Merry Christmas

Amber's very first 'Happy Birthday Jesus' cake 

Papa is the best.

Grandpa made her her very first jewlery box.

Wide awake and making faces.

Amber can't wait to go fishing with Grandpa

Sweet dreams

Merry Christmas from all of us.

The best gift of all, Our little Amber

She's official

There is no turning back now.  (not that we would anyways)  Yesterday Amber received three very special pieces of mail, all addressed to her.
The first was her birth certificate.  Now we can send it in and have her added to our insurance for this year.
Next was her Social Security card.  The Utah state and United States governments now know that she is here.
Last and best of all was a package from Great Grandma and Grumpy Parkinson.  Grandma Parkinson made Amber a knit hat and two pairs of booties.  She modeled them for us today.
                                       

                                          Thank you Great Grandpa and Grandma Parkinson

    Jennifer and I. Yes I Nathan. this is the first time I've written on this thing. We would like to thank everyone for the support for our little Amber. she is a miracle to us. Big thanks to our family, friends, neighbors, the staff at Jordan Vally West Medical Center, and the good doctor. Dr. Vered, for delivering our sweet Amber Louise. As I like to call her, "WHEEZY".  Amber and mom are doing good. Amber has been in the NICU for low blood sugar. She is doing better as of late. and might get to go home soon.

                                  Thanks again everyone for your Love and Support.

Introducing Baby Amber

Our miracle Baby Amber Louise was born on Sunday November 22nd just before 6:30pm.  Weighing in at a whopping 5lbs 11oz she is little but she is perfect.

Happy Grandparents

Welcome to the world little one.  We are so happy that you are here.

Gratitude

33 Weeks Already

It is amazing how fast time is starting to go by.  I am now definitely feeling and looking pregnant. My cute little belly has ceased to be a little pouch or soccer ball and is now more like half a basket ball or beach ball.  Spike also ensures that I do not sit up straight for long periods of time as she is resting so low in my belly that when I sit for longer then 5-10 minutes and can't lean back I get very uncomfortable.  

I have to count my blessings that I have had such a 'normal' pregnancy so far.  Especially working in an OB/GYN office I see all the extremes that can happen and the struggles many women endure while pregnant.  Dr. Vered just keeps telling me how perfectly normal everything has been for me.  (Personally, I think he may be a little bias though since he counts on me being at work everyday and they have not yet found/trained my replacement.)

Today we made a big dent in our stock pile of diapers.  Thanks to the heads-up from a friend we were able to score a package of 276 size one diapers through Amazon Mom's for only $20.  They arrived right to our porch today and went straight into the nursery ready for use in the next few months.

I also received two baby gifts today.  The first was from a very sweet patient of a cozy knit/fleece jacket that I'm sure Spike will love to use next winter when she will be big enough.  The second was from my sister-in-law who because of her work schedule will be unable to attend a baby shower.  It is the pink onsie that says 'Proud daughter of a hunter.'  I think Nathan will approve.

Below is the kind card that the patient gave me along with the jacket.  Aside from the wonderful thoughtfulness of a gift for our baby she took the time to acknowledge the work that I do everyday.  I truly enjoy my job and I am so touched the she took the time to let me know that she notices that.  I want to work on being more like that and acknowledging the work that people do around me.

Today I am grateful for so many things and it as been a good day thinking about and noticing all of the blessing that I have.

Cabin time

I was able to spend all of last week up at the cabin for the general elk hunt.  Both my father and I had cow elk tags.  I ended up spending the majority of the time 'road/trail' hunting and therefore did not see any elk, I loved the time.  I wish I could spend another week up there.

We saw lots of deer.

My father

Yes, I did go hunting at 7 1/2 months pregnant.  And Spike loved it.
We are starting to train her young.

I am so grateful that I was able to spend so much time
with my dad.  We had some great discussions and were able
to explore a lot of beautiful country together.

On Sunday I went to my first baby shower.  My mother-in-law Carol's sister Mariann hosted a baby shower for 4 moms on that side of the family who are all due in November or December.  We had a good time visiting and one of the activities was decorating witches hats.  

Today I had my latest prenatal appointment with Dr. Vered and everything is on track and very normal.  Spike is very active and her newest trick is that during the last week she has started stretching her legs and locking one of them so it pushes out against my side.  Luckily she is not yet reaching up to my ribs.  I love feeling the more defined movements and I can't believe that we will be meeting her in less then two months.

I also snuck into the ultrasound room today and Heather (our U/S tech) and I took a peek and got a few really good 3D pictures of Spike.  She was very tired and just kept yawning during the whole scan.  She also had her chin resting on her arm the entire time so we could only see from the lips up.

Our beautiful girl.

Puppy Update

 Just a few pictures of the puppies from over the last few months.

Frankie thinks he is a lap dog.  

Sitting on the porch at the cabin.

Happy boys, chewing on thier nyla-bones

Puppy size comparison

They love the new trailer.  

Bashful sleeper

Cool Pups

Frankie, testing out his cold-weather gear.  It is a 'bit' too big
for him.  Good thing with the baby coming in December I will be
home all winter and he should not need his coat very much.

This picture totally sums up their relationship.  At the end of the day
all Jasper wants is some peace and quiet, and all Frankie wants is
to cuddle up.  They usually start the night sharing a bed but then
Jasper gets up and moves to the other one after about an hour.

We love our Boys!

Peaceful

This past weekend Nathan and I took the opportunity to go spend the night up at the family cabin.  After several busy weeks of non-stop schedules, it was exactly what we both needed.
We were able to just sit back and relax.

While at the cabin, especially when it is just Nathan and I, I feel happier, more peaceful and more at home than anywhere else.  

Lightning Ridge

Nathan took some time tinkering installing a new LED light bar on the hunting Jeep.

 (Beleive me, this IS his idea of relaxing and having fun)

 

I spent my time reading, playing card games, watching Nathan tinker, and visiting with Aunt Rea next door.

Looking down at our cabin from Uncle Leon and Aunt Rea's Cabin.
You can see our little trailer parked on the side of the cabin, 

Baby Spike loved the cabin time too.  (28 weeks)