Today

Here we are taking down the last paper chain. It's remarkable to think that by this evening Luke will be here. I am so nervous about being a mother of two, but I'm sure I'll survive. After all, I don't have much of a choice.

What Brandon does

At the beginning of the year Brandon has to fill out a Performance Evaluation which includes the things he has done during the previous year. He sent me a copy and I just had to share it. As you can see, Bran is one super busy Associate Director. Even I had no idea he had done all of these things.

This past year I have worked hard to improve the available training for both internal and external UVU staff, the the available tools to help the purchasing staff be more efficient, and the overall image of Procurement Services. I successfully prepared and presented a number of training sessions to the campus community related to the purchasing process. I was able to create and implement new online training materials. I performed a large amount of research related to purchasing policies and procedures. As a result, the RFP and Bid processes have been improved, new bid general provisions and purchase order terms and conditions have been written, and new policy has been presented for review. I have also worked hard to improve the available software tools, including report generation, BidSync integration, a new software ordering website, and improving the various databases used. I also implemented a plan to better track sole source justification forms. I was able to complete these projects in addition to my purchasing duties, where I was able to complete 1237 Purchase Orders, 306 change orders, 97 Bids, and 11 RFPs.

37 weeks and counting down

Here I am at 37 weeks and counting down to our BIG day. I wish I wasn't so frustrated that I can't know the exact day Luke will be born. I'm trying to be patient by keeping myself super busy (meetings, church work, visiting friends, cleaning the house, Dr. appointments, etc.) though.

Here is out nightly countdown chain. I'm so shocked that it's already gotten so small. Wow!

This past Sunday we went down to my parents for a b-day celebration and Peter discovered lime jello. He seriously ate 3 plates full of the stuff. Yummy, Yum.

Bring on the comfort

I've always heard pregnant ladies say that wearing their husbands pajama bottoms are the most comfortable thing ever. Well, today I became one of those ladies. It's wonderful to have something on that gives me enough room to move around in. Thank you hubby for your generosity.

Peter and Baby Luke

Early in this pregnancy, I decided to involve Peter as much as possible with the growth of this new baby. Peter and I talk about baby Luke a zillion times a day. I'm excited that Luke is now big enough that Peter can feel him moving around inside of me. During Christmas, Peter kept asking me when he could hold Luke. It was the cutest thing ever. I tried to explain to him that it would just be a few more weeks before baby Luke would come out, but he would always look so confused when I said that.

Then, Brandon decided that Peter might understand the concept a little better if we made a visual representation of a few weeks. So, we make a paper count-down chain. Peter has completely enjoyed taking off a slip of paper each night after prayers and scriptures. Having this visual representation also helps me to realize how quickly this kid will be here. Needless to say, we are all excited that Luke will be here soon. We're just counting down the days....literally.

Sugar Cookie Fun

On Saturday night Brandon's cousin Steve and his sweet wife Vashti came to visit us. We had such a lot of fun making sugar cookies and laughing the night away. Since Vashti and I are both preggo (with baby boys) we had to get a couple of belly shots too.

We seriously had a blast and can't wait until we can get together again.

Preggo tummy

I was talking to my sister Lisa the other day (who lives in Florida) and she said she wanted to see a current picture of me. Blah. But, I love her so I'll do it. Baby Luke (yep, I finally picked a name) is growing stronger and stronger every day. He recently flipped to the heads down position so now I'm feeling him a lot more. So cool in some ways and so annoying in others.

I also can't resist adding this cute picture of Peter. He just learned how to line things up and he decided to line up his cars. Thanks so much Aunt Alli for the cars and the cute hat. Peter loves them both so much (and it made for such a cheap b-day present).

October

This month has flown by so quickly. We have loved our Halloween decorations up, and it will be so sad when we take them down tomorrow.

For Family Home Evening last week we painted pumpkins. Peter had so much fun. As you can see, he got paint on more than just his pumpkin. We also enjoyed going to "Papa's" work and trick-or-treating there. Brandon's co-workers are so sweet and Peter came home with quite the load of candy. Ironically enough, he threw up the next morning from candy overload. I just laughed. I remember doing the exact same thing as a kid.




We also had a chance to babysit Peter's cousin Morgan while her Mom & Dad went to a Halloween party. They are four months apart and they are now to the point where they play together SO well. They both had a blast playing the piano.



Our Halloween night consisted of going to the ward trunk-or-treat, and then heading over to dinner with the Thomas family. Aunt Alicia and Uncle Shawn gave us a wonderful surprise with the news that cousin Morgan is going to be a big sister come June 4th. We are so excited. And, as Aunt Allison pointed out, next year we'll have two more kiddos joining the six that are already here. Wow. What a blast that will be. Even Peter is thrilled with the prospect of all that cousin fun.

While I was sleeping

Peter somehow got a hold of the camera while I was taking a catnap this morning. I awoke to find these pictures on the camera. LOL. That kid is so mischievous.

Family Pictures

Every year our wonderful BIL Shawn takes our family pixs. He does such a remarkable job. His sweet wifey Alicia deserves all the credit for Peters smiles. She is such an entertainer. This year I thought the temple would make the perfect spot for our pixs. I'm so glad we took them there. Peter loved, loved, loved it.












This picture is Peter with his cute cousin Morgan. He is typically annoyed when he has to touch a girl, but Shawn managed to 'snap' this priceless moment. Too cute for words.


P.S. Alli, I'm soooo sorry these have taken me so darn long to get posted. Someday my life will slow down. BTW, you can look at more when you come next week.