Tuesday, September 16, 2008

2008 - One Crazy Year!

Baby On Board


Okay so I wasn't lying when I said I was a bad blogger. I guess I should get everyone back up to speed by recapping a little bit of this crazy year. First I'll address the obvious ... Tau and I found out we were going to have a little baby boy. I knew two weeks before I told Tau because I wanted to wait and give him the positive pregnancy test as a Christmas present. When I told Tau he asked if I was sure and I started to sweat. I had only taken the test once. What if it was a false positive? I never thought to confirm it. I had Tau rush to the store that night and we took the test three more times. Every time I took it Tau asked if I was sure. I would just look at the double lines and doubt would come rushing in (that darn second line got lighter and lighter with every test). I don't think we totally believed it until we saw the ultrasound and heard the heartbeat 8 weeks later. Tau finally made the connection (referring to the two weeks before I told him I was prego), he said "Oh, so thats why you were crying all the time". With the new addition to our family coming shortly Tau and I rushed to tie up some loose ends and get "ready".


Graduation


The first thing on the list was to finish our education. In April Tau and I finally graduated from the Y. Tau received his Master's in Public Administration and I got my Bachelor's degree in Public Health Education. Tau's parents came out form AZ and we had a little BBQ afterward to celebrate.


After school was out of the way, Tau kept busy working for LDS Philanthropies as a donor liaison and playing city league softball and church basketball. Even though I walked in April, I kept working on an internship with the American Red Cross (teaching CPR/first aid/HIV/AIDS awareness) during the summer to receive my diploma. I just got it in the mail today. Hooray! Its official!

House Hunting

The next thing on our list to do before the baby got here was find a place to live. We had been staying with my parents in Pleasant Grove to save up for a home. We started looking in November with our realtor and after 7 months and a couple of offers we finally bought a condo in Springville. It was actually one of the first places we looked at but passed on (we had a really patient realtor). I'm glad we did though because the market was better when we finally made our offer. I love having my own place, the only problem is we still haven't decorated it because I just can't bare to put a hole in our nice new walls. I am determined to get over that soon however, so all of our pictures can stop taking up space sitting in a pile in our living room.



You might not be able to tell from the pictures but (for those of you who are curious) we have 9 foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, beige walls, travertine tile, and knotty alder cabinets (spelling?). It is a three bedroom, 2 bath condo with a walk in closet in the master and a jetted tub (Tau loves that), a small patio with storage, and (my favorite) a separate laundry room with a folding counter. The neighborhood is really nice too. We have a Walmart a mile away and an elementary school and park just around the corner. My favorite place to walk to is down the street because our neighbor has a small farm with swans, emus, kangaroos, reindeer, etc. It's pretty crazy, I like to walk by and look at all the animals. I can't wait till my Noa gets older so he can enjoy looking at the animals with me.

Babymoon ...

I have been advised by several people to take a babymoon before the baby comes. I was determined to go somewhere exotic, but it just wasn't in the stars. Tau and I were able to do some fun things together however before baby came. I really enjoyed spending one-on-one time with him and strengthening our relationship. Here are some of the bigger things we did.

Valentines Day

Tau surprised me and took me to Chefs Table. A very nice restaurant overlooking Provo. I was so giddy because Tau even dressed up to match me. It might seem like a silly thing but it made me smile all night that he took the time to think about that. I felt really bad about the date though because my morning sickness was working overtime that night and the smell of my delicious steak made me nauseous. I ended up only taking one bite and then resigned to watching Tau eat his dinner while I boxed mine up and tried to hold my lunch down. Still it was one of my favorite dates and one I will remember.


California Trip

We visited Tau's cousin Ray and his family in Cali. We rented a convertable while we were there (Sweet!) We went for their newest daughter's baby blessing and while they were there they spoiled us with delicious food (i.e. phily cheese steak sandwiches and Honey Bunches of Oats french toast topped with bananas.




The Stadium of Fire 4th of July celebration...

...featuring Miley Cyrus and the Blue Man Group. I really wanted to go to this since I have never been and won't want to go when I have kids (I'd rather watch my kids do fireworks on future 4ths).


Lets just say that the Blue Man group and the Fireworks rocked. Miley ... well ... the tweens loved her, but I couldn't convince Tau to get up and dance along with the crowd.




We also flew to Arizona to visit Tau's family. His mom and sister threw me a surprise baby shower while the men went out and golfed.


Despite the heat (110 degrees plus my little baby heater), it was a very relaxing trip and we wished we could have stayed longer.

Baby Showers

Along with the baby shower in Arizona, one of my best friends Becca Welch and my mom threw me baby showers in Utah. It was fun to see all of my friends and family again. Thanks to everyone who came and who sent gifts. Everything we have gotten has come in very handy.


Well that is just some of the things we were able to do this year before our lives were forever changed. I will get some more pics up soon. I promise

9 comments:

Naomi Hanks said...

It's about time dude! Your post was awesome! Glad to finally get an update on the Ioane fam. Love you!

Beccarigg said...

Now THAT, IS WHAT, I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!! Yeah Sarah! Way to get your blog on girl! Woot woot! Sarah's in the house ya'll! Woot!
DUDE!!! I loved your blog entry, that was everything I've been wanting and more! Thank you thank you thank you! Those were the first pics I've seen of your graduation and of you prego (well I saw one prego pic forever ago but that doesn't count)! Oh my gosh! You were the CUTEST pregnant lady EVER!!! I am so so jealous! I love the pics of you in that green top at your baby shower! ADORABLE and GORGEOUS are two words that come to mind!

Your house looks awesome though and don't worry about putting holes in the walls, they're really easy to fix! Anyway, I love you so much and I'm so happy that you're finally getting your blog going! Can't wait to see pics of baby Noa!

Ryan said...

Hey Sarah and Tau! Congrats on your little Noa! We would love to come and see you, tau, your little one, and new home. Do you need any help with anything??? Let us know...Cherisse, Ryan, and mo.

Crystal said...

You were the cutest pregnant lady ever! I'm jealous too! haha. Glad to see you guys are doing well, and how exciting that you got your own place!! Congrats:)

Tara said...

Wow, that was awesome! Must have taken you forever to put up all those pictures! But that was so fun to read. I LOVE your place, it's GORGEOUS! And a laundry room? Geez! Also, congrats on graduating! I didn't know you guys both got to walk together, that's really cool. Keep the blog posts coming, you are so cute!

Manda said...

SARAH! You finally posted! I bet it took forever for you to do everything, but I'm sure you fit it all in during nap time! You inspire me to want to have kids :) not now, but you do! Did you see my post about seeing your Noa? Keep posting, I love to hear about all of the fun stuff you are doing! Love you tons!

Mucci Ohana said...

that was amazing, I am so happy for you sarah. I am proud of you for figuring out how to blog. I knew that bachelors degree wasn't fake. Looks great. Keep up the blogging dude

Cam and Lohi said...

We are so happy that the Ioane Aiga finally made an update. We now just need to see some pictures of your adorable little guy.

You guy's definately had your plate full. Well....your plate is full now but just a different kind :). Doesn't it feel good to be a graduate? School is something that I don't miss. I guess I miss the socializing but not the studying, tests, and homework. I think finals week was the worst though. It was so neat that you both graduated the same time.

It must be so exciting living and owning a place all on your own. You can do what you want, when you want. I'm sure when you finally do decorate it, it will be even more beautiful.

We wish we could have visited your little family when we were up in Utah. We had too much to do with not enough time. We hope that your family is doing great.

Anita said...

wow that was some update :) the house looks so cute and i am so excited to come visit you guys for the blessing!!! i love the pic of you guys on valentine's day - how cute! i'm impressed that tau matched your outfit :) i remember in middle school when he used to ask 'does this match?,' it cracked me up when he starting caring what he looked like. you guys are such a cute couple & i'm so happy to have such a wonderful sister-in-law! can't wait till you guys move down here to az so i can have all my sister-in-laws together :)