Looking Back at 2013

I can't believe another year has gone by! Here are a few of the things we've had happen this year. These are in no particular order.

- Mike went to another group within Fidelity. He's in the High Opportunity group now, and enjoys it.
- We paid my car off!!!! YAY! Mike's will be paid off soon, double yay!
- The Lowder March Madness was held in Utah this year. We went to a lot of games. They really need more comfortable seating at the Energy Solutions arena. We did get to sit in row 6 or so for one game though, that was fun.
- I think the biggest news of the year is that we got pregnant! It's been fun to watch our baby grow on ultrasounds, pick out a name, feel him move, etc etc. We can't wait for him to get here! Mike is still hopeful for a 2013 tax credit baby. LOL!
- At the end of May we went to Zion National Park. We had a great time hiking and camping. I love doing that stuff with Mike! He is like the best hiking/camping partner ever! On our way back we stopped at Cedar Breaks! Very pretty, and very cold!
- Over the 4th of July we went to San Diego! My grandparents were there on their mission, and it was so fun to go visit them and see all the sites! Fred came and stayed a few days as well, it was so much fun!
- Speaking of my grandparents, they came home from their mission this year. They came home in August, so we made it out right in the nick of time. And we drove out, so we got to help take some of their stuff back to Utah. I am glad we did, because I don't know if they could have gotten everything back home! ;)
- Mike and I celebrated our 4th anniversary this year! Best 4 years of my life! Life just keeps getting better and better with this guy! I love him!
- In November Mike went out to Oregon. He had a great time seeing family, going to a Blazers basketball game, a Ducks football game, looking at waterfalls, seeing his long time friend Adam, and being back where he grew up.
- In November I went to Delaware for work! It was my very first work trip, and I hope it won't be my last! It was fun to see the Discover branch and another center.
- Projects: Hmm. We pulled out the weeds in the front garden, stuck down some landscaping material and filled it in with bark. It looks so much better! We put shelves in our pantry closet, I FINALLY finished the cupboards (HOORAY!)
- Mike finished his goals to receive his Woodbadge Beads! Go Mike!
- I won tickets to go see Disney on Ice this year. We doubled with some friends, it was a fun time!
- I got my Associate's degree!! I finished with a GPA of 3.72... Honors!!
- I started school at BYU!
- I found the most delicious trifle recipe EVER.
- Mike has melted my heart and swept me off my feet over and over and OVER again. And he's made me laugh countless times. I am so lucky to have him in my life!!
- We went to the US World Cup Qualifying Match against Honduras! It was SO fun! And we had GREAT seats!

That is all I can think of for 2013. It has been a great year!

Christmas

Christmas was so great this year! It is great every year. This is the last year Mike and I will have Christmas with just the two of us, so that is crazy to think about.

This year on Christmas Eve we went up to my Grandma Andrushko's house. We sang songs, did the nativity thing, ate delicious food and pie, enjoyed good company and opened presents. Little man made a good haul and he isn't even here yet! He got a cute blanket with a monkey, some outfits, and a super SUPER soft swaddler wrap. I love those swaddle things, I can't wait to use it!

After that we went to my parent's house and stayed the night there. We all got new pajamas (I love new pajamas)! We were woken up at 7:15 (thanks Mom for giving us an extra 15 minutes, we were supposed to be up at 7) and opened presents. My brother Nate got a keyboard! He has taught himself to play the piano and is super excellent at it. I bet he will love that keyboard! Brandon and Josh got some sweet Nerf guns. I am kind of excited to have a baby boy.. because then I get to buy cool Nerf guns and play with them. I mean.. help him play with them. My dad surprised my mom with an iPad mini! She was so shocked! The best part was he gave her a shoe box, taped the iPad mini box to the bottom of the shoe box, and covered the iPad box with some of his old shoes. HAHA! When she opened it she was like "Umm.. I get these?.." It was pretty funny. And my dad had a sweet love note engraved on the back of the iPad mini. So cute! My parents gave us a super cool NetCam camera for the baby's room! It's great! I can look at the baby's room with my phone, listen to audio, take pictures, record, all of that fun stuff. I love technology. I gave Mike his iPod. He liked it! And I got an elliptical from Mike! I have been wanting one for a while. Yay! After we opened presents my dad and the boys made stuffed French toast! It was DIVINE! Ohhh it was so so delicious. Thanks dad and boys! Yum!

After Christmas at my parents we went up to Grandma Medskers. We ate tons of food and opened presents there. Grandma and grandpa gave us a book by Brad Wilcox that I am excited to read! My favorite present we gave was to my grandma and grandpa and to Fred. One of my most favorite pictures from our California trip I printed off and put it onto frames and gave to them. I printed them as 8x10's and the picture was taken with my iPhone, I was surprised how well the photo turned out! I think they all liked it. I will include a picture below.

We didn't get to see any of Mike's family on Christmas since they all live away. But we did get to talk to them on the phone! Mike's parents got us a sweet pressure cooker. I'm excited to use it! And the book it came with has recipes, too so even better! My sister in law, Amber, gave me a giftcard for a MASSAGE! Thank you Amber! I can't wait to use it!

We also got to see Sister Jasmine Medsker on Christmas.. via Skype! I love technology. Her and her companion sang a song for us, and I bawled. It was just so beautiful! I cry every time Jasmine sings. She has such a beautiful voice and she sings with such love and conviction! I loved it. Jasi wanted to see me and my growing belly. So I stood sideways for her. Haha!

I love Christmas time and all the family stuff! It's just so great!

This is the picture I have to Fred and also to grandma and grandpa. I love this picture.

Syd and Waffle Cone on Christmas morning. Syd is so cute even when she just rolled out of bed! I'm jealous!

I wasn't here for this. But it is Christmas related. Santa shoed up at my parent's house a few weeks ago. I wish I could have been there!

Ask me if I miss the beard! Noooope! ;) But if he grows it again and gets more white hair he might make a good Santa! Haha!

12 Days of Christmas

This year I wanted to do something special for Mike. So I did 12 days of Christmas for him. I tried not to spend a lot, and I didn't do 12 things on day 12 or anything. Just things that I know he likes. So here is the 12 days of Christmas. On a previous post I showed a surprise he gave me! I love him!

38 Weeks

How far along? 38! 38! 38! Technically it's like 38.5 sooo.... like a week and a half left. Or till his due date. He might stay in there longer. Who knows.
Stretch marks? Nope. Which is insane because my belly is like ballooned out the most I have ever seen it balloon out before.
Sleep: Sleep is good. I keep waking up with numb hands, that's become a norm. But the past few night my hips have REALLY been hurting! Ouch! So I have to turn over a lot more.
Best moment this week: I had like a zillion best moments this week. Seeing my family at Christmas was super great! I will do a separate Christmas post. I also met up with my friend Hayley on Saturday. It was so fun to see her! We've been friends since high school and I haven't seen her for a year or so, so it was really fun to catch up and grab lunch.  
Miss Anything? Meh. Yes, but I think I've mentioned everything I miss in previous blog posts. So I won't bore you. Ohhh, except today I wanted to wear some cute heels to church.. I really had to squeeze them onto my porky swollen feet, and then Mike said I shouldn't wear them just in case I fall. So I didn't. That has been one of the first times I've missed wearing heels. Ha!
Movement: Always. He was pretty active Christmas afternoon so my mom and aunt got to feel him move a lot.
Food cravings: Cinnamon rolls. Mmmmm! This week I have eaten really well. Probably too well... but last night, my brother in law who is staying with us till school is back in session, he made crepes with jam last night. They were amazing. So so so so so SOOO good. Thanks Brandon!
Labor Signs: I have contractions every once in a while. Nothing big or painful or of any importance.
Belly Button in or out? Ouuuut. I hope he comes soon just so I can stop answering this question. Haha!!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy I think. I am happy most the time, it's just usually coupled with worrying about little things like whatever needs to get done around the house, or "what if we forget the carseat" or "I hope I can be a good mom", just things like that.
Looking forward to: Mr. Baby making his appearance in the next little bit! Yay! 

Other: I don't know that I have any "other" right now. I got the baby's bed made. I make that sound like it was a big feat, but I really just put a sheet on his mattress. We got the hospital bag packed. So that is good. I need to install the carseat base tomorrow. I still need to clean the baby's room one last time. Anyway. My to do list is slowly getting shorter. I still have paint my toenails on it, though. Haha! 

38 weeks!

And I thought this picture was funny. This is my view of Waffles. HAHA!

Parking

Some people suck at parking. Some people super suck at parking.

Example:

And here is something funny that I still laugh at every time I read it.

Frozen

Mike is the best husband ever. I know I say that a lot, but he totally is. I'm so lucky to be married to such a handsome, hunky, amazing, sweet man! On Saturday he took me to Frozen. As everyone knows, I love everything Disney. I had mentioned that I'd like to see Frozen sometime, probably when it hits the dollar theater. Well, on Wednesday I  came home to this...

Totally made my day. Actually, it made my week! The note is still on the white board. I love him.

Frozen was great, I really liked it. I ended up bawling near the end. I think it was the hormones. Here is the convo that happened a little bit after the movie:

Me: I really liked that movie! Sorry I was like bawling at the end! I think I'm just hormonal.
Mike: Hormonal? You are always crying and enjoy sappy stuff like that!


Haha! I really don't think I would have cried if I was pregnant, but Mike thinks differently. I'm definitely gong to buy that one.

37 Weeks

How far along? 37 Weeks. Eeeeek. Really I think it's 37.5... Ahh this is getting too close!
Sleep: Sleep is good. Ish. A lot better than it will be in a few weeks. My mind is always going a million miles an hour, so it takes a while to get it to stop and get to sleep now. And then I wake up uncomfortable and all that stuff. But! I still can make it through the whole night without peeing! And I stay pretty hydrated, so that's really really nice.
Best moment this week: Mike took me to see Frozen!! He is seriously the sweetest husband everrrr. I loved the movie. I am going to write a separate blog post about Mike and him taking me. He is the best best BEST. Also, The Young Women in our ward came over Wednesday night and caroled and they made a baby blanket for the baby! I can't believe how sweet they are! I love the blanket. Here are two pictures of it. So stinking cute. I love the young women in our ward.

Miss Anything? What do I not miss?! Well, I do not miss how my hair was before. I'm loving my hair still. Thick and it grows fast!
Movement: Yessss. He is quite move-y.
Food cravings: Everything sounds good! Last night in a span of 5 minutes I wanted Cafe Rio, IHOP, and a pizza. Mmm.
Labor Signs: No. I get Braxton Hicks sometimes and like little contractions, but nothing painful or regular or anything.
Belly Button in or out? Out. I think it will stay like that till I have him. Sad.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I don't know! Sometimes I'm happy, but sometimes I'm so worried and stressed! Sometimes I'm both. I feel crazy sometimes.
Looking forward to: Christmas and seeing family! Yay! This will be our last Christmas as just Mike and I, it is crazy to think that!
Other:  We got a lot of stuff done yesterday. Mike was a huge huge help! We got the curtains up in the baby's room, and we put shelves in our kitchen pantry closet thing. The closet looks so much nicer, and there is so much room now! Here is what the curtains and the closet looks like. The baby's room still needs some straightening, ignore the mess please.

New shelves in the closet. I love it. We have so much room in there now instead of everything squished at the bottom.

And I made 2 baby wraps. I got fabric at Joann's (holy cow, the regulars at Joann's are crazy. They know their way around like none other and have carts full of material and here I am... so confused! I spent an hour there trying to find just one type of fabric.) The baby wraps were super super easy. 
Here is the site I used to make them: http://bestmilehighmom.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/mile-high-momday-diy-baby-wrap-carrier.html  

I ended up with 2, at $15 each. Scoore! So much better than buying one. Here is me in my baby wrap. Without the baby and still pregnant obviously. 

Thank you Mike for taking a picture before I said okay. I didn't need to put this up, but I figured I never post pictures head on. I'm always sideways.

Ta daaaa! 37 weeks and counting. Please ignore my gross swollen hand/wrist.

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks. My. Goodness.
Sleep: Ehhh... I never feel like I can get enough sleep. I am nearly always tired now! No energy. I hate the numb hands at night still.
Best moment this week: We had our annual Medsker family Nativity Christmas party thing tonight. That was really fun.
Miss Anything? My jeans. And rock climbing.
Movement: Yep yep!
Food cravings: Chocolate things.
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? Out. Yuck.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Stressed, I still have so much to do before little man comes.
Looking forward to: A half day of PTO on Tuesday and the doctor's appointment.

Other: Hmmm. The past few days my feet have been unbelievably swollen. That sucks. The other day Mike took the wrong ring to work (I have been wearing one of his that is a tiny too small) and I was so excited because this day the ring was fitting so loosely, so I thought my fingers had magically stopped being swollen and I could wear MY ring! I was seriously so excited. Then Mike texted and said he had taken the wrong ring. Haha! I was disappointed, but I thought it was even more funny that I didn't even notice the change because the rings totally look different. Ha!

Here is my picture. Yay.

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks! Time is going so so fast.
Stretch marks? Not any more than when I first got just a few :D
Sleep: Sleep is good. I'm waking up more often and having to roll over and am uncomfortable, but I still usually don't have to get up to pee. So I consider that a win.
Best moment this week: I honestly can't even remember what's gone on this week. It's been a blur. We did have a Dr's appointment, baby is sounding and growing good. I'm down to an appointment every week now, so that is crazy!
Miss Anything? Tying my shoes. Wearing my normal clothes. I miss my clothes so much. Switching laundry without having to stand up and breathe. Rolling over without waking up at night. I could go on.
Movement: This question is getting a bit old I think. Yes, he is moving. He loves to kick the right side of my ribcage and every morning in the shower he pushes up against my left side when I have the water hitting my belly. It's kind of funny because my belly goes all lopsided. Haha! He gets the hiccups at least once a day, but usually it's two times. I wonder if he will get them that much after he's born!
Food cravings: A nice big pizza sounds good right now. Just pepperoni. Nothing fancy. And Mountain Dew of course.
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? Out. Blah. Not super far out, but it's definitely not flat anymore.
Happy or Moody most of the time: These days I don't know. I'm usually happy, but a good deal of the time I'm stressed about getting things done and how much things are going to change and what if my water breaks when I'm out in public and what if we don't make it to the hospital or what if I can't get the carseat in the car right. Things like that constantly haunt my thoughts now.
Looking forward to: The appointment this week and going to see The Hobbit on Saturday! I can't wait!

Other: I have no energy anymore. I feel so so lazy, and I hate it. And it doesn't help that some things take so much more effort now! I feel like I am grunting or making noises all day. I feel like this is a complainy blog post. Sorry. My pregnancy has been great and it's been so fun to feel him move and get ready for him. People ask me a lot now if I'm ready to be done. And sometimes I am, like when my back is killing me. But most of the time I don't feel like I'm miserable and "SO ready to be done." I don't mind it. Some things suck, but I feel really blessed to have been able to have a pregnancy with no complications. I've had a lot of friends that have had preemie babies, and I feel really blessed to have been able to be pregnant for this long. On a side note, I sometimes I can't wait for him to come because I want to see what he looks like! I can't wait for that!

Also, it was Mike's 30th birthday yesterday. I had a fun time giving him presents and taking him to dinner. Happy birthday Mike!!

No picture this week. I don't feel like posting a picture of me in sweats and an oversized t. Next week I'll post a picture.

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 big ones!
Stretch marks? Still the same, I'm pretty lucky!
Sleep: Lovin' my sleep. I still wake up with my hands numb though, and I've recently noticed getting out of bed in the morning my feet are tingly and a little numb.
Best moment this week: Thanksgiving! It was so great to see my family! I also got to see them Friday and Saturday! I loved every minute.
Miss Anything? Getting in and out of the car fast. Sitting up out of bed fast. I guess everything that I used to be able to do fast. Haha!
Movement: Yes! A bunch of family got to feel him this week, so that was really fun.
Food cravings: Eggnog. Mmmmmm eggnog!
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? Progressing to out. Sad!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I'm a bit moody or emotional though sometimes. And I cry really easily now.
Looking forward to: The Dr's appointment on Wednesday! Yay! And Mike's birthday on Saturday! He will be 30!

Other: This week was so great! Thursday was Thanksgiving, Friday I did a little Black Friday shopping with my parents and two of my brothers, and Saturday was a baby shower! I got some really nice gifts for the baby! I really think we are set for him to come, just waiting for him to grow a little more! 


34 week belly. A few people have told my I look really good and tiny lately, so that makes me feel good because I feel so huge most of the time!

A sign in Ogden we happened upon. Too bad it was only up for Black Friday. I should have jumped on it!