Week 36- family

Well I have received lots of comments that I have really popped out this week.


We've been watching the NCAA tourney. Purdue just lost and it brings back memories for daddy when they lost in the Sweet 16 when he "played" at Purdue in '98.


more hiccups for the little one. It is just so neat to experience this... now that I know what they are!

bob's been very cuddly with mama... in fact here is some of his typing skills. I was working on the couch tonight and he decided to help me and also wanted some lovin'.

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My mom came over this week to look at the baby shower pics and I also made a book and she loved it. She also complimented me on my blog and how wonderful it is that I am doing this. I've received lots of compliments too from alot of my friends and family (Debbie, Mary, Andrea, Lisa, Pauline, Lisa... the list could go on) I just want to make sure that I capture my memories as best as I can during my pregnancy. I am glad that I have friends who have blogs and were a great example for me to follow and do this!

we had our doctor's visit on Friday and my weight gain is 26 pounds so far. My blood pressure was 108/64. I am so thankful that we are doing good in this department. The heart rate was 132-136 and the doctor said we are right in the middle so again the little one is playing tricks on us. My dad thought we were having a girl in the beginning (kinda like everyone else) and now he is changing his mind that the little one might be a boy. I passed the GBS test so no infection to worry about passing along to the baby! Thank you God!

Friday afternoon I met my mom at Dzie Dzie's and he still thinks I am having 2 babies, but he did change and say a boy and a girl. All along he has said twin girls. I asked him for name suggestions and he said Tammy for a girl and Sammy (after my dad) for a boy.

On Saturday the 28th, my dad stopped over in the morning and visited with us for like 2 hours. He felt his grandbaby move... some really good movements too. I am so thankful that my parents are really involved and every chance they get they are around us. My parents are always touching the belly and I know that the little one recognizes this!

Saturday night we had Aunt Julie's 50th birthday and had lots of fun. It's always a party in Jeremy's family. The family is huge so there is literally something going on every weekend. Next weekend we have a 1st birthday party to go to! Important things to celebrate in life!!! At the party, Grandpa asked us if we had any names for our little one yet and asked if we are going to name a boy Jeremy and a girl Samantha. I would like to do Jeremy as the middle name for a boy, but Jeremy doesn't want to do that (at least I haven't convinced him yet.... stay tuned if we have a boy). Jeremy's dad told us at the party that he cleaned out a drawer in the kitchen that will be for the grandbabies... currently the intention is for the bibs, sippy cups, etc. So cute!

So I do think we are getting closer to names. I think we have the boy names down to about 3 now. regardless of what we name our boy... Adam will be calling his nephew Jackson... he wants us to name our boy (if that is the sex) Jackson Daniel.

On Sunday we went to church and little one was active like normal. After church we went to breakfast with my parents and also ran into Aunt Lisa, Aunt Julie, Aunt Kelly, and Uncle Bill. I was surprised to see Aunt Julie considering we celebrated her 50th the night before. Birthday girl did great!

On Monday, I got a surprise visit from Kristen, Tyler and Brayden. They brought me over chocolate charlie (one of my favs), a bath robe for the little one and then bringing back the memories from high school and college were Kristen's moms homemade cookies. They are so yummy and one of my favs too!!! I had 4 that night with 3 huge glasses of milk!!!

So I can officially say that I am addicted to cookies and this can be another craving. Jeremiah at work made some homemade chocolate chip cookies and I had 4 of them at work. I had to go downstairs and get milk from our training center. I've had lots of cookies this week, but also about 2 gallons of milk to go along with it!

So Riley, Russeau and Bob are all sharing space around mama. They follow me around the house and are around me on the couch. Bob and Russeau are even right next to each other and I think they finally realize that the baby is going to be the most important person for them. They are going to be so protective over this little one and already know the baby items in the house. We have the swing, pack and play and bouncy seat set up downstairs in our living room and today, Russeau was sleeping under the swing. He is going to be the guard dog that will let me know if something doesn't sound right. Riley will be the super protective one that will be watching people hold the baby and be right there. Bob will be the fun one for the little one to play with. It is going to be so much fun watching them all grow up together. Riley and Russeau just turned 5 a few weeks ago and Bob will be 5 on May 17th so it will be interesting to see how they react to the little one in the house.

Jeremy is offically the back rubber. He is getting used to rubs on the upper back. I don't have lower back pain yet, but I am sure that will be coming. The other night I had a leg cramp and almost kicked him in the face. I didn't have to say leg cramp and he knew. He said he didn't even open his eyes, he just rubbed my lower calf until the pain went away.... such a good hubby at 3:00 in the morning.

So this week has started me getting up 3-4 times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. The baby is "lowering" and my bladder can't hold as much anymore. Jeremy hasn't had to help me get up in the middle of the night yet but I am sure that will be approaching soon. I can't believe the little one can pretty much arrive anytime now.

Jeremy and I have been talking about setting up the bank account for the little one once he/she arrives. It's one thing that needs to be discussed and then how we are going to plan for our little one's future. My parents each had bank accounts with me and deposited a certain amount each paycheck since I was born. This was a huge investment and also helped pay for my college. I would like to carry this on for our little one and plan for that education! Ecucation is very important to Jeremy and me and we want to instill that into our little one. Mama needs to finish her Masters and catch up to daddy so she can set that example for her little one. Grammie has her masters. Gramps is currently finishing his bachelors degree. I am so proud of my dad for going back to school and finishing his degree. It's taken him such a long time... since I was a freshman in high school and now he just has 3 classes left! That is what I have left for my Masters.... how ironic.

Week 35- Dreams

March 19th- we had another doctor's appointment and my weight gain so far is 24 pounds. Blood pressure was 104/68. I measured a 36 which is a week ahead, but right on still. The heart rate for the little one was 148-150 this time and the head is down! The doctor said a boy for his guess today. This is the first time we have heard boy from any of the doctors. We did our GBS test as well to see if I have an infection that will pass through the baby through the birth canal. If I do have it they will give me antibiotics. We find out the results next week at our next appointment. We are now going to weekly appointments. This is getting to be in the home stretch for the arrival of our little one!



So during this pregnancy, my cravings so far have been pineapple, apples, caesar salad, peanut butter sandwiches, raspberry sherbet with ginger ale, chocolate cake, french onion soup, chocolate chip eggos.



The taste that have changed for me during pregnancy is my love for Italian food isn't really there anymore because it gives me heartburn. So this tells me that the little one does have daddy's taste for food because Jeremy isn't the biggest fan of Italian food. Jeremy says "sweet, taco bell buddy".



So I am finally progressing on my hospital bag. I just have to decide what outfit I want to come home in and then pack the bag. I have everything on the guest bed and just need to organize and pack my bag!



Jeremy finally got the video camera ordered this week. He was told at Christmas to get one and now here is it 3 months later and he finally made the purchase!



The UPS guy knows our house now because of all the deliveries lately from gifts from out of town friends and family and then stuff that we have ordered. He told Jeremy the other day I was looking for the 3 little alarms to go off (Riley, Russeau and Bob).



So Riley has become really protective over me and she loves to lay on the belly and keep Bob and Russeau at a distant from me. She is nesting too... she is gathering all of her stuffed animal toys and also a blanket and makes a nest. Bob and Russeau come over by me when Riley is outside or if she is sleeping. We are going to have 3 curious dogs for the little one. It will be very interesting to see how they all will interact with each other!



March 21st- Jeremy and I went shopping for a rocker for the nursery. We went to Babies R Us and also Lanser's, the Natural Way. I have it narrowed down to a chair at each and there really isn't a huge price difference between the two so I just need to decide what I really want since I will be spending lots of time in this chair with the little one.



So today wasn't the most comfortable day for me. The little one was snuggled up against my right rib and also towards my right side of the back. Out of the almost 36 weeks, 1 day of uncomfortableness isn't bad. So I can't complain at all.



March 22nd- We went to church and the little was active as usual during mass. We did arrive late as I had to eat breakfast and wasn't moving to fast. After mass we had brunch at Houlihan's with Adam and Elizabeth, and Jeremy's parents. Then we had a memorial service/tribute to Grandma Swartz at the funeral home. It was very nice for the funeral home to remember everyone's losses during 2008. Grandma had about half the place dedicated to her, which was great to see in her memory.



So when they say pregnancy dreams can be weird its so true. I've had a dream that our little one came out with 8 teeth... that was a little freaky. I had a dream on March 18th that we had a baby girl on March 18th that weighed 8 pounds... alot of 8's on that one. If it would have been 13... I would have gone to the priest as that would have been too freaky.



Jeremy's prediction for due date is April 27th. I am thinking April 30th... we shall see with this little one. I will try to post our prediction every week now as it gets closer to the due date. During the first few months of pregnancy until now we thought we were having a girl, just based on the old wives tales, but now we aren't sure as this little one is playing tricks now!



I will say it completely amazes me that with the head being down and I feel something in my right rib and then something to the left and low of my belly button that I am trying to figure out if its the butt, foot, elbow, knee.... it is just awesome to know that our little one is growing and stretching all around in my belly.

Week 34- Baby Shower #3

Rose, Kathy and me at the March 15th shower!

Gina and me.

All the tax girls!

Maddie, Kelli, Gina, Jenny, Lisa, Rose, Kathy, Becky, me, Sarah, Isabella, Tammy, Allison, Danielle, Sharon and Jocelyn.

Yummy Chocolate cake! mama was happy!!

Group gift - our bedding!!! I was so excited!!!

Mobile for the crib that matches our bedding set from Lisa

Lisa made these...they were so cute and yummy! Favors for everyone!!!

Well this week started out rough as I came down with a cold. I haven't been sick at all during the pregnancy and then I took 2 days off of work this week. I used Wednesday to rest, but Tuesday was miserable. I went through 2 boxes of Kleenex. Thank goodness that it didn't last that long as I know sickness during pregnancy can take forever to get over.


On Wednesday I watched Tommy and William, our neighbors kids for about 30 minutes and helped Tommy with homework and watched William play. Margie is making sure I am getting some practice in! While I was there though Tommy was able to feel the baby move and he kept on asking when the baby would move again because he enjoyed feeling a baby in the belly. His guess was a boy and I think that makes about 12 guesses for a boy right now.

On Friday, I had a dentist appointment for a teeth cleaning. There was a temp there as my girl had a baby in January. My doc is amazing. I talked to him about the baby and he gave me his guess on a boy or a girl and he said girl. So he is concurring with everyone else that the little one will be a girl. I did talk to him about Fluoride and when we start for the baby and if I should have been on anything during my pregnancy. I didn't think about it until I was asking about the baby since we have well water. He is going to get back to me because it is a good question. I did find out that when I have my dental cleanings that I am to take the little one with me so he/she can get used to what they do and eventually get comfortable with being in a chair and having their mouth looked at. I have gone to my doctor ever since I was little so I have to keep this up for my little one! I think my doc will be around for the next 5 years or so. He is close to retirement and don't want him to retire.





Saturday- March 14th- we went to the barber shop today and saw Roger and Jerry. Then Jeremy and I did some shopping of our own. We are trying to stock up on diapers so we went to babies r us to make a purchase. After shopping we went to see my Grandpa Totten who turned 90 this week. It also was the 2 year anniversary of my grandma passing away. We visited with my grandpa and he touched the belly and watched the little one move in there. He also thinks we are having a boy. He is our 13th guess for a boy. We shall see in the next few weeks.



Sunday- March 15th- I had my 3rd baby shower with my Crowe girls. Lisa and Sharon threw the shower for us and it was just so wonderful. We had one of my favorites, Italian beef and Lisa's homemade pasta salad!!! yummy! Along with chocolate cake!! At the shower, Lisa, Tammy, Isabella felt the little one move. Sarah tried to feel the little one move, but I was standing and usually the little one doesn't move as much when I am up walking around, well I am sure he/she is, but it is harder for me to feel! We received our bedding at the shower and I can't wait to post pictures once I wash and put it on the crib! I just can't wait.



So at the shower, we played a game and I had to choose which characteristics that I would like our little one to either get from me or Jeremy. When I got home I also gave the quiz to Jeremy and we pretty much agreed.



Here is the breakdown;

Eyes- Jeremy (it's what attracted me to Jeremy) however, we both agree that we both like each others' eyes.



Nose- Daddy



Smile- Mama



Hair- Mama (daddy is going grey early)



Legs- Daddy



Humor- Daddy



Intelligence- Daddy (since he pretty much get a 4.0 in undergrad and then I got the blame for his first B+ in grad school since we were dating at the time... I am hoping the little one gets daddy's gene)



Attitude- mama.. however Jeremy disagrees with me on this one. I hope our little one will be opinionated and not afraid to share his/her feelings in a "positive" way.



Height- we are hoping for daddy's height. However if the little one is a girl then either one, but a boy, we are hoping for daddy's height!



Athleticism- We both have game (JK) we both were very active in high school and college in sports so we hope our little one gets a mixture of our genes on this one.



Passion- Mama. I am very passionate about my family, friends, my interest. When I like something everyone will know about it and hear about it.



Feet- well this is a toss up... but we are hoping for daddy. I do have smelly feet and have to wear inserts, so we are hoping for daddy's gene on this.



Hands- we are hoping for mama's. Jeremy has small hands so we are hoping my side of the family carries over on this. My Grandma has huge hands and if we have a boy then palming the basketball might be helpful!



Belly Button- mama, but not in the current condition since its an outtie at the moment.



Driving Skills- ok Daddy is clearly the slower driver... however, he has more speeding tickets than me.. go figure. However I have been pulled over alot more than what he has. So we pick Daddy.



Sarcasm- no question- daddy.



Cooking Skills- mama!



Patience- Daddy... I have none so we are hoping that the little one really gets this from daddy.



Financial Management- no brainer on this one... daddy. If we have a girl, Jeremy is prepared to hand over the credit card.... not a good sign.. he knows it will be a losing battle.



Temper- daddy. Since I get passionate about things, my emotion comes through alot during discussions. So we are hoping for the level head of daddy to carry over.



Dancing-- oh lordly.. if you have ever seen any of us dance we are in trouble.. sad to say we are hoping me on this one, which is very sad.



Fashion- toss up. Jeremy does a great job with fashion.



Singing- definitely daddy. mama has zero skills in this department.



Punctuality- we are hoping mama on this one. Mama likes to drive daddy crazy by always arriving early to appointments!



Monday- March 16th- we had our breast-feeding class with Adam and Elizabeth too. Elizabeth and I were both studious and asked questions and even stayed after the class was over to talk to the instructor. I felt that we learned in this class and probably the most beneficial of all the classes that we have taken so far.

Week 33- Baby Shower #2

Beth, Laur, Charlie, Pam and me (with the little one).

Well I was so excited after the shower that when I came down to go to work on Monday, I was just too excited when I saw the living room that I decided to take the day off and organize all the gifts that the little one received. We had our whole front room filled with bags and boxes of baby items! We are truly very lucky to have received so much for our little one and appreciate it so much.

After organizing all the gifts, my mom and Jeremy's mom came over to look at everything. It took me all day on Monday to organize everything with taking several breaks in between to rest. I did about 8 loads of laundry from the clothes, blankets, bedding items, etc that we received that needed to be washed. I actually managed to put it all away during the week as well with Jeremy's help of caring the laundry baskets upstairs so I could organize the dresser drawers for what we had. I have managed to fill our hutch with the receiving blankets and bath items... the hooded towels, washcloths, etc. (however I think I am going to move this to the guest bathroom which is now the babies bathroom) I have organized or dresser drawers by size of clothes from bibs and burp cloths, newborns, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, anything after 6 months and will just rotate the drawers as the little one grows!

During the week I also managed to get all the thank you cards written from our Sunday shower so that was a task in itself! I just wanted to get as much done as I could as soon as I could because you never know when this little one wants to make an arrival!


Wednesday we had our doctor's appointment and I have gained a total of 23 pounds. I measured a 34, which is a week ahead of where I should be, but I am right on. My blood pressure was 118/72, but I was talking in the middle of it, oops. So this was a little high for me, but still very good. When it came time for the heartbeat, our doctor had the handheld doppler with gel on the tip and then gave it to Jeremy. Jeremy said "I get to do it" it was so neat as I know the doctor's appointments are so monotonous at this point, but so happy that Jeremy hasn't missed one of them! I am not very good with medical terminology and Jeremy can understand more than I can so in case something happens, its good to know that he is a smartie and can ask the questions and listen too! He is the listener... I am not! So he had the doppler and put it on my belly and immediately found the heartbeat! He knows his little one already! The heart rate was ranging from 138-143 on the doppler. We shall see in a few weeks if this means a boy or a girl!

At the shower I received a few more boy guesses and I think I am up to a total of 12 boy guesses and about 500 girl guesses.... only time will tell!

On Friday, we joined Jeremy's parents for a fish fry at ZB Falcons and it was good to visit with them and hear about how they are planning for their grandchild. I know my father in law is planning on taking out the ponds and putting in a play area for his 2 grandchildren that are on the way. They are also planning on purchasing a swimming pool device that lets you know if something has splashed in the pool and alarm will be set off. Not that the little one will be left unattended, but it is always good to have safety features in place! I am already planning on our little one doing swimming lessons between 6-9 months of age. I just want to talk to the pediatrician about this to make sure it is recommended. I figured with Jeremy's parents having a pool that our little one better know how to swim sooner rather than later!

Saturday I had my second shower with my Saint Mary's girls. Laur, Pam and Beth all came into town to celebrate and do a Sami/baby day. We started the day off by going to the spa and I had an ice cream pedicure with Lauren. We had so much fun just sitting there together chatting and talking about our dogs and just catching up. Next I had a facial and this was so relaxing. Something that I needed too! SO now I have pretty feet if I go into labor in the next few weeks and my face feels so soft. I really needed it as my face has been dry.

Next it was shopping at the mall... how could we not have a girl day without shopping involved! We then decided it was time for dinner and decided to do Hacienda. At dinner I told the girls that I wanted to take them for dessert to a restaurant called Yesterday's. I have been craving sweets lately and can't get enough in me. After dinner though we decided to go to the Notre Dame bookstore, but first we got side-track by making a visit to Zahm hall to look at the donation Beth made to Zahm hall in Mike's name and also a plaque in his honor.

For those of you who do not know, Beth lost her husband to melanoma 2 years on March 15th and she has done amazing with spreading the word about Melanoma. She does a race each year in her hometown in his honor and has raised enough each year for a $25,000 grant!!! Keep it up Beth!!! Pam also gave us a gift over the weekend. She found these cool bracelets that say "I will Reflect" they are clear and when you have too much exposure to the sun, it changes the color of the braclet to pink to let you know that you need sunscreen on. Everyone make sure you get your moles looked at once a year... I've had too many friends who have passed away or been diagnosed with melanoma.

So we pull up to Zahm hall and realized that campus is really quite... it was spring break. If you can imagine, 4 girls, 1 prego trying to break into a boys dorm. 10 years ago it wouldn't have been a problem, but apparently now it was pretty hysterical as it was raining and we were knocking on the boys dorm door for someone to let us in. We called the rector, assistant rector, the RA's and as Lauren was knocking on the door the whole time, finally 2 guys came down the stairs and opened up the doors for us and didn't question a thing! We made our way to to the basement as Beth's donation went towards a new entertainment system and TV for the guys that Mike was apart of for 4 years at Notre Dame. It's funny because the 4 of us girls all spent alot of time in Zahm hall in college and have some awesome friends to this day. It truly is family on the campuses of Saint Mary's and Notre Dame. We found the plaque of Mike in the entertainment room and also took pics! We visited the chapel in the dorm and reminisced about some awesome memories that took place in the dorm. Oh the decade dance from back in the day. Too much fun with all these girls! After we took pics, Beth and Pam decided to play ping pong and they lost the ball under the chair and we gave up, however we didn't laugh as hard as we did at that moment because it was quite entertaining for us girls to be in a guys dorm without the guys there.

After the dorm, we went to the bookstore and Beth did some shopping. After the bookstore, it was time for dessert. I took my girls to Yesterday's and as we were waiting for our desserts to arrive there was a special guest in the house.... but first I have to describe the story. So my back was to this small room at Yesterday's and I looked in the room and noticed that this woman looked familiar... didn't think anything of it. Later Pam says "hey there is Charlie" now all of us know who Charlie is since we are all huge ND fans. Charlie Weis was having dinner there with his son and wife. His son was blocking him and that is why I didn't see him. They were finished with dinner and Pam, Laur and I were scared to ask him for a pic, but Beth who is the traveler and also has the camera with her asked him as he was walking by and he said "the wife is gonna get mad... make it quick" we all jumped up and had our pic taken. We also told Charlie that we had a domer on the way. He just smiled and said great! Now if we have a girl I am hoping she will go to Saint Mary's like mama and if we have a boy hopefully he will go to ND just like daddy. I know it will be up to the little one and what profession he/she decides, but with Jeremy and me both loving ND I think it will be hard to grow up in the household not being a Notre Dame fan!

So after dessert, we decided to head home and open up presents. Again our little one is just so loved and we are very lucky to have very special friends that are going to be wonderful aunts to our little one. Thank you girls!!

The girls did get me a shirt that has a picture of french fries on it and the caption reads "Pardon my french" now if anyone knows me... french fries are my favorite and I always don't have the most proper language. My girls know me so well! I can't wait to wear the shirt because it fits my personality to a tee!

All of the girls were able to feel the baby move and I was just so happy!!!

So while I was having girl day, Jeremy was busy putting the big items away for our little one, setting up some of the items in our living room and also cleaning the floors with the steam cleaner and he cleaned the house. It took him all day on Saturday to do all of this. He is such a good hubby and so glad that he does the cleaning... the cleaning gene skipped me and Jeremy is hoping that the little one gets this gene from him and not me!

On Sunday we visited Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe for Aunt Joan's 78th birthday! Aunt Joan felt the baby move right away and I moved to let Uncle Joe feel, but the baby had moved enough. Finally we ate and then the little one was active again and Uncle Joe was able to feel the little one move and the little one gave him some big movements too! He was just so excited to feel the little one. In fact, Aunt Joan called me later in the week to let me know he was talking about it and it just made his day!

On Monday, we had our newborn class with Adam and Elizabeth and learned about sponge baths, changing a diaper, how our time will be spent after the baby is born and just some things to plan for. Thank goodness we already thought of a few things, for instance, my parents are taking time off to be with me and the baby and will be helping me with food and cleaning, which will help out so much as I am sure I will be sleep deprived from feeding the little one every 2-3 hours!

So the little one has found my right rib. he/she isn't too bad, but I am sure that as I get further along that this little one is so comfortable in that position. Also, my left butt cheek hurts in the middle, which either the baby is sitting on a nerve or my body is getting ready for delivery. Also I have noticed the pelvic area being a little more sore than usual, again getting ready for delivery! I can't believe about 6.5 weeks to go!!!

I will post some pics when I get them loaded to the computer!

Week 32- Baby Shower #1

Me and Mary! Thanks to her I have tons of maternity clothes!

me with Debbie and Hayden. Debbie has been the sister for me throughout this pregnancy. She checks in on me and the baby all the time. Plus I have Hannah and Hayden who are putting their bids in for babysitting! They can't wait for the arrival of the little one.

Me and Andrea- BFF's since Freshman year in high school!!! She is so excited for the little one! She is so spoiling her soon to be niece or nephew already!

Elizabeth and me at the shower. She is 2 weeks ahead of me in pregnancy! She is carrying my soon to be nephew, Harrison!!!

I am just calling this pic the Riley aunts! Mrs. Peterson, Ms. Hanson, Mrs. Heiderman, Cindy, Gina, Mrs. Witherall, Mrs. Wallace, Ms. Gavin, Aunt Jane, me, mom, Mrs. Finley and Mrs. Coddens!

Me with my BFF Lisa!!! She is super ready to meet the little one and has done so much for us! What would we do without her in our lives!

Us with Jeremy's mom.... Grandma to be!

Us with my parents! Grammie and Gramps!

Me posing with my parents.

Me and my mom... the best mom ever! Such an amazing role model! I hope I do a great job of parenting as she has done. She is always there no matter what!

Me with Aunt Kathy and Aunt Julie. Aunt Kathy is Jeremy's godmother.

Me with Cindy, Aunt Jane and Gina. 3- SMC's in this pic... maybe a 4th if we have a girl!

me with Margie.... I just love it when the belly is touched!!!

My mom, Aunt Joan, me, Aunt Helen, and Gertie. Aunt Helen will be our child's 3rd time aunt... how amazing!!! Aunt Joan will be our little's one Great Great Aunt!

Me with Aunt Joan--she calls me 2-3 times every week checking in on "little mama and the baby" Her and I can tell each other anything. We have an amazing relationship and I hope this little one gets to learn some of Aunt Joan's baking skills!

On Tuesday night I was asked to speak to the Accounting Club at Saint Mary's. So mama and baby were one of the 5 speakers their for the night. We talked about how Saint Mary's prepared me for the working world, what to expect working in the real world and what I do for a living. It was great to be back on campus. The little one visited where mommy went to school.

On Thursday I had another busy day for community service. Every year since I have graduated I have kept up with a class that I took in college which is the tax assistance program. With being a tax profession now, I am considered the expert when I volunteer. I went to the Western branch library and as soon as I walked in I had 4 people that needed to talk to me. Needless to say it was a very interesting evening.

On Friday, Jeremy played in a charity basketball tournament with Adam and we went to watch daddy play at Marion high school. They lost their first game so they were put in the losers bracket. His next game was on Saturday morning at the boys and girls club and they won this game by 30 points so they were to play on Saturday night at Marion high school. Elizabeth was going to watch Adam play for the game so her and I ran and got DQ because I wanted some and she went with me for the ride and got something too! By the time we got back it was half time and the guys were winning! They won their game and were to play on Sunday, which Jeremy couldn't play because we had our first baby shower.

On Sunday, March 1st, we had our baby shower at Ambrosia. This was such an amazing shower that Jeremy and I could have wished for our little one. My mom did a wonderful job of hosting. We had pink and blue napkins on the tables, followed by the centerpieces that were cupcakes. The cupcakes were chocolate with pink frosting and a blue bootie on them or white with blue frosting with a pink bootie on them. Going with the whole pink and blue theme. Andrea made by hand a card thanking everyone for coming and then she had a blue and pink bottle for our guests to write down a girl name and a boy name on them since we haven't decided on a name for our little one yet. We went through the names when we got home and Lillian was very popular for a girl. For boys there really wasn't one consistent name throughout the whole guest list, but it was tons of fun to go through the names and get more ideas. My Aunt Joan put down Jeff Gordon for a boys name because she enjoys Nascar and since Nascar just started she wrote it down... I immediately knew who it was. We had polish food since our little one is going to be polish on both sides, my mom wanted to bring her grand-child in with his/her heritage!

Our little one was so loved at the shower and we are truly blessed because we had about 85 family and friends at the shower. We documented this by having our guests sign a framed matted photo with the maternity pictures that we had taken. We can't wait to hang these in the nursery! The comments that everyone wrote are just so touching and mean so much!

Our Maternity pics were taken by our friend Cheryl. Her website is http://www.photobystudioc.com/ our maternity pics are on her website if you are interested in seeing all the pics. I am so glad that we did these because I think it is so important to document our journey into becoming parents and to have these photos are just priceless. I can't wait for our little one to see these photos as he/she grows up and realizes the he/she was in my belly!

We also had Cheryl at the shower taking photos. I just wanted to capture this special day for our little one and to have these memories. we captured some great memories at the shower and can't wait to post some of these!