Exactly 21 years, 2 weeks ago I was sitting in Berthold next to a large bronze buffalo trophy that read, "North Dakota FFA 9th Grade Agricultural Mechanics State Champion."

That's right, I was the state 9th grade ag. mechanics winner. I imagine that is a significant reason why Betsy married me.

And believe it or not, 19 years, 2 weeks ago I was selected to go to the National FFA convention to participate in the Advanced Agricultural Mechanics contest. Again, another reason I believe I was able to marry such a women. She loves a guy who can talk about sprayer calibration and electrical wiring diagrams.

I once fixed a boat motor with a first aid kit, repaired a canoe with a large rock and 24 inches of Duct tape, and almost fixed a school bus power steering problem with a playground kickball and 5 zipstrips.

However, I have met a challenge that concerns me as Betsy and I become parents within the next couple weeks.

I am staring at GRACO Pack'n Play and I am stunned at the amount of parts still left over. I have no idea what to do with the remaining 3 metal rods, the square yard of mesh, and four miniature owls stuffed into a ziplock bag!

We are getting pretty excited and can't wait to let you know about baby Debertin.

The picture above was taken at 38 weeks on a night full of mosquitoes. This was the only one we weren't swatting. But, wanted to give you a peak at Betsy's belly.

Hope to talk to you soon!

An interview with Betsy

Tonight, Betsy is allowing this rare occassion...an interview. This will be an inside look on what makes this lady tick.

















What's the best type of doughnut?
It's a tie between a Maple Long John, no filling, and a plain cake doughnut. Oh, um, though I also love this one type of doughnut my grandma got us when we were kids in Rugby. Honeywheat. Oh, I loved those.

















Has there been any helpful "baby preparation" advice or insight that has been helpful?
I am just going to do anything my friend, Staci, tells me to do.

















Once the baby is around, how will your swearing habit change?
What swearing habit? What the hell are you talking about?


















What's your favorite thing you like to do with your girlfriends?
Good conversation combined with good food.

For example?
Anything from Denny's Pizza Inn to caramel apples.


Okay, I was really hoping for more than just four short questions and answers. But Betsy got sleepy. We were doing this while laying in bed, and then she just fell asleep. I will have to finish the interview later.

Like I said, interviews with Betsy are rare, and short.

Today, Betsy is 30 weeks, 4 days. Less than 10 weeks to go.

The next blog update I will have to tell you about Betsy's visit with her parents about visiting after the baby has arrived!

I got punched

Back in 1983, I was a third grader.

I loved 3rd grade and I loved my teacher and I loved the new girl that moved to Berthold and I loved mashed potatoes & gravy and I loved shooting BB guns and I loved the song "Centerfold."*

I had two traumatic things happen to me in 3rd grade. One was the day all the boys got sent to the superintendent's office for punching each other in the nuts.

Our superintendent was about 6'6" and he was a monster. Literally, he seemed like a monster to us. (We called him, "King Kong.")

Anyways, he saw us right outside his office window "baggin'" each other! He kicked the school's main entry door open and shouted at us 9 year-olds to get into his office. He lined us up in his office and asked how we would feel if he'd "bag" us in the balls.

I think I was about 4 feet tall. Someone that was 200 pounds heavier than I was and who was 3 1/2 feet taller than me was asking a pretty easy question.

He scared the heck out of us and you know what? Nobody in the third grade ever, and I mean ever, got hit in the jewels again.

The other traumatic event was when I got punched for defending a girl's honor.

A kid named Randy decided to say something mean to our classmate, Kristy. I didn't think it was so nice so I really showed him! I took my winter gloves and flicked him in the nose.

Well, Randy did not think that was so nice so he showed me and punched me in the gut.

Guess what? Second trip to the superintendent's office in one month.

I don't remember all the details of the "office," but what I do recall as being strange was that Randy came to my house everyday after school to wait for his parents to pick him up. So, after school, Randy and I grabbed our stuff and walked home together.

The other day I was wondering when was the last time I got punched? I really think the last time I was punched was in the 3rd grade. I occasionally get fake punched for not seeing a Volkswagon Bug or when I lose at this game where you can't look at someones fingers shaped in an "O." I really think the last time I was punched for real was in the 3rd grade.

However, that all changed just a couple days ago.

The other day I decided to taunt our baby.

I decided that I would start talking to our baby and was attempting to be funny, but instead, our baby punched me through the womb!

That's the day I realized that I would rather be punched by a baby, than by a monster or Randy.




* In the 3rd grade, Mrs. Hall let a student each week be the V.I.P.. That student got to be the line leader and make a bulletin board with a list of favorites. My favorite color in 3rd grade was black and my favorite song was "Centerfold." If I can find the picture of me standing by my board with Mrs. Hall, I will show you. There I stand. Tinted glasses and a sign that says, "Centerfold."

Voicemail becomes lullaby

I have a hard time sleeping when Betsy's not around. I stay up late. I eat Chocolate Cheerios. I look online for interesting ways to tie my shoes or wrap birthday gifts. I just have a hard time falling asleep.

Sans Betsy is my natural Red Bull.

Pregnant Betsy, however, has very few problems getting sleepy. If it's past 9 pm, I got myself one sleepy Betsy. Getting to the 10 o'clock news makes Betsy feel like she is pulling an all-nighter.

Two nights ago, Betsy left me a sleepy message at 9:32 pm. Imagine hearing this amongst 5 or 6 yawns. I've entitled in "Voicemail Lullaby"

Hi Honey.
I just got very very sleepy.
So I was...
I'm going to bed.

But I was just calling to see
if you were there
to say goodnight
to me.

But you're busy.



I'm gonna go to sleep.
I'll talk to you in the morning.

Love you.
Bye Bye


Today is the start of the 26th week. That means 98 days until HSICBT-Day (Holy Shit I Can't Believe This Day)

I literally look at Betsy everyday and cannot believe this! I can't believe it. We were eating blue cotton candy at the Bottineau PTO Carnival and looked over at Betsy and thought two things: 1. Betsy's teeth are so blue right now, and 2. Betsy is pregnant!

She looks so good! And she gets so sleepy. And I love it.

I loved my sleepy message I got from Betsy two days ago. I can't wait to hear this in August:


Hi Honey.
The baby and I just got very very sleepy.
So I was...
We're going to bed.

But I was just calling to see
if you were there
to say goodnight
to us.



We're gonna go to sleep.
We'll talk to you in the morning.

We love you.
Bye Bye

Is it wise to put your "Diaper Pail" next to the heat register?

Here are a couple snapshots of the nursery. Not sure where to put the "Diaper Pail." Sitting next to the heat vent doesn't seem like a wise idea.

Gas Stations on North Dakota Highway #2

Someday I would love to be a part-time trucker.

There is just something about shifting gears that I really enjoy. I am also fascinated with air brakes. Plus, don't even get me started with those chrome mud flaps with the lounging lady.

Unfortunately, I am not a trucker.

However, I do feel like I got a good handle on the best gas stations in northern North Dakota.

If you are ever planning a trip from Williston to Grand Forks and you are starting to panic because you don't feel like you will make the best gas station stops, just get a hold of me.

I am going to skip all of the spectacular specifics of the great stops on North Dakota Highway 2 and go straight to its best gas station.

That, of course, would the the Grand Forks StaMart.

Need Popcorn Chicken?
They got it.

Need a belt buckle?
Yup.

Need some Black Hills Gold?
Strangely enough, I don't think they have it. But if you are looking for a 3-pound bag of Australian Black Licorice and a dark purple t-shirt with a howling wolf with glittery clouds, you don't have to look any further.

In the past few months, Betsy and I have enjoyed looking at "baby stuff" at Target, a store called Wizard of Kids, and I have even peeked into Baby Gap. During this whole time I have never considered looking at StaMart.

Well, this past weekend I learned that I have made a big mistake not checking out my favorite convenience store.

On Saturday night, Betsy's college friends and parents hosted a "Miracle on Ice" Baby Bash. Baby Debertin started its journey in a test tube and then was quickly placed into a big-ass freezer in Fargo. During its deep freeze, it also had to journey to some unknown destination (most likely Duluth) during the Fargo Flood of '09. The embryo did eventually make its way back to Fargo, thawed (in the fridge, not on the counter) and then turkey-basted back into Betsy. Indeed, a miracle on ice.

Anyways, people were very generous. I mean VERY generous - in time together, prayers, and gifts.

One of the gifts we received was from, you guessed it, StaMart.

You can see the onsie in the photo, but you may have a hard time reading it.

The onsie says, "I'm From North Dakota. Let's Get Drunk."

I love StaMart.

I am so curious what the staff meeting was like a few months ago:

"Hey, you know what we need to display next to the baseball-bat-shaped cigarette lighters?"

"No. What?"

"Baby onsies."

"Dang! That is the best idea I have heard since the time Jim suggested we stack the cases of pop into the shape of the Alamo."

"Okay, hear me out on this. I think we should have the onsies say, 'North Dakota - catch the Spirit and the Spit.'"

"No. How about this, 'North Dakota, our state is flat and our babies are bumpy.'"

"Ah, I don't think so. How about, "I'm from North Dakota, Let's Get Drunk."

"Okay, now we are thinking! That sounds great! You call that guy and let's place an order!"

You now how some parents have special skills or hobbies they share with their children? You know, like a hunting dad may teach a child how to hunt or a crafty mom may teach a child how to knit?

Well, I hope to be one of those dads.

I hope I will be a dad that will teach our daughter to make shifting noises while driving a toy car or perhaps I can be a dad that will teach our son the correct ratings system of evaluating gas station food items.

(Betsy will be the mom that explains that "hot dogs" are not an essential food group like dad says.)

Half a fingernail and Allen Wrenches

I'm bald so that means I have a wide variety of razors I travel with.

I have separate razors for my head and my face. The one for my head actually looks like a Matchbox car with triple razors for the front wheels.

A mighty looking device.

As I was reaching into my dop kit last night, I said, "Jeez, I hope I don't hit my razo..."

"Damn you, razor!"

"What's wrong?" Betsy says.

"Ah, nothin. And by nothing I mean I think I sliced my finger off."

"Oh, okay. Will you scratch my back?"

Although Betsy did tried her "Betsy Best" to share some sympathy, she also was not too concerned about my finger.

In hindsight, it really wasn't that bad, but I do need to wear this huge band-aid on my finger. Today as I was typing at work I thought, "Jeez, what a pain to have to work with this band-aid." So, most of the day I found ways not to have to use my IR finger.

However, my finger came off the injured reserved list this afternoon to put together a crib. As we were monkeying with the Allen wrenches, Betsy and I realized that we were doing something that we have dreamt of doing for the past 5 years - putting together a crib.

A trip to recruit in Fargo meant a stop at the baby store to do a little shopping. We were expecting to have to wait a few weeks to get it, but the lady said, "Hey, we got one here ready for you to take."

When a lady tells Betsy there is a crib available, you are going to have yourself one smiley Betsy! She oddly said, "Oh, I don't know if we need to take it."

I felt like we needed to go into a no-huddle offense and I said, "Betsy! I am backing up the car! Sign that receipt and we are taking that baby bed home."

(I don't know what happened to Betsy. She clammed up. She panicked. But she quickly snapped out of it and we were soon walking out with a crib in hand. Well, we were actually walking out with me kinda hunched over dragging a box and Betsy was glowing.)

So, this afternoon we decided to put it together and had a fun time doing it. For all of you concerned mothers out there, we realize we can't shove all those pillows in the crib. It was just for show. My mom and Betsy have been sewing together. They have made pillows, curtains, bed skirt, and bumpers.

Betsy is 19 weeks preggers in two days. Sometimes when you are starting a family, a sliced finger doesn't really matter that much.

Insight from Lake Metigoshe Fire Dept

Overheard at the Lake Metigoshe Fire Station regarding Baby Debertin:

1. "Just to let you know, it's fine with me if you name your baby Bill."
2. "Remember, it's fine to have sex."
3. "Oh, yeah, have sex. And then later try to remember what that is like."
   

Mock turtlenecks?

There is only one reason I would wear a mock turtleneck. It's to get paint on it so I can feel okay to throw it away. Don't get me wrong, there was a point in my life when I couldn't get enough mock turtleneck. I believe I could probably find a picture of myself wearing a mock turtleneck with light blue Wrangles.

Anyways, I am down to this last Camp Metigoshe mock turtleneck from 1994. It's 16 years old, so I thought I could finally use it as a paint shirt.

It was a fun day to paint! There was about a foot of snow outside, so it made sense to be inside.

You may say, "Kyle and Betsy decided to go the FFA route with blue and yellow. Well, it's not Corn Gold and National Blue, so technically it is not officially FFA. It is Weathered Blue and Palo Verde. (Palo Verde is actually the official tree of Arizona and means "green stick" in Spanish. Even with all of that interesting trivia, the paint just looks yellow.)

This room used to be our bedroom until we moved downstairs. This rooms used to get real cold - one morning we woke up in the winter and it was 50 degrees inside.

Prior to painting, we added a bunch of insulation. However, Betsy one day mentioned that maybe we should keep it kinda cool. This "baby" spent about 8 months of its life frozen in liquid nitrogen. It may enjoy the cold.

Tomorrow the baby is 17 weeks old. We are getting close to the halfway point. We're hoping that last night's experience at the Firemen's Dance in Bottineau was helpful to in the baby's development. We have been reading that we should be talking to Betsy's belly. I think last night was an important development step in getting used to classic rock music.

Talk to you later.

Never compare weight-gain to huge-ass chickens

Three things that are true:

1. I am taller than Betsy. I rarely remember this, but when you take a side-by-side photo to see who has a larger belly, I am reminded that I am taller than Betsy.

2. Boobs will always be a mystery to me. Why do I have them and what the heck is happening to Betsy's?

3. Telling your pregnant wife that the weight she has gained over the past month is more than the size of the large chickens in your freezer, will get you the silent treatment.

I love my pregnant wife. She glows and has become naturally caffeinated.

"Betsy, why does our basement smell like rodeo"

"Dang, Betsy! What smells in our laundry room?"

"I don't smell anything."

"Betsy, just smell it. It smells like rodeo."

"Alright, I will come and smell."

"Thank you."

"Oh, you're right. It does smell like rodeo."

"Thank you."

After about two weeks, we have finally figured out what smells like "rodeo" in our basement. If you have unfortunately never been to a rodeo, "rodeo" smells like wet dirt, oatmeal, and a tad-bit-of manure.

Betsy got new running shoes for Christmas and they are giving off a western scent. It is so bizarre, but her shoes smell like Valley City's Winter Show Building during the month of March.

For me, I kinda like it. I love rodeos. Some of my first "dates" with Betsy were to rodeos! What I love the most is the sound of the announcers. If I could somehow still live at Lake Metigoshe, where I can be a camp director and play old-man hockey, AND be a rodeo announcer, I would probably do it.

I wish there was a way to describe the sound by typing words. But the announcer speaks as if he has a piece of leather stuck in his right check and talks a bit faster than normal. You also have to say these phrases SEVERAL times:
"We got ourselves a good young cowboy from Mandan/Rapid City/Watford City/New Town"
"Comin' outta the Piggly Wiggly shoot..."
"Let's get ready to rumble...."
"We got ourselves a good young cowgirl from Mandan...." (Mandan is the mecca of 'good young cowgirls."

I would give anything to hear a rodeo sometime soon.

However, today we got to hear something we have never heard before in our lives!! The healthy heartbeat of a 16 week 2 day old baby! 140 beat per minute! That has been the best thing I have ever heard!

Our clown doctor put his science fiction looking instrument up to Betsy's belly and within seconds we heard, "wush, wush, wush, wush, wush, wush..."

(Insert a giggly cry by sweet, glowing Betsy and weepy Kyle.)

Every doctor's appointment we go to we enter with some worries and anxiety. In the past few years we have entered doctors' offices with hopes and left in tears. SO, it's been a bit of an adjustment to go to appointments confidently with high hopes.

So, that is also the reason I haven't written so much lately. I'm a little bit of a worrier, so haven't always been brave enough to give updates.

But today, I can give you some updates. We had a great appointment and will be excited for the next one in a month. We have decided not to find out if it is a girl or a boy. There has been so much science and timing in the process that we are looking forward to a surprise.

Betsy has a good lookin' belly. At community theater practice tonight I looked over at Betsy and she was sporting bigger boobs and a nice baby belly. That's my Betsy!

I've been looking for a t-shirt for her to wear that says, "Don't Tap the Glass."

I promise, I will try to keep you more up to date.

Looking forward to the Baby Bash in Fargo on March 6!

Why not Minot?

Can you believe something only 2.45 centimeters long can produce so much vomit?

On Friday we got to see the spine, two legs, two arm buds, and a beating heart. Also got to see the brain!

We had a great visit in Minot on Friday. I got up at 5:00 am to shop with my sister and then met Betsy at the clinic at 10:30 am to check out what was brewing in her uterus.

Something was brewing indeed! The ultrasound lady seemed like she was not in a rush so she spent a lot of time taking a look around up there.

She took quite a few photos and we got to see the heartbeat again. That was a big deal.

At one point, it looked like the baby was fist pumping as if it was going crazy at a small-town street dance. (Could this be Arsenio Hall's baby? If that is the case, I should quit typing and go visit with Betsy.)

You know, the other day I was sharing about getting the butt shot at the Fire Hall? Well, add another location to the list.

We went to "Blind Side" on Friday night with my sisters and Andy Wintermute (local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans agent - contact him for any of your life insurance or savings questions) and had to find a place to give a shot.

There are not a lot of places at a movie theater where you can take your wife's pants off. So, Betsy found a guy wearing a movie theater tuxedo and a Bluetooth earpiece and asked if we could use his office. He seemed concerned because his office had several stacks of money sitting on the desk. So he said he knew of a place. We followed him and he brought us upstairs where all the movie cameras were rolling!

It was so funny! As I gave Betsy a shot in her evening check, I looked out a tiny window and watched a scene from some-sort-of Ninja movie.

So far Betsy has had a shot in:

• Movie theater
• Dakota Square parking lot
• Fire Hall
• Dark, scary parking lot in Lakota
• a kitchen in Velva
• three kitchens in Bottineau
• a side room in a clinic in Fargo where I believe we violated some sort of HEPA rule

Well, I better get going. Hope you are watching some good YouTube videos or checking your facebook when you are done with this.

That's the first time I pulled down Betsy's pants in the fire hall

While surrounded by a U.S. Customs officer, a retired ND Highway Patrol Officer, a lumber yard owner, a truck driver, a electric company lineman, a heating & cooling company owner, a farm supply store manager, a carpenter, a dude who sells boats, a bar owner, and a mechanic, the ol' Bible camp director/campfire song leader/outdoor game leader has to try a little harder to seem like a tough guy.

That's my life every fourth Tuesday when I get to go to the Bottineau Rural Fire Department (Station 2 - Lake Metigoshe) meeting. I love it.

If I had to name the top four things I love about living in Bottineau, they would be:
1. Denny's Pizza Inn
2. Being a Volunteer Fire Fighter
3. Having a kick-ass pastor who saves our food scraps for her chickens
4. Denny's Pizza Inn

I love being a part of the fire department. Some other day I'll tell you about the time I almost violated a dead beaver at a fire, but I gotta tell you what happened last night.

So, there we were, all the fire fighters were taking a test on Proper Procedures for Radio Usage in Emergency Situations. Training last night was a classrooms setting, rather than a hands-on training. In September we all went up on the camp high ropes course and last month we practiced pumping from Lake Metigoshe.

Anyways, we are in the middle of the test and guess who shows up in her sweatpants.

That would be the lovely, pregnant Betsy.

Yesterday, Betsy decided to wear her trendy brown sweatpants and my XXL camp sweatshirt from 1996. She looked good and comfy:)

Smilely Betsy says, "Oh, hi!" Then giggles and motions me to come over. Thankfully there was a giggle, because in the 12 years going to meetings, a wife/girlfriend has never crashed a meeting!

The reason she came over was because it was 8 o'clock and time for a butt shot! We hadn't really planned this out too well, so she had to drive over to get a shot.

If you have ever been to the Lake Metigoshe Fire Department, or really any fire department, there really aren't a lot of private rooms to go take your pants off.

So, Betsy and I walked beside Unit #7 and she pulled down her trendy brown sweatpants. I have got believe this may have been the first time there has been a naked ass next to the spare SCBA bottles and spare hoses in that building.

I poked her in the right check (aka, the evening cheek) and the shot was done within moments. We laughed quietly and Betsy was on her way and I was back to taking an open-book test on emergency radio techniques. 10-4

Hope you have a good Thanksgiving. Betsy has another ultrasound and bloodtest on Friday - we hope that goes well. Talk to you soon

She's always wearing my sweatpants

On October 31, 2008, I bought, what I would soon find out, the most comfortable pair of sweatpants at KMart in Bismarck. I needed a costume for Halloween - something appropriate to wear to the Governor's Mansion.

The costume consisted of grey, elastic-cuffed sweatpants and a red North Dakota tank-top that had a screenprint of a soaring eagle on it.

The costume was near perfect, but Betsy now has laid claim to these Joe Boxer sweatpants and I am concerned how often they are being worn.

Don't get me wrong, I love sweatpants and I am not pregnant. So, if Betsy wants to wear these men's XL sweatpants for the next 32 weeks - I say go for it.

But Betsy, here are the rules:

1. If they have cheese on them, I gotta wash them.
2. If you can't remember the last time they were washed, I gotta wash them.
3. You can wear them to Wal-Mart. But if you wear them to Wal-Mart, you can't shuffle your feet and just look at the magazine rack.
   
4. If you think the sweatpants are giving you a rash, your sweatpants are probably giving you a rash.

That's it. Only 4 rules for wearing those sweatpants.

Now, the good thing is that Betsy's sassy, malassy friend, Maurya, was kind enough to send her a pair of women's sweatpants. (Maurya, she got them yesterday and they only have been off to shower. I think I may buy her another.)

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts during this time. We continue to be cautiously excited. We have another appointment in Fargo on the Friday after Thanksgiving. If that one goes well, Betsy gets passed on to a doctor in Minot.

Talk to you soon

One more thing

Didn't get this on the previous post - here's a little video for you to take a look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROBQsr1OjQM

A lot has happend since February!

There is a ton to tell you, but I am just going to start with this:

Betsy is pregnant and Birki is not impressed.

Okay, now for some details.

Earlier this summer, Betsy scheduled us for another IVF procedure to take place in October. As you can see from reading below in past posts, we had some disappointing news in February when we found out our first IVF was not going to work.

However, we were ready to try again in October. By try again, I don't mean having timed sex.

Rather, it means Betsy starts taking shots and having several instruments placed in unspeakable areas. I had already done what I needed to do...in February.

This past winter, the doctors were able to "harvest" enough eggs to save some for another date. So, in early October three embryos were shot back inside Betsy to see if they would latch on.

If there is one thing that I thought I would get better at during this whole 4-year process, that would be waiting. However, it is hard to get better at waiting.

After the IVF procedure, it was back to waiting. Eleven days to be exact. Eleven days does not seem long in the grand scheme, but it felt like 11 years. It was nice to have things to do with friends during that waiting period.

Betsy actually had a pregnancy test on day 9. However, we asked not to be informed about the results of that test. We did that because the results could be negative, but still have a chance to change to positive in two days. In February we got the negative on day 9, and it was awful waiting two days and then find out for sure it did not work.

So, it was a Thursday when the first test happened, and we had to wait until the following Monday for the second test. That was a long weekend :)

So, on Monday, October 26, Betsy took her second pregnancy test in Minot then left for a meeting in Rugby. Again, we had to wait.

We were expecting a call about 3 pm, but at noon I got a call in Bottineau.

The nurse said, "Is Betsy there?"

"No."

"Oh, this is Meritcare and we need to speak to her. Is it okay to let you know the news?"

During this time I was outside walking nervously knowing that this would be either really really good, or really bad.

I said, "It's okay to tell me."

So, there was a little commotion and then the sound of being put on speaker phone. Then, I started hearing indiscernible screaming in the phone!

"Is this good news?" I asked.

"YES! Betsy is pregnant!"

Now remember how I said Birki was not impressed? Well, I had no idea what to do except run home and talk to my dog. How sane does that seem? I fist-pumped and spoke loud and quickly to Birki.

Birki - not impressed. Somewhat bored even. She yawned and stretched while we visited.

I realized that I had left the lunch table at work and they were expecting to hear the news. I spent several minutes outside replaying the phone call in my mind so that I was sure that it was not a dream!

I finally got myself in and shared the good news and told them I needed to go buy something. I didn't know what, but I needed to buy something before Betsy came home.

Now, here was the tricky part. Betsy was in Rugby and still at least an hour before she would be home. I quickly drove to town to buy a bunch of pink and blue balloons. I had to hide from some people in the store so they wouldn't ask why I was buying 15 pink and blue balloons. I had already decided that I would tell them we were having a baby shower for someone up at the lake and I was sent to town to buy stuff.

Anyways, I came home as fast as I could and waited on the road for Betsy to come home. She rounded the corner and I stood in the road with the balloons and a sign that said, "You did it!"

Those next several hours were a bit of a blur of excitement. We had a chance to call some friends and family and just wallow in this special news.

Then, there was more waiting. Damn it. I still am not that good at waiting.

During this waiting time, Betsy continued to take medication - including shots in the ass.

One time that sticks out was on our drive to Fargo for the first ultrasound. At 8 pm, the designated shot time, we were driving on Hwy 2 and had to stop in Lakota. Not a lot of private spots in Lakota. So, isn't it obvious that we should stop at a dark parking lot along the highway? Makes tons of sense.

Because I have to give Betsy a shot in the keyster, she has to get into a position where I could give her shot...while in a car. I'm not sure when the last time you tried to take your pants off in a car (by the way, I DON'T want to know when) but it is a little tricky. (It was easier in college! Just kidding Al!! Seriously, I am just joking!)

Anyways, the decision was made that Betsy would stand next to the drivers door where I was sitting and get her shot. So, in this dark parking lot, next to the busy highway, Betsy stood by the door and dropped trou! I had to somehow stop laughing, grab some ice out of my McDonalds cup to numb her check, and give her a shot.

Well, finally got the needle in, but when we were done, we realized it was a bleeder! She immediately started bleeding, I dropped the band-aid, lost the needle, and started yelling for a sponge as if I was a doctor on MASH!

Remember when all you had to do to get pregnant was have sex?

Okay, back to the waiting. We ended up having our first ultrasound last Monday, November 2. We were anxious and excited. Betsy's "numbers" were great, but needed to see if there was something growing and if it was in the right spot.

Bob, the monotone ultrasound guy, did his business and we got to see a black splotch in the right spot! Great news!! We were so excited and the doctor told Betsy that she thought our baby was an over-achiever. Betsy loved hearing that.

Okay, now we have to wait again. Betsy has been pregnant twice before, but we have never made it to an ultrasound where we saw or heard the heartbeat.

Wait.
Wait.
Wait.

Today, Friday the 13th, was our next ultrasound. We quietly drove to town knowing this could be the greatest day ever, or a repeat of a very disappointing day. We kept encouraging each other and we also knew there were a lot of people thinking of us.

Again, monotone Bob came in and did his business. I don't think he completely understood how big of a day this was for us. We had to explain that we have twice came to an ultrasound and nothing was found. This, Bob, was a big deal for us.

So, all of a sudden up on the screen we saw the black splotch with something tiny in it. Then, a briefly, and I mean briefly, heard the heartbeat!!!! Betsy and I immediately did this kinda laugh/cry thing that made the ultrasound photo go away. Laughter apparently mucks up an ultrasound.

(Imagine this said very casually and sorta sleepy-like) "Everything looks good," says Bob.

BOB!!! This is so awesome!!!

Bob left and we hugged and smooched. This was pretty awesome. When we arrived I was looking around for a side door to leave just in case we got bad news. They probably didn't want us walking through the waiting room if we were completely devastated.

Then we went to see our doctor and she gave Betsy a hug and I gave her a high-five.

She told Betsy she almost just a regular pregnant lady.

Alright, I gotta go eat. Talk to you soon.

Wish it was a Dan Brown Book

Have you ever read a book by Dan Brown? He's the guy that wrote THE DA VINCI CODE.

Well, anyways, his chapters are sometimes only one or two pages long. I love those kind of books! When you are reading it, it feels like you are flying through the book because you can finish 10 chapters in 30 minutes.

I've also read a couple books (I'm not a big reader - so when I say "a couple," I really mean two) that have chapters that go one for dozens of pages. If I feel the book is moving slow, I will often look ahead to see when the chapter will end. I'm always bummed to see if I have 27 more pages to go to get to chapter 2!

Today, at least, it feels like we are in the middle of a long chapter. We still don't know what's next, but we're assured that we have good friends and family thinking about us. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Monday we got a call letting us know our in vitro won’t work this time.

So what now? Now, we cling to your prayers and your love, and beyond that, we're not sure. In these years of trying to have a baby, we have had hopeful weeks of exciting anticipation of becoming parents, we just assume we’re going to get pregnant. We don’t “plan” on it not working; we “plan” on it working. We share ideas about a nursery or wander in the aisles of Target looking at infant clothing, not outline an action plan for disappointment.

So, for the next few days, or weeks, (I don’t know), we will grieve our loss, not “figure out” what’s next. So far, in just a matter of hours, both of us have bounced around many places grief takes us – sadness, anger, disbelieve, numbness. You name it.

What is such a gift is that you have been so good to us for checking how we are doing and sharing your thoughts and prayers. We know you have been hoping only the best for us. I was looking forward to putting up a new post on the blog letting you know it worked. But, it won’t be today.

Our pastor, Pastor Carol, has been so kind to us and sent us of to Fargo a couple weeks ago with a service of blessing. The prayers she offered have meant so much to us and will continue to be. Maybe someday I can share those with you. She also shared with us scripture from the Psalms. Right before we took off for Fargo for this hopeful event, she shared with us the words of Psalm 139. Psalm 139 also happened to be the same scripture we used at our wedding 11 years ago.

We would love to continue to have your prayers and if you can, take a look at Psalm 139.

We do have another appointment on Wednesday, but without promising news from the first blood test, it’s not an appointment that will change these results.

There is no doubt about it—we are heart-broken about this and surrounded by so much love and prayers.

Thank you.

Psalm 139
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Why am I in Texas?

Because of some miscalculations taken in November, I am typing this from a Super 8 in Austin...Texas.

Last fall it made tons of sense to travel 1,539 miles due south to figure out How Institutional Advancement must Evolve in our Internet-enabled Society and learn How to Develop and Implement Strategies for Successfully Cultivating and Soliciting Major Gifts. And why wouldn't I want to enhance my Fundraising through Multi-Channel Marketing?

Honestly, I am looking forward to this Association of Lutheran Development Executives conference, but my girlfriend is trying to get pregnant!

After doing a little Internet research this morning, I have learned that today is called "8dp3dt" That is code for 8 Days Past 3 Day Transfer. Which means it has been 8 days since we transferred 3-day old embryos.

Monday Betsy will go in for a blood test. Some people call it "beta" test or HCG test. Betsy's in Berthold this weekend with my parents and I imagine that they are having a great time. My mom and dad are probably looking on the Internet and Betsy is thinking, "Okay, RD and Rose. Let's do something different than look at the internet!" (Mom or dad - if you are reading this right now and Betsy is standing in the living room looking at you, then just slowly close your computer and say something to her :)

Well, I better get to the airport. I have to go back to the airport to get on a shuttle to another motel.

I probably should go to the exercise room! This morning I ate a Texas-shaped waffle in the continental breakfast room...plus bacon...plus a sausage muffin...plus some more bacon. Anyways, I walked by what I thought was a opening in the wall and saw a kinda-chubby guy wearing the same shirt I was. Well, after a second look, I noticed that it was a mirror, not a hole in the wall. That chubby guy with man-boobs was me!

When your wife is trying to get larger, I don't think I was supposed to get larger, too!

Talk to you soon!

Jokes and Kabobs

Again, if you are every looking for some fun friends, you can find some good candidates in the Bottineau/Metigoshe area. I thought we were just going to have a quiet evening eating Kabobs last night, but conversation led to us laughing so hard our cheeks hurt.

Just wanted to give you a little update.

Betsy's belly is starting to look like Rocky Balboas face! Betsy has to give herself a shot in the stomach twice a day and it leaves a black & blue mark each time. I've suggested strategically giving the shots so the bruise marks make a smilely face or the initials "KD." So far it just looks like she has had several ballpoint pins exploded on her stomach.

Monday is our next important day, along with this coming Wednesday. Monday is a day that important hormone levels are tested and Wednesday will be the day to take a pregnancy test.

We are just trying to do everything we can to stay busy, rather than just sitting and waiting.

Hope you have a good weekend. Talk to you soon.