Fast Feet!

Johan competed in his second annual Fool's 5K this past Saturday. I am very proud to say that he met his goal of 20 minutes with a new personal record of 20:03 - which allowed him to finish 15th over all (out of over 1100 people) and 4th in his age group! (Last year he came in 85th place overall)

About to cross the finish line!

39 weeks tomorrow.
This baby is offically out of room!
If he wants to continue to stretch, he needs to come out!

He is Risen!

This past weekend we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus! It was a relaxing weekend of warmer (getting warmer) weather, family and friends...

On Thursday, Johan and I enjoyed a date night out to dinner at a Tony's - a local pizzaria!

Waiting for our food - we got decided to express our artist sides!

I got pampered on Friday with a prenatal massage and on Saturday with a hair cut!

Johan finished up his whale for "Thor Bjoern's" room...

We also had a visit from our friend Peter, who Johan went to DTS with in Denver 8 years ago. Peter is studying for the semester at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago...It was great to have another dane in the house this weekend!

Sunday, we went to church and ate a brunch with family. We also painted easter eggs and had an easter egg hunt (thanks mom and dad for supplying and hiding the eggs!)

Waffles with fruit, chocolate sauce and whipped cream!
Baby was happy! - (The picture is for Jens!)

Easter Egg Hunt!

After lunch walk! (we were trying to be Danish!)



Coloring Eggs



38 Weeks!

Not so Spring - Spring Break!

Last week Johan and I had Spring Break. We welcomed the break from our normal routine and it was nice to relax and get things done before "Thor Bjoern" arrives. The weather has continued to be cold and snowy - but it was a cozy week nonetheless...

Two weekends ago, we went to Minneapolis on our "Baby Moon"... It was nice to get away completely and have nothing to worry about other than where we would eat dinner.

We visited a Somalian Market where I got henna on my foot.

Johan found a Vegan, Organic, Raw Resturant in Minneapolis -
He. Was. EXCITED!
(He can't wait to take his carnivorous brother there!)  

Monday and Tuesday we were super productive around the house and got a lot of "chores" done.

The rest of the week we just relaxed and hung out with family and friends!

Last Tuesday I was 37 weeks and officially considered full-term. It is exciting to know that "Thor Bjoern" will come sometime in the next 2 and a half weeks! (Hopefully he's not past the due date!) We were blessed with another "shipment" of baby supplies from my brother and sister-in-law in Texas, and a package from Johan's parents - a blanket made by his mom. This past Saturday we had a third baby shower with our neighbors. We feel so blessed to have so many family and friends who are just as excited as we are to welcome our son into the world!

Date night...

With the days of "just the two of us" dwindling fast - we decided we better get a date in this weekend. So Friday night we went to dinner at a local resturant - the CU. It was good to be able to get out and relax over a yummy dinner!


We had our 34 week appointment this past Wednesday and everything checked out good. "Thor Bjoern" is head down and seems to be lined up in a good position for delievery!
Also on Wednesday, Johan's BFF - Martin (from Denmark - now living in Colorado) and Lynsey gave birth to a healthy, happy little boy - Ethan. We got married within a week of one another almost 4 years ago and will be having baby boys within a month or so of each other. It is such a blessing to share life with them!

5.5 weeks to go!

*** Weather update - last week's snow day was a bust for me (Johan got a snow day!) - we got 4 inches - but Waterloo schools would not cancel! Needless to say, it was a rough day at school on Tuesday for me because we stayed up too late the night before.  However, we have another winter storm watch - "Triton" on the horizon for Sunday/Monday -  freezing rain, sleet and snow (4-8 inches). I wouldn't mind another snow day - but I learned my lesson last week and plan to still go to bed at a normal time tomorrow night! :)

Round Three!

Looks like my wish of one snow day per week is looking promising. We are expecting yet another blast of snow tonight (6-10 inches) from Winter Storm "Saturn". The total snowfall for January and February in Waterloo is 37+  inches (92cm). It's defintately given us a few extra "hygge" (cozy) days to enjoy - so I won't complain!

This past weekend Johan and I decided to take full advantage of the snow and went snowshoeing on Saturday and Sunday. It was sunny, beautiful and great exercise! Cuin - "our dog" (really our neighbor's dog) enjoyed the time in the snow too!

Busy weekend and a Failed Attempt

This past weekend we joined 160 teenagers for our youth group's annual Winter Blast retreat. It was a great time, but I realized how pregnant I really am - when I came home completely exhausted! I think I took a 4 hour nap on Sunday when we got home.

Today we got to slow down a bit when we were getting hit with yet another blast of snow (last week it was winter storm Q) - this week it's winter storm Rocky that is upon us. I am so grateful to Rocky for giving us an early dismissal from school today! The benefits of living in Iowa!

Johan and I have been wanting to take some maternity photos and with the snow coming down outside we thought we would give it a shot. Needless to say - by the time we got outside it was too dark and after one trial shot the camera battery died. I think we will just schedule an appointment with an actual photographer rather than try to do it ourselves!   Snow Update: It's still coming down outside and I am crossing my fingers for a snow day tomorrow (or at least a late start).

** Update: I did get my wish and got a full snowday on Wednesday!



Failed Attempt



New Art for the baby's room



Growing Bellies...

Johan and I have been attending Lamaze (childbirth classes) for the past two weeks. Where we have been "learning" what to expect in childbirth.

I can't say that I have learned a whole lot of new information, but it is a fun way to pass time as we wait for Thor Bjoern, as well as a good opportunity to meet other couples.

Johan however - has been been an excellent student and has learned a great deal. I would say that the most important thing he has learned is it what it feels like to be pregnant! He volunteered the first week of class to where the "empathy belly". It is supposed to simulate what it feels like to be pregnant. He was the only husband who willingly and excitedly wanted to try on the belly! (Yes that is my husband!) Driving to class this past week he informed me that he thought he would get an A --- due to the fact that he participates, asks good questions and wore the belly. Sadly, I had to inform him there would be no grades (but if it were graded - he would definitively get an A+) :)

Johan - so proud of his baby bump!

31 Weeks

Lastest "nesting" project. Lille Hvalfanger - "Little Whale Catcher"
Trying to keep with the Carl family tradition/occupation dating back to the 1600s!

"Thor Bjoern" shakes it for the camera!

We had an ice storm today in Iowa - so we have been stuck inside all day! Needless to say, it's been a slow, cozy day. We worked a little more on the baby's room, took a nap, caught up on our favorite shows, and did a whole lot of nothing. (Bonus, we get a 2-hour delayed start for school tomorrow...looking forward to every chance we get to sleep in before baby comes!)  We also spent a lot of time watching my belly trying to get baby to move. We were able to catch our little "Thor Bjoern" in action today...He is definately an active little guy. 

Finished the bumper...
Johan is working on a book shelf (picture to come)

almost 29 weeks!

Work in Progress...

We have been working on setting up the baby's room this past week. (We figured we should go for it now, while I still have energy and can move around fairly easily.)

We felt like we were juggling beds all over the place. We moved the guest bed out of the baby's room into the front room. Took the bed out of the front room and put it in the baby's closet (the closet is a really big walk-in.) Lastly, we moved the crib into place.

This past weekend I worked on sewing curtains for the baby...


Here's a sneak peak

Now, just less than 3 month to go

Happy New Year!

As Johan and I have reflected back over the past year we are so grateful for the experiences and memories we have created!

Some of our 2012 highlights include:
- In March we went on a mission trip to Haiti with our church.
- Johan became the head soccer coach East High, Waterloo, last spring.
- Building our garage.
- Our summer vacation - trips to Columbus Ohio, Italy and Denmark.
- Getting pregnant and finding out it is a boy!
- Feeling and seeing the baby kick/move for the first time!
- Having Johan's family (parents and Aunt and Uncle) visit from Denmark over Thanksgiving.
- Spending Christmas in Texas with Kelly's family.

As we enter 2013 we are excited to uncover all of the suprises and adventures that God has in store for us!

Our team from Haiti!

Putting up the siding on the garage.

We loved the chance to be just the two of us in Italy!

On the Island of Rømø, Denmark - where the Carl family
dates back to the 1600s!

Our beloved little "Thor Bjoern"

Johan's idea to reveal the baby's gender...

25 weeks!

Only 15 more to go and feeling good!

 

Christmas 2012