Caitlyn Update

Caitlyn's group had some delays getting to Guatemala but we heard that they finally arrived last night.

Because of the delays, they were rerouted through Panama City.

Here's a note Caitlyn sent yesterday (Tuesday, Oct. 27):

We made it to panama city. Spent 6 hours here then to Guatemala city. We leave here in just over an hour. We also saw the panama canal from the plane and it's 80 degrees here. We will keep you updated. We are expected to get to Guatemala arould 8:00 pm

What a cool bonus that they got to see the Panama Canal!

The group also updated their journal - a few photos too - check it out.

Andrew the actor

Friday evening we drove to Valley City, ND, met up with Mom Hager and Matthew, and watched Andrew's play, "The Dining Room Table."

The play was fabulous and Andrew was great - as usual!

Before the play, we had dinner at Pizza Corner - I just adore that place.

If you think Matthew looks extra handsome in the photo, it might be because he had his senior photos taken on Friday, before they drove to Valley City. I can't wait to see 'em.

Adios Caitlyn

My little sister, Caitlyn is departing for a service learning experience to Guatemala tomorrow morning. Caitlyn, 11 of her classmates, and one of her professors will be in Guatemala from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6, working with the GOD's Child Project.

While there, they will keep a travel journal. Visit the travel journal today for a description of what they will be doing, places they will visit, and where they will be staying . Caitlyn will have a few opportunities to e-mail photos, which she'll be sending to me, and I'll post here.

I have no doubt that this will be an once-in-a-lifetime experience for the group, and I'm anxiously waiting to hear all about it. Caitlyn in her last year of school, for a doctorate in physical therapy, she'll graduate in May.

Safe travels, Caitlyn! We'll miss you!

Hanging out with Uncle Bob and Grandpa Darwin

Last weekend, Corey went pheasant hunting with my Uncle Bob and Grandpa Darwin. They got six pheasants, all near Westfield, ND. I've written about Westfield before ... but if you missed it, it's a tiny little gathering of a few homes and a Dutch Reform church, and ... well that's all. My great grandparents are from there and I think it's pretty neat that our family still visits/hunts there.

I think their orange vests are cute.

This weekend we Corey helped Uncle Bob and Grandpa Darwin with the annual chore of "taking in the dock." The dock consists of two parts: the ramp and the landing. The boys pushed the landing up to the shore where it is stored. Bob hooks a motor to the landing and "Davey Crockett-style" floats it on the river, to a boat ramp, where they take it out of the water.

Those crazy, boys, always up to something ...

17 weeks

People at work are definitely starting to notice my bump.

Today in the cafeteria, a table of women about my mom's age asked me to come over so they could admire my tummy. Although it may seem odd, it was actually rather enjoyable. There's only so many times in life where someone wants to admire your expanding waistline.

This photo is the first with my maternity jeans on - I couldn't bear the thought of trying to squeeze into my "regular" jeans.

Play with Parker

Grandma Irene babysat for Parker this afternoon. I went over for a visit.

I think I had more fun with the wood blocks than he did (and he was having a great time).

I can't believe how grown up he is. Such a little gentleman.

Widowed

The boots are out – it can only mean one thing.

Hunting season.

Tomorrow Corey will venture down to Linton/Strasburg/Westfield, ND, for pheasant hunting with my grandpa and uncle.

While they are hunting for pheasants, I'll be hunting for baby bargains at the twice-yearly My Friend's Attic sale. I'm still completely overwhelmed by the baby product jungle, but I'm hopeful that I'll know a good deal when I see one.

Blue or pink?

Today at my baby check-up, I scheduled our ultrasound appointment!

If the baby is cooperating, on November 10, we'll find out if baby Hager is a boy or girl.

I am so excited! We'll actually get to see the baby! Amazing!

Plus, I can finally start sewing little dresses or little super-baby capes.

According to variety of old wife's tales, we're having a ...

10-week appointment heartbeat 165 - girl

15-week appointment heartbeat 140 - boy

needle/thread movement test - boy

Chinese gender calculator - girl

For what it's worth, Corey and I are both first-born.

What is your hunch? boy or girl?

First snow: Oct. 9, 2009

Today we had our first snow of the winter. It's amazing how fast summer and autumn make way for winter once the snow starts falling. I think most of the trees stripped their leaves today, resulting in many huge piles of crunchiness.

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I still have a cold ... and I am still trying to treat myself naturally. So far, steam facials are my favorite treatment. Great for the skin too!

Week 15: Where did you come from?!

I didn't realize I was "showing" so much until I took my "week 15" photo today. Wow. Seems that I have officially popped.


July 30, week 5


Today, week 15 - baby is the size of a navel orange (4 inches) and will be the size of an avocado (4.6 inches) next week.

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I'm at home today - trying to fend off a cold. I've been attempting to naturally treat myself with steam (boiling a pit of water), Vicks rub on my nose and chest, tea with honey, chicken noodle soup, gargling, and a nasal rinse. Something seems to have done the magic because I'm feeling much better! In case you're not familiar with the pregnant lady restrictions of medications (it's a LONG list of no-no's) - let me just say that it's far simpler to treat myself with natural remedies. I found this website to be a huge help.

Preparing for winter

Tomorrow night we're forecasted to get an inch of snow. SNOW!

Here in North Dakota, we do a few things to prepare.

We switch out our closets: take all the summer clothes out of the closet and put them into storage, and take out all the winter clothes. Summer and winter clothes are very different here, so it really does make sense to separate them.

We cook hot meals: soup, muffins, casseroles, chili etc. Today I cooked my favorite soup - California chicken tortilla.

I sew. This season, I'm blaming it on the "pregnancy nesting" ... but every year I kick-start my quilting hobby in the fall/winter. Photos of my latest project coming soon.

And today, we had our sprinkler system blown out. Thanks to my Uncle Bob and Grandpa Dar, for the service! Bob happens to have an air compressor that he hooks up to the sprinkler system and gradually pushes out all the water with air. It makes lots of noise. If we didn't do this we'd have quite a mess in the spring - the water in the pipes would freeze, expand and crack the plastic pipes. Thanks again Grandpa and Bob!

Our yard is giving it one last effort. A few brave plants are still blooming but most have already lost their leaves and are turning brown.

So I guess we're ready.