Sacrifices...

With a new baby almost 100 days away it was time to think of a new family vehicle. My Solara SE Coupe wasn't going to cut it, so I went ahead and listed the car last week on Craigslist and within a  week it was sold. There go the days of cruisin in my lil black sports car, hair blowing in the wind, my favorite song playing on the radio, driving as if I am the only one on the road. I am going from carefree, sporty Jen to responsible, conservative Mom Jennifer....It's time...

   The sacrifices I have to make....

 Cheers to my new "Mom"ride!

Drum Roll Please...

The bathroom is done. Here are some picture of the finished product. All new tile on both the floor and the shower. A brand new recessed shower insert. Also brand new faucet and showerhead.  I couldn't be happier.

TOO CUTE!!

What a find! It's not a dollhouse it's a dresser.

Rugs

Who knew area rugs could be so cute!!! Check out these lifesize rugs! What a find!This baby room is going to be too cute!

22 Weeks

HERE SHE IS!!!! Houston we have movement, it actually feels like bubbles popping! Can you believe we are on a countdown now?!!!!

SUPER BABY! ( Yes those are Superman pants)

BEFORE

So many things to do before the arrival of our baby girl. The first thing on my list we needed to do was remodel the bathroom. Dan jumped on this right away. From idea to action took only a matter of days and we are only a matter of days away from the completed project. Here are some before pictures.

Here is Dan ripping out the west wall tile. This was a project that needed to be done as you can see.

This is the floor tile that will soon be replaced.

Apple Juice

At our 20 week appointment we found out the gender of our baby but it wasn't that easy. We were both so excited to find out that waiting until she was born never was an option. We went in for the ultrasound and the measurements began. Everything looked great. At that time the baby was breech which is normal because they move around and around throughout pregnancy but the baby also had the legs completely locked in referee's position in wrestling. There was no telling the gender of the baby. The technician did all she could to try and get the baby to move but there was no budging. She told us there was nothing she could do at that time and that after our appointment with the Doctor if time permits she would try again.

Still hopeful, we met with another Doctor in our practice and it just so happens her husband delivered the "Marathon Baby" at Central DuPage. You know the lady delivered hours after completing the Chicago Marathon, something I will not be doing any time soon, or EVER.

After meeting with the Doctor, the wonderful tech told us she had time to try again but first gave me some apple juice, because I guess we all know that apple juice makes the baby move?! I did a little bit of praying and I was already sure it was a boy so in we went. Well not only did the baby move she was doing flips!!! I think I must have said, "Well that's not right, are you sure when we come back it will be a boy!" She definitely giggled at me and said "with certainty it's a girl." It really was the shock of my life. I don't think I was prepared for that. I'm a girl I know what we can do!!! (Sorry Mom and Dad)

I can't believe what a little apple juice can do!

(Too funny the name for our little boy is AJ, for our Dads--maybe there is something to be said about a little apple juice)

Baby dreams

I am halfway there and I am having baby dreams. This morning I woke up and I was all smiles thinking she was already here. I even have a picture of her in my mind with dark hair and huge blue eyes, like Dan. I am just so excited and I think about her constantly. Dan and I have so many things for her already, that Eric said we need another room. I never really imagined a registry for a little girl and now I couldn't be more excited to buy buy baby.

A few weeks back I stayed with a family down the street from my parents of whose kids I have watched for close to 14 years, while their parents went to an out of town wedding. They have 3 boys and a girl and I feel like they are my own siblings. The order is boy, girl, boy, boy.

 Dan and I were at the hockey rink with  the kids watching the Senior son, Joey's hockey game. Robyn is a Sophomore, Tommy a Freshman, and Nick in 7th grade. I couldn't help at one moment to observe the bond between Robyn and Tommy. He absolutely adores his older sister. He was showing me her "cool" boyfriend and so interested in her life and thoughts. At one moment he even complimented her hair while touching her braid. I wondered if anyone else saw that or could understand. It made me feel so safe like I has been there before and I have, my whole life with my little brother.

When I found out she was a girl I was almost confused, for some reason I was convinced it was a boy. Then I thought of the weekend and that moment and it all made sense. I asked Dan about it, and he replied "I saw the same thing," It doesn't get any better than that.

What a dynamic it is to have an older sister. Although our baby is 4 months away from her first hug, I am already excited to experience the bond my children will have, which has made me whole.

I am so excited to have a daughter as my first born, I wouldn't have it any other way.

       I hope Eric feels the same way having me as his older sister.