Baby Bender

I'm sure most, if not all, of you have heard our news by now! Our family is growing! :) Baby Bender is set to make an appearance on or around 11/22/2012...also known as Thanksgiving Day this year! Here is the first picture we got a few weeks ago. I was just passed 8 weeks pregnant. It's amazing that you can already see little arm buds and leg buds...

And here are a couple of pictures from today's appointment. I am 13 weeks and 4 days pregnant. You can see how much little Baby B has changed in just a few short weeks! S/he has arms and legs and fingers, a cute little button nose, and was loving waving at the camera today! :) When the first images came on the screen, it looked like baby had the hiccups. Shortly after that, it was naptime...and this baby sleeps like daddy! There was nothing moving but the little heart just ticking away! Hopefully s/he sleeps like that still in 6 months!! :) Here are the pics from today...the first one is the profile and the second is the little munchkin waving hi!

I feeling pretty good now, and think I'm passed the yucky first trimester stuff! Lucky for me, I didn't throw up alot...just felt like I was going to 24/7. Glad that's over! Now it's just the occasional nausea and I'm still super sleepy all afternoon! I've taken up napping like it's an Olympic sport. It's great! :) Other than baby stuff, life has been pretty normal. Jon's busy at work, but it's a good busy. They love him, and he enjoys what he's doing. He's also taken up golfing. And, like everything else he tries...he's really good at it! Even his instructor is surprised at how well he's doing this early in his efforts. He's played a few rounds on the course, and enjoys hitting buckets of balls on the driving range. I go when I can. It's nice to be out in the fresh air, and it's fun to watch him play. As for me...just working alot. I'm in the NICU 3 times a week and then I also work part time at an eye surgery center once a week. It's fun and different, and I work with a great group of people (atboth places, really!). I'll be working there through August. That's when school starts. I decided to go ahead and do the Master in Nursing program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I got accepted 2 days before I found out I was pregnant!! Figured that there's no time like the present, and it won't get any easier with a toddler or toddlers... Pray for me!!! Baby is due 2 weeks before 1st semester finals! I have to fly out a few times, but the majority of the work and clinical hours are done here at my hospital with one of our neonatologists that has agreed to let me follow him around like a little lost puppy dog! I'll keep you posted on how it's all coming together. I guess that's all for now. Things are good at the Bender house. Busy, but fabulous! :) Hope you're all well and managing to stay cool as it's heating up! As usual...lots of love from CA! ~Sarah (and Jon, and Baby B!)

Happy New Year!

Hope you all started 2012 happy and healthy! Things around here are going great. Jon and I have been on a house search for months, and we finally found one! We should be closing any day, and can't wait to move in!! It's on 1 acre, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a 2400 square foot shop for Jon to play in! :) There is plenty of room for visitors, so come on over!! Work is going well for both of us. Jon hired a guy a few months ago, and its working out really well. He's smart and has been in the oil business a long time, so he's learning quickly! Jon's enjoyed the extra help, and I've enjoyed see my husband more! My job is still amazing! I am not lying when I say I would do it as a volunteer!! I absolutely love it, and work with the best group of people!! And, because I love it so much, I've decided to take it to the next level...I applied to Vanderbilt University to get my Masters degree in Nursing and become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner! I don't expect to hear if I've been accepted until at least March, but I'll keep you all posted! I'm excited and nervous, and so thankful for a VERY supportive husband and colleagues. 2012 is off to a busy but great start! Hope you're all well! Keep in touch, and come visit! Lots of love from CA!

It's finally Fall!!

Things are starting to cool down a little around here...well, weather-wise, that is! It's been nice to enjoy the cool Fall evenings and Jon's really appreciating the cooler weather out in the field. We've been so busy...seems like I always say that! Busy and happy...that about sums it up! :) Work has been great for me. I love my job and continue to feel blessed everyday to do what I do. Jon's work continues to keep him busy, as he is the only CA guy for the company. But, we just found out today that the guy Jon interviewed has accepted his offer, and will be starting in a couple weeks. He seems like a really nice, intelligent guy, and I'm so hoping that it all works out!

We've put in an offer on a house, a short sale, and we're waiting to hear if/when it's all going to go through. As far as we know, the bank has accepted our offer, but we are waiting to hear about the final details before officially entering escrow. I'll keep you posted. Maybe we'll have a home of our own by Christmas!! :) I'm so excited!!

A few weeks ago, we went to Utah for a meeting/team building trip with Jon's company. We started off in Park City, where Jon had his meetings. We did some mountain biking at a ski resort, shopped, and had a great time. Next, we headed to his boss's cabin in Heber. It was freezing up there, but we had a blast! Here are a few pictures...





A couple weeks later, we spent a few days in Vegas! :) We met up with Karen and Oscar to celebrate Kathy and Nate's wedding...then the party continued for my 32nd birthday! It was SO fun to catch up with our good friends, and made us both miss them and AZ so much!! I think a visit is in order soon!! Here are a few pictures of the fun...






Can't believe we're only a few weeks from Thanksgiving!! Hope you're all happy and healthy and enjoying the Fall!! As always, you're welcome to visit or at least stop in when you're passing through! Lots of love from CA! :)

The BABY is getting married!!

I remember the first time I saw Gina Camille...big brown eyes, long brown hair, thumb in her mouth, and dragging her blanky, with a smile that would light up the whole wide world. I went from being the baby to being a big sister; just like that! Turth is, I wouldn't change a thing! She is beautiful, smart, and talented...still with those big brown eyes and long brown hair, and that same beautiful smile. I'm so proud of the woman she's become! In 4 days, she will be a wife to a very lucky husband. They are perfect for each other, and he is the perfect addition to our family. Gina and Vinny...I wish you love, happiness, patience, and forever!

Happy Summer!

I've started a few updates since my last post, but something always comes up before I finish! I'm determined to finish this one! :) Things have been great...BUSY...but great! Jon's been working hard everyday, both in the field as well as setting up his new office. It's been a big job, but he's doing great, and they love him. My job is just amazing. It has it's moments, but I am so lucky to really love my job. We've been busy and short staffed, so I've been picking up extra shifts. It's exhausting, but rewarding too...not to mention the paycheck! :) Jon and I have been house shopping too. It's exciting!! Be sure to check back for updates! I'll let you know when we find something, and I'll post pictures! It's been getting hot here in good ol' Bako! I think I'd rather have my 120* AZ days than these humid 105* Bakersfield days! I miss my AZ "family" so much, but we are settled in well here for now. Hope you've all been having a happy, healthy summer so far. The Noble family has been visiting from Oregon this last week, so it's been fun to have some needed catch-up time, and some auntie time for me! :) Enjoy your July! We have a guest room if you ever want to vacation in Bako! Lots of love from CA!

Happy St Patty's Day

Did you wear green? Hope you all had a great day, and that a little luck o' the Irish came your way! :) All's well in Bender-ville. Working hard and staying busy...almost too busy...but taking time to enjoy life too. Lots of love from AZ!

Oh how I love that it's my friday! :)

Things have been crazy in the Bender house...really more outside of the Bender house! Seems like Jon and I have been on the go for weeks. A couple weeks ago, we went to Sacramento to see my parents and sisters up there. We had a blast! Spent some time with Dawn and Noel when I got there. Noel just turned 4 in November, so I took her shopping for some new clothes and stuff. The next day, I went to Gina's salon and she cut 10 inches off my hair and added highlights! We got to donate the hair too...so it was WAY worth it! It looks great, and it's so healthy!! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks for the touch up! :) After that, Gina and I hit the dress shops, and we found the dress that I'll wear in her and Vinny's wedding!! Saturday night we had dinner at Deanna's, and got to spend lots of time with my niece and nephews. It was so much fun...they are getting so grown up!! After dinner, Gina tried on her wedding dress and decided for sure that it would be the one. One word...STUNNING!! Superbowl Sunday was a blast at Gina's house. Got to meet her soon to be in-laws, and some of Gina and Vinny's friends. Great people, and we had a great time!! Can't wait til the wedding in August!!

After a great week at work, I was off for a girl's weekend and to celebrate my friend Alana's baby shower. Wish I had some pictures, but I can assure you that it was a fabulous time of shopping, girl talk, and lots of fun!

And, after this week at work...Jon and I are heading out to Primm, NV for an off-road race with some great friends from San Diego! Jon's been able to go a few times without me, so I'm really looking forward to catching up and having fun with the crew!!

Hope you're all well, and not frozen! We've been pretty lucky here...although I do have to scrape ice off my windshield some mornings before work! :) Not sure I could handle living back east. What am I saying?! I'm absolutely POSITIVE that I could NOT handle living there!! Hope you're all healthy and happy and enjoying 2011 so far! Lots of love from CA!