ciao bella...: 2008

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Oh, Christmas Tree

So we went to Ticonderoga Farms yesterday with the Stevensons and my mom to pick out Christmas trees! It was my first time actually going to cut one down. Though I couldn't really do any of the cutting. Here's Tony giving it to the tree...

Here is the preggo woman tromping around trying to pick out 'the perfect tree'. Which we found in another lot, AFTER we had ours already! And then again later that night when we went by Whole Foods. Oh well- at least ours has character. And now we can think of all the fond memories. Ah.

In the parking lot, loading up Roxie. It is strange to think that this will be us soon enough. Hopefully. Oh, and this is me being 'really cool'.

And my favorite conversation of the day was happening when this picture was taken. Sara- "Isn't this just the cutest outfit? Guess who got it for her?" Me- "Ummm...I really don't know. Who?" Sara- "YOU, (followed by something kind like 'silly' when I'm sure she really wanted to say something more along the lines of 'moron')!!" Sorry Sara! I have seen so many baby things lately I can't keep anything straight anymore. Maybe one day my mind will go back to normal. Let us all hope so, anyway!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Night before the Due Date 'Eve

I cannot believe that the time is almost here! I just cannot believe I've been pregnant 2 days shy of 40 weeks. Wow. (OK, 38 weeks by the way they measure it, but still. The due date is near!) I am meeting with the doctor again tomorrow to *hopefully* hear the great news that the baby has finally dropped, that I'm super dilated, and it will be any moment now that baby Roane will be appearing! However, as of last Wednesday, there had been no change other than slight effacement. Maybe the Evening Primrose Oil and Raspberry Herbal Tea will have moved the little guy around some. Again, I was late, Tony was late- I'm sure that this little guy just doesn't want to come out into the cold or something. Hopefully he won't wait until spring! We've finally got everything set up, for the most part. All of the baby stuff is carefully stored in drawers, washed, crib is set, carseat ready to go. We just need to pack our emergency bags and we'll be good to go. If not, there's always a Target or Walmart nearby, right?! Any suggestions on hospital essentials from anyone who happens to read this blog would be GREATLY appreciated!! OR any helpful advice for those first few days once baby comes (or, at this rate, the last few days- how to stay sane!). Until then!!

Turkey Day!

We had a pretty fabulous Thanksgiving this year, even though we were held within the confines of Fairfax County by order of the Doctor. Until this baby comes, we are stuck, stuck, stuck! But we did get to spend it with some great friends, as hosted by the Johnsons from our Ward. The food was super great- and we didn't have to do much at all! I tried a new recipe I found for a layered pumpkin cheesecake pie. Pumpkin is Tony's holiday favorite, but I thought this would make it a little tastier for those of us who aren't totally crazy about it. There was a thin layer of chocolate in between which made it FABulous! The other pies were awesome, too. Turkey was cooked perfectly, great stuffing, tons of rolls (which we are STILL eating- yum!), cheeseball, lots of goodies. I think it was the first Thanksgiving that I've been to where you could actually go back for seconds on mashed potatoes! Woo hoo!

Afterward, Rachel was sitting with Wally playing a little game where she'd 'blow out' the candle and he'd keep on relighting it. Kiddos are so cute in the things that they find entertaining! I love it!

We rocked on after the dinner with a little Guitar Hero. I'm excited to have a break from work soon so we can all go over to Amy's when the husbands and kids are gone during the day to practice up some more. I'm sure there are more appealing things to the eye than a whale-sized pregnant woman trying to maneuver a fake guitar. Oh well.

And then there was Roxie! As you can see, I probably still need a little practice with keeping babies a little more under control. More content. Goodness knows I'll have enough time to do that coming up.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

It's About Time...

So while I'm still working on this baby (though it seems that I may be stuck in this form indefinitely, at the present moment) I thought it would be appropriate to make a post about some of the things I'm MOST excited for when I'm NOT pregnant anymore! Woo hoo! Some of the things I miss most...

Normal Clothes. I mean, it's not bad enough to have to go BUY 'fat clothes', but then to start to have even those not fit, also?! Come on!

Running. Exercise. Being able to stand up normally without having to support yourself so you don't throw out your back for some reason you're not really sure about. I can't WAIT to get back out and have some endorphins flowing again.High Heel Shoes. OK, really, any kind of shoes other than flip flops and over-sized slides. But especially heels. Naturally, NOT being able to wear them has ruled out about 75% of my shoe wardrobe. They miss me, too, I bet...
Sleep. OK, so I realize I probably won't be sleeping much when the baby comes, either. At all. But the ABILITY to sleep how I want? Priceless. This whole "you have to sleep on this side or that side" is really doing a number on my shoulders. I just want to sleep on my stomach or back or however I want! And those midway-thru-the-night shifts from side to side are just killer.

How about not having to take a TUMS every couple of hours? I'll LOVE when that goes away. I am holding Sara personally accountable for this if it does not disappear, oh, immediately, since she claims that it's instantaneous!

I'm also looking forward to not having to weigh-in to a 'higher power' all the time. If I wanted public humiliation like that I would join Weight Watchers, where you pay someone to keep track of the scale.

OK OK enough whining from me... I know there are a million other things I'm looking forward to, and most of them have to do with the baby being here! But, I couldn't just let this moment go without mentioning a few gripes...you know me...

Friday, November 14, 2008

Not This Week

So I had my doctor appointment yesterday, but doc said I probably won't go this week, at least. Which is TOTALLY FINE because I am completely inundated with baby stuff crowding our apartment, I just need to get everything organized! Not quite sure how that's going to happen or where everything is going to go, yet, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Exciting news, though, I've passed that magic point in the pregnancy where if I go into labor from here on out they will just let me go and not stop it. Exciting and yet very scary, at the same time... So this picture isn't really related to anything in this post, but Tony is starting to take what I think are some really neat shots and I want to show all the UT fam the little 'leaf problem' we have out here this time of year! PS- just bought the TWILIGHT soundtrack, love it!

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Baking Curse

So it's not that I'm NORMALLY the best baker in the world or anything, but it seems like recently I just can't get a break. I don't know if I'm nesting or what but I've been wanting to bake a lot recently (I'm better at cooking... I can throw anything together off the top of my head and somehow it usually turns out. Baking, usually I can do at least the basics...ahhh). But it seems that something always goes a little wrong these days.

Here's where it all started, pictured above. I decided to try to be a nice wife and bake Tony some snickerdoodles last Sunday. The dough was a little sugary, but tasted good, so I wasn't too suspicious. Well, when the little nuggets came out of the oven, they were uber-flat and really crispy. SO MUCH SO that you could barely scrape them off the tray and if you could, they would just fall apart. Some time later that evening, I suddenly realized that I had only put in about half of the flour that the recipe called for. No reason, I just got distracted. What a waste!

Number two. I was trying to make these mint brownies that taste like the BYU brownies from a recipe I just got from a friend at church. I thought I understood everything but when I went to spread the batter in the jelly roll pan it was barely enough to cover the bottom. I thought, well, I followed it to a T so they must just rise a lot or something (mistake!). Um, yeah. Turns out, as I found out the next day from my friend, that I was supposed to double the recipe. Yeah, the recipe said to double it, but my pregnancy mind (that's what I'm deciding to blame it on) thought it meant that it was already a double recipe (hence why I was so confused that it didn't spread out so well). I was supposed to take the brownies to an Enrichment activity the next night, but deemed them an embarrassment. They were just this super thin sheet of what looked like chocolate crackers/ginger snaps or something. Turns out Tony decided to cut them up and serve them at guys' night while we gals were at RS. Sorry, Matt and Brandon, if you read this- those were NOT intended to leave our apartment!!

Number three. I made an apple pie last night because my friend from work had recommended using this one type of apple she had found at Wegmans, a somewhat specialty grocery store in town. I don't know if I waited too long to use the apples, or if I just really like the way granny smith apples turn out in pie, but this filling ended up just kind of mushy, watery, and a little tasteless.

Number four. Tonight I made chili for dinner because it's sooo cold out, it's cheap, I haven't been grocery shopping yet for the week and we always have everything for chili, and it can last another meal or two during the week. So I found this cornbread mix in the pantry that my mom had gotten for us from a while ago, and decided oh what the heck I'll throw it in the oven to go with the chili. I swear I followed the directions and all I got was a cornbread version of my mint brownies.

Note that these are all pathetic baking attempts made within 8 days of each other. This is either an omen that I will be a terrible mom and baker or that I'm just not thinking clearly and am totally preoccupied with who knows what these days... Hopefully it's the latter...

Monday, November 3, 2008

Party Time

The littlest Halloween-er we ran into this year! We went over to Sara and Brandon's for a little Halloween get-together: Navajo Tacos, gourmet candy apples, donut-eating contest- So fun!! I can't wait until we have a little one to dress up however we want! Ha ha. Tony hadn't busted out the camera in time to get little Rachel, but once I get a picture I'll make sure to post it- you'll see why soon!

For some reason, the girls took a little while longer to finish off the donuts than the guys. We were a little too giggly or something. Yeah, and that donut that isn't even half-eaten? Mine. Pathetic. I mostly love this picture below of Sara!!

The guys priming for the race...

So Tony was supposed to be a lacrosse or football player, but that didn't quite work out. Since Sara said we weren't allowed to come to her party unless if we came dressed up, this last minute run to Walmart had to suffice. We lucked out for two reasons, though: 1. turns out Tony 'always wanted to be Darth Vader' and just never got the chance when he was growing up AND, more importantly, 2. The biggest costume I could find, size 10/12 in BOYS husky, somehow miraculously almost fit Tony comfortably. At least well enough to make it through the evening...

And as for me? Well, when you're the size of a whale you are somewhat limited in what you can dress up as. This is my poor attempt at being funny: Knocked Up Cheerleader (hence why Tony was supposed to be some sort of sports figure...oh well!) I thought it was kind of witty, but when Tony told his mom she thought it was kind of vulgar. Oops.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

I Looked Out the Window...

I LOVE the Fall! It is definitely my favorite season of the year. And winter, too. Ok- so I kind of have two favorites. Until you're tired of winter and being so cold all the time and the snow melts and you're just miserable and then you want it to get warm again. But still, I think Autumn is my absolute favorite- the crisp air, colorful foliage, football, (my birthday...) the list goes on and on! These trees are right outside our apartment. So pretty!!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sunday Drive

So one of Tony's favorite things to do on Sunday is go on drives to look at the 'country'. Of course, since we live in one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the nation, it is hard to find spots at times. We got out a little too late (the sun had set already) to check out the trees, but Tony found this 'picture op' he couldn't pass up. So here ya go, about 35 weeks.

PS- I like to tell myself that I don't look 'that pregnant' from the back. I wish I could see myself from the back every time I look in the mirror- it would definitely make the pregnancy seem more tolerable! At least one thing would seem somewhat the same, anyway... At the same time, five weeks is NOT a very long time!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Ouch!!

So you know how I mentioned something about swollen feet?! This is probably the worst I have ever seen any part of my body look. EVER!!! We went to Arlington Cemetery yesterday and walked around quite a bit... Near the end of a game of Settlers late last night, my foot starting hurting really badly, like something was cutting off the circulation in my toes. I looked down and, Voila! Elephant foot.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Preggo Pic 10/16

So here's what I look like as of today! Under seven weeks to go!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Older again?!

So for my birthday, Tony invited some of our bestest friends over for a dinner party last Friday. He made my favorite meal that he does- Enchiladas with roasted tomato and jalapeno sauce. Yum!! It was really sweet of him to put everything together- he just got ahead of himself and didn't have enough time in the week to get it all done! So here's Michelle and Sara finishing up my cake (which we will talk about later)...

Like the lovely Christmas-y tablecloth? So when my parents gave us their old dining set, I reupholstered the chairs and attempted to paint all of the wood black. Aside from it not being a true 'black' color, I totally forgot to paint any of the leaves for the table. Hence, anytime dinner company comes it's time to bust out a tablecloth big enough to cover my "oops"!!

Tony had flowers sent to me (for the FIRST time!!) at work on Thursday for my birthday. So cute! Thursdays are his day that he is gone literally ALL day because of work and his class, so he did cute things throughout the day to make sure I still had a super birthday! He made me breakfast and called me throughout the day, too. He's such a wonderful husband; I'm so lucky that he chooses to put up with me (and even pretends to like me sometimes, too! ha ha). I know this whole 'pregnancy' thing has been pretty hard on him, too, especially since he's not necessarily physically experiencing the changes- just my apparent moodiness and aches and pains- but he's really making it a pretty amazing experience.

Humorous? Yes.

(I recall a few conversations: Tony, as we're setting up a baby registry: "So, we don't really need a stroller, do we?" or "Why exactly do we even need a diaper bag?" or, most recently, "So you just buy the cheapest diapers, right? You throw them away anyway, right?" Ohhh honey...)

Memorable? Always.

SOOooo back to the birthday cake. I definitely had another one of those "Oh. I guess this is different when you're pregnant" moments. Michelle and Sara wanted to use all of the candles because there were 24 in the pack and I was turning 24. Sounds like a good idea, right? Well...consider 'Exhibit A'- a pregnant woman who is starting to have a hard time keeping up the breathing...and yes, you get like sixty fun-filled seconds ("Exhibits B-G") of trying to blow out all of the silly candles! Pathetic...

Monday, October 13, 2008

Twilight Trailer !!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

UHS Homecoming

So, as promised, an updated picture of little-me, aka Ashley. She's not wearing her usual trendy clothes because she had to march in the band that night, but still, pretty cute!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Fun with Yearbook Yourself

OK so we made it in for University High School's homecoming game last Saturday. My sister Ashley was in the band, which landed Michael and Cathy with the parentals in the stands. Cathy just sat there super quiet-like all through the game; you'd think she was bored out of her mind. UNTIL UHS would have some huge play, which she would anticipate and start cheering like crazy! It was so funny because she totally knew exactly what was going on with that game and watched every minute of it! Who knew?! The last quarter the cheerleaders threw out T-shirts and Cathy was so proud that her excessive cheering and jumping up and down scored her one of her very own (which she never unravelled and just kept bundled up the whole weekend). I also found out that she is learning new words in her super senior year at school: After the game, we were waiting in a long line of cars to get out and two players from the opposing team walked by still in uniform. UHS is gold and red, the other team white and blue. So Cathy yells at them "Blue...White...SUCK!!" The only other time the word surfaced was at Voyagers the next night- my dad said something to really make her mad, to which she replied "YOU SUCK!!!" Ahh, good times...

ciao bella...