Mini-vacation cometh…

Beth and I had planned on going to the 49th state added to the union. In an RV. Then we thought she might be a little too round for that. Probably wouldn’t enjoy it a whole lot with swollen feet and a round belly in the middle of the wilderness and tundra. So we canceled the one week vacation and have decided to go to the “Great Faces. Great Places.” state instead. We’re going to leave on Saturday morning, drop the doggy off at Grandma and Grandpa Wurtzberger’s house. I do hope he’s not too much trouble. I guess Bob and Mel are going to drop off Otis there when they vamoose to S. Carolina. Good experience, right?

At any rate, we’ll probably take MN 15 S. to MN 60 West to I-90 and keep on trucking. I guess the Stugis bike rally is still going on, we could poke our heads in there and see what the hub-bub is about. I’m probably too much of a city-slicker now to even come close to “fitting in” but you never know. We’re planning on hitting Deadwood, Badlands, Reptile Garden, Maybe the Needles Highway… all very possibly cool things to do. I know I did this when I was 4 or 5 with Polly and Joe Schmitz (my aunt and uncle – Mom’s sister), but don’t remember much else about that trip. I know I was there though!

And of course, we’ll see the faces! Definitely some updates coming after our trip – possibly during if our Hotel has Wi-Fi… it is SD…

Daddy better learn how to start (baby) rocking…

Daddy.

Wow.

Halfway there! Beth and I had our 20 week ultrasound today! Apparently, the little person is particular to the lower part of Beth’s uterus and liked being curled up in a ball, feet above the head, playing with them! How cute! The ultrasound tech also thought it was cute, but wanted to get some good pics to make sure everything was progressing well. Even with a full bladder, s/he didn’t want to leave the lower part and made it a difficult picture day! All in all, baby ‘Berger is in the 50th percentile in all the major measurements. Head size, leg length, stomach, and one other thing (so many views!). Two kidneys, stomach with fluid in it (can swallow), intestines on the inside, no cleft lip, no overly large fat spot on the back of the neck, good, flexible spine, 10 toes, 10 fingers, proportionately growing appendages, and a little bitty… nothing.

We asked the tech to write down the sex of the baby and put it in an envelope so if we change our minds, we can find out. Well, because it’s bottom was so far down the deepest reaches of it’s current home, I don’t think she found out. Beth claims she saw “nothing” from a quick turn and a “bottoms up” view and is convinced it’s a girl. I saw nothing conclusive, so she could be right. Do I care either way? No. Would I prefer a boy? Of course! I’m a guy!

It was awesome watching our little wonder play inside of Beth. The tech even tapped her tummy in an attempt to move it around into a better viewing area. All in all, we did get some good pictures including the one above.

I better note: in all the pictures, it’s head is on the left, looking up!

PSS: Updates have been made to the “Rhino” page, as well as a post a few days back “Crib Assembly/Norman Video“

Garage Cleanup

How long ago did we fix up the old office and turn it into the nursery? When did I yank the old garden fence out and try seeding? One month? May have been two. Well, progress has been made and the garage is finally cleaned out:

Before:
After:

Amazingly, most of the stuff I wanted to ditch fit into the TUB. It didn’t cost too much either ($120) and they haul it away. I’ve had a couple of neighbors ask me about it and how much it holds, etc. The best thing: I have the back of the garage back! I didn’t realize how much space that crap was taking up! NICE!

Rhino Keeps Rocking!!!

What a month for gigging July is turning out to be. Busiest month in a long time, 10 shows, including a stretch with 8 shows in 16 days, all 10 in 22 days! We started the two 3 day stints at Sneaky Pete’s (the “ultimate fun bar“) and proceeded to the Firehouse in Lexington on the ominous Friday the 13th. Both shows were meager, but paid well, so that always helps. The Main Event has changed hands twice in the last year, going from the Main Event to Club Array and now it’s “G.B. Leighton’s Pickle Park“. Wow, they spiced that place up nice. There is a HUGE guitar over the bar, they changed the pool table area to a V.I.P. section ($40 for seating and bottle service – jag and vodka), and made the place very classy. Nice work! We exceeded the door for first time I can remember as far as gigging goes, which was awesome (it was $800 vs. 80% of the door, we pulled home over $1000, so that put us in excess of $1250 paid at the door). The place was packed!

This last weekend was lackluster and I think the 90 degree heat should have helped, but it didn’t. POV’s was decent for a mid-summer event, the people who were there had an awesome time! I got some props from a couple of random people which was great! We didn’t think we did well at Jersey’s, but the staff said it was the best crowd in there in 6 weeks. We closed off these shows with another Sneaky Pete’s show – they were supposed to have something going on besides the beer-pong tournament – something sponsered by a vodka company, but alas, it didn’t happen. The bar is okay, the location is sketchy and hard to park for (DT MPLS – next to “Dream Girls” at the end of the L-train.), the staff is great, but the stage is only OK and there just has never been a crowd there during the week. I think we only have one more show booked there.

The picture above is from the Grandpa Al’s show on June 16th. We do “Fishing in the Dark” and during the 2nd verse, during the “Jump in the river and cool ourselves…” we all gather at the front of the stage and JUMP back… well, I forgot about the DRUM RISER and landed on my south end. it was actually pretty humorous – only because I wasn’t hurt!

Well, that’s a band update. We’re definitely doing well and should keep on moving up. We’ll see what the smoking ban does… and the baby!!!

Crib Assembly/Norman Video

We bought the first thing for the baby! Unfortunately, it’s the LAST thing it’ll use!

Not the most difficult thing to assemble. Little trouble figuring out how the drop-side works (there is definitely a technique!) but other than that, it was all pretty easy. Now it just needs a mattress, bumper, blankets, matching this and that, some wall decor… and a baby!

Also in this edition:

More adventures of Norman-doodle.

17 weeks!!!

Well, 17 weeks into this thing! All is well as far as we know! Our next doctor’s visit is the 20 week one where we could find out the sex of our child, but we probably won’t. I can’t even explain how excited we both are about this child!

We made our first major purchase: Crib. It should be here sometime this week. (Probably Wednesday). Then not only do you have to buy the crib, then you have to buy the bumper and the matress and the sheets/comforter set/whatever it’s call. Then dressers. Then a stroller. and a million other things!

What else… Doing a little side work (to help pay for aforementioned items), fills up my days and weekends. Should really help us out in that regard! Plus RHINO is playing about 10 times this month. 6 shows in 11 days coming up. That should make me nice and tired!!! Plus my real jobby-job is starting to kick into high gear.

Found out I probably have aleargies. I went down to visit the future Grandparents in New Ulm, came back on Monday and woke up with the reddest eyes! Went to get that checked out, thought it might be pink eye, but I was never sick. Got some drops for my eyes and the itching ceased. Something fun for the rest of my life.

Check the baby-ticker page for some new pics of Beth and Belly!!!

My youth – in CGI

Went to see Transformers on July 3rd with one of my co-workers. I thought I’d like it. I knew it wasn’t going to be what I originally thought it would be (G1 brought to life). I didn’t think I’d actually enjoy it to the degree in which I did. It’s how the cartoon should have been. They’re warriors. They die. With the exception of TFTM (cartoon movie), characters only became wounded. They were never destroyed. That makes more sense. Warriors are killed in battle. And then you bring in more new warriors for the next movie and line of toys!

The comic relief was pretty good as well. It was a little over-the-top in some places, but the jabs from G1 fame were fabulous. I’ll see if I can drag Beth to it, as I’d like to see it again! It was full out entertainment! I’d like to say that if I wasn’t as big a fan as I am, I still would have liked it. I’d like to test that theory w/ B.

Our tree climing Dog…

Um, anyone want to explain this to me? What a crazy mutt!

I’m not sure what got into him.

Beth and I went down to my parent’s farm in New Ulm last Saturday. I figure it’s about one of the only chances I’ll have to go since Rhino’s going to be super busy here really quick. I think I have one more day off from the band until September.

We had some Happy Joe’s taco Pizza, visited, watched Norm try tree climbing for a day, and made for Burnsville again. Talked a little bit about Uncle Dale.

He was diagnosed with Colon Cancer a week or so ago. Not good. He’s getting a chemo pump put in… steady diet of radiation. I don’t think I’d wish it on anyone. I pray for the best.

Other than that, B’s just been really tired, and really starting to show. I should post another picture here soon. 15 weeks… almost halfway… crazy marathon, that’s for sure.

Transformers Movie – two days. Yes, I will be there. Someday I’ll grow up…

It’s been a while

I’ve been slacking on my blogging duties of late. I’ve been contemplating keeping some things to myself or expressing them here. Selective discussion it is!

Let’s see, we had a quick ultrasound of the baby on Wednesday, the “big” one is in week 20, so 5 weeks away (July 30th). We’re still trying to decide if we want to know the sex of the baby. We’re also on task to find a crib. Um… pick 5, throw a dart, I think. So many options too! Convertible, color, the way the rail opens. Then after you cough up the cash for that, you still need to buy bedding, a mattress and about 1,000 other things! Yaaaahhhh!!! Head-first slide!

Geno popped in for a ride to the airport on Wednesday. He flew down to Houston to see his new wife. He came back on Sunday and drove down to Chicago. It took NWA 1 hour to get the baggage from a 50 passenger plane to the baggage claim area. I don’t work at an airport, nor do I have the desire to do so. But how long can it take? Oh well. Not a huge deal for me, but to wait that long… ick.

Bobby has departed our household. He was picked up by Krissy and driven up to ND for a life full of love and tenderness (and hunting!) I hope he makes a great pet up there. It wasn’t his fault, we just couldn’t deal with him any longer. I’m sure he’ll be happy as can be up there!

Two gigs this weekend, Diamonds and After Midnight. We had a special guest drummer on Friday – George Hamilton! My old friend from the Shaky Jake days. Brent “Cookie” B. had some family matters to take care of in Montana and Geo was kind enough to step in and slam the skins for a night! Most songs were “old hat” to us, with some interesting “changes”! All in all, Diamonds was a blast, including the fantastic crowd! The Owatonna bar I could do without. Small stage, strange bar, no crowd… but big bucks. I’m not sure the reward makes up for the quest on that one. That’s the life for us!

Beth and I think we’re going to skip our trip to AK this year – and reschedule after baby next summer. She’s going to be 6 months along and probably pretty miserable trying to walk paths and what not. So we’re thinking ocean side to roll her out to or some kind of spa  treatment. looking into it! Arizona? South Carolina? Cali? We’ll see.

Food- we finally went to this Thai  restaurant we’ve been eying since we worked at the casino. We’d drive by it and say, “Hey, we should go there sometime.” 4 years later, we finally did. It was AWESOME! I had some noodles with chicken and brocolli over it with a nice black bean sauce (Na Dau or something). Beth had Pork Noodle Soup. They let you pick the level of spiciness… Beth took old one star, I took 3 (of 5). Pretty much perfect for me… just so my eyes started to tear up and it didn’t burn my mouth all up. We’re definitely going back.

Complete opposite for the “snack” we had Saturday. I went to Hooters (B’ville) and met up with Bob for a while during Gusso’s bachelor party day. I bought some wings for Beth, Naked, lowest hot level… complete crap. Greasy, messy, no flavor having crap. That’s 0-2 for Hooters and the end of even trying it. And the service wasn’t that great.

I may start to report on every time I hit up a restaurant. I get completely fed up with bad service, cold food, and dumb add-ons for my dinner bill. Perhaps a rating of the best places I ate for the week/month and worst. Hmmm… Side job of an undercover food-tester?

Other than that, not a whole lot going on. Just day-to-day doings in a pre-baby, IT, and band driven world! No pictures this time. Perhaps later!

Yarrr… and it’s drivin me nuts…

What have we got here?

Some small bug? Nope.

Strange growth on a tomato plant stake? Getting Warmer!

Eyelashes impaled on a tomato stake? Ding! Ding! Ding!

Usually not a good thing when there’s eyelashes on an object such as this. In this case it was no different. Beth was hoeing the garden and for some reason decided to shove her eye into the stake. I was playing with the dogs a little when she turned around in obvious pain. She must have been reaching down to pick up the hoe after she dropped it and *doink!!!* Eye meets stake… I didn’t think it was a big deal until I looked at her eye a little better and could tell that the white part was bleeding. Off to urgent care!

After some humor at her expense (sorry honey…) and about a 30 minute wait, we saw a nice nurse who took a look at her eye. Poor girl. Missing eyelashes. 13 weeks pregnant. Shouldn’t even take the drops the DA prescribed because they’re class “C” which is only if it really hurts. Still could. The DA said it would probably look worse tomorrow. Check back for updates!

All this after a nice afternoon playing with Norm and the sprinkler and taking care of the new flower garden behind the garage…