An exciting new year

Well, here were are, another year over and a new one about to begin.

Last year, I wrote about my resolutions, and as is customary, I didn't keep many of them.
This year, however, my priorities are different. It's no longer just about me. I have many things that need to be done and accomplished before my little girl gets here.

So here it is! My annual list of "Things I want to do, but chances are I'll forget about them or not have time to finish them" list.

A.K.A. my 2011 new years resolution list.

1. Get a baby registry done by the end of January
2. Have baby girl's room done by the end of February
3. Sign up for birthing classes the first week of January
4. Finish my online classes by the beginning of March
5. De-clutter my apartment (mostly, this means making Bryant go through the 20+ white button up collar shirts he has)
6. Pay my car off, then put that money towards Bryant's car
7. Get that darn honeymoon scrapbook done (last years resolution was to have it done by May)
8. After I have baby, be able to fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes by the time we go out to Mt. Shasta in July, that gives me roughly 12 weeks. I can do it!
9. Spend more time training Ace.
10. Try to be home more in the evenings
11. Open an Etsy shop
12. Learn not to be so anxious and stressed out
13. Be more adventurous when it comes to meeting new people. I'm in need of some friends
14. Be the very best Mom that I can be to my sweet little girl!

This year has been such an amazing one.

Bryant and I celebrated our first anniversary at Disneyland in May

(photo from Disneyworld on our honeymoon in 2009)

We went to Mt. Shasta for the 4th of July


A few weeks later we found out were were pregnant with our first baby

(26 weeks!)

We went to Jackson Hole Wyoming to go river rafting (yes, I went through class 3 and 4 rapids pregnant!) and it's was Ace's first camping experience.


I went to my first Macfarlane family reunion and we got to go to Yellowstone



Bryant and I have grown so much closer to each other this year as well. We've been able to learn what we need and expect from each other and we are able to communicate and are not afraid to tell each other when we don't agree with something. We've also learned how to better express our love for each other. We've learned to read into each others emotions and how to better deal and help with them.

I'm so terrified, yet so unbelievably excited for 2011.
It's going to be our biggest adventure yet!

A very Merry Christmas

I had such a fantastic Christmas this year!
I really got spoiled. I don't know how I got such wonderful parents and wonderful In-laws, but I'm so grateful I do.

Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos, and I really wish I had.

Christmas Eve, I had to close at work (for the 3rd year in a row) but thankfully, we were able to kick people out fast (except one lady who was "browsing" forever, and eventually my manager just told her that she had to leave) so we were able to clean up and get out of there in 20 minutes, as apposed to the hour and a half it had been taking us every night all week.

I was so grateful to get out early because I was able to meet Bryant and his aunts, uncles and cousins up in Alpine. I missed dinner, a live nativity and the gift exchange, but I was able to make it for a rousing game of garbage, in which I took 11 out of 12th place (so I'm a little rusty) and I think I ate my weight in cherry tomatoes and ham!

Bryant's aunt Crystal gave everyone these "poppers". They were little presents that you "pop" open and inside there is a crown, a joke and a small gift. Mine had a beautiful compact mirror and Bryant got an LED flashlight! I need to find these next year because they make great party gifts!

Christmas morning, I didn't get any sleep. You know when you are little, and you wake up every hour to "use the bathroom" but you are really sneaking peeks under the tree? Well, when you're pregnant, you really DO have to get up every hour to use the bathroom and you get 2 charlie horse cramps and your baby kicks you on whatever side you are lying on so you have to keep changing sides to get some rest in. I was having a rough night so I got up around 4:30 and watched about an hour of Christmas vacation before falling back asleep, then being woken up by my sister and brother at 7:30.

But the lack of sleep was worth it. It was so fun to watch everyone open their presents! My little sister wanted me to open her gift first, so I did. She and Bryant picked me out the prettiest little apron you've ever seen! I loved it!

I think Bryant really liked all of his gifts too. I got him some vests to wear to work (he's really handsome in vests and sweaters) a game called munchkin, a bionical toy (long story) and a video game he really wanted.

I'm glad I didn't buy him any books because my parents got us a Nook for Christmas! (I said I was spoiled) and I love it! Plus, it's going to save us a lot of money on all the books we read! the first book I downloaded on there? Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

My other big gift? My In-Laws got me a kitchen aid! Yes, again, may I point out that I was spoiled. My mom and I immediately set it to work making rolls, biscuits and pies. Even now, I'm waiting for Bryant to get back from Skiing with his cousins so I can make scones and cookies with it (along with some hot chocolate with the tea pot Bryant got me!) I really wish my in-laws were here so I could have thanked them in person. I really did get so lucky having them in my family.

After gifts, we all took a nap, then had our traditional biscuits and gravy for breakfast. That afternoon we went up to my Aunt Pauline's house for Christmas dinner. I forgot to get pictures there and wish I had. Dinner was great and it was really great to visit with family.

After dinner, we traveled through the fog to my grandparents house for more food and more family time.


My stylin' husband (I'm so glad that isn't his real hair...)

Also...
I'm 26 weeks along! Only 14 more to go!
Baby Stokes was probably the most spoiled, and she's not even here yet!
Opening her gifts was definitely my favorite part of Christmas. She got a few new outfits and tons of books, stuffed animals and blankets from her Grandparents on both sides. It makes me want to start setting up her nursery! (Even though I promised myself I wouldn't until at least February) But I may have to so I have a place to put all of her stuff!

Next Christmas is going to be so much fun having her there.

I am so grateful for all my family and friends. And I'm so grateful for this time of year that I get to spend time with them and remember the savior and all he has done for me and blessed me with.

I hope you all had just as wonderful a Christmas day as I did!

Twas the night before Christmas...

Well, the chocolate chip cookie pie is in the oven, the presents are all wrapped, the kitchen is cleaned (can't say the same for the craft room) and I've got a few minutes to spare before I have to head off to work (ugh, yes, work on Christmas eve, closing, for the THIRD year in a row...)

So I thought I share a post on what I did on my day off on Wednesday.

First, Bryant's Brother Jacob, his wife Sally, and their adorable baby Jayden were in town for her brother's wedding. We headed up to Murray to spend a quick visit with them before they headed back to California.
Bryant and Jayden enjoying a Strawberry Shortcake movie on his phone. I can't wait to see him with our daughter!

She was a lot more warmed up to her uncle than the last time we saw them, where she cried every time he picked her up.My sister-in-law Sally enjoying some quiet time while Jayden took a brief nap.

After our visit, Bryant and I headed home and picked up my little sister, who helped us finish up some Christmas shopping at the mall and at my work, where we also grabbed some Cider and hot chocolate. Yum!

Afterwords, my Mom called and asked if we would like to go to the Carl Bloch altarpiece exhibit that was at BYU. So we met her, my dad and my Brother Sawyer there a couple hours later and had a ton of fun at the exhibit.

This was my favorite, and what a great way to remember what the Savior did for us during this Christmas season!

My sister and I rented Ipads, where they had an audio tour, plus commentary for each of the paintings, along with a virtual tour of all the churches and cathedrals where they pieces were originally.

After the exhibit, we went to a burger place called Stans.
This is making me hungry just thinking about it!
If any of you live in the Provo area, head to 9th east and try it out! Soooo good!
(nothing says "i'm a teenager!" quite like an open mouth with food in it. After about 8 photos, and that mouth staying open in every single one, I finally decided that, tough luck Sawyer, you get to have this on the internet now!)
And I just can't seem to get rid of these bags under my eyes! Thanks a lot holiday shoppers for making me stay late at work... And thanks to baby for kicking me ALL night long (but I don't mind that so much )

After dinner, we headed over to Spanish Fork to see the lights! One of my favorite holiday traditions!
Bryant enjoyed it so much, that he drove us through twice!

Well, that was what I did on my day off! I just pray that work goes smoothly tonight and I don't get any ridiculous customers tonight (like the lady who said she didn't want a cookbook, but wanted a book with recipes in it... whaaa?)

I'm also hoping we get out at a decent hour so I can spend some time with Bryant's aunts and uncles who are in town before they have to leave.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Baby Names and Birthdays!

It's definitely been the month of Dad!
He's had a successful art show in Salt Lake and yesterday was his Birthday!
Saturday, my family went to my grandparents house for dinner to celebrate, but unfortunately, I had to go to work. Then, I had to go to work all day yesterday too. Bummer.


But thankfully we close early on Sundays so I was able to come home and have dinner with him and give him his birthday present. Last year I got him a calendar with black and white photos of sailboats, and when I asked what he wanted this year, he said he wanted another calendar like it, so that's what I got him. Hope you like it Dad! Just wait until you see what Bryant and I got you for Christmas!

Happy Birthday Dad! You're the best and I love you!!!

Also, the other night Bryant and I started to seriously discuss baby names, and I've had so many people ask me when I'm going to post our choices on this blog, so I thought I'd share what we have so far. I've come to realize that there are a lot more names that I don't like than ones I do like, but I really love these names.

I came up with Savannah Jane, I have always loved the name Savannah and I think it works with our last name.

Then, Bryant came up with Coraline Rose.

The more I run this name over in my head, the more and more I am completely in love with it. My parents really love it too. My dad is particularly excited about it because he has an Aunt Cora (my mom made her fudge recipe last night, as a matter of fact) I think it's such a pretty name for a little girl. Bryant says he wants to call her Rose or Rosie. Cute huh?

Even as I type this, she is kicking like crazy! My whole right side is sticking out from where it looks like she's stretching. I'm taking this as a sign that she really likes the name too.

We also have a couple other names we like, like Bridget and Evangeline. And Bryant says he really likes Sundance, but I'm thinking that would be a good middle name for a boy. But everyone tells me to have a couple picked out because sometimes you will have one and then when they are born, they just don't seem to fit that name.

My Brother was named Justin Colter for a couple of weeks, then my parents decided to change it to Colter Lance. I'm glad they changed it, I could never picture him as a Justin...

So there you have it! A small list of our name choices. If we think of more, I'll be sure to post them! (we better decided quick! We only have just over 3 months to go!)

All grown up!

Wednesday was my sweet little sister's 12th birthday!
I can't believe she's all grown up! I was 11 when she was born, I feel so old!
She will be in Jr. High next year! This seriously freaks me out...

Last night we went out to celebrate.
Every year, she chooses to go to the Mayan for dinner.
If you've never been there, it's a Mexican restaurant, themed like the Mayan jungle, complete with massive, working water fall with a diving show.


My brothers gave her the new Taylor Swift CD

And my parents gave her a Chia pet. I didn't know they still made these, let alone that my sister knew what they were and wanted one!
It's donkey from Shrek. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Bryant and I got her a gift card to the movie theater. She is always asking if we can take her to see a movie but we never seem to take the time to do it. She was excited and said she wants to go see Harry Potter!


And she got deep fried ice cream (burrito flavored ice cream, as my dad calls it) with a firework in it! That was pretty awesome too. We didn't know if you were supposed to blow it out or what, but after a minute or two it went out on it's own.


My brother and my Dad
My sister sharing her ice cream!

I for got to get a picture of my other brother. He brought a date to dinner and she was super nice and really cute! Hopefully she sticks around!

I also forgot to get a picture of my sister's whole outfit. My mom made her this adorable skirt and my sister looked beautiful!

I hope she had a great birthday because we had a lot of fun being with her!
Happy Birthday sweetheart!

City Weekly Article!

I just worked 8 hours.

Mind you, that means constantly moving for 7 1/2 hours, on the phone for half that time, with a giant belly that's threatening to rip my back up, dealing with angry customers who could use a dose of holiday cheer (or really strong egg nog) On 3 hours of sleep, after a 7am history final.

I'm super grumpy.

I should be writing a 6 page essay due tomorrow.
But instead, I'm bragging about my Dad!

You should all check out this article that was published in City Weekly about him!

Or you can pick up this weeks copy and find it in there!

Bragging about talented family members always cheers me up. Especially after I argued with a lady for 5 minutes about how we didn't have a historical fiction section and she insisted that someone took her to it last time she was in there and that I just didn't know what I was talking about.

Also, procrastinating papers, chocolate chip cookie dough shakes from iceberg, Bryant's hand in mine and watching my tummy stretch in funny ways from an active baby girl makes me happy.

6 months! Thats half a year people!

Yesterday, I hit the 24th week mark in my pregnancy.
That's six whole months!!!

I remember when I hit my 3 month mark, my Dad said to me "geeze, you still have half a year to go!"

Well, it's been half a year and I'm down to the final 3 months! (well, technically it's more like 3 1/2 months, since they count the first couple weeks before you're actually pregnant, rounding full term out to 40 weeks. I know, it's weird.)

(24 weeks! Please ignore the bags and dark circles under my eyes, they are due to the fact that I'm either getting up twice a night to use the bathroom, I toss and turn because of sore hips, or a certain wiggly girl gets up at 4:30am)

So we went to the doctors on Wednesday and it was a really short visit. We were supposed to get blood work done for a glucose test, but the nurse forgot to give me this drink thing I have to drink an hour before, and we were supposed to get another ultrasound since little Stokes was facing my spine, so they couldn't check for a cleft pallet, but the doctor left without saying anything and when I asked the nurse on our way out, she said to remind them next time.

But other than those two little things, we were able to learn that everything is going great! My blood pressure is perfect, my weight gain is perfect (but it sure feels like a lot when that scale keeps climbing and climbing) and my little girls heartbeat is exactly where it should be and she is growing right on track!

The doctor had to keep following her around my stomach with the doppler to get her heartbeat because she was movin' and a groovin' all over the place! He said he was happy to see that she was really active (Me too! But this makes me a little worried for when she's about 2 years old. I can already tells she's going to be a hand full)

So here are just a few things my baby girl can do and how's she's progressed:

--She's between 8-9 inches from head to bum

--She weighs roughly 1.7 pounds, or, the weight of an eggplant. (no body fat yet, she's literally skin and bones. Her fat will start to tack on here in a couple of weeks)

--Her blood vessles are starting to develop in her lungs, which means they are getting closer to maturity!

--Her nostrils are opening up, allowing her to practice breathing through them, even though she's just breathing amniotic fluid for now.

--Her hair color and texture is developing (she has a really good chance of being a red head!)

--She's become A LOT more active! I love feeling her move and roll and flip around, even at 4:30 in the morning, which is her favorite time to get a good stretch in...

As for me:

--I'm feeling a lot more confident that everything is going to go well with the rest of this pregnancy. I think those first few months are the hardest because I would get so worried about miscarrying or something being wrong developmentally with her, but every time I go to the doctors, they always comment on how incredibly healthy both her and I am. It makes me feel so much more relaxed.

--I have been so lucky to have such an easy pregnancy, but I can definitely tell how it's affecting my body. I wake up with charlie horses in my calves, I can't sit in a chair or on the couch for too long or my back hurts, and I've got some growing pains from my quickly expanding belly (but surprisingly, I haven't had any signs of stretch marks... yet)

-My hands have begun to swell. They are the worst first thing in the morning, I can't even get my wedding ring on. I'm thinking of making Bryant buy me a cheap fake one for the last 3 months. The last thing I need is one of the crazy old customers at work giving me a lecture about being pregnant without a ring on my finger (I'm not kidding, I get chewed out by customers for the weirdest things, I had one guy tell me I was a sinner and not a true Mormon because I had never read Jesus the Christ... And then a week later I had one lady hug me, crying, saying that she was going to pray for my soul since I was a Mormon. Crazy people I tell ya! )

--I'm still dealing with mood swings, and I hate it. And poor Bryant is usually in my line of fire when I get grumpy. Thankfully, he understands and is a good sport about it, making sure I'm doing Okay and have anything I need or want rather than getting mad back. He's way too good to me.

--Oh yeah, and I have a head cold. Lame.

As far as preparing for baby:

--We have most of the major things all set, just not set up. We have a stroller, given to us by my cousin (it's got winnie the pooh. I'm such a sucker for winnie the pooh!)

--My aunt is letting us borrow her crib, Score!

--We are planning on going to a car seat class offered by the county health and justice department. It's 25 bucks, you learn how to properly install a car seat and how to properly and safely put your baby in one, then you get a car seat for going! Score again!

--We have a diaper pail! Woo! Graciously given to us by our neighbor. (And my mom has been stocking up on diapers! Thanks mom!)

--I have bought three SF 49ers onesies... We are lacking in the clothes department, but I'm waiting until the baby shower to buy clothes or toys or anything like that.

--We are going to start taking birthing and parenting classes in January I think. I keep telling Bryant it will be good for him, but really, I think I'm the one who really needs it. Even after taking care of and babysitting many, many kids, they were never mine to completely care, protect and provide for. Plus, it's been roughly 10-11 years since I've had to make a bottle...

So, yeah. That's quite a big update, but I figured my mom, mother-in-law and grandma would at least like to know how everything's going!

Just a few more things...

I think I have officially put up all my Christmas decorations!
I had most of them up but I had a few more that still needed to be placed out on the shelf or wall.
I made one more ornament and it turned out to be one of my favorite ones that I did.

My Mom gave me this nativity for Christmas last year and she found it while getting her Christmas stuff out. Isn't it awesome? Also, Bryant and I went to his work's Christmas party this week and I got the snowman candle holder in the white elephant gift exchange (actually, I got chocolate, Bryant "stole" this from another person just for me and it was the 2nd time it was stolen, which according to game rules meant it couldn't be stolen again. Score!)


I made a mini-tree, complete with snow (A.K.A leftover Halloween cobwebs) I still need something for the top and I think it could use some white snowflakes on it or something...


My little shelf of Christmas decorations!

I also found an empty box and wrapped it up, then placed our little tree up on it to make it look taller because the presents underneath it were almost half as high as it.


I also pulled out the stockings my Mom gave Bryant and I while we were dating and the wreath I made last year. I'm quite proud of my wall...

I did all this while Bryant was watching some war movie. Even being a history major, I just don't do war movies well. Especially now that I cry at ASPCA and coffee commercials. So I just hid out at my craft table and watched the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.

Also, unfortunately, I feel like I'm coming down with something. My throat hurts and I'm all achy and tired and just feeling very "blah".

Which is so stupid because as Bryant and I sat in the doctors office this morning, I made mention of getting a flu shot and I said "I've been very lucky to only get sick once this whole pregnancy!" Bryant knocked on the wooden arm chair and told me not to jinx it. And wouldn't you know it? Two hours later and I'm feeling like mush.

But My hubby is so good to me. He boiled 2 pots of water to get some humidity going in our apartment and keeps coming into the craft room asking if I want/need/feel like anything. What a worry wart. But I love him.

Good thing I only have 1 class tomorrow then I'm done with school til finals on Monday and I don't work til Saturday night. I can just stay comfy and cozy with my robitusson and hot chocolate. I wish Ace wasn't so stinky, or I'd curl up with him while Bryant is at work...

P.S. Robyn, you asked for a photo of my parents Christmas tree so here it is!


It looks a little jumbled because we took the photo with the lights, I'll get a better one and I'll definitely get a better shot of the village Sawyer made underneath it. It looks like a red rock canyon village! Complete with Thomas the tank engine train :-)

Art and Lights

Friday night was the 2nd artist reception for the art show my dad was featured in!
We thankfully made it up ok despite some heavy traffic due to construction and Jazz game patrons.


My mom and dad

My brother and my grandpa, just two cowboys.


My grandma (on right) and her sister Leta made it up too! (hope your foot feels better soon grandma!)

My cousins and my uncle were up there too. It's always nice to see my family!
It was a lot of fun and I am so proud of my dad. He really is an amazing artist and an amazing dad. I hope our baby girl inherits his artistic talent.

Bryant and I stayed for a little while and then decided to jump on trax and go see the lights at Temple Square, which is one of my favorite holiday traditions!

It was really beautiful but we had to kind of rush through everything because it was way crowded, it was close to closing time, and were were getting stopped every few feet by the sister missionaries (nothing against missionaries, they are awesome and super friendly! But I wanted to enjoy the lights and the spirit without being asked the same questions a hundred times)


(two college girls from the UofU were talking to my dad at the show and they saw Bryant, not realizing he was my dad's son-in-law and one girl said "why is that guy wearing a Y hat? This is Ute country!" hahahaha!)

I always like seeing the different nativities from around the world, this was my favorite this year, I think they are Eskimos.

This is the tree inside the Joseph Smith building. I always want to touch everything in that building, is that weird? I just love the pillars and the detail on the banisters and all the elegant chandeliers.

We definitely plan on going up again before Christmas and spending more time up there.

After Temple Square closed, we went back to the gallery via trax and met up with my family again. The show was just closing too so my parents treated us to dinner at Jason's Deli across the street at the Gateway.

Definitely a good night!