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!