Kegels Schmegals

Apparently I am in serious need of some Kegel exercises. You all know what those are, right? Well if you don't, I will not be the one to explain it to you.

Sometimes when I brush my tongue in the morning and gag a little pee shoots out. There I said it. Let me remind you that I'm only 23 weeks along. What kind of river will be shooting out when I'm 35 weeks?

You know what, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

This is what will lull Ella to sleep at night...

Otis and Greta arguing

Almost 23 weeks and we have movement!

I prefer to blog with pictures and all but I figured I could update on what is happening with Ella.

• I am sure that I've felt movement. The first few times you wonder, is it gas or digestion but it's been happening consistently so I'm pretty sure it's Ella in there. It happens mainly in the evening when I'm chillin' on the couch, I mean cleaning the house...I can't wait for Buzz to be able to feel it too.


• I am obsessed with the book, "Baby Bargains." Thanks to Mandy for lending it to me. I re-read the chapters on furniture, carseats and strollers trying to make sense of it all. I mean, what's the deal with all the different sized car seats and stroller configurations???

• I finally ordered the baby bedding and it should be here in 8 weeks. I LOVE it.

• I think I've hit the fugly stage of pregnancy. Up until now I've thought that I've looked pretty normal but the last few days I am looking mighty fugly. We'll see if this lasts...

• Buzz asked me the other day if I think that Ella will want to go to the movies with him when she is 16. What a sweet question. We agreed that unless she is Kristen Ferengul, she will not.

• Buzz is pressuring me to let him move the furniture out of the baby's room but I am reluctant to let go. I'm trying to convince him to move the bed into the basement so we can still lay down with the dogs. You know, it could be like another couch down there.

Ella meets her cousins in Austin, TX

Buzz and I went to Austin for the weekend. We were supposed to get there Friday morning but due to the weather we didn't get there till Friday around 6. I haven't seen my sister's family since I've been pregnant. Buzz and I hadn't been to Austin since last January. We started early Saturday morning and went to Blake's basketball game and then out to breakfast. Next, we headed to the outlet mall where Aidan noticed "Otis" parked next to our car! We dragged the three boys and Buzz to Pottery Barn outlet and Kirklands outlet. We also found this cute little baby store called, "Janie & Jack." They were a bit pricey. While Blake and Aidan sat in the window, Cole wandered around the store matching shoes to dresses for Ella. Later, the boys found a spot to play football while Buzz guarded our Kaybee Toys purchases. Later that night Kerry and I took the boys to see the movie, "Hotel For Dogs." Loved it by the way. Michael and Buzz went downtown for some drinks and live music. They were not a pretty sight when they arrived home around 1 am.

The next day we took their dog Ziggy to the Dog & Duck pub in downtown Austin. There are many restaurants that allow dogs in their outdoor areas.

Here is my 22 week photo. There Mandy, are you happy now?

We spent the next few hours at a giant park eating snow cones where we watched dogs and people swim in the 80 degree weather. We had a great time and my sister and her husband always make us feel so welcome. My nephews are getting so big and it's great to spend time with them.

At 11, Blake is a quiet, polite, and shy little guy. He plays some serious video games and tears it up on the soccer field. He also has mad dance moves. He's an awesome kid that you can totally hang out with. At almost 8, Cole is loud, outgoing, and dramatic. He is either crying and complaining or bouncing off the walls with joy. He is so entertaining. He's also a sensitive little guy who says some really sweet things. He can't sit still for any length of time. We hear that Buzz was a lot like this and we're kind of scared now. At almost 6, Aidan is a sports freak. He watches Blake's basketball games and football on the TV with serious intensity. His room is decorated in golf stuff. He's a soft-spoken little guy with the cutest voice you've ever heard. He's a thinker with some pretty big thoughts. I can't wait to see them again this summer.

Chicago's Top 10 Dog Breeds

Chicago 2008

1. Labrador Retriever


2. German Shepherd Dog


3. Yorkshire Terrier


4. Boxer


5. Bulldog


6. Golden Retriever


7. Rottweiler


8. Dachshund


9. Boston Terrier


10. Shih Tzu/Vizsla

Oh look, here is one of the top 10 dogs in Chicago after finishing an 8 pack of hamburger buns. Doesn't everyone want one? BTW, I totally love him and don't mind what he eats, but you all know that already.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s prediction comes true

Today Barack Obama was sworn in becoming our nation's first African-American president. He promises to bring change to a country that needs it now more than ever. I am so proud that Ella will be born in this historical year. I hope that by the time she is able to vote that it will not be unusual to see a president of any race or sex. I heard on the radio that Martin Luther King Jr. predicted a "Negro" president within 40 years. This was in 1964.

Austin, here we come.

One of the joys of being a teacher is the occasional snow day, or in this case, cold-a$$ weather day. This came in handy because I am completely unprepared for Austin. We are flying out tomorrow at 8 am but we're sleeping at my parent's house tonight. We are visiting the Texans below. We haven't been there since last January. Otis will stay with my parents and Greta will stay with Buzz's mom. Let me inform you all that the weekend temp there will be in the 60's.

While there, my sister and I will as usual try to convince Buzz to move there. We will show him beautiful homes for great prices and discuss the perks like year-round golf, dog-friendly city, great music and food, no freaking snow...Not to mention my parents are dying to move there but are reluctant due to the new baby girl on the way.
Buzz will as always inform us that he will not be leaving his family and friends and I will ponder leaving him (just kidding).

Last night, Buzz tried to balance a cucumber slice (rind side up) on the nose of Otis. He was not successful but I got this great shot.

The Nursery, and yes I call it a nursery!

So I've been a bit obsessed with creating the perfect nursery. I'm going to get the bedding from a woman on Etsy.com. I know it's a risk because I've never seen her work in person but I'm willing to take it because I love the pattern.

The furniture is a line called Creations and I'm going to get it through Babies N Beds in Hoffman Estates. I will get the crib, armoire and one of the longer dressers. The white bookcase on the bottom left is a deal I picked up from the Land of Nod outlet store for 100 bucks! I'm on a waiting list to get another. I'd like to put one on either side of the window.

If there is room with all the furniture I'll be cramming into this place, I'd like my brother to paint a tree of some sort on the wall. The walls will be light green. I also need to find a rocker/glider but that might have to go into the loft area because I don't think it will fit. Here's a shot of the room currently...

UFC Texas style

I was organizing some pics and videos and I found this gem from last January's visit to Texas. This is Cole and Aidan.

How long until we can use our bathroom?

On New Year Eve Buzz began the dreaded bathroom renovation. Here are a few pictures of how the bathroom used to look:Yes, we painted it that orange color. It was great the first year but by year three we were really tired of it. Since we will be living in this town home until the market rights itself (maybe forever) we (Buzz will say I) decided to upgrade. The countertop is that awful peach and white swirled fake marble look. The toilet has trouble handling deucers.

The floor, my god the floor. This is obviously after Buzz started peeling it up but check out that sweet Linoleum pattern.

The plan:

• paint existing cabinet espresso
• replace countertop and faucet
• replace toilet
• replace Linoleum with ceramic tile
• paint, new accessories

Buzz figured he could whip this puppy out in 4-5 days. How wrong he was. He has been working his tale off for 8-10 hours per day and he is not finished. The cabinet is done, the walls are partially primed and the tile is laid and grouted. He didn't take into account the wait time between tile laying, grouting, and sealing.

What is my part you might ask? The designer of course. This past summer I purchased all of the towels, shower curtain and accessories. They've just been waiting for a home. I chose the tile, paint, countertop...

I am also there to ask questions like, "Should you call one of your friends to see if there is a shortcut that you're missing?" Also, I've been painstakingly shopping for Ella's nursery furniture with the help of my mom, cousin and some friends' advice about furniture. I also packed away NINE rubbermaids of X-mas decorations. Let's not forget that I'm growing a life as well.
I am very proud of Buzz and all that he has accomplished. It is looking fantastic and I know he'll be so proud when he's done. Although, I fear that he will never do a project like this again...

New Years Eve

So our new years plans changed quite a bit this year.

First we were going to Austin, TX to spend it with my sis. Well, plane tickets were too high and stand-by didn't look good.

Then we were going to have dinner with Nick and Amanda DiMaria but Amanda came down with the flu.

We ended up going to Hennessey's Steak & Seafood by chance and had dinner as early as the old folks do (6ish). Then we came home, hung with the dogs and went to see Marley and Me. Loved it by the way. Finally we got home around 11:45 and toasted the new year with the Chicago news peeps and some ginger ale. We went to bed shortly after this. We did take a few pictures with my new Gorillapod tripod. Now you'll have to suffer through them...
In other news, Buzz has been working his tale off since Thursday on our bathroom renovation. I will post pictures later. I have been researching/shopping/measuring like crazy for baby furniture. Now that I know it's an Ella I can really get started with all the fun stuff.

Amy Kindness is pregnant!

My good friend Amy Kindness is pregnant with her first child, actually children. She is having TWINS! I can't believe it. She is due on August 18th. Congratulations Amy & Brian!!!