Yes it's true! Mark and I took a real vacation! We (okay maybe more "I" than "we") decided to stick close to home (read: shorter plane ride, less ankle swelling and low back discomfort) that we could get away for 4 nights. So we visited "Fabulous Las Vegas". We stayed at a non-gaming spa hotel to avoid smoke and noise....but we were attached to the Bellagio in case we needed our smoke and noise fix for the day. We had a few fabulous meals overlooking the fountains, lights and city chatter, and we saw two Cirque De Soleil shows which were feats of acrobatic and engineering ingenuity.

Since I am my father's daughter, it could not be a purposeful vacation without a little history thrown in, hence Mark and I drove to Hoover Dam. We took the tour into the tunnels and power generator center and admired the feats of men who worked 24/7 for about 5 years to complete the structure. It was truly amazing.

For Mark and me, it is not a real vacation if you are not outside doing some hiking of some sort. So we drove to Zion National Park, and despite our unpreparedness, in other words we stopped at WalMart to buy clearance clothing for the wet-cold weather, we had a great time seeing the natural wonders of this corner of Utah. We definitely want to bring little BUD back in the spring time when your socks aren't iced over after a hike.

I am now 30 weeks pregnant, and this little active guy has not appeared to run out of room yet. He still flops around like a fish trying to jump out of water...or a kid trying to come out of my belly button. We are having our house painted this week, including the baby's room, so hopefully I'll have some domestic pictures for you all next week. Praise God for a healthy little guy, a healthy mom, and a wonderful and patient dad! I love my sweet husband and am so grateful for the time we had together to rest and rejuvenate for the final quarter! We are now really looking forward to our trip to Houston in one month. I fear I may be in a full waddling state by then, but none-the-less we're coming!

Happy late Valentine's day to all family and friends. This past weekend my dear friend, Sara, came to visit from Houston, and we made Indian food for four. We went so far as to make cheese and naan. Soooooo tasty! And now that my stomach is finally in synch with my tastebuds, I can eat spicy foods and not suffer all night long. Praise God for Prilosec and modern medicine.

Above is Sara rolling out the naan with a wine bottle. We do lots of reusing and recycling around here, and well, I don't own a rolling pin. Isn't she lovely in the "covered with flour look" ? Below is a picture in front of the Loretta Church in Santa Fe where we went for the afternoon with Mark. There is snow all over the ground up there, but we only see snow on the peaks of the Sandias from our house's windows. I had a fabulous time chatting, cooking, meandering, and relaxing with Sara. If only I could get everyone I know to visit for a weekend! We love our guests!
I'm now at 29 weeks pregnant, so about 7 months. And just so you are not fooled, pregnancy is a 10 month process (not 9, they lied). Two more months and it'd be like an elephant's gestation, thankfully I'm not birthing an elephant. Just an averaged sized boy (7lb 6 oz) is what I'm praying for....but God in all His wisdom knows what I can handle. My midwife says things are looking great, and we've hired a doula (a birthing guide) for the labor and delivery process as well. We are grateful for the support these women will provide when the time comes to hold this little one in our arms. And everyone keeps asking about names, so if you must know, we have a running list of options, but I think we will wait until we actually see him to give him the right one. If you have any new options for us, just post them! We love new ideas!

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.

After a week of lots of family time and lots of eating (thanks mom and all thanksgiving leftovers!) Mark and I have rolled (literally) into the 18th week of pregnancy. I went to the midwife on Monday with my mom and all is well and I'm definitely on the growth charts now! Let's just say this week was a 5x weight gain compared to any other week....gotta love the holiday cookin'. Baby UD is doing well and we are scheduled for our "anatomical ultrasound" on Dec 22. So stay tuned...we do plan on finding out if our little one one is a girl or boy.

We had a great time with my parents here for one week. We listened to the baby's heartbeat, shopped for many groceries and of course some baby odds and ends. My mom cooked dinner nearly every night and even left us an extra casserole in the freezer! And my dad fixed all our old door knobs and locks, hung pictures and mirrors and replaced light fixtures. Our house is truly better since they breezed through with their servant hearts and hands. Thanks mom and dad! Also a special thanks to Sandy, my sister in law, whose biscuits served me for an extra 4 days only (yes, I ate them all, yum!)

Somehow in all the excitement, we did manage to get my parents out the door for an outing to Bosque Del Apache on Saturday to see the acres of wild birds that migrate through NM for the winter. We saw 3 bald eagles, hundreds of sandhill cranes and other fowl.

The pictures are of thanksgiving dinner, and bosque del apache with the bald eagles. No belly pictures this week!

In the midst of fall

Every week there is a new discovery. This past week I was feeling the baby move when ever I would sneeze or scream really loud, and then over this past weekend I started feeling it during yoga, or sitting in traffic or at other random times. But on Sunday, the kid was awake ALL day. No joke, I think it took 4 or so 10 minute naps and that was it! I'm sure that it gets crazier as little BUD gets bigger, but I have no doubt that this child is active and probably determined (why should I doubt when that is the mix in our genes). Every few minutes it was a "flutter, flutter, flutter" near my navel and followed intermittently by the less rhythmic "thud...thud, thud" a few inches away. Even Mark can feel it moving too. And I finally have a tiny "baby bump" to corroborate my claim to pregnancy.

We are also listening to the baby's heartbeat on our Amazon purchased fetal heart doppler. It may sound a bit paranoid, but really it is pretty entertaining for us! Mark has listened to the heart and assures me that it is making good whooshing noises. And now we are just waiting for a month to pass so we can find out if it is a little girl or boy. I get the feeling it is a boy, but Mark says I'm wrong...so we will just have to wait and see! As Mark and I get more acquainted with our baby, our dog has been getting more attached to us. In the picture above, Mark is demonstrating the nightly routine of "snuggle time" with Davy Crockett which is now a prerequisite (for him) before going to bed in his kennel. What to do with this furry toddler when the baby comes!

And I've finally stopped getting sick at work, yeah! It is a terrible thing to have a post brain surgery patient tell you "Honey, you look pale. Do you need to sit down? I have some crackers by the bed." Oh well, humility is a good thing and sometimes God teaches you that when you think you are playing the role of healer, helper or teacher you are really the one who might benefit from healing, helping or teaching even from those you thought sicker than yourself.

On a different note, I have been really encouraged lately from some great praise music and I thought I would share the lyrics of one with you. It can be downloaded free from http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2008/05/01/i-have-shelter/

I have a shelter in the storm When troubles pour upon me Though fears are rising like a flood My soul can rest securely O Jesus, I will hide in You My place of peace and solace No trial is deeper than Your love That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm When all my sins accuse me Though justice charges me with guilt Your grace will not refuse me O Jesus, I will hide in You Who bore my condemnation I find my refuge in Your wounds For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm When constant winds would break me For in my weakness, I have learned Your strength will not forsake me O Jesus, I will hide in You The One who bears my burdens With faithful hands that cannot fail You’ll bring me home to heaven

For the last week in October, Mark and I flew down to Houston to be with the family for the weekend. It was a quick trip, but I will hopefully be seeing all of them again soon. My three nephews were C3P0, Jango Fett, and Darth Maul....so of course I had to be princess Leia. Though I'm pretty sure she was never pregnant in any of her movies. My favorite moment was at Black Walnut in Rice Village where all three boys were in my lap or surrounding me and asking to "see" and "touch the baby. They all had their hands on my tummy at one time and Sam was the first to assure me, "I feel that baby aunt Steph. It's tiny."

My sister has encouraged me to be writing down all the crazy pregnancy stuff that happens each week to keep a record to refer to next pregnancy or just to show our little one how much love and work went in to making him/her and their little apartment for 9 months. This past week, for example, I got ill in 3 different maternity stores and had to christen their bathrooms with the contents of my tummy. It happened again, while I was driving in traffic. Thank goodness I had not cleaned out my car and still had a partially empty coffee cup nearby.

Also, I am trying to scan in a picture of our last ultrasound, but to no avail. Our next midwife visit will include my mom and dad since they will be in town for Thanksgiving. Did you know you can buy those doppler machine things for around $70? No kidding, thats only a couple of co-pays added up, but I suppose I will leave it to the professionals.

And yesterday was our (mine and Mark's) 2nd wedding anniversary! We actually both forgot, even though we carpooled to work and ate breakfast together! I thought that didn't happen until after 10 years. We're just ahead of the curve. We celebrated with a great dinner and Mark bought our family 10 photo sessions over the next 5 years for family portraits! And how embarrassing that I only got him a T-shirt. I suppose that "we're on a budget" thing only applies to Christmas and birthdays. Ha, he loved his shirt though so hopefully I'll have a picture of him in it for our next blog.