We took our first step at preparing furniture for Bun's room today. We went to Lowe's to buy some paint to paint over the John Deere green dressers. Photos to come later. That's right mom & dad, you may get your space in the work room back!! We chose a darker blue, not that we are thinking its a boy, but becuase it will work with the themes we are thinking about making Bun's room.

In other news, Scarlett is getting some "pregnancy spots" freckles. Also, this week, Bun is working hard at forming boy or girl parts. So Bun will know what it is, but won't tell us! Bun already has a secret it is keeping from its parents. Naughty Bun!

The doctor gave us a list of do's and don't do's we have been reading up on. Some of it is common sense like no smoking or booze. One thing that doesn't make Scarlett happy is she won't be able to partake in any egg nog this holiday season...but Jon can have all he wants! She also can't have things like hot dogs, deli meat, or can't do tummy exercises. However, she can have pickles, A & E dip, and ice cream (not necessarily at the same time...yet) so all is not bad. That's all for now, feel free to leave any questions or comments.

Well we went to the doctor yesterday, yeah! The first visit down, several more to go. At the doctor we talked about family history, any genetic problems, and current health for both Scarlett and Jon. All signs point to a healthy happy baby as far as the family background and heath goes.

After the initial visit we had some lab work to do. First they gave Scarlett a flu shot. This part was not so bad. Then they needed to drawl blood. The first visit they drawl blood to test and make sure that the mother does not have any serious illness. They are going to run several tests, thus, they need a lot of blood. They had to get three vials. In case any of you know, Scarlett does not do well with needles. Yes, it is true, they took Scarlett's blood and she fainted. All is better now, but her pride is a bit bruised.

All is well. The next doctor appointment is November 10 at which point we will actually meet the OB Dr. Joy Olson. Stay tuned for more baby news!

Jon has been being very protective of Scarlett lately. Yesterday, Scarlett was going to drive to Osky to be with her mom for the day. Jon decided he would drive her so he could make sure she was ok on the trip. Some of you might say he was being overprotective, but he ended up being needed as Scarlett's eyes were being very sensitive to the light and hurting her. She had to cut her trip short so we could get home; her eyes were shut the whole way home.

Her eyes felt better today, and we did some fun window shopping because of it. We found the stroller we want to take bun around in. Scarlett noticed it had owls on it, and was drawn to it. We knew it was perfect when we saw that it could convert to an infant stroller where we could take the carrier out of it. It can also be a toddler stroller, and the carrier is also an infant car seat. Being the Good Eats fans that we are, we knew AB would be proud that we found a multi-tasker. Catch a new episode of Good Eats Monday at 8, 7 central only on Food Network!

New news: we will be seeing the OB on Tuesday at 10 am. Yeah! We can't wait to start the process with a doctor. It feels weird that we have had so much time in the pregnancy and the doctors don't even want to see us yet.

It is flu season here in Iowa City. Jon got his flu shot to help with keeping the bug out of our house. Scarlett went to get her shot, but the clinic warned that there is mercury in most flu shots for preservation. On Tuesday when we see the doctor we will get one for Scarlett that does not have the preservative in it to be safe for Bun!

Scarlett is still feeling under the weather with Bun. We think that there is a cold on top of the morning sickness. As most cold medicine is a no no for pregnant ladies we must have faith for this too will pass and we will be blessed with a beautiful baby in months to come. For now, orange juice and rest are helpful tools.

The morning sickness has returned with attitude! Scarlett hasn't felt this bad since we first found out she was pregnant. We are less than a week away from meeting the ob for the first time. We will discuss family histories and meet the staff at that time, and then have the first check up a couple weeks later. Stay tuned as there will be much more to follow.

Now that we are in week 8, Bun is now the size of a lima bean. The eyelids are forming as well. Another development is hair follicles are starting to form. Will the baby have brunette hair like its daddy? chestnut hair like its mommy? or red hair like its grandma and the Van Dovers?

Today Jon, Scarlett, and Bun traveled to the apple orchard in IC. It was beautiful there, but a little chilly. The apple selection did not look too good. We think it was a little late in the season. They looked pretty well beat up. However, we did try their infamous apple turnovers. All three of us determined they were delicious; the best turnovers we have ever had.

Jon and Scarlett have been brainstorming about how to decorate our 2nd bedroom for bun. Here are our ideas so far:

- Western/Cowboy

- Space/Planets

- Planes/Sky

- Snoopy/WWI Flying Ace (any fun things you can steal, I mean take, I mean borrow from work Grandpa O?)

Scarlett has also been looking at baby crafts, although she hasn't found too much that has interested her yet.

Darn you Auntie Sami! After hearing about chocolate pickles, bun thought "yummy!" Maybe Jon will have to drive to the store to get chocolate (ummm...chocolate pickle fondue)

Not much news today. Scarlett is feeling less and less sick, but remains really tired. At least we don't have to have crackers next to the bed anymore. This is a good thing.

Scarlett is now in week 7 of pregnancy. The baby is forming it's tongue as well as defining fingers and toes. Bun is approximately the size of a grape and will double in size this week. Bun is moving around, although you can't feel it. In other baby development the baby is making it's own blood type now and has a fully functioning digestive system.

Bun is very busy!

(picture is an example of baby foot at the end of week 7)

Yesterday we took a tour of St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. We heard good things about it from our friends, plus or doctor, Dr. Olson, is associated with it. They have one of the best premature care centers for babies in the state and were one of the first hospitals in the country to be awarded for their family centered practice. So, family members are treated as part of the whole process as well as the mommy. Jon would get to stay in the suite with Scarlett and even gets meals when she does. For those of you who were there it is very similar to the room that Holly had when Emily came into the world.

It was an emotional day for Jon in particular. He was happy that they are prepared to care for ill babies, but a little scared maybe at the idea that Bun would actually need to use the services. As part of the good stories to come out of their unit they have photos of children who have grown up perfectly healthy since they graduated from the special care units. Some of the children were in their teens. This makes Scarlett feel secure about the care Bun will get upon arriving into this world.

There are several classes that the hospital offers for free. There are several more than plain Lamaze classes. There is one just for Jon called "Daddy Bootcamp" for daddy's only taught by a daddy who has a child of his own three months or younger. Jon is more than excited to be a daddy. Yeah, we are defiantly taking that one. :-)

So we took a couple of days off from the blog. The computer connection at Mama Donna's are not ideal and we forgot the computer in Iowa City. So we will catch up.

This past weekend we went to Oskaloosa where we had birthday celebrations for Jon, Scarlett, Patty, and Donna. Grandma Lil made a wonderful meal. Scarlett and the baby liked the mashed potatoes and gravy the best. It could be because Grandma puts half and half in the potatoes, but we think that there is probably a secret ingredient or two which makes Grandma's the best in the world.

While in Osky we had several discussions with Scarlett's family about their experiences with pregnancy and babies. Some stories such as walking on the day of birth to babies refusing to move in the mommy until month 7. New news on what the baby is hoped to be... as we know Donna wants a girl, but Aunt Pat wants a boy! Who will win?

Scarlett did well this weekend. She walked and ate normally with the whole bunch. Watson the basset was even more close and protective of her... we are wondering if he knows he will be an uncle soon. All this excitement must have exhausted mommy and baby because the morning sickness was back with a passion today. Rest is recommended for all.

In exciting news three people have new names. Donna and Ron have decided on names to be called. They are going to be Oma and Opa, meaning Grandma and Grandpa in Dutch! Cute! But better news is the baby has a nickname....the baby is "bun"... as in bun in the oven or be a good bun and let Scarlett sleep through the night.

That's the news for now! More to come from Jon, Scarlett, and Bun!

We have determined that pregnant women should not watch Paula Dean as everything is beginning to look good.

Sorry we missed yesterday. Both of us were tired and feel asleep once we got home. Marianne has shared that she wanted mashed potatoes and chicken when she was expecting. Scarlett also has a hankering for mashed potatoes.

For Scarlett's birthday Jon took her to Texas Roadhouse. Mashed potatoes with gravy were a big plus. However she lamented on the decision to get chicken instead of steak as she is supposed to eat all meats well done and did not want a dried out steak. Salad was also a huge hit as it is pleasant to the pallet, healthy, and cool to the touch.

Jon and Scarlett have also started the massive project that is finding a name. Ever the teacher Jon decided that we should use Venn diagrams to make it easier.... for those of you who have been away from school for too long. A Venn diagram is drawling two locking circles, like rings in a magic act, putting what both like in the link and what doesn't match in the outer circles. We put the names that both of us like in the middle to help us narrow our search. It's a work in progress, but it is fun!