Holiday Break Week, Go-Go-Go!!

This is the post I write so that if in two weeks somebody asks me if I had a good Christmas break & what I did, I can actually remember.

Sunday- Christmas (goes without saying & already blogged about here!)

On Monday, we had the reunion of all reunions.  Kim, my sister's best friend from graduate school who has been in China for the better part of a year and a half, returned to visit the states & the Kroms.  George & Amanda also came to see everyone :)  Kim & the Knoxes pulled into the driveway at the exact same time so it was a VERY exciting reunion & a little sensory overload for Roxy, but she recovered well.  We had a wonderful time at my parents bar, enjoying some of Kim's favorite american foods & drinks.  My father put George to work & had him in the basement doing an electric consult.  It was the first time Amanda saw my baby bump- the last time I saw her was at her wedding when I was only 10 weeks.  After leaving my parents, we took the Knoxes back to Jones Terrace where we taught them how to settle Catan & had nice meal.  George won his inaugural game which was very exciting.  Riley really enjoyed having his Maine mommy & his new favorite addition to the family, George or "the man companion" as he likes to call him.

Amanda & I (23 weeks)

Here's the plan:  We take this same shot next year,
I have the flat tummy & Amanda is preggo!!

The makings of a fantastic evening

Man friends.

Adorable animal onesies-
Thanks Aunt Amanda & Uncle George!!

The next day, John left for practice early, per the usual.  I somehow managed to drag myself out of bed & huffed and puffed my way through pre-natal yoga.  It was not pretty, but I finished it & I am very determined to do it as many days a week as possible.  Ta, you were right- it takes a lot of motivation to actually get through it, but your body does feel soooo good after!!  For lunch, we took Ryan & Jakki to our favorite little dive diner in Ellenville, Ricke Lens.  We had a great time & laughed a lot.  Jakki had to go back to school the next day, but it was still nice to her see this break.  After lunch, we settled in for a long winter's nap- well John did.  (I did three loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, & did the dishes.)  The Knoxes came over after dinner & we played two rounds of Catan- I won the first round & John the second.

Wednesday,  I headed to Middletown with my mom & sister for a girls day.  We enjoyed some shopping & lunch together.  This day was also a very sad day as we heard news that a family friend I went to high school with passed away.  He was only 30 years old & leaves behind a fiance and many, many friends and family.  Such a tragedy & really makes you take a step back an re-evaluate what's important.  

On Thursday, we celebrated my Dad's birthday.  He turned 63 but you would never know it.  Amanda Sue also turned 28 & George took her out for a nice birthday dinner.  John toiled the day away in the basement with his father, my father, & our furnace service guy building more shelves for storage and finally getting our heating system up to par.  Friday, we spent the day in Narrowsburg, exchanging gifts and visiting with the Eicks and John's parents.  Emma & Baby Frank were adorable and so fun, as always.  It was funny- I was feeding Frank a bottle & our baby was kicking baby Frank in his little bum.  Not strong enough for Frank to feel through his diaper (and even if he could feel it, he's pretty focused while he's eating haha).  We also got to see John's Aunt Judy who we hadn't seen since August.  It was a wonderful visit.  :)

With Baby Frank
2 Notes to Self-
#1 No more pictures while seated & pregnant!!  WHOA.
#2- This POST shirt while awesome because it supports Jakki, makes you look like a linebacker.

Jess

Sibling Love

Aunt Judy, Baby Frank, & Emma

Frank & Emma dig into some presents

Baby Tenbus scored even MORE gifts in Narrowsburg (this is getting insane):

From the Eicks

Two must-haves according to many moms I've talked to-
wipe warmer & diaper genie- thanks Margy & Terry

From Aunt Judy

So we are celebrating New Years this weekend & then heading back to school on Tuesday.  It was a busy (but the good kind) week & we enjoyed spending so much time with our family and friends.  We are so blessed to have such loving, wonderful people in our lives.

Photo Post: John Jerome as a Tot.

John might be one of the cutest little boys I've ever seen.  Both he & Jess were such beautiful children.  I took this rainy afternoon as an opportunity to scan some old photos:

1981

cheerleader & referee, halloween '82

5 1/2 years old

That might have been too much cuteness for one post.

God bless us every one.

It's here and gone already!  I can't even believe it.  December has been a total whirlwind for us (I feel like I say this every month- thus why blogging is good for me to remember what the hell is going on in our lives).  Between basketball picking up, starting tutoring, & tons of running around, I feel like I went to bed on December 2nd and woke up on the night of 25th.  Working right up through the 23rd made it difficult to switch from school brain to christmas vacation brain.  There was also a lot of intense stuff going on at school that made it a little tricky to feel merry & bright.  John & my little fur baby family helped out with that though :)  Add in a get together with my family/the Ellison's on Friday night with lots of laughs & doggie snuggles with Tess & Nutmeg and I was feeling more like myself again.  Roxy had no issues at all in getting into the holiday spirit:

My little elf

Christmas Weekend

John was feeling generous & gave his girls Christmas eve morning off from practice so we had him two full days without having to worry about him having to be at school- it was awesome!!  We started Christmas eve morning at my parents' house.  Roxy & Riley came along and had their own gifts to open under the tree.  Breakfast was delicious & bloody mary's were flowing.  We opened gifts and enjoyed everyone's company.  In the afternoon we headed to Narrowsburg with the pup- Riley stayed with my family.  We went to mass with John's mom & then enjoyed a meal and a visit with Aunt Pat & the Kelly's.  After everyone left we sat down to relax on the couch, I had a cold drink & put John's hand on my belly- he was finally able to feel our baby move for the first time.  Although, he was dancing all around in there, baby boy only gave Daddy two good strong kicks that he was able to feel.  It was such a special moment and the best Christmas gift we could have asked for.  Christmas morning we enjoyed opening gifts with John's parents & helping his mom learn how to use her new Ipad.  We "facetimed" the Eick's & Emma was able to show us all 3 Hello Kitty dolls Santa had brought her :)  After a nice brunch, we headed home for a sore needed nap & down time.  We finished up the weekend back at my parents for some relaxing & NBA bball.  It was a great weekend but it came & went so quickly.  Many times during the weekend I found myself thinking of how special next year will be when we can celebrate with our little guy!!  I loved being pregnant for Christmas- hopefully I'll have at least one more pregnant Christmas in my future :)

Dad & Mom Xmas Eve Morning

Riley E. Bear

Roxy gets her Xmas treats

Waiting for someone to throw him more wrapping paper balls

Terry & Margy playing with the new Ipad

Xmas Tree at Narrowsburg

Baby Boy's Holiday Loot

Speaking of the little guy....this kid is cleaning up & we haven't even had a shower yet.  Many of our students' gifts to us this year included something for baby & both our families had quite a few goodies for him under the tree.  We are going to have to start getting the nursery ready soon just so we can store this stuff.  Thank you so much to everyone!!

From Grandma & Grandpa Krom

From Aunt Gracie- Obvs

The Stash

She did it!!

I've been asking, begging, pleading with Amanda Sue to start a blog.  She's an amazing writer and I know that I regret not starting mine earlier on in our marriage, especially during the first year.  Also, I find that reading blogs of far-away friends makes me feel closer & more a part of their lives.  I can't wait to follow the Knoxes :)  Check out her corner of the blog-o-sphere.

Now, the rest of the week will include much relaxing, enjoying having the Knoxes home, celebrating my Dad & Amanda's birthdays, Christmas-ing with the Eick's, & ringing in the new year (in a very lame and early way, I'm sure).

PS- Remember when my belly button was a dark crater of an "innie"- no more!!  It is well on its way to becoming an "outie!!"

23 weeks down, 17 weeks to go!!

Baby Boy's Growing Stash of Goodies....

Baby Tenbus is still 18 weeks away from being due to make his grand arrival in the world, & he is already so loved.  More thanks to generous friends & family:

The post offices had to have fun with this package :)

Hilary & Mike sent us a wonderful assortment of
 random baby/nursing essentials.  So thoughtful.
Cat sold separately.

The Swarthouts got baby boy his first book :)

Thank you so very much!! <3

Thank you, Thank you...

...to our friends who are already thinking of our cookin' baby boy-

super fun baby toys from Jen & Anthony :)

adorable hand made booties from my friend Sue at work

Our little boy is going to be one spoiled baby!!

A wee bit of snow & baby planning :o)

This week I really got into the Christmas spirit after some snow finally arrived on Thursday.  I put on White Christmas & began wrapping all the gifts I had so far.  I've also been enjoying the Christmas cards that have started to funnel in.  Ever since I was little, I have loved to take the stack of them & read them over & over.  I ordered ours this week & hopefully I'll have them out soon.  Sadly, pretty much all the snow from our one storm has melted & I really hope we get some more snow soon.  I can't stand Christmas without snow.

John has been battling some sort of virus this week & was home from work for two and a half days- then the days he did go to school he had to practice from 5-7 at night since he was on call for jury duty during the day.  So he's been either in bed or gone most of the week.  Roxy & I have been missing him like crazy; (Riley is aloof as usual).  I really don't know how couples do it when one spouse travels or works nights.  I know I shouldn't complain- most of the year we get to spend of tons of time together.

This week in pregnancy land, I finally found myself feeling definitive baby movements.  My little boy is already doing defensive slides & tenbus ten touches in utero!!  At my doctor's appointment on Tuesday, it took Dr. Panda several minutes to find the heartbeat- at first this freaked me out, but then she explained that he was moving all over & she couldn't keep up with him.  I will never get sick of hearing that sound, it really is the best.  I've had fun experimenting with which foods/drinks send baby boy into a break dance.  So far it's cold beverages; especially anything sugary like OJ or my occasional caffeinated beverage.  Can't pinpoint any specific foods yet.

Reason # 6,878,353 I love those Knox newlyweds:

They made Christmas cookies in honor of our little one.  YM stands for 'young money' which is what we've affectionately called him since we knew we were pregnant.  Knowing Amanda's skills with baking, I'm sure these are delicious!!!  Only two weeks until George & Amanda are home :) :)

Other fun baby preparations
My mom recently brought over a bunch of my old baby stuff including my baby's first year calendar ('84-'85), my christening outfit, & some of my baby blankets.  My mom is amazing; she could remember who gave her every piece!!  A big shout-out & thank you to my sister-in-law Jess for lending me a bunch of maternity clothes.  I've been wearing lots of the tops.  One of the ladies John works with also already bought us our first onesie & socks.  John & I are planning to go pick out a new paint color within the next few weeks for the nursery, so planning is well underway!!

Thanks Mom :)

Thanks Kate!!

Being brave with a bare belly shot
21 weeks

Today, Tasha & I had a preggo girls day :)  We did some Christmas shopping, lunched (it's so nice to eat with another pregnant woman- all judgement goes out the window!), and got prenatal massages.  Ta is looking so beautifully pregnant; she's one of those lucky women who carries only in her belly.  We talked nurseries & labor & fur babies.  It was a great, relaxing day & we definitely need to try to do it again soon!

SO that's what's been going on here....hoping everyone is staying healthy & getting ready for the holidays!!

It's the Holiday Season

This week the Xmas tree in Rockefeller Center was lit & Rudolph was on TV :)  It's the unofficial start to the Christmas season.  Sadly, we have to work right up to Christmas Eve, our last day will be the 23rd & then we'll go back the 3rd.  I feel like when I was a kid we had a few days off right before Christmas to enjoy & get really excited.  15 school days left!!  Hopefully it'll fly by :)  I can't wait for holiday break to get here so I can see Amanda & George.  I often find myself wishing she were around, whether it's to laugh with during a Friends episode or to share a funny school story, or more recently to talk about a new freak side effect of pregnancy.  I'm secretly hoping I have this baby a little early while she & George are down for spring break about a week before my due date!!

John started his basketball season with a scrimmage this week against Rondout- it was "closed" so I didn't attend but he told me they won 6/7 quarters (or sevenths as they should be called lol).  This coming week they have another scrimmage & then official games will start the following week.  Tri-Valley has been so kind as to let me keep the books for the home games only & have hired someone else to do the away games.  I am so, so appreciative that I will not have to haul my pregnant ass to the likes of Chester, Tuxedo, Seward, etc.....unless I want to!!  Let's go Lady Bears!!

I finally got to start my Christmas shopping!!  On Saturday Patty, Rachel & I headed to Kingston to get working on our lists.  I hope I didn't drive Rachel insane with all my baby boy questions.  We got there early & made out quite well.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at Olive Garden and I was home by 4:30.  Hopefully I'll be able to finish up between one more trip to the mall & some online shopping.

And in baby news....
I'm halfway there!!  20 weeks!!  Can't believe how fast my pregnancy is going.  Baby is growing, growing, growing & this week the size of a cantaloupe:

Now don't get too excited it goes by length somehow & not mass.  Next week he's the size of a banana- makes lots of sense huh!  Nevertheless, I've been enjoying tracking baby's growth a la bump fruit chart.  I got to see the little mancub again this week; the ultrasound tech was able to get the necessary face, nose, & lip shots that they missed out last time.  My mom came with me & I was excited for her to get to see baby boy.  I'm slowly beginning to believe that some of the strange sensations I'm feeling in my lower belly are baby dancing around in there.  Today we went to Babies R Us in Middletown to register.  I also have another registry at Buy Buy Baby.  It's unbelievable the amount of products that are out there for moms & babies.  I made a list before I went & tried not to get to overwhelmed, but it wasn't easy.  We didn't finish the registry but we'll continue to add & update as we go along.

Happy December everyone :o)