Friday, June 30, 2006
ICK!!
Anyone else get this wonderful side effect of pregnancy?! LoL...when the nurse told me it was "pregnancy related" I wanted to scream, "ANYTHING ELSE?!" LoL...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Update: Our Jobs
His first day of work went great and things have been going good ever since. He's been getting home, for the most part, between 5 and 7, so that's pretty nice. Some days are earlier, some are later, just like his last job. The work outside is going good...he worked with a couple different guys to get a feel for things and now is mainly working with a guy named Adam. It's the inside computer stuff that’s ruffling his feathers! He said he’s pretty rusty with Auto CAD so we ordered him a text book and it helped him remember a lot. You know him, learning it in time isn't good enough...he wants to know it all now! I guess I don’t blame him though since his review is coming up soon. (Where did June go?!) He’s trying to prove that he is worth a lot so they pay him what he was making in the cities. They’ve been good to him already…we’ve been reimbursed for the first round of moving expenses and Josh got his bonus check last week! (Hahaha, I suppose we should get our bank switched sometime, huh?!) Dang Uncle Sam took half of it, but I guess it’s better to pay it now than to try to come up with it when we file our taxes in six months.
I have to tell about the company newsletter...LoL...they gave him a copy of the May/June issue when he first started. There was a message from the IT department saying everyone has individual passwords now instead of everyone using "packers" for the password! It wasn’t that everyone was using the same password that we laughed at…it was that the password was PACKERS!!! We’re happy to be back in Wisconsin! :-)
As for me, I called to make my appointment at the staffing company after being home for a couple days. I didn’t think I’d have any problem getting in right away to do the testing, but I was wrong! I had to wait a week to get in! I got an appointment on May 9 to go in and do my testing. That went great and they were impressed! She called me shortly after I got home to set up an interview with a place in Mosinee. I wasn’t too thrilled about the job (in marketing), but it was a 2-4 week assignment, so I was thinking it’d be perfect if it went for 4 weeks. I went to the interview and wasn’t impressed. They said I might be doing some telemarketing, which I have no interest in doing what-so-ever. When I called the staffing company to let them know I didn’t think I’d be interested they were completely unaware that there might be telemarketing involved. Needless to say they weren’t happy and neither was I.
Meanwhile, something else came up. My dad’s co-workers wife was trying to get me into where she works as a receptionist/administrative assistant. I went for that interview a week later and it went great. I know I could have done that job and I think I would have liked it…but…it was full time and it didn’t feel right to start a new job knowing that I probably won’t come back after the baby is born. That’s ok though…third time is the charm!!!
The staffing company called me with an American Family Insurance agent that needed a receptionist/administrative assistant for the month of June. So I came to meet with Jeff just before Memorial Day weekend and we hit it off! The atmosphere was great and I just knew I’d be comfortable working here! My first day was May 30 and I work 9:00 to 5:00 every day. I really enjoy this and am hoping he offers me a part time position here before my last day this Friday. (Again, where did June go?!) Sometimes I think he will and other times I can’t tell so we’ll just have to wait and see. If he offers me something I’m planning on asking for part time hours until the baby comes and then playing it by ear after that. But we’ll see how things turn out! We’re just thankful I was able to find something for the month and put some money in the bank!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Update: The Move
The move back to WI went great...we moved a lot more than Josh and I had planned on doing because my mom and dad were able to come over and they brought dad's truck and trailer. We pretty much moved everything except furniture. There’s nothing left in the kitchen cupboards and I’m so glad that’s done cuz that’s the worst room to do!
When we got home my Uncle Randy came over to my parents house to help unload everything. Now not only do we have stuff in half of mom and dad's garage but we have stuff in their shed too! But we're all settled in our one room apartment so I guess that's all that matters! :-) It’s hard saying, “I have no idea where it is” about everything, but that’s not important right now. We’re just lucky to have a place to stay for free and not be paying rent on top of a house payment!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Ticker thingie
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
WHOOPS!
Quick update - baby boy is still doing great! I am too, just enjoying all those third trimester aches and pains! Baby shower is this Saturday...I can't believe how fast the time has gone!
Josh's job is going great and I have a job for the month of June that I really like!
More to come...sorry it's been so long!!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Busy, Busy!
Tuesday Dora had a job interview down the road from my work, so she stopped in to say hello. That was such a surprise and it was great to see her! We chit-chatted for a little bit and then she had to get going. I hope she’s able to make it to Josh’s happy hour after work on Friday so we can spend a little more time together before we leave.
Tuesday afternoon, kinda last minute, Mindy suggested going for pizza in town. It was the only night this week we didn’t have something going on, but at this point, who cares! I’m glad we got to go out with them, just the four of us, before we leave. It was lots of fun, as always! I’m sure going to miss them…Mindy has been a great friend since we met over three years ago when I started at R & H.
Last night I met Mindy and Linell for dinner at Applebee’s. (Yes, Applebee’s again! It’s about the only place to go in town!) We had a lot of fun catching up and talking baby stuff. Linell and her family got Squirt an ADORABLE outfit and a cute picture frame! After we shared dessert we all headed home. I got some packing done!!! Well, not much, but it’s a start. I packed up all of the little baby things we’ve accumulated so far.
Tonight is happy hour with my co-workers. I don’t know how many people will be there, but I know it will be fun! And Josh is going to come too!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
THIRD Trimester!
Squirt is now about 14 inches long from head to heels and is a little under 2 pounds! He’ll start putting on more baby fat now and fill out all his wrinkly skin. He is able to respond more to noises now that his ears are getting more developed. And now he’s starting to take in small breaths of amniotic fluid, mostly in R.E.M. sleep. I had to post this picture (from BabyCenter) because I love how the baby is all scrunched up!

I think Squirt has had the hiccups before, but I’m positive he did this morning! I was sitting at my desk at work and had some very rhythmic movements in the lower part of my uterus, where he seems to like to hang out. I sat back to enjoy it for a couple minutes and then it stopped! It was cool!
And just to rub it in to everyone…we’ve picked a name for Squirt and we just love it! We use it all the time when it’s just the two of us. But it’s still a secret!! Your only clue is that it isn’t a new age name, it’s pretty traditional. To hold you over until he arrives, his middle name will be Joshua, after his daddy who already loves him so much.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Our last week of work in MN
Josh put in his two week notice last Monday and he said it went good. (We didn’t know how it’d go since everyone at his work has been in the dark about what is going on.) His boss said he had a feeling we'd be moving but he was still bummed because he’s been such a good worker. The rest of his coworkers know now and everyone has been very understanding since we are moving to be closer to our families. Everyone keeps saying how important family is, especially when a little one is in the picture, and I can’t help but agree!
Our plan for this weekend was to start packing, but that just didn’t happen! Friday night we went for our last fish fry at Bar & Grill and to tell our favorite waitresses about the move. We didn’t even stay to play pool, went right home after we ate! Then Saturday morning I went to get my hair done and say goodbye to my stylist while Josh ran to the grocery store to get some more boxes. We got home around the same time and left a little while later to meet Stevi for lunch. It was so much fun and SOOOO good to see her. It’s been too long! We got there at 12:30 and when we got into the car the clock said 3:55!!!!! No wonder my butt was getting sore! It was a blast catching up! Saturday night we had dinner with our neighbors, Ray and Pam, at Applebee’s. That was another 3 hour dinner!! We had a blast…they took pics and got us some super cute baby gifts, which we totally didn’t expect! I don’t think we’ll ever have neighbors like them again…we’re sure going to miss them!! Sunday was supposed to be our day and we were going to get a lot of our packing done and out of the way. Well, after we went for breakfast Josh napped and I did some stamping and worked on another craft project. When I went upstairs three hours later I napped and Josh went downstairs on the computer! Needless to say, after I got up from my nap neither of us felt like doing anything. Silly us, cuz if you think the weekend was busy, our week is going to be just as crazy!
Tonight we’re having dinner with Luke and Dora at TGI Fridays…where we used to go hang out when we first met! Fitting, huh?! Tuesday we’ll both be home, Wednesday I’m having dinner with Mindy and Linell, Thursday night is happy hour with my co-workers and Friday night is happy hour with Josh’s co-workers! Good thing we don’t have a lot to pack since our realtor said it’ll be best to have our furniture there for showings. Saturday we went room by room and made a list of what we NEED to pack, so I guess that’s better than nothing. Then when the house sells we’ll come back, pack what’s left, and try to fit it all into a big UHaul trailer so we can get it in one trip. We’ll see how that goes when the time comes!
So…NOW our plan is to get packed little by little this week. My parents are most likely coming here on Friday some time to help us haul stuff back to their house. We’re hoping to be ready to go to Wisconsin (for good!) late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. HOW EXCITING!!!
Baby appointments

It was very hard to make out what was what, so we decided to make a “map” to post here so you can compare it to the plain ultrasound. The pic is turned to the right and has everything marked on it – keep in mind he is a lot bigger this time! Red is his heart, orange is his whole head, yellow is his right arm, blue are his eyes, green is his nose, pink is his mouth!
This one is a little easier to see after you see the “map.” We think he has my chin! :-) I hope you can make sense of them...we had a hard time at first! :-) I've seen so many ultrasound pics on other blogs and ours never look anything like the other ones!
My follow up (and sadly, last appointment) with Dr. B was on Wednesday afternoon. Everything went great...we went over the ultrasound and baby is right on track for growing! He was 1.7 pounds! I was a little worried about his size because the ultrasound tech said he was measuring 23 weeks, 3 days and he was supposed to be 23 weeks, 6 days. She reminded me that the bigger the baby gets, the harder it is to measure how old his is in weeks and days so I shouldn’t worry. Then we got all my files wrapped up and ready to be transferred to Marshfield Clinic in Weston. She even said if I have questions in the future about anything, whether it was the pregnancy or about my files, that I could call her. How awesome! :-) After I met with her I had my one hour glucose test. Well, my blood sugar level was 190 something and it was supposed to be under 155 or something!! So I had to go back first thing Thursday morning to have a THREE HOUR fasting lab done. I had to drink a double dose of the soda thing and then have my blood drawn every three hours. Three hours in a doctor’s office…joy! Needless to say I almost finished The Baby Whisperer book mom and dad got us for Easter! The good news is I passed the second time! :-) She said my other result could have been due to something I ate during the day since my appointment wasn't until almost 3:00. Whew! So everything is OK! I'm so glad cuz like I need something else on my plate right now!!!
Baby side effects
I also have to say that NONE of my sandals fit except a pair of cheap Old navy flip flops. I'm so annoyed!!!!!!!!! Yes, Karol told me her feet grew when she was pregnant, so I knew it was coming, but it’s different when it actually happens!! I started my search because of all the water retention. I started trying on sandals with mom at Walmart a few weeks ago and I had to get a ½ size bigger than usual! I ended up taking back the ones I got with her cuz they were too tight across the top of my foot. Then I tried on shoes at the local shoe store and Maurice’s before Josh and I went back to Walmart to search there again. I ended up getting a pair of backless white canvas shoes that fit SO GOOD! But I still wanted sandals cuz I live in them during the summer. Found a great deal on a pair at Kohl’s on Saturday!

They’re Adidas flip flops with really good soles on them and adjustable straps! They’re perfect and I feel much better now! :-)
Friday, April 21, 2006
The sign is in!

The official For Sale sign came yesterday! It's really surreal driving up to the house and seeing it. But exciting too!! The first day our temporary "New Listing" sign was up I got teary eyed as I drove around the block. When I pulled into the garage all of the neighborhood kids followed me! They were standing outside the car and when I got out they said, "You can't move!" and "We don't want you to go!" I, of course, started crying! There have also been various neighbors saying, "We're going to take your sign!"
We live in such a great neighborhood. It's hard enough to leave and they're sure not making it any easier! :-)
Baby News and Relocation News!
I’ve been slacking in my baby updates for the last two weeks, so here goes! I am now 24 weeks along…6 months! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it!? Squirt is now 1.25 pounds and just about a foot long! It’s just incredible…I keep thinking about when he was just the size of a grape! The time has really passed quickly, but I guess we’ve been keeping busy. His taste buds are developing and I wonder if he tastes what I eat or if he just gets the nutrients from what I eat. Anyone know? I think it’s pretty cool that he will get used to all the loud noises he hears in utero so when he is here with us they won’t phase him! The top of my uterus is now about an inch above my belly button, making it about the size of a SOCCER BALL! HOLY MOLY!!!!! :-)
Squirt has been moving around so much since he is growing bigger and Josh is able to feel him easily now. I don’t know what is normal as far as how much babies move, but it feels like he is VERY active! Last weekend when we were with my parents he was kicking so hard I said, “It feels like he’s going to fall out!” Now, I know that’s not possible, but that’s how it feels! Some times he even kicks so hard out of the blue that I jump! And then I laugh and laugh, so it’s welcomed! :-)
I’ve had a little bit of trouble with swelling, but it seems to be under control if I watch my sodium intake and keep drinking lots of water. It was a little scary when it got really bad on Saturday last weekend, but I realized, after I called the doctor in fear of preclampsia, that I ate some potato chips on Friday! The nurse reassured me that they aren’t worried about toxemia or preclampsia so I try to remember that if the swelling differs from day to day.
Speaking of the doctor, I had an appointment on April 11th and that went great. My blood pressure is back to where it was before, so she is going to keep me on the dose of my BP meds that the other doc put me on. She reassured me that the dose I’m on is still REALLY low and it’s nothing to be concerned about at this point. Whew. She asked me about the move and at that point we still didn’t know what was going on. So I talked her into bumping up my next ultrasound appointment just in case we move! :-) She actually wants them to be four weeks apart now instead of six since I’m “high risk” now for two reasons instead of just one, so it all worked out. My next ultrasound is Tuesday, April 25…next week already! Josh will be coming along, as usual! They’ll be checking to be sure Squirt is growing like he is supposed to be…and I’m also going to have them “make sure” he’s still a boy! (Not that I wish it was a girl, just so the shower invites are the right color! Hahaha!) Then I’ll see Dr. B on Wednesday for my last check-up with her and to get things ready to be transferred to a new OB/GYN in Wausau!
Our house officially went on the market on April 5th and we had a showing that same night! After that we had a couple more showings and even had an offer on Friday! The couple ended up backing out, which worked out ok since it was only on the market for three days. We have lots of time yet!
As far as the job side of things, Josh has accepted an incredible offer from Company #2 in Wausau! He is SO excited and so are the management and owners there! He'll be starting his new job on May 10th, so our last day of work at our current jobs will be May 5th! The owner of Company #2 arranged for a $5,000 sing on bonus, $500 for moving expenses and our insurance will start the first day he is employed there instead of after 60 days, so no one will have to pay for COBRA insurance. After 60 days they are going to give him a review and if he is performing (which he will be!) they will give him a raise to get him up to what he is making now!
As for work for me, I have a couple options right now and am also going to look into doing some temp work until the baby comes. We’re both hoping that after Josh’s 60 days he will be making enough so that I can stay home when the baby is born. That is our main goal and one of the only things now that is still up in the air!
The move is bittersweet as we have been here for four years now, have a beautiful home and have made some close friends that we'll have to leave behind. We both truly enjoy our jobs here so that will be hard as well. HOWEVER, we both know in our hearts that our lives and Squirt's life will be much better being closer to our families and friends. And I know we're both looking forward to having "normal" weekends with less driving! :-)
We love you all and thank you for supporting us in our decision to move to Minnesota and our decision to come back to Wisconsin!!!
New Stuff for Squirt!

I had to share a few goodies we picked up for Squirt! The diaper bag is from the doctors office and is filled with a bunch of samples and fun stuff! I picked up the lamp at Target, which was on clearance, TVM! :-) The green matches perfectly to the baby's bedding. And the little Chicky...I shouldn't go into details but I will! Josh had a Chicky when he was little (which he still has) and wanted to make sure his little boy had one too so we've been keeping our eyes open for one. I found this little guy at Target as well and HAD to get him!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
I HAVE AN UPDATE!
AND…I just talked to Josh...he had his review with his boss this morning and it went good. No one at Josh's work knows about us moving except Fred, Josh's 2nd man that meets at our house in the morning. Josh wanted to tell him before he saw the for sale sign in the yard! BUT...a couple people at his work have been saying stuff like, "So since you're having a baby when are you moving back to WI?" and stuff like that. We weren't sure if his boss would say anything about it today, but he didn't. AND...Josh got a $3 raise! I can't believe this! Maybe he has an idea about the move and that's why he gave Josh such a big raise...to get him to stay! Urgh...who knows! All I know is the money isn't going to keep us here! :-)
It Happened!
It was so exciting…his eyes got BIG and he had a HUGE smile on his face!!
The baby seemed to be moving a lot in one place when I was laying in bed. So I told Josh and he put his hand on my belly. I felt Squirt kick and watched his face light up! It was so cool! He said, “I felt it! It was just little, but I felt it! I thought it would be harder!” :-)
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
I’m 22 Weeks Today!
Not a whole lot of new stuff to report today, which is ok too I guess! My belly button has been pretty sore…it’s stretching sideways! (I guess pretty soon it will be flat and then start sticking out!) And speaking of stretching, I’m starting to get some new stretch marks on the sides of my belly button. I knew in the back of my mind I’d get them because I had some before the pregnancy, but it was really weird when they actually showed up! I’ve been feeling a lot of movement from the little guy, but still not able to feel him from the outside of my belly. I’m starting to retain water on a daily basis now, it’s not just sporadic anymore. So I have to make sure I get up and walk around a lot, keep my feet up at my desk and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! Water that is! :-) Otherwise, I’m settling in to the “easy” part of pregnancy…I’m getting used to all the weird things my body is doing, so all that’s left is to enjoy it until I get big and uncomfortable! :-)
Josh and his co-worker Fred picked up a glider/ottoman from one of his other co-workers’ house today. They said they didn’t need it any more and wanted it to go to a good home! We’re so lucky…those aren’t cheap!
…ok, so maybe I had more to report than I thought!
Furniture knobs
An unsuccessful trip to Target, Menard's and Home Depot, I decided to do some checking on eBay. I hit the jackpot with that one!! I found a woman that hand paints knobs and even customizes them to match whatever you want! So I got in touch with her via email and sent her some pictures of our bedding. I received my knobs in the mail today and couldn't be happier! This woman was so fast and is so TALENTED! Here is the sample sheet she sent me...they are exactly like this! And perfectly match the animals on our bedding!

Monday, April 03, 2006
Catch-Up Post!
3-24…Went to PJ’s for Brooke’s birthday party. We had a really good time, we even stayed until 1:30! I couldn’t believe how fast the time went cuz I thought I’d be ready for bed at 10:00! :-) It was good seeing Brooke and Brad and all of our friends and some of our family. On our way back to my mom and dad’s house we came upon a car accident by the road my parents live on. Apparently the guy was drunk and drove down my parents road (which comes to a T intersection), across the highway, down the ditch and up onto the railroad tracks! When we got there his car was stuck on the tracks! So I called 911 and Josh made sure he was ok since he is certified in First Aid. The Sherriff’s department got there pretty quick to take care of things. Pretty exciting way to end the night I guess! Didn’t get to bed until prolly 3:00am!
3-25…Got up around 11:00…very rare for us! We took a ride past one of the houses we wanted to look at. It’s a great location but the yard is quite small. Then we headed up to Josh’s home town to visit with his family for a while. That was fun...we hung out there and ate dinner with his mom, Jim and Dan before we went to see Zach and Kim and new baby Kadince! She is just adorable and we had a great time visiting with them!
Today we got some great news! After three weeks of waiting for word on job offers or interviews for Josh we finally heard something! Josh checked his email and he got a job offer from Company #1, the place he already interviewed with! They sent him a benefits package (which looks good) and want him to come in to talk salary! Then he had an email from Company #2 saying they want to interview him! I think he will like that place better than Company #1 because they are more surveying oriented...I hope it all goes well!
3-26…Visited with Josh’s grandma and grandpa and then headed back home.
3-29…I’m 21 weeks! The baby is supposed to weigh ¾ of a pound and is about 10.5 inches long. But we all know our little guy is ahead of that…I just don’t know how much! His eyelids and eyebrows are fully developed too! I’m definitely feeling him moving around. A LOT! :-) BabyCenter said the little guy is oblivious to my schedule. That’s a little surprising because I’ve still been sleeping good, minus my one trip to the bathroom, and he seems to settle down right before I go to bed! I’m starting to see his patterns and have an idea of when he is active and when he’s not. I’ve been, for the most part, feeling great! It’s so nice to just be enjoying the pregnancy and not being miserable!
My doctor appointment today went well...Squirt’s heartbeat is 158. Just right! My blood pressure was 132/90 so they added an extra dose of my meds and I'll see Dr. Brown in two weeks to check it again. I honestly chalked it up to seeing a new doctor and being nervous, but I’ll still check it at the pharmacy and keep an eye on it between now and April 11th when I see Dr. B. I asked Dr. F. about the numbing in my hands. He said a lot of pregnant women get carpal tunnel during pregnancy because of water retention. It’s also irritated by sleeping with your wrists bent, which explains why it’s only bad first thing in the morning. So for the most part, all is well! :-)
3-31…We left work early today cuz Josh has an interview with Company #2 at 3:30! (WAHOO!) He will be meeting with the President of Company #1 on Saturday morning to talk about a salary! FINALLY...after over three weeks we get some answers! :-) He isn't going to take the job at Company #1 until he hears from Company #2 because we both think Company #2 will be a better fit for him since they are more surveying oriented!
Today…Josh's two interviews went great this weekend! The one at Company #2 looks pretty promising. He is really excited about that place because they are very up-to-date and surveying oriented. They gave him a tour and introduced him to a few people, so that's a good thing too! :-) The interview with Company #1 went good as well...we thought they were going to offer him a job, but it was actually a second interview with the president of the company. He likes that company too, but is really hoping Company #2 will offer him a job. Company #2 is calling him back this week and Company #1 will get in touch with him in the next couple weeks when they have a better feel for how much work they will have this summer.
I'm pretty sure Josh is FINALLY ready to put the house on the market...I can't tell you how relieving that is because we just don't know how long it will take to sell. He mentioned last night about putting the final touches on the house so the realtor can come take pictures, so this is a good thing!
Speaking of houses, we looked at about 6 houses in the Rib Mountain area with a realtor on Saturday. Mom and dad came along too…it was a fun afternoon! Didn't find anything we couldn't live without, but definitely got some ideas! And…we had Papillion’s for dinner…YUMMY! I love those Wisconsin pizza fries! :-)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Look!
Outfits from Christmas when I was only a few weeks along! Packers outfits from my parents, Pooh outfit from my Aunt Kathy, slippers from Josh's mom, and the giraffe is a little something my mom picked up for him a few weeks ago. It's so cute!


These are the outfits and Squirt's very first little toy that mommy bought him. I picked them up the day we had our first ultrasound and found out he was doing well!

This little outfit is the one Josh and I picked up on clearance at Walmart...the one with the kahki overalls and #72 on the onesie and hoodie!

Our friends Mindy & Ron picked up this outfit the night we called them to tell them we are having a boy...more overalls and they are just adorable! The shirt has a scooter on it and there is a little puff of smoke on the back too!

Last, but not least, this is the outfit my mom and dad gave us. My mom had picked up a boy and a girl outfit so she had this picked out to give us before we even had our ultrasound! :-) We just love it...it's adorable and Josh's mom told us Josh had that was similar to it when he was a little guy!


Friday, March 24, 2006
Soccer Player?!
When Josh left for work this morning he said, “You have got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night for four days in a row now!” LoL…I had been very lucky and still been sleeping through the night up until Monday night. When I get up I have to turn on the lamp on my nightstand so I can see where I’m going so I always wake him up. I think we need to find out nightlight and plug that in on my side of the bed…then again, he can wake up with me! ;-) Monday through Wednesday I made it until 4:00 am, but last night I had to get up at 1:00 am! Oh well…I really don’t mind except because of taking the Unisom I’m a zombie and have to do all I can not to fall asleep on the toilet! I won’t be surprised if it happens!
In not so good news, I’ve started to retain water again. I got rid of it last time it happened about two weeks ago, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to do it again. I think it is around two pounds, unless I actually gained some weight from this pregnancy. I really don’t think that’s it though since my fingers look like sausages and my feet hurt in the shower! I’ll just keep pushing my water and stay away from those yummy, salty foods! :-)