Maternity Photos

Hey ya'll here is another small preview of the maternity pictures Scott and I had taken by Uptown Photography. 

We are SO pleased with how they turned out, and we haven't even seen all the images yet! Let me know what you think!

Here is the link: http://www.uptownphotographystudio.com/blog/

Baby Shower

My friend Marianne threw me & Ryk a shower on Saturday at my home. It was so perfect, I could not have asked for a better day! The turnout was amazing and I got to see so many people I haven't seen in ages - or at least since our wedding :)

Marianne decided to go with a turquoise and brown western theme shower. She asked me months and months ago how I felt about a "giftwrap-less" shower. Basically you bring your gift unwrapped, set it on a table and that's it. That way people can still see what you got, you just don't spend 2 hours opening gifts while everyone sits around. I was all for it. I hate sitting around watching and having people pass everything around, it's so annoying - we've all seen cute baby clothes! And if I wanted to touch and feel a blanket, I'll get up and look at it! (sorry for those of you who like that...) 

Since the theme was western, we stuck to a western meal (obviously!) - pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, and coleslaw. I did have a small 2-tiered cake made from Paisley Cakes in Blackfoot. It turned out sooo cute! It was a huge hit at the party! My mom also made cupcakes, vanilla and chocolate and then frosted them in either turquoise or brown. We served Root Beer out of mason jars tied with ribbon and topped off with little white and blue straws. For those who didn't want soda, we also served country fresh squeezed lemonade. As a thank you for making it out, we brown bagged trail mix! 

Because Scott and I do live out in the country, I put my sister-in-law in charge of making signs out to the house. They were huge neon green things that said 'Nelson Baby Shower', at least 8 of them I believe. Well, I still had to go on a hunting spree and round up lost people! I was late to my own shower because of it :) However, everyone said the signs were a huge help! When you did finally make it to the house, you were greeted with a walkway lined with balloons, hay bails, horseshoes, and bandanas at the door and a sign that said 'Come on in ya'll!' I made a wreath a few months back that I was going to hang on the door when he arrived, but it just so happened that it couldn't have matched more perfect for the party, so a grapevine wreath with 'Oh Boy' was hanging on the door :)

We, meaning Marianne and myself, are not game people either. If I'm going to have a shower, I'm going to make sure I have time to visit with each guest who took the time to make it out. So Marianne kept it simple. We played a quick "game" and hid eggs that had pictures inside of them, if you found an ultrasound picture of Ryk you were a winner. There were 3 of him and the rest were random pictures of Scott and I, the dogs, his room... So it went by super quick! She did set up a "Wishing Tree" so people could write their wishes for Scott and I or Ryker and hang them on a little tree. A "Birth Day Predictor" where people guessed what day they think I'll have baby boy. And she also did "Diaper Wishes"where people left us funny/serious/sweet messages on diapers. I'm sure after so many changes we are going to need a little pick-me-up after awhile! 

Here are some pictures....

I totally forgot to take a picture of this when all the food was prepared
and of the drink station! Ugh, I'm so bummed about it! Just imagine
yummy looking food :)

I swear she is thrilled to be a grandma... Even though this picture would say otherwise!
Hahaha!! Don't tell her I said that :)

Ryker's Great Aunts, Dixie and Bonnie

Grandma Shirley & Aunt Sadie

Conor is giving Ryker "Knuckles"

My BFF & party hostess 

My amazing, lifelong friend Brianne and her sister Kylee Jo
Brianne is due 10 weeks after me with a girl.
Oh yeah, she drove from Colorado to be here!

Sooo many goodies!

4th of July Photos

...Or lack there of!

This was taken the 4th, which would have made me 33 weeks.

Not the best of pictures, but it'll have to do! :)

I apparently was too involved in the food to even remember to take very many pictures. I didn't even get any with my husband, other than this gem...

He's so happy with his photo bomb! 

And then there is this precious moment I caught of Scott taking a nap in the middle of my dads yard...

If I remember correctly, I think he was in a food coma! And it was so stifling and humid that day in American Falls, we were all miserable and trying to stay cool. Dad even set up the sprinklers for the dogs so they could play. So Scott was laying in the mist while he napped :) 

Sneak

We had Uptown Photography do some maternity pictures for us this last weekend. At the HWB 2013 I won a gift certificate for her and thought this would be a great time to use them. Jessamyn is so great! Very professional and so good at what she does, here's the link if you're interested: http://www.uptownphotographystudio.com/#

Here is just a single sneak from our session! I can't wait to see the rest!

6 Weeks and counting

I've been slacking about taking photos... But, as the title says - We've got 6 weeks until this baby boy makes his big entrance into the world!!

We started our Birthing classes last night. It's a little surreal; you spend all this time preparing for them, anticipating the individual they will be, worrying that everything will go right, and then... they are here. I found myself getting a little overwhelmed in the middle of the class as we were discussing the signs of labor, the counting, the pain (even though that was a freaking given... I mean, come on!), and then, again, the arrival of this fully- dependent on you human. I will say I am glad Scott and I signed up for these classes - I'll be honest, I don't know much about this whole baby thing and Scott was 8 when his little sister was born. So we are both kind of clueless.

We are in a class with 5 'couples' total, and we've got the only son of the bunch. The other 4 are little girls. Including us there are 3 married couples, and the other 2 gals appear to be 20ish single mothers who brought their mothers along with them. I've already found the class helpful. You show up and they gave us this big goodie bag full of information and free stuff, booklets, and reading material. Scott was pretty in depth into one of the books, reading up on something I'm not too sure of. After we were done, he kept quizzing me on the length of contractions and how many in a hour before we start needing to pay attention. I'm grateful he is so involved. Back to the 2 unmarried girls in our class for a second, I felt bad they didn't have someone to seriously connect with. Yes, it's their mother, you're biggest fan in life no matter what, but from what I can tell, this whole child birthing process is a very strong, emotional, intimate time in a couples life. I've found it hard at times just dealing with all the changes and emotions and I'm grateful I have Scott to moan and groan about them with. He's watched me change and he's changed himself in someways. I really hope these 2 gals in my class have a fulfilling life at some point in time, not only for themselves but for their baby's as well.  Anyway, moving along... The classes last a month, so we have 3 more and we're both excited to see what we learn and what information we can gather to help prepare us for this life changing event.

Ryk and I had an appointment Tuesday and he's doing fantastic. I only have one more '2 week' check up before I start going weekly. Pretty unreal. I can tell he's getting ready for the end just because of where I feel him. Sleep is getting less and less common at night. I toss and turn and cannot get comfortable or I'm up using the bathroom like a maniac... It's never ending. I think I may be resorting to the couch soon. But even then it's hard to get comfy there too. My edema seems to be getting better, those few HOT HOT days we had nearly killed me. It's so awful when you are sitting in the AC, doing nothing, and still sweating. I won't lie, I have a hard time not seriously complaining about the heat, but I just can't. This pregnancy has been easy, and I mean easy. If I have to deal with this the last few weeks, okay fine. I will :) I am lucky I have such a well air conditioned office and that our home has AC too. Scott keeps telling me if I need to bump down the temp to stay cool I can, even when the poor kid is wrapped in a blanket.

I didn't bring my camera with me today to upload 4th of July pictures, but Scott and I were invited to my dad's house for a BBQ and a little birthday celebration for him wife. Dad invited my mom over and my Grandma Honey was there too. It was nice. We just sat around on the back porch and visited and ate. Too much. The dogs played in the sprinklers and enjoyed a change of scenery. We made it home at a decent hour and had thrown around the idea of going to Jensen's Grove to watch the fireworks, but we decided not too. So around 10, Scott was passed out and I was fading in and out of sleep but the dogs started barking and I could see colors from the glass in our front door. I thought maybe it was some of the neighbors lighting off fireworks, so I got up to let them out so they could check it out. Well, come to find out, we didn't need to go to to the Grove after all. We live on the opposite side of the interstate from there and we had the most perfect view of the show from our front yard! We just sat on our bench and watched them - no crowds. It was great! I was trying to think why we didn't know that from last year, but we were in the mountains camping for the 4th last year, so that's why. Blackfoot didn't put on a half bad show either. I know Pocatello had to postpone theirs a little while because of the winds, but we never had a problem with that.

Well, I don't have too much to report on this week. Scott and I are getting some maternity photos done Saturday by Uptown Photography. I'm excited to see how they turn out. Next Saturday is my baby shower. I'm excited for that too. Hopefully there will be some faces there I haven't seen since my wedding.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their summer!

Until next time,

-M

Scott the Builder

Scott finished the front yard this weekend! We may transplant the two long needle pines in the front, but for now, they are just going to stay put. I really feel fortunate that Scott is so savvy with his design ideas and knows how to put them in motion. Lets be honest, not all men are as handy as him - and I'm well aware of that. He has worked his already skinny little behind off while I've just done the minimum! I'm grateful for all his hard work and I'm loving the way the house looks! Here's a bunch of pictures documenting the journey since last time...

Plant placing

All the perennials and shrubs in!

Adding the rock, this part I actually helped with! Raking including!

This is the ramp I was talking about Scott having to run up!

Finished!

Our center island. I did help with shoveling and moving the dirt in here..
Awful!

Taking a break in the shade with these sweeties <3 td="">

Fixing my work. Ha!

They LOVE Red Vines

Scott's mom and sister were nice enough to come help Scott this weekend while
he finished up the last two big projects. With the projected heat in to the 100s, Scott did
not want me outside. So he put me in charge of hydration and supplies :)

This is the 12 foot section at the front of the property. I think it looks so awesome, basically a sea of river rock!

Sooo beyond grateful for all their help!

The three of them busted their hump in the 100 degree heat!

This is before the chair was added to the posts...

Finished finished!! 

Here's a wide view of the property

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Considering we are getting down to the wire before the little man gets here, I decided I'd get a weekend of pampering. Here I am getting the works done while Scott and the family slave drive in the heat : / Friday I got my hair cut and colored and Saturday I went to a quaint little day spa in Blackfoot called The Hidden Retreat. It's in an old carriage house that they've redone and turned it into a spa. I was treated to a fabulous pedi, brow shape, and a lash tinting. It's amazing what a little pampering can do for a girl. Scott and I were getting ready for bed Saturday night and I had just finished brushing my teeth, I looked at him and said - this is the first time I've felt pretty in a while! I'm glad I was able to take a couple days and just relax. We've got maternity pictures coming up, a baby shower, and just overall preparing for our son.

Speaking of him, this is from a week ago...

Pre-Pampering. I'll have to get a new one with my new do :)

So that means we've got 7 weeks left as of yesterday! I seriously can feel myself getting bigger every week. My poor lower half, feet and ankles, are feeling the brunt of it too, 100+ degree weather and a big 'ol pregnant belly are not friends in any way, shape, or form! I told Scott the other night if they turned green they'd belong on Shrek! The old adage about keeping them propped up and drink LOTS of water are crap. Neither of those things have helped me at all. Some days I'm lucky if the swelling goes down at night. But I still feel like my pregnancy has been a total breeze thus far and I can't complain too much about it, even though I really want too!

We go to the doc to check on him next week and then we also start our birthing classes too. I'm excited to see what we learn. We have a lot of questions/concerns, but I feel like attending these classes will better prepare Scott and I for what we have to look forward to in give or take 53 days...

Well I hope everyone is staying as cool as can be!

Until next time,

-M