More May Showers

It's been a busy weekend for us! My family came up on Friday, and we had so much going on! Friday night, my best friend Megan threw me a baby shower for all my Utah girlfriends. It was so much fun. I love games, and we played 3 of the cutest, funniest shower games I've ever heard of. First we guessed the size of my belly. Some of my friends were too nice, the others were really mean! I couldn't believe how big some of you thought I was! It's okay, no hard feelings. I definitely look pregnant now! Then we played the most gross but fun game I've ever heard of. Megan melted candy bars in diapers to look like #2, and we had to guess which #2 belonged to which candy. Congratulations to Julie and Jessica who guessed every one right! The last game was so funny. Megan blindfolded me and Jerai, and we had to eat baby food and guess which was which. Megan was really nice and didn't give us any really gross flavors like meat or pasta, but we did get carrots and peas, along with different fruits, which surprisingly weren't too bad. Jerai and I both kinda sucked at that game. I only got one right, and she only got 2 1/2 right. Anyway, the shower was so fun, and I had such a great time with my girlfriends. Saturday morning my mom, Cheyanne, and I went to Salt Lake for the shower that my mom's mom threw me, for all of my Great Aunts and second cousins and their kids. It was really nice! We just had a little luncheon and visited and it was great catchung up with everyone. Then we headed right back down to Orem for my final baby shower, thrown with love by Cathy, Kristy, and Myrtes, 3 ladies in my ward. It was an open house, so for a couple of hours, different ladies from the ward came by and we visited and had such a nice time. Saturday night we had a couple of neighbors over for a s'mores party in our backyard with our fire pit. It was such a fun (and busy) day. Today was Mother's Day, so we went to church, then to Mother's Day brunch at Mimi's with my mom and the kids. I really hate that they live so far away. Well, I know "far" is a relative term, but I wish more than anything that they lived closer, like maybe in the same town, or on the same street. It was so nice having them here, and so much fun. I hate saying goodbye when they leave. It was hard to say goodbye today when they left, even though I'll be seeing them on Thursday, when we go to Las Vegas. I love you guys!

Baby food. It must've been hilarious to watch.

Me and my hostess.

Megan Ash and Steph

ELLEN!

WOW! All I have to say is Ellen does not disappoint. Wednesday afternoon my mom and I flew to Brubank, California to go to the Thursday taping of the Ellen DeGereres Mother's Day Show (airing on Friday, May 9th). We spent Thursday morning getting ready, then waited for 3 hours until we were let into Ellen's studio. While we waited for Ellen, there was an audience warm-up guy who had us dance and do fun games and dance-offs and such. Then the show started, and it was SO neat! She was really funny and Jessica Alba was her guest and she was beautiful! It was such a cool experience. Ellen even let us use the bathrooms whenever we needed to since we were all pregnant, and she had an ice cream bar set up and a bar of goodies (including pickles, peanut butter, and sardines). She also gave us a bunch of great baby gear, which was so nice of her. And my mom and I were on TV a couple of times! Luckily I wasn't doing anything embarassing. I had such a blast with my mom and I am so grateful I got to have this fun experience! What a treat!

a case of the "pregnants"

Well, it finally happened... The hormones hit me. Big time. I'm telling this story almost a week after it happened because I'm completely mortified by my behavior. I really don't think pregnancy is an excuse to turn into a train wreck. So, please don't judge me, it was the baby talking. That said, here's the scoop. It was about 8 o'clock on Tuesday night when I first discovered I "needed" to have some Cold Stone ice cream. Within minutes, Cold Stone was the only thing I could focus on. I absolutely had to get some! My ever-patient husband acquiesced to my request and within a half hour we drove to Cold Stone. Now I'm not exactly sure why at 9 o'clock on a Tuesday night Cold Stone was such a happening place, but when we got there, the line was to the door, literally. In fact, the couple that got there before us turned around and walked out because the line was so long. We waited for about ten minutes and the line hadn't moved at all, seriously, not even an inch. So Jade proposed the idea of leaving. He asked if I wanted to stay and wait, or if I would rather just leave. He said he honestly didn't mind either way, and he left it up to me. Trying to be level headed, I decided that the line was ridiculous and waiting would be a waste of time, so we left. Then Jade did something so nice- he drove down the hill to the other Cold Stone. Well, sure enough that line was equally long. So, sadly, I said we should just go home. About 3 minutes into the drive home, I was overcome with a feeling of despair. To this day I don't know why, but I was in anguish over not being able to have Cold Stone. I started crying, little tears at first, but by the time we got home I ran to bed, curled into the fetal position, and was sobbing. I told Jade that nothing ever goes my way, and I think I even told him that I had an unbelievably hard life (I know this is totally pathetic, but at the time it seemed like such an unbearable situation). Do you know what my wonderful husband did? He kissed my tear-stained face, left the house, and came back about 25 minutes later with a bowl of the best Cold Stone ice cream I've ever had. After I ate my weight in Cold Stone (or at least that's how it felt) I was totally happy. It was as if the situation never happened. I sort of wish it never would have happened. All I can say is I'm so grateful for a kind, loving, PATIENT husband who would go all the way back to Cold Stone and wait in line just so his pregnant wife could have Cold Stone ice cream. How did I get so lucky? (In case anyone is wondering, I haven't had another case of the "pregnants" yet, but I'll keep you posted)

Softball and Showers

We have lots going on lately, with summer rapidly approaching. It's Jade's busiest time of the year, so he's been working super hard to prepare for the summer. To relieve some stress, the men of Stampede formed a softball team, and they're playing in a city league this summer. So far they've been taking it pretty seriously, and they have night-time practices and even bought real baseball uniforms. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, they're better businessmen than softball players, hence they're 0 for 2. I don't mean to brag, but Jade's definitely one of the team all-stars, and I'm so proud when I watch him. And he looks super hot in his baseball uniform. There's something about a man in uniform! Last week I hosted my best friend Megan's bridal shower at my house! It was a bigger undertaking than I thought it would be, what with my "condition" and a full-time job and everything, but all the hard work paid off and it was super fun. I can't wait for her to get married and experience the ups and downs, but mostly ups, of marriage. Also, last night was my first baby shower! The wives of Stampede (that kind of sounds like a soap opera, but I can't think of a better way to phrase it) got together to celebrate the pregnancies of myself and Brenda Mortensen, another wife, who is due around the same time as me. We had a big dinner party at PF Changs. It was delicious and so fun to get together with everyone. We had a really nice time, and I got so much darling baby stuff! That little girl is going to be the best dressed baby in Utah! Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us! I had a wonderful time!

Me and Meg at her shower

Jade's favorite shower gift

Mommies-to-be

Jade up to bat

BIG NEWS!

So anyone who knows me well knows I'm not really a lucky person. I'm really fortunate in life, and I've been so blessed in every way imaginable, but as far as basic dumb luck goes, I really don't have any. I can't think of a time I've ever won anything, not even a free tee shirt at a baseball game. Imagine my surprise when I get a phone call Sunday afternoon from the audience coordinator of the Ellen DeGeneres show, telling me I won two tickets to be on her Mother's Day show!! I know, I couldn't believe it either. It's airing May 9th, the Friday before Mother's Day, and my momma and I are going to the taping in Burbank on May 8th. I'm SO excited!! She invited only first time pregnant moms-to-be and a guest of their choice who must be a mother. Last year the Mother's Day show was so cute and I'm so excited to go be a part of it this year! By Sunday night we had already booked our flights, hotel, rental car, and sent back our information packet to the show. We're obviously really excited. Then on Monday, another amazing thing happened! The head of the Spirit Department at UVU (that's still a little weird to say, but I guess it's official now) called and offered me the position as head cheerleading coach! So that little 2 month stint helping out as "assistant" turned into the real deal for me! I can hardly believe it, but I'm so excited and so grateful for the opportunity. Lately I had begun to worry that I was going to go crazy being alone at home with a newborn all day, every day, and I was wondering what I was going to do for a few hours every week for "me time". Well, now I know- I'll be coaching cheer! I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing. It's the perfect job for me; I'll have a newborn, so it's not like I'd be able to have a "real" job outside of the home, yet I'll need a little outside interaction so I don't go nuts, and also, I love cheerleading! Wish me luck!

27 weeks now! When I'm laying down you can totally see my "baby bump"

Still not warmer...

Well, at least I won't have to worry about getting skin cancer any time soon, considering it's April 10th and I have yet to see the sun (trips to Vegas excluded, of course). I guess everyone at least can acknowledge that global warming is an absolute joke. On the brighter (but not warmer) side, our baby is getting closer and closer to making an appearance! Just over 2 months to go now. I can't believe it. Other than that, nothing too exciting is going on with us. Jade has been working non-stop, which I appreciate and hate. He's currently on his seventh business trip this year. Yes, seven, no, that's not an exaggeration. I have documentation. I'm still working full-time as well. And I really like it! The job isn't necessarily satisfying or fulfilling, but I love my work friends. I can't think of a better way to spend my free time pre-baby (except maybe on a fabulous vacation or something). Overall, things are really great with us. I'm beginning to worry about having this baby so far from home. I don't know what I'm going to do without my mom in the same town (let alone state). I wish more than anything we lived around our family (we do have Jerai and Phil, but nothing can compare to grandmas). What am I going to do when I have a newborn and Jade leaves town? Anyway, hopefully the weather starts to get better so I can actually leave my house again. Until then, you know where to find me.

Happy Easter

I can't believe Easter is already over! Jade's parents came to visit and we had Easter dinner with them and Jerai and Phil and Krisitie and Wes and Sidney (the Schindler cousins). It was a great day, though Easter just isn't the same without little kids (I won't have to wait another Easter for that :)). We also found out that Jerai and Phil are going to have a baby!! We couldn't be happier that our daughter is going to have a cousin just 4 months younger than her! Congratulations guys! I'm still having fun at my job, and Jade's working hard to get everything ready for another big summer. We ordered all our baby furniture yesterday! As soon as it all gets here, I'll put up some pictures. Also, BYU baseball started! We love going to the games, and so far we've been to two. It's starting to warm up in Utah, so I'm actually leaving my house once in awhile now.

Momma's 29th Birthday Dinner

6 months along now

Yes, that is our dog in our baby carriage. (The BYU chair in the background was Jade's recent addition to our furniture. He won it in his golf tournament and I don't have the heart to make him move it.)

I'm officially the worst blogger ever. I have a problem with forgetting to blog. It seems that when I remember it's time to write, I have nothing to say, but when we actually have things worth writing about going on in our lives, I can't remember to write. I'll blame it on the pregnancy-amnesia (you know that actually is for real). It's been a busy few months for Jade and I. Jade's still working hard at Stampede, and in the end of January I started managing at Abercrombie and Fitch. Jade turned 26 on January 25th and we had a superbowl birthday party for him (too bad my Patriots lost). We didn't get to spend Valentines Day together because Jade was out of town and I was working, but the next day we went on a cruise to the Caribbean, so that more than made up for the bad V-day. The cruise was super fun. We went to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The weather was beautiful and we did so many fun things. Trip highlights include lots of reading, Jade winning almost every single competition he entered (with his team and individually), lots of sun, lots of water, snorkeling, and jet skiing. Tink turned one on February 19th! I can't believe my baby is already a year old! I almost don't remember what life was like without her, and I sincerely hope she outlives me, so I never have to find out. This weekend I went home to visit my family and celebrate a belated birthday with my mom. The weekend was great (with the exception of the terrible allergies). I cannot believe how beautiful Vegas looks. The trees, flowers, green green grass (I know people say it's just a desert, but it's so pretty!). And the weather was amazing. I think I eat more in one weekend when I go to Vegas than the rest of the month put together. There's something about being home... This week we're back to reality, but for a special treat, this weekend Jeremy (Jade's brother) is coming to visit. We're so excited! Other noteworthy (pregnancy) mentions: I've now gained 10 pounds since becoming pregnant. That doesn't sound like a lot, but I wasn't very big to start out with. I hate the weight, but I refuse to deny myself chocolate cake from Magleby's. Life's too short. We confirmed 100% that baby Thelin is indeed a girl. I couldn't be happier. I do love boys, but I understand girls so much better. I keep having these pregnancy-moments, which are like blonde-moments but worse. I forget where I put things, which is so unlike me. I forget what I'm doing, while I'm doing it (ie: I'll be standing with the fridge door open and realize I have no clue what I was looking for). I also wrapped up my cell phone in a present I wrapped. And I tried to open a FedEx box from the super-glued end. After about 5 minutes of struggling, another manager came up to me and asked if I needed help. I reluctantly agreed, and to my sheer embarrassment, he pulled at a tab that said (in huge letters): PULL HERE TO OPEN. I hope my brain comes back after I have this baby. For about the last 6 weeks I've been able to feel the baby move. It's really incredible, and one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. Oh, and I've started baby shopping. It's getting a little ridiculous. Who knew little girls need so much stuff? (I use the term "need" loosely, because as Jade likes to remind me, she doesn't really "need" any of the stuff I've been splurging on. Thank goodness I have a patient husband). Happy Spring everyone!!

Jade's 26th

Tink and Jade went snowshoeing, and Tink was covered in snow. She even had icicles on her whiskers! (look closely)

On our ship

Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Sorry if this picture makes anyone uncomfortable, but some crazy people want to see what my belly looks like. My belly button is in the middle stages of popping out as we speak. Sometimes it's still an innie, but when I stand or sit a certain way, it's definitely popping out. I'm not considering it "fully popped" yet, but will keep you updated. This is me, circa week 23 (maybe a pound or two less than I am now).

Surprise!

I'm sure by now you have all heard, but if not, don't worry, we didn't tell anyone until Christmas- you're not that far out of the loop. Jade and I are going to have a baby! Yes, it's true, I'm knocked up. And we couldn't be any happier. My unofficial due date is June 26, but we will get a closer estimate at our next appointment (on the 5th). Also, in case you haven't heard, it's a girl! I'm SO excited! Little boys are wonderful, but girl clothes are so much cuter!! I'm still not really showing, but I can definitely feel my body changing. So far I've gained almost 5 pounds. Jade thinks I'm going to pop any minute (as in I'm going to start showing). When we had the ultrasound, everything was normal, and she's developing perfectly. We saw the 10 most adorable fingers and toes ever, all 4 chambers of her heart, and all the right parts of her brain. This was wonderful news for momma and daddy! We'll make sure to keep everyone posted on any new developments as they come.

She had her hands by her mouth almost the entire hour we were looking at her

Look at that teeny baby foot! It's only 2 cm long...

The Holidays

At my graduation dinner

Christmas Morning

Christmas with the Thelins (look at how cool our stockings are!)

Sledding (I was really cold)

Well, after another long sabbatical, I am back. We had such a great month with our family and friends. In the beginning of December, I officially graduated college! It feels like it's been such a long time coming, but really it was only 3 years, so I can't complain. But, boy does it feel good to be all done, forever! (That is, of course, unless I decide to go to graduate school, which would be a whole new ball-game.) Jade, Tink, and I all drove down to Vegas mid-December, but Jade only got to stay a weekend before returning back to Utah to work. Tink and I got to stay in Vegas and play with our favorite people (Roxy and Louis in Tink's case). It's so sad to watch Tink try to play with those old dogs. They think she's fun for about a minute, and then they get sick of her, and she just doesn't understand at all. She just loves to play! (As a side note, we're so happy that Jerai and Phil are back in Utah; especially Tink, who loves Remy more than her own parents!) Jade came back to Vegas to stay around the 19th, and we had a graduation dinner to celebrate my big achievement. It was so nice, and let me reiterate: it feels SO good to be done! Jade was quite sick for a few days, so I had lots of girl-time shopping and the like with my momma. I miss Las Vegas so much! We had a really big Christmas Eve dinner with all the Pettyjohn clan, plus some friends. It was so great to have everyone together. It's getting to be so hard to actually get everyone to the same place at the same time with everybody's busy schedules. So we celebrated the birth of our Savior in our traditional way; together as a family, with lots of laughter (and even more food). Christmas morning we woke up at 6:45 and saw what Santa brought us. We opened up presents and ate a little bit, then Jade and I rushed off to the airport to fly to Portland to celebrate Christmas with the Thelins. Christmas Day was great, we had a big dinner with the entire Thelin clan, then we performed the Nativity with the kids. The highlights: a 20 lb. baby Jesus, Max playing "Ammon" in the Nativity, complete with a sword "to cut people's arms off with", Gabe in a tutu, and me in a 1980's blue bridesmaid's dress, being a wise-woman. It was hilarious and so fun to do with the kids. The next day we all went to the temple together, which was so neat (Nea we missed you). Then we went to a big cabin/home in Sun River, (Central) Oregon, to spend the rest of the week. We had such a great time (all 12 adults and 7 children ages 8 and under). We built giant snowmen, a snow cave as big as a mini-van, and we went sledding. Jade tried his hand at "surfing" on his sled, which lasted about 20 feet before he wiped out and banged his knee up pretty badly. It was pretty funny to watch, though I did feel bad afterwards. We rang in the New Year with our nieces and nephews around 9:00, then we played games after the kids went to bed, and around 11:00 we all got tired, so we had an early toast and called it a night. Jade and I did wake up at midnight, kissed and said Happy New Year, then went back to bed. New Years Day we flew back to Vegas and then left for Utah a few hours later. It was a pretty long vacation, but I could have stayed even longer! We had such a great time with everyone and we just want to say thanks and we love you all so much! Happy New Year!