oh boy oh boy oh boy

Last week we had our milestone 20-week ultrasound. I was so nervous {because working in a hospital full of sick children makes me think that there is something wrong with each child} headed in to the ultrasound. I'm happy to report that little bebe was moving around and looks to be right on track with growth and development! Little bebe measured in at 14 ounces, 61st percentile for weight at 20 weeks {which is just an estimation, but still ... that's great!}.

Our ultrasound tech was a rockstar and did just what we asked by not revealing bebe's sex to us during the ultrasound; instead she printed off the gender revealing ultrasound photo and tucked it inside an envelope for Hubby and I to open privately together. She also packed our little gift to open later in the evening with our family.

Hubby and I went to dinner together after our appointment at one of our favorite spots: Uncommon Ground. We knew we couldn't wait until the end of the meal - so we opened it immediately after we ordered, and toasted to the little one {with our ice water}.



I teared up a little bit thinking about our little dude and the fact that now we know a little bit more about the little that's been moving around inside me.

Later in the evening, we gathered our family members in person, via Skype, and Facetime to share the news. We opened our little package that the ultrasound tech packed for us with the onesie and the envelope labeled "BOY" with the little photo tucked inside. It was a fun way to share with our family our news about the baby's gender.



The next day, Hubby and I took the photo to announce to extended family and friends. My initial idea fell through because of the madness of Halloween weekend in Chicago. I planned to get lettered balloons to spell out "BOY" but the party stores were a nightmare. Alternate plan included what was available at our local grocery store. It was incredibly windy so it didn't turn out quite as nice as I'd hoped but it was still fun.



Though Lennon didn't behave well for the photos, we got him at the end by promising him some treats.

This photo shows what he was really like during our attempts ...



Though I am a little freaked out about having a boy {I've only got sisters, and lots of females in my side of the family}, I know that this little dude is going to steal my heart and the heart of his papa. That's a pretty sweet feeling.

xoxo,

PJ

Sisterhood

{photos 1&2 taken during our summer in panama, photo 3 at my wedding, photo 4 during a visit in chicago, photo 5 last summer in santa cruz}

One of my oldest and dearest friends has set out on an adventure of a lifetime. She has been living in Santa Cruz, CA for the last few years {Hubby and I visited her out there last summer} and has recently accepted a position on the other side of the country on the coast in Georgia. Being the true adventurer that she is, she decided to Vespa her way cross-country mapping out a 6 week route from coast to coast {literally}. I'm so excited for her, to hear about her adventures, and keep her in my prayers for safe travels. She is going to be updating her blog An Ocean of Trees, if you want to follow along in her adventure. Betsy and I first met in Chicago when I was a Freshman in high school. We've lived near each other on and off over the years, when we lived various places throughout the Midwest. She's celebrated with me, cried with me, and has been a consistent source of encouragement in my life.

In 2004, we traveled to Panama together and spent two months living/volunteering at a children's home for the summer. If any of you have traveled out of the country with a friend, you know that there are memories made that last forever. Silly {and very strange} things that make you laugh or cry when remembered. It truly was an adventure, and I'm so thankful for that summer. Fast forward 7 years later, and I can still picture us on a beach somewhere in Panama: me terribly sunburnt, Betsy terribly tan, feeling so terribly blessed to call her my friend.

xoxo,

PJ

california, let's have a party!

i thought it would be fun to share our itinerary for california. it's our first time visiting cali, and there are billions of things that we want to do... it's a beautiful state with heaps of places to view, eat, and explore!

1) we are flying into san jose. the third largest city in california, 45 miles SE of san fransisco. cool things about san jose include: a state of the art light-rail transportation system, a substantial arts scene, and the former agricultural mecca is now known as one of the safest and sunniest cities in the nation. a falafel drive-in? yes, please! pinkberry? yes, please!

(san jose)

2) we will be spending a bulk of our time at a beach house in santa cruz. 72 miles south of san francisco, this laid-back beach town has a famous beach boardwalk, whale-watching, hiking, biking, farmers markets, oh, and hippies. here, we will be taking a canopy tour of the redwoods via mount hermon, and spending time relaxing at the beach.

(santa cruz)

3) heading north to san fransisco, home of the golden gate bridge, golden gate park, fisherman's wharf...need i continue? here we will be biking the golden gate bridge into sausalito, visiting the california academy of sciences, touring alcatraz island, and taking some cable car adventures. another thing i will be insisting we see: the 'full house' house! ahh!

(golden gate bridge)

4) next we are headed to sonoma/napa valley. staying at the el dorado hotel, dining at the el dorado kitchen, and touring a local winery that was reviewed by the NYT and the Wine Spectator as being their "favorite winery visit".

(sonoma vines)

i have already warned my husband that at the end of this trip i will certainly consider moving to california.

i will post photos of the trip & reviews of the places that we traveled when we return!

california, let's have a party!

i thought it would be fun to share our itinerary for california. it's our first time visiting cali, and there are billions of things that we want to do... it's a beautiful state with heaps of places to view, eat, and explore!

1) we are flying into san jose. the third largest city in california, 45 miles SE of san fransisco. cool things about san jose include: a state of the art light-rail transportation system, a substantial arts scene, and the former agricultural mecca is now known as one of the safest and sunniest cities in the nation. a falafel drive-in? yes, please! pinkberry? yes, please!

(san jose)

2) we will be spending a bulk of our time at a beach house in santa cruz. 72 miles south of san francisco, this laid-back beach town has a famous beach boardwalk, whale-watching, hiking, biking, farmers markets, oh, and hippies. here, we will be taking a canopy tour of the redwoods via mount hermon, and spending time relaxing at the beach.

(santa cruz)

3) heading north to san fransisco, home of the golden gate bridge, golden gate park, fisherman's wharf...need i continue? here we will be biking the golden gate bridge into sausalito, visiting the california academy of sciences, touring alcatraz island, and taking some cable caradventures. another thing i will be insisting we see: the 'full house' house! ahh!

(golden gate bridge)

4) next we are headed to sonoma/napa valley. staying at the el dorado hotel, dining at the el dorado kitchen, and touring a local winerythat was reviewed by the NYT and the Wine Spectator as being their "favorite winery visit".

(sonoma vines)

i have already warned my husband that at the end of this trip i will certainly consider moving to california.

i will post photos of the trip & reviews of the places that we traveled when we return!