Baby Shower - 11/15/08

Last month I traveled back to Wisconsin for my baby shower. What a girls weekend it turned out to be! Thursday evening I met my girlfriend Juliet at the Milwaukee airport. Juliet flew in all the way from Los Angeles. She had never been to Milwaukee, much less Wiscosin. She has promised she'll visit again during the summer so she can really get a sense how much it has to offer. My cousin Machelle picked us up and we spent the night catching up at her apartment.

Friday morning we headed to a spa, where we met Nicky and Tammy. The girls had researched spas in Milwaukee and settled on Urszula's. They reserved a private room for the five of us. We changed into our big cozy robes and lounged on couches surrounded by goodies including fruit, cheese, rolls, and even a chocolate fountain with plenty of dipping treats. My treatment started out with a steam shower, followed by a 60-minute prenatal massage and 30-minute scalp/neck massage. It was amazingly relaxing. What better way to spend time with girlfriends. I could have stayed at the spa for another couple of hours. My girlfriends are the BEST!

We headed back to Machelle's for pizza and a nice quiet night in. My brother Joe took a break from studying and stopped over to say hello. I think a couple of hours with all the girls was enough for him. After Joe left, we stayed up watching Dane Cook and Sex in the City. What a great day!

Saturday morning Machelle and I introduced Juliet to George Webb for breakfast. We had to hurry home and get ready for the shower. Machelle helped curl my hair and it looked really cute, thanks Machelle! She also prepared an enormous amount of food, which we loaded into the van to bring to my cousin Chris' house. Tammy and Nicky met us at Machelle's and we were off! Chris had balloons and a cake to welcome me. The girls quickly set up all the food.

As the guests arrived I started realizing how blessed I am to have so many wonderful women in my life who care so much about me. If only mom could have been there. She would have oohed and ahhed along with the rest of us as I opened my gifts. I was taken aback how generous everyone was with gifts for the baby. I have to say that opening all the cutesy girly clothes confirmed my decision to find out ahead of time the sex of the baby. We received so many things....receiving blankets, onesies, tons of clothes, bibs, musical stuffed animals, a bouncer, bath products, a car seat, nursery decorations, baby monitors, gift cards, you name it. A couple of my favorites included a Green Bay Packer cheer leading dress and a cute pink outfit with a saying on the shirt that reads "Does this diaper make my butt look big?". My very favorite gift was a crocheted blanket from my Grandma Hoff. She has made so many blankets in the past and I always secretly looked forward to a blanket from her for my baby. It's beautiful. She even stitched in a "Made by Lorraine Hoff with Love" tag. I love you Grandma.

The next day (Sunday) Juliet flew out early and I spent the afternoon relaxing with Machelle. I was somehow able to fit all of my gifts in the 2 suitcases I brought with me! It worked out perfectly. I arrived late into Dallas that evening, but still had to spend some time with Chad and show him all of the gifts for the baby. Stella had to sniff each and every item. Chad couldn't believe how many presents we received. Baby Blockley is going to be one stylish baby!!!!

Thanks again to my girls, Machelle, Tammy, Nicky, Juliet and Chris, for making all of the shower arrangements. Chris, thank you for hosting and Juliet, thank you for flying so far to join us!! Also, thanks to Jamie and Juliet for taking photos!! I'm so grateful that I will always have this memory with me and will one day be able to share it with the baby.

Finally Fall

Today marks 22 weeks along for Baby Blockley. She has proven to be quite active, mostly later at night when I'm laying on the couch. Every now and then she kicks just hard enough for Chad to be able to feel her. I imagine she will only get stronger as she gets bigger.

According to my baby tracker update, Baby Blockley is approximately 11 inches in length, just a little longer than a carrot. She weighs almost one pound and is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums.

I'm starting to get used to regularly being asked, "How are you feeling?". I have actually been feeling GREAT! From everything I've read this is relatively normal. I'm hoping it lasts well into my 3rd trimester, if only I could be so lucky! Luckily enough we were able to schedule our recent during this time in my pregnancy.

We've been in the house just a little over a week and are almost settled. We only have about four boxes left to unpack. The sooner that is finished, the sooner we can fully relax. Along with the house came a yard with lots of trees and LOTS of leaves. Last weekend was absolutely beautiful. Although our goal was to finish unpacking, Chad spent much of the weekend raking and Stella spent endless hours running and playing. Who knew leaves could be so much fun?

From Dallas to Flower Mound Texas

It's official, we have left the city for suburbia! We moved last weekend from Downtown Dallas to Flower Mound, Texas. Luckily this time we had to hire movers. There are some advantages to being pregnant, ha! I won't bore you with too many details about the move, you've all been there and know just how much fun it is. We're slowing settling in and hope to finish unpacking this weekend.

Stella could not be happier. Our new backyard is her playground. She constantly wants to be outside. Chad and I are convinced she's lost at least three, maybe four pounds in less than one week. She cannot get enough of playing fetch with her tennis ball.









The leaves on our trees have just started to turn, and of course are starting to drop, right after we moved in. Chad will be busy with the yard this weekend. I'll try to get another photo or two posted.

We have already met a couple of our neighbors. An older couple next door has two huge sheepdogs that Stella has already befriended. The gentleman came over the other night and invited Chad to a Men's Club, shrimp dinner tomorrow. Chad is not sure what he's in for, but graciously accepted. More on that later........

There are definitely some advantages to living out here. Most importantly, we are much closer to Susan and Gary, soon to be Nini and Gramps :). The Town of Flower Mound is made up of approximately 60,000 people and has more shopping and restaurants than I know what to do with. There is very little traffic and parking is a piece of cake everywhere. Our house sits at the end of a cul-du-sac and is surrounded by trees.

It is very peaceful here!