Mothers of Preschoolers

I went to my first MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting this past Monday and it was an interesting experience. Now, before you think we may have a 3 year old that we keep locked in our basement and have yet to bring them up, let me just clarify that MOPS allows women to join that have children aged 0-5. And pregnant women are welcome too. Just wanted to clear that up so you didn't start scratching your heads. =)
I wasn't really sure what to think about the whole affair before I went. In my mind I envisioned women sitting in a circle discussing diaper rash, potty training and Elmo. I was happily surprised when I arrived and found that they had a ladies clothing swap (maternity and non-maternity clothes), a speaker on financial planning, lots of ladies NOT dressed in jumpers, and (last but not least) plenty of good food! Who would have thought?? I'm definitely headed back next month - they're doing a ladies pampering night and there will be chocolate, a coffee bar, paraffin hand dips, a relaxation station and more.

We're having a what???

So we went to Hopkins yesterday for our detailed anatomy ultrasound and we were so excited to learn that the baby is looking totally healthy and normal! We also found out a little bit more about just WHO this little one is going to be...
The ultrasound tech said with a great deal of confidence... "I dont even need to look anymore, this is definitely a little girl!". Both Kevin and I were a bit in shock b/c the doctor at our last ultrasound had told us she thought it was a boy (although it was technically too early to really make out the parts). So we had privately been referring to "him" this and "he" that. We'd even dismissed girl names and focused on the boy names! So... we were both stunned (and delighted!) to learn the news.
I've included some pics for your viewing pleasure. We were fortunate to get a few 3D pics along with the regular ones that really show her facial features well. Enjoy!

Surprise getaway in PA

This past weekend some girlfriends of mine and I pulled one over on our husbands. They all have recently turned 30 so we decided we needed to get them out of the house for a bit of R&R. We kidnapped them at work on Thursday afternoon and drove up to PA to stay at a house in Annville (err... the middle of nowhere). =) The house came complete with an air hockey table, a ping pong table and pool as well as an old organ that the guys had a good time with. We toured the oldest brewery in America (Yuengling) and hit up the go-carts and batting cages. All in all a fun weekend away from everyday life...
Here's a few pics that capture the moments well.

Umm.... those weren't allergies....

Ok, I know its been a long time since you've heard anything from our camp and I had said I'd be updating about once a week. Well, not a lot has happened since the last post - really. Those allergies I thought I had turned out to be a cold that Kevin so lovingly shared with me. I spent a week and a half coughing, blowing my nose and laying around with body aches and no energy. Luckily all I have left is a cough which only comes out when I lie down; this has been making sleep an illusive past time. Last night I was awake until 4am insanely jealous that Kevin was catching the Zzzz's that I was so desperately craving. Finally, I got up and read a while and then drank some warm milk (why does that work, anyway?) and was able to drift off for a whopping 3 hours of beauty rest. I read an article online that said that 78% of pregnant women suffer from insomnia - although I always thought it would happen when I was having trouble getting comfortable because my stomach was taking up half the bed (which isn't the case quite yet). So if you're reading this and have any advice, I'd be willing to take it.

Yeah... I know, really exciting post this time. I meant it when I said not much had been going on since I had been under the weather - and now you believe me! =)

A week and two days until our big ultrasound! Woot! April 18th cant come too quickly. Night all!

Silly Allergies

So it was 80 degrees outside and I (Lauren) went for a bit of a walk to celebrate the coming of Spring. We also slept with the windows open last night and (much to my dismay) I woke up with a sore throat and a general feeling of *blah*ness. Hopefully it passes soon!

A cool thing to mention this week, I think I've been feeling the baby move and I had Kevin try to feel something last night. Now I know that it is early for him to feel something, but he was able to confirm what I had been feeling - a gentle rolling in my lower stomach and then a little tap (like a kick). I don't believe it was any of the other usual suspects (gas, stomach grumbles, etc). I guess we'll only be able to tell as time goes on and the sensations get stronger. It may be cause for a little alarm as babies in our family have a history of being rather large - heaven help me! =)

Alright, I've had complaints that there are no pictures of me on the site yet, so I've included one for the record. It was taken yesterday at 16.5 weeks. I'm definitely wearing maternity pants now, but can still pull of a long shirt of the non-maternity variety. All of my maternity shirts (save for the tanks I'm wearing in the picture) are rather tent-like on me still, but I'm sure I'll be busting out of them soon enough. Enjoy!

Well, I would have told you my thoughts on 30...but

After 30 minutes of writing, IE just crashed out of no-where and I just lost everything. This computer is lucky its still in one piece right now. Sorry but I just don't have it in me to write it all over again.

Well one point to note about turning 30 at least proved itself evident. I've gained a bit of patience; I didn't smash this PC... only fantasized about it.

Grrr..
Kevin

Happy 30th Birthday, Kev!

Kev is officially 30 - today! His body must be feeling it because he woke up with body aches, a sore throat and nasal congestion. Poor kid!

On Saturday, we celebrated the big milemarker with a day of adventure. We started by driving to Frederick so Kev could try his hand at flying a helicopter - something he's been dying to do ever since he started flying them in Battlefield 1942: Desert Combat (its a computer game - for those of you that aren't married to geeks!). He had an awesome time and we may have created a monster as he's itching to get back in the air. Here's some pics to chronicle the moment....

After that we hit up Houlihans - one of our favorite restaurant chains. Then, we checked out World Market, a variety shop with kitchen items and international food. That evening, we had a surprise party for him at the house with lots of food and good friends. We a blast that night! Here's some candid shots....

Needless to say, Saturday was a full, but fun, day! Gotta figure you only turn 30 once and birthdays from here on out are probably going to be a bit different - with the addition of a kid and all. Gotta live it up while we have the chance. =)

Signs that you're old...

So, everyone in our neighborhood has been patiently waiting in hopeful expectation for a new grocery store to open just down the street. Its a new grocery store for the immediate area (Redners Warehouse Market) and Kevin and I toured one north of here and thought it had a lot to offer and really good prices. So, it was supposed to open next week (March 14) and the opening date has been on my calendar for months! We only have one other grocery store in the area and they don't have a good selection and their prices are high. So in all of my glee, I emailed the company to confirm the opening date and much to my dismay they wrote back to say that they're delayed until sometime in May. WHAT!!!! My whole world is going to collapse! Going to the new store was the highlight of my week - heck (besides Kevin's birthday) the highlight of my month! *Sigh* When did grocery store openings become such big events our lives? Ha!

Hello, 2nd Trimester!

So, we're 14 weeks along and the pictures and info about the kiddo are just incredible. Take a look for yourself!.

Its been a bit of a quiet week. Kevin is on business in Phoenix (in 87 degree weather!) and I've been minding the animal house. =) We have an extra cat for a while during Kevin's parents tour of Florida. Let me tell you, the jump from 2 to 3 cats is more noticeable than I thought. There's always a cat underfoot or on your lap or getting into trouble... maybe that's the same way with kids too!

I (Lauren) have had a bit of a realization this week. Those of you that know me well know that I like to cram a lot of stuff into a little bit of time. I'm rather optimistic about what can be done in a short period of time (but to my credit, I do think I've been getting better!). Well, I had a slight relapse on Wednesday night and ran errands until about 8pm. Then I stayed up until 1145 cleaning the house and making brownies for work and a cheesecake. As I crawled into bed, I realized... I better get all this "cramming in" out of the way, because adding a kid to the mix is definitely going to slow me down considerably. Ah well... I guess I'll just have to make a list of all of the stuff I want to finish before September (my husband is now rolling his eyes as he's reading this).

Our nasty basment transformed!

Over the past month and half we've had our basement transformed by our good friend and contractor Marshall. He's done a stellar job of doing a complete makeover downstairs and our once nasty, moldy basement is dry, clean and best of all - really inviting! We have yet to get carpet - it wont arrive for a few weeks, yet. But you should be able to get a good idea what its going to look like once its done.

I should also mention that the old blue couch is officially gone. Woot!

Here's the before pics:







Here's a few transitional pics:





And here's what it looks like now!