Steve's Website

I just wanted to post Steve's website for you to check out if you're interested!:

www.SteveOlsonGroup.com

Olson License Plate

Recently Steve’s parents sold their lifelong family Suburban. I think it was a sad day for them (heck it was sad for me!) Their license plate was an Arizona State University plate that read “OLSON.” How they got that, I don’t know! But they were so kind to pass it down to Steve and I when they purchased their new car. SO, we just got our bran new, sparkly plate in the mail and I thought I’d share a pic of it. We’re really excited about it and can’t wait to pass it down to Peyton someday. =)

31 Weeks

Yesterday I turned 31 weeks, which means I’m down to the single digits –- as in only 9 more weeks left! On March 11^th I’ll be full term (37 weeks) so really in 6 weeks I’ll be ready to have this baby. If that’s not insane, I don’t know what is!!

Here’s a BIG tidbit for this week:

“This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 lbs (four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He’s probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby’s kicks and somersaults keep you up.”

Trouble sleeping? Why yes I am! Getting up 2-4 times a night to go potty, my sciatic nerve waking me up, Peyton’s kicks, and now I have trouble falling back asleep because of how excited I’m getting and all the things running through my mind. Now Steve’s telling me he’s having trouble sleeping because I’m taking up the whole bed (my sleep positions are limited to big sprawls, hee hee.) But like a good husband, he understands, and like a good wife, I don't wanna hear it. ha ha J

Tomorrow we’re taking our parents to a 4D ultrasound and I’m so excited! I’ll definitely post some pics of Peyton, which I think will look incredibly similar to him when he’s born.

Stay tuned!

Kicks, Swipes, & Jabs!

Here's a video I took on Tuesday of Peyton kicking. His kicks are SO STRONG and really spastic at times. He's been kicking like this continuously & sometimes I feel like he's gonna kick his way right out of my belly!

Welcome Owen Hulihee!

My friend Megan gave birth to her second son yesterday morning... welcome baby Owen! He's as healthy as can be, weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and Megan is doing great.

Ironically we had our childbirth class last night at Banner Gateway (our hospital and hers) so guess who we got to pay a visit to... that's right! She couldn't have planned that any better! Owen is seriously one of the cutest babies we've seen and I couldn't believe how well and alert Megan was.

When we got home, Steve said that it's weird to think in just 2 months or so I'll be the one laying in that hospital bed with our new baby... we're getting so anxious!

Congrats to Megan, Bryan, big brother Noah, and newbie Owen! XoXo

Randomness

Last week we went to our first Childbirth Prep Class. It was so fun! We learned a few things and we shared a few laughs (okay, lots of laughs!) We got a tour of the Labor & Delivery area. It was much different than I expected – very calm. The hospital was built 2 years ago, so it’s nice ‘n new with some perks other hospitals don’t have (Japanese tub, garden to walk around.) I’m excited to use all the techniques we learned about along with the perks, so I’ll be holding out on the epidural for as long as I can. BUT I won’t be trying to break a record or anything. =)

My glucose test results came back normal, however they found my iron levels to be low, so now I’m taking an iron supplement.

This weekend we painted the nursery. It’s so pretty and I’m already going in there just to look at it. Soon we’ll get our furniture and I cannot wait for everything to finally come together.

We’ve got tons going on in the next month that I’ve been waiting this whole pregnancy for! My baby shower is coming up, we’re doing a “for fun” 4d ultrasound with our families, I’m getting pregnancy pictures taken, and we’ve got a baby care and breastfeeding class yet to take, plus the completion of the nursery… all next month! It’ll be busy & I’m hoping I’ll have the whole month of March to relax, nest, and take a deep breath before Peyton’s arrival.

On a side note, we’re sad the Cardinals are out of the playoffs, but happy the Colts are still in the game! We hope Peyton Manning takes his team all the way. We know he can do it, especially with a name like that!

~The nursery wall colors~

~Peyton & I before the Colt's game on Sat~

Props to Steve!

Coldwell Banker came out with a list of the top 250 agents in all of Arizona based off of Gross Commission Income for 2009. I’m extremely proud to announce that Steve is number 3 on that list!

This means out of all the Coldwell Banker agents in Arizona, there are only 2 people above Steve that grossed more income in 2009!

Steve amazes me everyday with his drive to succeed. The best part is, this is only the beginning for him. He’s only been an agent for 3 years and has already accomplished things agents have been striving to do their whole life.

This particular list shows only the agents who are in the top 250 in our office. I cut the list down so it’s easier to read. I can’t wait to see what Peyton makes of himself with a daddy & role model like Steve!

Girls Day!

Yesterday I had lunch with my mom and Joan to go over details for my baby shower coming up! Sounds like there’ll be a few surprises for me, and I’m super excited about it! After lunch, we went to Buy Buy Baby – a fantastic store for you parents and parents-to-be. We had a great time looking at all the TONS of baby stuff. It was such a fun day with my mama and mama-in-law. =)

Meanwhile, Steve, his dad, and brother were at our house watching the Cardinals WIN the first round of playoffs! WHAT A GAME! We made it home just in time to see the last quarter (the best part, of course.)

The pic on the right is me in front of an Expectant Mothers sign. You hardly see these anywhere when you're actually pregnant and this was the first time I've ever (legally, ha) parked in one! Whoo-hoo!

Happy 60th, Dad!

Today is my dad's 60th birthday! We celebrated yesterday by going to dinner with him, Julie, and Laurie, then spending the evening hanging out at his house. Here's to many, many more years ahead! Love you dad!

8 years & counting!

Today is our 8 year "being together" anniversary! 8 years ago today I went to one of Steve's band gigs at Legends as a supportive friend and that night it turned into the best relationship ever!

Also, 2 years ago today we got our little champ doggie Ginger! We "rescued" her from our neighbor and the rest is history.

Here are a few old pics of us throughout the years. The one above in red is our 1 year anniversary in 2003. Also here are some pics of Gingersnap. The day we got her she was SO SKINNY! That's why I like to say we rescued her. =)

Ginger's first day home!

28 Weeks!

At my doctor's appointment yesterday, I had the glucose test done that checks for gestational diabetes. Results should be in within a few days, but I'm not worried. It was another good appointment with no news (but that's good news right!)

I just want to give props to Steve, not that he needs it or thinks he deserves it (which makes it all the better), but he has gone to every single doctor appointment I've had so far (& I've had lots!) Most of the time they're just simple, redundant appointments and he makes the effort to make sure his busy schedule is clear. I hardly ever see men there with their wives. I know we're both fortunate to make our own schedules and not work for "the man," which makes it a lot easier and possible, but I still think it's great and a definite sign of what type of dad he'll be (an amazing one!)

From now on, I'll have doc appts every 2 weeks (as opposed to 4). I love this, since I always have tons of questions by the time 4 weeks rolls around. We have a childbirth prep class next Thursday at the hospital. Can't wait for that! Am I really already on the home stretch? Yikes!

Today I'm 28 weeks.

Tidbit: Your baby is equal in weight to a Chinese cabbage - about 2 1/4 pounds. (Length: almost 15 inches, from head to heel.)

And here's a diagram of what I look like this week:

XoXo!

25th Wedding Anniversary

Today is my grandma and grandpa’s 25th wedding anniversary! Congratulations to them! I was only 3 years old when they came to Arizona to tie the knot, but I faintly remember being in the church for the wedding and eating cake at my parent’s house.

They're in Denver today celebrating, I wish we could’ve been there! I love them both very much!

*These pictures were taken at my grandma's 85th birthday party 4 years ago. =)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve and rang in the new decade with a bang!

We celebrated in a new way this year – we stayed home! With not much going on, we decided to go to Tuscan Brio for dinner then back home to ring in the New Year. It was cozy and I didn’t realize until after, but it turned out to be really sentimental! At midnight we had our kiss and Steve was “hugging” my stomach, Peyton was kicking and Ginger was dozed off. At that moment, I realized that just where we were, in our home, is where so many memories are going to be made this year. It’ll be where we bring Peyton home and everything just felt so safe and right. I’ve never been affected by a New Year the way it made me feel last night. Pure joy!

With the New Year also came a new trimester – yesterday I began my 3^rd trimester! The countdown to due day is on!

Here's the latest pic of Peyton and I, taken on Wed, Dec 30th!

Hiccups and Heartbeats

This past week I’ve confirmed that Peyton is indeed hiccupping in there! I’ve felt him 3 days this week and Steve put his hand on my tummy and definitely agreed. They were consistent and so very cute! Although it’s not a bad thing if he doesn’t hiccup, it’s a good sign that he is. It shows that his central nervous system is adequately developed and that he’s practicing breathing.

Last week I was reading how it’s possible to hear his heartbeat if you put your head up against my stomach. So, Steve gave it a shot and was able to hear Peyton’s heartbeat! Amazing! Steve had to be very still and quiet in order to hear it. Peyton’s heartbeat is much fast than mine (around 130 bpm) so it definitely wasn’t confused with mine.

In addition to a bigger belly and achier back, my ankles have been swelling and it’s so funny! I couldn’t believe it the other day when I looked at them, it looked almost like I twisted my ankle! I think it’s pretty funny for some reason, probably because I know it’s temporary. I would take a picture and post it, but I'm not that proud of them! =)

Christmas Time!

I hope everyone had a memorable Christmas Season! It's hard to believe it's already come and gone.

We had a great time with all the parties we went to. Siobhan and Darren had their first Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. It was pretty funny to see what people came up with! Siobhan is pregnant as well, along with my other friend, Megan. Here we are, I'm approx 25 weeks, Megan 32 weeks, Siobhan 14 weeks. It's hard to see our baby bumps in our ugly sweaters!

Here's a better one of Megan and I with our baby bumps =)

And here's Steve and I in our ugly sweaters!

Steve and I spent Christmas Eve just the two (or three) of us. =) We went to dinner at The Keg & saw The Blind Side – honestly the best movie I’ve seen this year. It’s a must see!!

Christmas morning we went to Steve’s parents for a big breakfast and lots of presents. Then we headed over to my moms for a big dinner and lots more presents! We had a wonderful day with our families and I’m sure I gained a few pounds. Santa was great to us and Peyton's closet is already getting full!

Heading to my parents!

Merry Christmas!

Julie and Megan making fun of my pregnant picture shots ;)

Laurie chilaxin on the couch after presents & dinner