Daily Shout Out

Happy birthday, Crystal! So glad you had such a wonderful weekend in Duluth :) :) :)

Happy first anniversary, Anna and Robert! Can't believe it has already been a year - where did it go?!?

Benjamin - only 3 weeks until you come home! Good luck with the last few days of school and finals!!

Lily - so close to finishing your first year of law school!! Hope these next few weeks fly by and that finals/competition goes amazingly well!!

33 1/2 Weeks

What a busy - and fun - birthday week!! Here are just some of the highlights:

Tuesday night, my parents treated Mike and I to dinner at Mango Thai (http://mangothaimn.com/). Despite being a complete hole-in-the-wall, the food was simply delicious! And an Izzy's ice cream cone made for the perfect dessert :)

Wednesday (my actual birthday) started with breakfast in bed and was followed by prenatal yoga at Blooma and a birthday lunch with Mike at our favorite restaurant :) The night ended with a highly recommended, fun and easy homemade dinner (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Breast-with-Salsa-242444) and dessert to die for at Cafe Latte. 

Friday evening we spent catching up with the Christopherson's - amazing food (curtesy of Mrs. C), great conversation and awesome company :)

Saturday was spent Frye boot shopping (my birthday gift from Mikey)! I was bummed we couldn't find anything though...or should I say, couldn't find any boots....because we certainly found the JCrew sale section... :) The afternoon ended with manicures, Beka's treat, and the evening with dinner at Tara's with Megan and Sophia.

Last but not least, Sunday :) Mike and I woke up early to search for our Easter baskets before heading out to an overly packed Nativity Church service. We then headed to my parents to find another pair of Easter baskets full of way too much candy and little gifts for the babe! After indulging in the multitude of sweets and the tradition monkey bread, the four of us sat down for a superb brunch of steak, eggs, freshly baked rolls and grilled veggies :) With full stomachs, Mike and I set off for the 1:10 Twins Game and couldn't have asked for better weather!! Sitting just 10 rows up from the third baseline, Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed our dugout box seats, the accompanying "Third Base Lounge" and a Twins win. From there, we set off for our final destination - aunt Marcia and uncle Pat's farm - for the annual Cunningham Easter celebration (aka more food, more fun and more outdoor, beautiful Spring weather)! Then it was back to our apartment, to put up our feet, snuggle up on our little love seat, and watch Dexter Season 1.

Couldn't have asked for a better birthday week and Easter :) 

Daily Shout Out

Happy 19th Birthday, Benny Boo Boo Boo!! No matter how old you get and how tall you grow, you will forever be my little bro :)

Props to Luke for building a kick ass dark matter-discovering physics apparatus and for making it into the New York Times! Never been more proud of you :)

Congrats to Meghan on her amazing Senior Art Show! You are one talented lady :) And to Amanda for completely the MCAT this past Saturday!!

And to Mike - Who's the man? Mike's the man. Yes, only he would walk into his second month of work and win his first March Madness Pool at Tornier - all the while representin' like a Gee!

And finally, to this little babe who recently discovered its ability to perform gymnastics inside my tummy...

The babe can come any day now because...

the stroller is finally here :)

I don't know why, but throughout this pregnancy I have become absolutely obsessed with strollers! I think having babysat for the last 10 years, I have come to appreciate the quality found in a good stroller. But my obsession reaches far beyond just an appreciation...

After months of researching and several hundred trips to Baby Grand and after stalking most everyone pushing a baby stroller, Mike and I finally decided on the Mamas and Papas Sola. We set aside a special time tonight to put it together - we pulled it out of the box, slowly unwrapped it, only to discover all we had to do was click in the 4 wheels :)

30 Weeks

Wow - how time flies! 30 weeks already :)

So far I would honestly have to say that I have really enjoyed being pregnant. I have had few symptoms to truly complain about - no heartburn, no swelling, no achy muscles, no achy lower back, no contractions, no stretch marks (keeping my fingers crossed!), no weird cravings at odd hours, little to no nausea, few mood swings (although Mike might say differently) - and Mike and I have never been closer. 

Our Tuesday night prenatal class has been a blast to go to the past four weeks and I can't believe we only have one more class left. It has been a lot of fun to go with someone who is as enthusiastic and interested as I am. And it is fun to keep the discussion going even after class - but also good that baby isn't the only thing we find ourselves talking about.

We toured the hospital yesterday and both left with really good vibes. I mean who wouldn't get excited about complementary massages, aromatherapy, acupuncture and a variety of other alternative forms of relaxation?!? I realize that what will accompany these things are also hours and hours of pain and stress and perhaps even some (or a lot) frustration and anxiety, but I can't help but to be excited. Labor will be really difficult but it is the culmination of something we have both been waiting for for 9 months and also the beginning of something so awesome. These feelings might change in roughly 10 weeks, but I am glad that I am not dreading and fearing the end already.

After touring the hospital, we enjoyed our traditional weekend Chipotle (YUM) and then explored Grand Ave all the while soaking up the beautiful, sunny, 55 degree spring weather. We bought our stroller at Baby Grand (Mike's idea - GREAT idea) and visited our soon-to-be couch at Pottery Barn. While we have to wait a week for the stroller and another 2 months for our sectional, I am so excited that we are starting to get everything ready :) My dad is busy making the crib; my mom is almost done with the crib bedding; I have already made a stroller blanket and a diaper bag (and have curtains and a growth chart on my list of homemades as well); and Mike brainstorms everyday about the changes and additions we could make to our apartment to make it even more homey and Mike-Grace-baby ready.

Last night was spent watching the final four games with good friends (Craig, Natalie and Scotty). And while I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them baby-free, it is fun knowing that they are just as pumped for the new addition as we are - and that fun nights like these won't change much even with the baby.   

All in all, I think what I am most grateful for so far this pregnancy is that everything seems to be falling into place. When we chose to have a baby back in September, we didn't know where we were going to live come June; we didn't really have a steady, long-term paycheck; we didn't have our own insurance. But we had each other. And we had the same hopes, dreams and fears about our future together. And we had a lot of love and excitement and passion for life. And when it comes down to it, those are the things that we value above all else. But it sure helps to have a job you love, a home you want to make memories in, and a family that will always be there for you - not to mention insurance, a steady income and an affordable rent payment :) 

Washington D.C.

Grace's March Madness Weekend Mania Top 10:

10. Having the whole family together for the first time since Christmas and the only time before the baby is born
9. Getting up at 4:45 am for a 6:10 am flight - having the whole day to chill with Ben and mom
8. Staying at a hotel located within walking distance of absolutely everything
7. The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Veteran's Memorial, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space, Smithsonian National Museum of Art...
6. Finding a bathroom after visiting all of the above
5. Getting up early and exploring the neighborhood with Mike - happening upon the local farmer's market and discovering a pub equipped with 15+ flat screens to watch futbol and basketball
4. The beautiful blue skies and sunny 75 degree weather
3. Watching Kemba Walker tear it up LIVE
2. Witnessing an amazing finish to an amazing upset between Pitt and Butler

AND

1. 2-night sleepover with Luke, Lily, Ben and Mike in one comfy, cozy hotel room

Mike's March Madness Weekend Mania Top 10:

10. The Weather
9. Watching Grace "waddle" around DC
8. Seeing all the touristy things (reference Grace's Post)
7. Eating out
6. Sleeping on a bed, rather than in a closet
5. Flying as a family for the first time (Grace, Baby and Me)
4. THE John Coleman Tour
3. Farmer's Market
2. Watching Manchester City v Chelsea in a Pub-Like Bar in DC

AND

1.Watching Pitt v Butler & Cincinnati v Connecticut

March Madness

I love family traditions. Last year, it was a super short, but very sweet trip to the final four in Indianapolis, IN. Mike, Ben, my mom, dad and I flew into Chicago Saturday morning and then hopped into our rental car for the 3 hour trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. We made it with just enough time to buy final four shirts and snap a few pics outside the buzzing stadium.

Inside we watched Butler barely squeeze past Michigan State in a final of 52-50 and Duke knock off West Virginia with great ease, 78-57. Despite the great distance between our seats and the court, we had an absolute blast.

After the games, we headed back to Chicago for a brief overnight before catching our early morning flight.

Last year was tons of fun but this year will be even better considering the whole family will be there AND we get to stay more than 24 hours :)

Verizon Center here we come!