39 weeks and Counting...

Yes, I'm still pregnant :) Very pregnant! Nothing's happening yet, but all is on track. This picture was taken a week ago, so I'll get a new one up soon....just wanted to keep everyone posted

The Finishing Touches

Here are some of the final touches on our place. Sorry I didn't fully tidy up for the pics, but you can get a better idea of our beautiful new home!

The kitchen and Chris is out at the grill...yum!

Our front room

The fireplace and stairs up and down

This is the man cave basement, pardon the mess, we're still working on this room. Here are the stairs coming down and the door to the left is a full bathroom. To the left of the bathroom is the door out to the one car garage that Chris has been working on and loving!

This the bulk of the man cave, complete with Chris' monster desk (wow, what are they looking at online?). The sliding doors go out front onto our patio and you can see our front steps.

What else....Farmer Jones has had successful grass growth with more to come and all the other plants and flowers are still living! I'm doing pretty well. My hands and legs are swelling a little more, but I love wearing my granny hose (pressure stockings) because they make such a difference--thank goodness! I went to my 38th week doctor's visit with "no news is good news". Everything is on track: no dilation at this point. The second biggest news is that Chris and I may be a step closer to having a name for our little girl, but everyone has to wait until she comes; it's a surprise. AND...the biggest news of all...I have 3 more days of work!!! Hope all is well...stay tuned :)

Our New Home, Part 1

As most of you know, we have moved! We sold our condo in the West Loop, our first home, and are once again renters. We have upgraded, though. We now reside in a 3 story townhome. Chris has done an incredible job making this rental a real home for our new family. He couldn't have gotten it started off right without the help of his father (the painter) and his mother (the scrubber), oh, and I helped a little too. So here are some pictures, the final product pics are coming...the camera on the battery died and we can't find the charger...ahh, moving...

The top picture shows our front "lawn", steps up to the front door, balcony, garage and patio. The is all pre-Farmer Jones. This picture shows the garage and front steps during farming...

This is now our front yard and entrance...Farmer Jones did an incredible job...

Coming up the steps into the front door. Balcony and sliding doors with our new kitchen table.

Table, chairs and bench, plus the penisula in the kitchen.

Kitchen and hanging pots.

The front room is to the right as you walk in the front door. Admire our beautiful new entertainment center, coffee table, end table and rug. For those of you who really know me, please be assured that Chris and I have bought all of this EXPENSIVE, new, gorgeous furniture without fighting and without me crying or throwing up!!! (hehe)
Behind the pictures is the woodburning fireplace. The stairs on the right go up to the bedrooms and the stairs on the left go down to the "man cave", laundry and patio.

This is the landing at the top of the stairs, the linen closet and the bathroom. The baby's room is just to the left of the bathroom and our bedroom is just to the left of that.

Our bedroom

Our magnificent bedroom closet!!!

Bambina's crib and dresser/changing table

Bambina's side table and moses basket

The basement level was totally a mess when I took these pictures, so you'll just have to wait until we can find the camera battery charger....

Lots of catching up to do!

I have a lot of catching up to do, but I'll just hit the big stuff....about a month ago, Donna, Chris' mom, threw Chris and I an amazing baby shower! Everything was done to the 9s: the decorations, food, guests, gifts...it was phenomenal! (Those pictures were taken on someone else's camera). The Jones' family and friends, along with my family, have been so generous with their well wishes. Chris and I are very lucky...

This is a picture of some beautiful ladies after a day of baby showering: my grandmother, me, Sarah (Chris' sister), Donna (my mother-in-law), and my mom. We had a delicious italian dinner together to wind up the wonderful day.

This is me at 33 weeks with Dad. On Sunday morning after the shower, the Monaghans had a little breakfast in downtown Franklin before heading back to Michigan. It was so great to see my parents and Grandma one more time before #3 comes along!

35 weeks and still smiling!

36 weeks and looking a bit ragged...Still doing alright though....

Short Update

Not too much going on right now. Here I am at 31 weeks. I think I look smaller than last week's picture. Still feeling good, just tired. We are planning on starting the packing today. We have several boxes and have made a promise to pack 1 box a day, or at least 1 box every other day. It's all starting!

And....for those of you who don't know, Mary Poppins is one of my very favorite movies of all time. That being said, Melanie and I bought tickets to see the Broadway musical here in Chicago next Saturday night!!!! I'm so excited!

Our First Baby Shower, St. Patty's in Chicago '09, and It's now 29 1/2 weeks and counting!!

So I'm now 29 1/2 weeks and continue to grow every day. My belly button is flattening out but has not yet popped. Our little girl is getting stronger, kicking and dancing up a storm, even Grandpa Jones got to see some of the baby's latest routine!

The mom and dad-to-be celebrate being Chi-rish after seeing the Chicago River dyed green.

Carly and Josh were in to do it up Chicago Green. We always love to see them.

Sheri came in for the baby shower so did a little Chi-rish celebrating too! She came with more insight and mommy advice which is ever so welcome!

The girls threw Chris and I a wonderful baby shower at Cafe BaBaReeba where we enjoyed delicious tapas, sangria, great conversation, and good mommy advice. Everyone was so generous. The gifts are so wonderful!


So as you can tell, we've been a bit busy lately, which is good. I'm feeling good, but do get tired pretty easily and enjoy sitting down to put up my feet. Chris continues to be wonderfully supportive and has a good sense of humor about all that is pregnancy. He also does a great job telling me I'm beautiful and thanks me for baking our bun. The baby shower was a great escape with exciting booty. We also enjoyed the Chi-rish (Chicago Irish) celebrations with Sheri, Josh and Carly including the river dying, Chi-rish head bands, and beer.

We made a last minute trip down to Franklin to see Chris' family and Grandfather. It was a great weekend. We suprised Chris' dad and joined in for a trip to Mi Pueblo, suprised Chris' grandpa at his new bachelor pad, and then Chris' parents suprised us with a beautiful trunk load of adorable baby clothes (more than 30 pieces of clothing!). This little girl is already spoiled and is going to be cute as a button! Onesies, corduroys, sleepers and a snowsuit; we are set for the next 12 months!

We are waiting to close on the sale of our condo on April 23rd as well as commence our new 12 month lease for a great townhome on the same day! We are going to have a room for the baby and extra room to spare!

Finally, an update!! Good news to share...

I have started to get more tired and with working my four, 10 hour days, blogging has not been a priority...sorry....BUT, I'm back and with good news to share! Chris and I sold our condo last weekend!! The baby will actually have her own room now. We feel very lucky. We signed the contract last Sunday morning and our buyer has until March 31st to secure a mortgage. Our closing date is currently set for April 13th. Last Sunday afternoon, we bought baby furniture! It's beautiful. We got a crib, matching nightstand and dresser. You can check it out if interested http://www.munirefurniture.com/savoy_03.htm

We are now hot and heavy in the apartment search looking for a lease starting April 1st. Lots of cool places to choose from, and we are trying to find the best fit for our growing family. Speaking of growing.... I posted my 26 and 27 week pictures. Blue pants=26 weeks, and yes, my shirt is floating over my belly (in case you failed to notice). Also in that picture you can see the pink and yellow baby sling I bought from Mama Bargains, the addictive website https://www.mamabargains.com/

Time is flying by and our bundle of joy will be here in 3 months! (hopefully a bit under) I have my first baby shower this friday and am so excited to see friends to socialize, eat, and celebrate. I also have my last monthly doctor's visit on Monday, then I start going every 2 weeks since I will have hit the 28 week mark! I'll hopefully have more good news to share soon....