Christmas Card

Today is New Years Eve and much like last year, I have put a roast in the slow cooker, and we will probably spend our evening catching up on our Netflix and relaxing on the couch. Ideal. We call New Years Eve rookie night in Aspen. Town is a crazy show on New Years Eve, and in fact, Byrant and I were at the same party 3 years ago, but due to the crowd and circumstances outside of our control, we didn't meet. He didn't believe me when I told him I was there, until I showed him a picture I have from the party of me with a group of girlfriends and him in the background! Ha! Cover charges for parties range from $100-$1000 per person, and this preggo isn't going to shell out that kind of cash to watch a slew of drunk crazies get into trouble! :)

My boss again so generously gave me the afternoon off today, which means the girls from the office and I are going to take a few runs on Aspen Mountain this afternoon. It is absolutely gorgeous here again today, but more snow is in the forecast for this weekend. This is the first winter season of my life that I am not totally excited about the insane amount of snow we are getting. Although I have been able to enjoy some great powder runs this year, it is nothing like my usual powder hound seasons. Thank the Lord that last year was completely epic and record breaking and we took total advantage of every powder day we could.

Here is a picture of our Christmas card this year, in case yours got lost in the mail! :) I got them out late...my apologies!

Happy New Year to you!

Best,

Becca, Bryant, Baby and Burger

Flip Flops and Somersaults

This week has been really busy with the holidays and company in town. We really enjoyed seeing my parents for the week of Christmas, and my boss surprised me with an extra day off. We had no problem filling our time with family and fun. Christmas was a blast! Bryant and I spent Christmas Eve night at Trev and Amy's and spent the day with them opening gifts and hanging out. We didn't get to ski as much as hoped due to the sub zero temperatures, but were still able to get out of the house a few times to enjoy the snow.

Yesterday and today our little man has been doing flip flops in my belly. Yesterday for the first time, I actually saw my stomach move without putting my hand on it first, and today, my colleague Stacy felt him kick too. I wish he would have been more active last week when my mom was in town, but I know she will definitely feel him when she comes out in March.

We have another check up on Friday. This is the awesome (sarcastic) gestational diabetes appointment. I get to drink a disgusting sugar filled orange concoction and have my blood drawn to test for gestational diabetes. I have a hunch I don't have anything to worry about, but you never know.

Bryant and I are getting so excited to meet our little man. He (the baby) got some really fun Christmas gifts, too, which made things seem more real. We also got 2 huge boxes of adorable 0-9 month baby clothes from my sister-in-law, which was awesome!

This week we are just back to work and our "normal" schedule.

Until the next adventure,

B, B, B & B

Snow Snow Snow!

 

This morning we woke up to yet another major dumping of snow! It was piled almost a foot high at our front door! My parents are in town so, dad, Bryant, Mali and I spent about 30 minutes scraping off our cars this morning. Mali took advantage of everyone being outside and coaxed us into playing ball with her. She had to tunnel through the snow because it was so deep.

Oh the joys of living in a mountain town. We feel so blessed to live here.

I forgot to mention in my blog yesterday that my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last night. We had them over for a great steak feast and tonight we are going to take them out to a nice dinner in Carbondale with Trevor and Amy Jo. I can't tell you how proud I am of them and how they have maintained such a strong loving relationship through 40 years. They truly have a model relationship, and I am so thankful for them and the love they share.

A Great Holiday Weekend

Bryant and Khloe walking to the car after the Nutcacker, Sunday night.

Last week was filled with several holiday get togethers and celebrations. We started off on Wednesday with my Bible study party at our friend, Heidi's house. We had a great evening with a secret santa gift exchange and a heated game of Battle of the Sexes. Thursday we went to Trev and Amy's for our dinner group Christmas party. We enjoyed Trevor's luge-like sledding hill topped off with home made clam chowder and Koo Koo bread. Friday I had my work Christmas gift exchange (all of the ladies from work), and last but certainly not least, Saturday my parents arrived, but not without challenges.

We all headed out to the airport Saturday morning, knowing my parents were in the air and heading into Aspen from Salt Lake. Despite our high hopes, their plane was diverted to Grand Junction and they had to ride a charter bus 3 hours into town. Although this wasn't the ideal scenario, Trev, Amy, the kids and I were all able to head into town, eat ribs at Hickory House and finish up most of our Christmas shopping. By the time we were finished, it was 3:30 and time to pick up mom and dad.

Saturday night was the annual Regan Construction Christmas party/Insanely inappropriate white elephant gift exchange. As usual, it didn't disappoint. Mark ordered in 200 oysters from Washington State (yes!) and the food was amazing. It was a really fun time. Bryant came home with a talking toilet paper roll holder (recordable), and I was the winner of a large black "Pimp" goblet.

Sunday we went to church and then headed to Snowmass for a day of family skiing. It was so nice to get out again. The clouds parted and we enjoyed an awesome day of blue sky, toasty Colorado skiing. It was great! To top off the holiday weekend, the whole family went to the Aspen Santa Fe Nutcracker. It was great as usual. Tait was even thoroughly entertained by the dancing.

My parents are here until Friday and we have a week full of fun activities and relaxation.

Belly Pic Week 22

All is well in preggo land! I slept through the night again last night, and I feel great! Last night I was in bed reading with my hand on my belly. I pressed slightly into my stomach below my belly button and felt something really hard. At first it kind of scared me and then, I put my hand back and it was gone. That was the first time I have felt the actual body of our little man and not just his crazy dance moves! It was pretty cool!

My mom and dad arrive on Saturday and will stay through Christmas. We are so excited to see them and to spend Christmas at home in Aspen.

22 Weeks!

Wow. Time is flying by so fast these days. Our little man is growing a lot this week. His brain is developing along with his senses. He can hear the beat of my heart and my breath. He wiggles his fingers, sucks his thumb and touches his face. His lungs are continuing to mature and he practices the motions of both breathing and swallowing. This week he is about 8 inches long from crown to rump and weighs about 12 ounces.

All in all, I feel awesome. I do have a recent bout of pregnancy insomnia (self diagnosed) and haven't slept well at all for the last two nights. It could be due to travelling as well, but I either way, I am praying for a good nights rest tonight as we have a really crazy couple of weeks ahead.

I feel our little bug moving on a regular basis now and Bryant talks to him as much as possible. We can't wait to meet him in April!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Best,

Becca, Bryant, Baby and Burger

Back in Snowy Aspen

Last week, Bryant and I travelled to Myrtle Beach to spend some time with his family and check on our place. It was the first time I have seen our house at the beach, and I was pleasantly surprised. We had to fire our property management company in the fall, and no one has been checking on the house regularly since then. It made it through hurricane season with very minor damage and the interior was in much better shape than I thought it would be after being rented out all summer.

It was great to see Bryant's family and spend time with them. We rented cruiser bikes and were able to enjoy the beach despite it being unseasonably cold. We also went to an amazing lighting display at Brook Green Garden near our house.

As usual, no matter where we are, it is always so nice to come home. Our flights were right on schedule and despite a major storm blowing through Denver and Aspen, we made it home without a hitch. We were not only welcomed by several new feet of snow, but lovely decorations outside our house.

We got totally punked by my brother Trevor and his crew. Bryant is a minimalist when it comes to Christmas decor, and I happened to mention that to Trevor before we left. As we drove up to our house Sunday night after travelling all day, I said, "Wow, our neighbors went all out! Oh no! That is our house!" We pulled in to be greeted by an illuminated waiving penguin, awful wrapping paper covering our front door, redneck tinsel garland hanging from our lattice, and a huge sign out back, that you can see from the highway that says "Go Santa!" Oh my word. I was mortified. Several of my colleagues drive by our house on their way to work, including my boss. Thankfully, I confirmed that no one noticed from work.

Our munchkin is moving like crazy and did great on the trip. He is getting bigger and bigger. More and more people on the street are finally asking me if I am pregnant.

We are so crazy this week with Christmas festivities. We have parties Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we go to the Nutcracker. My parents get into town Saturday morning, and I can't wait to see them!

We are still getting a huge dumping of snow. Today we are supposed to get another 8-14 inches in Aspen. The girls in the office are skiing right now, and I so want to be out there with them. Hopefully I can break away for a top to bottom run on Aspen tomorrow.

Our Christmas cards are late being delivered, and I am really hoping the make it to you before Christmas! I have all of the envelopes addressed, stamped and waiting to go.

I have uploaded a lot of pictures on Facebook from our trip and several other occasions.

Becca

Off to the Beach

Bryant and I are travelling to Myrtle Beach to spend a much needed weekend with his family to celebrate Thanksmas!

We are so excited to see them, and I will be sure to fill you in on the highlights of the trip when we get home.

Until then,

Becca, Bryant and Baby Ragan

1st Day Skiing

Saturday I finally had the opportunity to go up skiing on Aspen Mountain. The snow has been slightly sparse so far this season, but we found some great stashes and really enjoyed ourselves. Bryant had to work up on the Frying Pan all day Saturday so I met up with a couple of girlfriends. The snow was great on the runs that were open and we were all taking it pretty easy because of the random rocks/twigs poking through. It was the perfect day to start the season, and to top it off, I felt great. My little man is a perfect ski buddy and I would like to think he really enjoyed himself too! :)

Today he is moving and shaking like crazy. It is so fun to have the regular reminder of him growing and developing in my belly.

Practicing Parenthood

Yesterday Bryant took Mali up Buttermilk, a local ski hill that hasn't opened yet. They hiked to the top using his AT gear and turned around to ski down. She was playing with sticks as usual and trying to keep up with her daddy skiing down the mountain. He didn't see her come up behind him and turned right into her with the back of his skis. The edge of his ski cut into her front leg. At first he didn't think much of it because she ran the rest of the way and hopped right into the truck, but when he got her home, he realized it was worse than he thought.

He took her to the weekend vet and they dug a rock out of the hole, repaired a tendon and stitched up the wound. Poor Mali has a soft cast up to her shoulder. My nieces stopped by last night to sign it and cheer her up. She was so drugged up she hardly noticed.

This morning she was much better. She was able to hobble around outside and go potty without much encouragement.

Bryant and I couldn't help but laugh at our (over)reaction to her being hurt. And he brought up the fact that we are having a little boy, so we probably have many many nights of nursing wounds and broken bones in our future. Isn't it funny how the Lord can use these experiences to prepare us for what's in store?!

I took more pictures of pitiful Mali but left my camera at home. The one above is from my phone.

Until the next adventure!

Becca, Bryant and Mali Burger

Somersaults and Flip Flops

As you may know, I have had some issues feeling baby Ragan move. It was a little worrisome for me, especially when moms would ask, "You are 20 weeks and haven't felt him move?!" I couldn't definitively tell you I had, and therefore didn't want to fool myself into thinking a few gas bubbles were my munchkin exercising.

However, yesterday, when we had our ultrasound, not only did I see the bugger move on the screen, but I absolutely felt him move too! It was so amazing to associate the bubbly feeling in my belly with my baby. And now, all day today, I have recognized my little baby boy moving like crazy! What an amazing experience! I still can't believe I am carrying our baby and he is growing and thriving in my belly. Wow. I can't wait until Bryant is able to feel it on the outside so he can share in this. Baby is a mover and shaker. He must be having a lot of fun in there dancing to my Christmas music!

Becca

Bryant's Little Hunting Buddy

After so much stress and anticipation, we saw our little man today. He is so handsome and everything looks perfect.

Of course I am biased, but he is such an adorable baby. The nurse tried and tried to get a straight shot of him, but he wasn't very cooperative. He was too busy sucking his thumb and playing with his man parts to pay any attention to his mommy and daddy.

Needless to say, we can't wait to meet the little bugger in April.

I can't thank you enough for your prayers, thoughts and sweet comments.

To many boyish adventures ahead,

Bryant, Becca, and Baby Boy and Mali B

Ignorance is bliss...or anxiety

Today is the day. It is finally here. I have been looking forward to this day more than any other in recent history, with the exception of our wedding.

I can't help but relish in our ignorance this morning. As I sit here with my feet up on a box under my desk and my belly protruding past my belt line, I can assume that everything happening in my hopping uterus is perfect and fine. However, today we have our big reveal appointment and not only do we get to hopefully find out what color to decorate our nursery, but also how everything is coming along inside. I am so mixed with the emotions of anxiety and excitement. I have been praying over my womb and baby since we found out we were pregnant in August, and today more than ever.

Only 1.5 hours until we get to peak inside baby's little world. I can hardly sit in my chair, and focusing on anything bigger than running an errand is impossible!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and gender guesses! So far I think about 90% of you think it is a girl!

Until we know,

B, B, Baby B and Mali B

20 Weeks Down...20 To Go

Today marks the unofficial start of my 21st week of pregnancy. It is unofficial because I have been given 2 due dates. Some websites say my change over day is Wednesday, some say it's Saturday. Either way, we are close enough.

As you may know, because I can't quit blogging and/or talking about it, our big ultra sound appointment is tomorrow at 2:00pm mountain time. I will have way more to discuss after that appointment, but until then, you can use this link to see what Baby Ragan is up to this week...What to Expect Week 20.

There is a lot of hiccupping and movement happening, and I can occasionally feel it now, which is nice and reassuring. It feels like a golf fishy is swimming around in my belly. It is wild! We listen to the heartbeat about 1x a week and it has consistently been around 150. Pretty even keeled like his/her daddio! :) This week, the little bug is the size of a cantalope!

My belly is growing a lot these days too. It is so wild to catch my reflection in a mirror or window. I am occasionally caught completely off guard by my siloutte. We have been bad about taking pictures, but I will try to get one up this week. People on the street are actually asking if I am pregnant now too, rather than just thinking I put on my winter blanket.

It seems like every day I hear about another woman who is pregnant that I or someone close to me knows.

Until tomorrow (unless I am inspired to write again today!:))

Best,

Becca

Oh Christmas Tree...and Mali

 

Bryant and I spent last Saturday morning setting up our Christmas tree and decorations. I had to order a new tree skirt because my ghetto Target purchase from a couple years ago has gone awol. I am so excited about the new one and even more excited that it will last long into our marriage. This is our second Christmas as a family, and we are so excited that next year there will be yet another addition!

It took several attempts to get Mali to pose, but we finally got a picture worth posting. Now, we need to put a few presents under the tree!

One more sleep until the big appointment. Thank you for your prayers and support. I will be posting any news once we get out of the doctors office tomorrow afternoon.

Best,

Becca

Only 3 More Sleeps...

The anticipation is killing us. We only have 3 more sleeps until our big ultrasound appointment. Not only is it exciting because we hope to find out the gender of our bambino, but we also get to find out if everything is healthy and normal up to this point. We haven't been to the doctor since October 19th, which seems like a lifetime ago, so reassurance will be awesome.

On another note, our friends, Jackie and Marc take their baby Alexa to Denver tomorrow for a big CTScan appointment on Wednesday. They found a tumor on her lung in utero and the doctors will measure whether it is still there, it has grown, or not changed at all. We are praying it has completely dissolved and won't require surgery on sweet little Alexa. She was born about 2 months early and is doing really well. Please keep her and her mom and dad in your prayers over the next couple of days.

Hopefully I will be spilling most exciting news on my next post both about our baby and baby Alexa... check back around 4:00pm mountain time on Thursday as our appointment is at 2:00pm.

Thank you for your prayers and support...WE ARE SO EXCITED!

Love,

Becca, Bryant and Big Sister Mali Burger