An Update

There's been a lot going on and obviously more to come since Christmas is this week, so I just thought I would give you guys a little update.

We'll start out on the baby front...I went to the doctor last week and had a GREAT appointment. I saw the new doctor and she was excellent. I told Jon that I just hope that she isn't ruined by the other doctors or the busyness of the clinic. She was very personable, talked to me about everything she was doing, and wanted to "get to know us." It was great. Perhaps it was merely a result of having no expectations at this point, but I really did enjoy her and actually enjoyed my visit (as opposed to the multiple times I have left almost in tears). So that was great. She also said that Baby Haddy is doing great and moving all over the place. She also, after talking about my last ultra-sound seems to think that she is going to be small. Jon and I were both small babies (5-6 lbs each), so it's looking pretty good, as of now at least, that she won't be gigantic! I am thrilled with that, being that I do have to birth this child!

Tomorrow Jon and I are going to head down to Colorado Springs for the day, before meeting up with his family in Denver. We are excited to check out our future stomping grounds, and look for places/areas to live. I have only been to The Springs (that's what the locals call it) once, which was a few months ago. Our top priority then was to hang out with our friends (and Jon's interview of course), so we didn't get to see much of the town. We are looking forward to driving around, looking for the happening spots, and maybe doing a little last minute shopping. The more I think about it, the more excited I get because this will finally be a permanent place for us, which we haven't had in the 4 1/2 years that we have been married. We are hoping to buy our first house and get settled (whatever that means, right?). It will be fun, and it feels like we will be starting our little adventure with this little trip.

Then we are going to be in Denver for a few days, hanging out with Jon's family. I was planning to go to Oklahoma after that, but decided not to, as I have just been exhausted these days. If I would have gone, it would be ten days straight on the road, and then back to work the day I return. It is just too much for me right now. So I am planning to go sometime in February, when things aren't so whilwind-ish. I think I will enjoy my time there more, if I am not so exhausted from everything else.

So I think that's it! I am sure everyone will be busy too, but I do hope you take time to enjoy this Holiday season! And in the words of the British, Happy Christmas!

A Funny Surprise

I bought the Jim Brickman Christmas CD at Hastings at Thanksgiving. It was on sale for five bucks, so I thought, why not. I had it playing one day while Mom and I were doing some stuff in the kitchen. I was enjoying the CD a lot and mentioned to Jon that I would like to go see him in concert some time. It was just an informational comment that I was intending that he store in the back of his mind for a later date. Just if he was at a loss for something to do sometime.

I got home from New York and he just mentioned that we had plans for Tuesday night. He wouldn't tell me what they were, but was just notifying me so that I didn't make other plans. I was very tempted to check his email for any clues as to what our plans might be, but I refrained. Okay, maybe not totally. I checked one email, although I knew that he wouldn't have used that email because I check it all the time (it's sort of our "joint" account). I didn't checked his school email, although I was very tempted to do so. I love surprises so I just decided to wait.

All I knew was that we were going to Denver and had to be there by 7:30. So I left a little early from work yesterday and we took off. We stopped in Ft. Collins for dinner at a Vietnamese Noodle place and that's when he gave me the scoop. He was taking me to see Jim Brickman! I didn't even know that he was going to be in town!

Because of my comments at Thanksgiving, Jon was just sure that I knew that he would be in town, and that it was more of a gentle encouragement. Funny thing is, I didn't know! I actually had no idea at all. So it ended up being a pleasant surprise and an evening filled with good Christmas music. Although we did get home late, it was worth it because we had a nice evening "out on the town." Do I have a good hubby or what?!

Welcome Home Steph

The first three days of our trip to New York consisted of rain, rain, and more rain. I always thought that I would like the rain. I used to love the pouring rain storms in Oklahoma in the summers. I actually kind of start to miss the rain living in Wyoming. I am pretty sure it hasn't rained here since August (maybe earlier, I don't remember). So when I saw the weather in New York and saw that rain was almost guaranteed, I thought, "cool, I love the rain." Boy was I wrong! I heartily retract my statements about loving the rain. I like an occasional rain storm in the SUMMER, not so much in the winter.

With that being said, I realized that I would much prefer the snow to the rain any day...well maybe any day between September and March. I am ready for it to be warm enough to rain when April rolls around, although we are rarely so lucky. Anyway, I found it quite surprising that I felt relief when landing in Denver to hear the pilot announce, "current temperature in Denver, negative eleven." While most people groaned in disgust, initially I was happy. Really, really cold and snowy is way better to me right now than almost freezing and rain.

The thing is, is that snow (at least in WY/CO area) can be dusted off your shoulders. You need only to throw on your hood or hat when you go outside, and then dust off the snow when you arrive. Thirty seconds and you are dry. I found myself doing this while in NY, but instead it was rain. I pretty much just rubbed the water in, while getting my gloves all wet at the same time. It was rough!

So while the welcome home wasn't all warm and cozy it was a welcome home, none the less. I am grateful to live were I do and to have a nice warm car and house to come home too!

NYC at Christmas

The pictures are a little out of order, but that's just the way it's going to have to be. I don't want to spend the time moving them around. For some reason I lack logic when it comes to blogging anyway, so I'd hate to add to my issues!

New York at Christmas was what I expected. Decorations everywhere, the tree in all its splendor, random outdoor festivals, and chilly air. I didn't expect so much rain, but it happens!

Some of the decorations in Saks 5th Ave. So fancy!
Mom and me on the boat. It was a city lights tour or something like that.

Me and the tree.

I was actually surprised by the tree. It wasn't as big as I expected, but still cool.

Everyone loves an 8 lb. Hershey Bar right?

We got to see the Rockettes. I totally recommend doing this some time. It was fantastic!

You've got to love the Macy's Moose and Penguin.

The whole group from the Top of the Rock.

Stinking cool origami tree at the Museum of Modern History. All of the ornaments are made from paper.

Outside of the Museum of Natural History, posing with the evergreen dinosaur.

View of the Chrystler Building at night from Bryant Park.

Bryant Park at night.

There was an ice skating rink set up in Bryant Park with lots of shops and goodies. It was very surreal. Just as you picture NYC in the winter.

Mom, sis, and me in Times Square the first day. Can anyone spot Baby Haddy??

Gloomy Weather

I was just looking at weather.com this morning and found that it's supposed to snow for the next three days. This is always a bittersweet time of year. I love that it's cold and "feels" like Christmas...I even love the snow. However, at the same time, I am beginning to see the reality that winter is here. It is dark by 4:30 and we've already had snow on the ground for three or four days now with more on the way. I was just wondering as I was walking into work this morning if the snow will melt or was last week the last time that we will see the grass? Once it starts snowing here, snow piles up and you really don't see grass or any vegetation other than pine trees until Spring. While it is WAY better than being hot, the winter can still be long. Really it's this late fall time that's the worst because you get some really cold snaps and it's usually windy. For the most part I really enjoy winter and it's activities, I just think the reality of it's arrival is just setting in. The combination of extra snow falling and the time change (I know, I know it was over a month ago, but it's tough to get used to!) is great for lazy days and catnapping, but not so good when you have to work and get things accomplished! Oh well...hopefully I will get adjusted soon!

Baby Haddy News

So Baby Haddy is officially a girl! We found out last week, just before we left to go out of town for Thanksgiving. We are really excited, and I suddenly feel the urge to go shopping and to register. Hopefully we will be able to get to work on that in the next few weeks, as Jon will be finishing up his semester next week. I am also certain that I will be able to do some shopping in New York next week, while I am sure that her aunt and grandparents are already shopping! Our crib will be arriving the next few weeks and so it seems that our house will begin to be transformed in the next few weeks! Good times and happy nesting!