I'm not sure what to write other then my baby girl is here. Kinda hard to organize your thoughts when all you want to do is hold her and be thankful she got here ok. Here are some pics I took of my cute little nugget.
More to come later. Plenty more.
You knew it was inevitable. You know it was only a matter of time before we posted the typical post of the baby's room and crib. Well there you have it. We only have two more days and we are ready as we can be. The Christmas shopping is complete, the presents are wrapped, the hospital bag is packed, and the car seat bases are now in the cars. It is kind of weird to think that in two days, I'll be joining the ranks of parenthood. From here on out Ash is going to be outnumbered. She will now have two kids to take care of. And she thought I was a handful.
Avery will be here on the 23rd and we should be able to bring her home a few days later. She still hasn't turned, but if she does, they will go ahead and induce Ashley instead of doing a c-section. Christmas will most likely be spent in the hospital this year. As long as all goes ok, which it will, I'm ok with that. She'll be well worth it. Avery is the best Christmas present we could get. Yes, even better than the PlayStation 3 we got last year.
We'll be sure to keep everyone updated. I have set up a Twitter account where I can post updates of all of the happenings. So you'll be able to find out if I passed out in the delivery room or not. You can keep on checking back on our blog (top right) or you can follow it directly from the Twitter page at twitter.com/erx3.
In case you were wondering, yes I did put the dresser and crib together. And yes, I know I'm good. 
This morning was a whole new ball game in pregnancy for me. I had to go in to the hospital today and try to have Avery turned because she is in a breached position. Little did I know what was in store for me. Eric , bless his heart, was there to help get me through it. They first did an ultrasound to check out everything from her position to all her organs and features to make sure she would be ok to turn. From there they took me into a non-stress testing room where they monitored her heart beats and movements for about a half hour. Then they put in an IV and gave me a shot in my arm to help relax my pelvis. I HATE IV's and Needles!!! Eric helps me get through this. I could not be strong without him. Then they took me into another room and the Dr. came in and the sonographor and they got everything all ready to begin. The Dr. tried about five times to turn her by taking his hands and placing them on my belly and just twisting every which way. It hurt , not going to lie. I wanted to scream but I took the pain. Eric said it made his stomach hurt just to watch it. He would get Avery in a side ways position and she would not let him go any more than that. Each time she would just flip right back into position as before. She likes it there and I guess she is stubborn too. The Dr. then told us that we should schedule a C-section in case she does not turn. So that was a downer for me. That was not in my plan. Then I was taken back to the non-stress test room to have the baby monitored for another half hour. It was a long morning, but I know that she is doing great other than the positioning. So that is where we are at and I will keep you all updated. We are looking at the 23rd for the procedure.
I believe this picture will be much easier on the eyes. Well November flew by. I think it had something to do with the fact that I wasn't in a stats class. It was a very eventful month. At the first of the month we flew to Arizona for Jeff's funeral. 
Ash and I celebrated our 30th 3rd anniversary.
Ashley turned 24.
We spent the Thanksgiving weekend down in Meadow. And now Avery will be here before we know it. Ashley has been one tough cookie and I really appreciate her for doing what she does day in and day out. I understand it is not easy being prego. I'm sure every woman reading this is thinking that I really don't understand. At least Ashley reminds me that I have no idea. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for her and I love her for all that she is going through. I know she'll make the best mom ever because she still continues to take care of me regardless of her condition and how she is feeling.
It is official. I am finished with a little class called research and evaluation otherwise known as my mortal enemy or statistics. Finally. After 10 weeks and two classes, I can breathe. I feel like these four women 
were pulled off of me after they had dog piled on top of me while fighting over a Little Debbie snack. It was one of the most difficult classes that I have had yet. I don't know how I did it, but I was able to score two A's in the two classes. I really don't know what my teachers were smoking, but I took those two A's and I ran. I know the prayers worked. I won't get all spiritual on anyone here, because I think I lost that chance with the picture above.
I should probably thank Ashley for putting up with my crying and complaining and helping me get through these classes. Also thank you to Amber (Ash's sis) or 'Ber as I call her, for sitting with me and trying to figure out what the heck my teachers wanted me to do.
I wanted to close my post with some smart statistical reference I picked up over the past 10 weeks, but I couldn't think of anything. You see why I ran with those A's? Rather I will close with a "did you know" question.
Did you know that the bikinis that the women are wearing are what us normal-sized people would call blankets? 
Perhaps my teachers know this guy?
Me and Brittany ( I love her!) both pregnant
Me opening my late Grandma Beckstrand's gift
Now this is Becca and you can just tell why I love her
Me and my Mom opening a special gift from her and my Dad
This is my baby blessing dress that I wore and my parents had it framed for me to always remind me of how special little girls are.Yesterday at my work, we had a team meeting that we as hygienists were in charge of. It went really well. After the meeting, I wanted one of the doctor's I work with to check my teeth. As sad as it is, it has been a while since I have had dental work done. I have had cleanings, but not the work. Needless to say, I have a lot to be done. Well, I told him I wanted my wisdom teeth out and he said ok lets do it now. So we took those monsters out, not even needing to be put under, and they were out in thirty min. I am doing well but have a sore mouth in the back but I will live. I am so happy they are finally out of my mouth! Eric was really shocked when I came home and my face was a little swollen and I could not talk. I was numb since 4:30 pm til 10:00 pm last night. The rest of the work will wait til the baby is born. I can't believe that I made that quick decision, but I am glad I did.
get ready for Avery. I don't know why I got in the cleaning mode lately, but I know I won't be able to deep clean like that for a while. It is getting harder for me to bend over and get up and I do tire myself out here and there. My sister-in-law , Jen, said that is called "nesting" and getting ready for the baby. That is understandable. I finally got the baby's crib bedding and I finished painting her name to put on her bedroom wall. It is really getting fun to start putting all these things together. Two more weeks and I hit month number 7!! Crazy how this has flown by. I have been having the leg cramps, tiredness, and my tailbone KILLS me when I put weight on it. That is not fun, and at times it is really painful. Eric is a sweetheart and does all he can do to help me be comfortable. He is great to put up with me at times. I had Eric quickly take some pictures of me and the belly today before church because I have had many requests from friends and family to see the belly bump. So here are some belly pics and also a sample of her bedding and her name I painted. I know that the last three months coming up here will be harder and I hope I get through this. I have to be honest, I have been scared about the whole having a baby and being a parent but I know it will be fun and a new experience for Eric and I. I will keep you updated on things to come. Love ya all!
All of these years I have heard about people complaining about their "stats" class and how annoyingly difficult they were. I never understood why until I started my class last week. A couple of weeks ago I saw that my upcoming class was "Research and Evaluation". No biggie I thought. Chalk up another A for me. The lies! Well it is research and evaluation class, but they had to sugarcoat it and not call it "stats". So while I sit and do my stats homework, Ash is in the bedroom watching a movie. Then again she is watching Becoming Jane and these "stats" aren't looking so bad. That's a lie. I'd rather be watching that than doing this homework.
Pray for me.
As you all know, Eric and I are expecting our little girl December 30. I believe she will arrive in the first week of Jan. It is so nice now that I know what to prepare for and it is so much fun. We decided to name her Avery. We have started looking at all the fun baby clothes, cribs, and strollers. My sister Amber and my sister-in-law Jen have already given her CUTE outfits and I just got all excited. Eric has been so cute lately. He will send me texts asking how his girls are doing. He is just as excited. He is going to be smitten when he sees her and he will never want to let her go. I am more than half way through the pregnancy and so far it has been really good. I never had morning sickness. I do get tired here and there but that has been it so far. I just wish she was here already and my anticipation is going to get worse. I just thought I would let all of you know how we are doing. Oh, and I am very excited for fall. It is my favorite time of the year, Halloween, pretty leafs, my birthday, my anniversary, Thanksgiving, and then it starts to snow!
Looks like I'm going to have to ask for that raise now.
As many of you already know, we are having a girl! For some reason Ashley said that I have to make this post. It has been very fun picturing how my life will be in the next couple of years being the only male in the house. I'm really looking forward to being with my girls. I really hope she looks like Ashley because I don't exactly have very many girlish features that I could pass on.
Everything looked great in the ultrasound. The baby was laying on her side so the tech couldn't take all the pictures and measurements that she needed to. We go back on Sept. 5th for a routine checkup and we'll keep you all updated.
The other night Ashley was watching the movie "Bring It On." I think it was the 17th one they've made and it was 17 times as bad as the first one. It then hit me that these types of movies are going to make a constant showing at my house in the next few years.
I know that this little girl will be a blessing for us. She's going to be mommy's little helper and daddy's little girl. We've had fun picking out some baby clothes and getting ready for her. It didn't take long for me to track down a Phoenix Suns outfit for my little girl. She'll be in my lap cheering with me for our Suns next season.
That drum roll will only last for about another 10 hours because that is when we are going to find out whether a certain body part on our baby has developed or not. We are excited. I'm too excited to even work on my homework. I've been distracted with how I will rub it in the faces of all those who voted "girl" in our poll. All 10 of you. I must clarify to all that I will be just as happy if we find out we are having a girl. I've had a few people threaten me (Ashley being one) that they would tell my daughter when she got older that I didn't want her. My response? I didn't want her to come just yet because I wanted to save up even more money so that I could give her everything she wanted. I guess regardless of when our girl comes, she'll be spoiled nonetheless.
Someone told me the other day that they thought there was a 60% chance that we'd have a girl. And the additional 10% comes from where? Whatever happened to my 50-50 chances? Although I do think he was a BYU grad which could explain his faulty reasoning. While on that subject I should also mention that any BYU/Jazz clothing given to my kid will be immediately donated to Deseret Industries. There is one right down the street from where we live so don't worry that I'd be going out of my way.
We are excited though. Ashley is starting to get a little pooch and I think she looks so cute. I'll have to get a picture of the prego up soon so you can all agree. We'll let you all know tomorrow the big news, through one form of communication or another. I will be accepting congratulations in the form of checks, gift cards and straight cash. Just so you know.
Mom with Houston
Meadow fire truck spraying the crowd
Jen, Houston, and Derek
Me, Tiff and her 4 week old son, and Jenny ( my friends from grade school)
Dad and Amber making a Houston sandwich 
My mom and dad eating their tin foil dinners
Hailie and Houston on the couch at Grandma Beckstrand
Hailie on the float
Josh, Annette, and Hailie
Eric and I went to Meadow for the small town festivities for the 4th of July. This was my first time back in over three years and this was Eric's first time to experience the small town fun. The night we got home, my mom's side of the family was over at the house and we had a fun dinner, snow cones, and an outdoor movie on my dad's blow up movie screen. It was a lot of fun. My mom loves having family over and being a great entertainer. The morning of July 4th rolled in and the boys ( Derek, Eric, Dad, and Grandpa) went golfing EARLY. While the men were gone, the women (me, Amb, and Mom) got ready for the day and headed to Fillmore for the Parade. We met up with the Tuttle fam there and watched the lamest parade Fillmore has had (at least the ones I remember). Joni, Ambi, and Me had a picture taken and Joni now has brown hair not blonde. She looks good either way. 
The one good part of it was my Uncle Steve on the Beckstrand's side danced with some friends from his ward. He is really good and should continue with dance!! Then we went back home to Meadow to meet up with the men and then headed back to Fillmore to the Iverson's house for the traditional Beckstrand family BBQ. Uncle Steve makes the BEST turkey steaks. It was so good to catch up with everyone. After that, we headed back to Meadow to relax and wait til dark to head back to Fillmore for the most amazing fireworks show ever! Eric and I posed for a quick picture. He loved how all the people just lay out blankets and chairs on the baseball fields and the fireworks are lit right above you. I told him that ash will fall down and hit people and one year it burned a hole in my blanket. He laughed when we watched as ash fell and hit the people around us. At the very end, the last firework just let everyone have it. Ash fell like rain and it hit us and everyone else. Eric loved it! He can't wait til next year. Now it is on to the 24th and we will have a post for that. 
