23-24 Week picture!

Ok there is no denying this! I am having a baby! As if I couldn't feel him

moving around all day! He's very active and that keeps me reassured that everything is ok!

I am getting excited!

This weekend Tony and Jay are coming back over to keep working on the room upstairs so we will be another step closer to moving us upstairs! I am so excited to get

painting! We get to paint our room, baby's room, and the bathroom!

REDECORATING FRENZY!

Wish me luck with these boys...again!

PICTURES!!!!

This is me excidily waiting for the ultra sound!!!
Mike, Laura and Mom...waiting...

It's A Boy!

Yeah Mike looks so enthused...no really, he was!! :)

Hannah says..."My future's so bright, I have ta wear shades!"

The view from our Hotel in Hinkley, MN

Hayley is a pretty pretty princess!

Mike with his first glass of home made beer...I even tasted it...mmm good!

Me baking away on Satrday!

Filling our our little man's baby book!

Introuducing...Baby Boy Lofstuen!

And I'm not due until June? 20th????

FRG! Putting together care packages!

23 Weeks and Counting!!!

23 Weeks Pregnant



Your Pregnancy: Week 23


You've got this pregnancy thing down pat now: You feel good, you look great, you're eating well and drinking enough water. Everything is fabulous. It's like your birthday every day the way people fawn all over you, giving up their place in the bathroom line and so on. OK, so maybe that doesn't happen every day, but being pregnant makes you feel pretty special, even if that jerk on the bus didn't give up his seat for you. Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...





What You're Thinking:
"You don't have to tell me I look like a yummy mummy in this empire waist dress. I already know it."


Your Body Fact:


You are carrying around several extra pounds of weight located not only in your belly but in your bra as well. Who's baring the brunt of all this poundage? Mr. Shoulders and Mr. Back. Don't suffer in silence. Get sweet relief: Even in early pregnancy, back pain can be a real bother, and when you get to the halfway point, forget about it! Try lying on a cool ice pack to relieve some of the strain. Some alternative approaches like acupuncture and massage can ease the pain. And if not, having someone rub you for an hour still feels pretty darn good. If you're noticing severe pain, numbing or tingling in your lower back and hips, you might have sciatica. Check in with your doctor.





Your Baby


Your baby's got a while to go before her lungs will be ready for air and is practicing her "breathing" on the amniotic fluid—sucking it in and out of her lungs. Other highlights this week: Fat production is in overdrive at this point (for the baby, not you! Well, OK, maybe for the baby and you). Your baby will basically double in weight over the next four weeks! You'll be happy to know the same won't apply to you.


Your Mini is starting to look more like a newborn as his skin becomes less see-through. His body is looking more proportional now, although his head is still kinda big compared to his cute little body. Your baby is about 11½ inches long and weighs 1 pound, or about the length and weight of a Harry Potter book.





Your Life


You and your partner's sleep-ins until noon will be but a distant memory once your new alarm clock arrives. And while getting him to sleep through the night will be a ways off, you can con him into doing a lengthy stretch by making his bed the most comfortable spot possible.


Your options are plenty: crib, bassinet, cradle, portable playpen, your bed, laundry basket (we're kidding about that last one). As you shop, do your research on the pros and cons different types of nursery furniture and bedding to see what will work best for your own crib (AKA your home) and lifestyle.


If you're willing to do the extra legwork and safety research, you can save money by shopping secondhand stores. Just make sure any gear you buy meets current safety standards and has all the necessary parts. And speaking of sleep: Make a snooze date with your partner. Turn off all the phones, clear your schedule and take a nap in the middle of the afternoon or sleep in extra late on the weekend. Have breakfast in bed while you're at it. In 17 weeks you'll wish you'd spent the whole day in bed!





From the Mind of our little boy's Mommy-


Well another week has passed (flew!!!) Friday night Mike and I went up to the bar to visit Melissa (bartender) and try and catch up with some long lost Readlyners! We had a lot of fun and stayed way way to late! This weekend we actually got something accomplished too! I am so proud of us! Mike, Tony, and Jay got busy working on gutting the upstairs! Looks like they worked pretty hard! They worked for about 7 hours Saturday. I also worked very hard on Saturday slaving away over the oven baking about 20 dozen cookies for the troops! I made Chocolate butterscotch, Snicker doodles, and Oatmeal Raisin! I think I only ate one the day I made them...I was sick of cookies! :) Then I got to sit around and relax watching a movie. It was a good day.:)

22 Weeks! And much much more!

Your Pregnancy: Week 22
If your list of baby things to do seems to be getting longer the bigger you get, don't stress out. Make a pact with your partner that one day or evening a week, you'll do something that has nothing to do with the baby. How about the latest Anne Hathaway flick and dinner?Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking

"Wait, so when I have a baby, it's not a temporary thing? It's forever?

Your Body

Sadly enough, eating for two doesn't mean loading up on milkshakes and hamburgers and doubling your caloric intake. Instead, an average pregnant woman needs about 300 extra calories each day, which can be as little as a handful of trail mix or a small smoothie. If you're craving a little ice cream, go ahead and indulge, but if you need it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, try to find a healthy substitute like sugar-free soft serve or fro yo. Sometimes it's easier on pregnant stomachs to eat five or six small meals each day than three large meals. Make sure to keep a stockpile of pregnancy-friendly snacks like crackers and cheese, pudding or a breakfast bar, so that you'll have something to gnaw on throughout the day. Don't let your hungry coworkers (or your partner) know where you keep your stash.

Your Baby

Your Mini's hands have grown bigger and stronger and the nerve endings in her fingers have developed her sense of touch. She's in there testing out her newfound abilities by touching her face and grabbing the umbilical cord.
Other cool developments:
You're already raising a little Einstein. Your baby's brain is developing at a clip this week and will continue to do so until she's five years old (so load up on the Omega 3)!
Baby's hair is now a short, bright white crop (Billy Idol, eat your heart out!). No matter what color it will end up—red, blonde, black—all babies' hair lacks pigment at this point.
Your baby has started growing taste buds and may be able to detect strong flavors in the amniotic fluid. If you could see inside, you might catch her sticking out her tongue for a taste and then grimacing, a sign that perhaps you should chill on the chili powder.

Your baby now weighs almost a pound and measures almost 11 inches, head to heel, which is how you'll be measuring the Stretch Armstrong in your uterus from here on out. That's about as long as a package of Oreos and as heavy as a large bag of tortilla chips. Who's hungry?

Your Life

For the first year of your baby's life, your pediatrician will be a serious VIP, so do some research before you make your decision. Try talking to your OB and your family practitioner. They have great professional contacts and know the right ped for you. Pump your friends, birthing classmates and relatives for information as well. Once you have a list of potential candidates, carefully and completely interview each one. Even if you've been putting everything else off, make this one a priority. You may have missed the boat on ordering nursery furniture, but this is one thing you need to be on the ball about. While you're not putting things off, now might be a good time to start thinking about comfort items for your hospital bag. Better yet, use it as an excuse to buy a new bag.

From the Mind of Baby Lofstuen's mommy...We are having trouble picking baby names! In a way we would really like to stick with a family name like Michael or David. In another way we want to try something new. I don't want to offend anyone if we don't pick their name or if we use it as the middle and not the first...including my husband!
We had a good weekend in Minnesota! First we went up north to Hinkley and stayed at the Casino over night. We had a good time eating, swimming, and gambling! Friday we hung around and ate lunch at the casino and played a little more then headed to St Louis Park to go to the "beer store" or Midwest Brewing Co. Mike has really gotten into brewing his own beer! The first batch was successful and I tasted it...yum! He loaded up on all the cool tools and another kit. We spent a lot of time there. While we were there I experienced some Braxton Hicks contractions. I called my mom to make sure that's what I was feeling. Lucky for me they didn't hurt at all just a lot of pressure and skin stretching! After we were done there we went to Dave and Elaine's for dinner and to stay the night! We had a nice dinner with Dave, Elaine, Hayley, and Hannah! We had pizza and Hannah LOVES pizza. :) It was awesome! After dinner the girls, Elaine, and I all painted and colored. Then it was bed time!
Saturday I got up just in time for smiley face pancakes! Again, AWESOME! Then we played and played until the girls just had to have me wake up Mikey! Kids love him. So Mikey got up and the girls jumped all over him until he went back and hid in the basement. Well the girls knew right where to find him! That afternoon Sara, Tim, The Girls, Mike, and I all went to the Mall of America! Big Mistake but I was on a mission to find some maternity jeans! It was the busiest any of us had ever seen the mall. We were finally able to park even if we lost each other! We ended up having a lot of fun and yay, I found some jeans! After the mall we headed to Sara & Tim's so the boys could play video games! We all ate pizza and I had fun going through Sara's baby name book! What do you think of Ebenezer? :)
Sunday came too too soon. Mike and I got up just a little to late and missed saying THANK YOU to Dave and Elaine :(. We got up and got movin'! We got to Ikea just before 11 and hit the jack pot! FREE BREAKFAST! It was the best way to start our day! It just topped off the awesome donuts we got from Dave and Elaine! THANK YOU! We had a very productive and not to expensive trip through Ikea. We found both Crib and Changing table. We scoped out a lot of other furniture for us as well. It was exciting! So Minnesota family, expect us back at least one more time before June! We got outta town by 12:30. We would have been home early but stopped at Cabelas for 1 1/2 hours! So we finally got to Jeni's to pick up the dogs about 5:45. They were so happy to see us! I think Molly almost had a heart attack! Nut tried to lick my face off! It was a very happy welcome home. After Mike and I finally got back to our house and unpacked, Mike decided to brew another batch of beer and I for some reason deep cleaned my bathroom. I did sit down and watch Alvin and the Chipmunks! GOOD MOVIE!
Last night Mike and I went out for a group Valentines day dinner with Cassy, Adam, and their girls! We went to Los Flores...yum! We came home and Adam and Corina came to our house for a while. I went to bed early because I was just so tired. Mike got sick in the night and we are still trying to determine if it was from the food or just a bug. The rest of us are ok so I think it's a bug. I don't know if we will ever get to go back to Los Flores again :(. He's at work and functioning today so I think he must be ok.
Wow that was long and probably boring! I love you all!
Oh! I almost forgot! Mikey felt his little Dude move yesterday for the first time! It was very exciting! :) Our kid is just growing so fast! June's coming way to fast for me! Way to much to do! AHHHHHH! HELP!

Your Pregnancy: Week 21
Twenty-one is a magic number. It means independence. It means you just won a hand of blackjack. In pregnancy terms, it means you have gotten over the hump and you only have 19 weeks left!Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ..

Your BabyChances are good you're feeling someone performing a round-off back handspring in your uterus by now. Is there any other feeling this cool?
Other highlights this week:By now your baby looks like a mini-version of what he'll look like when he's born. All his facial features are formed and hair is growing on his head. he's even acting like a baby and will occasionally suck his thumb or yawn. Aww ...Baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. Ask for a listen at your next prenatal visit!
By 21 weeks, fetal bone marrow starts making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.
The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning your little bean now serves another purpose: Your baby uses it to "practice" chowing down. Yes, it sounds gross (as many aspects of pregnancy do), but it's an important step for your baby toward being able to chow down in the real world. Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that he's absorbing small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.
Your baby now weighs between 10 and 11 ounces and is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. Float anyone?
Your Life Someday, your grown-up baby may laugh at how you decorated his nursery. But that's 20 years from now, so impose your decorating tastes on your Mini while you can. Suggestions on making his palace fabulous include:Frame pictures from a favorite artistic gift wrap, children's book or wall calendar (skip your husband's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition).Hang a colorful tapestry, quilt, scarf or rug from a curtain rod mounted onto the wall. Not entirely unlike your college dorm. Ask an artistic relative to draw something special that you can frame. But if you ask, you're going to have to hang whatever they make, so ask wisely. Creatively challenged? Leave the designing to the pros by buying wall decals or borders, or by stenciling a funny or inspirational quote on the walls.While you're decorating stuff, why not decorate yourself? Now's a great time to paint your toenails (while you can still reach them) or schedule a manicure and hand massage.

From Baby Boy Lofstuen: Hello Future Family! I have been keeping Mommy very busy! She is tired all the time and hungrier than ever! I have also decided that I am a pretty good swimmer. When I grow up I want to be just like Michael Phelps! Ok, so not exactly like him...
Anyway we are staying healthy again and preparing for our first long car ride! My plan is to roll on Mommy's bladder at least every 30 miles or so. So wish me luck and I can't wait to meet all of you!
Baby BOY Lofstuen!

The Vaughn Family

The Vaughn family would like to celebrate Travis's life and Honor his death.
February 18th 2007 Spc. Travis Ryan Vaughn was killed in a Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan. As we come upon the 2nd year of Travis' death we wanted to Remember "Our" Fallen and make a difference to the ones still here, our Veterans. On Feb. 15th the family invites the community to join them for a few moments of silence at the Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery at 2:00. Following will be a gathering at the Federal Pub in Hudson from 3:00- 5:00. We are asking for donation of the following items for our vets at the Marshalltown Facility. (new only)
Aftershave (non-alcohol) Combs (pocket) Denture adhesive and cleaner, deodorant, emery boards, hairbrushes, hand lotion, magnifying mirrors, mouthwash ( non alcoholic) nail clippers, pencils, pens, playing cards, popcorn, salt, peanut butter, postage stamps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, socks, soap, DVDs VHS cassettes, western paper backs, writing paper, envelopes and word puzzle books.
On Feb. 18th Travis's mother Chris, maternal grandmother Dorothy Smith, stepmom Kandie and paternal grandmother MaryKay Vaughn will be taking the donations to the Marshalltown Veterans Home in Loving Memory of our Hometown Hero Spc. Travis R. Vaughn. For those who cannot attend there are several location accepting donations all week. The Federal Pub (Hudson) Mr.G's (North Cedar) A to Z Learning Center (West 4th Waterloo) Crossroads Assembly of God (Bethel St. Waterloo) United Church of Christ (Reinbeck). Hope to see you on the 15th All Donations are Greatly Appreciated

Carrie and Mike plan on attending so if you can't and have a donation you can direct it to them and they will get it to a Vaughn!

Were 1/2 Way There! 20 Weeks!

Your Pregnancy:
Week 20Hooray!
You're halfway there! And in case you don't believe 20 weeks is a milestone worth celebrating, consider that it's longer than a semester at college—or any relationship you had in high school. Congrats! This is also the week your bambino is able to flash you on the sonogram, revealing what exactly he or she is packing. Why not celebrate with a bottle of sparkling grapefruit juice? It's not as sexy as champagne, but it's got bubbles, and that counts for something, right?

What You're Thinking
"Twenty down, 20 to go!!" Your BodyStretch marks are the battle scars of pregnancy. Think of those tiny lines on your belly, breasts and butt with pride, not embarrassment. They're caused by your skin stretching to accommodate your growing belly—a necessary evil!The truth is stretch marks are difficult if not impossible to avoid. But, hey, even if cocoa butter isn't a wonder cure, it sure does feel good going on ... especially if your partner does it for you! And it makes you smell like a freshly baked chocolate cake! And the good news? A dermatologist can help lessen the appearance of stretch marks after your pregnancy. And it doesn't stop there. Other skin changes like acne and rashes are also common while pregnant. So if you're breaking out all over, you're not alone and it will go away.
Your Baby
This is the week most women get that ever-important gender-revealing ultrasound. If your baby isn't shy, the genitals can be clearly seen at this point. Will the baby pee standing up or sitting down? Well, that depends on how you potty train—but if you're interested, you could leave the appointment knowing if you're carrying a boy or a girl.
Other highlights this week:
Your baby has established sleep patterns akin to a newborn now. Many babies even have a favorite sleep position already. Some snooze with their chins resting on their chests, while others nap with their head flung back. Many babies at this age fall into noticeable cycles of sleep and activity, so you may know before she arrives whether you have a night owl or an early bird.
If your baby is a boy, the testes have begun descending from the pelvis into the scrotum. If it's a girl, her uterus is completely formed and the rest of her "parts" are in development. (Is that TMI?)
From this point forward, your baby will put most of her energy into gaining weight and, not coincidentally, so will you! Right now your baby weighs approximately 10½ ounces and is about 6½ inches long, about the size of a can of Red Bull (which has way too much caffeine for a pregnant woman to be drinking).
Your Life
You've been meaning to organize that box of vacation pictures into photo albums for years. And you really want to create files that are so easy you can find your Visa bill from May 2004 in mere seconds. Give up those dreams. Now's the time to focus on having an organized nursery. Take the time to shop for the best organization tools, containers and systems you can afford at a store dedicated to storage stuff, like Ikea, The Container Store, Target or Hold Everything.
If you don't already have one, consider buying a label maker. It's an organizer's must-have tool and labeling will help keep things organized after you've finished getting it that way. Just because you already have a million photos that need organizing, now's not the time to put a moratorium on picture taking. Sure, it's great to have things neat and sorted, but it'll be even better to look back at pictures of your pregnancy and smile (or at least gape in awe).

From Baby Boy Lofstuen's Mommy : All is well in prego land! I am growing and so is baby. Well actually I lost some weight but my belly is growing! I have been feeling him move more and more and I almost always know where he is inside me! This is so cool! baby likes it when I am active or right when I want to go to sleep! Above they said we would be able to tell if he was a night owl, Mike was and I think he's going to follow in Daddy's footsteps! Yesterday Mommy, Daddy, and both Grandma's went shopping! We got our little man a bunch of clothes that he will need next fall and winter on an amazing sale at Yonkers! No a really really amazing sale! All Carters, OshKosh, and Calvin Klein! Go Mommy and Daddy and Grandma's! This kid is already spoiled! He knows I'm talking about him, he just moved! :)