Oh Baby!

We are finally ready to announce to the world that Dallas is going to be a Big Brother! We are very excited and feel very blessed to bring another baby into our family.

"Gertie" (short for Gertrude), as we are affectionately calling this one, is due November 19th, making me about 15 1/2 weeks along. No, we don't know if the baby is a girl or boy, and no, we are not planning on finding out. For some unknown reason, we have called it Gertie from the moment we found out we were expecting.

I had an ultrasound on April 15th (yes, I have been keeping this a secret for quite a while). It showed one baby with a heart rate of 160 beats/min. Here is a small video of the heart beat.

I also have a couple pictures from the ultrasound...remember, Gertie was just 8 weeks when this was done. Making him/her only a half inch long with teeny-tiny arms and legs.

This is of the rate rate

A profile view

I started a couple weeks ago taking pictures of my ever-growing belly. For those that are interested...here is the progress thus far:

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Dallas and I were able to hear the heartbeat at my last appointment which was May 6th. My next appointment is this Wednesday, June 3rd.

As far as how I have been feeling: TIRED. That's about all I can say. I did not have morning sickness, but I felt very nauseated for quite a while. A couple things that are different with this pregnancy is that I don't have a problem eating eggs (I couldn't stand the thought of them while pregnant with Dallas); I often gag while brushing my teeth (never had a single problem before); and I'm loving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

One thing that is the same: I get sunburns very, very easily. I'm having to put more sunscreen on me than I do on Dallas when we go out to play! I also have found that the Coppertone Baby Sunscreen SPF 50 is the only thing that works!

So...now you all know!

Until next time...

I did it!

I have finally completed my degree in Medical Transcription! I received my diploma in the mail yesterday. Take a look...
Now, I am on the search to find work. My ideal situation would be to work for a company online from home. I don't think I'm quite ready to start my own business and all that entails. So...if anyone knows someone, or knows someone that knows someone, etc. that is looking for a part-time worker, please let me know!

Until next time...

Memorial Day Weekend Recap (with pictures)

We had a wonderful weekend at home over this Memorial Day. We started out the weekend by sleeping in little. Then we went for a walk since it was a nice morning. After the walk, Dallas decided to play with Charlie for a little while. It was super cute.
Then, we decided to go to town and buy some more plants for the garden. Dallas thought he was going to get to drive.

While in town, we splurged and bought a pool for Big D. He loved it!

Dad even joined in for the fun.

On Sunday, we enjoyed watching the Indy 500 and working in the garden. After supper, we headed down to the neighbors house who had just gotten 25 baby chickens! Dallas wasn't so sure about them at first...

But he eventually warmed up to them.

On Monday, we went to watch the Kernels play. It started to rain as we left the house; luckily, it held off and we were able to enjoy the game.

Dallas was having a lot of fun cheering for the Kernels.

Unfortunately, the Kernels were down 5 to 0 in the bottom of the 6th...so it was time to break out the rally cap...

Around the start of the 7th inning, Dallas was getting restless. As you can see in the background, there weren't too many people at the game. Therefore, Doug put Dallas in his own seat...he was a much happy boy after that.

Only, he wasn't exactly able to keep the seat down!

All-in-all...it was a great day at the ballpark. Oh, yeah...and the outcome of the game...

With the help of Dallas' rally cap, the Kernels scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th, scored again in the 7th, and then got the bases loaded with no outs in the 9th. The next batter hit a beautiful double...thus ending the game!

In addition to winning, we came home with a few prizes. Dallas was given the "Rebuild Downtown" shirt (promoting the new downtown Cedar Rapids after last year's flood); and Doug caught the Mt. Dew shirt and the coozie in between innings!

Well, that was our weekend...we hope you had a great one as well.

Until next time...

New Play Pen?

OK...so I was never able to tell a short story...so I just have to tell some back history to these pictures.

We have been recently keeping the dogs in the kennel outside to "protect" the garden from critters and deer. Thursday night/Friday morning, Fred escaped. He had jumped on and pushed on the side of the kennel enough to pull it from the bottom rail. When Doug got up Friday morning, he tied Fred out on his cable. Fast forward a few hours...Dallas and I had to run some errands in town. We couldn't leave Fred on the cable with us gone and we couldn't put him in the kennel because we hadn't fixed the hole; therefore, I put him in the crate on the porch. After returning home, I forgot to shut the door to the crate when putting Fred back on the cable. Fast forward a few more hours to supper time...Doug was grilling and watching Dallas while I set the table and what not. That's when Dallas discovered a new place to play...

What a ham! The picture above has to be one of my all-time favs. Also, notice that he took his tractor in there as well.

Alright, I had better go fix some breakfast...have a great weekend!

Until next time...

Quick Funny Story

So, here I am checking emails and what not...and Dallas is enjoying the view out the window. There is a light breeze coming in, and his hair is blowing in the wind (as much as it can). Anywho...the funny part. So, our windows are old in this house. They are wooden and have a pulley system to keep them raised. Well, when opened and closed repeatedly, some wood chips off. Dallas is picking up those pieces and dropping them down the register. I think he likes the noise it makes! He just keeps finding pieces and keeps dropping them. He then stares down the register wondering where it went. It's pretty funny to watch.

Until next time...

Rhubarb and Reorganization

Yesterday, my wonderful hubby brought home some rhubarb that someone from work had given him. At first, I was very excited. We had finished the pie I made a few nights before, and I was itching to make another. After I got the rhubarb washed, I wasn't so excited! Take a look at how much he brought home...
I had plenty for a pie, made two bags up for the freezer (that should do two more pies), and then I gave a try at canning the rest. I ended up with 4 quarts of canned rhubarb. Not sure what I will do with it, but I'll figure something out! Needless to say, my hand was pretty cramped by the end of the day from holding a knife for so long.

In other news, Dallas loves to help in the kitchen. Just this evening, while I was emptying the dishwasher, he decided it was time to reorganize my cabinets.

Apparently, he needed to make room to sit inside!

Until next time...

Walking!

The little man has been on the move lately, but I just haven't been able to capture it on camera. I finally got decent footage this evening! Sorry about the lighting issues.

Until next time...

Another 1st!

My baby got his 1st haircut today!

I finally gave in to Doug saying that Dallas' hair was getting too long on the sides. So...today, we gave him a haircut. Doug held Dallas and distracted him with goldfish while I cut his hair. Here are some before and after shots!

The before...

The after...

Here is a small amount of what I cut off (and saved for his baby book)...

Until next time...

Dallas' After Lunch Game

Dallas decided to play a little bit before going to take a nap. He even let me capture some of it on video!

Until next time...

A Few More Pictures

On Sunday afternoon, one of the two guys who farm the ground around our house was planting soybeans. Dallas was having fun watching the tractor and planter working in the field. Then, Keith (the farmer) stopped, got out of the tractor, came over and asked if Dallas would want to take a ride! Doug was so excited that he said yes right away. So, Doug and Dallas rode along for a few rounds. Doug said that Dallas fell asleep before the first round was complete! Oh, well...they still had fun. Here are a couple pics...

After the boys finished their ride, Dallas went and took a nap in his bed and Doug and I sat in the yard with Charlie and Fred before doing more things around the house. After we left our chairs, Fred decided to help keep them warm!

Well, I just heard Dallas waking up from his nap...better get going!

Until next time...

Videos from Pella Tulip Festival

Here are the videos of the Dutch Street Dancers that I promised. I have also added a short video of one of the windmills that was in Pella. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day gift from Dallas and Doug...
plus, a day full of fun in the sun at home!

Thanks for the wonderful day. I love you both very much.

Until next time...

Pella Tulip Festival

Some of you may remember us and my sister Katie going to the Tulip Festival last year. We had such a wonderful time, we all went back this year! To start off...a little then and now action!

Dallas in his first pair of wooden shoes...

They fit a little better this year!

Our family at the 2008 Tulip Festival

2009 Tulip FestivalThe weather was awesome for this year's show. Unfortunately, the tulips were getting close to the end of their blooming stage. There were still many beautiful flowers to see...like these:

This year Grandpa and Gram Bergman were able to join us and Aunt Katie... Doug liked this tractor the best in the parade

Dallas having a ball at the festival

Before the parade started we enjoyed a good Dutch treat called poffertjes. They looked like tiny pancakes, but are sweeter. We had them with powder sugar, strawberries and whip cream...Dallas loved them as well!

This year in addition to seeing the tulips, we decided to take a tour of Vermeer. Think you have heard that name before? Does this help ring a bell?

Yep, they are known for their round hay balers. They are also very well known for their trenching and ditching equipment. The Vermeer Company world headquarters are in Pella, IA.

The founder of the company, Gary Vermeer, just passed away this past February, at the age of 90! His wife still lives in their small, non-air conditioned, one-story home across the road from the Vermeer plant. Anywho...they have a wonderful museum at the plant.

I didn't take too many pictures, but they have this awesome wall mural showing the different products Vermeer makes.

(The house in the above picture is Gary's home)

Well, that's all for now. I have a short video of some Dutch street dancers, but that will have to wait until another day for me to upload it.

Until next time...