Ultrasound and Baby Update

    This week was an exciting one for us!   We went and had a 3d ultrasound done to see what the baby looks like.  Joey, my mom, sister, Ashlyn and Dawson all went.  The kids were beyond excited to see the baby.  I was also dying to see the baby's precious little face.  I have been very curious to see if it will look like either Ashlyn or Dawson.  When the ultrasound first started, I couldn't tell who the baby looked like.  But, as the ultrasound progressed, I could see a lot of Joey in the baby.  The ultrasound tech was able to get some really good shots even though the baby wouldn't wake up.  We did get a moment where it stuck its little tongue out.  We also saw a yawn and a smile.  The baby had some chubby little cheeks.  The ultrasound tech said that she is just convinced the baby has dimples. I don't know about that one.  She also immediately commented that it has a lot of hair, which made me laugh since the same exact thing was said at both Ashlyn and Dawson's ultrasounds too.  When the ultrasound was over, she got a good look at Joey and said, "Wow, now that I got a good look at you, I know for a fact this baby is going to look a lot like you".  The more I look at the pictures the more I definitely see Joey and agree with her.  Seeing that sweet little face made me even more excited to finally meet this little one! 
     The tech was really good at making sure that we weren't able to see anything that would give away the sex of the baby.  She asked us if she wanted us to have her take a quick peek so if we changed our minds we could call her.  We said, "No way!"  While it has been a lot harder than I would have thought to not find out, we have made it this far and aren't about to find out now.  I keep saying the only person who knows the sex of the baby is God.  When we got home, we got out Ashlyn and Dawson's 3d ultrasound pictures.  This baby definitely looks a lot more like Ashlyn.  I know that means nothing though.  I am getting so excited for the baby's birthday and the moment it is finally announced what this little angel is.
     We are now on the home stretch of this pregnancy.  Overall, I am feeling pretty good.  When we were in Phoenix, my doctor called and said my iron levels were low so I would need to start taking an iron supplement.  It wasn't the news I wanted to hear, but it really made sense.  I had been so incredibly tired.  Like more tired than I have ever been in my life.  The iron supplements take awhile to build the iron levels back up, but I do feel that I have more energy.  It's hard to say though because fatigue is a huge symptom during the 3rd trimester. 
    I am continuing with my running the best I can.  I am nowhere near as fast as I once was, but I am still getting in some kind of run each day.  I have been getting in about 20 miles a week which I am very happy with and hope to continue as long as possible.  I am really hoping staying fit will help with labor and my recovery after.  I know its good for the baby and myself.  I figure the baby probably enjoys the rhythmic motion of my running too. 
      The big state tests at my school occur in the beginning of March.  My plan is to teach until I go into labor.  I didn't do that with Dawson, so we will see how it works out.  I'm even more thankful right now that I only work part time. I am due over spring break so I am really hoping to make it until then.  This week I experienced a lot of upper back pain after working all day.  Teaching is more demanding on my body than one would guess.  I felt bad because I basically had to come home and lay on the couch all night.  Luckily, Joey is the best husband in the world and cooked dinner, made lunches, gave the kids their baths, etc.  I don't know what I would do without him!
    We have been spending every weekend getting things ready for the new baby.  The baby's room is starting to come together. We still have a lot to do to be totally ready, but I figure it will give us something to do over the last remaining weeks.  I will definitely post pictures of the room when it's complete because I love the way it is turning out!
    Here are some of the pictures of our little angel:

This one looks so much like Joey to me. 

New Years Day and Last Day

    We weren't sure what to do on New Year's Day.  It's kind of difficult because some things are closed and some things aren't.  We checked and the train park was open that day.  We decided to start our day at the train park.  It was a good choice because it wasn't busy at all.  I think most people were still sleeping in.  We rode the train and the kids got a chance to play on the playground for a bit. 

Ready to ride the train again.

The train

Riding the carousel again

In the tunnel

Dawson discovered playground equipment that was a train.  He spent most of his time here. 

On the swing

  That evening we went out to dinner with my grandma.  My grandma had recommended a desert nature preserve nearby where she lives.  Ashlyn had been asking us all sorts of questions about the desert and different types of cactus, that we thought it would be worth checking out.  We decided to go before dinner.  The weather was in the mid-70s so it was just beautiful.  The desert preserve is on the outskirts of town, so it really feels like you are exploring the actual desert far from the city. 
    We went in the late afternoon and it was the perfect time of day to go.  It wasn't crowded at all.  They have a 1/2 mile waking path to walk down.  It's really neat because along the way there are all sorts of signs and different information areas explaining different things about the plants, vegetation, and animals of the Sonoran desert.  I know that we all learned quite a bit about deserts that day.  We were all surprised by how green it was for being a desert.  My grandma explained that was due to all the rain they had gotten that year.  Again, we will definitely be adding this to our places to go when in Arizona. 

Ready for a little hike. 

The desert really is gorgeous. 

Reading about the desert. 

  On our last day there, my mom and I had some shopping that we wanted to do before we left.  Joey decided we would take the kids to the train park one last time so they could have fun and not be bored with shopping. 

Little daredevil boy

On the train they have a passenger car that kids can ride in.  Ashlyn discovered it and wanted to ride in it all the time . Here is Dawson in the passenger car. 

In our backyard there is an orange and lemon tree.  They were both full of fruit.  My mom and Joey picked a lot to bring home with us.  There is nothing like a fresh lemon or orange picked off a tree in your own backyard. 

Ashlyn helping

Drinking a root beer

Joey and I couldn't get over how old she looks in this picture.  My kids are growing up way too fast!!!

Part of famous Camelback mountain.  It is a very popular spot to hike.  I hiked it two years ago with Bryan and Steven.  I can't wait to hike it again some time. 

Part of the golf course.  Gorgeous!

CrackerJax

   Once the weather warmed up it was so nice outside.  We decided to take advantage of it by going miniature golfing.  It was a great way to enjoy the weather.  There were three different courses to pick from, and I think we picked the putting one, but we still had fun.  Ashlyn is getting pretty good at golfing.  I'm sure she will get lots more practice this spring and summer at the course by our house.  

http://www.crackerjax.com/index.shtml

Ready to golf.

She still needs to work on the proper technique. 

She looks like a pro!

Dawson liked climbing on the rocks. 

Group shot

Night at the Train Park

    When we were at the train park, we noticed that it was decorated with lots of lights.  We saw a sign advertising for a night train ride that included all sorts of lights and decorations.  The kids immediately insisted on going.  We knew it was going to be busy, but we decided we had to check it out because we are rarely there in December and it would be really neat.
    We got there right when it opened and there was already a long line.  We waited in line for about 30 minutes before getting to board a train.  It was definitely worth the wait.  They really went all out with lights and decorations.  There was so much to see.  We all really, really enjoyed it.  It was the perfect experience of both train and Christmas lovers.  We will definitely go again if we are ever down there in December. 

Finally on the train

So excited for the ride

They had a tunnel of lights to go through. 

One of the Christmas villages along the way.

They had all sorts of blow up characters. 

Pulling back into the station. 

This train looked really neat all lit up.  The pictures definitely don't do it justice. 

Scottsdale - McCormick-Stillman Train Park

    I have blogged many, many times about the train park in Scottsdale.  As I have mentioned, I went to this park as a child.  It is so neat to be able to take my kids to the same park.  The park is only minutes from our house.  It honestly couldn't be closer.  Joey and I have decided it is really the neatest park in the world.  There is so much for kids to see and do there.  We knew with Dawson's love of trains he was really going to like it this time.  He instantly fell in love!  He loved riding the train and exploring the park.
    They have recently added a new train museum where you can actually walk through actual train cars.  One of the cars was actually used by presidents.  It was really neat because you got to see what the different train rooms looked like.  They also have added a huge building that is full of model train cars.  They are interactive, which means that you can put your palm on certain buttons and different parts would light up or move.  We really liked the new additions.
    The kids had so much fun at the park, that we made several trips to the park.  It was so close and a great way for the kids to have fun and soak up the wonderful Arizona sun. 

Arizona sunset

http://www.therailroadpark.com/

One of the trains they have.  Dawson decided it was Gordon.  It  was still decorated for Christmas. 

Loving the train park

The train station

Ready to go on a train ride.

On the train

A picture of the front of the train.

They also have a carousel which the kids loved riding as well. 

Having a great time!

Part of the train museum

I love history and looking at things like old menus.  Its really interesting to see how prices and food has changed. 

The Pullman car used by presidents. 

This is the new model train area.  It is so cool!

The decor was really, really neat too. 

One of the models. 

They had a little train car kids could sit in. 

They have this part of the park that is made to look like an old adobe jail.  Dawson and Ashlyn really liked it.