Baby Pool Game

All right folks! Many of us play in all kinds of game pools for basketball, football, or whatever else floats your boat. I thought it might be fun to start an online baby pool. You get points for guessing things like weight, length, gender, birthdate and time. I just set it up, so I need to get in there and figure out what all we can do with it. We have options for putting in polls, hints and a bunch of other stuff, so I'm sure over the next few months it will change. Right now, I have it set up for each person to get 5 guesses, but I am considering making it unlimited for those of you who might prove to be gung-ho about it. It doesn't cost you anything to play and you won't win anything if you're right--but you'll get the bragging rights if it pleases you. The website is www.expectnet.com and our game name is mjolson.

Another BIG Birthday!

Happy 90th Birthday to Grandma Gertie!!!!!

The big party is this weekend in Thor, Iowa. It is so big that my sister flew home from Norway for it, and Marcia and family are coming in from Texas. What a great family gathering this is going to be!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Love,
Mike and Jenny

Happy Birthday!

Just wanted to wish Joost a Happy Birthday! We hope you have a great day!

Mike and Jenny

Fight, Fight, Fight for Iowa State!

Well it's Wednesday and I didn't post the results from the last two Toilet Paper Tuesdays. It's kind of a lame idea, but where this pregnancy is concerned it continues to be a whole lot of hurry up and wait. To answer the question, my midsection width hasn't gotten any wider, but rather is moving up my torso like a mutated elevator of sorts. My "bump" peak is just above my belly button now and the baby seems to be breech and enjoying the trampoline I call a bladder. Undoubtedly, this kid has Mike's athleticism (combine with the recessive athleticism gene that my father, brothers and son have) and the long legs and arms consistent within the Olson clan to wreck havoc on my insides over the next few months. I will expect a nice, expensive Mother's day gift for the daily beatings I get--at least a nice dinner and a six pack of Spaten.

Things are settling into a routine at home with the kids back in school and the re-organization projects coming to an end. Mike is coordinating the local ISU club game watch this Saturday against the dreaded montrosity of a team some refer to as the Iowa Hawkeyes. We've got our "Beat Iowa" t-shirts washed and ready for wear on Saturday. I'm not sure what else Mike has up his sleeves to bring good karma to Iowa State, but undoubtedly he's got it all figured out. He's his father's son, and when it comes to sports and tailgates of any kind, you better get out of the way because they've got the situation under control--some serious tailgating masters. Go Cyclones!

No longer a Gummy Bear.....

...but rather s/he looks like an actual baby. I have to say that the 3D ultrasounds are pretty amazing. Yesterday, Mike and I went in for our 20 week ultrasound, which I think should be the last one. It's hard to believe that we have hit the half way point of this pregnancy and before we know it, he or she will be here. We decided not to find out the sex of the baby until it is born as we thought that there are just too few happy surprises in life so why spoil this one?

So far the baby's growth is right on track and anatomically speaking, everything is developing perfectly. You can't really ask for anything more than that. My "morning sickness" still lingers, but is not so much of a problem. If only I could control my emotions.......it's getting to be out of control. Sometimes I cannot even sing along with the radio without crying--what's up with that?

Last weekend, Mike and I did some major reorganization around the house. We got the family room cleaned out and he cleaned up the laundry/storage room while I took down the wallpaper in Alec's room. I plan to get his room painted on Sunday, so that should hopefully be the last of the big projects for a while. I realized last weekend that I was indeed pregnant and I am not able to run around and do things the way I used to.

The kids started school this week and so far they have been enjoying it. Ashlynn has had her braces on for a week and she is quite proud of them. She likes to be able to go to the bathroom after lunch with her friend, Heidi, to brush their teeth. I think she feels like a goddess or something. Alec is making new friends in his class and seems to be happy to be home and back in his own school again.