The results are in...

I finally got a hold of my nurse (she was out last week) and asked her about my 3 hour glucose test from last Tuesday. She said my numbers were great, better than what they look for! So now I can breathe a sigh of relief (and I had a celebritory Snickers). Thank you for the prayers, they were greatly appreciated. Next on the prayer list, getting through the last 10 weeks and that all continues to go well and that we can establish a permanent job for Gary. He's looking hard and takes comfort in knowing that GFS has a place for him for quite awhile yet. We both know God will provide the right job for him at the right time, it's all just matter of His time.

Next appointment is tomorrow, regular routine I'd imagine. We're starting to set up the baby shower for the one before the baby comes in Chicago. We're having another one with Gary's side after the baby comes. We have just about everything registered for at Babies R Us and the other things we need, have been accounted for. It's crazy that it's this close. I'm still nervous, but getting excited to meet this little baby. It's going to be awesome.

Until next time!
Love,
Gary & Christie

The first critters!

Here are some pictures of the first batch of critters I did this weekend in the baby's room. It's going well and they are turning out better than I thought it would. Next stage, the tree and pond...yeesh. :)

A little eye candy for you.... Dana.... :)

A plethera of pictures from the last few days for your enjoyment! To see them larger, click on them (sorry for the upclose and personal pictures of people, hehe).

The tallest flag pole is in Sheboygan, WI. The flag, measuring 30 feet high by 60 feet long atop a 150 foot pole, was raised by ACUITY as a statement of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of those who have protected America’s freedom. The flag itself is 90 pounds with stars standing 5 foot tall! It was really cool to see.

Not too shabby of a picture of the Chicago skyline from inside the car.

Aww... the happy couple - Ryan & Angela

This type of picture has become Gary's signature picture. You gotta watch him with a camera!

Another nice shot by Gary - this is at Angela's parents house in their backyard.

A pretty good Tiemens family shot - dad always has to be talking in pictures!

A favorite past time of Alex and Nicole's -slacklining - the eager youngin's looking on in amazement.

The next phase of the baby's room. I have the sky and the clouds in all around the room. Next phase is the critters, pond and willow tree. For me not ever really doing this, it's turning out really good (sorry to pat myself on the back...hehe)!

11 Weeks Left!

Last week Tuesday I took the infamous glucose test, drinking a liquid that tasted like flat orange pop with a cup of added sugar. From this test they can see if my blood sugar is too high. This was the case for me. I was at 151 which is slightly over their 140 cut off point. Needless to say, I was a little upset about the prospect of having gestational diabetes, changing my diet and poking myself more. So then I had to schedule the 3 hour glucose tolerance test at the hospital. I did that yesterday. For this test, I had to fast for 8+ hours. They drew blood right when I got there, then I drank an even sweeter version of the glucola, tested my blood again in a half hour, then in another half hour after then, then another 2 times every hour for a total of 5 times. This is so they can see if it my blood sugar peaks and goes back down to see if I really do have gestational diabetes. I probably will find out the results today. If I do, it's not the end of the world to do these things for the next couple months, but it's not something I'm looking forward to either.

The baby is moving all the time, rolling, poking, even doing some weird shakes like Gary does when he stretches. I don't really have a reason, but I feel like this is a boy. I did have a dream the other night that I went into labor and we had a boy. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it's a girl, but I feel like we're bringing a little guy into the world. Either way, as long as it's healthy, I'm excited! It's about 2 1/2 pounds now, 14-15 inches or so and gaining about a half pound a week. It's still crazy what I'm doing here, that God has made our bodies capable to sustain another life and how each element of their bodies develop throughout the 9 months. Amazing.

The baby's room is coming along slowly but surely and very cute. That's the way I planned it, not to stress out too much about it. I have the sky in and the first layer of the clouds. I'm planning on working on it awhile each night. Tonight I'll add some dimension to the clouds and finish out the week getting the butterflies and bird in, maybe some more elements, but we'll see how far I get.

I'm feeling good, getting a little bigger each week. Work is going well, keeping busy there. Gary's job is going well, still on the hunt for a permanent position, but has had/will have some interviews. We know God will provide the right job for him, we just have to be patient. We've also been getting some new side work coming in and we've started to plan out our next phase with our own side businesses. Exciting stuff! We also were able to be apart of Ryan and Angela's wedding this past weekend in Wisconsin. It was a lot of fun to see all the planning and preparation come together! It's cool to have Angela officially apart of the family as the step-sister-in-law! Congrats you guys!

Keep us in your prayers in regards to the test results for me, for Gary's job prospects and that the baby continues to grow healthy.

Stay tuned!
Love,
Gary and Christie

Only 12 weeks left!

Time has certainly flown by since we found out we were pregnant back in February. We're down to the final trimester and have reached the every 2 week doctor's appointment. I had my glucose test today (checking to see if I have gestational diabetes) and will get results in a few days I'm sure. If my levels are higher than their cut off, I have to go back for a 3 hour test to check to see for sure. If from there I am still high, then I have gestational diabetes. I'll have to monitor my blood sugar and change up my diet for the time being. Not horrible as I already am a human pin cushion, but what are you going to do? I asked how much I've gained so far.... don't hate me current and past pregnant woman.... and I've only gained 5 pounds. Hehe. I'll take it! My blood pressure is good, the baby's heartbeat is strong and was found right away and we're all set up for an all day birthing class in September. So we're moving along quite well.

I still don't look really pregnant, but you can tell a lot more now. I got a slight case of the pregnant waddle and do take frequent trips to the bathroom. The baby's room has yet to progress in terms of the mural, but that's changing tonight! The baby is definitely getting bigger and moving around a lot! There are pokes, jabs and worm like squirms quite often now. They say it's about 2 pounds and about 14 inches long. From here on out it'll gain more rapidly than it has.

Gary's job is going well and he's been applying for quite a few positions with an interview lined up for Thursday. Hopefully he'll land that job and we'll sigh a bit of relief. My work is going fine. We're both starting to pick up side work which is welcomed.

We're off to Wisconsin this weekend for Ryan and Angela's wedding. Should be a lot of fun. We also just visited the newest addition to Marc and Nisi's family, Mason Jay. He was born July 22, 3 weeks early but a healthy 7 pounder. That made us that much more excited (and nervous) to have a little guy/girl around like that.

Have a great rest of the week and stay posted as we approach the finish line!

Love,

Gary & Christie

Round 1 Complete

We got the baby's room painted for round one this past weekend. The color is green teapot and is slightly more green than I thought it would be. But it's really growing on me and I know the room will turn out very cute! Gary and I sat in the room last night planning out where the mural and all it's elements will sit. What I'm doing is slightly ambitious, but it's going to be a lot of fun and hopefully turn out that way I think it will. I'm doing a whole mural of a pond with fish, a turtle, ducks, frogs, a big willow tree and a bunch of little things like bees, butterflies, dragonflies and birds. I'll scan in a picture of what I'm doing and post that in the next day or so. For now, enjoy the pictures of the room. :)

Wiggle Worm

The baby is certainly making it's presence known these days. I'm definitely starting to look and feel pregnant now. I don't walk normal anymore and it's getting harder to get in and out of bed. The baby is growing quite a bit now, about 14 inches long and almost 2 pounds. It's moving all the time, kicking, rolling, poking and everything in between. It's really amazing.

I'm 26 weeks along tomorrow, only about 14 weeks left! It's exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. There is a lot to do yet.... showers, painting the baby's room, birthing classes, finding suitable baby care, finding Gary a job.... whew. I know it'll all fall into place, just a little overwhelming when you look at it like that. We'll make it. :) It's going to be so cool to actually see and hold what comes of all the hoopla of doctor's visits, shots, buying maternity clothes, asking how you're feeling, the kicking, poking.... So exciting.

Otherwise, we're doing well. Work is going fine for me, Gary's job is good and is currently looking for a permanent position after the internship is up, the house is coming together nicely, and we registered last week at Babies R Us (changes to be made to the registery, but you can look). Hehe. I had a nice long 4th of July weekend, did a lot of shopping, cleaning and was on my feet way too much.

Here are some links to some new pictures for your enjoyment: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3039&l=819c6&id=501622976
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009&l=6ffc8&id=501622976
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3038&l=d884f&id=501622976

Next appointment is July 24 for a glucose test. Pray all goes well there! Until then, I'll try to post more often and with pictures.

Love to you all!
Gary & Christie