35 Weeks.....Oh Shucks!

So I am officially 35 weeks along. Only 35 days to go!! I had my 35 week appointment today. I was supposed to get an exam to see how far dialated I am and get my Group B Strep Test. Well, I sat in the exam room for about 20 minutes excited to see the progress, when my doctor came in and informed me she had thought I was 36 weeks today. So, no exam and no Group B Strep Test. Oh Shucks!

My doctor informed me that Avery seems to be measuring ahead of schedule and ordered an ultra sound in two weeks. Since she had thought I was a week ahead than actual, and Ave is making my growing belly measure two weeks ahead.....I may have this baby sooner than later! Woo Hoo! I did inform the doctor that she could not go back on her word. If she told me I was two weeks ahead, then she can't take it back! ;)

I also had my doctor take a look at my swollen legs and ankles. The bottom of my ankles are now purple and my knees are also so swollen, it hurts to bend. They are going to keep an eye on that, since it shows possible signs of pre eclampsia. Hhhmmm....so cankles aren't a normalality of pregnancy? Who knew.

Nick and I also started our parenting/birthing classes at the hospital last night. Emily and Matt are in the class with us, so it is going to be so much fun. There are 12 couples in the class. Two of the couples are teenagers. It's sad to see, but I guess it happens. The class was so informative and I wish I had taken it sooner. I tried, but these classes fill up so fast! We will have the class every Wednesday for two hours for four weeks straight. I hope it eases my fear of the actual delivery.


Other than the pregnancy, nothing new has happened this week. We feel as though we have no time to breathe. I have my baby shower on Saturday and I am so so so excited to see everyone. I will post pictures up of that next week. Thank you to everyone who is taking time out of their day to come. It truly means so much!



The poopers love to be by me at all times. Nick gets a lil' jealous! Just kidding Love. Love you!

Celine Dion

Nick and I went to the Celine Dion concert last night. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! The stage was set in the center of the arena at the Delta Center. We had ninth row tickets, which we bought from my step sister Aubrey and her husband Seth. Thanks guys!! We can't thank them enough!

They had floor seating on the north and south side of the stage and ramps that went clear into the audience on the east and west side. The lucky people with those seats actually were able to touch Celine. It was pretty cool.

When we got there, their was a line waiting to get into the Delta Center. We went to Will Call then headed to Happy Sumo for some sushi. Yummy! We then headed to our seats and actually told each other that it would be awesome if the two people who had the empty seats in front of us didn't show. Low and behold, five minutes later, my moms childhood friend and her daughter showed up and sat right there. It was fun to catch up with them.

The opening act was a Vegas performer, Gordy Brown. We both said "who?", but he was so freaking funny, that we want to go see his show at the Golden Nugget. He was the best impressionist that I have ever seen. 

Finally, it was time for Celine. She apologized to the fans for ten minutes for having to cancel the original show in November and thanked us for allowing her to reschedule. She was such an amazing performer and never seemed to get winded. The dancers were amazing as well. I snuck my camera in and took some pictures. They didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but atleast I was able to get a few clear ones.

My favorite song was "I Drove All Night" and Nick's favorite was "My Heart Will Go On" from  Titanic. She changed costumes about six times and her outfits were gorgeous! I still can't believe how beautiful she was and how great she sounded live. Nick told me he wished I could have seen her in Vegas. He said the Vegas show was more theatrical and the stage was built to fit her. But, he said the concert was amazing as well. She was really goofy and energetic and made the concert so fun. We can't wait to see her again.

There were so many moms with their daughters, it made me so excited to think I will be able to things like that with little Avery. I can't wait.

Thank you Aubrey and Seth for letting us have the opportunity to see such an amazing show! They are about to have their baby in 16 days. Good Luck and we can't wait to meet your little angel!

Nick kept saying he was the only guy there. So I took a picture to document it. He thought I was pretty funny.

The Stage.

The drop down screen. She would sing in the middle of it while images were being displayed.

Her opening outfit. I want her legs!

My favorite outfit. Those are boots on her legs!

Too bad it's blurry! This was "My Heart Will Go On". She had candles everywhere. It was a gorgeous set.

34 Weeks and My Kids are in TROUBLE!

I am officially 34 weeks along today! Woo Hoo! I usually update the good old blog on Sundays, but Nick and I are headed to the Celine Dion concert on Sunday, so I won't be able to let you in on the shenanigans we have been up to then.

I am feeling pretty good except for the fact that my sciatic nerve is giving me some problems. I am headed to get a massage in an hour, so hopefully that will help. Nick says I have some bruising on my back where it is hurting, probably from me always putting pressure there with me hand. Oops.

Avery has been one active monkey this week. My book compares her to the weight of a cantaloupe now. I truly believe it. Whenever I stand up, I feel like I need to run to the bathroom. Even though I usually don't have to go. Sheesh. My belly looks like it is a roller coaster now. It is always moving! A girl at my work was watching it today and I think was pretty weirded out.

I received my leave of absence paperwork today at work. That sure put things in perspective. This is actually happening. I am having a BABY! I go in for my 34 week appointment tomorrow, then I will have an appointment every week there after.

I had Monday off of work and worked on some projects around the house. Nick got off a little early and we went and saw the movie Taken. It was really good. I also worked on some craft projects for both nurseries this week. Here is a preview of what is in progress:

They still need some work, but it has been fun to sit down and try to create something myself. I am so picky, I will probably redo them a half dozen times. ;)

Finally, I got home from work this evening and was welcomed with this:

The dogs knew they were in trouble before I had to even say anything. I do not know what is possessing them to do this. I feel bad locking them up all day in their kennel. I usually leave them out for only 2 1/2 hours while we are gone. I guess they have lost that privilege. Anyone have any advice? I am beyond belief and am at my wits end with their obnoxious naughtiness. Bleh!

Anywho, I am off to get the blessed rub dow. Call it what you may, but I can't wait to finally relax for an hour. I will post pictures of the concert and let you know how it was. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

Have a great weekend everyone! We are off to a CRAZY and BUSY weekend full of errands in Salt Lake. My sis, Smash, is babysitting the dogs in Logan so we can get everything done that we need to while in Salty.

PS: Happy Birthday Ryan and Ryan. I know you don't read this, but if by chance....we will see you this weekend.;

Valentine's Day 2009

So, Nick ALWAYS out does me in everything. We agreed that we weren't making this a competition and we weren't going to go all out this holiday. I think Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday and think you should show your loved one every day just how much you love and appreciate them.

This year, I sent Nick a lucky bamboo plant to his office as a surprise with a card attached. It looked something like this:

  

Well, on Friday, Nick came to my work while I was out to lunch and delivered the most gorgeous roses ever. I am a sucker for flowers! 

On Saturday, Nick went to the gym while I tried to sleep in a little. That didn't happen. I was up at 7 am wide awake. I went to let the puppies out and saw two packages sitting on the coffee table. I waited for Nick to come home from the gym so I could ask what it was. I told him he was in BIG trouble...again. 

I opened the packages and found these:

I am ADDICTED to sugar cookies and must have one every day. Well, this was an 11 inch cookie with the yummiest frosting ever!

I love Willow Tree figurines. This one will stay in the nursery.

Anywho, we had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I made Nick a big pancake breakfast and we headed out to Hobby Lobby so I could get some craft supplies for a project I am working on for the baby. We then went to lunch and tried to catch an early movie, but they were sold out until the evening. So, we went to the later movie and saw He's Just Not That Into You. It was so cute and funny! We came home and watched yet another movie. We are movie buffs and rented a total of 6 movies for the weekend. One of which we turned off within ten minutes due to horrible acting and we have just one more left to watch. Yes, we have watched that many!

We do have a funny story though. We left the puppies out of their kennel while we went to the movie to test them. When we came home, they were nowhere to be found. Usually they are waiting by the garage door ready to jump on us. This time, no pupper dogs. We started to panic and looked everywhere. I checked out on the front porch while Nick checked everywhere in the house. We thought someone had broken in and took them. Well, Nick opened the guest bathroom door and found the kids in the bath tub. They had locked themselves in there. No light, no water, nothing. They had ripped the shower curtain off and were so excited to see us. They are the biggest dorks!

What we saw when we opened the door.

Trying to look innocent.

Monte giving his infamous high five.

Dear Nick,

Thank you for being such a wonderful and loving partner in crime. I am so lucky that we crossed paths and were given a second chance at love. You are the best thing to ever have happened to me and I am truly the luckiest woman in the world to have you in my life. You are my rock, my soul mate and my best friend. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together. I love you more than words could ever express. 

Love Always and Forever,

Bertnie

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and were able to spend it with the one(s) you love. Have a great rest of the week!

Week 33. Yay! 7 more to go!

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Another week has past, and I am getting that much closer to seeing and holding our little Avery. I went to the doctor this past Thursday a little freaked out. Avery hadn't been moving for three days. I had taken half an Ambien on Monday night so I could try and get some rest. It usually makes her a little more inactive than usual and I was expecting this...but, after three days, I began to worry.  I was prepared to have this little baby while on my lunch break. Silly me.

The doctor first listened to her heart beat with the doppler and it sounded a little weaker than normal. I told the doctor that I had begun having, what I thought were contractions that morning. I would be walking at work, then I would be stopped in my tracks unable to breath with a sharp tightening pain in my lower abdomen. After I  told her this, they hooked me up to a monitor to measure my contractions and read Avery's movement and heartbeat.

After about 45 minutes, they evaluated the chart and said everything looked fine and to take it easy. Again, I felt like I had overreacted and went home with my tail between my legs. I swear this pregnancy has made me worry about all the little things that I normally wouldn't sweat over. My mom said Welcome to Motherhood. 

Well, according to my book, Avery is about 19 inches and 4 1/2 pounds. About the weight of a pineapple. (This is a little off since last week, at Fetal Fotos, Ave was 4.90 pounds.) Her body continues to build her own immune system and will come in handy when fighting off those playground germs.

Speaking of pineapple, Zach (one of Nick's employee's) brought us a pineapple back from Hawaii. Him and his wife went there for the NFL pro bowl, and were so awesome and brought us the yummiest smelling pineapple ever. We just cut into it today and I am trying to savor it slowly. I love pineapple.

Thanks Zach and Megan!

Week 32.......Seriously????

Am I really 32 weeks along? Seriously?

Please don't mind the face. I feel huge!

Finally, a slow week at the Holt household. Not much happened this week. I went and got another prenatal massage on Thursday. When Erin, the massage therapist, asked me how deep I wanted to get massaged, I made the mistake and said pretty deep. Oops! I have never been so sore in my life! It hurt so good at the time, but man....I feel like I got the crap kicked out of me.

 

I had my 32 week appointment on Friday. My doctor was unable to meet with me, she was stuck at the hospital. Geez! How rude. Just kidding. She is the best. I gained a little more weight than I'd like to admit. :( Oh well, comes with the territory. I also was prescribed something for my terrible heartburn. Hallelujah!! (I was singing that if you couldn't tell.) Avery's heart beat sounded so strong and fluid. It always puts a smile on my face!

We were in Salt Lake this past weekend due to Codale's move. Nick worked Friday night and Saturday while I ran errands. I met up with Erika and Clucker for lunch on Saturday and then we went to Fetal Foto's again to see if I could get a better picture of Ave. She had her thumb in her mouth most of the time. Good thing we are friends with a great orthodontist. ;) She is measuring at 34 weeks and 4 days and is 4 pounds 9 ounces. (I was 32 weeks and 2 days at the time.) HELLO!!!! I am going to have a sumo wrestler. Oh man!

The clearest picture of the little one.

Avery sucking her thumb.

On Saturday night, we went to dinner with Sean and Erika at MacCools. If you haven't tried this place, you must! It is an Irish pub in Sugar House next to Stein Mart. It is so yummy. Nick and Sean were being so funny together. Oddly enough, Nick and Sean went to Westminster together while Erika and I went to Utah State. So random that we all know each other from past times.

 

Finally, the puppers. They are both such wonderful kids. I took a picture of them while driving back into Logan. Monte is breathing so much better and doesn't hyperventilate after playing or running around. He acts so much happier too. Gracie is....well Gracie. She is as hyper as ever and such a happy girl.

Well, we are off to another uneventful week. We are planning on staying in L-Town this weekend for the big ole' V-Day. We hope y'all have a great week!

Nick signing off for us both. Love you babe!

The BIG move for Codale Electric Supply!

Codale's New and Impressive Home

This past weekend, Nick went down to Salt Lake to help finalize the HUGE move to the new Codale headquarters. The old building was 86,000 square feet, which was home to Codale for 16 years. The Utah Food Bank purchased the building this last year and took possession of it on February 1st. It took a lot of man power to make this project so successful.




The new building is absolutely amazing!! It is a little over 200,000 square feet and has some of the most amazing technology I have ever seen. I had Nick and Dale take me there today so I could grasp onto just how amazing this project was.



Here are some pictures so you can see for yourself:

The front of the building.

The back of the building.

The reception area.

The warehouse. A picture does not justify at how HUGE this place is.

The upstairs waiting area. I LOVE this painting!

Nick and I in the elevator.

The golf simulator room. Yes you heard right. The Holt's are ADDICTED to this sport. I am reenacting what it would be like golfing with me. (Trying to break the club.)

The cute bike I found and am now claiming it as mine.

Dale and Nick. They don't look alike at all! ;)

I know some of you are probably thinking hhhmmm.....why am I so excited about this? Well, it is such an awesome story. Nick's dad has just built his dream. He has a successful business and was able to build the building he has always dreamt about. I am truly amazed and look up to this man.

The Salt Lake Nursery

The tree is finally finished!!

Nick and I are in awe at how awesome our friend Jules did at the tree. She white washed all of the walls in the nursery. This was to enhance the effect of looking through mist. When we hired her, I told her I wanted this to be a dreamy tree. I did not want a huge trunk that took away from the furniture or bedding, but something from a fairy tale. I wanted little Avery to be able to have it in her room as she grows older and not look too babyish. Well......she nailed it. It looks great. Thank you Jules!




She also painted dragonflies and ladybugs throughout the room as well. She is so talented!

We also set up our new glider/rocker that Grandpa Dale and Grandma Sheri gave us for Christmas. We custom ordered the fabric and we are happy with the results too. 

We are finally almost done! I am in search of the perfect painting and we need to hang our drapes and valance. We ordered a rug, which won't be here for another few weeks. So, I guess you will have to stay tuned!!

Who Knew?

I am a Magician!

No one told me that when you become pregnant, you become a magician. I am now mastering the art of disappearing acts.

Here are a couple of examples:

Disappearing Act I

I bought these stick ons from Ikea. They looked really cute the night I put them up......

But by morning, they had started to fall off. DANG.

Disappearing Act II

Where does Nick sleep? The bed has become over ran by MY pillows. (I sleep sitting straight up now.) His side is slowly diminishing.

Disappearing Act III

I could once see my toes. I painted them (yes myself & yes it took FOREVER) last night and took a picture so Nick could visualize what I see (or lack thereof) when looking down.

There are just three examples of MANY MANY more. I just thought I would share my new talent. For birthday parties, I can be reached at (801)652-.........well, you get the point. ;)

On another note. I need to thank Mr. Nick for surprising me with the cutest diaper bag ever. I got home on my lunch break and found this:

I have been searching hi and low for the right bag. Babe, you found it! Thank You!!

Week 31

Monte showing us how much he wuvs us!

Alas, we reached week 31. I took Friday off to keep an eye on Lord Montegue. He did pretty well. He threw up a few times and I am assuming it was due to the pain meds. Poor guy. 

The ever expanding belly. :)

Friday night, my sister Ashley came over to babysit while we headed to Salt Lake for the Jazz game with some of Nick's clients. (Thanks Smash!!) We first ate with the 100 club before the game, then sat on the court, which was awesome. I took my camera, but wasn't feeling well and forgot to take a snapshot. I thought it was from being car sick...but oh no, welcome to pregnancy. :) We ran into Sean and Erika. (I think they're stalking us. ;) J/K!!)

Ashley doing her best impressions of Gracie and Monte.

I have now hit the stage where I have severe heart burn, acid reflux, and the worst indegestion I have ever experienced. I have thrown up every night now and am not a fan of being pregnant. I've had to make a makeshift bed right near the toilet. It's surprising how cold the tile is in the middle of the night. Thank goodness I have a doctor's appointment this Friday.

 

Avery is now approximately 16 inches and 3.31 pounds. About the same as 4 navel oranges. She is perfecting the art of seeing how far mommy's skin can stretch while she is doing her yoga. It's pretty cool to see, but sometimes I will put my hand on her and she jumps. It kind of scares me. In a way it reminds me of a scene from the movie E.T.. She is really active right when we are going to bed and around 3 am, she reminds me that she is still in there.

 

We finally received our bedding for the Logan nursery!! Nick surprised me by having an employee from Babinski's deliver it to us when we got to the Jazz game. (Thank you Kelly!) I am in love with it. (Thank you Nick for always surprising me. I love you for that!!) We set it up today and it finally feels like we are that much closer. Nick's mom Vickie drove up to Logan today to deliver our rocker's and glider's. It matches the bedding so perfectly. I am so happy that it all is turning out so well. We were nervous since everything was ordered through catalogue's and the internet. 

The bumper and comforter.

The picture is kind of blurry. Sorry. :)

The curtains and glider.

We are off to another full week of adventures. We are headed to Salt Lake this next weekend since Nick is helping move Codale from the old building to the brand new building. It is a HUGE move and most employees are required to help. I will be enjoying the weekend finishing up the nursery and trying Fetal Foto's one more time. 

Love you Babe!