Update on the Basement Remodel

Our carpet was installed in the basement last week. It really looks great! At first we thought we would only carpet one room in our basement, but we got such a good deal on the carpet that we decided to put new carpet in both rooms. Before the carpet came, Nate tore out the bar and painted over the ugly wood paneling. Now that the new carpet is installed, we have begun moving all the furniture from our office down to the basement. The second room in the basement will be used as an exercise room. Nate and I bought an early Christmas present for each other last night- an elliptical machine! We already have a weight bench and a rowing machine, so we have a pretty good start to our new exercise room. Let's hope that we actually use it! The pictures below show both rooms in the basement. We still have a lot of stuff to move downstairs, but this gives you an idea of what our new basement looks like. I think the downstairs office will eventually be a perfect playroom for Baby.

The first two pictures are of our "office". We are waiting to get a phone line downstairs so we can have internet access. Soon our desk and computer will be next to the TV.

This is the second room we carpeted, the one we will use as an exercise room.

Zoe does not appreciate when we move her kennel. The basement remodel has forced us to move it a few times. Finally, her kennel has a permanent home in our newly carpeted office.

Zoe enjoying the plush new carpet on the stairs to the basement.

Zoe, Our Little Piglet

Zoe was a pig for Halloween this year. You probably think it's ridiculous to dress an animal, and you're probably right, but it's just so darn cute! Zoe even snorts and grunts like a little pig, it was the perfect costume. We spent Halloween at my parent's house. Their neighborhood always gets more trick-or-treaters. Zoe wanted to say hi to all the kids, she even escaped out into the yard a few times. It's hard to believe that next Halloween we will have a baby to dress up in costume. Zoe will not be the cutest for long!

The Remodel Begins

Nate and I are starting to prepare for Baby by getting the nursery ready. This is no easy task. Currently our "nursery" is being used as a computer room and office. We have plans to redo our basement and move all our office things downstairs. There was a huge bar in our basement, kind of funny considering Nate and I do not drink. We tore out the bar last weekend, so the next step is painting the walls and installing carpet. It will be nice to actually use the large room in the basement instead of having an enormous bar. I used the bar to store all my teaching supplies, so I guess I will have to find a new place for those. As for the nursery, we have plenty of time to worry about furniture and decorations. We painted the room light yellow last spring, which will be perfect for Baby's room. Below are a few "before" pictures of our basement and computer room. We will post pictures again when the remodel is complete.

Our ugly basement, minus the bar. The mirrors and wood paneling have to go!

The Best Anniversary Gift

Nate and I are happy to announce that we are going to be parents! We have known for a few weeks, but wanted to wait until our first ultra-sound to break the news. Our first doctor's appointment was this afternoon. Watching the ultra-sound was so amazing. The doctor determined that I am only 9 weeks pregnant, so we didn't expect to see much on the ultra-sound. We were very wrong! The baby already has arms, legs, and a strong heart beat. It's hard see all the features on the ultra-sound printouts, but on the computer screen they were very clear! Needless to say, Nate and I are completely thrilled. We did not expect to get pregnant so quickly. This is truly a gift from God. We can't wait to meet Baby Bruck... sometime around May 9th.

Our 3rd Anniversary

Today is our third year anniversary! It's hard to believe that we have been married for three years already. Nate is working late tonight so I am home alone with Zoe. We are watching the Cubs in their first play off game against the Dodgers. Nate is so upset that he has to miss part of the game. Hopefully he will be home soon to watch the last few innings with me!

Cubs vs. Brewers

Nate and I went to Milwaukee this weekend with our friends Jon and Rachael. We went to the Cubs vs. Brewers game at Miller Park. The park is so nice, but I suppose anything is nice compared to Wrigley. The park has a retractable roof, which I thought was pretty cool. There are even gift shops, bars, and restaurants inside the stadium. The Cubs won the game 6-3. I really think there were more Cubs fans at the game than Brewers fans. After the Cubs won, we witnessed a serious fight between a Cub fan and a Brewers fan. Both people were arrested. Right now, I am watching the Cubs play the Brewers again and it looks like the Cubs will win today's game too! We can't wait for the playoffs to start. It's gonna happen!

Today is Nate's birthday. Our trip to Milwaukee was part of our brithday celebration for him. Happy 31st Birthday, Nate!

It's Gonna Happen.

Summer would not be complete without going to a Cubs game. This has become a sort of tradition for us. On Saturday, we went to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs vs. Phillies. Eventhough the Cubs lost (2-5), the game was a lot of fun. The weather was beautiful, although from our bleacher seats it was really HOT! I have a nice sunburn as a souvenir. Of course, we enjoyed all the great Wrigley Field food while watching the game. When the game finished we took the train back to our hotel, right off Michigan Avenue. We went out for a nice dinner and had a few drinks. Our mini Chicago trip was a lot of fun. We're looking forward to seeing the Cubs again when the play the Brewers in Milwaukee. We will be spending the night downtown after the game. I have only passed through Milwaukee a few times so I am excited about actually exploring Milwaukee's downtown. Go Cubs!

I just don't understand why I'm gaining weight.

Some street performers outside of Wrigley. The older guy was really talented. The little guy was just plain cute.

View from the roof of our hotel