36ish

We're closer to 37, but who's counting? :)

Things are going well. We're getting more and more excited for this truly life-changing event and can't wait to meet this little person. I've been getting a few Braxton-Hicks here and there, but I feel pretty good otherwise. Maybe as the days go by, I can have a better idea of how this is all going to go down.

The last month and a half was littered with baby showers. They were all really unique and so much fun. This little one is already so loved and everyone can't wait either. It was good to see so much family and friends and get to sit back and enjoy this last little bit.

I think I've been steadily working on the nesting end of things, but haven't gotten full-swing into the 'extreme cleaning' part of it yet. Yesterday might have been the start though. I continued my mile-long to-do list and even though my body was pleading me to stop and relax, I was still so motivated and energized to get things done. Very strange for me lately.... haha (Don't worry, I chilled out instead of working).

This babe is definitely running out of room. We're having to compromise with one another more and more lately. She's still pretty active and loves to stick her bum out to stretch. She's not a rib kicker either, just likes one side or the other and stretches a leg and foot out to the other side. I've been getting more and more elbows sticking out too. It's fun. She likes to be curled up on one side of me and stay there and play. Very fun to pick up on. I'm not too worried about any weird positions though. My midwife/doc says she's head-down and facing the right direction. I'm measuring right on and that's a good sign too.

I think at this point, I'd rather wait until after Cody's graduation. (The 7th, and I'm due the 11th) I'd rather be there and waddle around than not be able to with a new baby. Hope it works out.. somehow. :)



Anyway, life is going well for us. Time is flying for us with school going and baby stuff. Cody is finishing up his senior capstone project and getting ready for the big transition from grad to dad. My job is going well and we are keeping pretty busy. It's a good time to be busy to help pass the time.

That's about all we're up to these days. Hopefully more updates to come.

Wonder

If you know of the Decemberists, or even don't know of them, there is one song I think that could sum up our life right now. It's called "Wonder", and it's worth checking out.

This week marks the middle of my 27th week, and the begging of the third trimester. It's gone by so quickly, I can't believe I only have so much to go. It's exciting. It's scary. But, it will be so worth it. I've been feeling pretty good thus far, however, the fatigue and 'cramped quarters' have started to creep in. Don't worry, it's still a good time though. Here is a semi-recent pic:

26.5 weeks

It's a little bump, but now getting bigger every day it seems. I get asked all the time if I'm half-way. Nope, just under 90 days. :) This babe is an active one too. It's thrilling. Here are a couple of cute stories about Cody and the baby:

(In the past) "If we ever tried to interact with her, she'd go away or get still. Now she recognizes Cody's voice and really gets excited around him. I'm getting better at it, but he can really tell where she is and what body part is what and can locate her pretty well. They do this thing where he'll find her, and then she'll move somewhere else. He'll find her again, and then she'll go to another spot. At first, I thought we were scaring her, but after he stopped and went to bed, she was still really, really active, even moving from spot to spot to try to be found. It's different from normal nights where she's semi-active, so you can really tell a difference.
Another funny thing with her and Cody is recently he can rest his head lightly on my belly and hear the heartbeat. Every single time he does this, no matter how lightly he does it, or what position, she will noticeably kick him in the head every time. The other day it was little hand pats. It's hilarious. I think it's been really good for Cody too, to get to bond and feel included. If anything's for sure, she really loves her Dad already. As for me, I think she gets enough of me and my talking and day-to-day things. haha."

Life is good. We're just plugging away at life and getting done what we can. Cody is doing well in his last semester and I am making it at work. We've recently hired a bunch of new people, so it's been interesting to navigate through that and still get some work done. I was recently released in my calling at church and re-called to the 'newsletter lady'. It's great because I can let loose and design a monthly calendar with fun things on it. It's interesting how we get the workload we need at the right times.

Now, off to spend v-day with my love. The last one with just the two of us. :)

Baby Details

Yeah, so I have been weird about telling the Internet my good news. I don't know why either. I haven't mentioned it on Facebook directly because I think it's weird to post such personal information on a very public site. I can't really describe it since that's kind of the point, but I guess I'm catching people up slowly but surely. Bear with me.

Anyway, here are the goods:

I am 22.5 weeks along today.

Things are going along near perfectly.

I am due May 11th of this year, just days after Cody's SUU graduation.

I haven't been terribly sick, or enough to really speak of. There are friends around me who have had it way worse than I, so I won't can't really talk or complain.

At 15 weeks (Thanksgiving day actually), I started feeling small flutters of movement.

At 19 weeks, they were full-on kicks.

At 20, Cody could feel them.

At 22, the hiccups have started. I love it. I giggle every time.

We had an ultrasound just before Christmas. Things are growing just as they need to and she is perfect.

We are thrilled.

This is happening at a great time. I know a little bit ago I went on some rant about how I like to work and kids can wait, but it seems like there are greater things in store for Cody and I. I am ready and welcome the challenge. I had my time to work for a bit and by profession can allow me to continue -- when I am ready for that again. I have peace about the whole thing. This is something I need.

Other than that, life is going well. The holidays were good and relaxing. We spent Thanksgiving in Salt Lake with Cody's family. We spent Christmas with my family in StG and enjoyed the good weather. We then trekked back to SLC for New Year's. One of my best roomies got married. After all of the traveling, it's good to be home and back in order. We've got a lot to do in the next little bit, and I am excited to get to work.

Fetus gonna fete .

At long last. :D

Hi.

"The next weekends are going to comprise of a Vegas trip, a wedding, a couple of baby blessings, an extra-special temple trip, an anniversary, a concert or two, and probably a bunch of other things before school starts." -- Clare

Yeah... it was fairly accurate :) I cannot believe it's nearly October. Today we met to talk about RS activities for the year and it was blowing my mind! Time us really speeding up around here... but for now let us review:

My Mom, my sister, and a bunch of cute girls and I all ventured down to Vegas for a day. The actual point of it was to get some colored M&Ms for my sister's wedding, but hey, it was fun. We spent the day walking around and just seeing the sights. We took a break and watched Inception again. (I've seen that 5 times now....... :S) I got to talk to my Mom a lot which was good. Oh yeah! and as we were trying to make our way back to our car we got lost in this massive hurricane of little girls. Turned out there was a Justing Beiber concert that night and it was CRAZY! These girls has shirts that read Mrs. Beiber ... what is this world coming to?

haha

The next weekend was a weekend of love and celebration. My sister got married and while it was a busy day, it all payed off in the end when we saw them married and so happy. If there were ever a couple meant to be together, it's them. A lot of family came to St.George to help share the day. Overall, it was nice.

The next weekend we went North to a baby blessing. Cody's sister had a second little girl in April and it was fun to go up and celebrate. She is the sweetest little baby. So calm, so happy.

After that, Cody and I celebrated 4 years of marriage. It's still so hard to believe the time! We celebrated by going to see Bob Dylan in Park City and then visiting family some more. Dylan was awesome! He sounded so good

School started shortly after that and we transitioned back into that well. Cody turned in his graduation papers so he is good to go for May '11! Hooray! We're now thinking in terms of jobs and whatever's next. It's exciting.

I've been good. Work has mostly been the same and with October quickly approaching, it means the yearly LearnKey Halloween party. I have no idea what to do this year... goody. I've been keeping busy with freelance jobs and a lot of reading. Have you gotten into TheHunger Games series? You should if not. Good stuff, but don't take my word for it ;)

While you're at it, make these too: http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/rolo-cookies/. You won't regret it :)

I think we're updated! This week I'm going to a concert with some coworkers this week and then the next weeks will be spent crazily, but what can you do? It's a good time right now and we are having a blast.

Summer : Part 1

Since the middle of June, we've been insanely busy. Besides our normal lives of working and the occasional good time, our weekends have been packed with memories and tradition, and we're only halfway though.

We Spent a couple of weekends in June camping. We told ourselves that this summer we will make a better effort of getting out and doing what we love. We didn't go too far away, just a little out of Cedar for some peace and quite, and to get to know friends better. I hope we can get out at least one more time before school starts up again.

The next weekend was the 4th of July. With it being Utah, it actually became a weekend celebration instead of one day. I personally loved it. This year we just could not resist Blanding and it's small town charm, so we went and took our friend, Zhou with us, so he could enjoy a classic 4th.

Cody, some of his friends, and Zhou took a day in Monument Valley:

It was nice to be in Blanding. I love escaping and exploring new things every time I go. On our way back home we took part of the day and went to Arches National Park. Zhou and I had never been, so it was really neat to hike the Delicate Arch:

We spent the next weekend enjoying a couple of fun events. It was my sister's bridal shower and Cody's family reunion. Both we good times in their own ways.

This weekend (today) was actually the first one we've been home. It's been good to catch up on housework and sleep :) The next weekends are going to comprise of a Vegas trip, a wedding, a couple of baby blessings, an extra-special temple trip, an anniversary, a concert or two, and probably a bunch of other things before school starts.

One other thing:

Watch this.

:D

Summer Announcements

This is what I've been up to as of late:

They are only tastes, but have been exhilarating to say the least. It's been good to break away from LearnKey corporate design and step more into personal bounds. I've been working on a couple of books too, except I haven't been that great at taking pictures. I think there are three that have gone unsnapped... ugh. The next one, mark my words, will be snapped and posted. It will.

ha,

Other than thrilling freelance projects, life is.. the same, more or less. We work, then come home. My promotion has been challenging but in a good way. Every day is different and I am faced with a new daunting task. If I do well, the day ends in a sane manner. If I slip, then.. it's ok too, the world won't end, even though I think it will. I am over a fantastic team of designers who always, always keep me entertained. We are adding new people to the mix all of the time. It's crazy at LearnKey, but I like it. Usually.

Cody is well. He's been working a lot and trying to make the most of the summer. He's been on a couple of install trips to California and had fun with that. He's been speaking more spanish because of it, which is huge for him. It makes me happy. I have learned a couple of things about myself when he's gone:

1. I eat less.

Ever since we've been married, I've had this thing where I feel incredibly obligated to have a meal ready for him, and to make sure he's getting enough. This has caused a gradual 10-12 pound gain over nearly four years. Not that bad, right? Sometimes. Anyway, I tend to go back to single person-mode and eat when I really, really have to. Odd.

2. I work out more.

Cody isn't much of a fan. In truth, he doesn't have to work out like the rest of us. This makes it incredibly difficult to keep a regular work out schedule. One of the most liberating things for me when he's gone is to get out and do what I used to do. I guess this can count for single-person mode too.

3. I don't go out. Ever.

This isn't single-person mode, but I have noticed that I become more of a homebody. It will take a lot of taking and prep to get myself out just to get basic groceries. Lame, I know. I fear I've lost nearly all of the fierce independence and spark I used to have. I'm fighting this though. I cannot become like that.

This isn't really a good or bad list, just an observation. All in all, I am glad to have him around. My overactive imagination is kept at bay at night and I can sleep better :) He always laughs at my stupid jokes and he also takes care of the hard stuff.

Our summer is action-packed and will be starting soon. I can't wait.

The Small and the Simple

April was a good time.

We spent a fast weekend in California to go to a very inspiring baptism. She is a very neat girl and my brother is pretty lucky to have her.

I also (finally) spent some time on books. I made a little long stitch book for a coworker and soon was consumed with measurements and colors and math as I put on a little workshop. We made ribbon-bound books and it was so successful! I couldn't believe how many people came and enjoyed themselves. They all were able to make their books and they turned out pretty good.

The semester is over and Cody finally has a break--sorta. He spent the last week in east Sacramento for his job installing 5 machines. In terms of his job, that's huge. They were originally planning on a two to three week trip and the got most of it done in less than one. Next week he will have to go back and finish that last little bit.

I am good and just doing my thing. The job is going well and am starting to fit more into my newer role. It's not easy taming a bunch of crazy, ADD boy-designers, but someone has to do it.

While Cody was gone I spent a couple of days in SLC with Cody's family. I love them. It's always good to see them and go on our random adventures. It was kind of fun to navigate and get around without him telling me how to do everything right. haha.

Things are good, and I hope summer comes around soon. I'm not sure what season it is nowadays. :)

A Quiet Rant

"That's about as useless as a Mom with a college degree." -- Kenneth, 30 Rock.

I never do this, but there has been something in the back of my mind that I can't seem to shake. I'm not offended, maybe disappointed, but probably more clueless than anything. Maybe typing it out or getting a couple of different perspectives can help out.

Alright.

The other day at church the lesson began with a simple question. (Paraphrasing here) The teacher posed a thought about what if there was no God/religion/eternal life? And how would our lives be different than they are now?

+Several of my peers answered that they wouldn't have to be so nice anymore because there would have been no Christ, therefore they didn't have to be Christlike.

+Others talked about how life would be pointless and how we'd all just live, and then have nothing to look forward to in the end.

+ Another was that the would feel incredibly lonely and empty. It was the last answer and the seeming consensus that made my mind stop.

+Women (in general) would lead boring lives and would just focus on their careers and advancement. They wouldn't want/understand the value and purpose of a family and children and they wouldn't have any.

After this comment, several women (a lot of them moms themselves) agreed whole-heartedly. I have no problem with the base idea. Yeah, a lot of women in our time choose career and advancement over family and that is their lives. But, that does by no means mean that they either do not want that at all, or are in the position to have control over that. I wasn't offended really, but more saddened. Earlier that week I had been promoted in my job. I am now a creative director and I oversee a group of designers. I was still sort of on the high of this exciting opportunity when this whole thing surfaced. It made me think about my life. I am an active LDS person in a Relief Society presidency, have been married for nearly 4 years, and I am an educated college graduate. My husband I chose to wait on the whole kid thing for many reasons:

+We want to pay for it all by ourselves and not rely on the government.

+Hubby is still in school and I am supporting us.

+We want our time together.

+It simply hasn't been time yet.

+We aren't really 'baby people'.

+When the time comes, it will come, and we will be happy.

Are we those people that lead boring lives and just care about our careers?

No.

I love my job. It's fun, I get to lead, I get to use my talents on a daily basis, and I am always learning. I also have a job.

What's so condemning about that?

There are billions of people in this world who favor, and their lives revolve around family. Not just the religious/LDS ones. The statement made it sound like only certain people could have that. I don't believe that at all.

Maybe someday when I at last have my three kiddos and we are playing at the park, I can see what happiness really could be. Happiness comes in stages. Right now, mine is graphic design and planning ahead. Why should I have to be on my second child instead to feel spiritually fulfilled?

I'm not bashing moms future or present. You made beautiful choices and are so much braver than I ever could be. I just hope for the same respect when it comes to building a stable life and choosing career and advancement for a small season. They made it sound like actually using a degree and talents were wrong, and that we should be solely at home, baking bread and changing diapers. This where I get lost. I do understand that family is a vital purpose to being here on Earth, but we shouldn't sound so medieval and condescending about it.

Right?

Boring Sickies

Hey,
So I spent the last week coughing, sneezing, being a mouth-breather, and sleeping. Hooray for allergies...................... Every year at some point the pollen and dust get to me and make me crazy. I think my body either gets surprise- attacked and just gets deathly ill, or it's trying to defend itself so much I actually get deathly ill. Either way, it's no fun. Luckily, this only happens about once a year. After that, the allergy symptoms tend to pan out into something a little more manageable. The luck of March has runout at the Campbell home for sure because today Cody woke up (barely) not well either. I wonder what's got him....



Other than being lazy bums sharing a box of Kleenex, there isn't much happening (at our house). We are still working and Cody is getting close to closing another year at SUU. One more to go after that! It better pass quickly. I will be at LearnKey (Oh wait, LearnForce now. We merged with another company) for 3 years next month. I can't believe it. I keep telling myself that there's got to be something more enriching, but to no avail. This is where I am supposed to be, for possibly another year. Oh well, it'll at least look good on a resume, right??

The month went well other than our sneezy, snotty end. The week of St. Patrick's day was spent well with many parties. LF threw me a good one the day of (17th) and then went on a hot date after work. We went to dinner then saw Shutter Island (at last!) It was very good. It kept my mind going and just when I had it all figured out, BAM! something else! The next night m family came up and we went to Ninja, here in town. It was fun to watch them during the hibachi. After that, we spent the weekend in SLC with Cody's family. It's always good to see them and we had a blast.

This week we hung out with Ryan and played games. *If a James Gubler gets this far, kindly skip to the next paragraph* They consisted of one called Axis and Allies and The Game of Life. I *did* play A&A, despite all of my boisterous statements about how only nerds play that game and always recount that Seinfeld when Kramer and Neuman played Risk but had to leave the game board at Jerry's because they thought it neutral territory and no one could cheat. Good times, good times. Our game wasn't that long, according to the boys we were playing with. I only understood like 60% of it, but it was still cool nonetheless.
It was sort of a shocking revelation that... GASP, I just may be a nerd. haha I won't turn down a LOTR marathon, (did that one weekend this month) I like talking Batman, I watch Seinfeld, I relate to the boys at my job more than the girls, and I crack jokes I only think is funny and logical. I'm probably more well-balanced than I think. :]




Anywayyyy, I finished a wedding sign-in book for some friends and will post pictures about it later. I was also asked to put on a book arts workshop in April. I am pretty excited, I won't hide it. I think we will be making ribbon-bound books. They are easier to handle and more 'cutesy' for the crowd I'll be teaching. haha SOMETIME, I plan on opening an Etsy, I just need that one push. I won't lie, it's a scary thing. Especially since my neighborhood Roberts decided to up and leave town. That was my place and now... its off to stG for all things books. :(

I was asked a couple of months ago to captain a Relay for Life team for LF. I didn't know a lot about it, but I do now. Things for it are going really well and the event is also in April. If you would like to help our cause, check out this link:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10GW?px=14381017&pg=personal&fr_id=21756

Yay for medicated ramblings! That was March for you, and hopefully more to follow.

Natalie Dee: Genious

9 days...
...and this will make a heck of a lot more sense.

Rosie O'Donnell + Snappy + Julia Child + Avatar = an update!

November the Brave.

Cody and I ventured Southwest for Thanksgiving to see my Dad and family. It was pretty cool because it was Cody first time down on 'the rez' and he met a lot more of my family. The travel conditions were great and we had a wonderful time.

Cody and Dave zonked out after the big meal.



My cute little cousin Shauna. She impressed Cody with her string skills!



Dad cooking up the frybread.




And of course, the Coke family sign. lol....

We also spent a day at Chaco Canyon. It was absolutely mind-blowing! I recommend going sometime in life. It was neat because my Dad told us a lot of (true) stories about the people and the life. It was really cool.

May Dad far away...on like a fourth of this massive compound.



Just getting to the largest of them all.



The three Barkerteers. ha...



Examining the masonry



haha... Emily passing out on the trip. Classic.

Oh yes, and we played countless games of Apples to Apples. Here is us at a random McDonalds in Gallup:



This totally just a taste, but it was a really fun trip. Just after we got home We learned that Emily got engaged! His name is Dave, and he's pretty cool. They are a good match. There is no set date yet, but sometime this year... haha

December the Needy.

Christmas this year was spent in a magical little town called Blanding, UT. It's where Cody's parents live. I love visiting. It's just a fun little place. All of the family was able to gather. Unfortunately Cody's sister Lindsay and I got sick while there, which probably didn't make things very fun, but it was relaxing nonetheless.

Sadly, this is the only picture I have. I must have been near dead.

We spent New Years just together and planned a real date! haha

This was our Christmas card for '09:

More or less, that's what we've been up to. After all of the traveling, Cody got sick the week before school started. Luckily, he was better in time and now his scholastic endeavors are in full swing. He talking a couple of available classes and has also begun his Capstone project for his major. It's basically a final project every EET major has to make to demonstrate what they've learned. It's exciting. It means we will be done soon!

I am well too, we have so much to do at work and it's been so good. I'm in possibly may last month of Acutane which is crazy. It's been really good, but I guess it's time to move on in life. There are some things I definitely won't miss, but the pros I think outweigh the cons. I won't miss:

The extreme feeling of lack of sleep (I'll sleep 8 hours and feel like I slept 2)

Constantly, peeling, ugly chapped lips. (Thank goodness for Carmex!)

Achy joints (Not as constant, but it makes working out no fun)

Lack of night vision (lol... )

It takes a blow to your immune system (It made getting sick and then getting over it an adventure)

Not taking any vitamins or avoiding vitamin A like the plague. (I couldn't take anything other than my pill and the pill)

Um... and other inconveniences I won't mention.

That reads like a lot, but really, the benefits outweigh it all. I feel better, and I really hope knocked this annoyance out for good.

I also donated my hair.

11 inches was sent off not long ago to Locks of Love. It was a cool experience. I've done it 4 times now, and it's just cool. I figure while I can, I may as well. My hair needed it anyway. I feel great.

For now, I'll just post this one :)

I finally got back into making books. Sorta. I made a ribbon book for a friend who had a baby.

I believe I'll call it Carly, after the precious babe.

That's about all's that has been happening around here. Things are good and the Chargers are playing on Sunday. How much better can it get?