Wedding Bells and Baby Bumps

This past weekend we attended a wedding of one of Scott's coworker's, Karla.  They had their ceremony at The Lodge in Geneva on the Lake.  I had never been there before, but WOW, I can totally understand why they chose this as their location- it is gorgeous!

I am looking forward to the spring when we can plan a weekend up here to go winery hopping and stay in this stunning hotel.

Karla and her dad

Karla being given away by her father

We all had to take advantage of being dressed up in such a beautiful location and get our own pictures taken!  This is my most favorite picture of the day.  I am definitely going to frame this one.  

We are 29 weeks pregnant today!

Our dear friends Jess and Curtis were also at the wedding.  Jess was excited to be in her 2nd trimester today!  She is wonderfully tall and this is her first baby so her baby bump is still cute and tiny- but soon enough.... watch out!! Congrats, Jess!  You looked amazing!

There were a bunch of Nestle people there, so of course they had to have a photo opp. too!  

Unfortunately I stopped taking pictures after Geneva.  I guess I just felt like enjoying my time and not hiding behind a camera.  Ooooooorrr us mommies couldn't stop doing baby talk.  You see, there were  four couples at our table, and every single one of us ladies were pregnant!  Nicki is due any day now, I am due in November, Leanne is due in December and Jess is due in March!  Lots of bellies and lots of baby talk!!  It made it lots of fun to compare stories and share in each other's excitement.  I just wish I would have gotten a picture of all of us ladies in our wonderful round glory.  Oh well, sometimes you need to just have fun and leave the cameras in the car.  

29 Weeks Pregnant. We're now in our 7th Month!

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This is day number 204 and you're 29 weeks pregnant!

You have 76 days or 11 weeks left, 

and are 72.9% of the way there.

Baby's age since conception is 190 days or 27 weeks. 

You are due on 11/13/2010.

Baby's now the size of a squash! Or according to another website, this week your baby is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop. 


Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs. Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Thanks to your ever-expanding uterus, it's time to welcome back the constant bathroom dashes. And try your best to forget about any emerging varicose veins -- they might be ugly, but they're harmless and should fade after delivery. Until then, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and make sure to get some exercise (it'll boost your circulation).

27 Week Doctor Appointment

Daddy and Jackson on top of the "Dinosaur Egg" in our neighborhood.  I love the way they are looking and laughing with each other- so sweet!  Goodness I love these two men!  

This morning Jackson and I headed out to my 27 week Doctor's visit.  Everything went really well.  The nurse found Owen's heartbeat right away, it was super strong, loud, and steady at 154.  Jackson loves hearing this (as do I!) Dr. O'Neill is now measuring my tummy- from right at the top of the bump to right below, near my pelvic bone.  This is called the "Fundal Height", and it is done to insure that the baby is growing as it should; am I going to have big baby, were we off on his due date, could he be breech, etc.  27 Weeks should equal 27 cm.  Last month I was measuring 2 weeks ahead and today I am measuring 1 week ahead.  Not a big difference, but something to keep an eye on.  I measured two weeks ahead with Jackson almost the entire pregnancy until the last month and then he slowed done and everything caught up with itself.  If we are still measuring ahead I might get another ultrasound just as a precautionary. But I don't mind!  Any excuse to see Littlest Man is OK with me!  Also, I passed my Sugar Test so I have no need to worry about Gestational Diabetes.  That is great news!

And guess what... in three days I will be in my Third Trimester!!  Holy moly!  Where did the time go?  I feel like I was pregnant with Jackson for an eternity- it had have been at least 3 years.  But this one, it is flying right by me!  But I can definitely feel like the end is nearing.  Owen is kicking like a full blown soccer player.  I can see my belly move with each kick and now I can start to tell if it is a foot or a hand (or both at the same time!) that is giving me a shake.  I can feel if he turns over or flips around- let me tell you, this is a strange sensation!  I forgot what this felt like with Jackson.

Also, the other night I had my first experience with Braxton Hicks, which is the body's way of preparing me for labor.  They are called "fake contractions" and are totally normal beginning at this point i the pregnancy.  But they sure don't feel fake, that's for sure!  They only lasted about a half an hour, but it was a surprising, new feeling for me.  The other weird, and totally NOT fun thing I have been getting lately (and in the middle of the night of all times!) are Charlie Horses!  Last night I had a really bad one that woke me from a sound sleep yelling out and instant tears.  I brought them up to Dr. O'Neill, and she said these are also normal in pregnancy.  Just means I need to eat more bananas!  It is my bodies way of telling me I am low in potassium.  Well, at least I learned something that can help, because I know that neither me nor Scott are enjoying being awoken to tears and pain!

But honestly aside from these little aches and pains here and there I have been feeling GREAT!  I loved being pregnant with Jackson and now that the nausea is gone, I am loving being pregnant this time too.  I have noticed that the "nesting" in me is starting to surface.  Yesterday afternoon I completely rearranged my kitchen countertops to make for more work surface and get rid of excess clutter.  As I was doing it I knew it was the "nesting" starting to show its face.  But oh well- they look fantastic!  Haha.  This weekend Scott is taking a few days off of work so we can get all of our bedrooms moved, painted and redecorated.  It is going to be a lot of work, but they are going to look great-  I am so excited!  I am hoping this weekend will help with my nesting cravings!  Well off to a busy, fun-filled weekend and expect pictures to follow soon.

Menu Planning

With me being home full time now I really want to see what ways I can really contribute in our budgeting.  Since I do 99% f the cooking and grocery shopping, this is a logical place to start.  I have decided to start doing menu planning as a way of saving money and reducing waste.  My friend Adrianne does this, and to be honest, at first when I saw her list on the fridge it seemed a little strange.  But the more I thought about it, the more it made perfect sense.  That way when you go grocery shopping you buy the necessities (milk, juice, bread, eggs, etc.) and then you buy what is on the menu for the week (two weeks, or how ever you want to menu plan for).  Since I am just starting, I am just going to do a week at a time.  I am not going to plan what day we are to eat what, and if I want to change things up and do something else I will.  It is my list, after all!  We shall see how it goes!  Last week was Week One, this is our list from last week and this week as well....


Week of August 8-14
Cheese Burgers and Corn on the Cob
Turkey Tacos with Refried Beans
Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Baked Pasta
Zucchini Fritters and Panko Parmesan Chicken Strips
Chicken Fried Rice with Potstickers
Variety of different Crostini (cooking with friends tonight, so each girl is bringing a different part of the meal)

Week of August 15- 21
BLT and Corn on the Cob
Mozzarella a la Caprese with Pasta Primavera
Heuvos Rancheros and Refried Beans (or black beans)
Zucchini Pizza and Green Salad
Ravioli and Tomato, Cucumber, Feta Salad
Cabbage and Noodles with Pork Chops
Baked Eggs in Tomatoes, Green Beans and Herby Garlic Toast

Free as a Bird!

This is exactly how I feel knowing that I no longer need to work anymore!!!

On Wednesday night, I worked my very last day of work~ saying I am excited is an understatement.  I am now officially "retired" and it feels great.

26 Weeks Pregnant!

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I am 6 months along- can you believe it?! Only 3 more to go and baby Owen will be here in our arms instead of in my tummy.  Hey and check it out- I am down to the double digits- only 95 days left!!

This is day number 185 and you're 26 weeks pregnant!

You have 95 days or 14 weeks left, and are 
66.1% of the way there.

Baby's age since conception is 171 days or 24 weeks. 
You are due on 11/13/2010.

How your baby's growing:
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber or eggplant) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

The Kelly Miller Circus

On Monday, Jackson and I had a whirlwind of a trip up to Kelley's Island with Auntie Bon Bon and the girls to see the Kelly Miller Circus.  They come every year to the little Island and put on a terrific show.  Aside from it being (almost) unbearably hot, it was a great time!

Sophie went on the shortest camel ride known to mankind.  But it was good enough for her, thank goodness for 3 year old attention spans!

Jackson got a special prize- an awesome tiger that lights up.  He looooves this thing!

I was in the middle of getting into the pose, so I am mid-movement.  Oh well.  All the kids were actually looking at the camera!  

The Girls (Jackson refused to look at the camera, the stinker)

This circus actually had elephants, and tigers, camels and horses!  

Silly Anna!

The little ones were soooooooo tired after such a big day.  They passed out while watching Sleeping Beauty.  Such cuties.

We had to leave earlier then the Stenger's so Jackson and I got to walk onto the ferry boat this morning.  He was overflowing with excitement!  For a kid that usually hates to have his picture taken, kept telling me "OK Mommy,  take a picture of me doing this!"

me and my Little Man

Jackson is being a tiger like at the circus.  Rooooaarr!!!

Is he handsome or what?!

This was a great trip, if only a little too short!  Can't wait to go back!

The Akron Zoo

Last Thursday Jackson and I went to the Akron Zoo with Anna, Sophie and Auntie Bon Bon. The Stengers have never been there before and we hadn't been there since last year so it was pretty much new for everyone.

This is a GREAT little zoo, so if you have never been there, please go!  It only takes about 2 hours to work your way through the whole thing and the best part- NO CONSTRUCTION!  (Although I doubt Jackson would agree with that statement.  He likes the construction as much as the animals.  haha.  But as for me, it makes for a much more relaxing visit, not needing to worry about detours and stuff.

There is an amazing jellyfish exhibit which is worth going to see if nothing else.  The top picture, Anna is pointing to these guys that were as big as a dime!  I didn't know jellyfish could be to tiny!  The picture right below were some of our favorites.  they were super fast and really silly looking in how they moved.  Everyone got a kick out of them.  I am sorry that my pictures of the jellyfish didn't come out better, but you need to go see them yourself anyways.  So beautiful!

The zoo is designed in a very forest-like way.  You wander through the woods happening upon each animal.  It is very beautiful and SO tranquil.  I think it only reached 82 degrees, and along with the nice breeze and the shade from all the tress it was an absolute perfect day for a trip to the zoo.

One thing I love best about this zoo (aside from my Cleveland Zoo Pass working here too!) is how the animals are super close to you.  They are all behind plexiglass, so you can literally get nose to nose with the tigers, bears, penguins (all our favorites!) etc.  Makes you see the animals in a whole new way.

Me and Bonnie entertaining ourselves while the kids were riding the train :)

Pretty Anna

Auntie Bon Bon and Sophie showing their best smiles

Jackson was loving these little animals that looked like a cross between an otter and a raccoon.  They were super playful and made all the kids laugh at their antics. 

The kids get to actually go into a display to search for turtles  and see with it is like for people to look at them like animals at the zoo.

In the back part of the zoo there are the most beautiful gardens with paths that weave around like a maze.    The kids loved running through them and seeing what was hiding at every turn.  

After the zoo, Anna came over to our house for a sleepover party. It was such a fun night filled with perogies for dinner and a trip to Borders.  And the next day Jackson, Anna and I went to the library, playground and then McDonalds for lunch.  Anna is growing up into such a little lady.  I had a wonderful time spending so much one on one time with her.  I feel like I don't get to do that enough.  Jackson liked that he didn't have to share his "Most Special" with anyone else.  It was a nice treat for everyone.  Next time it will be Sophie's turn!