Catching Up Posts

I went back and added some posts which were long overdue (they are all pretty short!):

Blue Sky Girl's Weekend
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/blue-sky-girls-weekend.html

New Dining Room Table
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/catching-up-new-dining-room-table.html

Mom's Retirement
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/moms-retirement-party.html

Joe and Leslie's Wedding
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/congrats-joe-and-leslie.html

Memorial Day Weekend
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/05/memorial-day-2010.html

Bathroom Redo
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/bathroom-redo.html

Attempt at Potted Veggies
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/attempt-at-potted-veggies.html

Nursery Flashback
http://spratke.blogspot.com/2010/06/nursery-flashback.html

Father's Day Weekend

Isaac and I took advantage of our last few weeks of "freedom" to spend a week up at the cabin. Grandpa Motorcycle (Dad) visited for the first few days (we bought bug nets, read a lot of books and played in the sandbox when it was too cold to do otherwise)....then Grandma Carol (Mom) came up to visit for a day - allowing Brian and I to go out on "date night" with the neighbors!!!The weather was, as it has been trending, just beautiful for the weekend, and all of Isaac's buddies were up - it was a total boyfest-oh-rama!!!

Complete with cowboys, indians and a few army guys mixed in.....

Brian and Don even got to go on a "rescue mission" for a kite boarder who was farther out than any of us were comfortable with. Come to find out - he was just plain nuts and wanted to be way out there.....but oh, what excitement it was for us on the beach!

Happy Father's Day Brian!!!

Weekend Engineering

Here is a photo of what Brian and our friends Andrew & Alex engineered over the weekend.

We had a small water balloon fight with our neighbors who seemed ill prepared for the water balloon factory that had been prepared and stocked.

9 Things about 9 Years Ago Today.

I started this post thinking I would just post 9 things about our wedding day that make me smile when I remember them. The thing is...there seem to be so many more than 9!

9. 300 people - Brian looked at me in shock when I told him how many people were on the invite list. He seemed shocked that we would have so many...however, on that day - I think he fully grasped why we had so many....when we look back at our photo album, we see so many faces of people that mean so much to us.

8. The dress I just got preserved last month - There is something about wearing a dress that makes both your mother and your friend (Sarah!) go..."that's it!". Crossing the street in NYC, to the bank to withdrawal cash for it and heading onto the subway with this large, white bag over my shoulder - the weekend of Sept. 9th, 2000. The little lady, Helen, who so artfully created the bustle and wanted to only charge me $25. It is the only part of my wedding that I got to share with my Grandmother - and I can still remember her hands touching the stitching on the bodice.

7. St. Matthew Church, Flint MI - Not only is this where Brian and I were married, but the site of several members of my families weddings, communions and funerals. Father Taggart was wonderful with us, during our pre-marriage prep...and the church - in my opinion, the most beautiful in Flint. Every time I drive past, I think of that day, and the photo in our album showing all our friends and family spilling out of the front doors.

6. The Heddy House - We were so grateful to the Heddy's for welcoming us and allowing our wedding party to roam about their beautiful house - when all we had hoped for was some nice outdoor photos somewhere close to downtown Flint! The "down time" that we had with our wedding party was priceless...and our favorite wedding photo is from their staircase.

5. Uncle Jim playing the bagpipes - One of my grandmother's last wishes. Brought some of my family to tears...and surprised Brian, because I kinda forgot to mention it to him in the last minute preparations!! (oops)

4. Yummy cake - I let my mom pick out the cake of "my dreams"...and what a great decision that was! The cake was beautiful AND yummy!!! Can you say raspberry and mousse in the same sentence without getting in trouble?! Seriously. Even better: the anniversary cake they made for us a year later!

3. Italian honeymoon - What a great choice that was! We even still have a friend from there (hi Anne!). I will never forget getting bumped up to business class, spending days on the beach in Sicily and watching Mt.Etna erupt from our hotel room. Can't wait to go back someday!

2. Post-Reception fun - Hanging out in someone's hotel room after the wedding reception. Brian and I were staying in a hotel across the way from the one most of our friends were staying in...we looked out the window and saw all the fun they were having....ditched our wedding clothes and ran over to join in the fun!!!

1. Smartest day of my life - Marrying someone I trust, love and respect. And still do.

I love you, Brian.

Week 30 Update

Here we are, at week 30. Hard to believe.

We have put the crib and rocker back up in the baby's room - and it looks just like it did when we had Isaac - so SURREAL! I visited both of my OB's last week - and everything is looking good.

I am measuring at 31 weeks. I have gained 21lbs. Lil one is absolutely average at approx 3lbs 8oz. Dr. B could see hair in my ultrasounds, so it's safe to say - she is not bald! So far, everything is very average! No complaints here.

I feel fine these days, although I am beginning to notice my lack of mobility. Bending, stretching, etc are getting to be more of a challenge - but really, for the most part, I feel pretty good.

Hard to believe we only have between 7-9 weeks left....

Now, back to my 1 gillion things on my to do list!

Nursery Flashback

We are still getting our nursery back in order - but it's somewhat of a flashback!!!

Attempt at Potted Veggies

This year we decided to attempted potted veggies. I am only hopeful that half of them make it....but half will do!

We planted:
Bush cucumber, (2) basil, (2) types of lettuce, summer squash, rosemary, patio tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, cherry tomato and some mystery plant my neighbor gave us.

They are all doing amazing so far!!!

In the meantime, my indoor plants are all dying. Apparently I should stick to the fakies inside!!!

Bathroom Redo

Instead of redoing the nursery, I decided to redo our bathroom!!! It was about time..and although I am not done hanging shelves and painting the doors (all of the trim and doors in our house are slated to be painted, post-baby!)....here's the result!

Memorial Day 2010

We really didn't take any pictures at Memorial Day this year!!!

Isaac and I went up a week early - joined for a few days by Kathy & Ava....and what a great plan that was! The weather was AMAZING, the water trending in the high 60's - and we spent every day on the beach. (We had the burns to prove it!)

By the weekend, when Brian and the neighbors arrived, we had restocked the sunscreen and gave out ample warnings....

Mom and Candy came up, and although Mom was under the weather and spent most of her time napping and resting - Candy braved the beach with us!

We had a great time catching up with the neighbors again, and at our annual neighborhood cookout at the Woollatt cottage.

Isaac-isms.

Isaac-ism 1:

I just told Isaac to eat a little faster, and he said "Mom, I am ENJOYING it"

Isaac-ism 2:

Last night, we were eating pizza with the neighbors.

I said "whoa, Isaac, that's a big slice"

He said "that's why I am eating it - to make it smaller".

Of course, how did I not know that?

Isaac-ism 3:

He likes to notice things that "are in this world". The other day, we passed a blue bus. He said "Mom! There is a blue bus in this world!" - Yes...yes apparently there is!

or - "Mom, why are there so many skitos in this world?"

Congrats Joe and Leslie!

A special congrats to "Officer Joe" and Leslie on their wedding (and birthdays)!

Mom's Retirement Party

My mom retired in early May, so a few of her co-workers threw her a retirement party in a conference room at City Hall. Isaac apparently feels that City Hall's halls are perfect for bouncy ball applications.

We even got a quick stop in to the Deco Deli and then we went out to Blackstone's with the Mutzelburgs!
Happy Retirement Mom!!

Catching up on life...belated prego pic

We are starting to catch up on life...and one thing I have promised people was a picture of the "belly". This shot is from April 15th (23 or 24 weeks?). Brian and I were on our "babymoon" in Washington DC.

Catching Up - New Dining Room Table

This is long overdue, but while cleaning the camera card off - I thought I'd try to catch up on some posting...
We splurged on a new dining room table. We fell in love with it a few months ago in an antique shop in East Tawas. Come to find out - the gentleman who makes them builds them by hand from reclaimed barn wood.
This particular table comes from a "1890's milking barn" from Frankenmuth. We purchased 4 chairs and a bench to go with it, however, we are still waiting on the chairs (he has those ordered and is waiting for them to be delivered so he can finish them and deliver them). For the time being, we are using our old chairs still - which looks a little silly, but what the hey!
It is so nice to have a "grown up" table that can seat more than 4 people!!!

Blue Sky Girl's Weekend

Laura, Wendy, Renee, Jennifer, Dawn and Becky

For the second time, the "Blue Sky" gals took a trip to the Marina Grand in New Buffalo for a weekend of rest and relaxation.

There was cooking together, swimming in the pool, massages at the Harbor Country Day Spa, a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant and of course...lots of wine (tho, not for me - sniffle!). Not to be forgotten - the infamous "survey".

It was a wonderful weekend to rest and catch up with great friends!

Memories of Blue

One week has past, and although we've gotten used to the quiet of the house - we both still hear phantom "taps" at the door (taught by neighbor dog Molly), the deep sighs just after he settled onto his favorite soft spots on the couch or the 'woo woos' that said came, like clockwork, at breakfast and dinnertime. We haven't adjusted to sleeping in bed without him hogging at least 1/3 of it. We still expect to see his face in the window when we pull in, him roaming the back yard, or snoring lightly on the couch next to the window.

We picked up his ashes yesterday, prepared to be brave - only to melt when we saw they gave us a print of his paw. Not unlike the prints of Kiaser's paw in the floor at our cabin - that I protect with a vengeance ever time we discuss refinishing the floor. I thought by cremating him, it would make sending his remains off to some happy place - probably up north, his favorite place - easier...but I am not sure it is going to be. So where do you put the "Tin o' boxer"? As much as I'd like to put him somewhere that I imagine he'd be pleased with, he (his remains at least) is safely tucked in the entertainment center, far from toddler hands.

So many people sent cards and condolences. We had over 100 comments between our two facebook pages. Some people mentioned special memories of Blue - ones I don't want to forget...like how he used to play "hacky sack" with balloons, stalk bananas, his "peanut head", floppy jowls, how he used to walk himself to and from the beach as he liked, how he used to love to stick his head out the sunroof when he knew we were getting close to his buddy Max's house, the way he'd dive under water like the "Loch Ness Boxer"...and, that he "set the standard for boxers". I know someday, we will get another dog (a boxer, if I have say!)...but it's so hard to even imagine any dog having so much personality and being as good and loyal as he was.

He was Brian's first gift to me, his first expression of a promise that we were going to be a family someday. He took such care and patience training him...I'd come home from work and he'd be in the yard at my house with Blue, doing commands like "sit"and "stay". In a way, Blue showed me what kind of father Brian would be some day. When Brian traveled, Blue kept me feeling safe and make me laugh....but the truth was told the minute Brian walked in the door, and he'd "kidney bean" his way to him, nub wagging as fast as it could.

I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, "this guy" was deeply loved by his family...and we will miss him forever.

I've been collecting photos of Blue in hopes of making a small memory book. I've barely made it through year 2005 yet - but feel free to check here to see them:

Memories of Blue Photos

"Indeed, our lives have been enriched beyond measure because of the love of a dog. We have been adopted by the most irrepressible of clowns, that most intuitive of comforters, that most selfless of companions- the Boxer."

Lord Labatt of Blue Sky, 02/14/99 - 05/05/10

Our dear companion lost his battle to cancer yesterday. I can't really write more right now except the sadness we feel is overwhelming.

Whitecaps Home Opener 2010

We went to 5/3 Ballpark today for the White Caps Home Opener. The weather was beautiful!!! We were joined by my cousin Rob and his wife Kayla, and our friends, Brian & Mary with Luke and James. Isaac and Luke had a great time playing "baseball" together, and then finished off the day by running the bases!

I know...I know.

I owe pictures. I know. I just haven't been sitting still enough lately to download the photos! As far as the belly goes, I just don't feel like I am that much bigger to merit a photo...of course, now that I am 22 weeks, I probably am - but bear with me - right?

Went to the OB yesterday, she said all looked great. Blood pressure barely over dead, as usual....only gained 11lbs...heartbeat sounds like swooshing pants. My next appt is with the specialist on the 29th - more glamour shots. Trying to not be creeped out by the potential IUGR situation, but for now, I was instructed not to. Easy for them to say! It makes it hard to want to buy little girlie clothes, since with Isaac, it was months before he even hit "newborn" clothes. How do you know what size to get? You know? (just wait, I will off and have an 8lb baby...)

Brian and I are heading off on a "babymoon" soon to Washington DC. We are excited for a few days away - but whoa, does it take time to line up "the village" that will care for our guy!!! We better enjoy it, I don't see another childless vacation in our future for a LONG while.

Anyways, I will try to get on uploading some photos soon!

Mini Baby and the Lost Tooth Saga

Well, gosh - where to start?

A lot has gone on in the last few week. As you know, from the last post - we found out we are having a girl. One week later, the concept is still so abstract!!!! I wonder if that is normal? When you have a boy, are used to boys...then to have this frilly, pink concept thrown at you. Wow. Like I said...still processing the whole idea!!! Don't get me wrong - I am thankful, immensely thankful that she is healthy, the right SIZE and all the parts and pieces are in place....just...wow, a girl?!?!

So - that leads to the mini-baby thing. As some of you know - Isaac was small. Ok - not just small, he was crazy-tiny. He was born at 37 weeks, only 4lbs 13oz. Therefore, with this pregnancy, they sent us to a fetal specialist for our 19 week ultrasound. At first, I was intimidated - every time I called they were so somber, saying things like "Bring one adult with you, do not bring any children....". This isn't exactly the office you bring your energetic 3 year old to, people who come here aren't usually in the "normal pregnancy" category, from what I can tell - and so, aside from the distraction, I presume flaunting your toddler around isn't welcome.

We go in, the ultrasound portion goes nicely - all the parts and pieces in their right place, a nice juicy weight (10 oz), placenta the right size and operating appropriately, yadda yadda. Dr. B walked in and confirmed all that the tech said - including the "girl" part. We then head into a conference room. At this point I am thinking "whew, this is going to be a breeze!!!"

In the conference room he explains that based on the information provided about Isaac - he has said "he would be labeled an IUGR birth". (IUGR = Intrauterine growth restriction) He then goes on to explain the different reasons why IUGR happens. He also explained how serious IUGR can be - and how lucky we were that my water broke when it did with Isaac.

After going through our family history, asking a ton of questions about our pregnancy with Isaac - he then explains that possibly I have an inherited blood disorder which may have caused the IUGR - but other than that, I didn't fall into any of the other known explanations (drug abuse, smoking, genetic disorders, etc). He explained the complexities of this possibility - which scared the ba-jeezus out of me. The other possibility is the IUGR cases that do not have known explanations, which means just a whole lot of monitoring in the third trimester. So, 10 viles of blood later, instructions to up my protein by drinking 1-2 protein drinks a day and take baby aspirin...we walk out the door in a state of "uh, what does this mean?"

Either way, I will be seeing Dr. B the remainder of the pregnancy. I will say, despite the initial impression of the office, I REALLY liked them when we were there. Dr. B was very easy going and easy to talk to.

The next day, Mom calls me and tells me that this inherited blood disorder called Thalassemia Minor (sp?) runs in my grandfather's family - and that pretty much everyone who has been tested for it has it (Grandpa, Great Uncle, Great Aunt, 4 cousins....) - and of course, she found links on the web to IUGR. So - I call Dr. B and they add that to my list of "tests". Good news is, people with Thalassemia don't get malaria - thank goodness I won't have to worry about that (heh).

In the meantime....I headed for Flint for the weekend while Brian was gone for work. On Monday, we had a fun playdate planned with cousin Gillian!!! However, while eating breakfast, all the sudden...my front tooth broke off! This is a tooth that I had a crown and a root canal on - so it didn't hurt at least. Suffice it to say, this was just the icing on the cake. I lost it. We headed home and it wasn't until late Tuesday that I got a "flipper" from the dentist. Now, I need to get a dental implant - however, the oral surgeon won't touch me until after the baby is born...so, to add to everything else right now - I am dealing with getting used to this fake tooth, eating with it, talking with it and facing the fact that it's going to be with me for the rest of the year (oh, and it is NOT cheap). This threw me in a state of emotional highs and lows all week. My poor husband and son....

The call came at almost 5pm on Friday. The nurse said I came back negative for everything. So - I don't need to worry about some freaky blood thing raising the possibility of us having another IUGR baby. (Yay, but now I have to worry about that darn malaria!) However, does this mean we won't have another baby with IUGR? No...it doesn't - it could still happen at any time during the third trimester, from what he said. So - I go back at the end of April for another ultrasound and I suppose we will discuss how that will go for the rest of the pregnancy. In the meantime, so much for only gaining 7lbs so far - those protein drinks (at almost 250-500 calories a day) will take care of that.

So...the weight is lifting, but still - it was a rough week over here. It's still not past - but, we are adjusting...

Good news this week? We have started to feel actual movements from "the lil gal". Brian even felt one last night while we were watching a movie. This is the part I love, the reminders that there is a little being in there, chillin' out. ;)