A few more photos at Schmidt's

We think it was the best trip back to Ohio since we have been married. We aren't sure why, but we had a really nice time!

Down to Circleville

The view from Matthew's floor in downtown Columbus.

We ate lunch at Potbelly's with Matthew. We played frisbee golf with Matthew that night. It is tough for me to bend over and pick up frisbees!

The next day, Friday, Jonathan's Dad took off work and we went for a walk and played frisbee golf...sort of. There were only 3 holes.

We all went out to Schmidt's German restaurant in the German Village in Columbus on Friday night. Krista, Matthew, Grandma, Jonathan's Mom, Dad, him and me! We ate bratwurst and sauer-everything:). The German potato salad was awesome! I filled up!

Some Shots from Hinckley

My brother demonstrated his Rocky robe he got for Christmas with his box set.

Me, my Mom, and my Aunt Gloria (Dad's sister). I talk to my Aunt Gloria most often of all extended family besides my grandma (is she extended or immediate...I forget?). It was nice to see them again, but it was hard to talk with the shower going on and trying to catch up with some other people.

My brother, Chris, met us down in Little Italy for lunch on Tuesday the 15th. The one perk of my Dad's owning his own business is that he was able to shift things around to join us. Little Italy is one place I really love in Ohio so it was nice to go there. Now, it may seem horrible, but I always have to go eat at certain places. We went to the Winking Lizard (sounds bad, but it really has a live lizard and good food), Chris brought me home a Panini's sandwich (this is a restaurant, not just a normal panini), we went to Dairy Queen in Circleville and Bob Evans twice! I missed out on Superman ice cream from the Shake Shoppe for the second year in a row and I was disappointed, but I ate a lot (and strangely didn't gain much for it...probably because my mom never sits down so we were on the go all the time and Jonathan's mom and I walked every day!)!

Little Italy. This picture totally doesn't do it justice. Corbo's bakery was closed for renovations...That was a bummer. At least dad insisted we go to Galluci's deli and we got canolies (I can't spell it!) there.

Meanwhile .... During the Baby Shower

The boys all went to Cleveland for an Indians game. It was frigid. Do you see the snow in the top picture?

Jonathan's Dad has his face half covered. Matthew is shivering. Hard to believe just a few days later we were sweating in Circleville. It warmed up fast!

My grandmother made two afghans for the baby. The pastel one I asked her to make years ago. He will have a blanket from each great grandmother.

My Mom, me, Jonathan's Mom. On bottom my grandmother and Jonathan's grandmother. Cole is hiding under my shirt:).

It was a shame to cut into the pretty cake. It had strawberries in it, though, so it was worth it!

The Indians/Browns things are mostly over a year or at a year, but I look forward to Cole wearing them.

Jonathan's Mom couldn't resist getting him his first "trains" which are in this train/truck/car toy pack. If anyone doesn't know, Jonathan is a HUGE train fan.

Jonathan's grandmother made a quilt for our little guy.

My grandmother (on left) and Jonathan's grandmother (on right). This was a nice picture of the two of them.

My mother demonstrated a dog that barks to the tune of many children's songs. It is a funny puppet. We got a dog and a frog.

We got nearly everything that was a "big item" at the shower. Here are the baby monitors.

We got an activity gym (shown), swing, exersaucer, pack n play, stroller, car seat, high chair, etc. It was amazing. Luckily a few people shipped some items, or I have no clue how it would have all fit in the car.

Cute little rompers.

This is a cute fleece blanket.

My parents and brother got Cole many little Indians/Browns items to show some of their "hometown" spirit off. Check out "older posts" ... there were so many they took up more than one page!

The Baby Shower - April 13, 2008

While visiting Ohio, my Mom threw a small baby shower for me with family friends and close family. It was amazing and overwhelming at the turn out of those she was able to invite and at the gifts we were given. We are truly blessed by our Ohio friends and family.Mary White (formerly Zakrajsek) and I have been friends since second grade. We were each in each other's weddings and we can always pick up right where we left off even if we haven't spoken for a year! It is an amazing blessing of a friendship that stands the true test of time.

Kristen Gamauf and I played softball together all through high school. She was my pitcher. We have remained close friends ever since. She is getting married this summer and I was supposed to be in her wedding, but since the baby is due July 29th and her wedding is July 5th I have been grounded.

Mom got some lovely balloons for the occasion and I thought I would throw this in here just to check if you are reading. As you are aware, and if not the balloons should tell you, we are having a boy. We announced his name at the shower before the guests got there to our parents. Do you want to know? I guess it doesn't matter since I am typing it...we are going to name him Cole James Forte. Cole is a name we have liked for at least 5 years and James is Jonathan's middle name.

Donna Ehrmann, my parents friend and a super nice woman, brought this bouquet for me. It is beautiful!

Jonathan's Mom got the cake for the occasion. It was beautiful and the booties on it make a nice keepsake.

Redhawks Game Saturday 4/5/08

Here I am at almost 24 weeks. We went to the Redhawks game Saturday and it was a fun time. It was a little chilly. We sat really close to each other for warmth. Neither one of us complained. Having some extra blubber helped me out:).

This photo is at such an angle I think it exaggerates the baby bump. He's kicking around in there a lot now! Jonathan has felt him several times. Today I think he moved all day long. It seemed like every time I sat my stomach rolled around like a big parachute in the wind.

Jonathan sporting his new hat. He loves baseball. Too bad his son seems to be more of a soccer player (just kidding).

We sat in the bleachers for the first half of the game.

The wind made it cold enough that we moved to the opposite side of the stadium. It wasn't a sell out, so no ushers bothered us.