And as for me...

As for what I've been up to this summer in Jon's absence, well of course the highlight has been enjoying the progress of this baby growing in my belly. We've made it now to 21 weeks, and he is really starting to let me know he's in there by moving around and making me fatter by the week! Here are some of the ultrasound pictures:

Other than that, I've been spending quality time with my family, and keeping myself busy (if that's possible) in Ephraim. We went up and saw the balloons for the 4th of July (my mom's absolute favorite thing in the world!)

We spent a week up in a condo in the mountains. It was very quiet and peaceful, so we filled our time with nature walks, lots of treats, and games of Monopoly.



And then the girls went to San Francisco. We loved spending a couple of days taking care of baby business and other sorts of fun!

Coming Soon...

www.zazzle.com

We're so happy to announce that we are having a baby boy! The ultrasound was yesterday, and the little guy was not being modest!
My mom and sister came out to California with me and we've enjoyed a wonderful couple of female bonding days. They helped out to have Jon be connected (by phone - you've gotta love Skype! and by taking video), and it was so great to have them there with me. Last night we celebrated the event even more by going to see Wicked in SF - it was awesome!!
I'll post more pictures and details soon of all the fun!

17 weeks - What else would you like to know?

Thanks for the well wishes one and all! Jon and I are very excited to be looking forward to becoming parents (finally, I'm sure some are thinking!) It's obviously an overwhelming and daunting thing to consider, but one that we are definitely looking forward to undertaking together.

I am about 17 weeks along, so the excitement is planned for mid-December. For now, I'm just enjoying being past the ickiness of the first trimester, finally having some of my energy back, and trying to decide everyday if I finally "look" pregnant. We've been enjoying making announcements to all our family since coming to Utah. They are all obviously very excited - basically the reactions ranged from my sister crying (because she was happy, of course), Jon's sister screaming, and everything in between.

I'll keep everyone posted as things progress - we're having the ultrasound this month, and my mom and sister are coming with me since I'll still be without a husband ... any cute ideas on how to tell a husband in another country if it's a boy or a girl?

Sad day :(

I've been way slack on my blogging updates lately. Sorry.
It's a sad day. Today Jon left for Asia for two whole months. I had to say goodbye, and it made me very very sad.
But, I know he will have a good time and that he will learn a lot. And my family will take good care of me in his absence. So I keep reminding myself that the time will pass quickly (right?).
That's all for now - I'll post more soon ... I promise.

p.s. That was really really depressing, I'm sorry. Why don't we end on a happy note? . . . Have I mentioned yet that I'm pregnant? ;)

Happy Long Weekend!

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.

-Robert Orben

I love when long weekends come right when you need them most! I'm so excited for this weekend. We still have 3 more weeks of school around here, and knowing that people (a.k.a. Christian) are already out for the summer plus all of the craziness that isn't slowing down at work makes 3 more weeks sound like a very long time. So, having a Monday off tempers the pain at least a little.
But, just as I complain a little about work, I'm also excited to be able to say that I have a job for next year, which I am very happy about (though there have been days recently where I really wonder why!)
We're also getting things ready here for our summer - we have to pack up some of our apartment to make room for sub-letters. Then we'll pack up the car and head out to Utah, me for a couple of months and Jon for a couple of weeks before he flies out to Asia.
Speaking of packing - I should probably be doing some on these days off this weekend, but I'm oh so enjoying just taking it easy ... maybe I'll muster up some ambition and pack 2 or 3 boxes -- or maybe just one :)
Happy Memorial Day!

Looking Up

We've had these gorgeous flowers blooming all down our street the last couple of weeks, and I've been dying to get out and try some pictures of them. Today, I made it out and enjoyed trying out our new camera and a couple of new styles. Tell me what you think!

The good, the bad, and the rest of it

Yes, I'm still here - just not being inspired to post much these days. Sorry! I've been caught up in job applications, summer planning, itching crazy rashes, etc. etc. etc.

The good news is (da da dada): I passed my licensure exam!! Another check mark toward graduating this summer and becoming full-fledged.

The bad news is (du du du): Jon's leaving me for 8 weeks this summer to travel to China/Japan. Now, I know, that may seem like good news to some, but it is bad for 3 very important reasons. 1. That's a very long time to be apart from my love. 2. Going to China and Japan is so totally cooler than going to Ephraim for the summer (no offense, Kaitlyn and Christian). 3. What was the third? what was it, what was it? (don't you hate it when that happens?!) But, all is well, and I'll be honest, I'm secretly kind of excited (emphasis on "kind of") to be able to spend some quality time with the sibs.

Lest this become all about me, though -- do you want to know why Jon's going to China and Japan this summer? Well, let me tell you: he's going on an all expenses paid trip to study the exotic subject of Paleography (don't ask, I don't really know) in China for 2 weeks, then 6 weeks in Tokyo brushing up on his Japanese (answer: because he needs to know it to do research). It really is a great opportunity -- just don't expect me to smile when I say goodbye.

A parting photo of our latest outing - to the Jelly Belly factory with my old friend (Mrs.) Wendy Sue. For some reason we have a tendency to move near famous factories that you can take tours of. Don't feel bad, though, you don't have to live in California to experience the joys of Mr. Jelly Belly... you can take the virtual tour and it's like you were really there (minus the jelly bean shaped pizza for lunch)!