Thirty-One

I hosted a Thirty-One party this summer and got some really adorable things. A friend of mine booked a party through mine and I got to order some fun stuff through her party using the credit I earned at mine. One of the things was a special, CUTE place for our library books. I love going into the library and checking out 20-30 books at a time for Lola. The best thing about our new library container as opposed to the orange plastic bin we have been using--it has handles and can accompany us to and from our trips :)

If you'd like more info on hosting a Thirty-One party, let me know--I have a fantastic consultant to refer you to!

Lola making the transfer...

Girlfriends

It's been several months since Lola has gotten to play with her girlfriend Alexis, so we were very excited she could come over and play this morning! They had fun and shared very well :)...as a mother to a toddler, you always have to be thankful/proud of those moments! Am I right, or am I right?!

Lola's First Haircut

The finished product--it flips so cute in the back!

{belly}

Well--there it is--in all its glory! My BIG baby belly :)

We have a professional family session scheduled with the incredible Kristina Carter next week--but I wanted to get a few good shots of my belly just in case Johnny decides to come before then. John snapped a few tonight and I LOVE how they turned out. They mean even more that he's the one that took them.

It never even occurred to me to have maternity pictures taken when I was pregnant with Lola--probably because I did NOT feel beautiful. But this pregnancy is so different. Carrying a boy will do that to you. And since this is the last time in my life I'll look this way, I couldn't let the opportunity pass.

Pregnancy--the most incredible miracle of them all.

The Irish, Yankee Style.

Next Saturday, November 20th, the two greatest sports teams in all of history will dance together, so to speak. Notre Dame is set to play Army in Yankee Stadium--and the field has a new look. This is SUPER cool to John and I for very obvious reasons--he's taught me to LOVE the Yankees and I've taught him to LOVE the Irish. Just another reason ours is a match made in heaven (haha!).

New Addiction

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had taken up crocheting while in the hospital--Bridget, the recreational therapist who would come hang out with me for an hour a day, taught me SO MUCH in just two short weeks. I made a big blanket for Johnny and a baby girl hat as my first projects. I had to wait until I got home though to measure Lola's noggin to make her first hat and I couldn't wait.

I broke the rules for a bit today--John took me out to Jo-Ann Fabrics so I could get some yarn. I could spend hours in that store just looking at yarn! Anyways, word on the street is Lola has an adorable black & white coat coming from G.G., so I wanted her to have a perfect hat to match. It's a little big (turns out you're supposed to make it an inch or two smaller than the circumference of the head), but for my first project for Lola, I'm thrilled with how it turned out:


And just a little more sweetness for good measure...

Papa got her an awesome giraffe while I was away--I'm in love with it!

Always on the go, not wanting to sit still for a second...even at 9 pm!

The two Dr. Zics

My Uncle Johnny is an amazing guy (just like all my other uncles :)--he's a world renowned dermatologist and head of medical school admissions at Vanderbilt University. But you'd never know because he's incredibly humble and not the kind of guy to toot his own horn. So we as his family like to!

Over a year ago, Auntie Mary shared with us that a patient of his (who he's helping successfully treat) named one of her racehorses after him--Dr. Zic. The medical school's monthly magazine features the two Dr. Zics on the cover this month--and includes the entire story about how this all came about. CLICK HERE to read...

The first 36 hours...

A little glimpse into life since I've been back home. It's been wonderful and everything feels right again in the world :)


Breakfast in the living room...

Smiles with Mommy...
I can only guess who sent these treats for me while I was away :) My cookie was yummy and VERY pretty!
Headed out for a walk with Pop...
Ready for dance class...(Don't you just love our new wall color? Dad & John did a great job in the living room and nursery!)
Tired already? No, just kidding.
Practicing her twirls...
Stretches....
Checking on Pop while he makes his morning coffee...

Halloween at Kurek Brothers, Inc.

Lola got to Trick-or-Treat with thousands (no joke) of other kids down 111th Street the Friday before Halloween this year. Papa H & Mimi took her up and down the street to collect goodies. Mimi said she was in awe of all the people--Dad said it was the biggest turn out yet!

Papa & Nemo
Nemo and BOTH her Papas! She's really taken to calling John's Dad "Pop" these days :)
With Mimi's Witch Hat
Thanks again to Mimi for her Halloween costume. Cutest Nemo Ever!

H.O.M.E.

Mommy & Johnny--31w4d--headed home from the hospital!!!

Yes, you read correctly--I'm home from the hospital! I was supposed to come home tomorrow, but over last weekend, I developed a pretty bad cough/cold, so I lobbied to the docs to get out a few days early, for fear I'd catch anything else. I know I only had a few more days to go, but I was done! They happily and willingly obliged since I had been "rock solid stable" for 4 weeks straight.

So last night, the man of my dreams came and picked me up :) We stopped at Chick-fil-a to grab dinner on the way home, of course! And then when he walked through the door he told Lola "I have a surprise for you!"--and then opened the door a little more so she could see me. She ran out into the hallway and gave me THE BIGGEST HUG. She kept looking at my face, touching it, kissing me and hugging me again--like she couldn't really believe I was actually home! I felt the exact same way.

It's been magical to be back. She has changed SO MUCH I don't even know where to begin--she speaks in full sentences all the time and her hair has grown so much. She's really grown in this short month and I'm sure I notice it more because I've been away for so long. She remembers very well that "Baby Johnny" her "brother" is in my "tummy" still and was excited to blow raspberries on my belly again for him.

Now I just need to continue to take it easy for 2 more weeks! There's no way on this Earth I could have done this without 4 major players--John, Dad, Mom & Sue. Everyone worked together, as a family should, in a time of need. We are so blessed.

There's so many wonderful things to look forward to now--more than anything, Johnny's arrival--but also the arrival of Mom from Florida in just over a week and Titi too, who will be with us the entire week of Thanksgiving.

Life is good--Thank You all for your thoughts and prayers--they've carried us thus far :) xoxoxo