Our Minnesota Thanksgiving

Can I just say that this years winter in Iowa has been pretty much a dream come true.  Today was the 1st day that we even saw snow hit our grounds.... and really it wasn't much.  I can't complain because we made it to December with only jacket wearing weather. I believe the tides have turned and we are now in full-coat, gloves, beanie kind of days.... and although I know their are many many more months of cold to come (and I am sure you will hear me complain), I want to thank Iowa for being so kind thus far.

Anyway... now onto our Thanksgiving.  I had never been to Minnesota so with the holiday break we decided to head North to the cold and snowy Minnesota.

-We had a great time. Mostly relaxing but we did get out and see the city of Minneapolis....
-We spent Thanksgiving Day with a friend of Adam's from high school. (Thanks Reed and family for the delicious Thanksgiving Dinner).
-Shopped with the thousands of other black friday shoppers at the Mall of America (although we started our day around 8am).... it didn't take us long to decide that we wanted to sleep rather than fight the crowds at the crack of dawn).  The Mall of America is HUGE. Store after store after restaurant after store... and an amusement park in the middle.  It was a lot of fun just to be in their and part of the holiday atmosphere.   We each wanted at least one pic of us in the mall.... so these are the quick options we came up with. haha

We're not even Spongebob fans but it seemed like a good enough place for a picture.

My choice was the huge christmas tree...  exciting huh?

This is looking into Nickelodeon Park from one of the upper levels. 

-Because we don't have a temple in Iowa City... we try to take advantage of the opportunity to go when we are in a city that has one.  As always we enjoyed our experience there.

-I really enjoyed Minneapolis/St. Paul even with all the snow and the frigid temperatures.  I hope to go back in the summer and see all the outdoor sites!

All Boy Baby!

 We had an ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a BOY! So excited. There is just something about having an older brother--- so we were more than happy that our first is a boy.  One of the very first comments Adam made after we saw that it was a boy was... "Do you think you can make a baby wrestling singlet for him?" Oh man I am already in trouble.  I am just hoping that my skills and desires of other sports-- like basketball and baseball rub off on him.  haha and somehow he gets my families height and not Adams. :) Either way we are sure going to love the little guy.
Here are a few of the ultrasounds...

His Profile

His Mouth Open

If you look carefully-- that's his right foot. 

I am now 20 weeks along. Half way there.  Wow time flies.  I am feeling great. Most days I forget I am pregnant. I have def. started showing in the last week or two.  I have had requests of a photo so here I am at 20 weeks.

A Visit to the Past.

This past weekend we had a visitor!! We love having visitors from out-of-state because it rarely happens. No one wants to come to Iowa-- not sure why??   C'mon people you are missing out.

Adam's older brother, Mike had to be in Chicago for work on Thursday and Friday. So it worked out great that he leave Chicago Friday afternoon and drive the 3 hours to come hang out with us in Iowa City for the weekend.  So fun.  He got in town just in time to watch a University of Iowa wrestling team duel. Mike and Adam are huge wrestling fans so this was on their list of must-dos. After wrestling we went out to Mechanicsville to visit their Grandparents- Willy and Betty.  Adam and Mike were both born here in Iowa and lived here during their first 5 and 7 years of life.  Mike hadn't been back here to Iowa for about 17 years-- so they did a lot of reminiscing on their younger years and adventures they had here.  I loved listening to their stories about what the naughty things that little boys do. :)
Sat. they spent the morning in Anamosa(where they lived part of the time they were here) exploring and  later that afternoon they came back to Iowa City in time for the Ohio State vs Iowa football game.  Another disappointing loss but Mike got to experience how the Hawkeye Football Game Day atmosphere.

After the game we headed back to spend some more time with Grandpa and Grandma Weber.  Grandpa Willy treated us to some delish juicy steaks and of course Betty had some cake and ice cream for us.  It is always fun to visit them!

It was so fun to have Mike here in Iowa. More than anything I think that Adam loved that he was able to share memories and stories with someone that experienced them with him.   You are welcome back anytime Mike.

First Trimester.

This post if mostly for my sake. I am not a very good journal writer, but I do want remember my thoughts and experiences from these 9 pregnant months.

First Trimester Info:
*When we first found out we were pregnant (the first of August), we wanted to keep it secret for as long as possible. We didn't tell anyone at all until we were 12 1/2 weeks-- at that time we told our  families and a few close friends. I thought for sure my family would find out when I was 8 weeks along because we spent a weekend with them in NY. A few of them may have thought something was up but I think we kept it secret pretty well.  No one in Iowa knew until I was about 16 weeks. I wanted to wait longer to tell everyone but we were just too excited.

*We first went to the Doctor at 9 weeks and had our first ultrasound.  It was so exciting to see our little one. Seeing that sweet little person made it real.

*I can't say that I ever had 'morning' sickness... but def. had my share of 'evening' sickness.  I felt fine in the morning and throughout the day but near the end of the work day(5ish) I would start getting nauseous.  It would stick around til I went to sleep.  I think Adam thought I was sick all the time cause he was only with me in the evenings and he got the brunt of all my complaining. Overall I really felt like I didn't have it too bad. No throwing up and once I hit 13 weeks I haven't had any nausea at all.

*Foods I craved:
-Salty foods-- potato chips especially, weird because usually I prefer sweet over salty.  Nothing sweet sounded good at all- candy corns even sounded disgusting.... so a bag sat in my cupboard for a few weeks--- instead of a few days. (Too bad that aversion didn't last after the first trimester).
-Potatoes: mostly baked but any kind was delish. Pretty sure I had a baked potato for lunch at 3-4x a week.
-Milk.  I have never  been a glass of milk with my meal kind of person.  But  for some reason it was so refreshing.  I am glad milk does a body good.
-I didn't want anything to do with vegetables.  Fruits on the other hand were my saving grace-- apples especially.
-The only thing that I wanted for breakfast was cold cereal.
Overall my appetite definitely decreased.  I usually love to cook dinner and during weeks 7-12 I found zero joy in doing so.

*During the 1st trimester I pretty much maintained my same weight.. maybe losing 2 or so pounds overall (thanks to my decreased appetite).  I didn't have much of a baby bump at week 13.

*At the beginning of my pregnancy I made a goal to run or walk at least 1 mile every day I was pregnant. I didn't want to be the type of person that uses the excuse of being pregnant as an excuse not to exercise.  So although there were some days when it was really hard to get to the gym I can say that I did that one mile at least 5x a week, every week.  They were right in saying that your energy sure decreases during the first trimester! Running a couple miles was sure hard but I can say it made me feel better and I had a much better day on the days I exercise.

What an amazing thing pregnancy is. Such a unique time that I hope that I can cherish and appreciate!

Gratitude.

Today at church I was touched by so many thoughts on Gratitude and how I am so very blessed in so many ways.

Why do I complain? Why do envy others? Why do I have thoughts of inadequacy? 

When instead I should fill my days with service and giving thanks to others and to the Lord for everything I have been given in my life.  So during church I jotted down thoughts about what I am so thankful for.

I am Grateful for: 

-Our blessed country the United States of America-- and that we designate a day just to expressing our gratitude for all.
-The opportunity to learn something new everyday.
-To be entrusted with Child of God.
-Examples of so many amazing people.
  *the sisters in my ward and their service and strength
  *my family and Adam's family
  *friends from all different wakes of life
-The unexpected beauty that lie all around us. (even the never ending cornfields)
-Cleanliness and order of our Country.
-Husband who loves me no matter what.
-My job where I get to see the joys and innocence of childhood everyday.
-Good health and modern day medical technologies and medicine.
-The Savior
-Laughter, smile, and daily hellos from others.
-Ability to know the future is bright even during uncertain times.
-Prayer and knowledge that I am never alone.
-New winter tires--- and a garage to park my car in!!!
-Holiday decorations, goodies, and music.
-Repentance.
-Blankets, Electricity, Washers and Dryers, Dishwashers, Gyms, Books, TV, Sports, Telephones, Airplanes, Cameras and Pictures.......... I could go on and on and on.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone and may our hearts be turned to all that we have been given.

This, That, & a Baby.

It's November..... Wow. I love it.

-I've been thinking a lot about how blessed I am and what I have to be Thankful for.  The list sure is long.  I love that we have a holiday devoted to thinking about all that we have be given.
-Yesterday I wore shorts and flip-flops.... It was a bit like a dream, a real good dream. I am hoping that this dream goes for a few more weeks.  It won't, but a girl can dream right?
-Pretty excited about our plans for Thanksgiving. Minnesota here we come.  Who wouldn't want to be at the Mall of America on Black Friday?
-The Christmas holiday should be a good one as well.  Lots of time in Utah, lots of family time....  plus I get to go to San Diego to hang out with a couple of my favorite ladies for a few days.
-I love the new season of The Biggest Loser. Ada is my fave. I love what it teaches and their real world approach to weight loss and getting healthy.  I love that it shows how hard you have to work but at the same time you can get results.  Dream job = Dietitian/Trainer on that show. Connections anyone?
-Adam has begun his job search for when he finishes school in May.  He is looking at companies all over the United States.  It's an exciting nerve-racking feeling to not know where we will be moving to in 6 months. Where oh where???
-Speaking about being excited/nervous about something....
Yep- for all you who haven't heard. We are having a baby! I am 18 weeks along and April 12th is the big day. Stay tuned for gender news (hopefully within in the next week or two).  So so excited.

Hawkeyes. Black. Gold. Football.

Every Sat. this is pretty much our attire. Lots of black. Lots of gold.

In front of Kinnick Stadium

College football rules our(especially Adams) time on every Sat. He has season tickets to the football games, so he gets to go to all the games. I finally got to go with him to this past Saturday's game.  Such a great game! Perfect weather. Perfect Day. Perfect Win.  We had a blast and love being Hawk Fans.  

Come to Save the Day.

Happy Halloween everyone! 

I know none of these pics are of cute little kids in costumes, so they really aren't something you will be super excited to see.... but for posterity sake I'm gonna share them anyway.  We needed a last minute costume-- cheap, quick, and easy. Adam is pretty picky at what he will dress up as, so when Superheros was mentioned and he agreed, I had to come up with something. A few yards of fabric and a few hours later this is what we have.  

Here we are at our Ward Halloween Party... 

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.. Now onto Thanksgiving. Yeah!