Christmas Eve and Day

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve, Scott worked a half day, while I hung out at the house enjoying the quiet. We did make it over to the Birch house around 3 to exchange presents with the kids. Always a fun time to watch them open the gifts.

Scott and I walked up the alley, like I did many years growing up, to St. Gabriel's for 4 o'clock mass on Christmas Eve. We arrived later than I wanted to, but we still managed to get seats. They weren't decent, but they worked. While it wasn't the kids mass there was a brief reading of the nativity where children came up on the altar dressed up. I was surprised that it went as quickly as it did. It was fun to see people who I grew up with at mass and still singing in the choir. I can't wait for this tradition to continue.

After mass we headed home for some dinner and Christmas movies. We watch Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Carol. For some reason, growing up my brother and I would watch A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version) all the time. It didn't have to even be close to Christmas and we would watch it. Now that I've re-watched it as an adult, I don't know why I really liked that movie. It's really dark.

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Christmas Day, Scott and I took our time opening presents. We had a lot of presents from the baby to us. It was nice to have a few more necessities bought in case the baby comes early (which I don't think will happen).

We had our traditional eggs benedict for breakfast and it turned out rather good. Then we had a few hours to just relax and enjoy our last quiet Christmas morning for years to come.

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Early afternoon we headed down to Scott's parents house for late lunch, presents and a few round of Dirty Neighbor. We got even more gifts for the baby and even Reily got some goodies, a new bed and rope. The poor pup was so exhausted by mid afternoon she couldn't even keep her head up. The new bed came in handy for her.

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Overall, it was a great Christmas, although I'm even more excited for the Christmas's to come.

George Washington

During my Christmas vacation we headed over to the Missouri History Museum to check out the Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon, exhibit that they currently have.  It was a great exhibit.  There a more information about his life prior to becoming President and during his youth.  There isn't much information or pictures of him as a young man and we were able to see how they created likenesses of him.

There was information about his childhood and how Mount Vernon became his home and the pride he took in owning the land.  There was background information on how he made his way into the army and became a great leader.

We even got to see his fake teeth.  It was a little creepy to see dentures that were a couple hundred years old.

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Photography

Scott and I got a camera as a wedding gift to ourselves. We use it every now and then, but it's big and we don't know all the bells and whistles that go with it. So about a month ago we found a Groupon for a photography class. We quickly jumped on that and then had to find a Saturday or Sunday morning to attend.

We finally found a date to go and we picked a great time. Even though it's December and it's usually cloudy and cold we picked a day where it was sunny and somewhat warm (50s). We met up with the class at the St. Louis Zoo. Why not use all the animals as our subjects in the pictures?

We had about an hour or so of explaining what each option on our camera is used for and why some modes are just ok to use and why you want to really experiment with the camera as much as possible. Afterwards we headed out to see what animals wanted to be our subjects for the day. We managed to get some great one on one time with the teacher as we walked around the zoo. Of course, what trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without a kangaroo fight?

Here are some our best shots:

It's all about cribs

We picked up the crib two weekends ago and Scott put it together Friday night.  And in Scott's words, "it's getting real."  Scott did a great job of being handy man around the house this weekend.  And putting the crib together was no small feat.  The whole thing took about 3 hours for him to put together and it looks great.  Now, to find shelves and pictures for the walls and the room is complete.

Here are a few pictures of the crib building process.  

 



 



 



[caption id="attachment_2523" align="aligncenter" width="225"] We have a changing table![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2524" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Almost 4 sides.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2525" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ta Da![/caption]

I'm very impressed with how the crib turned out.  So now we just need a mattress and some bedding and maybe we can put the kid in here.

 

 

 

Christmas Vacation

I haven't had a real Christmas vacation since high school.  The kind where you aren't working, no school and just having fun or relaxing.  Thanks to my HR department and my timely start I have 60 hours that I have to burn by December 31st.  Of course our office is closed the week of Christmas so I have to use the time before December 21st.



Oh what to do with myself for the 8 work days I have off?!  So far, I've managed to get some shopping in and cleaning.  I think these few days off are really going to kick start my nesting desires.  I believe a few batches of cookies will be made and most of all, I'll be enjoying afternoon naps!

Merry Christmas to me!

32 weeks, 8 left

Seriously, where is the time going?  I'm really only thinking about getting through the next week or so and then it's Christmas.    I have recently accrued a ridiculous amount of vacation time and I'm really only work maybe 2 days till the end of the year.  It's going to be nice to be home and get things done and just relax!

I'm starting to feel like I'm pregnant.  I feel that I'm slower to get up and moving.  I'm getting a few aches and pains in the middle of the night.  Still no Braxton Hicks contractions or painful kicks/jabs from the kid.  I am waking up with pain in my hips from all my weight being on them when I sleep.  But the good news is that I am sleeping.  I'm falling asleep around 9:30 and sleeping till Reily wakes me around 1 to go out and again at 5:30 with my alarm.

Reily has become the world's best shadow.  When I'm getting ready in the morning or moving around the house, she has to be right next to me.  It makes for some close falls for Scott and I.  She seems to be in protective mode now and hopefully that will ease up a bit after the baby arrives.

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, it'll gain a third to half of its birth weight during the next 7 weeks as it fattens up for survival outside the womb. It now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Its skin is becoming soft and smooth as it plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.  I do feel the shortness of breath and needing to sit up straight more often.  I'm always hungry and need to eat more.  

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances.  If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.  I've had a little tightness in my back but that's due to how I have to sit at work.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm pretty impressed with how our tree turned out this year.  I did add the silver bells that my mom gets me every year to the tree and the lights reflex off them nicely.  I would love to keep this tree up year round if it was socially acceptable.  I think our living room looks rather boring 11 months out of the year.  I do think Reily is ready for me to either have something else to take pictures of or the tree to be taken down.

[caption id="attachment_2510" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The artsy blurred picture[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2511" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Who is over tree pictures? This dog.[/caption]

 

 

31 weeks

No signs of Braxton Hicks yet.  I may have over done it last weekend and pulled a muscle in my lower left side.  I've been taking it rather easy once I get home from work and lounge around until bed at 9-9:30.  The pain seems to be easing as the week goes on.  I guess I'm going to have to realize that I need to pace myself more in the final weeks.  The kid is moving around and feels like a full soccer game is going on.  Somehow it will know when Scott's hand is on my stomach and stop moving completely, then start-up again when his hand is removed.  It's the weirdest thing.

We started prepping the baby's room and we found a crib.  The room will look a little more complete after this weekend's painting session.  Here is the crib we decided on.  We do have the jungle theme but not this design that was on display.

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. It weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. It can turn its head from side to side, and its arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath its skin. It's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before

Activity in the Womb

As far as growth goes, your baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. At 31 weeks pregnant, you can still expect your baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before you two meet.   Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever.   Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and your baby can now perceive information from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he or she is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you — and your baby — yours will be one of the very first scents your baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his or her very favorite.

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his or her arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall, and even sucking his or her thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a little sucker!).

Tree Time!

It was beautiful this weekend.  70s in December in St. Louis?  Who is going to complain when it's this nice and you have to go cut your Christmas tree down?

We met Scott's parents at Starbucks and then headed to Fetus to Meert's Tree Farm to pick out our tree.  This is the third year we've gone to Meert's.  They have a great selection and it's easy to find a tree in our price range.



Clearly, we were not the only ones with this great idea.  The parking lot was packed.  The good news is that we were able to get a tractor ride over to the trees pretty quick.  We took our time going up and down the aisles and finally found our tree.



It's a Canaan Fur and it's a lot wider than the trees we are used to getting.



Not to mention, a little more sappy and prickly.  I didn't know it was as sticky as it was until we got home.  I'm impressed Scott didn't say anything while he was cutting it down.



Once our tree was cut down we had the tractor bring it back to be cleaned and wrapped and then it was time to do a little shopping.  They have a decent assortment of ornaments, decorations and wreaths to pick from. We did get a new ornament for the tree this time.  When the tree was ready Scott and his dad did a great job of securing it to the top of the car and off we went.



And here is the tree once it's pushed back in its place.  It's much wider than we are used to, but the smell it gives off is well worth it.



 

It's beginning to look like Christmas

I finally started putting up our Christmas decorations.  I am a day behind on putting up decorations around the house, but better late than never.  I feel that December goes by so fast and there are so many Christmas decorations to put up, why not get them up as soon as possible.

I did miss the annual Francis Park Tree Lighting since I am fighting a cold, so it doesn't quite feel like Christmas until we get our tree.   We are planning on getting it this weekend.  I do enjoy going up and down rows of trees and finding the perfect one for Scott to cut down.

But here are a few of the decorations we have up around the house.



 

30 Weeks, 10 to go!

Things are moving quickly.  There are just 10 weeks left and I'm now starting to feel like we need to step it up.  The good news is that this weekend we are planning on making some serious progress on the baby's room.

This last week has slowed me down a lot.  I've had a cold since Thanksgiving and doing too much causes major exhaustion.  It looks like the cold is starting to break up and hopefully I'll be back to normal this weekend.

We had our 30 week check up and the baby is positioned head down, which is an upgrade from being breach at the last ultrasound.  Also, it is kicking up a storm!  It's fun to watch my stomach just randomly twitch and shift.  The heartbeat was at 138 and has me leaning towards girl based on the old wives tale.  The best news is that I'm right on track with weight gain and measurements.

My aunts and cousins threw me a shower while in Omaha last week and we got some wonderful, unexpected presents for the baby.  We should be getting our stroller and mobile in the mail shortly.  We are extremely grateful for everything we got and I loved the time to catch up with family over brunch.

Your Baby in Week 30 of Pregnancy

Your belly’s increasing size is a definite clue that your baby is getting bigger every day, weighing in at over three pounds now (it will be packing on the weight at a rate of half a pound per week for the next seven weeks). Also growing daily is its brain, which is actually starting to look like the real thing with those characteristic grooves and wrinkles. And now that your little genius can regulate its own body temperature and turn up the heat, it will start shedding lanugo, the downy body hair that's been keeping it warm up until now.

Your Body in Week 30 of Pregnancy

These days you may feel as if you've got a flamethrower in your chest. Heartburn is one of the most common (and annoying) pregnancy ailments and here's why: The same pregnancy hormones that cause your body's pelvic muscles to relax so you can deliver your baby also relax the ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. The upshot? Food and digestive juices can head upstream from your tummy into your chest and throat — hence, the infernal inferno. Your expanding uterus, now exerting pressure on your stomach, only fuels the fire.

Week 30 Pregnancy Symptoms

Stronger fetal activity: You can expect to feel your baby moving every day — sometimes with a punch or a kick (your itty-bitty boxer is getting stronger!), other times with a wiggle or a stretch. You can also expect more activity after you’ve had a snack or meal and (sadly!) when you’re lying down.  This kid is moving all over the place.  It's hard to go 10 minutes without feeling anything.

Bloating: Your expanding uterus (that third-trimester culprit) is pressing into the stomach and intestines, making that bloated feeling worse this week (and for the next several weeks). Eat smaller (and more frequent) meals to avoid overloading your digestive system.  It seems like I'm eating less and more frequent these days.  Might of had a little acid reflux over Thanksgiving.

Occasional faintness or dizziness: It’s a common pregnancy symptom, but mention it to your practitioner (especially if you do faint). You can stop a dizzy spell by lying down and elevating your feet as soon as you feel light-headed.  Very happy that this has not happened yet. 

Bleeding gums: Thanks to pregnancy hormones, your gums could be swollen, inflamed, and even bleeding. Although bleeding gums are common (and will probably go away after delivery), take extra-good care of your teeth and gums right now: Brush and floss twice a day.  It seems like once a week I'll experience this while brushing. 

Stretch marks: As your skin stretches to accommodate your growing belly and body, you (and 90 percent of the pregnant set) are probably starting to see the pink or red streaks known as stretch marks. There’s no miracle cure for stretch marks, so don’t blow the bucks on expensive creams that promise to make them disappear. (Creams will soothe your itchy belly, though.)  What stretch marks?  I have none and even the doctor was impressed by that yesterday!

Mild swelling of ankles and feet: About 75 percent of pregnant women suffer from puffy ankles and feet. Besides wearing comfy shoes, you can relieve your swollen tootsies by taking breaks and putting your feet up. (You deserve it!)  Oh, they are swelling.  It was at it's worse the day we drove to Omaha, but since then I feel as if they have gone down a lot.  Still a little swelling.

Fatigue: Your second trimester get-up-and-go may have upped and left now. Your growing baby is putting more demands on your body, and insomnia may be leaving you pooped during the day. Now’s the time to ask for help (a skill that will come in handy after childbirth), especially doing something strenuous.  By the end of the work day I'm exhausted.  But I can't just sit still when I get home.  There is cleaning and cooking to be done.  So I've moved my bed time back to 9/9:30 these days.  Of course Reily still likes to go out around 1AM and is the routine of waking me up 10 minutes before my alarm goes off.  It's a good thing she is cute.

Omaha Thanksgiving

What a great Thanksgiving we had.  I was a little nervous about the 7.5 hour car ride and being 7 months pregnant and needing to stop all the time.  But we managed to stop on 5 times on the way up there and still arrived by 2.  We had horrible fog when we left our house, bright and early Wednesday morning.  We stopped in Wright City for a quick breakfast for me and then stopped in Columbia for a much-needed Starbucks trip.  The Starbucks we found was on Mizzou's campus and across the street from Shakespeare's Pizza, a place I've heard about from time to time.

Once we arrived in Omaha, my aunt and I went out to run a couple of errands and get some much-needed mani/pedis.  It was so nice outside that it did not feel like Omaha at Thanksgiving time.  Once returned we picked up Scott and headed to Sortino's to meet up with the family and enjoy a Sheldon Family tradition of pizza and catching up.  It was the first time I was able to meet my new cousins, Lucy and Cassidy.  It's amazing how fast they have grown in a year.  Jackson was just a newborn at our wedding and has turned into quite a cute kid.  The pizza was great and it was nice to finally see my parents.  Afterwards, all the guys went out with Kyle leading the group.  I went home and slept.  It must have been a great night out because Scott and Scott didn't make it home till 2:30!

On Thanksgiving, we met up with my parents at Old Navy for a quick shopping trip and then some Starbucks to hang out.  Then we packed up the car and headed to my Aunt Pam's house for dinner.  It was great to see my cousin Luke, who has been plagued by an illness that they finally think is Lyme disease, and Emily, with newborn Harrison.  There was plenty of football and food to go around.  It was nice to sit in somewhat quiet places and talk with all my cousins, aunts and uncles.  It's amazing how much baby advice there is when there are 9 kids under 6.  I can't wait for Thanksgiving in 2 years when we will have a little one to chase around.

Friday morning was much of the same family time.  My aunts and cousins had planned a baby shower for me at a local restaurant for brunch.  The food was great and talking more with the newer moms was always educational.  After the shower we decided to brave the shops and see what we could find.  Since the Huskers weren't playing great it was advised that we stay out shopping.  We made it back just in time to see the Huskers pull out a win in the last game of the season.  Bring on the Big 10 Championship game!  While Scott did some work and my mom and aunt chatted, I took a wonderful nap.  That was missing from actual Thanksgiving day!  Then the 6 of us loaded up the cars and met Shelley & Mark for dinner and a Bond movie.  Dinner was great and Scott got to talk to my uncles a little more.  Always a good time with the Sheldon bunch.

Saturday morning we were told to be at Village Inn by 7:30, my parents showed up at 8.  We had a quick breakfast and we left for St. Louis as my parents headed back to Texas.  It wasn't a long enough visit with everyone but it will do until the first bridal shower in the spring.

 

29 Weeks

Overall I've been feeling great.  I'm starting to get tired a little earlier than I was a few weeks ago but it's been pretty easy.  I haven't started any crazy cleaning kicks just yet but I do feel that is on the horizon.  First baby shower is this week in Omaha with my family.  Then once we get back it's time to really start getting the room ready.  In the mean time, I'll just enjoy feeling the baby kicking all day while I'm sitting at work.  We have a serious soccer player in the works here!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. The muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the head is growing bigger to make room for the developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

Some women get something called "supine hypertensive syndrome" during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel light headed if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins," lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are in Omaha for Thanksgiving this year.  I'm extremely excited because my parents will be up there with us.  I haven't seen them since this summer and it will be nice to have a normal Thanksgiving.  Everyone but my brother will be in town and that includes a few new babies that were not around for our wedding last year.  I love that my family is growing and that the younger cousins will get to play and experience the same sort of Thanksgivings I had in Omaha every year!

Rockette's

I can finally say that I've seen the famous Rockette's!  The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes was in town and I really wanted to check it out.  It went against Scott's no Christmas until after Thanksgiving rule.  But I think it was well worth it.



The show was at the Peabody Opera House.  It was our first time there for a show and it will not be our last.  The opera house was recently reopened and it was beautiful inside.  I still prefer the Fox but this was nice change.  Our seats weren't too bad considering I bought them from Groupon.

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="300"] View from our seats[/caption]

We arrived early found out seats and really enjoyed checking out the view from our seats.  I didn't think they were too bad.  The place was packed and we were not let down.  It was a great show and I'm happy I finally got to see the World Famous Rockettes!

Oh, Hello 3rd Trimester

How quickly the last 7 months have gone.  I can't believe I'm 28 weeks!  Still so much to do and so anxious to meet this baby.

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of its head to her heels. It can blink its eyes, which now sport lashes. With its eyesight developing, it may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. It's also developing billions of neurons in its brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.

And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS

Overall I'm still feeling great.  I'm starting to feel a little more tired in the evenings but nothing horrible.  I was borderline on the 1 hour glucose test and last Friday to take the 3 hour test.  It was a long 3 hours sitting in the doctor's office people watching.  I haven't heard anything back from the doctor so no news is good news and I passed.  I have started taking iron supplements as well, I don't see much of a change in those.

Friday Fun Day

I took last Friday off work since I had to do the 3 hour glucose test and stay at the doctor's office for those 3 hours and then had a meet and greet with our potential pediatrician afterwards.  It just was easier to take the day instead of rushing to work for a few hours.

I got to the doctor at 8:30 and quickly got started on getting blood drawn and drinking the sugar concoction.  I had 3 wonderful hours of people watching at the doctor's office.  There were some interesting people coming in and out.  Scott met me at the pediatrician's office and thus ensued the awkward first date like experience of getting to know her.  She was nice, has been in practice for 10 years and caught up on all the hours of the office and what to expect when the baby is born.

After all that fun we went to lunch.  I was starving since I hadn't eaten since 9PM Thursday.  I quickly stuffed myself and it was off to the house to relax while Scott cut the grass.  It was so nice outside that I didn't want to just hang out at home on my day off so we headed to Forest Park.



We checked out the Barocci exhibit at the art museum.  It was very good and loved seeing the sketching before the actual paintings.  We walked around the park for a while and then headed to The Cup for a little treat.

[caption id="attachment_2448" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beautiful day[/caption]



We killed some time at Bar Louie before meeting up with Kristin and Tom at the SLU home opener.  I hadn't been to a SLU basketball game since grade school.  It was very entertaining to see all the young college kids getting into the game.



After an extremely busy afternoon, Scott and I were exhausted and ready to get home.  It was a great day off for both of us.

27 weeks

Overall I'm still feeling great.  I have to go back and do the 3 hour glucose test this week since I was borderline.  Also, I'm now taking extra iron supplements.  Nothing horrible just trying to remember to take an extra pill in the morning.  We are getting closer to the holiday's and the 3rd trimester.  It should be time to really start looking to get the kids room ready for all the goodies that we may get at our upcoming showers.  First shower is the Friday after Thanksgiving, can't wait!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with its legs extended. It is sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing its eyes, and perhaps even sucking its fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While  its lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if it was to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.

Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief.

Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

Election 2012

I finally feel like a true Missourian.  I voted in my first presidential election in Missouri since moving back.  Things are a little different up here than in Texas.  First, there is no official early voting.  You can vote by absentee and that is considered early voting even if you are in town, sitting at home avoiding lines.  Second, you get an option to do paper ballots.  When I voted in Texas it was all electronic and I don't remember getting a choice.



Polls opened at 6AM and we were there by 6:15AM and waiting in a decent line outside.  It moved fairly fast but they needed more booths for the line to move a little faster.  I was extremely happy that I reviewed the fake ballot yesterday and was up to date on all the propositions that were on the ballot.  That made the actual voting process much faster.

I got my official sticker and can now get discounts all over STL for showing that I voted today.  Great way to get more people out and voting!

Engagement Parties

We were happy to celebrate our good friend Mike's engagement party last Saturday.  I've known Mike since kindergarten and Scott has since become good friends with Mike.  The party was held in Soulard at Llewellyn's Pub.  It was a big crowd and lots of football to watch.

We were happy to celebrate their engagement and are excited for what's to come in the next year as the wedding gets closer.

[caption id="attachment_2444" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jim, Tina, Scott and I[/caption]

Halloween 2012

We spent like we've spent the last 3, at the Birch's.  It's a nice tradition to go down there and hang out with them for the evening.  Reily even gets to join in the fun.  This year it was only Catherine and Mathew out trick or treating as a glass of milk and Yadier Molina.  They looked great.  Catherine has really come up with some creative costumes the last few years.

Scott and I are usually the first ones out there giving out the candy and listening to the horrible jokes.  This year it was much of the same.  Lots of kids, we estimate around 300 based on Ellen's candy purchases.  The jokes weren't great.  There were 3 about the Cubs and those were the best ones.  I didn't see many costumes that impressed me either.  There were lots of super heroes and baseball players.

The down side of our neighborhood being safe and known for good candy was that there were a lot of outsiders.  They showed up without a joke and without a costume.  As the ones giving out candy we made those old enough or too old to be out tell a joke before getting candy.  Next year they are getting erasers or pencils.

It was a fun evening catching up with the Birch's and some neighbors that I grew up with.  Next year, we'll be joined with Baby A and should have an entirely different Halloween experience.

26 Weeks

I had my 26th week appointment yesterday.  All is well with the baby.  I even had to do the wonderful glucose test. I chugged some orange soda-like drink and waited an hour while the sugar kicked in.  I was feeling pretty loopy from all the sugar and then crashed hard.  I was impressed that I managed to get a second wind and stay away until 9.  We had more ultra sound pictures and the baby looked good.  Sitting breech with its feet over its head and playing with its toes.  They were able to see everything that they couldn't see in the last appointment.  Heartbeat was a strong 146.

Your Baby in Week 26 of Pregnancy

What's up with your baby? It now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, its eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. (“Hey, I'm in here, Mommy! Where’s the party!”) What accounts for that response? Its brain is more developed and sophisticated.

Week 26 Pregnancy Tip: Baby's Movements in the Womb

Feel like you're carrying the Karate Kid with all the kicking going on? Your baby is actually practicing all kinds of movements that will eventually be used in life on the outside — including pedaling against your belly, a sort of prewalking skill. As your baby's nervous system becomes more developed, the movements will become much more coordinated. And as the baby gets bigger and stronger, the movements will become much more powerful…and occasionally, even painful to you. If your baby lands a good one, that tiny left hook might hurt — a lot. Another trick it may try — stretching that leg out so far that the foot becomes lodged between your ribs (ouch). Next time you come under attack, try changing positions or doing some stretches of your own. You can also gently push your baby back with your hand when your knee-jerker jerks a little too hard. You just might be able to send your slugger back into the corner of the ring!

Week 26 Pregnancy Symptoms

Bloating: Your expanding uterus continues to put more and more pressure on your stomach and intestines, resulting in the bloating you probably feel. Minimize the problem by eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones so that you don’t overload your digestive system.  This depends on how much I eat.  Usually at dinner if I take one too many bites I get uncomfortable.

Occasional headaches: Some women who have a history of migraines have them more often when they’re pregnant (some lucky ducks experience fewer of them), so don’t be surprised if yours flare up more these days. Since strong migraine medications are probably off-limits for you now, consider holistic therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, meditation, and yoga (these techniques can also help reduce stress, which is a migraine trigger).  I've never been happier that my migraines haven't been much of a factor.  I hope that trend continues.

Forgetfulness: Has “pregnancy brain” caused you to forget some crucial meetings or bits of information lately? While this decrease in memory is temporary and totally normal, try writing key things down in a trusty notepad or your PDA to help you stay organized for the rest of your pregnancy.  This has come and gone.  I know it's going to get worse as time goes on.

Clumsiness: Your loosened joints, shifted center of gravity, and added weight are just a few of the factors that cause you to slip, trip, and fall more often than usual. This clumsiness is temporary, but for now, be extra careful in the tub, shower, and on other slippery surfaces.  This has not been a problem yet.  Of course I'm starting to get used to not being able to suck in my stomach.

Lower abdominal achiness: If the “growing pains” caused by your expanding uterus (technically called round ligament pain) are feeling particularly achy lately, get off your feet when you can and get as comfortable as possible. Also, remember to shift positions slowly so as not to aggravate the pain.  I don't get these too much.  Every now and then I feel a slight pain but it's gone fast.

Vision changes: If your eyes are feeling irritated, that’s probably because pregnancy hormones decrease tear production, which leads to dry eyes. Use eye drops to ease the discomfort, and be sure to tell your practitioner if you develop serious vision problems since this could be a sign of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.  I've got the eye doctor appointment lined up.  I definitely need to get new glasses before the little one arrives.

 

Weekend in Chicago

It has been almost a year since we were last in Chicago.  So our trip up to visit the Bates' was long over due.  We drove up Friday afternoon with a quick dinner stop in Springfield.  We settled into the Bates house and caught up and I was quickly off to bed.

Saturday was a fairly busy day.  Scott went for a run and then we prepared for back to back soccer games.  It was a little colder than I had expected watching the games but it wasn't horrible.  Afterwards we got some pumpkins and did a little carving.



Scott did a great job of craving our pumpkin.



Afterwards the adults went out to a nice dinner.  I was able to try a few new foods that I would normally not eat:  mushroom ravioli's, tempura buffalo shrimp, polenta fries.  All great dishes at Abigail's.  After dinner a few games of dirty neighbor was played before Scott and I watched and fell asleep during the Nebraska game.

Before we left on Sunday we went to breakfast at Caffe Buon Giorno of Winnetka with the younger kids.  The food was pretty good and there was a lot of it.  An hour of Wii and we were on the road home.  It was a great relaxing trip.

Cherokee Street

Near the Lemp brewery and Anheuser Busch brewery, there is a street that is filled with random shops and some restaurants.  It is known to have great Cinco de Mayo parties and lots of historical markers.  Last Saturday as Scott went on his weekly breakfast with Michelle I decided to tag along.  They went to the Mud House on Cherokee Street for breakfast.



Scott and I had driven down Cherokee Street only once that I can remember and everything seemed closed and no one was around.  I knew we had to go back to check out the shops.  This breakfast was a good excuse to do that and head to the Soulard market afterwards.

Breakfast was pretty good.  The coffee-house didn't really get busy until 10AM when the trendy residents of Benton Park showed up.  It didn't matter to us, we had our table and breakfast and were happy.

After breakfast we said good-bye to Michelle and decided to walk about the block and check out the shops.  Some of the shops where purely crap.  There was a shop that mostly had ovens from the 1950s.  They would look great in museums, I don't even think they would work in a vintage kitchen.  There were shops that had tons of dishware and books and knickknacks from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.  It was fun to walk around and check everything out.

[caption id="attachment_2421" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Shop, house and historical marker[/caption]

We did enjoy stopping and reading some of the historical markers that were posted on the houses throughout the neighborhood.  I can't wait to go back when more shops are open and check them out.

25 weeks - 15 to go!

Time is moving right along.  Once the holiday's get here time is going to fly by even faster.

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Its weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but its beginning to exchange its long, lean look for some baby fat. As it does, its wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and it'll start to look more and more like a newborn. It's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

How your life's changing

Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.  I've finally started to notice that it's taking a little longer to dry my hair in the morning.  Something I'm not used to. 

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before.  Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.  I have my glucose test on Tuesday, as well as another ultrasound.  Hopefully the kid cooperates so they can get all the images that they need this time. 

Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.  We've had the names picked since we found out.  Easiest part of the pregnancy so far.  And even easier with us not finding out the sex of the baby.  Good thing the names both start with "G."

#12 in '12, Almost

Well after an interesting postseason my beloved Redbirds were eliminated from the playoffs by the Giants in game 7 of the NLCS.  After getting a quick 3-1 lead in the series the Birds could not get the final win to earn a trip back to the World Series.  Overall they played a decent season and proved again that anything can happen once you get into the postseason.

The Cardinals won a crazy Wild Card game against the Braves.  The baseball world learned a whole new meaning to the "infield Fly" rule.  And how classy our fans are compared to those in Atlanta.

After the Wild Card game the Washington Nationals came to town.  They had the best record in baseball and have a great young team.  They looked strong and like a tough team to beat.  However, with our backs against the wall the Cards pulled out a miraculous win in game 5 to move on and leave DC and their fair-weather fans crying.

Next up was a trip out to San Francisco.  The Giants had just come from behind to beat the Reds to move on to the NLCS.  When the series started it looked like the Cards would wrap things up in 5 games.  During game 5 the Giants pitching and bats came alive just as ours started to crumble.  We ended up forcing a game 7 and by the 3 inning it was over.  The Cards couldn't get a hit to save their lives.

It was sad to wake up and see that baseball was over for the season in STL.  Maybe it was because we had a rookie manager in his first ever post season of any kind.  Maybe it was because we won the World Series last year and had a short off-season.  Whatever it was the Cardinals proved that once you get a spot in the playoffs, the regular season doesn't matter and anything can happen.

Can't wait for next year - I have already read articles saying that we could be even better next year!

24 Weeks

Things have been moving right along and I'm feeling great.  I am happy the morning sickness only lasted about 6-7 weeks total.  Now the holiday season is in full swing and we are getting ready for that and of course getting the house ready for the baby.

Having gained about 4 ounces since last week.  That puts it at just over a pound. Since its almost a foot long it cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but it's body is filling out proportionally and it'll soon start to plump up. It's brain is also growing quickly now, and it's taste buds are continuing to develop. It's lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactants, a substance that will help it's air sacs inflate once it hits the outside world. It's skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Size of Baby: Eggplant (9in., 1.7lbs)

Total Weight Gain: I'm sure I've gained about 10lbs, we'll find out in a couple of weeks when I go back to the doctor for the wonderful glucose test.

Continuing Symptoms:  I'm getting sleepy sooner again but other than that I feel great!

New Symptoms This Week: Nothing new - more kicking and moving around as the weeks go by.

Maternity Clothes: I don't think they are coming off till after the kid is born.

Columbus Day

This year the Columbus Day parade was held the week after Columbus Day.  The reason was the Sunday before Columbus Day was Buena Festa on the Hill.  So we adjusted and made our way to our normal seats, right in front of my cousin's pizza place.

[caption id="attachment_2397" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Rizzo's[/caption]

Debbie greeted us and said we could sit anywhere.  Which was nice since she had her table all marked reserve, unless you were a customer.  We got our table and had our appetizers brought to us in plenty of time before the parade actually started.



This year's parade was a little better than last year.  The huge Schnuck's shopping cart made an appearance as well as the Shriners.  It seemed like there were a few less Shriner's this year but they still put on some tricks.  I didn't get my annual Vitale's Bakery t-shirt this year, instead tons of Tootsie rolls.  It is a great tradition that I can wait for next year.

Before we headed home, we picked up an old picture of Grandpa and his siblings and my great-grandmother.  I'm told it's one the few remaining pictures of all of them together.  I'm off to make copies for a few people and then hang it back up in Debbie's restaurant.

[caption id="attachment_2398" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Can you tell who is my grandfather?[/caption]

Happy Columbus Day!

The race is on

On Sunday morning, before the Columbus day parade Scott and his sister Michelle ran the Go! St. Louis Halloween 5K.  It was Michelle's first race ever and Scott was by her side cheering her on throughout the race.

[caption id="attachment_2400" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Before the race with the tombstones[/caption]

We got down there early enough to walk around, look for some coffee and get into place before the race started.  I love this race!  It is so much fun to see all the costumes that people attempt to fun in.  There were a bunch of Waldo's, Ninja turtles and run away brides.  Those who paint their face and body to get sweaty amaze me.



Scott and Michelle lined up and I headed towards the start of the race.  I love watching the start of the races.  It amazes me to see how fast the first people pace themselves.  Plus it gives me plenty of time to look for Scott when he starts a race.  I was able to find Michelle right after the start of the race and get a great action shot!

[caption id="attachment_2402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Michelle is in all black, near the orange shirt guy[/caption]

I tried to get both of them in one picture but I couldn't get a clear shot.  I do have a great view of Scott's arm in the picture above.  After they passed us, I met up with Scott's mom and we headed over to the finish line.  The first runner came by at 16 minutes and Scott and Michelle finished at 37 minutes.  Great run for a first timer!

23 weeks

Things have been running smoothly lately. We have been busy cleaning the house and getting things moved around so that the new baby things will be organized. It's amazing how much junk can be in a basement, even when you think it's actually clean. Our next big project will be new flooring on the main floor. Until we are ready for the flooring we are enjoying the last 3 months of just the 2 of us.

Your Baby in Week 23 of Pregnancy

Your little doll-sized babe is about to chub up a bit. Its saggy skin will start to fit his frame as fat deposits fill things out. Beginning this week, it'll start to pack on the pounds (which means you will too!) and by month's end it'll be double the weight he is now (though you won't be — whew!). Right now, your baby's organs and bones are visible through its skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath. But once those fat deposits settle in, it'll become less transparent.

Week 23 Pregnancy Symptoms

Fetal activity: You may be getting used to feeling your baby’s movements in the womb. Cherish these light kicks now before they get more pronounced (and painful) and before your little mover and shaker gets a foot caught in your ribs! This kid is kicking up a storm and loves my yelling at sporting events, whether it's on TV or at a Birch kid event, this kid loves sports (mainly football, soccer and volleyball).

Hearty appetite: It’s perfectly normal to find yourself wanting to devour the contents of your kitchen cabinets and fridge (you have a growing baby to feed!). So try to stock your home with healthy snacks such as fruit, cut-up veggies, nuts, and whole-wheat crackers. It's amazing how much I can eat now. It was just a short time ago when I didn't want to see any food in front of me.

Bloating: If you can’t seem to shake that ate-too-much feeling, you’re experiencing the effects of progesterone. The hormone causes the gastrointestinal tract to relax and slow down digestion, so that the nutrients from the foods you eat have more time to enter your bloodstream and reach your baby. Help keep things moving through your system (and out of your already bulging belly) by drinking plenty of water. This has only happened a few times. Just a good night's sleep and I was back to normal.

Forgetfulness: Are you consistently forgetting your keys, appointments, and where you parked the car? “Pregnancy brain” is likely caused by those pesky pregnancy hormones — and since it’s completely normal (and temporary), try to laugh it off and refrain from being too hard on yourself. This hasn't kicked in just yet, small signs every now and then.

Snoring: This fairly common (and annoying) pregnancy symptom can disrupt your sleep and your partner’s. Partly due to nasal congestion (caused by extra weight and swollen mucous membranes in your nose), you can alleviate the nighttime nasal noises by wearing a nasal strip at bedtime and running a warm-mist humidifier in your bedroom. I've been waking up congested but I'll have to check with Scott on the snoring.

Tingling hands (carpal tunnel): Swelling during pregnancy can put pressure on nerves in the wrists and cause the aching and tingling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. If you work at a computer all day, take frequent hand-stretching breaks and make sure your wrists are straight and your elbows aren't higher than your hands when you’re at your desk. This has been going on for a few weeks. It will wake me up in the middle of the night and then i readjust my arms and go back to sleep.

Bleeding gums: Reduce irritation to your gums (which are swelling more than usual these days due to hormones), by avoiding chewy sweets, brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist at least once while you’re expecting. I haven't noticed this too much, need to get a dentist appointment.

Best Husband

Since the weather decided to drop from 80s to 40s in a matter of a day we started to bundle up.  It wasn't too cold on Friday evening and we went to bed without the heat on in the house.  When we woke up Saturday morning there was a freezing cold dog nuzzled between us.  Since Reily got an extra summer cut late in the summer, it's a little slow to grow back.

With that being said I was all about turning the heat on as soon as possible.  But I was informed that we needed to get a new filter before doing so.  So, I waited till that afternoon.  Thankfully we weren't really home much so I didn't seem to mind.

Scott put the new filter in and waited for the heat to kick on.  Scott did mention that we should have had someone out at the house to check the furnace before doing anything but Mother Nature didn't wait.  Instead I sat on the couch debating the need for carbon monoxide detectors.  I've never been a worry ward on things like this, but with a baby on the way I didn't want to take a chance.

So, I casually mentioned my worries and to my surprise I was met with agreement.  And a quick trip to Lowe's we now own 2 carbon monoxide detectors, one for each floor.  It was well worth the sense of relief.

I completely have the best husband ever, for getting up at 8:30PM on a Saturday night, in the middle of the Nebraska game to go to Lowe's to get these for me!

Missouri's Best

Last year we attended the Missouri's Best Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens and had a great time sampling all the food and seeing all the craft vendors.  This year just Scott and I went and enjoyed all the samples one can get.  It was a little colder this year.  Although being in the big tents really helped keep me warmer than I had expected.

We got there around noon and I didn't think the crowds were as bad as they were last year.  Or I was hanging around the wine tasting booths like last year.  It was obvious to see which places were giving out samples and they had very long lines.  Some where worth the wait, others like the sweet/spicy mustard was not.

We walked through all 4 huge tents and found a few new goodies that we had to go back for, after a stop of water.  I do love going and support MoBot and the events that they have.  Not to mention the 15 minutes of driving around the blocks trying to find parking spaces.

Here are our goodies, we've already made one of the soups in a bag from Thompson's Farms.  And yes, we did buy goose poop!

22 Weeks, Already

I have been feeling more and more like normal lately.  It's nice to stay up past 9:30 and not feel completely wiped out.  The baby has been more active in the last week or so.  It was really active when I was yelling at the Huskers game and while we were at the Rams game last weekend.  We might have a sports fan.  At Elizabeth's volleyball game, the baby was moving around to the music before the game.

Per babycenter.com - Your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Its lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and it's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. Its eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

Size of Baby: Papaya (8in., 1.2lb.) - This kid is getting big fast!

Total Weight Gain: I'm guessing I haven't put too much weight on in the last week.  Although I feel like I'm always hungry.

Continuing Symptoms: Occasional headaches when I wake up.  It might depend on amount of water at night.

New Symptoms This Week: Scott was finally about to feel a little bit of the baby moving this week.  No new symptoms

Maternity Clothes: What are regular clothes?

It's October

I can't believe it's October already.  We had an extremely busy last weekend in September and I'm pretty sure things are only going to be busier from here on out.

On Saturday I went with Scott on his weekly breakfasts with Michelle in Soulard.  And then we headed over to the Market to get some much-needed groceries.  We ran into to Kristin down there and stayed longer than we had planned.  We headed home for a little football and napping before going back to Taste of St. Louis.



We ended up getting downtown around 3 and it wasn't too crowded yet.  We tried a Windy City Dog and burger from Paul's, gooey butter cake, pulled pork, crab rangoon, and dumplings from the booths.  While we were there we listened to a Johnny Cash cover band on the main stage.  They weren't too bad.  It was a really nice afternoon to be walking around St. Louis.

Sunday was game day.  Scott was able to get tickets to the Rams/Seahawks game from his boss and it was a great game.  It's been a while since I've been able to say that about the Rams.  We picked up Mike and Nicole nice an early and headed downtown to tailgate a little before the game.  Scott was in charge of the grilling and did a great job.





[caption id="attachment_2370" align="aligncenter" width="300"] If you look at the big screen you can see Coach Fisher celebrating.[/caption]

After the game we met up with Kristin at Ted Drewes and then headed over to Art in the Park.   We were exhausted by the time we got there and the crowds had thinned out, however we still ran into a few people that we knew.  It's always nice to see the local artists.

What a great way to end September, bring on October!