38 weeks

I've always wondered what it was like to be a 38 week pregnant lady. Now i know, first hand, it's not a party. At all. Today was the first day I felt pretty miserable at work. Working 10 hours a day is catching up to me and my poor pubic symphysis. We go to see Dr. Holmes tomorrow and I hope he has some sort of good news for us. Who knows, like I'm going to to have this baby tomorrow. That would be fab. Now that we have checked "graduation" off our list, next to be checked off is "baby" and we are getting quite anxious. Tristan asks me every day, "So you think your going to have a baby today?" My response, "Umm, I don't know? I feel the same." "Aww, man!". 

I'll let you know what the doctor has to say. 

nikon practice

We've been practicing. Tristan took the new camera up the canyon one afternoon.

 There's a lot to learn.

problem solving

Tristan is very good at finding solutions to problems.

For example. Problem: Jack will not stay in his chair during nursery snack time.

Solution: Simply tie him to the chair.

Problem solved. And he loved it.

37 weeks

We went to see Dr. Holmes yesterday for the 37 week appointment. Full term! I did it! My strep B test was negative. Thank goodness because I've heard that IV antibiotic is not fun. Everything is looking perfect. I've noticed Baby has begun to drop down due to increased restroom use and that my belly now rests on my lap when I sit. While checking my cervix Dr. Holmes could feel baby's head and said I was already dilated to 2-3 centimeters. He went over a few indicators of when we should head to the hospital and other things to look for. Guess I should start thinking more seriously about packing my hospital bag. 

I'm still working full time and feeling great. In fact, I worked 10 hours today covering for another ATC who works for an orthopedic surgeon up in Saratoga Springs. It was a blast. 

I came home from work today to a new toy. Tristan spoiled us with a new camera. We had been talking about the possibility of upgrading from my Cannon point and shoot with baby soon coming. He did all the research and went for the Nikon package from Costco. It came with two lenses, a camera bag, and a memory card. I am very excited to take some awesome pictures.

We spent the evening watching the DVD's and reading the user guide. Professional photography, here we come!

Oh and I guess baby could come at any time. This week, next week, three weeks. As I was walking out the door to work this morning Tristan reminded me to do some jumping jacks today. Looks like we are all getting a little anxious.

chef salad

Want to know something interesting about me? I ate my first ever hard boiled egg last month. It's so true. Why? Cause they look and smell totally nasty so why would I want to try something like that. We were at Sizzler and I guess my inner party animal came out and I decided to do something crazy and try a bite of a hard boiled egg. Definitely not bad at all cause I ate two more. I just have to chase it with something so the taste of sulfur doesn't linger too long. Then at Easter I tried my first deviled egg, also tolerable. Tristan and I have been making a lot of salads lately, one being a chef salad. 

Looks delicious. 

 Boiled eggs, weird but a very healthy source of protein I feel like I have been missing out on. I feel like I have opened a new chapter.

perdue party

While the Perdue's were here for graduation we had a lot of fun apart from the graduation ceremonies. We showed off Baby Perdue's growing wardrobe. We went to lunch at Cafe Rio and had a dinner party a our house. We watched Green Lantern, Batman, and Superman (obviously we were in a superhero mood). We went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse for Tristan's graduation dinner. We bought souvenirs at the BYU bookstore and ate BYU creamery ice cream. We went up to Salt Lake to roam temple square and admire its beauty. 

The tulips came in every color.

Some of the crew.

 Then we explored City Creek. It was gorgeous, equipped with all the stores you could ever need.

 We celebrated Mike's birthday. Kelly and I made strawberry rhubarb pies. Mike's favorite, they were amazingly beautiful and delicious.

We sang to Mike and he blew out his candles.

We love when family comes to visit!

tristan's graduation

The day we have been looking forward to for...well, a really long time, finally came!! After BYU's two-day graduation event Tristan is an official graduate!! The Perdue family arrived in town Wednesday night and we had a seven people sleep over party at our place all weekend. Thursday was Commencement in the Marriott Center where Elder Dallin H. Oaks was the main speaker. 

Tristan was sitting on the floor, 5th row back about 5 people in, in the soft chairs with the PhD and Masters graduates.

 Proud wife.

 Proud Mom.

 Proud Dad.

 Friday was Convocation in the Marriott Center where Tristan walked and received his diploma with the rest of the Marriott School of Business graduates. 

So excited I took a picture of the program. His name is on the bottom. 

His personal cheering section.

View from our seats. Tristan was on the floor, second row from the back, 4th in from the isle. Can you see him!?

Walking on stage...

On the big screen receiving his diploma.

During the ceremony they asked the spouse's of the graduates to stand and accept a round of applause.  I was brought to tears as I locked eyes with Tristan, waved, and mouthed "I love you." I am so so proud of him and all he has accomplished. It makes me incredibly happy to see him happy and successful. BYU has been an amazing journey for us and has taken us through our first 5 years of marriage. Like the big entrance sign says, we have entered to learn and will now go forth to serve. 

 Diploma in hand.

 All his MISM buddies.

 Two of his favorite teachers.

 In the Tanner building where he lived the last 3 years.

 In the MISM lounge.

Family pictures.

37 week belly documented at graduation.

Graduation is so much more fun when you already have a good job awaiting you. Congratulations Tristan Perdue! I love you.

MISM graduate

He did it!!! Tristan is now an official graduate of BYU Masters of Information Systems Management. BOOYA BABY!!!

 Oh, and...

all about tris

Tristan had his last day of class yesterday and is officially done with the semester. Wahoo! He presented his final project already and the only thing left on the agenda is his very last final on Saturday. Then he's all done! The Perdue family is coming to town next Wednesday to attend graduation Thursday and Friday. Its going to be a party! I asked Tristan if he will let me take his picture all around campus. Next to the big BYU sign, in front of the Tanner building, riding the cougar, the list goes on. He said, "Maybe," so we'll see how lucky I get.

Official Announcement!!: Tristan's KPMG start date is July 9th! With baby coming middle May that gives us a month and a half to figure out our new life and then pack up and move. It's going to be a whirlwind of fun. We've been looking forward to this for so long and I can't believe it's just around the corner. Can't wait for the adventures to begin!

35 weeks

Thirty five weeks down...five to go. Holy cow! Seriously? The weeks are flying by. We had a doctors appointment today and everything looked good. Belly is still measuring a week ahead giving me two due dates, May 9th and May 14. I'm mentally sticking with the 14th and then secretly hoping he'll come early. I was also tested for the group strep B and he checked my cervix. Nothing so far. The original plan was to starting going every week but after today Dr. Holmes said because I'm doing so great we don't need to come back for another 2 weeks. I'm starting to enter the uncomfortable stage. My best sleep is passed out on the couch from 7-9 after work but other than that I toss and turn through the night. I get so many comments on my belly button. Stop looking people, I'm embracing it. 

Best comment so far by a frumpy old lady patient in the clinic: "You're going to breastfeed right? I hope so. I breastfed all my children until they were two to four years old. They all have the gap between their two front teeth but are all very healthy." I'm thinking the tooth gap is the least of their worries compared to the possible mental issues they are probably facing after going through that.

Belly dressed up for Easter.

Remember the fabric I gave to my friend, Kenzi, to make my carseat cover? She finished it and I love it!

Grey on the top...

...and blue on the bottom.

Can't wait to put a little person in there.

easter

Tristan and I spent Easter Sunday in Layton at my Grandparents home with my Barney cousins. It was a beautiful Utah spring day, without a cloud in the sky.

Grandpa and Grandma Jensen with Caitlin's beautifully colored deviled eggs. 

 Little Miss Adelynn was adorable in her Easter dress.

 We ate on Grandma's colorful "Easter egg" plates.

 After eating we all sat in the warm sun and chatted. I worked on my tan. It was a perfect day.

graduation party

Friday night BYUSA hosted a graduation party for all graduating seniors in the Wilkinson Center. We rocked the party with some of Tristan's friends and their wives. There was a ton to do. Food and ice cream in the Cougareat, vendors, games, bowling, karaoke, ping pong, raffles and prizes, bands playing and a ton more.

After stuffing our faces with free food we beat the Norman's in Jenga.

 Then I beat Tristan in pong pong. Ok, not really, he beat me.

Then we won nothing at the raffle drawings, but that's normal.

It was a fun night with friends doing some wholesome, free activities. Thank you BYU.
Oh, and did I mention probably over 50% of the females there were pregnant? Only at BYU.