over halfway!

  As time goes by, we are getting more and more anxious to meet our little girl! Now that we know it is a little girl, time seems to be going by more slowly. I almost ache to hold her, and talk to her face to face- not through my tummy. 

  I am feeling well. No complaints and this point. Things that used to be easy for me, seem to make me more tired, but I understand that is because my body is growing a baby- as well as doing other tasks. We went to Cottonwood, Arizona this past weekend, where my parents have a great house. Bruce and Heido joined us, as we all have $400 dollars worth of free Frontier tickets because of our 12 hour delay in Minneapolis in October. We got to visit Jerome, Sedona and do a great hike out in the desert- where Bruce was having a hay day with all of  the awesome picture opps. Our little girl got to go on some awesome adventures. Yet, our 10 mile hike through the desert made me more sore and tired than it should have. I suppose carrying extra weight makes a  little difference.

 Yesterday, we went out and bought paint for the nursery and painted the whole room a fun, lemonmint. It is bright and perfect for the baby's room. We will put up the polka dots today, and I will upload pictures of our progress so far soon. It feels wonderful to have a room coming together for our little one. 

  I can no longer hide my bump, and would say it has graduated from being a "bump" to more of a big hill. I am starting to actually fit into the maternity clothes that people have graciously given me. Sleeping proves to be a bit more difficult, considering I always have been a stomach sleeper. And, tying my tennis shoes is also a challenge, unless I sit on the stairs. 

  Ryan continues to be super helpful and supportive. He helped paint the whole room yesterday, gave input about paint colors, and gives me daily backrubs. He is very excited to have a little girl, who he can teach to kick a soccer ball, and protect from preying teenage boys someday. He loves picking out little clips and hair ties in target and is excited to have a little one to play with. I know he is going to be an awesome daddy!

  I am starting to feel her more and more, even though I don't think my placenta has moved. She has just gotten stronger and I can feel little flicks. It is almost as if there is someone inside my stomach gently snapping a rubber band through water. It is great to be able to feel her and know that she is still okay. It often makes me giggle- it is a surprising, strange and wonderful feeling.

  Not much else to report. Things are going well, and I am truly thankful for that. Ryan and I are headed out for a walk in the snow before church.