Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Pregnancy Weeks 8-11

December began right in the middle of all the first trimester yucks. I only threw up when I had my cold. Mucus did it every time. Pregnancy makes me extremely rage-y, and my family had to endure some crazy mood swings. I had a lot of food aversions and was very opinionated about my food. Cory took this picture of me trying to cook some meat for dinner. Smells are so intense right now.
Some of my cravings were pears and scrambled eggs with ketchup. Of course I craved sweets, but that is just a constant in my life. 

 Here is one of those awkward pregnant selfies in the mirror. Not much going on as far as outward body changes. I keep telling myself that it is a boy, so that I'm not sad when we find out it is a boy. :) I was able to keep my normal workout schedule, but I had runs where I just plain could not breathe.  I had a cold that contributed to it, but I think my body was adjusting to the increase in blood volume or something. My heart rate would sky rocket at a really slow pace. Just when I thought I was done running until after baby arrived, I'd have a really strong run. I never knew how I was going to feel. I'm glad I stuck with it and didn't let the "bad runs" deter me. 
Luckily as the 11th week rolled around, by nausea and food aversions left. As the first trimester ended, I actually started to feel like maybe I wasn't pregnant after all. My runs started to feel better and better!

Friday, December 26, 2014

A Bird Christmas 2014

Our Christmas Eve tradition is to go to Holly and Jorge's house for soups, sugar cookie decorating, and watching The Polar Express in pajamas. This year was extra special because Holly and Jorge surprised their kids with a new puppy!


After eating our weight in sugar cookies and licorice, we got the boys to bed and let the Santa magic begin!  Somehow on Christmas morning Mason snuck into the living room without us knowing. I found him riding his new Strider bike around in the dark. The shiny red car was a second favorite of his.

The boys loved opening each and every gift.
 
Uncle Clark and Aunt Aimee sent them cameras. This was probably Cory's favorite present this year. He is quite the little photographer.
 Cory with his new Mouse Trap game.
 Cory made books for everyone for Christmas. Here he is giving Daddy his book.
My dad has a special relationship with the boys and they share a common interest in all things scary and gory. Grandpa definitely won the weirdest Christmas gifts ever award. He sent the boys a zombie horse mask and and creepy pug mask. Mason was totally freaked out by the horse unless it was on his head.


 We spent Christmas day at Grandma and Papa Bird's house. Don't we look completely exhausted. Ha!
 Here is a "normal" group shot followed by a picture that is more representative of how we actually are. 


Saturday, December 20, 2014

The December Post

December was a busy and fun month. We had an awesome snow storm blow through and took full advantage of playing outside. Watching my boys sled with daddy made me so happy! 

 

I know I complain about winter, but it really can be beautiful!
I was able to help decorate the church gym for the Christmas party. I think it turned out pretty great for "keeping it simple".
We enjoyed the Christmas party and Cory was able to spend some time with one of his favorite people. They were in preschool together last year and haven't been able to see each other as much this school year.
Of course Santa showed up at the party.
 

 We were able to dog-sit Sadie and then had cousin Jackson stay with us, which made things more exciting at our house. Mason was really sad when it was time for Sadie to go back home. It ALMOST makes me wish we had an inside dog. :) Look at that sweet little chubby hand.

 Cory and Jackson spent hours playing together in the snow. 


For one of our Family Home Evenings, we built a gingerbread house. I think this may need to be an annual tradition. Everyone loved it. Of course they ate more candy than what ended up on the house. 
 There is Mason's cute chubby hand again. I love the dimples and will grieve when they disappear.
 I just had to post this adorable picture of Mason enjoying the prelude music at church. He likes to pull out the hymnal and sing along.