Christmas is Coming!

Well I figured it was time to get another set of belly shots up. It's getting harder and harder to take a picture that I like. Camera's don't lie, and I didn't realize that I was getting bigger...but I am. So, thanks to the help of Heather's photoshopping skills, I actually posted the pictures instead of hiding them forever. I'm getting scared to see what will become of me.

I'm getting very excited for all of the things that are going to be happening in our world in the next few weeks. December is my favorite month by far, and I feel like there's so much to do, and we have such a short month. I guess it is only the 2nd. As for the fun things I'm looking forward to. This week we have the beginning of the Christmas parties. Starting Wednesday with the R.S. one...then Friday for the work one...then Saturday for the ward one. The following week we have the arrival of Judy for BS'07 (our annual trip to Banff Springs Hotel for the night). We leave Friday for that. Then Heather and Gannon and the kiddies get here the next day. Then, it's my last week of work, the arrival of Kerri and Luke, and the Palmer's open house. Then the arrival of Cade and Amy and Brad and the kids. This Christmas will be crazy with family, and I'm so excited. The last time we were all together for Christmas, was before I was married...that's way too long.

As for new things in our lives. Michael started a new job. He's trading foreign exchange at night. It's HORRIBLE for right now. I go to bed alone and wake up and get off to work before he's awake. Then, we have a few hours at night together, unless I have other commitments...which I usually do...then we barely see each other. It stinks while I'm still working, but once this baby comes, it'll be WAY better. We'll get most of the day together. So, we're toughing it out until February when I can quit work. It's definitely a sacrifice, but it will pay off in the end. Baby girl Palmer is growing well and kicking me like crazy. My latest fun thing is to watch my stomach when she's doing this, and it's insane to see how much it moves. I LOVE it! We have most of the Christmas stuff up, but Michael insisted on restringing the lights, so the tree isn't decorated. This is the week to finish it though! I'm excited.

Well, I've rambled long enough. Michael's gone to work so I'm alone and bored. Can you tell?

Yes, these were both taken on the same night, but I like this one better, and the one below is better of the belly...so, you get them both!

Vinyl orders for Christmas

Just so you know, if anyone is interested in ordering anything for Christmas...get your orders in right away. We're facing a busy time, so inorder to have everything done BEORE Christmas, please get your orders in right away!! Check out our website for some really cute Christmas decor ideas!! putitinwriting.ca

Update on baby girl Palmer

I think we have a stubborn girl on our hands. Michael and I went for our second ultrasound today. We had to go back because last time she wouldn't move so that the tech could see all of her heart. So this time we booked into one of those places that does 4d imaging. I was so excited to get in there and see her little face. Well, what did she do? She kept her face to my spine the entire time. We couldn't see it at all. The most we saw in 4d was the back of her head. She had her hand on her head again (she did that last time too) and she kept patting her head. It was really adorable. We opted not to buy the cd though. What we could see really wasn't worth the money. I guess she just wants her looks to be a suprise. I really am sad though. I wanted to see all of that so badly. Other than that...I'm growing and feeling more and more puffy each day. I'm afraid for what I'll look like in a few months. Oh, and there are no names that we have picked in case you were wondering. We have a growing list that we add to, and take away from. We know we'll have to see her before anything like that is chosen. Just thought I'd tell you that since people always seem to want to know that.

We had our Super Saturday last Saturday and I taught some vinyl classes. I'm glad it's done...it was stressing me out. But, it went well and I think everyone was pleased with what they did. Tonight is Young Women in Excellence and I have to speak. I'll be glad when that's done too...I don't like speaking. I sure love the girls though, and I hope it's fun for them. As for the rest of the week, just work and then this Saturday I'm putting up Christmas stuff! I can't wait.

Tagged...a while ago...

Things people don't know about u.
I'm totally OCD. I don't really like to have people know this about me, because I can control it enough to the point that they wouldn't ever know. But I know just how I left a room when I leave, and then when something isn't the same when I'm back, I know someone's done something to change it on me. Michael calls me a detective because when I come home from work, I know if he's cleaned something, what he's eaten. It came in handy when I was away at school because I always knew if someone had been in my room.

What is the silliest prank you ever played on someone?
I don't have a lot that I can recall. We took all of the pillows off of some guys' apartment couches and hid them from them for a long time. I do have the best one that was pulled on us. We woke up one morning and opened the front door to find that all of the cinder blocks that made up the retaining wall right outside our door had been piled up in front of it. We had to crawl out the window and take them down and rebuild the wall. That was awesome!

If money were no object what would you do with your life?
Have a million kids, learn tons of musical instruments. Travel everywhere. Go around giving money to others when they least expect it. Really...what wouldn't I do??

2 Favorite vacation spots
Haven't been travelling a ton. Our cruise was AMAZING. Any of the stops there. Anywhere with Michael. I love travelling with him. No matter where we go, we have the BEST time!

What is the wierdest thing you'd ever admit to having done in the past?
I once convinced some guys in my student ward that I was a black-belt in karate. They'd always try and get me to show some stuff, and I'd always refuse. I honestly to this day think that they believe me. That was a good one. I also remember that one night when they were trying to get me to demonstrate, Jeni offered to show them her stuff, and she split her pants doing a high kick!! (remember that Milla???)

What song best describes you in the morning?
I really have no idea, nor the brain power to remember song titles at this point in my life.


What US destination would you be most likely to visit & why?
Church history sites back east. New York. The southern states...any of them. I'd really go anywhere.

Is your calendar always on the correct month?
If I'm working yes...if not, there is no calendar.

Desk Messy or organized
Usually messy as I work, but always clean before I go home. I sort of like having a messy desk, it makes me feel very busy.

Pet ownership - which is better; dog or cat?
NEITHER - no pets EVER.

Are you always early or late?
I used to be early, but now I'm always late it seems. I won't get into why.

Favorite childhood memory
Dancing to The Nutcracker with my sisters at Christmas time.
Trips to Utah and Arizona and singing in the car.
Christmas morning...trying to sleep the night before and thinking everything I heard was Santa.
Playing in our condo with Murdocks and Heningers...especially at night in the summer...playing capture the flag and 1.2.3. The summer night was awesome!

What talent would people be surprised to hear you have?
I used to take singing lessons. I hate singing solos...love choirs and groups.

Have you ever broken a bone?
2 actually. I broke my arm falling off of my bunkbed while I was sleeping. I also had a girl fall on me and break my colarbone.

What is your favorite way to relax?
Watching something on tv and falling asleep to it without have to wake up for anything later on. This is especially the best when you're in front of a lit Christmas tree and no other lights are on but those! Oh, I can't wait.

I now tag all of my sisters who are worse at blogging than I am. You know who you are!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Well we had the ultrasound today, and as far as we can tell so far, we're having a baby girl. She gave us a pretty good view, and so the ultrasound tech was confident in letting us know what she thought we were having, so we'll go with that! First of all, it was so AMAZING to see her moving all around. She still seems so tiny in my stomach but when you see her moving around, she seems so big. At one point, we saw her foot and it looked huge, but when the lady measured for us, it's a mere 3.5 cm. Not too big at all. But, those little feet sure like to kick me a lot now. I'm feeling her move more and more and I LOVE it. I find myself just watching my stomach for the little movements I can see. I try to make Michael watch too, but he seems to always turn away right as she kicks. Anyway, here are some of the cutest pictures. I'll post the rest of them in an online album if you care to see, but for those who just think it all looks like an alien (Michael would agree with you), I put the best ones on the main page.

Is is just me or does she look chubby already in this picture?

Here she's resting her hand on her face! SO cute!

Similar to the last one, but her mouth is open!

So I guess there is something new!

First, and foremost, let me say sorry for not doing better on my posting. I guess I just felt like there wasn't a whole lot new to talk about. But, after taking new pictures of me, and looking at the old ones, I realized that YES, there is a difference now! So after many scolding comments and threats about not posting, I finally did it!

I'm now 18 weeks along, and 1 week today from my ultrasound! I'm super excited, although very nervous about the whole drinking a lot and then sitting there and waiting for someone to press on your bladder. I'll be ok though, I know I will! Michael and I have both decided that we want to find out what we're having for sure! Now, the baby just has to cooperate and let us get a look. We want to know because we have to plan...or I guess I have to plan for the baby! Getting all of the things set in order before it's arrival. We got to hear the heartbeat for the first time a few weeks ago, and I have to admit, that's one of the coolest things I've ever heard. That made it all real. Michael was pretty amazed too, and just kept saying "WOW". It was pretty cute.

Other than baby, we've moved into our house practically all of the way. We have a little bit of stuff still at the condo, but since the room it's supposed to go in is full of random boxes, we'll have to wait a little while before we can get everything out of it. The condo is still not sold (another huge story by itself) so we're going to rent it out for a few months until we can get it sold.

Our new house is really coming along. We've had some guys in doing the renovations in the basement kitchen, and putting in the washer/dryer upstairs, so that's coming closer to an end too. We'll all be so happy when that's all finished. I'm trying to get to fully decorating too, and it looks A LOT better than it did, but I'm still not close enough to putting pictures up. Soon though, very soon!

Oh, and I forgot to mention. I'm back at work again, and I'm right back where I left from. I'm back working for Sean again. The girl who replaced me left right before I was supposed to start a new job, so I turned down the other job, and went back there. It's been nice. No new training, or people to get used to. And, they for sure won't fire me before I get my maternity stuff done, so I'm guaranteed to get those benefits. It's been hard to be back only because I'm so tired. I'm going to be a lot earlier now, and still I'm tired, and I'm sure it's only bound to get worse. Oh well, it'll all be worth it in the end! I'll be sure to post again after the ultrasound. Any guesses??

Nothing new

Well I just thought I'd update something since I'm getting bored of the old post. I had my Dr's appointment and all looks good. She said the due date is March 22, so I wasn't too far off. I seem to be feeling much better the last few days which is so wonderful. I was actually able to clean the house a little...wow! The condo still isn't sold, and I'm getting anxious about it. I think we're going to move into the new house anyway. We'll just leave enough furniture here that it looks lived in, and then live in the new house. The condo smells bad to me for some reason, so the sooner I get out, the better. We just have a tiny bit of painting to do, and we'll have to clean it up before we can move, but I love the idea of going over there! It sounds so wonderful. Other than those things, next, I have to find a job. I need to get on that right away, but I just don't really want to which makes it hard to be motivated. Anyone know of anything? Well I just finished a bunch of vinyl orders, and now I'm going to get ready for the day. Not sure what I'm doing yet, but it always helps if you start out clean!

Another one I liked!

I just loved this picture too, so I thought I'd share.

Michael's Baby's Momma

Well it is indeed true...if you can't tell by the picture.  I'm going to be a mom!!  I'm thrilled...except for the whole morning sickness, superhuman sense of smell, nothing sounding good, tiredness, and the strange need to eat all the time.  Just kidding, I really am so happy, just not feeling too well right now.  The duedate has yet to be confirmed...first appointment is this week...but the online calculator says it's March 21, 2008.  Anyhoo, we're just running out the door, but we just took this picture (it's how I'm going to measure just how big I get) and we wanted to post it!

My house!!

Here is the front of the house in all its glory. It really is decent looking from the outside. I love it and am so excited at the prospect of living in it. We are still in the condo as we haven't sold it yet. Anyone interested?? The picture below is a sample of the garden. I have a HUGE garden. I love to take care of it. I water it and weed it, and pick the strawberries, which is the only edible thing right now, but I have raspberries, peas, apples, currants?, and a ton of other things that I don't know what they are. Michael and I acutally got to spend a Friday afternoon working in our garden. I didn't think I'd get to say that ever in my life, but I really like it. Actually as I'm typing I'm realizing that I should have gone to water it today and pick the ripe strawberries...oh well...please stay alive little berries. I'll get some pictures to prove it all! Anyhoo, this week will consist of more painting, and then the greatest movie ever is coming out, and I just need someone to go with me on Tuesday night at 12:01 to see Harry Potter. I'm rereading the 6th book again to get ready for the 7th, and the movie is just so exciting. It was Michael's birthday yesterday and I actually got him the Harry Potter game for the Wii, and I won't even tell you how long I've played already...I'm ashamed. It's really fun, and just as fun to watch someone else play. Well I'm now getting carried away, and called to by my book, so I'll go get some painted rooms pictures and show you that underneath all of that hidiousness, there really can be beauty!

It's coming along!

Well contrary to my way of thinking, it looks like we will actually be able to live here soon. It's really coming along...this room is now completely painted. It looks so much better I can't even believe it. I hope one day I can move into a house that I don't have to transform first. It really is a ton of work...and I am proud to say, I have done most of the acutal painting all by myself. Michael did all of the prep work, which I find very annoying, but it really does make a difference in the painting!

This happened really late one night, and therefore seemed funnier at the time. He was using his t-shirt to protect the wall, and it didn't want to come back down.

This is how we really feel about the work, although when people ask us, of course we say we're doing great...not the truth!

Gannon so kindly redid a little bit of tile in the bathroom, and Michael and Nixon were good helpers. Hopefully we can tile some more in the future...it would help the look of the place a lot.

The big discovery!

Last week, everyone came over to my new place while I was working, and Sommer had this is a jar. The hugest butterfly (I think it's really a moth) that I have ever seen. It must have been injured because it didn't move much, but it was pretty nonetheless. It was also huge.

That is Lara's hand, just so you can get the idea of really how big it was.

I think it also had a small roll in The Lord of the Rings...he helped Gandalf out when he needed to find his huge eagle friends!!! He now sleeps eternally in my garden....sad.

This is just one of the maybe 5 pictures I took over the long weekend. It's a bit of heaven trying to escape. Amazing hey? I thought it was just beautiful!

The Office -- Playing Dwight Schrute is...Jim Halpert?

This was just about the funniest EVER!!

Alas, the new house...well my half anyway!

We finally took possession of the house on Tuesday, and Emily and I have been working non-stop day and night taking down wallpaper...you'll see what I mean. We've had Lara and her kids there helping...and they LOVED it. They could destroy something without getting into trouble! Anyway, I'll take some more pictures of the progress as we go. One day, we'll have a liveable house.

The Highlight...the GARAGE!

The highlight of the new house, and TOTALLY...the GARAGE. Yes, they indeed wallpapered the garage, but again...each wall is different, and brings a new beauty to the home that we couldn't have ever hoped for.
The lillypad wall
The lovely Thomas Kinkade border
The random little boarder, with a strip of different paper underneath.
The faux brick, and notice how it's not all laid the same direction...isn't that nice!!??!!??

Bathrooms and hallway

The mainbath
The ensuite
The hallway...notice all of the variety of wallpaper...one is just never enough.
The landing with the clostet on the right and the door you see there leads into the room where the den will be.

Bedrooms

The den...now this lovely room was quite the suprise. The wallpaper you see is the TOP layer, there was another one underneath, and then there was a nice layer of paint...I'll get a picture of that...lovely flowers and all!
Master bedroom...ahh the lace curtains.
The other bedroom...I need a better picture of it. This one is the nightmare room. There are 2 layers of wallpaper as well, but both are very hard to get off...we've been putting this room off as long as we can!
My master closet...looks smaller than it is in this picture...there are tons of shelves on the left there.

The kitchen

Our lovely balcony...notice the beautiful fabric along the railing...isn't it beautiful??
The kitchen. The cupboards are bleached from the sun, but notice the wallpaper...butterflies!
Again, the butterflies!
Nice little desk, the shelf is removable, and will be removed, along with the table and chair, and phone...all little gifts left for us!

The front room

Here is the door way leading into the kitchen

Just a little nook, and the ONLY walls in the house that were NOT wallpapered.
The front entry. Ahhh...the lovely vines!
Nice fireplace
The bay window at the front of the house