24 weeks and growing!

Last Saturday marked 24 weeks! The baby is kicking and growing these days. Here's a little glimpse of the growth:

It's hard to tell from the picture, but I promise there is a plump, round, baby belly! I feel big already, but I'm sure in February, this will seem like nothing! I'll definitely need the Turkey pants for this Thanksgiving though...

Gymnastic Extravaganza

So, is anyone else out there as obsessed with USA gymnastics during the Olympics like I am? Every 4 years I am glued to the TV, holding my breath while my favorite competitors are performing and hoping they don't fall off that crazy balance beam. I know, I'm a dork. But the 2008 Olympics was no different, and it came at a really good time for me because I was stuck on the couch with horrible morning sickness, so at least it gave me an interesting way to pass the time. :) I was totally into Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin this go around. 4 years ago, it was Paul Hamm and his twin brother Morgan, and before that, it was Shannon Miller, Kerri Strug, and Dominique Dawes.

So why is this important? Well, these gymnastic superstars (minus Strug and Dawes) were in Cleveland last week performing and Chad and I were able to go watch! (Thank you Dana for the tickets!!!) It was pretty amazing to see live performances from the Olympic champions I have been so enthralled with over the years! And it was just as impressive in person! Needless to say, it was the highlight of my week.

Nastia Liukin

Shawn Johnson
Videos below are of the Hamm brothers, Shawn Johnson, and Nastia Liukin.

Random Every Day Fun Stuff

So I have this client who I've been seeing for a while now. He is argueably one of the cutest kids ever. We'll call him "Little J". He just turned 5 and he's working on your basic articulation/speech sounds. He's smart and quick-witted and a total crack up. I really enjoy him because he's a breath of fresh air in the middle of a caseload of more difficult children. He keeps me on my toes. Every now and again he comes in for speech therapy and doesn't feel like participating. Here are my top 5 favorite excuses he's given me for why he can't practice his words:
1. I can't say my words today...my back is sweaty.
2. I can't say my words today...they made my throat hurt.
3. I can't hear you...I swallowed my listening ears.
4. I can't say my words today...they just make my head hurt and maybe I should lay down.
And my most recent favorite:
5. I can't say my /r/ words...they will make your baby excited and he will kick you. Is he crying right now?

Chicago Marathon

Last weekend, Chad and I met his sisters, Shanna and Cherise, and Shanna's husband Micah in Chicago. Shanna was there to run the Chicago marathon and we were her cheer squad! In case you didn't know how long a marathon actually is...try to wrap your mind around running 26.2 miles!!! Shanna did it and we are all so proud of her!

On Saturday we went to the expo where Shanna received her running number and packet. (Pictured above are Shanna and Micah.) The race was on Sunday.

Sibling shot!
Enjoying Lake Michigan
Shanna and Micah post-race. Doesn't she look great for just running 26.2 miles?!?
Chad and Micah both ran with Shanna at different parts of the race to encourage her to keep going. Both of them planned on doing about 3 miles each with her, but Chad ended up running 6 miles and Micah ran 8!
After the race, we were walking back to the hotel and stopped to enjoy the Chicago Bean. Above is Cherise and me.

Me showing off my 20 week-old "little bean" in front of the Bean! :)

19 week ultrasound

Today we had our 19 week ultrasound. Last night, in anticipation, I had a dream that the ultrasound revealed that our baby was actually a pink little pig...literally. As ridiculous as that sounds, the dream seemed so real, and I woke up in a panic. Crazy pregnancy dreams!!! Fortunately, today the ultrasound revealed that our baby is in fact, of the human variety. What a relief! Ha! :) Everything looked fine from what the technician said. The baby was squirming everywhere and the tech said she was chasing it! :) Baby's heartrate was 158 today, and we were able to resist the urge to learn the gender, so it will definitely be a surprise for all! She said the baby weighs about 9 oz, and today the due date she got was Feb. 26, which is only 2 days off from the Feb. 28 due date they got from my 6 1/2 week ultrasound. We could see Baby's mouth opening and closing - already a talker! :) And we counted 5 toes on each foot and 2 waving hands! It really was amazing to see this little life inside of me! Looks perfect, don't you think?
Mouth open - talking baby!!!

Look Mom, 5 toes!

Clam Bake

Our friends, Mike and Jen, have graciously invited us to a number of their family events, the most recent being Jen's families' annual clam bake. We Kansans had never heard of such a thing, but were excited to try it out! It was a major feast- steak, chicken, crab legs, clams, etc. Chad and I tasted our first clams, and I learned how to crack crab legs to get the meat out. So it was both educational and delicious! We had a fun time - thanks Mike and Jen for inviting us!Cookin' crab legs
Mike and Jen's dad, "Mr. P"...our fearless cooks
What a feast!
He don't take no "crab" from anybody. ha ha ha ha

Mike and Jen's daughter, Addison - the real star of the show! :) What a cutie!

So long, old friend

Since we are now "in the family way", we decided it was time to bid Red Rocket adu, considering getting a carseat in the backseat is a nightmare. (I have tried it once when Andrew was a baby.) She has been a loyal friend for the last nearly 6 years and a great car. *sentimental tear*

So Chad and I decided a family car known for its reliability was the way to go...enter Blue Toyota Camry (forgive me, I don't know her well enough to name her yet.) We're very excited, and hope this car will be as loyal and even longer lasting than Red Rocket.

Pregnant!!!

Well, folks, the rumors are true! Chad and I are expecting little Baby Eigsti on or around February 28 (hopfully no blizzards that day)! We are so excited! I am nearly 13 weeks along now, so I'm starting to feel better. Whoever named it "morning sickness" apparently didn't ever actually experience it, because it lasts all day, every day! This is our first picture of our little peanut, taken when I was about 6 1/2 weeks along. By the way, when I showed this picture to Andrew (my 3 year old nephew) he affectionately named it "the peanut in the fuzz" and hugged it and hugged it. How sweet is that!?

Joel and Stephanie's reception

Last weekend Chad and I ventured to Goshen, Indiana (my mom's hometown) for my cousin Joel's wedding reception. He and Stephanie got married in Kansas in July and we were not able to go. They are going to live in Indiana, so they had a reception there for friends and family who could not come to the wedding. We had a great time catching up with relatives from mom's side of the family.The proud parents - my uncle and aunt Dave and Ruth are on the right.
Uncle Laverne and Aunt Regina - two of mom's siblings

Cousin Emily and me - many comment that we could be sisters - what do you think? Mom's brother Tom and wife Mollie were our gracious hosts during our stay over the weekend. Thanks so much for everything - we loved staying with you guys!
Mom's four brothers

Indiana fun

Last week, I took a quick trip to Indiana to visit my cousin Emily and her family, and aunt and uncle Dave and Ruth. I was only there briefly, so we took advantage by going to the infamous Shipshewana flea market. Emily and I had lots of fun finding bargains and just hanging out. I'm so glad we only live about 3 hours away!This is my aunt Ruth (Emily's mom), Emily, and her two cutie pies, Halle and James.
Halle is a sweetheart and is all girl. She loves purses, chapstick, and to play dress-up!