She's still COOKIN!

Yes I only have one day left and she still has NOT come!! I get the feeling she doesn't want to meet us or something, :( but we sure want to meet her! I hope she decides to come SOON! So, since I haven't been working for like 2 weeks, I'm done with school, the nursery is ready, the house is clean, seriously what else is left!! :) Well I got the urge to be crafty! I know I know, this doesn't happen very often if you know me well, but I thought what the heck I'll try it out. When I was in Richfield, one of Jake's brother's friends just had the cutest baby girl (they named her Ruby...isn't that the sweetest!) and she made herself one of those "Hooter Hiders". I thought I could do that, it seemed simple enough...well I DID IT! I'm so proud of myself, and it turned out great. Well I can't take full credit because my friend Cedar helped me sew! I don't have a sewing machine and I can't remember the last time I used one. So luckily she's extremely nice and helped me out! So here's the final project, it was so fun! Thanks Cedar, you're the BEST!



I was going to wait to put the pictures of the nursery up when we had pics of the baby to put in the frames and stuff, but I thought oh well! It's been so much fun getting it all ready and I have the most amazing husband that helped like crazy! And I can't forget to give a lot of credit to Jesi, Jake's sister who's an interior designer who helped us design it all! You're awesome! It says 'GIRL' all over it, it's so FUN!

So we painted the room of course, and we pained the mirrored dresser, which we pretty much made into a "changing table". DOWNEAST is the BEST! There's just no lamp shade there if you can't tell! ha


Those large pic frames on the floor still need to be hung as well...but we need a BABY to take pictures of!


We recovered the glider! (thanks to Grandma Polly!) KSL is also one of our best friends!




Aren't those the sweetest little ballet slippers! AW :) (the one's by the pink flower)The other cute white shoes are from Nana (grandma Poulson) for her baby blessing. SO SWEET!


I was excited about this mirror...only 2 bucks! (we were at this guy's house buying the lamp and this was just sitting there and I was like hey, this is cool and he said 2 dollars and it's yours! How could I resist!!)


Aren't those just PRECIOUS! All from the two BEST GRANDMA'S in the world! (except those sweet ballet shoes were from Coll and Jesi!) Oh and the hooks were from my sweet husband for mother's day :) THANKS EVERYONE!


This is where baby Lyla will be sleeping the first little while...Right next to mommy and daddy :) (This bassinet has gone through all of Jake's family, so now it's our turn!)


Can't wait for Lyla to see it! Every time I go in there, I am amazed how blessed we are to have such great friends and family.Thanks everyone, we are so SPOILED!!

3 MORE DAYS!

AH I can't believe we only have 3 more days until we get to meet our sweet little baby Lyla! I am so excited and a little nervous at the same time. I just can't stop thinking about who she's going to look like, me or Jake.. or I guess someone else?! It's so crazy that it's already here and everyday we're just like, well it could be TODAY! I only wish there was a way to find out when you were going to go into labor...wouldn't that be great! It's so funny because every contraction I have I'm like this could be it! But so far nothing has happened :( I seriously thought I was going to have her yesterday, I was having some pretty intense contractions at church...but nope nothing! I don't know if I'm just a wuss or what, but the contractions I've been getting lately don't feel so good so it makes me think that I may go early. But we've made it this far, so I have NO IDEA! jake's so funny, yesterday he was just saying, "I'm just going to take you to the hospital and make them start YOU!" I think he's getting really excited for this baby! ha

We debated forever if we were going to go to Richfield for the 4th of July since it was so close to our due date...well WE WENT! I'm so happy now that we went, since we haven't had her! We had so much fun with family! Jake did a lot of golfing...and I mean A LOT! :) We played with family and of course ran into everyone we know. It's Richfield, what do you expect! It was pretty funny though, just the suspense of maybe having this baby any day! We thought, well the worse thing that could happen is that we have the baby in Richfield...(which would be perfect bc everyone was there!) or we'd speed home and make it in time to deliver in Provo. I just really like our doctor, so I wanted to be back in Provo so she can deliver. No more worrying now though, we made it all weekend! Now I feel like I can try all the tricks to see if it'll make me go into labor! ha WE'LL SEE...!

Here are some pics from the 4th! (I finally figured out how to do the collages! I'm so happy now! thanks to cami:)




I also found more pics from the baby shower at Jesi's!

We had another FUN BABY SHOWER! My amazing sister-in-laws threw a shower for baby lyla and I on Saturday at Jesi's house here in Provo. I took forever to post this because I was going to wait until I found more pictures from someone, but I don't know who has all the pics! So sorry I don't have very many and I only have pics of my family. If I find more, I'll post them.
The FOOD was amazing, like always when you're with the Luekenga's! We played this really FUN GAME where everyone had to make a baby out of playdough and I had to judge the best one. ha It was hilarious! I was seriously amazed at people's creativity...the winner had the baby with the umbilical chord hooked to the placenta...WHO CAN BEAT THAT! Isn't that awesome! :) I just wish I had pictures dang it. Baby lyla is set for life that's for sure, she got spoiled again with so many great GIFTS! Thank you so much everyone who came, you are seriously the best! Every time I go into the nursery I can't help but just feel so blessed. We have the best family and everyone is so good to us. BIG THANKS to Amanda and Jesi for throwing the shower, you are the BEST! And Michelle made the cutest invitations, she's extremely talented! I'm the LUCKIEST, Love you guys!!






Wednesday night we had a SLUMBER PARTY at our house! Kate and Lauren slept at our house. Kate is Jesi's (Jake's sis) daughter and Lauren is Rich's (jake's brother) daughter. They were so funny! We went and rented a movie and of course they got a scary one! I was thinking Oh great now they're not going to sleep and have nightmares all night ha. Luckily Kate had already seen it and of coures it was a kid's movie so it wasn't bad, but we just tried to laugh at the parts that were really scary. :) We went and got ice cream and Jake made his FAMOUS MILK SHAKES! They were delicious. After the movie, both girls wanted another shake and I was like dang these girls are partiers! But then we realized they hadn't had dinner! ha We are the best aunt and uncle ever! So we ate dinner at like 11 p.m. and they finally went to sleep after that...I think! Funny story...when we were saying goodnight, Lauren says she thinks she better sleep far away from Kate. We're like why? She then says, "I can't sleep because Kate talks to me forever!" :) We made kate promise us that she'd try not to talk to Lauren so she could sleep and Kate says she can't because she usually talks to Jimmy (their dog who sleeps in her room) at night while she falls asleep! She's so cute!
We also found out how much DRAMA there is with two 8 year old GIRLS! WOW did Jake find that out that's for sure! HA It was hilarious because jake likes to tease... I think he found out when he goes a little too far...or just with two really sensitive girls! He had both of them crying by the time we got in the car after the grocery store. Poor little lauren was missing her parents and she told me that Jake reminded her of her dad :( It was pretty sweet though. Those girls are the cutest, it was so much fun!

Ragnar Relay

Last weekend Jake ran in the Ragnar Relay! It's this race that you run from Logan to Park City with 12 guys in 2 big vans for at least 24 HOURS!! They run all through the night, it's so crazy! Jake, his brothers, and his sister were all in one van and then his cousins were in the other...THEY DID AWESOME! We were so proud of everyone, what an accomplishment! I really don't think I could do it, so I'm definitely impressed ;)
It was unfortunate though when Jake was running his second leg, it was like 2 in the morning and he had a little light on his head but not much, he hit a rock and completely rolled his ankle and fell to the ground! Luckily there was another van that happened to see him and picked him up and then they just waited for Jake's van to come up and take him. His brother, Nick was awesome and finished the last mile and a half for him. He was so bummed that he couldn't finish, but he did awesome and I was sure proud! They had a blast as you'll see from these funny pics! (I only wish I knew how to make a collage or something with the pictures...sorry!)

This is the whole group before they started



TEAM "VANGINA"...ya can you imagine all these guys and poor Colleen (the only girl) pilling out of this van! ha They are so Funny



SURPRISE!! This was Josh's BIG REVEAL! ...boys...they're so great!


The DRIVER...Jake's dad



The pass off...

My HOTTIE of a HUSBAND!

Doesn't that look enticing...


The FINISH LINE! Nick finished with everyone running behind him it was SO GREAT! (I went and saw them finish)


The entire good lookin' team...ALL FINISHED! Good job everyone!

FIRST BABY SHOWER!

Cami threw me my first BABY SHOWER! It was so much fun, baby Lyla is already so spoiled and she's not even here yet! We are truly blessed to have such great friends and family that's for sure. Cami was all worried since this was her first baby shower...um she had NOTHING to worry about, she's an absolute PRO! Everything was so cute, she hung up the baby clothes on clothes pins with "LYLA" spelled out on diapers SO CUTE huh! Then there was tons of delicious food, cute decorations everywhere, let's just say everything was PERFECT! The pictures will show how much fun we had. Thanks so much for everyone who came, it was really good to see everyone! A huge THANKS to CAMI! I really appreciate all you did, that was a lot of work. I'm lucky to have a sister I can look up to, especially as I'm getting ready to become a mom, you're amazing. You are seriously the best, sure love ya!

I made this quick video...

Since my sister put this on her blog...thanks Cam :) I guess I better put it on mine! This is for all of you that have begged for a picture, finally I'll be brave! ha Here's my PREGO belly at 34 weeks!! (since this was taken a little over a week ago)





I NOW ONLY HAVE 5 WEEKS LEFT!! AH SO CRAZY! I just can't wait to meet her.

MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND

We went to Richfield for Mother's Day to of course spend time with our AMAZING MOMS! We had a great time with both families,the usual going back and forth to both houses... So fun! I'm actually still deciding if it's easier that our families live in the same town or not. Don't get me wrong I LOVE that we get to see both families every time we go, but it's just hard to leave each house everytime and I'm always worried about spending too much time at one house over the other. I don't want to make anyone feel bad, ya know?! Then I feel like we miss out on a lot with each family because we're not "completely there" like everyone else...I don't know if it makes any sense, but you know what I mean?!! It was really nice to be home though. I didn't really think about it when Mother's Day came, but then I actually got my first Mother's Day gift!! :) I know I'm such a great mom and all already...I just have the BEST baby, she's the easiest child to take care of! :) ha Gees after this weekend, I just can't wait to hold my sweet little girl. I held my sis-in-law Amanda's new baby boy (so handsome!) and played with Cami's cute twins and I'm even more excited to meet her and just hold her ALL day! Anyways...My cute husband gave me these way cute gold (to match our theme) crown hooks to put on the wall in our nursery, which I absolutely LOVE! Lately every thing I get is for the baby and her room, it's so great what could be better right! I'll post pics of the nursery when it gets closer, it's looking so cute :) Then my cute sisters JaKelle and Chelsi gave all of us the cutest aprons. Here's a picture of all of us cute girls wearing them...

They say, "Nobody Cooks like MOM"

Thanks Jak and Chels, you're the best!

I'm so blessed to have such great motherly examples in my life. I have a mother who supports me in EVERYTHING I do and who loves her kids more than life itself, a mother-in-law who is the greatest example of service and LOVE, a sister who is SUPER MOM and is the most patient person I know, and of course the greatest, most talented sister-in-laws I've ever known.
I'm surrounded by GREAT mothers and I love you all! THANKS for all YOU do

It's about TIME!

I know I'm lost past due for an update so finally here it is!
We celebrated our 1st Year Anniversary on APRIL 29th which was fun! Who would've thought I'd almost be 7 months pregnant on our first year anniversary...NOT ME that's for sure! ha But I definitely could not be happier, I'm so excited and it's coming so fast! Which is a good thing right, it's just so crazy! I really do feel that it's gone quite fast, most say that it goes slow but luckily so far it's gone pretty quick I think. (Watch the next 2 months will be the slowest months of all!:) ) We've been getting the nursery ready, which has been so much fun! GIRLS ARE SO FUN! Jesi, Jake's amazingly, talented, gorgeous designer sister :) has helped us pick out the paint colors and design the bedroom so it's been really great and I can't wait til it's all done. I'll for sure be posting pictures as soon as it get's further along.
Well...Jake and I are both taking Spring semester! yes, I'm back in school...it was such a nice break last semester to not have to study! I loved it! I'm only taking one class, Art History 202 so I'm hoping it won't be too bad. My professor seems pretty nice and classes are usually a little more laid back during the summer so I'll keep my fingers crossed. It'll be fun, besides the subject he's teaching! ha It's actually kinda interesting...I'm just not a big fan of History so it's hard for me to study, but it's only spring semester so I need to just stay dedicated and stick it out.
Jake's still working for an Optometrist, which he really enjoys. It's been a great opportunity for him to gain this experience for his future occupation (we hope, he needs to get accepted into grad school first :) I'm really excited, we have a lot of school ahead of us it'll be so great! I'm still at the good ole' Happy Sumo serving away :) We'll see how much longer I'll last with this prego belly of mine! I'm almost 31 weeks now, but I think I can handle it at least til I'm 36 weeks or so. I'm just playing it by ear, luckily my managers are awesome and they just told me to work till I feel like I can't anymore and then they'll give me as much time off as I need. Who could ask for a better job right?! (well it is serving tables...)
Oh and about posting pics of my belly...I'll see if I get BRAVE enough!! I don't know why but I just feel a little funny putting pics of my fat body on the internet! ha So give me some time!! :) That pretty much sums up what we've been doing lately...I'll try and get better at this blogging thing! Hope everyone's doing great Love ya!

Jon Schmidt arrangment...WOW!

"LOVE STORY meets VIVA LA VIDA" I just saw this on my friend's blog and it's amazing! Jon Schmidt is such a talented composer and I loved this! (I used to play the piano and loved playing his songs...sadly I don't have a piano so someday I'll get back into it) I just had to share it, ENJOY! (it's kinda long, but wow it's good!)

I thought it worked better if you just click on this link then putting the video on my blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys

IT'S A.......GIRL!!!

I seriously felt like a little girl again waiting for christmas morning...but this was even better! Finally 1:30 came around and we went to our appointment. Luckily we didn't even have to wait after I filled out the paper work and we started as soon as we got in the room. The ultra sound was the most amazing thing...I was just amazed the whole time how well you could see the baby and and all that the doctor was checking. She was so fast and explained everything she saw as she went along. Thank goodness everything is going really well, she's healthy and she looks great! Oh and we actually found that I'm just a little further along (which is always nice!) I'm due July 3, only about 6 days off from before. So I don't think they'll change my due date, but I am for sure! ha After she checked everything she's all, "So are you ready? We're going to look between the legs....and....I don't see any boy parts in there!!" Then she wrote "GIRL!" on the ultra sound! The first thing I was like, "YES, I was RIGHT! ha I felt it was a girl all along, but of course I didn't want to be wrong ;) Now there's an equal amount of girls and boys on both Jake's and my family, so it's perfect! We are so excited, I can't wait to see her!
After we called the Fam, Jake was driving around, then he pulled up into TJ Maxx...ok so I told Jake as soon as we find out the gender I want to atleast go buy one little thing. Well, if any of you know my cute husband...he's CHEAP! ha (There's no nicer way of going around that!) So he of course told me that it wasn't necessary and said we should wait til after I have a baby shower to buy anything...can you believe it, Like ME of all people can wait that long! Luckily I have the best husband and he loves me a lot...we got the cutest little summer outfit! Here's a picture, it doesn't do justice but it's the cutest little thing. Jake hung it up in our front room just on our closet door so when I walk in, it's the first thing I see. I love it, it puts a big smile on my face every time I look at it. :) YAY, girls are so much fun!