Getting Back in Shape

So I got the go ahead to begin exercising from my doctor...HOLY COW it's kicking my trash. I never knew I was SO out of shape. Things I have been able to do for years is a challenge. I went and got a Latin dance workout video thinking that I should be able to do this. I've done Latin dancing for years and did quite well. Yeah, trying to do it is an embarrassment to myself. Oh well, I only hope that I am motivated enough to keep it up I really want to get back into shape and back into my clothes again. So, to all my friends out there, please when you see me ask me how my exercising is going and encourage me to keep it up.

To a Great Man

I just wanted to take a moment and give appreciation to my husband Karl. I've always known that I was lucky to marry such a great person. But I really can't express how happy that man makes me. I love him SO much. I don't know how I was fortunate enough to have someone like that as my husband. He makes me laugh each day and he is so supportive. He doesn't complain when the house doesn't get cleaned or when we end up having Mac and Cheese for the third time in a week (okay so it hasn't gotten that bad). He is so helpful and caring. I love watching him bond with Fischer and see the light in his eyes as he plays with his little boy. He is such a proud Dad. He has been great with him and is so willing to take his turn with him at night or change a diaper. He just gets up and does it.

Karl amazes me. I love that we can talk about anything. I love that he encourages me to be better or is just a listening ear when things are tough.

Thank you for everything Karl. I LOVE YOU!

The "Other" Mother

So my dog Sadie has really taken a liking to Fischer. She is such a good helper and thinks she needs to mother him. When Fischer cries at night she is the first one up running into his room to make sure he is okay. When a diaper needs to be changed she is right there making sure I do an adequate job and the other night I found her sleeping in the baby room. She is such a funny dog. As I was taking pictures of Fischer she had to come lay down and join him. I have a feeling they will be the best of friends.

1 Month Old

I can't believe Fischer is 1 month old today. He has been such a joy to our family. I can't imagine my life without him. Here are some funny/fun facts about my little man this month.

• He likes to stoke his hair when sleeping
• He hates being naked and having his diaper changed.
• He loves to sleep and be held.
• He can roll over from his tummy to his back.
• He's ticklish on his back.
• His bouncer is his favorite thing.

I Surrender!

I give up! I surrender, I'll go to sleep!

Roll Over

I am constantly amazed at my little man. Each day he gets stronger and stronger and continues to amaze me. Today Fischer rolled over all by himself. I know most people probably wouldn't care but I was so proud of my little man. I couldn't believe how strong he was getting. My favorite was his face after he accomplished it. He looked like he had just concord the world. I think he was as surprised as I was. I put him back on his stomach to see if he would do it again just to see if it happened to be an accidental roll over but he did. He is also starting to hold up his head on his own and loves to look around.

3 Weeks Old

So yesterday my baby turned three weeks old. I can't believe how fast time is going by. It just seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. So far it has been an incredible experience; one that has been harder and better then I could have ever imagined. I love my little man. He is such a sweetheart and has the sweetest little personality. He has been a great baby thus far and has been very patient with his not so professional parents. We are so blessed to have him in our lives and only after three weeks I don't know how we ever lived without him.
Currently "mom" is working on getting some sort of schedule/routine together. I think the routine is more for my sake then for his but with me going back to work in a few weeks I would like to have something established or some routine put in place. Hopefully it'll all work out well.

My Handsome Little Man

So I've been having issues getting these pictures but I finally got them after a lot of arguing with my computer and a very patient Sister-in-law who continued to get me copies of the photos. Thanks Aunt Brooke for taking the pictures.

Fischer James

Fischer has arrived! He was born December 22nd. He weight in at 6 lbs even and was 19 inches long. He came just in time (5:05 pm) to watch the BYU bowl game with his Dad. We Love You Fischer! Mom and Baby are doing well.

I thought this picture of him holding his nose was cute.

Cutest Neighbor Ever!

So I have the cutest little neighbor in the world. Alexis is our neighbor's daughter that lives directly behind us. She is about 7 years old. Anyway tonight as she was bringing treats over she gave Karl the following coupon to give me.

It totally made my day and I couldn't' help but smile in regards to her sweet and innocent generosity. In case you can't read it the coupon says the following:
This coupon is good for:
Help with anything
From: Alexis Barnes
To: Vallerie

Rub-a-dub dub, there's a doggie in my tub!

So last night I decided that I would take a nice hot bath. I get the water started, wait for the tub to fill up, and as I'm about to get in I realize I don't have any soap. So went to the closet to grab some and upon my return I found Sadie... leisurely soaking in my bath tub. Guess I'm not the only girl in the house that likes hot baths.

The Painting and the Room

I've had some people wanting me to post a picture of the painting I had done for Karl. My friend Rick Kennington does AMAZING paintings. (You can view his blog for more of his paintings under my contacts-A.R. Kennington) He custom made this painting for me using pictures of Karl fishing, the dog, and adding a little kid. The picture above really doesn't give this painting justice. I love it. Rick is so talented and I was so glad he was willing to do it for me. Rick actually ended up liking it so much he did a slightly different version of it for himself.
Below are some updated pictures of Fischer's room.

The Dogs I Love

So for Christmas Karl got me a Nikon D3000 camera. He gave it to me early so I could learn how to use it before the baby came. Of course I had to have a subject to take pictures so the dogs unknowingly volunteered to be my guinea pigs while I learned the little tricks to my camera. Here are a few shots of the dogs I love.

Sadie

Gus
Sadie

It's Christmas Time!

I love this time of year when family and friends get together. My sister-in-law Brooke always puts together the cutest little Christmas party complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It's weird to think that next year Karl and I will have a little one to place on Santa's knee.

Who Knows, You might learn some new things about me!

I saw this on my friend's blog and thought I would copy it cause I thought it was kind of fun (Thanks Bree)
Have you ever...(if it is bold I have)
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given to a charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Held a lamb
25. Gone skinny dipping
26. Taken an ice cold bath
27. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Ridden a roller coaster
30. Hit a home run
31. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
32. Adopted an accent for fun
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
35. Loved your job 90% of the time
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Watched wild whales
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Gone on a walk on the beach
40. Gone sky diving
41. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
42. Bench-pressed your own weight
43. Milked a cow
44. Alphabetized your personal files
45. Worn a superhero costume
46. Sung karaoke
47. Lounged around in bed all day
48. Gone scuba diving
49. Kissed in the rain
50. Played in the mud
51. Gone to a drive-in theater
52. Done something you should regret
53. Visited the Great Wall of China
54. Started a business
55. Been in a movie
56. Gone without food for 3 days
57. Made cookies from scratch
58. Won first prize in a costume contest
59. Got flowers for no reason
60. Spoken more than one language fluently
61. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
62. Bounced a check
63. Read and understood your credit report
64. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
65. Called or written your Congress person
66. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
67. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
68. Helped an animal give birth
69. Been fired or laid off from a job
70. Won money
71. Broken a bone
72. Ridden a motorcycle
73. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
74. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
75. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
77. Had your picture in the newspaper
78. Read the Bible cover to cover
79. Changed some one's mind about something you care deeply about
80. Gone back to school
81. Changed your name
82. Eaten fried green tomatoes
83. Read The Iliad
84. Taught yourself an art from scratch
85. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
86. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
87. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
88. Been elected to public office
89. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
90. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
91. Dyed your hair
92. Rocked a baby to sleep
93. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
94. Raked your carpet
95. Worn a mood ring
96. Ridden a horse
97. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
98. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
99. Buried a child
100. Gone to a Broadway play
101. Been inside the pyramids
102. Shot a basketball into a basket
103. Danced at a disco
104. Played in a band
105. Shot a bird
106. Gone to an arboretum
107. Tutored someone
108. Ridden a train
109. Brought an old fad back into style
110. Eaten caviar
111. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
112. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
113. Published a book
114. Pieced a quilt
115. Lived in a historic place
116. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
117. Asked for a raise
118. Made a hole-in-one mini golfing
119. Gone deep sea fishing
120. Gone roller skating
121. Run a marathon
122. Learned to surf
123. Invented something
124. Flown first class
125. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury hotel
126. Sang a solo
127. Gone spelunking
128. Learned how to take a compliment
129. Written a love-story
130. Seen Michelangelo’s David
131. Had your portrait painted
132. Written a fan letter
133. Spent the night in something haunted
134. Ran away
135. Learned to juggle
136. Been a boss
137. Sat on a jury
138. Lied about your weight
139. Gone on a diet
140. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
141. Written a poem
142. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
143. Gotten food poisoning
144. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
145. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
146. Gone to the opera
147. Gotten a letter from someone famous
148. Worn knickers
149. Ridden in a limousine
150. Attended the Olympics
151. Can hula or waltz
152. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
153. Been stuck in an elevator
154. Had a revelatory dream
155. Thought you might crash in an airplane
156. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
157. Saved someone’s life
158. Eaten raw whale
159. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
160. Laughed till your side hurt
161. Straddled the equator
162. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
163. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
164. Sent a message in a bottle
165. Spent the night in a hostel
166. Been a cashier
167. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
168. Joined a union
169. Donated blood
170. Built a campfire
171. Kept a blog
172. Had hives
173. Worn custom made shoes or boots
174. Made a PowerPoint Presentation
175. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
176. Served at a soup kitchen
177. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
178. Known CPR
179. Gone fishing
180. Found a long lost friend
181. Voted for a contestant on American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance
182. Successfully convinced someone you were of a different nationality
183. Received a promotion
184. Movie-hopped (Gone to two movies in a theater and only paying for the first movie)
185. Planned a surprise party for someone
186. Beaten all levels of a video game
187. Driven more than 2,500 miles on a cross-country trip
188. Cried yourself to sleep
189. Stayed awake for more than 24 hours
190. Crossed a national border by car
191. Been to an island
192. Been completely out of debt (student loans, house, and all)
193. Read a book from the Twilight series
194. Traveled to Italy
195. Given birth
196. Found a bra that fits perfectly
197. Learned to meditate
198. Owned your dream car
199. Learned to love eating raw vegetables
200. Seen all 50 state

The Andreason Shower

On November 14th my sisters and my mom through me a baby shower. It was so nice seeing everyone. It had been awhile. Thanks to everyone who came. I loved everything I got and can't wait to have Fischer try everything out.

A Montana Bird Hunting Trip

Last week Karl, Andy (my brother-in-law) and Marvin (a family friend) decided to pack up and go on a 5 day Montana bird hunting trip. Karl's grandpa was nice enough to let the guys hunt and crash at his place up near Shelby, Montana. They had a great time. The guys and the dogs got to hunt to their hearts content. Below are some pictures of the guy's trip.

Heading out at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning. Poor Rosco (Marvin's Dog) was the one that got to "hang" off the edge of the truck.

Morning of the first hunt.

Marvin got the first Sharpie of the trip. In the picture is his dog Rosco.

Thursday Mornings Take.

This is the porcupine (now dead) that got poor Casey (Andy's dog). The two guys had to hold her down while Andy pulled the 30-40 quills out one by one. From what I'm told one of the quills went straight through her tongue. Ouch!

Friday morning the wind was howling, It was 15 degrees with wind chill. Friday afternoon wind slowed, still cold, but they were able to find some sharpies and one rooster.
Did I mention it was cold???

Casey and Bo.

The Christensen Shower

On Saturday November 7th, Karl's side of the family through us a baby shower. It was so much fun opening all of the baby gifts. Thank you to everyone who came and to everyone who wished they could come but couldn't for personal reasons. I really appreciate all you do for our little family. Everything will be such a big help when Fischer arrives.