Christmas time's here!

I love Christmas. Everything about it! (except for driving in the snow, scraping windshields, wet pant legs, traffic, etc.) haha but really, I love the holidays. Yesterday my dad asked me a question and it hasn't left my mind since..

He randomly asked, "What is your most favorite Christmas memory?" and I thought for a few seconds and said without a doubt -the time when I was about 8 years old and my family went to Walmart and loaded up a few carts full of games, toys, clothes, etc., then we went home and wrapped them up. My parents knew of a family with a single mom who wouldn't be able to afford Christmas for her kids that year. So, on Christmas eve we dropped off all of the presents on their front porch, rang the door bell, and ran behind the bushes to watch. We saw the door open and 4 children came running out with the biggest smiles on their faces as they grabbed the presents. The mom was in tears and I remember her just saying, "Thank you" over and over again.
I was young when that happened, but I still remember the feeling that it gave me to see the kids so happy to receive what we had given them.

After my dad asked me that question, I decided to ask Ben the same thing later that night. He responded after only a few seconds and told me about a time when he was a kid and he knew that he probably wouldn't be getting much from Santa that year. On Christmas eve, there was a knock at the door and they found tons of presents on their porch. He said that him and his brothers and sisters were so happy and thankful.

I loved the irony in this-and it made me realize that everyone can be impacted by acts of service. Memories like those are what make the holidays special...and you don't have to go out and by a bunch of gifts either, even a simple note or a "hello" can make someone's day!

I am especially grateful this holiday season for my family. I love them so much! and
I hope everyone can make a small effort this year to help and serve others. You never know the impact it will have on them.. or yourself :)

Things that I love right now...

Good Friends!

My talented friend Kaycee's handmade baby slings! Ellie loves hers:) Find yours HERE.

Running.....I ran for the first time again yesterday and it felt so good! Can't wait to run another race.

Counting down the days until Sober Down's C.D. release party!!
You can buy your ticket HERE. Hurry! They are going fast.

This freaking cute baby picture of Ben:)

This AMAZING gingersnap pumpkin cheesecake that I made not too long ago...perfect for Thanksgiving!

This sweet picture of Grampa and Ellie

Remembering

When I gave birth to Ellie, I hadn't chosen a Pediatrician yet. The day after I had her, a doctor came in to take a look at her and he said that his name was Matt Clayton. I asked if there was any relation to Dr. Keith Clayton and he said that it was his dad! Keith Clayton was my Pediatrician when I was a baby and all growing up. So today I took Ellie to her two-week appointment at Dr. Clayton's office and it brought back so many memories. The second I walked in, it was just as I had remembered it as a child. The smell stayed the same, the train was still there that circled the ceiling, the same plastic rings were set out for little girls to choose from, and this feeling of being a kid again rushed through my body. As I was waiting in the room for the doctor to come, I had this over whelming feeling of my mom. I remember her taking me to the doctors and then we would go to Magelby's and get hot breadsticks. My mom was the best. The spirit of her was so strong. I couldn't believe that I'm now a mom bringing my little girl to the same office that my mom once took me. I miss her terribly... and lately it has been hard with her not being here to share every moment with me. But I know that she is watching over me and little Ellie. I can feel it.

Here's some pictures by Jessie of my little bug. :)

Halloween weekend

My sweet grandma flew up from Arizona and got here on Friday. It was so nice to have her here to help out! She is such a sweet lady and is now a Great Grandmother of 8!! What a woman. Also, my whole family spent most of the weekend at our house visiting with us and holding Ellie. I love my family so much! and am so grateful for their love and support. We also found out that Ellie will have a cousin to play with coming up here pretty soon....CONGRATS Dan and Alli! We are so excited for you:)

Ellie is such a good baby, she is already sleeping through the night! Ben and I couldn't be happier. We Love having her in our lives!!!

Brad and Gina got some great pictures of the babe in her Halloween costume so I thought I would post some. Enjoy!

The babe is here!

Ellie Mae Schwen

born October 26, 2009

5:46 p.m.

8 lbs. 8 oz.

She's here!! and we are so so so happy.

I was induced Monday morning, and was dialated to a 10 around 3:00 p.m. I was ready for her to come! But we had to wait for the doctor to get there. FINALLY the doctor came around 5:30....who knows how I held on that long! After only a few pushes, Ellie came out! It was the most incredible, amazing, most spiritual thing we have ever experienced. And I am so lucky that I had such a smooth delivery. She is beautiful!!! We are so blessed that everything went well and that she is happy and healthy. :)

Being a mommy is the coolest thing. . . Ever! She has already brought so much joy into our lives. Ellie is a TOTAL daddy's girl though. She is the spitting image of him! Ben is so amazing with her. If she's crying, I can just hand her to him and he knows just what to do to soothe her. What an amazing dad he is.

We are so blessed to have such great friends and family to help us. We love you!!!

Here's some pics for ya'll...... enjoy:)

Waiting for the babe to come

She's here!!

BIG baby!


sleeping with my girl

Spitting image of Ben

Daddy's girl

Going home from the hospital

Ben changing his first (definitely not last) diaper!

Update: Still no baby!

So the day after my due date, I realized that I didn't have very many preggo pics..and time was running out! So I called up my amazingly, extremely talented friend Mary Whitney and asked her if she would take some pictures of me to have that I could show Ellie when she got older. Whitney did a sweeeet job and they turned out great! Here's some for you to take a lookie at:

Today is awesome.

Today is my due date. Yup, still no baby! Went in to the doc today and i'm not even close. BAH! But i'm trying to keep my spirits up....it's a BEAUTIFUL day outside, I am trying to enjoy my quiet time without the sounds of a baby crying, and I am going to finish Ellie's crib bedding. I played some football with Ben and his friends the other day, thought that might speed up the process of her appearance to the world. Apparently not! I guess it's time to do some sort of a birth dance, or eat some pineapple, or try the "Pregnancy Pizza" at Cafe TRIO, or jump on the tramp, or or or any other ideas??!

Next monday I am scheduled to be induced if she hasn't came by then. I guess she will come when she's ready:)

Best video ever:)

This video is SO hilarious!!!

life is good

This last weekend was eventful. I first must say that something happened that will go down in the books. Ben and I were thinking of something to do, and he said, "why don't we go see a good chick flick? Your choice, babe." ...............I think my jaw dropped to the floor. Ben....suggesting a chick flick???? really?! A huge smile came on my face. Not because I was ultra excited to see a chick flick instead of the usual zombie/super hero/ultimate guy movie, but because Ben was so cute about it and was willing to risk his manhood for seeing such a film, and spend a whopping $25 on popcorn, candy, and tickets to a highly predictible movie about love. What a great husband.

Thanks Ben for making my day... (even though the movie ended up being not so good.)


As for the rest of the weekend, Ben and I painted Ellie's room and it turned out great! Hopefully soon I will post some pictures...

Sunday, my whole family came over for Dinner. My sister in law Gina made the yummiest dinner EVER. and to top it all off, we had delicious pumpkin cookies and ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. My favorite! We celebrated my big Brother Brad's birthday, which is on the 8th, and also mine and Russell's birthday!!! (which is on the 12th) I can't believe we will be 21. CRAZY!! -Anywho, Happy Birthday Brad and Russ!

Today is Wednesday and it was my last day of work at Soel until after baby Ellie comes. It was kind of sad! But I hope to go back working there after I get settled in with the babe. Tonight was fun. Ben's band Soberdown played up at In The Venue in Salt Lake. They opened up for the band SOJA. It was a really fun concert! and SD did awesome. Ellie seems to kick like crazy when they play.....Ben and I think she is going to come out with a full head of dreads after all the reggae music she listens to. Guess we'll see...;)

Well, that's all for now....Tomorrow I go in to see if I am dialated at all. I can't believe I only have 12 more days until my due date!

36 weeks

36 weeks.

4 more weeks to go! My due date got changed to a week sooner. So, now it's Oct. 19th. We can't wait for little Ellie Mae to come!

Lately, I dread even trying to go to bed.. It's awful! Can't a girl just get some sleep around here?? - But as a friend once told me...."It is nature's way of getting me ready for when the baby comes and I won't be getting any sleep at all!" That sure is comforting... :) But sadly, it's the truth. I am starting to get those lovely Braxton Hicks too. Not that comfortable, I must say. But all in all, I have had a pretty good pregnancy so far! (knock on wood....I still have the worst part to endure) But truthfully, I am very lucky to have felt as good as I have through out my pregnancy.

I still get my usual cravings;

-crushed ice (preferrably the pebble ice from Sonic that now I just buy bags of it and store them in my freezer...)

-chocolate creamies

-Mango Smoothies from Kneaders

-late night cold cereal

Well that's all for now! I'll keep you posted if something exciting happens.

Like you know, having a baby.

Wedding!

Here are some pictures of the wedding. Sorry there are so many....but I blame Jessie because every picture she took was amazing!! ;) Everything turned out perfect, and it was all thanks to family and friends. My amazing sister in law and her sister worked incredibly hard to make the dessert table look fabulous! and Ben's sisters put a ton of work into the food table. And the ward ladies for all that they did.....i could go on and on about all the help we had. I couldn't have done it without everyone, So thank you!!

I hope you enjoy the many pictures that I posted...now that the wedding is over, Ellie will be here before we know it. Baby posts are on their way. ;)

My amazing family

My new family!
All my single ladies

i love these girls!

yummy cake pops

Rings

food table

my bouquet

The amazingly talented woman behind the incredible dessert table. Thanks Gina!!! (and Brook!)

I love my dad!

book table

Cutting the cake

Messy eaters.... :)

My ladies!

I just had to zoom in on this one...HAHAH nice hops, Whit!!

Things that I love right now.....

The rain

Fresh Peaches

This nursery

These boots

This amazing Blog

This picture of my husband after he caught his first fish. Love him:)

This dress

This beautiful tote bag

ahhh....the married life.

Ben and I got hitched on Thursday, and it was the best day of our lives! Everything turned out perfect. But we couldn't have done it without the help of our friends and family. We thank everyone who helped make our day special! More pictures to come. . . .

I have an addiction.

So....I must confess...I have a small addiction.

Ok it's not so small.

Ben and I have been glued in front of the t.v. watching Dexter this past week and we are hooked! For anyone who hasn't seen it, go rent it! SO good. the Third season just came out and I can't even tell you how excited I am!! (Thanks Kaycee for making it so that all Ben and I can think about is going home and watching Dexter...)

Engagement Photos

Ben and I had our engagement pics done and they turned out just lovely. Thanks Jessie!!!

http://www.jessieonealphotography.blogspot.com/

She even took some cute preggo pics of my Ellie belly.

Enjoy:)

Head over heels

sigh......I think i'm in love. These wedding shoes are to die for!! The price is scary to look at...but I can still fantasize about wearing these on my wedding day, right?

Drumroll..........................These are my favorite. so cute!

I need your address!!!

Ben and I are sending out invitations really soon. We would appreciate it if you would give us your address!!! If you feel more comfortable sending it to my email, it's michelleleeann@gmail.com. thanks!

Sleep? who needs sleep??....

So here I am, awake at 4:29 a.m.

Why you ask? I am very fortunate to have Ellie kick and move around in my tummy all night long which results in me getting no sleep. I decided to pull out the camera to get it all in action. Of course, the second I try and film it, she decides to be a little stinker and get all camera shy on me..Then right when I turn it off, she gives me a monsterous kick that was totally blog worthy. Isn't that the way it goes? sigh......

I can already tell she's going to be a trouble maker;)

Well, here's the best footage I could get of the little rebel kicking in my tummy...I put my phone on my stomach so that you can see the movement better. Maybe some night I will get a full night sleep! Just maybe......:)

Engaged!

Last night was amazing....Ben took me up to Sundance to ride the moon light lift ride, but we got there and it wasn't running for some reason! We were confused because it's usually up and running every full moon night- and last night there was DEFINITELY a full moon. Anywho, We found ourselves in the field by the chairlift with not one person in sight. Complete silence except for the river passing through. He knelt down and proposed!! I couldn't have asked for a better setting. The brightest full moon I have ever seen, the silhouette of the mountains, and the sound of the river. Everything was perfect. And to top it all off, Ben proposed with my mother's wedding ring. He knew that's what I wanted to use because it means so much to me! It's beautiful and unique and that's why I like it. :) Best night ever!

A vacation would be nice.