Literally the night before the ultrasound, I was deciding on paint colors for the nursery with my mom and sister. Good thing we didn't paint! I guess for now, I think we'll just wait for another ultrasound or two to confirm or deny before I go out and buy anything.

I'm way excited to have a girl! Just like I was so excited to have a boy! Truthfully, I'm just hoping to have a healthy human. That would be great. And Rhett was so excited when I told him we might be having a girl now. I was worried he might be disappointed since he's been planning on a boy for last 5 weeks. But he was such a champ! He got all thoughtful and asked if I thought she'd look like me or look like him. But he decided it didn't matter, because either way she'll be beautiful. How sweet is that?

first-timer alert

I felt the baby move for the first time last night! It was the craziest feeling! And it was completely random and unexpected. I was standing in the kitchen of our new house while Rhett was making some toast late last night. I had put a cold cube of butter in the microwave to soften it. I set the timer for who knows what -just pushed an auto-button to get it going, thinking I would take it out after a few seconds. Then, suddenly I felt the weirdest feeling on the right side of my little growing bump, and I pressed on it lightly to see if I could feel it again - and I could! I made Rhett put his hand on my belly to see if he could feel it too. Whether he really did or not, he swears he could feel something. It was so exciting! Such a little bonding moment.
Don't worry, completely boiled the butter.

one more announcement - we're moving!

We closed on a house last week! It finally funded yesterday, and we've got the green light to move in! I imagine we'll start taking the first load of boxes tonight. Can't wait. As delightful as the parents' basement has been, I think I'm ready for my own space!

It's in the beautiful Mountain Green. The views from my back porch are so pretty. And for those of you who think driving to Mountain Green is basically the equivalent of driving to Wyoming, it's only 12 measly miles from my parents house in East Layton. So we can't wait to have you over!

Pictures to come!