Full Term!

Today we've reached 37 weeks, meaning we're full term today! Wahoo! Little Dino is safe to arrive any day now, although we realize it could still be weeks and weeks before he or she decides to make an appearance. Things are looking good from this side of things. Just about everything is ready at home and hospital bags are somewhat packed. I teach just through the end of this week, so in three more days I'll be finished. Absolutely perfect timing. There are little things I'd like to be sure to wrap up in the next week or two and I'd like to get a few naps in since sleeping all the way through the night has become a bit more challenging in the last week.

As we're getting through these last couple weeks, we'd like to ask for your prayers. We're trying to take in all of our quiet moments together, knowing that things are about to change big time. We can't wait!

One Month!

We're now less than one month away from our due date!! Although there are still a few things we'd like to check off our to-do lists, we're feeling pretty good about everything at this point. I got to do some gardening in front of the house yesterday, which was one of my goals, so that should be set until we move. The house is clean, the guest bedroom and extra beds are made up for visiting grandmas & grandpas and aunts & uncles, and baby clothes are washed. I will be finished teaching by the end of next week (excellent timing...May 29) which will give me some time to finish those things still patiently waiting on my list.

Speaking of moving, we've set the date for July 1. Yikes, that doesn't give us much time in June. I'm hoping that my nesting will really kick in after school is out so I can get some things packed before the little one arrives. Pete reserved the date with a moving company, which will no doubt be a life saver for us. We're both looking forward to being in Minneapolis, although that means we'll be leaving Owatonna. It's been a short stay, but we've enjoyed it very much. We've got adventures ahead!

Owatonna 5K

Last weekend I got to do my last 5K before the little one arrives. I had planned on walking the whole thing with friends but felt pretty good for the second half and decided to run the remainder. I'm really looking forward to being able to run a few future 5Ks while pushing Dino in the new stroller. Here are a few pics taken after the race. (33 1/2 weeks)

The Belly!

Last week at our birth class, Pete had the opportunity to sort of find out what it's like to carry around a baby belly. He got to wear the Empathy Belly. It comes complete with a band around the chest to make it difficult to take deep breaths, lead balls in the belly area, and a warm water pouch that pushes against the bladder. I noticed that one of the major things it doesn't do is inhibit the use of ab muscles. They'll figure out something for that later. He was such a good sport!

getting into the belly

belly to belly

Pete's first craving??

Two Months Away!

That's right...just two more months till we hit our due date! Of course we do realize that Dino will decide when to arrive, but at least we have a goal date. My nesting urge is still strong. Pete is so patient with me. When I get home after school I have an incredible desire to clean and organize, but am often too tired. Instead, I sit in one place, look at what I'd like to organize, and get irritated. Last night was better. We worked together and did get a few things in order. I felt much better when I woke this morning, knowing that we're a little step closer to being ready.

Today's goal: order the car seat.

Baby Classes

Today we've reached 31 weeks! Just nine more weeks till the due date and we're getting more and more educated as the days pass. Last Thursday Pete became a car seat expert. Well, nearly. We attended the car seat safety class at the hospital in Rochester where we got to practice correctly installing and adjusting a baby seat. I learned as well, but since I have the joy of carrying the little one around 24/7 (and I truly do consider it a joy) I've stepped aside so that Pete can do some things, too. Not surprisingly, he dove right in to the practice session and we were one of the last couples to leave at the end of the night. We're now in the process of ordering our own seat so we'll be set before the baby arrives.

Tonight we continue our classes in Rochester. We're beginning a six-week series of birth and parenting classes. We'll be having the baby at the Owatonna hospital, but going to Rochester every week for classes is an excellent excuse to visit our friends Jim & Alissa and their two little girls. Tonight it's our turn to bring dinner, and I made a yummy dirt dessert. I say it's for Lydia, but really, I love it just as much as any kid does.

Things are slowly coming together in the nursery. We're being careful not to go crazy with it since we have to move in July, but it's fun to have a few things ready. Last week we picked up our stroller and glider, ordered diapers, and bought a list of things we think will be necessary in the first week. We have yet to buy "going home" outfits, but we'll soon check that off our list as well.

This past weekend we had fun celebrating Great-Grandpa Scott's 80th birthday in St. Cloud. Grandma & Grandpa from the farm (Ang's parents) were there, too, and got to see how much little Dino is growing. This weekend we're looking forward to spending a few days with Grandma & Grandpa Olsen.

FYI: For those of you who haven't heard, Dino is the baby's nickname. We like to joke that we're growing a dinosaur. :)

Babymoon in Jamaica!

Last week we took an amazingly relaxing vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica, to celebrate our babymoon. Yes, that really is something that people are doing now. We didn't make it up. It was our last big trip before being dubbed "mommy & daddy" in just a couple months, and I'm positive it was the easiest trip we'll ever take with our little one! Here are a few pics to sum up our week away.


Flambeau dinner (you can't see the flames in the pic)

No sucking in this belly!

Getting pumped up for the push-up contest

Ang won! 28 weeks pregnant and still going strong..

Lunch on our balcony

At the Thai restaurant out on the island

No need for pockets!