Girls Weekend!

We had out annual "Girls Weekend" this past weekend. For those that don't know... All of the Kral ladies (aunts and cousins) go to the cities to have breakfast, shop, and stay in a hotel. This year we went to Denny's, then to the MOA for some retail therapy, and then to the Embassy Suites. The picture is right before they opened the gate to the free happy hour... that's right, all you can drink for 2 hours. I filled up on Cranberry/7up... whoopee! (I'll just have to make up for it next year!!!) Then, when they cut us off, we head back to the room and snack on all of the goodies that everyone brought and have some good old girl talk! It's always a great time and this year we had 13 ladies...

front row: LaNaye, Kim

2nd step: Lyndsey, Krystal, Missy

3rd step: Mindy, Kristi, Jenny, Nikki

top row: Jenny, Paulette, Deb, Paula

Cousins

Krystal and Ashlyn came over to visit last Friday. They brought over some goodies for the baby. I can't believe how big she is getting already! Jared is slouching in the picture so it makes Ashlyn even taller than she is. One cute story from the day... Jared was in the living room watching a cartoon while we were in the kitchen. Ashlyn was talking/babbling somewhat loudly but not more than any other normal baby. Jared hollered "turn her down!" like she was a TV or something! He was so serious and we had a good laugh... too funny!  

Pre-K Open House

Last Thursday we went to the NUACS Pre-K open house. We got to see Jared's classroom and meet his teacher, Mrs. Boe. He seemed nervous at first but that went away quickly once he saw all of the other kids playing and having fun. Auntie Kristin (Mrs. Hillesheim) showed us her classroom upstairs and the library. We also visited the gymnasium... Jared's favorite! They had all sorts of equipment to play with! Then we visited Grandma Patty's desk (Jared found the M&M's right away!). Mrs. Hodapp had on the Greyhound suit and Jared thought that was pretty cool so he decided to try on the head... what a goof ball! 

I think he's definitely more excited to go to school now that he has a better idea of what it's going to be like. Plus it helps that his cousins Lily and Brianna will be in the same class so he'll have friends that he knows.

Silo Demolition

I'm trying to catch up on some blogging... this one happened on Saturday, March 14th.

Craig has been slowly demolishing the old barn at his place. All that was left is the foundation, the lean-to and the silo. Now the silo is no more! They used a sledge hammer to knock out the bottom of it (Jared calls it the mouth... kinda looks like it). The picture below was taken just before it collapsed. It took a lot longer than I thought it would! There were 3 of us taking video... just in case it woulda been a potential winner for America's Funniest Videos. If you know Craig, you know what I'm talking about! ;) It came down in one swift motion and there were no injuries... bonus!!! The video turned out great! Now I just gotta figure out how to get it from the camcorder to the computer. 

Before...

After...

Jared's turn to run the video camera

37 Week Check-Up

I went in on Friday for another "check". Things are still progressing... just slightly, though. I'm at a "soft" 1 cm (dilated)... compared to almost a 1 last week. The heartbeat was 152 bpm and total weight gained so far is 30 pounds. I'm officially ready to be done! I've reached the uncomfortable stage and it just sucks. I'm starting to retain more fluid and my back is still my biggest pain. I even had to buy support/compression hose today... hopefully that helps with my leg pain that's the worst at the end of the work day. I hate to sound like such a complainer... maybe I should write this in the morning when I'm in a better mood. =) That's all for now. Back to the doctor on Friday.

Farm Show

We went to the annual Farm Show again this year. Friday morning Keith told Jared that he had to be a very good boy at daycare otherwise we weren't going to take him with. It was hard to control my laughter as Jared looked at him sooo seriously and said, "I promise I'll be a good boy today, Daddy." The first thing he said to me was that he was super good and now we can all go to the Farm Show! The Hoffmann twins were excited because they were good boys too so they were able to go with their parents. It's amazing what a few garden tractors and live poultry will do for a couple of farm kids! =)

There was a really nice shed there that he decided he needed for his clubhouse. It probably cost a couple thousand to buy so I suggested that he have Daddy build one instead. Good idea, mommy! 

The biggest tractor that he was able to get on.

He was very gentle with the little chicks... 

right up until he tossed it back in the box!

Greenhouse

I picked up one of those little greenhouses and seeds the other day at Kmart. I usually just buy the plants and flowers at the local greenhouse when they're already started. So this is a first! I had some help, of course, from Jared planting the seeds. I didn't get any pictures... it's just dirt right now but Jared is pretty excited to see them grow! He reminds me several times a day that we should water it. It's kind of a fun little project and I'll be home on maternity leave when it's time to put them in the garden.

This is about a week into it... just a few starting to sprout. Jared thinks it's so fun to check it everyday and see what is sprouting now!

36 Week Check-Up

I start going in every week now to get "checked". I went in yesterday afternoon and things are starting to happen!!! My weight stayed the same but I'm measuring 38cm (supposed to be the same as the week) so I'm a little big but that's totally normal. And I'm ALMOST dilated to 1 cm!!! That's good news to me because that means things might start happening soon... or maybe not... but I'm hoping sooner than later! I'd prefer not to get induced. But then again, I'm a little nervous about having my water break at work or when I'm out-n-about driving or shopping. I'd prefer how Krystal had it... sit down on the toilet and... what the... Oh!... my water broke! :) I also think the baby "dropped". People have been commenting that the bump looks lower and it feels like it too. And for the last 2 days my hips have been sore... like I've been riding a horse all day. I try not to waddle but I kinda feel like I am. Oh well, I can handle another 25 days... or less!!!

So, things are good! Gotta pack my bag and put the car seat in... piece of cake! I think Keith is more nervous than I am. Labor was pretty tough on him last time... all that back rubbing and counting really takes a toll on a guy! Ha ha!!! ;)

34 Week (& 3 Days) Check-Up

Everything is looking good so far! Heartbeat was 158/bpm... still pretty fast! I have to laugh at the scale... I think I gain about 5 or 6 pounds by the end of every day so I'm always heavier when I get to the clinic in the afternoon. My scale at home tells me that I've gained about 23 pounds... clinic says 28 so I'm gonna stick with my naked weigh-ins in the morning at home! :) As long as I can still bend to the side to read it, anyway! Measurements were right on and the head is down... now let's hope it stays that way! I also asked her about inducing if I make it to 40 weeks and she was fine with that. I don't want another 10 pound 6 ounce slugger! We practically had to force Jared out... vacuum and all!!!

Baby Bump - 34 Weeks

It's been a while since I've taken a picture of the "bump". It's getting pretty big... Jared reminds me every day! 

A collage of the pictures I've taken so far...