My Dad's wedding!

My Dad and Mary FINALLY tied the knot August 30, 2008. The wedding was at their house in New Jersey. Despite the rainy morning it ended up being a beautiful day. I am so happy for them!

I love this picture of us!

My cousin Mark and I

I love my grandma!

Congratulations Dad and Mary! We had a great time. Love you.

One Year Anniversary!

I can't believe it's already been one year since we said "I Do". One year ago at 3pm I was walking down the aisle. Today I am getting ready for our first baby! How quickly things change.

It's not impossible

to find gender neutral clothes! It is more difficult not knowing the gender, but I think these are so cute.

Flowers

These are a few flowers from our gardens. Now that it's the end of August the flowers are all starting to disappear :(

On a baby note, since this is supposed to be a baby blog, I can feel our little one kick now! Chris still can't feel it from the outside though. Maybe in a couple of weeks!

Our backyard

For those of you that have not been to our house in a while we have done A LOT of work to it! When I say we, I really mean Chris :) He put so much work into our backyard this summer and I LOVE it! I'm too lazy to dig out the "before" pictures, but the change is amazing.


Side garden/walking path




Water Garden

part of patio & whole back yard

Grow Baby Grow!

Well our little one keeps on growing. I wish I could see our baby all the time, but that won't happen until it's born. At least I have proof with my growing belly!

above picture taken at 15 weeks 20 weeks

Half way there!

So today I am 20 weeks, and only have 20 more weeks to go. It is unbelievable how fast this has gone already. I feel like I am so behind and have so many things that I have to get done. The nursery is still a guest bedroom. The only thing we have bought is the crib. I still have to figure out everything we're going to need and then go get it. Oh well, I've also been a procrastinator and it's worked so far. However, I'm going to have to get going on this soon. I'd rather do it now when I'm feeling pretty good and can still see my feet.

Tuesday we had the 20w u/s. I ate some sugar on the way and baby was moving all over the place! We saw the little arms, and legs, and even it's little button nose. It was the best thing ever. Not finding out the gender wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was just in awe of this little baby that Chris and I had created. It's definitely going to be the best Christmas present ever when we get to meet our little one and see if it's a boy or girl.

The beginning

Chris and I found out on April 15th that I was pregnant. We decided that we were going to wait until the 1st trimester was over to tell anyone. It ended up that we weren't able to wait that long and told our immediate family around 8 weeks. This is how we told them-

My mom found out on Saturday of mother's day weekend. Mom, Brittany and I went to Boston for the day to have dinner with Lauren. I gave her a mother's day card that you could record your own message on. Chris and I recorded "happy mother's day Grandma" which played when she opened the card. Inside the card was a poem. My mom and sisters were very surprised and happy. I was so glad I was able to tell all of them together on mother's day!

This is the poem:

I do not have a face to see,

Or put inside a frame.

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss,

I don't yet have a name.

You can't yet hold my tiny hands,

Nor whisper in my ear.

It's still too soon to sing a song,

Or cuddle me so near.

But all will change come Christmas day

That’s when they say I'm due.

I'm your new grandson or granddaughter;

I can't wait till I meet you.

All I ask between now and then

Is your patience while I grow.

I promise I'll be worth the wait,

Because of all the love we'll know.

So what I have to give you now,

Is a wish to you from me.

I cannot wait to be a part

Of this wonderful family!

I'm sure you are excited

But for now don't pass the news on

Because I am being kept a secret

Don't worry, it won't be for long!

Go tell grandpa Chris the news

just him, no one else you hear!

Don't whisper it to a soul...

Not even great grandma L****!
(She’s finding out next weekend!)

Love,

Baby S

We told Chris' family on Mother's Day when we went over for dinner. With the help of our friends Jim & Gary we were able to capture their reactions on camera. My MIL shouted out "I knew it" I guess we weren't as slick at hiding it as we thought.

A week after Mother's Day I went to New Jersey to tell my Dad and Grandma.

To tell my Dad I bought him a frame that had said something about grandkids on it. Since he is into geneology I made a family tree that I put inside. First had him and my mom, and Chris' parents, then it went to Chris and I, and finally baby S. It was great watching his reaction as he read through the names.

Grandma found out later that day over lunch. I gave her the same poem as my Mom, minus a few lines. She must have only read the first few words because right away she looked up at me and whispered, "Are you pregnant?" I nodded my head and made her read the rest.

So I have a blog now

Tomorrow is my half way point in this pregnancy and I finally decided to make a blog. I had made a web site that I used for updates, but I feel like this will be an easier way to keep everyone informed. Plus I like the layout of this better.

Bear with me while I go back in time to catch up to present day.

Enjoy :)