Seeing Blue

For a number of reasons, Tyler and I have been keeping a wonderful secret. Earlier this year, I had a terrible run of kidney stones that took a number of weeks to pass. It seemed that no matter how many gallons of water I drank, I never got to feeling better.

Well after about a month of not feeling well, and looking at a calendar I knew there could be another cause. On a hunch, Tyler and I went to the dollar store to buy a home pregnancy test. The following morning, we got our answer. From that moment, our lives changed.

I cannot even begin to express the delight we both felt, the tears of joy and surprise that came to us both, nor the prayer of gratitude we expressed that morning. All I can tell you is that it was truly a miracle. From there, I became antsy and totally crazy with news that I couldn’t share. We started talking names, settling on a couple different ones for girls and finding one we both loved for a boy.

Above is our first ultrasound 2-15-11

The following Monday I made a phone call to my doctor to schedule my first appointment. Tyler was able to take off work and be there for the first ultrasound at our 8 week appointment. We could see the little heart beating furiously and the doctor told us things were going well. I was lucky to have only mild morning sickness so really we were both on cloud 9. 

Above is an ultrasound from 3-15-11

My next appointment I went to alone. My doctor was able to freeze an image of the little one waving hello. It was in that appointment that I started to really get excited. I could see the arms and legs and spine of the little one and during the ultrasound, the little one began to flail around a little. That was the first time I’d ever seen anything like that in my life.

Clearly this is the one of the foot 3-24-11

A week later I had an ultrasound as part of a free study I’m participating in. In that ultrasound, the technician froze on an image of the baby’s foot. Also, she took a profile shot of the baby.

Here the baby lies on its head 3-24-11

For week 16’s appointment, I was able to learn that we are having a baby boy! In all three angles that we looked at, it was clear I was seeing blue! 

Here's one image from 4-12-11

I realize that, to many of you, this is the first you’ve heard of our news. I just want to share how excited Tyler and I are for our little one. In the future blog posts, I think I will write my posts addressed to the baby, since a friend of mine did that with her blog and it has turned out to be a really cute blog.

The Ogden Temple

For those of you who have kept up on the news, the lovely Ogden Temple is slated for reconstruction and remodeling coming the start of April. As such, to end March of this year, my sister-in-law and her family invited Tyler & I (along with another sister-in-law) to join them on the temple grounds for taking some pictures and making some final memories of the Ogden Temple.

Tyler's parents Kevin & Judy, his Grandma Robinson and Aunt Sherri

Tyler and I didn't dress in church attire and we only brought our cell phone cameras. But here are a few shots we took of our family on the temple grounds. Some of the images I took the next day, earlier in the morning when I went back with Ty's parents, his grandma and aunt as pictured above.

It was hard to get them both to smile at once!

Our nephew and niece were, however, appropriately attired, thus they received most of the attention during our photo session. Of course, as is typical of children their age, it was a challenge to get them both to look at the camera and smile at the same time.Out of all the images we were able to capture, this one of Hannah is my favorite. Her dress glowed and she smiled up at me at the right moment. I didn't alter this image at all, since it was simply lovely.

Really bright outside + a film of moisture on the lens = glow effect

Many people flocked to Ogden this week, so the grounds were crowded. I would have liked a chance to photograph the temple without having so many people there, but I realize that everyone wants to make one final memory there before the structure changes.

Here's a clear shot of the temple from the east side

I know there are those who consider the Ogden (and therefore also the Provo) temples as eyesores in the world of temple architecture, however having been inside both, I can simple promise you that the way those temples were designed, the circular structures lent themselves well to the eternal purposes and functions for which they are intended.

This is a close up of the bridge and pond on the east side

Orlando's True Magic

For everyone, there comes a time in life when reality and Disney cross paths in a major way. For me, this happened this February. For the first time in my young life, I entered a Disney theme park. Here to follow are a few images and tales of my visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

At the beginning of my adventure, I got to go up into the Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House and it was incredible. I would have liked to have spent more time there, but the line of people kept urging us all forward. Below is an image of me next to the bust of one of my mom's favorite actors.

One of my favorite is the Love Bug and the classic other Herbie movies. Naturally, you can imagine my delight at Hollywood Studios on the Backlots Tour when I got to see Herbie, both the chopped and whole versions waiting around.

Then, on that same ride, I was able to experience an earthquake & flood. I could feel the heat from the fires and I sure loved that little scare if gave us.

Now, we did go shopping around Downtown Disney, and here's a picture opportunity we had and couldn't walk away from:

Another highlight was in Animal World on a Safari ride. I love Elephants, so when we got to see a small little herd of them, I was happy. I also enjoyed being able to take a rest and be off my feet for a while.

Now, as you well can imagine, my nephew & niece were with us throughout the week and truly they were the main attraction and highlight of our adventure.

Their eyes were full of the magic and wonder and it was hard not to feel that this really was a different world.

Epcot was great, I wish I'd had more time there. I did enter the German zone and here's a picture of me shopping the shops there and loving it!

Another part of our vacation brought us to Universal Studios, a theme park with ever major movie or show themed ride you could ever want.

I got to enter into the Harry Potter section, which was really neat.

It’s really something else to be in a life-sized representation of JK Rowling’s wizarding world.

Since one of my favorite children’s authors is Dr. Seuss, I was happily at home in that portion of the park, watching little Jonathon & Hannah enjoy the fun rides and play areas. I will say that before anyone decides to ride the Cat in the Hat ride, they should first down some Dramamine and hope for the best. It was a wacky ride, one that I was happy to get off at the end. Sorry, I didn't get any pictures in this part of the park :(

I did have a wonderful time and though the plane ride was long and less than fun, I will someday return to this wonderful city of Orlando.