this made me laugh!

so i have been reading online what labor feels like to different women...this one was my favorite!

pain, pressure, gloop, poop, crying, screaming, lights, sounds, and blood. that is what you can expect in labor.

24 weeks along now...

this week i am in my 24th week of being pregnant. I am feeling great! I am feeling squirt move alot, I am really looking forward to Ryan being able to feel him/her move soon. Its definitely starting to set in! About once a day Ryan & squirt will have some quality father/kid time: telling him whats been going on with his day, and how excited we are to meet 'em! No cravings yet.

California!

Hopefully later today i'll be able to sit down and blog about our trip to California to visit my sister Carly. So please check back!

Two Weeks!

Exciting news!!! Yesterday I was able to put my two week notice in at hickory park!! In two short weeks I will hopefully be retiring my apron, and in less than three months taking on our biggest challenge yet, (i'm sure) PARENTHOOD! I CANNOT WAIT. I honestly had my doubts when this day would come. I secretly thought once Ryan gave me the okay to quit i wouldn't be able to actually do it. I think i squeeled, gave him a kiss and started writing my two week notice!
I am extremely burnt out from the industry but there are about twenty people I work with who i will really miss. its the people i work with who i'll miss, definletly not the customers. there is something about the food industry business where there is a common bond, something i can't really explain. You go through really, really crazy days, nights with these people...they become your family.
How it all started: I started working for Country Kitchen (where Ames Community Bank currently is located) my senior year of high school in1999 and worked there until it closed. I then traveled down to Ankieny for three years. (still with country kitchen) After we got married in june of 2004, I stopped working in Ankeny and started working at hickory park. My tenative last day is june 3rd!
Whats Next?: Our appraising business for the last year has REALLY taken off. With interest rates being at a historic low & going into the busiest time of the year I am going to be working for ryan to help with his workload. We have been blessed, none of this would even be possible without our Lord and Savior who has made all of this possible for us.
If you happen to see me in the next couple of weeks i'm SURE to have a gigantic smile on my face!!!!

At the airport restaurant:
Ashley: "I would like the cheeseburger, meat & cheese only"
Worker: "So a plain burger?"
Ashley: "Yes"

Result: Burger patty........cheese.........

happy mother's day!

Wanted to wish my sweetiepop a happy mothers day! Here is the first picture of her first mothers day. Little squirt in the last week has really been growing! We are in California right now, enjoying outselves with Ashley's sister Carly. We are headed out to the beach!

Additional Ultrasound pictures

Ultrasound pictures

We had our ultrasound done today. We are still committed to not finding out the sex and as it turns out the technician said Squirt wasn't in a position that she could find out anyways. The lady said all looks well and normal and Ashley got a good report for herself from the mid-wife.

Midwest Appraisals

You are looking at the proud new owners of Midwest Appraisals!! This week we officially break off my dads appraisal company and start our own called Midwest Appraisals. The sole reason for doing this is taxes, we are both excited and nervous for this new venture. Ryan has been busier than ever with appraisals and looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. I will take over doing the books, invoices etc. More like ryan's personal secretary. We have ALOT to learn about this venture and bookkeeping coming up!

garage sale season...has begun!!!

now that we have a little one on the way, i have been trying to hit up as many garage sales as possible. last weekend i think i hit up 20! so far i've found a baby bath, clothes, bassinet, baby carrier to take outside and much more! I found this cool website where it finds the garage sales in your area (per craigslist) and makes your routes more effective. you can also add addresses just in case you see one in the paper that isn't listed. anyways, check it out! http://www.yardsaletreasuremap.com/

flea market!

this past friday i got to go with four amazing women to a What Cheer, Iowa to a HUGE flea market. (My mom, Deb Mortvedt, & Jessica Hibbing) it was alot of fun. We left the nevada area around 7:00 am and made it back home around 8:00 pm. it was a fun filled day, with some special treasures found! i hope to get a picture of the four of us after our happy and tired bodies got home! I already can't wait for next year!!!!!!

5 months down, 4 more to go!

its official, i am beginning to feel (and look) pregnant! I have a small baby bump and noticing simple chores i used to do coming more difficult...so far nothing i can't handle yet. we have our first ultrasound appointment on tuesday so we're praying little squirt is growing and developing like they should...and we are SOOO excited to see our son/daughter for the first time!! Although we are not finding out the sex, it'll be nice to see whats been moving inside me so much! We have our girls name 100% figured out, but the guys name we're having a harder time deciding on one we both love, so time will tell!