? GIRL

Yes, that's what the ultrasound says. "? GIRL" However, the doctor seems to be sure that it is a girl...apparently the science is based on whether or not they can see "boy parts." In the absence of boy parts the baby is deemed a "? GIRL"...they also said something about 3 bones the ultrasound tech pointed to as being signs it's a girl. Frankly, all the pictures were blobby and my baby looks like a skeleton. Dave says it's a squirrel. I hope so. Then we can give the Chipmunks a run for their money and start our own squirrel band/singing group. Good idea, right?

Vienna, here I come!

I've been racking my brain in the last little while trying to come up with something to write about. Sure, I could tell you that my first trimester of pregnancy was somewhat unpleasant. Every smell made me nauseous, as well as the mere thought of food. My already sensitive gag reflex is even worse, and I am now prone to gagging fits, which often leads to that pleasant experience we all call vomiting. But, I didn't want to write about any of that. I feel like all of the experiences I've had during the last 16 weeks can be described as "guess what, I'm pregnant." So, I'm trying to think of something else to share with you.

Probably the most exciting thing lately is that I head to Vienna next week. I am going to present a paper at a Fulbright Conference on study abroad. It is always fun to go to Europe on someone else's dime, but I am even more excited because I love the topic of the conference. I can't want to hear the various perspectives about study abroad from all over the world.

Of course, the fact that the conference falls on the Thursday and Friday (Nov 18-19) before our full week of Thanksgiving Break at the U of Illinois isn't all that bad, either. Fall break begins Friday the 19th, so, as a final vacation and hoorah before we can't travel as easily with a baby, Dave is coming to Vienna to spend the week. We'll spend the 20th-27th together in Vienna. Dave has never been to Western Europe, so it will be fun to show him what I know and prove to him that I really understand and can speak German!

More to come when I've got pictures and stories to share!

Baby Kay

Random Stuff, with Pictures

Proof we were in Chicago with Marisa and Travis on the 4th of July: the Bean in Millenium Park.

We went to the Field Museum and got to see Sue, the most complete and largest T-Rex ever discovered.

We got to watch a 3-D movie about Sue, the glasses were fun, the 3-D was not. Apparently 3-D movies make me motion sick...like so many other things. I made sure to take dramamine before the boat tour.

Me and Dave in the Bean's reflection. Notice the smears on the bean, it rained off and on while we were there. I personally think they need to polish the Bean.

Me and Dave and Caitlin's June 12 Wedding. Dave was supposed to smile nicely for the camera. This is what he was really doing.

Random Stuff (like Ashley)

Well, I was going to post some pictures, but it won't read my SD card for some reason.

Here are some random things for you:

1. We are no longer going to Germany next year. We couldn't find funding for Dave and we didn't want to live apart for a year. I'm sad not to go, but HAPPY to stay with my cute husband.
2. We move July 31. I've been in this apartment since 2005, so we have WAY too much stuff to move. It has turned out to be a very inconvenient move, but we are excited to move into town and be in a duplex next to our friends, Danny and Jenika.
3. I have not seen the latest Twilight movie. I actually can't stand them, I only go see them out of morbid curiosity.
4. We went to the temple in Nauvoo on Saturday. While driving there a naked man ran past us. We called the police to make sure he was taken care of. So weird!

Kids (Dave) say (says) the darndest things!

I don't have a toddler to post about, but I do have a husband! Before we drove to Chicago last weekend to visit Marisa and Travis I asked Dave if he wanted any lunch. This was his response:

"I had cereal and pickles. I'm fine."

Really? That sounds disgusting, but that's what he had for breakfast.

One Year Anniversary Trip

For our one year anniversary (May 30) Dave and I went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We thought we would try to have a trip to Mexico that wouldn't include a trip to the Mexican ER. If you've forgotten we went to Cancun for our honeymoon, but I fell and broke my foot. One year and one foot surgery later we had a very fun trip. It was full of lots of lounging around, reading books and getting sunburned. Last time we went on lots of tours and did lots of sight-seeing. This time we stayed at the resort. We've decided we are the type of vacationers who would like something in between.

When we returned from Mexico we went straight to my parents' house for Caitlin's June 12 wedding. Mom and Dad were kind enough to save the top tier of our wedding cake, so we let that defrost and had a bite or two. It wasn't that delicious or disgusting, so after doing our one year duty, we threw the rest away.