Berry happy

Look at her; doesn't she look like a girl who's "berry" happy?! Totally.

I had my doubts this year whether Abby would be able to get out and pick berries. The thought that she might not be able to pick berries first crossed my mind several months ago, shortly after we found out she was pregnant. At the time, I wasn't sure what activities a 7-month prego could and couldn't do. Well, it turns out that she can pick berries, as you can see from the picture.

When I told her in the field that I had my doubts about her picking berries, she matter-of-factly said to me, "Nothing could keep me from this." The girl loves getting out in the field and hand picking berries, and her response adequately reflects that.

Picking berries was definitely more difficult for her, obviously, than it was in previous years. Despite the growing tummy and aching back, she made the most of it and enjoyed the berries.

While strawberries are one of my least favorite berries to pick (because they're on the ground and I dislike squatting/bending to pick them), I had a great time with Abby. I also thoroughly enjoy the delicious desserts Abby makes with the fresh strawberries. I put a request in for strawberry crepes this morning, and I do believe they're on the menu. I can't wait!

Talking with my little girl

Last night, I laid my head on Abby's tummy so I could hear/feel Kyah's hiccups and I ended up getting more than I bargained for. I definitely felt the hiccups, which was fun, but it's what happened after that that was even more amazing.


Abby's always wanting me to talk to Kyah, so she'll know my voice when she arrives. I have to admit, the idea of talking to Abby's tummy seems a little weird to me. But, I figured that since I was already checking out the hiccups, I might as well say a few things to my little girl. Shortly after I started talking to her, I suddenly felt a few love taps on my face. It was pretty amazing. It was like Kyah was moving to the source of my voice and then was pushing on it. Abby said I got her all riled up. Ah, good times.

We're in the middle of our 30th week - only 10 more (give or take 1 or 2 weeks).

Mark your calendars

Consider this your "save the date": Save Aug. 15, 2010.

It's going to be a big day for us and we would welcome anyone who would like to join us to celebrate. Its the day we're getting baptized. We're super excited about it!

Though we gave our lives to Christ many years ago, we've never been baptized. On Aug. 15 we're going to put on the jersey of Christ through baptism! We hope you can be there to celebrate with us.

The fam visits for Memorial Day weekend

We had the pleasure of hosting Abby's fam for the holiday weekend. It's always so much fun to spend time with them. They let us stay at their place so often that it's nice to be able to have them stay at our place once in a while.

While they were here we celebrated Abby and Becca's birthdays, and they got the opportunity to spend a little time with Abby and Kyah. Kyah put on a show for them everyone got to feel her kick and move.

Abby's Mom feeling Kyah move


Abby's Mom and Becca feeling Kyah move


This next picture shows something that Abby is particularly excited about - the stroller. She was so excited for it when we picked it up at REI. Abby's Dad and I put it together and here are Abby and her Mom showing it off.


Of course I had to get in on the action and feel my little girl move too. It's always fun to feel her kick and move. Doesn't Abby look cute with that little baby bump of her's? I think so.


Abby and the whole fam!


And, if you're still reading this far down the blog post, I have to give a shout out to Abby's Dad for all his help while he was here. He put in a few hours helping me install some new bathroom cabinets and a new exhaust fan/heater. He was a huge help. You know what they say, many hands make light work. There's also a confidence that comes when you're working on projects with another person. Thank you for all your help!

3rd trimester already? or 3rd trimester finally!

First, let me start by apologizing for not updating the blog recently. You've probably been wondering how everything is going. Dustin gave me the task of writing the next blog and I'm just not as good at it as him.

24 weeks


I'm in my 28th week (of 40) already! That means that I'm officially in the third trimester. It's actually very hard to believe, but at the same time, I'm really excited and ready to meet our cute, little Kyah. She's been quite the kicker and mover. Dustin can even see her moving by looking at my stomach now. She's also gotten the hiccups a few times and that's really weird. Just today, she had the hiccups twice.

25 weeks


Everyone says that the second trimester is the best, and it's not like I didn't believe them, but now I truly understand what they meant. Now that I'm in the third trimester, I starting to understand why the second is great. A few weeks ago, it's almost like I hit a wall, and I suddenly felt (and look) like an elephant. It's become a lot harder to get around. I have to watch out when I turn around and think twice before squeezing through little openings - it's not that easy anymore and I can't just suck it in! It's a challenge to get out of bed in the middle of the night. It's even a challenge to put socks on now. It's not horrible, though, and I'm actually enjoying getting to feel Kyah more, and things seem to be going well.

26 weeks


And now with the 3rd trimester comes all the fun of registering, setting up the nursery and getting lots of cute little girl things! Dustin has been quite the trooper and has been busy working on things around the house while I (as he likes to call it) "micromanage" the projects to make sure they're up to spec. I'm really just there to encourage him and he's doing a great job.

27 weeks

Baby bumpdate - 22 weeks

I received an e-mail request to update the blog with pictures of Abby and Kyah - thanks and enjoy, Kara.

Here's Abby at 7 weeks


And here's my beautiful wife at 22 weeks


Kyah is as active as ever. I felt her kick for the first time two weeks ago. Let me tell you, it was a swift, hard kick too. Abby said that it was the hardest she's ever felt her kick. I loved it. Then, just a couple nights ago, I was able to feel Kyah moving around for 15 to 20 minutes. It was wild!

It's a girl!!!

Meet our little girl, Kyah Mae Terpening.


One of the first things the ultrasound technician did was ask if we wanted to know the sex of our baby. We emphatically said yes. So she quickly maneuvered the wand into position and pulled up a very revealing shot of Kyah, and then asked if we had any guesses. I immediately said girl! There was no denying it. It was obvious. I then commented that a little modesty would be nice. Of course, Kyah had no idea anyone was staring in at her. : )

This is Kyah doing a bicycle kick. : )


We probably saw Kyah's legs more than just about any other body part. She was moving like crazy throughout the ultrasound. The technician said that she did three somersaults while we were there and was quite active. She was moving so much that it made the technician's job of getting specific pictures a little difficult. : ) She's been very active for quite a few weeks now. Though, I haven't been able to feel her kick yet. : (

Her cute little foot.


Waving to the audience.


We couldn't be more excited about our little girl. We just passed the halfway point in the pregnancy. She'll be here before we know it.