New Year, New Beginnings

To begin, we bought a new car!

Our "Green Machine" (a/k/a the Explorer) has seen better days. So, with the baby coming, we decided to get a more dependable car for me to drive when home. We spent many hours at numerous car lots looking for a vehicle that fit our preferences and eventually found this 2004 Acura MDX. 

We haven't decided on a name yet for this car, any suggestions? 

A week later, we decided to add another addition to our family:

Annabelle Mary Fountain 

Born at 5:55 p.m. on January 13, 2013

She was suppose to be a planned c-section on Friday, January 18 because of her breech position. The weekend before that date, I told Robert we should go out with our friends for a last hurrah. That Saturday, January 12, we went shopping in the afternoon to pick up a few last items we needed for the nursery and then met up with our friends Shawnee, Brandon, Carlos, and Stephanie in Tampa for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Dinner was a lot of fun and we had a good time talking about babies, as Stephanie recently found out she is pregnant as well. When we arrived home, I helped Robert take our purchases from that day up to our condo. I walked in the door and immediately felt a "weird feeling." I didn't think much of it and went to bed. I didn't sleep well that night thinking maybe my water had broke, but since I didn't have any pain or contractions that went with it, I headed to church in the morning. Following church, as Robert and I were talking about our day, I mentioned my uneasiness last night while sleeping and he suggested I call the doctor. I did as he encouraged and telephoned the doctor who was on call that weekend. She told me to come into the hospital so they could run some tests to make sure my water did not break. I gave in and decided to do what the doctor suggested, so I quickly made sure I had a few things packed in case we didn't come back home.

Here I am outside waiting for the elevator with the new diaper bag I purchased the day before.

New car packed and ready to go.

Robert said, "Quick take my photo in case today is the day." Here he is driving me to the hospital.

We checked into Triage. Here I am waiting for the test results. The nurse who performed my examination said that she felt my bag of water still, so things were looking good. We just needed the other tests to come back negative for amniotic fluid.

So, we waited and watched the Falcons vs. Seahawks game before eventually taking a nap.

Well, the test didn't come back negative! It was true, my water was leaking and they were going to need to deliver me that day. 

COMMENCE breakdown. This was not according to plan. Who would have thought this would be my last belly photo? I still had four or five more days, today was not my day (or so I thought)! 

At 4:00 p.m. the nurse came into my room, told me my test was positive for fluid and said the doctor was on her way now. I had little time to prepare mentally and physically. Next thing I know, I was being hooked up with IVs and taking medicine. I had barely enough time to call my mom and tell her I was not going to make my Skype family baby shower that she had planned for me with my siblings. 

Robert gave me a blessing and then I was wheeled to the operating room. 

Speaking of Robert, he was quite proud of his look. May I introduce, Dr. Fountain:

Just a little nervous, but I think I'm ready...

Show time!

The procedure went better and faster than I thought. I was wheeled in and given my epidural. Within a short time my feet and lower half went warm.Robert then came in and kept me company while the doctor and staff went to work. Next thing I know, there's a screaming little one and she was here.

Born at 5:55 pm.

Robert cutting the cord:

Our first photo as three:

She was so little because they swaddled her feet by her head. She came out doing a toe touch, which explains why she never turned.

Recovery room and spending my first moments with her.

Proud daddy sending out text messages and emails announcing the good news.

My doctor and our happy Annabelle (not).

With a c-section you stay longer in the hospital, so Robert and I had many meals together like this. The hospital food was great and I enjoyed not having to worry where my next meal was coming from. (Note: That black strap was my best friend! It held my pain medication - nice and convenient for getting around).

In case I forget who I am and whom I belong to:

Robert was quickly initiated and changed most of the first diapers.

Other pictures from the hospital:

Snuggle time

I loved her little mittens.

Getting dressed, so we could go home:

Buckled up!

Here we go.

And since we've been home:

We've (well she has) slept a lot.

Played catch with Daddy:    

Tried out our crib:

Took our first bath:

Terrorized mommy at night:

well not all the time...

Adjusted to the harness we have to wear for 12 weeks.

 

Took a stroll on the beach.

Slept some more. 

 Practiced important ninja skills:

 Loved sleeping in the car seat:

Little monkey

Welcome to our new life! 

Close of Another Year

I can't believe another year has come and gone already! We sure have packed in a lot of great things this year. To cap off my 2012 posts, I'll wrap up what we've been doing this past month. 

Shortly after getting home from Utah for Thanksgiving, Robert headed to Nashville for the Baseball Winter Meetings. This is the biggest event for his company all year. It's so much work for everyone involved that they close the office once the Meetings are over. Robert loves having 2 weeks off for Christmas every year.     

Robert enjoyed seeing a little bit more of Nashville and listening to live entertainment with co-workers.

We got lucky this year because the Meetings were held in Nashville about a week after my sister's baby was born, so I took the opportunity to take one last flight and join Robert up in Nashville for a visit to the Opryland Hotel and to my sister's home to see my newest nephew baby Tucker.

 Isn't he sweet? I loved holding him and rocking him. While I spent most of the time with the baby and talking to my sister, Robert and Tyler had epic Civil War battles, played baseball, and read books.

I can't tell who wore who out.

 When we got home from Nashville, a few ladies in my branch got together and spent some time with me to celebrate the upcoming birth of our baby girl.

 We've been so busy prepping for the baby that Christmas seemed to take a back seat, but we did get out to one party with friends. It was a blast! The occasion was a holiday mystery party, appropriately named the Ho, Ho, Homicidal Holiday Party. Robert was Rudolph (if you couldn't tell), and I was Vixen, his lovely girlfriend. 

 We did our best making our costumes, my favorite part was our tails. 

 You will be happy to know that neither Robert nor myself were the murderers. One surprise of the evening was that it was an all guy award podium. From left to right: 

Grant: individual with the most money at the end of the game, Robert: best performer (!!!), and Patrick: best dressed.

We spent Christmas a little differently this year due to travel constraints. Robert's Mom and Grandma came over on Christmas Eve to watch Christmas Vacation and have some pizza. Robert's Dad and brother Austin stayed up in Jacksonville to be with Granny.

Although it was a small crowd, you wouldn't be able to tell by all of the presents. We (including baby girl) were very spoiled! 

As for a baby update: I'm still feeling really well, but baby has decided to be stubborn and is in a breech position. I'm scheduled for a c-section on January 18th unless baby changes her mind before then. Keeping our fingers crossed she does!

  We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We've been busy getting ready for the newest addition to our family. We're very excited for the new adventures 2013 has to offer us next year. It's definitely going to be a different year for us as a family.

Circle of Life

 On November 26, 2012 my sweet Grandpa passed away in his home comforted by my wonderful mother.  

I feel very blessed to have seen him just a few days before his passing and to have spent so much time with him over the last few years. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it back to Utah for the funeral. 

His obituary is below:

I will always cherish the memories I spent with him when I would spend the night at his house with my cousin Mikell, ride up to Sourdough in the truck, play pool in the basement, take rides in the mustang, and helping him when he was weak. He had the bluest eyes and best laugh. He was an amazing example of patience and hard work. I'm so thankful for his love, support and example over the years. 

He will be missed! 

Just as we said goodbye to Grandpa, we welcomed into the world Tucker Jay Saville (named after Grandpa). My sister and her family welcomed their second beautiful boy into their family on November 25, 2012. 

It was quite the week as we embraced this full circle of life.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving week started off with another work trip to Provo. It was nice to see everyone at work one last time this year before the baby comes. It was a great three days spent with co-workers and training new hires. Because of the wonderful timing of the trip, Robert and I thought it would be a perfect time  for us to spend Thanksgiving with my mom. Thus, the decision was made to buy him a ticket to join me out in Utah after work on Wednesday. It was our first trip back to Utah together in a few years! To liven up the party some more, we convinced my brother Jeff to bring his family in for the occasion as well. To kick off the break, I left work on Wednesday, dropped my rental car off at the airport and met my brother Jeff at the airport to pick up Robert and head to Ogden.

The next day:

I spent lots of time in the kitchen helping my Mom prepare a Thanksgiving meal. As tradition would have it, I made Grandma's rolls and ruined the deviled eggs (well, they tasted good - just looked really ugly). I am not a fan of the deviled egg job, especially when the eggs will not peel! 

 While the girls did the cooking, Jeff and Robert raked the yard for mom.

 Brielle enjoyed being outside experiencing the sunshine for the first time since she lives in Seattle and rarely sees bright days like these. 

 Mom was a wonderful Thanksgiving host by keeping the many memories of Thanksgiving dinner in the basement of Grandma and Grandpa's house alive. Craig and his family joined us for dinner as well. Mom also made sure to make my favorite dessert, jello salad (as pictured on the plates). Yummy!  

 Time to eat! 

 Later, Jeff serenaded us with some music.

 The Morris' came over later for some games and dessert. 

Following Thanksgiving day, we woke up leisurely, went shopping at the Quilted Bear, and then piled in our sweet ride (that would be the one on the left) and drove down to Salt Lake for a little night out on the town.  

After a little parking lot maneuvering, we headed up to dinner at the Garden. Jeff and Laura split to meet up with her sister.

 I love the Garden restaurant for its beautiful views and yummy food. We hit it just right because we beat the rush and were able to watch the sunset and lights come on at Temple Square.

Our dinner company:

 After dinner, we headed outside to catch our first feel of Christmas, but not before I got some hot cocoa and a picture by the main tree in the JS Building lobby.

We even walked over to City Creek to see the decorated store fronts.

 I love the lights at Temple Square!

 We met back up with Jeff and Laura.

Sadly, I was really bad at taking pictures this Thanksgiving and didn't take a single one on Saturday.

Saturday consisted of: driving to Provo with Jeff and Laura, Robert playing golf, dinner with friends (insert awesome picture of Robert, JoAnna, Kaydee, Devin and little man Carson enjoying a fabulous dinner at Red Robin), meeting back up with Jeff and Laura at the BYU creamery before heading back to Ogden.

Our last day in Ogden was spent relaxing with mom and the Tolsma side. We headed to my Grandma Tolsma's house for pizza and catching up. Again, I was a terrible picture taker and did not get a single picture of the family that gathered, but I did spot this modern day John Wayne:

Amy's always willing to let people ride her horse.

 This ol' gal and I had to sit out on all the fun because of our "condition." We look like twinners, right? What, you can't tell? That's flattering, but we are both pregnant in this photo. :)

 In other news, we had our baby. JUST KIDDING! We're just being the awesome aunt and uncle we are and rocking little Brielle to sleep. 

 We flew home on the red eye that very night. Red eye flights do not usually bother me too much, but I must say getting comfortable enough to sleep was a lot harder being pregnant! It was a wonderful week spent in Utah and we're glad we were able to be there during this time to see my Grandpa Whitehead before his passing.