Happy 5th Anniversary, Chad!

On Saturday, June 26th, Chad and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary!  It's crazy to think that 5 years have already gone by since we were in Vegas at the Bellagio with our family and friends!!  At the same time, we have been together for almost 11 years...how wild is that?  I have a few friends that are getting married this summer or soon and it's fun to remember what it was like to be a fiance and to plan a wedding.  I thought I would be sad when the wedding was over but I don't miss being engaged one bit.  I absolutely without no hesitation can say I am so happy to be where I am in my life.

My parents took Jordan for the weekend so we could hang out together.  I'm glad we were able to spend a few days just the two of us before our family changes and becomes a family of four!  It was nice to go out to eat, see a movie, shop, and just relax with each other.  We talked about how much we love Jordan and how he's going to be a big brother.  We talked about the new baby and how we can't wait to meet him or her.  What is he/she going to look like?  Are we 100% sure about the names we have chosen?  (Speaking of which, it's scary to know we've kept our names secret for this whole entire time and to know soon we'll share the name with everyone and you never know what comments people are going to make...come to think of it, I think we talked more about that than the names themselves...we're worried about what people are going to say!  Sad, isn't it?  In the end, I suggested Chad tell everyone they don't need to comment on or question the name but just say the baby is so cute and leave it at that!)

See our beautiful cake?!?!  My cousin, Silvia, made it for us!  When we were married and had our reception in Vegas we didn't have an actual wedding cake.  We had dessert at the reception and Chad and I fed each other yummy chocolate cake from the bakery at Bellagio, but we decided not to have an actual big wedding cake.  We did look at cakes and there was a cake from a bakery out in Vegas that we would have picked...and that's what Silvia made!  It turned out so cute and tasted yummy, too!  It was my surprise to Chad!

Speaking of Chad, I am so thankful to have him in my life and to be able to call him all mine!!!  I remember when I caught a glimpse of him in the dorms and thought he was so cute.  He's only gotten hotter as the years have gone on.  I'm 39 weeks pregnant and everything drives me up the wall and I have absolutely no patience but he's still a great hubby and father no matter what.  We have fun with each other and I know he's always there for me no matter what.  I love knowing I married my very best friend.  
 

37 Weeks

Sheesh, I haven't posted lately...I've been in a funk in general.  It's weird to think that being home for the summer and having nothing to do makes it hard to get things done.  I do much better when I'm on a schedule.  I think it's one of the reasons it would be hard for me to be a stay-at-home mom.  I realize it's a hard job and it's just not for me.  

I love that Chad and I are both teachers and we get to stay home together all summer, but it does make for some long days sometimes...especially being pregnant and with hot weather.  The rain has been crazy lately and we haven't been to the water park because of all the rain we've had.  We have had some nice days.  

Last week I hit 37 weeks!  Here's a picture in the morning before we dropped Jordan off at camp:  

Me and the hubster

Jordan - he's looking more and more like a big boy lately!

After camp, I picked Jordan up and we met our friends at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  We went to see their outdoor train exhibit.  They loved it!  See, Jordan is all smiles!!!

Alex, Jordan, and Maddy

Jordan, Maddy, and Alex - I actually got a picture of the all looking and smiling! Go me!

Gaff Giveaway! and Me Update

For all of My Front Porch followers, I am hosting a giveaway over Teach Mentor Texts starting today!  Don't miss out!  I got to interview the author and gain some really cool insight into her life as a writer...plus the giveaway!  Gotta love it!

It's finally a beautiful sunny day here!  I'm so excited!  Jordan will be at his mini-preschool camp this morning...while I get a fun mom morning.  I'm cashing in my free beverage at Starbucks, getting a pedicure, and then roaming Target.  It's going to be fun.  I also have a great book to finish (YA) and one that looks really good to pick up at the library.  That's only the morning.  

We've been slowly getting more and more ready for our new baby to come.  I have my hospital bag pretty much packed.  I did a couple loads of laundry with Deft (love it!) and even found some drawers that can be solely for the baby.  Jordan's drawers need to be figured out a little bit, I did make piles of his clothes but I hate transitioning from cooler weather to warmer weather.  We have a bucket that I got at my shower from my aunt, Guise, filled with the new baby toys and books just for the baby.  Jordan has been talking more and more about the baby.  I have noticed that he's been pretty snuggly with us lately.  He gives us lots of hugs and snuggles.  I think he realizes things are going to change when the baby comes.   I think that baby is getting ready to come...I've had cramps the last few nights/days which should mean I'm dilating at least a little bit.  My next appointment is tomorrow (Thursday) so we'll see then what my Dr. says.  Exciting times!

The One Where I Turn 30!

Egads!  I can't believe I'm 30 already.  At the same time, I'm so happy with my wonderful life, I wouldn't want to be anything but 30!  I had a fun day: presents with Chad and Jordan in the morning, breakfast at IHOP, shopping at the mall, relaxing the rest of the day.  It was great.  This weekend we celebrated with family at Sweet Tomato's (healthy and vegetarian-friendly!).  

Jordan got to ride the train at the mall - that makes him sooooooo happy!  Choo choo!

This one's for you Chad - have I mentioned he thinks he's wants to be Danny Gokey?  (Hence, the peace sign...sigh.)

Jordan's Big Brother Class!

On Monday night after spending the day at Great America (you can see pictures at Kathy's blog...I didn't take any good ones!), Jordan went to his sibling preparation class at the hospital.  It was so cute to see him participating with the other kids who were there.  He went to sit with the kids at the front of the room and answered and asked questions.  Of course, he told the nurse he was having a baby sister even though we've told him again and again that we don't know if we're having a boy or a girl.  I'm curious dying to find out if he's got big brother intuition or just wishful thinking!   

He got to go up to the nursery to see a baby in the window and then to visit a room that I could possibly be staying in when I deliver the baby.  The nurse showed him my fun bed and that he could bring movies to watch on the TV.  Jordan came home all excited to get some movies to bring to the hospital with him.  He knows he's going to be staying with Gramma and Papa and that they'll bring him to the hospital to visit us and the baby.  I am so excited I can't even begin to explain.  My official due date is July 7th, which means on Wednesday it'll be three weeks away!  There's a chance I'll be induced early...and or go into labor early...you never know!

Here's a picture of me from last week.  Chad commented today that I'm not nearly as big as I was with Jordan because evidently I was "seriously going to explode with him."  I did have an ultrasound this week and everything is looking great.  The doctor said I have a good chance of having a normal-sized baby this time (because Jordan was 10 pounds!!!!).  I just want a healthy baby - big or small!

Baby Sprinkle!!!

School is finally out so now I'm in hyper-baby mode!  My mom and sister helped me get into gear by throwing us a sprinkle this weekend!  It was so sweet of them to do, we needed lots of things (mainly because we have bought basically nothing yet...).  It was fun to get together with family for the afternoon.  

My grandma, Mamita, rocked at the first shower game!!!  Here she is trying to beat the clock and fold up baby socks!

Jordan sporting his new "I'm the Big Brother" shirt that Aunt Jacquie made for him!

The bootie-shaped diaper cake!

The bootie cake - sooooooo good!

I am anxiously awaiting this baby!!!  I can't wait to meet him or her and to have a baby in our home again.  I really feel like it's getting closer now.  I can't wait to find a place for all the great gifts we got for this new little bundle of joy!

Big Boy Bike!

Last week, Chad took Jordan out to ride his bike around the neighborhood for the first time.  He had ridden in the driveway a little, but not for a long time.  He actually made it all the way around.  At first he was really cautious and wanted Chad to be holding him but then he got more and more comfortable and he was cruising before long!  He had to announce to every person we passed that he was riding his new bike all by himself.  

He's a Stud, She's a Slut

He's a Stud, She's a Slut, 

and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know

By Jessica Valenti

I've had this book on my list of books to read since at least last year and I finally got around to reading it (mostly while sitting on a hard, wooden bench while Chad and Jordan rode rides at Great America).  I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an outspoken feminist, but I am proud to be a woman and there are some things that really bother me.  This book is full of double standards evident in society today when it comes to men and women.  The title refers to the fact that if a guy sleeps with lots of women he's considered a stud, while a woman can sleep with lots of men - or not even - just have the reputation as dating lots of men and she is labeled a slut.  It was interesting to read about how many double standards there are that I kind of overlook.  

One that I have realized now that I am raising Jordan has to do with the gender-biased toys.  Jordan hangs out with lots of girls at daycare all day so he knows all of the Disney princesses and has seen pretty much all of their movies.  When given a chance he would much rather play with trains and trucks but he does like all kinds of toys.  He likes imagining and making food and I considered getting him a microwave for Christmas (because we have no room for an entire kitchen setup) but a certain French store I visited only had pink microwaves.  Hmm...what kind of message is that sending our girls?  Hate.

The other thing that really drives me crazy is that boys are supposed to be all tough, and then if they're not, there are those like-nails-on-a-chalkboard comments that refer to boys as being weak like girls: "Don't be such a girl," "You're such a sissy," (or insert another such words I soooo hate).  And here's one that drives me insane: "Don't be such a Sally...or Mary."  It's so not cool to be a girl.  What about girls who want to play sports or play in the dirt or like dinosaurs - oh, they're tomboys and that's really not all that big of a deal.  Extra-hate.

I'm proud to be a strong, opinionated woman.  I'm a mom and I love it.  I'm a wife and I love it.  I have a college degree and post-graduate degree and a career and I love it.  I'm a woman and I love it!

What do you think about the state of women in our country?  Have you experienced any of these or other double standards?  Please, share!

Great America Fail

I said earlier that we went to Great America on Monday to try out their water park...but it poured on us before they even opened.  We were in the park riding rides when it just started to rain and then really drench us.  We had to race back to the car.  Jordan and Chad at least got to ride one ride!

Water Park Mania!

I cannot even being to describe to you how elated I am that the water park is open now!  We had a great time there on Saturday and Sunday!  We get season passes so we can go whenever we want for as long (or short) as we want.  It's awesome.  It's perfect that it's barely a five minute drive, too.  

On Monday I convinced Chad to take us to Great American to try their water park because we've never been...but it poured on us...I'll post a pic of that later.  We did, however, get to the water park on Tuesday night after work.  I just love it.  I especially love it being as pregnant as I am because my belly floats and it doesn't weigh me down and make me tired and whiny like it does when I'm out of the water!  

Here's my little peanut sitting in the water!  You can tell by his smile that he loves the water park, too!

Jordan and mom

BFFs!

All my fun baby shower craftiness was for Emily this weekend!  Emily and April are my two bestest friends from college.  It was fun to get my belly together with Emily's belly.  I just had to post this picture.  I feel like I don't get to see these girls enough!

Emily, April, and Jen