Big News!!! Big News from London!

EXTRA EXTRA . . . READ ALL ABOUT US!

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. When you read you begin with ABC. When you sing you begin with Do Re Mi. Kidding. But doesn't it make you want to watch the Sound of Music? Anyway, onto the big news from London (another quote from a movie. Sword in the Stone as a matter of fact. Bryce says it all the time. It has some inside jokes to it between him and some old roommates, but I won't bore you with all of that).

#1- BRYCE PASSED PART II BOARDS! What a relief. The letter came amost a week ago, but we were only able to open it on Sunday because we have been out of town for the last few days. He couldn't get the letter open fast enough and when he came to tell me I knew it was good news because he had a great big smile on his face and his hands were trembling. I suppose he was a bit nervous;) I am so proud of him and I am so relieved to have the stinking test over and done with. One less thing to worry about and it is such an accomplishment for him! Good Job my Handsome Husband! I love you. I knew you could do it. No one is as smart or as clever as you.

#2- We headed to Greeley, CO last weekend to look at homes and check out the area a little bit. It was quite an adventure. We arose early so we could be on the road by 5:30 am. We had a meeting with a realtor that afternoon and wanted to get there in plenty of time to meet her and get as many houses in as we could the first day. We were packed and rolling down the road by 5:20 and we were happy to be a bit head of schedule. We estimated our arrival time in Greeley to be around 3:00 that afternoon. Clear skies and dry roads met us at each turn and it even felt a bit like spring. That is, until we hit Wyoming.

What a terrible state for travel. I love Wyoming, it is my home sweet home, but we ALWAYS run into trouble there. We didn't meet snow and slick roads, just a lot of fog. By the late morning most of the fog had been burned off by the sun and we figured we were home free. Not so. Just past Rock Springs, headed east on I-80, we found ourselves stopped on the interstate behind hundreds of trucks and cars. We were directed off the interstate and had to head back to Rock Springs. A terrible accident had happened just ahead of us in the earlier morning because of the fog and ice. We were told that over 40 cars were involved and 4+ fatalities had been reported. A little later on in the day we heard that 100+ cars were involved and there were 10 or more fatalities. The final count was that 20+ cars were involved and at least one fatality was reported. Still a very serious situation and it took them (who ever they are) 12 hours to clean up the road and get the interstate open again.

Lucky for us, my dear aunt Ann lives in Rock Springs and came and rescued us from a day spent in truck stops and a night in a cheap motel. She fed us, gave us wonderful company and conversation and then put us up for the night in one of her spare rooms. It was wonderful to see her and we got to see my cousin Britney and her family and my cousin Alayna and her beautiful little girl.

#3- We made it to Colorado the next day and, without hesitation or rest, we set off to look at homes. We saw at least 15 homes that day and I was tired and my feet were swollen terribly by the end. Toward the end of the day, when I was the most tired and a little bit out of it, we saw the most beautiful home in the universe. I loved it from the second we stepped in the door. Oh what a sight. We walked into the door and I smelled fresh paint, which I have to admit I LOVE the smell of fresh paint. Straight ahead was a living room with gloriously high vaulted ceilings above and plush new carpet below. A stone fireplace greeted us and then the kitchen gave us a wink with its hardwood floors and cherry cabinets. The master bedroom stole my heart with its large bathroom and walk in closet. I could already imagine my new little boy being resident to the second bedroom with its own walk in closet and 10 foot ceilings. I couldn't stop praising the lovely house and I'm sure that my realtor got a little too excited because she was sure that she had this sale in the bag. The basement of the house is unfinished and finishing it out a project that Bryce became excited to embark upon. We were sold.

Over that night and the next few days we asked a thousand questions and signed a thousand different papers. Needless to say, it was a little overwhelming, but I learned a lot. We found out that two different offers had been made on the house and my enthusiasm turned to sadness. I was sure that even with a higher offer, we were not going to be able to get the house. This morning @ 9:00 am, the phone rang and out realtor's voice came out from the other end. WE WON THE BID! We go the house! *SIGH*

Now how are we going to pay for it? :0 :)

Happy Clover Day

What did we eat on St. Patrick's Day?

Corned beef and cabbage. Apparently this is a very Irish meal to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. My mother informed me of this, and I do remember eating it growing up, but I had idea it was for St. Patty's Day. I just know that you have to wear green on St. Patrick's Day or you will get pinched. Now I have a new tradition. I have made this meal for the past few years for our dinner on the day of green. It always turns out yummy. I usually make it in the crock-pot, but this time I just made it in a pot on the cook top. It turned out just and yummy and both Bryce and I enjoyed it. I added a few carrots and potatoes along with the cabbage. I had all the intentions of making green cookies too, but I didn't have any eggs so that didn't happen. It was still a "sweet" green day nonetheless.

Home Sweet Home . . . almost

Bryce and I will be spending the next three years in Greeley, Colorado. Bryce "matched" there for the residency program and we are on our way to the mountains in mid June. Both of us are very excited, especially because Bryce was able to get a program so worry free. We actually head there here pretty soon to look at houses and check out the area. It's really happening! I have to keep telling myself that. There is just so much happening at the same time that it is hard to take it all in. But, for better or worse, (hopefully better) COLORADO HERE WE COME!

Calling All Mothers

I need advice. I need encouragement. I am asking for anyone who reads this blog to comment on this post and leave me advice. Labor and Delivery advice. Infant advice. Motherly advice. Anything that you can think of.

BUT . . . There is a catch. Keep it positive. I get a little tired of hearing the same old terrible stories about 0 hrs of sleep, exhaustion, pain, sadness, etc. I want to hear the good stuff. Or, at least advice to get me through the yucky. Maybe I'll let you all spill the horror a little later, but for now let's hear the sunshine.

Baby Center is my New Best Friend

I am a first time mother. I have been pretty calm about the whole process and I really haven't found myself over-worried and anxious about motherhood. But, I am VERY worried and anxious about labor and delivery. I have always had quite a phobia of hospitals and medical procedures. Just ask my family and you'll understand. I get nervous even in the gift shop of a hospital. A little ironic because, who did I choose to marry? A doctor. Since I am only 9 weeks away from being full term, I have been increasingly nervous about labor and delivery. I have bad dreams and I can't seem to find peace with the whole process. I have read the labor and delivery section of "What to Expect When You're Expecting" about ten times and that has seemed to help. But, I found a website that has provided a great amount of information and a little more piece of mind.

www.babycenter.com is my new favorite website. All because of the videos that they have. They have videos about each trimester of pregnancy and videos of nearly any situation that might come up in the delivery room. I, honestly, have never seen a live birth on video before this. It is an amazing and gross process. But, now I understand and I am very grateful for this website that has given me a better feeling for what I might be in for as I enter those hospital doors.

Baby Shower March 5, 2010

Another attempt at photo collage. I'm just learning how to do this. Baby Shower March 5, 2010. FUN FUN FUN!

30 Week Belly Shot and First Baby Purchase

For a little update, I took a picture of me and my belly @ 30 weeks. I feel like the little one is taking over my whole body at this point. I didn't take a picture of my giant, swollen feet but you can be assure that they are down there and that they are huge.

My little one kicks and moves constantly and I enjoy every second. I love just sitting and watching my belly and seeing my baby jump and squirm. My second trimester has been almost heavenly. I haven't really been sick, just tired and I feel great most of the time. Moving on to the third trimester seems to be going very smooth as well. I did have to get checked for gestational diabetes last week and that was yucky, but the results were normal and that is a relief. My feet, as I mentioned, are very swollen by the end of the day, but I have found ways to cope with that and I know I can handle it for 10 more weeks.

Bryce and I get asked all the time what names we are thinking of and, honestly, it changes by the day. We have a few that always stand out to us, but we are still constantly opening the baby name book to find new names for the baby. It has been so fun to think of naming this little guy, whatever we name him I know it will fit him perfectly. We always are open to anyone's suggestions and names they want to share.

Bryce and I are moving here in a few months and haven't wanted to purchase too many baby things because that would mean just more stuff to move. But, we knew that this little one would need a place to sleep for a couple weeks until we move on, so we bought a pack-and-play. We thought it was a good idea because it is easily portable and works just fine for a crib/changing table for the time being.

I couldn't resist putting some of my newest baby treasures in it. Most of these things I got at my baby shower last weekend and a few of them are things that I have made over the last months. In order to get a place for this little bugger, we had to put some boxes in storage but it was well worth it and now we have a little corner of our office dedicated to this new addition to our family. I was seriously jumping and clapping with excitement as we were putting the pack-and-play together. Once it was all assembled and I had put a few little fun things in it, I couldn't help but sit there and just look at it forever. I often find myself in the room and daydreaming about our new baby.

Last shot of the pack-and-play. Oh what fun. I can hardly wait until I actually have something living and breathing to lay down in this adorable thing.