The Best of 2009

2009 went by so fast! It was a big year for us. Ryan and I can best describe it as "The year we grew up"-- Here are a few highlights...

We rang in the New Year in San Franciso with the Judds, visiting everything from the Ghiradelli factory and the wharf to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate BridgeIn March I turned 22! We celebrated with a wonderfully delicious dinner at The Melting PotIn April we bought a house!! It is in the perfect neighborhood and we absolutely LOVE the area and our neighbors-- It still feels a little weird to have a mortgage...We also found out in April that I was pregnant!! Easter brought the annual Judd Family Egg Roll in Cedar City, and I was crowned 2009's CHAMPION!! Here are my award winning Care Bear Eggs :)My niece Brinley Jo Nelson arrived on April 7th--Brian and Kasey's 2nd little girlUs at the hospital with Jarom and KaylaeLondon Marlee Johnson (daughter of Chris and Brecca) made her appearance in May and opened my eyes to the miracle of birthIn June we headed to HAWAII--I had been counting down the days since December! By that time I was just over 3 months pregnant, and had been sicker than sick, but Hawaii was good to me, and I only threw up 3 times the whole week--The Beach was amazing...Hawaii did not dissappointWe had great food, fun activities, and an amazing condoIn July the ultrasound revealed that we would be having a boy in December, so we began the transforming our extra bedroom into baby Camden's nurseryIn August we took our 2nd annual trip to St. George and spent time having fun in the sunUnfortunately, me 5 1/2 months pregnant, and wakeboarding don't mix, but I did get to just hang out on the boat and bask in the sunOver Labor Day we went to Midway for the famous Swiss days--the scones were delish, and I fell in love with the cute little town of MidwayIn October we held the 4th Annual Pumpkin PlinkoComplete with an amazing courseAnd ridiculously fun gamesBy the time I was 8 months pregnant I decided to finally fully embrace my pregnancy and get some pictures takenWith only 3 1/2 weeks until my due date, we finally finished the nursery! It was a good thing too, because I got preeclampsia and was induced 3 weeks early--We became parents to the cutest little boy in the world...Camden was born November 25, 2009Ryan with our son :) Now there are 3 of us--

We made some memories we'll never forget this year--

3 years later...

...and life is great! 12.30.06 Ryan and I were married-- it has been the best 3 years of my life and I can't wait to continue making memories of us!

Love is all you need :)

A Christmas of Firsts

Christmas was a little different this year, and a little more hectic with a newborn around. I did a lot of online Christmas shopping while sitting inside and wishing for snow! Who doesn't love a White Christmas? And when we were finally graced with a blanket of white, Ryan blamed me-- turns out everyone doesn't love snow as much as I do--however I have no regrets! :) We thoroughly enjoyed our WHITE Christmas by experiencing new things.

It was Camden's first Christmas

It was our first year decorating a full sized Christmas tree in a house of our own

The first Christmas where my family all met in Utah

The first time we got to talk to 2 missionaries--John and Annie--on the phone

We had a great Christmas spending time with family and enjoying our cute little baby boy! I can't wait until next year when Camden will actually know what is going on :)

His Big Debut

More pictures of our little Camden--





** All of these pictures were taken by Ashley Mackay (ashleymackayphotography.blogspot.com)

He's now almost 3 weeks old! I can't believe that 3 weeks ago he was still causing all sorts of acid reflux and high blood pressure, and now he is to blame for endless smiles and baby talk. Time sure does fly...I really don't want him to ever grow up.

Camden Zadek Judd

He is here!! Our little guy has arrived and is ready for his first photo debut! However, it turns out that having a new little one doesn't leave much spare time, and I posted all of his pictures to my family blog... So for now, check out thenelsonfamilies.blogspot.com for some pictures--- I'll put them up here once I get another spare minute :)

Ready, or Not!

This week has been a crazy one! We went in for our weekly visit on Tuesday, and were surprised to find that I had high blood pressure. It wasn't going down much, so after our appointment, our Doctor sent me down to labor and delivery to be monitored. She explained to us that high blood pressure is one of the signs of preeclampsia, which affects the liver and kidneys-- and at this point in the pregnancy, the only real cure is delivery. (This statement completely freaked Ryan out-- Especially when Dr. Ponder said that after a few hours if I still had high blood pressure, they would induce me immediately. He had the deer-in-the-headlights look for the next few hours!) Camden has a great heartbeat and moves a ton, so no concern there! After a few hours, my blood pressure went down enough that they felt comfortable sending me home...but not without a lovely 24-hour urine catch. So much fun-- If there is protein in the urine, that is sign #2 of preeclampsia.

After 24-hours, I went back in to get another blood pressure check and turn in my test. My blood pressure was lower, but not low enough that they weren't concerned. They needed my urine and blood test results to decide what to do, so they sent me on my way :)

Yesterday they called and there is indeed a high amount of protein in my urine, so induction it is! They told me to "take it easy" for the weekend and depending on the status of things-- I will either be induced this coming week or the beginning of the next week! Crazy! It turns out that despite my earlier thoughts of my child hating me and making it his life's goal to inflict pain, (with the 4 months of puking, the 3 week long larengitis/croup, acid reflux, etc.)-- he may have actually listened when I told him that he was going to come early! he he he

With the news that we have 2-3 weeks less than we thought...our lives have gone into crazy mode! Luckily my parents have been in town and have lent a HUGE helping hand, and Ryan's family is close by! The nursey is almost complete...the baby is getting ready...now we just have to work on getting mom and dad ready...I'm not sure that will ever happen, but Ready or Not--he's coming!

Best Husband/Nursey Ever

Ok I have to take a minute to brag about my amazing husband! When we found out we were pregnant I knew I wanted to go all out on our nursery. Then the news came that we were going to be parents to a little boy, and the plans began! I really had my heart set on bead board (wainscott), but to have it professionally installed was too expensive. So, my wonderfully crafty husband started making many a trip to Home Depot investigating how he could pull this off for a reasonable price... Thus began the transformation---

We decided on a bright sky blue for the walls...

And we had a lot of help...

Once the bead board was finished and looking great, I had already decided that I wanted some sort of cute sports mural painted on the wall. As it turns out, having someone paint on walls is also ridiculously expensive... So I approached my extremely talented husband, who just so happens to be an amazing artist! He said no. In my state of motherly determination, I decided to take art lessons so that I could attempt painting on the walls. It would only cost a few hundred dollars and probably a whole lot of stress on a pregnant woman, but oh well! Ryan pretty much shattered my dreams with a look at our bank account, and I thought I my perfect nursey was ruined...until he gave in and said he would paint the murals!!! Yay! (Now you may be thinking to yourself, "hey, she totally conned him into doing that!" and if that is indeed what you were thinking, you are correct)

As you can tell, Ryan is awesome! He is still working on the paintings, and I am still finishing up all the other decorations...but when it's done, I will be sure to put up more pictures! We only have 5 weeks to finish getting ready for Camden to arrive!! Can't wait :)