Things Husbands Should NOT Say To Their Pregnant Wives

After finishing our meal at a local BBQ resturant...

" You ate more than I did!"
-Shawn

Po-Polympics

The other day Shawn and I were walking out of the gym...Shawn was wearing this shirt...and there was a police officer who was making a stop at the gym. We had just installed our car seat for the baby and were wondering if we had put it in right. We heard that you can go to a police station or fire station if you need help installing infant car seats...So Shawn decided to ask the officer about it. We had forgotten what shirt Shawn was wearing until later on that day...no wonder the cop was short with us and wasn't much help!

The Last Stretch

Yup...I am still pregnant but only have 3 1/2 more weeks!? So really she could come anytime! My sister can pretty much predict everything, and she says our baby girl will be here by 38 weeks...so we will see.
Yesturday we had a doctor's apointment...again...but this was THEE big one. We were going to find out if I would have to have a c-section...we were all pretty much preparing for a c-section because of my placenta, but to everyone's surprise the placenta is now out of the way!! (Thank you for all your prayers and concerns!) How blessed we are to have had such a wonderful pregnancy with only minor aches and pains and a healthy baby! I am still feeling GREAT, just can't wait to see our baby!
Our little girl's measurements are showing her to weigh about 5lbs 11oz and the Ultra Sound tech said she can see a lot of hair on her little head! Amazing!

Hats Off To The Grad!!

August 26, 2008

After a little over a year of hard work, tedious course work, and making good grades, Shawn has finally graduated with his Masters in Business Administration (MBA)!! (The reason why we are here in Texarkana...along with other government training) The day was bitter-sweet for us and our close friends we've made here. We had to say goodbye and prepare to go our seperate ways. Most of our group left after graduation for their new adventures in new places. We are grateful for the friendships and many memories here in Texarkana and wish only the best to our friends who have gone and friends we will leave behind who have all touched our lives in one way or the other!

Back Home

After a 2 weeks visit to Logan Utah Shawn and I are back in Texarkana...but not for long. The trip was awsome! Because of baby showers and a wedding we got to see a ton of friends and family! The morning after we got to Logan, Shawn and his dad, brothers, and uncle, were off to spend 4 days at the Wind Rivers (you can read more and see pictures below in Shawn's post). He had a great time while I was miserable not knowing if he had been eaten by a bear or not.
Below we have posted a few of the main events while in Logan. My older brother Jake and his girlfriend drove up from California to drop in and say hi on their way up to surprise my sister and her kids. It was great to see my brother after almost a year!
Now that we are back things really haven't slowed down...I am due in less than 4 weeks and we are moving to Maryland in 5 weeks! I haven't even had time to finish Breaking Dawn...I know, I know, I can hear everyone's gasps!

A Beautiful Wedding

Shawn's little sister, Melissa, was married on August 15th! We were so excited to have been able to be there! Melissa made a beautiful bride, and the day was perfect!

-Melissa & Justin

The Bride's Maids-

-The Bride

-Shawn with our new

video camera

A few of the Groom's Men

Melissa's Brothers-

Second Baby Shower

During our visit to Logan, while Shawn was on his backpacking trip, I had a baby shower with friends and family! Thanks to my Mom and Sister who planned a very fun shower! And I can't forget to thank the other two big helpers Madi and Emma, my beautiful nieces! It was SO good to see so many relatives! My mom and sister-in-law, Jeana, flew in from California (Jeana is preg as well and had a baby shower while she was in Logan too) and my sister and her 3 cute kids came in from Nampa Idaho...and then more of Shawn's side of the the family came from Malad for the Shower...We've been spoiled once again by friends and family with Tons of great baby stuff! A big thank you to everyone!
*Pictures were donated by Jessica Atkinson, my sister-in-law...Shawn had our camera!

**I didn't lay all the gifts out this time to take an all-in-one photo...I figured we would be taking a picture of our baby girl in every outfit anyway, and every diaper change, and every swaddle, and every swing, and....

Wind Rivers Backpacking Trip

We had an awesome 4 day backpacking trip in the Wind Rivers this year. We caught a lot of fish, saw some amazing vistas, and did a ton of hiking (30 miles in 3 days). The coolest part of the trip was our day hike to the Cirque of the Towers. (That's the area with the big granite peaks). It was so nice to be back up in the mountains after living in the flatlands of the dirty south for the past year. We've already started planning our trip for next summer and I can't wait!! -Shawn

Less Than 7 Weeks...

We had another baby checkup this morning...Our baby girl is doing great! I am in my 8th month, and baby Atkinson could be here in less than 7 weeks! It feels like a few months ago I was finally looking at a little plus sign, but at the same time I've kind of forgotten what it feels like to not be pregnant! This pregnancy has been such a blessing!

We are off for our 2 week visit to Logan, Ut in the morning! We are very excited for family, camping trips, a baby shower, and a wedding!

This Past Week

Here is just a little look into our lives this past week...

Here is Shawn (and Trixie keeping him company) at the computer working 'round the clock to finish up all his assignments for his MBA courses before we leave for Utah in a few days. He is able to finish his classes early so he can enjoy his time in Utah! Shawn's been working so hard!

*Please don't mind the mess in the background of this picture. It is our office/storage room. And now that my "nesting" has kicked in, this room will be spotless by tomorrow!

I usually practice the piano in our "office", but because it is hotter than he** in that room I had Shawn place the keyboard on my lap...he thought it was pretty funny until 5 minutes after he set it all up for me I had to use the bathroom!

Baby Shower time!! On Friday I had my first baby shower...what a crazy feeling. Am I really having a baby? The shower was perfect and I am very grateful for my friend Carin for putting it all together, and for the help she had from other wonderful friends! We were spoiled with great gifts! Thanks to everyone!

* I took this picture on behalf of my Mother-n-Law. It's her tradition to lay out all her kid's gifts (from birthdays to Christmas) and take a picture of them in front of it! You can see our kitty, Trixie reaching on the right side of the picture...she thought all the baby shower gifts were for her!

Breaking Dawn is here! If you remember a few posts back I was pumped about the midnight release party for Breaking Dawn...it turned out to be the worst release party ever! I'm pretty sure I was the oldest one there...well...Shawn was the oldest one...We were surrounded by teens dressed in Jnco jeans and guys with long hair pulled back in low pony tails and their girlfriends telling me that they are off drugs now and their relationship with their mom has improved because their mom now lets them smoke...

And then there were the refreshments...Oreos and warm red punch?

At least I got my book.

Saturday was the best! We went to Target to spend a gift card from the baby shower and finally bought a Graco bassinet/pack-n-play. I set up most of it by myself, during the hard parts I just had to sigh really loud so Shawn could hear and he would stop his homework to come help. After it was put together I added a few pink bows and a teddy bear...I just keep sitting by it and wishing our baby girl was here! After we had it set up, the whole "we are having a baby" felt more real...and the nesting instinct kicked in BIG TIME!