We have work to do

3 weeks ago we went with the youth in our ward to a stake activity in Socorro. It's about an 1 hour 15 minutes south from our house, but is still in our stake boundaries. We went on a hay ride into the mountain and had a bonfire and ate hot dogs and hot chocolate. It's so fun to be around the youth but it sure makes me feel old. Also, I'm so glad I'm not 16 right now. The youth these days have it hard. I'm grateful I'm married and don't have to worry about dating and the awkwardness of it all :) 

Cool story from General Conference. Ryan came home from the Priesthood session and told me they talked about some youth in our stake. He just happened to be sitting next to the boys that were mentioned in D Todd Christofferson's talk here. Very cool. Our stake President is a screenwriter and has worked with the Brethren on several occasions around the world filming. The night before conference he got a call from D Todd Christofferson asking permission to use the story during his talk. He shared this story with us that night.

It was freezing so I broke out the winter clothes. Syd got this hat for me in Peru.

Our cats have been so snuggly with me. They love to curl up next to me in bed and whenever I sit down. I really believe they can tell I'm pregnant, it's so sweet.

The Eighth Month

32-35 weeks

Sept 29-Oct 20

Had a huge growth spurt. 24 pounds gained.

Getting harder to sleep because it's hard to rollover.

I'm a lot warmer so it's nice the weather is cooling down.

Get shortness of breath and often just need to sit down and rest. Walking 30 minutes each day.

My friend Michelle Cortez threw me a baby shower with ladies from the ward.

Got really sick and stayed home from work 3 days. Went to the doctor to get antibiotics.

Feet still swell.

Getting eager for the pregnancy to be over. I miss my clothes.

Painted the crib white and set it up.

Bought my newborn cloth diapers.

My hips and pelvis are so sore in the mornings, it's hard to even walk. Starting to waddle. 

Finally chose a Pediatrician.

No stretch marks.

The Seventh Month

28-31 weeks

Sept 1-Sept 22

I've been documenting my ever growing belly each week from the beginning. Here's month 7.

The third-and final-trimester!

I continued to feel terrific.

We started taking the Bradley Method childbirth classes.

After switching to insurance through my work we discovered that we'd save about $2000 by giving birth at a hospital rather than a birth center. I was quite disappointed, but it was just too much money to pass up so I transferred back to my midwife Lisa Bishop.

I've been measuring right on track. I took glucose test (loved it!) and results came back normal. I got my second rhogham shot along with tDAP and the FLU shot. 

We registered at Babies R Us on our anniversary weekend and it took us 3.5 hours!

We got a free crib from a college friend. Starting wearing maternity clothes full time. Figured out I have "supine hypotensive syndrome" where lying flat on my back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes me feel dizzy until I change positions. This explains my "episodes" at the doctor's and dentist.

Started feeling very tired and get breathless just walking up stairs.

Ankles swell most days.

Took a hospital tour and pre-registered.

Balloon Fiesta (failed attempts)

We missed out on Balloon Fiesta.

We've been looking forward to going ever since we decided to move here.

We tried going twice but both times it got cancelled because of wind. At least we've been able to see them since Spring and we've had a couple fly and land right near our house. Some flew right downtown by my work so I snapped some pictures and Ryan got some right over the aiport.

I snapped this picture early Saturday morning on our way in the crazy traffic.

McCall's Pumpkin Patch

We started Fall off with a bang by going to McCall's Pumpkin Patch. It was recommended to me by two people so we thought we'd check it out. We went opening day (Sep 22) and there was no one there, it was so nice! It's a great place for kids so we went with the Cortez family. This farm is great. It has tons of activities for kids plus Halloween decorations you can buy. It's in Moriarty, about an hour's drive East. It's huge! 320 acres and family owned.  We went on a hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins. Of course, Ryan got the biggest one he could find. They charge according to size but it was still only a few dollars. They have a pedal track, jumping pillow, duck races, and a giant slide for the kiddos. There's also a huge fort for the kids to play in.

"animal alley" so cute!

"goat bridge" 

you can actually put feed on those conveyor belts and the goats will climb up the ladders to get the food. crazy! They're very spoiled and followed us everywhere begging for food.

"bunnyville" 

can you see the black bunny?

This was such a fun place. We did the "little kid" corn maze. The adult haunted one wasn't open yet.

Ward Fair and State Fair

In September our ward put on a Fair. In order to get tickets you had to go see the missionaries and they asked gospel questions. If you got it right you got a ticket. They had snow cones  popcorn, Navajo tacos, photo booth, dunk tank, lots of booths and a salsa contest.  Oh, and a pie eating contest..

Those two girls at the end were so funny. They ate theirs with forks ;)

Jake was the winner!

We went to the state fair on free admission day. Parking was also free this year.

These looked really fun.

 It was crazy busy.

We went to the Spanish section and they were selling all sorts of hats. What'dya think? looks pretty good

We watched this guy draw for a few minutes. 

The bishop's kids were working at the Fair with Brother Mera so we stopped by and got some drinks. Ryan got Strawberry and I got Horchata..Yum! It's a New Mexican favorite and it tastes like a churro.

He recommended we eat at Cuco's and it was great. I got an enchilada and Ryan got Carne Adovada.

We spent most the time looking at all the cute farm animals.

Cookin' Turkey Legs. We completely forgot to try any fried food while we were there. Pretty sad.