Didn't pass my test...

This morning I had my Gestational Diabetes test done... and I didn't pass. Now I have to go and have a 3 hour blood test, I can't wait for that... yeah right!!! Hopefully that will come back good and I won't have to worry about Gestational Diabetes... but with the large family history of diabetes... I'm a little nervous. Oh well... I would rather be treated for it so that I know that all is well with baby. That's the most important thing right now.

I also welcomed another milestone this weekend... the 3rd trimester!!! I just can't believe how fast this all has gone. Before I know it there will be another little Van Dyke in our home. I am really getting anxious to meet this little miracle.

Here is the latest belly picture taken yesterday at 27 weeks...

Shopping spree...

Today was a fun, yet busy day. Claudia and I headed to Grand Rapids to look at "baby" things. We went to Burlington Coat Factory (the Baby Depot) and to BabiesRUs. It was a lot of fun being able to shop with Claudia and have her help pick out things for the new baby. I think she was pretty excited too:) After all our "baby" shopping we went to the mall in Grandville and we went on the Carousel together to celebrate, and then we went and had Spaghetti at the Olive Garden. It was SO yummy... I was craving their Minestrone soup and Claudia is obsessed with Spaghetti and bread, so it was the perfect choice.

Here's some of our great deals we got today... you know me... I'm a BARGAIN shopper... LOL!!!

Baby Van Dyke's outfit for Hospital picture's...

I wonder which outfit will be the big winner???

I thought it would be a good idea to look at some "boy" things first since I have a ton of girl things and not too many "boy" things. I got each 5 pack of onesies for under $8... that is an awesome deal... of course had to get some "boy" binkies too:)

Then I felt kind of bad about buying "new" boy things, so I HAD to buy some "new" girl things too... I made sure that I bought different sizes so this baby is set with onesies:)

We also found a new changing table cushion, since Claudia's old one was all torn up after 2 years of use. I also thought I'd show you Claudia's artwork she did for the nursery. She had a lot of fun painting it, and is REALLY proud of it:) I really love being able to include her in the new baby things. I think that will help make the adjustment easier on her. I can't believe in a few months she will be 3 and we'll have another little miracle living in our home. God certainly is GOOD!!!

6 1/2 months...

So I thought it would be fun to compare my baby belly growth with Claudia and this baby. These pictures are both at the 6 1/2 month point in my pregnancy. I thought it would be extra fun to take a picture wearing the same outfit. The one on the left is with Claudia and the one on the right was taken today. There is definitely a difference, but it's not as much as I thought it was going to be. That definitely made me feel much better because I was seriously feeling HUGE!!! I obviously have grown in other areas too... LOL!!! Oh well... not much I can do about that right now.

I have been quite a bit more tired the last few days, and have also had a relapse of Morning Sickness. It doesn't last long, only 2-3 hours, but I've had it everyday for the last 3 days... I could definitely do without that!!! The baby has also moved and has been REALLY active. Everyday the kicks and punches get much more intense... that part I LOVE!!! The other day Claudia was sitting on my lap and the baby started kicking and just kept right on kicking. Claudia felt them and was pretty excited about it too. It was fun watching her expression when the baby would kick. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going... I have less than 100 days... that is just crazy to me!!! Monday is my next OB appointment... I can't wait to hear what Dr. Kraker has to say. I also have to take the Gestational Diabetes Test... yup that's right I get to drink that nasty orange drink... oh the joy!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I pass!! Hope you all are doing well!!!

Pregnant Mama's...

Justine and Tyler took Claudia and I to Sears to have pictures taken together. Best friends and best buddies looking cute together. We had SO much fun, and made such a wonderful memory!!! It is really crazy how many of my close friends are expecting... all I can say is that there must be something in the water in Holland... so be careful as you drink the water.

the mama's to be...

Mama & Me...

baby Van Dyke due Oct. 19, 2007

Tyler James & Aunti Justine...

baby VanderZwaag due Aug. 30, 2007

My best buddy Tyler James...

On Saturday our good friends Maggie & Jake were married, and Claudia was their flower girl!!! She did a really good job and I am VERY proud of her!!! The wedding site was absolutely gorgeous, so of course I couldn't resist having some pictures taken... go figure... LOL!!! This is one of my favorites!!! Claudia sure does love her baby brother or sister. She is going to be a wonderful big sister!!!

There are many more wedding day pictures on Claudia's blog... so don't forget to check it out:)

Happy Summer!!! ~ Jenn

Wow... that baby is definitely growing!!! I can't believe I am 24 weeks along already... where has the time gone??? I'm also not quite sure where this baby is going to go... I'm sure I'll just keep expanding... but wow... that sure is quite the change!!!

Feb. 2007 ~ July 2007

All in all I am feeling really well. I love that we have a pool to enjoy!!! That sure does make the hot & hazy summer days much more comfortable:) Baby is growing perfectly... not to mention busy ALL the time!!! I don't remember having this much baby movement with Claudia. This little one is definitely a little wiggle worm:) Praise God for that!!!

The "big day" is scheduled!!!

Today I had a routine OB appointment. All was great!!! Baby is doing well... as is mommy:) For the most part I am feeling great and really enjoying the pregnancy. Somedays I have some discomfort as baby is growing, but all in all it is great. The baby is definitely a mover in there. I am getting thumped and bumped ALL the time... but I'm not complaining about that... it's the most amazing feeling ever!!! At the end of the appointment we actually scheduled our C-Section. Baby will be here before we know it:) We are really excited to meet this little miracle, but I am hoping that things slow down a bit and I can have some time to really enjoy the next few months:) I hope you are all doing well and all have a safe 4th of July Holiday:)

The bedding has arrived...

Susie called me this morning and said she had finished most of the bedding!!! She is leaving for vacation and won't be back until August, and didn't want me to have to wait that long for the bedding, so she wanted to bring over the things she was finished with... I am SO in LOVE!!! It all turned out so well. It's definitely one of a kind... and I LOVE that!!!

Me & Susie
(Thank you Susie for all of your hard work!!!)

Jon walked in the room this morning and said... "um... what if this baby is a girl?", so I explained to him that we thought we were safe with the teal, and once the baby does arrive and if it is a girl, then we will add some pink polka dots. I also have another fabric to use that is "girlie" with pink and teal flowers. But we thought it would be easier to add colors then to take them away later. Obivously Jon and I didn't pick out the colors together... he is so sweet to let me decorate all on my own:)

Claudia and I also have some art projects this week planned for the babies room... I'll make sure to post the final art work later:) Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend... the weather is PERFECT!!!

YEAH!!! The walls are painted!!!

My friend Susie has been busy at our house this week. She spent a lot of time painting for us and we couldn't be happier with all of her hard work!!! Thank you SO much Susie... you are AWESOME!!! Alright... time to check out the nursery!!!

Before paint...

and AFTER...

Susie is still working hard on getting the bedding altogether, and hopes to have it done this weekend. I can't wait to see it all together. It is really going to be a FUN nursery!!! I have a few more things to do as well... but it's coming... keep watching for the finished project!!!

Ready to paint!!!

Today was yet again another "nesting" day for me... and my mission was the nursery!!! I know I had cleaned it out a few weeks back, but today we took out Mattie's old bed and everything else that is not staying in the babies room. It is now ready for paint. I can't wait!!! Hopefully in the next few weeks we should have the painting done and everything where it is supposed to be.

~ Before ~

~ After ~

Half way there!!!

Wow... where has the time gone??? I am already half way through this pregnancy. In another 20 weeks we will meet this little miracle face to face!!! I'm starting to wonder how much space this baby is going to take up inside me... I'm REALLY growing!!! It's hard to believe I have only gained like 7 lbs and that's after loosing more than 10 in the 1st trimester, so I am still breaking even ... it sure looks and feels like a lot more than that... but I'm not going to complain:)

Life has still been very busy over here. My grandma is home and that is a blessing. We are still praying that her body is clear of infection soon and that she is able to have her Mastectomy this coming Friday. This weekend my cousin Katie and I hosted a Moving Sale at grandma's and boy did that keep us busy. The next few weeks I'm sure will be very emotional as we say good-bye to the only home we know of grandma living in, and I'm sure being pregnant is not going to help those emotions (as I am already wiping my eyes of tears), but her next journey is going to be amazing... her Condo is GORGEOUS!!!

One blessing right now is all the movement that I am feeling... I am beginning to even experience some good kicks on the outside, so that is fun!!! I can't wait for Claudia and Jon to get some good kicks too:) I still can't help but stare at my ultrasound pictures daily... I just can't believe how all of that is happening inside me (okay so I am wiping tears again!!!)... it is really such a miracle!!! God surely is good!!!

So here are the latest belly pictures... the first is me in February when we found out, and the other is from this morning... wow... what a difference!!!

4 weeks ~ 20 weeks

It's a...

SURPRISE!!!


The Ultrasound was great!!! Jon went with and it was just so neat. I had a tear in my eye the whole time. Everything looked great. It's amazing what they can see. Jon really did not want to find out the sex, and I really wanted to. Jon gave in and said I could find out, but this baby is already on daddy's side... and would NOT cooperate, so it still remains a surprise. It was just AWESOME though!!! Here are some pictures of our beautiful baby. We hope you enjoy them as much as us!!!

~ profile ~

~ arm & leg ~
~ hand... look at those fingers ~
~ sitting crossed leg ~
~ Baby Van Dyke ~

It's scheduled!!!

That's right... it is scheduled... the big ultrasound that is!!! I can't wait!!! I had a doctors appointment today which was good because my allergies have been HORRIBLE. My OB gave my a prescription for Nasonex to help give me some relief... so hopefully in the next few days I will be able to breathe again... I can't wait!!! Claudia and I heard the heartbeat and everything else looked great. At the end of the appointment we scheduled the ultrasound... it's next week Wednesday already!!! I can't wait!!! I really need some good news right now.

Today has been a rough day. My grandma Stegenga got a call from her doctor today and he told her the results of her tumor biopsy came back and that they were not good and that she has cancer. I really am just in shock about it. She will meet with the doctor on Tuesday to discuss the next step. I told my OB about it today, as she could tell that something was bothering me, and she was so sweet. She told me that I could call or stop in anytime if I needed anything. Even if I just wanted to hear the babies heartbeat... what a sweetie. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful doctor.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers... we have a long, stressful road ahead of us. I keep telling myself that God is good and that he WILL see us through this, and although we can't see it right now, there is a reason that all of this is happening. Thanks ~ Jenn

AAAHHH....CHOO!!!

Allergies... man do they really get me down!!! The last few days have been rough. I just wish that I could breathe with ease. I would highly recommend if anyone is thinking of buying stock to buy stock in Kleenex... I've been using almost a box a day... ugh!!! Other than allergies I am feeling great in regards to my pregnancy. I go to the doctor Friday and will get to schedule my BIG ultrasound. I can't wait!!! Even though we are not finding out if this little blessing is a boy or a girl, it still will be fun to see how well this baby is growing. The babies thumps and bumps are getting stronger and that is awesome!!! If I could just get rid of these allergies I would be all set... until then... I'll just keep on blowing my nose... all day long!!! ~ Jenn

Cleaning day!!!

Well... it's Memorial Day weekend. We usually spend the weekend up at the cottage, but we just have so much going on right now and the weather was just not good cottage weather, so we stayed home. I must be nesting because I decided to start working in the nursery today. Boy did I have my work cut out for me!!! Here's a few pictures of the room at the beginning of the day... it kind of looks like the never-ending job...

After cleaning and organizing ALL day...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

TA DA!!! It actually looks like a room... a baby could actually sleep in the crib right now. It's just amazing to me. The picture in the middle is the closet, after I cleaned it out... and the last picture is with the closet full of "baby things". I can't believe I already have baby clothes hanging in the closet... I never thought that was going to happen today. It sure feels good!!!

Now the next job is to find cheap carpet and get the room painted. There is still a lot to do, but it at least looks like a bedroom again!!!