Tis the Season

It's that time of year again...the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has kept us very busy.  We have had holiday events every night of the week, which has made December fly by so far!  Last weekend, we traveled to Grand Island for a winter wedding of Kyle's high school friend.  It was a beautiful wedding and it is always nice to catch up with old friends.  

Getting ready.

We took a quick "family" photo before we left.

We had another OB appointment this month and got to hear the heart beat.  Kyle recorded it on his phone and I think I used up all the battery after replaying it so many times.  15 weeks, 158 bpm.  Everything is going good.  I have stopped losing weight and I am now slowing gaining.  The only issue is that my blood pressure is really low, which causes me to not feel good through out the day.  The baby is sitting very low and so everyone's guess is still...boy.  I guess we will see soon enough!

Our good friends, Michelle and Adam, asked us to get a little festive with them and run in the Ugly Sweater 5k run.  Since I have not exercised that much during my pregnancy, I was a little hesitate, but was up for the challenge.  We joined the thousands of other crazy people and had a blast!  We started the race with a nice paced jog and when the snow started coming down we picked it up a bit.  Needless to say the rest of the day, Kyle and I moved a little slower and complained of all our aches and pains!

Mike Main Mustache?? HAHA!

Lookin good boys! 

Michelle and I (& baby) getting ready to run.

After the race... in the snow, waiting in line for hot chocolate, apple cider, and Sam Adams.

One week until Christmas with the Rupp's and then the Main's and two weeks until we move into our new townhome!  We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us, but we couldn't be more excited.  If Bean cooperates, my mom is going to tell us if we will be shopping pink or blue!  I will keep everyone posted as soon as we find out! Kyle and I couldn't think of a better Christmas present this year~

Since Little Bean is still 'baking in the oven', Maverick and Maggie are our babies now.  Since the weather is starting to show its true Nebraska colors, the kitties have been extra cuddly.

Have a wonderful Pre-Christmas week and check back after Jesus's birthday to find out boy or girl!!

YAY for 2nd Trimester!

I never knew you could love someone more than life itself, yet had never met them (and was smaller than the palm of your hand)!  Even though I already love this baby more than anything and I think/pray for Little Bean every second of every day, I am very thankful that I am through the first trimester!  Morning sickness is a false term that someone made up to give pregnant mamas hope that they will only feel bad in the morning… LIARS!  It is more like ALL DAY sickness.  I am not one to really ever get sick. And I can count on one hand the times I felt bad throughout my entire life, so this yucky feeling was not cool.  Every time I would complain to my mom, she would tell me that Little Bean is just making sure that I didn’t forget that I was pregnant…Oh baby, Mommy didn’t forget about you!! HA HA~

Now that I am in my second trimester, I am starting to feel more like myself again.  There are more good days than bad and Kyle is starting to relax a little better.  Even though I was the sick one, I think the first trimester was harder on Kyle than me.  He commented often that he felt helpless and would ask me everyday how I was feeling, and when the answer was always the same (crappy),  he would get frustrated.  I did feel sorry for him though, because since I wasn’t hungry, the cooking was slim and we both ended up losing over 10 lbs. a piece.

This pregnancy has actually gone really fast.  Kyle and I are working 12+ hour days and have scheduled events most nights of the week.  I am exhausted and we have been going to bed before 9:00pm (if we get home before then!).  This weekend Robert and Jody (Kyle’s parents) came to town to help us decorate the office and do a little Christmas shopping. 

My patients are starting to call me out on the size of my growing belly!  One lady walked in the door this week and said, “Okay, is something going on here?”  We all started laughing as her face turned bright red, paused for a second and said, “no, what are you talking about?”  She was so embarrassed and when we finally told her that yes, I was indeed pregnant, she screamed with excitement and gave me the biggest hug ever!  Everyone has been so supportive and just as thrilled as we are!  I couldn’t ask for better patients~

 

This week is more long hours at work, bible study, a Christmas party and a wedding.  Tune in next week for more pictures and an update!  Happy December everyone!

Thankful

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving.  I have always been very thankful of family and fellowship, but this year had a special meaning.  It was the first time that my side has seen us since we announced we were expecting and it was so humbling to see everyone’s excitement of our little one.  We had many conversations about how different next Thanksgiving would be and the years to come.  Since we don’t have any babies in the family anymore, it will be so fun to start new traditions and experience the holidays through a child’s perspective!

We had a ton of food and spent the week/end around the kitchen table talking, laughing and eating great food. 

Since my mom is an ultrasound technician, we decided we needed to check up on Little Bean and see how much growth had occurred from our first ultrasound at 6 weeks.  AND, since I am officially over 12 weeks, this was a perfect time to share our exciting news with the world.  Here are some pictures of our little turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  Little Bean isn’t much of a bean anymore.  There has been a lot action going on in there and Thursday, Bean decided to enjoy the holiday.

Just chillin! Reclined back, legs up, feet crossed.

There were so many cute moments.  The last time we had an ultrasound, there was just a little blob… the size of a BEAN.  This time it was a baby, with defined features and a personality.  Baby waved, blew bubbles, and even put on a gymnastics show with back-to-back summersaults. It was the cutest thing ever. 

Now that I am into my second trimester, the all-day nausea has settled a little, but was quickly replaced with dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, and back pain.  Even though none of those are fun, I would trade anything for the nausea.  That was miserable and I really hope those days are behind us (for Kyle’s sake too)! 

Bean has decided not to hide anymore and I can no longer pretend I just had “too many desserts”.  It seems like my belly grows more and more every day, so I will be posting my progress each week to share with family and friends that are far away :(.

We have a very busy December planned this year with birthdays, holiday parties, graduations, moving to a new bigger home, and of course Christmas, but the most exciting thing we are anticipating is finding out if Little Bean is a boy or a girl!  We should find out right around the 25^th and I couldn’t think of a better present.  We have asked family and friends their guess on gender and NOT ONE PERSON has said girl.  100% feel like Baby Rupp is going to be a little boy!  From the moment we knew we were pregnant (which I had a strong feeling Very early on), Kyle and I have both felt like it is going to be a boy.  We have no preference of course, just want a healthy, happy baby!  Wouldn’t it be funny if everyone was wrong?!?!?  HAHA!  Only time will tell~

Stay tuned for new pictures and updates on the life of the Rupp family!

The Perfect Sound

On Monday, Kyle and I experienced one of the coolest sounds in the world... Bean's heart beat!  At 168 beats per minute, it was perfect!  Kyle's face lit up as we reminisced all week.  Even though I have had "flu-like" symptoms every day since month one, hearing that wonderful sound was just the reassurance I needed (and the belly that continues to protrude weekly).  It seems so real now!  We have our appointments every month and we both enjoy going to learn more about Bean's development.

With winter coming, Bean on the way, and my car getting older, Kyle and I sold my "grandma car" and bought a new Baby Mobile.  We love our new ride and can't wait to fill it with Christmas presents as we travel to see family and soon enough to fill it with all the equipment that comes with a newborn!

Baby Bean got to experience a Husker game.  We were offered 2 tickets from a couple that were unable to make it, so we couldn't pass it up.  The weather was beautiful and we had a really fun time.  If you have never been to the Nebraska stadium, you can't imagine the excitement.  With over 85,330 people at the game (that does not include the thousands that tailgate and watch it at the local sports bars) it gets a little crazy!  GRB! (go big red~)

Well, this week is a short week at work and then we are traveling to my parent's house in Missouri to spend Thanksgiving with my family.  We haven't seen most of them since early summer, so we are excited for some good food and relaxation.  Next Turkey Day, we will have a little one to pass around!~

Milwaukee Bound

Shortly after we found out about Baby Bean and the due date we learned that Brian's (my brother) graduation from Milwaukee School of Engineering is 2 weeks before the big day!  Ironically, that is the same weekend that Chris (Kyle's brother) and Michelle are getting married.  We couldn't have planned that better if we had tried...Not!

My parents had mentioned that they were wanting to spend a weekend visiting Brian sometime this fall and Kyle and I thought that since I won't be able to travel that far in May, now would be a perfect time to go see him.  (I haven't spent time with him since last Christmas....way too long!)  So, in a couple of weeks notice, we planned a short little vacation heading north.  Brr!

Baby Bean did great on the first plane ride.  I was nervous because I have been nauseous all day, everyday and have to snack constantly to feel better.  Kyle was such a big help!  The minute we got on the plane (@6:00 am-woke up at 3:30am), he asked the attendant if we could have a handful of the packets of peanuts and a ginger ale asap!  She did look at us strange, but it saved the morning.

We had a blast in Milwaukee!  It is such a beautiful, historic city.  I hope we get the chance to go back and visit.  Brian's school is downtown in between all the old buildings and skyscrapers.  Since we were there so early, we waited for Brian to get out of class and then went and ate breakfast at the Original Pancake House.  They had omelets that covered the entire plate and the best gluten free pancakes I have ever had!  Needless to say, we talked about that meal the entire trip!  After our bellies were full, we took a tour of the school, Bri's house, and also of the city.  We rested during the afternoon (Bean was exhausted), and then went to the Safe House for dinner.  It is a restaurant on the side of a building that when you go through the door (if you can find it), you have to say the password in order to allow the bookcase to open so you can enter.  Brian knew the password, so was able to go straight in and us four were left in this dark little room.  Since we had no clue what to say to enter freely, the lady at the door made us squawk like chickens, peck the ground for food, and pretend to lay an egg.  My dad really got in to it, Kyle stood there like she was talking in chinese and my mom and I were laughing so hard, we were crying....  The lady opened the bookcase and led us down a dark hallway.  We couldn't see much, but could hear a room full of people chuckling.  We walked into the actually restaurant and there was a tv screen that shows the little room when people first walk in.... The entire place was laughing at us...awesome!  Once we ordered, the waitress gave a clue sheet and we walked around the place finding tricks that were hidden all around us.  The last clue was how to get out of the restaurant. I was volunteered to go into a small phone booth and listen to instructions given to me.  A creepy man on the phone gave me a code and a small door opened up behind me that took us down a bunch of stairs and led us out into an alley way about a block from where we entered the place.  The whole experience was really neat!

The following morning we started our cold day at a historic coffee shop right off of Lake Michigan (or the ocean, as my mother would call it!!)  It was delicious~

After we warmed up at the coffee shop, we walked around the Milwaukee Public Market.  It is a huge indoor market with rows of authentic vendors.  It was so fun to see what everyone had to offer and of course sample all the wonderful foods.  We then headed to Usingers Sausage factory to pick up some small treats to snack on throughout the weekend.  All of that walking and eating made us thirsty, so we found a local brewery and the boys got to sample some of Milwaukee's finest beverages.   Again, we rested during the afternoon and then met Brian's girlfriend, Leah, best friend Nick, and Nick's family for a mexican fiesta. Brian had a halloween party to attend, so Kyle and Mike relaxed in the hot tub, Dianne read a book, and Bean and I went to bed early!

On Sunday, we went to church with Brian's roommate and girlfriend and then had lunch at a local Irish Pub.  Brian got the breakfast sampler and after he had taken a couple of bites, politely asked the waitress what all he was eating.  She said, "it's black and white pudding, sausage made with fresh pig's blood."  I thought Brian's eyes were going to pop out of his head.  He said it tastes good and continued to eat the whole thing!  Lunch was great, but we needed to walk some of it off, so we decided to tour the Mansion of Fredrick Pabst (Pabst Blue Ribbon).  It was a great history lesson and the house was gorgeous!

Once our tour ended we headed back to Brian's house so he could finish some homework (Senior Engineers don't get breaks from projects and papers).   For our last hurrah, Brian took us to a little hole-in-the-wall cafe.  Guess what???.... It's slogan is Beer and Bacon!  I'm not joking... when you order a beverage, you get a WHOLE basket of bacon (they do not skimp on the bacon!)  The picture doesn't do it justice~

We have a fantastic time with Brian in Milwaukee.  We experienced a wonderful city, got to spend some quality time with family (and friends...Leah & Bri's roomates) and ate some amazing food!    Even though Baby Bean will not remember the trip, we had a blast and will visit again!

1 + 1 (and a 1/2) = 3

Hi!  Welcome to our blog.  We decided that now would be a great time to join the blogging world so that our friends and family near and far can share with us our new adventure.  WE ARE GROWING!!  Kyle and I are super blessed and extremely excited to start our family.  We believe God had a perfect plan at a perfect time and has given us the great privilege of becoming parents.  Nervous, Anxious, and Scared are the words that come to mind when I think about being responsible for another life, but I know that we will take one day at a time and let God lead us.  And, as Kyle would say, "We raised two cats, how much harder can it be?" Haha!  Speaking of kitties, Maverick and Maggie can not wait for a little brother or sister!

Lets start from the beginning and I will give you a recap of the past couple of months....  Kyle and I went on a birthday vacation to Fort Lauderdale in August.  We had a blast (don't get me wrong), but found ourselves always hanging out with families that had little ones.  To experience the beach, the sand, the water through their eyes was so much more exciting!  Through out the weekend we passively discussed (while sipping margaritas at the pool) adding on some time in the future.  Thinking it could take months to years, that was the end of the discussion.  Fast forward to the middle of September when I started getting so tired during the day that I couldn't make it without a nap and would often come home and go to bed by 8:00pm.  I just blamed it on the weather change.  This went on for a couple of weeks and we finally decided that I need to figure this out.  So, one Saturday morning around 5:00am I went to the bathroom took a home test and it was positive.... immediately!  I ran into the bedroom, jumped on the bed and yelled, "Kyle there are 2 lines!"  He leaped out of bed and in a half asleep karate-chop pose looks at me and says, "what the heck does that mean?"  All I could say is baby.  That means a baby.  If anyone knows my husband, they would know that he is not easily persuaded and he was not convinced.  So, when I headed out early to the gym (I couldn't sleep of course!), Kyle made a quick trip to the store and came back with 4 more tests.  ALL POSITIVE!  

That was only week 4.  One of the hardest things we have ever had to do was keep a huge secret from the ones we love.  What made it even more challenging was for the next 3 weekends, we were going to be spending time with them.  We had 2 weddings and a camping trip.  Not easy!  Kyle begged me every single day to tell, but I knew that our families are like the game of Telephone and nobody can keep an exciting secret to themselves.  We decided to wait for our first ultrasound and to see the heart beat before we shouted on the mountain tops.  

LITTLE BEAN @ 6 1/2 weeks.  Heartbeat was 128 bpm.

We waited to tell our family until the following weekend.  Our schedule at work is about 7-7 and most nights I come home and crash.  We took a picture of a pumpkin seed and asked if they knew what it was?.?.?.?  When they couldn't guess anymore, we informed them that it represented the size of their first grandchild!  Yes, first on both sides....No pressure, Little Bean!!  Everyone was ecstatic!  There were tears, laughter, and a couple screams!  Kyle and I both got emotional with every person we told.

LITTLE BEAN RUPP ~ETA JUNE 8, 2013