Spontaneity

I think Kyle and I made the most spontaneous decision ever this weekend. Friday night, we went on a "date" to Kincaid's in St. Paul. After dinner, we took a walk by the river, and reflected on our summer. We realized that we haven't gone camping this year, which we normally do about once a summer.

In the past, we've always camped with friends. We have had some fun and interesting times! I didn't grow up camping, and it's been funny because ever single time that we have gone since we've been married, it's either rained (for instance, there was a massive thunderstorm in the Black Hills all of the first night, and rain most of the weekend), or been absolutely freezing (last summer, the night-time temperature dropped to 20 degrees, which made for a night we'll never forget!).

Anyway, back to the story! So Kyle and I realized that we've never gone just the two of us! We thought ahead to the weekends left of summer, and that was our last "free" weekend. Here's where the spontaneity came in -- at around 8pm Friday night, we decided to go camping the next morning! I think part of this decision was me realizing that this very well could be our last chance to go camping just the two of us (ie, no baby). So, we managed to reserve a camp site, get together everything we needed, and were on the road by 11am.

We went to Frontenac State Park, which is a little over an hour from our place. It was, as we both described, the perfect weekend. I haven't had so much fun camping, ever. We hiked down to the river, made a fire, played board games, cooked some meals over the fire (my favorite part), and even made s'mores and hot chocolate! And, I have to mention, the weather was perfect...for the first time!

48 Questions

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight w/ Kyle, Ren & Kristy.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Right now, LOST.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal or Peanut-butter Toast.

6. What food do you dislike? Since I’ve been pregnant, anything with too much meat.

7. What is your favorite CD at the moment? This weekend, I rekindled my love for John Mayer, Room for Squares.

8. What kind of car do you drive? Volkswagen Passat.

9. Favorite sandwich? Right now it’s Jimmy John’s Beach Club #12.

10. What characteristics do you despise? When people are overly critical.

11. Favorite item of clothing? Jeans, hands down.

12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Good question! I would spend one week in the South of France (Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Marseille) then another in
Italy.

13. Are you an organized person? Well, I try!

14. Where would you retire to? Haven’t thought that far ahead yet!

15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? This year, my parents came up and took us out to for my birthday!

16. What are you going to do when you finish this? Eat breakfast and shower.

17. Person you expect to send it back first? Hmm…

18. When is your birthday? July 20th.

19. Morning person or a night person? Morning.

20. What is your shoe size? 8.

21. Pets? None.

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us. This Friday, we find out the sex of our baby!

23. What did you want to be when you were little? A lawyer, or have my own coffee shop.

24. How are you today? Good, but a little sad summer’s almost over. Good thing I love fall!

25. What is your favorite flower? Hydrangeas or peonies.

26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? This Friday!!!

27. What are you listening to right now? The Today Show.

28. Do you wish on stars? Nope.

29. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Tickle Me Pink

30. How is the weather right now? Sunny and nice.

31. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Let me check…Brady!

32. Favorite soft drink? Anything diet, but I quit (mostly) for now. Diet Barq’s is really good.

33. Favorite restaurant? Chino Latino has the best food.

34. Hair color? Blonde.

35. What was your favorite toy as a child? Cabbage Patch Kids.

36. Summer or Winter? Summer for sure.

37. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla.

38. Coffee or tea? Both! 39. When was the last time you cried? Probably sometime within the last few weeks.

39. What is under your bed? A plastic tub with some dresses.

40. What did you do last night? Went to Beth and Dan’s house for a meeting.

41. How many years at your current job? I’ve had my business for about 2.5 years.

42. Salty or sweet? Salty then sweet!

43. How many keys on your key ring? One.

44. Favorite day of the week? Sundays at home.

45. Do you make friends easily? I think so.

46. How many people will you send this to? Hmm.

47. Do you like getting these? If I have time!

48. Glass half empty or half full? Definitely half full!

I am now going to “tag” a few friends. How about…Lindsay, Erica, and Kiley!

Before and After

Last weekend, Kyle's parents came up to help us put in hardwood floors. After much thought, we decided to put them in our kitchen and dining room. We chose a rich, polished mahogany (they were Kyle's favorite). It turned out to be much much more work, and a little more complicated, than we originally thought!

Some of the highlights of our complications: fitting the refrigerator around our island to get it out of the kitchen, nailing the tack strip into a concrete floor when the strip kept breaking in half and the nails wouldn't go into the concrete, trimming our baseboard without a table-saw, and fixing a broken stove that almost electrocuted Debbie when she tried to plug it back in!

Amazingly though, we finished! It took the whole weekend, and we finally got done around 5pm on Sunday night. A HUGE thank you to Brian and Debbie for all of your hard work! We definitely couldn't have done it without you! Thank you, thank you!

Here are a few pictures of our work.

BEFORE

AFTER

Fake-Out

Have you noticed a trend in the Beijing Olympics this summer? Everything’s not always what it appears to be! As Beijing is trying to create the "perfect" summer Olympics, I keep hearing about more things that aren't what we think they are. A few of them?

Let's start with the opening ceremony. There were some brilliant fireworks; they were amazing. However, some of them were just computer-generated graphics of fireworks. This is just one of many visual deceptions surrounding the Olympic games.

Do you remember that cute little girl who sang “Ode to the Motherland” at the opening ceremony? She was actually lip-synching, Milli-Vanilli-style. The real singer's voice was recorded because she wasn't "cute enough," unlike the pig-tailed performer we all saw. I find this very sad. Because a seven-year-old girl has crooked baby teeth and a slightly chubby face (and who didn't at that age?), she is being taught she's not beautiful enough to perform in public. Interestingly, the Chinese music director explained why they did this in an online video, but "somehow," the link to this video no longer works.

Along these same lines, I just heard from a friend about an article regarding the "backdrops" in Beijing. I did a little research myself, and learned that manufactured scenery is being used, with pictures from sky-scrapers with a bright skyline to green palm trees and golf courses. These images hide the cranes, holes, and slums behind them in the polluted city.

You may have heard, but the ages of some Chinese gymnasts have been disputed. For example, only nine months before the games, the Chinese news agencies reported that He Kexin was 13 years old, but Olympic gymnasts must be at least 16 years old. These gymnasts are being accused of changing the birth date listed on their passports. Since then, the web-pages that reported her age are, you guessed it, no longer accessible. Officials now say that this report was "a mistake." You be the judge -- does she look sixteen? Experts have doubted it.

I realize that the Chinese are trying to make the Olympics as beautiful, magnificent, and successful as possible. It's just interesting to note that things are not always what they seem to be. Who knows? Maybe the "link" to this post will suddenly not work as well! =)

What do you think?

Afterthought... this is funny! This morning, there was an article on Yahoo News about proof being found about the bogus ages of the Chinese gymnasts. Well, I clicked on the link, and it said "This article is no longer found." When I closed the window and reopened it, the new headline -- same picture -- said "IOC Finds No Proof of Chinese Being Underage." Isn't it so crazy how a government can sensor the internet so well? Even Yahoo News? What's going on?

Take a Vote!

I'm so curious to know if we are having a girl or a boy! We have our first ultrasound in a few weeks. Needless to say, I can't wait!

I thought it would be fun to post a poll. So go ahead and vote for whether you think we will have a boy or a girl (top right)! If you have comments about it, feel free to leave them on this post.

I'll announce the answer in a few weeks!

The day is finally here.

I broke down and had to buy...you guessed it...maternity clothes.

I made it past the "4 month" mark with my normal clothes. I'm not even sure what is typical for the time to start needing a little help from the elastic fairy. I guess it's different for everyone. I can wear my normal jeans, and even button them up, but if drink even a gulp of water or eat something as much as lunch then try to sit down, I end up wearing them unbuttoned for the rest of the day due to comfort! And, I usually like to eat sitting down!

I seriously think my belly is getting bigger every day! It's amazing!

So, I bought two pairs of shorts at Old Navy - black and khaki. They were half-off for the end of summer. Oh my, let me tell you if you haven't experienced this, they are soooo comfortable! What have I been missing?!?! I secretly wonder why they don't make more normal clothes like this?!?! They aren't really elastic, and look like normal shorts, but have this stretchy t-shirt material that is attached underneath, and covers your whole belly. Pretty cool concept! I also got a black shimmery Michael Stars Materni-tee because a pregnant lady I met at the mall was ranting and raving about how great they are. I haven't gotten a chance to wear it yet because it has long sleeves.

If you've paid much attention, you know that I'm pretty much obsessed with cute jeans, it's just my thing. Some people like cars or jewelry or shoes. I like denim.

I love cute jeans, and have a hard time resisting buying new pairs when I find a good deal! It's been hard to know that I will have to give them up, but I've been good and haven't bought a new pair for almost a whole year (in anticipation of this day). I found a few super cute pairs at A Pea in the Pod, and am scouting the internet for a deal! Who wants to pay full price for a pair of jeans you will wear for 9 months 5 months? I guess if we have 3-4 kids, multiply that number by 3 or 4. I know, I know...I can't expect to wear my "normal jeans" on the way home from the hospital!

Thankfully though, the shirt styles right now pretty much make everyone look pregnant, so I blend right in!

Some other "tricks" that I have tried...

The Bella Band. This is a stretchy band you wear over your jeans so you can keep them unbuttoned without anyone noticing. It's a slick idea! Sometimes it comes up in the back when you bend over, but it's definitely more comfortable than pants that are too tight, and looks just like a tank top under clothes.

Another idea I have tried is looping a rubber band around your button, through the button hole, then back around the button. This actually works pretty well for a 2 cent solution! I have found using a ponytail holder is more comfortable than a rubber band.

There you go! That's my 4-month "maternity style!"

Now I'm just hoping I won't have to buy a special pair of maternity underwear! =)

Our Babymoon!

What is a babymoon, you might ask? Well, let me tell you! It's the last big trip that couples go on before having their first child. Similar to a honeymoon, but different!

We just happen to be taking our babymoon with Matthew and Kiley! This will be a great opportunity for us to relax and spend some time together before our lives change forever (in a good way, of course)! We are taking our trip early fall, so I will still be in my second trimester (I hear traveling is best at this time during pregnancy). Now, I realize I will have a few limitations. I will not be scuba diving, surfing, eating crazy street food, or drinking Piña Coladas! But hey, I have a pretty good excuse to relax and take it easy and...enjoy the food!

We're starting out in Puerto Rico, then are taking a Caribbean Cruise to 5 different islands - Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. Besides one day at sea, the ship travels at night, so we have all day to explore the islands. There are not many things I love to do more than traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, trying new food, and meeting new people. Not to mention sun, sand, and tropical islands! Now we're talking!

Have you been to any of these islands? Do you have previous cruising experience? I love recommendations! Also, any advice from those who have traveled during pregnancy before? Anything is appreciated!

Chicken Corn Chowder with Sweet Potatoes

I just made this soup tonight, and it turned out great! I somewhat developed my own version (adding sweet potatoes and chicken), as I usually do, using a recipe I found on foodnetwork.com. I hope you like it! It's really easy, and a great weeknight dinner - served with bread on the side (see my recipe for easy, homemade Light Oat bread)!

1/4 cup butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 c carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c flour

1 can corn kernels
1 can chicken broth
1 bay leaf (optional)
1 small sweet potato, chopped small & steamed 3 minutes
1 c cooked chicken, chopped
1 c half & half
nutmeg
salt & pepper, to taste

Melt 1/4 c butter over medium heat in saucepan, add onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook until tender, then add flour. Make a roux and cook until golden, set aside.

Heat to boiling: corn, chicken broth, sweet potato, bay leaf, and chicken in another saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes (then take out bay leaf). Whisk into roux a little at a time, until all combined, then add half & half a little at a time. Season with a dash of nutmeg and salt & fresh-ground pepper.

I am so excited!

To feel the baby kick.
To find out if we need pink or blue.
To set up the nursery.

To meet our baby!

PregTASTIC Podcasts

I just wanted to share a great pregnancy resource! PregTASTIC podcasts are fun and informative, and cover everything about pregnancy from exercise and nutrition to maternity style and breastfeeding. They are podcasts by pregnant women, for pregnant women, and regularly invite experts on the program - nurses, doctors, midwives, specialists, even therapists.

I originally heard about this online radio program from a friend's blog, and have found them perfect to listen to on my iPod while I'm working out, taking a walk, riding the lightrail downtown, or driving. I have learned a ton!

If you're pregnant, or hope to be soon, check them out. Let me know what you think!

Welcome to the Blog World!

After a little bit of encouragement, two dear friends of mine were recently inspired to join the blog world!

Lindsay has been a great friend since high school, when we met. We had so much fun together! We we roommates in college for two years, and then bridesmaids in each other's weddings. Lindsay is so creative - I'm sure she will have a fantastic blog!

Laura was one of my first friends in Minnesota! We went through our first years in the "adult world" together, and had a blast playing Settlers, meeting at Cheesecake Factory, and going on trips together! She currently lives in Phoenix, and I miss her dearly! I love Laura's "Bucket List" blog, what a great idea!

If you know either of them, feel free to say hi to Linds and Laura!