Nicole having fun trying to pop Dad's Birthday Balloons. Another picture by Nicole. She's getting better at actually getting you in the picture, but a little dark, probably covered the flash with her finger.

A Nice Weekend.

Nicole gave her first talk in primary on Sunday and was practicing in her microphone made from Tinker Toys. She loves to talk in the microphone and always volunteers to do something when it's her classes' turn. She probably says a prayer in class every week too, because if she's not picked for the opening she immediately says she'll say the closing prayer. It's great to have some of those kind of people in the world. We just hope we can keep her quiet for awhile because whenever a family talks or sings in Sacrament Meeting, she always says, "why can't we do that." Because we don't want to. That's why.

On Saturday evening we went to Winter Fest at Soldier Hollow. They did ice sculptures and then had fireworks. The sculptures were pretty cool and of course Nicole loved the fireworks. It got pretty cold, but was very fun. You can only see the giraffe, but they also did a dolphin, camel, and eagle. Quite impressive.

Jason practiced swaddling Nicole. She wanted to and amazingly laid there for over half an hour resting.

We're working through our insurance and I'm feeling relieved. I'm not subject to pre-existing conditions as long as there's no gap in coverage so Jason can add me to his plan effective April 1st and I'll be covered on my plan for up to 4 months of leave as long as I pay my premium. So I'll be double covered and the babies are all covered under both plans for the first 30 days. Then we'll add them to Jason's since I won't have benefits. But it should be manageable. We also got special preauthorization since it's a high risk pregnancy to deliver at Utah Valley instead of Timpanogos. They both have the same level of NICU, but TIMP has never delivered triplets before. I don't know if it matters, but my doctor is in the plaza at Utah Valley and he'd prefer to do it there.

I'm making my list of things I want to accomplish in the next seven weeks and every day, what do I get done? Pretty much nothing because I'm too exhausted. Oh well, thanks to grandma they'll have plenty of cute blankets anyway.

Nicole's latest:

-"I think it will be one boy, one girl, and one plain."
-She helps out around the house unloading the dishwasher, making beds, etc. We thank her for being a helper and she says, "It was nothing."
-"When I'm going to drop the babies, I'll run over to the couch."
-"I think I'm going to like the pink one more."

And, the results are in...It's 2 Boys and a Girl!!! Just what I thought from the beginning. I'm 4 for 4. Jason was very pleased too and that's what he's been saying the last few days. Great for room arrangements in a couple years. Babies A and B were both breech and definately boys. Baby C had her back to us and legs tucked in. These girls are so modest, Nicole did the same thing. She rolled over for a second and the radiologist was sure she was a girl. The specialist came in and took a look at all of them too, but wasn't interested in looking for gender, but we got him to take a look at C and he thought it was a girl too. So we're hoping they're right. Here's the big sister showing off some of their first outfits. They look kind of big in the picture, but their only newborn and 0-3. If anyone sees outfits that match that are blue and pink let me know where. I can buy boy and girl of the same style, but they don't match or complement each other.

We'll have another ultrasound in three weeks. This was the basic anatomy one. They checked the spine for spina bifida, the lip for a cleft palate, measured the parts of the brain and the fluid in the brain cavities, checked the kidneys, bladder, measured the femur and stomach, checked arms, hands, and feet, and a few other things on each baby. They all measured between 16 wks 2 days and 4 days so they're right on schedule. The only pictures they printed were the boy parts, but we recorded quite a bit so we'll try to convert that once we get some more.

And, the 16 week picture. I think I skipped the 2nd trimester.

Valentines Cookies!

Andrea made sugar cookies and brought them over for Nicole to decorate. She loved it and put a ton of sprinkles on. Yummy.

Nicole said the prayer in primary on Sunday and blessed "our babies will be healthy" as she always does. I've only told a few people in the ward, but don't know if too many people caught on to the plural. After this next ultrasound I'll feel much better and let the word out. 8 days...I'm getting anxious.

Two Weeks Left to Vote!

We have another ultrasound scheduled with the perinatologist this time for February 18th. I'll be 16 weeks and that's the earliest they can tell gender, so hopefully they'll all cooperate. If not, our next chance will be at 20 weeks. Not very much time to prepare when bedrest starts at 24! I had an appointment today and heard all three heart beats. Gained one pound in the last two weeks. Angela, our specialist comes down from St. Mark's Hospital so maybe you know him. He's in Utah County on Wednesdays.

I was never a fan of pregnany belly pictures, but want a few this time. I guess I'll need an excuse for awhile...or forever. Here's me at 14 weeks. Picture courtesy of Nicole. Not too bad. And yes, I did just wake up from a nap. I wish I had some of her to compare to, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't really showing yet. I didn't tell my work until 4 months and wore my regular capris until 6 months. I remember I didn't gain very much weight until 7 months. I gained 13 pounds the first 7 and then another 12 or so the last two months.

Birthday, Christmas, and Snow Fun-Late Pictures

Nicole's birthday was on Sunday this year so we had a family dinner to celebrate. She had some friends over for a Royal Brunch earlier in the month. Both Cinderella parties of course.

Nicole loved looking at Christmas lights. We drove through Festival of Lights 2 times. When we went with Grandma & Grandpa Hurst on Christmas Eve, she wanted Grandpa to stop at every house. Even if they only had one strand on their roof.

Nicole was Mary for the Nativity at the Clements' Family Christmas party.

Nicole wanted everything Cinderella for Christmas this year.

She got this sled for Christmas and immediately rode it down Grandma & Grandpa's stairs followed very closely by the wall at the bottom. With a very loud crash everyone went running to see, but of course, she was just fine with no tears. Just a small dent in the wall from her head.

Dad tried to go down right by her the first time and ended up knocking her over. She jumped right up and said, "Hey, I did a trick." No babies in this family.

Nicole was awesome about walking up the hill everytime.

With a little help.

Nicole made this one herself while I was shoveling.