san diego babymoon

Brady and decided to take a little get away to San Diego for part of his spring break. I thought it would be fun and our last chance to go somewhere just the two of us for a while. It ended up being just what we needed. I didn't realize until we were there how much I had missed Brady during his cramped and busy semester. I was so so happy to have him to myself and have his undivided attention for a few days. The weather was nice, although we shared a laugh as we drove out of town, since it was in the 80s in Arizona and low 70s in San Diego.

While we were there, we spent a day at the beach. Although, lounging on the beach on a towel is quite a bit harder (and a tad bit less enjoyable) when you are eight months pregnant. Then we went to dinner and a movie. The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo and that was the highlight of the trip. The first exhibit we saw was the Koala Bears. When we got there, they were all sleeping. They were each curled into the tightest little balls, perched in the branches. I couldn't get enough of it and kept telling Brady "they look just like the baby!" We haven't had an ultrasound since 20 weeks and I have wanted so badly to see her little body and I guess seeing them helped fulfill that desire. We stayed for quite a while and did swing by the exhibit again on our way out of the zoo.

Towards the end of our day at the zoo, we went to the hippo exhibit. From where we first stood, we could just see the snout sticking up out of the water. We started walking around the side of the exhibit and got a much better view looking through glass where we could see the hippo below the water and as she stuck her head out of the water, we could see that too. We watched for a bit and then I realized that it wasn't a rock right next to her face, it was her baby! The mama hippo was standing there, holding her baby in place and they were just resting. The next thing we knew, that baby scooted around her and ventured into water that was way too deep. It's mama followed right behind and would nudge the baby with her nose and then push it up to the surface for some air. Each time the mama would round up her baby and push her up the ramp to safety, the baby would squeeze away from her and start the cycle again. We stayed for quite a while. Clearly, babies are on my mind and I can't get enough of them (even if they're a different species).

weeks away

Our little lady is due to join us in five and a half weeks--although, it could be a little longer wait than that. I try to remind myself that May may come before she does. We are both very excited to meet her and we take turns feeling nervous, excited, and a little overwhelmed at the fact that we are going to be parents. We can't wait for the adventure and to cuddle our little one.

A few weeks ago, Brady took my place behind the camera and we set out to document my belly. He did a wonderful job. Having taken pregnancy pictures of other people, I am happy that we were able to spend some time together capturing mine (and it was Brady's idea).


We found some beautiful spots on campus and Brady was patient as I directed him on some ideas. He took pictures of that, too. I am sure he will have his only take and blog post on our experience including some less flattering images of me pointing him to where to stand.

As I sit here feeling the baby squirming and watch my belly move all around, I know I will be among those who miss being pregnant. It has been such an incredible experience and I have enjoyed every step off the process. But the idea of looking into her little face and really getting to know this little person will surely be even sweeter.


Thank you, Brady, for wanting to take these pictures; for coming to doctor appointments with me; for listening to me talk incessantly about the baby and wanting to feel my tummy when she has the hiccups. Thank you for choosing me and for starting this journey with me. I can't wait.

welcome news

Yesterday was a great day! Brady was offered a summer internship with Deloitte and Touche! We are so thrilled. Searching for an internship has been such a long and arduous process that basically began when Brady started his program last fall. This coming summer has been a big question mark. I am so impressed by how hard Brady worked, how many contacts he made, how many applications he submitted. Another obvious kink, especially for me, was trying to stay calm and be patient while not knowing where we would spend some of the first few months with our new baby.

We're going to Los Angeles! As Brady was considered for the position and he was told that it would be in L.A. we were a little hesitant and not sure how to feel. There have been internship possibilities taking us from Chicago to D.C. to Boise to Phoenix. As we moved to each city in our minds (and on google maps) we would get excited about the different possibilities and what each city would mean and what it would be like to maybe live there. All along, I told Brady I was behind him and would support him to go anywhere. Mostly, I just wanted to know where. And now we know and it feels really great!

The pieces are falling into place. Brady doesn't start until June 27th; two months after the baby is due. I was happily relieved that she will be more than just days or weeks old when we go. We will have some real bonding time for our new little family and time to go to Utah and relax with family and dear friends. I had wanted to plan a time to go home and bless our baby girl and now that can happen too.

Prayers are answered and things work out. It can be a very stressful, frustrating experience not knowing how or when. But I am so grateful that yet again, we have been taken care of. Hollywood, here we come.

final trimester

Tomorrow I will be 28 weeks which means I am entering the third trimester. The first two have gone by pretty quickly, but when I think we have to wait three months to meet this little one, it seems slower. I have an absolute ball feeling the baby move and kick and know I will miss that when she comes. I usually have to stop what I am doing and put my hand wherever her little foot or hand is to say hello.


Brady is currently taking a huge load of classes in order to finish his two and a half year program in two. I am so impressed by his dedication and ability to juggle it all. All the while he is willing and eager to talk about the baby and what I have read lately or what I may be worried about. He is currently in the process of getting an internship lined up for the summer. We are filled with anticipation to see where our very new little family will spend it. Hopefully somewhere a bit cooler?

a true act of love

I am not sure when it was that Brady and I started talking about babies. I do know that for a long time it was a dreamy way like "Someday, when we have a baby...". But as long as that has been, Brady has talked about his desire to build our baby's crib. What a sweet guy. The sweeter guy, however, is Brady's dad. When a baby become a reality, Brady shared this dream with Glen, who never turned the idea down or said it was too ambitious. As we planned our trip home for Christmas, Brady and his dad talked more and more about the crib. I have to say, it always made me smile. A first time dad and first time Grandpa making plans for our baby girl.

The plans for our crib hanging in Glen's garage.

Glen must have known all along what an enormous commitment this grand scheme was. Brady and I definitely didn't. I am so grateful for such supportive in-laws. They are so excited about welcoming this baby and they definitely showed it, especially Glen. I don't know how many hours he spent in the garage over his Christmas break, but I know we will always be indebted to him. In the end, every member of the family helped at different stages.

When we have shared with friends what we did over Christmas, I don't think they really understand what "we built a crib with Brady's dad" really means so I want to give a documentation of the process.


Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the raw maple before the project began, but you can see the wood here after planing it down.

It was amazing how much wood is shaved off in order to make the raw wood usable.

I got excited when I saw these pieces which eventually became the top rails of the crib. I could just start to imagine the end product.

Here are the 44 rungs. Which, after cutting them, sanding them, sanding them again, gluing them into place and then staining them and lacquering them (and sanding them in between) is a whole lot of rungs!

Brady and I came home one day to find Glen and Michele deep into the most difficult step: making the curved sides. Figuring out how to do this step kept Glen up many nights.

That isn't snow floating in front of the camera, just a thick sawdust cloud.

This is a side view of the top rail after it had been cut.

And again after it had been sanded carefully with a belt sander.

My favorite picture of our baby's Grandpa as he works and works to make the perfect crib.

The final steps. This is when Brady and Glen were drilling holes for placing the side rails.

Two incredible men who created a family heirloom.

If I had known how difficult staining and lacquering would be, I would have insisted Glen help us with that step too. :) Now we just need the bottom frame and a mattress (and a baby). Thank you again Glen for all your masterful work and for not dashing Brady's dream of building a crib. You are already a wonderful Grandpa!

Summer during Winter

Almost a month ago now I returned from the trip of my lifetime, and I'm already dreaming of ways to go back. A short two days after my last final of the fall semester I left for the airport with my classmates, leaving an ever increasingly pregnant wife waving good-bye at our front door. Previous posts have stated that she had been in better shape, but my excitement masked any apprehensive feelings I may have had. My MBA crew traveled for the next 24 hours and finally found itself in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. One of the wildest cities I've ever visited. It was absolutely beautiful and at the same time, a little unnerving. Following four days of local business visits and beach lounging we boarded another flight and went to Buenos Aires. I was immediately in love. The weather was incredible, the people were nice (understanding them helped my comfort level), and the architecture was beautiful. Four more days of business visits, lots of empanadas and a tango lesson later, we traveled another 24 hours to come home for the long-awaited holiday break. Instead of reading boring details, I'll give the highlights in picture form.

We stayed on Copacabana beach in Rio, this was my view from the breakfast table each morning as I enjoyed my made to order omelet.


Just around the corner from our hotel was Ipanema beach. The waves there were the strongest I've ever been in. A few times I found myself in the turbine of a wave and had the opportunity to filter through some of the sand on the bottom with my teeth.


On our final day in Brazil we visited the Cristo Redentor statue. I was told that this is one of the modern 7 wonders of the world. In the first picture you can get a little better scale of just how big it is.

On our last night we enjoyed an incredible Rodizio dinner. This picture shows the style. All the waiters have lots of meat and big knives. Sodium overload ensues.


Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, we went on a city tour that included a drive down Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world, a drive through the french architecture, a stroll through the colorful buildings of La Boca and this, one of the oldest cemeteries in the city. This is also where Evita Peron is entombed along with many other Argentine leaders and wealthy members of society.

In the center of Avenida 9 de Julio, there is an enormous obelisk. You can see from this view just how wide the street actually is.
The evenings were free during the trip and we spent our time wandering around the city. On our way to an outdoor shopping area, I found this big church tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Note my surprise.


This air return helps show my exuberance for the city.

One of the nights in Buenos Aires we were given a tango lesson. I thought I was going to be the most awkward one on the floor, however, I came in fourth place most awkward. They handed out certificates at the end.

Following the lesson we had an amazing meal and incredible tango show. I also closely examined my classmate Bill's bald spot.

In all, it was an incredible trip. I have two new countries under my belt and the travel bug scratches me more than ever. I've promised Elizabeth that we will go back, hopefully with more time on our hands to be able to experience more of the sights to be seen.

a city in mourning

The night Brady and I arrived in Tucson with his parents and all of our possessions, it was pouring rain. We drove to our new home and went to unlock it and the realized the only key we had was to the mailbox. Luckily our realtor responded to our phone call kind of late on a Friday night and said he would bring the right key to us. He said to meet him at Safeway on Ina and Oracle. We got there before he did and sat that there counting our blessings that we had made it and that soon we would be home.

On Saturday, a young man opened fire at this very Safeway killing six people and injuring 14 others. I have never before been so close to such a tragedy. We all can remember where we were on September 11th. I can remember listening to NPR all day at work following Virginia Tech. But to have been to the locations that are all over national news and to see your city on the front page of the paper for such an event is surreal and frightening.

On Wednesday afternoon we were watching the news as President Obama's motorcade passed (less than a mile from us) on its way to the hospital to visit with victims before a memorial service at U of A. There were 13,000 at the event and 13,000 more in overflow in the football stadium. I thought it was a tasteful, powerful event. The most moving part was when President Obama described each of the six people who had died.

"In Christina we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic and full of magic. So deserving of our love. And so deserving of our good example...I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us--we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations."

She was born on September 11th and her baby picture was featured in a book called Faces of Hope. Next to her picture there were two quotes: "I hope you help those in need." and "I hope you jump in rain puddles." I was tearful as I thought about her and her family. What a loss.

I have recognized the biggest lesson from this experience for me is to treat others kindly and with respect. To make each day count and to tell those you love that you love and adore them. Yesterday, I hadn't felt the baby move all day. I was so worried for this little one that I am carrying. At times I am surprised at how much I love and adore her. Already. But I do. Luckily last night I finally got some good strong kicks. It was as if she was saying: "I'm okay Mom." I am so glad that she is.