Another Visit to the Big City

9/11 Memorial

Joel-not quite sure how to pose at a memorial (hence the lack of smile)

Lady Liberty

Don't take a picture of the tired and hot pregnant lady!

Kate was tired, too.

Is a phone more interesting then the Statue of Liberty?  I guess it is when you are 3!

One of the girls favorite parts of NJ...our fancy apple photo booth. .I'm pretty sure they took at LEAST 300 pics of themselves.

Come again, girls!!

This, That and Other Stuff...

Today I am getting ready for our THIRD set of visitors!  It has been a fun month.  I also started our baby registry on amazon.com!  I'm pretty sure I've squealed a couple times while picking out baby items   I can't believe how cute baby things are!  Joel doesn't seem to be as thrilled as I am....That's okay.  I'll let him drive the big truck to pick up our baby crib.  That does not excite me at all!  (especially in this New Jersey traffic).

Joel and I have decided to use cloth diapers and wipes. I know...crazy granola for me, right??  Well, I've researched it quite a bit.  Cloth diapers are actually not any better for the environment than disposables unless you line dry them (I can't promise I will always line dry our babies nappies).  We made the decision based purely on the financial benefits.  How UNgreen of me, right?

We've also decided to use a product called "Woombie."  It's like a zip up swaddler that can't come undone like a blanket!  I've read a lot of RAVE reviews about them.  They help with startle reflex, guard against SIDS and the baby can't wriggle out of them like they can with a blanket.  Anybody out there use Woombies?

So, that's what is New in Jersey right now!  Baby stuff, visitors and more baby stuff!

Week 23

Now you all know what I look like post workout, after a night of sleeping on wet hair AND sans makeup!  Lucky, Joel...huh??  (ha ha j/k).  You may have noticed that I've skipped a few weeks (20 to be exact) of pregnancy pictures .  This is because I usually work out JUST before Joel gets home and I never feel photo worthy.  I decided to go for it today....or there would be NO documentation of my first pregnancy!

Hunger Games

Have I watched Hunger games?  No.  Do I plan to read the book?  Ummm...no.  I DO feel like my ever-hungry stomach is playing games with me, though.  I try my best to fill my ever grumbling tummy, but NOTHING seems to do the trick.  I'm pretty sure I shocked my in-laws when they were visiting.  I distinctly remember one of them saying "Wow, I'm not used to seeing you eat this much food (or something to that effect)."  I'm really not used to this, either!  I'm trying to enjoy this stage, but am having a hard time finding food that will meet my very picky pregnancy tastes as well as fill the black hole that has stolen my stomach.  Luckily, I'm not craving chocolate, ice cream, french fries or chips, but I HAVE eaten a whole bag of grapes in one night.  Wow.  This week I spent $13 on grapes at the grocery store.  Joel and I should probably just invest in an orchard soon :)

I guess this baby girl is growing and I'm grateful for that!  

Funny Future Daddy

Funny Things Joel Says (Or Does) Now That I'm Prego

1)  When we first started announcing our pregnancy he'd pat my belly with a cupped hand (it echoed...I swear)  and say "Yep, we're having a baby!"

2)  The other day a mutual friend asked how I was doing. He stated, "She has a VORACIOUS appetite."   I thought that was a funny way to describe my health, but I guess it's true at this point.

3)  Who knew there were so many weird symptom during pregnancy?  I'd list a few, but I don't want to scare any future mommy's.  I DO tell Joel ALL my symptoms and he just laughs.  Sometimes I wish men had to go through pregnancy, too :)

Joel IS very good about making sure the air in our home is the perfect temperature for me...AND he makes me fruit smoothies EVERY night.  Yep, he's pretty much the best husband EVER!

It's A....

Most of you have probably seen this photo on facebook!  This is for those of you who haven't.  Joel surprised me and stated that he wanted to announce the gender of our baby in a special way.  So, we made about a million mini strawberry cupcakes and arranged them to say "GIRL" when his parents were in town.  Every other family member received a little card in the mail that said "G" is for GIRL!

I'll admit it.  I was positive we were going to have a boy.  I saw Joel teaching a couple of younger boys how to throw a football and I decided that God HAD to give him one.  Ha ha...so much for hunches. Now I'm looking forward to watching Joel play princess and dolls with our special little girl!  He'll be great at it:)  Maybe he can teach her how to throw a football, too!

A view of NYC from Weehawkin

Oma and Opa!

It's funny that I used to think that Minneapolis was a "big city"

What a beautiful day!

I FINALLY feel like I can write a post about "Oma and Opa" since we will be having a child soon.  I secretly used to tell Maddie (our dog) that "Oma and Opa" were coming to visit when I was without child...Yeah...I'm funny like that.

Anyway, we had a great time with Milt and Linda.  We're excited to show some more visitors the sites in the following weeks!