Whoa...We're halfway there...20 Weeks!

Dear Baby D,

I can hardly believe we've already crossed the halfway point! At 20 weeks, I'm definitely starting to feel you move around a bit more and it's incredible. Mommy is still feeling great although I've definitely started to tone down my workouts and am running (can I still call it that?) at about a 10:30 pace now.

This week, you got your first care package in the mail from Grandma D - with a sweet little "sneak peek" frame for your ultrasound pic, a Mozart lullaby CD, I Can't Wait to Meet My Daddy book, and Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go! A book to be read in Utero...your first taste of Dr. Seuss! I started reading the Dr. Seuss book to you the first night and quite possibly was experiencing a bit of a hormone surge...as I started crying on page 1! (Ask your Daddy and I'm sure he might have a few other examples of my fluctuating hormones! :) )

Love Always,
Mommy

First Nursery Rhyme

I neglected to mention that as part of the whole nursery furniture buying extravaganza, Frank & I sang our first nursery rhyme to Baby D! The things we do to save money...In order to save 15% off the most expensive piece of furniture, parents can sing a 30 second nursery rhyme, so we decided to belt out "Old McDonald Had a Farm" karaoke style in the middle of the store to save some dinero (which made me feel a bit less guilty about splurging on the super nice glider and ottoman)! ;)

Mr. & Mrs. Dixon

After months and months of tedious planning to ensure a perfect day, all of my little sister's hard work paid off as she and Jon tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Sacred Heart in Winchester followed by dinner, dancing, and lots AND LOTS of fun at a reception held at Shenandoah Valley Country Club on May 14th.

I went out to Winchester after work on Wednesday to help with preparations, which mainly entailed making almost 200 cookies for the wedding favors:




Along with the wedding rehearsal and dinner:

The rehearsal dinner details:


The Happy Couple:


The Bridesmaids:


The Bride with Mom:


The Groom with Mom:


I don't have too many pictures of the actual wedding day, but here a few from the morning prep:

The bridesmaids and mom stayed at the Carriage House on the grounds of the Country Club on the wedding eve. Hair & Make-up ladies came in the morning of to make us all picture-perfect and dad catered breakfast of, what else, but his famous blueberry pancakes!

Mom & Angela in the hot seat getting their hair 'did':


"OMG...It's my wedding day!!!"


The Bride's Turn!


Hair Done!


Finished product!


Julie Napear was the photographer for the day and captured so many amazing pictures - I'm not sure how Laura & Jon will choose!

http://jsnphoto.zenfolio.com/p741647976/e12ea13b3

http://jsnphoto.zenfolio.com/p741647976/e18ce623c

Laura looked stunning in her dress - which was absolutely perfect right down to the custom sown lace in the back. She truely looked like a princess and I couldn't be happier that my little sis found her prince! Congratulations Laura & Jon!

19 Weeks

Dear Baby D,

Over the past weeks, I've started clearing out my closets, getting rid of clothes, in order to make room for you. And this weekend we really starting cleaning house by selling the bed frame, mattress, and box spring from the (former) upstairs guest room, which will soon become your nursery! We still need to get rid of the dresser and nightstand from that room, but having the bed out of there is a great start! Yesterday Mommy & Daddy ventured back to Great Beginnings and ordered your crib, dresser, and glider/ottoman set, and now we have to wait 10-14 weeks for everything to arrive!

There is definitely no denying my little baby bump now...at 19 weeks, I'm pretty certain any passer-byer can tell you're in my belly!

Love Always,
Mommy

Easter Weekend

Frank & I hosted Easter weekend again this year, but had a few more guests this year around the Easter table...12 to be exact! Both of our families came except JoAnn who wasn't able to make it. :( And Laura & Jon left early to have Easter dinner with the Dixon's, but my cousin, Stacey, joined us again for Easter dinner. We were lucky to have great weather for the busy weekend...

Spring Time flowers...and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself!


We made cookies and dyed eggs...


Had an Easter Egg Hunt...


Took pics after church...


Squeezed in a quick visit to the zoo...


Celebrated Jon's birthday...



And just had fun!

18 Weeks

Dear Baby D,

It's a bit hard for me to be absolutely sure, but last night as I was reading to you in bed, I'm fairly certain that I felt your little flutter and it brought tears to my eyes. Then today Mommy & Daddy got to see you!!! We had your anatomy sonogram and saw your precious little feet, toes, hands, fingers...saw you moving all around, swallowing, scratching (or maybe picking?!) your nose, sucking your thumb...and best of all the doctor liked everything she saw and said you were perfect, but we already knew that! The technician was pretty sure she could tell if you are a boy or a girl, but we decided to keep it a secret and let you surprise us when you enter this world.

Love, Mommy



Me at 18 weeks:
(I swear, when I look down my belly seems soooo much bigger than it looks in this picture!)

17 Weeks

Dear Baby D,

Only 23 weeks until we meet you! I went to the doctor today for my monthly check-up and got to hear your little heart beat - 140 bpm - You are sounding perfect! This week you're about 5 inches long, roughly the size of a turnip. You are able to recognize light and noise so Daddy and I have been talking to you. My favorite is when Daddy kisses me goodnight and then kisses my belly and tells you goodnight. I'm still feeling great and your Daddy is (trying) to make sure I get plenty of rest.

We went to look at furniture for your room this past weekend and think we found your crib and dresser. (Daddy even had an opinion!) I can't wait to start putting your nursery together!

Love, Mommy

Here's a picture of me at 17 weeks:

March Showers bring...

May weddings! In honor of my sister's upcoming wedding, I hosted her bridal shower on March 26th in Winchester. I was very grateful to have the month of January off from work (in between jobs) because it gave me lots of time to focus on the preparations. We ended up renting out The Francis Barton Event Center and despite the owner giving me agida by not being quite as responsive as I would have liked ;), everything turned out wonderfully! We were able to keep many of the details a secret from Laura and she thankfully approved of everything! :)

A few pictures:

The candy centerpieces were also used in a Wedding Candy Game



The gifts (Vera Bradley wristlets) for the winners of the Purse Game



Laura's candle basket...She had a candle wishing well



Jon's cleaning basket



The favors...personalized Yankee candle votives



The guest book table



The room



The goods!



The 'surprised' bride-to-be



The Newlywed Game (with a bubble gum twist)


Laura with her 'bouquet/bonnet'



Laura with her two favorite bridesmaids :)


Now we have the countdown 'til the big day...which since I'm extremely delayed in this post, is less than two weeks away!!!!