she may be the face i can’t forget

We’re having a girl!

Our ultrasound was a success and we not only found out that we’re having a daughter, but that she has all her parts and is looking healthy! We saw just about all the body parts – even two little feet. As they were poking around with the ultrasound wand, we even saw her kick one of her skinny little legs. They captured a video of her heartbeat and you can even see the 4 chambers of the heart. Pretty amazing considering how tiny she still is.

(There are a few more ultrasound pics on Flickr)

We are just thrilled to be having a little girl. It feels so good to refer to her as a “her” instead of “it” and to think about all the things having a daughter brings. Drew called it from day one and is very comfortable with the fact that he is already outnumbered. Now we can really get the planning and decorating started! Oh, and we should probably figure out a name for this little lady!

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “She” by Elvis Costello

and then there were three…

I figured y’all would want to read about something other than my cats – so I thought I’d change it up a bit. You know those cute little squirmy things that take 9 months to make? I’m having myself one of those! The stork will drop it at our doorstep around September 28th!

Drew and I are thrilled to be adding a little one to our family! We’ve been busy reading up on all the happenings.

We’re also happy to finally make our parents on both sides grandparents for the first time. We’re looking forward to all the fun ahead!

how i wonder what you are

For the first time since I moved to Austin, I headed back to Chicago for a quick weekend to attend my friend Sara’s baby shower. It was great to see her and her growing belly (I can’t believe how much bigger it was 3 months later!) and my other girlfriends who attended. Of course, I also got to hang out with my mom and brother who are still in the area. It was weird to be chauffeured from the airport by my mom – I was always the airport chauffeur for family that came to Chicago. I was never in Chicago without my own car. I would have liked to spend more time, drive by our condo to see how it’s holding up, stop by my former place of employment and see people, but it was a very quick weekend. I hope to be back at the holidays!

Sara and her husband Brady are not finding out the gender of their baby ahead of time. So the girls who threw the shower did a great job by choosing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” as the theme. The decor and gifts complimented the theme perfectly. They even had star balloons tied to the mailbox!

They strung a line of onesies across the fireplace where the gifts were placed.

My friend Michelle made an ADORABLE diaper cake. I told her she should totally sell these on Etsy.

Diapers circled little vases of flowers on the tables and stars hung from the chandelier.

The food spread was nice and summery – fruits, cheeses, salad, chicken salad sandwiches, veggie pizza, and an apple tart pastry that my friend Jill made.

The cake was so adorable!

The mom-to-be was glowing and looked great!

Everyone was invited to decorate a onesie for the baby.

I kept mine simple with an iron-on elephant.

Michelle got a little more creative and made hers a Chicago Bears onesie with the butt saying “Packers Stink”. I doubt the daddy will allow it to be worn, being a die-hard Packers fan!

Everyone brought a book to give the baby. Naturally, I called up my sister and told her to send me some!

Sara got lots of awesome gifts. Just the gifts alone made me totally wish I had a reason to shop in the baby aisle – never mind that I can’t even look at a onesie without squealing. And don’t get me started on baby socks. I melt!

As if all the baby stuff was enough – there was also an actual baby in attendance! Sara’s friend Jamie recently had her second daughter. She was very well behaved the whole time.

After gifts, we took some pictures in the backyard. It was a HOT day in Chicago, but I’m used to the heat. Just kidding – I think it’s going to be a LONG time until I’m used to this kind of heat.

It’s so exciting that not only Sara is having a baby, but my other good friend Jill is ALSO expecting a baby!! Sara is due near the end of August and Jill is due in early December.

Sara had another friend there who is pregnant too – due any day now!!

Before we left, we all had to make a prediction for the sex of the baby, the birthdate, and weight and length. I guessed that she’ll be having a girl on her due date around 6 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. We’ll see if I’m right!

Can’t wait to get word of the birth – just a few weeks left!!! I’m hopeful I get to meet the baby at the holidays – along with Jill’s newborn!!

the springtime is the season where everyone’s a friend

Fortunately for those living in northern IL, we had quite a lovely Easter weekend. It was warm enough to go for a jog outside – which is usually unexpected in early April. The hubby and I spent the weekend in Rockford visiting our mom’s and siblings. And of course, Ollie was there.

We belatedly celebrated our soon-to-be-brother-in-law’s birthday.

We also visited our friends Michelle and James and their new baby Ethan, born just a week before.

Mommy and Ethan

Daddy and Ethan

I don’t think Drew has held a newborn baby (maybe since his brother was born twenty some years ago.) He looks like a natural, no?

See the rest of my pictures from the weekend.

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “Springtime Is The Season” by Of Montreal

when it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night

Happy New Year!

Drew and I drove down to Missouri to usher in the new year with family. We had a nice visit with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had a family-filled party at Drew’s aunt and uncle’s house where everyone played shuffleboard, pool, cards, and who could enjoy Deb’s chocolate cake the most. I think I won that game. Yum.

Of course, I had fun just snapping pictures of everyone. Kids and pets are my favorite muses to photograph…and I have neither of my own! Gotta get my fix somehow!

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

It was a short trip, but we’ll be seeing everyone again this summer for a couple of weddings, including my sister-in-law’s! See the rest of my pictures from New Year’s.

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald

when the sun gives way to april showers

This past weekend was pretty filled with showers – both the rain and life-event-celebration variety. My cousin-in-law Annie had her bridal shower in Missouri and my friend Stefanie had her bridal shower in Chicago. But I missed them both because I had long-standing tickets to see Mary Poppins with my mom. So my mom came in and we took the train (it was raining, you see) and dashed into the Cadillac Palace theatre for the matinee. One of my favorite Disney movies. It was a cute show. Lots of squirming loud kids, but that was to be expected. The girl who played Mary Poppins (Ashley Brown) was straight off of Broadway and sounded very much like Julie Andrews* (my favorite lady ever.) At the end, Mary Poppins flew up into the air and over the audience. My mom and I oohed and ahhed like little girls.

*By the way, did you know I met Julie Andrews a couple years ago? At a book signing. So, yes, I have her children’s book with her signature – she signs her books Julie Andrews Edwards. It’s has a special spot on our bookshelf next to all of our other autographed books. I didn’t just get her autograph, but I actually talked to her! She asked how I was and I said “I’m well thanks.” I was too nervous to say anything else, but I definitely think I made an impression…

After the matinee we scurried over to Trattoria No. 10 for dinner and then headed back to the ‘burbs. The next morning, I did make it to another shower. We drove to Rockton for our friends Mark and April’s baby shower. So my blog post title does have a double meaning, eh? April had her shower. In April. During a rain shower. April’s shower had April showers.

Mark and April got lots of goodies and are busy putting their nursery together no doubt. Their little girl is due in June.

i got joy joy joy in my soul tonight

What a week! Two births in one week! First, my friend Nadine and her husband Ian welcomed their first baby boy, Eric Alexander Finn. He was born on 10/29 and weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He is perfect! Sara, Stef and I visited with them after they arrived home from the hospital and took turns holding the little sleeping baby.

Eric Alexander

I heart babies

The Finn Family

The second birth of the week was the birth (or rebirth) of a new era of American pride and hope with the election of Barack Obama!!! It was an awe-inspiring and pioneering campaign to the White House, and undoubtedly one of the most exciting moments I’ve lived through. Although I didn’t brave the crowds down in Grant Park, I felt their impact through my TV. The most emotional moment of the night was right after they announced Obama the winner and they showed the crowd’s reaction. I’m just glad I played a part by supporting Obama and voting for him that day. It’s a day I will never forget!

"a change is gonna come" - photo courtesy of davidwatts1978 via flickr

the bare necessities of life will come to you

Baby love, my baby love! I had a “ducky” time at Nadine’s baby shower this past weekend. Her sister threw her a duck-themed shower at Italian restaurant Francesco’s in Naperville. Nadine is due at the end of October with her first baby (a boy!) We played games – like matching celebrity baby names with their parents – and made scrapbook pages for the soon-to-be mom.

Looks like Nadine got most of the “bare necessities”! She’ll be busy filling her jungle-themed nursery!

Nadine got some practice time in with nephew, Dillan.