Baby Ninjas

I felt my babies today! I'm so excited! We were sitting in Sunday school when Katie turned to me and whispered, "I think I just felt the babies move!" I put my hand on her belly and almost immediately felt a little jab under my hand. I had to resist the urge to jump up and shout the news to the entire class! They seem a lot more real now, especially with Katie growing every day!

Also, I saw this comic yesterday and thought it was cute. XKCD is the most awesome webcomic.

-Sean

Christmas '09 + Advice

18 weeks along. It's so weird that this is a picture of me.

First, a little Christmas round-up:

• Sean and I had a fantastic time with his family. Thanks, Bradleys, for always providing great fun and togetherness.
• I realized how quickly my skin has adapted to this humid Texas air. I used a hecka lot of lotion while out West. My lips are still recovering.
• I got a lovely cold just after Christmas. Holy cow, did that make the return flight miserable. Actually, just the descent. One ear popped just fine but the other... ow ow ow! It didn't pop until the morning. Pain.
• Sooo many people told me I didn't look big enough to have twins and/or to be as far along as I was. I don't know what they're talking about, I feel huge.
• I didn't take any pictures besides the wedding and the hazy SLC temple. I think all the wedding photo editing put me in picture overload.
• Sean bought me a sewing machine! Given the fact that I'm pretty sure I haven't used one since I was in middle school, I need to practice. Anyone know of any good, simple sewing projects to start out with?
• My favorite gift given was a Vincent Van Gogh action figure to Sean's mom (the art teacher), complete with interchangeable heads (the more aged head is missing its ear)! It got even better after we opened the package to discover that the head shoots off the body. Hours of fun!
• It was kind of nice to be around mounds of snow. And really nice to leave it.
• We saw Avatar- it was pretty cool. Compelling story, amazing CGI, lots of action. Katie officially recommends it.
• This isn't really a part of Christmas, but it was during Sean's winter break, so I'll count it. After we returned home, Sean spent some time in the hospital helping to deliver babies! He scrubbed in for two C-sections (and didn't even feel faint! Atta boy!) and thought he might help with a twin delivery but they didn't come before Sean's shift was over. Wouldn't that have been cool? Sean loved the opportunity!

And now, I need to ask some pregnancy advice:

1. I'm having trouble gaining weight. I do not say this to brag because I'm supposed to be gaining weight like gangbusters right now and I've only put on a few. I can beef up just fine when I'm not pregnant but now, it's a struggle. Has anyone had similar problems? Are there certain foods you ate that helped you gain weight? Any certain eating habits that let you pack on the pounds?
2. I'm not sure how to tell if I've felt these babies move. Sure, I've felt weird wurgly sensations but I don't know if I can differentiate normal GI tract movement from baby movement. And yes, I know that all too soon it'll be painfully obvious when they kick and roll, but in the mean time, how do I tell?

*I just wanted to point out that when taking pictures of the Haze in the last post, Sean and I were snapping pictures back and forth so those photographs could have easily been taken by my dear, handsome, talented hubby. That is all.

Haze

Bright and early on the Sunday before Christmas, Sean's dad knocked on our door about a half hour after my alarm was supposed to rouse me from my slumber. After grumblingly scurrying around, readying myself for the day, we all headed out to see the Mormon Tabernacle perform, along with the Symphony on Temple Square (which was more exciting for me- whoever enjoys a choir more than an orchestra is nuts), in their weekly Music and the Spoken Word.

The program was filled with exquisite Christmas music, often accompanied by a chorus of bells. My favorite part was the end of a haunting rendition of O Holy Night, when the last note melted into a river of harmony that drifted slowly over our heads. Goose bump-inducing. I love music chills. I miss being in band.

But after the performance, we pulled on our winter coats to bear against the hazy Utah inversion. And we came upon this:

A most mystical, beautiful view of the Salt Lake Temple.

I have goose bumps all over again.


And just for kicks and giggles, after editing this photos, I tried one of the Pioneer Woman Photoshop Actions (Vintage, I think) on a couple. I like the effect.

Which do you prefer, pre- or post-action?

The Newest Mr. and Mrs. Bradley

Isn't winter a wonderful season to marry? I mean, sure it's cold, but the snow and the holiday cheer, the familial love- great time for a wedding.

Which is just what Sean's brother, Kyle, and his now wife, Lindsay, determined. They were married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in Utah last week and it was a grand day for all.

They asked me to take some wedding pictures for them.

Terrifying. Are there any more important pictures than those taken on your wedding day? I dun think so. Nu uh.

But I read up on wedding photography, paid attention to the composition of all the wedding photo blogs I frequent, and made good use of the new telephoto lens my parents gave me for Christmas (except for when my dear hubby ran off with it. tsk tsk. I forgive you honey), and some turned out alright.

Here are some of my favorites!

What a lovely new temple. It'll be so nice when the foliage fills out a bit.

Even prettier lit up at night.

Ah, this was Sean's photo during the luncheon. He was seated perfectly in the center of the room, I'm sure so he could capture this image.

And the happy couple at last! So thrilled to be together!

Ha, this one probably won't be hung on the wall, but I love her expression.

All the family, except for Lindsay's sister-in-law who's caring for her very newborn. A great crew.

Isn't this so sweet? I love wedding love.

Thankfully, Lindsay had a cape that at least guarded her from the sharp wind. 'Twas a cold day, my friends.

They both have lovely blue eyes. Can you see that here? Wonder if their kids will inherit it.

Rachel taught me what artists call this effect. Something like "lost and found," where you can't see the edge but your eye can still discern it. I'm a fan.

I love this one. The Bradleys printed it out 20x30 inches and it's so neat to see so big!

Mmm, this is what they mean when they say "wedded bliss."

Lindsay's idea and it rocks. And I made Kyle dip her at least three times- what a tough guy.

Veil fun! Thanks, Lindsay's mom, for the "natural" wind effect.

What a good lookin' couple. They belong together.