A cozy weekend

This past weekend was a cozy one. We finally got a good, solid amount of snow, we got a baby care package in the mail with some cozy jammies (can't wait for little man to finally wear them!), and we had some delicious cupcakes as per Chad's request. Only a few more weekends with just the two of us and then we will be a family of 3!
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pretzel Cupcakes
Based on recipe from Annie's Eats

I made these cupcakes based on a recipe from Annie's Eats- Vanilla cupcakes, a chocolate ganache filling, pretzel pieces on top of the ganache, a peanut butter infused butter cream frosting, and a chocolate covered pretzel on top. Yum.

One of my favorite parts of a snow day...

This outfit. Definitely a highlight of snow days.

Apparently when the driveway needs to shoveled first thing in the morning after a particularly snowy night, the logical choice of attire for the activity is gym shorts, a hoody, and snow boots.

I die. Every time.

35 Weeks

I can't believe we are really 35 weeks into this pregnancy, where did all the time go? Before we know it, he's going to be here! Everyday I feel like I get to know this little boy of ours a little bit better, I feel closer to him and wonder what he's going to look like, what kind of personality he's going to have. He moves all the time and I'm constantly getting kicked in the ribs- he definitely takes my breath away; but these little kicks of affection make me love him more.

I am starting to feel like its about time for him to get here already. The pregnancy waddle has developed and I feel like a beached whale about 50% of the time. Even though I feel absolutely huge, I still get comments about looking small for 35 weeks. I'll be honest, even if it is just people doling out compliments to be nice/make me feel good, it kind of boosts my self-esteem and makes the diabetic diet/carb counting seem a lot more worth it.

Little man Bennett, whenever you want to start thinking about coming to meet us for the first time, we're ready for you!

More Nesting

I'm really starting to feel like the time before our little man arrives is slipping away... just a short 5 weeks before his due date is here! As the time is seemingly flying by, I've also started to feel a lot more anxious to get everything we need together to have a home we can bring him back to. I've got a mental list with about a billion things I want to do/get done, which means I've had some serious organization projects and work stations at various spots throughout the house all week...

This is my favorite little setup... what do you do when your kitchen table is too tall for sewing because you can't reach the presser foot and there's no designated spot for sewing? Set up your ironing board in the living room and call it a day!

Here are just a few of the projects/preparations I've been working on.

1. Changing table- I bought it on KSL and it came with a coordinating changing pad/cover. I love it and love the low price tag!
2. We officially got the car seat out of the box so that it can be put in the car at a moment's notice. Plus I put on the free car seat cover I got through babycenter.com which finally came in the mail!3. I did multiple loads of laundry and washed all of the baby blankets and clothes up to 6 months size. They are now folded and ready to go!4. Custom cradle sheets- I bought 2 flat sheets (a white one & a blue/gray striped one) and using this tutorial from Made, made up 4 fitted sheets that fit the size of our cradle.5. Paris keys- Riley got me a few vintage keys while she was in Paris and I've been trying to think of a creative way to display them in our baby boy's travel/go-and-do room. I found some simple tan canvas material and just sewed the keys onto the canvas and placed it into a simple black frame. I love it- simple but classic.
That makes 5 less things to do on my lengthy "to do before little man comes" list.
One project at a time...

34 Weeks & "boy oh boy oh boy"!

On Saturday my 2 very good friends Laci Brandley and Jacie Saltzman threw me a wonderful baby shower with some of my most favorite people. I'm so grateful for these amazing girls and the awesome job they did throwing such a fun party. Throughout all of the changes that are about to happen in our life, it's a huge comfort to know there are people there who love us and support us throughout it all!

The food spread... of course a highlight.

Just a few of my forever friends:

Erin & Rachel Simmons

The Thorkelson Girls: Tati, Kelsey, Sydney, Mary Ann

Kimber & Kenzie

Erica Hawkins skyping with my mom- she was sad she couldn't be here, so she sat up on the piano during the shower so that she could be there in spirit.

Baby boy Bennett got all sorts of spoiled with cute clothes and other fun toys. He's not even here yet and he's already getting all sorts of love from all his Momma's friends!

This is the list of comments that Laci wrote down while I was opening gifts... all things that were highly acceptable in the setting of gift opening. Then at the end, Laci read them all back as statements made during conception. It's amazing how quickly the acceptable statements became highly comical & inappropriate.

Tati Thorkelson- we've been friends since birth.

Sister.

Jacie & Laci, the women of the hour responsible for the wonderful shower.

Cousin Kayla & her little boy Russell

I can't say thank you enough to everyone who came to the shower, all these wonderful people who already love this baby boy almost as much as we do!

Sunday also marked the point of 34 Weeks. I seriously cannot believe how fast it just snuck right up. On the phone last night with my mom she said, "It's kind of starting to freak me out, you're actually having a baby. Being pregnant is one thing, but you are actually going to be having a baby in 5 weeks!" (apparently she's predicting he will be a week early- I won't complain) So here is a glance at pregnancy at 34 weeks:

• Some serious back pain- I swear I can't truly get comfortable for any extended period of time. Sitting for very long makes my back hurt, so then I stand which makes my back hurt, and then I'll lay down to take the pressure off and after a few minutes that, it makes my back hurt. Constant repositioning is the only thing that works.
• Nesting is in full swing- We're starting to get the baby's things all put together and organized in our second bedroom. I bought a changing table on KSL last week and we've since cleaned out quite a few things from the closet to make room for all of the baby's things.
• Officially got the carseat out of the box and have it ready to go at a moment's notice. We can just throw it in the car and be on our merry way as soon as he decides to get here!
• Still managing the gestational diabetes, which is proving to have many unforeseen advantages. It's really been a good thing to cut out most desserts/candy and limit carbs. It's made my weight gain healthy, but still minimal.
• At my last appointment on Friday, he was measuring at 34 weeks- right on schedule. Hopefully managing my blood sugars means he won't be huge! The thought of birthing a 10 lb baby is not exactly enticing.
• He is incredibly active multiple times throughout the day. Especially right after I exercise. He kicks like crazy, has the hiccups often, and reassures me constantly that he's still in there and growing strong.
• He is still really high up and is becoming quite the impairment in my breathing. But really, who needs to breath anyway?
• Chad is hoping that he comes a week after his due date so that he can get through all of his midterms before the little man gets here & becomes the center of our universe. He's even of the opinion that it would be awesome if he was 10 days late and born on Leap Day- February 29th. I'm a little less than thrilled with the thought of waiting 10 more days than we have to, so we'll just have to see!
  
• The 2 names we are leaning towards are: Ryder & Drew. Still haven't exactly settled on one name yet, but we've got a list of 5 or 6 names that we both like and agree on and as soon as we see his chubby little face for the first time, I think we will know better which one suits him best.
• I have never known such feelings of excitement & anticipation- just thinking about him actually being here in my arms is like all of my Christmases added up into one single event. Sometimes I think about how it's only 6 short weeks away and it still feels so unreal.
  

We sure do love this little boy of ours...

A California Christmas

Christmas this year was a little unusual because I had to work Christmas Eve night and Christmas day night. Lucky for me I have an awesome husband and we made it work. We celebrated Christmas with the Bennett side of the family the week before Christmas and then roadtripped down to California the week after Christmas to celebrate with the Myer side. We left first thing on Wednesday morning (I literally ran in the door after getting off work at 6:30 am, showered, and then got in the car to be chauffered home. I pretty much passed out until we got to Las Vegas, so Chad drove most of the way!) and got to stay until Sunday. It was so much fun to get out of Utah for a couple of days and go somewhere warm for a quick vacation. We had a blast and can't wait to go back!

Myer Family Christmas- clearly McKenna was thrilled to be there.

My Grandparents gave us this adorable sherpa blanket that was wrapped in this stuffed animal sheep. My family decided it was a good costume for Tasha... a wolf in sheep's clothing! I don't think I've ever seen my Dad laugh that hard after cracking that joke.
Santa was generous this year and brought us a burley trailer for Baby Bennett so the whole family can go biking together! Of course the boys had to get to work immediately putting it together so that we could get the whole effect.

The next day we decided to take advantage of the 70 degree weather and went on a family walk down to Salt Creek beach with the Hawkins family. It was beautiful!
Thursday night we headed over to my aunt and uncle's house for a family gathering and enjoyed an evening of good food and each other's company.
On Saturday we headed to Balboa island to meet up with my Grandpa George for lunch and then went on a quick walk down the island's main street for the traditional sampling of the infamous Balboa Bar. For anyone who has never had the chance to indulge, it is the most delicious combination of a soft vanilla ice cream center dipped in chocolate and then covered with a topping of your choice. Yum.

Sadly the trip had to come to an end on New Year's Day when we had to get back into our car and drive back up to Utah to go back to reality. It was fun to see my family and enjoy a mini-vacation to California!