31 Weeks

31 weeks and only two months to go! This weekend we decided it was time to make some major progress to get ready for the arrival. Yesterday Chad and the two grandpas moved around all of the furniture upstairs so the nursery is now empty and ready to be painted today. While they were at our house hard at work the women got to relax at a baby shower! Thanks to my buddies Kristi and Kim who threw an awesome luncheon. We had so much fun and brought home a car full of stuff for the little guy. I think I have successfully figured out how to post a slide show within a post! Lots of fun photos above. There were 7 of us expecting mothers at the shower so we lined up by due date for a few photos. It was a really great time.

Enough with the partying, now its time for business. Today the grandparents are coming over for a painting party (we are very thankful for grandparents) and tomorrow night our childbirth class starts for the next four weeks. Also we are treating ourselves to a 3 day weekend next week as we are headed up to Galena with three other couples on Friday for a guys golf / ladies spa and shopping getaway. Should be fun! We are taking advantage of every opportunity to get in any last hurrahs in June. Oh yeah, happy birthday this week to my friend Traci (yesterday), and my dad BJ and sister in law Lisa on Wednesday!

Bucko Jr in 3D!

Wednesday Chad and I took Bucko Jrs grandparents to a 3D/4D viewing of the little guy. Technology is truly amazing! Unfortunately we had an 8 am appointment and he slept the ENTIRE time no matter how much the ultrasound tech tried to wake him. Maybe its a sign that he'll be a good sleeper? Or maybe I should have had a cup of coffee first... Oh well. Even though his eyes were closed we came home with several fun pictures and a video. The tech confirmed gender - definitely a boy! She also pointed out a few 'fat rolls' and some hair on his head so that was exciting. A few shots below:

Sticking out his tongue

Flashing a peace sign

Resting with his hand on his chin just like Grandpa BJ

30 Weeks

I apologize for the extreme close up this week but Chad is busy on the golf course so I thought I would try to take the photo myself... It's Memorial Day weekend and the weather is beautiful in Bettendorf! We have had a busy weekend already and there is still so much more to do. Friday night we went out for Mexican with friends and Saturday I took Bucko Jr for his first of many swims in the DCC pool. Then we went to a graduation party and my 10 year high school reunion. We had a cookout at the Palmer Pavilion. It was fun to catch up with friends (see photo below).

After the reunion we went dancing to the Travoltas in the district. Poor Bucko Jr didn't get home until 1 am! He must have been tired this morning because we slept in until 10:30. We are deciding if it's a golf or pool day. Then its off to a friends house later tonight to continue the party!

Two baby updates to report this week - first, the baby furniture arrived 4 weeks early. Unfortunately it is all sitting in boxes in the garage because we haven't cleaned out the room yet but someday we'll get to that! Second, we have a 3D ultrasound scheduled on Wednesday for the grandparents to come check out their new little grandson. Hopefully he is not bashful. That's it for today. Happy Memorial Day!!!

29 Weeks

The blog update is a little late again this week because we just got back from Denver Colorado (the picture above was taken this morning in our hotel room). We had a great weekend celebrating my cousin Joy's wedding. Unfortunately I didn't charge my camera before the ceremony so I missed out on some great photos but she looked beautiful and we really enjoyed bonding with the Kested and Hickman clans. We also got to see soon-to-be uncles Ben and Henry so that's always a treat! Now we are back in the QC relaxing and watching the Desperate Housewives finale which is why this is so brief. We have a busy week ahead with my 10 year high school reunion Saturday and Memorial Day Weekend festivities. Almost officially time to wear white!

Happy Mothers Day!

7 months pregnant and the belly shots are becoming less flattering... oh well. Not a lot to report this week other than Bucko Jr just found out that two of his new playmates arriving in September and October will be little GIRLS. Congratulations to my cousins Ellie and Brandon and Josh and Ruthie! We are so excited for you!
Other than baby news. we had a lot of birthdays to celebrate this week. Thursday was my mom's birthday. We played golf in the morning and went to the Rat Pack play Thursday night. We made our way to Boozie's afterwards for a few shots. Good thing I was the designated driver! Friday and Saturday night we partied with friends. Also Saturday was my cousin Nate's birthday. And today - my brother in law Eric's birthday and of course Mothers Day!!! I have definitely enjoyed my 'first' Moms Day. I slept in until 10:30 (those days are almost over) and then received the perfect gift from my wonderful hubby and little guy- a pregnancy massage at William Wesley! I am SUPER excited as the backaches are starting to settle in. I'm not sure if these are due to my growing stomache or too much golf... Anyway, the Mothers Day celebration continues tonight as Chad and I are having our parents over for dinner.
Finally, this weeks agenda - Tuesday is our 2 year anniversary and Friday we leave for Denver for my cousin Joy's wedding. Looking forward to seeing the Kested/Hickman family!
Happy Mothers Day to All!

27 Weeks

Hello 3rd trimester! I think by this point I am supposed to be getting more rest and taking it easy but we have been too busy to relax! Friday night we played in a Euchre tournament (Chad won for the second year in a row) and Saturday we spent the night in Chicago. We left early to make a pit stop at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby which turned into quite the overwhelming and stressful experience. Part of this could have been due to the fact it was 70 degrees and sunny and Chad and BJ would have rather been on the golf course then cruising the aisles. But they were troopers. We tried out strollers and car seats for about two hours which is ridiculous but I think we finally made some decisions. Time to surf the internet for bargains! Once we were burnt out on baby shopping we headed to John Payne's wedding and reception. We had an awesome time. The band was amazing and we danced all night. We stayed at a hotel in the Gold Coast and then met one of my college roommates and her boyfriend for brunch on Sunday. We proceeded back to Bettendorf and headed straight to the golf course. No wonder Chad and I are both exhausted and sore... We may need a few days to recover but it was a great weekend!

26 Weeks

26 weeks and almost 20 pounds gained so far! Sadly I think I weigh about the same now as I did when I came home from studying abroad in Denmark 7 years ago. 6 months beer drinking belly = 6 months pregnant belly. Oh well, both experiences were totally worth it!

We don't have a lot of baby news to report but Bucko Jr did get his first outfits this weekend. Thank you to Barb and Dave for the little guys 'golf clothes'. They are soooo cute.

Also this week I thought I would post a 'before' shot of the nursery. Queen size bed, hunter green walls and no blinds. Looks like we have a lot to do this month! We'll take it one week at a time...

The schedule for this week - Wednesday I have a dr appt (including the gestational diabetes blood test), Thursday is my brother Ben's 30th birthday, and Saturday we are headed to Chicago for our family friend John Payne's wedding. We are ready for May and warm spring weather :)