13 months, 30 weeks, and 27 years...

Yes, thats where we are at in life right now... Dallin passed his 13 month mark! I am 30 weeks along with baby girl! And Micah turned 27! Here's some of the highlights of the past month...

Micah's Bday Celebration at the Petes

I decided to make a nice dinner, instead of going out to eat...Steak, Baked Potatoes, Salad, and Rolls, with Chips&Guac and Fresh Pineapple as appetizers...It turned out well! Then I did some Blueberry Cobbler and Icecream for dessert...Yummy Yummy! :)

A nice dress shirt from the Petes, Thanks guys! And thanks for letting us have the celebration at your house and for letting the kids make a disaster...

Here's Micah's excited face, cuz he knew he was getting something cool from Me & Dal...

He was so surprised! He has had this on his list for several years now, and never thought I would actually get it for him... its an auto electric airsoft gun with cool attachments...

These two pics were from Micah's FLSmidth Christmas Party...It was very different this year to be at such a big event. It was in the Jazz practice auditorium. Micah did get to stand and be recognized with all the new 2011 employees. And it was fun to socialize with the other coworkers in his group and their spouses.

Dallin loves to smile and laugh and share bagels and yogurt with Mama. He's still got a soft spot for his daddy though. He's walking around everywhere now. And climbing, in, and on, and over everything... He loves to walk around while holding an open book. Or carry bear, puppy, or monkey around with him. Baba(bear) is his best bud and sometimes he will throw up on him and I'll put bear on top of washer to be washed and somehow Dallin finds him and rescues him from the torturous water tornado!

He does this really cheesy grin now where he puts his chin down, making his cheeks chub out, he wrinkles up his nose and eyes, and shows off all his teeth...Its so cute!

He loves playing at the Petes with his cousins, they pry have way cooler toys than we do...

He loves his musical talking toys, like his cooking pot from Baba, and the little laptop we got him with GG's gift card...Thanks Baba and GG! He also loves and is very good at stacking blocks and toys. He can stack them, He can nest them, and he is starting to sort them! Its so cool to watch how fast he learns...

He loves his sippy cups..and especially when they have apple juice in them!

Dallin loves his fun winter hat, also from GGs gift card..and he's almost figured out how to put it on himself...

He loves household things like cardboard boxes, cords, kitchen tools, books, and the laundry hampers... This is what he did when I told him this box was for him from Baba&Papa...

And yes, he loves food! He'll try just about anything once, and then if he doesn't like it, the second time he will push it out with his tongue... Here's what he looked like after we let him go at the Nutrigrain bar all by himself!

What joy he brings to our family! And we can't wait to find out what his baby sister will be like...less than 2 and a half months to go... Time is flying... Sorry for the lack of belly shots, just haven't taken any this time around. But I am truckin' along and generally feeling great, and baby seems very healthy and right on track. We are so grateful for all that we have been blessed with this past year, we've had blessings overflowing! :)

The Benefits of Exercise

So, a couple months ago, I was in the midst of a difficult first trimester of this 2nd pregnancy, and feeling pretty down and out. I was feeling exhausted and nauseous and unmotivated, and just overall kinda depressed. I was having a hard time sleeping at night and things were just feeling like they were worsening every day. I was struggling to even accomplish the simple household things like laundry, dishes, and keeping things tidy and clean. Micah was trying hard to pick up where I wasnt, but that was making me feel bad too. I would try to tell myself it was all just a "pregnancy" thing, but deep down I felt like I could be doing better. I can remember even asking Micah if he thought I may be experiencing some depression that we should address. We discussed the option of taking a medication that the doctor had suggested I take during this pregnancy for my health concerns which I had not been taking because I had not felt very comfortable with the medication. About this same time, one of the lessons in Relief Society was about exercise and the benefits of being active. I remember my friend specifically talking about the benefits of the natural endorphins that increase as you exercise. I knew I needed to get some regular exercise into my routine of life! In fact, afterwards I decided that before I would pursue the traditional medicine route for helping with my increasing depression, I would first establish a good exercise routine and see just how much those natural endorphins could make a difference for me. So the first thing I decided to do was signup for a monthly membership at the gym. And I joined several specific classes knowing that I would need a little structure to help keep me motivated. I also arranged for Dallin to be watched during those times, so it could truly be some "me" time. I also decided I should be walking more again like I used to during pregnancy with Dallin. And since Dallin loves to go out in the jogging stroller with me, twice a week we go out for walks together.
Also, on Thursday evenings each week I started going to Stake Women's Volleyball. All in all, I've had some kind of exercise on each day of the week, except Sundays. Monday-Yoga. Tuesday-Walk with Dallin. Wednesday-Water Aerobics. Thursday-Walk with Dallin & Volleyball. Friday-Cycling&Lifting. Saturday- Vacuuming,Cleaning Floors, Bathroom, Kitchen, etc. This has really worked well for me! And I have felt so much better about myself, life, and others. My feelings of depression have dissipated and I have had alot more energy and motivation to do the daily things as well as to serve and strengthen others. Playing volleyball was really a blast! Not only challenging for me, since most of the women have played volleyball, but socially it was great to get to know new women in the area. We played in a real tournament also, and it was really fun and exhilarating to compete. The Yoga has also been especially enjoyable, because it challenges my upper body strength, which I've always been a little insecure about, but also helps me relax and focus and breath deeply, which will be great skills for labor & delivery. Overall, life has just been great since I made these things a part of my lifestyle. I would recommend and encourage some good regular exercise to everyone, especially if you are feeling down and out. I feel more grateful for my body and all that I am able to accomplish. Also, I talked Micah into getting a couples pass at the gym with me shortly after I started going. So he now is going every morning before he goes to work, which I think has also been helping him alot too. I admire him for being able to get up at 5am every day to do that too, its hard to sacrifice sleep to fit exercise into your work day, but he does it! Anyways, exercise is a priority in my book now! Hope you are all getting some too... :)

Raspberry Filled Cupcakes ;)

Yes, thats raspberry(pink) on the inside of that cupcake...and if you've been following my blog posts lately, you should know what that means. If not, keep reading and you'll figure it out... ;)

We had a fun & "hoppy" birthday party for Dallin last night...Here are the pics I got... It started with a yummy dinner. We did Pineapple Pork for everyone and then the rest of the family brought rolls, potatoes, veggies, and fruit salad. Thanks everyone for helping out with the food. Ashley made the cute frog cupcakes and my neighbor made the "special" water cupcakes and I added the pink waterlilies...
This was Dallin's cupcake, with 1 little candle, that he got to smash and eat later, which you'll find pictures of, if you keep scrolling down...

All of Micah's siblings and their families were there with us except Jodi&Clint. And Ashley&Daniel were able to be with us from my family. Then kinda at the last minute, Micah decided to figure out how to invite those who weren't there with us to a live version of it on the computer. So we were happy that some of you were able to see it that way too. And sorry to any of you who didnt get to see it live...we'll post a video as soon as Micah's sister sends that to us.
I loved this cute little monster bag that the Petes brought for Dallin.

And he is gonna love the little leapfrog tag junior reader they got for him...Thanks Pete family!

So, in addition to this being Dallin's first birthday, it was also special because it was a "gender reveal" party for Baby #2. So is Dallin going to have a little sister or little brother??? Keep scrolling to find out...

We did a vote on favorite boy names from our list...the winning name was Ethan, which happens to be my favorite boy name right now too...

And we voted on favorite girl names too...the winning name was Emmeline/Emmy, which also happens to be one of my favorite 3 from our top girl names...so I'm glad everyone is on the same wave link as us.. :)

Course we had a gender vote as well...which turned out 12 on the girl side and 7 on the boy side...

Then we sang to Dallin, and let him have one of the special reveal cupcakes to smash and eat. Remember at this point none of us knew the gender of the baby...So it was pretty exciting to watch him with the cupcake, just waiting to see what was inside it...He was not shy about it at all, dug right in with his thumbs.

Then he stopped to get some frosting off his thumbs, and then proceeded to tear the thing in half and devour it...

Soon enough I could see a little raspberry, not blueberry, peaking out from the inside... So...IT'S A GIRL!!! Dallin will get to welcome a little sister into the family come March!

This was Dallin first experience with a cupcake and frosting, and getting to make as much mess as he pleased...and he ate the whole thing, even tried to eat the paper wrapper!
So now you know the significance of the RaspberryFilled Cupcakes...Happy First Birthday Dallin! We love you.. and we know that you will be the sweetest Big Brother to your Little Sister...We are so excited for all the fun that is ahead of us!