Breaking the News....

Disbelief, Excitement, Nervousness...those were my first thoughts! Then I had to figure out a creative way to let Greg in on the news. I had several ideas, but finally I came up with dressing one of his teddy bears up in baby clothing and wraping it in a box with some other baby items. I gave him the box when he arrived home from work and he started crying tears of happiness. To celebrate, we went out to Olive Garden to reflect on the baby news.

October 04, 2007: Greg Finds Out

October fourth was a Thursday. We had, just the day before, received the unfortunate news of the passing of Michelle's uncle, and were preparing to travel to Bloomington for the funeral. Needless to say, receiving a present from my wife was not what I was expecting. She seemed excited, and I was suspicious since she had the camera ready. My mind, of course, was racing as to what the box might contain. Almost simultaneous to the opening of the box was when I remembered that we just started "trying". That was when I lost it. I know that my eyes were too watery to read the note inside, but all I had to see was my stuffed bear in baby clothes to let me know what was happening. It is hard to believe even now. We are going to have a baby!

October 27, 2007: First time Grandparents

Waiting to tell people was extremely difficult. Our first opportunity was the weekend of Purdue's Homecoming. Michelle's parents drove to Indianapolis to eat with us after the game in celebration of Michelle's birthday. We decided to eat at Texas Roadhouse which had a waiting list, and the waiting was hard! Once we had the chance to sit and order it was time for presents. Steve and Sue brought Michelle's birthday gifts so they thought nothing of the fact that I too had a present. After Michelle had opened her presents, I calmly handed the last present to her parents. The present was a grandchildren picture frame with a picture proclaiming, "Coming Soon, June 2008". After a moment to realize what this meant, the laughing and tears began. It was a great moment, I'm glad that we were able to inform the first-time grandparents in person.

Telling the Future Aunts and Uncles...

I called Janell and Rob to tell them the news after our first doctor's appointment. They were excited and happy for us. I think Janell finds a special interest in pregnancy since she helped devliver a baby in Europe. That event was her deciding factor on Nursing as a profession.

Thanksgiving 2007

We were able to travel to Washington DC for Thanksgiving. I am glad that we flew because at that point in time I was car sick on most any trip over a half hour. The ride to and from the airport were not fun...but the flights went well. Adam met us at the airport and introduced us to DC driving. On the way home he showed us some extremely high priced condos that, in his words, "Are to small for a family, but would fit a single couple like you". An hour later we visited Kellee and Adam's favortie hamburger joint and told them the news! Everyone was very excited, Adam didn't blink for a long time and just had a silly smile on his face for the better part of ten minutes. The boys did not seemed to be phased by the fact that they would soon have another cousin. Maybe they will feel differently later on in life?!? While in DC we were able to explore downtown, visit the tomb of the unknown soldier, and spend a fun time with all of the Schusters!

February 02, 2008: A Kick!

Today presented one of those moments that I don't think you ever forget. Michelle and I had been anxious for our next doctors appointment. I think when you see the doctor your anxiety level drops, and then begins to grow again, until the next time you see the doctor. Anyway, Michelle was worried about how things were going, because several of her friends kept telling her that she should have felt the baby move by now. Even though she had, in fact, felt the baby move, she had not felt anything "significant". So, Saturday night she informed me that the baby had been sleeping all day, so I decided to talk to it. Shortly after the baby started to move, and then it happened. My baby kicked me right in the ring finger! Needless to say, we had the appointment and everything is fine.

February 14, 2008

We traveled to Florida for Greg's cousin's wedding. Yeah, I finally got to meet Greg's mom's side of the family!! It was a fun and quick adventure. At that point I must have thought I was not expanding as much as I really was. I popped a button on my dress just before we went to the wedding rehearsal! Oh well, at least I know how to sew on a button and the hotel had an emergency sewing kit!! On the way back to Cincinnati and were chased by tornados. God was with us!

March 10, 2008

Week 27...
I recieved a phone call saying my blood sugar was too high and that I needed to come in for further testing. So I went in for a four hour event of testing...what a way to spend the day! Needless to say, it turned out I was boarderline gestational diabetic. I still had to do all of the things that a person with diabetes has to do. I went to diabetic training at the hospital and then spent hours in the grocery store just trying to figure out what I could and could not eat. It was quite the process!! As soon as you get everything figured out, it is really not too bad.

March 21, 2008: Goodbye and Hello

It has been quite the week. After spending more money for the latest Mini Cooper problem, Michelle and I decided that it was time to trade in our "First Date" car. We planned to start looking on Tuesday, March 20th. On Monday I received a call from someone interested in buying the Mini Cooper. Michelle and I quickly sprung into action and cleaned the Mini one last time. By 10 PM Monday night the deal was done. While it is very sad to give up the Mini, we both agree that it was the right move. Tuesday morning I had the opportunity to wake up at 5 AM to drive Michelle to work. Then I picked her up after work. Then she picked me up after work. Clearly this was not going to last long. Tuesday night we test drove a Saturn Vue. Michelle had been reading many positive reviews and was very interested in this car. I was very skeptical based on past Saturn models. To my surprise the new Saturn's are very nice! We quickly fell in love, but didn't want to rush into anything and agreed to wait. Wednesday after work, we visited Honda and test drove a CRV. Also to my surprise, the CRV doesn't even compare to the Saturn Vue. After our test drive we stopped in at another Saturn location and were further "Sold" by the salesperson. We finally decided to make the buy. After scouring a three state region for our "perfect car", one was located north of Cincinnati. While waiting for confirmation the salesperson offered to instead sell us a model with many more features for nearly the same price. Obviously we took the deal and drove home in the Saturn Vue that was on display in the Cincinnati Auto Show! Michelle is happy with the new baby car. I am happy referring to it as the 250 horsepower, dual chrome tailpipe, v6, Saturn Vue with heated seats. But if you want to call it the "Baby Car" that is fine too! I guess the long and short is that the Mini represented our relationship as a couple. It was our first date car and the car we drove away from our wedding in. But now we have a family, and I'm happy to buy a family car!

April 12, 2008

My friend Kelly along with my mom organized a shower for Baby Plunkett! It was so much fun to see all of my friends and family gathered together at home to welcome the baby with many thoughtful gifts. As for me...I have started the swelling process! I am usually fine in the morning, but by afternoon and evening I am a scary sight. My shoes no longer fit...I am glad it is nearing summer time and sandals are in season! Ah, no wonder people have the saying bare foot and pregnant..yikes, now I know why?!?!

May 29, 2008

Week 38...
Yeah! Baby and I made it through the school year!! I wonder what baby thinks not hearing the students making noise everyday??? Greg and I decided not to travel at all this month for fear of delivery on the highway...although highly unlikely. We have spent our time going to Reds Games, going to the Taste of Cincinnati and finishing up anything that might not have already been thought about for baby. I thought for sure that we would have a baby at the end of May...but May came and went without a delivery. We have been on weekly doctor visits for the past three weeks...everytime seems to be the same...no change. It just leaves us with that one remaining question...when will baby decide to arrive????