Influenza has hit

Paul has had a rough go of it this week. He went to the doctor and found out he has influenza on Tuesday which is VERY contagious. I couldn't take the medicine to prevent me from getting it so Paul has been staying in the guest room all week so I don't get sick. Everything in the house has been bleached and cleaned over and over again so I don't catch it. He was back to work today so I think I'll let him back into the bedroom tonight after he passes some tests....no fever, showering, delivering me ice cream in bed, you know the basics. :)

Goodies in the Mail

A few days ago Paul and I received an awesome package in the mail from our niece, Kayla. She had made Paul, me and the baby some sugar cookies for Easter. They are DELICIOUS! Thanks so much Kayla for thinking of us!

Then the very next day we received a letter from our niece Hope asking how her baby cousin was doing. He/She is doing great Hope, and we will find out on Wednesday if it is a boy or girl. Hope locks her vote in that it is a girl. Thanks Hope for the letter!

We love you both and keep those goodies coming!

17 Week Doctor's Appointment

I had my doctor's appointment this morning and both the baby and myself are doing fantastic. The baby's heart rate is still 160 and going strong. We have officially set our ultrasound and next appointment for Wednesday, April 2nd. In just three weeks we will see if it is a him or her. We can't wait! We are bringing a CD in to the ultrasound appointment for the technician to copy and we will post it on the blog so you can all see the newest little Bartmann as well.

Many people have asked about names, etc. and we don't have any picked out yet. Paul is adamant about not looking at names until we know what we are having and then it will be a secret between the two of us until baby is born. So you all will have to wait patiently until August for that part!

Paul and Sean went to pick up our crib and dresser/changing table yesterday for the baby's room. Paul is working very hard at getting this nursery ready for the baby. We have lots of furniture in the garage that he is stripping, sanding, and painting for the nursery. I'm so lucky to have a handyman for a husband. I think that comes from growing up on a farm!

Praying for Grandpa Zimmer

My grandfather is in the hospital today having quadruple bipass heart surgery. Since he has already had two previous heart attacks, we are glad the doctors caught this blockage yesterday and are repairing the problem today. Paul and I are sending our thoughts and prayers to you today, Grandpa, and wish you a speedy recovery. We love you!

Happy Birthday Zoey!

I know this is a little late, but Paul and I want to wish our niece Zoey happy 3rd birthday. Her birthday was on Saturday, but I had class this weekend and wasn't able to get on the internet.

A funny phone conversation between Zoey and Uncle Paul last week:

P: Is it your birthday this week?
Z: Yes.
P: How old are you going to be?
Z: This many.
P: How many?
Z: This many?
P: How many is that?
Z: (clearly frustrated with uncle Paul because he isn't getting it) THIS MANY!

Our niece Mesa in the background..."Paul, she is holding up three fingers!"

Soon enough technology will allow us to see and hear through a telephone. Happy Birthday, Zo! We love you!

Bottling Day!

Well, Thursday was bottling day for my first batch of home brew. Things seemed to go pretty smooth, but I guess I won't know for a couple more weeks when I can test these things.
We had to transfer all the beer from the fermentor into the bottling bucket using a siphon.
This not only made bottling easier, but mixes in the finishing sugars we had to add at this point. In this photo, the bottling bucket is on the cooler, and I am filling the bottles.

After filling the bottles, Sean had to cap them using sanitized beer caps. It was a pretty efficient oporation.

Now, instead of a bucket of beer in my closet, I have cases of beer in my closet! (which is pretty interesting to coop) I have to let them condition and break down the finishing sugars to produce carbonation for about 2 weeks.

Feeling left out...

Paul thought it wouldn't be fair to track my stomach and not his as he is doing his best to gain sympathy weight with me. So here is Paul 16 weeks into pregnancy...minus nausea, exhaustion and still able to drink!

16 week belly pictures

Lots of people have been asking what I look like and if I'm wearing maternity clothes yet, so here are my 4 month belly shots. I've got a little belly, but nothing too big yet. I've started wearing maternity pants for comfort, but I still fit into most of my regular pants (this excludes my size 4 pants). I pray those fit again someday... Our next appointment is Friday, March 14. I will be 17 1/2 weeks then and the appointment after will be the ultrasound to determine the gender.

9 1/2 week ultrasound pics

Here are photos from our 9 and 1/2 week ultrasound. This was 7 weeks ago already and you can clearly see the head, arms and legs. We can't wait until we see baby again in four weeks and hopefully can determine whether it is a boy or girl. What are your votes?