We're Home

So we went back to the hospital about an hour after I made the last post. After spending two more nights in the hospital, we were able to come home. Karen is much better now and plans to work on Monday. Here are a few pictures of her post-surgical removal of her kidney stone. She's smiling because she can't feel the lower half of her body and life is good. Thanks to everyone who helped us through this, including feeding the animals, feeding us, and sending flowers.

Hospitals Suck

Karen has a kidney stone. I've heard that this is one of the most painful ailments/injuries a person can have. One nurse told us that most doctors who had kidney stones asked for epidurals. Since Karen is pregnant, she can't really take any good drugs.We spent last night in the hospital (we're home now). The baby is fine and Karen should be okay too once this passes. If you want to contact us please use email (bbean22@yahoo.com) as she sleeps periodically throughout the day and really isn't much for talking right now anyway. Thanks to Lisa for bringing me dinner and entertainment at the hospital and John & Mary for feeding the animals. Thanks to everyone else for your support. Wish her luck!

The nesting continues...

The cleaning frenzy continues. Last weekend we cleaned behind all of our appliances. This weekend Karen's mom Mary helped Karen clean bathrooms. Matt and Eleanor came over, so I jumped at the chance to take her for a "horsey" ride.


Once we had Eleanor loaded up, Matt took her for a walk around the place. We then went over to Matt and Jacci's house to paint their house in preparation for moving. I have since decided that nesting is a whole lot easier than moving!

Heat!

Last weekend John and I installed the long-awaited wood stove in our shop (with some much-needed assistance from Mike Stephenson). Luis designed our chimney, so hopefully we won't have any mishaps this time. On the up side our shop is MUCH more comfortable to hang out in during the winter. Down side: now all of the neighbors have discovered a warm place in which to hide from their wives and drink beer.

31 Weeks

Sprout turns 31 weeks old this week. As a side note, my birthday is June 17th. I'll let you do the math. Here Karen is showing off her "Sprout" maternity shirt that her sister gave her. Karen is still doing pretty well, although her back is starting to hurt more. Her nesting instinct seemed to have subsided a bit, but tonight we went to dinner with Corby and Nicole and they asked if we have the baby room ready yet (we don't). Thanks guys.

Christmas

Now that Holiday festivities are winding down, I finally have time to catch up on the blog. We kicked things off Christmas Eve with dinner and present-opening at my parents' house. I was too busy gorging myself at dinner to get any pics, but we got a few while opening presents. As you can see, my dad was pretty psyched about his "splendid" present. If you don't get the reference, click on the picture to enlarge it.

Everyone else seemed to have a good time as well.













Isha waits patiently for her present.





Karen's Christmas present this year was a new car. Being a 2-door, her old car is not very family-friendly. So she got a Subaru Outback.I must have been good this year, because Karen got me a rolling toolbox and welded me some book ends with fish on them. Can you think of anyone else who got a hand-welded Christmas present from their wife? I don't think so!
We spent Christmas Day evening with Karen's parents and grandpa. We enjoyed dinner, football, and more presents.
I missed Christmas Part III because I was sick. Here is a pic of the niece and neph actually posing for the camera.
Now for the stockings...