Shower

Updating this week because something exciting happened in our lives before the scheduled two week update was due. My workers through me a baby shower. They are like my second family here in Columbus. They had it on a night I was scheduled to work so got paid for having fun. It was great, and yes as you can see they did have a cake. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of it before it was cut into but it said "Welcome Ella" It was cute and delicious. I got so many nice things, we got the swing and the bath along with lots of little gifts. For example, burp rags, bibs, nail clippers, and many other little necessities. All of which were highly needed! We also did get a couple nice outfits, the little dress was my favorite. It is pink and brown and just simple enough for me. The girl in the wheelchair is Katie and that is her mother, whom I work for. The other girl in the picture is Angela, I am really close to her considering we work many 14 hour shifts together. I thought I better include a picture of my belly, not sure if its too much bigger, but I felt cute for once. I was completely covered with a big sweater so that seems to help. Hope all is well with everyone, have a good weekend!

Happy Easter

Writing to wish everyone a Happy Easter! Although I try to think that its just another day because without family its nothing. Evan made me get ready and we are going to some buffet for a nice dinner. I guess its better than cooking! We got the baby's room pretty much ready.There is still a few little things to add but its getting there. We also got the stroller/carseat this week from Evan's parents. So we thank them so much, it looks like it will work wonderfully. As you can see we also put the bassinet by the bed already, I guess you can say we are anxiously awaiting out little one. Otherwise everything is going well. I still have heartburn all day, everyday and I am getting really sore. I am also tired but I can't imagine that getting any better with a baby coming. Hope all is well with everyone and their families.

Shower/belly/parents visit

Mom and dad visited over my spring break, which was this last week March 3-9. It was so nice having them here. We did a lot of shopping for the baby's room. I'm sure dad had a wonderful time! We ended up having to order a dresser/changing table from Wal-mart and will be in soon, so unfortuntately it was hard to complete the baby's room with out all the furniture in it. Evan and I will hang the pictures and other fun stuff when we get everything in the room. We will also take more complete pictures of the room as soon as we finish the room. Mom and I also spent a lot of time adding brown to the pink stuff we did find. The picture that has the fairytale picture in it is one we added brown to. So the ribbon on the borders and the little bow was added by grandma. A little to difficult for me to do! :o) As you can see we also stuck with the name Ella so we bought just wooden letters and painted them pink and brown. Over the break my friends also through me a baby shower. It was super nice of them, unfortunately only 3 could make it considering it was spring break, I was just happy that my mom could attend. The cute card is made by her, I just could not believe she made that. She did such a wonderful job. My lovely sisters also sent something along with mom for me. Hope got the baby 3 sleepers that are darling and Janelle bought us bath supplies and a cute bib that says "I LOVE MY AUNT." My grandma made a beautiful blanket that I will have to get a picture of and post it next time. Love it though! I do not have any pictures of that yet considering my mom took all of them on her camera. But my friends decorated and everything. On the way down to Ohio my parents stopped in Iowa where they got a ton of baby clothes and a bassinet from a cousin. We washed all of those up and put them in the closet, as you can see we are not hurting for clothes. And if you notice I think they are all pink but 3. So my parents didn't escape their ND weather, there was a blizzard Fri and Sat. in Columbus so we were snowed in. Mom and I couldn't even go shopping for ourselves. We did keep busy doing things around the house. Thank god for dad, he cleaned a lot and mom also helped in getting the apartment baby ready. They left Sunday and I miss them more them ever already. Good thing they'll both be back in 8 weeks for the arrival of their 3rd grandchild. I told them to remember the belly because it wouldn't be there when they returned. They enjoy it but it still is hard to clothe and put up with. I do still enjoy her movements. So enjoy week 32 belly pics and all the other ones. Hope all is doing well!

belly

Thought I would put on another belly picture, its amazing how much I grow in just 2 weeks. Had a Dr.'s appt. this afternoon and all is well with me and the baby. I gained 6 pounds and am not happy with this! At this point that is double what I am supposed to gain. Especially for going to New York and walking all weekend. That is the most exercise I have done in a long time and for some reason I gained 6 pounds. Well I have gained a total of 25 pounds and still have 10 weeks to go. OH MY! Evan and I have found another name we like: Ella Evelyn! That has become our favorite so far. We are excited for mom and dad Vondal to come and visit the week of March 3-8, we have lots of stuff to do, including finishing the baby's room. We also have Childbirth Education classes coming up on March 15th, that should be interesting. Hope all is well with everyone. We will keep you all updated.

Crystal & Evan

NYC

Not much has happened as far as baby stuff, but we took probably our last trip before we'll begin parenthood. We met some of our old college friends (Nichole, Steve, and Mike) in NYC over the weekend. These are some of the pics of the stuff we saw during our quick three day trip. My favorite part was the show 'Chicago', which we saw on Broadway on Friday night. It was hard for me to handle all of the walking, so I'm glad to be home to catch up on some rest. We are seeing the doctor every two weeks now and our next appointment is on Feb. 25. We'll post any news from that appointment and another belly pic sometime next week.

7 Months

I can't believe I am nearing the end. I now have to go to the Dr. every 2 weeks and she said I should pay close attention to the baby's movements. No need to worry she moves more than enough. My belly measures fine and I am still on track for gaining only 25-30 pounds. I consistenly have been gaining a pound a week. I can say I don't enjoy being fat, its hard to find the perfect things to wear. It is all worth it but I will be excited when I can just throw any shirt on. Evan and I went shopping yesterday and of course had to get something for the baby. Grandma Lindahl had given us a Gap gift certificate so we used that up yesterday. As you can see we got her a cute little dress and a sack as Evan likes to call it. It's actually a snowsuit, it was so cute and fuzzy we couldn't pass it up. It was a good deal, now we just hope it fits her! It looks huge so we should have no troubles. Sorry I don't update more frequently, when nothing much happens except the normal daily stuff it seems pointless. Hopefully everyone back in the tundra is staying warm, heard its been pretty miserable there. Take care!

Babies room

I promised I would show off our new baby furniture. Of course, we have much more to make the crib complete but just to get an idea. The rocking chair I actually got for a birthday present from Evan. It's very nice and matched the crib wonderfully. I had to make sure my other baby was in one picture, man do we love her. Kind of worried about how she will be with the new baby, guess we'll soon find out. We can't paint the room but we will be decorating it in brown and pink. We are excited for grandma & grandpa V. to come and help finalize the room. We also registered at Babies R Us online, if you want to view that you can go to babiesrus.com. It is not our final registery,I first have to talk to my cousin who is willing to pass on all her baby stuff to me. Not sure if I want to be picky and get everything to match or if I agree to hand me downs. Ya know the first time mom syndrome of wanting everything perfect.

Belly

Hey finally found time and batteries to update the site. We have a few names picked out, not really set on anything yet. Brynn Evelyn or Alexis Evelyn are our favorites so far. Let me know what you all think! She is very active, mostly around bedtime, of course! I don't mind too much yet, she isn't in my ribs or anything to uncomfortable. I enjoy her flutters and kicks. Mom V. and Hope like to see my naked belly and since it is so cute and round I decided to post that one for everyone to enjoy.

Haven't Forgotten

Hope this finds everyone doing well! Sorry its been awhile since I've written. Been crazy busy with the big move and school. I had big plans for this weeks post, but our camera just ran out of battery power and we, of course, do not have any batteries in the house. So this week sometime I will put my week 26 picture (my belly) and pictures of the baby's room. We got the crib up and the rocking chair set up. It's all coming together! So I wish everyone a wonderful week! Take care.

Week 24

Sorry its taken me so long to update again. We had camera problems ealier in the week and I have recentely been really busy. I started classes just last week and they are very challenging, so I will do my best to keep up each week. We are also moving into a 2 bedroom apartment next weekend so we can start getting the baby's room ready. So that on top of work has been keeping me stressed out and busy. But we are super excited to start the baby's room. My parents have to come and visit in March to bring down a bassinet we borrowed from my favorite cousin Jennie. My parents will help us decorate and get the finishing items we need for the baby. So attached is my week 23 belly picture. I will try to update you all on my belly every 2 weeks.