Bellyland: 29 Weeks

Things in bellyland are going well. I'm 29+ weeks along (about 2.5 months until my due date!).

I've been feeling great, and the doctor says the baby is also doing well: he is normal/large in size, his heartbeat is strong & he's moving and kicking a lot these days! I've been feeling healthy and strong, with only minor backaches. I'm keeping active with daily walks with our dog, swimming laps 2-3 times a week and prenatal yoga (talk about a lot of bellies in one room!); all of these seem to help with the aches and pains, and should help minimize them as I(we) continue to grow!

Here is the latest belly shot at 29 weeks+3 days:
I've still been hearing that I'm not showing very much for being in my third trimester, but the Doc says this normal, especially considering my height. But not being huge? "I'll take it!"

We've also picked out a name for the little tyke; but we've chosen to announce it after he is born.

IPA for our baby boy (well, more for us)

Yesterday we went to Cellar Homebrew to pick up ingredients to brew an IPA. If all goes according to plan, it will be ready to drink when my son is born! It's going to be a rye IPA with loads of citrus hops. With any luck it will be 6% ABV grapefruit bomb! Yum.

In lieu of the occasion, I'm sampling some of the standard-bearers of the style: Bear Republic Hot Rod Rye IPA, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid IPA, and Ninkasi Total Domination IPA. Now, the only rye IPA is the Bear Republic, but the others are darn tasty and I couldn't pass them up. All are north of 8%, so my beer will be the weenie of the bunch, but I'm ok with that. I'm looking forward to sharing it on our boy's b-day. Just be sure to save one for momma, she deserves it!

Christmas with the Family

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with my side of the family in Bellevue. It was a true Jabbusch holiday filled with excellent gourmet food, crafts, lots of laughs & remembering Christmas's past.

Photos from Christmas Day (also on our Picassa site):

A little more belly: 6 months (27 weeks)

It is hard to believe that I am just about to start my third trimester! Here I am at 27 weeks (6 months):

I am still feeling great, and everything is moving along well. Cheers!

Merry Christmas!

A little bit of belly: 20 weeks

Week 20 ultrasound (pregnancy mid-point) - we found out we're having a boy!

I've been slow to start showing, but finally (at week 22/23), I am starting to have more of a visible bump. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much, as I am still fitting into all of my regular clothes (for now!). Here I am at 5 months (22+ weeks):

End of Summer: Camping at Deception Pass

We had one last trip of the 'summer', a weekend camping trip to Deception Pass (on Whidbey Island about 2 hours north from seattle).

We enjoyed beautiful sunny weather, with crisp mornings and evenings. We went with a group of our friends, and 3 dogs, for 2 nights. It was a very relaxing trip with lots of walks on the beach, cooking, sitting around the campfire and hiking. A few more pics on our picassa page:

camping deception pass sept 2009

Big News in the Merhar Household!

In case you haven't heard the news yet, Eric & I are expecting a little one on April 3rd!
I am almost in my second trimester, and we are just thrilled! We'll know if it's a little girl or boy in November. Here's the first ultrasound pic from August:

California Trip: August 2009

We were in California August 1-4th. On Sunday we watched the Seattle Sounders play the San Jose Earthquakes in Santa Clara (major league soccer). Then Sunday night through Tuesday we toured Sonoma County, staying in Santa Rosa. Although we were in wine country, we did more of a brewery tour. We also spent a lot of time by the pool, and enjoying new scenery. We enjoyed the ocean view at Bodega Bay and San Fransisco on our way back to the airport. A great mini-getaway!

More Picassa Photos:

California August 2009

2nd Year Anniversary

July 21, 2009 was our 2nd Year Wedding Anniversary, and we had a great celebration!

What did we do to celebrate, you ask?

Christina enjoyed lunch at Anthony's on Pier 66 with family:

(pictured is 'cousin' Emily, Christina, Barbara & Lisa)

And in the evening, we went to see the Seattle Sounders play the Houston Dynamo in Tukwilla as part of the US Cup play-offs.... they won 2-1 in overtime, and it was one of the most exciting Sounders games so far!!! It was scorching hot, but a blast! (Seattle Times Article)

Here we are:

We've been greatly enjoying the sunny summer we are having here in Seattle, and feel so fortunate to have such great family & friends nearby!!

Here is a cute one of us from last weekend at a bbq/party.

And, to top off the anniversary celebrations, we are headed to Sonoma County in a week or so to enjoy a couple nights away in Santa Rosa, CA (after a short stop in Santa Clara to see the Sounders play San Jose!). I predict views like this in our near future!