Big Week

Okay, okay, so we caved and found out. Actually, since we couldn't seem to decide, the baby decided for us. And boy she wanted to show too! She was spread eagle for all to see and there were no boy parts there. At least, that is what the sonographer thinks, and we are goin' with it. Still, I think we had better keep our receipts just in case.

The ultrasound was awesome. She was wide awake and movin' all over the place! She has all her appendages, a good heart with all the chambers in place, all her organs look good. We both took a big sigh of relief. They gave us a cd with video and pics. Here is one of her looking straight at the camera with a big smile on her face. Can you see her eye sockets? She was smackin' her lips in this shot and we got it on video. I wish I could post it here but the file is too large.

As you can imagine we both had Perma-Grin as we walked out.

Other developments this week:

• Oct 29 - finally felt movement! Yea! - Gotta mark that one in my journal
• Heartburn begins
• Tummy itches like crazy
• Lost ability to verbally put together a proper sentence

Now the real work begins...

Weekend

This weekend went by faster than I thought for me, but slower than Gabe had hoped.

Gabe's trip started out great. It was beautiful there will the fall colors in full swing. He and his friend, Chris Morgan planned for weeks and were very prepared and rearing to go.

Here he is at the start of the trail. My man is darn handsome! :)

However, things quickly changed for the worse. They ended up getting the terrible rain storm that swept through the Midwest last week. It poured and poured and was very cold. I can't believe Chris is actually smiling here!

Finally, after spending 14 hours in that small tent, all their clothes soaked, and no end in sight, things just got too bad and they decided to go ahead and pack out. They were so very bummed since they had put a lot of thought and planning into this trip. You can't control Mother Nature. However, it wasn't all bad. He and Chris did have fun regardless and were able to spend quality time together. Which they hadn't done in a long while.

For me, the weekend flew by and didn't go quite as I had planned:

Saturday I had my hair cut and highlighted. The plan was to get that done and head out to the campus to work on my elusive research paper. Um, that didn't work out. I was at the salon for SIX HOURS!!!! Got there at 11am, left at 5:30. The girl I got was new and apparently had not done many highlights. I was terrified how it would turn out. But, in the end it turned out great and they were all very nice to me. Even going to get me something to eat since a pregnant girl has to eat! However, blew my entire Saturday. I was exhausted by the time I got home and didn't do a darn thing that night.

Sunday I baked Halloween Cookies (which came out awesome, good recipe), cleaned and did homework for this week. Still no progress on the research paper!!! UGH!

By Monday, I was tired and very ready to have my husband home. While I stayed busy, he was lonely and bored and stuck in Knoxville, TN. Needless to say, it was a happy reunion.

I left my heart in Colorado

The hardest thing about leaving Colorado is leaving the mountains. They get into your soul, and when they are gone, there sits a huge hole.
Oh how I would love to be here right now....

Oh here....

I started to write this post earlier today, when I was feeling particularly melancholy. I had just had lunch with my hubby and said goodbye (more on that later). It was super gloomy, cold and pouring rain. Couple that with hormones that have me on a crazy emotional roller coaster ride, and you have the perfect recipe for one depressing blog! So I decided to spare you the gory details of my current woes and how darn homesick I am for the mountains and closeness of friends and family. Instead I will focus on more positive, happy thoughts!

It's 9:15pm (past my normal bedtime) and I have just finished my homework for class tomorrow and feeling quite good about finishing it before the actual due date. I have left the melancholy behind (for the next few minutes anyway, haha) In my current euphoria, I felt like a little light blogging before bedtime.

First, I have promised an update on the Little Bean. The appointment went well yesterday. She said I was measuring "big" (I have no idea what that means)but I am doing well on the weight gain front. Still under 10lbs total. I am not sure why I am so obsessed about the whole weight gain thing, but I guess being pregnant didn't change my constant weight worries.
Anyway, we were thrilled to hear the heartbeat again. She found it quickly this time and it was nice and loud. After the appointment we went up to the labor and delivery ward and made an appointment for the grand tour next month. But the big day is Tuesday, when we have the ultrasound. We have not yet fully decided to find out the sex, but I think we are going to leave it up to the Bean to decide for us. He/she will either show or not show. Either way, watch the blog next week for that news.


Gabe left today for a five-day backpacking trip with his college buddy to the Smokey Mountains. This leaves me with a few days to myself. All week I have been wondering what I will do with my alone time. At the very least, this will be a great time to catch up on my schoolwork, organize and clean. I am so behind on it all. I am particularly stressed out about a 15 page research paper that is due in 6 weeks and I have put zero time into it. Sounds like a trip to the library for me on Saturday. Plus, I think I am going to attempt to make iced Halloween sugar cookies and see how I do. I may even spend some long over-due time at my out-of-tune piano trying to learn a new song. Or maybe I will rent a bunch of Chick-Flicks and the 4-legged crew and I can have a nice movie night together. Wow, I could be pretty busy if I wanted to! Usually I love the alone time, but I have a feeling by Friday night I am going to be twiddling my thumbs and wishing I had some company.

These darn hormones!!!!

The phone is ringing!! Could it be????

I will let you know how the cookies turn out!

Family, Flies, and Sawdust

Wow, what a week!

Gabe came down with a nasty bout of the stomach flu last Monday. I have never seen him so sick, let alone in bed for an entire day! It was moving through the Schnelle family like wildfire. His dad was very ill from it the week before and ended up having to spend 5 days in the hospital due to dehydration. Luckily, there was no permanent damage and he is doing much better. Unfortunately, the illness was passed around the family and Gabe was no exception. We were a little worried that I would get it too, especially since my Mom and stepdad, John, were coming in on Tuesday, but by the grace of God (and some obsessive anti-germ action), I was able to avert it and avoid impending doom.

We had a great visit with Mom and John. John is quite the work-a-holic and he and Gabe immediately started remodeling the basement. I cannot believe the amazing progress they made!! Here is a pictoral review:

Before:

New toys!!

Building walls is a snap!

Had to stop around day 2 to fix a fly problem. Forget the flies!! What the heck is that monstrous spider doing there!?!?!? I hope they killed it or we are moving!

Had to replace all the molding around the door where it rotted and made a nice nesting ground for flies. YUK! Back to work. Time to knock out some concrete!

Placing pipe for the shower

Who let the dogs out!? ooops.
Of course, we had to take time out for some KC BBQ!

mmmmm...I think John deserves some chocolate

Shower surround is in! Next step, drywall...

Wiring. Looks a bit scary to me...

End of week one. Now its all up to Gabe to finish. I wonder how long it will take? We guess about a year. And....the blog wouldn't be complete without an 4 legged appearance. John actually captured Brody engaging in his favorite sport. Chasing the stringy thing. Look how high he is! Spread eagle!! LOL!
We are forever indebted to John for all his help getting us started on this mammoth project. While the guys worked, Mom and I went power shopping. She spoiled me with a new maternity wardrobe. Thanks ma!

And finally, we got a crib! Again, thanks to Mom and John. Boy, we should have them out more often! This makes the arrival of the little bean more real.

Speaking of the little Bean, next dr. appt is on Monday, so stay tuned for a baby update!