Ice Day

This post is for all of our family who live out of town. Hi to our Michigan and North Carolina Followers. On Monday evening, a winter storm started here in Evansville and didn't end until Wednesday morning. It started with ice and ended in snow. The entire tri-state is a complete mess. There are numerous downed trees and power lines. At one point, 77,000 customers were without power in Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties. Currently it is 55,000 customers without power. Steve and I are one of those households. Our side of the street and the other side are on different transformers. So our whole side is dark and cold and the other side of the street is light and warm. Weird how it works that way. That happened during the Ike storm too when our side of the street was without power for 5 days. This time, we are running a few long extension cords across the street to our neighbors' Doug and Carrie's house and sharing some of their power. Steve has our furnace hooked up to their power, so we are staying warm and we have a TV and 1 Lamp plugged in. Thanks Doug and Carrie.

They held a press conference today on TV declaring the city a "State of Emergency." The Mayor announced that no one should be running extension cords across the streets to their neighbors' house. "You should not be doing that." I am pretty sure the mayor has power at his house and unless he is inviting me to stay with him and his family in their heated house, our extension cord will stay right where it is. Vectren is saying it could be up to 2 weeks until everyone's power is restored. You just don't realize how much we depend on electricity. I think I have flipped the light switches 100 times in the last couple of days without thinking.

The Surgery Center closed on Wednesday, so I stayed in. Steve seems to think he has to investigate things and refused to stay home. He is a man. I looked out the front door Wed morning and he was melting the ice on his work Van with a blow torch. I threw a bottle of HEET for windshields out the door to him and he kept blow torching the windows. He said it was more fun that way. He always has to do things the manly way.

Something really funny happened yesterday. Our neighborhood is over populated with squirrels because of our huge mature trees that line our street. Everywhere you look you see squirrels. Steve and our neighbor Keith were standing outside looking at the damage when they heard a crack and looked up expecting to see a large limb falling toward their heads. Instead, one of those pesky little squirrels lost his footing on an icy branch and fell straight down on Keith's shoulder. He smacked the squirrel to the ground and the squirrel got his bearings, got on all fours, and ran away. Sounds like a Chevy Chase Movie. Huh?

It may be a big inconvenience to everyone, but it makes you realize how lucky we are and all the things we take for granted.

Trees are heavily weighed down by the large amount of ice Our Cars Buried in Ice and Snow Our Street A Neighbor's van that was parked on our street.

Everything is covered heavily with ice

The street behind us had a tree split and hit 2 houses. The tree took down our power lines. This is why we lost our power. This is Playboy Playmate Miss May's House.

She is always causing problems in the neighborhood, so do her trees

In all seriousness, part of the tree went through her house and will cause her a lot of headaches

getting things fixed. Steve WILL NOT be available to fix her house. Ha Ha Ha

A Little Set Back

OK. So, I just posted that everything was going as planned. I just got the results from my 3 hour glucola scan back. I unfortunately have Gestational Diabetes. This may be why the baby is growing faster than normal or It still may be that Steve and I were both fat babies. Who knows. It is what it is. I will be going for counseling and education on how to eat like a diabetic soon. I will have to prick my finger several times a day to test my blood sugar. I am not looking forward to doing that. My sister, Steph, also developed gestational diabetes with Sophie. If she could prick her own finger, I should have no problem. She is the one who used to pass out every time she saw a needle. She is a severe needle phobic. Other than this little obstacle, the baby is perfectly healthy and still expected to make an appearance in April instead of May.

6 months

Yesterday, we went to the OB for my check-up. I am finally 6 months. It seems like I've been pregnant forever. We heard the baby's heartbeat and it sounds normal. It was a perfect visit and everything seems to be going as planned.

Getting Ready For Camping Season

Hey everyone! Steve here. I haven't posted lately so I thought I would drop a post and let you know what I have been up to this weekend. It is already the end of January, so that means that camping season is just around the corner. And I thought I would get ready by cutting a bunch of firewood since we ran out of all the wood we had last year. We enjoy camping a lot and are hoping to get a couple of weekends in before the baby comes.

Here, you can see one of the huge piles of wood that I cut today. Think that's enough for one camping season?

OK! I guess that was not enough so I cut another pile what the heck. Now I just have to haul it all out of the woods tomorrow with the front end loader and split it all.

For those of you that have never seen our camper here is a picture. We like it very much but next year we will probably be getting a new one. We have to make more room for baby. This year he will just be a new born so he won't take up that much room. Well, just his stuff will. Tammy and I are both very excited about raising our new baby to enjoy the fun of the outdoors and camping.

Baby Furniture

Last night, we ran a bunch of baby errands. We went to Babies R Us to look at car seats and then we went to Target to look at their baby selection. Our main reason for the outing was to go pick up the baby furniture. They had all of the pieces in stock except the hutch to go on the dresser. We got it all moved in and it looks great.

The highlight of the evening was parking in "Stork Parking" my first time. The parking lot was empty and we could have parked really close to the store without using this spot, but I insisted Steve park in it.

Bed for Sale

We have a lot of viewers, so I decided to place an advertisement. We are selling Steve's old bed. It is solid pine wood. It can be painted. Was purchased new for $1200. It has a lot of storage underneath including 8 drawers, and 3 cabinets. It holds a queen size mattress (not included). He is asking $300 or the best offer. If you are interested, send us a comment or e-mail Steve at steveelfreich@wowway.com

This cabinet, at the bottom of the bed, goes all the way through the center of the bed. It is a long one great for storing long stuff or Christmas presents. Steve, now you know my hiding place I always bragged you would never find.

This picture is one side of the bed. Each side has 4 drawers and one cabinet.

Waiting on Baby

The finished project. Now, we just need furniture and a Baby.

The Nursery

Since the baby may be coming a month early, Steve decided this nice, frigid, cold, weekend was a good time to start painting the nursery. So, he started Friday and has been hard at it ever since. I am supervising. I am very good at that. He is doing such a wonderful job. He is a perfectionist at everything he tackles and this is no different. When we were re-painting our house before our wedding, after the renter moved out, I was told that I suck at painting. I couldn't even get close to his expectations with a paint brush. Oh Sure. I was peed off. But, looking back, it wasn't all that bad. You see, I haven't touched a paint brush since and I never intend too again. I am the official Supervisor and that is what I do BEST.

The Theme of the Room is "Little Builder." Somewhat appropriate for our family. It is so cute.

A cute little closet with cute little shelves for baby things.

The Supervisor of this Project.

A New Cousin

This afternoon, Steve's cousin, Jennifer and her husband Mark DeCamps gave birth to a son. Isaac DeCamps. Everyone is doing fine. Congratulations Mark and Jennifer.

Ultrasound Today

We had our 22 week ultrasound today. The baby is perfectly healthy. He is a big boy. Today, he measured 10 inches and weighs 1lb 5 ounces. The peri-natal specialist kept saying the words, Big, Big, Boy. I know that doesn't sound very big, but for a fetus at 22 weeks, he is measuring 2 weeks ahead of most 22 week babies. They believe it is just familial -meaning Steve was fat and I was fat, so our baby is gonna be fat. They say that if he continues to grow at this rate, we should plan for a baby at 36 weeks. They will test his lungs and as soon as they are formed and ready, he will enter the world. That will be around April 21st instead of May 19th. We will just have to see how things go. I think he looks like me.

Every time we go, the tech starts rolling the wand around and

he always puts his arms up to his head.

At one point during his photo shoot today, he waved.

Here, he has his little elbow resting on his knee and his hand on his head. Just like the thinking man. Look how clear his little bones are.

Baby Boy Elfreich 22 Weeks

Happy Birthday Pam

Happy Birthday today to Pam Muensterman. Hope you had a great day. We love you.

A New Nephew

Steve and I were blessed with a nephew today. Andy and Jessica Elfreich became parents of Brady Andrew Elfreich today. Mom, dad, and Baby are doing fine. Congratulations.

Puzzle for the Baby

Today, we had a visit from some friends, Joe and Pam Muensterman. Joe made the baby a special Christmas gift and they brought it over to give to us. He made the baby a hand made puzzle of a turtle. It is absolutely adorable and it means a lot to both Steve and I. Pam had the idea to add pegs to the pieces for little hands to grab. What a great idea.This is the babie's first puzzle. Thanks guys. We enjoyed our visit too.

Kelfreich Christmas

Today, we had our Kelfreich Christmas. This summer, during camping season, we decided when the Koesters and the Elfreich's were together, we are the "Kelfreich Family." Michelle, Kelsey, and Madison are very much like family to us. We couldn't imagine our lives without them in it.

Today, They came over and we visited and exchanged gifts. We got them Target gift cards and toe socks. Yes, You heard right, toe socks. There is a hole for each toe. The gift cards are the easiest bet for girls their ages. They are so hard to buy for. They are into fashion like no one else I know, and I know they wouldn't approve if I picked out an outfit for them.

It was good to see you girls.

Christmas with the Broekers

Last night, Steve and I went to Jamie, Ben, Kyle, and Hannah's house for dinner, Wii, and Christmas exchanging. Ben grilled Burgers, and Jamie made beans and potatoes. It was wonderful. Then, we exchanged gifts. Kyle and Hannah gave us a Christmas Ornament made of glass with their picture on it.

It is so beautiful. It was such a great gift idea and we will treasure it forever. Thanks, Hannah and Kyle.

They also got the baby some outfits.

Me and my Goddaughter

We got Kyle his own digital camera.

We got Hannah an Easy Bake Oven.

Don't they look engrossed in something. They look like they are staring at a train wreck. They are playing Wii. We played Smarty Pants, American Idol, and Bowling. I can see how Wii can get addictive and competitive.

Thanks guys for a great evening. Can't wait to do it again soon.

Half Way!!!!!!!

We are Half Way there. 5 months down. I went to the doctor Monday and everything seems to be right on track. We listened to the heartbeat and it is stong and fast, which is good. 20 more weeks.