Babymoon!

We are back from Florida! We had an absolutely perfect Babymoon and couldn't have asked for much more. The week leading up to our Babymoon found us in the cat ER with our first child, Clyde. The poor cat was clearly in pain throughout the night and so at 4 AM on Monday morning, I called the animal ER to see what could be done. I woke Matt up, we loaded Clyde in his suitcase and traveled to the hospital. After hours of tests and ultrasounds, he was found to have a urinary tract infection. We had to give Clyde medication three times a day and a new cat food. This led to an interesting decision regarding what to do during our upcoming trip. Our incredible friend Kim, who happens to be a nurse (yes, for humans) offered to take care of Clyde, including giving him his medication twice a day. She saved the day and our trip!

Once we got to Florida, we checked into our hotel which was amazing! The hotel itself was located directly next to a pretty ritzy mall, which was also fun. We grabbed lunch and checked out the pool. Here is the view from our room:

The next day, we took the shuttle back to the airport to pick up the rental car. Somehow, I had entered a "discount code" when I made my reservation, which allowed me a 50 % off discount on my rental car for the duration as well as an upgrade. When offered the upgrade from a Corolla, I didn't hesitate (or ask Matt who was on the phone with his mom!) Since he left most of the trip planning details up to me, I was the one who's name was on the car reservation. Here's the sweet 2009 Ford Mustang that I alone got to drive along the coast. I think Matt got quite the kick out of me being so excited to drive that car. He knew to hold on when I was about to accelerate..there was no holding back! I think this was one of the greatest highlights of the trip for me!!Upon returning to our hotel, we asked the concierge, John, for suggestions of the best beach we could rent a cabana at for the day. He not only suggested going to St. Pete Beach, but made a phone call to his friend to "take care of us." After about a 30 minute drive, which of course I didn't mind in the 'Stang, we pulled into the Don CeSar Luxury Resort. We found the person we were to ask for, who quickly got us cold water, validated our $18 parking fee and walked us out to our free cabana. As we approached the beach, we found the cabanas to be $50 a day..SWEET! She later came back out to check on us, bring us snacks and offer anything else we could possibly need. We were amazed that 6 hours by the beach could pass so quickly. Thank God for SPF 50 sunblock!

The next day, we opted for a different beach, Sand Key Beach, near Clearwater. While there, two people got stung by stingrays, which prompted our decision not to stay in the water too long. It also didn't help that it was 90 degrees that day and our Midwestern bodies weren't quite adjusted to such heat.

When we got back to our hotel, John, the concierge asked us if we had dinner plans. Being our last night in Tampa, we wanted fresh seafood. He recommended and called a place called Mitchell's Fish Market. We arrived to find they had a "special" table for us and incredible food (and the best hand-squeezed lemonade I have ever had!). At the end of our meal, we found that part of our meal was "on John" from the hotel. Matt decided at dinner that when we win the lottery, he is going to hire John to be our personal assistant to make all of our reservations and trips for us, paying him a $1 Million a year. Anyone else interested in applying :)

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, as did our trip. Due to a mechanical issue on our first flight, we almost missed our second of three connecting flights to get back home. When we finally got home at midnight, we were welcomed home to reality: water in our basement, a Corolla that needed a new brake job and a cat so happy to see us.

Gosh, I miss that mustang....

Preggos everywhere!

Being pregnant makes everything a little more challenging. I've had to learn over the past week that I can't easily do many of the things that I used to do without thinking...

Putting my pants on
Putting my shoes and socks on
Shaving
Painting my toenails
Sleeping
And most recently...hugging other pregnant friends!

We went up to Minnesota this weekend for the Baby Shower of a great friend. She is due May 22, but could deliver any week now. We quickly found out that we can't hug each other as easily as we once could!! :)


Angie and I have been fortunate enough to be 8 weeks apart in our pregnancy, which has made things so much fun. When our hubbies (who are actually VERY similar) really don't want to hear our pregnant drama or strange conversations, we know the other one is only a phone call away. Angie and I try to keep a pretty close tab on each other's appointments and usually call the day of, to check in. It is funny, looking back, how much life has brought the two of us through since college.

Some of my funniest and fondest memories of Luther days are running with Angie, followed by the two of us trying to do the Buns of Steel tapes. We will need those again after our babies are born! We also have quite a few pictures together ranging from Halloween parties to formal dinners that are now getting added to with our "Mommy Coldren and Mommy Wogs" pictures.

In church this morning, Pastor Mike talked about the importance of friends...true friends. I am so thankful to have Angie (among others!) as one of those friends for life..and now especially to be pregnant together. I have no doubt our babies will be friends for life, too!

99 days to go!

We have broken the three digit mark for the countdown! Today leaves us with 99 days until Baby Wogs' due date! YEAH! Tomorrow marks the beginning of week 26 for us, and yet, it seems again like we just found out we were expecting our little Mustard Seed.

The past few weeks have been filled with unexpected blessings and we are so thankful to have been given the gifts we have. Here is our top ten list of things I am celebrating today, in no particular order:

10. We have a new nephew on the way who is due within the week!!
9. My Aunt who had a stroke last week is doing amazingly well
8. We have an amazing "contractor" working to finish our basement
7. Plans are being made for my five year class reunion and a group of my close friends from college and the three of us will be staying in cabins in Decorah for Homecoming
6. It is finally Spring, and with Spring comes sandals!
5. I get to see one of my favorite people in the world this weekend who is also pregnant. We shared so many things at Luther and now we have been blessed to share our pregnancies.
4. Easter at our church was amazing. Right when I was feeling pretty homesick for missing my family at Easter and wishing that we would have gone to the "traditional" service for church, the organ got wheeled in and played "Jesus Christ is Risen Today." Matt had to console my pathetic, emotional and crying preggo self in church!
3. We are going to Florida soon!!
2. After my fall on Monday, I went to my doctor's office to find "my" doctor on call who gave us a perfect bill of health..minus my incredibly sore right side
1. I am married to the most amazing man in the world who will make the world's best Daddy to Baby Wogs