Cousins!

My brother's family (I love saying that!) was up to visit last weekend.  The cousins got to meet for the first time.  It was so much fun!!

Finished Project

First off, third trimester is finally here!  Only about 11 1/2 weeks to go.  (Yikes)  And, actually, if she decides to be like big brother Noah - she would be here in about 8 1/2 weeks...  That's only 2 months.  I'm still feeling pretty good.  Heart burn is horrible and nasty.  Getting off the floor is not easy.  I've limited my shoe choices to those that do not include bending over to put on.  :)  Other than that - it's been great.  My energy level is still pretty high most days.  I can get around fairly well.  Sleep, when not interrupted by heart burn (yes, that is the WORST way to wake up) has been really good.  I'm enjoying seeing and feeling all her movements.  I think she is head down - at least that would be my guess, but we'll see what the Dr says.  I have an appointment next week - and then I think I will be on to the every two week appointments.  OH - ha - I guess I did forget the one little snag in this whole process.  I did fail my one hour glucose screening test (Again! - I did with Noah too) so I have to go in Saturday for a 3 hour test to see if I have gestational diabetes.  I passed the 3 hour with Noah, so I'm hoping for the same results.  We shall see.  And according to the, let's compare your growing baby to a food guide, baby is as big as an eggplant.

Now on to the crafty side of things. I finally finished one of my "secret" projects.  A baby quilt for my sweet nephew, who will be 2 months old tomorrow.  I started it before he was born, shortly after they showed off their nursery.  I don't have many pictures for it, and I don't have a finished picture. Lame I know....  This is a result of putting the final stitch in the binding a few hours before taking it to give them while they were in town visiting paired with my horribly addled pregnancy brain forgetting to get my camera out and take a picture of it.

I found the pattern at the Moda Bake Shop.  However, instead of using a precut pack, I bought yardage.  So there is a bit less variety in the fabrics.  The middle row I had accidentally got things turned around and had put the sides and tops/bottoms on the wrong place.  So the middle squares would have been off, if I had lined up the borders correctly, and lining up the middle squares correctly would have made the borders opposite of the rest of the quilt.  So I decided to try to have the middle squares correct, and just let the border be off....  I didn't think it would make a difference... boy did it ever.  It was pretty horrible.  The corners were so far off...  So it was off for some seam ripping time.  What quilt/ blanket of mine would be complete without a little seam ripping time loss....   So I got that taken care of.

Then I realized that I really wanted to add a border?/strip? (my quilting vocabulary is not very extensive) between the pieced together squares and the border.  I didn't really think much about how wide to make it, except to what I thought would look nice.  Well......  I realized after I added the white border that had I done a little math, I could have made it so that I just could have added an extra square or two to the border, when in reality, I was going to have smaller rectangles on the ends now.... because I didn't think that far ahead.  But I didn't think it really mattered all that much, and it really didn't.  I think it looks ok still. Then I realized that it went further than that.  Adding the white border also meant that my backing was no longer big enough.  D'oh. But that was a simple fix with a row of squares on the back.  I was actually glad for this mistake because I really like having it on the back like that.

So that was all the glitches I dealt with...  Other than that, it was a fairly easy quilt to piece.  As for the quilting, I hand quilted it.  It really didn't take all that long.  I just quilted in the ditches (I think (and hope) that's what it is called.)  Basically around all the piecing - except for in the border.  For the binding I didn't have enough of one fabric, so I just alternated the dark orange fabric and the blue branch fabric. I have been promised to be sent pictures of it - since it is now currently about 2 hours North of me - and soon will be heading its way to TX.  As soon as I get those pictures I'll post them as well.

Texas!

So I went to Texas.
The weather the first few days was like this: (In other words - cold (think 30s), dreary)

But that wasn't the reason for visiting Texas.  HE was!

3rd cutest baby boy I ever did see. ;)

Live long and prosper toes

Proud grandparents :)

Miss this guy already.

Already getting the multitasking down pat - and with chop sticks even. :)

Amazing new Mommy!

Backseat buddy on the way to the coast.

First stroller adventure.

Weather at the end, think upper 60s and sunny

I got to go visit my brother, sister, and their new baby!!  It was a very relaxing trip.  There was mostly eating, lounging, playing Wii, watching TV, and of course loving on the little one.  He is such a good baby!!  (Knocking on wood that he remains that way. :))  We were all ready and willing to take a night shift, but it wasn't needed as he would eat and fall right back asleep. And he does, of course, have wonderful parents.  They, at least to me, seemed to be doing just great!  Adjusting to this new adventure called parenting.  I think they are up for the challenge. :)  I can't wait to see how he grows and changes.  Although I wish we could see him more often, I am so thankful for modern technology and all the ways that we will be able to stay in contact and see pictures and videos. 

Being there definitely has me thinking about June - anticipating all the wonderful things, preparing mentally for the not so fun things. :)  But all of it all so worth it.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering - there were no body scans or pat downs.  I didn't even see any happening - but then again we did leave out of small regional airports both times.  Love flying out of small airports.  I think we waited in line for security for 5 minutes on the way out and about 30 minutes on the way back.  Quick.

PA, HP, HB

This weekend I traveled with two other ladies to PA to visit my best friend!  We had so much fun.  There was lots of talking, shopping, and relaxing.

The big event for the weekend was going to see Harry Potter.  There was a brand new IMAX theater in town, so we saw the movie there.  It was amazing.  I love the books - and to me, this one was the best adaption from book to movie yet.  I loved it.  Now, my husband, he saw the movie this weekend too - because some of his friends wanted to see it. He hasn't read the books - and he just thought it was ok.  And I can see that.  I'm not sure how I would feel about the movies if I didn't love the books so much.  I'm so excited for the final movie.  Although it is slated to come on in July of next year.  About a month after my due date.  Should be interesting trying to get out to the theater. :-D

Also - one of the previews that was before the movie was for Cars 2!  I think we have a good second movie for Ohlen to watch at the theater. He is going to be SO excited. :)  I think that one will be out in June... so looks like it will probably be a Daddy date for that one. :)

Tonight I jokingly told Jonathan that I bet that as soon as the nausea goes away the heart burn will start.  And guess what?  I had a slight bout of heart burn this evening.  Apparently I have jinxed myself...

I'm officially 10 weeks along now.  Baby is growing finger nails - and has all its vital organs.  Just such an amazing miracle life is.  Just have to keep reminding myself that through the nausea - it's all happening for a wonderful reason.

Also got to see my brother and sister (in law) tonight!  She is expecting - due in 2 months.  I'm so excited for them, and can't wait to meet my very first nephew!

I love my family. Immediate and extended.
And my friends.
So thankful for all of you!

Now on to Thanksgiving week. Lots of cooking to do.  A long road trip for Noah and I. Then back for some more cooking/baking and a few more family gatherings.  And sometime in there it will be time to get the tree all set up and the house all Christmased up.  I LOVE this time of year!

Time in Texas, New Car, Today's Appointment

I had such a great time in Texas with Nate and Aubyn. We went out to eat, saw Bolt in 3D, went to the zoo, went to the beach, and played Blockus. I got to see their place and where they hang out, I got to meet some of Nate's coworkers, and I got to go with them to their church. It was a really great time. I was ready to be home, but at the same time it felt like my time there was way too short. It was pretty warm there too. Probably in the 60s most of the time, but I was happy to come home to the snow. :)

While I was away we got our new car. Well it's not new, but just new for us. I never thought we would ever own an SUV, but here we are. I drove it today, and I like it. It will mostly be Jonathan's work car, or at least that is the plan for now. It has a sweet lumbar control, which is pretty much awesome. It makes me think I could drive it for long periods of time.

Today I had a doctor's appointment. To be honest, I was really nervous about this one. I just had this awful feeling. I didn't have any reason to have that feeling, at all, but nonetheless, it was there. So I did the normal routine stuff, found out I've gained only 1 pound so far, yay. Then the Dr. came in to listen to the heartbeat. He tried for about 15-30 seconds with the doppler. I don't know if I looked really nervous or he was just in a hurry, but he was like, well let's just do this the quick and dirty way. So he fired up this little sonogram machine they have right there, and I got to SEE the baby again. He pointed and said, see right there, that's the heart beating - I didn't see anything moving at all, but he's the Dr. he knows. :) I could make out a body and a head. It was very cool and now I'm feeling so much better. The heart rate was at about 130 so you can use that information to try and guess the gender if you would like. I can't remember if it is a faster one for a boy or a girl... I just know that scientific, it isn't. :)

Oh and then I got my flu shot. I never had one before. It really didn't hurt going in, but MY GOODNESS. About 15 minutes later it felt like someone ran a truck into my arm. Crazy. Now it doesn't hurt all that much again. So that's good.

Today was just a really good day, besides the appointment, I had lunch with Heidi, got to listen to Christmas music in the car with heated seats and lumbar control, got to go Christmas shopping, and got a letter from Laura!!! Oh and also got a short visit from Jeremy and Lacey tonight, which is a nice bonus. :) The only bad spot of the day is that my throat is hurting. :( Hopefully it doesn't escalate into anything.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Texas

I'm in Texas!! Yay! At the moment Nate and Aubyn are off teaching so I'm hanging out here at their place with Mr. Murphy. (their dog) It's been the laziest day I've had in a long time. It's kind of weird not having anyone to take care of. I miss my boys, but I am having a great time.

I would advise everyone to fly out of Akron Canton. It was amazing. There was no line to check in, only 3 people in front of me in line at security. It not at all stressful. My flights were both very uneventful and they had these great little cinnamon cookie things. Overall, it was a great travel experience.

I'm looking forward to a great time hanging out with Nate and Aubyn. I'm sure the time will go all too fast. :)


Only 5 days until I get to hear baby Troyer's heartbeat!!

Take a Hike, Ike

Well, apparently Ike had a vendetta against the Miller family. He slammed Nate and Aubyn's place on Sat. morning and then gave us a little kick on his way out. We lost power around 7pm Sunday night and got it back today (Tuesday) at around 4pm. I never realized just how dependent we are on electricity. Especially when you aren't in town, because that means no running water, no flushing toilets, etc. It was nice to enjoy the quiet though, nothing humming or running.

Nate and Aubyn are both fine. Their apartment building didn't take much damage and no flooding from what they hear. They were heading back today. They may not have power for a while, but they have a generator.

Some Prayer Requests

My brother and his beautiful wife just moved near Houston in August. Nate called this morning and told us that they have to evacuate because of Hurricane Ike. They are currently making their way to San Antonio to wait out the storm. Please pray for their safety as they travel and that their apartment will remain in tact. Also, please keep the whole region in your prayers. Hopefully Ike will die down and go home.




Secondly, my best friend Laura just left Monday for a year in India. She arrived safely. Please pray for her as she adjusts to the culture and gets into the swing of things there. Her blog is linked on the side if you would like to read her updates. :)