Birthday/Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

This is always the biggest week of the year! There is always so much packed into this week.
I worked my birthday- my choice. I know I can't believe I did but I actually really enjoy my job being 39 weeks pregnant. I get lots of attention ;). All the nurses are amazed how well I'm doing. There has been a couple of residents and nurses who are pregnant that had premies/pre-eclampsia, htn, and other complications. It is because the workplace is so stressful! I am so happy I went PRN. One of my colleagues wanted to do some acupuncture on me. She said it got her water to break. I was a little reluctant and let her do it for a minute and then I was just not feeling it. He will come out when he is ready!
For my birthday I watched lots of Gilmore Girls and Chris talked me into going ice skating... at 38 weeks. Well he didn't really talk me into it i'll admit I really wanted to go. So I was very very careful and it was lots of fun. We then went to Pi pizza- my favorite! This has been a birthday tradition since I have lived in St Louis for the past three years. Skating and pizza.

We made it past our goal! Baby has stayed nice and toasty past Christmas. We matched check, I finished finals check, we had Christmas check, now to just have a baby! Ah it is crazy I can't believe this little guy will be here so soon!
I have never been away from family during Christmas so it was kind of hard this year but also fun. Chris and I got to spend some family time as two soon to be three. He was on call so I was hoping and praying he wouldn't be called in. He rounded on some patients Christmas Eve and then we had went and played after. Meaning we went to the gym and got some last minute dinner stuff for Christmas day. We went to a movie, got Chinese food just like Christmas Story and ran into our friends (the other smith's) at the restaurant.
Chris was thinking he had to go in Christmas Eve so I really wanted to do something to pass the time. I am not sure why but I really just wanted to do a puzzle. So we ran over to Target and that was an experience of itself. I felt so bad for the workers there. The place was a madhouse. The only puzzles that were there were were Disney which was 500 or more and then Noah's ark which was about 300. So I grabbed that and got out of that store as quickly as possible.
It was a Christmas Miracle! Chris didn't have to go in, the patient pressure was adequate and he didn't have to do surgery after all. We decorated the "Picasso Gingerbread House" is what I am now calling it. It was already falling a part. We turned on some really bad Christmas movies that I thought would be good- A Christmas Spirit got 4 1/2 stars and I don't know who rated it but it was awful! We did our Noah's puzzle while watching it.

Christmas morning was special I woke up and made a breakfast casserole and cinnamon roles. "Yes an unhealthy breakfast!" was Chris's reaction. We opened presents starting with Maggie- she got a couple of bones, a snowman, and new collar! Although what she really needs is a grooming they don't have any openings during the holidays!! Chris got a NES Classic which he has been playing, and Chris got me a T-Swift piano book haha. I have noticed Chris likes the Twofer gifts. Which is cool because we both want it. We got a cool portable speaker that is rated one of the best. I also got a Google Home thinking we could use it for other things and a speaker. When I asked Chris why don't we just take back the other one? He looked at me and said ya but it's waterproof... so where do we go that is supposed to be waterproof? The beach, pool,.. I don't know. We don't go to the beach or pool... Okay maybe the OR... ah there is the real answer.! He also got us a tripod for your phone to take pictures. I did get a big purchase this year really wanting a vitamix... (birthday/ Christmas) combo. Ya this is going to be an expensive time of year with the baby's birthday, Christmas, and my birthday!

Hour church! We had our Christmas program and Chris played a great piano piece. We played with all our toys and gadgets and talked to my brother Tanner calling from Oregon! It was so good to see him, he seems so happy! We went to our neighbors for dinner who just had their baby a couple of days ago. She is so sweet! Her name is Flora Lupine Horrocks. Noelle showed me how to do a Moby and it is actually very comfortable!
We already have a girlfriend for him ;) We had some ham, funeral potatoes, and green bean casserole, I made a salad and some bread. We played games until 11- mostly Bang. Which the outlaws won! Seriously everytime I play Chris is Sheriff.. I swear there is something he is doing when he is dealing.
Well Christmas was very special this year and I was sad I couldn't be with family but we made it special! We love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Ice Storm

 I always get sick right before my birthday probably because of finals and many people in close proximity. I have a feeling I either got sick from work or the Christmas party we had last Sunday. I started feeling sick a couple of days after so who knows which one. I always thought you got a cold from going outside man I have come far since NP school. This girl in my pathophys. class and I have been studying for most of the semester together. I definitely feel more motivated when I study with someone. 

This weekend was scary with the ice storms. I had gone grocery shopping during the day and was working on my Relief Society Lesson. Chris and I wanted to go to dinner and he called me and said I don't want to leave tonight the roads are awful! I didn't know how bad it was not going outside at night. We walk Maggie and literally I was iceskating on the roads. I could not stop laughing. Everything was canceled this weekend all our fun plans! We had a date night planned, fun residency party we were planning on going to, caroling at the church, and teaching relief society. None of which happened. What did happen was me finally cleaning out my closet, cleaning, and washing baby clothes and getting the crib together. It was actually very productive although we literally did not leave the house for days. I guess we need to get used to this before the baby comes! Start finding some indoor hobbies. I am keeping up with my piano. I have to say piano is MUCH more fun when you practice everyday. If I skip multiple days and then come back to it it always takes me twice as long to learn again. 

Having no school means more homemade meals. Chris is not complaining. I have made more food this weekend than this whole semester of school! I made fudge, a roast, taco soup, pancakes and eggs. Since this weekend we literally did not leave it was kind of fun to be stuck at home. Chris watched a lot of football...and more football. He also helped our neighbors with the annoying barking dog who barks at 4pm every night and it doesn't stop until 11 pm. I have to text him to bring his dog inside. Isn't that animal cruelty? It is 10 degrees outside!!

I had what the nurses called "princess shifts this week". I have to say it is SO nice to have 5 hours of work and then go home or go grocery shopping. I could get used to the princess shifts. I ended up signing up for work on my birthday, who does that? Well we do have our Christmas party that morning and it is single bonus so why not right. 

Chris and I have been taking advantage of going to the movies, since it will be a while when we get to see more movies again. We went and saw Moana. Not my favorite honestly, its going to be hard to watch all kid movies in the future...

Well this week I turn 26 it is christmas eve and christmas! So exciting. 

Love, 

Cam