It's a....

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!

We have known for a few weeks that we were more than likely having a girl.  My doctor was 100% sure but since I was not quite 17 weeks and I know that if they make a mistake it is usually when they say it is a girl, I wanted to wait until our big ultrasound on the 14th to announce.  We ended up having to go back a second time because they did not get a clear picture of the kidneys and the tip of the spine, but today they were able to see both!  Thank you, God!  Also, the technician said it was a GIRL!!!  Fingerscrossed they are right because otherwise planning for it would not be cool.

We are SUPER excited!  We would have been the same with a boy but it will be nice to experience both genders!  Plus, I think Colin will be such a good big brother to a little girl...and Will is going to spoil a little her!

I am also pretty sure a few grandma's are pretty excited for a girl to join the family.  It will be the first granddaughter for both sides!

Meeting Santa

This is the first year that Colin is really starting to understand the idea of Santa.  He is still not quite there but it has been so much fun teaching him about Christmas!  He is so excited for Santa to come to our house.  After Santa heard good things about Colin from his Grandma Liz (thank you) he received a personal video message from Santa himself!  Colin was delighted!  He has watched that video over and over.  It amazes him that Santa knows his name, has a picture of him in his book of good little kids, and even knows what he wants for Christmas (Buzz Lightyear toys).  If you ask him who Santa is his answer is "Christmas", so he is still learning but it has been a blast this year with him understanding a little more about Christmas.  We're even trying to teach him about giving.  He is learning while watching me wrap toys for our nephews.  It was a hard lesson at first because he just had his birthday and all the gifts were for him.  There is progress though!  He also is learning about giving gifts to people we do not know that are less fortunate than us.  He helped me pick out a gift for a little girl from a local military family that our work adopted for Christmas.  This has been such a great Christmas so far!

Colin also met Santa at the mall.  We were not planning on meeting him this visit so we were not dressed for the occassion.  It had snowed so we were all bundled up.  Colin was so excited in the line.  He kept trying to peek over the gate and get Santa's attention by whispering "hi" to him.  THEN, once we got there the lady taking pictures picked him up and set him down next to Santa...well Colin is a little picky about who picks him up so he did not like that and started crying.  Like REALLY crying.  So, his picture is of him crying.  Still cute, but more on the funny side.  After we had lunch he asked if he could go say "hi" to Santa again.  I told him that he cried last time so that may not be the best idea.  He said he cried because the girl put him in Santa's lap instead of mommy.  So sad.  We did not go a second time, but we were try again next year.
Colin's first Santa picture:

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Snow...it is beautiful, I will admit that.  I still prefer to go and visit the snowy area and then leave it behind once I head home.  We got a couple of inches today and boy was Colin excited!  For the most part, I just do not enjoy driving in it.  Or other peoples' driving skills when the roads are white.  Luckily, this area is a lot better than Oregon for clearing the roads...a lot better.   Colin's daycare was closed today, so I stayed with him this morning and then he got to spend a few hours at Will's office while I enjoyed my work's Christmas party.  As usual, delicious food and this pregnant lady ate her share! The snow made it a little difficult getting to the resort, but the food and company was worth it.  Our group did Secret Santa's this year.  The person who had me asked Will for some ideas.  My dear husband suggested a waffle iron...so I guess we will be having those waffles Christmas morning like Will was hoping!!  Actually it was a great idea and was something I wanted.  I just like teasing Will.  After my party, Colin and I spent a long time out in the snow.  He had a blast! 



Mom - Colin loves his Spiderman hat and gloves!





Sitting by the tree



Surrounded by Names

Naming a baby can be a hard task! I think we as parents stress ourselves out over it.  I mean it is going to stick with your child FOREVER!  There are so many to choose from and trying to integrate a side of the family makes it that much harder.  If you are like me you want something not really trendy but cute and interesting. 

Luckily with Colin we knew instantly. Naming him was not a difficult task.  I had a strong feeling it was a boy and really was not interested in looking at girl names.  When we saw Colin in a name book we both got really excited.  That one had no outside influence (it is not a family name) it was just a name we found together. We actually did not really look at anything else after that.  It worked perfectly because we are both of Irish and Scottish descent (the book we were looking at said one "l" was Scottish and two was Irish). His middle name is the same as my husband's and his mother's maiden name.  Will did convince me to have an idea for a girl name, so I loosely had the idea of Lilianne (from my grandma Lillian and my other grandma Anna). 

Since Colin was born, we have tossed around a few names here and there for our second child.  We focused more on girl names because we seem to agree more often on boy names.  We had Evelyn (I like Evie but not a fan of the whole name), Audrey (can you guess why???), Ava, and a few others but none of them really stuck.  I also went through a phase of wanting to do a name from Greek history.  I have always loved Ancient Greek civilization, whether it was mythology, philosophy, art, etc.  You name it...I probably have dabbled at least a little bit in it.  I was thinking of Athena (but it is getting more and more common, plus it is a very common dog name), Leda, Penelope (which Will vetoed right away - what can I say The Odyssey is one of my all-time favorite books), and many others. Even boy names like Hector, Priam, Marcus etc...But then I thought that my hobbies and interest may not be shared by this little one.  Plus, I do not like names where it is so obvious why the child is named that.  That is why I had a hard time with Audrey.  So, no Greek names.

I actually really like Logan, but with Will being a Wolverine fan...not so sure!  If we wanted another Irish name we had thought of Donovan, Dominic, or Declan.

There is one name that I have loved since I came up with it...but we still have a few we are tossing around - so no announcing now.  Plus, we are pretty positive we know what we are having but we are waiting for a second look next week...just to be sure!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

This past weekend we started decorating for Christmas.  I am on travel for a week this month and want to get everything started so I can just enjoy this time with my guys.  We got our tree up and decorated! Colin was so very helpful with telling us EXACTLY where each ornament should go, which was usually on the tippy top where mommy could not reach!  He has been pretty good at not touching the ornaments that are on the tree. Pretty good. We took a risk and put more ornaments towards the bottom of the tree (last year we only put a few non-breakable ones).  Sunday was so nice.  We woke up early, ate a big breakfast while a Christmas Jazz station was playing (later we ventured to the traditional Christmas songs, but I am finding as I get older the more I prefer instrumental music), then started decorating.  I wrapped most of the gifts that we have already and put them under the tree, as I explained to Colin over and over that they were gifts that we are giving to other people.  It is a little confusing since he just had his birthday where he got to open everything that came through our doorway wrapped.  I think this year Will and I are going to be better about combining our Christmas traditions.  So, we have one gift that Colin will open on Christmas Eve (my side) and then we will save all of this other gifts for Christmas morning (Will's), plus he will get his stockings and gifts from Santa (wrapped in different packaging and that will remain hidden until Christmas morning).  I am getting so excited for Christmas!  Colin's age is so perfect for it! This will be our first year leaving cookies for Santa -  Colin is going to love it!




Colin helping organize the ornaments





And playing with all the ones that were considered kid proof



Our Scottish Santa





And our German Santa!

What a wonderful time of year!!!

A Time to Be Thankful

This was our first Thanksgiving in our new home!  Not everyone we would have wanted to share it with was able to come, but it was made extra special by a visit from my dad and his wife, Michele.  We had a wonderful time this past week.  Colin loved to get bad guys with P-pa and even made Mi-ma join in the hero action.  It has been almost a year since I have seen both of them so it meant a lot that they could fly out to see us.  It is hard being away from family, especially around the holidays.

Will had to work most of the week but Colin, P-pa, Mi-ma and I were able to explore the beautiful and exciting D.C. area.  We spent the day at the Mall on Monday.  We went to the American Museum and saw some of the monuments (from afar)!  The American was pretty interesting.  I really enjoyed seeing the First Ladies' evening gowns.  Gorgeous!  I was surprised that they had so many and some of them were very old! 

On Tuesday, we headed to the Air and Space Museum.  Colin loved the big planes and jets!

On Wednesday, we went to Mt. Vernon (what Colin is calling George's house) and explored the 1st President's house. 



Colin had it easy!



We had a relaxing Thanksgiving where all of us, even Colin helped out with the dinner! Michele and I even did some early Black Friday shopping online!  I love stores that did that so I did not have to go out.  People get crazy!



P-pa doing something with the turkey



Some of the final spread with some delicious Mt. Vernon wine - yes, I enjoyed half a glass...everything in moderation!



On Friday, we took Colin down to Grandma's and enjoyed a nice lunch.  Then the four adults went to a Capitals hockey game!  It was awesome!  Will was the only one who had been to a hockey game before.  I loved it!!  Will and I may have a new sport to watch together :) 

This was such a busy week but a lot of fun.  I am so glad some of my family was able to spend a holiday with me and my Virginia family.

Baby B Diary: Week 16

This is a couple days early, but since everyone at my household is in a food coma I thought I would post it quick.  Plus, I wore fall colors today so I wanted Will to take a belly picture!

Overall,  I am feeling good.  Exhausted most of the time but learning to push through it...since when you have a 3 year old you cannot really take naps whenever you want to!  We have had visitors since Saturday.  P-pa and Mi-ma are here visiting from Oregon, so it has been a busy week.  We have been exploring all over D.C. which has worn me out but I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Colin was a really good boy too...but more about that in a different blog entry.  So on to the belly pictures.

I still have not gained any weight this week but continue to eat, eat, and eat!  Still eating steak (more often than I would like) and I want ice cream a lot (which I am OK with).  We have our next appointment next week and in a couple of weeks we get to go in for our big ultra sound!  Fingers-crossed that this baby lets us find out the sex on the first try.




My sweater hides the belly a bit





After our Thanksgiving dinner and pie!



Three...Really?!?

Our little boy is three years old now!  He had some special guests that flew out from Oregon to celebrate his birthday with him.  He was so excited to see P-ma and Mi-ma.  This year he had a Toy Story 3 party.  He is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear right now.  He made out like a bandit as far as gifts go!  He got a cool Iron Man, a big Buzz Lightyear, a drumset, a play doctor bag, an art easel and a few other things!  This is the first year where he was really into opening all his gifts.  It was so cute to watch him rip open the gifts.
I cannot believe that he is three!  It has gone by so fast. 

My Birthday Wish

...was that I would be repeating my 25th birthday this year, but sadly, my wish did not come true and I celebrated my 28th.  Oh well, what can you do!  My hubby says that I cannot really complain since he is now in his 30's and when I do that I am rubbing his age in!  I will admit that did make me feel better!  No, the last few years have been amazing so I cannot complain about getting older!

As usual my hubby made sure I had a wonderful birthday!  He has been taking care of dinners for my birthday week and making sure I get ice cream whenever this baby is making mommy want it!  He also brought my recent BBQ favorite home (I have been eating more meat these past few months than I have my whole life).  I told Will that I need to adopt a cow after this baby is born to make penance.  Will surprised me with a lunch date my last work day of the week.  Not surprisingly, I chose a steak place.  I complain about craving meat but at least I have an appetite this time...

I took a "Me" day on my actual birthday.  I started my morning at the spa (thank you mom)...got a facial, mani, pedi, etc and then went and got my hair done!  A wonderful time! Will took me to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, The Melting Pot.  It was delicious! 

I was spoiled with gifts - thank you everyone!  My wonderful mother-in-law sent me the cutest flowers (I love fall so they were perfect for me).  My girlfriends showered me with gifts at work on Thursday which who does not enjoy receiving gifts!  It was very sweet.  Colin got me some candy that I have been asking for :) and my sweetie got me the prettiest necklace from Tiffany's.  Spoiled!  This was an amazing birthday!  Relaxing and quiet - which is exactly what this pregnant lady wants!

Today, we took Colin to see his first movie in the theatre.  Our real estate lady and her company rents out a theatre once a year for their clients.  A very nice gesture.  We watched Megamind.  It was cute.  Colin did very good and really loved the show.  Amazingly, all three of us took a nap afterwards.  Now Will is making me a lasagna dinner!  For tomorrow he picked a soup recipe from one of my cookbooks, which I am very excited about.  For you who do not know, Will is not that fond of cooking, so this is a very sweet thing and he is venturing away from pasta!  Love you, honey :) He is also making me my fave, cherry cheesecake - which according to Colin is now my favorite, Daddy's favorite, and Colin's favorite.  He also decided tonight that Will is Wolvie (aka Wolverine), Colin is Spiderman, and I am Hulkie (not sure how I feel about that)!

And a little baby bump action:

Colin and I making a game plan.

Thank you all for a wonderful birthday!!!

A Big Thank You

Today, I want to pay tribute to all of those who have served in the military and even those who may not be in the military but are involved in the effort to keep our country safe. 

Starting with my two favorites; my hubby and my little brother (USAF and USMC).  I am so proud of their accomplishments throughout their time in the military and since they have departed (well my brother is still somewhat in).  I should also add my father-in-law to this list.  He is a favorite of mine and also served.  Thank you, Grandfather B!

So, thank you to all of the people that I know that have served in the military.

Of course I extend this thank you to all of the service members that I do not know or have had the pleasure to meet in my recent travels.  I have noticed since I have started to travel to different bases around the world that there are all sorts of people who join the military and even though several of the people in the military do not necessarily get deployed to a war zone, they all work together to support each other.  Will is hesitant when receiving a thank you for his service since he did not get deployed during his time in the military, but I think he still deserves it.  He was a firefighter which is definitely putting your life in harms way and if things had been different and he stayed in longer he would have definitely been deployed.  There are many people who have desk jobs that will not be going to the Middle East but they still choose to walk a path that makes sacrificing their life a strong possibility.  I have worked with a lot of SVM lately that now have a desk job but had been deployed several times with their prior duties.  It just kind of falls the way it is suppose to fall. Having gone to the Middle East myself and seeing where the SVM sleep, eat, and entertain themselves on the weekend; I definitely have a new found respect for those that are deployed.  I was there during the summer and it is HOT, dry and plain miserable.  Especially if you are near a tarmac...crazy hot!  These people are taking themselves away from their loved ones to fight for the country they love and believe in.  It is a beautiful thing.  Heartbreaking but beautiful. 

So, thank you to all of you I do not know.

I know that this is Veteran's Day, but there are also people that are non-military that support our country and our troops that deserve recognition.  Being in the military is not the only way to be patriotic or to do your part.  On the plane going to the Middle East I met several people who were civilians but going to different war zones for welding and other such things.  They may not be carrying a gun for our country but they are still putting their lives at risk to help support our troops. 

I recently cut out an article in the Washington Post that a Officer wrote after returning from Afghanistan (I believe) about a local boy that joined their cause.  This boy (who they believe lied about his age) joined them as a translator after seeing his two best buddies beheaded after refusing to join the Al Qaeda that came to their school.  I cannot even imagine.  He was not able to see his family afraid of repercussions that could occur but he still chose to join the fight.  He sadly was killed, probably not even 18. 

So, thank you to the non-military folks doing their part.

Happy Veteran's Day!

I am a quote freak so here you go:

"The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem." -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn


"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy



...And one that I truly wish would come true...


"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?'" -Eve Merriam