The Best of 2014

2014 was probably the best year yet. So many adventures and exciting things happened in our lives. We are so excited to see what 2015 has in store for us. Here's a few favorites from 2014...

January:

Officially getting settled into our new home.

February:

Celebrating Chad's 27th birthday

March:

Forgetting our suitcase on our spontaneous trip to St. George. 

April:

Adding this crazy dog to our family

May:

Bruno's dog show

June:

Last minute getaway to San Francisco

July:

Announcing Baby DeVore!!!

August:

Last day of work at Dr. Myers office

September:

Saving our baby & finding out it's a boy!

October:

Getting surprise Trick-or-treaters on Halloween 

November:

Baby showers

December:

Surviving 14 weeks of strict bed rest and making it to 35 weeks!

The End.

35 Weeks

I received the best news at my 35 week appointment yesterday... I can now sit up! For the past 14 weeks, I have only been able to lay flat down. It will be nice to see the world vertically, sit upright in the car, and play my new piano!

Now I have weekly appointments, which means baby time is getting closer! At my appointment next week, they will determine if I can have my stitch removed in the office, or if I need to have anesthesia at the hospital (depending on the amount of scar tissue around the stitch and how easy it will be to get to).  We are going to have our little baby here before we know it!

How far along: 35 weeks

Total weight gain: 24 pounds

How big is the baby: The size of a honeydew melon, weighing around 5 1/2 pounds and around 18 inches long. 

Stretch marks: Nope! Hoping I can steer clear of them ;)

Cravings/Aversions: Absolutely nothing, which actually makes my life easy

Sleep: Between tossing and turning, sore hips, and bathroom breaks, sleep and I don't get along that well... but I figure it's just preparing me for my sleepless nights with the baby. 

Best moment of the week: Christmas & being able to sit up!

Belly button in or out: Still an innie.

Happy or moody: It really depends whether I'm hungry or not... but for the most part, happy!

Looking forward to: Getting my stitch cut!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve is probably my favorite part of Christmas time. I love the anticipation before the big day. My parents came over to our house and we ate Chili's take out and played games. I grew up getting pajamas every Christmas Eve, so we have been keeping the tradition going with our little family. We usually like to sleep by the tree, but being 34 weeks pregnant, laying on the floor was the last thing I wanted to do... and moving our mattress was too much work, so we agreed to just sleep in our room.

I had every intention of sleeping in, but seeing fresh snow covering the streets at 8 am, there was no way I was going back to sleep. Chad didn't like the idea of getting up so "early", so I anxiously waited until 8:30 and then the party began. I got Chad an Xbox One, tool box, aqua di gio cologne (which is amazing!) and 3 j.crew shirts.

I have been trying to grow my hair out, so Chad got me a few different kinds of deep conditioners and a tangle teaser brush (it doesn't break your hair like most brushes and gets out knots SO easily). He also got me a petunia pickle bottom diaper bag! Last, but definitely not least, he surprised me with a Wm Knabe & Co 5'2 grand piano!!! I took piano lessons for 8 years, but haven't really played since I moved out of my parents house. Being the amazing negotiator that he is, he got a killer deal on it. I am so anxious to get off bed rest so I can play it longer than 5 minutes at a time!


{the bag won't be here until Tuesday, but this is what it looks like. It's convenient because you can also wear it as a backpack... I love it!!!}

We went to Chad's parents house for a delicious ham dinner. Afterwards, we went to my parents house. They gave us a Britax carseat. I was soo excited for it. We can now officially have the baby ;) We were able to skype my brother, Sean, who is serving a mission in the Philippines. It was so great to hear from him, but it will be even more exciting to see him in one month {and surprise him with a baby! We decided to keep it a surprise until he gets home}

I am so grateful we were able to spend time with our families and be together... that is honestly my favorite part about the holidays!

Skidmore Christmas Party

Tonight was our annual Skidmore family Christmas party and white elephant exchange. Can I just tell you how nice it was to get out of the house and get to eat my Grandmas famous clam chowder?! Even though I just laid on a cot at my parents church, it felt amazing! It's crazy to think it was my second time out of the house (besides Dr appointments) in the last 3 months! All I can say is I will be one happy mama when I am no longer on bed rest.

 I'm proud to announce that this is our first year we have walked away from the white elephant exchange with decent gifts. Chad got sweet headphones and I got a $15 gift card to coldstone and a head scratcher. I have been craving cake batter cookie dough ice cream for the past few months, so now I have a nice excuse for Chad to pick me up some ;)

One of the main reasons I love instagram and blogging is because I have turned it into my own little scrapbooks. Thankfully, Chad is a trooper for putting up with my pictures that I always make him take with me. We love looking back at the previous years and seeing how much we have changed. Here are my Skidmore Christmas Party posts from 2012 and 2013. I recently turned my instagram into Chatbooks... which are amazing! I am officially hooked!

Peace Out, Finals

Life as of late has been grand. Fall semester, which has probably been the toughest one yet, is finally a thing of the past and I couldn't be happier. 2 out of my 4 professors were understanding about my whole bed rest situation, so that's a plus. The other 2, could care less. You'd think since I was taking online classes, I wouldn't have to go to UVU to take exams... but I did... and I couldn't... and the professors didn't care... so, hello to failing anatomy and nutrition. In other news, I am still pregnant (!!!) and Christmas is only 6 days away... so life is good! It's just a stupid grade anyways, right? Nothing ice cream and cuddles can't fix.. at least that's what I keep telling myself ;)

 {Bruno loves this growing & kicking "pillow"}

32 Weeks

When I was placed on strict bed rest 12 weeks ago, my Dr told me I need to at least make it to 32 weeks, since that's the big milestone for lung development. At the time, it was so hard to imagine making it that far. Now I am here and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I am so grateful every single day that I am still pregnant. Everyday makes a difference. 

As we were watching the LDS Christmas Devotional Sunday night, I couldn't help but become overwhelmed with gratitude. I wouldn't be able to survive bed rest without my amazing family, friends, and ward. We have been blessed with delicious dinners every single night {Monday through Friday} for the past 12 weeks. Although it may just seem like a simple meal, it really means so much to Chad and I. 

Since I'm not able to attend church {& they released Chad from his calling so he could be home with me}, every Sunday, the young men in our ward come to our house so we can partake of the Sacrament. I'm so grateful for the worthy young men that are so willing to serve. This has been such a blessing for us.

12 weeks of bed rest down and 5 weeks to go! I get my stitch cut at 37 weeks since I'll be "full term" - and then it's all up to the baby when he wants to make his big arrival. It amazes me how fast time flies when you're doing absolutely nothing ;) 

Hello, December

I can officially say that Christmas is in full swing over here at the DeVore home. We {more like Chad, but I cheered him on along the way} put up the tree and decorations. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Who doesn't love the snow, Christmas music, holiday lights, cuddling up by the fire, and hot chocolate?! It's most definitely the most wonderful time of the year.