Wednesday.

{Tweet}

Only 4 more days!
Nothing exciting to report just yet, just waddeling around waiting.

A technology update: I have joined twitter.com, a free social messaging website for staying connected in real-time. You can check out Twitter.com if your not familiar. One of the perks of joining is that once we head to the hospital we can text updates to twitter.com and they will post here on the blog so everyone can get the play by play action. We'll send out an email once we are on our way, then you can follow us on the blog. Once you go to babyortyl.blogspot.com the "tweets'' are posted on the right hand side, right at the top of the page.

We'll keep you posted!

April 28th

Happy 3rd Birthday Beau Broermann!!
Hope you have a wonderful day, sorry we can't be there to celebrate with you and the dinosaurs!

And sorry we couldn't get that Birthday buddy for you! Good guess Sal!!

Love you all,
Becky, Greg and Baby O

Tuesaday, 5 more days....

Still waiting!
Here are some pics of the nursery, and the painting that I finished.
{Click here to see more pics}

Week 39, Baby bump.

Getting bigger, but I still don't think she has dropped at all.

I think I've gotten a more full face (amongst other body parts!), and what's up with my bed head here?

Monday. 6 more days!

.

Happy Birthday, Dave Leeds!

Hope you have a great day!

(Sorry, don't think Baby O will show up today, nice guess, but we'll keep you posted)

Greg and I went to Dino's our favorite little breakfast diner this morning, here is Greg leaving a Birthday message for DL.


And here is my hot chocolate (we got about 3 inches of snow this morning) and water. Maybe the best hot chocolate I have ever had!

Artwork for Baby O.

For weeks I have been working on a painting to go in the Baby's nursery. Now that we are getting close I have stepped up my efforts. I'm working on a 30" x 40" canvas, the largest I have ever painted. It is an illustration of a made up event - it is Ashby at a garden birthday party with her many animal friends....birds, rabbits, mice, snails and a squirrel. Here are some shots of it in progress, and shots of me working on it this morning with a little help from my assistant. I should finish it tonight and will post images of the finished piece.

Thanks, Shani!

Shani sent Greg sugar cookies for his Birthday, which Greg smoked in no time. Here is the empty icing container ( I think Greg would have licked it clean if he thought he could get away with it!), and the last plate of iced cookie pieces - nothing went to waste here!

Week 39, patiently waiting!

Baby O could join us any day now.
Officially just 7 more days!
Moving a little slow, but feeling good.
We'll keep you posted as soon as something happens!

Friday.

.

Welcome Ken and Lyn!!

I sure do miss you guys!

.

Thursday's update.

I had another Doctor's appointment today and all is well with both Baby and myself. Still not dialated at all (Uugg), but Baby is healthy as far as we can tell. The Doctor did another ultrasound and she estimated Baby O's weight to be 7lbs. 12oz! She commented that her head and belly are normal sizes but that her legs are a little longer than normal. So, it sounds like we are going to have a tall girl that possibly waits till the last minute to get things done....sounds like her Momma!

On other fronts....the fox has been spotted again. Yesterday afternoon he was just cruising down the street again.

Next, Ashby is not blinking here, she is getting a little power nap while sitting up.

Last, our stroller is up and rolling, ready for the pumpkin seat, which we believe is correctly strapped into the back seat of Becky's car. Greg picked out the stroller months ago, he liked it because its sporty, easy to maneuver and it's orange!

April 22, 2009

Happy Earth Day!

Please, have a GREEN day!

Aunt Naa, Shani and the Childrens days of the week poem

Sorry Aunt Naa, you picked the 21st for the delivery date, and it didn't happen. Shani picked the 23rd and although I have had some serious contractions lately I think that might be too early as well -- we'll find out tomorrow!

My always hip friend Anna just sent this poem to me. I have not heard it before, but think it is cute. Wonder what Day Baby O will be born on?

Monday's child is fair of face
Tuesday's child is full of grace
Wednesday's child is full of woe (Anna would prefer "whoa!")
Thursday's child has far to go
Friday's child is loving and giving
Saturday's child works hard for a living
Sunday's child is bonny, blithe, good and gay.

Week 38, 13 days and counting!

Basically, Baby Ortyl is as developed now as she will be at birth. For the next two weeks she is just gaining weight, nearly an ounce a day. She is squirming around all of the time, especially late at night when I am trying to sleep!

I think we are ready for Baby Ortyl. The nursery is complete, minus the glider, but it should be shipped to us later this week. I went to Babies R Us over the weekend with my Mom and purchased all of the missing "stuff" that we needed. Everything has been washed, organized, hung and tested. Greg and Dale wrapped up a few small projects in the nursery, installed the baby seats in the car, and and even reorganized the garage so that I will have more room to get in and out of the car with the pumpkin seat. (Thanks guys!) Greg and I need to double check our hospital bags, but I think we are about as ready as we can be...big sigh!

We had a great weekend with my Mom and Dale over the weekend. Connie stayed busy in the kitchen, as usual, which we loved. She also helped with some baby shopping which I mentioned. Dale helped with projects around the house, and we had plenty of free time to hang out and chat one last time before the baby arrives. It was a relaxing but still very productive weekend!

Thanks Connie and Dale!

Sunday's Update.

A feast of a weekend.
Blueberry Crumb cake for breakfast that Becky made.
A favorite of all of the recent treats. Would be great as muffins, and you could really could use any fruit!


{For the recipe, click here.}

Connie making yummy yeast/beer/coffee bread.

{click here for the recipe}

Greg baking his favorite chocolate chip cookies, a request from Becky's brother Peter.

{click here for his recipe}

And here is Pete, cookies, candle and all. It was a great feast. We are all still full. (notice Peanut butter balls in the right corner and Ashby patiently waiting for a crumb in the left corner!)

Saturday's Spring update

We heard it was 66 in St.Louis yesterday, perfect weather for wine on the porch. Meanwhile, it was 30 something here, and we got about 10-12 inches of snow. Greg took this picture from the front porch, the flakes were huge!

To see the snow falling....

Greg also took this picture of Becky's footprints. He said when he saw them he could tell they were from his pregnant wife's little waddle!

During the snow storm, Connie and Dale arrived for their weekend visit. Early Saturday Connie started working on her Birthday gift to Greg, Peanut butter balls! Greg reports, "The peanut butter balls are great, thanks Conniefox!"

Last, Greg's nature photography. (This little critter kept peering into the living room window as we were sitting around talking)

Doctor's update: Week 37

{I got home from the Dr and plopped down on a chair to chat with Greg. In about a minute Ashby was in the chair with me, she apparently thinks she's a lap dog. Look at that big belly!}

I just got home from the Doctor's office and all is well.

Baby's heartbeat was strong, my belly is measuring just exactly what it should be (although I think it is huge!) I am not dilated at all, so she is still cooking and doing what she needs to.

The last few nights she has put on a real show for us, just kicking away. I need to set up the camera to see if I can get a short video to share. I have started having really obvious contractions. They are not consistent at all, but at least now I know what they feel like.

We are getting ready for another snow storm....hope you are all warm and dry!

Muffins.

{Another Ina recipe, click here}

Earlier in the week I made Tri-Berry Muffins, which were a hit also. It's a simple muffin with blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. The inside is soft and full of fruit, and the top is crunchy and sweet. Yum. I think kids of all sizes would love these, We smoked ours in no time.

Treats for Greg.

{Click here for Peanut butter bar recipe from Ina Garten}

For Greg's birthday I made a new dessert, Peanut butter and jelly bars. Greg loves Peanut butter balls (some people call the Buckeye's), which is a Fox family favorite during the holidays. He also loves PBJ sandwiches. So I made half of a tray of PBJ bars, and the other half was just the peanut butter cookie with chocolate instead of jelly. They were a huge hit. Ashby even got to lick the bowl!

She worked on this for probably and hour. Wasn't even interested in the Fed Ex guy, who she'd usually go crazy over!

I mean, every last drop!

April 15, 1974

Week 37 Photo, The Greg's and a Fox

Week 37

Little Greg, Big Greg and Little Ash Ash

To the left of the tree is a fox. He was just walking down the street the other day. This is the second time we've seen him....

He's in the street now...

Week 37, less than 3 weeks left!

This week Baby O is considered "full term", if Becky goes into labor they will do nothing to try to stop the birth! Baby Ortyl still hasn't dropped, but she is nestled in, is kicking more than ever and with some serious strength. Greg can easily see Becky's belly moving around from across the room!

I'm hanging in there! Actually, I have the same report as the last few weeks...feeling good, a little achy, moving slow, but other than that, all is good. I have grown out of my maternity clothes which I never thought would be possible. Occasionally, I've notice a slight breeze on my belly which has turned out to be my shirt riding up a bit...how embarrassing!

We had a great weekend this past weekend. Greg's Uncle Kevin was in town for the night on Thursday and we had a nice short visit with him. Then Greg's parents arrived late Thursday and stayed with us til Monday morning. It was nice to spend time with them, see a bit of Denver, discuss the upcoming Baby, eat, cook and eat some more, then the boys went to the Blues vs. Avalanche game on Sunday while the girls napped, we celebrated Easter and Greg's birthday (It is actually this Wednesday, the 15th) and of course we squeezed in some light shopping. Thanks for coming to visit Jane and Greg!

This coming weekend we will have my (Becky's) Mom and Step dad visiting, which we are looking forward to. Becky has a Dr's appointment on Thursday....will keep you posted!

Happy Easter!

{Bunnies from Flickr.com. Click here.}

Jane and Greg Ortyl visit Colorado

{Big Greg, Little Greg , Jane and Little Ash}

Thursday night Greg's parents, Jane and Greg arrived at our house to visit for the weekend.
We have been looking forward to their visit all week. On the agenda has been...

1. To unpack Baby gifts that they brought back from our St.Louis shower several weeks ago. We did this.

2. For Big Greg to visit Lowry Air Force base where he was stationed some 45 years ago. He did this yesterday. It's now closed and is a historical site.

3. Jane to teach Little Greg (Becky's Greg) how to make the family recipe for Mostaccoli and "Sauce". This happened last night, see pics below...

3. to relax, visit and hang out. We've done a little of this, need to do some more.

5. To visit Estes Park, where Jane and Greg honeymooned (almost 40 years ago!)

6. To have a feast of a Easter brunch/Birthday celebration for Little Greg (Birthday Wed, April 15, tax day).

{Jane and Greg}

{Meatballs and Sauce. Mom and son working side by side}

{The goods. This is like a bowl of gold to any Ortyl.}

{Moral support, Big Greg and Ashby.}

For the full photo album click here.

Update: 36 Week Doctor visit

I had a Dr's appointment this morning and everything looks good!

The Doctor was looking for the baby's heartbeat really low on my belly and couldn't find it, but once she moved the doppler up higher she found it. Baby O's heartbeat sounded good, but she had the nurse wheel in an ultrasound machine thinking that she was Breech. She wasn't. Her head is down low, feet were up high just like we have been telling her to do!

While my Doctor had the ultrasound machine in the room she measured Baby O's head, abdomen and femur which somehow gave us a weight estimate of 6.5 pounds. My Dr. thought that sounded perfect. Not too big, not too small. And if Baby O stays in the there and cooks up until her due date she'll be a healthy 8 pounds or so!

Recovering from the soap binge.

Sweet treats!

Greg told me I should Blog-brag about the Key Lime pie that I made over the weekend. He LOVES it, and so do I. My secret is that I almost double the crust, since that's the best part after all.

There was left over crust that I experimented with. Good, but not great. I will have to come up with a better crust cookie invention.