Oasis Monster Party

We had a great time at the Walsh's house for our last "Monster Party". The food and company was perfect! We feel very blessed by the friends that we have at Oasis!

The "After" Party

What better way to get rid of balloons than to play the classic Bozo Balloon popping game? So we had time to spare before we had to leave--it was great fun!

I had my first shower for little Monster on November 7. What perfect weather and company we had! The following pictures show a bit of what the shower was like. What isn't shown is the craziness that happened-- did we expect anything less from Keri and family?!? I LOVED IT! Thank you so much for all of the time and hard work you all put into it!

Keri's Crazy! (I think that is why we are such great friends!)

This coming Saturday will be a blast! Jeff and I are thrilled to have Keri flying in from Virginia to host the friends baby shower for us! I thought that Keri was crazy when she emailed me saying that she wanted to throw me a baby shower. It shows me that Keri hasn't changed! She is still the craziest and generous friend that she use to be--just lives 12 hours away. I am looking forward to spending time with many friends on Saturday morning. The guest response looks great and reminds me that Jeff and I are so blessed to have a ton of support from friends all over!

Monsters Inc.

I am not sure when we started calling Baby Sets "Monster", but it has been around for months now! Rachelle, a good friend at work, and I were obsessed with cute baby monster things. It started with towels and then we found the cutest monster Halloween costumes...Baby Sets just became "Monster"! (nothing against him! he has been really good to me the whole pregnancy so far!) Since then, I have found many more monster items, monster clothes and even the cutest cartoon looking monster stuffed animals everywhere!

Still On the Run!

I survived getting the flu from our own house! Jeff is feeling pretty good now and hasn't been contagious since last week Thursday. Friday after work, I decided to stop into my PCP Office to try my chances of getting the H1N1 Vaccine. I walked in thinking "what am I doing? there are so many people her with runny noses, sick kids running around everywhere and coughing up a storm! I'm just asking to get sick!". I walked up to the sign in desk and asked if they had their supply yet. She told me that they were suppose to get it that day, but didn't see that it came in. She also said that when they do get it, they will be giving it to their OB patients first...I was thinking, "yea, and that's why I am here" as I pulled my scarf away from my belly. She didn't realize that I was expecting. After that, she went to the back with the nurse to check on the supply...walked back to where I was and told me to come on back to get my shot!!! They got it about 5 o'clock that day. She mentioned that their whole staff hasn't been vaccinated yet, but gave it to me anyways. I am on day 4 of having the shot...If I can hold out for about 4-5 more days without the flu catching me, I should be in the clear!!! Until then I will keep being my paranoid self and continue to wash my hands like crazy and will Clorox everything in sight!

Catch Me if YOU Can!!!

Yes, I am running and hiding from the "Flu Bug"!!

I dodged my closest run in with the H1N1 way early last week. Now I am hiding from it again because Jeff was so lucky to catch it. The past few days Jeff has taken residence in our basement...we kinda feel like roommates right now. He was confirmed with the flu this morning, but was knocked down by it since Monday. My hands hurt from washing them so much, but I think I will deal with that if it keeps this bug away from me! So far, so good...we will see what tomorrow brings!

Pumpkin Carving Skills!

Our first year carving pumpkins together! Why did we wait so long? Jeff's pumpkin is on the left, mine is on the right and yes...we did carve a pumpkin for Monster! Pathetic? A little, but why not!

Don't make me buy this!

Monster is getting bigger, longer and a wee bit more active!!! For a couple of weeks it felt like he was playing cowboys & indians. Right now I am convinced that I may be having a ninja monkey in January!

I know strangers just want to strike up conversation when they see that your pregnant...

I don't mind talking about the pregnancy, but I feel like a broken record most of the time. I came across this shirt on the internet...it would sure make things easier right now!

The Challenge!

The dogs have been acting like something is going on around here. Abby had to find a new way to put her paws around my belly when she comes to see me and Zoe is starting to be more attached to Jeff. And why are we spending time in the other bedroom?

This picture was one of the many times I found the dogs looking at the crib! Instead of pregnancy books, I should probably research how to introduce the dogs to the newest family member! Somehow, I don't think that the transition will go very smooth...I could be wrong! (crossing fingers)

New Buddy Ol' Pal

These days I am poking myself (so far) twice a day testing my blood sugar. Once first thing in the morning for my fasting level and the second time an hour after dinner. My diet plan brings me back to the weight watchers days where all of the labels are read and meals are carefully portioned out. My fancy blood glucose monitoring system was FREE! Nice to not have to shell out $100 bucks for it! Everything seems to be under control for the most part, I am hoping I don't have to visit the Diabetes Center again...that would mean I would see the specialist and insulin would be involved, I'm not sure I want get into that!

Deep Breath!

Yesterday was a big ultrasound day. This follow-up ultrasound was scheduled to check the spot on Monster's heart that was found at the 20 week ultrasound. This white spot wasn't suppose to be a big deal and should be smaller or would probably be gone by the next appointment, but what isn't a big deal when you are dealing with your baby? Jeff and I have been praying like crazy for the "issue" to be taken away! I was pretty nervous and scared for this appointment, so my mom was meeting me for the appointment. I started to tear up while I was sending a text to Jeff " I'm at the office and am scared". His response was very calming to me saying "You'll be fine my love, God is in control!" At that moment, how could I forget about his control?

______________________________________

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Matthew 6:25-33

______________________________

Mom came into the office and I was calming down at that point. The time for us to peek at Monster was here! Breathe deep! The images of Monster's heart were up on the screen, all four chambers were functioning and looked great, along with other heart parts, and NO SPOT was showing up anywhere! The ultrasound tech knew that I was nervous about this. She put her hand on my arm and said "It's gone! I can't find it!". I have never felt that kind of relief leave my body in a long time! We met with the doctor after the ultrasound and to sum up how Monster is doing he said " You have a text book healthy baby!". I on the other hand had a random finger poke...My sugars are pretty high. I will be visiting the Diabetes Center tomorrow morning, this will be a small bump that Jeff and I will overcome! Dr. said that the baby does not look affected by this at all and his size is in the 60% for his growth...Perfect.

Thank you for those who are and have been praying with and for us!

Monster's Items

The following pictures are taken of a few favorite baby splurge items we have been slowly collecting! We sure hope that he will like them as much as we are amused by them!

Super purchase from Tip Toes in Holland. We slowly made our way through the "highly priced" store and stumbled upon the clearance corner. This polo shirt and jean shorts were regularly $40 bucks, we snatched it at $8!!

The dogs think this stuffed rug is theirs, that will end soon! This wasn't a great buy, but had to take it home with us from Tip Toes.

LOVE this one! The hippo's head moves up and down as you push it forward. Wooden toys are great! This came from the arts and crafts show Labor Day Weekend up at the cottage.

His first (probably only) pair of Teva shoes! Thanks to Grandma Sets!

Bedding FUN!

It took us a while, but we decided on and ordered this crib bedding set. We fell in love with all of the little animals on this.

I will be making curtains to match the set. There will be a leaf and an acorn embroidered on each panels outside outside corner. I can't wait until the bedding comes in so I can get started on this next project!

I plan on making custom artwork for his walls by re-creating 3 of the animals on wood cutout circles. I haven't decided on which animals to do yet...

The Big Reveal!

We had our first "official" ultrasound on August 20 (Keri's Birthday). It was so amazing to be able to have a peek of our little boy wiggling inside! We had quite the party in the ultrasound room, Grandma Avery, Grandma Setsma, and Andrea were there with us!

His little hands were right up by his mouth most of the time and was kicking his legs