Christmas, Baby Shower, and 22 weeks!

Boy, it's been an eventful month! I will try to summarize just the exciting stuff :) 

Just before Christmas I went in to a pregnancy center for an official "anatomy check" of our little man. Since we found out the gender a few weeks early, all they screened for was the gender. Then, at 20 weeks, they wanted to do a thorough check for birth defects and things. So it was kinda cool for us cause we got an extra ultra sound! Extra cool, is that they couldn't see everything that they needed to, so we get to go in again in another 2 weeks! Lucky us :) More money... but still, lucky us :). So here are some of our favorites from the scan:

He smiles!

Little hand :) and I'm pretty sure that's an under shot of his little bottom hehe

Cute little toes

Also, the Saturday before Christmas (the 20th), I think I felt (noticed) kicks for the first time! I was talking to my sister-in-law Summer (who is also pregnant with a boy!) about feeling kicks and what it feels like. Then I decided to make a concentrated effort to try and feel for some kicks. While laying there, I noticed that my lower stomach muscles were twitching. You know when you get a little muscle twitch... it felt like that. I wasn't ready to believe for sure that they were kicks, until it continued, was very inconsistent, and also moved around on my stomach! It took me a few days to confirm that I was really feeling kicks, but it was a very happy realization. It took a while for Todd to be able to feel it, but it was an even happier moment when I got to share the magic with him. I just love having a constant reassurance of our baby's reality! It's still pretty subtle, and he isn't kicking a ton, but it makes every kick even more special. 

Christmas Eve, Todd got off work early, and we got to spend the rest of the day together. Then, we had all of Christmas day to be together too! I really cherish the days (or half days) that I get to spend with him, because usually the only day we have off together is Sunday. Todd and I spoiled each other a little too much... especially considering the fact that a couple of days before Christmas, we splurged and got ourselves an ipad! I think all the money we'll be spending from now on will most likely be for the little guy though, so I'm glad we had one last chance to spoil ourselves. Along with the ipad, my favorite gift this Christmas was a portrait lens that Todd got me for our camera. I just took like 2 pictures to test it out, and this was the result! 

Needless to say... I love my new lens. The other day, Todd and I went on a walk, and I got to take some more pics with it. Mostly pics of my love.

Such a model!

Just playing with depth of 

We also decided to take a tummy pic while we were out. This was just a couple of days ago, so I was just barely 22 weeks here. Still not super huge, but definitely showing some more! I've also been having stomach growing pains, so I think I'm on the verge of exploding soon!

I took the pic below to demonstrate my perspective. I look bigger to myself looking at my toes, than looking at my profile in the mirror :)

Just after Christmas, we got to fly to Eugene to see my family! Todd hadn't been back to Eugene in 2 years, so I we were super excited! Our trip mostly consisted of spending time with family, and eating great food! I sure do miss all of the incredible home town food goodies! 

My mom was so sweet and had planned and threw a baby shower for me! She worked so hard for so long on everything, and I was so so grateful. It was amazing getting to celebrate with everyone from back home that I love. Todd was also such a trooper...there were some in my family who felt strongly that he should attend and take part in the celebration. I assured him that he absolutely did not have to come if he didn't want to. But he came, and was our official photographer. He also played a game with me (a diaper changing race). I love that man so much :). Here are some pics of the festivities!

Blind folded diaper changing!

Todd and I racing! He'll try to convince you differently... but I slayed him haha

Everyone focusing super hard on one of the games

My mom might kill me for posting this pic... but she was so cute directing all of the festivites!

Barb and Todders. Love this pic!

So happy these girls could make it out! I sure miss spending time with them!

The amazing Jenkin ladies

This might be my favorite pic of the day... duck faces!

Haven't seen these gorgeous ladies in ages! Last time I saw Casey, she was still a beehive!

Mommy :)

These are a couple of my mom's super sweet neighbors. I had never met them, but they still came out and even brought an incredible gift. So kind of them!

Some of my oldest and bestest :) I hate being so far from all of my closest friends

Todd and I got to spend an amazing day at the Oregon coast while we were home. Todd had never been, and though it was going to be super cold, we couldn't pass up the opportunity! We even got to bring the best dog in the world along with us, which made the trip all the better. Here are some pics of our many adventures :)

Favorite pic of the trip!

In case you don't get it... Todd + Christine = Baby (or Boy)
We're artists... I know

Best dog evarrrrrr!

my boys

Such a gorgeous day! We were super lucky

Can't go to the coast without going to Mo's!

We tried crabbing for the first time! I'd say we were fairly successful!

We had 4 traps, and each one had 20-50 crabs in it!

We took a few home to cook up and eat. Yummmmmm :)

So, there ya have it! Tons of pics and exciting adventures! In other news... Todd and I made a somewhat groundbreaking decision regarding our future... Even though he made it into PA school at NYIT, we considered having him still take classes and apply to more schools next year. Schools that would be cheaper, and potentially closer to home. However, after much prayer and consideration, we really feel like going to PA school this year is best. So right now that means NYIT, since that is the only school that we have a for sure yes from. However, if we find out he makes it into St. Francis (in Pennsylvania), that is where we will go... The cost of living and tuition is so much cheaper, and the school finishes faster than NYIT. So that's our status for now... still waiting and hoping to hear from St. Francis, but otherwise planning on going to New York in September!

Sorry yet again for such a long update! If you haven't noticed... I'm not so great at being brief :)