Does anyone read this anymore?

I'm always surprised when someone says to me, "I checked your blog, and you haven't updated it for awhile." I didn't realize anyone was still reading it. So, I will TRY to get in the habit of updating it with the goings-on in the Boelman household.

Last Saturday Brody and his parents and grandparents had our photos taken at Reiman Gardens in Ames. It was a rainy day, but it was beautiful inside. We should have all the photos in a few weeks, but you can see a preview on the photographer's blog.

Brody also visited the dentist for the first time last week. Dr. Steve was nice (even when Brody tried to bite him). Unfortunately, we think he has been cursed with his parents' teeth. He may have gotten my eyelashes, but he also got my overbite.

Happy Birthday, Brody!!!

What a day! What a party! What a good night's sleep the three of us should have tonight!

We've been planning and preparing to celebrate Brody's first birthday for the last six weeks or so, and today was the big day. The theme was the Hungriest Caterpillar (a children's book), where the caterpillar eats many different things. Val came up with the idea and it worked well - the caterpillar eats fruits, meat, cheese, a pickle, ice cream, cake, and so on. A lot of things that you might have at a birthday party. We invited our families and are really greatful that everyone could make it. I think that today could have been the largest crowd at our house, definitely since we moved in. The pink flamingos (thanks, Susan!) greeted our guests (a Gunderson family tradition) and the party started around 1pm. The food was good, the gathering was great, and Brody received so many nice things! I don't often get all sappy, but it really did mean a lot to me - thanks everyone! Brody really had a great day! In fact, I have interpreted for him:

"Thank you all for coming to my party! I was so happy to see you all! And we had a wonderful meal (me throwing food on the floor is normal, not a dislike for the food.) I got so many great presents! I played and played after everyone went home - so much fun! Thank you!"

(ok, I made that up, but he really did have a great time playing with all of his new toys!)

I loaded over 100 new pictures in to his gallery, or watch in his slide show on the right. 

Thanks again everyone, for making Brody's birthday so special!

Brody is famous!

So, we were at the ISU/Nebraska game yesterday. We had a good time, even though the outcome was not-so-good... Anyway, a couple weeks ago at the Kansas game, I noticed a call for fan pictures for the Fan Scrapbook. Who better to make an appearance!?!?! So I sent this one:

And during the second half of the game, guess who's picture made it on to the scoreboard/big-screen? It was pretty neat! Wish I had been able to get the camera out quick enough to snap a picture, but I'm not that fast... Plus, I was bragging to everyone around me! When ISU adds it to the online scrapbook, I'll add the link here :)

-b

right now ----->

I just added a slideshow ----->

(I know this arrow thing will only work as long as this is the top post, but I saw this new feature and just had to try it... With the upload plugin for our photo software, adding to the gallery is much easier!)

-b

I know, I know...

It's been awhile since we posted anything. No excuses, just been busy.  I'm home with Brody today, and thought I should post some new pictures (while he's napping.)

-b

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

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

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.

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