Pregnancy Pictures

Here are my pregnancy pictures that I meant to post a week ago:). I was 28 weeks. I'm doing pretty well. Other than dealing with sleep issues, swollen feet, and indigestion, I can't complain. I'm just happy things are going so smoothly and our babe seems to be doing fine. I'm getting so excited for this little guy to join us in about 11 weeks!

28 weeks

The Sunshine State

Hello fellow bloggers and others. This is Brad. Shanna has asked that I blog about our trip to my mission in Louisiana and Florida. We'll start in Louisiana. I served in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission from 2003-2005. Shanna and I have been trying to see her Brother Brian and his family in Florida since they moved there 3 years ago. As we were searching for tickets we discovered that it was cheaper to fly into Baton Rouge, rent a car, and drive to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. So on Tuesday April 27th we arrived in Baton Rouge. Our first stop was the state capital. I have included a few pictures from the capital grounds and from the top of the 30 story high capital building over looking the Mississippi River.

We then went to dinner at Boutin's, a local Cajun restaurant. Shanna had cat fish and crawfish etouffee and I had crawfish etouffee and fried crawfish tails. I missed the crawfish taste and it was fun to introduce this unique food to Shanna.

The next day we started our drive to Florida. I spent about half of my mission in the city of New Orleans so we took a small detour through the city. I wont bore you with all of the details of the things we saw. Although we did go to the French Market which is a small out door market place with all sorts of different vendors located right outside the French Quarters. We walked through and saw dresses, purses, scarfs, pens, fresh food, t-shirts, and much much more. We also went to Jackson Square which is where the first Catholic church in America was built. It was a lot of fun to be back in the city and see how well the city has recovered from Katrina.

After visiting New Orleans we drove to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We were really excited to be in the sunshine state and to see Brian and Natalie and their kids Kennedy and Nathan. Although we were very disappointed by the lack of sunshine. It was nice the first full day we were there so we did make it to the beach that day but the other 4 days were rainy and overcast. We would ask for a refund from the state of Florida but we had so much fun with Brian and Natalie that it made up the difference :) we love you guys! Thanks for the party!!!!

We went shopping at their local outlet mall, we went to the AF Base airplane museum, we went out to eat, to a movie, mini golfing, and we went on a nice walk and saw lots of local vegetation (as seen in the following photos). It was so fun to spend time with Brian and Natalie, we will miss them so much as they begin their own family journey to Japan for a few years.

Brad's Graduation

Brad graduated a couple weeks ago and I'm finally getting around to posting about it:) He graduated from BYU with his Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. We are both really happy that he's done with school for a little while (he may return for a Masters Degree in a couple of years). I am so proud of him for hanging in there and pushing through some really tough courses. It wasn't easy but we know his hard work will pay off. I just have to give a shout out to my Bradley and say great job!! I'm so proud of you and can't wait to see where our future takes us!

We enjoyed spending time with family that had come to celebrate this special occasion with us. Here are some pics of the event:

Brad the Grad and his best cheerleader (aka his encouraging wife)

Brad, me, and my parents after Commencement on Thursday. It was so fun to have them here!

After the Convocation ceremony on Friday...it was raining outside, hence the indoor pictures.

with my parents

Brad's brother Colin, Grandma Roper, and Mom and Dad Roper with us

with Mom and Dad Roper


We appreciate everyone's generosity and support as we finish up this chapter of our lives. It will be exciting to see where Brad gets a job and where life takes us. The waiting game is not too fun, but we're hopeful that the right job will come along. And soon please:)

A few days after graduation, we took a nice little vacation to Louisianna (where Brad served his mission) and Florida (to visit my brother Brian and his family). We had a great time! We will post more about this fun trip shortly.

Update

Brad and I have been keeping busy...

• We spent an enjoyable Easter/Conference weekend at his parents home. It was fun to spend time with some of Brad's family.
• Then we had fun celebrating our 3rd anniversary on April 6th. We've learned a lot from each other over the past few years and look forward to many many more anniversaries to come.
• Brad has been keeping busy finishing up his last semester. He graduates next week and he can hardly wait to be done. He's good and ready for a break. He has been looking for mechanical engineering positions anywhere and everywhere, so who knows where we'll end up. I can't wait to find out so that I can start making plans about all things baby...hospitals, doctors, birthing classes, insurance, how to set up the nursery, etc. It's definitely a lesson in patience for me right now as I am sooo ready to get these things figured out. I know it will all work out for the best. Patience, patience, patience...
  
  Now, time for my pregnancy pics:
  
  

24 weeks

It's hard to believe I've still got about 16 weeks left. With me being 5'1" and having a short torso, the baby seems to be shooting straight out. At this rate, I'm going to have one big belly!! It's going to be worth it, right?!! I've been enjoying his little kicks throughout the day. His movements are getting so big that I can see my belly move sometimes. I love it!!

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY IS GOING TO BE.....

A BOY!!!

We couldn't be more excited! Here's a look at his cute little profile. It's so nice to finally be able to call the baby "he" or "him" and not "it" or "the baby". Now on to finding names that we agree on!

The proud mother-to-be at 20 weeks...I'm hanging in there! August seems so far away, but I'm trying to be patient.

Family Time!!

I'm finally getting around to another post!! I don't know why it takes me so long. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, I guess. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago we were able to spend some time with my family because my brother Brian and his cute little family, Natalie, Kennedy, and Nathan were in town from Florida. It's really hard for them to break away because he's an attorney for the Air Force. I hadn't seen them in 2.5 years! Thank goodness we have blogs and webcams to keep in touch so we feel more connected. But I've still missed them so much. It was so good to see them! They seem to be doing great and we had a blast hanging out with them and the rest of my family. Unfortunately Brad couldn't stay long because he had to get back for school. But luckily I was able to take a few days off of work and stay for a bit longer. It was a nice break and a sweet reunion. I love my family!!!

Brad and I got to pick Brian, Natalie, Kennedy, and Nathan up at the airport since we were passing through Salt Lake anyway. I loved getting a big hug from Kennedy at the airport. She's such a sweet friendly little girl! Nathan was a little out of it from all the traveling and lack of sleep. It didn't take him too long to warm up to us, though. It was so fun to finally meet the little guy! He's just as adorable in real life as he is in all the pictures I've seen.

Me with Kennedy and Nathan at the airport...instant friends!!! Brian and Natalie were trying to figure out how to get their high-tech car seat hooked up to my '97 Pontiac Grand Am:)

We took advantage of having the family all together and squeezed in some family pictures. These are my prego-pics at almost 17 weeks.

The Call Family

Silly faces...it's amazing what you resort to when you only have a couple of seconds to strike a pose:) Finger up the nose? Really Shanna? I think Ryan's face is the best...it's not too hard for him crack a goofy face. Just teasing, Ry!!

We had a blast just hanging out and getting caught up on each other's lives. I also got to see a lot of my cousins and family friends because my parents had an open house so everyone could come and visit. We had a great turn out! Brad and I are getting really excited to go to Florida (and Louisianna to see Brad's mission) after graduation and spend some time with Brian and Natalie and thier kiddos. The beaches sound wonderful and we can hardly wait! We decided it would be a good time for a trip before our little one arrives and before Brian and his family move to Japan for a few years. We're looking forward to the end of April!!

Pregnancy Pictures

I'm finally getting around to posting some pregnancy pictures. So now all of you can have a glimpse of my ever expanding waistline:) I'm feeling a little chubby, but I'm dealing with it the best way I can: eat everything in sight. Just kidding, I'm trying to have a little self control. But I must admit, my cravings are way stronger than they've ever been and it's a lot harder to resist certain foods I used to avoid. Example: last weekend I had to have a burger and fries, and only Arctic Circle would do because they have fry sauce. I can't remember the last time I ordered a burger and fries. But I must say it was glorious. I have since purchased some frozen french fries for when my next strong craving hits. I'm trying to enjoy the process and not stress out too much about food, but I'm struggling with feeling a bit pudgy. I try to remind myself that it is normal to gain weight. Did anyone else have issues with this?

Anyway, here are a couple pictures that I have taken along the way so far.

12 weeks

16 weeks

We can hardly wait to find out the gender!! Only 4 more weeks until we find out. Brad thinks it's going to be a boy. Or he wants it to be a boy:) We'll let you all know.