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