news & weather

Have you seen the forecast? I can't believe it! We're actually going to have a little bit of spring before summer hits! I'm completely thrilled :) I'm so excited I had to tell someone, and Rusty doesn't really care- so I thought I'd say it here! (I know, I'm a nerd.) I'm so tired of the 50's and 60's and allllll the clouds and drizzly drizzle- ugh! The sun surprised me yesterday by coming out from wherever it's been hiding- I'm so happy that's its around to stay for a bit!

In other recent news, today is my last day of work. I'm excited & nervous to begin by career as housewife & soon to be StayAtHomeMom- will I enjoy it? Will I be good at it? Will I drive myself crazy talking to the dog? ;)
God's Word proclaims blessings for a woman who puts her husband, her children, and her home above the things of this world world and so I'm choosing to believe Him and going for it! I just pray that my presence at home will be such a blessing to Matt that he'll never think twice about having to be the sole provider. That what I accomplish here will make him so happy and complete that the stresses of this world wont follow him through the doors. That I will be able to make our home a place of refuge and a center of peace & calm- well, at least until baby Ro gets here and kicks up a storm for a little while- and then back to the peace and calm later. ;) We must be realistic, after all!!

Loveseat SOLD

SOLD!! Thank goodness now I can organize my garage without having to work around the couch.

There is totally not enough room in our new apartment for this. We bought it about three years ago from Wickes for a little over $500 with a sofa & ottoman (which thankfully DO fit.) It's in great condition and comfy- soft, microsuede fabric (good for pets!) We just don't want to store it in the garage for a year or two (or who knows?) so we'd rather sell it. I have it on craigs list for $270 but we'll go down to $200. Know anyone who might be interested? We'd LOVE to get it off our hands! Thanks for helpin' :)

Ultrasounds from June 4th

Wednesday we went to St. Vincent to the high-risk/perinatalogy clinic for a more advanced ultrasound. My doctor wanted them to verify some of the measurements that they found in last month's ultrasound. Sure enough, he's a little short for his gestational age, among other things, which tell us he's more than likely inherited my bone disorder. Not too big of a deal- we think I turned out fine so he should be okay too! ;) But it's good to know. We're going to go back in a couple months to keep track of his progress. Everything else is looking superb- all his organs, brain, heart etc are perfect. He's weighing 1 pound 1 oz, which is just right, and he's super cute! Check these photos out!!

basic face profile- don't you love that button nose?



Another profile, upper body



And now for the 3D ones!! He looks like he's putting up his fists- I think he wants to pick a fight with the doc. "Stop poking me up there or else!!!"

So sweet :)

We got to watch him opening his mouth and swallowing several times- mmmm.... nothing like a satisfying lunch of amniotic fluid!

What lips!! That's the umbilical cord around his neck, if you were wondering. The doc said it's like trying to tie a neck-tie with a piece of spaghetti- no tension- so it's nothing to worry about. It is an interesting fashion statement, however.

I'd almost say he's smiling!! At one point he lifted his leg way up and started scratching his nose with his toes. We were all laughing! It was adorable!




Oh man, I'm in love. We got to watch him on the ultrasound monitor for about two hours, and it went by so fast! Like watching a movie, yet there was no plot or story line- just our beautiful little boy wiggling around, kicking and stretching. Can't wait to meet you, sweet baby Ro!

5 month belly!

5 months already! Well, we're about a week late... but better late than never! We had to find the camera and my outfit- ah, unpacking.


35.5" 114 lbs.

Uhm..... yeah. Now THAT's what I call a pregnant belly! Holy crap! I didn't realize how big I was getting until I looked in a full-length mirror last night in this outfit. I was a little shocked, honestly! Matt said "I told you that you've been looking quite pregnant lately!" :) Yup- that sucker's getting round. As of Wednesday, Rowen weighs one pound one ounce. And he is sooo cute- ultrasound pictures to come!

the progress:
pre-pregnancy: 102# 24"
one month :100# 24"
two months :101# 29"
three months :104# 32"
four months: 108# 32.5"
five months: 114# 35.5" - woohoo that boy is growing!!

Painting!

Memorial Day Weekend was spent painting the new apartment! We busted it out in two days- we're practically professionals by now. ;) Here's some pictures to give you an idea!
Matt's getting started trimming the living room...

here's the living room all done & tape-free, even! Rusty's hanging out on the patio- it's nice and sunny here next to the basil!

Here I am painting Rowen's room! yay for nesting :)
Rowen's room is almost done- Rusty's pooped. It's been a long day.

Master bedroom...Dining room- same color as the living room

Phew! we took a break for our first "dinner on the floor" in our new home. Tortilla soup- yum!

I too have made the switch...

to a BPA free water bottle. I've been hearing about it for years- but it seems to be getting more and more recognized as an actual problem. Tammy's entry got me thinking about it again, especially for little Rowen. When we registered two Saturday's ago at Mother Nature, we decided to go with BPA free bottles for him, even though he wont be using them very often. Then Matt was thinking about how everything I put in my body goes into his, and he suggested I switch over as well. (Since I carry around my fake Nalgene constantly.) So- after a couple weeks- he picked me up this neato camelbak from REI. Sweet, huh? I like that it's still plastic, since I'm a bit of a clutz and drop things all the time- and it's even worse with pregnancy. Hopefully this bottle is still tough!

Our little banana has been named!

(a "big banana" is how big he's supposed to be this week, last week it was just a "normal" banana. hahaha)

Well, no need for a new poll- we've decided his name will be Rowen Micah! With the last poll, it was always our top name. The other four quickly lost their appeal. With further name searching, nothing held a candle to Rowen so we just decided that must be it! Why bother continuing to search? What do you think?

Summer Food

Is it just me, or does anyone else get excited about the food that comes with new seasons?? The sun this afternoon got me craving a cold cous-cous salad.
after a quick trip to trader joes (which was actually for dinner items) I had everything I needed for a delightful summer lunch! Even though it's barely spring- it's hot enough to be summer :)
Into the bowl:
1/2 C whole wheat cous cous
1/2 C boiling chicken broth
cover 5 minutes while you chop up or grab:
1/3 cucumber
1/2 tomato
3 baby carrots
a dash of garlic powder
3-4 grinds fresh black pepper
1/3 can garbanzo beans
a few dashes of ground flax
1/4 C or less dried cranberries
1-2 T pasteurized crumbled goat cheese
1 T olive oil

mix away and eat eat eat!!! oooooh it's so yummy- add a tall glass of decaf iced tea (with plenty of sugar!)... mmmm.

Tonight I'm making a huge bowl of bow tie pasta with pesto, chicken, and baby plum tomatoes- oh how I love my summer pesto!!! I picked up two basil plants rather than the box of fresh basil because it's so expensive- at least these babies will continue producing for me!!
Now, if I only had some fresh farmers market peaches....

It Really Is a Boy!!!

The needle was right! And the chinese lunar chart- AND my "maternal instinct" haha.

The ultrasound yesterday was -amazing.-
To see our little baby moving around in there- I just can't imagine how anyone can deny a Creator when they see images of a 19 week old fetus with functioning organs, four heart chambers, the parts of his brain, all his bones and everything- it's just too amazing to describe. We were in the U/S room for over an hour- he was not cooperating with the tech to let her get the pictures she needed! Matt said we've probably got a red head on our hands. ;) The tech was poking my belly with the wand saying "roll over, baby!" it was funny.
And what a beautiful relief to see his heart beating and just knowing everything is looking good so far. *happy sigh*

The best profile we got- look at his sweet little ear, and nose, and lips.... I'm in love! :) It's kind of hard to tell, but in this shot he has his legs folded way up so that his foot is just above his head.


here's his face- he kind of looks like a teenage mutant ninja turtle. haha. His hand is up by the top of his head on the right.


another profile of our SON. :)

4 month belly!

here it is- ready or not!


32.5", 108lbs

seems like quite a bit more than half an inch- but I suppose it's just rounder and not much bigger! I've been true to my second trimester in gaining a pound a week- weeha!


the progress:
pre-pregnancy: 102# 24"
one month :100# 24"
two months :101# 29"
three months :104# 32"
four months: 108# 32.5"

I can't believe we're almost half way there- only five months left 'til two become three! Craziness.... and Wednesday hopefully we'll find out the sex at the ultrasound- I'm so excited :) One more step towards "realness." Do you think our little sweet potato is a boy, or a girl?? Or will it not tell us next week? haha. Poll on the right---->