Thursday, November 14, 2013

Our New Kid on the Block

Today my crazy coworkers threw me a NKOTB/Donnie Wahlberg-themed baby shower. Yes, they know me too well. It was so cute and so much fun.

The most adorable cake ever! Each block was a different kind of cake.

Baby girl's very own NKOTB onesie.


My husband is such a good sport!

Funniest onesie ever!

I got some other fun gifts, too, like STL Cardinals bottles!

Saturday, November 09, 2013

Baby Party for Dad

Some of Joe's colleagues surprised him with a baby shower this past week - they invited me, too! It was so nice of them to want to celebrate our baby girl with us.  
 



Monday, November 04, 2013

Thirty-Two Weeks


The first trimester - piece of cake (minus my insomnia). Second trimester - no problem. Third trimester...let's just say the past couple of weeks have been a different story for my very easy pregnancy. Lots of swelling in my hands and feet and even pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel that is causing me to sleep with a wrist brace every night.

Friday, November 01, 2013

Maternity Photos



Sunday, October 27, 2013

4D Ultrasound

We went to a studio today that does "vanity" ultrasounds to get some pictures of our little girl. As usual, she was a bit camera shy but we still got some photos. She is very low, likes to be curled up in a tight ball, her preferred position is facing my spine and my husband says some of her photos resemble a character from The Walking Dead.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Thirty Weeks



Monday, October 14, 2013

Decorating for Baby

Two hands are better than one when it comes to hanging a curtain rod. Thanks to Joe's dad who was here over the weekend for the extra hand!

Putting up the wall decals.

Mommy and daddy teamwork. Can't wait to show you the final room.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Twenty-Eight Weeks

Officially in the third trimester! 



Monday, October 07, 2013

Baby Love, Part 2

The next stop was to see old girlfriends in the city where I used to live before I was married. It was so fun catching up with everyone. Thanks for celebrating with me!

Beautiful yellow and gray quilt.

Diaper cake!

More yellow and gray.

We dressed alike.

Baby Love, Part 1

Joe and I spent the weekend in Missouri. The first stop was my hometown to see my family and friends and celebrate our baby girl.

My family - sister, mom, grandma and me

Mmm - cake!

Friends - Amber, Sara, me, Ellen, Carrie and Micah

The parents to be

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Pillow Fort

I think I've finally figured out how to sleep most of the night. I am now sleeping with six pillows - which I like to refer to as the pillow fort - and will probably add more before all is said and done. I suspect that in a few weeks Joe and I will no longer both fit in our queen size bed. (I tried the Snoogle and it was deemed unacceptable and kicked to the curb weeks ago.) So thankful that I'm figuring out how to sleep most nights.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Getting Ready for Baby

I'm finding out there's so much more to getting ready for baby than buying the crib and a few necessities. Nope, it's cleaning out the guest room and finding room for everything that used to reside there. Deciding what to purge and what to keep. Cleaning out the closet in the same room that contained Joe's clothes (amongst other things) and buying an armoire as a replacement closet. Then getting rid of the dresser he used and using the armoire in its place. Then deciding what else in our little house should go as well as we make more room.

Getting ready also means vaccines. My doctor said that anyone who will spend 24 hours or more with the baby in her first six months should have the flu vaccine and the TDAP (within the last year) to protect against whooping cough.

Getting ready means baby classes. Lots of them. Car seat safety, baby basics, childbirth classes, new dads class...and don't forget doctor's appointments.

The baby room thus far - gray and yellow. Last of the furniture arrived yesterday.
Next up - decorating.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Thirty-six

Mini bundt cakes from my husband - red velvet and carrot cake!
So I ended up sick on my birthday. I mustered through most of my day at work even though I really just wanted to be in bed and felt pretty miserable. The plan was to celebrate over the weekend with a fabulous dinner out but then we had to cancel last minute (long story) so I'm hoping for a do-over this weekend. On the bright side, I have received lots of love from friends, family and coworkers. My husband also made me some fabulous scrambled eggs for dinner served with hot tea.

Monday, September 09, 2013

Twenty-Four Weeks

Another milestone - twenty-four weeks!

Baby bump from the side.

Sunday, September 08, 2013

Gospel Brunch

My friend, Linda from Missouri is in town for a conference so we went to the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues today. So good to catch up with old friends.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Weekend Fun

My friend, Monica was here this weekend visiting which meant fondue, pedicures, shopping, a trip to the movies and lots of fun. Thanks for visiting, Monica!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Things I Have Given Up

So far during my pregnancy there are many things I have given up like:

  • Deli meat
  • Raw fish (no raw sushi or lox)
  • Medium-cooked fillets
  • Caffeine
  • Wine/alcohol
  • Sprouts on my veggie bagel sandwiches
  • Sleep (yes, insomnia for about 18 weeks now)
  • Sleeping on my back
  • Sweet & Low
The hardest, most difficult thing I've given up? Hands down - Sweet & Low. Yes, it's true. Somewhere I decided that maybe my addiction with aspartame needed to end and after 20 years of loving Sweet & Low, sugar doesn't actually taste sweet...or like sugar. Every decaf latte I drink without it - yuck. I miss it. A lot.

One thing I have added into my life? Prenatal aqua aerobics. The one time where everyone in class looks pretty equal in their bathing suits. I'm hoping this helps with the sleep.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Twenty Weeks

At the halfway mark! What a milestone.


Sunday, July 28, 2013

Five Years

Today Joe and I are celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary. We spent the weekend in Lake Geneva, WI to celebrate and take a babymoon (my husband hates that word). We had high hopes of beautiful sunny weather, lounging on the beach and wearing our summer clothes. Instead we got rain and/or cold weather, jeans and sweatshirts. We still managed a boat tour of the Lake, shopping, great meals and lots of R&R.

Our beautiful room. We stayed at a four-room boutique hotel in an old mansion that also had a fabulous restaurant downstairs. Every staff member dressed from the 20s. Instead of being hokey, it just added to the ambience. Another perk, we had our very own butler!  

My dream bathroom. Tin ceilings, chalkboard walls, heated marble floors and a shower with six shower heads!


Our hotel overlooked the Lake. Every night at sunset, they usher all the restaurant patrons out onto the front lawn to toast to the sunset. They also celebrate all the birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions while also giving a brief history of the mansion.

Joe and I before the toast. (Not to worry, this pregnant lady had a non-alcoholic toast.)

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Summer Fun

We have been on the go for days and I am officially worn out. Last night, Idina Menzel concert and today volunteering at church and a work event with Joe. The fun all started back on Thursday though when my friend, Amber came to town.

Thursday night, Kamilah, Amber and I went to see NKOTB again. And, yes, I am wearing an "I love Donnie" maternity shirt. :)
Friday, Amber and I had lunch at the Hancock Building, did some shopping and topped off our Chicago afternoon with cupcakes from Sprinkles.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sixteen Weeks

Sixteen weeks! Had my very first stranger acknowledge my pregnancy without me telling them first. She stopped me to ask how I was handling this heat. Was confused for a minute and then realized she could tell I was pregnant. Of course, different clothes can make me look more or less pregnant.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Baby's First Gift

I received my very first baby gift last week from my friend, Wanda who will be in the Middle East when the baby arrives. This bunny is soft and cuddly but also perfect because it represents the colors of the baby room - yellow and gray.

Gray paint has been tested and purchased, white furniture has been ordered and yellow finishes have been admired. The next five months will probably go very quickly.

Wanda's bunny also came with a cuddly bear friend. The cute yellow scarf was knitted for bunny by our mutual friend, Jennifer making it even more special.

Friday, July 12, 2013

The Best People-Watching Ever

Tonight we went to see My Morning Jacket and Wilco. (We actually left before Bob Dylan - we're lame.) Perhaps some of the most eclectic group of people I've ever seen in one place.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

We're having a girl! Let the shopping commence. :)

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

The Best Day Ever

Sunday I lived out a dream that was decades in the making. I met my boy band crush. *Swoon*

With my BFF Amber. We were crazy, obsessed NKOTB fans back in the day...and still today. But don't tell anyone.

Before the concert, we took part in the meet and greet. After this photo was taken, Donnie kissed me on the cheek. Love. I was so nervous, I barely looked at him or talked to him. :)  
Then on to the concert. Likely the best seats I will ever experience. Boys II Men opened up the show.

Then 98 Degrees.

Finally NKOTB!

Donnie - my crush. Thanks for the fabulous night.

 
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