Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Awaiting Baby

Crib? Check.
Diapers? Check.
Stroller? Check.
Car Seat? Check.
Way too many adorable baby clothes/blankets? Check.
Sleepless nights due to baby kicks, Braxton Hicks, and frequent trips to the restroom? Check.

There's only one thing missing :)

Went to another doctor's appointment yesterday...still no difference from the last time. C'mon, little Jack we're waiting!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

36 Weeks

YAY!!! The countdown has begun!! 4 weeks left :) Doctor visits are now weekly, and yesterday he gave me some fun facts:

As of right now:
I'm 1cm. dilated
I'm 65% effaced
The baby is head down
The Doctor thinks he will be born 7-7 1/2 lbs

I'm getting so excited!! Tomorrow is my last day of work, and I'm becoming more and more anxious to have our little boy here with us. I feel like there's so much to still get ready...but i don't know what!! Mothers, please advise!

There is a bit of sad news though...it's my ankles, or lack thereof. I guess I haven't really seen them in a while to notice this before. It's hard to see below my stomach, and it's winter so I'm constantly wearing pants and/or socks so I hadn't noticed until the Dr.'s appointment, but I have swollen ankles!! My bragging right for no-swelling is gone.

We're heading home to Las Vegas for Christmas on Sunday and coming home the day after Christmas. (the Doc thinks this baby could come early...hopefully not that early, but we're not taking any chances!!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

1-2-3-4-5

I only have ONE week of work left.
I have less than TWO weeks until Christmas at home.
I have THREE Christmas presents left to buy.
I have a little over FOUR weeks until my due date
I have FIVE days until my next Doctor's appointment and depending on how that goes will determine some of the above mentioned...

Belly pictures to come soon. I've gotten a LITTLE bit bigger since I've last shown you :)

Friday, December 5, 2008

I've always wanted to learn how to take pictures...good pictures. I LOVE looking at pictures and seeing the different edits that can improve the shot. A couple of months ago I even downloaded a editing program and have spent many hours editing old pictures I already had. Harrison knows this and for awhile we played with the idea of getting a nice DSLR camera for Christmas, but a few months ago i let go of that idea knowing how expensive they were, and how we didn't really need it. But earlier this week Harrison (being the Mr. Wonderful that he is) found a good used camera on KSL.com for a really good deal. Needless to say, Santa came a little early this year :)

Okay, now i have 6 weeks until this baby comes, so I have 6 weeks to practice so I can make those "only cute to the parents" pictures adorable for all of you!! I'm so excited to learn more about photography. When Harrison is in the Middle East this summer I'm planning on taking a photography class to help me improve and to keep my busy while he's away :)

Here's our new addition:

Isn't she pretty??

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Post You've Been Waiting For

Now that the Carrie dust has settled, look at the cool pictures we got!! The concert was truly amazing. She is so incredibly talented. Meeting her was so fun as well. Honestly, she wasn't as overwhelming friendly as I imagined, but I think that was just because she's probably not one to be comfortable with all of these star-struck fans waiting in line to take a picture with her and get an autograph. Once she got on stage she was a completely different person. It seemed like that was her comfort zone. We didn't have exactly FRONT row seats, more like 6th row, but we weren't complaining :) We were right next to the stage in the center.





Little Big Town opened for her




Look at all the poor, poor people sitting behind us

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Carry who you Married for Carrie

Last week I was at work (and working hard...) when they announced on the radio to call in now to win Carrie Underwood concert tickets. I had tried calling in before and had never gotten through, but I thought I'd try anyways. I called and amazingly enough I heard ringing on the other line, and not a busy signal!! The DJ answered and asked if I could be in South Jordan the next day from 11-1. I was so confused why this was important, I clearly wasn't paying attention to the circumstances of winning these tickets on the radio...so I asked him why. he told me I had to compete with my husband in a piggyback ride competition at Harmon's grocery. This was the strangest competition I'd ever heard of, but after a little hesitation I agreed to be there. Yes, I realize I'm more than 6 months pregnant, and that I had work, and Harrison had school, but these were for free Carrie Underwood tickets..FRONT ROW Carrie Underwood tickets. So I called Harrison, and he being the wonderful husband that he is agreed to miss class (and a quiz...) to go with me :)

We got to the grocery store in South Jordan (after a night of strategic pregnancy-piggyback riding practice) to see that we were racing 14 other couples. Most of which had women that were smaller than me and the men were bigger than Harrison (sorry, honey) and some were even dressed in sweats--ready to run. We started to get a little intimidated, but thank goodness I married a competitive man, because he definitely was focused on winning. Probably more on the fact that he just wanted to win rather than actually going to the concert, but I'll take whatever motivation he needed.

To make this already long story a little shorter, we smoked everybody!! We won front row tickets, backstage passes, and a year's supply of Vitamin Water. haha we were laughing all day about it. Our winning was all about the take-off. The wives had to start with feet on the ground, so most started a few feet behind their husbands who were standing up. I suppose they wanted to get a running start and jump up behind their husbands. Not us. Harrison started in a squatting position and because I couldn't jump on his back anyways (I have a huge belly in the way...) I stood right behind him, and when they yelled "GO!" it was only a matter of me leaning forward and we were off!! haha, I'm still laughing at the ridiculousness of it all...but at least I'll be laughing while I meet Carrie Underwood :)
A little late, but here are some pictures from our first Halloween together:

Carving our Pumpkin

The finished product :)

Harrison doing an impression of our pumpkin friend.

We all dressed up at work :)

Our Halloween costume for the evening. Juno and Bleeker from "Juno". Of you haven't seen it, don't worry, you're not missing much. Thanks for the picture and the party Brandon and Lindsey!!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Tagged By Nicole

I am: Mary Christine Poulson Smith
I think: way too much.
I have: the best life.
I dislike: when the bottom of my jeans get wet in the rain.
I miss: my family.
I fear: any complications with our little boy.
I feel: so blessed.
I hear: our space heater.
I smell: the orange juice sitting next to me.
I crave: chocolate...constantly.
I cry: for no reason. I'm pregnant, remember?
I usually: can be found in sweat pants.
I search: ponder and pray.
I wonder: what our little boy will look like and when he will come!!
I regret: nothing.
I wish: Harrison didn't have to go to school, and I didn't have to work.
I love: My Hubby.
I care: about my friends and family.
I always: have something I should be doing, that I'm probably not...
I worry: about some things...who doesn't?
I am not: cleaning like I should be :)
I remember: the strangest things
I believe: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I sing: in the car.
I don't always: want to go to work.
I write: with my right hand.
I win: when I play Harrison in Pass the Pigs. Ha!!
I lose: when I play Harrison in Monopoly. :(
I listen: to the radio.
I don't understand: how I got so lucky.
I can usually be found: at work, or home with the hubs.
I need: to go grocery shopping.
I forget: the names of new people I meet...I'm terrible!!
I am happy: when I'm doing the things that make me happy :)

I Tag: Merrick, Liz, and Brittany Dock...you're welcome :)

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Right Answer

A year ago today I made the best decision of my life ;) October 20 marks the first anniversary of the day Harrison and I got engaged. It's true, the following three months were stressful, and sometimes painful, but the past 9 months have been truly amazing. Harrison is everything I've ever wanted in an eternal companion and more. I feel so blessed to have him all to myself!! And now in just a few months we will welcome out little boy into our lives. Can a girl be any luckier? I think not.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Are we there yet?

26 weeks...and counting. I cannot wait for this precious little boy to come into our lives. It's getting harder and harder to work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I love the people I work with (although my boss is slightly insane...but who's boss isn't??) it pays well, especially for Provo, and it's been super flexible with my pregnancy and whatever time I need off for "mommy matters". So why do I want to be done? I don't want it to be my main priority anymore. Of course Harrison is my #1, but I spend 8+ hours a day doing things that make no impact in my personal life or the future to come. I do get satisfaction from a hard day's work, but I want to get satisfaction from a Mom day's work. I want to put all my energy into caring for our little boy and to being a better wife (I will cook more...I will cook more....) I told my job I'd work until Christmas so I only have a little over two months to go!!

I do have a confession however. This morning I used this pregnancy to my advantage. I may have called into work telling them I would be late due to the bad night's sleep I had..which is entirely true. Little Jack, (there I publicly announced the name we're planning on) likes to kick and it mostly comes when I'm trying to sleep. I told them I would be in a couple hours later...I told you, I have the best job ever. Not only that but I was an evil influence on Harrison and convinced him to play hookie and miss his first class. This was a first for him this semester, and probably a last...he's not the college student I once was. We hardly see each other much anymore between school, ROTC, studying, work, church meetings...we're SO busy!! So we spent the morning together and it was SO wonderful :) He brought me breakfast in bed (he's so sweet) and we played a few games of "Pass the Pigs". If you haven't played before...buy it, play it, love it. Then it was off to our normal day. But it was so wonderful to get some extra time with him this morning. Thank goodness for days like today.

Here is the latest belly shot. The lighting turned out a little strange so I made it black and white.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Thought of the Day

My Dad emailed me this link. It was a really inspiring story to me, and I'd thought I'd share it with you. It's stories like this that make me want to do more; to make a difference, even if in some small way. And it also makes me not have the best feelings toward Al Gore haha. Let me know what you think :)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OVw1PANUcdg

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Baby Bump.


Many have asked to see this picture...although I'm not sure why. I look so terribly awkward, and I don't like the fact that we're all turning our attention to the roundest part of my body. haha, but i guess that's what happens when you're pregnant :)


All is well with our little boy. He is healthy and happy (okay, maybe I'm assuming that one) but he sure does like to move around a lot. Especially when his mom is lying down to go to sleep :) It's fun to feel and see him moving around. He's getting so strong, sometimes his little foot/elbow/knee...something...forces its way up hard enough for us to see the impact of it. It's a crazy new feeling, but we love it. And we can't wait to have him here!!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

State Fair

Why do we go to the State Fair?

For as long as I can remember, my Dad would always take me to little county fairs all around central California. Usually we would go for the music. We'd see unheard of country singers, and bands from the 70's. Most of which were really good including Bryan White, Billy Gillman, Jessica Andrews, and America. Of course while we were there, we had to eat delicious fair food. Foot long corn dogs, huge cinnamon rolls, soft tacos, churros, and my personal favorite: funnel cakes. I can't recall ever going on the fair rides. I'm not sure why we didn't. I never cared to anyways. But i do remember one year in particular Dad and I stood outside the bungee jumping attraction for twenty minutes trying to decide if it was worth it. Not for me to try of course, but for my Dad. I could tell he wanted to, but being of man in his mid 40's I think the question that he kept asking himself was, "Could I have a heart attack from this...?" Needless to say he didn't pay the 40 bucks to see what the answer to that question would be. Going to the fair with him will always be some of my fondest memories with my Dad. So now that I'm older, I wanted to have these experiences with Harrison and continue the fair tradition.

So why don't i have the oh-so-fond memories of the Utah State fair we went to last night as I do of the ones back in California? It all started with the parking. There was so much traffic to begin with, the lots were full. There were at least three fair-sponsored lots, and all of them managed to be full at the exact time we drove up. However, we weren't too upset by this because it cost 5 bucks to park there anyways, so we continued our search for a spot in nearby neighborhoods. But i am 5 months pregnant (and maybe a little lazy) so we didn't want to park too far away, and after some good searching we managed to squeeze into a little spot right in front of someone's house. Clearly NOT blocking the driveway (although it was a close call...). We walked a short distance and were at the fair entrance only to pay 8 bucks for each of us to even walk in the gates. Not a huge deal i guess, we planned on paying for that from the beginning. Not to mention we saved 5 bucks on parking, remember? Finally we were in the fair, and I was getting excited!! We walked around, ate some delicious over-priced food and even watched an a Capella group from Minnesota that wasn't half bad. Then we looked at some exhibits, ate some more food, and made the horrible decision to walk down the game section of the fairgrounds. NEVER GO TO THE GAME SECTION. Those seasonal fair-workers will do whatever it takes for you to give them 6 dollars to throw a ball at a glass bottle and break it. And even though you know, YOU KNOW that bottle is too far away, and it's probably super-glued to its shelf, therefore not letting it budge and inch, you want that big overstuffed tiger hanging from the plastic tent wall so badly, that you willingly throw away your money for the one in a million dollar chance to win. Multiply this game times 10 others, and this pretty much explains the next half an hour of our evening. After escaping that trap, we moved on to more food, more exhibits, and then we were ready to go. It was late, we were stuffed, out of money, and exhausted. Although I enjoyed the date night with Harrison, i was a little disappointed in my latest state fair experience. When we got to our car we were welcomed by a little slip of paper tucked inside of a pink envelope. A nice man from the Salt Lake Police Department gave us a ticket for being "zero inches in front of the driveway." It's twenty-five dollars if we pay it within the next ten days. So much for saving money on parking.

We got home, and went to sleep but then I woke up at three in the morning when my body was telling me that it didn't agree with the fair food I had paid so much for. I won't go into details, but lets just say that it was the worst experience with my stomach I have ever had. Including 3 months of morning sickness. But my sweet husband did surprise me with roses this morning for my night of discomfort :)

Despite all of this, I still love the fair, and this hasn't permanently damaged my expectations or hopes for fairs to come. In the future however, I think I will eat less, park better, bring only a set amount of cash, and avoid the game section.

Friday, August 29, 2008

It's a boy!!



Today we went to see the doctor and find out that we're having a little boy :) We're so excited!! I was so nervous going into this appointment. Not only about finding out the gender, but I was just hoping and praying that the ultrasound would show a healthy little baby, and it did!! Harrison and I feel truly blessed to be having this little boy, and to be blessed with him so soon into our marriage. We're now 20 weeks and counting!! Halfway there!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Kalee and McKay



Harrison and I had the chance to go home to Las Vegas for his sister, Kalee, and our new brother-in-law Mckay's wedding. We are so happy for them!!







Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Yes, I have one now.

It's true, I finally folded under the pressure, and started a blog for our little family of two and a half. Harrison and I have been married almost seven months now, and we're counting down the months until we become a family of three :) I will do my best to stay up to date on this blog!! Let me know how this whole thing works, and how I can make my blog better :)