California

This past week we've enjoyed a much needed vacation in California. We were able to visit with family and friends and it was a blast! 

We flew in to SFO on Tuesday and Jason's brother Mason picked us up from the airport. After that we enjoyed spending the day in San Francisco and walked around the Pier.

Jason's sister Heather got off from work a little later and we all had dinner together. It was great to catch up with them since we haven't seen them since April! 

Mason was kind enough to drive us down to Fairfield and dropped us off at my parents house. Its funny that we got lost on the way, my family moved to Suisun in January and this is the first time we've been to their new house. 

We spent the rest of the week watching lots of baseball, eating lots of yummy food, and just hanging out. We got to spend lots of time with my dad who is stuck at home recovering from eye surgery. (He had a torn retina) We were able to eat at most of our favorite places, but sadly not all. 

In case you didn't know, my little brother Nathan is not so little anymore! He's growing like crazy, and has even gotten taller since we saw him in July.

He's a freshmen in high school now, and had his first band review on Saturday. I have not been to a band review in a long time, and it was fun to watch instead of march! The Scarlet Brigade sounded awesome, and I was also able to see some old friends from high school who are now instructing at other schools. 

Now we're back at home in Utah. I'm grateful to be back in my own bed, after spending a week on an air mattress! Now we're back to our boring, busy lives.

Milestones...

Over the past few months, we have definitely experienced some changes around here!

 

On September 1st we found out we were having a girl. We paid a little extra to find out early, and I'm grateful we did. Jason was able to be there because they only do those ultrasounds on Saturdays. His work and school schedule keeps him VERY busy during the week, so he can't come to normal appointments.

 

About a week later, I realized I was finally feeling the baby move. Its SUPER hard to distinguish "tummy gurgles" from a baby when you've never experienced something like that before. The next time I'm pregnant, I'm sure I'll feel things sooner.

 

Since then, I've noticed she likes to kick me like crazy if my pants are too tight in the waist or if I eat something full of sugar like Sprite or candy.

 

At my 20 week appointment a few weeks ago, I got to see her through another ultrasound. That was awesome, and the hospital gave me a DVD! In the ultrasound, we were able to catch a few glimpses of Marlene's cute little face, and saw that she had her feet crossed. I guess she's just chillin out in there.

 

Last night, Jason was FINALLY able to feel the baby kick. Over the past few weeks I would tell Jason to feel my belly because she was kicking like crazy. And EVERY time, the minute he put his hand up there she would stop.

 

So last night I had the bright idea to tell Jason I was going to bed, and that this would probably be the best time to feel the baby. Every mom can probably tell you that the minute you lie down or stop moving, is the time when a baby will go nuts in your stomach. I was right, and within 30 seconds of lying down, Jason was able to feel a kick.

 

It was super cute to see his face light up and I could tell that he was so happy. Now he has a better understanding of when I complain about Marlene tap dancing on my bladder...her kicks are getting pretty intense.

 

Another new development is that I've definitely hit a "growth spurt." I've been feeling a lot of growing pains, and my belly button has officially become an "outie."

 

Stay tuned for more baby updates, and also a post about our trip to CA next week!  

 

 

 

 

Good Eats.

We've officially booked our plane tickets, and we're headed back home to Fairfield on October 9th. We haven't been back there since August of last year, so this is SUPER exciting!!

 

I was talking with my dad on Sunday and he asked what food places we want to eat at while we're there. Holy cow, I didn't even know where to begin!

 

The Fairfield area has some dang good places to eat, here are our top 5 stops during the trip:

 

1. Joe's Buffet

This place is the definition of a "hole in the wall" restaurant, but don't let the look deceive you. Once you've eaten here, all other beef dip sandwiches you encounter will be put to shame.

 

2. BJ's

(Not technically in Fairfield)

If you've never had a pizookie from BJ's, stop what you're doing and go there now. Jason and I share a LOVE for sweets and this is the best place for dessert you will ever find.

 

3. Round Table Pizza

We've been to a lot of pizza places in our day, but NO place has a pizza like this one. We go to Round Table for one reason, and that is to have a Maui Zaui. It has this yummy sauce that is like a mix between sweet and sour sauce and polynesian sauce from Chic Fila.

 

4. Bay Sushi

(No picture)

If you're looking for a good sushi place in Fairfield, this is my ABSOLUTE favorite. Its two doors down from Michael's over by the mall, and super delicious. I'm excited that I can still get my favorite roll (The Golden Gate) because its made with cooked crab meat. And the fact that its deep fried doesn't hurt either!

 

5. Sandy's 101 Omelettes

Gotta make a breakfast stop here while in town! (I've heard they moved, and better be open while we're there.) I ate here a MILLION times during my high school years, and have YET to find a place that serves better biscuits and gravy.

 

Those are my top 5 places, I'm proud that aside from BJ's that none of them are big chain stores. Also gotta give a shout out to Mary's Pizza shack, while the food is delicious its not high on the priority list.

 

Also, don't laugh but I'm also really excited

to eat at Popeye's.

Super yummy!    

 

 

 

20 Weeks

This week my belly turns 20!

Well 20 weeks that is, and that means I've reached the halfway point of my pregnancy.

From this point on, my baby girl is supposed to grow like crazy and I can feel it already. Things are starting to get stretched people!

 

I haven't had many pregnancy cravings yet, but right now my favorite thing to eat is pink laffy taffy.

(We may have bought a huge bag of Wonka Halloween candy)

 

My other go-to snacks are:

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

cucumbers

and Sun Chips

 

Another new development is that I've started to REALLY feel the baby move. She's been kicking me like crazy especially in the evenings, and REALLY doesn't like when my waistband is too tight.

 

I had an ultrasound yesterday and it was so fun to see her again! My favorite part was seeing that she had her little feet crossed like she was totally chillin' out.

 

Overall, life is good and I can't complain other than I'm growing impatient to have a cute snuggly baby here like my sweet nephew!

What's in a Name?

We have officially decided on a baby name!

Today I was watching Where the Heart Is, and the scene where she's asked if she's thought of a nameyet made me smile. The man says,

"Give that baby a name that means something."

And that's just what we're doing.

The name we're giving our little girl is

Marlene Diane Henderson

Marlene after my grandma, and Diane after Jason's. I never got to meet his grandma, and he never got to meet mine but they were both amazing ladies.

(You can see a LOT of my mom in her!)

Ever since I was little I wanted to name my first daughter after my grandma Larkin, her name is so beautiful and original.

I get really emotional whenever I talk about my grandparents because they were truly the greatest people in the world, and left us far too soon. If our little girl is blessed with just a fraction of the sweet spirit my grandma had, we will be the luckiest parents ever.

For the past few months we had a totally different name picked out, but a few weeks ago something about it didn't feel right.

I told myself not to worry about it, because we might not end up having a girl anyways. (Well we all know how that worked out!)

We feel really good about our decision now, 
and I can't wait to meet her in about 4.5 months!

Jason's really excited to call her Marley, and I think that will just be so precious.