We just got back from a wonderful week in the Caribbean. I can't wait to go through my photo's. I will post about that when I am done with those pictures.
I love Christmas season, there are so many things I enjoy. One thing being pomegranates! They are a delicious snack. I introduced Alyssa to them this year and she loves them too. Today we had a snack together. She of course wants to do it her self (as with everything!) I had to take her shirt off as not to stain it.

My new best friend

A few weeks ago I was at work and got a severe sharp pain in the middle of my low back. I injured my back in gymnastics years ago and this is the spot with damage. It was such an intense pain that I couldn't move and I had to hold on to the desk. For about a week after that I was unable to bend, twist or really move my back. I was so worried that it would be that way the rest of my pregnancy. I decided to get one of the back/belly supports. With in a few days the pain started to get better. The sad thing is that if I take the support off with in 5 minutes I can feel the pain coming back. I wear this all day everyday. I am glad something was able to help me! I am worried because we are going on a cruise next week and planning on going on waterfall hikes. I dont know how I am going to wear it with my swim suit, we will have to see how that works out.

Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun. Russ had a GMAT class so my mom came over and went trick or treating with us. After every house we went to Alyssa would say "Lets go to another house". When we came home and were handing out candy she thought that was just as fun as trick or treating. She would jump up from the couch and run to the door. She would even get candy out of her basket to give to the kids. I love having a kid, it makes the holidays so much fun! We also went trick or treating at Russ's work. Everyone at his work was dressed up to the tea, they went all out. The cubes were decorated as well. It was pretty fun.

Halloween activities

 We have done some fun Halloween activities so far this season. We went to Thanksgiving points Halloween extravaganza. They had so many activities to do, it was so fun. There were no lines because there were so many things to do. Alyssa loved it. We also carved pumpkins with some friends.

Russ's, mine, Ki's, and Ashley's. I think Ashley's turned out the best. We did the same one but she took more time. It shows.

Potty Training

We have been potty training Alyssa for a while. By that I mean encouraging her to go in the potty. Occassionally I would have her wear panties, especially when she wanted to wear them. We didn't pressure her or do anything hard core. But about 2 weeks ago, she was consistently going pee in the potty but she was to nervous to do the other. She would wear panties all day but when she needed to go #2 she would ask for a diaper. We told her that when she finally is able to go #2 on the potty she can pick out a princess toy. When we were at walmart on saturday she told me she had to go (which I knew wasn't true because she had just gone a the house). She wanted to sit there until she could go #2 on the potty. She REALLY wanted to pick out a princess toy. Of course no success. Well yesterday she was able to do it!! Yea! She was so proud of her self! Her diaper was also dry when she woke up this morning, so I think we are going totally diaper free!!! (at least we will have a few month break in buying diapers...until the baby comes)

At home

Friday my babysitter was out of town. I took the day off and had a stay at home day with Alyssa. It was quite wonderful. We got up slowly made breakfast, went for a run, had lunch and then had craft time. I bought a bunch of new craft stuff so that Alyssa can paint and color etc. It was so blissful.  After the baby comes I am going to cut my hours back and go part time. I am excited for more days like this.

In the words of Alyssa

Alyssa talks non stop. She is pretty hilarious. I have to be careful what I say because of course she will catch and repeat the "bad words" like "crap". These are some funny things that she says:

*"Six next to me"
*In the middle of the night she woke up at said "I don't like Cosmo" (Cosmo being the BYU mascot that we see when we go to BYU soccer games.
*Yesterday during her nap "There is a huge mouse" I said Where "right there" (nothing was there and then she fell back to sleep.
*"I have a baby in my tummy too"
*"oh my gosh!" she says this when something funny happens on a movie
*Russ is taking her on a daddy daughter outing tonight when he asked her what she wanted to do she said "I want to go to Disneyland and where my tangled dress" We responded Alyssa disneyland is far away remember "Yea I want to go there"
* When we were going to my mom's house for dinner I told her that Noelle and her boyfriend Eric were going to be there, Alyssa responded saying "Eric is my friend" she put her hand over her chest and had a huge grin (she loves Eric)
*"There is a number 5" she points them out where ever we go and is obssessed with finding the number 5.
*"Mom I'm getting bigger, like you"

She crackes me up everyday. I love this little girl!