June

Griff's first parade at Covered Bridge Days in Zumbrota. He LOVED it.
Ben's first Father's Day!! It was a fun day of kind-of relaxing.

Ben and his buddy.

Griff was just staring at Dad. I thought it was so cute. We celebrated Father's Day the following Monday at Mom and Dad's. We grilled- it was great!

Four generations of boys!! So cool.
Wide awake!!!

Justin, Mandy and Annabelle Jo came to visit last week. She is getting sooo big!! It was fun to see them- especially since they brought our most favorite supper in the planet... CHIPOTLE! Thanks Norstads!

I'm a month old!!

Too cute.

Our Buddy Griffin

Grandma Avonne with Griff. I had an appointment that morning, and needed some extra help, so Ben's mom came over that morning so I could take a shower etc. before we went to Rochester. She was a big help. Griffin just stared at her while she talked and sang to him. He loves singing!
Two days after we got home from the hospital. This is the spot where we took my belly pictures, so we thought it would be fitting to take a picture of who was living inside my belly for all those pictures!

His favorite sleeping spot with dad in the recliner.

Wide awake! He is such a joy.

Update

What a whirlwind! These last two weeks have been soooo busy- doing what?? Suddenly the day is over, and I feel like nothing was accomplished except for taking care of Griffin. Now that I'm feeling so much better and have more energy, I'm able to get more things done around the house while he sleeps.

Griffin has been the biggest joy to have. He is such a content baby and is smiling a lot more lately. The smile doesn't last long, and it's not intentional, but it is sure fun to look at!! He is a really good eater and LOVES to nurse. He'll be fussing because he's hungry, and as soon as he gets latched- he's done for. His body relaxes, his eyes close and he's in the zone! Nursing has been such a special time for him and I. And it's much more enjoyable now that I'm healing.

Ben went back to work last Wednesday, so it was a tough week for him. He wished so much that he could take the rest of the week off and stay home with Griff and I, but he had to go back. This week, I've been on my own during the day and things have gone very well so far.

We had soooooooooo many visitors over the last two weeks, which has been very nice. We really enjoyed when they brought food too! Ben and I are truely blessed to have such awesome friends and family in our lives.

Griffin has his two week appointment today, so we'll get him weighed and make sure everything is on track still. I don't anticipate any new issues arising, so the appointment should go fast.

Thank you again to everyone for the gifts and food over the last two weeks. I can't tell you how greatful we are for everyone's support as we stumble through parenthood. It's a new journey for the two of us and Griff gets to tag along for the ride. I'll get new pictures up this week too. He's getting chubby and looking less "newborn-like." It's a fun time in our life!

YIKES!!

I was showing someone at work our blog, and looked at the top of the page and it said "15 days to go."

WHAT- THAT's IT?? 15 days?? That seems so short!

But on the other hand, we could have 20, 25 more days if I'm late... or 10 days. Let's not think about that.

37 Weeks and a Baby Shower

37 weeks!!
Here are some of the girls that were at the last shower at Cindy Sjoquist's house. It was hosted by my Mom's girlfriends- Peggy Louis and Cindy Sjoquist, and their daughters Josie Hays and Molly Sjoquist. It was sooo much fun!!

After the shower, the "boys" came and hung out with us.

They played pool too.

One of the best gifts was a homemade blanket from my mom. It is just great and I can't wait to use it!

My friend Marie had my camera during the shower, and when I looked back at the pictures she took- I saw this one. Mom and I are twins I think. Good thing I have a pretty mama!
My girlfriend Josie made this bathtub cake. Adorable!! She has always been very crafty and creative in her own way- and this totally showed! The best part was- it really tasted good too!!!

They also made a baby carriage from a watermelon- how clever!!

They also made a diaper cake for me with lots of extra goodies. I hated to take it apart!

36 Weeks!

White Trash Bash '09

This year's outfits didn't cost a thing! Unfortunately we had ALL of this on hand.
The host and hostess- Nate and Jamie Sommer. Our garage is so small so the Sommer's volunteered their garage for the evening. It was just right! She bought this ensemble at a garage sale- but the kicker is... the shirt was already made that way! Some one did that for a family reunion!!

Jamie, Michelle and Katherine Stay. They looked great! And Michelle got 2nd place in the Trashiest Outfit contest!

The Norstads and another guy. I think they picked him up on the way. Zoey was watching Annabelle for the night. P. S. Justing rented this wig. Rented. We told him how gross that was.
Ben's cousin Alli in a cat shirt, white-washed demin jacket and her Firebird. Totally awesome. Oh- and this is her mom's wig. It was great!

The rents. Another outfit that didn't cost them a dime. Had it all on hand! "Jolene" walked into the party yelling at Dad that "they weren't gonna be stayin' late!"

Ben's cousin Louie and his new haircut. The night before, Ben cut his mullet. I think he had done that before...

The Newlyweds! Grandpa Willard would be so proud of Jeff in this picture.

The three girls- in style. Mom was proud.
Zach and Josie Hays

Kurt and Allie Ronningen

Katie after winning the "Most White Trash" award. A tackle box of course!

Group picture! A nice lookin bunch.

Maternity Pics

Our maternity pictures are up! Click on the Abbie Flom Photography link and scroll down to the Bakken box. Our password is Bakken (capital B). She's a great photographer and a big thank you to my sisters who bought me the session!! It was a lot of fun- glad I did it.

Hooray!!!!!

Our baby FLIPPED!!! It's head down!! I had my 36 1/2 week appointment today and sometime in the last month, kiddo turned around. I didn't even notice. What a blessing! I REALLY didn't want a C-section, so this is really great news. I'll post new pictures tomorrow.

Pictures

On Sunday, Ben and I went to get maternity pictures taken by Abbie Flom. It was a fun hour and I'm SOOO excited to see how they turned out. Katie and Casey gave me a gift certificate for this at the Lindell shower. I wasn't planning on getting them taken, but now I'm glad we did. It will be fun to remember what I looked like at this point in my pregnancy.

I have another doctor's appointment in a week, and he'll do an ultrasound to check if the baby is still breech. I think it is- I don't feel/look any different than I have before. I'll let you know what happens in a week!

Our second annual white trash party is this Friday- so I need to get an outfit together!! I'll post pictures then.

35 Weeks

5 Weeks left!

The baby is still breech, and I feel like I can't breathe. I've been trying different tricks to try and naturally turn the baby, but nothing's happening yet. I have my 36 week appointment in a week and a half, and my doctor will do another ultrasound to see if it has turned, and if it's still breech, we'll discuss our "options." I'm not excited about doing a version, but I guess it's better than a c-section. We'll see what happens!

Ben is off to a golf tournament today at Cannon Golf Course. He traded his old irons in this week and got some different ones. He's hitting them well, but not like his other ones, so he's nervous to play today. He'll do fine- he's a great golfer.

The weather is supposed to be really nice this weekend, so I'm hoping to be outside as much as I can! Talk to you in a week and a half!

Railing and Ben's Birthday- 33 1/2 weeks.

We're getting a railing!! We have really steep stairs in our house, and there hasn't been a railing for them since we remodeled. It's been fine until now. It's getting scary walking up and down the stairs without something to hold on to. So Jeff came over last Saturday and helped Ben start the railing. It looks really nice, and makes me feel so much safer. Thanks boys!
This is Ben's Godmother Olive- she's a doll. This was taken on Easter after church. Ben and I pick her up every Sunday from the nursing home to go to church. She was never married, or had any children, so she considers Ben to be her Grandson- that's what she tells everyone at the nursing home.

Last week, we had some friends over for Juicy Lucies- Ben's new fav! It's two hamburger patties with the cheese in the MIDDLE of the two patties- not on top. Well, Ben still put cheese on top too. Anyway, they were really good but the highlight was getting Katherine and Noah to kiss. IT WAS ADORABLE! Noah kept getting shot down by Katherine, although he really wanted to kiss her.

33 1/2 weeks.

Yesterday, April 20, Ben turned 27 years old. After he got home from work, we drove to Rochester and did some shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods for some golf clothes. Then we went to Newt's- a great burger joint in Rochester. It was good, but we were both way too full when we got home. It was a low-key night, but we enjoyed spending some time together. Happy Birthday Ben.

Almost 33 weeks

I had my 32 week appointment yesterday with Dr. Mitchell, whom I adore. He is always so willing to answer my questions and never rushes through the appointment. This was an especially fun one because Ben was able to come with me. He hadn't been at an appointment since the very first one in November, so I was really glad to have him there. We were Dr. Mitchell's last appointment of the day, (which was nearly 30 minutes late) but he wheeled the ultrasound machine into the room and we got to see kiddo again. I LOVE THAT! The last two days, this little baby living inside my has NOT STOPPED MOVING!! It feels like it has been constant. It's very reassuring to feel it move, just not all day long. The bad news from doing the ultrasound was that we found out baby is breech. I'll be 33 weeks tomorrow (Friday), so there is still plenty of time for kiddo to flip, or so he says. Baby is sitting very high still, and making me a little uncomfortable. I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions lately too. Nothing regular or painful, just tight. All in all- I'm still feeling really good, just getting more and more tired again. I'm really excited for this baby to come out.

Other good news is Ben got a new sales route at work. He had been in Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, Shokopee region for many months and was offered the Owatonna route two weeks ago. He took it and is really enjoying it. The bad thing is it may not be permanant. We won't know if he gets to keep this route for another two weeks at least. He's doing a really good job, and accounts seem to like him, so I hope he gets to keep it. We'll see.

We are LOVING the nice weather the last two days. I wish I had more energy to go out and do bunch of yard work and play ball etc. I guess I'll have all summer to be more active. Ben is golfing tonight- it's Wednesday you know! So he's soaking up in the sun, and I've enjoyed a quiet night at home alone. I'll update again in a week or so. Take care family!!

30 Weeks!!!! Only 10 To Go!

Well, another milestone- 30 weeks! Still feeling really good, just getting tired again. Kiddo has been moving like crazy! Some days I feel like it doesn't stop moving! I have noticed if I have a cup of coffee at work- it goes NUTS!! The caffine really effects it, so I stay away from it, sometimes.

We are starting to plan for baby showers, which I am SO excited for. We have nothing, absolutely nothing for this kid. Just a used crib, used pack n' play, borrowed bassinette and dressers. No clothes,bottles etc. I am getting really excited for garage sale season to start too! Hopefully I can find some goodies there too.
Ben and I are going to his parent's house tonight for his Dad's 75th Birthday.
Happy Birthday Don!!! We love you.

28 weeks

Ben's 28 week belly picture. He had just returned home from a golf weekend with this buddies to Illinois. They had a lot of fun together and hopefully worked out the "golf bug" for a few weeks so he can finish the house before the baby comes!!!
28 weeks. When I got home from work Sunday eve, I took off my scrubs and Ben said, "Wow, you've grown over the weekend!" I had my doctors appointment last Thursday and all is going well!! I'm growing right on track and my weight gain is just right. I am nervous to see what the scale says each month at my appointments. I didn't think gaining weight would bother me so much, but it does! It made me feel much better when my doctor reassured me I wasn't gaining too much and it was healthy. I better get used to it, because this won't be the last time!

Noah LOVES vacuums. He'll point and squeal when he sees one. So we thought, let' give him a ride on it-- he'll love it! Not so much. It made him very nervous to ride on it, and it wasn't made for kids in mind. He barely could get his little legs around it. The "new toy" was short lived.

The first weekend in March, some friends went up to the cabin. These are my best friends from high school- Molly Sjoquist and Josie (Louis) Hayes. We spent the weekend playing cards and games, drinking and laughing. We all had stomach aches from laughing ALL weekend.

Ben and the boys went ice fishing on Saturday while the girls went shopping. This is Ryan Olson and Zach Hayes. The boys didn't even get a bite, but sat out on the ice for 4 hours. They all came in giggling- they must have had fun together. All the world's problems were solved that afternoon- according to them.

It was a fabulous weekend spent with really good friends. Even though we don't get together as often as we would like, we pick up where we left off from the last time. We are really blessed to have such great friends in our lives.