Pictures

Hey everyone,
Just thought I would post some pictures of baby stuff. I love pictures and I figure everyone else does too!

My Belly Today

My Belly Last Week

(It's not your imagination, it has shrunk. He is so low in my pelvis that he is just sitting horizontally now)

His Crib

His Rocking Chair- Thanks to Twila for recovering it!

My Diaper Bag-

Thanks again to Twila! It matches the carseat which I for some reason don't have a picture of.

That's it for now. Happy Halloween to everyone!
Love,
Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen

One Week to Go!

Hey everyone,
So we made it through the weekend and didn't have the baby! Now I'm ready to get this show on the road. I can't wait to meet him and he just isn't cooperating. I went to the doctor this morning and she said I haven't got much going on but hopefully this week I'll just go into labor. If I don't, it'll be a long wait for my induction on November 13th! Wish me luck!
In other news, my step-dad's funeral went well. Hard day but it was beautiful. Thanks to all those who showed support.
I am no longer a hunting widow. Dustin has returned from his elk and deer hunting expeditions empty handed :( That's alright with me because we really wouldn't have eaten the meat. I am so grateful that he's home to help and be supportive.
Hope that I'll be blogging about being in labor!
Love,
Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen

In Loving Memory...

"To know you was to love you".

Yesterday my step-dad Steve Thalman passed away following a short illness. Steve had been in my life for about 12 years and had been like a father to me.
We had so many fun times, especially in the past few weeks. We joked and laughed a lot and had a good time talking about everything. He was so fun and always had a great attitude. Dustin and Steve were also close. They went on a few fishing trips recently and Dustin came back with many fun memories and times. He really loved Steve too and we will both miss him dearly.
Steve was so excited to meet our new little guy. Steve just couldn't wait so he went up to spend some time with him before he comes. Steve will for sure teach him how to fish and hunt- I bet we'll have quite the outdoorsman! We're hoping the baby waits to come for at least a week so that he can spend more time with Steve and also so we can get through this hard time before we welcome the joy of a new baby.
I just wanted to write a little to commemorate this great man that we will all miss. We love you!
Love,
Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen

Pictures of my baby bump

Hey everyone,

As promised, here are the pictures of my belly

37 weeks

Compared to...

35 weeks

He has grown so much and is now getting hiccups quite frequently. He is so active, I tease Dustin that we are never going to sleep because our baby doesn't. He is shy though, every time someone other than Dustin or I puts their hand on my belly he quits moving :)

Lots of love,

Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen

Waiting for Baby

Hey everyone!
Friday was my last day at work at the Up to 3 program. I was an aide for a child development class. I really enjoyed it but feeling like a whale and chasing 2 year olds was wearing on me. So, now we're just waiting for baby. It's weird to count in weeks instead of months now! Just over 3 weeks and we'll be parents and finally get to meet this little guy. Dangit, my camera battery just barely died so I'll have to wait to show you all the picture of my belly but it has like exploded, although it's still not huge. At the last doctor's appointment she said he has dropped and everything is looking good. Now if I could just induce my own labor this week I would LOVE that!
There is a lot going on right now and a lot of things coming up so having the baby now would be prefered, but we don't get to choose. (I never understood women trying any and everything to induce labor, but now I totally get it!) Anyways, things are good but will be great when we finally see this little man everyone is waiting for. I will post pictures soon.
Dustin is still trying for an elk. His hunt ends Thursday. It was so nice to have him home this weekend. It was crazy to wake up with him on a Sunday-hasn't happened for about 6 weeks because of hunting, etc. The deer hunt starts next weekend and then hopefully we're done. I love that he has something he gets to enjoy with his family but man, I want him home with me all the time :)
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the SNOW!!
Love,
Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen

Body Worlds and An Elk Widow

Hey Everyone,
I went to the Body World's exhibit today down at The Leonardo in Salt Lake. It was SO informational and interesting. Basically it's a guided tour of the human body. It is full of bodies that have been specially preserved. You walk through and read and listen about all the exhibits. Really really cool, but totally not for kids- so go if you can but leave the little ones home :) It has a great message- that we have a lot of control of our bodies and that happiness is key in being healthy. Photography isn't allowed inside, I so wanted a picture with me next to one of them making a crazy face :)

Here's a picture- They dissect them so you can see all the organs.

In other news, only one month until my due date! He's just a movin' and shakin' ready to have some room I think. I got my nursery almost finished YAY and thanks mom! This is my last week of working- then it's just getting ready for baby! We still have no named picked out.
Dustin is on his elk hunt until Tuesday. I am a elk/deer/fish widow. It makes me laugh- they are up there FREEZING in sopping wet clothes, not seeing any elk, yet Dustin is still upbeat and having fun. Silly Boys!
I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying the fall weather. It's been a crazy few weeks and I along with everyone else is so excited for the baby to come.
Watching conference I was so touched by the talk by Brother Uchtdorf on hope. It is something that we all need to listen to, but especially me right now.

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
- 14th Dalai Lama (from Body Worlds)

Lots of love,
Ashley, Dustin and Baby Nielsen