Visit to Ankeny

Last weekend we took a trip out to Chris' parents house. Chris had an interview in Kansas City, and since Ankeny is only three hours away, we decided to make a weekend trip. We had a very nice time and were amazed by the crazy snowfall! Apparently they have had more snow this year than they've had since 1865! It's a little crazy driving in this, because you can't really see over the snowbanks if you're in a tiny Honda civic. In the picture above, you can barely see the mailbox poking out of the snow.

Okay, here's 17 weeks. I think I look fat rather than pregnant right now, but at least we're making progress! When I wore this shirt for my 13 week picture, the sweater was not pushed out by my belly nearly as much as it is in this picture. It's fun to see.

I also saw my doctor again, and everything's still great. Apparently I'll get to feel the baby kicking soon. Although, I suspect I may have already felt the kicking. It's hard to know if you're feeling it when you don't know what it's supposed to feel like! But, it's all very exciting.

I have scheduled our ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby for March 22nd. Chris and I suspect a boy, but hopefully we'll know soon. We're planning on Peter if it's a boy--we like it especially well since it's not on any top 100 boys name lists.

Speaking of babies, my lovely sister-in-law, Ann, just sent me a great book: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I think all women who are having kids would benefit from reading this book. It really helped me feel so much better about the upcoming birth experience. I feel strangely empowered from reading it, whereas I think I was almost scared silly before reading it. There is some strange hippie stuff in it, but overall it is great! Thanks Ann!!

Thoughts

So far in my pregnancy, I have found it both interesting and comforting to gain knowledge about the details of pregnancy and how the body works and changes. But, I think I need to stop using internet research to find out what a normal pregnancy should be. Today I looked up photos of what other pregnant women look like at 16 weeks, as I am also approaching my 16th week. What inevitably followed was my feeling that something must be wrong with my pregnancy. So many of the pictures were women with HUGE bellies. I am still very small, and so this made me quite paranoid. It seems like there are endless things to worry about when pregnant, and internet research seems to make it worse! So, now I am trying to assume everything's fine until it is proven otherwise. Sometimes it's so hard to wait for the next doctor's appointment...

13 weeks

Well, since I heard the baby's heartbeat at 13 weeks, I figured it's time to post the news on the blog. We've been a little bit concerned with complications over the past week, but as of yesterday, things are looking pretty good. Above is a picture of the tiny baby bump. I doubt anybody but Chris and I can actually tell there's anything there, but I know I'm growing because I haven't gained any weight, and these are basically the only pants I can wear right now. I bought them a couple weeks ago in a larger size than I ever used to wear, and I'm grateful to have them to lounge in right now because they're so comfy!! I did have a picture that we took at 4 weeks, but it turned out blurry. But this is a pretty good starting point for documenting my growth since there's hardly anything to see.

I'm finally starting to get my energy back, which is nice. It was kind of amazing to me how tired I felt. But now what is even nicer is that I don't feel nauseated all day! Now I only get morning sickness in the morning, but I'm crossing my fingers that that will come to an end soon also.

Chris and I have decided to do the Bradley Method classes, which begin in March and end in May. After that, we're off to Washington to have the baby. Illinois has not been friendly to the midwives out here in terms of insurance coverage, and that is one reason why we want to have the baby in Washington. I am hoping to be able to have a CNM (certified nurse midwife) at St. Peter's Hospital. It will be kind of fun to have the baby there, because it's where I was born.

Happy Christmas! and other things

I was able to visit my parents for the second week of December. This was a special treat since I won't be able to visit for Christmas or Thanksgiving. It was a fun week. Dad let me go with him to get the tree and then Brandon pretty much decorated the tree all by himself. It was great to see my family!

Every time we have gone tree shopping, Dad always goes to the first tree he sees--usually a little tree--and wants to buy it. Poor Dad, I think I may have dragged him through all the nobles at that tree farm til we finally found one.

Brandon steadying the tree. I think it's a little crooked, but I also held the camera a little crooked too.

Sweet baby Grace and Becca.

The happy and ever-mischevious Will. What a cutie!

The finished product with Christmas village over the fireplace.

Since graduating and being unemployed, I've enjoyed making jewelry. Here is a fun woven bracelet and a pair of Venetian glass earrings. Fun fun.

We actually have never had a tree in our five years of married life. Kind of sad, but I've compensated a little by decorating our windows.

This is my first ever blueberry pie, from my mother-in-law's excellent recipe--better than Cook's. Kind of random, but I was happy with how it turned out, so I thought I'd add it to the post.

Summer in Chicago

We haven't been very good about posting lately. Mostly, I have neglected to bring the camera to any of the fun things that we've gone to, and I don't like to post without pictures.

Chris has been very busy this summer with an internship at Schiff Hardin Llp. It has been a great experience for him and he has really grown to appreciate the firm. We are prayerful and hopeful that it may work out into something permanent. We should know by the end of August what will be going on.

When Chris wasn't working, we were able to do some fun things in Chicago. We went to the Taste of Chicago (which, by the way, is overrated and overpriced, and the Bite of Seattle is much better in my opinion), or the exciting circus show on Navy Pier, The Spirit of Shanghai. We've had lots of fun walking around Chicago and visiting some fun restaurants and visiting the Art Institute on the free evening. While we don't really have pictures documenting these activites, I have collected a few pictures to post.

This is a bird's nest right outside our bedroom window that we only realized was there the day we took these photos. These baby birds look old enough to take flight very soon.

Baby birds with the mother. Very sweet.

A lovely painting at the Art Institute. I can't remember who it's by, though! I'll have to go back and find out.

Van Gogh's self portrait. Somebody said that it looked like Chris could be related. Beyond the red hair, I'm not sure I see it, but we thought we'd take a picture anyway.

This sunburn was the aftermath of our trip to the Taste and the Circus (which I do not have pictures of).

Congratulations to Chris and Class of 2009!

Yesterday was particularly exciting, marking the end of Chris's time in law school. Yay! He worked so hard and did a great job, and I am so proud of him! I married a smarty! :) I'm also glad it's overwith because he spent almost ALL of his waking hours studying, with the exception of meal time and Sundays. It is so nice to have him back and be able to spend time together.

This is the view of the graduates entering the Rockefeller Chapel for the Hooding Ceremony. This building is really fun and we were fortunate enough to get seats up above in the back of the nave.

I thought this window was particularly beautiful.

The view of the ceiling (can't remember the architectural term from my Art History Class--Sorry Mr. Sieger).

This was actually the first part of graduation: Convocation. They received their diplomas at this part. The guys playing the bagpipes were awesome.

This is kind of a funny picture. Apparently the guy looking at the camera is also named Chris. So, when we were yelling out for Chris to look at the camera, this guy thought it was for him. I guess Chris thought it was for this other guy too, because he didn't realize it was us until after the picture was taken. Very funny.

Chris's parents were able to make it for his graduation. They were very proud of their law school graduate. It was good to visit with them. Thanks for coming!

Senior Recital

I recently had my senior recital on April 28th. I've just been slow about doing a post. Words cannot express the relief of having it over and done with. Oddly, it was much easier to do than I thought it would be. And, I can honestly say that it was kind of fun. Somehow, I was able let go of my inhibitions and get into the music, which isn't the easiest thing for me to do when I perform. So, I'm grateful to report that it was a good experience.
As a little girl, I remember looking up to my older brother (who is an awesome opera singer now) and thinking that I could never get up and do a whole recital by myself on stage. It's a bit of a running joke that I'm a performance major, and especially that I'm a soprano. I'm so opposite of a diva--at least in the idea that I don't enjoy being in the limelight--it's not even funny. Anyway, it feels pretty good to have accomplished something that has truly frightened me for so long. I look rather silly in this picture, but I didn't get very many pictures, so here is a pose onstage after the recital was over.

This is Kiyona and me. Kiyona is an awesome pianist. I was lucky enough to get the best student pianist at NEIU to accompany my recital.

I was grateful that Chris and some friends from church could come. Poor Chris has barely any time do to anything besides study, so it's almost astonishing that he was able to make it. :) I'm not sure what is causing the expressions in this picture. All I can remember is how good it felt to be done!!

This is my program. Hopefully it's not too small to see... Anyway, I really want to thank my family for their encouragment and faith and prayers on my behalf, because this is what gotten me through it all without freaking out too much. :) And thank you in particular to Brian, who has been so instrumental in helping me to learn to sing better and who gave me so much encouragement.