Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween Week = FOOD (21 weeks)

This week can be described with two words...FUN....and FOOD! I don't think I have ever eaten so much food in my life. All week Alex has been able to feel our little nugget non stop. I can't believe her movement is big enough to feel from the outside! It's a beautiful thing. Cousin Jared even got a kick last night! She moves a lot but mostly when Alex is around and talking. I think she gets sick of my voice...and no one is blaming her.

This week it unexpectedly of course snowed here in Rexburg Idaho! Our car was locked in with a foot of snow and Alex had a soccer game to go to. We ended up getting stuck and having to take our car in afterwards to get the plastic bolted back up on the bottom. Life is rough. BUT Alex made it to his game and I speedily took our car in to the shop and walked home. A 15 DOLLAR mistake later and our car is back to great condition.

I honestly think I am showing now...for real. Alex tells me I am some days and then other days he rolls his eyes and says sarcastically, "Sure Tiff, I can tell" Well soon enough it will be undoubtable. I can... and cannot wait for that!

We changed date night to Thursday this week because we got tickets to go see The All American Rejects, Boys Like Girls and Parachute that night! We took the money Alex's Mom so graciously gave us for date money and grabbed some grub at Buffalo Wild Wings before the concert. I don't think our little girl likes food very much because she never lets me keep it down...especially if it is scrumptious. The concert was oh so fun and my stomach was movin to the music! We were lucky enough to snap a picture with William Anderson, the lead singer in Parachute!


Saturday brought more food as our ward was having a chilli, corn bread and pie cook off! Alex and I showed up and ate...and ate...and ate. After all THAT food we went to our friend's house Lindsay and Skyler. They had all the fixings to make carmel apples. I saved mine for sunday and it was a delicious treat the next day. 

On Monday I discovered I should start cooking more for my dear husband because when he is hungry and alone he will make himself something that looks like this...


Monday, for FHE, our apartment complex hosted a pie night. They said that at Thanksgiving families put dessert last but they want to put dessert first this year. Everyone was to bring their favourite pie and indulge. Everyone's pie tasted professional. I made pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream! I was surprised when it turned out really good! {I'm keeping the recipe for the crust, and filling forever!}


Lastly, i'm planning a baby shower for one of my friends here in Rexburg. I just finished the invites and I know my Mom would want to see them! Sewing on paper is fun! ha







HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Our Half-Pregnancy-Birthday!

We have FINALLY broken through the HALFWAY point in pregnancy! This is an exciting milestone we are glad to surpass. 4 and a half months and we will officially be feeding, rocking, swaddling, shhhh-ing, and loving our little baby girl. The only question on my mind now is...what name do we give her? We have a list of about 20 names that don't inspire me, so the process is only beginning. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS of the last week:

We FINISHED our Bourne Movie Marathon! Man, do we love action films. 

We partied with none other than my in laws, Ben and Tasha! They say they came to visit Tasha's brother Connor, Alex and I but we all know they really came for REXBURG! haha. They just can't get enough. It started with FOOD at Da Pineapple Grill and ended with a RELAXING night of talking and an episode of Psych. 

We watched the last two debates and enjoyed it like a comedy. Should we laugh at something that could potentially alter our current situation and country? YES. Because that's all you can do and it's terribly funny to watch. 

We finally carved pumpkins! It was getting scary close to Halloween and I was getting panicked that the carving tradition wasn't going to make an appearance. FHE is a great excuse to stop the homework, gather some friends, and start the madness of pumpkin carving. I decided to paint my pumpkin considering i have never done it and thought it would be a fun and new experience. Everyone else wanted to get their hands dirty. Alex of course carved in honour of his Oregon Ducks. I think they all turned out FABULOUSLY!



I made my Grandmother's Famous White Chocolate brownies, with my Mother's Famous Chocolate Sauce and voila....at least 1 pound I can blame on baby fat. 




I started a sewing project with all the ladies in my apartment complex. It has been fun to get some girl time in. I think I am going to frame this project and put little fabric hearts where Alex and I have lived and add as we go along.


One of my best friend's offered to throw our little nugget a baby shower this Christmas! I couldn't be more excited, relieved and HAPPY HAPPY!

We downloaded TAYLOR SWIFT'S new album. It's a love/hate relationship. Some I love and others that will take some time. 

As for the "baby bump", I give up. Not a lot of progress has happened. I'm getting a little impatient.

My hair is also FALLING OUT like mad. I don't know how to stop it! Sad day. I should be thankful now because I hear it only get worse with nursing.

Yesterday I had an epiphany! In 4 and a half months Alex and I will become, the Halloween costume designers, Santa Clause, the Christmas Elf, the Easter Bunny, the Leprechaun, Cupid, but most importantly PARENTS! 






Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Almost halfway there!


I thought this week I would confess my pregnancy guilty pleasure...

A HUGE diet/caffeine free soda. I sadly indulge in one of these puppies SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. In my defense, it's my remedy for my constant upset stomach. It's funny, I’ve NEVER been a soda drinker, always a water fan. Oh well, what ever gets me HYDRATED and HAPPY right?

 The best part of this whole week was the beautiful miracle that entered the world. AUTUMN KATHLEEN KING. Brittany and Jason were blessed with this perfect baby girl on Sunday, October 14, 2012. I previously referred to her as "Evelyn Israel King"...but when it came down to naming her, Autumn just felt right for them. And it couldn't be more perfect for her. Alex and I couldn't be more excited because this is our FIRST niece and she couldn't possibly get cuter. She was born 7 lbs 1 oz and is a cute addition to their family don't you think? 

{Here comes an OVERWHELMING amount of pictures...sorry...PROUD AUNT}














Our little girl and Autumn will be the best of friends...I just know these things.

This past weekend we went with our friends, Skyler and Lindsay, to the HAUNTED STRAW MAZE! We experienced the following...
-Being scared
-Screaming
-Getting lost...very lost
-Getting tired and crampy...okay that was just me.
-And finally...jumping for joy when we finally made it out.

This week has been filled with school and SOCCER. Alex had two games and what felt like practice EVERYDAY! It was however really fun to watch his games. Alex's team has had an overwhelming amount of injuries. I'm just glad Alex has managed to avoid this trend, apart from the typical soccer bruises and blisters.


This week is a GREAT week because...

1. I listened to the BYUI devotional and I heard exactly what i needed to hear.
2. I'm currently sippin a soda.
3. Our house smells like melons and cake...thank you Scensy.
4. Alex had a soccer game tonight.
5. I finally picked up my guitar...it's been a while.
6. My husband is overwhelmingly perfect.
7. I was reminded this week that I have such a great family support on BOTH sides.
8. Music has inspired me today. but not just any music...CHRISTMAS MUSIC!
9. I discovered a sale on peanut butter and jelly granola bars. 
10. My cousin Jared decided to come out of his dark hole and PHONE ME! Love that guy!
11. We got to skype our new and only niece tonight :)
12. Alex and I started a "Bourne" movie marathon. One down...three to go.
13. The people who park next to us at our apartment complex finally gave us enough room to open our doors! haha

I hope our little girl is as passionate about music as Alex and I are. These girls are 11 and 7 and very talented.

Lennon and Maisy

Well we are almost HALFWAY there! We can't believe it! I love feeling her move around. She likes to let me know that i am NEVER alone. Love her.






Monday, October 8, 2012

The Gender Verdict of Baby Stevens Number One...


Today was MAGICAL! We got to see our little "____" move around, wiggle and kick. I knew this was happening already because in the past week I am certain I have felt movement EVERYDAY! I know those of you who actually read my blog are dying to know the BIG QUESTION....

                          BOY OR GIRL??!?




WELL...













   OH BOY
OH BOY
OH BOY

OH BOY
OH BOY
OH BOY


WE'RE...






Yep, it's true. Despite my predictions of her being a boy she is definitely a GIRL!



She cooperated perfectly.






















She's turned but look how cute her little hand is.





Look at the definition! haha... Must have Alex's legs.




These pictures always scare me but she's a doll.





And alas, the profile....





I was sincerely expecting a boy so I made the ultrasound tech check twice to make sure. It hasn't quite hit me yet. This morning my Mom and I went baby shopping and I bought my first "fun" purchase. 


I still can't believe i'm buying pink...


The nurse said she was a healthy weight of over half a pound, putting her in the 62% tile for babies (50 being average). She's slightly chubby and we love it. 

This week has been way too much fun! We had a GREAT Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner. Heather cooked the turkey perfectly and Jordan really did try to make "Hill Salad". {Just kiddin, Alex is still talking about how good it was}

Conference was as expected...wonderful! I love being a part of and watching such great revelation be given by our Prophet. It was great to watch it with some of Alex's side of the family. I left with a list of things I want to work on.

The BYU football game was oh so fun to watch! My family loves football and being there is a blast! My Mom and I really wanted to paint our nails for the occasion kinda like this...




But who would have known {brown nail polish} was so hard to find.

My Mom brought me all of her scrap material from years of sewing. Most of it involving girl colours so lucky me! I can't wait to get some projects going for our little girl. 

We ALSO got a FUN package from Momma Stevens!! It was filled with fun goodies, date money and a couple important things Alex and I forgot at his parent’s house in the summer.

Having my parents here this week has been exactly what i needed. I ate a gross amount of food and laughed ALOT! I love those guys! I can't wait until Christmas!

As beautiful as today was there is some bitter news...Brittany's due date is today and still no baby Evelyn! We are all praying for her safe arrival any day now!

To do list for the week:

~Go to the temple
~Start a sewing project
~Eat healthy...er
~Skype Brittany's perfect baby girl!..when she comes this week!!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

So much to look forward to!!


What's new with us? WELL...

Alex destroyed his feet in soccer. His cleats insist on gnawing them to the bone. Alex doesn't say much about it but I know they hurt, when HE tells ME to slow down my walking.

EMBARRASSING moment of the week:

In class this week, our teacher insisted on spending our hour and a half class out side playing "trust games". Some games consisted of catching the falling partner, rope tug a war, and the big finale of jumping off a 10 foot wall, landing into the hands of the student body (the last experiment I did not participate in haha... TOO RISKY). At the beginning of the semester I had told my class I was pregnant. After about a half an hour of standing up, i got dizzy...very dizzy. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up to the class staring at me. I got up laughing at myself, blaming it on pregnancy, the sun and the fact supper was approaching.

I was able to attend The General Relief Society Broadcast despite catching the flu. I started to feel better just in time. I went with a friend from the ward and when we arrived for the FREE dinner provided before hand, I was over come with the best smells in the world. They didn't just provide any food for our stake...but CAFE RIO awaited us and it was OH SO GOOD! The conference was wonderful as expected. I came home feeling refreshed and re-motivated.

Last night I had a sudden, uncontrollable, irreversible craving....

POPCORN! 

We even had microwavable popcorn in the house!

Best case scenario?

NOT exactly. 

You see...Alex and I have yet to splurge on buying a microwave.

 PROBLEM.

BUT Alex so kindly accompanied me in asking our neighbor to use their microwave. Thank goodness for friendly neighbors...with MICROWAVES.

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and we heard TWO wonderful sentences that brought us joy!

1. "Your baby is moving a lot, and seems to be very healthy"

2. "Go a head and book an appointment for Monday for your GENDER REVEALING ultrasound"

And what makes us most happy is that my parents will be in town that day! So excited to spend this special moment with all my loved ones. Hope our little munch doesn't cross it's legs. 

This is me sooo excited!


:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)  

And so the vote begins...

Will our little nugget be A BOY or  A GIRL???

Our lives have mostly consisted of homework this week. I am trying to get all my school work done by the time my parents come tomorrow night! Both of my LOVELY parents are coming down to conference and spending a few days here in Rexburg with us. We are going to join them on their way to Utah this weekend. 

Alex and I are SO excited about:

Conference
Canadian Thanksgiving (Jordan and VerNON..i mean Heather are hosting a turkey dinner :) ) 
With that, {GOOD FOOD}
Baby shopping during priesthood session (Okay okay, Alex isn't too stoked for that part but he is excited my mother and I will be doing most of it)
BYU football game!
Celebrating my MOM'S birthday!
The HAUNTED MILL
NOT driving
and what should be at the top of the list, spending time with FAMILY!


I watched a video this week that i thought i might share. I laughed pretty hard and I’m almost positive all will enjoy. Here is the link...


PS...i am currently looking for a long dresser to repaint for my change table. If you are selling one or giving one away...let me know...especially if you are from Medicine Hat or Rexburg!! THANKS!



I want to do something like this! I think it's adorable. 

haha...on second thought a microwave too!

Here is my baby bump for the curious... refrain from laughing...


I took this today! 17 weeks!!! It's been a looong 17 weeks but so worth it. 



Two questions on my mind lately...What gender is this baby and WHAT on earth should i be for Halloween!?


-Tiffany Lee Stevens