Chicago Blizzard of 2011

Well...  We just experienced the 3rd Largest Snow Storm in Chicago History!  When the Weather Channel started talking about this storm on Sunday, no one really believed that it would be this huge.  Probably because these weather people always say we are going to get snow and it seems to miss us.  But just in-case their predictions were correct, I decided to get some groceries on Monday morning.  It sure was crazy out there!  

It started about 3 PM yesterday (Tuesday, February 1, 2011).  It didn't really seem like we were getting a lot of snow because the winds were so strong.  You could actually stand by the windows and feel it.  Kind-of crazy at times and the winds got up to 70 MPH at the lakefront.  And, we are just a couple of blocks from Lake Michigan.  Personally, I think we got hit the hardest around Chicagoland.  

Chris and I decided to relax as soon as the storm started yesterday...  We watched cartoons, movies, and took naps in his office with the pull-out couch.  It is always so cozy in there.  We checked on the storm from time-to-time but again it was always hard to tell how much snow we were actually getting because the winds were so strong!  Finally, we decided to go to bed late and didn't really know what we would be waking up to this morning!

When we woke-up this morning, the first thing we did was go look out the window!  There was a car across the street that was half-way covered in snow...  It was a crazy sight!  BUT we didn't even begin to imagine the amount of snow we got until we decided to take an adventure outside.  We got all bundled up...  WOW!  We opened our front door and couldn't believe the snow drifts.  IT TRULY WAS LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!  By this time, it was already snowing and very windy AGAIN!  

We walked in the middle of the road to Lake Michigan...  Took tons of photos!  If you haven't seen them, we posted them on FB this morning!  There were several cars that were completed covered in snow and the only thing you could see was the side mirrors!  I would say that in some areas the snow drifts were 6-feet!  THAT IS TALLER THAN US!

Lakeshore Dr is completely shut down and still is right now... Cars were abandoned there last night.  Even when we ventured out this morning, there were cars just left in places.  Strange sight to see!  Chicago Public Schools were closed for the first time since 1999 and are even closed tomorrow too!  Businesses are closed and we are STUCK INSIDE!  We couldn't even get out if we wanted too.  Our back alley way is full of snow and a car was abandoned there last night.  WOW!  

I was starting to get cabin fever earlier...  Called the Subway up the street thinking we could walk there for a sandwich and one of their new raspberry cheesecake cookies and they were even closed!!!  We both are trying to enjoy this quite time because things are about to get very busy for us, personally and professionally BUT it is hard to just sit around!  

We were suppose to have an OB Appointment today at 1:00 PM but the office called early this morning AND everything was closed today.  So...  Not sure when we will get to see Dr. Swenson.  I am hoping on Friday.  I doubt they would want me to go 2-weeks before seeing her since we are so close to having Brixen.  But who knows...

Our Adventure in the Chicago Blizzard of 2011

Brixen's Nursery

FINISHED - Brixen's Nursery!  It is all done and ready for our Baby Boy!  It sure was fun organizing and putting everything together!  It turned out better than we could have ever imagined.  Chris and I are both very happy with the end result of our SON'S NURSERY!  Can't wait to show you all!  Below are photos.  After the photos, there are two videos (Part One and Part Two).  ENJOY!

Photos of Brixen's Nursery

 Video of Brixen's Nursery (Part One)

Video of Brixen's Nursery (Part Two)

NOW THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS!!!  LET'S HOPE THAT BRIXEN WAITS UNTIL GRANDPA GETS HERE FROM FLORIDA ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011!

 

Week #37 - Full Term!!!

Week #37

Full Term Baby Bump!!!

WE MADE IT...  We are Full-Term!  Woohoo...  This is very exciting because if Brixen were to come NOW, he is considered Full-Term.  But I think he will wait a bit longer.  DON'T FORGET TO PLAY OUR ONLINE BABY POOL!  I will send out an email and FB message as a reminder.  I will probably close it within the next 7 to 10-days!  

Since yesterday we were Full-Term...  We decided to CELEBRATE!  Chris and I went to the movies.  True Grit!  It was pretty good.  Dragged a little bit in the middle but overall a good movie.  The girl in the movie was a great actress, perfect for the role.  We enjoyed some movie popcorn with butter and jalapeno peppers...  Yummy!  Oh, and, a big glass of soda (diet)!  We had a very nice time.  We enjoy going to the movies so hoping to get a couple more in before Baby Brixen arrives!

After the movies, we walked around at World Market.  I LOVE THAT PLACE!  We have a lot of furniture from there.  Looks great in our place and hoping to do a lot more shopping this year.  Definitely want to add a few pieces to our Living Area.  Going to re-design our Master Bedroom and my Office.  I already have a ton of ideas in my head!  LOL!

We also went to Barnes & Nobles...  We love going to the book store.  Didn't stay as long as we usually do because my back was starting to get sore.  Chris got a Star Wars Magazine and I bought a cute notebook to keep track of my Breastfeeding schedule.  :)  I love cute little notebooks!  Off to the grocery store after that...  I decided I wanted to make us a nice dinner!  I LOVE to cook but lately, I felt like by the end of the day, I haven't had much energy.  I was feeling great yesterday and still feeling great this morning!  :)

I made Peppercorn Pork Loin with Homemade Mashed Potatoes and a Salad.  It was delicious!!!  WOW!  It was a great meal and we were stuffed afterward.  We haven't had a meal like that in a long time.  We also bought some filets that are wrapped in bacon at the store and planning to make those probably Sunday night.  Yummy!  It was a nice evening...  We had dinner at our big table and it was set all nice! 

As far as this past week went...  IT WAS GREAT!  Productive week.  Looking forward to the upcoming week and trying to finish a lot of things before Brixen's arrival.  But, if not, it can wait until I decide to return to our business.  Not sure when that will be exactly.  I LOVE WHAT WE DO!  So...  I am sure I will start doing a little bit here and there.  Can't wait to spend that time with our SON!

No big plans for the weekend...  Just spending some quality time with each other and doing the "little things" that we enjoy.  Antique Shopping...  Target...  Starbucks...  Etc.  So fun to be able to just tinker around with my wonderful Husband and Best Friend.  I LOVE MY HUSBAND SO MUCH!  Have a great weekend everyone!  Check back later for updated photos on Brixen's Nursery and a fun video!  

OBGYN Appointment: 01.26.2011

Chris and I just got home from our OB Appointment.  It was suppose to be at 1:30 PM but we didn't even get called in until about 2:00 PM.  Sometimes we wait once we are in the actual room but not usually that long out in the waiting room.  No big deal...  We just start to get antsy and HUNGRY!  :)

Dr. Swenson said she had to send a patient to Labor & Delivery.  That was why it was taking so long.  Our appointment went well.  I have gained a total of 26-pounds, which is great!  I hope it doesn't take me too long to lose it all.  I can't wait to get back into a work-out routine.  I miss my morning work-outs.  I got too lazy during the First Trimester because of being so tired.  So, throughout our pregnancy, I just walked a lot.  My blood pressure was also great.  And, I am measuring right on-schedule.  She said that at 37-weeks, your belly should measure anywhere between 34-inches and 37-inches.  Mine measured 35-inches.  I don't think my belly will grow that much larger and I probably won't put on much more weight.  

Brixen's Heart Beat was 145.  It was music to our hears.  We LOVE hearing our Son's Heart Beat.  Dr. Swenson also did a Vaginal Strep Test.  I guess this is done with every patient who is planning to have a Vaginal Delivery.  It was quick and easy!  She said that unless I am having contractions, she probably won't start checking me until 38-weeks.  Next Wednesday when we go, I will be 37-weeks and 5-days.  So, I am not sure if she will check me or not.  I guess we will find out next week.  We are now on weekly appointments, every Wednesday at 1:00 PM.  I scheduled them through Wednesday, February 23, 2011.  

All-in-all it was a great appointment.  I am anxious to go back weekly now because we are getting so close.  We asked her a few questions.  Chris mentioned to her that he had a Contraction Timer App!  They have an App for everything these days!  She was excited to tell her other patients about it.  I asked her if I needed to bring anything to the hospital for Brixen.  She said just clothes and that the hospital would provide everything else.  I am almost done packing our bags!  THIS FRIDAY WE WILL OFFICIALLY BE FULL-TERM!!!

Mommy and Daddy-to Be

Chris and I didn't get professional photos taken of us during our pregnancy.  It is the middle of Winter!  I am feeling HUGE and WHITE!  I bet if we were in our final weeks of pregnancy in the Summer months I would have felt differently.  So...  My Sister and Brother-in-Law snapped some photos of us prior to leaving on Sunday.  It was very nice of them and something we will be able to look back on in years to come.  Check them out!

Check back tomorrow...  We finished Brixen's Nursery!  We are going to take photos and a video later tonight.  I plan to blog about it tomorrow.  Brixen' Nursery turned out amazing and we are both very happy with it.  On Wednesday, we have an OB Appointment.  So, I will also blog about that sometime on Wednesday.

Fun Weekend (Despite Bears Lost)

On Friday, my Mom took the train into Chicago for a visit.  We picked her up downtown and it was so nice to see her!  She hasn't been to Chicago since Easter so we had a lot to show her.  We got back to our house and the first thing we did was look at Brixen's Nursery.  I made her close her eyes until she got into the Nursery.  She loved it!  

The first thing I wanted to do was show my Mom the hospital where Brixen will be born and how to get there from our house.  We drove there and actually went into the hospital.  I was able to show her the waiting room and also Labor/Delivery.  So glad I was able to do that.  Now she knows where to go (I hope)!

We had a nice lunch at Olive Garden.  Afterward, we did some shopping at Babies R Us and Target.  We had $25 Babies R Us Dollars to spend and it was expiring so I had to buy something...  Brixen really doesn't need anything!  So, I decided on some more clothes!  :)  Can't really go wrong with that, especially because they are so cute!  I got a couple of 3-month outfits and a couple of 6-month outfits.  Mom bought her Grandson a Lion toy too.  When you roll the wheels, the Lion ROARS!  It was too cute and a must to buy!  Thanks, GramJo!

At Target, I picked out a Nursing Bra.  I have three Nursing Tank Tops.  So, I should be good in that department now.  We did a lot of walking on Friday and surprisingly, I didn't get tired at all!  Guess it was just one of those energy-filled days.  But my feet definitely started to get sore after our time at Babies R Us and Target.

We headed home...  Friday night, we took Mom to Lou Malnati's for some Chicago Deep Dish Pizza!  She has never had it before and we are always talking about it.  Chris got his usual, pepperoni and garlic.  I eat that all the time so decided to go with the mushroom, olives, and garlic with my Mom.  It was delicious.  She had 2-pieces and really enjoyed herself.  

We stayed up late on Friday night because my Sister and Brother-in-Law were driving here from the suburbs.  They drove into Chicago earlier Friday to see Pablo Francisco at The Improv in Schaumburg.  We haven't seen them in awhile because they both were sick at Christmas.  So, it was so good to see them both and have us all together at our place in Chicago!
 

Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Kyle got Brixen a very, very cute zip-up vest from Old Navy.  It is navy blue and so adorable.  I can't wait for him to wear it.  Kyle's parents, Tony and Lisa, bought Brixen a Lion Stuffed Animal.  It is so cute!  It is a round, plush Lion.  I plan on posting photos of Brixen's Nursery soon so check back to see the Lion!  But for now, here is a photo of my Mom and I in Brixen's Nursery.  I look a bit tired but I guess that is normal for being 9-months pregnant!

Saturday, Chris made breakfast for all of us and we took Mom back downtown to the train.  It was very hard to say good-bye because the next time we see her, we will be in the hospital having Brixen.  It could be one-week, two-weeks, three-weeks, or four-weeks.  Hopefully, not too much past 4-weeks.  We had a wonderful Mother/Daughter Day and I was so glad we got to spend some quality time together.  We even finished Brixen's Nursery...  The final touches came in the mail on Saturday while my Mom and Sister were at our place.

Saturday, we spent most of the day just hanging out with Ashlee and Kyle.  We went to Target and Best Buy.  It is always fun to tinker around at those places.  We bought a Toy Box for Brixen's Nursery, which we are using for his many blankets and toys.  Chris and Kyle bought NFL and UFC cards.  They both LOVE opening those and it was fun to watch!

We took them to one of our favorite places...  Dengeo's on Saturday night.  Both Chris and Kyle had ribs.  Kyle loved them.  Ashlee had some fried shrimp and I had my usual, gyro sandwich and a salad.  Yummy!  After that huge meal, we were all tired but decided to play some Yahtzee!  Kyle WON!  Chris got last place and I got 2nd to last place.  Guess we aren't very good at that game.  Chris is a genius when it comes to trivia games!  

We all fell asleep early even though we had rented Wall Street.  I still want to see that movie!  I slept great...  By now, I am use to getting up to go to the bathroom.  I got up early to take a shower and dry my hair.  Chris wanted Ashlee and Kyle to take some photos of us in Brixen's Nursery since we didn't get professional ones done.  They turned out nice and I plan to blog about the photos soon.  

It is hard to believe that the next time we see Ashlee and Kyle they will be here for Brixen's Birth!  WOW!  Chris and I both are so glad we were able to spend some time just us 4 again.  We had a blast and can't wait for them to both meet their nephew, Brixen!  Thanks for coming to visit, Ashlee and Kyle!  

Well...  The whole entire weekend was great until the BEARS LOST TO THE PACKERS IN THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!  What the heck happened?  The Bears looked awful...  It was very depressing to watch and sad to know that football season is officially over for us.  I don't really care to watch the Super Bowl because I dislike the Packers.  However, since Chris and I are obsessed with football, I am sure we will still watch it.  I am now hoping that the Jets win against the Steelers.  I remember saying in the beginning of the season, "What if the Bears go to the Super Bowl and we go into labor?"  LOL!  We were just one game away...  But now I truly believe we will have Brixen on 02.22.2011.  Here are some photos we took before the Bears Game.  

 

Week #36

Week #36

Baby Bump Photo

Getting Closer to Brixen's Arrival

9-MONTHS TODAY!  Wow...  Week #36 officially starts the 9th month and again, where did those 9-months go?  We were trying to think of that this week.  I guess when you are always having fun in life, time goes by so fast.  That's why you ALWAYS have to cherish every moment.  Enjoy and appreciate what you have in life!

I am still feeling pretty good!  Sleeping well at night but getting up a lot to use the bathroom.  By now, I am use to it.  :)  I am sleeping very well at night, which I am surprised because it seems like having a hard time sleeping is one of the things that happens towards the end of pregnancy.  So, I am very thankful for sleep!  

Starting to feel pretty HUGE!  But I am LOVING pregnancy.  My Husband has been so wonderful and we have been blessed to have such a great pregnancy.  However, we are ready to meet our little boy, Brixen.  It is hard not to think about Brixen ALL THE TIME!  Especially, since we work from home, I find myself wandering into his Nursery just looking at all his stuff.  Yes...  LOOKING AT IT!  :)  It is such a wonderful, unexplainable feeling!  

We had a pretty good week...  I took Friday off because my Mom came to town on the train.  I will be blogging later about our Fun Weekend.  My Sister and Brother-in-Law also came to visit.  Since I have been off the past 3-days, I am anxious to get back to working.  I love what we do and there is a lot of things coming up too.  I love Mondays!  :)

But for now...  I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend.  The Bears Game starts in about 3-hours and WE CAN'T WAIT!  This is a HUGE game for us.  We WIN this game and it is off to the SUPER BOWL!  WOW!  Where did the football season go?  I remember saying back in September when it started, "What if the Bears are in the Super Bowl and we go into labor?"  Now...  We are just ONE GAME AWAY!  LET'S GO BEARS!!!