My 30th

On Thursday I turned the big 3-0! My emotions are mixed. I'm exited for another chapter in life, but also well aware that it's another phase of getting older and the ones I love dearly getting older as well.  Thursday was almost like any other working day. It's no fun working on your birthday, much less your 30th birthday but when a baby is cooking and your holding on to every vacation day possible for maternity leave, you work on your birthday. Luckily, my co workers made the most of it and decorated my workspace with balloons, signs, streamers and wrapped just about every thing I use. We had scratch cupcakes and lunch out to Longhorn Steakhouse. 

The evening continued in celebrating with my two favs. Sullivan, Mike and I ventured out for a light dinner and more cupcakes to end the day. 

On Saturday I celebrated with Mike by heading to the Cedar Rapids farmers market. It's been years since I tagged along with him. It was actually a wonderful treat just the two of us, acting like we did when we were dating. That evening we headed back home to what I thought was going to be a quick trip in picking up Sullivan from my sister's house. Little did I know they had a special mini surprise birthday party planned. I was greeted with love from my family and very close friend. It was the perfect evening. I left that night feeling loved and so very blessed to have the most amazing people in my lives. 

So cheers to my 30s! The year I become a mother of two. I look forward to what God has planned for me this next year and then next 10 more.

Happy 90th Grandpa Joe!

This past weekend my mom's side all got together to celebrate a wonderful man's 90th birthday. I have so many memories with my grandpa from learning card games, going to bandstand night on Wednesday evening in Fort Atkinson when I was young, to learning how to polka. 

It was the perfect get together, everyone seemed to just relaxed talk and catch up with cousins, aunts and uncles and in-laws. Of course we had delicious food, pictures and birthday cake. We all try to get together for Christmas each year but it seems that holiday is busy playing games, preparing food, and opening presents that you never get to talk to everyone you want to. 

I left my grandpa's birthday party feeling happy. God is good and I'm so blessed to have wonderful family that surrounds me. 

Today is my grandpa's actual birthday, so I wish him another round of celebrating. Wishing you many more!

Grandpa with his tractor

My grandparents

My grandparents with all their children

My siblings with Grandpa

All the great grand kids

Grinning the whole time, here's a video of grandpa riding his tractor around the yard with my uncle.

3 new parks in 2015

On my bucket list this year, I had a goal to take Sullivan to 3 new parks. Well we did it. Two here in Cedar Falls and the other in New Hampton.

A few weeks ago on a Saturday evening we met my sister and her boys in New Hampton to have a little play date. I remember going to this playground when I was little, in fact, I even had a birthday party hear once. Although some things have changed, most of all the wood equipment is still the same. 

Sullivan had a blast with his cousins exploring the new park and still talks about it. We will have to visit again real soon.

One of the other new parks we explored was this past Sunday evening. Close to home around a little curve tucked behind some trees. This little playground and wide open spaces to run and fly kites. Sullivan wasn't a huge fan of this one mostly due to the sand getting stuck in his toes. Either way he loves parks and it was another new one to try out. 

To view our first new park of the season, click here.

28 Weeks!

This Saturday I turned 28 weeks. That means I'm one week into my 3rd and final trimester and only 3 more months to go! Boy do we have a lot of work to do. I'm no where near ready for baby boy Nelson to arrive. I have nothing washed, the nursery is still a storage/guest room, not sure where the car seat is much less any other necessities. About the only thing I have done is a few boxes of diapers are bought and the nursery is staying the same blue color Sullivan had. But we have to touch up a few areas and hang new curtains so I can't even cross that off my list. 

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I know the next month we will kick it into high gear. Mike only have 3 more farmer's markets before the season is done and one other show to make his 2015 year in the books. School is only 2 weeks away so we are practicing early bedtimes and gathering school supplies. Big changes are approaching the Nelson house and there is no turning back. 

I had an early 28 week appointment last Wednesday with another ultrasound and another glucose test. I passed an early one around 18 weeks but the doctors aren't that optimistic so they are testing it again. So far I haven't heard anything so I'm hoping "no news is good news." Ultrasound showed baby boy sprawling his legs out and still head up. Both ultrasound tech and doctor say he looks to be a big boy weighing in at 3 pounds at 28 weeks and long long legs. In fact he's in the 80% percentile an measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Sounds a lot like his brother and he didn't come out that big, just had long legs. We shall see! 

At 28 weeks, I'm feeling sore and uncomfortable. Swelling remains but is less when I wear compression stockings and sleeping isn't that great. I've had a few episodes of Braxton Hicks contractions in the last month. I never had them with Sullivan so I consulted a cousin over the weekend to confirm what they were. 

He also continues to be very active in my belly, though I haven't really felt any hiccups yet. I'm doctoring every two weeks now so is also exciting. Keeping cooking baby boy, but please try not to be over 9 pounds!