Chicago Bound...

Friday, November 13th

After a really long week where I tried to cram too much into one day 5 times this week, I was so grateful for the start of the weekend on Friday night! I was also very surprised to see a bouquet of flowers when I arrived home. Mike had bought me flowers to celebrate our anniversary =) I know it was last week but we're celebrating tomorrow in Chicago. It was very sweet of him and made me smile!

Tonight we had plans to visit my parents in Battle Creek for a late celebration of their anniversary, my dad's birthday, and Mike and my anniversary. We had a nice meal at Applebees and then played a few games of bowling.

Mom and Dad claimed they had not bowled in 20+ years so Mike and I, on a league after all, thought we would beat them flat. Not the case... my mother bowled a 120 game on her first shot! I didn't even break 80... Mike did a bit better with like a 135 or something but all in all, it was a terrible game for us. We did play another round but Mom still beat me and I was greatly disappointed. Dad and I competed pretty closely but with a little practice I know he would beat me easily. Maybe I should get bowling lessons...

Overall we had a great time and agreed we should get together again to go bowling. Mom and Dad discussed getting their own bowling balls so maybe they will join their own league!

Saturday, November 14th

Today we had to get up very early to catch a charter bus to Chicago. Our employer offers a chartered bus to Chicago once a year for Christmas shopping. Mike and I didn't want to go shopping but we did want to have a day in Chicago. When we were dating we frequently went to Chicago for the day just to have a good time walking around.

We did end up doing a little window shopping but overall we didn't see too many stores. We found the Hershey store and their crazy candy bar sizes. The smell was so nice too... fresh chocolate from the factory is the best.

In addition to great smells at the chocolate store, it was a fantastic day out - in the mid-60s with no wind. We couldn't believe our luck. The only downside was having to drag our coats around all day. Two years ago in October when we were in Chicago I remember freezing just from the wind blocks away from the lake. It was terrible.

We did end up seeing "Boondocks Saints II" since it's still in limited release everywhere. We liked the first movie and enjoyed the second as well. It wasn't as good as the first but we were still entertained. After the movie we walked a bit around Millennium Park and then headed to dinner at a memorable restaurant.

Three years ago in October Mike and I made our relationship "official" at the Chop House Restaurant in downtown Chicago. We made reservations to celebrate our first anniversary (a week late) at the same restaurant. We had a fantastic meal and stuffed ourselves just before we had to return to the bus. We had a great time even if it was a short trip =)

Sunday, November 15th

Today was a pretty relaxed day... Mike and I were exhausted after getting up early and staying out late for the Chicago trip. We slept most of the day away before getting around to a few things we needed to do around the house. Before we knew it, it was time for bowling league!

I had a crazy first game where I scored the highest I ever have in bowling: 146! It was amazing but for only one game. After that I was back down to the 90s. I did raise my average a bit though. Mike also did well but I can never remember his exact numbers... I think his average is in the 150s now.

Monday, November 16th

Today we officially announced we are expecting Baby Dozeman in May 2010 =) It's been a very rough 12 weeks keeping it to ourselves but we wanted to make sure everything was okay before we spread the news.

I'm feeling great and not having too many problems. I have a lot of nausea but no morning sickness really. I feel like I eat all the time even though I'm not really hungry - ever. They tell me that will change as time goes on but I'm also hoping I won't become a whale throughout this pregnancy =)

Mike has been a great support. He's come to every appointment and read about four books by now. He's really ready to become a dad and I'm so thrilled he's as excited as me. We find out whether or not we're having a boy or girl on December 31st. I believe that's like 45 days or so from now =)

Tuesday, November 17th

Speaking of babies, my friend Michele had her baby last night so Melanie and I made a quick trip to the hospital to visit her. She and baby are doing well. It hits a bit closer to home for me now when I think, geez, this will be me in less than 6 months!!

The rest of this week looks pretty normal for me. Mike's going on a business trip tomorrow and Thursday. Luckily his trips are never too long! I give up asking what they're for anymore. I can never keep up with his projects =)

Halloween, Concert & First Anniversary

I know it's been awhile but honestly, we've been pretty boring lately. We do have a few fun events to mention though...

Saturday - Halloween - October 31st

Today was a pretty laid back day up until Trick or Treating. We had prepared 110 treat bags because in previous years we've had about 100 kids. This year the weather was really nice and only got down into the 50s. We had some really cute kids come around earlier in the night. Some memorable ones were a little girl dressed as a Jellyfish and three little boys who were all pirates traveling in a homemade pirate ship made out of cardboard and glued to their power wheels car. They used the boat to go house to house so it was priceless! I wish I had taken a picture. In addition to the cute mode of transportation, when they came up to trick or treat I said, "Wow! Those are some scary costumes." One of the boys, probably 4 years old, replied, "Doh! We're pirates!" I thought that was hilarious.

After an hour and half we had a lot more kids than expected. By 7:45 we were out of candy bags and started giving out our personal stash of candy. Once the coast was clear we turned off all the lights and hid in our living room. Not ten minutes later we had some very obnoxious teenagers ringing our doorbell repeatedly demanding candy. Mike told them we were sorry but we were out of candy and three of the seven revolted and said, "What, no candy!?" and started to come at Mike. Luckily they're only 13ish so once Mike turned on all the lights again and started to go outside, obviously towering over them, the rest ran away. Luckily that was the only issue we had and thankfully we did not get TPed for running out of candy.

Saturday, November 7th

Today I went to a concert with my mom and friend Kathryn. We went to see Celtic Women who is often on PBS and a group I've enjoyed in the past. They had a very cool concert and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. I was a little disappointed they didn't sing as many Celtic or original songs (they do a lot of remakes) but I still enjoyed it.

Since Mike was not interested in the concert he went with his friends to a Pinball Party. A friend of a friend collects Pinball machines and once a year he and his wife have this Pinball Party. Mike said it was a lot of fun and he was shocked to see so many Pinball machines in one ranch-style house. He said there were rows and rows of them. He did take a picture on his camera. I'll see if I can get that on the blog somehow.

Sunday, November 8th

Today is our 1 year anniversary! We made it a year and things are still going well =) We had a nice relaxing day of just lazing around. We did pull out the old wedding cake we've been saving since the wedding day. I was very pessimistic about the cake so I bought a spare at the bakery. We did let the old cake thaw and Mike and I tried a piece.

I thought it was terrible. I spit out my piece shortly after it was in my mouth. It tasted like an old Popsicle that was too close to the side of the freezer and had serious freezer burn. Mike on the other hand thought it tasted good and he finished his piece. I decided to not bother and cut up our new cake. I tried to warn Mike the cake was bad but he didn't believe me until later when the cake he ate made him sick =P After he was ill he agreed I could throw out the remaining cake.

Monday, November 9th

Today we took our cat Louie to the vet. He had some caked blood on his paw that we noticed yesterday and we couldn't figure out what he did. He wasn't limping or anything but there was definitely something wrong with his foot.

I took him in after work and after the vet and a few techs held Louie down and snipped the tuffs of fur out of his toes we had a clear view of burned skin and a few burn blisters. Somehow Louie burned his foot! Obviously it's been bothering him so he's been licking at it causing irritation and the blood we saw. The vet came him a strong antibiotic to help with the healing and pain so hopefully Louie will leave it alone and let it heal. Now we're just watching him.

Mike and I think he did it on the space heater. He loves to sleep by the heat and usually is too close for comfort. The other possibility is our glass stove which he's not allowed on but I'm not watching him 24/7 =) Hopefully this is the last time it happens but we're certainly trying to keep a closer eye on him.