Christmas Day 2007

There are no little kids in our family, well at least none that are out of the womb yet, so we didn't need to get up super early to greet Santa on Christmas morning. We exchanged gifts while sipping on our coffee. We were all blessed with very nice gifts. Mom and Dad got us a video camera and Eli had it rolling as soon as it came out of the box, so we have Christmas footage. We all got ready and then headed to the Annex at mom and dads Church. Mom's family got there around 1 for lunch. We had a small group again this year but it was great to see those that could make it. We had a wonderful lunch and then we played a game of dominoes.

The Downey Boys and Us.

Christmas Eve 2007

My Dad and I









Dad, Scott, Ryan, Deb, Grandma, Marlyn

Eli, my brother Anthony and I headed back to Nebraska on Saturday December 22nd. We arrived at mom and dads house early evening and then headed down to the local pizza place for dinner. Some of my cousins and their kids met us there.
Sunday morning we all went to Church together and then had a lazy day at the house.
Monday, Christmas Eve we headed to the local super Wal-Mart to do some grocery shopping. We called my sister in law, Anna to get her special green chili recipe and then attempted to find all of the needed ingredients at Wal-Mart. It proved to be quite the task. The salsa isle contained nothing stronger then medium! We did our best to find comparable ingredients. My brother and I managed to make a pretty tasty green chili for dinner. My dad's family arrived around 5 and we had dinner around 6. We had a good turn out this year. We were missing a few people but all in all it was a big group. All 5 of grandma's kids were there so she was happy.
After dinner the little kids opened their presents. Tonya bought them all megaphones so that made for a fun night. Lincoln received his first Christmas present from his great grandma. She bought him a white Christmas teddy bear and he got a stuffed animal horse from my Aunt Deb and Uncle Bill. It was so sweet of them to think of him this Christmas. When the kids were done opening their presents we started our traditional gift exchange game. This year we decided to do a camping theme. We each opened the gift that we brought one at a time and then we started with the first person to see if they wanted to steel someone elses present. If you wanted to steel another persons gift they were able to ask you a question about themselves and if you answered it correctly you could steel their gift from them. It was a fun way to learn new things about one another. My uncle Scott learned that his sister Deb did not get married in 1980....She found that pretty funny considering her youngest child was born in 1979!

Dr Appt #7 12-17-07 28 Weeks Pregnant

7 months! Are you kidding me?! It feels like yesterday that I peed on the stick...well sticks..I did take 4 of them remember!

I had to take the glucose test. I drank the yucky sugary orange drink and then I wasn't suppose to eat or drink anything until they drew my blood. I got to the Dr office and they weighed me, like they always do, I peed in a cup, like I always do, and then they drew my blood. We listened to Lincoln's heart beat. Strong and good. I told her where she could find his heart because I knew his foot was in my rib. I had felt it there all day long. When I left they told me no news was good news....well, I got news. They called the next day and told me that my level was 141. The sheet said that anything over 140 was considered high, the nurse told me 130 or above and then the Dr told me 135...so regardless I was above all three levels. I have to go to the Qwest lab in Englewood on Janaury 2nd for the three hour glucose test. They draw my blood a total of 4 times and I get to fast for 12 hours before they do it! Fun. Fun. They had birthday cake at work for me and I passed so that I would pass my glucose test. Well geez I should have had a big ol piece. The Dr said that I most likely do not have gestational diabetes but I have to take this 3 hour test to make sure.

Come to find out the cold that I have...the third one of my pregnancy, could have elevated my glucose level. I am on antibiotics now and should hopefully be better by the next test and can pass with flying colors!

My 28th Birthday

We received our anxiously awaited packages from Eli's parents. They send us a big box every year filled with our birthday and Christmas presents. We received the package on the 13th. Eli and I sat down and opened our gifts one at a time. The theme this year was "things that make your life easier." Norma is a very thoughtful gift giver and we loved everything they got us.

After we were done opening all of our gifts Eli told me that there was more upstairs for me. He told me to go into the nursery. I walked in the room and there was a gorgeous wooden rocking chair in the corner of the room with a card taped to it. The card said "Mommy" on the outside in sloppy handwriting. I opened the card and it was a Pooh and Piglet card that read "Pooh loves Piglet. Piglet Loves Pooh. And guess what Mommy? I love you! Happy Birthday." Eli added an extra special message from Lincoln. It read, "Mommy. Happy Birthday!!! This is your first present from me. There will be many more. Please use this to rock me to sleep. P.S. I am like daddy and can't sit still that's why I got you a rocking chair." Love Lincoln.
I couldn't help but cry. It touched me so much! My husband is such a softy! He also got me a card from him!

My birthday was a nice one filled with breakfast and decorations at work and gifts from friends. We had an off site Nike meeting and we were able to head home at 2 when we finished. I came home snuggled on the couch and watched "Polar Express." After that we got ready to head to Jason's graduation party.

Jason's Surprise Graduation Party

The Graduate

Eli Lovin on Kari

Gretchen,Me,Ebeth

Jason received his Bachelors Degree! Yeah! Ebeth threw Jason a graduation party at a bar on Broadway. We all showed up at 7pm and he got there around 7:30. He was truly surprised to see all of us there. Ebeth also surprised him with a beer kit and we all gave him gifts to add to the beer making. Little did he know another surprise was awaiting him at home. His parents came in for a visit. They were waiting at the house for him when they got home on Friday night. They were able to attend the ceremony and visit for the weekend. Jason was extremely grateful to everyone and especially to Ebeth for putting it all together.

We love you Jason and we are so proud of you!

It was also my 28th birthday so I got to see my friends and be the DD for my husband!

Christi's Ornament Exchange

I was finally able to make it to Christi's annual ornament exchange. My ornament was the joke of the party because it was 3 years old, but when unwrapped it was still super cute! I have had to miss the party every year since I have been invited, but this year despite the weather I was going no matter what. I bought my ornament and wrapped it the first year I was invited and have kept it in hopes of sharing it ever since. I was blessed with Linda Dismang's ornament. It is a beautiful red glass icicle shaped one. The party was full of lots of great food and fun. There were a lot of pregnant bellies there me, Caren, Christi, Susan and Maggie!

Martini's and Mistletoe

We went to Patty's Annual Martini's and Mistletoe Party. The weather was bad and we thought about staying home but we just couldn't miss this party. It is always a lot of fun. She hires a bartender and makes lots of great food.

Front Row Left: Jerimy, Gretchen, Denelle

Middle Row Left: Jason, Carl, Me, Ebeth

Back Row: Eli and Patty

Melissa's New Do and the Belly

I decided that I wanted to treat myself to some pampering for my 28th birthday present. I got my hair cut and eyebrows waxed today. I went for the Jenny McCarthy look. I am getting a pre-natal massage, mani and pedi on Saturday! I can't wait for some pampering. I have never needed a massage so badly in my whole life!

Photo Shoot 25 weeks Pregnant

Our friends Pete and Lynn from Church leased a studio downtown, fixed it up and turned it into a photo studio. They have given Eli and I a key to use the studio as a side business. We are going to pay them the sitting fee that we charge in return for use of the studio. I volunteered to be Eli's model so he could practice with the lighting and get use to the studio. He has his first photo shoot booked for the 19th of December. He is super excited as photography has been a passion of his for a long time. He has sold several of his pictures over the last year and has recently invested in a new upgraded digital camera. We are super excited to see how God will provide extra income through this endeavor to live as a one income family here soon! Here is a link to the pregnancy photo's that Eli took of me.

http://picasaweb.google.com/elifrick/PregnancyPhotoShoot02?authkey=t_Gyac54W3w

Parade of Lights

Kari, Carl, Abby, Shiloh, Eli and myself met at the Paramount Cafe down town for dinner and then walked a few blocks down to the Parade of Lights. It was so beautiful. It really puts you in the Christmas mood. It was super cold but well worth it. After the parade ended we went to Starbucks to treat ourselves to their yummy Holiday drinks and then we walked around downtown enjoying all of the lights.

Liz, Melissa and their Sons.

We met our friends Liz and Gabe for breakfast this morning at Mim's cafe. They were in town from Steamboat to have Thanksgiving with her parents. Liz is due a week before me with a baby boy. It was really great to see them and talk to them about the excitement of bringing little baby boys into our lives.

CU VS. NE

Colorado University verses Nebraska University at Folsom Field. Kickoff was at 10 am and the temperature was a high of 25! It was my first Nebraska game and not exactly the outcome I had hoped for, but it was fun. We went with our friends Ebeth, Jason and Jamie. Jamie is from Omaha so he was routing for the Huskers with us. Ebeth and Jason were routing for the dirty hippies! It was a great time had by all. It was Eli and Ebeth's first time at a college football game.

Thanksgiving 2007

We hosted our second annual Orphan Thanksgiving and we had a great turn out. We had a total of 14 people for dinner. Our neighbors Chris, Libby their two little boys Caleb and Cyler, Libby's parents Bev and Bob from Nebraska, our neighbors Kelly and Darren, our friends Ebeth and Jason, my cousin Raeth and his girlfriend Jessie, my other cousin Rhett and his wife Sara and Eli and I. Everyone came over around noon and we just hung out and played games.

Eli fryed a turkey and everyone brought their favorite Thanksgiving foods. We had tons of really great food. We ate appetizers at our house during the day and then served dinner around 5 over and Chris and Libby's house. We ended the evening around 8:30. It was a great time with friends and family.

Thanks again everyone for all of the yummy food and great company!

6 months! Dr appt #6 11-19-07

We had another Dr appt today. We have reached the 6 month mark. Everything looks good and I am gaining weight daily! I have gained a total of 18 pounds, 6 in the last month, which the Dr says is right on track and I am measuring right at 24 weeks. Our due date is still set at March 11th and we are cruising along. The Dr did tell me to be careful with all of the Holiday indulgences because 6 pounds a month would not be healthy!

The only time you have ever wanted to be kicked.

My son finally kicked me and I was so happy I cried! It was Thursday November 8th. There is another girl at work that is due the same week as me and that very morning she asked me if I had felt him kick. I sadly sad no. She had been feeling her little boy kick for a few weeks by that point. I was sad and a little concerned that I hadn't felt him kick yet, and sure enough later that day while sitting at my desk he kicked me! My little Lincoln knew how much I needed that kick to ease my mind and my heart. I was so thrilled. He has been kicking all day every day since then. It is such a neat feeling and a constant reassurance that he is in there alive and well. They are growing stronger by the day. Eli was able to feel it too.

22 Weeks and WOW what a difference

Here I am at 22 weeks pregnant. The difference between 18 and 22 weeks is amazing! I still haven't felt our little guy move but I am looking forward to it. My friend Libby took me to Babies R Us to register today. It sure seemed real when I had to pick out pacifiers and strollers and everything else baby!

Lincoln's $1,000 Photo Shoot 10-26-07

After our 20 week ultrasound we were advised to see a specialist based on some concerns the Dr had. We were able to get into the specialist that Friday which was a huge blessing. They usually book out 4-6 weeks. We saw the specialist and he reassured us that our son was going to be just fine. Without going into too much detail the markers that they saw on our ultrasound were markers for down syndrome and they wanted to get a second opinion. The specialist did another ultrasound and did not see any of the other markers for Downs and felt that our son was going to be born healthy. Praise God. It was a long week for Eli and I but all in all it turned out that we got some more pictures of our son and we got to spend the weekend with my mom. We had a lot of people praying for Lincoln and God's hand was on him.

Here is his $1,000 photo shoot. Yep, that is what one ultrasound cost at the specialist.

Connor James Pepple joins the World!

My best friend Stacy delivered her baby boy today! He was born at 2:27 pm and was 6 pounds 13 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. I just got home from the hospital and mom and baby are both doing well. Stacy ended up having to have a C-section because the cord was wrapped around Connor's neck. She is recovering well and is beaming with pride. Connor is super cute and healthy in every way. Stacy and I have been friends since we were 9 years old. We are two months apart in age and now we are going to have sons that are 6 months apart.

Praise God for his new creation!

Here is our Son for the World to See!

A little Eli Emil or a little Melissa Ann???

We thought we would give you a glimpse of what baby Frick will look like. Eli at 8 months old and Melissa at 9 months.

GO ROCKIES!

My parents came out this past weekend for the Rockies game. We went on Sunday night and froze our butts off but it sure was fun. I wish we would have taken a picture. We had our ski gear on with rain gear on top. I wasn't able to get a hot chocolate until the 6th innning because they kept selling out of them.

My mom and I did a lot of shopping! She only has a super Wal-Mart in McCook so she shoppes me ragged when she is out here. We went to a baby shower on Saturday afternoon for my friend Maggie that is having twin boys. My mom really enjoyed meeting everyone and it made her feel at peace knowing that I have all of those great women from Church to help me through the pregnancy and when the baby is born.

Speaking of the baby...I am almost at the half way point. I am 19 weeks along. We go in on Monday at 3 to find out the sex of the baby. Be sure to check the blog on Monday night or Tuesday morning for the big announcement. So far my friend Brie from work that is due a week before me is having a boy and my friend Liz from college who is due a week before me as well is having a boy. Eli and I still have no feelings one way or another on what our baby is. We will truly be shocked either way.

I am still feeling good and getting bigger by the day. Eli smiles at me every night when I walk in the door and says, I think you have grown! I am doing the treadmill about twice a week right now. I would like to be doing more, but you have to start somewhere!

18 weeks and going strong!

October 7th, 2008-Welcoming Fall in Colorado

We just got home from Church and thought we would take some updated Pictures of the Frick Family. For all who have been asking, yes I am showing!

Dr. Appointment #4 10-1-07 17 weeks Pregnant

I had another Dr.'s appointment yesterday and Eli was able to come. They asked the normal questions and we listened to the heart beat. It was such a blessing to hear the babies heart beating. We have had a few ladies in our congregation miscarry recently and it just set our minds at ease to hear that our baby is still doing well. They didn't measure the heart rate this time, but the Dr said she thought it was fast, around 155. That kind of threw Eli and I off because every other time it has been in the 170's so we were thinking it was a girl.

The "SEX" appointment is on the 22nd at 3pm. We can't wait to find out what we are having. Eli and I are both leaning toward thinking it is a girl at this point, but we may be surprised. My mom is still determined that it is a girl, although she did have a baby boy dream the other night.

I have started rubbing my belly and feeling pregnant! I thank God multiple times a day for our little miracle and I just can't stop smiling!

Love you all!

Frick's Place

Hello from the Frick Family,

Eli, Melissa, Sadie (our 4 year old chocolate lab), and Lucias (our 3 year old Rottweiler) and baby due to arrive in March. We live in Dacono Colorado.

First Trip to see Mia and Papa in Florida 9-6-07/9-11-07

Eli and I just got back from a trip to Florida to see his family. It was a wonderful and relaxing time. I am finally over my cold and I feel well rested. Eli's parents Norma and David have decided that they would like to be called Mia and Papa by the baby!

We spent some time at the beach and at their pool. Eli was finally able to take his dad out for sushi which David did enjoy. They also spent a day golfing at Gator Creek and they did see some gators.

Norma took me on a shopping spree for maternity clothes. We had a great time. I even tried on one of the dresses with the little strap on belly. She introduced the baby to everyone with such pride and excitement by patting my belly!

We met Margarets son Devlin for the first time and he is a cutie! We were able to have a night out with Margaret and Evan while Norma and David watched Devlin.

We flew back in on September 11th and the flight was just fine. We had just called Eli's parents to let them know that we arrived safely and then we got in a car accident. We are fine and the car is only slightly dinged up but it was a pretty major accident for the other car. All 4 people were taken in the ambulance to the hospital. A man pulled out in front of their car and hit them and then as they were spinning they hit us and they ended up in a ditch and were pretty banged up and disoriented. We had to stay around to give a police report and get the mans insurance info to get our car fixed, but praise God all of the Fricks are fine.

Dr. Appointment #3 9-4-07

This was a simple appointment. The Dr listened to the baby's heart beat and it sounded strong! All is well. They did not measure the rate of the heart beat this time....but it sure sounded fast!

I had my first and hopefully my only cold while pregnant. It was a doozy and let me tell you Tylenol does nothing for a sinus headache and I can't say that Sudafed helps a whole lot either.
I asked the Dr if there were any other drugs I could take and she just laughed and said,"only what is on the list," ie: Tylenol and Sudafed!

Dr. Appointment #2 8-7-07

This one was much more fun!

We had another ultrasound-1st one from the Dr, but the second one for us since Kim did one for us back in NE. The heart beat was still fast about 175 (my mom is sure this means it's a girl, but then again she said it was a girl from the day I told her I was pregnant!) The baby looks great and I still feel great.