Our Christmas Surprise!

Welcome
Ezra Joseph Petersen!!!

8lbs 6 oz 21.5 inches
December 25, 2008
3:01 pm

It was a very hard labor and delivery but Mom and Baby are doing well. Brittany and Ryan wish to send their love to everyone. Brittany says she is sorry she didn't get an e-mail out and hopes you will forgive her.

If you would like to send your love you can e-mail Brittany dancingqueenlv@yahoo.com (she can get them on her phone)

Posted by Aunt Ashely

Winter Wonderland!

Wednesday December 17, 2008

I have lived in Las Vegas most of my life and I have never seen anything like this..... SNOW!!! Not just a few little fakes but real stick to the ground SNOW! I felt like a little kid I was so giddy just watching it come down. As a child I would always pray that we would have a white Christmas. Although it is few years later then I was asking for and it was a week early for this Christmas I think it was the most wonderful Christmas present! Our only casualty was the loss of a few big branches on the olive tree in our front yard. I will post pictures later.
P.S. If you want a picture e-mail when the baby is born please leave your e-mail (even if you think I have it)! This is how we will be spreading the word.

Just the two of us

Ryan and I are so excited for the upcoming birth of our first child! But... I would be lying if I didn't say that there is a part of me that will miss just being the two of us. Right now we can just pick up and go do whatever we want. We don't have to think of a babysitter or do we have enough diapers. We have been so focused on everything baby we kind of forgot about us. So this past "weekend" (Ryan's weekends are Monday-Wednesday) we spent some time us the two of us. We went to a couple of different malls and walked around not buying anything just spending time together. We also went to dinner one night and made dinner together another night. But I think my favorite "activity" was a nap. We know that very soon a peaceful nap together will be a thing of the past.

December 28th will be our four year anniversary. Because I don't know if I will anywhere with Internet and or could be in labor I want to write a little something to my sweetheart....

Ryan,

Thank you for being the most wonderful husband! I really could not ask for more. I feel so blessed to have you in my life. It has been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to all that awaits us. Thank you for taking the journey with me!

All my love,

Brittany

Am I done yet?

Well I lasted a pretty long time I must say but my happiness has just about run out! I am feeling very done with this whole being pregnant thing. The melt downs are happening more and more, I have nothing to wear and I keep getting the question "when are you due?" or "haven't you had that baby yet!?!" There are many things I've learned being pregnant and I would like to share them with the world.
1. NEVER tell a pregnant woman "Wow you're huge!" or "Your really getting big!" Just don't comment on how big she is getting, she already knows! (I know many times people are just trying to make conversation, but talk about the weather!)
2. ALWAYS tell a pregnant women she is looking good. (It will make her day!)
3. NEVER make fun of a pregnant woman while she is eating.
4. When a pregnant women says she is tired don't tell her"Just wait 'till you have the baby then you'll see what tired is." We all know newborns are A LOT of work and sleepless nights come with the territory. She just wants to vent.
5. ALWAYS complement her on whatever she is doing well. With all those crazy hormones she sometimes feels that nothing is going right. It is nice to hear someone thinks she is doing something well.
6. NEVER, EVER call and ask her if she has had her baby yet. AND do not ask her the very same question every time she calls you. When the baby comes, you will know!
These are just a few of the things I wish the world to know! These are very very important at the end of pregnancy (where I currently find myself) because, although she might just smile or laugh at your comment, she is really thinking how she would like to punch you in the nose!

So, I know I haven't hit my due date yet, but I guess I just thought I would have the baby early. Having a natural birth is hard in our society where most everyone is induced and has their babies early. It actually is normal for babies to come after their due date. But, sigh, I have decided to go the all natural route. So, I guess whenever the baby is done he will come. I am just having a hard time because I know several people due the same time as me and they are all having there babies now.

Enough of all this complaining! I am so thankful that the baby is doing really well! He is very healthy and active. Ryan and I have enjoyed watching him move around. When Ryan gets home from work at about 1:30 am we sit and talk to the baby and play with him, it has really been fun! I really want to be done being pregnant, but at the same time I want him to stay in there until he is good and done. We can't wait for him to come! This is where the news of his arrival will be, so keep an eye out.

No internet

We currently do not have the Internet so that is why you haven't heard from us for awhile. Listed below are a few new posts so make sure you don't miss anything!

Give Thanks

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ryan and I spent Thanksgiving with his family this year. Every other year we have bounced around to different places but this year we just had one dinner. We are trying to get more of a schedule because running around everywhere is way to much! This was my very first Thanksgiving not seeing my family at all and it was hard for me but I did it. The food was sooooo good! It is great to try everyone’s special dishes! I made rolls and my favorite dish broccoli casserole, it might sound gross but it is really good. Ryan and I were also excited to meet our new nephew Tage, he is a sweet little guy! There were only two “problems” with our Thanksgiving…..
First we didn’t get any pictures and second there was almost no delicious turkey leftover. Ryan was very sad not to have any turkey for turkey sandwiches! I told my mom and she came to the rescue by making him a turkey the day after so he could have sandwiches. Thanks mom! I also learned how to carve a turkey. It is one of those things that I had just never done so I asked my mom how to do it and I did it all by myself! We had a wonderful holiday and hope you all did too!!!
I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for….
Ryan’s job
Food to eat
A warm home
Clothes to wear
Freedom
Church
Good health
Babies (and that ours is healthy!)
Family
Friends

We are so blessed!

Showered with love!

November 16th
My dear friend Karen through me the most wonderful baby shower! The food was yummy and lots of friends and family came to celebrate this new little guy. Ryan and I really appreciate all the gifts! There are so many things we need to get for the baby and it can really add up. It is nice to have a good start on the things we need so we don’t have to spend so much money. Times are tuff right now! It is so kind that people went out of their way and spent their hard earned money to buy us gifts. I can’t tell you how grateful we are! Thank you!

Fancy cake

Thank you Karen for everything!!!

I got the cutest things!

Me at 34 weeks

These are some crazy face caught on camera while I was opening presents!

Me and Melissa we are due at the same time!

Everything was brown and blue. So cute!

Look at all that loot!!!

Thank you to everyone who came and for the wonderful gifts!

Happy Birthday to me!

Novermber 14, 2008

I am twenty- four, where did the time go? It seem like I just turned twenty-one. My birthday was on a Friday which is one of Ryan’s work days so he and I celebrated the Wednesday before. Ryan and I went to Maggiano’s for dinner, it was so yummy! On my real birthday I woke up to tons of balloons and streamers all over our house. This sign was on our freezer…..

Ryan bought Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches knowing he wouldn’t be able to fix me anything. Later that day I went to my parent house where my mom had one of my favorite meals eggs benedict, it was great! Then we (my family and Karen) went to the Town Square Mall to catch there holiday opening show. It was really crowded so we didn’t stay long. After the mall everyone (my family David and Karen) came over to my house and we had cake. My mom made my favorite cake, snickers! It was a great day!!! Fun fact…… I am the exact same age my mom was when had me and here I am having my first baby. I think it’s cool!

We're in!

November 10, 2008
Well the house still has lots of work left to do be we are now living in it. I was beginning to think this day would never come!!! Let me back up and give the full story……
Ryan and I bought my Grandfather’s house in October 2007. This is the home my mother grew-up from the age of four! Many of my favorite childhood memories happened in this home. So Ryan and I had big plans as we started to remodel/modernize it. Our lease was up for our apartment in December. Not wanting or being able to afford to pay both rent and a mortgage we moved in with Ryan’s Dad and Step mom who kindly opened up there home to us on December 29th. Our plan was to live with them for just two or three months. Well one BAD thing ( I hate to use the word bad even though some of it really was BAD!)…… Well one Crazy thing after another we lived with Ryan’s parents much longer than we expected!
So here we are. We don’t have a laundry room yet ( I do our wash at my parents) or a finish bathroom (we have a toilet and a shower done in one bathroom and we wash our hands and brush our teeth in the kitchen) and there are many other little things that need to be done, but we don’t care! We have are very own place and we love it!!! Ryan and I have put our blood sweat and tears into this home literally! I am so proud of Ryan and all the great work he has done and continues to do on the house, he is amazing! I also want to say thank you to all the family and friends who have helped us, you know who you are!
A special thank to Ryan’s parents for opening up there home to us! Words cannot express how grateful we are all there help!!!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!
P.S. Our house is right by UNLV so if you are ever at a Rebels game stop by. GO REBELS!!!!

Happy Halloween

It's November 1st already!?! Where did the time go?

Well here's what we did for Halloween..........

My Name is Earl

Earl & Joy

Ryan had to work on Halloween so some of the guys he works with had a party a week before Halloween. Ryan and I went as Earl and Joy from the T.V. show My name is Earl. Ryan's mustache was a big hit! Ryan made the mustache himself with some spirit glue and hair extensions. Yes, Ryan's eyes are closed on purpose. Earl can't keep his eyes open in pictures.

On Halloween I spent the day with my family making carmel and candy apples, jack-o-lantern pizzas and Trick-or-Treating.

Bethany making her carmel apple.

Also in this picture is her nephew.... See my belly.

Alan

He was really excited.

Andrew

Ivy & Grandma

My candy & carmel apples and my pizza

Ivy & Aunt Brittany

This was Ivy's 1st Halloween, she had a great time! We pushed her around in a stroller. As we were pushing her she was kicking her feet and pointing at everything. She liked waving bye bye to the people as we left the houses. Ivy was a horse for Halloween but everyone thought she was a cow and a boy. In this picture she is sporting her Halloween headband that I made her.



So years ago (2006) before I had a blog. Ryan and I went to a work party as Not so Happily Ever After. Most of you haven't seen these pictures so I thought I would post them. The story was Prince Charming and Cinderella got in a fight. Although Cinderella was pretty beat up..... choke marks on her neck, a black eye, fat lip, and one earring ripped out. It was Prince Charming who had the fatal ending as Cinderella stabbed him. Prince Charming came back to haunt Cinderella as a zombie.

So here's what it looks like when Happily Ever After isn't so happy.

The perfect couple

Not guilty!

Poor Prince Charming!

Poor Cinderella!

Dead man walking

The perfect wedding cake topper, right?

And they lived crapily I mean Happily ever after!

Make-up by Brittany

Vance you were right

OK Vance this could be the only time you ever hear this from me so enjoy it.........

You were right!

So to catch the rest of the world up to speed let me explain the full story. Ryan and I were hanging out with some friends last night and Vance (who's wife shows him our blog, as I do with Ryan) said " What is wrong with that black and white picture?" "It looks like it has been cut out for a newspaper." Ryan and I said there was nothing wrong with it and that maybe it was his computer screen. Well there was something wrong with it. Below is a better version of the picture. You can see the old "messed up" one under The America's Next Top Model. OK Vance enjoy being right for just this once!

So that's what I get for trying to edit photos. I guess I should leave it to the professionals!

Beautiful photography by Red Rock Studios

Bad photo editing by Brittany Petersen

But I was having fun being creative!

Sweet Sisters!

Well it's 5:00 am and I just can't sleep, I have to blog! Last night some of the ladies from church threw me a baby shower. I have to say I was very surprised when I found out they wanted to give me a shower. I have not been in the ward very long and most of the time I have been in the ward I have been serving in the children's organization know as the primary. I woke up this morning and began to cry, because I am so overwhelmed by the kindness of these women! In these hard times where money is tight, they spent their time and money to buy gifts for the baby. We received so many wonderful gifts! Diapers, wipes, baby wash, baby feeding supplies, cute outfits and beautiful handmade gifts. We now have a great start to all the things we need. Babies need a lot of stuff!!!

Dear Sisters of The Rainbow Ward,
I don't know if any of you will ever read this. I want to thank you for the kindness! Maybe you were thinking.... Should I go to this shower?..... I don't very know her very well...... Will she even care that I come? The answer is.... I am thankful you came.... I am glad we got to know each other better..... And It means the world to me that you were there! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for the wonderful food! Thank you for the wonderful gifts! Thank you for showing me your love!
Much love,
Sister Brittany Petersen

Sorry no pictures! My camera is not really working very well. A new camera is on the list of things to buy before the baby comes.

America's Next Top Model

Alright so Tyra Banks probably won't be calling me anytime soon but we did have a photo shoot. I never thought I would want to have maternity photos done but I am so glad we did. I guess I just thought why would I want to have pictures done when I feel like a whale. Well I didn't feel like a whale at all. In fact Mindy made me feel really pretty, and anyone who can make a pregnant women feel pretty is a hero in my book! This is me at a little over 29 weeks, I am currently 30 1/2 weeks. Enjoy the photos!!!

Now its time for some shout outs.......

I would like to thank my sister Ashley for cutting my hair. It was her first time cutting my hair and I think she did a great job. Anyone looking for someone to do your hair just let me know and I can give you her info. Thank you sister! I would also like to thank our wonderful photographer Mindy. She was wonderful to work with, did a great job, and like I said she made me feel pretty. Thank you so much Mindy we love our photos!!!! Visit Mindy's website at www.redrockstudioslv.com She does great work for a great price!

Unexpected

So I got a flat tire. It stinks right? Yesterday Ryan and I went to the tire store to see if they could fix my tire or if we would have to buy a new one. So the plan was to spend anywhere from $50.00-$120.00 give or take a few dollars. So we get to the tire store and the tire was not able to be fixed so time for a new tire. Ok this is a bummer but we knew it was a possibility. So they looked at my other tires and come to find out two of the four tires are legally bald and the other to were almost there as well. So I didn't need one new tire I needed FOUR! So they tell us what the price would be (over $600.00) and ask us how we would like to pay for it. I was freaking out,  I was still trying to process the fact that I needed four new tires. Ryan had to leave because he was running late for work so I needed to take care of it by myself. Before Ryan left he told me to call a couple of other places just to make sure it was a ok price for the tires. I called Sam's club because I heard that they sometimes have really good deals. After telling them what kind of tires I needed they gave me a out the door price of $354.99. GREAT this was half the price of the place I was at so I headed to Sam's Club. When I got there they were writing up my bill and then they asked me some more questions. They then told me that the tire were wrong for my car and they didn't have the right kind for my car. They said maybe there other location might have the tires I needed but they would about the same price as the place I had just left. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated I drove home to do some more research. As soon as I got home I cried, I just couldn't take anymore!!! I was not planning on spending that much money. We have been spending so much money trying to fix up the house. Well I pulled myself together and got myself some new tires. I was helped by a great guy named Rocco at Discount Tires on Sahara and Torrie Pines and he gave me a good price. So it was still a lot of money but its done. So let me backtrack and tell you about when I got my flat tire....... It was the most wonderful way I could have got one. I was turning onto Rainbow from Flamingo and my Dad was right behind me to save me! After I found out how bad my tires were I felt very blessed that I hadn't had some horrible blowout. I was driving around not knowing how dangerous my tires really were. I could have gotten into a accident that could have hurt me the baby or both of us. I went from feeling upset about the money to feeling blessed that I was safe. It really has made me wonder how many times do "bad" things happen to us that really protect us from something really bad. So from now on I am going to try and find the good in the unexpected mishaps. 

Not much

I have had a lot of people wondering what is going on because I haven't posted anything in awhile. Well the title speaks for itself but I will try and give a little update.....

HOUSE: We are so close and yet so far! It has come a long way but it is not yet livable. Ryan has been working so hard to get it done but there are only so many hours in a day and only so many dollars in the bank. We need to just get the countertop finished and one shower done for it to be livable. If anyone has a tile saw CALL ME! The rest of the house can be taken care of while living there.

BABY: Well I am happy to report that are little guy is doing great! His heartbeat is really strong and he is still moving around like crazy!!!

RYAN: Besides being absolutely worked to the bone he is doing well. Nothing new at work but no news is good news in his line of work! He has been such a wonderful support though this pregnancy! I can't say enough about how wonderful he is!!! I feel so blessed to have a husband that is so involved. He is doing a great job at taking care of us! We have been so fortunate that Ryan has been able to come to every baby appointment. I can't tell you how wonderful that has been!

BRITTANY: Like I said before Ryan is doing a great job at taking care of us but I am not doing very well at being taken care of. Ryan has been trying to get me to take it easy more but I am a very disobedient patient! I am constantly trying to do more than I should. I think I am finally getting somewhat better. My body is very tired! My back and belly have been hurting really bad to the point where I just want to cry (sometimes I do). We knew that with my back problems this pregnancy would be a challenge but we have always hoped for the best. I am working on not trying to be superwomen and admit that I need to rest. This is really hard for me because I don't want to be this lazy sit on her bum pregnant lady! I guess I just need to realize that I have a special problem and that I am not being lazy. I am still swimming and doing yoga. I look forward to these activities so much, they get me through the long days!

What else is new? We have a new nephew he was born on Tuesday and his name is Tage. We will get to meet him at Thanksgiving. He came after his due date and I told Ryan he didn't want to come down because he was having fun playing with our baby. I think it is fun to have cousins that are close in age. I love my cousins, they are some of my best friends! Unfortunately Tage lives in Arizona so the boys won't get to see each other much. I think that is it. Ryan and I have a photoshoot on Monday so keep a watch out for those pictures. By the way Happy Fall! I am loving the weather!!!

Tagged by Tiff

I can't live without....

My wonderful husband Ryan

Church

Family

Friends

See's Chocolate (or any other chocolate I can get my hands on at the time!)

My red high heels 

Fun music to dance to

Ice cream

Swimming

Cinnamon scented candles (I love spicy smelling things)

Crafts

Yoga

Spell check (I can't spell to save my life!!!)

Cafe Rio 

The biggest looser (this show makes me cry)

Dance

The color red

I tag Allison, Chelsea, Melissa and anyone else who would like to play. Write things that people might not know about you. 

Happy Birthday Grandma!

This pretty lady is my grandma Colleen. 

Grandma Colleen is my father's mother. Today is her 71st birthday. This is a picture of her at our family party last night. I have been very fortunate to live in the same town as her most of my life. Because of this we saw a lot of each other. She has come to every play, choir performance, dance recital and any other event I have ever done! She has taught me many things throughout my life. One thing that she taught me that I have used so much and love to do is how to crochet. Below are pictures of a few things I've made. Thank you Grandma for all your love and support. Happy birthday!

These are scarves I made and sold December 2005, I made $200! I used the money to buy Ryan a GPS for Christmas.

This was a gift for baby Kaden made October 2007.

This is a gift for baby Broderick made July 2008.

25 weeks and 1 day

Well it's been asked for and I try to give the people what they want...........

Another belly shot!

September 14, 2008

A close-up of my shoes. My sister Brennan bought these for me while she was in china. 

I LOVE THEM!

Things are going really well with the pregnancy! Little baby boy is moving around like crazy. His newest thing is moving when I am trying to sleep. I move from one side to the other to try and make myself more comfortable. As soon as I move he thinks it is time to play and starts swimming around. When I say moving I mean moving so much that it wakes me up completely and sometimes I can't go back to sleep for hours. It's a good thing I love him or I would be really upset. I love feeling him move around, especially when I am not sleeping! He is also now responding to Ryan. In the beginning I would say to Ryan  "The baby is kicking come feel!" As soon as Ryan would his hand on my stomach he would stop moving. I felt SO bad for Ryan! Now even if he is not moving at the time Ryan will put his hands on my stomach and start talking to him and he will move for him. He loves his Daddy! Ryan and I are getting really excited!!! We just started are childbirth classes and are really enjoying them! We are also doing a lot of reading on are own trying to prepare ourselves as much as possible. 

How am I feeling? I feel great! My body sometimes just wants to give out on me. I can only do so much before my back and stomach hurt so much that I can hardly walk. I have been doing to much lately and I have been paying the price. It is hard because we are trying to get stuff done with the house and I really want it to get done so I push to much! I am really going to try not to do that anymore. I am still swimming and doing yoga. Both these activities make me feel great! Also I visit my Chiropractor often. Thanks Dad, your a lifesaver!

How is Ryan doing? He is doing really well! Work is going well, no more scary accidents! In his "free time" he has been working on the house and taking classes at work. He is always amazing me with what he does at the house. He is a trained plumber so I expect him to do a really good job at that. What really amazes me is how well he picks up new skills. He is always teaching himself how to do other things on the house and does a really great job! He is the most handy guy to have around! 

Utah Vacation

August 26th- September 1st

We had a wonderful time in Utah! These were a few of our favorite things.......

Mom, David, Mission Reunion, Sub Zero, "The Game," Corn, The weather, Wind Turbines!

Mom 

Ryan's mom Gail lives in Spanish Fork, UT (a very cute town). She was very nice to let us stay with her! The best part of the trip was just relaxing and talking. It was fun for me to get to know more about Ryan and what he was like as a child. Ryan's mom and I made salsa, and I learned how to make zuchini bread. ZUCHINI bread, I know it might sound weird or gross, but it is REALLY good! Thanks for everything Mom. We love you!

David, Brittany,Ryan, and Mom

David 

Ryan and David were mission companions and roommates. While Ryan and I lived in Utah I got to know David really well. We had a great time hanging out. We love our David!

David and Ryan

Mission Reunion 

Ryan LOVES Brother and Sister Holdaway (Ryan's old mission president and his wife). It was great to see them! Unfortunately most of the guys Ryan served with didn't come. We did get to see Justin and his wife... and of course David.

David, Sister Holdaway and Ryan

Sub Zero 

Our favorite ice cream place in the whole world! This is a really cool ice cream place, they use liquid nitrogen to make the ice cream right in front of you! 

The Game or not. 

While we were in Provo there was a BYU game so we decided to go. When we get to the game and it was sold out and the scalpers were selling tickets for $40 each. While we didn't make it inside we did get to sing the fight song while sitting on the grass outside the stadium. Now don't worry we are STILL Rebels. We just really enjoyed going to the BYU games while Ryan was attending the school, so we thought it would be fun to go again.

Corn 

Amazing; that is the word I would use to describe it. One night we just ate corn for dinner. One of the great things about Utah is the fresh produce. That and ittle road side stands, is there anything more quaint? Well, yes there is..... There is a little old man and he sells produce from his front porch. When we went he wasn't there so you just leave the money in a little box. Oh, the honesty system! This is a picture of the little old man's house. Sorry I didn't get any corn pictures.

The weather 

BEAUTIFUL! It was nice and cool. Every night we would open the doors and let the fresh air in. The last night/morning we were there there was a great rain/hail storm. I can't wait for the cool weather to get here! 

Wind Turbines 

Ryan's favorite! It was so neat to watch them working. Ryan LOVED them so we had to get a closer look. When we got out of our car to take a look, two police officers pulled over next to us. They thought we were having car trouble.