Ghost of Christmas Past!

December 23 marks the one year anniversary from Eric's jaw surgery! The oral surgeon says we are getting closer to getting his braces off! He came home from the hospital on Christmas day with his mouth wired shut. When I saw him after his surgery I was speechless, he was to be my husband in 3 weeks. The swelling went down emensely and he smiled well for the pictures considering.

This one is for Grandpa John

When Eric was a baby he liked to bite on his father's nose. Thankfully our son does not have any teeth yet, but he dose enjoy sucking on anything. My little boy has got quite the sucker on him. Whether it is his hands or a pacifer, something is always in that kids mouth.

Eric and John

Luke and Eric

My Little Family

I love my family. Not just my mother, father, sisters, and brothers, but now I am a momma. Before I had Luke I was working at the hospital. One of my little 4 year old patients was questioning my about the massive bump on my tummy. She asked if there was a baby in there. Then she inquisitively asked, "Does your baby have a daddy at home?" I told her that our little boy had a wonderful father at home for him just like her. I was so thankful at that moment for the gospel plan of families. As Luke as come into our home, the doctrine of eternal families gives me daily comfort and strength to do better.

Who wouldn't love this little guy?

Splish, Spash, I was Taking a Bath!

My little boy's umbilical cord finally fell off.(This last picture was the last day of the cord.) So it was time for a real bath. Thanks for a great baby shower gift of a baby tub, we were all set to go. He loved the warm water and only screamed when he was removed from the water. He has since had quite a few baths. The newborn diapers fit him snuggly, but we have discovered they do not hold very much. I think he had 4 different outfits and 2 baths yesterday. Welcome to motherhood and endless laundry. Oh I love this little guy.

Luke Wilton Lines

Eric and I welcome the newest addition to our family. Luke Wilton Lines was born Thursday Decemeber 3, 2009 at 1:42 pm. 8 lbs and 8 oz and 21 1/4 inches long.

The delivery went great. I was very thankful for great nurses and hospital staff. I was a little nervous to be a patient in the hospital for the first time. They took great care of me and Eric coached me through the rough parts. We came home yesterday and enjoyed bringing another little spirit into our midst. Already he has brightened our life. Today we all enjoyed a day in pajamas and naps. I think I could get used to this.

Have you had that baby yet?

• Cleaned kitchen top to bottom , including stove top
• Washed and folded all laundry
• Cleaned bathroom and scrubbed floor
• Proofread Eric’s paper
• Doctor’s appointment. 3 cm making progress
• Bank, dry cleaner, and Target returns
• Oil changed in car
• Pedicure and eyebrow wax
• Considering running bleachers at MCC

Still waiting for a baby…

Craving or obsession?

People ask me if I have been craving weird things because I am pregnant. I usually answer no, but I was thinking about my latest obsession with cooking with pumpkin. In the last month I have made pumpkin squares, pumpkin bread, a pumpkin roll, pumpkin waffles, and last night I finished off the remaining pumpkin in my fridge making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. The wallflower fragrance in my home right now is Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. Craving or obsession? I don't know. I did promise my husband I would give the pumpkin a break for now with the exception of pumpkin pie this week.

Side note: I'm 38 weeks today and still pregnant.

Ode to 37 weeks!

I can't complain, I have had the most wonderful pregnancy. I had no morning sickness. I attribute that to the volume of emesis I have had to clean up in my nursing career. I figure its the universe's way of paying me back. I have loved being able to eat many times a day, look "cute" carrying around a few extra pounds, and feel a little person moving inside you. As you can see I am a little more round than I used to be. Things I love to laugh about: I swung open the refrigerator door and nudged my belly, I had to walk around the car because I didn't fit between the car and the covered parking pole, and if I have to pick anything off the ground its a struggle that begins with an inner groan. Soon enough I'll get to kiss the little hands and feet that have been jabbing my ribs. We are so excited.

Baby Baby Baby!

My dear mother slaved away to make the cutest crib bedding for her newest grandson. I picked out the monkey fabric and she went to work on the rest. So here are some pictures of the bedding all snug in the crib. All we need now is a little one.

Here is picture of my mom and sister Shanna from my baby shower. Happy St. Patty's from the green girls. I can't believe how much my little sister has grown up.

Birthday Bliss

Eric's birthday was November 1; my old man turned 23. My birthday is exactly two months and one day later. It is one of Eric's prized facts that he is two months older and wiser than his wife. I love him the more for it. Eric has been itching to have a tool set around since we got married. So naturally I got him tools for his birthday. It was a huge hit and I have never seen my husband so excited. I hid the gifts for a week or so in our spare bedroom in large rubbermaid tubs. As I have be trying to organize this room for weeks and convert it into a baby room, it was easy to hide presents amid the disaster and trust that Eric would not venture in. The give away was when I brought home wrapping paper two days before his birthday. Once I had the paper he insisted that I must have present and begged to open them two days early. With the warning that he would have no other surprises, I let him open his presents. He looks little a little kid who got there first bike. I love my always young at heart husband.







What birthday isn't complete without a birthday meal? On the menu was baked salmon, mashed potatoes (made with red potatoes, chef's salad, rolls, and for dessert Libby's pumpkin roll. Happy Birthday to my Husband!

Happy Halloween!!!

Presenting My little pumpkin who seemed to be almost bursting from my medium shirt. My mom and I spent some time last Saturday crafting up a shirt fit for a pregnant lady. I wore my shirt to work with pride and I am happy to say it was a big hit with my patients. I should have taken this picture at the begining of the day before the wear and tear of twelve long hours. The kids at the hospital dressed up in their costumes and paraded around the floor. To my dismay there was no candy, seriously I searched high and low for any morsel of chocolate, but alas there was none. Good thing Eric bought plenty of chocolate for the "prospective" trick or treaters, mainly himself and the Elders. Eric celebrated the day of the dead with missionaries at the temple. Aww...our first Halloween.

When you play with fire...

I still feel pretty new to the Lines family, but I have learned one thing about Lines boys. They love fire, anything that can be lit or explode grabs their attention. We went out to visit my parents this weekend in the sticks because we were getting a little tired of the city life. Eric loves the open land and open range so to speak. No trip is complete without a fire, a motorcycle ride, and shooting. So at dusk Eric rounded up Kurtis and Shanna and build a good sized fire. He came into the house with a new hair do. No he did not bleach his hair, his poor hairs, eyelashes, and eyebrows were singed. The old saying rings true, if you play with fire, you will get burned.

"trust me folks it hurt really bad. my face really hurt in this picture"



Part two of Eric's adventure was a ride on the motorcycle to Sears point and Hidden Valley. He kept up with my dad and Kurtis even through the river bed. For last part of the weekends adventure, I regret I do not have pictures. Kurtis and Eric shot some Jackrabbits. They then skinned them and cooked some of the meat. It was pretty good and just a little on the chewy side. The shocking part of the story is that my Mom even tried some cooked Jackrabbit.

We really enjoyed our trip out to Hyder. If you are wondering what this 34 week prego did, I tried to stay off my feet as long as I could. I conjured up my Halloween craftiness to make a cute pumpkin shirt. My mom really did most of the work, but it was a combined effort. Check later for a halloween post.

On my mind

I have often wondered why I choose to work in pediatric oncology. I felt very strongly that it was a position I needed to take when I searched for jobs. I have worked at Pheonix Children's Hospital for almost a year and a half now. I can think of handfuls of patients who finished their treatment shouting ha ha to cancer's ugly face. I can also think of a few dear children who courageously fought life's toughest battle and returned home to our Father in Heaven where he welcomes them into an eternal victory. These children, how I can't seem to call them children, as they have more maturity and wisdom then their age should require, have taught me some of life's sweetest lessons of courage, love, patience, graditude, and hope.

Flu Shot

What do you do after a stressful day at work? Come home and stab your husband, well that's a little extreme. The hospital I work for gives free flu shots to all employees, so I got my flu shot a few weeks ago. I learned yesterday that good ol PCH can send any nurse home with up to two shots for her husband and family. I have been suggesting to Eric that he get his, but I think the barrier of driving somewhere and paying someone didn't fly. I called Eric from work and asked him if I brought a flu shot home, would he let me give it to him. He agreed. I went to occupational health and picked up a flu shot and stored it in my lunch bag until I got home. I don't think either of us would admit it, but I don't know who was more nervous. After a good alochol srub, Eric got his shot in his right deltoid and I even brought home a Wily Coyote bandaid for him. Good night nurse.

Cabela's

This Friday we went to our local Cabela's out in Gendale. Eric was in heaven just being in the same building as guns, knives, and any kind of camping gear you could imagine. Cabela's also has an array of stuffed animals that people have donated. I was shocked to see a 12 foot Elephant hailing from Botswana Africa. What do a pregnant lady and an elephant have in common? Nothing! He still has at least 13,000 pounds on me! The picture is not as impressive as the real deal.

Go Devils!

A good friend of ours gave us some tickets to the ASU vs. Louisiana State this last weekend. We enjoyed our date out on the town and ASU killed Louisiana. I exposed my lack of football knowledge to my husband. I must have concealed it well when we were dating, but the cat is out of the bag. This girl does not know football. Thankfully Eric was willing to explain things as my level. And what game wouldn't be complete without sneaking in some Papa John's pizza. Thank goodness for over sized purses and zip lock bags.

New Ward, New Callings!

In the last few weeks our Stake was completely reorganized and went from 7 family wards to 5 family wards. As a result every seat in the chapel was filled and there was a new enthusiasm for the changes. To my surprise members of my new ward include Willard and Ruth Skousen and Brother and Sister Cowgar. Willard is my Grandpa Skousen's younger brother. My Grandpa passed away 6 years ago and would be turning 100 this year if he were still here. Just seeing my Great Uncle Willard makes me happy. He has many of the mannerisms and characteristics that my Grandpa including the Skousen ears and grin. He has a strong testimony of the church that I am thankful that is part of my family legacy. Brother Cowgar is my Aunt Teresa's father. Growing up I always figured since he was my cousins grandpa he was my grandpa too. Eric and I have a lot to learn from the many members in our ward.

Now for the new callings! I was called to be the Beehive advisor in the Young Women. I am very excited to get to work with youth. I loved Young Women's and well I practically was just there. Here is my great group of Beehives.



Eric has traded in his Scouting gear for the home teaching lessons as he was called to be the First Counsellor in the Elders Quorum. Although he is the youngest in the quorum, we are looking forward to the challenges and blessing that come from serving. Here he is on his last who rah as a Scout Leader. Eric was pleased when they told him they would still invite him on camp outs. He is after all a boy a heart.

Uncle Eric

We had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend with the Lines family. Jessica and Adam blessed their new baby Christian Lines Hansen. I was holding little Christian in church and my baby was kicking and moving all over the place. I am excited to see the friendship that will grown between our boys.
Eric got some quality time with his nieces and nephews this weekend. Since he has become a married man he hasn't be able to be around them as much. It was neat to see the way they all just loved to be around him. Here I think he is playing an I phone game, but he has a whole crowd. Eric has had great practice and will be an amazing dad!

Nursing School Flashback

At the beginning of winter semester in 2007 I started my OB/Women's health class. All the other girls were thrilled about watching babies being born and I wasn't so sure about things. The first day of class we watched three videos of live births. I called my mother that night and told her I could not have any children. She laughed and told me I would get over it. It's funny how things change. Eric and I are so excited to bring a sweet boy into the world. I am still a little nervous about the birthing process, but I think with a little more faith I will survive. Yay for 26 weeks!

The Hyder Handyman

Every man has a need to use power tools every so often to fulfill the measure of his manhood. Eric has been itching to get back to his construction roots so we headed to Hyder to work on the family project. My mother proved to be a skilled supervisor, managing both my father and Eric. They installed several light fixtures. The house looks great but there is much work to still be done.

Colorado Hills

Eric and I took our first official vacation as a family and loved every second of it. We went to Denver, CO for a week to visit his sister Jennifer and her family. Being a fairly new member to the Lines clan, I am thankful we took this opportunity for me to get to know my nieces and nephews. Eric had a blast remembering all the great times and making new memories with Brenton and Brad. Here are just a few pictures and highlights of the trip.

We drove up in the mountains for a Sunday drive. Colorado is beautiful.



Jen and John



Here I am in all my glory, 5 1/2 months pregnant!



Brinley eating berries.



Brielle



On Tuesday, we went to the Nature and Science museum in Denver with the younger kids. Here are the mad little scientists.





Eric and I went with Jen to the Denver temple. Afterward we met John for their after temple tradition of sushi at John Holly's. I was sad I couldn't eat any, but Eric said it was the best sushi he has ever had.



Thanks Jen and John for a great week. I must be a terrible photographer because somehow I don't have a single picture of Brook. We love you guys very much!

Ultrasound Number 2!

We have great news. My doctor ordered another ultrasound to check out some things on the baby's heart. I am pleased to report they only found a healthy growning 22 week old baby boy. Here are some of the 3D images. Eric is convinced he has Grandpa Skousen's nose. Oh and on the left side of his head is actually a leg and foot and not an arm.

It's a boy!!!

We are expecting a baby boy on December 7, 2009!