27 weeks

I think I might need to find a larger window.

My tummy is certainly getting large! It looks like I'm trying to shoplift a beach ball under my shirt. Oy.

Here is the week 23 photo. I hit week 25 while we were in Mexico and ever-so-conveniently forgot to take a photo, so if it looks like I made some major changes, this was a FOUR week span – not TWO!

Just so I've made that clear :)

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The nursery is really coming together quickly. I'm just waiting for the dresser knobs (should be installed tonight) and then I'll be taking and sharing photos. So stay tuned. I happen to think the room is super cute!

Mexico vacation 2009: post 2

Home(s) away from home.

The first three nights of our trip we stayed at the Cancun Hilton.

The next four nights we spent about 40 miles south, in Playa Del Carmen (PDC), at The Royal PDC.

Before I continue on I think I should mention that each resort had its pros and cons ... the largest difference being that the Royal PDC is all-inclusive (free food and drinks) and adults only. Our group of eight was quite split on picking a favorite hotel between the two so I think it's fair to say that booking a room at either place would be a safe bet. If you want any more resort-specific details, check out Trip Advisor (love that site!) or comment on this post and I'll try to answer your questions.

Okay, on to photos ...

First the Hilton:

The sunrise from our balcony. We upgraded to oceanfront villa rooms - definitely worth it!

Morning on the Hilton beach. There was a red flag (no swimming in the ocean) warning all the days we were there, but the beach was great for looking for shells and strolling.

Showing off my expanding tummy.

The cascading pools were amazing.


At the end of the cascading pools - an infinity pool- a favorite with our group.

Pool-side food service - seafood ceviche.

Our little elephant towel creature, enjoying our view.

On the beach right in front of our room. Notice the large rocks ... no swimming here.

Fajitas by the pool. Love.

Chaz and Caitlyn, just a day before becoming engaged!

Corey and Chaz enjoying the balcony and a beer.

What a fun vacation!

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Next stop, The Royal Playa Del Carmen:

The view from our room - the pool area. Most rooms have a hammock on the deck! fun!

Looking left is the ocean and pier.

The pool area at night.

Our room - yes that is a Jacuzzi tub :)

More of our room. Definitely impressive.

The in-room alcohol selection.

They went above and beyond with the nightly turn-down service.

Room service. Somehow we got chocolate milk instead of chocolate pie. Either way, it was all delicious. And no, that is not just my food order.

The beds. Oh my they were so comfy, we'd just hang out in them.

When it rained, we took the party indoors. This is the beer cooler.

The beach was much, much busier with some crazy people-watching (see dudes in tiny speedos). The ocean was much calmer and was swimmable.

Mexico vacation 2009: post 1

So we went to Mexico. My parents, sister and boyfriend (now fiance), uncle and aunt went with us for a week split between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

I'll be honest and say that I was a bit apprehensive about going to Mexico, especially while pregnant. To make a long story short - it was a fabulous trip.

A few major differences that I feel I should mention: the police are equipped with machine guns, big ones; Cuban cigars are widely available; in most non-resort restrooms, the toilet paper must be disposed of in a garbage can, not in the toilet. Other than those three things, I found that it was pretty much the same as travel within the United States. I highly recommend a vacation trip to Cancun/Playa.

On that note, we did bring home lots of Mexico souvenirs.

In Playa Del Carmen, our hotel was just a block from Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). The street is about 35 blocks long, pedestrian traffic only, lined on both sides with (mostly local) shops and restaurants.

This is Caitlyn and Chaz on Fifth Avenue. Some shop owners were aggressive with their sales tactics, hollering at people walking by with lines like "very good sale, today only, almost free." It was quite funny.

Our souvenirs (mostly gifts), all gathered together. From the left: a dress for our baby girl, rosaries from Nuestra Señora del Carmen Catholic Church in Playa Del Carmen, hot sauce (very hot), T-shirts and chocolates, tequila (a few bottles), Christmas ornament, maraca, sea shells, a mini nativity set, a wool hand made dog (also for the baby), Mexican vanilla, and two small boxes of Zucaritas (frosted flakes).

Here's a better photo of the dress. It's three-month size and should be perfect for our little lady next summer!

A cigar roller on Fifth Avenue - he was very popular with our boys.

Casa de Tequila on Fifth Avenue. Seriously, they only sell tequila. Lots of it.

Corey, content with his tequila purchase.


Some Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) creatures on Fifth Avenue.

Cubans on the beach.

Celebrating Caitlyn and Chaz's engagement!!! (that will be an entirely separate post)

Dad and his Hager boys.

The boys of the vacation - Bob, Corey, Chaz and Don. Non-stop entertainment.

Feliz Navidad

Tomorrow morning we depart for Cancun, Mexico, and a few days later we travel to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

This trip couldn't have come at a better time. North Dakota temperatures dropping below -15°F and wind chills in the -30's. Pregnancy-wise, I'm feeling great and craving lots of food ... mostly spicy ... so Mexico seems like a great fit.

I might post a short blog or two while away but I'm not sure what our internet situation will be. So stay tuned and stay warm!

We'll be back in about a week.

adios.

23 weeks

The bump has definitely moved "up and out" the past few weeks.

Her latest tricks include giving me some wicked heartburn, kicking at all hours of the night (I think this is cute), and dancing to music.

By the numbers

1 day until Caitlyn's last school test (ever). I'm so proud of my little sister ... a.k.a. physical therapy doctor to-be

4 days until my mom arrives!

7 days until ultrasound number two

10 days until the baby shower, thrown by my sister and two wonderful aunts. And my dad arrives!

12 days until we depart for our babymoon to Mexico (with my parents, sister and her boyfriend, uncle and aunt)!

21 days until Christmas and Caitlyn's Birthday

28 days (approximately) until we start the THIRD trimester

Looks like we have a busy month coming up!

Thanksgiving in Kenmare, ND

This year Corey and I (and baby) spent Thanksgiving with Corey's parents and siblings, in Kenmare, ND. It is quite a magical place, especially on Thanksgiving.

The Friday after Thanksgiving the town celebrated Light Up Night, which includes a parade, town square lighting, craft fair, and open houses hosted by the town merchants.

It was a bit strange not having any snow, but the lights were beautiful nonetheless.

Here is our gang waiting for the parade. As you can see, it was chilly, but well worth it - I made out like a bandit with all the parade candy I got.

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The rest of the (extended) Thanksgiving weekend we played lots of games, ate way too much food, the boys went pheasant hunting, I finished a quilt, watched football, and enjoyed each other's company.

Thanks for hosting us, Hagers! We had a great weekend!

Baby got wheels

Today the baby received some transportation equipment (Chicco Cortina Key Fit 30), compliments of Great Grandma Katy (thank you!).

After the pieces were all assembled, Dottie (my favorite childhood comfort – a Cabbage Patch Doll) got to take it for a test drive.

Here is Dottie in the car seat. The set also came with a car seat base that will stay in the car (not pictured).

The car seat fits nicely onto the stroller for rolling around with the little one.

I think she likes it!

Here she is ready to explore the world in the stroller (without any of the car seat parts).

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As for Corey, baby and I, we'll be exploring Kenmare for the next few days - visiting Grandma and Grandpa Hager and family for Thanksgiving.

gobble gobble gobble.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

a piece of the prairie

As if we didn't have enough changes and announcements this year ...

Today Corey and I officially became the proud owners of 17+ acres north of Mandan, ND.

The land is located on Hwy 1806, about eight miles north of Mandan, across the highway from the (new) Harmon Lake.


We already know there are lots of deer and pheasants in the area (Corey identified their tracks) and fish in the creek (fed from the lake). Corey is especially looking forward to some snow - we've got a few great sledding hills.

The sunrises are amazing.

Looks like Corey might actually make a real country girl out of me ...