Puppy, River Bank and "The Fever"

We have had a few fun random things that I wanted to share. The first is the cute pug puppy Kristin and Keith got beginning of May. His name is Wilson and he is very fun. The second bit of news, is that after months of training Ryan ran the 25K River Bank Run this past Saturday. It was his second time running and he claims that he will run it again next year. The last news is that Ryan got a motorcycle. The story goes that when we were dating he sold his motorcycle to buy my engagement ring. So, every spring this "fever" gets into his blood where he searches out the next motorcycle. Well, this spring he found it. Not perfect timing with a baby coming...but hopefully now it will be out of his system and with gas prices rising we cannot be economical..Right? :) Maybe this summer I will actually dare to go for a ride.

This past weekend, Ryan and I spent time with Casey and Laura in Chicago. On Saturday, we went to the Science and Industry museum and watched the Imax and 3d movie. We enjoyed the beautiful on Saturday afternoon by relaxing outside. On Sunday, we went to Brookfield Zoo.

Downtown on Saturday
Playing football
Brothers at the Zoo
Ryan, me and Baby at the Zoo

Baby Showers

This past weekend I had two baby showers. One given by the people from work and the other at Grandma Roedema's house. It was alot of fun to see friends and family. After the showers were done Ryan enjoyed putting together and playing with all the toys and I spent time organizing the nursery.

I love this cake that was made at my work shower.




The Grandmas!

28 weeks

I had a doctors appointment today and everything is going well. I am feeling good and as you can see the baby is growing just fine. I do have the common complaint of back pain and tiredness, especially after working 12 hours on my feet. But other than that feeling greatly blessed and spending more and more time thinking and preparing for the arrival of our baby.

Summer Dreaming

What a catch!

With all this nasty weather lately, I have been thinking about this upcoming summer. One of Ryan and I fun things to do in the summer is to spend time at Mom and Dad Koopmans house up on Half Moon Lake. We spend time with family, go for boat rides, go swimming, tubing and wakeboarding. I love to watch Ryan wakeboard and tube. It is very relaxing to spend time up at the lake. Ryan and I are excited to bring the baby up to the lake for a whole new experience.:)

Infant Massage Class

This past summer I took a three day course to become certified to teach infant massage. The class was offered through the International Loving Touch Foundation. After finshing the class I took an exam, then to get my final certification I had to fulfill the practicum part of the course which was teaching infant massage to a group of mothers and babies. I did this in my home over the past month. Hopefully, in a few weeks after I get reevaulated I can be an known as certified infant massage instructor. It was alot of fun for both me and the students. There are alot of reasons for parents and baby to enjoy infant massage. A few of the benefits for baby are emotionally nourishing, strengthens and regulates baby's systems, helps with gas and colic, helps baby relax. Benefits for parents include better communication between infant, increases confidence and handling skills, helps parents relax. You can also check out the website http://www.lovingtouch.com/ for more information.

First Pictures of Baby Koopmans

Profile shot with arm touching forehead.

Front view of face





We had our ultrasound yesterday. I am 19 1/2 weeks. Besides the fact that I had to drink alot of water and had to pee really bad; it was alot of fun and awesome to see. The ultrasound tech did let me go to the bathroom half way through so that was nice. She took all sorts of measurements and looked at all the different parts of the baby like the heart, brain, kidneys and bladder. She said that every part looked "good" but I have another doctors appointment next week. When the tech was measuring the legs she said that if we did not want to know what the baby's sex is to look away....well Ryan stared it the screen the whole time and could not see what she was even looking at. The baby was also moving around alot. It was funny though because once the tech was done measuring the legs she said.."now I am going to look more closely at "his" arms and Ryan called her on it saying that she said "his"...I did not hear her say that. But really, we do not know what we are having. The baby's heart beat was 142 and with the techs measurements weighs 8oz and is 8-10 inches long. She stated that my due date could actually be June 2, 2008 but again we will have to see what the doctor says next week. It was really amazing to see the baby moving and kicking...it is a miracle.


Top of head and hand

Baby Koopmans Is On The Way

At Christmas, we got some baby gifts. Ryan had to try on the Christmas bib from Grandma and Grandpa Roedema.

17 weeks
19 weeks


On Saturday Ryan and I went to Babies R Us and got our crib with matress, changing table and dresser. Thank you to both sets of Grandmas and Grandpas for that. We have our ultrasound on Tuesday. Here is are some bump shots...at 17 and 19 weeks.