Christmas Time in the City

We saved the news of the baby so that we could surprise our families in person. I had played the scene out in my mind hundreds of times the past few months trying to imagine their reaction to my belly. I probably should have listened to all my friends who said, "My mom would kill me if I did that." Obviously I am still alive, but I think it is only because I'm carrying her grandbaby. It seems that she is starting to forgive me, but I can guarantee that if we have another baby, she'll be the first to know.
I wore my most maternity-ish shirt so that the big bulge couldn't be mistaken for post-marathon weight gain and we just walked in. My family all found out one by one, but when we walked in the door at the Rigby's everyone was sitting in the kitchen to be surprised together. Rocky walked in first and took all the focus and then Brandon said, "Marci brought a surprise." I really wish that I would have had a video camera to catch the shock on all the faces. They all cheered and it was worth the months of being tight-lipped.
We let the Voodoo Donuts that we picked up at 3 AM in Portland announce that it's a girl.

Now it is starting to hit me that I really am going to have a baby. I was trying so hard to keep the secret that I found myself forgetting. I guess my body finally got the clue too because this past week my bump looks more like a full-scale basketball. I need it to be reminded that I'm still about 11 weeks before delivery and that it better slow down if it expects me to be able to stand on my own until March.

We've been having a nice time so far in Utah. The snow is beautiful and it has been so fun spending time with family.

After a lot of anticipation from the Rigby brothers we got together to watch Troll 2, which is widely known as the worst movie ever made. This picture is not a joke.
When the brothers are together it usually doesn't take that much to get them into crazy laughing fits, and this movie completely lived up to expectations. I think that night will live long in my favorite moments category. I do recommend watching this film, but make sure you do it with someone who has a contagious laugh...and someone who isn't interested in seeing a good movie.

Rocky is having a blast getting into everything. The other night at the Howard Christmas party we noticed that she had something in her mouth. We checked and it looked like it was a piece of cheese. About 15 minutes later Brandon noticed it was still in there and upon closer investigation he realized that it was the baby Jesus from the nativity scene.

Another time we were at the Rigby's and she was in the front room playing. It had been quiet for about 5 minutes and as any parent of a toddler knows, quiet means something is wrong. I found that she had gotten into her grandma's sewing and taken out all of the pins. There were pins sticking out of all the couch cushions, and stuck into the nativity pieces.

Last night at the Isaacson family party, which is my favorite Christmas tradition of the year, she was able to participate more fully in a nativity while playing the part of a shepherd. She and her cousin Ginny went up to the baby doll and crouched down sticking their faces right next to it sayin, "Baby." The Mary and Joseph had to protect it so that Rocky couldn't steal it like she wanted to.
No baby Jesus is safe while my baby girl is around.

We took a trip to Ogden's Christmas Village which is a personal favorite of mine. Rocky was so excited and grabbed my mom by the hand to run her all around peeking in the windows of the mini buildings.

Ever since we went Rocky wants to be with her Oma all the time.

Rocky and Indee have been catching up on all the Saturday morning cartoons.