Thursday, July 26, 2012

Weekend in New England


 Dave and I spent the weekend in New England, staying with Jim, Lynne, and Braedy. We didn't spend a whole lot of time at their house, but were out on adventures around the area. Here's a few photos from our Sunday at Hampton Beach, NH.



We had such a great time!! Thanks again Jim, Lynne, and Braedy!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Niagara Falls


A few weeks ago for Dave's birthday we went to Niagara Falls. We had both been there, on the Canadian side together a couple of years ago, and to the American side separately. We were walking around, taking in the falls and just enjoying the park when we realized neither of us had been on the Maid of the Mist. So we decided to check it out.

You might think wearing the blue ponchos is overdoing it, but let me tell you, it is NOT. I couldn't believe how misty/rainy/windy it was at the bottom of the horseshoe falls. The boat gets pretty close to the bottom, and it feels like you're in the middle of a pretty bad storm.




If you've never gone, check them out some time!





Looking forward...

I know I'm only 6 months along right now, and there's so much I need to appreciate about right now, but I have moments when I canNOT WAIT to meet our little one. Like earlier today I saw baby pictures on a photographer's Facebook page. I thought of that little baby, and how very soon I'll be taking photos of our baby. I can't believe that God-willing, in a few months, that'll be us - the proud parents of a precious new baby. Wow!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Getting creative!

Yesterday I spent some time looking for birth announcement ideas. I found a few I like on Pinterest, and combined a couple different ones to come up with one I really like. I don't have any of my scrap booking stuff here, so that meant a trip to the local craft store to get everything I need. I started working on them today and I really like how they look. They aren't going to be very complete at this stage, of course, with no photo, name or other details. It's fun to work on them now when I have lots of free time, something I might lack in October.

Monday, July 16, 2012

This, that

** Laundry day today. Costs us $6 for one load. At least today I didn't also have to buy $2 detergent for one load.

 ** Toledo Mud Hens game tonight!

 ** We toured a WWII destroyer & submarine yesterday, and a post-WWII light destroyer. It was built in 1945 for the war, but then the war ended. The ships were huge, and it was a lot of walking around and many flights of steps. It was a hot & humid day and you can bet they didn't have AC! :) It kind of did me in for the day. There were so many cool things to see on the ships, from original rooms & signs to memorials and information about the ships and what they did. The submarine was cool too. I expected crowded and cramped, but to actually see it was something else. To think that sailors lived in there for days, weeks, months at a time - wow!! The submarine and destroyer had Japanese flags on them to show how many "kills" they had. So, so, so cool!!

This is the light cruiser, with the (black) submarine next to it. The destoyer is hidden by the cruiser.


 ** Dave and I are heading east this weekend to see Jim, Lynne, and Braedy. Can't wait!!

Third Trimester!

Today marks the start of my third trimester. Three (or three and a half) months to go!!

Things that are part of my everyday life these days, at 6 months pregnant: Lots and lots of movement and kicks :), Tums, lots of trips to the bathroom, finding loose-fitting shirts, up all night & sleeping in, naps, lots of fruit, chocolate Frosties from Wendy's, an inflamed nerve on my right side, nightly leg massages with a muscle relaxing gelee.

Also lots of thinking and wondering about what he/she will look like, how our world will change, and how we'll be as parents. Dave thinks he has it figured out, so maybe I'll have to learn from him ;)

Friday, July 13, 2012

The weather

Its kind of funny. When Dave and I were home last week, lots of people asked about the weather here. We said it is pretty much the same as at home. A couple of times this week I've checked the weather at home, and it's always within a degree of here. Today we're both 83 degrees. Maybe that's not too big a deal, but last year we were in Kentucky for the summer and it was always 15 to 20 degrees hotter there than home. There are similarities in the areas, most notably the proximity to Great Lakes. That probably is the biggest factor.

Dave and I are thinking about switching hotels. This one is pretty nice, kind of old but it was remodeled in 2009. We generally like the location. It's close to Starbucks, Target, Chipotle, and a grocery store. I was getting out at least once during the day, but I came really close to getting hit by a car on my way to Target the other day. I was in the cross-walk, waited for the signal, and got about halfway across when I saw this silver car bearing down on me. She was speeding up pretty good too. Her window was open so I yelled/screamed and she swerved out of the way, yelling out the window at me. I was shaking pretty bad after that so I stopped at Starbucks to get my favorite (relatively pregnancy-friendly) drink, Green Tea Lemonade. It helped, at least a little bit. Anyway, I'm pretty reluctant to venture across the busy, 5 lane street again.

We found a much nicer long-term stay hotel a couple miles from here, but it's not in the best location. There's a couple of things within walking distance so it's okay. It looks like the food is much better over there too, so maybe we'd actually eat more of it. We cook all of our own food here, even when they serve dinner in the dining room. What should we do?

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Summer plans

I don't have a whole lot going on this summer. I think if I was home for the summer that would not be true. So instead of getting things done, I have lots of time to relax, sleep in, try new recipes, look at house plans, and do other fun, non-stressful things. I know sleeping in isn't going to last very long once it's fall, so I have to take advantage. I didn't imagine it would already be so uncomfortable sleeping, so not having an alarm to wake up to in the morning is so nice. Even when I don't sleep well, I can usually get enough sleep. Or at least take a nap.

By the way, if anyone feels like taking a trip this summer, come visit us!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Definitely my longest break

All year I didn't have Internet at home, so that's my excuse for taking 11 months off. Jumping back into things, there's a few big things going on with us. In February we found out we have a little miracle on the way :) I'm due in the middle of October so I'm trying to mentally prepare to go until the end of October. I'm learning all about being pregnant as I experience the symptoms I expected, and those I never knew about. We're getting pretty excited for what's ahead, and also trying to soak up our last few months relaxing before he or she enters our world and changes everything forever.


We also started building our house this spring. It was a big project for Dave, and we know we have a LONG ways to go still!! We are planning on building it over the next few years, and it feels good to have it started.

 I'm taking this summer off from classes. The last couple summers have just been too hectic and stressful with the classes, and I figured this would be my last chance to really, truly relax.

Happy Monday!! (I like this day of the week WAY more this time of year than I do during those other 9 months.)