Our 15 Week apointment

We had our 15 week appointment today and I was so excited to hear the even louder heartbeat in the office.

I am showing way more than I did with Jake at this point, but after researching sizes on the Internet, I don't feel so bad. I am in maternity stuff at this point but don't have much, so I have to make things work. You know what I mean if you have kids.

I pulled up this picture of about what a 15 week baby would look like if you could peek into me *please don't* and I cant believe how formed the baby is. I think it is like 3 & 1/2 inches long. That seems long to me for this early, but I guess I get to see it in an ultrasound in January after I get back from my moms. I love this time of year because everything seems to be going so fast. .

I remember being ready for Jacob in October and then it just seemed like the day was there so fast. That is why I love Oct-January. It is a busy time warp. Fun, festive and fast. Gotta love that combo.

Anyway, baby is doing great and I will know what to call him (Richard Jenning Shumway -Ricky, or her (Hailey Beth Shumway) in January. Stay tuned for our announcement on which it is. Any bets on what it might be?

Well, the race is on for gift getting, decorating, planning, etc. Money always seems to be tight, but I think we did better this year than any year prior. I wish we could send great gifts to each of you but alass, we are poooooor. One day you will get a Lobster gram, flower, candy, or awesome gift cards, etc. That will be a few years away, but I have a great gift in mind for each of you when I have the $$ I always think of my Aunts' & sisters, and parents (on both sides of the family) as well, and actually, pretty much most of the family for that matter. When they can afford it, they always seem to send such classy gifts that say we love you and here are some things that we think you will enjoy. Nothing huge, just thoughtful and exciting to get. I want to be that way. Home made and thoughtful are all that we have right now (when we can afford the postage/shipping) but I promise, we miss you guys every year.

I really wanted to do a family news letter with pics, but I have been so sick and Rick is so busy...... Okay, what ever,..... I just think I look fat and dont want you all to see me that way!!! I am nothing if not honnest right! Anyway, I really do vow now to send them out next year. We will have even more to be thankful for then and that gives me 6 months to work out and look cute again. I may eat that vow next year, but I promise a picture!

I guess, the Bog will have to do for this year. I sure hope you all enjoy mine as much as I enjoy yours. The weekly/monthly updates (sometimes even daily updates) actually make me feel like I know more about you guys. I actually know more about a few of you than when we lived in the same town!! I love it and I love you all. Rick and I are so lucky to have you all as friends, family and examples. Enjoy the Holiday season and look forward to more posts soon. -

Rick, Sarah, Jakie and baby.

FHE FUN!!!

We had so much fun on Monday night!!! FHE should always be this fun. We took Jacob to go see Santa at his village and Jake was thrilled. He practiced telling Santa that he wanted race cars, toys, books, treats, etc. He was not scared at all and said that he hoped to see Santa on Christmas Eve. He looked so cute on Santa's lap and the Santa Clause was such a great sport. He backed us up and said that if Jacob wanted his favorite toys this year that he would have to be such a good boy. Jake was about over the whole threat of me calling Santa on my cell phone to tell on him being a bad boy, but when Santa said that, he looked at me and said, "I will be a good boy, I promise"! Score for momma!

Well, the scene, picture and all was adorable. Unfortunately, they would not let us take any pics with my phone and said that the price was $24.99 for a CD of the picture if we purchased a package. Well, I am not sure about you parents out there, but we don't have a scanner so printed pictures that will be looked at for a week and then lost or bent in a pile on my desk don't do it for me. I only wanted a CD to upload the pics to my blog, but at $24.99 I had to say thanks but no thanks and trust that you could imagine how cute Jacob was. We went and had dinner and let Jake do fun activities instead. I figure, He is cute at everything so we don't need a Santa's lap picture to remind us of that! Check out the fun we had instead of buying the picture below:

















Santa's awesome Village with a running train. Jake was in heaven!















All Aboard! For $2.00 a rider this was more up our alley. Jake loved it.
















Bungee Jumper. This one was my favorite. We got a 5 minute jump for $7.00 and Jake loved it. It is mostly for kids but they are harnessed and attached to huge bands that allow them to vault safely into the air (10 + ft.). They can do flips and blast off like on a trampoline. So worth the time and cash.
















Here is Jacob attached, suspended and ready to jump. My phones action shots suck so I will go back some time this week with my better camera to let him jump again and get a better shot for you guys. It looks terrifying but there were 2 and 3 year old kids jumping and doing flips. Every kid just loved it. I wish I weighed under 100 lbs to get to do it too!

Jacobs 4th Birthday Party!!

Happy Birthday Jacob Bear (on the 14th, tomorrow) !!!! Yay!! We had a birthday party for Jacob at McDonald's a day early this year (because Sunday parties are kinda lame & never work).

Last year's party was at home but our apartment is so small that 10 kids + parents + mayhem. We did not want to use the party room that McDonald's because it was so separate from the play area so we just did it on 3 tables and had a ball. I had to tell the manager that our original party place fell through last minute to get them to let me do that, but it worked none the less. He He. Little white lie from me, but I really did not want to pay the huge cost of the party room and have everyone in the play area anyway.

So, here is a picture story with captions to explain how the afternoon went. We all had so much fun and I am so happy that Jacob had such a wonderful time!!















Yay, everyone gets their happy meal to order.Nuggets, burgers, fries, apples, juice, soda, milk, chocolate milk. They loved having their order their way. I now get why they make millions of dollars from these little guys. Where else do they get to make such choices?? We got off great with a $30.00 party since we only had to buy the kids happy meals . We had 9 kids so it was perfect. Thanks again to the kids that came (Emma, Luke, Sam, Jackson, Maddox, Max, Maylan and Janie). We wish we could have had every one of the kids from primary, but we could not afford any more. Just kidding.















The easiest cake to make and serve, ever!! I decided to fore go the traditional cake, plates and utensils and just do cupcakes. Jake was thrilled with the lightning McQueen holders and loved blowing out his 4 year candle.















Jacob loved being sung to and sang along to himself. He is not quite shy, but sure loved the whole thing.















Presents Time!!! Jacob opened each present with the same level of enthusiasm. He started with "Oh my gosh!! I love it, thank you so much MAX!!!"

Then he said, " I cant believe it! I love it, I love it. This is such a happy birthday for me!! Thank you so much Emma, Luke & Sam!!"

"HUUUUUUUUH!!!! (Sucking in his breath) Oh, I cant wait to see what I got in here. Oh, I love presents and I love my birthday! Thanks so much Maylan and Jane!"

He thanked every child for their great gift. Jackon gave him a great basketball hoop and rescue truck that he just loved. He cant wait to wake up from his nap to get to play with Daddy. He squealed when he saw them and said "oh, I cant wait to dunk this one with you daddy. What a great day! This is the best birthday of my life. Thank you everyone!!!!" No I am not kidding or making things up. He really did say those exact things and he said them with all of the excitement he could muster. He is fun to give gifts to. He gives great reaction!

We rounded out the afternoon with another round of play on the tubes and equipment and this is the smile he wore all day long. He graciously thanked every child individually for coming and bringing him presents. He loves to feel special and important. I could not help but just love him and want him to be happy.

I was going to list everything about him that I just love, but I think this picture says them all. What mother/father could not absolutely be in love with and adore such a face??!! He is everything we ever wanted in a child! Even when he is being naughty, it is a naughty that I can love and work with. He has always had his surprises and an insane level of energy but his little mind and spirit amaze me! I am glad to be is mother everyday and just hope our next one is just like him (but with a little less energy so mommy does not go crazy!!). We sure wish you all could have been here and hope to hear from you soon.

All in the Christmas Mood!!

Yay!! Christmas season is finally here!! We went out on Monday the 8th (FHE) to get our Christmas tree. We decided to do a real one for the first time since we've been married. We always went to families house and it seemed dumb to spend on a tree at our tiny apartments. Well, this year we are staying in Pittsburgh to celebrate Christmas and wanted to do it right. Rick went out with Jake and I to pick out a great Frasier Christmas tree. We love it. I spend the month of November and early December collecting glass and crystal ornaments that are clear or cobalt blue to decorate the tree. I had so much fun tying ribbons onto the tree and making the white lites sparkle in the ornaments. I love Christmas. Here is a picture of the tree after completed and in its full glory. I went for clean and pretty so I hope I got there. Nothing worse than getting worst dressed on the tree decor when you thought you might set a trend. Be nice if you hate it!! Well, hope you enjoy. I added pics to tell the story for those unable to drop by and see it for yourselves. We miss you all! Happy Holidays from the Pittsburgh Shumways. Enjoy it while you can because it goes way, way to fast!!

My 30th Birthday "Thirty,Flirty & Thriving!!"

So today (December 9th) is my 30th birthday! Yeah. I know, you are probably thinking that I should not be happy about my 30th birthday and I was not exactly sure that I would be myself. I wondered if I would have that crisis moment where I look around and go...what am I doing here? Is this where I want to be by 30? Did I make the right choices?

Well, I did actually have that moment over that last week but I feel so peaceful about the fact that I am exactly where I want to be. I do actually have the things that I hoped for by 30 and I think I made a slam dunk on my choices in my life. There are obviously things that I would do better (knowing what I know now) but nothing that I regret or feel was a huge mistake. I was relieved to realize that those questions aren't all that scary when you are happy. Sure I wish I would have won the lottery, could be a perfect example, that I could be a billionaire, or look like Cindy Crawford but nothing that I feel is truly missing. All in all I would say that I am "Thirty, Flirty & Thriving" (All you Jenn Garner fans know what I am talking about).

With that said, I do have some things that I do want to make an improvement on for the big 3...1... I think that this year I would like to be better at personal scripture study, be more patient (I try and get about 50/50 on it), have more fun with the kids (not so much work, work, work), get back to a physical level that thrills me, and work on photography (favorite pass time). I guess that I look at my birthday as the real beginning of the new year for me. Who cares about January 1st, December 9th is the best real New Years Day for me. 4:20am in a blizzard in Idaho with just me and my mom/docs/and nurses to welcome me in. Hard to believe that I am a real grown up and that I have little spirits depending on me now. I hope that they feel as good about their life (and even difficulties) when they are 30 as I feel now.

I think I can trace all happiness for me back to the moment when I decided that I wanted to follow the path of the Gospel. I was 19 and has many roads ahead of me. I decided that a mission, the temple and a worthy priesthood holder and children were my future. Each of these choices were finalized in the month of December, by the way. (B Day Dec 9th, Mission entered Dec 29th, Married Dec 27th and Jacob was born on Dec 14th.) Funny huh. The next big decision will arrive in June now but that is okay. Anything else in December will bankrupt us!!!

I had a fun day though. Rick woke me up with Jacob and gave me my present. I got a chair style back massager (I loved it!!) and then took me for dinner (Italian food). It was fantastic and super spicy (arrabiata) down in Pittsburgh Italian district . The food was yummy, the place was authentic and although I suffered for the spicy choice all night, totally worth it! I love just being with my family on my B-Day and missed all of you guys.

Thanks to everyone that remembered and anyone else that forgot, no worries. I forget everything until the week after and send sorry I am so late cards. I miss everyone and just a little note is all the present I need! Well, I love you all and miss everyone!! Call me or drop a line when you can. TVB!

Sick As Sick Can Be

Sorry the posts are so few and far between. In fact, if you have not heard from me in a while, I am sorry. I have been so darn sick. I hoped I would be over the worst of the sickness by now, but it only seems to be getting worse. I am posting this comment in the hopes that someone that reads it has some tricks for curving the nausea and general grossness that I feel. What happened to a glow?? What about women that are pregnant should feel good and vibrant and like they are beautiful?? Not in my world! I Feel tired, sick, irritated, achy and disgusting. I still have a long way to go but I just hope that I can get over these feelings soon! Here is what I am doing it all for. This would be about the same size, and development as our baby is. So cutie huh!

At least I am lucky and Rick has stepped in and helped to keep the home going because things were piling up and getting gross. He is being a real trooper and has definitely stepped up even more than with my pregnancy with Jacob. I think Jake's birth changed the way he felt about what I was doing for the family. I get the impression he would rather clean, and help me be comfortable than have to do any of the pregancy stuff himself. Smart man!! If there were any way that he could share the sick or pain, I would make him do it cuz this sucks!! Since there is not and we really do want this sweet baby, I am thankful for all of the help that he can offer me. It would be so much worse if I had to do everything on my own.

Oh well, at least I do have my normal health right. At least there is lite at the end of the tunnel. I remember after I gave birth to Jacob and they wheeled him out. Everyone followed and I was left all alone to sit in quite and wonder how Jacob was. I had seen him for only a minute and the family had him the rest of the time. I wondered if I should be sad that I could not see him again right away, or if I should feel jealous that everyone else got to see him without me? I thought those thoughts for only one second and then though, awe heck, let them all have their fun. I feel amazing!!!!!! Yep, I had just given birth, I was all alone, and I had never felt better. I even remember letting out a small squeal of delight and wiggling my toes in happiness. I felt good for the first time in 9 months. Ahh, that is the feeling that keeps me going when I am so freaking sick. The next best feeling was when Jacob came in to be with me. That is the other thing that I am banking on. I know it is still early, but that is what I am looking forward to as well.

I already had a fun moment with the baby to share. I was sitting in the recliner on Tuesday and all of the sudden, I felt the baby move!! I know it is early but I am 100% positive of what I felt. It was super small and only noticeable if I was being still, but I felt the little one move. I love that part too. It makes me a little nauseous when it happens, but I don't mind feeling sick so much if it is rewarded by a connection with the baby. I am so happy that it is happy and healthy. Can't wait to find out the sex and give it the name we picked out.

Thanksgiving Day Fun

This Thanksgiving we opted to spend it with friends. Rick and I thought we would do a quite afternoon at home but as I realized how much cooking I had to do and how sick I get when I cook, I opted to accept an invitation to spend the afternoon and feast with a group of about 4 young couples and their kids. Jacob was thrilled that he could play with kids and I was happy to only have to cook for a hour vs a whole day. Rick started the morning with a game of touch Turkey Bowl style football with the men of the ward while I cooked up the side dishes you see below( Sourdough, Artichoke, and Parmesan Stuffing ...YUM!!!)

And Cheesy Potatoes Au grautin. They were good, but I used goat cheese! Everyone liked them, but one bite and I learned that I don't like goat cheese. Especially Pregnant!

We ate for a few hours, well, the guys did. I could only eat just a little bit, but it was good. We played games, played the Wii, watched movies, and laughed until about 9pm and then headed home. Jake only had one melt down so it was still pretty fun. I am grateful for friends that can give you a hint of home when you are all alone thousands of miles from family. I miss our family so much. I wish we were closer so that we could have you all fight over who gets us each year (hopefully you would want us) but as it is, I am grateful for friends to fill in and give us a taste of home.