Sugar and Spice

And  all that's nice. That's what little girls are made of. We found out that we are having a girl! We are so excited. We would have been happy with either one and I am just glad that everything is still going well and on track. 

It was really fun to go to the ultrasound and see our little baby wiggling around. It is pretty obvious that it is a girl. We got a few good shots that made it very clear that it was a girl. The night before we were at the Messenger's and they did the needle test on me. Where you get a needle and some string then hold it over my hand to see what direction it goes in. Supposedly, if it goes sideways it's a boy, if it does circles it's a girl. It was going pretty sideways so they were all convinced it was a boy. Sorry guys...no boy this time. =). When we went to tell my family I had my dad guess what before and his intuition told him it was a girl. Then he did some muscle testing to see and he pretty much knew it was a girl before we told him. =)

So I am now 20 weeks, halfway there! I have been feeling really good, normal not to bad. I am having a harder time putting my shoes on and picking things up off the floor. I am outgrowing some of my clothes and had to get some maternity pants. I found some awesome ones at Ross for only $15! I was jazzed about that. One of my minor complaints is that I tend to have a stuffy nose often throughout the day. Not to bad just annoying when trying to sleep or eat. 

I am getting more and more of a belly and feeling the baby more often. That is one of my favorite parts. It feels kind of like a bubble going by but stronger. Sometimes it feels like a finger just brushed by me but on the inside. =) 

Now that we know we can do something fun with the baby's room. Now that all the blasted fairies are gone in the purple room. She will be a very loved little girl and have her Daddy wrapped around her finger. Justin just melts at the little girls in our ward and neighborhood . 

So now comes the fun part of getting everything ready for her! 

September Happenings

Some other fun September happenings. Jinni, Justin's sister turned 16! Her party got a little slighted with the baby announcement but she was ok with it. She's such a great girl and we love her lots. Since she's legal to date she's been on a date almost every weekend! 

This picture makes me laugh a lot. But she's still cute. =)

Jinni got a fancy tablet toy like Justin and I thought it was funny as we are having a family party and this is what these two are doing. It must be a genetic thing. At least their mouths aren't open like the Stoddards. =)

We all Volunteered to help Jourdan with a big school project that she was a part of. She had an internship at the American Heart Association and worked to put on this big event. There was quite a few different races going on, booths about stroke and heart health, health screening and other fun stuff. It was a pretty fun event. It was pretty awesome to see all these stroke survivors do the stroke walk and trying so hard. 

I told Justin I sure do love Jourdan a lot to get up at 5 in the morning to be there at 6 to start helping. =) It all worked out and we got some free girl scout cookies in the deal so it all worked out. =)

I was being very domestic and made jam with some berries that Justin's Grandma Messenger gave me while we were there. I was nervous about it but it all turned out and they all sealed. I was so glad. We go through jam super fast so it will at least get us through till the end of the year hopefully. I continued in being a domestic goddess and got some pears from my parents and canned them . They really won't last long. I think I made about 10 smaller jars and I think we've all ready had 3 or 4. =)  It was fun and got me excited and wanting to do more, I am excited for apple season to be coming up. 

We are doing really well. Not much to report on the baby issue. I have been feeling really good, going for a walk most mornings and able to get the things done that I need and want to to. I do tend to need a nap around 3-4 in the afternoon. We'll find out what we are having next week! Which all of us are excited about. 

Fall!

Fall has come to the Utah mountains early this year and it is beautiful! I swear I haven't seen leaves this red in a long time. Last year the leaves left something to be desired , but not this year. They are out in full bloom. So because my lovely spouse always bugs me when I suggest going for a hike I went to visit my family in Logan who are always up for a hike. 

The canyon was so pretty. I had to take some shots with my camera while driving. Yeah.....maybe not the best thing to do but. I couldn't help it. It was also a perfect day for a hike. Blue skies, warm, and delightful. 

Around every corner I was like.." Oh wow....that is great", after a while I had to just concentrate on driving. On my way back I saw so many people pulled over to the side of the road taking pictures. It was really pretty with the sun setting. 

When I got to my parents we left to go on a hike to Tony's Grove. That is a great place. It is great in all seasons except winter when you can't get there. It has the prettiest wildflowers in the summer and great leaves in the fall. We were just a little late for the bright yellow of the Aspens that are up there but it was still nice. I told my sister that I wouldn't be a wimp this time and it was a good normal hike. 

I went with my mom, sister, and her boyfriend. I forgot to take any pictures of the group. I need to get better then that. But we had lots of fun chatting, laughing, and enjoying the view. 

I am always amazed at how pretty nature is. How picture perfect is this view!? I am so grateful for such a beautiful place so close. As always we ended the hike with a shake from Charlie's yum. It's been a while since I've had one of those and they never cease to disappoint.=) It was a great day spent with my family and doing something fun since I had to work all the next day. 

Visitors!

For a weekend in September Justin's brother Jayson, and his wife Neha came to visit all of us in Utah. We had lots of fun visiting playing games and eating some delicious food. 

One day the fall leaves were looking really pretty so we went on a little jaunt up in the canyon. We were missing some of our group this day and I kept forgetting my camera when we were all together, darn it. But anyways here are most of the group. 

All the originals.

All the girls.

Almost everybody, we were missing Ben and Tony. 

We had lots of  fun being all together for most of the weekend. Jayson and Neha love to cook so they usually treat us to something that they make. This time they made us savory tarts and a very yummy lemon pie type thing. I can't remember what it's called. It was all very good. Justin said to me, "They like cooking and I like eating so lets go over." True story, =) 

As always time just flew by and they had to get back to San Francisco for jobs and school. We'll miss them lots and see them soon for Thanksgiving. Just so you guys know there are quite a few houses for sale or rent on our neighborhood *wink wink nudge nudge*. =)