36 Weeks Today

It's the beginning of the end. Now the baby can officially come and not be considered pre-mature. So that's good news, because my stomach is running out of room for the wiggly baby girl inhabiting it. She can't come out of there for 2 weeks though, because my doctor had to have unexpected surgery and is recovering for 2 weeks. Now watch...she'll be stubborn (where does she get that?haha) and come early just to show me who's boss.

I feel pretty good, except for the normal ache's and pains you get at the end of pregnancy. My blood pressure is still holding steady, and I'm not all swelled up like last time. I've done good on my weight gain so far (3 weeks ago was the last check, but I have one on Friday) with only gaining 14lbs. I'm excited to have her so I can go back on Weight Watchers, and fit into my cute clothes again. Is that weird? I was like that with Byron too. I would sit there and watch The Biggest Loser on TV and be jealous that they could excercise. LOL

So I'll try to keep you all posted on my progress. But nothing eventful should happen for another couple weeks.

Christmas Letter 2008

So as some of you know, I planned to send out a Christmas letter this year. Well, Christmas Eve is in 2 days and I haven't done it yet. So I don't know if I will. LOL So I'm posting it here. Enjoy!

Dear Friends & Family,
I hope the 2008 version of the Unruh Christmas letter finds you all well, and happy. I have to say it has been a very interesting year in many ways, but quickly gone. Fast away the old year passes, as the song says, and it is so true. As I’m writing this there are only 30 days until Christmas, which used to seem like a long time, but now has me in a hurry to finish this and get it out.
Byron just turned 2 at the end of October, and has definitely taken on the role of “terror.” He was one already, but it seems to have more ferocity behind it now. (What was I saying about the year passing quickly? I hope this one does!) He’s very energetic, and animated. He does very well with his speech, and other developmental milestones, and for that we are very thankful. He loves anything with wheels, and a motor, but tractors especially. His newest interest is in helping mom cook. We’re expecting another child at the end of January, and it’s supposed to be a girl. Hopefully, the ultrasound is right, because one of each sounds perfect to me. I am curious to see how Byron will handle sharing Mommy, but I think he will be a good big brother. It may take some time though!
Ryan has been keeping busy with work as usual. Diesel prices and hay prices are very high this year, and that has had some effect on business this fall. We’re expecting that to clear up soon when there is no pasture left. He’s still enjoying his new truck that we purchased last fall. We sold the old one, finally, as the end of October. That couldn’t have come at a better time with economy as it is. He’s interested in getting into farming his own alfalfa in the near future, so he will be both growing and hauling.
I’m keeping myself busy also. Besides being pregnant and taking care of a toddler; I have a few activities of my own. I’m still running the Moms Group here in town. Many of the moms had their second child this year or are currently pregnant. So we’re about to double the number of children in the group! I also took on a position as Secretary of our Home Owner’s Association. At times it seems like a very thankless job, but someone has to do it. I renewed my passion for reading this year and it feels really good to have my nose in a book again. Although I don’t think Ryan and Byron are as excited that I found a way to distract myself. There have been several attempts to hide Mom’s books.
This has been a tough year for many people, but our greatest wish is that the holiday season brings joy to each of you. We are thinking of you all and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Happy Holidays 2008!
Love,
Anna, Ryan, Byron & (Coming soon!) Lillie

For your disjointed viewing

Our satellite reciever is on the fritz. It resets itself every 5 minutes, but only when you're watching something interesting. I think it's possessed. Of course I called the DirecTv tech support. They are so helpful "Is your reciever plugged in?" "Is the green light on?" "Have you tried turning it off and back on again to restart it? (I don't need to it's doing it on it's own!) Apparently, most people who have satellite aren't big critical thinkers. So after significant amounts of eye rolling I say to her "Look, it's been plugged in the same way and working for 4 years. I don't think it's a loose power cord."

Tech lady "Oh you'd be surprised what it is...the smallest thing can make a big difference."

So being the smart person I am, and knowing that the reciever is taking a dive, I say I've decided to upgrade to the DVR model. This gets her on the right track to get it fixed. Now we just have to watch the TV reset every 5 minutes for the next week.

It's probably for the best. It will help us get out of a tv rutt! Although, I might have something to say when Grey's Anatomy is on this Thursday and I miss something good. ;)

Crapple Cup

The Cougs won the Apple Cup again this year! WHOO HOO! We have "bragging" right's for the next year now. Although, both teams have lost their quarterbacks, and several other players, which made the teams pretty equal in suckage. An announcer on the radio said they should call it the "Crapple Cup" this year, because both teams were so bad. haha We actually didn't Coug-it this year. We did it the right way, and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! Ahhh it feels good.

Oh well, a win is a win! 16-13 Cougs in OT....eat that Huskies. ;)

Goobye Grandma

Last night I woke up from a dream thinking of my Dad. A few seconds later the phone rang, and it was him calling to tell me my Grandma Viv passed away. She had taken a turn for the worse in September after having a stroke, and then several infections. We had been expecting her to pass away soon, but no one knew when. Even though I'm prepared for it I can't stop crying off and on. I'm going to miss her.

She was a wonderful grandma to me. She always had lots of delicious cookies, and food ready when you went to visit. You never left her house hungry. A couple of times in the past I have interviewed her for history projects about strong women. Her story is on record now at Washington State University, and I'm very glad that I submitted her as my subject. She lived a very full life. She was the oldest of 10 children. Her mother died when she was 15, and she took on care for the family. She was a Manager at Safeway during World War II, but gave up her position when the "boys came home." She worked at Safeway for 30 years. By the time she left there, she knew almost everyone in town. (She had so many friends that there were over 200 people at her 80th birthday.) She loved to dance. When I came back to Washington for college I went and stayed with her for a week or so, and she wanted to take me to a dance with her. She taught me to 10 step polka in nothing but her bra and underwear. That will be one of my favorite memories of her for the rest of my life. I know where I get my love of dancing. More recently, after college we became closer. We talked about more difficult life things like marriage, and family problems. She helped me through some tough times, and I learned a lot about what she's been through. It only made me admire her more. I'm glad I talked to her about those things, before her memory started to deteriorate. Otherwise, I may never have known, because those aren't things that family talks about much. I'm going to miss her very much, but I know she lived a full 91 years, and that no small thing.

~Vivian Laura Tollefson Hewitt Rousu

May 29, 1917- November 16, 2008

May she rest in peace.

SOLD!

We FINALLY sold the old semi today. It's been up for sale for 11 months. I honestly gave up hope that it would sell. I thought with the economy being so bad, and diesel prices still high we wouldn't see it happen anytime soon. Out of the blue someone came and bought it today. I was practically running in to turn over the keys and the title. This means we are back on track to paying off our debt. We paid off our business expenses, and set aside money for taxes. So now our extra money can go back to paying off our personal debt like before. What a relief! With Christmas, and the baby coming along in the next couple months this is perfect timing.

I think I have a perma-grin! haha

My Little Boy is 2 today!

Two years ago today, at 6:29 a.m. my little boy made his entrance into the world. He weighed 7lbs 3oz, and was 18.5" long.

This is him at his 1st birthday party.

This is my little goofy, sweet, energetic boy today. My how things have changed. He used to be so small that I could hold him for hours and not get tired. Now I can only hold him for a few minutes, before my arms get tired. He can run away from his pregnant mommy very fast, and he's an excellent climber. He gives sweet kisses, and tells me "I Ov so much" while spreading his arms wide. He can count to three, and say over 100 words. He is my little buddy! He's such a big boy!

Happy Birthday Byron!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy