Winter in Minnesota

Well, everybody has been requesting pictures of two things. First, everyone wants to see photographic proof of Jared's svelte new look. Second, everyone has wanted to see post-blizzard pictures. Look no further. Below is a picture of Jared shoveling snow tonight. We got another 6" or so today, after the 17" last weekend (the 5th biggest Minnesota snowstorm ever). That brings the year's total so far to something like three feet.

So, it's so far away you can't see Jared's hot new bod, but you get the idea. Notice that the snow pile in our driveway is already taller than he is.

The sad thing is, if you look at your calendar you will notice that today is - the first day of winter.

I'm Going to Need a New Wardrobe

Last night I was on the phone with a friend, and I told him that I could only talk for a few minutes because I was going to the gym. He said: "You?! Going to the gym?! Is that a restaurant?" After such an unwarranted slander, I thought it was time to break the news to him (and the rest of you). As of this morning, I have lost 50 pounds. I started on September 13th with a diet consisting of the lowest amount of calories that an active adult male can safely eat, and combined that with exercise.

Things went pretty smoothly (although my coworkers have complained that not eating much sugar has caused irritability and decreased mental acuity). I only hit two snags. First, there was the time when, after about 6 weeks of impeccable diet and exercise adherence, I got the bright idea to have a "free day," where I would be allowed to eat whatever I wanted for a whole day. I went to McDonald's for lunch, and ate two McRibs, a large fry, and a large coke (and possible two apple pies - it's a little hazy). How the normal stomach can handle a meal like that is beyond me, but a - shall we say - "unprepared" stomach can not handle that. The meal spent a grand total of 15 minutes in my body doing its Monaco Grand Prix impersonation before it was expurgated with extreme prejudice.

The second snag was when, because my diet had changed, I had some heartburn. I went to the hall closet to take what I thought were some old antacid pills. I was accustomed to taking three of these pills back when I used to use this medicine regularly. To my everlasting regret, I did not read the pills or the blister carefully, and ended up taking a triple dose of a medication marketed in Canada as The Magic Bullet - used to clear one's, uh, "system" prior to surgery. For close to a week, Kate kept calling our upstairs privy "Ground Zero." These snags, needless to say, completely disrupted my capacity for diet and exercise

Anyway, despite the brief interruptions, today I reached my goal. That's right - 50 pounds in 90 days. (I weigh roughly what I did when I got married). Kate was going to blog about it to brag on me, but I was wearing a tight shirt and she was so distracted she couldn't type. I was going to post a photo, but I got all my shirtless shots mixed up with some pictures of Matthew McConaughey and now I can't tell them apart. I'm pretty sure this one is me though.

I'm glad it's such a good look for me. Turns out I'm going to be going shirtless for a while, because now I don't have any clothes.

Jared Morton

Out with it!

So, you may have noticed I have all but stopped blogging lately, and in part it is because I didn't know if I could keep my secret if I was posting, I guess. Well, it's time to officially tell you all that I'm pregnant!!

I had wanted to wait to tell for a number of reasons this time around--I wanted to tell you all in person, well, on the phone first, or I wanted to craft some super clever post, but just haven't been up for that. Plus I wanted to wait till I had at least been to the doctor, plus I've been kind of nervous to tell I guess. I don't know why, but I've just been nervous this whole time. I guess just already having 2 healthy kids makes you feel due for something. The biggest thing that has probably really kept me from doing it is that I just fall asleep every spare minute, so a lot of things have not been getting done.

Anyway, many/most of you know that we have tried for quite a while (2+) years this time, so we feel very excited that it has finally happened. As one who struggles to get pregnant sometimes (Sara snuck in very quickly and quietly!), I feel very acutely the pain of those who desperately want children, but just can't seem to get them here. (Not that I am trying to compare my situation to the many others that have it much worse.) That is another thing that makes me hesitant to announce our happy news--I know it can hurt some others in a way, I guess. For anyone in that situation, I hope and pray the best for you!

However, I know there are many that want to know the details, and for our own family history, I want to share them, so here goes! I'm still only 12 weeks, but at my appointment at 10 weeks, they could find the heartbeat loud and clear, so that was really fun (they weren't sure if they'd be able to through my scar tissue). However, after that appointment, the fun began. There was quite a bit of bleeding--probably from the internal exam, but still I was pretty freaked out, and of course it was a weekend, so they weren't in the regular office, and ya-da, ya-da, the doc on call wanted me on bed rest for a few days and to take it easy until that stopped completely. So, that wasn't too fun, and of course I started thinking of all the worst case things, but then that Monday morning I went back in and they could still find the heartbeat, just perfect. Whew.

Other than that drama, I've been pretty lucky so far. At least I feel like I should say that. I don't want to complain, especially after wanting to be pregnant for so long, but there are parts of it that are just not so blissful! I haven't thrown up at all, but I've felt on the verge of it pretty much 24/7, but I'm really hoping that will go away now that I'm passing that 12 week mark, but it hasn't quite yet. Still gag every teeth brushing, cough, and sneeze. Food has kind of been a problem. Nothing sounds good, more like most things sound aversive, but of course if I don't eat, that's somehow worse. I've had a lot of bread and butter and mild kind of stuff. I had Chinese one day and it almost killed me. Panera is what I've been craving most days. YUM!!

I guess the only other big thing is that I am just so tired! I wouldn't trade that for anything right now, but still, I feel like I can't quite get all the things done that I need to. But, I can put a lot of things on the back burner to cook a baby, so really, I am not complaining!!

Jared is super excited, and has really been great. He totally took over Thanksgiving, and I didn't do any of it. I'll have to post more about that delish menu in another post about the other things that we've done lately, but suffice it to say, look up Emeril's Gold Brick Chocolate Pecan pie and make it if you want something divine (even without the edible gold leaf).

We told the kids, and they didn't believe us at first. Well, I should specify that they didn't believe when Jared told them--smart kids! They are very excited, and have both put their orders in for what they want. Of course John wants a "boy baby" and Sara a "girl baby." I think it will be a girl, but I have been wrong both other times, so I probably should start looking for boy stuff. Anyway, we're thrilled and can't wait for June!

Oh, yeah, the due date is June 12th, and since it will be a C-section, the typical is to do that a week early, so the birthday could be 6/5/2011. Kind of cool, huh? It's a Sunday, so I don't know if they'll schedule it that day, but anyway, it will probably be very close to that.

So, that's the news and the explanation for why I've been MIA. I'll try to rejoin the blogging club!