the sad truth

Next week Bret will leave with the Rigbys to Brazil... without me. We've decided, with my doctor's encouragement, that at this point it's best if I stay in the states until the baby is born. Bret will then come back in August to be with me for the birth. That means we'll be spending most of the summer apart. I'm devastated, in fact, I usually start crying whenever I think about it too much. At the same time though, we're all looking forward to getting this whole thing going in Brazil and perhaps by the time I get out there with the little guy, things will be more settled.

Don't feel too sorry for me though, I have my family close by to watch out for me and hopefully this means that I'll be able to spend time this summer with all of you Utah people! Please, pretty please, be my friend - with no job or husband I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands...

I also have to remember that I've been really lucky to have had Bret so available these last several months of my pregnancy. We've spent A LOT of time together, pretty much every waking moment, and now that our time is so precious we've been trying even harder to live it up and cherish the little things. For example, on a rainy day a week or so ago, we made a fort in the sun room and had a four-movie marathon. It was awesome.

Comfy cozy.

Watching that documentary, "Man on Wire" about the guy who tight-rope walked between the two World Trade Towers - we recommend it.

I'm going to miss my best friend very much.

sew like the wind

A couple of weeks ago Bret and I combined creative forces to make our very own baby bumper for the little dude's crib. Ok, so we may have had some expert supervision from my very talented sewing sister, Amy (who will hopefully make us one of her delightful quilts to go with it), still, we were proud of what we accomplished considering how fast we needed to do it.

Like myself, B really wants to learn to sew and asked to come along to my sister's for this project. His dream is to make all our own furniture someday (he's actually taking an upholstery class right now with my mom) and he wants to master all the skills required to do it. He's so much more motivated than me.

Voila! We finished it just in time to take this shot and throw it in a box. It's now on its way to Brazil. I hope I see it again....

Speaking of my amazing sister, she is having a giveaway on her quilting blog this week as part of the Sew Mama Sew giveaway event. Check it out. I really have so much respect for her and anyone that can sew really well and that's why I've committed myself to becoming one of them. I even sent a sewing machine down to Brazil, too. We'll see how it goes.

friends and babies

Pictures with friends we've caught up with lately and some of their babies.

Caitlin came in town a couple weeks ago so the Danville crew (those left in the area and available that night anyway) had a little reunion dinner at Cheesecake.

Sweet Olivia Wilson (that girl can work a camera),

and cutie Bennett Christensen.

I think nearly everyone got the Baja Chicken Tacos. They're incredible.

The girls (minus Sophie who had already left)

Friends at the Swallow's Playoff BBQ.

Jon Lefrandt and his two cute girls.

Meeting baby Sophie Lefrandt.

Hanging at the Scotts with the Kramers and newborn baby Liam Scott.

move it or lose it

A glimpse of our experience loading the crate of all our stuff (now bound for Brazil). Thanks to Laura Hamilton for taking the pictures and the Rigbys for letting me steal them from their blog :)

The big daddy crate (it's huge, but keep in mind that this fit about four household's stuff, barely)

Some of the diapers and wipes we sent down.

("Are they all for Bret or are some for the baby?"....just beating you to the punch Megan)

What took so long was measuring, weighing and classifying everything we put in there onto a list which Rach is holding. Not fun at all.

Taking a breather.

After a lot of work, I told Bret we could drive up to Dairy Keen in Heber where they have his favorite shake to celebrate (I'm not the only one with cravings). It was well-earned.

cravings

This is what I want basically all the time...

1. *Bajio Ensalada with smoked beef

I submit to the world that these are actually way better than the Cafe Rio salads. I know that may sound blasphemous to many of you, but it's just my opinion. I'm not a Cafe Rio hater by any means, it's delicious and I'll appreciate it anytime, but their salads for me just don't compete with that of Bajio. Maybe it's the mango salsa, the superior dressing, the crisper lettuce or perhaps I'm just over rio's sweet pork. I've even convinced Bret of its goodness (although he still prefers Cafe Rio Burritos) and we go about every Thursday when it's only five dollars for the half salad (which is still plenty of food) and a drink. Give it a whirl, folks.

*no one from Bajio has paid me for this plug

2. Nutella on toast

This one may give me trouble later on....

3. Tacos

These places make some of the best in town (greater Salt Lake area):

- Lonestar (pictured)

- Rubios

- Cheesecake factory

- Red Butte Cafe

I'm open to more suggestions. (If I were in CA I would add Wahoo and Tito's tacos.)

4. Bret's homemade Salsa and/or Hummus

One of the things Bret got for his birthday this year was a food processor. Yes, a food processor. I was skeptical of this decision initially but since its purchase, that thing has turned out some delicious food. Among my favorite of his creations are various fresh salsas and his most recent recipe: hummus. It's so easy to make and just as good as any restaurant.

5. Creamies

I prefer the chocolate. Again, trouble.

6. French fries

Waffle cut fries if I'm going to be picky.

To be honest, I've always been in the mood for fries -pregnant or not. Luckily I haven't craved anything too off the wall like dirt or anything in weird combinations like a watermelon pizza, but there's still time I guess. What cravings did/do you have? Anything crazy? I'd love to hear about it. Or if you care to debate mexican salads with me, you may also do that.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who gave me baby item advice both on and off the blog. You're life savers! Our huge container is finally packed and ready to make it's way to Brazil today. It's weird not to be going with it yet.