Getting Ready

So with only three days to go until D day...we're definitely getting anxious. I've been trying to have projects to work on each day to keep me busy. Last week our project was to paint and decorate the letters in Liam's name to hang on the wall. My friend Katie used the CUTEST ribbon in the diaper cake she made for my shower and it matches the colors of the nursery perfectly so we decided to utilize the ribbon in our design. I love this project because Tucker and I worked on it together and we had a lot of fun with it. I'm also planning to make something else this week to hang in his room so we'll see if I can get that done before he comes. Here are some pictures of the letters as well as some pictures of the nursery.

39 Weeks and feeling large!

Liam's Nursery

Close up of the letters to see the detail

It's so hard to believe this week has finally come. Although there's a pretty good possibility he won't come this week...it's just nice to know he'll be here soon. I'm just really hoping that he at least waits until my mom gets here later this week. The ideal day for him to come would be Friday night or Saturday. That way my mom will be here but it would be early enough in her trip that she can help me out for the first week with the baby. We'll see what happens and we'll definitely keep you posted.

Two Weeks to go and a Baby Shower

With two weeks to go, one of my friends in our ward wanted to throw me a baby shower. We have a really big ward with tons of students and so we've really enjoyed it. The shower was a lot of fun and there was a really good turn out. We got lots of cute new outfits, books, pacifiers, diapers, bath accessories, and more. There were a lot of moms there who gave me some great advice. It was a lot of fun and I really love these girls.

Diaper Cake (I love these, so cute and absolutely functional)

Me and my friend Katie who hosted the party. She's great!

Me and Becca who helped throw the shower

I LOVE these pajamas...look at the feet

Now look at the butt...too cute

Again, I love the footy pajamas.

Cute little books and outfits

It really was such a fun night and we're so lucky to have such a great ward. It really is such a blessing to have the church. People are so generous and willing to help. We're definitely getting ready for our little guy to come and can't wait to see him in all these fun outfits. Two weeks and counting!

The Birds

So our apartment is right next to a large "grove" of trees. The last couple of days I've been hearing lots of birds squawking. I haven't thought much of it. The other night however, the noise got deafening. Both Tucker and I were amazed at how loud the birds were...we could hear them inside our apartment even with the T.V. on. So we went outside to check out the situation and were amazed at what we saw. It was seriously like a scene out of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds. There were hundreds of black crows in the trees around our apartment. For the record, birds can be super, super creepy. So we decided to take a video. You may have to look close but it is definitely an eerie site.

Oreos

So I haven't posted in a while and thought I would post something kind of random. So I've never been a huge fan of Oreos. I mean they're all right. If I have to choose a cookie though...I'd always go with E.L. Fudge double chocolate or Chips A Hoy chunky chocolate chip. That's just the way I've always rolled. So the last couple of months I have been seriously CRAVING Oreos. I don't know why. Every time I pass them in the store...I think...hmmm....Oreos sound really good. I've been very proud of the fact that I have NOT caved in, not once. At least until last week. Both Tucker and I were bummed and just needed a pick me up. Tucker got himself some Blue Powerade (he LOVES this stuff) and I got myself some double stuffed Oreos. Okay seriously they were the most delicious thing ever...that bag of cookies was gone so fast. I don't know if it's being pregnant or what but suddenly I am seriously craving the Oreo cookie. I could go for one right now in fact but since I finished them off pretty quickly and we don't want the baby to come out ginormous (which he probably will anyway) we better take a break from the Oreos. But man...I'm lovin' the Oreos lately.

2009: Year in Review

At the beginning of the new year I always like to look back at the highlights from the previous year. 2009 was pretty exciting and so it's fun to look back and reminisce. Here are a few of the BIG things that happened in 2009:

1. Tucker graduated from BYU with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Business Management.

2. Tucker got accepted to three graduate programs.

3. We chose University of Michigan.

4. Found out we were pregnant! (YAY)

5. Drove to Minneapolis and hung out at the Mall of America.

6. Took TWO trips to Vegas again. (Man do we love that place or what?)

7. Moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

8. Tucker started his Graduate School Program in Health Care Administration.

9. I was a Substitute teacher. (No where near as good as the real thing)

10. Found out we were having a little boy.

Needless to say it's been a very exciting year. 2010 should also be pretty exciting with our little baby boy coming in 5 weeks and a summer internship who knows where. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us 2010!

Happy New Year

We had the chance to come out to Utah for a few days right before New Years! We had a smaller version of the Progressive Dinner which was a blast. It was especially great to see all the nieces and nephews. They get so big and we miss them lots. We also saw some great movies including Sherlock Holmes and Avatar. We figured once February comes, we won't be seeing too many movies for a good long while so we better get them in while we can. We also got to go down to Provo and see some friends and family. I got to visit my old school and see some of my friends there. It was a lot of fun, I really miss working with those people. Tagg and Katie had us over for a delicious dinner later that night. It was fun to spend some more time with them before we head back to Michigan. It was a pretty full trip! I didn't do the best job taking pictures so these are a few my sister shot with her camera.

Me, Mom and Dad

Our little family

Getting crazy on New Years Eve

One of the things I miss most...the little kids!

My favorite quote of the trip, Jackson asks me "So, how's that baby working out for you."

Amelia Bedelia!

Although it will be nice to get back home into a routine and back into the swing of things, it has been really fun spending the last two weeks with family. It really has been a great holiday season.

Baby Shower

Over the holiday break, the Ellis family threw a baby shower for me and Liam. We had a delicious lunch and some great girl talk. It was a lot of fun and everyone was very generous. We got some cute baby clothes, blankets, and a diaper bag. Tucker and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful family.

The Petersen Gals

Opening presents

Merry Christmas

This year we spent Christmas with the Petersen's in Michigan. Tagg and Katie were in town from Utah and we had a lot of fun together. On Christmas Eve we had a big party with the Ellis family, exchanged a few gifts, and had a talent show. On Christmas morning we opened presents and later had a delicious Lunch with the Ellis cousins and then came home to a few good games. Tagg and Katie brought their new wii with them and it was well used over the holiday. We had a blast! Ned and Gena had a very full house with the six of us but it was fun and we appreciate all they do for us. It was definitely a very merry Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree

Tucker's talent on Christmas Eve

Liam's first Michigan onesie

Christmas Morning

32 Weeks Pregnant and ready for Christmas!

We've reached the 32 week mark! We went to the doctor again today and everything's going well. The baby's positioned exactly as he should be (which I could mostly tell since I can feel his feet up in my ribs :) His heartbeat's good and strong, I'm measuring exactly as I should be, and there's no sign of gestational diabetes! We're definitely getting closer and getting very anxious. It's also almost Christmas which is very exciting. We've had our Christmas tree up for several weeks and I've been meaning to take a picture of it...so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. People can see my 32 week belly...and our Christmas Tree. What a joy for all of you I'm sure! Tucker's done with finals and is ecstatic to have his first semester of Grad School behind him. We are eagerly awaiting the holidays and are excited to spend time with family.

Dear Mrs. Petersen....

So I've been subbing pretty regularly the last two weeks. It's not my favorite. Once I'm there I'm usually fine and I always have really funny stories I love to tell...it's just the anxiety before I go is almost too much to make it worth it. I just really like having MY OWN class with my OWN lesson plan. I HATE not knowing what I'm going to teach each day...it just stresses me out. However, like I said I have really funny stories. Yesterday I taught a fourth grade class and they were kind of naughty. I felt like I was so mean to them all day. Yet they were still all so sweet to me at the end of the day. One little girl came up and gave me this kind of creepy stuffed elf and said it was for my baby. I'm not sure where it came from but it somehow materialized right as the bell rang. She also gave me a note to go with it. I thought it was so sweet and funny that I had to take a picture of it. You might be able to read the note in the picture but if not, this is what it says: "Mrs. Petersen, I hope that you and your baby have a Happy Christmas." Although subbing is really hard for me, I do enjoy these memories.

Let's Go Blue

On Friday night, Tucker and I went to the University of Michigan hockey game. It was quite the experience. Michigan has a lot of school pride and there is a whole culture here that was a little overwhelming. First of all, the band plays like the entire game and has about a million songs that they have somehow found a way to put "Let's go Blue" into. For example, the theme song to the Adam's Family. Then there are cheers and hand gestures for almost everything. Now this is where it gets interesting. Some of the cheers get a little nasty in my opinion. Now I'm all for a little rivalry but there comes a point when things just get mean. Here are a few of the cheers:

• When the opposing team player gets put in a penalty box, the whole arena waves their hands in the air, points to the penalty box and says "See ya."(I actually like this one and did it every time)
• When the player would return from the penalty box, the announcer says "Minnesota is back to full strength." The entire arena yells "They still Suck."
• Every time they score a goal they do a goal count. It goes like this. "We want MORE goals." Then they point to the opposing team's goalie and say: "You're a sieve, you're a sieve, it's all your fault, all your fault."
• At the end of the game they started pointing to the goalie and shouting "Throw him off the bus," over and over again.

There were even a lot more than this but I can't remember them all. In my opinion it was a little nasty. But it was a fun experience and Michigan won 6-0. The funny thing is that Michigan was playing Minnesota. Those were the two main schools Tucker was looking at for Grad School. Anyway, we had a good time.

Waiting for the game to start. The stadium is empty now but it was packed by game time.Tucker loves a good hockey game

My first Michigan T-shirt

This is Tucker doing the Michigan fight song. "Hail to the Victors Valiant"

The Michigan band...whatever they're playing has "let's go blue" in it.

It was a fun Friday night!

Thanksgiving

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Tucker's parents and extended family. It was a nice relaxing week. On Wednesday, Ned's brother and his wife were in town for the Lion's football game. We spent the afternoon with them and had a great time. It was great to see them!
Tucker was responsible for carving the Turkey this year and he did a great job. On Friday we got up for Black Friday shopping. It was exhausting but a lot of fun. As I thought this year about what I'm grateful for, there are two main things I am thankful for this year. First, I am very thankful for Tucker. He really is the most caring and understanding husband. I can't wait for him to be a dad! The second thing I am thankful for is our little boy on the way. I've been thinking a lot lately about how it was a year ago that I started taking medication because we were having trouble getting pregnant. It took several rounds of medication and a whole year before anything started working right. It was a really hard year. Each month we went through the agonizing process of not knowing if anything was working and then get the disappointment that it wasn't. I am so thankful that things finally started working. Every time I feel our little boy kick, I think of what a miracle it is. I'm so thankful for this blessing and although I know how difficult having a baby will be, I absolutely cannot wait until he gets here.