June Summary

The big news this month: We're having a baby! But we were also saddened this month with the passing of Brian's Grandma K. While it was a sad occasion, it did bring family together again. On a lighter note, Brian was offered and accepted a job teaching his first college-level class in the fall at NIU. It's a junior/senior Bachelor's level Counseling class, which will be a hefty addition to his resume (for kicks, click here, type our last name in the instructor box at the bottom right-hand corner, then click "Find Course")!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 3rd anniversary to us!

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!

I'm 13 weeks pregnant and we're going public this week! I'm now in my second trimester and it feels GREAT to finally be able to share our excitement with our family and friends!

Here's what's been going on up to this point:

05/01/06 (6 wks) - I called in sick for the first time since I started working at Wausau 2 1/2 years ago. I took a pregnancy test that afternoon and could hardly believe my eyes.... That actually WORKS?!? I called Brian at work and he could hardly believe it, either. Even though we had been trying it just didn't seem real. Our own calculated due date: Christmas Eve.

05/08/06 (7 wks) - First doctor's appointment. Pretty uneventful appointment until they said they were going to take my blood and I turned white. Brian came with me and held my hand. His poor hand had fingernail marks in it when I finally let go (I told him he better get used to it)!

05/10/06 (7 wks) - Got all the lab test results back from my first appointment and everything looks good!

05/12/06 (7 wks) - First (early) ultrasound (see photo above)! We were foggy on my timeline so wanted to make sure I wasn't more pregnant that we thought. Turns out we were right on... 8 weeks, give or take a couple days. It looks like a tiny little bean at this point. We also heard the heartbeat (162 - normal) which was SO cool! It made it much more real for both of us. I got sick afterwards (not an unusual occurrence these days, as I am struggling with "morning, noon and night sickness")!

05/14/06 (8 wks) - Happy Mother's Day to Me!

05/15/06 (8 wks) - Baby is nicknamed the "Little Bean!"

06/08/06 (11 wks) - 2nd doctor's appointment. More blood tests (and more fingernail marks in Brian's hand)! We got to listen to the baby's heartbeat again (174 - normal).... It's just so fast and cute! Also got the doctor's official due date based on our early ultrasound: December 22nd.

06/10/06 (11wks) - Happy Birthday to Little Bean's Mommy (and Grandmommy)! Brian and I strolled through Babies R Us to price furniture and see what we were in for, and while we were there a store employee approached Brian and asked if he wanted to participate in Daddy Olympics. To my surprise he said, "why not?" He was entered in a race to chug a baby bottle full of water. Well all that beer chugging in college must have done my hubby some good because he was the champion! He won a bib that says, "My Dad Rulz!" I'm so proud....

06/11/06 (12 wks) - My show ("All in the Timing" at Steel Beam Theatre) is now over. I can't believe I got through it without throwing up on anyone.

06/18/06 (13 wks) - Happy Father's Day to Brian!

May Summary

My show, ALL IN THE TIMING, opened (more info on my Theatre Page) and was met with great reviews (the attached photo is of me as a monkey, trying to type Hamlet... with my toes)! We took a weekend trip at The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva (Wisconsin). The 2-night trip was a perk of mine for the meeting planning I do at work. We enjoyed 2 free nights, a dinner & reception, breakfast cruise, bonfire & entertainment, and and afternoon at the spa! Afterwards we swung by Elkhorn, WI to visit Brian's Grandma K again (as well as Brian's aunt/uncle/cousin). My Grandma M passed away and I flew out west for a couple days to attend the memorial service. She passed away peacefully after years of illness, so that was a small comfort.

April Summary

Our website took on a new appearance this month, with an added Travel page and my Theatre Page. We started off the month with our friends Mike & Stacey's wedding, which was beautiful. Then we found out Brian not only passed his general comps, he passed with flying colors (being the ONLY student who passed, and passing with honors)! I was cast in the play ALL IN THE TIMING and started rehearsals (more info is on my Theatre Page). We also got to visit Grandma K in Elkhorn, WI, and spend some time with Brian's aunt, uncle and cousin as well. Looking forward to another visit very soon. Bomerang (pictured here) ended up in the hospital for a few days but $1,200 later (ouch...) is cured. Phew! We both spent the last weekend of the month in the city and saw SPAMALOT, which we both really enjoyed. I also saw WAITING FOR GODOT, QUILTERS and a Jason Robert Brown concert this month. Yes, we were busy!

March Summary

'Twas March Madness month! Brian very much enjoyed his basketball tournament (as always). We had some visitors this month: my mom (to scrapbook), my good friend Katie (for some seriously overdue girlz fun!), and then my parents brought my niece, Courtney (pictured here, beating me at cards) for a couple days of fun in Chicago for her spring break! Brian not only passed his first round of comp tests (a huge accomplishment in itself), one of his professors wants to use part of it in a publication! I am beyond proud of my brainiac hubby, who is well on his way to becoming an official doctorial candidate. One more round of comp tests to go! I am still working hard on Soapbox with Nicole and we are making great progress!

February Summary

This month both sets of parents came to visit. We saw mine briefly while they were here... they spent a lot of time in Chicago at a boat show. We went shopping (of course!) with Brian's parents while they were in town, discovering the Wicker Park/Bucktown area of Chicago and of course hitting the outlet mall, too! Nicole and I made Soapbox Theatre Company public and the news was very well received. Lots of interest, which is fantastic! Working on plans for our first show, which will tentatively open in August. Brian worked (and continues to work) hard on his general comprehensive exam, which is due March 3rd.