12 Week Ultrasound

I went to the OB on Friday for my 12 week ultrasound and the tech said that the baby was measuring right on track. The techs don't really tell you much else, but I assume everything is going fine. I don't remember getting pictures at this point with Rachel that look so much like a person rather than a peanut or something blob-like. But, I think he/she is just so cute already! I go back to see the doctor on May 10 and on the 11th, Lauren and I leave for our big trip to St. Louis. We are hoping to spend only one day driving each way and then about 8 days visiting. Pray for us. I have been feeling a little better, but I also have been doing my fair share of laying down. I haven't been to the gym in a few weeks, which is a bummer because I had really wanted to keep up with that. Maybe after the cruise I can go back. I have 3 more classes left of school, which is really exciting and then we have a very busy summer. Here is the ultrasound picture and I cannot figure out how to make it bigger. I am thinking that maybe you can click on it and that make enlarge. Sorry.

We got a facelift!

Actually, just our house. We are both really pleased with the way our house turned out after the painting, roof, and shutters! We upgraded the shingles a little bit and feel it was worth it if they are going to be on our house for the next 25+ years. We ordered the shutters from Home Depot and Matt was just happy they came already painted so we didn't have to do it. He will be doing a little touch up painting today as when some debris came off the room, it scratched the paint in a few places. Otherwise, we will be heading to a little one year old's birthday party and then I am going to a retirement party (if I feel okay) for our department head at work. It is looking really dreary outside, so hopefully this will force me to get some housework done and read a book.






The chicks are getting bigger and Mother Hen Rachel is still in love with them!


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I am a slacker - get used to it

I have been feeling pretty crummy most of the time, so blogging is just not on the priority list. When I do feel like doing anything, my household chores take the top of the list. My nausea has gotten worse and sleeping is the only thing that seems to help. Needless to say, I take quite a few naps and get plenty of rest at night. I only have 5 more classes this semester and then will be off until next January! I am really excited about that extended break. I had a OB appointment last Friday and everything was normal. I had lost about a pound, but I did hear the heartbeat for a few seconds. It was very elusive, but we heard it. I have my 12 week ultrasound this Friday and some bloodwork that tests for genetic abnormalities. Lauren has been wonderful about watching Rachel, but I suppose I did this for her, so what else can she do but kindly repay the favor.

Rachel also turned 3 since the last blog post. I am terrible and took no pictures as I was rather busy. We had an ice cream bar with lots of different toppings and just some small appetizers. Nothing crazy and very easy on me. I tried to keep the party small, but it turns out that it is impossible even with inviting just family and close friends. Oh well, at least we have a bigger house and yard to accommodate. She got a lot of great presents, but lost interest in opening them after she received bubbles.

One of Rachel's new nightgowns!

Very unlike us, we decided to pay someone to do a home project: painting the exterior of the house. It was a big job that neither one of us wanted to participate in, but we kept the delusion up that we were going to do it to save the money. Well, the roof became more pressing and we wanted the painting done before the roof, so we started getting quotes and ended up hiring a contractor friend from church. They did a great job and we are so happy with the huge change from a blue to tan house. It was done in a week and worth the money spent. So that got Matt thinking about whether he wanted to do the roof or hire someone. He started getting quotes and after a lot of back and forth thinking with himself, he decided with a roofing company. They have been working all day today and I think will pretty much get everything done except the shingles. So we have spent a lot of money this month and Matt is really praying for overtime. Thankfully, we are not going into debt to do these things and we are very blessed for that. Here is what the house used to look like: The blue was more awful looking than this picture shows.








Matt finished building the chicken coop or as he calls it, the McMansion. It looks nice and he did a great job. He initially bought 4 baby chickens and Rachel fell in love immediately. They are her little pets/objects of obsession. She is constantly asking about them, loves to be outside with them, etc. Two days ago, Matt bought two more chicks that are in the pictures. We now have 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 yellow (I forget the name), 1 Americana (the brown one), and 1 Plymouth Rock Bard (the black one). Apparently the Americana will produce blue and green eggs while the others give brown. They are all in the coop and I really glad they are out of the laundry room and back porch. They poop a lot.




While I have been laying around on the couch a lot, Matt has been great with keeping Rachel off of me. Last night, they made a pizza together and put an R on it for Rachel. It looks like they had a good time.