13 Flights and Counting

Richard and I with CN Tower. Richard is wearing
a new Canadian pullover with a Beaver on it.

Our nice, relaxing "Babymoon" weekend went by quickly but was a welcome respite for us all. It's always fun to explore a new city and only a cruisy hour flight away from Chicago, Toronto was the perfect locale to head to. We didn't plan much and took it fairly easy as I've been losng a lot of steam quicker than usual owing to the pregnancy, of course. We did get to see and do a bit, regardless, including checking out the famous St. Lawerence Market, just down the block from our hotel. We purchased some great local cheeses, marinated veggies and meat pies to have later that day at our hotel, which was more like a full service apartment with kitchenette, in the heart of downtown. The market was similar to the Vic. Market in Melbourne. I miss these sorts of places and only wish we had something similar here in Chicago. We did a bit of shopping along Yonge Street followed by some much needed and appreciated 'Mama-to-Be' spa treatments that Rich arranged for me - heavenly!

On Sunday we headed to the CN Tower, I believe this is still considered the world's tallest tower, for an early lunch at their 360 rotating restaurant. I definately recommend booking at the restaurant as opposed to waiting in line for the few hours to get to the top of the Tower like many, many others did. For $10 more than the regular admission to the Tower top you get a nice meal in a very relaxed setting and truly get to take in the sites of the city without feeling rushed or claustrophobic. We also got to take in the Toronto airshow while having our lunch (doesn't even compare with the Chicago Air Show). Toronto had some similarities to both Melbourne and Chicago, from some of the old Victorian buildings, markets and coffees in Melbourne to being a large city on one of the Great Lakes like Chicago (albeit I don't think Toronto takes full advantage of their proximity to the lake nearly as well as Chitown). 

On the quick hop home I had realized that Weezie has been on 13 flights in utereo including a few trips to Texas and NJ, NY, Florida, DC, and this last trip to Toronto; she's also been on a few road trips to WI, GA, SC, DC. Quite the lil' traveler already! If only we could accrue frequent flyer miles for her as I know through the years, she'll be traveling with us a lot more and the miles would come in handy for our trips back to Oz.

Date night tonight as Rich and I head on a dinner cruise on the lake downtown. Taking advantage of the last 7 remaining weekends as a couple sans baby. Tomorrow we'll be consumed by all things baby as we will be taking an all day "Great Expectations" class at the hospital. We'll be sure to send a follow up as to what we learned.

Oh yeah, this week's Drs. appointment went well. Met a new, great Dr. in the group, Weezie's heartbeat is beating strong at 160 bpm, she's head down but still moving lots and all looking great so far. Results of my 3 hour glucose test were all fine too.

Babymoon and Rookie Moves

Small selection of Weezie's closet

Tomorrow Rich and I leave for our weekend babymoon trip to Toronto, Canada. We love to travel, especially internationally, but I'm really thankful that the flight tomorrow is only about an hour as I've realized during last trip to Dallas that an hour is about the max I can manage these days without getting claustrophobic or uncomfortable on planes or the like. We are looking forward to this trip and I am realizing it is most likely the last flight we will take sans Weezie! We don't have many plans for Toronto except Rich booked me some "Mommy to Be" spa treatments at the hotel we are staying at - The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Spa- on Saturday afternoon. Can't wait! Will be sure to update the blog after the trip.

Only 9 weeks and 3 days until my due date! We are continuing to stay busy and had a great time with my family for our Godson and nephew - Jacob Liam's baptism in Texas a few weeks ago. My mom just left after a week-long visit. Her timing was perfect as I had to take the three-hour glucose test at the Drs. office while she was here as well as appear in traffic court to dispute a ticket and get my license back after making a right hand turn at a red light, an infringement that occurred while Rich's parents were in the car during their visit (note: first ticket I received since I was 16). Thankfully, the glucose test came out fine and I was able to get the traffic court case dismissed. Thanks to mom for her support and company during both experiences.

My friend Katie also hosted a great baby shower for me last weekend with my Chicago-based girlfriends. It was so nice to catch up w. everyone  and am grateful for all of the generous gifts received as well as the effort put into the day to make it such a fun time!

The baby's room is pretty much ready to go we have the crib put together, bedding in place, closet already full of gorgeous lil girl clothes and I've finished up the artwork for the walls (a few modge podges and chalkboards on special frames that I made). Pics to follow. I also recently realized that I have a new addiction of buying baby clothes. There are so many cute things out there for such great, reduced prices, I've pretty much wiped out all of the Baby Gap stores around the Chicago area and refuse to pay full price after seeing the crazy markups. The walk in closet and dresser drawers are already nearly full. She already has a few pairs of skinny jeans, her winter whites including a snowsuit, her first pair of Uggs, Paper and Denim Jean Dress, custom t-shirts and onsies that I've made, Bonds Wondersuits from Oz, a collection of Ralph Lauren winter and spring outfits and a gorgeous vintage wool dress from Ireland that mom kept from when I was a baby-just to name a few.  I just hope the clothes fit her at some stage and that I have the seasons right, esp. since most have already been washed and can't be returned. Rookie move, maybe.

Better get going Weezie is going nuts moving around lots, it's gotten to a cool point where I can see her moving and she shakes my belly, and I have to get ready to meet a friend for lunch.

Home Stretch Approaches

We've reached the home stretch as I approach the third trimester. Only about 90 days to go. I still can't believe just how quickly this pregnancy has gone to date and I am still feeling really great.

Marg and Don left this week to continue with their travels in Europe; Rich spoke to them yesterday and they are having an amazing time in Prague. We had such a nice visit with them over the past month. It's back to a bit of normalcy for us now. Our road trip was lots of fun and just flew by so quickly. Weezie's already seen and done so much and hasn't even been born yet -- from a carriage ride through Charleston's historic streets, walking tours through the Savannah squares in the sweltering heat and enjoying amazing Southern meals to visiting the White House (and even resting on White House furniture in the Green Room) as well as tours of our nation's monuments and museums - it was a great respite, with lots and lots of walking and we are so glad to have enjoyed it all with our parents (and Kevin in Charleston). Weezie was moving a lot, giving everyone kicks, so I think she enjoyed her time too.

We arrived home to boxes of gifts that were delivered to the house, including the crib, stroller system, mobile and pack and play. We are so grateful and thankful for everyone's generosity. We already have everything we received put together and the nursery is coming together nicely. In typical Rich fashion, while unpacking from the trip he took off the tags on all of the baby clothing we received and bought special baby detergent and has already washed all of her clothes.

We now look forward to our next trip to Dallas for lil' Jake's baptism next weekend. We are both very excited to be his Godparents and look forward to some more family time. Dallas trip will be followed up later this month by a visit by my mom, a shower here in Chicago (thanks Katie B!) and a last minute babymoon to Toronto which Rich has arranged. The fun times continue!

PS- It looks like the poll is tied to date. Out of habit I've continued to refer to our lil girl as Weezie but  happy for others to refer to her as Maisie or Weezie Wee, Weezie May, Maisie Wee, etc.. for the time being.

Vote for Name Change

It has been a few weeks since the last entry. Time has definitely flown bye, like good times tend to do. Kris is still aglow with pregnancy.

We are currently in Hammock Beach, Florida at Bill and Jo's place, it is so relaxing. Don and Marg are with us, along with Jen and Freddie and baby Jacob as well and Lisa and Emily (Kristin's Cousin and her daughter). The baby shower was great fun and we love all of the great, generous gifts we've received for the baby. Tomorrow we take off for the road trip which everyone is looking forward to.

Kristin and I have managed to keep the name secret, after a little bit of probing no one has guessed it yet. However, a small yet powerful movement (lead by Marg and Jo) has formed to change the in utero name from Weezie to Maisie. Personally, I am against this movement however as a compromise it has been decided to put it to a vote.

Sadly, Kristin's Grandmother passed away last week. Nani was 96 years old she had 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and counting (not including Weezie). Rest peacefully Nani.

Milestones

Today Rich and I celebrate our third year of wedding bliss- 070707 seems like just yesterday but in retrospect so much has happened since then - moving to Chicago, buying our first place, new jobs, lost jobs, fulfilling a dream of visiting Paris and Rome together, and of course falling pregnant with our lil Weezie- just to name a few.

I know it's been mentioned in previous posts, but since about week 19 I've been able to clearly feel Weezie's movements in utero which is such a cool and exciting new sensation. What makes it even more fun is that as of last week, Rich has also been able to feel a few kicks. We look forward to the coming weeks when we know we'll be feeling her even more as she gets bigger and stronger. The timing of this new milestone is perfect as Rich's parents, Marg and Don, will be arriving from Oz tomorrow for a month-long visit and we head to visit with my family in a week's time. We look forward to spending quality time with everyone and hope Weezie has some kicks to give for everyone to enjoy in the coming weeks. As part of our travels we can't wait for our baby shower in Florida as well as our road trip with both sets of parents from Florida-Savannah-Charleston-DC. We'll be sure to document everything with Rich's new Flip cam, a gift I got him for his birthday.

Weezie stats: Apparently the approximate size of a papaya - 8 inches long; 1.2 lbs. Most active around noon, 4:30pm and 8pm.

Weezie is a GIRL!!!

Kristin and I are happy to announce that we are having a Girl.

Today's ultrasound went extremely well. The Technician and the Doctor were both great, all the necessary checks were done and everything is as it should be, we are thankful parents to be indeed. The very best part was seeing (and then hearing) her heartbeat and then looking on as she waved to us (no, I don't think she meant to).

So, at 20 weeks we are at the halfway point (well Kristin is anyway, I don't really do much come to think of it), and it has really flown by. The second half is sure to go by quickly as well (we hope). We have some travel plans; my folks coming to the US for three weeks starting 8 July and we will be doing an East Coast USA road trip with Kris's parents starting in Palm Coast FL and taking in Savannah, Charleston and Washington DC. We then have our God Son Jacob's baptism in Dallas in mid August. After that we will be settling back home in Chicago to work on the Baby's room and take in the rest of the summer before the craziness really starts.

Thanks so much to all those who have commented and voted. This is heaps of fun for Kristin and I. The name is under wraps until birth, until such time the baby girl is referred to a Weezie.

XY or XX? TBD soon!

Not long to go before we head to our big 20 week appointment on June 22. As mentioned in a previous posting, we switched hospitals and therefore will be meeting with a new doctor for this long-awaited appointment.

It's nearly last call for those of you that haven't cast your vote on what you think lil' Weezie is! Boys at the moment are in the lead although I have a feeling Weezie is a girl. This run of boys being born has to stop at some stage! Either way we're thrilled to find out and hope that Weezie cooperates and there are no issues about finding out during the scheduled appointment. We'll be asking the ultrasound tech to not tell us at the appointment, but rather write it down and put in envelope which we'll open later in the day together. Also hoping to get a DVD of the ultrasound to share w. those interested. Next week is an exciting time, along with the appointment it's also Father's Day here in the U.S. on June 20, Rich is excited that he'll always have two Father's Days as in Oz it's on September 6. It's also Rich's birthday on June 26. So we'll have a bit to celebrate.

We've had a great past few weeks, the Memorial Day weekend trip to Lake Geneva was a welcome get-away but highly unlikely to be anything like the Hampton's as a few Midwesterners claim. The resort we stayed at had it's issues, but we were able to enjoy the pool and get a few good swims in which was nice. Once returning back to Chicago, our good friends Katie and Darrell came for a visit from Florida. We had such a fun time playing tourist and checking out the sites that our great city has to offer as well as catch up with good ol' friends; not to mention, Weezie went to his/her first beer festival in Lincoln Square, Mayfest. Chicago has finally come alive recently owing to some warmer weather, festival season as well as our Blackhawks taking home the Stanley Cup this past Thursday. The vibe in this city has been exciting.