our modest lil one

Well... we were hoping to find out a lot more information today about the lil one about to join us. We found out that the brain, spine, kidneys, bladder, bone structure, and heart all look very healthy (must take after dad). There is so sign of a cleft palate, and it has a very beautiful profile (a mom trait?). All in all, mom and baby seem healthy! That was mom's biggest worry!

When it came to the reason why dad wanted the ultrasound, things weren't near as productive. We definitely found out more about our lil one's personality, however, so we can't be too disappointed. Our lil one was not very cooperative in showing us its gender anatomy. It kept sitting cross-legged, would have a hand covering the area, or simply refused to turn to a position where we could get a good shot. The ultrasound technician kept forcing it to change positions, but to no avail. After a good 20 min of gender-searching, the ultrasound technician finally gave up, calling our child a brat. HAHA Apparently she hasn't seen one so stubborn yet (so as not to offend either family, we won't mention whether that's a mom or dad trait... apple tree!). I guess we have our hands full already with our lil baby, but at least we've taught him/her one thing... be modest!

We'll keep the gender poll up for those of you who haven't voted yet and for those of you who have voted, but wish to change votes with the latest news. We go back in for another shot at it as soon as they can work me in. Until then, I'm trying to gently persuade the baby to be more cooperative next time. I guess it's never too early to start being a parent. :)

loves!

February 4th

Although our news doesn't compare to the recent news Ty & Jen... and Cambryn have, I just wanted to keep everyone posted! We are having our ultrasound to hopefully tell the gender of our lil slug on February 4th. On the right, you'll see a poll. Please vote!

Loves!!!

P.S... Thanks Ty & Jen for making me an aunt and Ammon an uncle! Cambryn is adorable! We love her and are so excited for you! Congrats new mom and dad!

life after finals...

Now before you think this is Ammon and are completely disgusted by the lack of finesse in this post, it is I... the not-so-eloquent one who has to use spell check when writing words > 6 letters in length. That's a math quiz for you all.

Ammon finished his last two finals with much better grace than his first atrocity in the previous blog. We celebrated his accomplishment with a drunken party at his professor's house. Although we (and a few other couples) were not drinking, all of his professors were sure to be completely smashed in a few short hours. It was good to meet all of them to put a face to a name. They all seem rather harmless despite the picture that was painted for me in Legally Blonde... the only thing I have to go off of.


Now that finals are over, I have a stay-at-home husband to come home to after a hard day's work! I came home almost every day last week to a clean house with laundry almost put away and groceries in the fridge. I'm in heaven... if only roles were reversed!

Ammon has also been hard at work in the backyard doing landscape. I'm sure he'll post pictures of the entire transformation once it's complete, so stay tuned! I've never seen Ammon or my dad more excited about any one project. Both Ammon and my dad must have asked at least 3 or 4 times what I thought of the progress... such a cute bonding experience for them! I will definitely miss THIS Ammon when he is back at school in 3 weeks and becomes a law school slave once more.

We're still waiting for our better days.

therapy

Let me paint you a picture... I'm taking what may be the most important exam of my academic career. Seated away from the masses, drink and snacks on hand, pencils sharpened, computer warm and ready, notes neatly stacked to my right. I'm on fire, my mind is alert and my fingers are strong. Bring out the test.
The first portion of the exam is pure essay. Without hesitation I begin planning out my answer, pin down the correct application, and create a beautiful conglomerate of functional words--all of which will propel me into the highest grade bracket in my contracts class, and inevitably the highest income bracket of my peers (these are my thoughts). At the end of the essay section, I retreat to the bathroom and for the first time in what seems like weeks, I feel my body relax.
Paul enters the urinal to my left, and our conversation goes something like this:
--Hey Paul, how'd you feel about the essays?
--Ok, but section B on the first essay was pretty tough....

(pause)

B?

And this is the single most horrifying instant of an academic's life.

At that moment, all bodily functions ceased and my mind raced back to the first initial glimpse of the test 90 minutes prior. I remember vaguely....seeing something...a B section?? No, no, no, no, no....
I'm in a daze. I zip up my pants (almost too quickly), wash my hands, and walk out the door still holding the paper towel. Back in the classroom I pick up the copy of the test and turn the page.... Sure enough, section A and section B. My stomach drops through my feet, my heart pinches my chest. I explore a stream of expletives in my mind. Why did this happen? After all the preparation, the arrival, the execution. Visions of sleeping on foam mattresses in the streets of Phoenix dance through my head...overpasses, cardboard signs, the whole stretch...and worse images: me as a defense attorney in Tucson. I believe the correct word for this feeling I have is "crushed."
Before you ask me if there's any relief, there's not. I've talked to the Dean of Students and it appears there is no repentance.
No fear. I'll bounce back from this stronger than ever. I mean...it's me. Ain't nothing gonna break my stride.