Baby Schwandt Update

We had our 14 weeks check-up and BEST testing done today. Happy to report that we have nothing to worry about as far as chromosomal abnormalities go. The ultrasound technician took three measurements of the fluid behind baby's head at the spine, and all three came out perfectly normal. She also showed us the two bones the form the forehead and nose. A good sign that the nose bone was there! And in between getting just the right position to take her measurements, we got to see the baby's ribs, spine, arm and leg bones, stomache and kidneys (which looked like little black spots), and we even caught baby yawning and doing little baby sit-ups! It was SO cute!! I told Tom those sit-ups look a little like the beginnings of a rocking motion.... we all know Tom cannot sit still... he rocks even in stationary chairs! ;)

This picture shows baby lying on it's back, pulling it's legs up and touching it's knee with it's fist.

This is baby yawning (see the arrow). In my printed picture, you can just about make out nostrals, and even here you can see the chinny-chin-chin!

Once the nurse took my blood, Dr. Kaldas came in the room. The first thing he said was, "Well, Roxanne, you're making this really easy on me!" He said baby looks great, perfectly healthy, and seeing as I only gained a half a pound (fluid and extra blood, he said) that I should go celebrate with a Dilly Bar! So while in line at the grocery store after work today, I spotted my favorite candy bar, which I haven't seen in forever... 5th Avenue! Yumm! The price was right, too, buy 1 get 1 free... so I got 4! :) Already ate 1 for dessert after my salad for dinner. I might just have one more before too much longer... hehe :)

Next on my agenda is to join the Pregnant & Fit class at the YMCA. Dr. Kaldas happily approved my asking. I figure if I'm paying for a class that has a start and end time predetermined, I'm better off doing that then trying to keep fit on my own. Not that I ever was one for much exercise... I just don't want to end up fighting with the balooga wale tied to my body to work the weight off once the baby is born. The Y also has other postnatal classes as well, so it looks like this is the beginning of a new relationship with me and exercise. hehe

By the way, due date is still December 25th, so that make Mamma & Daddy happy :) Tom and I want to Thank You all for your prayers and well-wishes. We couldn't be happier for our little miracle and we can't wait to share him/her with the world!

Priceless!

One 20# bag of Natural Choice Indoor Cat Food........$40

One 30# bag of Hill's Diet U/A formula Dog Food........$60

Catching the cat crunching on $60 dog food and sending the dog after him for some straightening out......PRICELESS

Picture yet to be caught on film... use your imagination!

The Surprise!

This past weekend was the ever-anticipated SURPRISE 35th BDAY for J De Los Santos! His wife, my dear friend, Nikki, had been planning this event for the past few months. She got Tom in on being a con for the whole surprise leading J right to the event! Tom had so much fun feeding J lines on the phone setting him up for the weekend, for which he had NO CLUE anything was up!

Surprise #1 was the arrival J's "present" which had been on backorder (this is the 'story') and the tracking that Nikki got didn't have a valid link in the email to know when it would arrive. We were expecting a phone call about 10am Saturday from Nikki's mom at the bar saying the "present" had arrived. When the phone rang at 9:15am, we looked at eachother with eyes the size of pizza's! They were here - uh-hum, I mean "it" was here!

We (me, Tom, J and Nikki) walked down to the bar to get the present, but J had to be blind folded walking up the driveway and into the bar. Nikki got into her position behind the bar with her camera and Tom stood next to her with the DVD video camera, while Diana (Nikki's mom) and I walked J into the bar. He was sat on a seat right next to and facing "the present." When the blindfold came off, and a familiar voice charmed, J's face lit up like a the NY Times Square Christmas tree! It wasn't just ANY present, it was his best friend Jason! (or 'breast friend' as it was later pronounced throughout the night). Jason made the journey up from Atlanta, GA to surprise J for his birthday. What a great present!! After breakfast, the guys (J, Tom, Jason and Ryan) went disc-golfing to a new course about an hour away. Tom knew he had to get J back to the bar by about 4pm for the second surprise... a party! Tom had faked phone calls with me, took their time golfing, drove the speed limit, and even stopped to buy fireworks on the way back to the bar.

In the meantime, Nikki and I prepared a spread of food, including a birthday cake complete with a set of 3D boobs!! hahaa...Too funny! We got showered and decorated a little just in time to sit for a minute with guests when the boys drove up....

Surprise #2 was The Party!! We had balloons blown up in two big garbage bags, which were thrown in the air on top of J as he walked into the bar and we all screamed HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Again, he had the grandest smile on his face and I think he was floored by his wonderful wife's preparation to give him a wonderful birthday!! Lots of food was consumed, the pickles were especially juicy, and I enjoyed talking with J's step-mom about babies, cookies and my crab dip that she loved.

As you can imagine, the party started early, with surprise #2 around 4pm.... beer already consumed on the disc-gold course, and even more beer to be consumed throughout the night... I got quite the kick out of watching my friends get more and more drunk, slurring words, attempting to make sense, and showing off their skills to the video camera as I chuckle with a smile and agree with whatever they say. no point to really 'discuss' anything at this point for fear of a debate... haha! Around 11pm everyone decided it was time to light off the fireworks. They were really pretty, loud, and a ton of fun. I got video of some of them, with shots of the guys across the parking lot deciding which to light off, or lighting 3 at a time. Some people got really cool snap-shots of the fireworks. I have a couple here, and also some other fun, random shots I caught!!

J putting on his light-up glasses

The wife who planned, organized, and pulled off a Surprise Party for her hunny!

The Three Amigos... J, Tom, and Jason... taking shots (and not the only one of the night...)

Kristen (taking a "break" from the beer) and myself (the ONLY sober one)

Cool fireworks! (and loud, too)

This is just funny! J was eating one of his "boobs" from his cake, Tom is video taping him, and Jason is in the background with TWO beers in ONE hand! Talk about some talented men! :)

The party eventually made it's way back down J & Nikki's backyard for a bon-fire. I was ready to crash (like 5 hrs ago), but I managed to keep my eyes open and my head up. After catching some random babble at the bon-fire on the video camera, I called it a night. I think it was around 1am when I went to bed. Tom said he crashed in bed about 3am, and the birthday boy, wifey and Dave were up until 5am! I woke up at 9am ready to pack up and get to McDonald's in Crivitz (an hour away) for a breakfast sandwich before they start serving lunch. Soon after I was up, everyone started moving around the house....slowly. hehe :) As the morning went on, breakfast plans changed so we could spend the last few minutes with Jason and Ryan before they had to head back to Neenah, and onto Milwaukee to catch Jason's flight home.

Once Tom and I got home, I was pretty tired, so after getting laundry and the dishwasher started, I took a 2-hr nap and it felt great! We both would love to have at least one more day for the weekend, as I am sure the rest of the party would as well! :) All in all, it was a fun weekend full of surprise and enjoyment!

I've come to realize...

I got this little questionnaire off of Jamie's blog. Since I have nothing better to do at work today, I thought it would be fun to keep my occupied!

1. I've come to realize that my boobs...are getting huge and Tom thinks it's the greatest thing next to sliced bread....but they're still MINE.

2. I've come to realize that this weekend...is father's day and I have no idea what to get my dad.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... I get pissed at slow-ass drivers constantly in my way---usually a mini-van or cross-over vehicle.

4. I've come to realize that I need...a vacation.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost... my memory. The baby really does suck out brain cells, it's true! I walk into a room and can't remember what the heck I am there for.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when... my husband is at work 2nd shift every night and we only get to spend time together on the weekends.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...we're calling my father-in-law to come pick us up because Tom for sure is drunker than me! That hasn't happened in a really long time, but last time it did, I slammed my finger in the car door...OUCH!

8. I've come to realize that money... is not elastic and does not grow on trees, although I wish it would so we can pay off debt!

9. I've come to realize that certain people...are in my life for a reason.

10. I've come to realize that I'll always be... an optimist with a mostly-pessimist husband, which in some cases is good to have that balance, altough at times it drives me up the wall. I will love him always.

11. I've come to realize that I have a crush on...my husband. I especially love Friday's when he shaves and has a nice clean face for me to attack with millions of kisses!

12. I've come to realize that my mom... is special to me and I can't believe she is going to retire from teaching next year. I'm happy for her and my dad to spend retirement together.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone is...one of the most important things in my purse, and I feel disconnected if I accidentally leave it at home. (also great in a store when we can't find eachother!)

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...I should have called in and spent the day with my hunny.

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep... I miss having my hunny lay down next to me every night, but I also love how cuddly my sweet little dog is snugged up on daddy's pillow, covers pulled up, and pawing at me for more rubs and attention as I fall asleep.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about... how amazing life is. I love learning how our baby is growing and developing, and I'm really looking forward to feeling him or her moving inside me, and seeing the features and personalities of Tom and I as he/she grows up.

17. I've come to realize that my dad... is special to me and I've always wanted him to be proud of me. I hope he enjoys being a grandpa, too.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on my blog... I can't wait to read my friend's blogs and how addicted I am to this blogging now!

19. I've come to realize that today...I need to go shopping for some work-appropriate and cute shirts that don't make me look like a bubble.

20. I've come to realize that tonight... Tom said he's not playing vids!!!!!

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will... be having a rummage sale to make money to spend at Pampered Chef National Conference in July.

22. I've come to realize that I really want to...be a stay-at-home-mom and work my PC business from home FT. That dream WILL become a reality someday, just like having our baby was a dream and now it will come true.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to re-post this...probably Katie or Nichole VH.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

So usually at this time of year we are praying for rain. Not quite the story this year. We are praying for NO MORE RAIN! It's been nice I haven't had to drag out the hose to water all my lovely plants and flowers, but goodness gracious! The storm we had last night was a real doozy. I'm just glad our sump pump kept up and we didn't have a street (or yard) full of water like a lot of people south of us in Oshkosh and worse in Fond du Lac. Here are some pictures of our friend Jeremy Portman's house in Oshkosh.

Another friend in Oshkosh had to park about a mile from her house, wade in water waist deep (and yes, people, she is taller than me!), only to get home and find her basement and 6 month new furnace half deep in water! I'm SO glad to not be in her position right now, and I feel for her, except for the fact that she's probably gotten out of work today.

Oh, and did I mention that I had NO cable and NO internet last night. Theo and I cuddled in daddy's chair and played solitaire on the laptop. Then we folded and put away laundry, talked to daddy on the phone, and then I figured out that I could actually watch my DVR'd shows. Silly me! But then it was time for night-night, so in bed we jumped and cuddled nice and cozy. Theo is so good at cuddling on daddy's side during the week when he's working 2nd shift. Love my dog. Love my husband.

Well I hope you all are high and dry, safe and un-weathered. There have been just a slew of crazy storms around the country. **HUGS**

Chewy Spree

Sorry folks, it rained out almost all weekend so I didn't get pics of my flowers yet. Soon, I promise!

On to my story. So a few weeks ago Tom and I were headed up to visit our friends J and Nikki in Dunbar, WI. We stopped at the same gas station we usually stop at for a potty break. As I walked thru the candy isle, my sweet tooth caught the corner of a Chewy Spree carton full of little packets of Chewy Sprees. (This is about the time Tom had started to hound me about eating my vegetables.) I came back out to the truck and said, "Hunny, I need a dollar." "For what?" Tom asked. "For vegetables" I replied as he reluctantly gave me a buck. As I hopped back in the truck with my prized Chewy Sprees, Tom claimed it didn't look like vegetables to him... so I showed him... Red is for tomatoes, Green is for broccoli, Yellow for corn, Purple for eggplant, and so on.

Since that one single packet of Chewy Sprees, I have been searching every store I walk into for these yummy little candies, but I continued to be disappointed and resort back to planning my assault at that gas station on our way up to Dunbar on June 20th. Lucky for that gas station, they will not feel my wrath for Chewy Sprees. I found them yesterday at Sam's Club!! A whole freaking BOX of CHEWY SPREES!!! Yippeeee!!!! Boy was I excited... a poor little kid in my way that just about got crushed by my cart as I shuffled my little feet to the shelf! Those carts are so huge and have a path of their own sometimes. Or was it my excitement for my pot-o-gold? Who knows, the kid was untouched, so no worries.

Just as I was walking away from the evidence, and contemplating two boxes, Tom walked up the isle. I told him he would never believe what I had found, and showed him the box. He just laughed and rolled his eyes at me. Yet, he was the first one to rip open the box when we got home. Little theif! I should have known better and gotten him his prized peanut butter Twix. But since there was no chocolate in the house last night, he decided to make up the last 12 cookies of the frozen dough nugs we bought from our friend's kid's fundraiser. So I have 4 cookies in a baggie by my purse this morning. That was nice! I already ate two...hehee And about half done with a bag of my Chewy Sprees! I seriously have got to limit myself to one bag a day -- this will take will-power! LOL :)

Rummage Sale!

First of all, THANKS for your vege receipes and YES, I survived last weekend. I ended up making a yummy Indian (India, not the native americans) vege dish with jasmine rice. I was Veg'd out by supper on Sunday! Tom continued to eat leaftovers all week, he's better at that than me!

So this weekend I am having a Rummage Sale!! Yah, and my goal is to make as much moola as I can, of course! The moola I make will go towards spending money for my trip to Pampered Chef National Conference in Chicago July 17-19. I'm so excited for this 3-day fun-packed event. They're saying lots of goodies this year, but the best part is finding out the new products for fall/winter season! "Wa-Hoo!" as Jean Jonas, Director of Sales, says as she flips her perfectly flocked hair from her shoulder. heheeee :)

In other news, all of my flower planting is done. This year was especially cheap because I only had to buy annuals for my pots, and just a few perennials to replace some that didn't come up that I had planted last year. I'm so excited to see my huge lillies come up again this year. The best ones I have are the ones I got at Wal-Mart, believe it or not! The one is already up to my waist, and it has yet to bloom. Pretty awesome! My bearded iris are just about done. I didn't even get out there and take a pic! They are white/purple, very pretty. The ferns I had planted (only 2) about 4 years ago (got 'em from a co-worker) are totally taking over the flower bed! I swear I pulled about 8 of them already, and could use some more plucking! I'll have to take pics this weekend and post. I enjoy the beautiful flowers and the happy feeling they give me.

I hope you all have a happy, fun-filled weekend! If you're looking for something to do, stop on over to my house if you're in the area! 2224 Marathon Ave, Neenah.

**HUGS**