Growing Tummy!

Definitely growing! I absolutely love it but I will admit that it is the craziest feeling ever! I started feeling the baby move a little bit around 16 weeks. Just some small flutters (that refuse to keep occurring after I feel it once and wait to feel it again... stubborn little thing)!

16 weeks

15 weeks

14 weeks

13 weeks

2nd Annual Baltimore Trip

On July 2nd we flew to Baltimore to visit our good friends Kyle, Katie, and Anika Van Arendonk. We had a blast with them and found lots of fun things to do while visiting. A few highlights: Friday we visited the Baltimore City Aquarium, Saturday went to the Baltimore City Symphony/Fireworks show, Sunday we had our first Crab experience! Thanks Van Arendonks for a wonderful trip! (See their blog for more pictures... I'm hoping the arrival of the baby will help me become a better picture-taker!)

Baby Time!

We are having a baby! and we couldn't be more excited!!!! The due date is Dec. 21st so right around Christmas - my favorite time of year! Everything happens in December it seems... my birthday, Christmas, our anniversary... why not add one more reason to celebrate!

I am already through my first trimester. I've been feeling great and my tummy is already growing! I love it! We are so in love with this baby already and can't wait to meet him or her! Paul thinks the baby is a girl and I think it's a boy... time will tell as we are going to wait to find out!

So... time to get ready for baby! I haven't bought or read a thing so I guess you could say I'm winging it for the time being. We aren't going to paint the baby's room - I love the blue/gray paint that is already there and if it's a girl, she won't mind (or notice!), right?!? I'm excited to start this new journey, especially with my wonderful hubby by my side!

The end of another school year...

Only one day left with my awesome fourth graders. Although I LOVE summer, I will miss this class - they were great! And it also marks the end of my fourth grade career... at least for a little while. Next year I will be teaching third grade. This was not my decision but I'm trying to make the best of it! I will get to go to the zoo next year instead of Old Threshers so that's a bonus (even though it's only one day out of the year!).

I can't believe that another school year is over. It has been a busy one for both of us. Our summer is definitely starting to fill up as well. I will be headed home for a few days in early June and then when I return I will begin a six week session of summer class. Three of those weeks I will stay at UNI from Tuesday-Thursday. Paul will be in the SICU and so we plan on not seeing each other too often. :( However, he officially starts his third year of residency in July and begins with an elective month! We plan on taking a weekend getaway over the 4th of July (hopefully somewhere with spectacular fireworks... destination to be determined!) and we will probably head home again for a few days in late July. That will pretty much wrap up the summer as Cross Country will start the first week of August! Cheers to a great summer!

It's April already?

Ok... so I'm really not so good at this blog thing! I love reading all of my friends' blogs... just am not so good at creating my own posts.

Anyway, I cannot believe it's April already! This means that I have less than two months left of school, 8 master's classes left before summer, track season is here, and Easter has come and gone. April means that chief residents have been selected for next year, which Paul was chosen for, and he is back in the ER after a wonderful month of research.

Over the past few months, here are a few of the things we've been up to:

Hanging with our hilarious and sweet niece, Sydney.

Spending quality time with some dear friends.

Hosting a baby shower (actually, I was the only one who participated in that one!) My friend, Nicole, and I made this cute "diaper cake" -- super easy!

Spent Easter with my parents and sister who came to Iowa City for three nights!

Wrapping up '09

Despite the Christmas blizzard, both Paul and I were able to make it back to Sibley. We drove separately as Paul had to be back to work earlier than I wanted to head back, but we both arrived Tuesday night, the 22nd. I made it in time to watch my dad's basketball team win an awesome and intense game!

We spent Christmas Eve with most of Paul's family. Jon wasn't able to make it back because of the weather, but we had him on Skype a couple of times throughout the day. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures from my camera but Sydney opening her gifts was definitely a highlight! When she opened a gift she had to hold it up to the computer screen to show her daddy... so cute!

The only other pictures (on my camera) captured from our time spent with Paul's family was of the "Polar Plunge." I'm not sure how it came about, but Paul and Joel decided it would be fun to play in the snow. Since everything is always a competition with them, they decided to run out in the snow with only their shorts and t-shirts. They're crazy... but funny to watch!

We spent Christmas Day with my family.

Katie, Kenny, and Hattie

We played a game called Compatibility. Paul and I were the losers... :(

Paul and I have yet to send out a Christmas card/picture (maybe someday!) but here is the picture my mom and dad sent out of the Hartzell family. Merry Christmas!

After Paul returned to Iowa City, I stayed for a few more days. We were able to get lots of my mom's side of the family together at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Even though the house wasn't nearly as full, we were still able to get a picture with some of the grandkids and great grandkids.

I traveled back to Iowa City on Dec. 31st just in time to celebrate our 5 year anniversary! We went out to eat at Joseph's in downtown Iowa City.

On Saturday, Jan. 2nd we were able to make a trip to Pella to visit our good friends Kyle and Katie Van Arendonk and their 5 month old daughter Anika who were visiting from Baltimore. It was so nice to see them and spend a few hours with them!

We hope you were able to enjoy a wonderful time with family and friends, celebrating the reason for the season! Happy 2010!

It Takes 3 Snow Days...

Yes, it takes three snow days to update our blog... not just one... three! About a dozen inches of snow and windy weather, was the culprit of me staying home from school three days this week! I was able to get lots of things done, including my last paper for the semester! I had fun though too as Paul was able to stay home with me for two of the days and I got to hang out with my niece Sydney for a short afternoon!

And obviously, I am on a monthly basis update when it comes to this blog! November was filled with caramel apple night with some friends, Sydney's first birthday, my sister and my newly engaged brother coming to Iowa City for the last home football game, and going back to Sibley for Thanksgiving!

Abe and Erin's annual caramel apple night!

Happy 1st Birthday, Sydney! We love you!

Yes, Paul is holding a "pet" skunk while tailgating before the Iowa vs. Minnesota game. The Hawks end the regular season 10-2!

Carrie, me, and Hat! My sis and sis to be! We are so excited for Kenny and Carrie and couldn't be happier! Carrie and Kenny were high school sweethearts and reunited after five years! We always thought he let the good one slip aways, so we are thrilled that God brought them back together! Love you guys!

Sydney and Aunt Kate!

Blizzard - Dec. 8-10

The 8th was also my birthday - I think this was the first time to have a snow day on my birthday!