land of the freezing

While Steve spends his days at the VA hospital and the Moran Eye Center, Parker and I have been going on little adventures and last-minute trips back and forth to different stores getting everything ready for baby girl. And by adventures, I mean parks. Because that's his most favorite thing ever.

 I had heard of this amazing place that pumps your gas for you and you can drive-through the building for some delicious treats! My kinda place!

 He has this thing where if you're laying down or look like you're going to sleep in the slightest, he demands all his bedtime buddies to be taken out of his crib and he brings them to you and covers you in them, says, "Awwww.....go nigh-nigh. Shhhhh!"

 One perk of living with your in-laws is date night! We get one weekly, which is amazing! We scurried down to our old stomping grounds of Provo to eat some Bombay House, drop off my ring to be fixed, and do some baby shopping at University Mall. Talk about nostalgia.

Some days when Steve gets home, all Parker wants to do is "Put your shoes on, go to car" and get out of the house. We never know what he wants to do, he just wants to go. So ice cream it was.

 Studying for his final round of boards. Ever. Last time to study. Ever. Holy cow.

 My dear friend, Lindsey, threw baby girl a shower with my friends and family here in Utah. We had brunch at this delicious place up in SLC and she had cute little cupcakes for everyone to take home. I got some darling gifts and got to see some of my favorites. It was wonderful!

Thanks, Linds...you're the best!

Seesters! Emily isn't too far behind me with her own little babe.

Lori and Ann, my sweet sis-in-law and mother-in-law

 We are certainly not used to gearing up for the park with coats and hats! All this kid has known is warm weather and beaches, but it's like the cold doesn't even phase him. I'm freezing (and I have a built-in heater!), his nose is red and his little fingers are frozen, and he's still running around like a cute little maniac saying "not cold!"

 I was lucky enough to receive a great referral for an OB from Lindsey, and I just love her (both of them). My first two visits (36 and 37 weeks), baby girl was breech, so my OB did a version both times, where she basically manhandles my uterus and the baby, simultaneously pushing on her head and her bum to flip her into the head-down position. Needless to say, it's painful and I didn't enjoy either time, but it was definitely worth it as she's in good position now. After the one on the 37-week visit, she wanted to do a non-stress test, where I was having some mild contractions, but she was doing fine. So home I went and the contractions slowed down.

 Madhouse handmade and vintage shopping expo where I got some darling bows for baby girl.

Lori and I tied for how many whoppers we could fit into our mouths. Isn't that what you do with family for Thanksgiving?

 After a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with the Andersons, the next day we went to Steve's aunt and uncle's house for a Christmas sing-along. Parker found a little playmate, Ruby: I think it was love.

Trying to get all the 'eating-for-two' in that I can, this was supposed to be my last weekend with the opportunity to do so, but it's looking like I might have one more....

It had been snowing for days and was about 10 degrees outside. I wanted Chick-fil-A ice cream but Steve wouldn't drive that far because the roads were bad, so McDonald's playplace it was.

Remember Steve's fetish with cars and racing videos? Parker's now joined in and sits on his lap, yelling "Vroom vroom vroom! Fast cars!"

Doughnuts. Stellar outfit. Random bouts of tears associated with Parker not being my only baby anymore. Because I'm due and I can.

 My due date came and went, and we're patiently awaiting her arrival when she decides to make that happen. She's been measuring a little small, and I've gained 3 pounds less than I did with Parker, so my OB was a little concerned. She had me come in yesterday to do an ultrasound, then we have a non-stress test and another appointment Monday, with a tentative induction scheduled for Thursday, the 19th. She was measuring fine on the ultrasound yesterday (bigger than I'd like, actually, at 7 lb 15 oz, although I don't think those are ever accurate), so if the non-stress test looks normal, I think I'll fight my OB on the induction. I reeeeeally don't want to be induced, so I'm praying she comes before then! I've just been having some mild cramping and back pain, and of course lots of Braxton Hicks. Babies are easier inside than out, so other than the induction, I'm not too anxious for her to get here.

Meanwhile, Parker and I get more dates. With cars.