Planetarium Date

Well, little baby Nicholes is making great strides as I almost wrap up the first trimester. And I'm excited for it to be over... not that I don't love being pregnant, but the nausea and exhaustion are less than fun sometimes. We go in for our second ultrasound tomorrow and I can't wait! Hearing and seeing the heartbeat makes it all the more real. That, and the baby should look more like a baby rather than just a little lump.

As far as cravings go, I haven't really had anything out of the ordinary. The nausea has been really annoying. I'll think that I want to eat something, prepare it, take one bite, and then decide that's not what I want after all. Kind of frustrating! Still, I've not thrown up, so that's very lucky. I am excited for when my appetite will finally return.

This weekend, TJ took me on a surprise date to the Planetarium! We're nerdy like that. :) We had fun wandering around the exhibits and learning more about the universe. They had these fun stages in one exhibit where you could feel what it was like to walk on the moon or Mars. TJ couldn't resist jumping in and posing for me. He then took a couple pictures of me, but I looked at them later and decided the world didn't need them - delete! Teeje got really mad at me for doing that. He hates my camera shyness. Hopefully, I'll get over it soon enough so I can take some baby bump pictures.

TJ playing "golf" with the astronauts.

No words for this one. Haha! He must be looking at an alien.

We were lucky enough to have dinner with MiLinh and her fiance Tyler last night. She made the most delectable meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn! So delicious. I wish I had taken a picture!! Just know that it looked something like this:

So yummy!! Thanks MiLinh for an amazing meal. She's also in pharmacy school and pretty much one of the smartest people on earth. We can't all be so lucky :) Tyler and MiLinh are an awesome match. Can't wait for their wedding!

Anniversary #2, Valentine's Day, & A Special Announcement...

Hi friends!

TJ and I have had the most wonderful few months since my last post. Thanksgiving in Bear Lake, Christmas in Seattle, our second wedding anniversary, and a lovely Valentine's day. We can't stop smiling about how great it is to be back in Utah. Sometimes we think back to how stressful our lives were in Oakland and count our many blessings that we are in Salt Lake City.

Christmas in Seattle was fantastic. TJ and I were spoiled by his cute parents and had a blast catching up with everyone. We didn't realize how much we missed Jamie, Brandon, Easton, Mandy, and Mom and Dad Nicholes. Mandy got engaged to her dream-man, Chad, who also spent the holiday with the Nicholes/Smith clan! He'll love being a part of this family, that's for sure. TJ and I also got to meet baby Bennett for the first time! What a little sweetheart. He is such a mild baby that he gave me more confidence in myself - not all babies cry when I hold them! ;) I have the cutest nephews on earth! Here is a cute pic of them with their grandma and grandpa (I hope Jamie is ok with me using these pictures!).


And here is TJ practicing being a daddy :)

For New Year's Eve, TJ and I drove up to Mountain Green to be with his grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins. When we go to the Smedley's, we play board games, board games, board games! It was so fun. I was a little sad that after 7 hours of playing I hadn't won a single game... but hey, I'm playing with pros over here! I put my competitive side to rest and just enjoyed being with family. :)

On Valentine's day, TJ surprised me at home with roses, chocolates, and sparkling peach cider. I'm one lucky girl! He took time out of his VERY busy work day to do this for me. I was already spoiled over the weekend and this put it over the top.



Speaking of the weekend, TJ and I celebrated our anniversary at The Roof for dinner and then Anniversary Inn for a little retreat. It was so fun! I can't believe two years have already flown by with my cutie. I still remember the first time we met like it was yesterday. Here's one of my favorite pictures of us on our wedding day.


Two years later, I think we're even happier.
Why, you may ask? Well, TJ and I are expecting our first little baby in September! We can hardly wait to meet him/her. TJ is so excited to be a dad! I am excited but anxious... will I be a good mom or will I screw up my poor kids?? All I know is I'm steadily accumulating an entire library on pregnancy, babies, parenting, etc. Hopefully I'll be ready when the time comes (although I hear you are NEVER really "ready" to be a mom!)

Wish us luck on this next phase of life! We'll need it! :)