Happy 2013!

It's 2013 and you know what that means....BABY E will be arriving!!! 

One week and we get to find out what sex little baby E is and we can't be more excited...that is if he/she lets us see. 

 

Until then, here are some updates:

 

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Gained about 6 pounds

How's Mommy been feeling? A weeee-bit overwhelmed with the worries of becoming a mom and everything that needs to get done before the baby comes!

What about Daddy?Very anxious to feel the little one move and find out if it's a boy or girl

Maternity clothes? Definitely wearing pants...Dressing up for work and trying to rubberband all my pants are doing a great job of popping buttons off!

Sleep: No problem in this department :)

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move both inside and outside of my tummy

Babies Heart Rate: 152bpm

Food cravings: None so far this week...but have had terrible SALT cravings (Burgers, chips, Ramen noodles & Pickles!)

What I can't stand: The sight of raw meat

Gender: Still unsure - Last week to vote!

Thoughts on Names: We have a name picked out for both Boy & Girl...but that'll be kept a secret until the baby is born. 

Belly Button in or out? No change really

Due Date: 6/1/13

What I miss: An ice cold Beer

Weekly Wisdom: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff :)

Milestones:
Baby E weighs 8.5 ounces and is 6 inches in length.

Baby Esselman is on its way!

16 weeks and counting! Baby "E" is as big as an Avacado :)
Eric and I can't be more excited to add a little one to our family.  The road so far hasn't been too bad.  I started out with some nausea which happened more in the evening.  My hips have been pretty sore as well as headaches, but other than that it has been a pretty smooth road so far. 

We have an appointment on january 14th to find out the sex of the baby and share with everyone, but we're planning on keep the name a secret.  People ask us what we would like to have and if they would have asked up before we got pregnant the answer would have been a Girl, but now that we are pregnant and realize how much has to go right to get a healthy baby, we just pray to get a healthy baby :)

Hobbies Galor!

Since moving to WI and buying our first house, we have been relieved to be able to finally have the room. After a great weekend with family over Easter, Eric was able to bring his project car home- 1985 Trans Am. It was pretty neat to see him drive it into his own garage :) Something he has been dreaming about for quite a time now. (He's actually out there right now reving it up...just picture the scene from Old School with Will Ferrel- LOL!) Anyways...Here's a few pictures of the car









While visiting some family this weekend, I was introduced to the Creative Memories by Eric's Aunt. I was so interested that I have booked to host a party and become a consultant! I figured I needed something to do with my time since Eric will be working on the car most of the time now :) Creative Memories is a company that sells scrapbooking supplies along with digital programs to make organizing you photos a lot easier! You can also create invites and many forms of gifts, or simply organize all your digital photos. I'm pretty excited to plan parties and help people get their photos organized as well as creating gifts, invites, announcements!


My Photo Solutions party is on MAY 14th at 1:00pm at my house! Bring a friend and get a FREE gift!! If you can't make it and would like to see what it is all about, visit www.mycmsite.com/cindyesselman . If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail me at 715-505-1190 or carrie.esselman@hotmail.com

Home Sweet Home

Well, we did it! Eric and I found our first house and are all moved in. We wern't expecting to find a house so soon, but when searching for houses consumes your life, we were destine to find one sooner or later. We closed on the house on March 2nd and moved in that same weekend. The house was built in 2008 and has only had 1 owner so it was pretty "Move-In Ready". Eric has his 2 car garage and the doggies have room to run and play as loud as we allow them to ;)

Our trips to the mall have turned into trips to Home Depot, Menards, and Fleet Farm. Summer is coming and we can't wait to get outside and utilize our yard and patio. It's taking awhile for me to decide what I want on the walls and what color scheme I want for each room, but since we are going to be here for awhile, I'm in no rush. I will make sure to post some pictures of the inside once I have it more organized.

Housewarming party is not planned yet, but will be in the near future so keep tuned for updates ;)

Back to Wisconsin!

The move was a success...in more ways than one! We have been settled in Wisconsin for 3 months now and still getting used to the new place.

Eric is loving his job at Oshkosh Corp. in Oshkosh, WI. Eric decided to sell his small car and drive his truck to work. We all know how much Eric likes his truck, so he is excited to be able to drive it daily.

I had planned on working in Sales when moving over to WI, but as it worked out, I landed a position at Valley VNA Assisted Living as a Life Enrichment Assistant. I LOVE my job and get to play everyday:). Like any job, it has it's challenges but being able to bring Recreation & Leisure into peoples' lives everyday, is worth every struggle. I am utilizing my degree and am looking to get certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist within the next year (I guess you can say that's my New Year's Resolution).

Mia and Toby have been adjusting to life in WI as well. They went though some barking times and we put a stop to that habit real quick. They now have a new cage equipped with bedding & toys. We all had to get used to bundling up each time to let them out and have both on a leash. Eric and I have gotten pretty good at synchronizing walking to dogs :)

One of the biggest joys of moving back to Wisconsin is and was being able to spend time with our Nephew Drew and to be able to meet our new Nephew Noah, the day he was born. Eric's sister, Pam & her husband Andy, live about 10 minutes away. So having some family close, is just as comforting as we had imagined.

Noah John Sabatke

Holiday Parade in Appleton with Drew

It has been difficult getting used to the apartment living since we had it so good in Mankato with the Duplex/house we were living in. So we have been working hard at saving for a house. We have started looking and talking with the banks as well as viewing a few houses. As we are just starting out, we are trying to take small steps so we don't rush into anything. We are very excited to have a home to call "ours". Stay tuned for updates on the house hunt!

The BIG Move

One door must close for another to open. Eric and I are venturing our way back to Wisconsin. From living in Mankato, MN for the past 6 years, Eric and I are very excited to get back into Packerland :).

Eric found his dream job at Oshkosh Trucking Corp. where he is a Design Engineer. He has been living in Oshkosh, WI since August 1st, as I have been searching for a job. Eric has met many new co-workers and is excited since they all have the same interests, CARS! Big thanks to Pam & Andy (Eric's sister) for taking Eric in for the month of September.

As for me, I have found a position in Sales. It's not my area of expertise, but I needed a job to get over to Wisconsin. I start on September 27th...crossing my fingers that it is something I enjoy.

We have signed a lease with Irish Spring Apartments in Neenah, WI in hopes to start the house hunt in 6 months.

The doggies are holding up and don't seem to be too impacted by the change. They are just as excited to see Eric when he visits, as I am.

So this week I am organizing, doing all the address changes and misc. tasks as I wait for the moving company to come Thursday and Friday. We were lucky enough to have Eric's company hire a moving company to pack & move our stuff. Very thankful for that!

It is sad to leave Mankato, since it is where Eric and I have had many 1st and where we met, but excited to move to WI and start our lives together there....Oh and to feel like we fit in with all our Packer attire!

We're Back!

It's been a busy 6 months! I've been updating Caringbridge for Mom, but not the family blog. Priorities I guess :)

2010 So Far:

January:

Eric took his snowmobiling Trip to Michigan with his Dad (Snowmobiles held up & John got to play on his New sled!) Eric & I had the opportunity to go to Vegas and we went! We got to see A LOT and it worked out that Jamie was already living there! She was able to show us some great eats, drinks, and music! It was a very nice get-away this Winter.

At the end of January, Mom had her double mastectomy. It was a tough road for Mom, but with all the support and prayers that came her way, she survived!! I spent the time with her in the hospital, and the night that Eric decided to stay and keep Mom and I company, he got the stomach flu, which I had to take him home and take care of him then...Oh the preparation for motherhood :)

February:

Eric and I enjoyed some weekends in Mankato and catching up on some cleaning and relaxation.

March:

Eric and I had company! Pamela and Drew came to visit...It's always so nice to have family come and visit, but it makes it harder to say "Goodbye" and not knowing the next time you're going to see them. Hopefully it's sooner than later ;) wink wink.

April:

This was a busy month! I had made many trips home to help with Mom's benefit that our Family and friends were putting on April 17th. One of those weekends that I had made a trip back home, Dad convinced Eric and I to make an addition to our family! His name is Toby. A 3 month old Yorkie! Mia has a new playmate and a little brother! They play all the time and cuddle just as much!

The Benefit was a BIG success!!! I don't think there was one time when I looked at my Mom or Dad and they didn't have a smile on their face. We had some entertainment at the end of the night. Ike & Tina, Donny & Marie, Elvis, Micheal Jackson (Thanks bodyguards!), Girls with their fishing rods!! It was a very very fun night and one that my family will remember forever!

Eric's parents & sister came to visit the weekend after the benefit and helped cheer Eric and I on while we ran a 5k race for Scheels in Mankato. It benefited LEEP-where I used to work and coach Special Olympics. It was a gloomy day and cool out, but perfect weather for running!
May:

Eric went on his annual fishing trip for the Wisconsin opener and brought back some great fish to fry!
While Eric was fishing, I was at the hospital with Mom, as she got her reconstructive surgery. This surgery went well and Mom and I found ourselves bored at the Hospital. We caught up, watched some good movies, and when we needed a laugh, we watched YouTube videos of Will Ferrel. Mom's healing fast and is excited for Perky!!!!

And here we are...already May! Eric and I have many plans this summer to go camping, traveling, and weddings with friends and family. We'll keep you posted!

Xoxo,

Eric, Carrie, Mia & Toby