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!

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.

Twenty Weeks

At the halfway mark! What a milestone.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

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

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.

Our News!

So we have some big news around here - we're expecting! Our little one is due to arrive December 31.

Today was our 13 week ultrasound!

This picture was taken a week ago. Still wearing my "regular" jeans and shirt here but definitely have a bigger belly than normal. Maternity clothes are starting to be more comfortable these days.

Girls' Night Out

My friend, Wanda is visiting from Oman so it was a great opportunity for a fun girls' night out.  

First we headed to dinner. (Left to Right) Amy, Wanda, Menda, Jennifer and me.

My kind of dinner! Nothing like being stuffed on king crab legs and coconut cream pie.

And then a show! My second time. Still funny. Still appalling.

Friends

My friend, Kate from Texas was in town over the weekend. So fun to see her.

A Night at the Ballpark

Last night I joined my coworkers for a game at Wrigley. The lure for me was time with the girls and also skybox seats. Let's just say, I wish I could watch every game that way. A buffet of goodies to eat in your own private space? Yes, please. Dessert cart? Yes, please. Cappuccino bar with your very own barista? Yes, please. I also appreciated that we had heaters while everyone else at the game was bundled up in sweatshirts freezing. But, alas, I won't be experiencing that luxury again any time soon. I'm afraid it's back to the bleacher seats for me next time.  

The evening was so foggy. At times you couldn't see the ball and could barely make out the players in the outfield.

With some of my favorite girls at the game.

Around Here

We've been really busy around here but mostly on home improvement projects. In the past month, we've had a tree removed from our front yard, a new roof put on our house and new sod put down in our front yard. Next up - refinishing our deck and, eventually, refinishing our hardwood floors in the kitchen.

Our new sod! I really wish I had a before picture. Just imagine a yard that looks like dirt with no grass. Also, there used to be a huge evergreen tree in the right-hand corner next to the bushes.

 

A dumpster full of shingles! A new roof is one more "to do" marked off our list.

Procrastinating the Inevitable

I have been living in denial that Google Reader will be no more as of July 1. Which brings me to this -  how are you reading your blogs? Do you have an RSS feed (aside from Google Reader) that you especially like?

Weekend Update

Candy, Alison and I catching up over coffee.

Busy weekend. Laundry, cleaning house, grocery shopping, errands. But not too busy for naps or to catch up with old friends. I saw an old friend I haven't seen in several years over coffee today and had lunch with Alison.

Tomorrow is orientation for my new job. Same place but new, permanent position. New adventures are on the horizon.

Paris: Day 5

After four days of sightseeing, our last full day in Paris was a lot less structured and relaxing. It was also one of our favorite days.

First we visited Sainte Chapelle. This little chapel from the 1200s was one of the most magnificent places I've ever visited.

When I first walked up the stairs and into the chapel, the many stained glass windows took my breath away.

Joe called it a little jewel box. I think he was correct.

Saint Michel Fountain.

We had a leisurely 2+ hour lunch outside at Les Deux Magots. Also frequented by Hemingway, Picasso and Julia Child.

Some shopping and browsing in the Latin Quarter.

Finally back to the Eiffel Tower for dinner at Le Jules Verne. One of my favorite parts was the private elevator ride up to the restaurant. Much less scary than our first elevator ride to the top.

My Brittany lobster.

Joe and I at dinner - ready to eat souffles!

After dinner we stuck around to see the light show at the Eiffel Tower. Every evening, past dark, on the hour the Tower lights twinkle for a few minutes. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Paris: Day 4

One of the things on my "must-do in my lifetime list" has always been to go to Paris and visit the Louvre. Today was the day I finally got to mark it off my list.

After a very pleasant walk through Tuileries Garden we made our way to the Louvre.

On the escalator entering the Louvre!

Joe at the Louvre with Winged Victory behind him.

The Venus de Milo.

A very tender moment we encountered at the Louvre.

Part of the Napoleon apartments at the Louvre. Suprisingly, one of our favorite parts of our museum visit. The opulence reminded us very much of our visit to Versailles.

The Mona Lisa! This was the only piece of artwork I noticed behind glass in the museum.

After walking and walking and walking at the museum, we grabbed a quick bite from a street vendor and jumped on the hop on hop off bus. We needed a break! This also happened to be a very sunny and beautiful day and I am still paying for my sunburn. You'd think I would learn by now but when I looked at the weather report I didn't think I would have a problem during our visit.

We then made it to the Arc de Triomphe. We did a lot of walking and stairs at the Louvre. By the time we made it here and had to climb 284 stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe I wanted to die. Joe even took pictures of me resting to prove it! I will not post them here but let's just say that stair climb could be heart attack-inducing.

Good thing the view was worth all those stairs.

Our final stop of the day was to Boucherie Rouliere for dinner. It came as a recommendation from Terrie and Kirk and was a great meal.