Week 37 (updated)

Let the countdown continue! Only 3 weeks until due date :)
Make sure you submit your guesses for the baby pole (see previous post).

Here is a little comparison of what I looked like at 37 weeks while pregnant with Dallas.

I am headed to the doctor this morning for another Baby Gertie check-up. Let's hope my blood pressure is down this time! I will update how it goes when I get home. I am feeling lots better, and not coughing as much as before, but sleep is getting very difficult. I just can't get comfortable. Oh, well...I guess I'm just preparing myself for those every 2-3 hour feedings!

Until next time...

Update: Everything went really well at the doctor this morning. Dallas got to meet The Cat in the Hat, and he even got a candy bar...lucky! As far as Gertie, all is good and growing. I have put on a few more pounds since my last visit, but my blood pressure was back down to normal! Baby Gertie's heartbeat was right around 150 beats/min...it is beginning to slow down, but s/he is still as active as ever. Dr. Smollen did comment once again how great my ankles looked...she is kind of crazy like that!

Week 20

The "Half-Way" point...
Can you believe this bloggin' roll I've been on these last few days? Well, neither can I! But, you probably shouldn't get too used to it. I'm gonna say right now it might be a few days before I post again (aka: after the holiday weekend). Doug's parents and sister are making their way out this afternoon to help us celebrate. This year is Marengo's 150th celebration. It ought to be interesting to see the people that come out for it! I'll be sure to take pics of my "favorite" people.

Anywho...back to the baby post...The weekly progression chart:

I might have to start a second row on this...the picture is starting to get small!

Finally, for the "visual learners" I thought I would show you a comparison of week 20 with Buckwheat* and week 20 with Gertie*. (I even wore the same shirt for you!)

*Buckwheat (now known as Dallas) is on the left and Gertie is on the right. Even Doug couldn't believe the difference!!!

Until next time...

Buckwheat's Appointment

We had another appointment today. Things are still going well, and we are just waiting on Buckwheat! The heartbeat was around 130 beats/min. (again). Dr. Smollen is still guessing boy, but she reassured me that she doesn't know ~ it's just a guess. I am also making more progress. I was dilated to a 3 today and about 80% effaced.

Until next time...

Sunny Sunday...

and still no Buckwheat! Sorry to be disappointing all of you by not sharing any new news. We are trying to be patient, but it is becoming harder and harder. Here's the latest picture...

Week 41

In other news for today: Doug and I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at church sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Doug is a member, so he also got to help serve while I sat and visited! We had pancakes, sausage, ham, and eggs. It was super delicious! After church, we took the boys for a walk. Although the sunshine was pretty deceiving (the wind was still chilly), it was still nice to get outside and move.

Tonight was also our night to bowl. Our partners didn't make it this weekend and the team we were bowling against was also missing a person; therefore, it went very fast! I was pretty satisfied with my scores (especially being over 9 months pregnant!). I hit my average for 2 of the 3 games. Doug says it is bad that I'm bowling better/more consistent than him.

Lastly, the deer have started to appear more often around the house. We went about a week and a half without seeing them (which is pretty unusual). I guess they are enjoying the sunshine we have been having. I snapped a few pictures from the kitchen window...yes, they were that close to the house!

Until next time...

A Fun Filled Day

This morning Doug and I headed north to a little town called Tripoli. It was about a 2 hour drive ~ so it was within my "limits" of travel. We were on search for a tractor. An Oliver 1355. We had seen it last weekend at the Grinnell Toy Show, but when we decided to go back and buy it...it was gone. After speaking with the guy that had the table, he told us he had more at his toy store. He then offered to put our name on one, and that he would bring it to the Independence Toy Show in two weeks (which will be next weekend). Well...since we are STILL waiting on Buckwheat, Doug thought that it might not be best to wait until next weekend. So...we decided to take a road trip and drove up to the guy's toy store!

Here's a picture of our new toy!

After leaving the toy store in Tripoli, we decided to head east and go to Lamont (where there is another toy store ~ Bossen Imp.). After spending some time there, we went a little farther east and just happened to end up in Dyersville! For those of you unfamiliar with Iowa geography...Dyersville is the "Farm Toy Capital of the World". It is also where the movie Field of Dreams was taped.

All in all, it was a great day, and I believe I will sleep very well tonight. The weather was a little chilly, but we weren't actually out walking around in it so it was fine.

Don't forget to "jump ahead" an hour! Until next time...

Still Here...

Due date, plus two days...and still waiting for Buckwheat. Not too much is going on around our house. We are just becoming more and more anxious to meet Buckwheat. The weather has cooled off again. I heard on the news at lunch today that the normal high for this time of year is 40 degrees and the low is 20. Guess what tomorrow's high is to be...any guesses? Alright, I'll tell you...a whopping 13!!! I think Buckwheat has decided to wait for spring and warmer weather.

Tonight I have my confirmation class to teach. I bet the kiddos are hoping that I won't be there! I missed last week because the weather turned bad in the evening. Another one of the teachers called and told me not to come ~ she said the roads were awful and that she would take care of my class. Gotta love people like that!

Well, I had better keep this short so I can get supper ready.

Until next time...

Due Date

Well, here it is the big D-day...and no Buckwheat. I can't believe it has been 9 months since Doug and I shared with you the news of us extending our family. I was looking at the ticker at the bottom of this blog page, and I remembered back to when the stork was at the beginning and thinking it would be forever before it would reach the end. Well, here we are...the stork has made it to the end, and we are still awaiting (somewhat patiently) for Buckwheat.

I didn't go to work today - I finished up my project yesterday morning. My next project was to get bags ready for Chile harvest and shelling, but the bag printer isn't working properly. The group is to be getting a new printer soon, but until then...there isn't much (for someone like me) to do. Doug is of course staying busy with other projects.

I helped out my friend Laura today by watching Justin for an hour or so while she volunteered at the school. I ended up staying an extra couple hours just chatting about odds and ends. It was a nice visit, and good to have something to make the time pass.

Until next time...

Another Weekend Wrap-Up

Wow! I just realized that Thursday was my last post...and here it is now Monday! I bet you were all beginning to think that we were busy at the hospital or something. Well, you were wrong. Our internet just hasn't been working all that great.

Here's what has been happening around here:

Friday was a beautiful day. The sun was out and the temperature actually wasn't all that cold. Doug's boss gave them the afternoon off since it was so nice outside. I had a doctor's appointment to have some stitches removed. I had a bump develop on what I thought was a mole on my leg. I had it checked out to be sure it wasn't cancerous (it was on top of my thigh ~ you know where I always get the worst sun burns). The dermatologist was concerned, so she took a biopsy sample. Turns out it was a freckle to begin with and the bump was merely an ingrown hair! Silly me...better safe than sorry! Anywho...the stitches came out on Friday and everything is back to normal.

On Saturday, Doug and I went to Grinnell (about half an hour west of where we live) for a toy show. It was the first time the show was at this place, and they had a great turn out. It was also nice to get out of the house. We ended up spending about half the day there, and of course, came home with another toy! We spent the afternoon putting together the final things for Buckwheat (the play pen, the stroller, the bouncy seat, the tummy play mat, etc.) I believe we have everything ready for him/her now.

Sunday was another absolutely gorgeous day! We went to church, and then came home and made breakfast. After our breakfast, we decided to go for a walk. Now, remember we live on a gravel road, have umpteen inches of snow lying around, and the temperature was in the mid-40's...needless to say, our road is a mud slide! So...we loaded the dogs in the car and drove out the the state park just a few miles from here. The boys loved getting out for the walk; we don't do it as often as we should. Doug and I then prepared a leg of lamb for supper. It turned out awesome...took a lot longer to cook than we anticipated, but worth it in the end.

That brings us to Monday...we worked this morning on discarding some seed at work. Always fun when we get to throw things away! After lunch, we went to another baby appointment. I made some progress since last Monday. I am still dilated at a 2, but am now about 70% effaced (last week I was about 50%). The heart rate was a little slower today as well...it was about 130 beats/min. Then, Dr. Smollen said it is all up to Buckwheat as to when s/he will arrive!

Here's a new picture for you all...I don't know if there is much change from last week ~ you tell me!

39 weeks, 6 days
(also known as 1 day before due date)

Until next time...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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!

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...

Baby Appointment

Today, Buckwheat and I went to visit the doctor. We had another great visit. Like I mentioned in a previous post, we met with a different doc; just in case our regular one isn't available when Buckwheat decides it is time to meet us. We met with Dr. Adam today, and she was very nice and professional...just not quite as upbeat as Dr. Smollen. After measuring my belly (aka: Buckwheat's size), she felt for Buckwheat's position. She said that the little one has turned and is now head down - which is a good sign...and means we are getting closer! She also listened to the heartbeat and timed it at 140 beats/minute. I think this is a bit slower than the last time we went.

We go back on Feb. 8th, and then it will be weekly appointments until Buckwheat arrives (exactly 6 weeks until due date)!

Until next time...