Steph's Survey

After reading the survey in Steph's blog, I decided to fill it out myself. So... enjoy!

Since the only thing I think about these days is babies, I thought I would do this survey:

First Born

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born (or adopted!)! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!

Let's see how much you remember!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
No, not really.

2. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Denial, then joy.

3. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
25.

4. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
My body began to feel different and I took a pregnancy test.

5. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Rustin and then our parents. We didn't have to tell too many more!

6. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
I did, but my husband didn't. He won that argument : )(same as Steph's)

7. DUE DATE?
November 10 or 12.

8. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
No.

9. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
I didn't have specific cravings but was always in the mood for Mexican food.

10. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
Not having the same amount of energy as before.

11. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Girl.

12. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
I did some at first, but Rustin wanted a girl. (I am very thankful for a girl, now.)

13. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
Theoretically 40. But actually 45-50. You have to remember I was at my all time record low from the wedding jitters!

14. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Not before she was born.

15. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
No.

16. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
I didn't except for the occasional uti.

17. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
SCMC.

18. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
From 6am on the 6th until 11am on the 7th. It wasn't all hard labor!

19. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Rustin.

20. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Rustin, Dr. Tatsumi, Cheryl, and Amanda

21. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural.

22. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Nope. I think I might in the future!

23. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7 pounds 2.6 ounces.

24. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
November 7, 2007 at 12:41 pm.

25. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Grace Anna.

26. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
15 months.

A Belated Happy Valentine's and President's Day

I thought I'd start off by showing you what Grace and Rustin do in their spare time when I'm not around. I found several interesting pictures on the camera when I was uploading others. At least they have fun together!



Church serving went smoothly. I had great help and could hardly believe it when it was over. Unfortunately it was a small Sunday so there was lots left over. The guys at Trico were the beneficiaries of much of it.



For Valentine's Day Rustin and I went to the Fellowship Hall for the "Love Supper." It was put on by some dear friends of ours. There were 100 of us for the meal. Afterwards we played some table games, sang, and listened to a few speakers on love - mainly God's love. There was a lot of time and effort put into the evening and we enjoyed it immensely.

Grace received her first Valentines from Emerson and Abbi. Emerson also gave her a huge lollipop. She took one lick, threw it on the floor, and it broke into many pieces. I decided that she might appreciate them more in the future.

On President's Day I decided to be adventurous in my cooking (not because it was President's Day.) I marinated some pork all day in teryaki sauce. I later sauteed the veggies and boiled-in-a-bag the rice. This was my first attempt at cooking and eating stir-fry. We decided this meal could be added to the list of Rustin acceptable meals. Here's a pic of the final product.



Since I've been talking up Grace's walking for so long, I put on a video so you can enjoy. She still is a little tipsy, but please note that she can walk and drink at the same time!

I tried to get her to say uh-oh spagettios, but she wasn't interested. If you ask her to say hi on the phone she'll say it for you.

This week I started cleaning the Hancock Community Center. Why...I'm not sure, but it will be a little extra spending (ha-ha) cash. It's only once every two weeks, so not too time consumming.

If anyone is in need of an antique upright piano, give me a call. I've had a few bites from Craig's List, but no offers to drive to Hancock and seriously look.

Groundhog's Day

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Actually I forgot it was until I went to yahoo news. I don't know if it saw its shadow or not, but hopefully spring is near.



Two weeks ago my Mom was able to hitch a ride up and visit us for a couple of days. We had a Schaefer funeral and some Tremont Schaefers drove up for it. It was short and sweet. The first evening we played Phase 10, a family favorite. Mom babysat Grace while I waited a table at the funeral, the next morning. In the evening we went to the Peterson's to begin a half week of baby/house sitting.

We have found out what it is like to have four kids ages 15 months, 3, 6, and 10. It is alot of work. (The sad thing is we were only with them in the morning and evening.) Rustin's coworker and his wife went to Mexico for a week so we stayed at their house and took care of their children. The mornings usually started around 5 with Grace crying because she was hungry and in a strange place. (We put her in a pack n play in the walk-in closet.) We tried to calm her down asap so the other kids wouldn't awake. About the time we got back to sleep the alarm would go off and time to get up for work and school. Thankfully they already had a routine of going to school or Grandma's so this didn't change. I forgot how hard it is to get kids up and ready to catch the bus. After work, Rustin picked up the kids and I got home around 6:30 to make supper. Grace cried herself to sleep everynight. (only about 5 minutes worth) She is becoming more picky as to where she sleeps. The three year old is a girl and she loved playing with Grace. Grace liked being mothered for the most part. The last day we were there Grace threw up in the hallway. I asked Rustin to watch her so I could clean it up. He must of smelled too close because pretty soon he was running to the toilet. At least one of them hit the toilet. I always said I would never clean up puke. It looks like I am going to have to eat those words.

While we were babysitting we heard from Bob that he is engaged to Jenny Wyss from Washington, IL. We are very excited for a newcomber to the family. We are extremely excited that we know and like her already! Our spring and summer is already filling up with wedding trips to IL and Missouri. The only thing I wish I could observe is Bob as an engaged person. I get a pretty good sense though just by talking to him.

Grace took her official 'first steps' the other day. Some day I will get it on video, but it happens not very often, almost accidental. She gets pretty excited though. She knows where her belly button is: she lifts her shirt and points in the general area and says something that resembles belly. She'll find yours too if you let her! It is enjoyable to listen to her babble away.

This Sunday we are serving church lunch for the first time ever. Everything is baked and ordered. All I have to do now is wait for Saturday and set tables and prepare things. I'm not too nervous, but I'll be glad when it's over.