Good Thing We're Rich

Today's Financials:

-Money spent: $1300
-# of purchases made: 2
-Money made: $0
-Tears cried: many
-2 hours: NOTHING CLOSE TO PRICELESS

Awesome.

Now the explanation...we are self-pay patients at the OBGYN and were misquoted on the cost of our first appointment and paid for 3 doctors visits.  The billing lady is rude and deceptive and we were committed to switching doctors, until we met with our doctor who was kind, understanding, and eased our anxieties.  We then went home.  Prior to leaving for work, I needed to run upstairs to go to the bathroom and grab my lunch.  While driving home Mike and I fought about where to park, almost got into an accident.  We decided to park behind the lot because I was only going to be upstairs for a minute.  Well, I was upstairs for 3 minutes, and our car was towed.  Great.  I was planning on driving to Milwaukee for my first appt at 11am.  Thus, I cancelled my 2 appointments in Milwaukee because 1) I'd be losing money by going up there 2) I didn't have an immediate way to get my car and 3) I was a mess.

On the INCREDIBLY bright side, baby and I are both healthy.  My weight gain is on track (3 1/2 pounds), my blood pressure is low and healthy (100/74), and we heard the baby's heartbeat again.  Mom, if the wive's tale is right, which there's a 50% chance that it is, it's a GIRL.  The heartbeat was 160 and the doctor said the baby was awake because he/she was moving.  Amazing experience.

Also, discovered there's a way to e-mail people who want updates when we publish new posts.  So let us know if you want to be on the list!

Sexy Face

Being in Utah and Vegas for 10 days gave me time to live the dream of growing out my beard without having E refuse to let me randomly drag my face across her cheek.  Which I do frequently.

I shaved it a week ago.  I would have posted this sooner, but I didn't want to.  Without such arrogant indifference for our followers' desire to be kept abrest of all things Family Schwartz, I will never be able to exhort a subscription fee from them.  Which by the way, dearest friends and family, you can expect to start paying at the beginning of Month 8.

For the pleasure of our viewing audience, evidence for all eternity that our child's father once had a beard:

Of course, I couldn't just shave it off.  I have too much dignity to let that happen.  Let the styling begin.

I meant it when I said "styling":

This is me smoldering:

What I would have looked like as President in 1882 while wearing a hat from 2010 and a t-shirt from 1997:

I call this "Moments Of Joy, Before Being Charged With A Felony":

And finally, rest assured that the next time we fight, I will waste little time before throwing it in her face that she made me chop these:



Week 13 WBU

The wonder of mood swings.

Seriously.

And the belly shot:

Fortunately for her, she's even more lovable when she's grumpy.



How We Told The World

Via Facebook.  Elizabeth seems to think that blasting the picture across four billboards on Lake Shore Drive is more of a second pregnancy thing.

WBU - End of Trimester 1

Yep, I'm wearing pants with a stretch waistband.  Life is good.

Oh, and Mike's parents are coming in today.  Really looking forward to spending time with them.  And we haven't seen them since receiving the big news.

Utah

I returned from my trip last Saturday.  For those who have poor memories and are too lazy to scroll down to the pre-trip post, my buddies and I spent eight days hiking in Utah and then drove to Vegas for two days.  We hiked at the following National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon and Zion.  It was definitely tough--60 miles total, and two hikes that featured elevation changes of 2,200 feet and 1,500 feet.  Here are my favorite parts of the trip:

I kid, sort of.  It was actually one of the best things I have ever done.  The scenery was great, we had a blast hanging out together and I am quite proud of the physical accomplishment.  I didn't think I would be able to keep up (read: I was still the slowest,) but I did.  It was awesome.  Sadly, I lost my double chin somewhere in Bryce Canyon, but I am sure it will find its way home soon enough.

Here are links to all our pictures:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=9813711140105%3A464047019&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=6266845930105%3A1174041204&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

Also, let the record show that PEOPLE HAVE DIED on our hikes in Zion (Observation Point and Angel's Landing.)  We don't mess around.

A Typical Day in the Life of My Husband

This post was meant to be created weeks ago but I've been lacking in the energy and general feeling good department.  But, there was this one day that I should tell you about where my husband did the following:

1. Dishes.  I HATE doing them.  It's a very easy task, but I would much rather scrub a toilet or vaccuum a mansion.  Even if my choice was all of that or wash one dish.  Mike did about 100 dishes to start the day.  Evidence of his labor!

2. He did what he does most mornings.  Shaves his face leaving a mustache, goatee, or hideous sideburns and then coming into the bedroom where I am still sleeping asking, "What do you think?" as if I hadn't been in this scenario most days of most weeks of the last 6 years.

3. He made dinner that night.  Homemade, from scratch, spaghetti.  Delicious recipe from my mom. 

4. .  He read to me before bed.  I was reading a really good book, The Help, but I did not have the energy to hold the book or read.  So he did.  He even did a southern accent. :)

5. He did hours of "homework" which means responding to Kellogg e-mail and studied/prepared for his final exams.

5. At midnight, after I'd been asleep for a few hours, I woke up to him, doing and looking like this:

That's right folks.  He put on his full softball uniform and was practicing his swing and pitching.  Uh huh, he is 29!  He is going to the University of Virginia in a few weeks for softball tournament.  Yep.

My loving, helpful, and child-like husband ladies and gentlemen.  Boy or girl, they're gonna be blessed with a great father.