des moines baby shower

A few weeks ago the girls in Des Moines hosted a baby shower for baby Juan. I was so thankful to have the support of everyone from church show up. The Grand View girls also made me feel so excited for how loved our son will be. I can't express how wonderful it is to know that Juan is going to have so many people surrounding him as he grows up and "showering" him with God's love.

The set-up from the shower was awesome... I was most impressed with the cupcakes that the VanderSchel women made. Here's a picture of them.

Just as I was thankful for the church family, Jon, Juan and I were blessed by our family that weekend. Sandy and my daddy came up from KC on Saturday and Grandma Maurer and Jon's mama came down from Minnesota Saturday and Sunday. We loved seeing them all! Anne was going to come down too but plans changed and she couldn't because she had to work. We missed seeing her but were glad that she wanted too! Then yesterday, my family surprised me again and we got to see my mama, Mandy, Sandy and Tyler for the day. We really loved getting to see them! Then props to Mandy - they drove home during the random snowfall and it took them 7 hours to get home!

While Jon's family was here they surprised us by taking us out to get a rocker recliner to have for little Juan! We love it and couldn't be more thankful for their generosity. Here is a picture of Jon enjoying the new lazyboy.

being pregnant during an (almost) record breaking des moines winter

Since the beginning of the pregnancy adventure I have heard from people time and time again, how lucky I am to be pregnant during the winter and not the summer. At first, I agreed. Little did we know that this winter would be the winter of all winters and that we would have at least four inches of snow on the ground from the beginning of december until the first week of march. So, as I waddled and baby stepped around snow and ice for three months I began to think that it would be far better to be pregnant in the summer. I dreamed of flowing skirts instead of constrained pants, of flip flops instead of struggling to put on snow boots five times a day, of being able to take walks outside to exercise instead of looking like a dork in the wellness center doing laps around the shortest track ever... but then the first week of march hit and the snow began to melt, the sun began to shine and it was 35 degrees (the first time since winter began)! I had to laugh at myself as I was driving around with my windows cracked because I was too hot in my car because of the sun and the "nice" weather. After a few nights of having difficulty falling asleep because I was too hot because it was now in the thirties I realized that maybe all along everyone was right. I have been pretty lucky to be pregnant in the winter, even a Des Moines winter.

On a side note... not everything in Des Moines has fared well during the winter. During the first week of March when everything was melting and we all began to rejoice because Spring was getting close, the garage at the house that my parents rent out to Grand View students collapsed! Here is a picture of Natalie showing off the damage of the winter.

pictures!

This is at the baby shower in Kansas City that my cousin Lisa and Aunt Loretta had for me. I am so thankful for all of the great gifts we got! I keep getting amazed at how family and friends surround you during such a big time in your life to help you get started.

My little sister Sandy made this quilt - I am so impressed! I am sure Juan is going to love it. Mandy also got Juan a great gift, a Kansas Jayhawks sweatshirt and football jersey! Juan is going to be decked out between all of the Jayhawks, Vikings, Twins and Gophers apparel!

My friend Rachel and I! Rachey and I have been good friends since high school and we have gotten to enjoy being pregnant at the same time! She is due early this month! Good luck Rachey, I love you!

Jon was right... he only produces males... so far!

the first picture is the proof that we are having a boy...

the second picture is the baby on the side in 3D.  You can see the ear, arm, thigh and side.

we are so excited to know!

in other news... the baby is already 2 lbs 9 oz!  The ultrasound tech also said that I have more fluid in the amniotic sac giving the baby more room to move, leading to bigger muscles!  He is going to be one big, brawny, brainy, baby boy. :)

the confidence of the gvu guys

Last week, at Faithwalkers we were taking pictures of all the grand viewers that were able to come.  The boys (fully confident that our baby is a boy) decided to make my belly be in the dude picture, but not my face (because being a girl, I was not allowed in the dude picture).  With two hours to go before we find out if Jon has been lying this whole time, I thought I would forever make it clear how confident Jon and the guys are that this baby is in fact a baby boy.  

the poll has arrived

As I mentioned before, I am stealing an idea from my good friend Kelsey (who by the way needs to let Lila come into the world very very soon so I can meet her!).  We have decided that since there is so much debate about whether or not this little one is a boy or girl it would be fun to put up a poll.  So cast your vote and after Monday January 4 we will let you know the actual results!

pictures with the family

aren't my sisters cute?

I love my family!