Baby Mobile

Just like thousands of other couples starting a family we decided it was time to look for a family vehicle. Since moving back to a small town in Kansas we had downsized to a one vehicle family. It worked very well for a year, but we knew once we had the baby we would need two vehicles. Much to Kyle's chagrin it was determined we needed a "family vehicle" (not a mini van) and not a truck. So, the search began...and this is what we got...

1985 Toyota "extended cab" with a bonus topper!

Okay, so maybe this truck is not exactly what I had in mind (I was dreaming of a Subaru Forester).

The story: One weekend we were at a wedding and my dad kept calling incessantly. Worrying that something might be wrong I decided to answer the call. He excitedly exclaimed, "I've found the perfect vehicle for you." He continued it's a 1985 Toyota truck with low miles... My first thought is I was 3 years old when this truck was created! As Dad goes on and on about the truck I interject, "Does it work?" And he replies, "Yes, I drove it home." What! Yes, he found the truck, talked to the owner, and then bought the truck and drove it home! What, who buys a vehicle for someone else without asking them!? The rest of the day he proceeds to wash and wax the truck and much to my dismay we rearrange our weekend plans to view the truck the next day.

As you can tell from the picture it is quite a sight. We took a test drive. Kyle confirmed that it drove well and was in good condition considering it's age. My one concern was can it hold a car seat. Ironically, because of it's age it does not have airbags, therefore it is safe for a car seat. We were sold. While it's not quite what we had in mind for a family vehicle we are now the proud owners of a very inexpensive 1985 Toyota truck with low miles. Despite it's hideous appearance it runs well and the best part is Kyle finally got the truck he always wanted and it makes him happy!

Interesting fact about a 1985 truck: Extended Cab = 6 extra inches behind the seat

When football started the other coaches and players started weighing in on our new mode of transportation. My favorite comment thus far is, "Coach, that topper is really cramping your style." I agree the topper really needs to go!

Ottawa 23 Sterling 21

Last night the team endured a heart wrenching loss. Against arguably the best team in the league Sterling was ahead 21-7 at the beginning of the 4th quarter! However, the last quarter didn't go so well and the Warriors fell by two points. It was a tough loss, but as the head coach said in the post game talk the players should be encouraged because they held their own against a very good team and they can learn a lot from this experience that will help them the rest of the season.

While it was a difficult loss most of the day was fun because we had lots of visitors. Mom, Randy, Tache, Papa, Grandpa, Sheila, and Randy all stopped by to visit and watch the game. We went to a BBQ before the game, then came back to the house to celebrate Tache's birthday, and then went to the night game. It was fun to get to see everyone!

As promised below are some football pics.

Papa, Tache & Mom (Tache's the birthday girl)

Me & Kyle

The whole gang: Grandpa, Randy, Mom, Kyle, Me, Randy, Sheila, Tache, & Papa

Kyle and his parents (sorry for the bad glare...stadium lights don't make for the best pics)

12 Years Ago

12 years ago today I had my first date. It was Homecoming 1997 and this super cute guy asked me to the dance at the very last minute. This guy had the prettiest blue eyes, the most adorable dimples, and HUGE muscles...just what a high school freshman girl dreams of.

Who would have thought that after one date I would be hooked forever? Sure he had the looks, but who knew he was so much more :)? Over the years he went from being my first date, to my first love, to my best friend, to my husband, and now very soon he will be a dad. Wow, I can't believe how much God has truly blessed me with this man!

I love you honey and thanks for asking me to the dance! I'll say "yes" every time. You were and are the best date ever (literally, since you're the only person I've ever been on a date with :) You're not only the best date, but you're also the best husband ever! And I can't wait until your a daddy because you'll be great at that too. We've come a long way since that first date and I can't wait to see what God's plans look like for the next 12 years!

Homecoming 1997

We look so little and awkward...and so much for my huge muscle comment...he looks scrawny :)

What could it be?

Here's a sneak peek into my latest creative endeavor. Can you guess what it is?

I absolutely love this fabric combo! I can't wait to see how it turns out. Hopefully I can show you the finished product very soon.

Hint: it may or may not be the first craft I'm doing for baby Schenk...

Sterling 23 Peru State 7

On Saturday, Sterling traveled to Peru, Nebraska and put together a good team effort to beat Peru State 23-7. I was stuck at home studying, so I didn't attend the game, but I did listen to it on the radio. The win propelled Sterling into the NAIA national rankings. They are ranked #22 this week! Go Warriors!

This weekend will be a big challenge as Sterling takes on #13 Ottawa University. Ottawa's prolific offense will be a huge test for the Sterling defense. I'm excited because it's our first home game of the season and we'll be welcoming lots of friends and family that come from near and far to cheer on the Warriors.

That reminds me, today is the first day of fall and with guests coming this weekend I need to pull out the fall decor. Maybe a post on that to come...

Photo courtesy of www.sterling.edu

Give Me More

I'm documenting all things pregnancy related, so I thought I would list my cravings (in order).

1) Red Meat (especially hamburger)!

2) Ice Cream (okay, this might be a perpetual craving, but a craving none the less)

3) Cereal

4) S'mores (this one was quenched after 1 week)

Latest Creative Endeavor

I made this as a gift and it was super simple. I think I'll be making many more of these in the near future. I love a cute, yet simple craft. Be on the look-out for the next craft it is going to be a bit more intricate...I can't wait.

21 Weeks

Here's the 21 week (5 month) update and picture of my growing abdomen.

How far along: 21 weeks and 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: haven't weighed myself in 2 weeks...I'll let you know next week

Maternity clothes: I gave in today and wore my first pair of maternity pants

Sleep: only side sleeping :( I'm adjusting

Best moment this week: Kyle getting to feel the baby kick

Movement: Yes, but not very often

Food cravings: nothing this week

Belly button in or out: in (hopefully for quite a while longer)

What I miss: being able to run (I stopped at 20 weeks, due to ligament pain)

What I'm looking forward to: getting the baby furniture (just a few more weeks)

Milestones: wearing maternity clothes has begun

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Strap on those helmets and put on your tights football season is here. Or in my case warm up your voice by practicing screaming and yelling like a crazy person. Sterling's first game was this past weekend. They played Southwestern and won 17-7. It was a rocky first game, but they won! I took my camera along, but it was a night game and none of the pictures turned out well.

Sterling's 2009 football schedule:

September 12 @Southwestern

September 19 @ Peru State

September 26 vs. Ottawa

October 3 @ McPherson

October 10 @ Wichita

October 17 vs. Tabor

October 24 vs. Kansas Wesleyan

October 31 @ Bethany

November 7 vs. St. Mary's

November 14 @ Bethel

Since I don't have any pictures from this weekend I decided to go for an old school picture. This is one of my favorite football pictures from Kyle's playing days because it features two of my favorite guys (sorry Blake, you're going to have to move down the list when our little guy arrives :) Kyle and Blake have been best friends since birth (literally they were born 1 month apart). They had not spent more than a week apart their entire life until the summer after their sophomore year in college! And when Kyle and I were dating in high school I don't think we ever went on a "date" without Blake. In fact, we would all 3 ride in the front seat of the car. Needless to say we were tight in more ways than one :)

This picture was taken in October of 2002. Kyle is #19 and Blake is #17. We have this picture hanging in our house and every once in a while we'll walk by it and Kyle will ask who has nicer legs...he knows the answer, but he continues to ask. I have to say "sorry honey, but Blake's legs are more attractive." But I always make sure to remind him that his "behind" is much nicer than Blake's. :)

The Name Game

Now that everyone knows it's a boy the #1 question I get is "What's his name?" We have decided to keep the name a secret for a couple of reasons 1) we like the suspense 2) we're going to the hospital with 2 names, just in case our favorite name doesn't "fit" him.

So, in an effort to appease those who are dying to know the name this is a top 10 list of names I like (in no particular order), but will not be using because Kyle strongly objects or vice versa.

1) Corbin: I love and Kyle hates

2) Micah: name of Kyle's crazy friend

3) Jonah: name Kyle's even crazier friend

4) Sam: the grandparent's dog name

5) Josheb: Kyle loves and I hate

6) Elijah: several friends have used this name

7) Cooper: I love Kyle hates

8) Aidan: too popular

9) Benjamin: I like Kyle doesn't

10) Kier: I like Kyle doesn't

Do you see a trend here? Kyle's hard to please in the name game. On the other hand I'm a name person. As my dad recounts I've had a long list of baby names since I was 10. Now granted they constantly change, but I'm always on the lookout for "good" names. I'll let you know if I come up with anymore.

Here's a picture of me and Kyle's faces morphed into a child...not really sure how accurate the image is (red hair?), but we'll find out in a few months :) What name do you think fits him?

The Great Debate

H1N1 is all the rage right now. You hear everything from it's no worse than the regular flu to it can kill you or 75% of the workforce will be absent due to swine flu this year. The horror stories are discussed everyday. Employers don't know how to combat it so they start handwashing campaigns and distribute face masks. Is that truly the solution!?


Well, I'm not an alarmist and I don't want to take things to extremes. But the truth is pregnant women are in the high risk category for swine flu contraction due to high mortality rates. I want to be a realist and I want to do what is best for the baby. Which begs the ultimate question...Do I get the swine flu vaccine when it becomes available?

Pros

• Keeping me and the baby safe from the swine flu
• Not worrying about infection at work
• Would not use my sick time

Cons

• Unknown side effects
• Being a guniea pig
• Putting foreign chemicals in my body
• Getting 2 shots

I've never had a flu vaccine, I've only had the flu once in my life, but I do work in a school environment where the virus can spread quickly. If I wasn't pregnant I would not even consider getting the H1N1 vaccine.

At this point I'm going to talk to my doctor, do some research on the vaccine and then try to make an informed decision. The vaccine doesn't even come out until mid-October, so I have plenty of time to contemplate...

Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Introducing the new Mr. Schenk

The boy parts. (Son, if you ever read this I am sorry.

I don't mean to embarass you. I just had to show the proof.)

Side view punching mom.

3-D picture of the face with the thumb in the mouth

As Kyle said, we now have an heir to the throne...so dramatic :)

The ultrasound was very thorough and the technician showed us all the different parts. We already know he has 10 fingers and 10 toes. Kyle even asked the tech if the baby was bow legged! She couldn't give us a definitive answer :) The babies weight, height, and heart beat are great. All the organs are there including the brain.

The doctor did have one concern. Every baby has 1 hole in their heart, which naturally closes after birth. In one of the sonogram views the tech thought she saw 2 holes in the heart, however when she went to look again she couldn't get a good view. At this point the doctor cautioned us not to be too concerned because it might turn out to be nothing. The doctor has scheduled another ultrasound for our next appointment in 1 month. The baby's heart will be bigger and hopefully they will be able to see it more clearly. At this point I'm trying not to worry about it because I don't have any control over the situation. And luckily I do have God who is the Creator and Healer. So we will trust in Him and continue to pray for God's will to be revealed. We pray that his heart is developing properly and this is just a bump in the road. However, no matter the outcome we praise God for this child and are comforted that God knows the plan for his life.

The Big Reveal

See below for what you have all been waiting for!

Yummy!

So, since I couldn't stop gushing about all the food we ate in St. Louis I thought I would share a recipe. I do not ever want to forget this recipe...I could eat it all in one sitting and the best part is it's healthy (well except the whole chips part).

MANGO AVOCADO SALSA

• 1 medium mango chopped small
• 1 small avocado chopped (3/4C) small
• 1/4 C sweet red pepper
• 2T chopped red onion
• 1/2 fresh jalapeno pepper chopped small
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin

Directions: MIX all together. SERVE with tortilla chips. For a large group I would double or triple the recipe...it's just that good. If you don't have cumin on hand, don't worry about it...it's still unbelievably good.

Recipe courtesy of Hannah Smith. Picture courtesy of Helen Graves at http://helengraves.co.uk/?m=200708.