My Due Date

My due date was a little bit sad. Of course, like every expectant mother I had secretly hoped I would be celebrating that day with my little babe in my arms. Instead I found that I had made no noticeable progress from the week before. Luckily our baby boy's heartbeat was strong, and he seemed to be doing great. I spent the day walking up and down stairs at the only mall my mom and I hadn't been walking at yet.

(Mall walking is the only walking-to-induce-labor option when you're due in the middle of icy winter)

I thought a lot that day about divine timing, and how all the blessings in my life have come at times that were perfect, even though I may have liked many of them sooner. Knowing that Heavenly Father has perfect knowledge and timing, I trusted that he would have my baby boy come exactly when it would be best.

Before falling asleep that night I wrote the following as part of a little letter to my boy:

"So tonight and every night, when I head to bed, it will be with a prayer of trust and a hope that tomorrow will bring you. One of these days very soon that hope will be fulfilled."

Little did I know that just seven hours later I'd wake up in labor...

These photos are some of the last taken of my bump-taken the day before my due date. I owe so much to my mama. She was such a great friend and always happy to keep me busy enough to not get discouraged that baby boy hadn't come yet. During the weeks before he came we went shopping, mall walking, to lunch, a movie and spent time hanging out in my nursery and picking out things for my boy. I thought she was the best then, but I knew it for sure after all she did for me when Owen came. Moms are just the best, aren't they?

What Are You Doing New Years?

I've been looking forward to 2016 since I found out I was pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I made the most of the rest of 2015, and it was one of the best years of my entire life-but 2016 was always the bright light of the future.

The year I would get to hold my little boy, get to look into his eyes, and learn and grow with him.

I can't believe it is actually here. 2016.

I have big hopes for this year. More than anything though, I hope for lots of happy, peaceful moments with my boys. My resolution this year is to be more present-to take more time to enjoy the little moments by eliminating unnecessary distractions, and savoring the details of my life that bring me the most joy.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be my best year yet.

 New Years Eve dinner with the family.

Our First Utah Christmas

Nate proposed to me on December 13, 2013 and a week later was on a plane headed home for Christmas, and last year we spent Christmas together in Oregon. Which made this Christmas mine and Nate's first Utah Christmas. It was a perfect one. Santa came early to the Rau house so Nate and I woke up early Christmas Eve to see what he brought, and open a few presents from each other. It was a happy, quiet celebration-our last one just the two of us. 

Later we met up with my family for brunch, and spent the afternoon baking and preparing for our big Christmas Eve dinner. That night we headed over to Aunt Debbie's house for the big dinner, but not before putting on our awesome Christmas light necklaces. We had a blast with the London's eating delicious food, playing games, visiting with the wise men, and playing the chimes.

After the party we went back to Mom and Dad's-where opened our annual Christmas jammies. There were even some for our baby boy! We also read the scriptures, and spent some time talking about our Savior.

Christmas morning brought wonderful surprises from Santa, and thoughtful gifts from each other. As always Santa was too good to us, but as happy as I was with what he brought me-I had the most fun looking at what he brought for our baby boy. I've heard that Christmas as a parent is the very best. What I didn't realize is that now, before we even get to see our son, Christmas would be extra special. The whole time was spent thinking about him, and how because of our Savior Jesus Christ he gets to be our son forever. For me, that was the best part of this snowy, perfect Christmas. 

Christmas Fun

Despite being so busy this past December, Nate and I were able to have some fun too. He is a good sport to put off some unpacking and furniture shopping in order to take me out to get my Christmas fix. He really is my favorite person to celebrate this beautiful season with.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

Festival of Trees

Gingerbread House Building and Sugar Cookie Baking

                                                                                       Zoo Lights

Fancy work parties and the Motab Christmas concert

But the real highlight we didn't even have to leave home for-a beautiful, white Christmas. 

So Much to be Thankful For

The gospel and the peace living it brings.

Nathan.

Baby Boy.

Answered prayers.

Family, near and far.

Modern medicine.

Primary songs.

A washer and dryer.

Delicious candles.

Big baby kicks that shake my whole belly.

Our jobs.

Pebbled ice.

Facetime.

A place to call home.

My bed.

Autumn leaves.

Peppermint milkshakes.

And so much more. I could go on, and on listing the things I am thankful for right now. As I get older I realize more and more how little I need to be happy, and how thankful I am for the blessings that are mine. Theres so much to be thankful for.

Our Last Summer as a Family of 2

Between the first trimester exhaustion, working full time, and all the baby excitement I definitely didn't blog much this summer. However, I wanted to just take a little space here to write about a couple of my favorite things we were able to do this summer-our last summer as a family of two. 

Fathers Day

Celebrating Fathers Day was awesome this year. In the morning I got pretty sick and instead of making breakfast for Nate, I stayed in bed eating toast and praying I'd feel better. Luckily prayers are answered and soon enough I was feeling great-and we finally got to honor our fathers, tell our siblings about the baby, and celebrate Nate's new role as a dad. 

4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July this year by checking out the hot air balloons, camping out (in our house-pregnant camping does not sound appealing), cruising University Ave to check out everyone camped out for the parade, BBQ-ing with my family, and rocking out to Journey. Independence Day in Provo is always the best, and I'm so glad we were able to have such a fun one.

California 

I took a quick, unexpected trip to California at the end of July to go to my grandma's funeral. Because of work Nate had to stay home, however it was so good for me to be able to go there and spend time with my family. I'll always remember how nice it was to be gathered with so many of my cousins, laughing over stories about our grandparents. I learned so much about my grandma this summer-and so much about my pops. Reading their love letters though-that was definitely a highlight. 

Our Everyday

Although the holidays were fun, and the trip to California so important, my favorite thing about this summer was just our everyday life. Nate started a new internship that has been such a blessing to us. We worked all day, and spent our evenings going on walks, BBQ-ing, watching our TV shows, going to $5 movies, at my doctor's appointments and talking about our baby. On the weekends we would sleep in, go to the farmers market, go on dates, and teach primary. It may not sound like anything too exciting-but these little moments spent just the two of us-these are the moments that mean the most to me, the ones I want to remember most about the time when we were just a little family of two.

Bumpin' Bumpin'

I'm completely obsessed with my baby boy, and everything that has to do with him-including this (not so little anymore) bump. I have actually loved watching my body grow in this way, and knowing that my little boy is growing right along with me. I'm so amazed by this whole baby growing process, and I feel so blessed to be experiencing it.

Thirteen Weeks

Fourteen Weeks 
(officially in that 2nd trimester and ready to tell the world)

Fifteen Weeks

Sixteen Weeks

Seventeen Weeks

Eighteen Weeks

Nineteen Weeks (It's a Boy!)

Twenty Weeks (Halfway!)

Twenty-one Weeks

Twenty-two Weeks

Twenty-three Weeks

Twenty-four Weeks

It's a Boy!!

Friday September 11th, at 19 weeks we finally got to see our little baby again. I'll always remember how nervous/excited/anxious we felt as we waited for the ultrasound. There were so many emotions-but mostly I just couldn't wait to see our baby. And, it did not disappoint. 

A beautiful head, wonderful toes, strong arms and legs, a beating heart, and a little something else that quickly made us say "It's a BOY!" 

A Boy. A healthy, strong, growing BOY! 

It immediately felt so right-of course he is a boy! He is my little boy. 

We celebrated by buying blue candy, and an "It's a Boy" balloon. We then headed out for "boy food" (delicious BBQ), and went home to watch a "boy movie" (the Avengers). Although I sometimes feel like I have no idea what to do with a little boy, growing up surrounded by so many girls, I could not be more excited to be the mama of this boy.

Dear Baby Boy,

You are growing so strong, and I couldn't be more proud of you. From the beginning I've told you not to worry about a thing, that I would take care of everything and all you needed to do was grow. Thanks for keeping your end of the deal. I can't wait to get to hold your strong hand in mine.

xoxo

Mama