18 weeks! It's a...

Right when we got back to Minnesota I had my 18 week ultra-sound. The baby was not so cooperative with the camera but we got some good pictures still. Sorry they're a little blurry, they're the best I/she could do. Yes, that's right, the technition said he thinks it's an 85% chance of a GIRL! I still think it's a boy so we're not painting the room pink just yet. We're just soooo happy and grateful that everything looks OK and she/he's healthy. How amazing is technology that we could see her and watch her squirm around! So here's a profile/back photo, a foot, and me at 18/19 weeks. I've actually had that little 'bump' since I was a teenager, it's just getting a little bigger. You can't really tell I'm showing until after I eat something. Then it sticks out more. :) That'll change soon I'm sure.

Christmas in Florida

This Christmas we went to visit Kurtis' family in Southern Florida (notice the palm tree!!) and oh how wonderful it was to be warm! We lasted through the first week home and I finally got some pictures updated. It was great to see everyone, especially our little niece, Lucia. Here are some highlights of what we did...
Went hiking in the Everglades and saw some gaters

Went to the beach, buried family in the sand, escaped the evil eye of the lifeguards and played football in the ocean. Yes, even I played! I think pregnancy made me an excellent football player. :)

Went to Orlando with Chauncey and Paola, entertained ourselves at Downtown Disney and got to see Grandma Tucker



We danced the night away at a wedding reception, ate waaaaay too many sweets and played around with Lucia. We also goofed off (the Tucker thing to do) especially with the pool. Here's Kurtis at his best...

We loved being with family and relaxing in the sun. We're so grateful we could go and see everyone and still laugh over the crazy memories we made. It was a very Merry Christmas!

I miss the cordial cherries

My dad always bought us kids a box of cordial cherries for Christmas. They were really yummy, until about the 3rd one.. and then they got too sweet. But it was dad's gift and we all loved and expected it. This year, I guess I got a step up from the cherries when I unwrapped these...

Thanks dad, I guess these will take care of all those years of extra sweet cordial cherries decaying my teeth. Merry Christmas!

My icicle is bigger than your icicle

I just wanted to share a little of Minnesota with you... interestingly enough, icicles on houses are a bad sign. That means there is heat leaking from your roof. Our house doesn't have any luckily!

We've gotten a lot of snow so far this year too. This is the latest snowstorm and what Kurtis had to shovel. Notice how deep it is on his boots. There was so much snow in the air, this is the best I could do for a picture!
Our house has been great in all this cold weather and we're greatful! But a comment you could only say in Minnesota.. "I hate it when it's negative!" -Kurtis, temperature outside: -30 with wind chill. :) Good thing we're going to Florida tonight!!!

14 weeks!

I am now 14 weeks pregnant and into the 2nd trimester (yay!). I was reflecting on some of my thoughts/feelings/etc. during this first pregnancy and thought I'd document and share them. Some are weird, but I'm pregnant so give me a break!

• It hasn't hit me yet that we're having a baby. I just feel fat.. I hear this is just a stage.
• I don't think my kidneys are working correctly because I have to pee all the time!
• I am finally able to eat meat without disgust.. although I can only eat small portions. Kurtis was about to nuts without meat in his dinner. I can eat anything else though. No random cravings.
• Most smells are OK to me.. however I've noticed that the smell of fresh toilet water is NOT appealing...
• I've been very lucky that I never got 'sick' and threw up during the first trimester. I did get nauseated but I curbed it if I kept snacking during the day.
• However, I am hungry ALL THE TIME and am so sick of eating! Who'd have thought?
• Kurtis has been SOOO patient with me and SOOOO understanding. I can cry at the drop of a hat (not crying, sobbing) and he is just so wonderful about it. He is clueless most of the time, but very comforting and reassuring. I'm so grateful for him. Thanks babe! :)
• I feel like a lazy bum because I get tired so easily. a
• Sleeping on my side is NO fun but it freaks me out whenever I find myself on my back. I feel like I'm killing the baby because they say lying on your back limits blood supply to the baby. Not that it matters, since I don't sleep well lately anyway.
• We scheduled the ultrasound for January. I'm trying to reassure myself that everything will be fine (or as it should be) and that I'm only having 1 healthy baby. (Twins run in my family...eak!)
• I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father has given us this baby and me the chance to be a mother. I can't wait. :)