IT"S A GIRL!!

Chuck and I went to my ultrasound on Monday. It was very exciting and I don't know why, but, I felt super nervous. I had totally thought that we were having a boy. The sonographer asked us if we would like to know the gender and we said yes. She had a hard time getting the photo but she assured us it was girl. She is a very wiggly baby. She was very active during the ultrasound so it was hard for the sonographer to get some good pictures. At one point we just watched her moving. It looked like she was dancing to some music! It was very cute. I think our hands will be full with her but we can't wait till she comes:) Here are a couple of photos, ENJOY!! She likes her hands a lot! I think she is sucking her thumb in this photo. I could see her swallowing and drinking the fluid. She kept opening her little mouth, it was so cute!

Here are her cute little feet, It looks like she's got 10 toes!

Here is her girl parts...I don't think there is a whole lot to describe.

This is my favorite photo. I think you can see her profile pretty good. I can't wait to hold her and look at her up close, not just in a picture:) We have thought of a couple of names. We like Penny, Ellie, Maggie. We are leaning more towards Penny or Maggie...We also like Audrey. Any suggestions????

Pregnancy: A man's perspective.

These Pictures are taken in succession....

16/17 weeks and feeling pretty good!

I am trying to keep the blog updated. I don't know if this the most interesting post...But I am just super excited to be pregnant. Lately, I think I have felt movement but I can't really distinguish from gas and movement. I can't wait till my ultrasound on the 16!! I just want to know if it is a boy or girl. Chuck is really hitting the books hard. There always seem to be a test. During the summer Chuck did research on radiation. He got invited by the American Medical Association to present his research in Houston TX. I think this a great opportunity for him. And am very proud of him and his success. Anyways I hope everyone is doing well.

WE"RE HAVIN A BABY!!

I know most of you already know, but I am expecting!:) I found out at the end of July, but waited to tell everyone so I knew I was somewhat in the clear:) The night I found out, I couldn't sleep. I woke up almost every hour. So I had some pregnancy tests and was bored. I thought that morning was the best time to take a test. So I went and took one. I waited and to my astonishment it came back positive. I didn't really want to be too excited because my parents were here and I didn't want to tell anyone. I woke up Chuck and told him to look at what I found. He smiled, gave me a kiss and went back to sleep. He was pretty tired, it was 4:30 am. I ended up telling my parents anyways, I think they suspected something... Chuck and I are very excited and can't wait for the babe to arrive. My due date is April 6. So now I am about 13 weeks. I went to my first appointment on Sept. 11 and the doctor said that everything looked good. I didn't get to hear the heartbeat but I saw it on the monitor and that was very cool! She also said that I looked further along than what she thought I was, so maybe I really will be due end of March. She didn't give me any pictures of the ultrasound, but I am hoping on my next appointment she will. Hopefully we will also hear the hearbeat too! I have a picture of my baby bump, I know it doesn't look like much but It looks different in person. I feel like it is getting there:) I won't get to found out what we're having until Nov 17, I will let you know! Other than that Chuck and I have just been busy with work and school. Chuck has taken 2 tests thus far and has done really well. I have just been working...fun!...

Strawberry Fest, Beach Party and Cycling

Summer has been a great time for Shay and I. We are doing some great things in my research lab, and I am working on my first publication for the summer. Last weekend, Shay and I went to Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg, Wi. It seems like people here look for any possible reason to party. With nearly half of the year buried in snow, everyone seems extremely motivated to make up for lost time!

Stawberry Fest was fun, taking place in the historic district of Cedarburg lined with buildings and shops. There wasn't as many strawberry dishes as we would have liked, but, this was a chance to party and everyone for miles around was taking advantage of it. Aside from seeming like a strange excuse to get out of the house, Strawberry Fest seemed quaintly similar to Summerfest in Logan. I swear the same arts and craft vendors were taking the opportunity to sale their latest projects for twice what they were worth.

The night before, Shay and I went for a drive to Pewaukee, Wi and were pleased to see a huge beach party going on. Lake Pewaukee is lined with a real sand beach and volleyball court. The lake stretches out a distance from the shore, but you can just see the bank in the distance lined with trees. About a quarter mile from the shore, there is a small island with a small grove of trees in the center. There is a walkway that spans the length of the shore, and there is a small shopping center accross the street. With the occasional train passing and the relentless group of children playing on the beach, it hardly seems like Wisconsin, but somewhere very out of place. There were tons of booths set up with every kind of food that is unique to Wisconsin; bratwurst's, fried cheese curd's and cream puffs. Every local brewing company was also disproportionatly represented adding additional excitement to the party. Wisconisin is unique in the fact, that children can actually drink beer as long as they are accompanied by their parents. I am sure this is a reflection of the rich German heritage inherited by the majority of the Wisconisin population. So needless to say beer is an important part of every festival and party here. Rather, I should say, the festivals and party are an important part of drinking here!

Yesterday, a classmate and I rode our bikes back out to Pewaukee, a round trip of about 35 miles. Shay, unfortunately had to work, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from having a good time! Once outside Milwaukee, everything begins to open up, and what was once a bustling city becomes rolling forest. Some of the backroads we took were lined with so many trees, we could barely see anthing beyond the outline of the road. It is a sharp contrast from the traffic and pavement that I have become so accustomed to over the last year.

Summer is Awesome!

I can't emphasize how great it is to go into the lab in the morning, do my thing and then go home without worrying about an upcoming exam!  I can't wait until I'm done with school so I can just go to work and then go home without feeling like I should be studying something!  Sadly, however, the realization of this dream is far into the future. In the mean time, I am enjoying the nice weather and hitting the gym as much as possible.  Shay has been working hard and taking a lot of naps, I think that is her favorite thing to do.  I asked her what she wants me to write about her, but she is in a trance watching Amadeus.  I can't think of a whole lot to discuss, other than the fact that we are doing well and enjoying a nice sunday.  I'll have to remember to update the blog with the next exciting news.

Its about time!

Hello everyone, it is about time we updated the blog! Things are good here in Milwaukee, we are trying to get through the last couple weeks of school before the much anticipated summer is here. Shay is getting ready to celebrate her 21st birthday this Saturday. I think we'll have to visit the Miller Brewing Company in order to celebrate her induction into the 21 and over club, ha ha!
We were very lucky recently to get some new couches and a piano from our neighbors who are moving on to residency. We are really going to miss their friendship, but we hope that they find happiness in Texas. We are planning a lot of fun activities for the summer, especially a trip to see the great woods "up north." I still don't know whether I can get Shay to sleep in a tent, maybe I should plan on getting a hotel instead. I think she deserves a good hotel stay with all the hard work she has been doing at the bank.
I'm sure you will all be happy to know that we have not got behind on the recent movies that are coming out. Friday we saw Star Trek, which was awesome! Last week we saw Wolverine at this old vintage theater here in Milwaukee called the Rosebud. In the Rosebud, they removed the stadium seats and replaced them with couches and end tables, so watching a movie there is just like at home, but on a tv 10 times the size! Anyway, hope all is well with everyone...

Here is Shay chillaxin!

Until next time?

Always wear you sunblock!

So, I totally forgot to put this in the other blog. I guess you get to read 2 blogs!! Wow that must be a record. I think everyone in my family knows that growing up I didn't have a mole on my body. So, it was very strange that in the last 2-3 years I started the sprout some moles. (haha that sounds so weird) Of course, I always had the one on the side of my hip/bottom that everyone teased me about (paige) then I got a couple on my back. I started to get concerned so I went to the doctor. She decided to remove my 'stain' on the side of my bum (paige will know what i mean by stain) and one on my back. She told me that she would call me about the results unless there is a problem. I went back a week later to get my stitches out and the nurse said that the doctor wanted to talk to me. The doctor came in and said the one that I had always had was fine, it had morphed into some strange skin...then the one on my back happened to be pre-cancerous! It totally through me for a loop! I am only 20 yrs old! So my advice for the day, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!! Never leave home without it! Oh don't worry, everything is fine:) I didn't write this to scare anyone. And don't worry I am getting a skin scan and I am pretty sure I will be fine, about 99% sure;) Have a SAFE SUN day!

Black Bag Ball

I can't believe I have not blogged since November! Life gets busy and hectic and I guess somethings got to give. Just a brief update....nothing new:) Life in Wisconsin has consisted of, Arctic blasts, with wind chills of -35 and temps of -15 for a high, keeping the thermostat at 60 so our power bill isn't $150, and working/going to school. Chuck has been working really hard at school and I was so proud of him for getting ALL HONORS!! Isn't that just the coolest! What a smart catch I have found:) Something fun that Chuck and I got to do was go to a dance called The Black Bag Ball. It is something the medical college puts on and it was fun! There was a really good dinner, I had salmon and Chuck had steak. Then we danced and had fun with all the med students. Here is a pic to commemorate the experience. Since we are the only 2 here, I had to take the picture myself.