Baby Liesener Update

It has been way too long since my last blog and a lot has happen since then.

Had a doctor's appointment on March 13th and I am in the clear for gestational diabetes!!! Yeah! The following week was our spring break which was really nice. We got registered for all the baby necessities we could imagine and had time to go up north for a few days to celebrate my big 27.

Joner was so wonderful that he even figured out a way to get an ice cream cake to the cabin without melting as that was my only birthday request. (it was so good!) He also took me to get my nails done and out to lunch on my birthday which was awesome.

We even saw our old friends the Trumpeter Swans that take refuge on the channel during the winter.

At the end of the month we went with Charlotte and Craig to see Jay Leno at Mystic Lake and had a great time. We even caught our favorite cover band after Arch Allies.

(in the mean time I also got my hair cut. Time for the short mom hair)

We then headed home on the weekend of April 3rd for a baby shower. Jan and my mother along with other helpers put together a wonderful shower for me. It was so great and there was a lot of family and friends there to celebrate. Our family from Georgia that we visited last year for their baby shower came all the way to celebrate as well. It was great to get to see everyone and we received so many wonderful necessities for the baby.

Here are a few pictures from that.

The baby has been a real trooper through it all. I have nothing to complain about and everyday brings new movement and new excitment for what is to come. I am still right on track for June 17th!

6 months and counting...

Well a lot has happen since the last time I was on here. I am obviously pregnant now and even strangers are noticing. Three weeks ago my parents came for very short visit. It was so great to see them after their warm and fun trip to Mexico (can you tell we are jealous that we didn't get to go). I took a picture of the only souvenir they bought on their trip.

Baby's first outfit for the sun

Two weeks ago the Thompson clan came for a visit. We had a really great time with them too. Even Buddy made himself at home. Even though Katy had the token baby dream that I was having a boy, once she saw me she recanted and now thinks it's a girl.


Who knows we are still waiting to be surprised but I think we are starting to get a little impatient with that.





Last weekend, since basketball is pretty much over, we got a chance to register for baby stuff. That was fun but again I found myself registering for a lot of yellow stuff to try to stay neutral. I think on my next shopping trip I am going to get boy and girls stuff and then enjoy the benefits of returns once the baby has arrived. The only thing left is to decide on a crib. We are getting excited for our shower back in Zittau in April. It will be great to visit with everyone.





The baby has been moving like crazy and I can actually see him/her moving when I watch my belly (especially during sermons at church :) I go to the doctor's this week for my check-up and everything seems to be on track. For a couple weeks there I had my full-strength energy back, but now I'm back to being exhausted. My got me started on measuring myself around. I am 39 1/2 inches around the waist and growing. Here is a new picture of my belly. Next project...find an outfit for Easter!

Ultrasound

Well we are at 22 weeks and on Friday got to officially meet our baby. We had our ultrasound and everything went great. Just one baby, everything is perfect, and the baby is healthy. We decided to keep the sex a surprise. It was such a miracle to see the baby. See its little heart beating. Its backbone. It was just awesome. We are still on track for a June 17th delivery. After the doctor took all the measurements on the baby, her departing comments were and it has a generous head. So we know the baby either takes after the Lieseners or the Luedtkes. I am starting to get big and thinking about working ahead at work just in case the due date comes early.

On Valentine's Day Joner and I had a wonderful dinner at Bellerita here in New Richmond. After the baby must have enjoyed it because it was doing somersaults all night. Joner finally got to feel the baby kick which was really awesome.

Basketball is coming to a close which means the next big thing is starting to shop for the baby....

Here is the best of our ultrasound pictures.

The baby is laying on it's side with its head looking at you. I think it is the most adorable baby ever...but every mom thinks that. There is the original picture and then one with a guide, maybe it will help ?

Half-Way

Well this is the beginning of week 20 so we are halfway there! Last weekend we had a fun time at the Juvenile Diabetes walk with the Liesener clan.






























































Our ultrasound is just around the corner and we are still trying to decide if we want to find out what the baby is or not. This week also officially marks my goodbye to the bellaband and fitting into my own pants and hello maternity pants. By belly is officially growing! After many failed attempts, Joner is yet to feel the baby moving but I have been which is really crazy. I had a little bit of a scare on Friday as I thought I was having contractions during our late-night dinner at Culvers. I think it was just Brackten Hicks stuff and haven't felt it since so that is good. The doctor said that it was nothing...as long as it doens't happen again.

Sunday is the Superbowl and we are headed over to Seth and Heidi's which will be fun. Work has been crazy and Joner and I are in the midst of trying to figure out our work plans for next year while checking into daycares in the area. So much to plan for!

It is finally starting to warm up around here. It went from -8 on Friday to 40 degrees today. Another cold front is coming but today was a nice day to enjoy and think about spring. My parents come home tonight from Mexico. Sounds like they had an awesome time and a much needed vacation at the perfect time since it was so cold here. Can't wait to see their pictures.

Is it a boy, is it a girl, it's a basketball player!

So no we do not know the sex of the baby yet but all indications point toward him or her becoming a basketball player. On Tuesday I was on my way to Joner's basketball game when I experienced the first recognizable movement of the baby. It was a little weird but now after feeling it for a couple days I am convinced that is what it was. The baby kept it up for most of the game so pretty sure he or she was cheering with me. Kind of nice to know I'm not the only one getting worked up during Joner's games. I am finally now starting to get over my cold. Again colds stink when you are pregnant and all you can do is take Tylenol.
Over break, Joner and I did our first shopping for the baby. It is a little overwhelming how much stuff is out there and trying to figure out what we just really need and what are just fun extras. There were 10 different types of bottles to choose from. 10! and that was just at Target. Oh well. Joner thinks part of the baby excitement for me is that I get another new person to shop for, which is a fun bonus. I've also recently discovered Once upon a child and Plato's closet which are really close to where we live and so reasonable for baby stuff and for maternity clothes for me! Very cool.
I tried to take pictures of how much my belly has grown using the self-timer which I now have figured out. To put it in perspective of how I feel, I feel twice as big as I look in the picture! I totally ran into the wall the other day with my belly just because I still can't gauge my size.
Oh well.