Baby's Name

Sorry that the last couple posts have been so long! I try not to be wordy, but when there's info to share its got to be told. I know that I haven't posted our baby's name yet - not because its a secret, just haven't gotten to yet.

We went through quite a list, names Nate liked, names I liked, who we'd want to name her after ( which was the longest of them all) and how to pick a name that flowed: first, middle, last. We had the boy's name months before we were even thinking of getting pregnant, but a girls was harder. We thought that we would pick a couple of options and then wait until she was here, but once we decided we knew it was the one.

It needed to be unique, feminine and strong so we decided on:

Charlize Connie

Yes like the actress and the middle name is after Nate's older sister.

Charlize

(pronounced SHAR leez)

click here for a link to the meaning

She'll probably be correcting it her whole life but we like it.

3D Ultrasound

Disclaimer: 3D pictures often look odd because there are shadows and bulges that may not make sense, its just how the light was bouncing around.

The OBGYN that my mom works for was interested in getting an ultrasound machine that did 3D images, so my mom offered me as the demo so we could have another look at my growing baby. This was on Thursday and from the get-go the tech said that the baby had her head down(against my bladder and bum up) and turned with her face against the uterine wall. To get a good image there needs to be fluid in front of the object desired and if she was squishing her face against the side there wasn't a good chance we'd see her. Well, she didn't move the entire 30 minutes or so, but we got one picture of her profile:

We had scheduled an ultrasound with a clinic here in town that happened to be the following day. She had been moving all day and Nate had suggested I drink a pop before going to help keep her active - well, as much as I drink pop I drank a diet Coke (no sugar) and she was in the same position as the day before, only this time she had her hands up by her face as she slept. She was so stubborn! We tried for 45 minutes to get her to move as I rolled from side-to-side, sat up and we poked at my belly the whole time: nothing. She was sleeping and we were bugging her.

The clinic we went to were very understanding (since we paid for a 20 minute session and we were there for 45) and let us reschedule for the following week in hope of a better result. I had parent-teacher conferences all afternoon so I downed the Sprite 10 minutes before going and it seemed to help because she was active, had turned around so her head was on my left side and her bum to the right. She would only let us see one side of her face again, so you've seen all of her face just one side at a time. She kept sticking out her tongue and opening her mouth, but her hands weren't around this time.

Yes she has a personality and a stubborn streak, but is that really a surprise since she's mine and Nate's? She's going to be a spitfire we're sure. :P

Prego Update - 10 weeks left!

So I know its still 2 months (+ a week or so) away but its crazy that there is only that much time left! I have a lot to do before she comes and hopefully that list gets a lot shorter after this week (parent teacher conferences and getting into a real routine at school).

My Grandma's been wanting updated pictures of my growing belly so here's some showing progress. Its funny how quickly it seemed to have changed - she's totally sticking out now.

Yes, I've tried really hard to stay on a healthy weight gain and eating healthy. Regardless that extra weight has to go somewhere and last weekend I had my sister-in-laws wedding only one pair of dress shoes fit, of course with a heel, but I wasn't about to go by new shoes for the two months I have left. I found these Crocs that I just love - of course I'm not a silver slipper gal, but I got them in brown and have similar ones in black which are perfect for school.

I know little girls are typically in pink - and I have a natural diversion to it just because it is so prevalent. My friend Kaye gave us an early gift when she found these and I'll have to agree they are cute in pink!

What's frustrating: my acne has been non-existent thus far, but last month it came back strong and I'm sure being stressed for school is a major culprit. Its different than before like its more dry irritated skin than just pimples. Darn! Hopefully it'll go away again.

What's funny: I think it is hilarious that my belly button is shallow! Like all of a sudden she's not hiding inside of me and my belly button shows the progress. Nate teases that when it pops out she's ready (like the turkey tester), if so there's still a little ways to go.

What hurts: I have been sleeping well except for a little heaving as I rollover, but Saturday night was the first night that she kept moving after I rolled over and kept me up for a bit with her movements. Also I have to trade sides because my hips start hurting if I sleep on them for too long but she hurts more when I lay on my right side compared to my left. I have had some issues with my tailbone hurting for quite some time (yes I have a foam doughnut and I am not afraid to use it) and have gone to a physical therapist for hip pains. Its not my Siadic nerve, but the muscles in that area are pulling my hips out too far and causing pain so after some stretches and rubbing I'm feeling a lot better.

But, I feel great and am happy to not be nauseous and a positive look on the increased temperature is that I don't need a sweater in the middle of summer. :P

Hubby Tag

1- Where did you meet? Our little sisters were friends and his mom was asking about Eleanore's family, found out that the oldest sister wasn't married yet and asked why - "because she's waiting for her cowboy and she hasn't found him yet". (Great answer Elle!) So she got my number and we went out on a blind date.
2- How long did you date before you were married? 6 months - I call it bad karma because I made fun of others who got married so quickly. Hey, when you know, you know.
3- How long have you been married for? 2 years
4- What does he do that surprises you? a variety of things to make me laugh
5- What's your favorite feature about him? I love his laugh and how cute he is making others laugh.
6- What's your favorite quality about him? He's a hard worker and sweet (under that tough guy facade)!
7- Does he have a nickname for you? What is it? Yes, they are: 'Nita and Julio
8- What's his favorite color? I always thought red, but I don't know for sure
9- What's his favorite food? Steak, no seasonings, on the grill for a minute and served still cold in the middle.
10-What is his favorite sport? Team Roping, Bull Dogging, and watching the Cowboys.
11- Who said I love you first? He did - I definitely waited for that one before I was going to.
12- When and where was your fist kiss? On the porch of my apartment. I had waited 8 dates/get togethers and wanted one earlier - he was in no hurry. So I promoted it. :P
13-What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? Just be together. We're always running around and life doesn't look like its going to slow down so we try to make times to just be together.
14-Do you have kids? How many? Yes, she's 30 weeks old and he's so excited to have her soon!
15- What's a hidden talent that he has? He is a great cook. It's not hidden because he loves to cook for others and is sweet about making a weekly menu designating me 2 nights a week to cook and tells me what to make. I love it! it's so much easier that way. Don't worry I still buy the groceries to do my part.
16- How old is he? 25. But sometimes he groans about pains like he's older.
17- What's his favorite type of music? Country but he listens to a lot of rock at work.
18- What do you admire most about him? He really is tender-hearted
19-What's his favorite past time? other than . . . you know;) he's a guy. He likes to be with family, roping, riding, hunting, and sleeping when he gets a chance to.
20- Do you think he is going to read this? It takes him a little bit to get around to reading "our" blog, but eventually he will.

I tag Ashley, Makenzie and Sonrisa

I Knew She'd Come Around

My sister Sonrisa got her blog up and running. I kept bugging her about it and just knew she would enjoy it (as I promote blogging to everyone!). Last Sunday we had a family get together at her house and it was the first time in 3 weeks that I've seen Addi and couldn't hardly believe how much she has grown! My mom was making her laugh while I was helping Soni set up her blog. What a cutie!

So while I was watching Addi this summer I took pictures each week. These were from the last time I watched her in July. See how much she has grown in August!

I loved it!

Well, I've been an active member of the "Twilight" loving series and promote others to read it about as much as I promote blogging. I finished the last book Breaking Dawn this weekend and loved it! It took me longer than the others because with school starting I tried to pace myself out so I could get other things accomplished at the same time (the books are completely intriguing and its hard to do anything but read). Nate's feels like a bachelor through each book and threatens to burn my collection of them now that I'm done. I'm looking forward to the movie on the first book "Twilight" but just know that it will not be near as good as the book was to read.

I loved it!

Well, I've been an active member of the "Twilight" loving series and promote others to read it about as much as I promote blogging. I finished the last book Breaking Dawn this weekend and loved it! It took me longer than the others because with school starting I tried to pace myself out so I could get other things accomplished at the same time (the books are completely intriguing and its hard to do anything but read). Nate's feels like a bachelor through each book and threatens to burn my collection of them now that I'm done. I'm looking forward to the movie on the first book "Twilight" but just know that it will not be near as good as the book was to read.

The Night Before . . .

So the time has come and school starts tomorrow. I always think it's funny because all of the preparation and worry I put into making sure things are organized and in the right place make me as nervous as the kiddos are on that first day. Well, school starts tomorrow and we just finished with our open house/back-to-school night. I had about 12 kids and their parents show up (out of 21). Yea, I said 21 and am so excited to have a smaller class size!

Here's the proof of my work.

The view from the door, BEFORE:

After:

The view from my desk, Before:
(Can you imagine my stress with all that had to be done?!!)

After:

I don't know if you can see, but its all western. Yep the kiddos are officially cowboys and cowgirls for their second grade year and its so cute how much they get into learning about anything western, cowboy/cowgirl.

While I'm working on my classroom...

Nate was a sweetie and took me out to lunch today to get me away from my classroom for an hour or so. Then he went on a horseback ride while I pugged along cleaning and organizing. There is a trail that takes horseback riders to a lookout over Snow Canyon State Park. I haven't gone all the way to the lookout yet but here's what Nate sent me in a pix message:

I think its cute having Skeeter's ears peek up into the picture :)

Nate's friend Chase went with him on the ride so I actually got some pictures of my cowboy!

20 year Tag

I tag Meghan, April and Ashley

20 years ago... I was five and we were living in Hemet, CA. Our house was cool, out in the country (I remember horses, large pastures and watching a brand new colt be born - hum maybe this was the start of my country loving) and it had shag green carpet. We used to pretend the carpet was a swamp and you had to be careful where you walked.

10 years ago... I was fifteen, basketball was my passion and I entered a beauty pageant to show that beauty queens didn’t have to be wimpy, prissy girls. I was tall, thin and gangly – hadn’t quite grown into myself yet. I had braces and loved them for the simple fact that it hid my awkward front tooth and I’d have pretty teeth when it was done.

5 years ago... I was twenty, had graduated with my Associates degree from Sheridan College and was headed to CO to play volleyball. I had just finished an awesome summer of working on the UW farm and had so much fun with my friend Sara. I was scared to start all over in a new place and hoped for the best.

3 years ago... I had moved back to St. George to finish school and my younger sister got married in June. I was in no-way ready to get married and was sick of comments being made that I should be on that next step of my life. I was fully determined to return to Wyoming to do my student teaching and to live.

In the past year... We got a dog, Daizy, and bought a house last May. I graduated from college and taught my first year of school (2nd grade). I learned a lot with my students and not to toot my own horn, but saw what I needed to do and jumped right in to do it. I learned how to quilt and love it! Nate and I celebrated another year of marriage and made a lot of memories together. We are expanding our family and excited for what is to come.

Yesterday... Was our first contract day back to school and I was in my classroom from 7:30 am to 9:30 working on getting stuff ready. That doesn’t count the many hours all summer but its finally time to get my classroom there. Nate made dinner (meatloaf – yum) and my friend Meghan came over to eat dinner with us.

Today... I am at the school working hard (except for a break to blog) and thought I’d share a picture of my classroom in the process. Don’t worry I’ll post the end result to show my hard work.

Anniversary Present

Nate surprised me for our anniversary by making this cool barn-wood shelf. We found the Texas star supports in Texas and Nate made the horseshoe hooks out of old horseshoes he had left over. I suggested putting his brand in the middle so he free handed it because he doesn't have a hot brand (in his brand), and afterward we thought it would have been cute to do N(heart)J or something of the sort to represent up both. O well, I just love it! Now, onto collecting decorations.

1st Pink Blanket

I finally made a pink blanket for our baby girl! I just loved the cute horses! Its not that I'm anti-pink, its just that there's so much pink for little girls I just prefer to look for variety.