More Big News!

Hi everyone,

I'm so impressed that some of you are still reading my blog after several months of no posts!

So we had our ultrasound this morning. . . and the baby looks very healthy and normal . . . and its a BOY! So Grandpa Bailey is very happy today.

I'm so relieved that he looks healthy and normal after that stupid blood test came back positive for an elevated risk for Downs, etc. We knew there are a lot of false positives, but it still makes you nervous.

I have to admit I was kind of hoping for a girl, so I'm just adjusting my reality here. But I'm just so happy he looks good and I already love the little guy. Abby seemed pretty happy when we told her, although earlier she said she wanted a sister. Lately she loves all babies, any flavor.

Mike has just gone down to Kinko's to fax his acceptance letter for the job! Whew, what a day! Another company was saying they wanted to make him an offer too this morning, so we had to choose and that was really hard. But we feel good about our decision. What a huge blessing it is.

Thanks for all your prayers and love! I've got to pack up to go to Mike's parents for the night, but I'll post pictures soon.

Good news!

Hey everyone! Yes, we are still alive here. So sorry I haven't posted forever---its called the stresses of unemployment combined with the joys of morning sickness and exhaustion. We have survived! Mike got a solid job offer today, an opportunity he's really excited about, so we are really relieved. He's actually gone to another interview with a different company right now, but unless they made a good offer today we will take the one we've got, obviously. Yeah! You can't really imagine the relief unless you have experienced this, not that I wish it on any of you.

Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound, so we'll let you all know if its a boy or girl tomorrow! Bye for now! Will post some cute pictures soon, yeah, yeah, I know you've heard that before. ..

A little update

Dear friends,
Well, I thought I'd just let you know a few things that are going on with us. First the good news, which I may be a bit premature in announcing, but oh well. I'm pregnant!!!! I'm ten weeks along today. So I know I should probably not be telling yet, but I'm not very good at keeping this secret! I've definately been feeling not the best, but its not as bad and last time. I started taking a supplement called Superfood Plus that really helped within about two days of starting it. We are really excited to have another baby and a sibling for Abby.

Now the bad news, I'm sorry to say that Mike is losing his job. His company decided to shut down the networking part of their business here in Salt Lake City, and Mike was given the choice to either move to Kansas City or Omaha or be laid off. We were really shocked. We knew things were slow, but thought they were going to give the sales guys at least six more months to get things going. Guess not. As most of you know, we just moved back here to be closer to family, especially Mike's parents who are getting older and whose health is not always the best. So we decided not to agree to relocate, feeling pretty confident that Mike could get another job here. Well, things aren't going too well. There was a great opportunity at Zions Bank that we thought Mike was going to get because they kept telling him he was the top candidate and should be expecting an offer soon. Then they came back and said they chose another person after all. Mike talked to so many people in the last couple weeks and had many interviews, but now everyone is coming back saying they don't want to hire right now, or whatever they decide to say when they don't want you. Its very discouraging and scary. We have some savings and can last a few months, but our rent is pretty high, which was fine before but not now. Our lease isn't up until April, but if Mike can't find something in the next month or two I guess we'll have to see if our owners will try to find new renters and let us end the lease early so we don't drain all our savings on the rent and have nothing left for moving somewhere. I guess we can move back in with my family for a while if neccessary. Either that or go back to MSI and say we want to relocate after all, or maybe go back to Obsidian in Oregen, who would love to have Mike back. But I'm sure they'd expect us to make a committment to stay there forever or something.
Anyway, I don't really see why I shough hide all this from my friends and family. We could really use your faith and prayers on our behalf during this stressful time. Mike is especially struggling. I will try to do a more cheerful post soon and put up some great pictures I've got. I'm really trying to stay positive and stuff.
Abby is cute as ever and getting bigger and more amazing and fun every day. We're sure blessed to have her and each other. I know things will work out somehow. Hope you are all doing well,
Love you, Rachel

A Perfect Fall Day

Yesterday we went up Provo canyon for a picnic lunch to celebrate my Mom's birthday. It was such a beautiful day! Sorry I haven't posted forever, and I still need to put up pictures from our vacation. Things have been a little crazy around here. My Abby is getting so big!

We're back!

Hey everyone, we are still alive and back from our vacation. Pictures and family updates will be coming soon, when I get a chance. Mike got sick the last day of vacation and was sick part of last week, then Abby got sick, and me too! We've had fun. But everyone is getting better and I'll share some great vacation pictures soon. Bye!

Hey everyone!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to tell you how much I love all your comments, and how glad I am that we can keep in touch in this way. I confess I don't read all of your blogs as much as I'd like, but thats my next goal, now that my own is up and running, for the most part. I just don't have enought time to myself to do this stuff. If Abby see's me on the computer, she always wants to look at Disney princess pictures. I try to sneak it in, but during naps I have so many other things to do, etc. etc. I truly don't know how many of you turn out such gorgeous, constantly updated blogs. Maybe your husbands are home more, or your kids actually play together and amuse themselves. How would that be? Anyway, in this, as in many other areas of my life, I need to try not to compare myself to others.
I was really excited to see Julee and Paula leave comments, so thanks to Rachel H. for leading more of my friends back to me!! Love you guys and miss you. We are actually going to be headed to Oregon this weekend for a week with my brother and family who just moved to Canby, ironically enough. Mom and Dad are coming with us, and we're going to spend a few days at the coast too. I haven't seen Vern and family for about three years, so we're really excited. I wish we were going to be able to come down to Eugene and see friends, but its not going to be possible this time. I'll post lots of pictures when we get home.
At the moment, I'm totally exhausted as Mike has been out of town since Sunday and I haven't been getting enough sleep. He's supposed to roll in tomorrow afternoon in time to help with Abby while I pack. I can't wait for him to come home. If this travel continues, we'll be looking for another job sometime next year. I think Mike's skills are very marketable, thank goodness. Anyway, love you all, thanks for comments !

Yeehaw!

Last Friday we went to Thanksgiving Point and took Abby to Farm Country. The pony ride was a huge hit, as you can see. I thought she'd be nervous, but she thought it was great right away. She kept saying "yeehaw!" much to the amusement of onlookers. It was so fun to watch her delight. She also loved the little miniature dance hall and jail. We will definately be going back!

More Cookies!

We made cookies again last Sunday and got these cute pictures. I had to give Abigail more flour to play with after I mixed the wet and dry together. She made a great mess!

Making Cookies with Mom

About a month ago, we made cookies together for the first time, and Abby absolutely loved it! I probably should have done it ages ago, but I was concerned about having Abigail eat all that sugar. I finally decided it was worth it. She doesn't really eat too many at a time, and at least they have a lot of oatmeal! I guess I should try Mom's honey recipe. Those of you who don't care a hoot about sugar are now wondering what the big deal is, and those of you who are absolutely fanatical about giving your kids no sugar are thinking this is awful. Thats okay, I'm starting to get more relaxed about choosing my own way for me and my child, no matter what others think. Anyway. . . we had Fun! Abby loved running her hands through the dry ingredients. I think she looks pretty darn cute cooking in her princess ballet dress-up as well!

Singin and Dancin in the Rain

A week or so ago we had a great afternoon rainstorm and Abigail wanted to go out and play in it. She was so funny! She jumped in every little puddle she could find. We sure thought she was a cutie out there!

As you can see, we're sporting the diaper and boots look again. :)

Picking Raspberries

This happy face is because she's picking raspberries at Grandma and Grandpa Eastley's house. Abby could eat a gallon or so of raspberries at one sitting. We were down for my sister's birthday, and all the kids cleaned off my Mom's raspberry bushes completely.

Fourth of July Fun

Abby and Mike at the parade in Provo.

We had such a great Fourth this year! It was so good to be home. This is a holiday that always made us feel really homesick in Eugene. We got up early and drove down to Provo to have breakfast with my family. Then we went down to the parade with my brother and his family. My sister-in-law's Dad owns a car shop really close to the parade route, so we parked there and it was sure slick! Abby loved the parade! Every time a band went by, she got all excited and started to dance. It was hot but a lot of fun! Then we drove back to my parents house, and Abby and cousins played outside with the sprinkler and slippy slide. Exhausted but happy, we drove home for a siesta, then Mike's parents came for a barbecue. We made the most heavenly peach ice cream with Ferrell and Lucy's hand-crank ice cream maker. We didn't do any fireworks this year, but there's always next year, back in Utah--oh yeah!

Little Miss Cool

Here's a silly picture taken after we got back from Heather's wedding. Abby found some of my old high heel shoes in the garage and stomped around the driveway in them for a while. She loves to wear big shoes of any kind. A side note---we actually got enough of the remaining boxes out the garage to pull the cars in a week or so ago. What, we've only been here since April . . . .

Daddy Daughter Tea Party

Abby loves her Disney Princess tea set and wants to have little tea parties all the time. She always says, "Play tea set, Dad!" She loves to play with her Daddy and he is much better at entertaining her than I am. I think its becuase he is sillier : )

Abby on Deck

So this is the new fashion trend for summer. The rain boots and diaper ensemble is very smart and very stylish.

Abby loves those boots and wants to wear them whenever she spots them in the closet. These pictures were taken about a month ago on our back deck. In the last picture, she's doing her typical rush to get the camera and see what pictures or videos I've taken of her.

My sister's wedding day

Here are some great pictures of my sister Heather's wedding day. She and her new husband, Stu, were married on June 27, 2008 in the Manti, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a shot of all our side of the family who were able to attend. My oldest brother and his family couldn't make it, but every one else is there.

My sisters: Frances, Heather, Brita and me.

Abigail absolutely refused to pose with all her cousins and the bride, but then, when that photo was all done, she went over and started posing with Heather as if all she had wanted all along was to be the star of the show!

I love this romantic picture.

A great shot of the couple with a full view of the Manti Temple in the background. My Mom and Dad were also married in this temple, and the made the day feel even more special to us.

This is my favorite picture of the bride and groom. My sister-in-law Sarah's sister Charlotte was the photographer for the wedding and she did and absolutely amazing job.

Me, Abby and Mike at my sister's reception in my parents yard. This was the best we got of many attempts at a family photo. Abigail was not cooperating, which is kind of standard for her right now when it comes to pictures. But this one is nice and its a great memory picture for that evening. It was a wonderful reception, so great to be with family and see my sister so happy and beautiful.

I thought this would be a great picture to kick things off. This is our darling Abigail at my sister's wedding reception. She was excited to be eating a cup of ice. Get a look at those gorgeous eyes!

How do I do this blog thing anyway?

Okay, this is a big moment. My first post on our new blog. Hopefully not the last. I've wanted to get this going for ages, but never seem to make it a priority. Also, I don't really know what I'm doing, so bear with me as I get started. I'm planning on posting some pictures later today, and that will be more fun that reading about my blogging insecurities. I hope to become a regular blogger like Sarah and keep you all updated about our family. Here goes!