Grandma's Chair

I have a feeling this is going to be difficult for me to write about but maybe it's time I talk about it. Quick back ground I have always planned on using my grandma's rocking chair for the baby but I originally planned on painting it and re-covering it. Well I did re- cover it but decided to leave the rest as is, here is why
Back in August we all went on our family cruise. The weeks following that quickly became a mess of information. After many doctors visits and waiting for what seemed like forever, we got some awful news... Grandma has cancer. Deep down I knew something was wrong but never thought we would be told we had about a year left with her. I can't begin to explain how hard that was to hear. It has rocked my world.
That weekend I made plans to go home and all I did was cry. I cried all the way home, I cried when I saw my dad, I cried when I was getting ready, seriously I cried A LOT! At one point my dad came upstairs and saw me and when I went to hug him I just let it all out. I lost it. I told him all I could think about is how much she was going to miss, how much we were going to miss. How this could very well be our last Holidays with her. It was raw and it was painful but it was real and still is. I can still feel that tug on my heart. It catches me off guard most of the time but I have gotten to the point that i can stop and instead of think of how much time I have left with her I think about how lucky I am to have her still! She has not stopped living, her or my Grandpa. She still goes to her water color class, church, shopping and everything else she did before. She is still my Grandma! She is an amazing woman and I have been so lucky to have the memories with her that I have.
Now I know she reads my blog from time to time and she very well could read this post, So Grandma know i am doing better and I too am at peace with it. I can't wait for you to meet our little Norris and share that experience with you! Even more so I'll be able to rock him in the chair I grew up sitting next to watching as you painted or worked on one of your many crafts and share stories of my childhood.

Here are a few before pictures of the rocking chair:

And here are some of the after:

Now just imagine those cushions in the blue plaid as well... 

 Look close and you can see paint splatters all over, I love it. I love that is has history and it's sentimental. The chair isn't the only thing going in his room that has history or is sentimental I'm using the same dresser my parents used for us when we were kids. I'm getting so excited to get his room put together. In just a few more weeks I hope to have it done!

Here they are together and just a couple other peeks of things that are going on in there. Notice the bed with no mattress?! I don't want to risk SIDS at all... Kidding kidding! That is a purchase we will make after the baby showers!
Grandma I hope I can do your chair justice. Thank you again for helping me re-cover it and giving me that craft day with you!

30 Weeks

WHAT? 30 Weeks?! That's crazy to me! It has been such a fun few weeks for us. About 2 weeks ago I was laying in bed and not really paying attention to all the movement going on in my belly until I realized there was a rhythm to it. That's right! I could feel the baby hiccuping and it was so fun! I don't know if it's Norris or what but it seems like he has them a lot now! Then Monday night I was just getting in bed and I usually like to sit up and feel him move. Jeff was studying next to me and I pushed on my lopsided belly and for the first time felt some part of the kid. Honestly I have no idea what body part it was but Norris did not think it was so fun and started moving like crazy. I got Jeff to stop studying for a min to watch my belly, he has seen it move before but never the baby moving across my belly. I don't know how to explain it but for those who have been pregnant know it's not the sudden kick but when you can feel them changing positions and see some part of the body move across.  Those are my favorite to watch... Jeff... Not so much, grossed him out a bit. Shocking I know :) Here are some pictures of my 30 week belly:

By now little guy your measuring about 16 inches give or take and 3 pounds! You have pretty much hit most of your developmental milestones by this point and concentrating on putting on some fat. Your eye site continues to develop but even when you're born you wont be able to see more than a couple inches in front of you. As you continue to grow there will be less and less of the fluid around you that protects you but you'll still be safe, trust me mom has put on plenty of extra padding! We went to the doctor last week and I did my glucose and iron tests and everything looks good so far. I also had lots of questions for the midwife and she answered them just as though she could read my mind. That gives me a lot of comfort for when the time comes and I won't get any pressure to induce labor or anything else. That makes me happy! I'm not sure if you know but your mom is pretty set on doing all she can to have a Natural un-medicated child birth with you. Lots of people think I'm crazy but it is what I want and have always wanted, I think your dad is on board for the most part but we'll have Grandma there too to help sense she delivered both me and my brother without pain medication. We're I'm excited for our class tomorrow and to learn as much as we can about the process before you arrive. Just remember any time after Christmas and before your Dad starts school again would be great. I have a feeling the first few weeks of your life is going to be a little crazy and we want your dad around as much as he can be before he has to leave us! We love you very much, keep growing strong Norris!

Elders Quorum

So Jeff has a new calling in church he is the first counselor in the Elders quorum. He has officially been in for a little over 3 weeks and has already helped move someone out of the ward and just got news that he needs to help someone move in this Friday. Now I know how great of a calling this is for him and our Family and I know that it means sacrifice and maybe it's my hormones or the fact that I NEVER see him with work and school already but it makes me sad that not only do I spend the majority of my week alone but now my weekends are being consumed. Now I know we receive blessings from service and would never want him to turn down the opportunity but come on!!! Like I said... hormones! I just miss having him around and had to vent for just a few. when it comes down to it it's not the church it's the school, I am SO over him being in school no wonder why I never got married while I was in school! Seriously I'm done now but...
I'll leave you with a sneak peek of the baby's room:

P.s. I really am so so so proud of Jeff for all that he is doing. He works so hard at work to get his store up then works twice as hard at school and does homework nonstop. I know he is tired so many nights but honestly the man doesn't complain. I tell ya, he's a stud! I won't lie either I'm excited for his new calling it will give us a real chance to get to know people in the ward. Right after we got there they stuck us in Primary and people still ask me if I'm new in the ward, sad huh?! It will be fun to be more involved and have people know us! Like I said just needed to vent and now I feel guilty for being frustrated, but that's life and I know it could be so much worse! I am truly truly blessed!

Prenatal class

I am happy to report Jeff was able to stay alert the whole time. The first class was not bad but I will admit the talk about hemorrhoids about put me and him over the top... I really did not need a full description of what they look like, sick! We also watched a video on relaxation techniques he can use to help me during labor and then sat on he floor and he got to practice. We went on a tour of labor and delivery and they kind of gave us a run through of the room and different things they offer to help with labor. I can't say i'm ready to go through that but I now know some options and have a few I will be putting on my birth plan. Only 11 more weeks to go... crazy!

27 weeks

It only took six months but I finally feel pregnant! I can feel this kid moving all day long and I love it! He has finally decided to move up and out of my lower region so I don't feel like he's going to come out anymore. In the last week or so he has found my sciatic nerve again and it takes some sweet positions to get him to move off, i think Jeff really enjoys watching while the maneuvering is going on! I will have to agree with most that the second trimester is WAY better than the first and now that I'm in my third I'll have to wait to make that judgement. We've been pretty uneventful around here with the pregnancy so I guess I'll post my lovely self!

Holy cow did I grow... or the babe but whatever! I really don't feel this big until I look at the pictures. Maybe that is why I only do them every other week.

So by this week Norris is about 2 pounds and around 15 inches or so (I'm going with the longer measurement due to the fact he has a good chance of being a tall kid) He is now seeping and awake in regular intervals and is now opening and closing his eyes. I hear by this time I can start to feel hiccups but I don't think I have yet, as there is no rhythm to his movements. I saw a picture of a little baby born at 25 weeks the other day and it's crazy to think that is what our little guy looks like (obviously with different characteristics). It's crazy how we're down to 90+ days. The time has flown by! Our only request kid is that you come after finals and before Spring semester starts, now I know I can make that happen, but i'm not into the scheduling thing and I really just want you to come when you are good and ready... that means no earlier than 37 weeks but if you want to wait until 42 weeks that is fine with me! Keep growing big and strong little man!

The first Anniversary

Wow what a year! Jeff and I celebrated our first anniversary last Saturday. We considered the cruise we took back in August as our big vacation to celebrate but we still wanted to have a little get away. Jeff's parents recently bought a cabin up past park city so we left Thursday and spent a couple of days there.
Friday we drove around and looked at a bunch of the cabins, enjoyed sitting on the deck putting a puzzle together and watching the deer graze! That night we went into park City and hit up the outlet mall, I must say we got some cute little things for our babe and I scored big with some shirts that will fit now and hopefully until January!
Saturday we drove up to the olympic park and looked around, went and got something to eat then found a little park to eat in and enjoy the perfect weather!  Saturday night we went to the same hotel and room we spent our first night together in and actually got to enjoy it! Last year we had to be up crazy early to leave for the honeymoon so it was nice to relax and talk about the past year, and enjoy the free dinner we got... dang was it good!

 This is one of the deer that came by while we were sitting outside.

One of my requests was for a real fire, the first night didn't go so well and it was late but Friday night Jeff a fire rollin' all night for me!

 This is the bobsled up at the Olympic park

 The ski jumps... and a nice frontal view of my lovely self, wow that's rough!

 This was either before or after dinner on Saturday. What a cute husband!

 Oh and this was the loft in our room then below were the couches and chairs with a desk and other stuff!

This past year has been one of the best I have ever had! I won't lie adjusting the first couple of months to marriage was difficult for me but Jeff took it in stride. He has been more than patient with me and we have grown so much together. I always knew I married the perfect guy for me and I can honestly look back and say I would do it all over again and again and again. I have learned so much from him and love him more today then I ever have and that's how I feel every day! I cherished our weekend together because with him working and doing his masters I don't see him much or get that one on one time and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate our first year together! I love you Jeff, you're my rock!