It's a...

baby we know that for sure... but as for the sex...

That morning was my first day back in classes and I think the baby could sense the brain stimulation because it was squirming all morning. No kidding, I think it did a baby 'Iron Man' in there with the run, swim, and biking. Poor little thing must have wore itself out because the show was over once we all started watching. I was the 10th ultrasound of that day and was told that I had the hardest baby to capture. The tech did all the measurements, on the legs and the tummy and the head but when it came time for face or bum to say 'Cheese' to the camera, baby was not up to it. We poked, and prodded, and shook, but that baby was comfortable snuggled up with its legs together and face down. The tech said that she saw a glimpse of the sex but had no exact proof to show us. She then then told us she was 95% sure it was a girl! Just to be sure she said the next time we come in I can have another ultrasound so we can see the face also.

Landon and I are very excited to have a girl and we have a name picked out but I want some input. It is a name we found in a fiction book we were reading together while we were dating. Arya; we pronounce it like Mariah Carey without the M. UH-rye (like the grain)-UH. My question, dear readers, is if when you read the name you thought it said UH-rye-Uh or something else (the book says it is pern: AR-ee-uh but we like our way a little better), or do you have any other spelling ideas that would make it more obvious how we want it said? We like the spelling but want to make sure it makes sense and is not too off the wall. Thanks!

22 weeks. At this point its the whole awkward is she getting chubby or pregnant? Not my favorite but fun to have evidence of something in there.

Holidays

We had a lot of fun during the holidays and were excited for a break from school for a bit. Here is how our holiday went.

Step 1. Christmas Decor. This is usually the first on my list and is done right after Thanksgiving but thanks to school and moving all our things into the basement apartment, our house was a plain disaster. You could call it decorating if that involved boxes and odds and ends EVERYWHERE! So I summed up some courage, cleaned and broke out some decorations about 4 days before Christmas. I always press Landon to get a tree but with three days to go I decided to improvise and go a little tropical this year. Thus I decorated our banana tree.

Step 2. Presents. Christmas is not as fun when you have to play Santa. I've got the bowl full of jelly down but as for knowing what to get Landon I was at a loss. So we just bought our own gifts then I wrapped them all. Wrapping came after I found them all, Landon liked to play with all his gifts once he purchased them so I had a little treasure hunt to find them all and wrap them back up for the big day.

Step 3. Food. This was the best this year! You know how when you have all the good food with the family that comes only one time a year and you eat until you can't eat anymore? Well I had that down pat plus I was ready to eat again every two hours. Needless to say I think the margin of leftovers this year compared to the last few was greatly diminished because of my willingness to help everyone out.

Step 5. PARTY! Landon and I had a blast this year. We were able to hang out with both families since they only live a 1 1/2 miles away. We played a lot and talked a lot. Then I was able to go with my parents to see the rest of my family in Boise. That was so fun for me. We are all getting spread out so it was good to all be together for a while.

Step 6. Post Party Depression. Well here I am at home by myself. No one to party with, no good food to eat, and a heck of a mess to clean up. It is almost a relief for things to slow down after two weeks of hard party but it is hard to say good bye to family and friends knowing it could be until next Christmas that I see some of them again. Overall the holidays were a blast, full of fun and memories that will last forever. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!