Thanksgiving and such...

We went to Joe and Kailee's in Louisville for Thanksgiving and had our own feast since we were away from our fams. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. The dinner turned out really good, we had a real turkey-defrosted and cooked to perfection-thanks to Joe and Kailee, homeade rolls (thanks to Kailee), and the rest is the normal Thanksgiving stuff like stuffing mashed potatoes etc. The hubbies were impressed with Kailee and I and I think we even surprised ourselves! Thanks guys it was a lot of fun and I'm glad you live so close that we can actually meet up and see each other once in awhile.

Alli's 1st Thanksgiving outfit


Hunter was so fun and cute with Alli J. She would wake up from her nap and yell "I want Alli J." She wanted to help with everything and loved assisting me in feeding Alli a bottle. I think its time Kailee and Joe had another one because she is such a good helper...hint hint

Hunter wanted to share all her stuffed toys with Alli-even her favorite Tinkerbell.

This is a pose Alli performs for us often-Brian calls it the "touchdown"(everything is football or basketball related :))

Alli is starting to enjoy her baths now that she understands what is going on, this is a pic. of one of her firsts, she always gets this concerned look on her face during the bath, its fun to share these moments with her!

Relaxin' all cool with her dad...Alli loves this and she will always fall asleep in this position, so cute!

A Quick Update!

We just wanted to wish our Briguy a Happy Birthday today, the big #27 woo woo!! Brian is such a good dad and has been an awesome helper, he already has figured out how to get our sweet pea to sleep at night while I catch some zzz's after feeding her. Since my mom was here (thanks mom) we got to go out with friends and see the new James Bond movie for Brian's birthday, it was a lot of fun (probably our last date until we get back to Utah:) We love ya and are so proud of you hun!

Kailee, Joe and Hunter came for a visit last week and Kailee took some great pics of our little Alli J. We got to visit with them and Hunter was enthralled with Alli. Hunter is such a cutie and wanted to help with everything we did with Alli. Thanks for coming guys it was fun to see you!

A few pics of Alli J....she is growing up so fast and changing everyday. At her well baby check-up when she was 2 weeks she weighed in at #8.4 one whole pound bigger than when she left the hospital-I can't believe how fast she is growing up!






Alli loves her swing!

It was wonderful having my mom here to help out and spend time with us, sadly enough though she had to go home today, it was very sad:( Alli and I will miss you mom (and Brian too). Thanks for cooking, cleaning, and helping out with Alli, it really was great having you here and wish you could stay forever! Can't wait to see you all in a few weeks, Alli is going to miss her Grams.

Alli J. has arrived!

Alli J. Beckstrom was born November 1st 2008 at 11:32 a.m 7 lbs. 13 oz 20 in. Things went really well with delivery and we are so excited to have her here with us (a day early even, yes!) She is so precious and has the sweetest personality, she is truly a blessing in our lives!

She was definitely bigger than the doctor thought she was going to be. I tried to tell him that she was going to be bigger than 6-7lbs because of how I was feeling-no room left- I guess I was right, her u/s pictures were right on with the chubbiness!

Beth (one of the NICU Nurse Practitioners that I work with) came down to do baby care just for Alli

Dr. Murnane with Alli after delivery...he is an awesome Doc and really made delivery a great experience...

I got to do skin to skin right after delivery it was so great (don't mind the tired after delivery look:))

Alli was so alert and stayed awake for close to 4 hours after delivery, she wanted to see everything and everyone!

Trish was my postpartum nurse and was so awesome during our stay. It helps to be an employee because you get all the hookups like nice room, extra supplies, attentive care and babysitters at night, all my night shift co-workers babysat Alli during the night in the NICU, she was very spoiled to say the least-It was great

My co-workers decorated Alli's crib, it was very cute!



Brian has been a very good daddy, Alli has him wrapped around his finger already and a little tuckered out too

Yeah, my mom is here! I am so glad she came to help us out (even changed flights to make it here) it definitely takes pressure off of Brian since he still has school to attend. We are having fun taking care of Alli! Thanks mom for comin' you are the best!

Ready and Waiting and Waiting...

I decided that I am done "nesting" and ready to have a baby...yep, that's pretty much it. I finally finished the nursery (well, at least for the moment) I quite like how it turned out, cute country is what I was going for and I think I accomplished my goal! I guess I will explain a little bit about it since it took quite a bit of my time and efforts to finish

...well the end table that you see was originally a ugly disgusting brown 1960ish painted end table, I sanded it all down and this is what it looked like after it was sanded etc. It cost $5 big ones at goodwill. I figured if I ruined it, not a big deal.

Next we move on to the white ugly looking thing that was originally supposed to be a kitchen cuttingboard/storage thing, it was disgusting when we got it (real cheap at goodwill again) and I also sanded an painted this ol' thing up. You may be thinking oh my heck why green? Well, Brian and I decided to bring the green out in the room from the bedding colors so if we have a boy on our next round (if there ever is a next round???) it can be a boy/girl room together without looking too girlie. I am happy with how all the furniture and such turned out, it kicked my butt gettin' it done while being in my later stages of pregnancy, but I will be honest in saying that I was trying to help my body get in the mode to get little Alli outta me, it hasn't seemed to have done a thing.

Finished product of the end table, and I am also excited to rock Alli to sleep in this nice rocking chair...

Finished product of what is supposed to be used in the kitchen, we decided to use it for Alli's stuff and of course a TV for Brian since he so lovingly agreed to do some late nights with Alli (yeah for me!)...


Toy chest, I made the foam pad on the top, I will eventually put some of my dolls that I had when I was little on here...

This is what is hanging above the crib, I am planning on putting 2 more frames here after I have pictures of Alli...

What kind of mom would I be if I didn't try to instill the love of horses in my little girl...her buddies await her to play in the crib...Kaycee, Sis, and L.J. (my horses names growin' up)

Some cute pillows that I made to accent the crib...

Shot of the nursery all put together!

Last, but not least Alli's first real horse that she can ride when she gets bigger, this is an early Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa Snow, I'm sure Alli will love it!


Now all we need is Alli, when oh when is she coming? Hopefully really soon!

Baby Showers in Columbus and an update!

The Ladies who I work with are so awesome! I have felt so lucky and blessed to be working with such an amazing group of women. I love my job and they make it so fun and nice to go to. They are all older than I am, but I like it that way, they all have a motherly influence and are all examples to me both professionally and personally. They have definitely made my transition to living away from home and my comfort zone so much easier, I guess that is why I am going to continue working even after I have the baby and a little break! I just can't give up such a good job and work environment that I truly enjoy.

Lynda(on the left, she was my mentor when I first started) and Deb(on the right)...the 2 that gave me the shower, it was at Deb's house and she is a Martha Stewart twin for sure, we had such good food and desserts!

Group picture of some of the ladies that I work with, it was an open house so people were in and out and I finally caught a picture with a few of them...

Erica and Julie a few more of the fun ladies...

I got so many fun and nice things, this picture doesn't get it all, but I had to mention just a few things that I got because I can't believe how generous everyone was. I got a swing, pack n' play, feeding chair, clothes, toys, and some must have baby supplies (even Brian was shocked at what I got:))

I had a few requests from my fam for a picture of my belly, and boy is it a belly. I just keep poking out more and more, what fun, ha ha. I am down to my last few weeks and I am "feeling" ready if you know what I mean...


Friend Shower in Columbus!

Just me opening gifts...

Adrienne is the sweet girlie who threw me the shower, she is so cute and fun and had the cutest little boy herself in May, she did such a cute and fun job! Thanks Adrienne!

Another picture of a few of the girls that came...Stephanie, Laralee, Trinette

Another pic...Krista and Ashley

One of the cute gifts that I got with Alli's name that matches her room...


Trip to Pittsburgh!

Darren and Tiffany, our hosts for the weekend a few weeks back... We were able to go and visit them with Lundon, Adrienne & Benson (we didn't get a pic. of them). It was a lot of fun and we got to see their new place, the girls went to the play Wicked and we all had a great time. One of the last trips I will be making, thanks guys for the fun!

Little big Benson, Lundon and Adrienne's cute little boy...we bought him a dragon Halloween outfit, so cute!


I am starting to get into the nesting period which is good, cleaning and organizing although I don't feel like I am getting enough accomplished. I am still working full time and plan on going all the way baby! If anything I hope it will help me get to my due date a little faster! Brian and I are excited and a little anxious for our little bundle to arrive. I will try to update on the progress.

Last but not least I was tagged by my cuz Lynds awhile back......


So, 7 random things about me...
1. I am the only girl in my family and the middle child
2. I love little things, little babies (maybe that's why I love my job in the NICU so much), mini everything!
3. I am obsessed with decorations and enjoy crafting, painting, quilting.
4. I like meat...Outback steak has been my life saver since I have been pregnant, the Outback special is delicious with green beans and a baked potato.
5. I like to organize, even if it can sometimes be organized chaos.
6. I don't like to drive,I like to look at my surroundings, Brian drives us everywhere
7. I haven't ridden a horse in over a year...that is totally sad because it is one of the loves of my life, maybe after the baby comes :)