Temple Trip

Doug and I got to go to the Temple this weekend for the first time in a long time. The last time we were here was the day we found out we are pregnant :) We missed our old Temple-going comrades Ann, Ryan and Isaac. But somehow we managed to still have a good time. The Temple was so beautiful coming around the curve of the beltway. It always feels like coming home.

16.5 Weeks

As per Leah's request: a picture of my pregnant belly. Ok, ok it might be a little doctored but the truth is I'm ashamed of how long I'm taking to sprout a respectable tumtum.

Valentines Day

Fortunately my "morning" sickness let up just in time for Valentines Day which meant that Doug and I actually got to do something fun together for the first time in awhile. Our friends Glen and Katie invited us to go with them to the Barnes Foundation in the afternoon. It was the first time either Doug or I have gone and it was really cool. The thing I found interesting and I didn't expect was the fact that all the paintings were displayed side by side with a menagerie of ancient metal hardware from doors and a multitude of antique furniture (which I think was Doug's favorite part). The hardware was hung on the wall artistically, it was kind of bizarre but cool at the same time. After that trip I had to rest in bed for awhile since my energy level is so much lower than it used to be. In the evening Doug and I went to a dinner dance at the church. Doug surprised me with wanting to go because neither of us are into dancing. But I have to say we had a really good time, and the food was great (it's so exciting that I can enjoy food again!). We sat out all the fast dances but we got to slow dance together quite a few times which was really nice since we don't usually get to do that. It was a wonderful day, mostly because I got to spend some quality time with my sweetie.

False Alarm

This weekend we had quite a scare. On Saturday morning Doug took me to the hospital because some things were happening that made us think we might lose the baby. Mom met us at the hospital and kept us great company and helped us to think of happier things than all the horrible things that might go wrong. Fortunately an ultrasound showed that the baby was perfectly healthy and kicking around to it's hearts delight. It was the first time Doug got to see the baby so it was very special. It's such a cute little thing! We feel very fortunate that the baby is healthy and that there are no serious problems. After visiting with the midwife yesterday she determined that I have a polyp that will probably need to be removed but is no threat to the pregnancy. We are so grateful to have this baby in our lives and also that Mom was so ready to come and support us when we were feeling so worried. We are very blessed. Doug was especially happy to see the ultrasound because he thinks the baby has his nose :)

Oh Christmas Tree

This year we bought our Christmas tree less than a week before Christmas, which is kind of a departure from the norm for me. I was anxious to get the holiday mood started so I finally got Doug to go with me to pick one out. The first tree we saw when we got to the lot was the quintessential Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It was about three feet tall with four or five branches on it. I really wish I'd gotten a picture of it, it was awesome. Of course, the minute Doug saw it he wanted to buy it for our living room. I convinced him to buy another one, which I kind of regret because that was the only tree he got excited about. Next year Doug!

Doug helping decorate the house. Isn't he cute?! And there's our tree in the corner.

The finished product.

We didn't get hardly any pictures on Christmas but Doug managed to get one of me opening my presents. We had such a wonderful holiday together. And we both had off of work which was really nice. We hope you all had a great Christmas as well!

The Gingerbread House to End All Gingerbread Houses

The week before Christmas we had a gingerbread house making party at my place. Mom, Lizzie, Johnny, Abby, Bekah, Shana, and Mike all came over to take part in the masterpiece.


Lizzie inspecting the gingerbread before the great work is constructed

Abby securing the walls

The yard is underway. That Christmas tree in the front was Lizzie's work of art.

The finished product...kind of. We never could get the roof to stay on so here Mike and Doug are holding it in place to get a picture of the finished effect.

A view from the top. Whew! I never knew making gingerbread houses could be so tiring! I was exhausted by the end but we had a lot of fun.

Thanksgiving

We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's house this year. I had to work but Doug had off so he went over to their house for breakfast. He came home and did some homework until I got home and then we went back over for dinner. Dad, Abe, John, Bekah and I took a walk before dinner which was perfect since we worked up an appetite. It was a really beautiful day out too. Mommy made a delicious dinner after which we watched the traditional "White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th Street". It was a smaller gathering than usual (a mere 9 people) but it was nice to have such a low key holiday.

Also his past week I found out that I was accepted to La Salle University so that was pretty exciting. Now I just have to figure out where I want to go, and fast. I'll let you know how that turns out.