as promised...

More pictures! I think we're finally settling into life at home: regular feeding, diaper changes, and lots of sleep! And I guess we're all involved in all three in more than one way (I've been feeding and sleeping way more than usual myself...)  We just finished up a bath, so while Val is getting Brody diapered, dressed, and fed, I figured I'd load some pictures.

first Harley ride???

the dogs do not like competition!

after a 31-28 win over Colorado!

well, uploading is slow, and I'm now occupied again :)

Announcing!!!

Broderick Julian Boelman

born 11/02/2007 at 7:29 PM

7 lb. 2 oz. 21 inches long

more pictures to come (a tired mom, baby, and dad just got home...)

-b

One week to go...

Next Monday is the official due date, and it is coming fast!  I haven't blogged for a while, so I will try to catch up...

I attached a picture of the nursery above.  It has all kinds of jungle creatures - giraffes, lions, turtles, elephants - on the bedding and the walls.  The last piece of furniture we were waiting on was the chair, and I ordered it online two weeks ago.  Brandon assembled it for me last week.  Now the furniture is ready, and I've stocked the drawers with little blue clothes and tiny little diapers.

Brandon and I had a little fun a few weekends ago when we made a plaster cast of my belly.  I hadn't heard of such a thing, but Brandon found a kit online.  We had to start by slathering a bunch of petroleum jelly on my belly.  Then, Brandon wet down some plaster strips and placed them on me while I stood very still.  The cast actually dried pretty quickly.  It's kind of funny to look at Brandon.  I asked Brandon what we should do with it now, and he said, "I thought it would just be fun to do.  I never really thought about what we would do with it."  It's just sitting in our spare bedroom for now.

Last week we went in for an ultrasound.  The baby measured 6 lbs, 7 oz according to the technician.  She said he has big feet (I wonder who that comes from?).  The doctor said he is measuring at the 19 percentile, but they don't usually worry unless the baby is 10th percentile or less.  The baby still hasn't dropped, so I get the impression that they are probably going to let the little guy stay in as long as he wants.  We will just have to see him when he is ready to greet us!

I had a nice treat on Friday when I went into the local spa for a massage!  I was wondering how it would work with my big belly, but she just had me lay on my side and switched halfway through.  It was nice to have a little pampering.

This will likely be my last week of work for a while.  I had been planning Wednesday to be my last day, but we will see how my Wednesday doctor appointment goes.  I might work a few half-days to finish out the week.  I don't want to work up until the day I deliver, but I also don't want to sit around the house for two weeks, either.  I'd go stir-crazy!  

That is all for now.  I waddle a little more a sleep a little less, but otherwise, things are going well.  We will let you know when we have more to update!

When it Rains, It Pours...

     First of all, I have to apologize for not blogging for awhile.  We have been busy with Baby Classes and lately our internet connection has been sporadic.

     Yesterday, I had a big surprise at work.  I was planning to eat lunch with my friends Elisa and Tara, but instead they surprised me with a baby shower.  I wasn't expecting it at all!  The baby got more wonderful gifts, and I had a fun time eating lunch and chatting with friends.  It is always amazing to me how creative and talented some people are - all the beautiful baby blankets, and baby wreaths and cakes made from diapers, home-made burp cloths.  How neat!

  This afternoon, Brandon's co-workers planned a baby shower for us as well.  We played a few games, too.  One was a memory game where there were 20 items that we would need for the baby on a tray.  We studied it for two minutes.  Then we had to list as many as we could remember.  Sixteen was the winning number.  We also had a contest (Brandon and I judged) to see who could draw the best baby on a paper plate - while holding it over their head.  Last, we had to "guess the flavor of baby food."  Brandon and I got to taste, while everyone else only smelled.  The unfair advantage didn't help me.  I think the only one I got right was the vanilla pudding.

     I mentioned Baby Classes earlier, so I am glad to say that we are finally done.  Funny, they don't give you a certificate or anything that says your ready for baby now!  We went to the childbirth prep class, baby care class, and we toured Lutheran's maternity center last night.  Methodist has a larger maternity center and Blank Children's Hospital is down the hall, but I want to go to Lutheran better because it is easier to find and I've heard that the staff is smaller and friendly.  Our tour guide said they had a lot of discharges that day, so I didn't see any women ready to deliver on the floor; only two premies in the NICU.

     It's nice that things are coming together.  We still have a few things to tie up (name, pediatrician, a few things in the nursery), but for the most part, I'm feeling like we are closer to being ready to welcome Baby Boelman into the world!

 

alien?

Not like "Darth Vader from planet Vulcan", but like the scene in the original "Alien" - and I have video
to prove it! When I got home last night, Val was watching TV and said, "Come look at this! He's really moving!" And I quickly grabbed the camera, because we could see the baby trying to kick and punch his way out! AMAZING! If I can figure out a way to post the video here, I will (and a computer guy like me should be able to figure that out...) Of course, he got a little camera shy and didn't move as much once I had the camera rolling, but the video definitely shows some intense movement.

-B

ten guys in a conference room

I attended "Father's Class" last night at Lutheran Hospital. And like the title says, it was eight to ten guys (and one expectant mother) in Conference Room 1 for a two hour class. Lots of good information and ideas on the whole process.

Being a good student, I will share the main points of what I learned:
1.) support the mom
2.) survive the ordeal
3.) savor the moment

I'm glad I went, even though some of the information seemed obvious/common sense stuff (what not to say and how to be helpful, which I work on all the time.) There were a few things I hadn't really thought about and some good reminders on final preparations. Packing the bag, installing the car seat (is it really that hard?), etc. We also talked about pets - no really worries there. Tugboat is a little hyper, but both he and Stempy are really well behaved (save the paw prints on the couch and the occasional tipped garbage can...)

-B

long time...

Wow, it has been awhile since I've posted. Let the procrastination cease!

This was a busy "baby weekend." Sunday, we made a trip to Belmond for the baby shower. All I can say is, "wow!" and, "THANK YOU!" It was humbling to have so many friends and family make the trip and join us in the celebration. We received so many nice gifts that will be "part of the web of support" (from a game we played.) After the activity/game, we had a reading, complete with appropriate props, from my relatives in Georgia. Refreshments followed, and while many guests were eating, we began to open gifts. I think our baby has it made! All the neat stuff - I don't know how children in the past got through to adulthood... HA! In all, I had a lot of fun! I didn't really know what I was getting into - I've only been to one baby shower before, and that was mine. And looking at those pictures, with Dad wearing the corsage, reminds me that was a long time ago... So to my male readers that have never been to a baby shower, I can fill you in on the secret rituals and customs (but probably won't - I've been sworn to secrecy.) We loaded up, and after a meal at Mom and Dad's, we headed back to Altoona. Thanks again to the planning committee and everyone who was there!

Yesterday was another milestone day for baby. After I spent the day tearing down wallpaper and Val put away baby stuff and wrote thank you cards, we headed out to do some shopping before meeting up with Ed and his brother and girlfriend for dinner. Quick stops at HyVee and Target were followed by a trip to Babies'R'Us. And we did it - we finally bought furniture for baby! That was the milestone, the baby's room should soon be ready. We've been looking at this furniture set for a few months and like the "lifetime" intent. The crib converts to a toddler bed and later can become a full-sized bed. If we would have known about these before, we probably wouldn't have had such a hard time finding furniture for our room (we had a very nice full-sized bed, but had an impossible time finding a bedroom set with a full headboard and ended up getting a queen set, followed by a new bed...) The list of necessities is getting shorter and shorter, which makes me a little more comfortable. Looking around the room now, it is getting full. Boxes and swings and toys and clothes. Furniture will be shipped and picked up in 7-14 days. This seven months has really gone by fast!

I am attending "Father's Class" tonight at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, further preparation for me. I'm excited, but don't know exactly what will be covered and what to expect. It's a two hour course - I think I need more training than that! I'll try to report back on that tomorrow. We also have other courses coming up, plenty more information for us.

It's been a busy couple of days, but a "good" busy :)
-B

License and Registration

Brandon and I went on a trip this weekend to Nebraska to pick up some baby items from Julie's former neighbor, Phyllis.  Phyllis has three children, the youngest of which is Whitten, who has out grown most of his baby items.  It was nice (and convenient) to get a lot of baby stuff all at once, and I think Phyllis was happy also to be able to off-load so much, too.  Our empty nursery now has a swing, bouncer, car seat, exersaucer, walker, take-along swing, outlet covers/latches, baby carrier, tummy time mat, bath tub, and bags and bags of little boy clothing.  It looks a little more like there will be a baby there in three months!

On the ride home Brandon's aunt called to ask if we had registered for baby gifts yet.  We had been waiting until after our trip to register, so we stopped by Target after we got home.  I didn't think that we would have much to register (considering how full the back of the car was), but we managed to fill out an entire registry.  I could be relatively decisive when it came to crib bedding, and diaper pails, and strollers.  But, what is it about the bottle aisle I find so intimidating?  We are standing looking at all the bottles, the bottle warmers, the nipples - my head was spinning.  Ten different brands each with ten different versions.  I was lucky that a new mom in the aisle started to point at things and said "I have a bottle warmer, but I never use it because it takes 15 minutes...I would recommend the bottle dryer rack.  With all the bottles drying on the counter, you knock over one, and they all fall like dominoes...I would recommend Dr. Brown's bottles.  I registered for the Playtex VentAirs, but Dr. Browns causes a lot less spitting up."  I was so thankful for her help!

There are a few things that I couldn't find at Target, so if anyone with an affinity for garage sales comes across a high chair or a rocking chair/glider, let me know! 

And, thanks again to Brandon's aunts for arranging the baby shower!  I know they will make it a really fun time for everyone! 

Family Sedan

Anyone that knows me, knows that I traditionally have only owned coupes.  From the Mercury Cougar, to the Chevy Beretta, to the Pontiac Sunfire, and most recently the Chevy Monte Carlo, I have only owned 2-door vehicles.  Unfortunately, 2-door cars aren't necessarily the most family-friendly vehicles on the market.  So, Brandon and I have been crusing through some car lots recently, looking to see what was available.   We went to test drive a few SUV's Monday night - a Jeep Patriot and a Dodge Nitro.  Not bad cars, just didn't seem like they were worth the money.  On the way back home, Brandon said, "Let's stop by Toyota of Des Moines."  We walked through the lot for awhile and finally a salesperson stopped to help us.  We test drove a Toyota Highlander, and I thought it was a nice vehicle.  After a little "good cop-bad cop" we arrived at a deal.  So, I now I have a new car.  I have to be honest, I was sad to see the Monte Carlo go.  I think I would have drove it until the wheels fell off.  Hopefully someone else will enjoy it as much as I did!  But, I love my new car, and hopefully it will be another nice addition to the family.

Re-test

I had my three-hour gestational diabetes test yesterday morning.  I arrived at Lutheran Hospital at 7 AM.  After getting checked in, I was called in to have some blood withdrawn, and I drank a bottle of glucola.  I had three more vials of blood withdrawn every hour for the next 3 hours.  I was happy to be done with the needle sticks, but by the time I got home I felt awful!  I think it was the combination of fasting and losing blood, but I really thought I could have passed out.  After lunch, I just lied down on the couch instead of going back to work.  When I finally got up, I called the doctor to see if they had my test results.  The nurse said, "You passed.  You can go ahead and have a candy bar!"  I was glad to hear it.

I'm a Failure

Wednesday morning I went in for my Glucose screening test, which is a test that checks for Gestational Diabetes.  Gestational diabetes is a condition where some pregnant women' s pancreas can't keep up with the increased demand for insulin.   I had to fast in the morning, and drink a bottle of orange drink 1 hour before my appointment.  When I got to the office, they pricked my finger and sent it off for testing.  The results - failure!  What that means is that now I go back to the hospital for a second, three-hour glucose screening test.  I am not worried yet; Brandon has had several co-workers who have failed the first test yet passed the second.  I read on-line that between 15-23% of women fail the first test, but only 2-4% of expectant mothers develop gestational diabetes.    And, as Brandon said, the worst result may mean a "big baby," but I think the worst result may mean that I have to give up freezer pops (just kidding).

wow, things have changed...

So, Saturday, Val and my mom went garage-saling in the morning and found some good deals. When I returned from a long (extra) day at the office, I had to see what had been found. One item of interest to me was the baby swing. Now, I remember the old baby swings, with the crank to wind it up every so often. This newer model is nothing like that! It takes batteries, for one (the rechargables and charger were included with the purchase.) Second, it not only has six speeds, but a timer and it plays music! I'm amazed that such technology exists, but suppose there's a market for it. Val told me the couple that she bought it from had paid over $100 for it (she got it for $25, SCORE!) So, I've determined that I'm in the wrong industry... They also picked out a bunch of clothes. And I was afraid the baby would go naked... hehehe

-b

If you haven't heard by now...

If you haven't heard by now, the gender of the baby is a BOY!  I had a dream several months ago it was a little boy.  I also dreamt once that once of my friends kept chanting, "Your baby will be born November 3."  We will see if that becomes a reality as well.

I also wanted to say a big thank you to Brandon's aunts for offering to throw us a baby shower.  It will come in as a big help, as all we have purchased so far is a few little blue outfits.  We have the nursery furniture picked out, but we haven't purchased it yet. 

Otherwise, I have been feeling pretty well lately.  I have been battling a rash lately that has been driving me crazy!  I have been trying a variety of treatments.  Can't wait to find the one that works!

all I wanted was a soda...

Val had a checkup in Ankeny yesterday. I arrived at the last minute - why can't i get the timing from my office to the clinic figured out??? I thought I'd have 5-10 minutes to spare but was lead straight back to the exam room when i walked in... Anyway, all was as it should be, as far as the checkup was concerned. Val had a bottle of orange-soda looking liquid with all of her stuff - I got excited and planned to get some of that. But it wasn't to be, as the bottle contained something for the next appointment, specifically to check for gestational diabetes. One of the possible complications that I don't fully understand (like most things medical, which is ironic, since I work for a hospital company...) I suppose I will go into study mode if that is something we have to deal with. Not something to really worry about (as I can be good at, worrying, that is...) Take it as it comes, right?

After the appointment, we stopped by a baby consignment shop. Val had been there before and got some maternity clothes. The selection in that part of the shop hadn't changed, so we really just looked around for a bit. We left, I gassed up the Harley, and headed for home. It was nice that we were both home around 5, which is really unusual at our house.

So you're probably wondering when we'll let the cat out on the gender... Well, it's a...

BABY! HA, probably didn't even get you on that, but I enjoyed the joke! Soon, probably, b/c neither of us is very good at keeping secrets. But it has been kinda fun having that between us :)

-b

make your guess!

Ok, so Val put it in her last post for you to make your guess of our baby's gender in the comments... Now I'm taking it one step further, here's a poll to put your guess out there anonymously!



(ok, so getting that in there was far more difficult than it should have been, especially for a web-guy like me... so you'd better make a guess!)

Garage Sales

Yesterday, I spent the morning going to Garage Sales in Altoona looking for good baby deals.  I learned all the good stuff is gone after the first 30 minutes.  But I was lucky to find some cute clothes on the first two stops.  Nineteen outfits, shirts, sleepers, etc for $15.  It is also really helpful to know the gender of the baby.  Most people have a few "unisex" clothes, but most everything else is blue with trucks and puppies or pink with lace and ribbons.  Brandon and I have decided that we will share with all of you the baby's gender soon.  At this point, it is just fun to have everyone guess!  So, if you haven't guessed already, feel free to make comment below!

just back from the store...

and we finally bought some baby "stuff." It's fun to look around at all of it, but a little overwhelming, too. I do not know what a diaper genie does, for sure, but I hear they are great. Being a genie, do I get three wishes??? Saw that at the store and even a version II. Amazing. We only picked out a few things, little stuff. But fun, all the same.

pictures!

Yesterday afternoon was the ultrasound appt., all went well. And as promised, here are most of the pictures! Yeah, like I said before, you don't get to see the gender picture... but we know! I was really amazed with the machine and how the technician knew exactly how to find, view, and measure all the extremities and how she pointed things out to us. We had gone through a site a couple weeks ago on reading the ultrasound to determine gender (we both did pretty good on the quiz) and I kind of wanted to put in my guess when the technician got to that part, but she told us what she was seeing. That's an odd situation, deciding whether you want to know or not. I want a healthy baby, first and foremost! But at least the naming can commence in earnest and we can purchase clothes in colors other than green and yellow (the non-gender specific tones in the old days...) Of course I saw a guy at Target the other day wearing a t-shirt that said "real men wear pink" and Val's favorite color is blue, so, you, my dear reader can actually determine about nothing from our color choices... :P

Without further ado(sp?), here's the pictures:

baby!

face, 3D, color

face, 3D, black and white

face, 3D, mouth open!

face

face 2

feet

forearm and fingers

forearm and fist

profile

spine

lots of pictures

The ultra-sonic was good! Lots and lots of pictures, some in 3-D! Hopefully scanned and posted soon. And, yes, we know the baby's sex, but we're not telling... yet...

ultra-sonic!

Today is another check-up, featuring an ultra-sound. We get to go to Clive instead of Ankeny. A little further for Val, but a good excuse to blow-off work earlier, right? 4pm and I will be there early (I missed the first appointment in Ankeny b/c I couldn't find the clinic and it was over in less than five minutes...) This appointment is kind of exciting, we believe we will have the opportunity to find out Baby's sex.

I'm somewhat divided on that discovery - to know or not to know. To know is the current preference, but I can see the good in either. Naming duties and upcoming purchases will be easier knowing. But part of me likes the mystery of not knowing. We probably won't tell, even if we know, at least not right away (maybe get some future confirmation...) Less than three hours away!

-b

Welcome!

So, I made this suggestion to Val and here we are: a blog about the baby! Nerdy? Geeky? Probably "yes" to both, but I thought that it would be an easy way to share information and updates - I can never remember who I told what, so if you don't know, I say it's your fault...

I apologize for my lack of blog-skillz, I'm sure they will improve in time. I have a MySpace blog, but it has not been updated in months, so, we'll see how this goes. It seems like something new is happening regularly, so I should have plenty to write about. I'll figure out how to let Val author, too. I imagine that her posts will be far more entertaining than mine :)

-b