Holiday Fun

This past weekend we headed to not one, but two holiday parties on Saturday. For the first party, we headed out to Culpeper. The party was hosted by one of the firefighters on Mitch's medic unit. Although, it took us about an hour to get out there-it was well worth the trip. We enjoyed a buffet of awesome food and entertainment by the host's son, who played the piano for us. It was, also, nice for me to put faces with names. I had met a lot of Mitch's co-workers at Station 25. However, when he finished his Advanced Life Support class a few months ago, he moved to a new station. So, I loved putting stories with faces and loved hearing fun tidbits from the rest of his unit about my dear hubby.
After a few hours in Culpeper, we got back in the car to head to Leesburg for the annual Vannoy Christmas party. We missed the group opening of presents, but were bale to open ours after things had calmed down a bit. Mitch was excited about his hilarious "animal" t-shirt and firefighter ornament. You can never have too many of those:) I was showered with a few gorgeous maternity tops. And thanks to Jeremy, baby was not left out due to a few cute onesies and a stuffed alligator. What a fun night? Although, we got home a little after 2am, so we both slept the day away on Sunday.

Turkey Day Flutters

Well, actually they used to be flutters-now they are full-on kicks at mommy's belly. I had been trying to distinguish between other funny stomach feelings and baby moving. But, ever the fairly calm person-I would not convince myself that every little feeling in the gut was baby.

But, over thanksgiving break I gave in and had Mitch patiently lie on our bed with his hand on my belly waiting for baby to move. Of course, our now famously stubborn child would not cooperate the first few nights. Not surprising. After all this is a kid that refuses to be found by the heartbeat monitor, stays still during sonograms when he/she needs to move, or won't move when they need a different angle. Again, baby is just like mommy. So, the other night while quietly laying in bed, Sweet Pea, became very active...while Daddy was in the shower. Figures:)

When Mitch came to bed, I told him that baby had been moving-but stopped as soon as he came in the room. So, daddy gave baby it's first scolding. He told baby to stop making mommy out to be a liar and let daddy feel all the kicks I have been feeling. With a little persuasion and sweet words, baby started kicking daddy's hands. And harder then usual too. I guess baby does not like being "called out."

Since their little heart to heart baby seems to know when daddy's hand is on mommy's belly and will start to tap to say "hello." Baby seems to like daddy's voice too, because if Mitch says something close enough to my tummy, baby will start pounding away. It was an exciting Thanksgiving break and I am so thankful that baby and Daddy are bonding. Disgustingly cheesy, I know.

Thankful for Relaxation

We headed to Lifetime Fitness over Thanksgiving break to get his and her massages. If you have ever been to Lifetime you would realize that it is more than just a gym. It is a lifestyle..haha. We are not current members, though we both have been at one point or another. However, we had a gift certificate to the spa at the club and finally found the perfect time to use it.
With Mitch completely done with his medic classes and finding myself at the half way mark in my pregnancy, massages seemed like the perfect way to start the holiday season. Mitch was treated to a hour long Swedish Massage, while I opted for the Pregnancy Massage. Let me just say that this was a godsend and I recommend every pregnant lady get one.
Now, you may be asking yourself where this post is going-here it is. After my massage was over, I headed out to the lobby. My masseuse met me to take me back to the spa lobby. On our way there she mentioned that Mitch's massage may run over. Okay...I am thinking maybe they got started late-except he was taken about 10 minutes before I was from the lobby. She then proceeds to tell met that while she and his masseuse were washing their hands and getting ready to come in that Mitch's masseuse was ecstatic to get to massage Mitch. Okay...I am wondering where this is all going. Lucky, I am not a jealous wife:)
She goes on to say that the girl was thrilled to learn Mitch is a firefighter. At this point, I realize that the girl is not attracted to my dear hubby. Seeing as we often get the same reaction whenever someone learns Mitch is a firefighter. My masseuse lets me know that the girl is currently going through the process to become a firefighter and thought this was a nice opportunity to get some inside info.
The masseuse laughs and asks if I heard Mitch through the joining walls to our rooms. I had heard a Mitch version of a Charlie Brownish "wha, wha, wha" during my massage. I said I had heard him and we both laughed. Seeing as I was yelled at the first time I ever got a massage for talking, I usually just stay quiet. But, not Mitch- he talked away during the first half of his massage. So, I sat in the lobby for about another 10 minutes waiting for Mitch. He struts in all relaxed and I dare say glowing from being allowed time to hand out knowledge about the road to becoming a firefighter.

Here is my issue people...why did Mitch get the perk to a longer(almost 20 long minutes) massage, than his poor pregnant wife. It's the career, I tell you. Being a firefighter is like being a celebrity. It even got a discount on our nursery furniture. I guess I cannot complain because I often reap the benefit, too. However, I was a bit jealous of his extra massage time. LOL!

Halfway There...20 Weeks!

It's hard to believe that we have reached the half way mark already. It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating the good news, and in 20 more weeks we will get to meet our sweet pea.

We have nicknamed baby "Sweet pea." We were at Babies R Us beginning a registry and MItch saw a bib he thought was really cute. Yep, it came about all because of a bib Mitch liked. I was overruled when I mentioned it sounded like a girl nickname, because Popeye's baby was a boy and named Sweet pea. how can I fight that logic. Since we are unaware of baby's gender, giving him or her a name seemed better than referring to baby as an it.

On November 21st, we headed to our 20-week appointment. All the usual tests and procedures were the same. Everything looks great, mommy and baby are both in good health. Hearing baby's heartbeat was a bit different. As we listened, a strange noise caught me off guard. It was sort of fuzzy, like if an announcer dropping his microphone at a football game. the doctor laughed and informed us everything was okay. The sound we heard was baby kicking up a storm. Doctor G let us know we have a "maniac child" on the way. I guess it is good that I am still blissfully unaware of all this kicking.

20 Weeks-this may be my last week wearing my pre-pregnancy pants:)

I had to turn to show off my "Ciao Bella" shirt that Momma Milchak got on her last visit to Italy.

Boy or Girl? And baby will be...

Nope, we aren't finding out. Those wondering will just have to wait until Spring. We decided there are so few surprises in life, why ruin the best one. Baby will remain a mystery.

On Wednesday, November 12th, we headed to our 18-week ultrasound. We got up bright and early to meet Milchak Mom at the doctor's office to view our little sweet pea. Baby seems to take after daddy, he/she is very chill and relaxed. Check out the photo below, where baby is blissfully relaxing with his/her hand under her chin. Baby must be a thinker, too.
We spent almost an hour seeing baby from all angles and positions. Hands, feet, brain, stomach, liver, face, etc. Seeing as Mitch has been hard at work learning all kinds of medical information in his "Advanced Life Support" classes, he loved asking questions and adding tidbits that mom and I were clueless about. For instance, while viewing baby's heart, Mitch asked if we were looking at it upside down. The nurse answered yes, and Mitch explained that the way the chambers were contracting showed us which angle we were seeing the heart. My genius husband, hee, hee.

Of course, when it came to the big question, we politely declined to know the gender of the baby. Which was probably a good thing, because baby decided not to be very cooperative at this point. Baby seems very happy is mommy's tummy, because no matter what the nurse did, she could not get baby to turn for profile picture. Mitch mentioned that this was where it's mother's genes came into play, being uncooperative and stubborn. Milchak Mom loved this one. I, personally, think baby was tired of being poked and prodded while trying to rest peacefully. One of the last shots, before the nurse left to give baby some time to move around. Obviously, this is baby's Van Gogh "The Scream" look or for younger generations, the "Home Alone" look. Would you stop pushing on my mother's belly!

So, the nurse left to print out all our photos and give baby some time to move around. Like mommy, baby came around in his/her on time and was ready to go with profile photos upon her return. Foot Shot
Hand Shot

After all the sonogram photos were complete, we were told everything is right where it should be and baby looks fantastic. After all that work, we headed to Silver Diner to treat Baby to breakfast. Nice work little peanut.

Mommy at 18 Weeks

Baby's Furniture

Over the past few months, we have been teetering back and forth on what furniture to buy for the nursery. I won't bore you with all the details. Bottom line is we found a store in Manassas that we really liked and the owner is an adorable, honest, no BS kind of lady. We like that. Of course, the firefighter discount she gave us was a selling point too- hee, hee.
We wanted something with longevity, durability, beauty, and safety. We fell in love the Tuscan Collection by Pali in a terracotta finish. It really just screams Mitch and Catherine, doesn't it.

Maternity Fashions

This past Saturday with Mitch off to the office, I decided to take the plunge and look for some maternity pieces. While I am still quite comfortable in my pre-pregnancy pants, I have been warned that the belly could come at any moment. So, rather than go to work in sweats, I thought I should be prepared. I invited my mom and Jaime out to lunch and a shopping trip.
After a yummy lunch at Pei-Wei, we headed to Kohl's. Mom and Jaime were super helpful in helping me pick out a few essential pieces. Who says you need to spend a fortune on maternity clothes? They are only good for a few months. I am almost 20 weeks and all my clothes still fit. So, less then $200 later I now have three pairs of pants(jeans, black and gray), several cute tops (this is one of my holiday Xmas top), and a gorgeous dress Jaime got me as a "yeah, your pregnant" gift. She, also, got baby an adorable outfit with a firetruck on it with the word's "Daddy's Hero to the Rescue." Gotta love her!
All and all, I think today was a huge success. A couple of sweaters and I think I am done. Hopefully...