97 days to go...

Yikes/Yay! Time is really starting to fly. I've been following all of the week by week pregnancy updates that get delivered to my inbox but just looked at a calendar and was a bit shocked to see 97 days to go to the due date. I'm excited to meet him and nervous too (like I'm sure most first time moms are) and can't help but think back to the last time I had a countdown, when it was counting down to the wedding, and how time seemed to zoom past after the 100 day mark.

Nursery (work in progress)

A HUGE thank you to Gigi and Granddad (my parents) for buying our nursery! The best surprise that we've had--after the surprise of finding out that we're pregnant--was when my parents told us that they wanted to buy the nursery. We still have a few pieces to add (a glider and ottoman and a bookcase for more storage) but I am thrilled with the way it is turning out. Andro has been hard at work, assembling the crib and changing table/dresser and did a great job. And now I get to work on the fun stuff--decorating! Libby's toys have successfully been moved down the hall, but she still will leave the occasional 'buddy' behind if she follows me in there.

Only 16 more weeks until the due date! I've been feeling good and Isaac is doing really well. The doctor confirmed what I already thought--that he looks perfect (I know, I haven't even formally met him yet and I'm already a total sucker for this little guy). Isaac is kicking up a storm and getting bigger every day. He has a major sweet-tooth, definitely an Antosik!, and I've been craving every kind of bad for you sweet that I never let myself eat.

Nursery Before Pics

We are finally ready to start getting Isaac's room set up, so I thought I'd put up some of the 'before' photos. The crib, mattress, and changing dresser have all arrived (and are the boxes you see leaning against the wall) and are waiting to be assembled. Despite my efforts to keep it clean, the nursery has become something of a catch-all for our stuff, so I have to put more of what can be seen on the shelves away.


Libby's toys--which are littering the floor--are also moving. I'm getting a 'toy box' for her and putting it in the guest room. Our big fear is that Libby will have a hard time understanding the baby's toys vs. her toys. Keeping her toys in the nursery, really doesn't help this as I often find her sitting outside the door whining to get in and play.


As you can see, two little friends are already anxiously awaiting Mr. Dio's arrival, so now I really want to get Libby's stuff out of the room. Many, many, many thanks to our friends Tom and Mona for lending us so much stuff--including the bassinet.

It's a Boy!!!

I have to say, yesterday was probably the second best day of my life (after getting married to my wonderful husband, of course). We woke up early and headed to the doctor's office for our ultrasound. Yes, I know, I've been emphatic in my stance that I would not find out the baby's gender until the baby is born in May. But in my reading, I knew that by 22 weeks the baby's 'family jewels' are fully formed and was prepared to possibly be catching a glimpse. And what a glimpse! There was no doubt, Potsticker is in fact our little man Isaac.

I cried throughout the entire ultrasound, not bawling, hysterical sobs, but I couldn't stop the flow of tears. It was so truly amazing to see him! And to see him push against the placenta and kick me (now I know how to distinguish those 2 movements and he does them quite a bit). He is healthy and normal and--to my eyes--looks 100% perfect. I am totally blown away that Andro and I made a person.

Andro is very diplomatic and has not been saying one way or the other which gender he wants. We both just want a strong and healthy baby. But I have been wishing and hoping and praying that Potsticker is a boy and could not believe it when it was confirmed. Bring on the toy trucks, little league, and legos!

Can't wait...

We are less than 22 hours away from our 22 week ultrasound and I'm so excited I can hardly sit still! I just can't wait to see what Potsticker looks like now. Our last (and only) glimpse of the baby, just showed a nondescript 8 week old fetus. But by now, as all of my pregnancy books have shared, he/she is almost fully developed externally and I can't wait to see that profile. Other news (exciting for me) is that hopefully sometime today Fedex will be delivering the baby's crib, dresser, and mattress. I'm ready to start nesting and getting ready for baby and am really looking forward to getting the room set up. I can't believe I'm over the half-way point in the pregnancy already and I'm getting more and more excited to meet this little person every day. I have a feeling that the last month is going to be like the night before vacation when I was little, I could never let myself sleep, I had to be constantly repacking and reading the guide books.

In other news, we just found out that my brother and sister-in-law (who are due exactly 4 weeks after us) are having a little girl! I can't wait to buy tap shoes, tutus, and all sorts of extra girlie things for this little girl--which has the added bonus of delighting my sister-in-law and driving my brother crazy :). And I can't wait for this new generation of cousins to meet! Nearly everyone (except my Dad) thinks I'm having a girl. But I still think Potsticker is a boy and with all the little girls being born this generation, I think a boy might be a refreshing change for everyone. Guess we'll find out in May!

Holiday in the South

Andro and I left snowy Chicago behind for the warmer weather of St. Simons Island in Georgia. After my 20 week check-up--wow...half-way through the pregnancy already! hard to believe...the baby's heartbeat is holding steady at 156 bpm and my ultrasound is at 22 weeks--we started our drive south. We stopped overnight just over the Tennessee/Georgia border and made it to Mom and Dad's on Wednesday. We had a wonderful Christmas and have been taking full advantage of the better weather (Andro and my Dad are out playing golf and intend to play at least 2 more times) and the nice vacation from work. Libby is walking on eggshells around Mom's dog Brad, but is loving her trips to the beach (see photo above) and her Christmas present from Potsticker (see below).



Hope everyone is having wonderful holidays!

So not surprised

We had our monthly doctor's check-up today. (My schedule got thrown off a bit from Thanksgiving. Instead of going at 16 weeks, I went in today at 17 weeks and my next appointment is at 19 weeks 6 days because of Christmas.) Everything is good and normal and healthy. But in a hilarious moment, Dr. H was having a hard time with the doppler as Potsticker was squirming all over the place and even kicked right at the doppler. She finally had to hold on to 'him' and we got to listen to a strong steady 156 bpm heartbeat. It was just really funny. Between Andro's jimmy legs and my inability to stay still, I am not surprised at all that this baby is a squirmer. Soon I'll be feeling all those little kicks and I can't wait.