My Fantastical Birthday

Alright people, here comes another post. This one will, in essence, be an ode to how wonderful my husband is. You will soon know why.

July 30th, the 25th anniversary of my birth, started out with a balloon scavenger hunt 

The object you see in my hand is a balloon popper, or, scavenger assister, if you will. As fashioned by my awesome husband, this balloon popper is a thumb tack taped to a pen--designed especially for the popping of balloons and finding of clues. However, what made this part of my day most magical was not these things alone, but the fact that, with every found clue, the confetti stocked balloons exploded in a more magical scene than I can possibly describe accurately. The word I think that comes closest that I used to describe it that morning, is, "Christmas." ha. But, really.

My husband knows me well. That picture is after my balloon bouquet was mostly popped, but--suffice it to say, I could not have started out my birthday better. Every balloon popped was Christmas all over again.

To top the morning off, my mister made me my favorite breakfast: omelettes :) 

****A side note, so that you all can appreciate the awesomeness of this hubby of mine...Back when we were dating and Matthew found out omelettes were my favorite, he bought all the things to make them, looked up videos on how to make omelettes, and came over to my apartment to make them for me. 

If that balloon scavenger hunt wasn't enough to elicit an "awwwwh", and that side note still wasn't. . . Well, then let's take a look at the streamer job below :)

About a week before my birthday, Matthew asked me if there was anything I would be bummed about if it didn't happen on my birthday. I responded, after thinking for a moment, that, "No, really, nothing!" After thinking a second more....I revamped... 

Growing up, when it was our birthday, we would always wake up to a decorated house. Namely, streamers in the kitchen. I have always LOVED it. And, really, I don't know if it'd feel quite like a birthday without them....

So, after rethinking that, I told him. 

Needless to say, I woke up to the above picture the morning of my birthday. I may or may not have been teary-eyed as I walked into the kitchen feeling OH so loved. But, really. Not to mention, it had to be one of the most perfect streamer jobs I've ever seen. Chalk it up to pregnancy, hormones, whatever the heck you want. Those streamers made my morning. . . AGAIN.

After breakfast and my scavenger hunt, we opened presents. I felt beyond loved to have received some packages from loved ones, both near and far. Presents are so fun. Call me materialistic...go ahead. 

I still love presents :) 

Whether with presents, phonecalls, texts, or whatever the case was, I felt so loved that day and am so grateful for those who helped make me feel that way.

The evening included some fun times with Jason, a viewing of the newest X-Men movie (which was great, by the way). It was during this film, that both Matthew and Jason felt our mini-mister move for the first time. He was going like crazy during the previews; apparently, he'll be taking after his father's movie-loving ways :) 

We had dinner at Red Robin with Grandma and Grandpa. Throw in some bottomless fries, bottomless freckled fruit, and a free birthday dessert, and you've got yourself a party. 

And...what's a birthday without a cake, singing, and candles? Grandpa and Grandma were kind enough to get this DELICIOUS, scrumdidly-umpcious cake to help us celebrate. 

Notice the roman numeral candles? Classy, right? 

It's a trick. It's called not making the person feel as old as they actually are ;) 

Luckily, 25 isn't so bad. 

Especially when it's spent with my awesome, thoughtful, surprise-packed-birthday-planning husband. 

It's going to be a good year people :)  

Rope Swings and Awesomeness

If there's one thing I love, it's my husband. If there's two, the next is sunshine. That's a lie, my family beats out sunshine. However, somewhere near the top of that list is rope swings. 

 

The mister and I went up to a family gathering at a cabin in the canyon for lunch. At some point, we snuck away to swing on the rope swing at the cabin next door. Don't be fooled, the pictures are not an accurate reflection of who swung most (or at all); I, too, did my fair share of swinging. 

And, I LOVED it. This love probably stems from a rope swing at a family friend's lake growing up--where you'd swing off the rope and into the lake; it was huge. I loved it. There's something so thrilling about getting up the courage to take that last step/jump before, boom--you're flying through the air and it is much funner than you remember it being the time before, and so much less scary than it seemed at the moment you were considering not jumping. 

If we'd like to get deep here, (and, trust me, you can skip this little paragraph if you'd rather not; I'll never know. Unless you tell me, which might be slightly funny. So, don't hesitate to do so) we can draw many comparisons to taking leaps of faith in life. Most of the best decisions take leaps of faith--but, the happiness we receive thereafter is far beyond the feelings of regret or bummed-out-edness we get from stepping away from the rope swing and climbing back down.

Dating, starting a new job, going on a trip/adventure, traveling, marriage, starting a family. . . (Oops! Sorry deep paragraph skippers, this just made it to two paragraphs. Jokes on you!) 

It's all big changes, but--really, really exciting and wonderful. Granted, we have to weigh the options--use our brains (or, not go first, if it's an actual rope swing ;) 

But, life is exciting--isn't it? We're meant to jump. Live a little. 

And that, my friends, is the symbolism I never thought about and has nothing to do with my actual love of rope swings. But, food for thought, nonetheless. 

Photo Transition Alert.

That means I gave no official written transition, but am changing topics--in case you were wondering. 

This, my friends, is our big butt TV. We're rather fond of it. I could tell you that the box he is carrying is much bigger than the actual TV, and that the delivery man didn't, in fact, look half this strained when carrying it into the house...but, that would ruin all the fun, wouldn't it? 

It really would. 

Anyways...remember that one time I married a movie fanatic? And that time I married someone who spends money on nice things, rather than skimping on everything and just living on handydowns/thrift store buys? 

I not-so-secretly totally love it :)

What a hunk! 

Oh, and don't worry. I helped with set up too. What, with all of my technical and mechanical savvyness, I told Matthew that I would take the lead on the very important, delicate task of putting the batteries in the remote. 

I executed this task with such flawless precision...such SKILL, and SUCH exactness, that I even did it again for our blu ray player. 

22 weeks!

Well, seeing as I haven't actually blogged about this...this just officially in...

we're pregnant!

 

That's right people; there's a baby in there! Don't mind the date on my bum that indicates this pregnancy happened four years ago, or all sorts of confustion will come of it. haha. 

This is us, just after leaving the doctor's office, when we found out the exciting news back in April. 

Pregnancy thus far has been a fun time. There have been cravings, sleeplessness, mood swings, excitement, changes, and just fun! 

As far as catching you up on all of the cravings....let's just make a list for you. Most of those took place in the first trimester, but--I'll just sum it up for you. 

-Cucumber Sandwiches (just bread, ranch, and cucumber. Like, an entire cucumber, sliced and stacked between two pieces of bread. 

-Peanut butter and jelly on toast (about every night before bed for like, the first month)

-Crackers (at first it was of any kind--wheat thins, anything. Then I wanted them to be something healthy. I ate crackers that strangely resembled cardboard for about two weeks. They were apparently very healthy; they tasted like it too.) 

-Taco Bell (Matthew's favorite of my cravings--he was sad this one didn't last long)

-Unhealthy food (ironic, I know, with the healthy cracker stent thrown in there. But, I'm usually a salad and fruit girl...there were a few weeks I just wasn't having them! Which you may have guessed, what with my Taco Bell stent and all...)

Not too many crazy cravings, I just wanted to eat ALL the time. Ha, we would eat a meal, walk into the other room, and Matthew would often hear the following words, "Oh my gosh. I am SOOOO HUNGRY. I'm STARVING." haha. uhh..."babe, we just ate...like, literally, two minutes ago..."

I was also known to get up out of bed after not being able to sleep. For the last year or so before the pregnancy, I'd had a rule I lived by not to eat after 6 PM. Like, religiously lived by. Ha, if I was at a church activity at seven with snacks--I'd wrap them up (or hide them away in a pocket...or sleeve...haha--but really; you can ask my roommates.), and eat them the next day. I loved waking up hungry and with a flat belly, as opposed to still feeling nasty from eating late at night or just before bed. Despite feelings of hunger I sometimes had while going to bed....I loved the feeling of waking up feeling healthy, happy, and ready to eat more than I loved going to bed full. However.....when you are laying in bed at night and are aware of a little tiny baby trying to grow inside of you, it's a bit of a different ball game.

Haha, for the first while, I would sit in bed--still used to my no eating after 6 routine, and just be dying of hunger. Then, I started to picture that little baby trying to grow inside his mama, struggling as he needed nutrients and having me not eat because I want to be skinny. 

hahaha. Needless to say, my not eating after 6 didn't last long. In fact, the sleeplessness that accompanied my first trimester, combined with the hunger pangs, led to an almost nightly snack after my mister was fast asleep and I was sitting there--not sleepy, and most definitely starving. By snack....I mean full-fledged meal. 

Here is how the little guy has grown thus far. He's getting so big! Oh, and yes--he is a HE!!! A beautiful baby boyyy :) 

I had really wanted a boy first, so I was ecstatic with the news. Matthew knew how much I wanted a boy first, so he just kept saying it'd be a girl, just to have me be SUPER excited if it wasn't actually a girl....and to prepare me not to be just a teeeeeensy tiny bit bummed if it were :) 

The cravings have pretty much died off, though the sleeplessness comes and goes. 

Our most exciting purchase of the last little bit was....dun dun dun....

THE CRIB! Oh, and changing table!

We got them on KSL. They were asking $150 for it. We offered $60. Badda bing badda boom baby :) 

They're both in great condition and I loveeeee them!!! 

....this is real people! 

haha, granted, it might feel more real when we find out from Matthew's job when we'll actually be moving, when we can actually start getting a place of our own ready for the little mister, but, it's all still uber exciting :) 

We love our little guy! 

Ohhh....and, I guess it wouldn't be fair if I didn't tell you what a hormonal crazy I was that first trimester too. haha. But, really. I think my poor family thought my marraige and life were in shambles every time they talked to me, especially since they didn't know I was pregnant/hormonal. There were tears, uncontrollable laughter, lots of moodiness/crankiness..... 

It sure is a good thing my husband loves me!

Anywho....there's your update! We couldn't be more excited! :D 

The picture below was taken on a whale watching boat ride on our honeymoon

Who would have thought, that only a few months later we'd be anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first little one. Okay, well, we would have probably thought. 

But maybe you wouldn't have :)

Happy Six Months to US!

Okay people, that's right! A whopping six months have gone by since our big day. Can you believe it? I most certainly can, and I LOVE it :) When I first went to find a picture (please note the SINGULAR--picture--rather than pictureS), I planned on finding just the right one. You know, the one that would make this blog entry classy, simple, and telling. And then this happened. . . 

Really. Would YOU have been able to pick just one? 

. . . . . . 

Don't answer that. 

The point is....six months have gone by--and I am still just loving this boy to death and back. Has the first sixth months been an adjustment period? Sure :) But, I mean--look at that face. There's no one else I'd rather be adjusting with.

Happy Six Months to US :) 

P.S. Shoutout to my amazing cousin Alicia Powell for the pictures. And to my parents, for paying for them ;)

Chalk Art Festival

A Pitchforth family tradition began a few years back, when my dad, in true "checkmark" fashion, discovered another checkmark for us to do: The ChalkArt Festival. Tons of artists come and compete with chalk art. Ideally, the displays consist of a lot of 3D looking, awesome art--something like this...

Naturally, they can't all be this good (as you can tell, by other pictures in the background). Yet--you still get a few gems! Some years are better than others (in any city).  But, after my padre let us know the dates for Salt Lake, we made a trip of it. Here are a few pictures. I don't think I was as impressed with the displays here as I have been in years past, but--heck. Hand me a piece of chalk, and you'll be lucky to get a hopscotch--so, who am I to talk? :) 

We went a little early to beat the crowds, so--excuse the artists for their unfinished work. 

And a picture of our tired faces that morning, to boot :)

I love checkmarks. Especially ones we can make traditions of.

The upside of working nights

The Mister and I have both gotten temporary jobs in the last little bit to keep us busy and saving some mulah while we wait for our security clearance to go through and real life to begin. The best part, however, is that we're both working nights--which means that sunshine, hikes, and bikerides can all still be ours during the day :) Last week, we hiked Donut Falls before we each had work that afternoon/evening. The water was really high, so we didn't get to go all the way up, but it was sure fun. SO glad I married an outdoorsy man who will hike with me :)

It wasn't a hard hike by any means, but, just as we were approaching the car, I saw a log I decided I want to walk on. Matthew looked at me, said "don't do ittttt," and continued on towards the car. Well, if you know me, that's usually a perceived code for "do it, I dare you! It'll be fun" (Not because people mean for it to be...just because I am defiant)... It also didn't help that he had just hopped on the same log. Which--let's face it--how am I supposed to take that? "I can balance on this log, but you can't" --is how I took it. Not rudely, just, innocently and matter-of-factly. 

So, yes. I got on the log.

As luck would have it, it rotated, bringing up its other side, complete with randomly placed branches that managed to scratch my leg all up. ha. Matthew shook his head in a, "yepp" kind of way (while not taking on an "I told you so" persona, thankfully :)

On principle, I didn't show Matthew the scratches until about three days later. But, yes. Let's see if it scars for another good scar story. Those are my favorite. 

Sure do love that husband of mine...whether or not he loves his defiant wife (with apparently subpar balancing abilities), is still up for debate ;)

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure he does. :) 

Barbara

To give you some background on the individuals involved in this story (particularly Matthew's Grandma, I will start with a picture and story)

As a side note: I promise, Grandma Barbara was much happier than she looks in this picture to be spending time with us. haha. She wasn't, however, thrilled at the idea of taking a picture. 

For those of you who aren't aware, we are currently renting one of their houses from them while we are in the in-between stages of job and real life. But, it's given us the chance to get to know them, which has been so fun.

My favorite experience with Barbara, I think, was at a bridal shower. You know those Pinterest, cutesy game ideas you find? Well, in this particular game, you are meant to write a date for the soon-to-be couple on a popsicle stick--and it's a "bag of ideas", if you will, for them to have later.

So, what do most people write? Oh, you know--roller skating, bike riding, movie night, hiking, bowling... the generics.

I look over at Barbara, who is sitting next to me. She looks at me with a half-grin, and says, "should I put "make babies"?"

Without waiting for a response, she chuckles, grabs a pen, and writes her mentioned date suggestion.

She is one of those hilarious people that doesn't make a big fuss about how hilarious she is, and it makes her all the funnier.

I. love. her.

Alright, so--onto story numbero dos... 

I thought it was just Matthew who called these here doo-hickeys you can put on the front of cars"bras"; in fact, I thought he did it as a joke.

I have come to find, much to my surprise, that this is just what everyone calls them. Ironic, but I won't go into it as to why here...

Anyways, funny story. We are pulling in from an outing with Grandma and Grandpa, when the following conversation took place.

Matthew: Hey, did you put the bra back on the car after you washed it?

Me: No

Barbara (nonchalantly, from the front seat): That's probably best. Everybody needs a little down time every now and then.

I'm sure am going to miss that woman when we move.