A dog's life

Yes, I am officially someone who writes posts about her dog. :-)  It's really more that I love this picture and was able to take it before she realized and came to check out what I was doing.

Cocoa really loves her new yard.  She also loves to "sun" herself, as we say.  I'm thinking she wants a friend, though, as she laid down by Deer.  Now, Deer is just a little yard decoration and I know that may seem weird.  Yet, the story goes that I saw it while with my Grandma in a plant nursery when I was about 2 years old and loved it.  So, as many Grandma's do when their grandchild loves something, she bought it for me.  Deer has been somewhere in the yard of the homes I have lived in ever since.  

But as for Cocoa and a friend, she will have to settle for Deer until Asher comes along.  And then she may wish that she had the place to herself again. :-)

What's in a name?

A name took on a different meaning to me as I thought about what to name my child.  As many girls do, I have kept ideas of names that I liked.  Yet many went right out the window when the task was for real and not just for “what seemed good” before a child actually existed.  I kept coming back to incorporating a family name and I liked the idea of honoring a family member.  It came to me that both Brandon and I have a grandfather who is a great man of God and who influenced each one of us spiritually.  On the night we found out we were having a boy, Brandon said we should talk about names.  I gave one option, hoping he would like it, but willing to “sell” him on it if need be.  It was one of the easiest decisions we have made as a couple.  We love the name and cannot wait to meet our little Asher Lloyd Dahl. 

Welcome to the neighborhood!

While there are some days when I wonder if many nice people exist anymore, I am happy to report that they do.  At least in our neighborhood they do.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been pleasantly surprised by the neighbors who have stopped to say hello and welcome.  While it does help that we already know 2 families living here, there have been others just as nice.

Flowers from the Harvey Family.  

Other fun things we have enjoyed so far:
Walking to the local park/play area and seeing many families enjoying springtime in AZ.
Having many walking paths to choose from and areas in which to go.
Seeing hot air balloons almost each morning close by.  (I know this is just a coincidence, but man does it brighten my day.)
Driving up and feeling like this is "home."

We can't wait to share it all with so many of you!!

Home Sweet Home

Brandon and I are so excited and feel so blessed to be in our new home!!  While everything didn't go as I had thought or planned (late closing, change of moving date), all ended up working out and we are moved in!  Moving while 6 months pregnant was a little rough, but we have had great help from family and friends.  I can't wait to make tons of great memories and to start getting things ready for baby!

So I just had to take a picture of the kitchen a day or so after moving in.  I am going a bit slow with putting things away, but wanted to prove to myself that everything I do unpack has to be an improvement on this craziness!!

24 weeks

Wow- 6 months!  I can hardly believe I am over half way there!  

Other fun news is that we are in our new house!!  While the backyard is far from being in top shape, we love it and cannot wait to spend tons of time out there.  

Also, I realized I was wearing the same outfit as my first round of prego pictures, so here is a little comparison then to now. :-)

Baby Dahl- pink or blue?

Wednesday before church last week, with our family and some friends gathered around, we found out more about our sweet baby!  Lindsay made an adorable cake.

Ali had people choose pink or blue beads to wear in honor of their thoughts on boy or girl.  I could barely stand the wait and then we cut into the cake.  I saw a tiny bit of what looked like blue.  I turned to Lindsay and asked, “Boy??”  I kept cutting and sure enough- blue!!  

We are having a boy!  I heard cheers and congratulations- so exciting!  Brandon turned to me and said, “We’re having a little boy!” and kissed me.  He soon posted on FB “I am having a son.”  Proud daddy-to-be.  

Our precious baby boy, we are so excited and cannot wait to meet you!!

20 weeks