Documentation

Dan felt our baby move for the first time on November 29th. It was magical. I think he is finally starting to realize that there is a baby in there and that he's going to be a daddy. We couldn't be happier.

Holidays

This week was a bit of a whirlwind. It was so much fun and I wish it could have lasted longer, but I think that every year. Chris and Blaire spent the night at our place on Saturday night and then went to church with us on Sunday because Dan was giving a talk. It was really nice to have some individual time with them because we don't get to see them very often. After church, the three of us left Dan in Manhattan and headed for Wichita. The rest of the family came on Monday and Wednesday. We played lots of games, ate a ton of turkey (mostly Dan and Chris), and just enjoyed every minute of it. Dan and I got home this morning, just in time for church, and I am already missing everyone. Once a year just isn't enough.

My silly sisters


Elijah playing the Wii with uncle Derek in his underwear


Our fantastic turkey carver, Chris


Eli exhausted his poor uncle Dan


The Thanksgiving table


The whole clan, except for Justin and Melissa. We missed you guys!


The next two days are going to be grueling. On Monday Dan has TWO Radiology quizzes to take that he has been cramming for, and then on Tuesday he takes his Board exam. He's been studying for this test for about six months but still doesn't feel entirely prepared, and who could blame him? He has to know everything about every animal and remember everything he's learned and be able to regurgitate it on this one test. It's daunting to think that his and my future rely solely on this one test. Personally, I think he's going to do great. He's the smartest person I know and the hardest worker, so I'm not too worried.

After Tuesday, things are going to be breezy. Dan will finish up his Radiology rotation and then we will fly to Utah for two weeks to spend some quality time with family. We could not be more excited! I can't wait! However, it's hard to get too excited when the Boards are still looming over you, but once that's over, celebration time baby!

Speaking of babies, I have a doctors appointment in Topeka tomorrow with and ultrasound specialist who is going to tell me EXACTLY how far along I am and when I am due, which is cool I guess. I was hoping Dan would be able to come to this one with me, but alas, vet school strikes again. So, I won't be finding out what our little tyke is until later, meaning next week instead of tomorrow. Dan is given certain vacation times that are spread out throughout his fourth year and we have no control over them, and the first two weeks of December are one of his vacation times. So, while we're in Utah for his vacation we will find out the sex of our baby. Yay! When I know, you'll know. Promise!

I would like to do something special for Dan that is relatively inexpensive to celebrate his being done with Boards on Tuesday. Any ideas?

My Family Is...

Crazy. When we all get together every year it is pure madness, and I love every minute of it. Can I just say, first of all, how lucky I am to have brothers and sisters who chose amazing spouses? I couldn't ask for better brother/sister-in laws. They fit into our crazy mess of a family so well and they just make it even better and more fun. It really is amazing how well we all get along considering how different we all are. This year my mom and dad get us for Thanksgiving, so next week the whole Nelson clan will be in Wichita crammed into my parents' house and I could NOT be more excited! Every time we're all together it is a blast and I look forward to it every year. This year, because it's Dan's fourth year with rotations, he doesn't get hardly any time off. He gets Thanksgiving day and the day after, which is pretty generous for the vet school, so I am going down to Wichita on Sunday without him. Chris and Blaire will be driving down from Utah and are going to stop in Manhattan on the way and pick me up! I can not wait to see them! They're going to go to church with us and everything. I get to show off my big brother! (Can you tell how excited I am yet) Seriously, I'm shaking with anticipation. We are going to eat SO much food, watch a lot of movies, play games, and tease my dad to our hearts content. I can't wait.

Only three more days till I get to see my brother and his fabulous wife!


We can sometimes be serious and sit still, if my mom makes us


I can't wait to see how our little tyke fits into this cute cousin trio!

epic update

I'm done cutting open dead things. I've got to say I have a new appreciation for the wide spectrum of stench that is present on this earth. I'm also studying like crazy for my boards. I take them in two weeks. I've never studied so much for one test. I started about six months ago, and I still feel unprepared. On another note, Britany and I are currently losing the war against the ladybugs in our apartment. They have taken over key strong points in the living room and have proven to be a formidable opponent. Many perished in the battle of the vacuum last week, but their numbers have replenished. I'm considering a treaty if they agree not to advance into the bedroom. I don't think I've fully grasped the concept that I'm going to be a dad. Occasionally I remember that my wife is pregnant, not just sick, and soon I'm going to have a little piecer to take care of. I figure I'll just wing it. If I screw up we can always make more. Time to watch some football! Go BYU and K-State!!!!

16 Weeks

I am now 16 weeks along! Yay! I can't believe how much better I feel. It was like a total 180. Man, am I happy to be in my second trimester! Everything with the little tyke is going great and we're both healthy. So far so good.

For Halloween Dan and I dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera and Christine. Most people didn't really understand what I was, unless I was standing next to Dan, but that's okay. We went to our ward's Halloween party and had a blast. I am actually on the activities committee, so I was doing stuff for the party all week and spent most of Friday at the ward building getting everything together, but it was totally worth it in the end. Everyone had fun and there was lots of spooky games to be had.






Halloween also happens to be Dan's birthday, so happy birthday honey!! Unfortunately, all of my awesome birthday plans were thwarted by the vet school, the activity, and our stake conference. I had this amazing weekend planned out for the two of us to celebrate his birth and Halloween, but none of it happened. Instead, we will have to celebrate next week. I was pretty disappointed and more than a little upset by the change of plans, but what can you do? Life goes on. When we actually get to celebrate, I will take pictures and update. He did get to open presents from his family today and he was so excited about it! It was adorable. Also, I made him a fancy dinner and gave him free reign to pick whatever movies/games/video games he wanted to watch/play today. So, all in all, it wasn't too bad, just not as epic as I had imagined.

Dan is on a MUCH easier rotation now, Necropsy, so he gets home around 5 or before everyday and doesn't have to work weekends. I am LOVING how much time I am able to spend with him. It's been glorious. Other than that, life has been pretty much the same. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

Thankful

Today and the last couple of days have been really crappy, so instead of focusing on that, I am going to focus on all the things I am thankful for.

- Dan, of course. What would I do without him?
- Tylenol
- Gilmore Girls
- Gatorade
- My mom and dad
- Great friends
- Warm showers
- Fuzzy socks
- Ugg boots
- Wireless internet
- Stretchy pants
- Clean sheets
- Classic romance movies
- The Gospel

A little bit of this.... A little bit of that

Gilmore Girls, check.


Assortment of candies, check.


relaxing in bed while watching Gilmore Girls and eating said candy, check.