Getting Ready for Baby Girl

Brax has been very excited about having a sister.  On the 2nd Branden decided to get a bunch of things done around the house that were on his to do list.  He worked on the car and replaced cables in the couch that were broken and we'd picked up while in Richfield.  Following that Brax decided that they had one more job that absolutely had to be done.  He told Branden that they had to set up the changing table in the baby's room.  He was so excited!  I didn't know where they'd disappeared and all of a sudden I hear, "Mom, come check this out!"  I went and watched as they got it put together.  Brax was so proud when they got done.  He couldn't wait to put diapers and wipes on the shelves.  What a good boy we have!

I started the nesting phase this week.  All I want to do is clean.  On Monday I cleaned for hours and that night I started having contractions and only slept for 2 hours.  Tuesday I was so sick and having contractions that I spent the day in bed.  Today I decided to do a job, then take a break.  I'll do another job and take a break.  I'm currently taking a break, but need to get back to work.  I don't get things done as quickly as I want, but I don't want to be in bed tomorrow.  I head back to the doctor tomorrow and every week until she gets here!

Christmas 2012

Brax and baby cousin Jayden

Brax and baby cousin Tate

Brax and Brev decided to make snowmen in one of our first trips.

Our drive home on Christmas Eve.

We decided as a family that we were going to spend Christmas at home.  It was very different because we'd never done that before.  Branden was up at 6 and insisted that I get up and get ready.  Braxten didn't get up until just before 8 am.  It was a fun morning.  I made breakfast casserole for my guys, because that's what they requested.  We opened presents and then ate breakfast.

This year I cut back on all the presents, but it was still a nice day.  Braxten received a Nintendo DS XL and two model Tonka vehicles from Santa.  He also got two remote control cars and a remote control dune buggy.  Roller blades, a beanie, and DS games rounded out his gifts.  Branden received a blessing oil vile and games.  I got a breast pump and pads, also some earrings.  As a couple we received some movies, popcorn, candy, a Christmas book, calendar and a few other things I can't think of right now.  We had a lot of fun.  Also, we had a special gift for Braxten.  We decided that we'd give him the gift of finding out what gender his sibling is.  He was so excited and was bouncing off the walls.  We found out IT'S A GIRL!  He was so excited because that's what he really wanted.

After breakfast I started working on our evening meal.  While trying to get my stuffing made for that night I fell in the kitchen.  I ended up in the splits and it has sent me in pain since then.  I'm not sure if I stretched myself out or pulled something.  Oh well!  We had hamburgers for lunch and relaxed through the afternoon.  For dinner I made stuffing, potatoes, and turkey.  It turned out quite well.

 Due to weather conditions we spent a few more days at home.  We did a favor for my dad on the 26th and had a lazy day.  On the 27th Branden went to work and I headed to the doctor with Braxten.  The doctor had Brax find the heart beat.  I measured a few days early.  It was fun to have Brax with me for my appointment.

On the 28th we headed back to Venice/Glenwood for the final time before the baby is born.  We played games and visited.  On the 29th we had the Spencer family Christmas party.  Brax and I went and had fun visiting with cousins that I hadn't seen in a while.  We went to church in Venice and I kept throwing up.  It was not the best church experience.  On New Year's Eve we headed up to Jeremy and Katie's for dinner.  We had Cafe Rio burritoes and little smokies.  We also had a really good dessert that included Golden Grahams, caramel popcorn, chocolate, and I can't remember what else.  I was addicted!  Branden headed over to hang out with some friends.  I'd been throwing up and not feeling well so I headed back to my parents.  That night I hung out with my mom and the grandkids.  My dad was sick so he went to bed.  Mother Goose came that night and brought Brax another DS game and us some more game boards to add to our Ticket to Ride collection.  That afternoon we headed over to the Anderson's for lunch and then back home.  It was so nice to see everyone over a three week period, but I was sure ready to be in my own home again.

The Wedding

On the 14th of December we headed up to the Mount Timpanogus Temple to go through the with Shanelle for her first time.  It was nice to be together with my three siblings and parents.  It was a very nice time.  We then headed to my parents for the night.

The 15th was the open house/reception day.  I got up and did my hair.  I decided to do it curly and it only took me 1.5 hours to get it how I wanted it.  After getting ready we headed over to the Venice Schoolhouse to finish preparing.  We spent a while over there helping my mom with table cloths and other final touches that were necessary.  The Oldroyd side of Branden's family was having their Christmas party that afternoon so we headed to Glenwood.  We hung out for a while and then headed back to Venice to change our clothes and get ready for family pictures.  We stayed after that to set out desserts and whatever else needed to be done.  The night was very nice.  Our nephew Luke ended up in Instacare due to a bad case of strep throat so Jeremy, Katie, Luke, and Tate weren't able to come and hang out with us.  You have to do what is necessary though.  Our cousin, Kory, had his reception that night also in the Venice Church so we took turns heading over to congratulate him and his future bride as well.

 On the 16th we headed back home for a few days.  Shanelle and Jordan were married on the 19th so we headed to Manti.  It was a snowy morning, even in Hurricane.  It was a rough drive due to snow covered roads, but we made it with time to spare.  The sealing ceremony was very nice.  My three siblings and spouses with our parents were all together again.  There was a lot of family there also.  Branden and Brax volunteered to help the photographers so my mom and I walked around watching as they took pictures.  We then headed over to the luncheon.  The newlyweds then headed out for their honeymoon and we headed to Glenwood.  I was done traveling for a little so we stayed with Branden's parents until Christmas Eve. 

Santa 2012

I can tell that Brax is definitely getting older.  We had our ward party right before all of the wedding events.  He spoke to Santa and man what a wish list.  He asked for an iPad, basketball hoop, Nintendo 3DS, Wii games, and a big screen TV.  He added a few since we had talked last.  He is so funny!