I'm So Proud of Jacob!!!

Thanks for all of the prayers for Jacob's big test he had a few weekends ago. He got a letter yesterday that he passed. He also received A's in both of his classes so he still has a 4.0 for his Ph.D. Way to go buddy...I'm so proud of your hard work. And I sure hope Critter gets his academic drive!

7 Months, Last Trimester!

I'm finally getting around to posting my belly blog (picture taken about 1.5 weeks ago so I am twice the size now...or at least feel like it). I can't blame it on Jacob though because he gave me the picture a few days ago and I am just now posting it.

It's hard to believe that I am in the last trimester and only have about 2.5 months remaining. Now, those of you who have never had a baby are probably thinking "If she is 7.5 months and still has 2.5 months, that doesn't add up to 9 months...that's 10 months!" Indeed, the way they calculate a pregnancy is including the 4 weeks leading up to conception so a full pregnancy is 40 weeks...or 10 months. I have exactly 10.5 weeks remaining and it is coming oh so quickly!

I'm feeling pretty well but just this week I have been extremely exhausted and a little uncomfortable. My belly is so tight (and I still have lots of growing to do) that it makes me feel weird. It's all worth it thought because Jacob and I love Critterbug so much. On Sunday night we put a bagel on my stomach and watched him kick it around and then the next night we "played" with Critter. He'd stick his foot (or elbow or hand or booty, who knows) out and we'd push on it and then he'd move it to another spot. We did that for like 10 mins and Jacob was laughing and having a grand time. He's going to be a fun daddy.

Anyway, I gotta get to work. I'll fill you in about Daddy and Martha's wedding (which was beautiful and perfect) and my baby shower when I get a chance. And we leave for the beach on Friday for almost a week...I can't wait for a little vacation. I even got my swimsuit in yesterday so I'm ready to go.

Going to the Chapel!!

This is the big weekend that we have been waiting for...Dad and Martha are tying the knot on Saturday and I can't wait!!! Jacob and I leave this afternoon for Greenville and are so looking forward to the fun times with family and the "induction" of a new family member!! Please pray for me and Jacob as we drive tonight and please pray for all of my family traveling from up north and pray for Dad and Martha as they finish up all of the last minute details and travel on their honeymoon. I am so thankful for all of the prayers that God has answered leading up to this special time in dad's life. You're such an answer to prayers Martha!!!

On a side note: Last weekend we had a great time visiting with Brad and his friend Eric. We ate a lot of food and went to the park and they did some tours and such while I worked. Brad was very disappointed that I did not have a mu mu to wear. He thinks that's what pregnant people should wear.

Critterbug also turned 28 weeks (that means 7 months!!!). I can't believe it's going so fast. I feel great and am looking forward to the last 2.5 or so. Critter has moved beyond kicking and is now into full blown aerobics, tumbling and gymnastics. I get tickled multiple times throughout the day as I watch a large mass move across my stomach from one side to the other. The best is when we are laying in bed at night. We'll just watch it go back and forth. It's pretty bizarre. I'll put the tummy picture up when Jacob sends it to me.

Anyway, see some of you this weekend!!!

The Solemates Snag Highpoints 28, 29 and 30!!!

As I alluded to in previous posts, Jacob and I took a trip to the Midwest, namely Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, to get some highpoints. We have to get the easy ones while I’m a pregnant chick so we seized the opportunity to fly to Minneapolis and drive around a few states. We flew out on Thursday, April 26 and arrived fairly late in the evening. After renting our peacock blue PT cruiser, we headed towards the highest point in Wisconsin. Jacob drove us a couple of hours until we found a hotel and called it a night.

Friday morning we drove a little longer and made it to Timms Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin. After trekking the 300 or so yards to the fire tower, we snapped our signature pose and headed back to the car. We then drove to the highest point in Michigan which was a little tricky to get to. We didn’t have exact directions and forgot the coordinates to plug in our GPS. We drove for a while on a road that seemed to be taking us there, only to get as far as we could in the PT cruiser. We needed 4WD and certainly didn’t want to risk getting stuck. Fortunately we passed a truck and they gave us better directions. We turned around (costing us about an hour) and found the correct way to the HP. We made it to Mt. Arvon, the highest point in Michigan close to dusk. After about a 1/3 mile hike, we took our picture and headed back to the car. We had just enough sunlight left for Jacob to get some nice pictures of the bay in L’anse. The bay was still frozen even though it was 60+ degrees. Pickings were slim for dinner so we dined at Subway and got a hotel and went to bed.

Saturday morning we hit the road and headed towards Grand Marais, Minnesota. It was a gorgeous drive. The entire drive the road was hugging Lake Superior. We passed many parks and a few lighthouses and other roadside look outs. We made it to the parking lot for our hike to the top of Eagle Mountain sometime early afternoon. We hiked 7 miles roundtrip and it felt great. The weather was amazing and Critter enjoyed the walk, I think. You gotta get ‘em started young! After our 3 hour hike we drove back to town and found a hotel. We showered and then went to dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Sunday we droved back to Minneapolis so we could fly back home. Fortunately we were not too rushed so we were able to stop at a few places for some pictures. Overall, we drove about 18 hours in 3 days but we snagged 3 highpoints and loved every minute we got to be together. Our next highpoint adventures will be in October when we take Critterbug to the highest point in Delaware and New Jersey and to visit our friends Tonya and Jason. We can’t wait to do these things with him/her.

Timm's Hill, Highest Point in Wisconsin 1951'

Mt. Arvon, Highest Point in Michigan 1979'

The slushy bay in L'anse, MI

Reflections on the Bay

Sunset on the bay

Eagle Mountain, Highest Point in Minnesota 2301'

Pond along the trail to Eagle Mountian. We were in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Another Pond in BWCA.

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Lake Superior's Coast

Hiccup Hiccup

Yesterday Critterbug had the hiccups and it made me laugh. I'm pretty sure that's what it was and I was in a meeting and it tickled.

Today I had a doctor's appointment and it went really well. I never did post about this but last week I had to go in and have another glucose test done because I failed the first one. I was a little anxious this week waiting for the results and praying that I wouldn't have gestational diabetes. I got the results today and they were negative. Yippee...that means Critter and I can still enjoy sweets every so often :). Thank you Jesus for protecting us! Critter's heartbeat was 150 bpm and I gained a pound and my blood pressure was 118/70. Just for those who are keeping up. Based on the websites I read, Critter is about 2.5 lbs and 16" long at this point. Only about 5 lbs and 5" left to grow for an average size baby. Wow...it's going so fast!!

Jacob and I had a great time on our trip to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. I will post about that when I have some pictures to go with. He is so swamped with his big test that is this weekend so please pray for him.

My brother and his friend are coming tomorrow and I am looking forward to that.

Flashback: Easter

I didn't get these pictures posted around Easter because we had a little camera snafu and I had to wait until they were edited. We had the camera set on tungsten which compensates for too much indoor lighting. Since we were outdoors and no indoor lighting was involved they turned out blue. You know what a blue pregnant girl looks like?? (Think Willy Wonka when Violet turns Violet). Anyway, Jacob did a little photoshop action and they look A LOT better. Enjoy!!

Cute Family. Next year there will be 3 little dressed up monsters in the picture!!

A Very Pregnant Easter.