A Year Ago Today...

I was at a taping of The Price is Right...in contestant's row!

Can you believe it has been a year since Doug and I were in L.A., standing in line for 7 hours, to meet Bob Barker? So much has changed in our lives in that year's time: bought a house, started back to school, and getting ready to have a baby!

Here's a snapshot of us after the taping. Camera's aren't allowed inside the gates of CBS, so we had to stand across the street in order to get this.

Also, during our trip to L.A., we were without power in Iowa because of an ice storm. As I type this...we are getting more snow, but we still have power! I guess some things don't really change.

New Blogger

It's another new blogger! My good friend Erin Menchhofer has created her own blog site. You should jump over there and check it out...especially her pictures of Toby! You can click here, or you can find a link in the Posting Partner section!

Welcome, Erin!

Taxes

Have I mentioned how much I hate doing my taxes! Last year, Doug and I decided to buy the H&R Block software and do them ourselves. We ended up having to pay on both federal and state! I found out by talking with people that the reason for this was because I work in multiple schools as a substitute. Their advise: have extra money held from each paycheck. So...that's what I did. Problem solved...right? Wrong!

This year, we bought the H&R Block software again...and when I finished putting in all our information, we owed again! I was really perturbed because I changed all my withholdings and we even bought a house in 2007...which everyone says will help out on taxes! So...before sending Uncle Sam my money (for a second year in a row), I set up an appointment with a tax accountant. I was afraid I had done something wrong. Know what...he came up with the same thing I did and it cost me even more money!

Maybe, just maybe, next year will be better with a house and a kid. Alright...enough of my venting...

No more news on Buckwheat...we did get our bags packed and the car seat secured in the truck. It's up to the little one now.

Until next time...

Baby Progress

Buckwheat and I went to the doctor this morning...and I'm glad our appointment was in the morning because we are getting some more crappy weather this afternoon!

Anywho...Things are progressing! After losing 2 pounds at the last visit, I pick them back up for this visit. In addition, my blood pressure was a little higher than (my) normal ~ 120/80 (still good, nothing to worry about, just higher for me). I was also a little concerned about Buckwheat's movement this morning because there wasn't much of it. But, the heart rate was at 150 beats/min. and s/he has since been making up for a lazy morning! I'm guessing that Buckwheat was sleeping in after an active night of bowling yesterday. Lastly, Dr. Smollen examined me and said that I'm dilated to a 2! So...we are getting closer!!!

Until next time...

Bump Picture and Baby Poll

It's time for another baby update. Buckwheat is still growing and moving all the time. I think s/he gets that from Dad! Anywho...we go back to the doctor tomorrow for our weekly appointment. Doug is hoping that there has been tons of progress and that Dr. Smollen will say "any day!" Until then...here are a few pictures Doug took today...

38 weeks and 5 days

Fred loves to get in pictures!

In addition, since we are getting so close to the due date...I'm going to give you a few more days to submit your guesses for Buckwheat's game. You can find the post by simply clicking here. I'm going to make the cut-off for guesses Tuesday, February 26th, mid-night.

Until next time...

Prayer Request

Hello everyone.

I'm using this post to ask you to keep my Grandma in your prayers today and this week. Last night at mid-night (Iowa time), my parents called to let Doug and I know that Chuck passed away. Chuck was Granny's fiance ~ he joined our family in 1998. He fought a long and difficult battle with multiple sclerosis, and he will sadly be missed. I haven't talked to Granny yet, and I don't know much about funeral arrangements, but just remember to say a prayer for her.

Thanks and God Bless

Baby Shower

I got a nice surprise today...a baby shower from our friends at work! Doug called me this morning saying that a bunch were going to lunch at the Golf Course, and he wanted to know if I would like to go. Of course, I said yes! I really haven't been out of the house here lately. (We finished up the inventory work last Friday, and I haven't been back since there isn't that much for me to do...plus, I've been getting tired more quickly lately.)

Anywho...Doug came and picked me up a little before noon. Ours roads are still a mess and neither of us like to drive the car when they are like this. When we got to the Golf Course, everyone from the Pre-Foundation department was there! Plus, there were balloons, gifts and cake! I was very surprised to say the least. I told Doug I was glad he called and gave me time to get ready...I would have been upset if he had only given me a 15 minute heads-up!

We had lunch, opened some gifts, and ended with some cake. It was great. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the cake, but no one thought to bring a camera. It was decorated with little plastic rattlers, pacifiers, bottles and baby shoes and had "Welcome Buckwheat" wrote in the middle.

Here are a few pictures I took when I got home. Enjoy!

Until next time...

P.S. Don't forget to submit your guesses for Buckwheat's arrival...just scroll down a few posts and you will find instructions there!

The Lost is Found!

The camera charger has been found! I had actually left it at my mom and dad's house during our stay at Christmas. I can't believe that I was able to go as long as I did without having to charge the battery!

Of course, before it was found, I had bought a new charger on e-bay. Oh well, now, I have a back up!

Here are some pictures of what's been going on in Iowa...including the weekend with Doug's family.

The flowers Doug got me for Valentine's Day

The bouquet my parents sent for Valentine's Day.


Grandpa Bergman brought a present for Buckwheat!


Doug testing out Buckwheat's pedal tractor


Fred giving the tractor a try.


Aunt Josie playing with the boys!


Charlie and Fred

Don't forget to submit your guesses on Baby Buckwheat! See the previous post for details.

Until next time...

Officially Two More Weeks!

Can you believe it? Buckwheat's due date is only 2 weeks away! S/he will be here before we know it. And, believe you me, Doug was ready last week. He is so excited (as so am I) to meet our little one. I appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and support through this pregnancy. I feel so blessed in all that I have.

Since we are getting close to the arrival, I thought I would post a "game" - if you will - for Buckwheat. I am taking the idea from Missy's sister-in-law's blog page. Michelle did this for the arrival of their newest daughter, and I thought it was a lot of fun to see everyone's guesses. Here is how you play:

1) Click on the comment link at the end of this post
2) Take a guess at what day Buckwheat will arrive
3) Take a guess at what Buckwheat's length will be
4) Take a guess at what Buckwheat's weight will be
5) Finally, take a guess if Buckwheat is a boy or girl!

Make sure to leave your name, especially if you don't have a blog log in name.

Here's how you can play if you don't have a log in: Leave your guesses, and then select the "button" for either -Name/URL or -Anonymous. If you choose -Name/URL, then just type your name in the name box...You can leave the URL box blank.

Hope you enjoy this! I know we will be excited to see your guesses!

Until next time...

Ice, Ice Baby!

Nope, I didn't just hear that song, and no, Buckwheat didn't arrive...we are just getting more ice! As if 2 bad ice storms in a years time wasn't enough. The freezing rain started sometime around 9 last night and came until 8 this morning. Luckily, we are now getting snow (and some serious blowing). We can hardly see the barns behind the house...let alone down the road. Needless to say, our church canceled services for this morning. I feel like we haven't been for so long now!

We are to continue getting snow for the rest of the day - accumulating to around 4 or 6 inches. Of course, the wind isn't expected to calm down until tomorrow. I don't mind the snow and the wind...but I do hate the ice and wind! That's when we typically lose power. The only thing we have lost as of now is our telephone. Someone hit the telephone box near the end of our drive and knocked out our service. It happened on Friday...so it will be a little while longer before the telephone company makes it out here to fix it. Until then...use our cell phone numbers if you need us!

That's about all the news I have from Iowa...enjoy your Sunday. And, for you NASCAR fans..."Let's go racin'!"

Until next time...

Welcome a New Blogger!

It's another new blogger! Chris, a good friend from good old Southwestern elementary/high school days, was persuaded by Missy to create a blog. Jump on over and check out her page. You will find a link under Posting Partners!

Welcome again, Chris!

Buckwheat's Appointment

Yesterday, Buckwheat and I went to the doctor for our weekly check-up. Things are still looking great. I even lost 2 pounds! I didn't think that was possible, but the nurse assured me that it is OK as you end the pregnancy. I also got the results from the Strep B test that I had last week. It was positive...which doesn't really matter too much. I just have to have some antibiotics during labor and delivery. Which also means that I will definitely have to have an IV. Never had one before...so it will be interesting. Buckwheat's heartbeat was 148 beats/min. A little higher than the last few times, but s/he was also moving around this time.

In other news: Bob, Connie, and Josie made it with no problems. We are trying to decide what fun activities to do with our time. Last night we stayed up late playing Tripoli...Doug and Connie were the big winners.

Until next time...

Valentine's Recap (and more)

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day, and that you were able to enjoy some sweets (especially some chocolates!). My house is now decorated with two lovely spring-type flower bouquets. One of them arrived at work yesterday morning...it was from my mom and dad. The other I got from Doug when he came home from work! There was even a stuffed little lamb with his bouquet! I would put a picture of them up, but I still haven't found my camera charger.

I worked until noon like most days, and then spent the afternoon cleaning the house...Doug's mom, dad, and sister are on their way to visit for the weekend. At lunch time, I had asked Doug if he wanted a "homemade" dinner or an "out-to-eat" dinner for his Valentine's present. He chose Texas Roadhouse, which was fine by me - like my friend Kristen said about her Valentine's dinner...no clean up! Plus, we hadn't been there since Christmas! We decided to go early in order to beat the holiday rush. Of course, we still called ahead, and I was so glad we did. I called at 4:30, as we left house, and there was only a 35 minute wait...perfect - it is a 30 minute drive to the Roadhouse. When we got there, they were telling people it would be a 90 minute wait! Needless to say, we got right in, and the food was absolutely delicious!

We stopped at Wal-Mart on our way home, and can you believe that it was NOT busy! I guess holidays must be the time to shop. When we got home, Doug helped me move the furniture in order to vacuum and do some other odds and ends cleaning. I even made a loaf of pumpkin bread, which made the house smell "oh-so-good".

Today, Buckwheat and I go back to the doctor. We are meeting with Dr. Patrick on this trip - another one of the doctors in the clinic just in case Dr. Smollen isn't on call when Buckwheat arrives. I'll let you know how it goes in my next post. In other Buckwheat news: Doug and I finished up our Lamaze class on Wednesday night. We were suppose to go next week because we missed a class due to weather. Shari (the nurse that lead the class) decided to not make it up because two couples have already had their babies, two more are due on Monday, and one due on Wednesday! That would only leave Doug and I!!!

Lastly, I thought I would share that I have been having dreams about Buckwheat lately. Right around Christmas I had a couple dreams about him/her. In those dreams, one time we had a boy and the other time we had a girl. I hadn't dreamed about Buckwheat since...until we chose names last week. I have dreamed almost each night that we had a girl!

I think that brings us up to date on what's happening in Iowa. Have a fabulous Friday and a great weekend.

Until next time...

Happy Valentine's Day

Tuesday Tales

Let's start with the weather...always something to talk about there. Yesterday, I mentioned we were to get about 3 inches of snow through the night. Well, it didn't actually start accumulating until this morning. I'm not sure how much we got, but I wouldn't call it 3 inches. It is super, super fluffy and light. Let's hope the wind doesn't pick up too much or it would blow everywhere! The roads were not a problem this morning; thank goodness. School wasn't even delayed! But...it is still cold.

In other news, I spent the afternoon at our friends (the Miner's) house. I watched their youngest son for about 45 minutes while Laura volunteered up at the school. Of course, after Laura got home, we sat and visited for almost 2 hours! It was great.

I've decided that this little Buckwheat is going to be one of the smartest babies ever...because s/he is taking ALL my brain cells! My latest brain fart has been losing the battery charger for the camera! I have absolutely no idea where it is, and the camera is completely dead right now. I feel like I have checked everywhere, but there is one place left to check...the place where the charger is! Any ideas of where to look?

Well, there's not really any more to share from my day. I'm warming up some chili (that I made over the weekend) for supper. Tomorrow night is Lamaze night...Doug is a little upset he is going to have to miss the Indiana vs. Wisconsin game; maybe we'll be able to catch the end of it if Shari lets us out early. I don't have religious education class this Thursday because the school district has a scheduled day off...I guess because it is Valentine's Day...I hope my confirmation students enjoy the night off!

Until next time...

Welcome a New Blogger!

I would like to welcome my long time friend, Kristen Shively, to the blogging world! You can now find a link to her site in the new "Posting Partners" area on the side bar.

In other news: The road maintainer came by the house about 6 a.m. this morning, so we had no troubles getting to work. The wind is still blowing, and we are suppose to get about 3 inches of snow this evening. Lets hope the road doesn't blow shut again!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Until next time...

It's a Stay at Home Sunday

Yep...we didn't get to go anywhere today. The reason: we were drifted in! We tried going to church this morning, but each way we tried to go, the road was drifted shut. There was one spot that we thought we might be able to get through, but decided not to try since it was about -25 wind chill out. It would be really bad to be stuck in those temps. When we got back to the house, we thought the maintainer would be through at some point and we would be able to go to church in Williamsburg (it begins at 10:30 a.m.). Only, the maintainer never came through. We even watched a few "brave" people get stuck in the same spot we got caught in earlier in the week.

Today was also our bowling Sunday. We decided, with our teammates (who live in Newton - an hour drive away), that it was best not to go. I don't know if we'll make it up either. It was a big hassle the last time we missed a night.

So, what did we do with our time at home? We sat down and finally decided on baby names! Yes, I said names because we have to be prepared with both boy and girl names. Please, don't ask for the names because we want it to be a surprise. You will all find out soon enough!

We also finished unpacking the tractors! We have been working on this for over a week. It started with putting up shelves around the top of the room. We then put up the 1/16th scale tractors. Realizing we needed some lower shelves, we put up some more yesterday, and unpacked the 1/64th scale today. The tractors are officially unpacked, but not completely finished because they still need to be spaced. I think that Bob, Doug's dad, is going to bring some more of the tractors that are still in Indiana this coming weekend when they come for a visit. Then, we will be able to finish the display!

That wraps up our day...

...until next time!

Buckwheat!

Today, Buckwheat and I had another doctor's appointment. This was the start of our weekly appointments. Yes, it means we are getting very close to the arrival of Buckwheat! Can you believe it? Where has the 9 months gone? Things were great at the check-up. Buckwheat's heartbeat was around 140 beats/min. After hearing the heartbeat, Dr. Smollen asked if we were having a boy. I said that we didn't know, and then asked if that heart rate was a sign of boy. She said that boys tend to be lower, but she then assured me that she didn't know the sex either...it was just a guess. We go back next Friday!

36 weeks, 3 days

In other news, the road-maintainer (that's what the locals call the graders) came by the house a little before noon on Thursday. We were able to go to work around 9:30 Thursday morning because the road north of us was cleared. I was also able to make it to church Thursday evening to teach my religious education class. It did snow some while driving there, but it was a light dusting when all was said and done. We are to be getting more snow Saturday with the wind picking up again. Then, on Sunday, we are to drop below zero once again! And, finally, to start next week...more snow!

Have a great weekend...

...until next time!

Oh, and by the way...Missy: I did not forget that you "tagged" me...I'm still thinking of something to write about!

Just a Little Snow...

...or is this a blizzard?

In case you haven't heard, Iowa got hit with some more snow overnight and this morning. The weather personality predicted anywhere from 6 to 12+ inches for our area! We (Doug and I) just thought they were bluffing...but we were wrong.

As we headed out this morning for work, the driveway and road were drifting. We made it about a half mile before we got stuck! The drift was at least a foot, if not two feet, deep...and we weren't going anywhere! Doug tried digging, but the wind was blowing so much that no progress could be made. Doug's boss and a few co-workers tried to come help us, but they got caught in a drift in the process...they were able to get themselves out very quickly. Luckily, for us, a road-grader happened to be coming up the road. He was making a path for a tow truck that was stuck (or something like that...didn't really catch the whole story). Any who...long story, short...he was able to pull us out, and he finished plowing the road to our house. We decided it best for us to then stay home for the rest of the day! Here are a few pictures from the event.

The first few pictures are a little hard to make out...I was taking them from inside the truck and/or out the window.

The front wheel of the truck.


When we drove into the drift, snow came up and
over the truck; covering the cab and hood.


The snow is actually up to the bottom of the doors!


This was before Doug shoveled any snow away from the truck.
We could hardly get the doors opened.


Another shot out of the front window...that's our
neighbor's (to the east) house. Craig was at work
with the truck, so they couldn't help us either.


Doug walked out into the field some to get a better view!


Yep! That's me sitting in the truck...letting Doug do all the work!


Doug, waiting for the road-grader to back up to pull us out.

In other news for the day...our Lamaze class has been canceled for tonight...we weren't planning on going anyway. Also, today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent - and we aren't going to be able to make it to church for Mass...our road is already drifted shut again!

Until next time...

Super Bowl

Just a little humor for your day!



Congrats to the New York Giants...2008 Super Bowl Champs!

A Sunny Saturday

Alright, first off...I'm sorry for not posting anything since Wednesday...not too much exciting going on around here.

Doug made it home from St. Louis about 8 p.m. Friday night. He had been there since Monday evening for meetings with work. He had a great trip, and enjoyed seeing some "co-workers" from other plants that he hasn't seen for a while. Doug also spent an extra day to enjoy a toy show that was at the same hotel he had been staying in all week! It was worth it because he found some great deals (he is good at sniffin' them out!).

The toy Doug picked up in St. Louis
An Oliver 880 ~ "Mist" Green

This morning we woke up and headed to Des Moines for another toy show. This one was at the Living History Farms. It was a pretty cool place, and a decent size show. We again found another great deal! An Oliver Orchard tractor that I have been wanting for a while.

My newest tractor!
The Oliver 77 Orchard

We also spent some time at Baby Depot getting some "finishing touches" for Buckwheat's room. We then finished up at the grocery store...woo-hoo!

The musical mobile we picked up for Buckwheat's room!

All in all, it was a wonderful day to be out because it was soooo beautiful here today! I bet we were in the upper 30's, if not at 40 degrees! Needless to say, it caused a lot of snow to melt; therefore, our yard is becoming a mud hole again...but what's new there!

Until next time...