Thursday, January 8, 2009

Baby Updates

So I am pretty sure I am feeling Matthew move around a little bit now. I first felt it last Friday after a long day at Disney. I was exhausted so I laid down on my dad's couch to rest. It was then that I felt a few little kicks (very light). I was really excited but also not sure that I was really feeling the baby. Since last week I have felt that same feeling several more times so I'm pretty sure it is our little Matthew. I'm over 18 1/2 weeks now so it's about time I start to feel him move, right?! It's a fun feeling and I'm really excited that I will be able to feel him move more and more as time passes. I also have a nice little baby bump that seems to have doubled in size since last week. I will definitely take a picture so I can post it for you guys to see. I will have more exciting baby news next Wednesday after I have my ultrasound. I'm sure I'll have some new pictures of Matthew to post!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Visiting Utah

Todd and I were able to go on a wonderful week long vacation last month! We love being out in Utah and had originally purchased the tickets so that we could go snowboarding. Shortly after purchasing the tickets we found out that I was pregnant so we decided snowboarding might not be the safest activity. We were still able to visit with family/friends and just enjoy some time alone together.

Here's a little summary of our visit. It probably won't be as detailed as it would have been if I had written it right after we returned. Upon arriving in Salt Lake our first stop was Crown Burgers. We love this burger restaurant and made sure to stop there a few more times before our trip was over:) Our first night in Utah was especially neat because we were able to watch our nieces perform in their school choir. We loved seeing Brad, Ali, and the girls and wish we could see them more often! Then we were able to spend a few nights with Mark and Jen (Todd's brother and his wife). We loved meeting their beautiful daughter (our newest niece!) Mary and watching her smile while sticking out her tongue. We were also able to get in some much needed Bang! playtime (one of our favorite activities to do together). It's pretty much one of sweetest games ever!

Avie (7) in her cute red dress

Sydney (10) Front row on the left

Todd with adorable Mary

Mary loves sticking out her tongue
We continued to visit Mark and Jen even though we spent the last part of our vacation staying in a hotel in Salt Lake. We really wanted to make the most of this vacation as it will probably be the last one we take for a while. One thing we did together was visit Temple Square. It was so beautiful with the lights and Christmas decorations. Despite how cold I was, it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. We stopped in the Assembly Hall to hear a children's choir perform and they were incredible. I love the sound of children singing!

We were able to spend a little bit of time with Seth, one of Todd's best friends. Our plan was to go ice skating at an outdoor rink in South Jordan but Todd and I were struggling. I think if we had stayed longer we would have gotten better but I really didn't want to fall so I wasn't really trying. After about 5 minutes of being on the ice, Seth showed up and we decided to go bowling instead. It was a great game and I wish I would have snapped a few pictures. Todd loves to take goofy shots like rolling the ball between his legs. I'm just glad Seth and Todd could spend even just that small amount of time together.
The day before we had to leave we spent some time with the Garlicks. This family is so amazing and we love them dearly. I'm so grateful that I've been able to get to know them since being married to Todd. He really does have some wonderful friends! We were able to hang out for a little while and have lunch together before we left to go sledding with TJ and Krystal! This is another activity Todd and I really enjoy so being with friends made it even better! We also had some fun throwing a few snowballs at each other.
TJ about to go off the jump
Krystal
I almost forgot...Todd and I made a snowman together. I promised my nephew Rexford that I would make a snowman and take some pictures for him. We had fun trying to put our little snowman together because the snow wasn't cooperating! Luckily we were able to build him a few feet tall and just used some sticks from the park to decorate him. We took a few pictures and then went back to the hotel to make some yummy hot chocolate.
Our trip to Utah was wonderful and every now and then thoughts would come to mind that we could still be living there. I would entertain those thoughts for a few seconds and then remind myself of how freezing I was and how much I love living close to my family in Florida. Todd and I love Utah but we are okay with just visiting for now. There are several reasons we moved back to Florida and we know we made the right decision for us. There will be plenty more Utah trips in our future and who knows, maybe Todd will be able to go to medical school there in a few years.