Fantastic Weekend

This past weekend was, in a word, fantastic.

Friday after work Kevin and I headed to Eau Claire where we met two of my best girlfriends (we are talking friends forever, bridesmaids in my wedding, best friends a girl could ask for) Justine and Alyssia (Justine's boyfriend Derek also came, which Kevin was super happy about) out for dinner. We had Mexican food, drinks (water for the mommy-to-be, of course) and great conversation. I never feel like I see my girls from back home enough, and I was so happy we got to spend some quality time catching up.

Saturday morning we got up bright and early and headed to Wausau with my Daddio (Momma was already in Wausau) for my first BABY SHOWER! This baby shower was for my Momma's side of the family. Since most of them live in Wausau or the immediate area, we thought it would be nice to travel to them instead of asking them to travel to Eau Claire or the cities (which they all did for my bridal shower, which was amazing...I have a great family!). I was so excited for the shower because I love my Mom's side of the family but don't get to see them too often because of the distance between us. They are loud (in a good way, of course!), rambunctious, hilarious and a ridiculous amount of fun. My wonderful, amazing Aunt Verna and Cousin Carla threw the shower at their new house that they purchased just a few months ago. This also gave them the opportunity to show off their new fabulous digs. My Cousin also got married in August and had the chance to show the family her gorgeous wedding photos. They had the cutest "It's a Girl!" decorations up, and some tasty food for lunch. After kicking the boys out, the ladies and I ate, chit-chatted and opened presents. I got some fantastic presents, what a generous family I have! It was wonderful to see how excited everyone is for Kevin and I and how loved and supported we are. I cannot tell you how great of a time I had laughing and telling stories with my family.

A picture with the cake before we kicked the boys out!

On Sunday, we once again got up bright and early and loaded the party bus in Wausau and headed to Lambeau for the Packer game! I was SO excited! Kevin (although he is a Vikings fan), had never been to Lambeau, and I hadn't been to a game in years. We arrived at Lambeau field and got a bite to eat before the game. Then, after a mini-meltdown on my part (pregnancy hormones, ugh!), we found our seats. The Packers didn't play great, and I was bummed that several of my favorite players were out with injuries (Jordy Nelson, for one), but I was perfectly happy watching Clay Matthews toss his long, flowing locks around, Aaron Rodgers throw a TD pass, and my all-time favorite, Donald Driver, having a blast during the game, as he always does. The Packers won, and although it wasn't pretty, we'll take it. After the game we loaded the party bus for the trip back to Wausau. Once we got back, it was a quick stop at my Aunt's house for a piece of cake then Kevin and I hit the road for our 4 hour journey home to the cities and our sweet pupperdoo Diesel. Diesel was so happy Mom and Dad were home he could barely contain himself. Love warm homecomings like that! It definitely was a long day and weekend but it was all worth it!

Love that smile!

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Freezing our butts off but excited for the game!

My boys warming up! Go Pack Go!

On another note, I want to take a minute to express my condolences and send my love to those on the East Coast. As Hurricane Sandy (no longer a hurricane, but a very large, very powerful storm), rages through cities along the coast, I find myself constantly thinking about my sister (living in Washington D.C.) and her boyfriend, Trey (living in Virginia Beach), and hoping that they are safe and healthy. Trey evacuated his apartment, which is only 2 blocks from the ocean, and he isn't yet sure if it flooded or not. But, at least he is safe and has somewhere farther inland to go, and that's all that matters. My sister said that the storm didn't hit D.C. as hard as they thought it would, and that she is safe. Such a sobering reminder of the power of Mother Nature.

**Update: My sister and Trey are both safe and sound! Trey is back home after the power was restored. His apartment did not flood but the apartments across the parking lot, about 50 feet away, did, as well as most of the surrounding area. He has not ventured to the beach yet to see what it and the boardwalk/shops look like. Very happy they are safe! Still thinking of those who have a long road of grieving and clean-up ahead of them!!!

Hurricane Sandy! Yikes!

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Have a great week, everyone!

Xoxo,
Dory

It's a GIRL!

It's a GIRL!

We had our doctor's appointment this past Monday. Baby girl was MOVING around so at first the ultrasound tech wasn't totally sure if she was a girl or boy. After two more checks throughout the 1 hour ultrasound, the tech (and then our doctor, after reviewing the ultrasound photos) confirmed that they are 99% sure we are having a sweet baby girl!

Kevin and I are absolutely THRILLED! We of course would have been ecstatic either way, but I wanted a girl so badly and I am still in shock that I got my wish. I 100% thought we were having a boy, even calling baby "him" or "he" when we were talking about her. Kevin, however, thought it was a girl. Since Kevin NEVER seems to lose any "bets" we place, I secretly hoped that this time he would prove me wrong, and of course he did. Baby girl is measuring 3 days ahead of where she was at my first ultrasound. At my appointment, I was 19 weeks, 6 days. She measured at 20 weeks, 2 days. They aren't changing my February 26th due date as of now, though. Baby girl is breech, which at this time isn't a big worry, especially because she is so active. Doctor thinks she will flip all on her own. It was difficult to get good profile shots of her face because she was breech, and because she was acting like a contortionist in there. She was trying to put her fist in her mouth and the other hand was playing with her feet at one point, all while she was kicking away. She kicked all day that day. Yesterday (Tuesday), I hardly felt her kick. I think she was exhausted from showing off so much during the ultrasound.

Most importantly, Doctor says baby looks absolutely healthy and perfect. Heart looks "absolutely beautiful" and brain, bones and organs are developing just as they should be. Baby girl has a long spine so we think she will be nice and tall. It was so amazing to see our little girl's toes, fingers, ears, and every other part of her cute little body moving around healthy as can be. We are still on cloud 9.

Baby Girl with her long spine!

After our appointment, we went out for pizza because we both were super hungry. After that, we had to stop so Daddy could buy his little princess her first official "girly" clothes. Already she is ridiculously spoiled.

Last night, my Momma-in-law took us out for a delicious dinner to celebrate. She gave us the cutest onesies (one says, "I love Mommy", one says "I love Daddy", and one says "I love Grandma"), along with an adorable pink outfit with black patent leather shoes and two different head bands. So adorable!

Both sets of Grandparents are beyond excited. Both were hoping for a girl. My parents, because they had two girls and absolutely loved it, and Kevin's parents because they had two boys and have one grandson so have been waiting for a little girl to come along.

Such exciting news! We feel so blessed and could not be happier with our little bundle of joy!!

Xoxo,

Dory