Laurie's Wedding...

This weekend we celebrated the marriage of Kevin and Laurie!  Not only was it fun because Laurie is a great friend, but also because Joel and I kinda set them up.  It is up for debate whether it was my mom's idea or mine...I am fine with sharing the credit for the set-up with her!  She sneakily convinced Josh to give her credit in his Best Man Speech though!

It is always awesome attending a wedding and witnessing the beginning of a couple's journey together.  Joel and I definitely feel much more emotional attending a wedding since having our own.  The thoughts of our wedding day flooded our minds and the emotions we felt that day rose into our throats and some of them made their way to tears in our eyes!  It was such a beautiful day for both of us and it truly keeps getting better!

 

20 weeks...Cantaloupe!

Really?!?!  The baby is a size of a cantaloupe!?!  That is what all the websites say, but I think that might be based on weight, not on actual size.  That makes me feel a little better about the 8 lbs I have gained so far!

Well, this week marks the 1/2 way mark to us holding the newest member of our family in our arms and pinching it's little cheeks (I hope they are chubby!).  It continues to be a great pregnancy with no discomfort, sickness or major limitations.  The only complaint (and I don't even like to use that word) is that I have been having the craziest dreams ever!  They feel so real and they do not produce restful sleep for me at all.  I love waking up in the morning and sharing my crazy "night adventures" with Joel while we get ready for work.  It is amazing how our minds think up of these bizarre scenarios.  It sometimes makes me worried that I secretly have a twisted mind or something!

While at church on Sunday I felt the baby move for the 1st time!  It moved for 2 minutes straight and was so incredible!  I was immediately brought to tears!  It was just the coolest thing ever!  Joel was a little disappointed he couldn't feel it, but I know it won't belong until he can.  Every day I feel it moving more and more, and it just makes it all feel so much more real. 

Today we went and got our ultrasound done!  I was a little nervous going into it just because I wanted to be sure that everything checked out and measured normal, but at the same time was thrilled to get our 1st glance at our baby!  So much secret stuff is happening under my skin and I wanted a peek at the progress so bad!  When the ultrasound tech first started the ultra sound all we could see was a big white blob!  She informed us that was my bladder and that it was way so full we couldn't even get a glimpse at the baby!  So I got to empty out my bladder, which was much more comfortable, and the 2nd attempt at the ultrasound was much better!  The baby is so cute!  It was fun seeing all of it's limbs and organs and trying to imagine what it will look like when it is born.  It is already clear that this is going to be a little pistol though...it would not roll over and stayed tucked into a ball the whole ultrasound so we never were really able to see it's face well.  On the bright side, we get to have another ultra sound in 4 weeks so they can get a better look!  Definitely no complaints here!

 

Every time Joel goes to the Doctor with me there is always something funny that happens...this time was no exception!  Right when the baby came up on the screen Joel asked if it had a tail!  Looks like someone needs to be reading more baby books!

Let it snow...

We had our 1st major snow fall this past weekend!  It was fun to be snuggled up inside and watch the snow fall outside and blanket the lawn with fluffy white snow.

Nagelkirk Gym Night...

It's a Nagelkirk Extended Family Tradition to rent out Zeeland Christian Gym the Friday night after Thanksgiving for Gym Night every year!  It is such a great time eating pizza and treats and playing like a kid again!  The little kids entertain themselves with riding bikes, pulling each other around on carts and playing with hula hoops while the big kids/adults play basketball, volleyball, badminton and socialize.  This is the one time throughout the year that all of the adults play sports that they played long ago, and everyone pretends they aren't sore the next day!  I know I was a little sore!  I felt like I tore a stomach muscle...maybe volleyball and pregnancy don't mix well!  Joel looked a little concerned when I nearly dove for the ball once... ooops!

Christmas Tree Hunting...

While growing up our family always had a real Christmas tree, and I just love the memories of going to get it and the process of getting it set up in our pan with rocks around it to support it...apparently my parents hadn't heard about tree stands yet!  Unfortunately Joel doesn't share the same love for getting a real tree as I do, but it is a necessity for me every Christmas.  This year we went out with Josh, Kelly, the boys, Laurie and Kevin to cut one down in Rockford!

There was no snow on the ground yet so it appeared as if it would be an enjoyable time.  The drive there from Holland was a mere 55 minutes which Joel thought was a little crazy!   Upon getting out of the car at the tree farm we all quickly realized that it was much colder in Rockford than at home!  We could have been dressed in 2 snowmobile suits with face masks and still been cold!  The wind was whipping and had a nippy bite to it!  Lucas immediately was not having fun and repeatedly said, "I want to go home!"  There was a hay ride you could take out to the depths of the farm which we immediately opted out of.  We just started walking and the 1st row of trees we saw was the row we all picked from.  We cut them down, drug them back, paid for them and were back in the cars in about 30 minutes!  Not exactly what I had envisioned but it was still very fun!  It's all about creating memories, right?!  Joel would prefer we start creating these kind of memories once we have a family...apparently I don't count as family!

Joel's face says it all!  He is excited to cut down a tree!

The next afternoon was spent hauling Christmas decorations out from the depths of the basement and making the house festive!  After it was all said and done, Joel agreed that the house looked cozy and festive!  I love nothing better than sitting in the living room with just the Christmas lights on from the tree!

 

Thanksgiving...

Not much going on this Thanksgiving with our families so Joel and I headed over to my parents' house for a late Thanksgiving lunch!  My mom (and dad...I think he stirred something so that means he helped!) made enough food to feed an army and it was so fabulous!  It was a relaxing afternoon eating, chatting, browsing Black Friday Ads and watching sports. 

At night we split up...mom and I to the Legally Blonde musical and Joel and dad to our house to do some electrical work on the bathroom.  The musical was very funny and entertaining...a great way to top off a nice Thanksgiving!