Change in Plans

About 20 minutes before we were ready to leave for Ringsted JR called me with some bad news... His Grandma Beadle became really ill and they were bringing her by ambulance to ISJ Hospital here in Mankato. She got up here around 3:00 pm on Friday afternoon so we were with her and the rest of JR's family most of the weekend. She has been getting MUCH better each day and everything is starting to look up. She is in the ICU which is on the 3rd floor, the same floor that Justin works on, just a different wing.

As I said many of Justin's family members were up over the weekend so we had a full house. :) I even got to cook some which was fun for me.... I like cooking when it is for more than 2 people!! Everyone has headed home to get ready for another week so our house is pretty quite. Luckily, Grandma is getting better which is great news, she gave us all quite a scare! They mentioned she may get to go home as early as Tuesday though Wednesday or Thursday is probably more likely. Thanks to those of you who called or stopped by the hospital, it was really nice of you!

12 Weeks

Tomorrow we hit the 12 week mark, YAY!!! Let me tell you, I have been waiting for this week for QUITE SOME TIME! The past 3-4 days have been kind of icky for me as I haven't felt super great again. Luckily I haven't had to throw up as much as I was a few weeks ago but as sad as it is to say, I think it has become so "normal" for me so I don't freak out about it that much anymore (sad!). Now it has become almost comical how I stop mid sentence and run.

I am still taking some meds and I know some people don't think that is the "right" thing to do but I figure with all of the meds pumped in me to help create this baby a few more won't hurt! :) I can say that I don't take them as much as I could but if I know I will be going somewhere or the room starts spinning I make sure I get one taken.

I keep trying to remember to get some belly pics but they aren't showing much. Justin noticed last week that my belly was taking shape but I have felt it for awhile now. I can still wear my regular pants (thank you Jesus) but they aren't overly comfortable while sitting.

We have been talking names but we can't agree on anything. Yes, I know we have awhile to decide but Justin drags his feet on these important decisions so I keep pushing him for his ideas. Every name I throw out he shoots down 'cuz he knows someone, it reminds him of something, or it is just plain "dumb". I admit I throw in some not so great names just to get a reaction but that is just part of the fun!

So all and all, everything is going smoothly. We go back to the doctor on April 9th and maybe I will have more to report at that time. Oh, and people keep asking what the "official" due date and it is October 10th. (sorry Josie and Christopher!!) I promise I will keep everyone posted as things come up. Have a great weekend!

Wine Tasting

Tonight we are off to Estherville, IA for the hospital fundraising event that my mom helps out with every year. I am not sure how I will benefit from this "party" since I can't acutally taste the wine and beer but Justin seems to think it will be fun. (gee, I wonder why!) Should be fun if for no other reason we get to hang out with some good family friends.

It's a Small World

On our way back from State Center Justin deicided that we needed to take a quick detour to Cabella's (luckily it isn't that far out of the way). He just likes to walk around and dream. I guess I am just along for the ride. Whatever makes him happy I suppose....

Anyway, while we were walking through the clothing area I saw a familiar face. Someone from my past that I hadn't seen since my college graduation... It was one of my favorite professors Dr. Bass!! She even remembered me! (how could you forget me, honestly?!) It was nice to do a little catch up. She was always so great in class and had the best heart. I still think of her often when certain things come up.

Who knew that taking a "quick detour" for Justin would actually be something that made my day?! I guess it really is a small world after all!

Visit LONG Over Due

Over the weekend JR, Bear, and I headed to Iowa to celebrate our niece and nephew's birthdays. Of course we didn't get out of town as quickly as I would have liked but Fridays never quite go as planned. We finally got on the road around 3 p.m. and we were off. I was pretty excited because we never get down to Jamie and Arron's and really there is not a good reason for this!

Saturday around noon everyone came to Jamie and Aaron's and we all got to celebrate the birthdays. It was great to get to see everyone and I think the kid's enjoyed their presents. Brody was so excited he even got inside his giant gift bag (oh wait, maybe Aunt Mandy stuck him in there!).

After the party wound down us older kids headed up to the Middle School gym for some volleyball action. Let me just say that the girls DOMINATED! WOO HOO! (sorry guys but we really did kick your butts!) I was stupid though and dove for a ball, I guess I forget sometimes that you aren't supposed to be "rough" on yourself while pregnant. All is good though, EXCEPT both Justin and I paid dearly for our lack of athleticism these days.

We were all so tuckered out from the weekend festivities we hit the hay pretty early, 9:45 - 10:00 to be exact. It was great to get to hang out with everyone though. We don't get together as often as we would like and I know I miss seeing everyone (hopefully they miss us too!). We were up and at 'em pretty early Sunday morning and we were on the road again. What can I say, story of my life! :)

***When I get the pictures uploaded I have some super cute ones of Brody in his sweet hat JR picked out for him... not to mention the cake/frosting that ended up ALL over his face/hair/ear/etc. I will post those later!***

Pictures of Bear's Mess

Here is what my dad's office looked like the FIRST time he destroyed it!

The pictures really don't do the destruction and justice.... Let's just say I was pissed!

Bear- The Escape Artist

Friday night Justin and I headed to E'burg for the Mueller's Annual Fish Fry. It was nice to see everyone, especially my family members I don't get to see as often as I may like. My parents went with us and I think they had a good time too. We hung around town for a little while but it definitely got to the point where we were MORE than ready to head home. (all of us except JR of course!).

When I got back to my parents I went to let Bear out of his kennel..... the little stinker has somehow figured out how to get out of his kennel. Don't ask me how, I have no idea, I swear I locked him in. When I was walking over to my dad's office I could see muddy footprints on the door/window but honestly I just assumed it was my parent's dogs trying to get into the office to be with Bear. Unfortunately, I was wrong and they were my mischievous dog's prints INSIDE the office and not OUTSIDE. I was pissed but cleaned the mess and put him in his kennel again thinking it was a fluke.

No such luck, some time during the night he got out AGAIN and destroyed the office yet again. (I have pictures of the first mishap that I will post later). Like I said, I have no idea how he did it but he did..... What a stinker!

Spring has Sprung?

I don't want to jinx myself (or Minnesota) but I think we MAY be starting to feel the effects of spring! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! I am so sick of being couped up all the time. Justin was super sweet last night and grilled me a steak. I guess when a girl wants a steak she wants a steak! I have found myself examining my house thinking that I really need to get busy on the spring cleaning. I have had the windows open through out the weekend trying to blow the stink out... Not sure if it is working but I guess it is worth a try!

My Apology's

I have to apologize for being a bit boring over the past few weeks. With feeling so terrible I haven't had anything fun to say. (amazing in some ways, I suppose) I am feeling a lot more "normal" now so hopefully I can get back to my love of blogging. :) I am sure you missed me. (maybe?!?!)

Peanut's Latest

Things have been a bit rough where pregnancy has been concerned. I have been sick pretty much non- stop for the last 4 weeks. I go through spurts of feeling ok and then BAM off to the bathroom I go. I am pretty sure Justin thinks I was lying about just how bad it really was... That was until he had the joy of witnessing me literally hugging the toilet. TERRIBLE visual but even worse feeling!

We went in for our first Dr's appt yesterday (with our official OBGYN) and we loved him. He was great, everything was very easy with him and I know I felt very comfortable. He was such a dear and did prescribe me something for all of the nausea. I am on the first dosage and feel pretty darn good, hungry actually!

He had me do another ultrasound because I was having some pain on my right side. I knew it was a cyst but he wanted to check into it. Everything looked great and I was excited to get a new picture of Peanut. The heart was beating strong and loud and the baby was dancing/karate chopping- too funny! Everything looked good so that was great to hear.

We go back in a month so I will be sure to update then, if not before!

American Idol- Top 13

So last night's performances as a whole were pretty darn good in my opinion. Much better than I had assumed they would be! I loved Danny and Adam's performances. They both did fantastic I thought.

Here are the bottom 3 in my mind Jasmine Murry, Jorge Nunez, & Megan Corkrey... I thought Jasmine was all right just not that great.... the other 2 didn't do so well. Who knows though, Anoop could be right there with them.

Wow, I really am a dork!

Things I have already learned while pregnant....

In the 8 1/2- 9 weeks or so that I have been pregnant, it seems as though I have already learned quite a bit about pregnancy.... (with LOTS more to learn-no doubt) BUT here are a few things that I either didn't believe or considered to be a figment of people's imagination....

1.) While sick a pregnant woman will throw up wherever, whenever. This could mean in a bar restroom she never would have found herself in otherwise!! (I can honestly say I had never thrown up in a bar bathroom before last weekend!!! As you saw in my previous post there are just some things a Matron of Honor must do!)

2.) I could go to bed at 8:00 pm and not feel the least bit sorry about it. (previously if I was in bed before 10 I thought I was OLD!)

3.) St Jude's radio-a-thons (sp?)are NOT something a pregnant woman should listen to.... seriously, who comes up with these stories?! I am a crier anyway but honestly, the tears were sure flowing yesterday!

4.) The mere sight and/or smell of onions, green peppers, BBQ sauce, eggs (among other things) can immediately send me into a fit of sickness never felt before.... Seriously, BBQ sauce, normally I LOVE that stuff!!

5.) People immediately have an opinion about your Little Peanut that you are carrying... They may not even know you well but they immediately think they can give you all the advice you never ask for! :) (its ok I still listen and take it in stride but I hear it can get kinda old later on)

6.) It's ok to let your husband do all of the housework (and he has been doing AWESOME I might add) because you don't feel good. I did feel guilty at first (ok, maybe I am lying) but now I realize I am doing something more important!

7.) Waking up at all hours to throw up, entitles me to be a little bi$%^y.

8.) Milk has been a lifesaver and I feel SO much better if I drink it before I go to bed... I have no idea why but it has helped!

9.) I should have bought stock in 7up and Saltine crackers.... With all of the money spent on each of these by pregnant women I would be a trillionare!

10.) Burping and farting are completely acceptable in public now. If I have to do, I will. Yes I realize this may disgust more than one of you but hey, if it makes me feel better I could give a rats a$$!

11.) Don't piss a pregnant girl off. ENOUGH said! :)

I am sure there will be plenty more things to learn but, these are just a few of my favorites so far!

Last Weekend Roadtrip

Last weekend JR and I headed down to Davenport, Iowa for a weekend with some friends. Unfortunately it wasn't for a full weekend since JR ended up having to work a 4 hour shift Friday night BUT we still got down there. We were up at 5 am and on the road by 5:30. We were celebrating Tiff and Dan's Bachelor/ette parties and had a blast. :) It seemed like everyone at both parties had enjoyed themselves quite a bit. Let me tell you this was a pretty unique experience being sober and pregnant. I know I would have had a lot more fun if I were drinking BUT it was still nice to see everyone.

The ladies spent the afternoon at Tiff's bridal shower where she and Dan got some very nice things. That evening the party started at a bar at the hotel where her reception will be held. Since I am the Matron of Honor (I hate that I am a MATRON, it sounds so OLD!) I hosted the event. We played a few games and then headed out on our pimped out party bus. Tiff was pretty successful with her "suck for a buck" bouquet of suckers and brought home over $100!!

The guys were out at Buffalo Wild Wings and then took their party bus around town to various "clubs". At the end of the evening the parties ended up meeting at an area bar. BTW thank you Iowa for adopting the no smoking in bars law, I never would have been able to attend otherwise!

There were some interesting dynamics that took place but by far my favorite was when the pregnant lady almost got in a fight with 2 guys trying to start something with her husband. DON'T MESS WITH ME! :) Justin didn't have a clue what was going on but I started yelling and it went downhill from there. Long story but pretty funny now that I think about it.

The night ended sometime after 3:00 (WAY too late for me to be up!) and we were on the road back home by 11:30 am. Quite the whirlwind trip but can't wait to get back down there for the wedding in April!

2nd After the Final Rose Ceremony

All I can say about the 2nd show is- whatever.... I guess if Jason and Molly are happy who are we to say different? I still think he is a shady guy and that what he did was really crappy BUT, at least he followed his gut. Better than some of the other people from the past.

I have read some places where people think this was staged. For those of you who watch, what are your thoughts?

My Predictions

I don't know what it was last night but I really wasn't sold on many of the singers on American Idol. My top 2 were the last two performers: Lil' Rounds and Jorge. 3rd is kind of up for grabs.....

Top female- Obviously

Top Male

Should be the 3rd spot

I really like Felicia but I am not completely sold on here and Ju' Not was good but again, not totally sold on him either. Who knows what tonight will bring but I really hope some of the actual good ones come back in the wild card show. I am hoping Anoop makes another appearance because he is pretty darn good!

Reality TV Junkie- Bachelor

I am sure that even if you didn't watch the Bachelor last night you have heard the "drama" that took place. I absolutely couldn't believe that Jason pulled a switcheroo. If I were Molly I think I would be pretty guarded.... who knows what he will pull next! Shady dude if you ask me. I used to really like Jason but now I wonder if he is just a playboy. I had been pulling for Melissa since the beginning (don't get me wrong Molly was great too) so I was bummed when he dumped her on television. I thought it was great when she called him a bastard on TV! You go girl!

Baby News!

After 2.5 years of disappointment we are VERY happy and excited to announce that we are EXPECTING! As many of you have read we have had our fair share of ups and downs so this makes everything that much sweeter.

We had our first ultrasound last Thursday and everything looked great. The babies heart rate was 143 bpm (that's for daddy, the cardiac nurse!) and was by far the sweetest sound I have ever heard. I think that is when it all became very real.

Justin has been adjusting to what he calls an "hormonal pregnant lady" while I am adjusting to feeling sick 98% of the time. Unfortunately I haven't been feeling the greatest and throw up at lest 4-5 times a day. I eat and I am sick, I don't eat and I am sick, REPEAT! I have tried many of the so called remedies but nothing has really worked. The best so far has been B6 vitamins which does lower the nausea for awhile but it never stays at bay long. Oh well I guess it is a small price to pay!

Justin and I are over the moon and can't wait for our little peanut to make it's entry in October. Thank you for all of the support over the past few months... It has been a rough ride but it has all been worth it! :)