Kapree Mae and 30 Weeks!

Kapree Mae Taylor was blessed yesterday by her Dad - My brother.  She looked so adorable in her gorgeous blessing dress.  I didn't get any pictures though.  The poor thing was melting.  Their church doesn't start until 2:30 p.m. and by then about a million people have been in and out of that church making it extra miserable.  

So I settled for some cuddle time after she got changed.  This little one is so precious.  She loves to snuggle and I think she already loves her little cousin who I hope she becomes great friends with.  Whenever I hold her she snuggles right in and usually falls right asleep.  This time was even cuter cuz she wrapped right around my big old belly!  Her cousin kept trying to kick her awake but she wasn't having it and was out cold.  It was so completely adorable we had to take lots of pictures. 

I'm already at my 30 weeks mark with only 10 more to go!  It doesn't seem real and I certainly don't feel ready.  BUT ready of not here she comes!  We've got some fun adventures ahead of us and I'm excited to have her here.  I'm also ready to have my feet back.  These hippos on the ends of my legs are super attractive!

Arizona = Cactus

Welp,  Tucson was pretty alright.  My description of Arizona can be narrowed down to one word:  

Cactus!

(or Cacti or whatever the correct plural of the word is)

There was a LOT of it, everywhere.  Giant ones, fat ones, really army ones, small ones, you name it they have it.  Oh and don't forget decorative ones!  I may have created a new fear - that if we lived there my poor child would be in danger of falling into one.  

Oh and no grass anywhere.  I'm pretty sure it's outlawed. 

Arizona was a good trip.  We got a lot done and saw a lot of people we needed to.  Now we need lots of prayers while we determine our pretty near future.  So if you could send one up for us we certainly wouldn't mind.

Spoiled Rotten

This baby girl of ours is one spoiled little bean and she's still got a few more weeks to cook - (please give us 10 more little one)

My mom (baby girl's adoring Grandma Taylor) has been working her heart out and fingers to the bone getting ready for her arrival. In the last week we've had TWO surprise packages show up in our mail box addressed to Baby Girl Van Houten.  I was so excited to see a box full of receiving blankets that my Mom had made.  There was a mix of flannel blankets and all were uniquely finished and so amazingly adorable and one that was completely crocheted.  AH I love them all and can't wait to use them.

Then another package showed up and I got even more excited.  Boy was I shocked speechless when I opened it and saw the most beautiful Blessing dress made specially for our little princess by her Grandma.  I was moved to tears when I saw it and knew my Mom had worked so hard to make it happen.  I'd seen one similar to this, and initially Mom told me she couldn't do it so I hadn't thought much about it.  I suppose curiosity got the best of her because she did it!  And I am so excited for how absolutely perfect and beautiful it turned out.  I love it!  I sure do love my Mom and all she does for me and now for my little girl.

Look how beautiful!!

Then there is this - Zach's adorable niece Violet came up to me and says "Look Emily, I have a baby in my tummy just like you".   She is so dang cute!  

Whenever I get to see her she always comes up and sweetly pats my tummy and says "Baby is getting bigger".  It's so cute!  I can't wait for her to meet her new cousin when she gets here.

Arizona - Day 1

We are heading to Arizona for a little/big road trip.  Sheesh it sure is rough on an old pregnant lady having to sit in a car for hours on end.  Don't worry I asked my Doctor and he said it's always a risk but he didn't see anything wrong as long as we break it up into only about 6 hours per day.  So we made it to Kanab from Provo last night at about 11:30 pm, got ourselves checking into the Days Inn (luckily they had room) and zonked right out.   I of course had to bring my body pillow because sleeping these days is already a challenge, add a mysterious bed and I knew i'd be toast.  Luckily exhaustion paid off.

Today we'll journey out towards Page and Flagstaff, then on to Tucson where we'll land and stay for the next couple days.  I'm a little anxious to see more of Arizona.  My childhood idea of different cities means that I drive into the desert for a long time then all of a sudden there is a big sign that says "Arizona".  And thats about all there is.  I've heard mixed reviews of Tucson so i'm really ready to see it for myself.