Happy Holidays All!!!

Some updates:

We are very close to finally closing on our house!! We are waiting to hear from the underwriters and then we're set. It's been a crazy process trying to get a loan for a house that is completely gutted, but we're almost done!! Then the real work can begin. As soon as it officially becomes our, we'll post some pictures of what we've gotten ourselves into! Another adventure - but the end product should be awesome and better than any finished product our money could have gotten us.

Barley is getting gigantic (if you can't tell in the pictures) and he has quite a few friends that come over on a daily basis. The picture below is with Sedona, his girlfriend. They've been in love since we brought him home. She has been coming over regularly to play - they share bones, play tug-of-war with branches, wrestle, chase Sage around the yard, and play fetch. They're fun and love being with each other! Barley also has a buddy named Peanut that comes over every few days - it's interesting how Barley treats Peanut differently than Sedona. He likes Peanut and loves wrestling with him, but he's definetely not as gentle and affectionate!!

Joe has started teaching snowboarding lessons at the mountain as we wait for the house paperwork to finalize. He's gotten a few good days of boarding in so far and is looking forward to many more throughout the season. Barley goes with him and has a blast. We heard that snow is like crack for Berners, apparently the saying fits. Barley is at home in the snow. In fact today we had a our first snowfall at the house. Barley spent the whole day outside - playing, sleeping, eating, etc.

I'm doing well and getting large (as you can see from the pics - although I don't feel they do the belly size any justice). We're starting week 25 tomorrow and for those that do not know yet, WE'RE HAVING A BOY!! He has started kicking quite a bit, which has been quite the experience. I'm feeling well, sleeping well most nights, and often get through the day without any crazy pregnancy side effects. Some most recent experiences though have been: sciatic pain, acid reflux (which I've never had in my life before), lower back pain, and right bicep pain (I think this one is from sleeping funny as I still try to sleep on my stomach even though it's impossible at this point)!! It's interesting how one day you can feel completely fine and then the next, BOOM, something hits you. It's also interesting how I have days that I feel really tight, like my skin and belly could not get any bigger, and then a few days later I'm noticably bigger!!!

As you can see we've started decorating for the holidays. Our 2 foot tree has been put up and, since my parents visited last weekend, already has presents underneath. Barley has actually left them alone, it's Sage that's quite interested! Today I put up the christmas lights on the front porch; we'll see if we do anything more than that!!

We did have a very nice visit from my parents last weekend, very spur of the moment. It was nice to have them out to help select some of the baby gear we're going to need to get ready to buy. So far, that's actually been the most overwhelming aspect of being pregnant (after telling my students/work) - sifting through everything the newborn and the house needs!! Yikes, but we're getting through it!!

Thanks so much to everyone that has sent baby gifts and baby gift cards already. We're really appreciative and love that even though we're far away, everyone still feels like a part of this process!!

Ange, Glo, Barley and me with the Christmas Tree (I know, the tree is pretty pathetic)


A Family Pic - Joe, Barley, Sage, and Me (for those that are wondering, Lynx wandered off sometime in October and still has not returned home. We're hoping he still returns, but in the mean time, I think he's found another family to feed him and give him love)


Barley and Me (check out the belly!!)


Barley and his girlfriend Sedona