What's been happening?

Well, the blog has taken a back burner lately. Things seem to be running in full speed around here. Sure, I've had plenty of time to blog stock and do Facebook, but actually finding the the time to do a post, not happening. So, here are some a few highlights. The ongoing prep work for baby's arrival continues. I've been sewing up a storm and picking out paint colors. I've also done a bit of sewing for Abby and my neices--some pj bottoms. Jake and Abby were down for a week with the flu. This week ended with me being exhausted and having a slight emotional breakdown. After a long email to Carla, I'm feeling better. Next year, flu shots will be had by all. Jake has two Bible studies going on now, which require him to do a lot of prep work since they are both in German. I'm so proud of his German acquisition. I know he has been/is working so hard to get better and I think it is really paying off. We had our first English worship/devotional time this last Friday. For a while now we have been doing team worship totally in German, so it was nice to sing and read in our mother tongue. We had a few guests join us--fellow Christians. We are planning on doing these monthly. Jake and I have also been making plans for our furlough next summer--August and September. We'll have a new baby with us, which should make international travel, and just travel in general interesting. And finally, I had an OBGYN appointment today. She said everything looks perfect. Hoorah!!! I was totally exhausted after the 3 hour round trip, but managed to sneak in a short nap. To leave you, here is a recent pic of Abby. Not the best, but the grandparents can at least see her. Sorry, I'll try to do better.

Have your cake

I won't even tell you how long I spent on this blog today.

Nursery Inspiration

Ava Rose Collection
Originally uploaded by Tanya Whelan

I just got my Christmas present from Jake in the mail yesterday. It was a big stack of these fat quarters. I'm planning on using fabric from this gorgeous line for the baby's room. I want this room to be super girlie, very pink and feminine.

Pregnancy update

We had our organ screening appointment last week and everything looks perfect. It is so amazing that you can look in there and see the 4 chambers of the heart, the stomach, kidneys and everything else. We were also able to see a delivery room and meet the midwife who will come to our home after the baby is born. It is typical for a woman to stay in the hospital here much longer than the States. However, there is an option in which you can leave the hospital in about 24 hours and then a midwife will come to your home and check in on you for 3-5 days consecutively, as needed. There are many advantages to staying in the hospital for several days, but here it is also typical to share a room with 2-4 other women and their new babies. Plus it will be much less expensive to have the midwife come to us. Of course, if I end up having a C-section, we'll have to stay at the hospital for the extended period of time, about 5-6 days. It has been quite a journey here with the medical system and doing most of it in German, but I feel comfortable at this point. I'll try to post ultrasound pics soon.

We're having a.......

That's right we are expanding the majority around here. Long live the estrogen!!!! Poor Jake is utterly outnumbered. He doesn't seem to mind too much, though. Now, he'll have two little princesses that adore him. We haven't totally settled on a name yet, but I think we are close, maybe. I'm planning on making everything for the nursery, as far as bedding and all that. We didn't ship any baby stuff with us, so we get to start all over with this one. Today, Abby and I made a trip to Ikea to look at furniture for the room. Let's just say I'm really missing all the hand me downs, consignment and garage sales in the US right about now. All in all, it is getting pretty exciting around here, though.

Cravings

I've managed to block out most cravings I've had this pregnancy, save one. Most of the things I would love to get my hands on are not available here in Vienna i.e Taco Bell, Fig Newtons, any number of other restaurant offerings. I tried to gorge myself as much as possible on these things when we were in the States recently. One thing I can't seem to get out of my head is breakfast sausage. Now, I wasn't a big sausage eater before, but for some reason it has become like some sort of obsession. And guess what? I can't get it here!!! Nope, no sausage. I can get any kind of wurst on the planet practically, but no breakfast sausage. I've tried making some from scratch with limited success and was about to give up on the idea of having any again until we go on furlough. But the thought would not leave my head and so after Christmas I'm going to try a couple of new recipes and use a different cut of meat. I'll have to work on asking the butcher to grind up a shoulder roast in German. Wish me luck.

US Tour '08

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting a few pics from our US trip. As many of you know the main point of the trip was for me to finally meet the half brother I recently learned about. Of course, it was great to be back home and see lots of family and eat American food, but it was so exciting to meet Andy. Here are some pics from the Kansas leg of the trip.

 

The cousins.

 

Family pic. A long time comin'.

 

Gotta love Taco Bell.

 

Funny faces with Uncle Andy.

My mom, sister, me and the kiddos.