It is the Monday after a busy but very fun vacation to Phoenix for the weekend. Mark and I went with Sarah, Mark's mom, to visit Mark's grandmother, Carol. Despite floods in Phoenix, and snow storms in Albuquerque we managed to get there safely (in a very short window of time when neither of the airports were closed).

Grandma's 90th birthday is in April and we wanted some special time with her as we will not get to make it to her party in late March. We were well cared for out in Sun City, and even did a little sight-seeing on Saturday including some of Frank Lloyd Wright's famous architecture. We went to a neat 1920s theater renovated in downtown, a cake tasting event at a local bakery, and we ventured out to an artist's colony in Paradise Valley where they make spectacular bells of brass. It was a fabulous weekend and we were so grateful for Grandma Carol's hospitality and energetic spirit. Mark somehow managed to beat us all at hearts, but I'm pretty sure Grandma was just holding back! It is a sweet thing to make precious memories over conversation and experiences with loved ones, and it always adds thrill to a trip when it involves an airport (even if the one hour flight does make your ankles swell a bit).

Before heading out to Phoenix, we had a third ultrasound done on Thursday. There were a few particular views that the ultrasound technician could not get in December due to the baby's "high activity level". Well, this visit was no different. He was constantly kicking the tech's probe and moving in circles and punching and flopping around.....the WHOLE time! After over an hour, when we were about to have to reschedule, again, he calmed down for about 30 seconds, just long enough to get the pictures we needed. Silly baby! He does not particularly like being watched, I wonder. We have a few pictures in 3D of his sweet face, which caused adoring coos and ooohs to fall from our technicians lips. I think I'm reserving my coos for when I actually get to hold him and I don't see placenta by his face! He's gained 1lb in one month and now weighs roughly 1lb 14 oz. The crazy thing to me is that his feet have grown 2 cm and are now 6 cm long! Definitely Mark's size 12 and NOT my size 6 feet. Mark and I are excited, so as my mom prepares to make bedding and curtains, and I finally decide on paint colors, we ask that everyone just keeps praying that the Lord would prepare us as parents to trust in Him for the life and salvation of this precious child.

Okay, So I am a very delinquent blog writer and I'm sorry to have deprived any of you of pictures of my burgeoning belly. For the quick version of December up 'til now, it was busy....but oh so much fun! My mom and dad, Monica and Chris and the four kiddos all came up to see us for Christmas. We had a little bit of snow in the valley where we live, and we even took a morning trip up the backside of our mountain for a bit of sledding. I think the adults had a bit more fun as the children were wearing rain boots full of melted snow after a couple runs down the short hill. And of course, Anna proved to be the snow bunny of the bunch! You'll have to go to Chris for pictures of that one, I was sadly without camera.

Mark and I took a day and went to Tent Rocks which is in between Albuquerque and Santa Fe to do a little hiking. Pregnant ladies on ice should have walking poles, that's a tip for my own future. Anyway, it was great to get outside into the cool sunshine and see some of God's creative handiwork at the park.

I am now in my 24th week, and we are headed for another ultrasound in a week. Yeah! This sweet little boy is enjoying meal time and any time I think is a good time for lying down. I suppose that is his time to shine as my tummy visible wiggles and bounces with his acrobatic feats.

We are trying our best to think of names and pick out paint colors, but in the end we already have diapers, onsies and clean sheets and blankets.....I think we're set. Ultimately, it is hard not to find ourselves so blessed and mercifully spared as we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti, and hope that those who do not know Him will turn to Him during this time of suffering.