Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009

Well another year is gone. Looking back 2008 was a pretty good year. Much better than our previous 2 years. In 2008 I got a promotion at work, we started fostering for Eskie Rescuers United, I turned 30, Norm still has a job after all the craziness with the mortgage industry, and of course we got pregnant. I'm looking forward to 2009. We will have a baby and a new niece or nephew. I hope to have a New Year's Party next year to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. To all of our friends and family we wish everyone a happy and healthy 2009.

Finally Pictures

Here are some Christmas pics.

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas. Norm bought me pj's to wear in the hospital. Sadly I need to exchange for a bigger size. :( He also bought me the diaper bag I wanted from Pottery Barn. My parents bought me the cutest carollers , a santa clause, a sweater and shirt to wear for the shower. We are going to celebrate Christmas with Erin when we go home for the shower.

Merry Christmas Eve

Well it's Christmas Eve and I still have so much to do. Today is Morgan's 4th birthday. We are trying to tell her she is no longer a baby and now she is a big girl. It has taken her 4 long years to finally calm down.
I have to work the night shift tonight but that's ok. My parents are coming up tonight so they should pull in the same time I do. I hate waiting for them to get here so this will take my mind off of it. Erin and Ryan won't be joining us this year. It's going to be strange. This will only be my 2nd Christmas without my sister. Our family Christmases are probably going to be a thing of the past now that we both have babies coming.
I can't wait to see what Santa is bringing me. Norm will not let me open anything early. He's no fun. Oh well I only have 1 day to go.
Merry Christmas Everyone!

6 days to go

Well I am 1/2 way thru my long work stretch. I'm getting tired but I'll get through. Tomorrow night we are going to my friends house for a party. I'm so excited. I love getting together with my nesties. Everything is going well with the baby. He's moving and has found my ribs. My next appointment is the day after Christmas. It's coming so fast. We've already gotten in Valentine's Day candy at work. I've only got 58 days left to go.

Oh I love my job

I just got my schedule between now and Dec 25. I have 1 day off and I work 12 days in a row. I can't wait to see how this goes. Last year I worked 9 days in a row and was a bitch. By Christmas Eve noone better even give me a look or else. My doctor doesn't really want me working 6 day weeks so I can only imagine what she'll say when she hears this. She told me that if it gets to hard they will write me an excuse. I really don't want to do that b/c i don't want to screw my co-workers. Oh I wish I had the work ethic of my current and even former employees.

Had my first baby dream

I finally had a dream about the baby. He was beautiful. He had dark hair, Norm's nose and he was so little. I just kept holding him and kissing him in my dream. I can't wait until he gets here. I have less than 11 weeks before I am holding him for real.
We also got our camcorder delivered yesterday. I'm so excited. It's the tiniest camera. It weighs less than my digital camera and is about the same size. It's perfect for us. I can throw it in the diaper bag and always have it handy.
This is my first 6 day work week. It's not that bad yet but our customers are horrible. Everyone is rude and demanding. I can't wait until it's over.

Thanksgiving was great

On Wednesday Norm's brother Jim, his wife and kids arrived for the weekend. I am so proud of my girls they did awesome with the kids. The played all weekend with them. I think they are going to do just fine with the baby. Especially Bailey, she just followed them around.
Norm outdid himself with his dinner. The turkey was delicious as were all the sides. I made my mac and cheese for the kids. But this time they didn't like it. We watched every Christmas movie we had.
Friday at Midnight Kristy and I went to the outlet mall. I got some great deals at the Carters outlet for the baby. I got a couple gifts for Norm and even picked out some for myself. I had to restrain myself in the Kate Spade store. The whole store was 40% off. There was an adorable cow print purse that would have ended up being $36 but I didn't buy it. I knew Norm wouldn't have cared but I have to think of the baby before myself. From there we went to Bon Ton to pick up a couple things. After that was Walmart. Of course that place was a zoo. Then home to bed for a couple hours before I had to go to work.

Our company left on Saturday while I was at work. Norm and I ran some errands when I got home from work and now we are decorating our tree. I love our house at Christmas I will post pics when we get it complete.

Passed my Glucose Test

I had my Glucose Test today and I passed! I wasn't really worried but it was in the back of my mind. Everything is great with the baby. I heard his heartbeat again today. It really is the greatest sound in the world. He is still low but that's ok maybe it just means a fast labor. I start going for appointments every 2 weeks now. I know I have said it before but time is flying. Christmas will be here before you now it and then my shower and then the baby.

King Linus

We got an update on our Linus Frog. He's doing great. He's getting along with his new fur brother and sister. He isn't having any stomach troubles. His seperation anxiety isn't as bad. His new mom and dad are very happy with him. Getting updates makes fostering worth while. We know we've saved a life by taking in Cooper and Linus. Someday we will find the perfect 3rd dog for our family

5 days until the happiest day of the year!!!

I can't wait for Friday. I look forward to this day all year. I have to admit I miss the good old days when I used to do this with my mom. Hopefully someday we'll spend Thanksgiving with my family. Norm is going to go with me b/c we want a camcorder and he is going to stand in line with me at Best Buy. Actually he wants us to each go to seperate Best Buys. I'm also debating about going to the outlets at Midnight. I would only buy clothes for the baby and he doesn't need anymore. He needs diapers. Other than that there really isn't anything I need to get out of bed that early for. But the bargain shopper in me will have me up.

Pics of Linus

Green paws from playing in freshly cut grass

Saturday is going to be rough

Well tonight is Linus's last night with us. After 5 months he is going to his furever home tomorrow. It's a great family that only lives about 1 1/2 hours from us. We are really worried about how Morgan will do without him. They are best friends and together 24/7. I've already started crying about it. This is harder than I ever thought. I don't know how anyone can give up a pet after years and not shed a tear. They must not have a heart. Linus has come a long way since we first brought him home. His seperation anxiety is under control, he hasn't bitten me in 3 months and he finally comes to me for love. Even little baby Ethan/Logan knows Linus. He starts kicking me every morning when Linus barks that he is awake. If for any reason it doesn't work out with the family we will take him back and not give him up. I know we saved his life by taking him in. He won't be our last foster. This is something that Norm and I are commited to. If a dog in needs comes up before the baby is born we will not turn him away. If not we will wait until things are stable around here before taking in another.

Everything is going good

This pregnancey is flying by. I can't believe I am in the 3rd trimester already. I had a Dr's appt yesterday. I love my dr's office. The doctor told me my skin looks great and that I am glowing. I don't know if I believe that but still it is nice to hear. Everything is great with the baby. He has a good strong heartbeat. He is sitting low. She said it's not a problem he is just comfy there. My blood pressure is great 120/70. I go back in 2 weeks for the GD test. I'm lucky that with my insurance I can do it at the office and just have to drink a can of Orange Crush. The Dr is concerned with my work schedule for December. She doesn't want me working more than 8 hours and is willing to write a note to say that. I told her we'd see how it goes and I will let her know how I am feeling.
In other news Linus is probably getting adopted. He has an awesome application in on him. I am just trying to coordinate a time that I can meet with them. It is going to be so hard to let him go. But if it doesn't work out with this family Norm said we would keep him. Morgan is really attached to him and I don't know how she is going to be once he is gone.

Work in Progress

Here are some more nursery pics. The cushion on the glider is just an outdoor one. My mom is recovering the cushions for me. The long dresser will be used as a changing table. I'm really happy with the way it has turned out. We just need wall decorations and accessories. I can't wait to bring the baby home and have him in there.

Norm felt the baby

Norm was finally able to feel the baby kick. I drank freezing cold water and it worked. My sister thinks I am torturing the baby. I tried telling her to wait and see how she feels when she is this far along. I'm so glad that he finally felt him.

Nursery Pics

The nursery is painted! The crib is put together(we still need a mattress), curtains are hung and we have a dresser. There is still a lot to be done but I thought I would post some prelim pics.

Finally...The BIG u/s pics

We finally got the printer/scanner working again. Here are the pics of our little boy. Norm must have scanned the pictures crooked. The last picture is his little foot. We've been trying to upload the video of the u/s but the file is too big. If we ever figure it out we will post it.

The proof he is a boy.

Bought the crib

Tonight we bought the crib. I'm so excited. We also bought the paint. I'm not allowed to paint until next week since it is going to rain all week. I really want to do it tomorrow. My mom has a white dresser and changing table. So his room is slowly coming together. Norm is going to build a couple of shelves for the closet and paint the back of the door with chalkboard paint. I have to buy all of the accessories and the mattress. My goal is to have the room complete by Thanksgiving when Norm's brother and family come out and before I start the madness of December.

He's moving

I'm pretty sure that I am feeling the baby move. Right now it feels like little bubble popping or like a little bug walking across my stomach. I can't wait to really feel him move and kick. The Dr said probably by the end of next week. :)

Bought the bedding

I LOVE knowing what we are having. Today I was still upset about the bedding so I went to a Marshall's by the house and they had it! I am so happy.

It's hard to see in the picture but there is teal blue in there. Now I just need a crib to put the bedding and the baby in.

Shopping for the little prince

Today we ran up to the outlets to exchange the girl clothes my mom bought. The boy section is definitly smalller in stores. But that's ok. I still managed to find a ton of stuff. I did restrain myself since I know I am having a shower. Besides I need to get him furniture and diapers. We did buy a bunch of clothes with little dogs on them. I'm so mad I had a room in a bag in my hands and put it back b/c of whatever reason. It was teal and chocolate brown not babyish looking. It was exactly what I wanted. I doubt I'll find it at any Marhsalls again.

We also got the baby steal of the century today. We stopped at EMS on our way home. There was a Kelty backpack carrier for when Norm takes the baby hiking. It was on final clearance for $50 b/c it was returned. The original price is $200. Norm is really excited b/c now he knows he will get to go hiking next year.

It's a boy!!!

We had our big ultrasound today. It is definitly a boy. Norm and I are are so excited. We now need to start thinking of names. Now that we know what it is we can start shopping and planning. I will post pics shortly. Our printer/scanner isn't working right now.

My Birthday Weekend

So on Saturday we dropped Morgan and Linus off at the kennel and headed back to Pittsburgh. My sister threw me a wonderful birthday party with all of my favorite things. Buffalo chicken dip, bbq chicken, little hotdogs wrapped in crescent rolls, m&m's, white cheddar cheezeits and my favorite Kribel bakery cookies. She is so thoughtful and had photos and albums of my life on display. I have wonderful family and friends who came to the party. I have the best sister anyone could ever ask for. Everyone was curious about the cloth diapers and of course people are betting we don't last a week with them.
Sunday we went with my parents to the zoo. I haven't been there in 7 years. There are 2 baby elephants that were so cute. We got to talk to a keeper and he talked to us for at least 1/2 hour telling us all about the elephants. The main reason I wanted to go was to see the new Polar Bears exhibit. Of course the polar bears were sleeping not playing in the water.
Monday we had to come home. Being hormonal makes leaving even harder. This time I cried for an hour. I wish I could move back. We would have such an amazing support system. We stopped at Homegrown Baby and picked up a couple more diapers.
All in all it was a great weekend. Now we are on vacation the rest of the week. We'll go shopping for the baby and start prepping the room to be painted. I am also impatiently counting down the days until Friday when we go for the BIG ultrasound.

Fun times with Friends

On Thursday night I got together with my nestie friends. We went to this wonderful dessert place, Butterwood. It's always great getting together with these girls. The topic of conversation was babies. Whoopsie is going to have lots of little friends to play with. Such a lucky baby.
Yesterday was a great day. I went to Target and their was one green cloth diaper left. Some targets are carrying Bumgenius diapers. Now I just have to find which one in Pittsburgh does. As I was getting ready to leave I was hungry and I happened to look at Target's snack bar and wouldn't you know they have Pizza Hut.(the only pizza I like during this pregnancy). To make my day even better I topped it off with a Decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte. Mmmmm.
This morning we are getting ready to drive back to Pittsburgh. I hope Linus does well at the kennel and he doesn't think we are abandoning him. But he will be with Morgan. Bailey gets to come home for the first time in 3 years.
Tonight should be another night filled with fun and friends. :)

Our fun weekend

Well this past weekend Norm and I had 2 of our friends come to visit. On Friday night we went to Buffalo Brewpub for dinner. Yum! Norm got the fish fry and it was delish. Then headed back to the house to wait for Rob to arrive.
Saturday we went to the wing festival. It was good. We had lots of wings. I also had a pizza, a slice of watermelon and strawberry shortcake. After awhile we found a table in the shade. Then we went to Pearl Street Brewery where the guys had some drinks. Being the dd for the next 5 months is going to get old.
Sunday I had to work but Norm took Rob and Dave to Niagara Falls. Dinner was at the Shogun. We haven't been there in years. Everyone enjoyed it.
Now we have to get ready for the block party we are hosting on Sunday. :)

2nd appt

Today was my second appt. All of my bloodwork came back normal. The baby's heartbeat was 150. I go back for the Big Ultrasound on Sept 19.

What a great weekend!

My parents came to visit this weekend. It was all about the baby. My Grandma was very good to me and sent up 2 gift baskets filled with clothes and gifts for the baby. Friday night my mom and I went to the outlets and I got my diaper bag.(I think I am keeping it. I keeping having buyers remorse) It is the cutest Kate Spade bag. We also went to the Carter's outlet and I got some neutral newborn clothes and a really cute soothing sounds puppy to attach to the crib. I can't wait to find out what we are having so I can buy pink or blue.

Then Saturday we all went to the Elmwood Arts Festival. After that we stopped at Home Grown Baby to learn about cloth diapers. We've decided we are going use cloth diapers. We bought a diaper and a cover. The only bad thing is the only store in Buffalo is moving 1 hour away. So I have to decide quickly if I want to buy from them or order online.

My parents left today. It was a great visit. Now we have to get ready for our next round of company coming in for the wing festival.

How did I get so lucky?

I would love to know how I got so lucky with finding Norm? He really is the best husband. Last night he bought me a small diaper bag that I found online. Then today he called me and asked"How much money can I spend on you?". A jewelery store is going out of business and he wanted to go and look for me. Then tonight I had a craving for french toast and he made it for me. I am so lucky to have him. Thanks Connie and Norm for raising a great son.

Baby Voldemort

I went today for the 2nd try at the NT scan. Whoopsie is in that weird looking alien/voldemort stage. There is one pic of the baby and it really looks like voldemort from Harry Potter. (I'm not posting it b/c it is so freaky) Everything went well today. The baby wasn't in positioin so the tech gave me a Kool-Aid to drink and then Whoopsie moved. The measurement was 1.2 which is comepletely normal. I got to see both arms and legs moving around today. Also you can see all of the vertebrae. (Anythingthat is white is bone) The heartbeat was 149. I can't wait for the "big ultrasound". That should be in September. I wish I could find out before my birthday but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

My due date has changed

So yesterday we went for the NT scan. Whoopsie would not cooperate. The tech wasn't able to get a measurement on the back of the neck. So I get to go back for another ultrasound on Tuesday. :) Everything looks good. The heartbeat was 150 and the baby measured 12 weeks 3 days. So my new due date is 2/15/09.

Lions and tigers and bears...Oh my

On Wednesday we went to Wines in the Wild at the Buffalo Zoo with my friend Jessica and her husband Rick. We had a great time. There were so many different restaurants and wines to try. (No wine for me). I can't wait to go again next year.

Good thoughts for Bailey

Poor Bailey is at the vets office. She did something to her hind leg and won't put any weight on it. I'm hoping it's nothing too serious. But she yelps and cries when we try to pick her up :( We will get her after work today.

Things I want

I am such a planner and shopper. It is killing me not to be able to buy anything. 20 weeks is so far away. So I have started online shopping to get ideas.

We love this frame and recieving blanket. I have to show it to my sister b/c I'm sure when she has a baby she will need it in the Steelers.

This is the travel system I have picked out. I love the colors.

We heard the heartbeat

Today was my first official appt with the Dr. Norm went with me. We got to hear the heartbeat. It was so fast. That little sound makes it so real. It brought tears to both of our eyes. Then we got a diaper bag filled with free stuff from the doctor's office. I go back in 3 weeks for a NT scan(genetic testing).

I have the best husband

When I came home from work after the ultrasound I had a nice suprise waiting for me. Norm bought be a dozen roses, a wicker basket that had a bottle of wine that was wrapped in a swaddle me. I have the sweetest husband.

The dating ultrasound

So the day after the positive tests I called the doctor's office to make an appt. They didn't answer the phone so I drove there. Good thing it's close. The receptionist asked for my name and "If I had a problem?" I told her yes, I think I am pregnant. She made an appointment for the next day to have an ultrasound. Norm went with me and we got to see baby whoopsie. At the time she was 2 mm and had a heartbeat of 92 bpm. We go back to the doctor on July 17.

Meet the family

Bailey is our first dog. She was rescued in November of 2003 from AARF in Richmond, VA. Bailey was good training for raising a child. She was the most difficult dog when we first adopted her. Barking nonstop, locking herself in the bathroom, and now she is so well behaved we can't even remember the bad times.

Morgan is my baby. Morgan came about because I won a bet with Norm while bowling. She joined the family in March of 2005. She makes us laugh everyday. Recently she has become an escape artist. For whatever reason she thinks the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

The newest, temporary addition to the family is Linus. He is a dog we are fostering for Eskie Rescuers United. Norm and I decided that we had the time, space and love to give and wanted to help out this very special breed. Linus is 4 years old and a goofball. He loves hanging out with his fursister.

So as you can see we love our dogs. Yes we are having a baby and no we are not giving up the dogs. So please don't ask.

And so it begins

On June 23 we got the suprise of our life. I got a positive pregnancy test. When I showed it to Norm his response was "Maybe it's old". So off to the store we went and I proceeded to get 3 more positive results. Norm tried shaking the word pregnant out of one of the tests but it wouldn't budge :). We are expecting our 1st 2 legged child.