Updates

I feel compelled to blog more, especially about the baby, but there is not much to report. She is growing (so am I) and she kicks a ton! I guess I don't really have anything to compare it to, but she really does seem to move around a lot. She is usually the busiest for a couple hours in the morning, from about 7:30-10, when I get to work and I sit down at my desk. She especially moves a lot when I drink a green smoothie. She also moves a lot at night, when I lay down. That's always fun, because then Eli gets to feel her. She also moves a lot when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Last night I got up at around 3, and when I laid back down she went nuts. It makes me worried that when she gets bigger inside of me, the kicks will probably keep me up a lot. But I don't mind. It was funny though, because we went to the first BYU men's basketball game last Friday, and then the one against Utah State on Wednesday and both times she was kicking like mad. I think it was all of the noise, because it was so noisy in there. It's a really neat sensation to have a human being moving inside of you.
We go to the doctor on Tuesday. They'll do another ultrasound and I'll meet with the doctor. Remind me to ask about a flu shot and birthing classes. Those are my questions for him this time. I always have a couple of questions and then I forget. But I will remember this time.
In other news, Eli has started his new job and likes it. Last week he was gone from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday in Boise, Rexburg, and Logan. He works for a company that goes to other companies to do health screening for their employees. He takes their blood pressure, weight, height, cholesterol, blood sugar, and stuff like that. He likes the job and now that he is done with applications and most interviews he has more time to work.
He has one more interview in Houston on the 3rd of December.
Well, I gotta go. It's our weekend to help clean the church.
Cherie

I know I know, I promise pictures next time.

Neil Diamond

Can I just say how much I love Neil Diamond? I really do. Let me tell you a story about me and Neil.

I never knew him when I was growing up. I'm sure I heard a song or two of his on the radio, but I didn't know of him. When I was a freshman at BYU my sister Annie was driving me somewhere and was listening to The Jazz Singer soundtrack. I really liked it so she burned me a copy. Thus began a beautiful friendship. When I went home that summer I bought his two-disc gold album. Later I found out about his Christmas albums. Yes, he is Jewish, but his Christmas albums are great. In fall of 2005 I dragged my sister Alaina to his concert in Omaha. It was awesome! The best concert I've ever been to. I'm pretty sure we were the youngest people there, but it was great. In 2008, I had a birthday party for Neil. It was really fun. We had a lot of people come, played some Neil Diamond trivia, and had a birthday cake for him. Now I just found out he has a new album of covers of his favorite rock songs. It is officially on my Christmas list.

This sentimental post about Neil was inspired by last Friday. I was driving to my sisters house, and it was a beautiful day. Once I got off the freeway I rolled down the windows and turned up my Neil Diamond playlist. It was such a good feeling. How can anyone not listen to Sweet Caroline and not feel good? So good in fact I want to name our baby Caroline (see previous post). Or listen to the song "Hello Again" and try not to remember a time you were apart from the one you loved. I know its cheesy but, it almost made me cry. I was going to Annie's to hang out until it was time to pick up Eli from the airport. He was only gone for one night to interview in Galveston, but that song made me realize how much I missed him.
Here are some of my favorite Neil Diamond songs everyone should listen to at least semi-annually:
Cracklin' Rosie
Kentucky Woman (especially you, Emily!)
Forever in Blue Jeans
Love on the Rocks
Cherry, Cherry
The Story of My Life
Crunchy Granola Suite
Two-Bit Manchild
and of course
I'm a Believer

Now, go make yourself happy and listen to Neil Diamond. And think of me!

Names

Choosing a name is really hard. We have our favorites, but I'm so worried I will pick the wrong name for her. Here are the ones we are considering:
June (possibly my favorite)
Caroline (as in Sweet)
Mary
Georgia

Eli mostly agrees with those. I also really like the name Iris, but Eli said she can only have that name if she grows up to be an optometrist.
Eli likes the name Sidney, but I'm not crazy about it. I think it's a really nice name, but it just makes me think of Alias and my sister Cindy said it when people say that name she thinks they are just mispronouncing hers.

That's all for now.