A (boring) Year in Review 2012

Well another year has come and gone! So crazy!

January-April: started a new semester and it was rough! I had to draw.... I don't draw. But I got through it and actually did pretty well for having no drawing talent. I also took a photography class and learned a ton! (This whole year I've actually grown a ton in my photography and it's so great to see!)

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/04/drawing-and-2d-design.html

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/04/over.html

Randy was of course just busy with preparing for the Athletic Training Program. He's such a good student and really works hard.

May-August: SUMMERTIME! Boy do I love summertime. But this year, Randy and I both did first block classes so our summer didn't really start until Mid June. I had my first film photography class and loved it. Film is really so fun and a process that is just awesome for creating. You are in control of EVERYTHING. It's so different than digital for sure. 

This semester was a bit rough because May was the month we would have been due if I had not miscarried the October before. It was hard when everyone had their babies and I wasn't. BUUUUUUUT----The semester was more difficult because I was so sick----from being pregnant!! I remember the day I found out. So Randy and I were technically waiting to start trying again for insurance purposes, but I was really struggling with being told when I could or could not start my family. I felt like we needed to be trying. We finally talked about it and Randy said, "Let's leave it up to the Lord." It was nice not having and pressure to get pregnant but just let it happen. And WHAMBAM! We got pregnant like the first try. I had a feeling I was. While at school, I was getting these weird twingy cramps and I was just thinking, "I'm pregnant". So it was on my mind all day and finally at 9PM, I made Randy take me to Walgreens to get a test and it was positive! It was surreal and we are so excited! 

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/06/life.html

In June, we went with Randy's immediate family to the Oregon Coast. That was rough being pregnant, throwing up, not eating, and driving for hours on winding roads. But I eventually got some medicine that helped with the nausea a bit and the trip was much more enjoyable. The fresh coastal air was amazing! We went to a couple beaches, including the one from The Goonies! I also watched that movie for the first time on that trip and hated it. I just thought it was dumb :(  But I also got to watch all of the Back to the Future movies and those I loved! We flew kites on the beach, went to an aquarium, saw beautiful lighthouses, went to the Portland temple, took pictures of beautiful waterfalls (Multnomah and Shoshone) and the men went tuna fishing on rough sea waters. Let's just say they were sick for a bit but Randy says it was well worth it! Thank you Amy for a well-planned trip and for all the fun we had!

I also officially started my Photography business: registering the business (yay for taxes...), created a website and got the ball rolling. It feels a lot better actually being a legit business and not just a girl with a camera ;) I did lots of weddings, engagements, family and other sessions.

We spent the 4th of July in Island Park. I love that place. Nature rocks. We also did a Yellowstone/Island Park trip with Randy's co-workers. I love Yellowstone and I love the Playmill. We had lots of fun. 

In August we started another semester and Randy started his clinicals for Athletic Training at UVU for the Track/Field teams and Cross Country. It was nice having him nearby...and for his employee parking ;)

September-December: We found out we were having a boy, I grew and got stretchmarks, and we both went to school :) Exciting huh??

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving.html

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-2012.html

We have had a wonderful year with so many blessings and opportunities! We can't wait for 2013 and see what it has in store!

Christmas 2012

Can I just say how crazy it is that Christmas has come and gone again!? Time sure flies! This year, Randy and I have taken 3 weeks off! A little excessive?? Yes. But that's ok, because I don't think that it's going to happen again....ever. And I'll just note here. I have been so bad at taking pictures this year. I seriously didn't take any pictures over the break of family and such. Life goes on :)

So after a successful semester (yahoo!), we took off on the 13th of December to Idaho. We knew we'd be coming back and forth, but it's been more of a hassle than we planned. We stayed in Shelley, Randy snowmobiled, I was lazy, and we spent that week with my family. I did a bridal session on the 21st here in Shelley, then we took off to Logan for the wedding the next day. Oh goodness was that an adventure and I loved it. It was weird-even though we are alone together a lot, it still felt good to get away from home and the everyday and go explore together. We stayed at a hotel that had an AWFUL bed-This momma did not sleep very well. The next morning we got up, ate breakfast at a fabulous place there in Logan called the Center Street Grill. YUMMMMMM-O! We actually ate dinner there the night before and it was delicious as well. Then it was off to the temple to shoot the wedding! After the wedding, we drove straight back to Shelley for the reception and boy was that a long day on this pregnant body. It's amazing how your body changes while pregnant and how things become more difficult.

After that wedding, we went to church the next day and then headed up to Island Park for a couple days of beautiful snow and lots of family! There were 20 or so of us up there and even had to rent a second cabin to fit us all comfortably. It was fun to do Christmas up there. This year was a bit different with me being pregnant. I couldn't go sledding, so I played with nieces and nephews, played some cards, watched movies and just bummed around :)

I came back to Shelley on the 26th and on the 27th went with my mom to Utah for the ultrasound (see previous post). The roads were great until we hit Brigham City and then they were just horrible. Luckily my in-laws let us borrow the truck! I shot another wedding the 28th and we came back the 29th. The back and forth traveling is not fun. My ribs start to hurt really bad after 4 hours in a car!

So this week, we will just be bumming around some more. It's good for Randy to be home and spend time with his family and his brother. I swear they are attached at the hip ;) I kind of wish I was home "nesting" and getting ready for this baby, but it's all good. I have another baby shower on Friday and then I think we will be home free. Randy starts school next Monday or Tuesday I believe. I will be taking the semester off with the new baby!

I'm so grateful for family, for Randy, for how blessed we are and the fun things we get to enjoy! I'm excited for this new year and to see what it will bring!

My Little (or not so little) Boy

Hello all my blog readers (cough*mom*cough),

Just thought I would update you on all things baby boy! I had an ultrasound on the 27th and as the ultrasound tech was measuring the baby's head, he said something along the lines of, "Your baby has a big head." That kind of freaked me out! I was wondering if there was something wrong like fluid on the brain or something drastic like that. But he's ok! Just in the 83rd percentile (normal is around 50). He goes, "Good luck with the delivery..." GEEE THANKS! :) His tummy is also measuring big which is good because if the shoulders or tummy are bigger than the head, he can get stuck.  But were they are both a little bigger, it's good news! His legs are short....I have a little t-rex baby! :) I can't wait to see him in the flesh though! He is still rockin' and rollin' in there and making mommy uncomfortable. The doctor said that based off the measurements from the ultrasound, baby boy is 5 lbs. 6 oz. already and he should grow about a half a pound a week so we could possibly have a 9 lb. baby in the end. We will see when he decides to come! I am 33 weeks 5 days (based off baby's measurements, they say I'm actually 35 weeks). WHO KNOWS!?

Here's the 4D shot they took of his face:

 I CAN'T STOP STARING AT HIM!!! I can't wait to hold him and see him and love him....GAHH!!

Look at those lips though! Can't wait to kiss them! He was sure puckering up for us :)

While I was home for the ultrasound (we've been vacationing in Idaho for the last three weeks and I came back after the ultrasound), my mom and I took advantage of the time and started up on the baby's nursery! It's coming along and I can't wait for it to just be DONE!

I don't have the pictures with me, but my mom threw me a baby shower with all of mine and Randy's family members that could come and that was so fun! The theme was "She's about to POP!" and Chris Russell did an amazing job with the decorations.  Think pom-pom balls, banners, balloons and just amazingness. THANK YOU CHRIS! 

Thank you to all that came to the baby shower. Randy and I are so blessed to have you in our lives and thank you for already spoiling our little boy! We will be having another baby shower with friends later this week and I can't wait!

Holy crap---We're having a baby....

Seriously random

Can I gush for a bit? I just have so much awesomeness on my mind right now. Like how my baby just moves and tumbles around and my belly's a shakin' and sometimes I wonder if people see and think how weird it is to see my belly jump. And how much I love him already and can't wait for him to make his appearance!? We still have so much to do.... I think I'll miss that the most when he's out here in the world. My belly moving and just feeling and bonding with him. Randy just cannot wait to hold him and speaking of randy... He's just the best. He has had such a difficult semester. I would not be able to even begin whining about my workload compared to his. He is really struggling with these last couple of days and it breaks my heart to see him so frustrated and worn out. I wish I could help him somehow. This Christmas break will be so awesome to relax and be kind of worry free. Just think. After the holidays are over, baby will be here! Oh random ramblings. But I feel better know that it's off my chest :)