31 Weeks and My 1st Baby Shower

31 weeks down, 9 to go! I'm a day late on my usual post again but with good reason as Sunday was a fun filled day of love and support from great friends at my first baby shower.  But first a little on what happen this week. 

Dave and I continue our efforts of decorating the nursery.  I forget what a visual person he is, and he has such great ideas once things start taking shape.  This week the crib got delivered and let me just say, what a difference it makes... certainly is real now!! It's just adorable and makes me so excited to continue decorating. 

This weekend was very important to Dave and I as we made sure to ask very special people in our lives to play an important role your life baby girl.  We can officially announce that you have God Parents. On Friday night we asked your Uncle Mike if he would be your God Father and on Saturday asked your Auntie Britini if she would be your God Mother.  You are a very lucky girl to have this two people forever connected with you.  They will be there for you when you need advice, love, support and everything in between.  

This Sunday was a very special day, our first baby shower!!! Your Aunties Kara and Rena hosted the beautiful event which was fashion themed.  Dave and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives.  The day was full of love, support and endless happiness with everyone gathering to celebrate you baby girl!! I had a wonderful time, the food, decorations, drinks and overwhelming generosity of everyone just made the day. Here are some fabulous photos from the day. 

Nickelodeon crew from L to R: Becky, Me, Liz and Madde

From L to R: Auntie Megan, Me and Auntie Jenny

From L to R: Fairy God Mother, Me and Priscilla 

From L to R: Auntie Jesso, Me, Auntie Kelley and Auntie Rena

Your amazing God Mother and I

From L to R: Kitsa, Karen, Me, Nana, and Michelle

Me and Nana

Host Auntie Kara and Me

Discovery Crew Alison, Nanette and Me

Baby Girl we can't wait to meet you!

Present Time!

Nana getting emotional!

Such a cute book, Waddle with a dancing penguin

Michelle Fawcett makes a mean bow!

Most creative gift award goes to Auntie Britini and her Mom, so adorable a clothes line with all sorts of adorable outfits for you at every age!

Daddy stopped by to thank everyone!

From L to R: Aunties Britini, Kelley, Jesso, Jenny, Me, Megan, Siri, Rena and Priscilla

How far along? 31 Weeks

How Big Is Baby this week? She is the size of a pineapple

Total weight gain/loss: This week is a Dr. week so we'll find out on Wednesday

Latest purchase: I got my shopping stride back :) Purchased a bookcase for the nursery and my outfit for the shower

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Sleep? Lots of back pain at night :( 

Best moment this week: An amazing baby shower with wonderful friends!! We are so blessed

Funniest moment this week: Your Auntie Britini spitting Chai tea all over my belly, had to be there

Miss anything? Sushi, we order take out from Toro and I had food envy over your Daddy's dinner.

Movement: I think we have a future pommie! Baby girl loves to listen to music at night and it certainly feels like she's dancing around. 

Food cravings: Not really

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

How Big is the belly: 32 cm (If i measured right)

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No

Anything swollen? Dear feet, please come back!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Tired :(

Looking forward to:  Framing the artwork, the bookcase delivery, The Adventures of a Newborn Baby Basics class and Great Expectations class this weekend at Northwestern (the classes should be nice and overwhelming)

30 Weeks

30 weeks down, 10 to go!! I'm still amazed as every week goes by that we get one week closer to meeting our little angel.  We are so excited to meet her, we find ourselves talking so much about what features she's going to have, who we think she's going to look like, talk like, think like.  We are just so excited for her pending arrival.  This week I had my 30 week Dr. appointment which was uneventful, the usual weight check, listen to her heartbeat and measuring my belly. 

30 Weeks

This week was a short one work wise since we celebrated Memorial Day.  On Tuesday Baby Girl's nursery got painted and on Wednesday your Nana came down and put up the wallpaper.  She is so good at it, such a perfectionist!! The room turned out beautifully and I am so excited that things are finally coming together.

 This weekend the weather was beautiful and we made sure to enjoy ourselves.  Saturday after interviewing some nanny candidates we took Brisco for a great walk along the lake.  It was such a perfect afternoon, and while I kept up just fine during the walk, as soon as we got home I had to rest for a bit.  Caring around the extra weight is starting to weigh on me, no pun intended.  

Brisco playing in the dandelions 

Brisco and I on the lake

Saturday night we had our friends Josh and Bekah over to grill out.  It was so fun to see them and hear about everything going on with their wedding, which is only four days after my due date.  We made brats, caprese salad, Bekah made a yummy coleslaw and we had fruit and cookies for dessert. 

Sunday we continued our search for a nanny and think we have found some really good options. I'm also always amazed when a stranger goes out of their way to do something nice.  In between our interviews a woman walked up that overheard us interviewing and shared her experience with the nanny process as she has just done it herself.  She also sent us her contract she used with her current nanny and her daily log that she has her fill out.  The kindness of people is still out there!  Time for background checks and references!!  

After that we decided to tackle putting together the dresser/changing table. What a project!! A few hours later though we had success. 

Before and After pics

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +22 lbs gained so far (no change in a couple weeks)

Latest purchase: Slow shopping week, but we did shampoo the carpet in the nursery

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Sleeping well, minus the pee breaks that occur at 1am, 4am, and 6am like clockwork. 

Best moment this week: Starting to see the nursery come together

Funniest moment this week: 

Miss anything? Not being in pain from walking/working out. 

Movement: Lots and lots!

Food cravings: Not really

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

How Big is the belly: 31 cm

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No

Anything swollen? Hands and feet! My feet barely fit in most of my shoes :( I really hope they go back to normal afterward. To many shoes to give away

Happy or Moody most of the time: In between, at least i'm honest

Looking forward to:  Crib gets delivered on Friday and my Baby Shower this coming Sunday! Very excited to celebrate with my friends.    

29 Weeks - Happy Memorial Day

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!! 29 Weeks is here and almost gone as I'm a little late this week in my blog post.  The holiday weekend took over and we were just having so much fun.  This week went by fast since it was a short one.  I'm trying to be as active as possible but I'm definitely starting to get tired really easy. This week Brisco and I got in two really good mile and a half walks and Dave got me to the gym on Friday. 

29 Weeks

It was a reality check to be back from vacation and back the grind but being a short week it pushed us through to a fun long weekend.  We accomplished a lot this weekend.  We finally finished cleaning out the 2nd bedroom soon to be nursery in preparation for the painters coming .  We also took the TV off the wall and Dave mounted it in our bedroom.  He did an excellent job, I was truly impressed with his handyman ability!!  We also started our nanny search process, talk about overwhelming.  I signed us up for care.com which all of our friends have used, but man is it a time commitment.  We have started interviewing so we'll see how this goes. 

My shower invitation came for my Mom's shower that is on June 22nd.  Such a cute invite!

Saturday night my bestie Britini and her hubby Matt came down for a casual BBQ at our place.  It was so nice to have them down here for the night to hang out, catch up and laugh a lot.  I also made one of our favorite desserts from way back, strawberry margarita pie! Yummy!!

Sunday we ran a bunch of errands and then headed out to Highland Park for a BBQ at Kara and Ross's.  It was so nice to see them and everyone there.  There was a serious game of beer lawn darts going on all day/night...although it got a little concerning to watch once it was dark.  The food was great and so was the company.

Monday we headed to Barrington, Dave and my Dad played 9 holes of golf while my Mom and I went through all my old baby clothes, toys, blankets and whole bunch of other stuff she's saved over the last 30 years.  It was fun to go through everything, especially how stylish I was in my baby Dior outfits.  Your Nana has great taste!!  After that we went over to Arlington to watch Hart Hills Road race, he came in 2nd which was great! He's such a pretty horse and can run for days.  

Hart Hills Road

I also had a sad good bye dinner with one of my favs from Nickelodeon.  Kelly is moving to Milwaukee so we had to get together to have one final drinks.  We are going to miss her so much, but the good news is it's not to far away and I'm up there all the time for work so I'll be able to see her!

From L to R: Kelly, Me, Madde, Liz

How far along? 29 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 22+ lbs gained so far

Latest purchase: Bought the rug for the nursery and picked out the artwork over the dresser

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Sleeping well, minus the pee breaks that occur at 1am, 4am, and 6am like clockwork. 

Best moment this week: Having a long weekend and spending it with family and great friends

Funniest moment this week: Laughing with my bestie on Saturday to the point that i was crying. 

Miss anything? Not this week

Movement: Lots and lots!

Food cravings: Not really

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

How Big is the belly: 30 cm (as of 27 weeks)

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No

Anything swollen? Hands and feet! Had to give in an buy more comfortable flats, comfort over style I can't believe i'm saying that.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to:  Getting the nursery together, Painting today, Wallpaper Wednesday, carpet cleaned Saturday, put the dresser together, crib delivered June 6th

3rd Trimester Is Here

The 3rd trimester is here!! How exciting and scary all at the same time. We kicked off this week with our babymoon to Hilton Head, South Carolina.  I've been a couple times before but it was Dave's first time.  It was also both our first times to the Westin Resort and Spa.  

Our week started out with our drive from Charleston to Hilton Head, we stopped at this adorable shop, Carolina Cherry Company and sampled some delicious ciders, teas and butters.  We ended up buying some cherry butter which is so yummy. 

When we arrived we checked in, explored the hotel, walked the beach and got ready for dinner at Hudson's.  

Our first full day at the hotel we woke up, got a great work out in enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and hit the pool.  That afternoon we got our first couples massage which was lovely. That night we enjoyed dinner at Low Country Backyard, it was an adorable restaurant with great southern food and live music.

Tuesday we enjoyed the pool all day, and then drove to Savannah to explore the city that afternoon and have dinner.  We walked around city market, got some candy from River Street Sweets, walked around River St, stopped in sampled honey from Savannah Bee Company and then had dinner at The Olde Pink House. 

Wednesday Dave enjoyed a game of golf on the Barony coarse while I did a little light shopping and then got a facial at the spa.  Dinner that night was at Skull Creek Boathouse which was so cute, great seafood and music. 

Thursday it was the only day of bad weather and it rained most of the day. Dave and I hit the island to explore, shop and sight see.  That night we had dinner at an Italian restaurant Tratoria Davina, we needed a little break from all the yummy seafood and southern fried foods.  

Friday was a big day, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!! Dave's 30th birthday!!! We started the morning celebrating over breakfast and some decorations that I snuck into the room.  We laid by the pool in the morning and than I joined Dave in 9 holes of golf that afternoon where he played Robbers Row.  Even though I couldn't play it was really fun keeping him company and being his golf caddy for the day. 

Saturday morning we packed up and headed home, it certainly was a bummer to leave the gorgeous weather, especially when we heard that it was snowing at home, but home bound we were.  That night we headed out on the town to celebrate Jenny's birthday AND her engagement to Nick which was an extra bonus.  Megan did a great job planning everything, we had drinks and apps at Joe's Wine Cellar and then dinner at Takito a Mexican restaurant on Division.  It was a fun night celebrating them!

Today was a very special day as we participated in the Promise Walk which raises money and awareness for Preeclampsia. As I've mentioned in my last couple posts, my dear friend Britini lost her daughter Hope to this horrible disease and today Dave, my Mom and myself all participated in the 5k on Team Hope.  Our team raised over $26,000! Which is the most of any team across the country and also put the Chicago walk in 1st place! It was an honor to be there and support my bestie today and I know that Hope was looking down on us and was so proud of her mommy and family and friends!

On a funny note, while my Mom and I walked the 3 miles, Dave thought he would run the event, due to some mismarking... he went wayyyy past the turning point with a few other guys, he and Matt ended up running 10 miles this morning - Three times the effort and three cheers for these boys!! Here's a pic of them arriving from their "quick run"

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 20+ lbs gained so far

Latest purchase: Bought some super cute onezies on vaca for Baby girl and some new pj's and a robe for me. 

Stretch marks? Notta! I also still have somewhat of a belly button

Sleep: Lots of potty breaks in the middle of the night :(

Best moment this week: Being on a very relaxing vacation with my hubby and walking in the Promise Walk

Funniest moment this week: Learning the term snissing from the bump weekly email update, when you sneeze and pee at the same time

Miss anything? A cold beer on a patio

Movement: Lots and lots! It seems like it's always in the same spot more towards the left side of my tummy

Food cravings: Sushi, being around all the fresh seafood in SC made me miss Tuna!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not anymore

How Big is the belly: 30 inches (as of 27 weeks)

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: No

Anything swollen? Hands and feet especially if i've worked out

Happy or Moody most of the time: Meltdown #2 has officially happen, other than that pretty good

Looking forward to:  Painting the nursery in two weeks!