Thirty Weeks

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.

Twenty-Eight Weeks

Officially in the third trimester! 

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

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.

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.

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.

Twenty-Four Weeks

Another milestone - twenty-four weeks!

Baby bump from the side.

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.

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.