Grow Baby Grow!

Just a quick update on #2. Lola and I headed to U of C today for my first trimester screening. It's a combo ultrasound and blood test--the results tell you the likelihood of your baby having Downs Syndrome. I'm 12 weeks tomorrow and baby is growing and measuring right on track, which is always so reassuring. It's crazy to think in just one week I'll be starting the second trimester. (A certain sister-in-law might want to make me a special cupcake to mark that milestone--hint, hint!) This pregnancy is already flying by!

Lola was so good throughout my appointment and lab work. She was especially good during the ultrasound. I think it was because she was so mesmerized with what was on the screen. I did tell her that was our baby so of course she kept saying "Baby." And then I gave her a picture from the ultrasound and she kissed it. Melt my heart a little more why don't ya!

One more week!

When Lola wakes up in the morning, she asks for 3 things: 1. Milk 2. Toast 3. Mickey On. She usually gets up right when Mickey comes on so of course, she wants to see him. This morning, it sounded like instead of asking "Mickey on?" she was singing "M-I-C-K-E-Y"! Too funny.

Mom dropped off this lunch box for her today--she's going to freak out when she sees it after her nap. It'll be so perfect for our day at Disney in JUST ONE MORE WEEK!

Popsicle

Grammy got Lola some awesome summer seating for the patio and it's perfect for enjoying a Popsicle outside. Which she REALLY enjoyed. This is a "picture-overload" post, but sometimes, I just can't resist!

Sweet Corn

One of the top 10 best things about summer, hands down? Sweet corn. This year, Lola can dig in all by herself. She loves it. While it'll still be a few more weeks until we can get some at the farmer's market, we can still count on Walt's for a few tasty ears.
Corn is best enjoyed with friends :)

everyday play

IRELAND

Two months ago today, we arrived home from our 10-day Ireland adventure. We took countless pictures and created memories to last a lifetime. Shortly after we returned, I began to journal our experience. This journey required a blog of its own! So grab a pint (or two) of Guinness and enjoy.

Click here:
John & Kristen's 2010 Irish Adventure

Happy Birthday Ronnie!

A happy #32 to one simply amazing brother. Here's some oldies from back in the day...

Celebrating #6.
Celebrating #5. This cake says "Happy Birthday" to Ronnie, Dad & Me. We were huge Dukes of Hazard fans at the time, hence the sweet cake replica of the General Lee.

Zoo Friends

Ellyana & Lola, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, June 2010

The Family Expansion Act

You’re looking at a picture of the BEST souvenir we brought back from Ireland. Our second bambino is on the way! Our baby is due 1.1.11 (New Year’s Day)--though I’ll probably have another c-section just after Christmas so he or she will be here by year's end!

We found out at the end of April we're expecting. A week before we got the positive test, I swore on my life to John and my two best girlfriends that I was pregnant. I just knew. I took a test and it came up negative. I shrugged it off and knew that it was just too early. A few days later, I took another. Having absolutely no privacy as a mother, Lola was with me in the bathroom. I decided to have her deliver the news. She walked into the living room and handed it to Daddy. Pretty awesome moment!

We had a very early ultrasound at 6 weeks and saw a beautiful heartbeat that was actually 10 beats faster than Lola’s was at the same time (a very good sign). This morning (John’s birthday!), we went for my first doctor’s appointment at U of Chicago. Before the appointment, I had another ultrasound which showed baby to be just as he or she should be. Something about it was even more special than our ultrasound with Lola at the same age--probably because now we know just how amazing the final result is! It was fun seeing all the same people we got to know at the office while pregnant the first time--I was glad they were just as excited to see me :)

Boy or Girl? Those we’ve told have asked which we prefer. Our answer: HEALTHY! We ask humbly and kindly that you keep the health of our child-to-be in your prayers. It would mean so much to us. That being said, boy or girl, we will be thrilled either way. We see nothing but “pros” to having a boy OR a girl. A girl would be fantastic: we already have EVERYTHING she could need and the thought of sisters sounds like so much fun. A boy would be simply wonderful: one of each, a little prince for me, a little baseball buddy for John. The most exciting thing though is that Lola will have a sibling. We can’t wait to see her with this baby. She is so kind and loving to her dollies, we can only hope that sweet heart of hers extends to her brother or sister! We know there will be trying moments of sibling rivalry, but that comes with the territory. Just last night she was kissing my belly over and over again when I told her our baby was in there.

We’ll keep you posted!

"Princess"

I taught Lola the word "princess" the other day. I said it to her twice. Tonight, while playing with her Melissa & Doug Princess puzzle, she said it over and over again as she took the pieces out. Little does she know we're going to the land of a thousand princesses in just three more weeks! Perfect timing.