Home Improvement

Rocky is all ready to fix things around the house, but unfortunately, despite her best efforts, everything is in good working order.

Martin Luther King Day

We decided to take advantage of the school holiday and enjoy a trip to the coast. It wasn't exactly warm weather, but the overcast sky made for a beautiful day. We explored the jetty in Florence and hiked Sweet Creek Falls.

Before anyone tries to comment on me being pregnant and hiking, I feel that I need to disclose that Rocky walked the whole way too. I mean, not to take anything away from the fact that she is a pretty tough little climber for only being 20 months, but it wasn't exactly Kilimanjaro. It was a beautiful walk with amazing waterfalls along the way.



It was another one of those times that I feel really lucky to live in Oregon.

What to do on a Rainy Day

It is officially rainy season around here and we are starting to stretch our imaginations and find new things to do inside.
Rocky had an indoor picnic with her dad. Although the stuffed fruit and plastic chicken legs looked delicious, Rocky opted to go ahead and eat the plate.

We also found a hot spot at the Oregon vs. Arizona basketball game. Because we got there late we were on the back row and had to duck to see the far basket. Even though we lost it was a good time. Rocky was enthralled with the fans and sat quietly entertained for almost 3 hours. Now that I know what she is capable of, I'm not taking any more excuses on why she can't be calm during sacrament meeting. Maybe things would go better if they had a pep band instead of a choir. I'll talk to the branch president and see if he can arrange something.

Rocky's Newest Skill

On January 1st while Rocky was eating her breakfast we had a discussion. I was explaining that a new year is a time when a lot of people make goals and I suggested that she make some resolutions. My suggestions were that this year she could learn how to sleep in a real bed and also be potty trained. She nodded and continued to eat her oatmeal. I didn't know that she would take it so seriously, but later that very afternoon she figured out how to climb out of the crib. We thought when we got back to Eugene that her big crib would be too tall and that we would have a couple more weeks of peace, but today while she was supposed to be taking a nap she snuck up on me while I was doing the dishes. I put her mattress on the floor and the nap went well. She went right to bed tonight without a problem but I guess we'll have to wait for the morning to be sure.
I need to learn from her example of getting right down to business when it comes to goals. I haven't even gotten around to setting any yet.

Christmas

Once again I spent almost a complete month in Utah and have no pictures to show for it. We had a great time hanging out, doing puzzles, eating treats, playing games, and just being together with family and friends.

It is amazing how one little girl can bring back the magic of Christmas morning even though she didn't even know what was going on. She wore the new P.J.s that she got from Oma and the tutu that Kristin made. She was a little pajama princess.





That night we had a freezing tour of Temple Square with the Rigbys and it was a fun day.

Snow Day

Rocky finally got to spend some time enjoying the fresh snow.

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.