April News

I had my second prenatal appointment on Thursday.  Everything was good and I got to hear the heartbeat (poor Mike, I told him nothing exciting was going on at this appointment).  The doc said the baby is "swimming around like a fish," which he might have just said because it took him a minute to find the heartbeat.  Also I found out my blood type is O+.  Tomorrow I'll be 14 weeks--my pants are feeling a bit tight.

Mike's parents came out and visited us this weekend.  Saturday Mike and his dad went fishing and his mom took me shopping for maternity clothes.  We went to a couple stores then hit the mall and overall made some great finds--it's wonderful to have pants I can move into in the coming weeks and some outfits I could wear to work (when I get a job).  That night we had a great dinner at mom and dad's; the weather ended up being beautiful and we sat outside and grilled kielbasa and hotdogs, which were delicious.  And of course we watched hockey all weekend (woo Flyers!).


*********************************** Catching up ***********************************

We got back from NC two weeks ago.  We had an amazing trip!  We have been looking forward to it for so long and too soon it was over.  The stay at Chrissy and Zack's was really fun and relaxing; we got to be a part of the Darden family for a few days. They fed us some great dinners and we went for walks with the whole family, shot some hoops, went to a painting class, blew A LOT of bubbles, and played a lot of hide and seek. We got to spend most of Thursday with Gammy (who is now a reader of our blog--hello Gammy!) which was really nice. It was Mike's first trip to Pinehurst so that was exciting. Gammy gave him a grand tour of the house, then we sat and talked for a bit before Gammy took us out to show us the country club, hotel--where we had a wonderful lunch--and Southern Pines and ...  I got her iced-tea recipe and have made it three times now (she sent us home with a tin of the loose leaf tea she uses).  Mike really likes it.

Mike was requested to push Mara on our walk

Saturday 4/14 we took the FE exam, so that is now behind us.  It ended up not being bad; the questions weren't difficult and the time flew by, but the sections that we didn't get around to studying were frustrating.  I think we'll get our results back 4-6 weeks after the exam.

I got to Skype with Mirka last week and gave her the news. :)  She was really surprised, but of course very happy for us.  So now our news is officially public.  It was really good to catch up with her--she has an important exam coming up soon and is looking for a job for the summer.

A few pictures I snapped recently...

Made some money off beer at a (free) Third Eye Blind concert

At the Third Eye Blind concert

At Chris' apartment celebrating his birthday

Mother Mary watching over an egg at the Easter Party at Uncle Ron and Aunt Caroline's

Mom with Grace at the Easter Party

Mike played baseball with the kids

A balloon hat I made for one of the kids, which Liana is modeling

**************************** A few other things *******************************


Recipes--I've been meaning to share some of our favorite recipes.  Feel free to post some of your favorites, I always need ideas.

Flavorful flounder (or tilapia)
Roasted potatoes with rosemary
Cajun fried rice
Honey mustard dressing
Fluffy pancakes

And Mirka requested pictures of our apartments, so I took some after I cleaned it this weekend.  Click on more to see

The front door is on the right, across from the stairs

The dining room is to the right of the entrance, kitchen is through the doorway

A half bath off of the kitchen

The dining room (to the left of the entrance)

Upstairs, washer/dryer, bathroom, and 2nd bedroom

Upstairs bath

Second bedroom