hives... seriously?

Today Cali had to go for her third round of shots.  The vet asked if I wanted to do something extra, which I of course forget the name, but it's something that if contracted by the dog, humans can get.  Since I'm pregnant, I didn't think twice and immediately said YES.  While I don't regret having Cali get the shot, I do regret the outcome...

After sleeping for about 3 hours, I noticed she had a red lump at one of the injection sites.  I called the vet and they told me the doctor wasn't worried and to just clean it with hydrogen peroxide and put ice on it.  Well, the ice pack last about 3 minutes before she kept trying to bite the bag.  

However, her personality was still in tact and she seemed fine, so I put her in her crate and went to the gym. When I got back, took both dogs out, and settled down for a snack the two started to play in their usual ways.  However, I noticed something wasn't right... Cali had bumps on her and the more I stared the more they appeared.  I immediately called the vet and they said to bring her in right away-- she was having an allergic reaction to her vaccinations.  An hour and a half after arriving at the vets, she was released after two shots and being monitored.  Through it all she never once gave any indication that something was wrong.. such a sweetie.

Luckily, she was 95% hive free and ready to watch 'Christmas at Rockefeller Center' (hence the reflection in her right eye) with the entire fam.  Such a trooper.

the best news

We were about a block away from home on the way back from our walk and Cali needed to stop and rest.  I sent this to Mike and he commented how big she's getting.... she's definitely going to outgrow poor Fenners.

She started to get a little sleepy with Dad working late and was patiently waiting for him...

while this one was knocked out cold - stretching out the too small bed and having her head hit the floor.

I took a picture for Kristen to show her 16 week's progress (we haven't taken our "cute" 16 week yet).

The BEST news-- hence the title.  Kristen Skyped me last Monday to tell me that her and Jason are expecting a baby and the most amazing part is that it's a month after me -- so our babies are going to be a month apart!  This will be her last year working and we're going to be stay.at.home mom's together.  I cannot wait to move back to DC and continue this journey together!  It's nothing less than awesome to have one of your biff's be pregnant at the same time as you.  Clearly it'd be more ideal if we were on the same coast and could take classes together, but this will do for now because in about 6 months that will be the case!  And yes, we talk daily/nonstop about what each of us is experiencing and any time we read something interesting.  Life is good.

The gingerbread house was how they told her extended family-- so creative!

a turnip... 16 weeks

Today marks 16 weeks and our baby looks like a turnip.  She/he is definitely growing inside of me, making my tum start to bump out, and my love of spandex/leggings increase more and more.

I told Mike, "Today is four months!" and he got all technical, going back to the conception date and how many weeks are in a month, saying that the actual day is probably around the third of December.  Therefore, I was overjoyed to take a picture of this while brushing up on some reading, just to prove a point. :)  

[Why take a picture and not just show him in person?  Two partners are in town and they took Mike and another co-worker to the Baltimore v. Chargers game -- nice little club seats while I stayed home and watched two movies with the girls.]

Mike keeps the tree plugged in as a nightlight for the girls, but I like to think it's so that when I'm laying in bed I can just open my eyes and look at my constant reminder that Christmas (and home) is around the corner.

Today it FINALLY went public--- one of my besties is having a baby!!!  Kristen Skyped me last Monday to tell me the news and I lost it -- some tears, chills, screams, fist pumps.  I am beyond stoked that we're due a month apart (she's June 13) AND to top it off she's also going to be a stay.at.home.mom!  So whether they like it or not, our babies are going to be hanging out all.the.time!  Needless to say we talk every day about what we're experiencing.  It's so lovely to be going through the same thing as someone I'm really close with.  Absolutely priceless. 

the end of a saga

*end of a saga, meaning we saw the new movie, 'Twilight'.  It's nice that they ended it just as corny as it started (despite critics calling it, "The best Twilight thus far." - not a direct quote, but you get the idea).  The worst part was that I made Mike wait until the very end of the credits (and held my pee -- not a good idea) because I heard Kristen Stewart say that they did a flash mob dance and I thought they'd show it.  I didn't see it.

Can you tell who's currently favored and who's getting shunned?  :)  I know it's not the truth, but it's what I like to tell Mike every time I show him this picture.

Target dollar bins are the best and they had these tokens of joy for me to get for our gender reveal party-- they're mini mustaches that stick to your glass.  Obviously I purchased all that they had.

I'm not sure of the type of flower, but I thought these were really pretty.

This was the view at the top of one of the mountain of stairs we climbed.

Pooped after our long walk - probably because I made it extra long to get Pinkberry.

The fam went tree hunting today (something else we missed out on) and my mom sent me this picture of James taking in (and choosing) all the trees.  Apparently it was freezing and his little nose was running and his hands were red and numb - of course he didn't want to keep his gloves on.  I can't wait to get home and snuggle that little man until he squirms his way out of my arms.

What do these flowers look like to you?  The answer is birds.  Maybe a peacock or something with a long beak?

it's Christmas time

A couple weeks back I bought our tree at Target.  Today was the day we finally got to put it up!
--Mike wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving to put it up but he didn't protest when I said I may not take it down until we move in May.--

Our little angel was all nestled up by the tree... clearly waiting to go home and see Santa.

After seeing Skyfall we made our way to Nordstroms for some pre-holiday shopping.  Their decorations never disappoint, especially when it's Christmas time.  

We did go to Gap baby first and it is killing us both not to know the sex of our baby.  I even tried to convince Mike to buy some of each gender and we could just return things once we found out the sex.. didn't quite work.

Mike's purchase from Target --- a penguin onesie for Cali.  She wasn't a fan.

I told Mike it was a bad idea to head to Target, where all we needed was lights, because we instead left with items like the one above and an electric toothbrush.

We took the ladies on a post-Thanksgiving walk and spotted a cactus plant hidden in the bushes.

After a few hours of being home alone, Fenway did what she always does -- show us her toy (usually her pup).  Sometimes (like above) she takes it to the next level and brings it with her to go potty.  I always tell B this is what it's going to be like with our children -- a little insight into the security blanket they're going to walk around with all the time.

This year we got a skinny little number.  MUCH easier to assemble then our one at home (but clearly not as full).  After we put on the lights, Mike watched 'House of Lies' while hooking ornaments and handing them to me to hang -- much like an assembly line.

The beginning of our walk.... Fen was probably in trouble for something and/or they were waiting for their preggers mother to catch up (it's about 50 stairs up and 50 down).

Even more stairs, but we were so proud because Cali was finally taking them on her own.

No joke - one of the very first times she tried to go down stairs (there were about 10 at a time) she went down the first step with her two front paws and just put her back two in the air -- like she was an acrobat doing a handstand.  Mike literally flew up the stairs, 3 at a time, to grab her before she tumbled forward.  Now she just runs down them, pulling me behind. 

I am thankful for so much

This year's Thanksgiving is by far the most different one Mike and I have had yet-- we're in SD with a baby on the way!  Thankfully, my aunt and uncle were kind enough to take us in, so we got to spend Thanksgiving with them and their friends.

Mike made his family's infamous cookies-- trying to keep the traditions going, even on the opposite coast.  We tried sugar cookies with peppermint which we both liked, but we'd probably like more just on their own.. not with the traditional turkey cookies.

I opened my BellaBand and tried it for the first time.  It was a little too big, but definitely got the job done.  When I told my dad and grandma about the band, they both gave me the same response - hysterical laughter.  It might have been because the explanation, in a nutshell, was that I can unbutton my pants and just place the band over them.  Therefore, allowing me to wear my same pants without buying maternity wear.

Cali definitely runs this house... in pretty much every aspect.  Poor Fen now just gets in the small bed, even if Cali isn't in the big one.

Only for Thanksgiving will I have one of Mike's cinnamon bun rolls for breakfast and it was delish.

cuddles and bumps

Clearly I'm behind on my posts, thanks go the Thanksgiving break Mike had, so we'll see if I can use my preggers brain and remember what I did on these days.

This was pretty much the only picture I had from today.  We were waiting patiently for Daddy to get home to start off his Thanksgiving Break with us and cuddlebug found the only inch of a spot I had on the couch and jumped right up.  It's crazy how she's already jumping up on the couch on her own.  She is definitely going to get better then Fen.

One of my friends, with two kids, posted this on fb and I thought it was interesting.  Sad, but interesting.  Truthfully I just think of my inspiration, Kelly Ripa, who was huge when preggers and is now this petite little thing.  I know, I know, she has the money for a personal trainer and personal chef but I can dream, right?

dream big little one

These two beasts napped for almost 4 hours today.  And this was the progression (skewed, of course)...

This was the second position -- spooning.

It started out with a nice little lay on each other-- initiated by Cali.

On a side note, this was our conversation before dinner.

Mike: sorry babe.

me: for what?

Mike: I guess it's not microwaveable. 

me: (hysterically laughing) take a picture.

And this was the final, winning position.  As much as they play hard, these two love each other even harder.

More projects today.  My goal is to open an Etsy shop by the end of the week (hopefully by Thanksgiving day).  Fingers crossed!

an apple... 15 weeks

Today marks 15 weeks and our baby is as big as an apple / naval orange (depending on which website of information you read).

We have this picture frame in our bedroom that has had nothing in it since the day we moved in.  Therefore, I decided to start putting the baby's sonogram's in it and maybe one day I'll hang it in the nursery.

Cali's first trip to the dog park (where she was isolated from everyone else, and kept on the leash, because of her age) resulted in her being covered in dirt.  Of course we had just given both of them a bath the other night, but such is life.  Her and Fen both loved being able to play together outside.

Here she is restrained, taking in the scenery. 

Mike caught me holding my belly.  It's not the best picture to show you what my belly looks like, but you can get a little idea.

Side Note: Ryan and Robin came over for dinner to watch the Ravens beat the Steelers-- wahooo!!

shop til you drop... literally.

Auntie Aubs sent our baby this adorable first Raven's tee and I think Mike is equally excited about receiving it as Aubrey was about sending it.  She even got a 6-9 month size so that the baby could wear it all of football season, something Mike is thrilled!  Thank you, Aubs.

My gift-wrapping twine arrived in the mail in this adorable Thank You pouch.  If it didn't have the girls name written all over it I would definitely recycle it... it's just so darn cute.

EVERY TIME I take the girls out to go the bathroom, Cali comes in and sits next to the door where we keep the treats.  This one is smart.  Fen used to look up at the fridge (where they are kept at my parents house) but since Cali has arrived, she has finally caught on as to where they are.

Mike and I went shopping for a good four hours today... and I was a little tired when we got home.  Since it gets dark at 5:00, it's so confusing to be out shopping when it's so dark... my body gets confused.  The reasoning behind todays trip?  Two things- 1. I found the most amazing fleece leggings online at Anthropologie.  I had already purchased one pair, and had to go back to get two more-- one gray, one black.  They are super soft and super stretchy - aka the perfect pregger pants.  2. Since my belly is growing, I wanted some more loose-fitting, comfortable shirts I could wear with leggings and to use when the time comes for my belly band -- aka unbuttoning my pants and hiding it with a band.

Anyways, the reason for this picture is because I was unpacking our new items when I noticed a shirt I had already hung.  The funny thing about it was that Mike kept debating between two sizes for this MK shirt... and ended up accidentally purchasing both of them.  The fact that neither him nor the sales woman noticed he had bought two of the same shirts baffles me a little (him I'll let slide since we were talking and even I wasn't watching the woman) but still.. the same shirt??

Before we went shopping we took the girls to Del Mar to try and get a photo for our Christmas card.  I can happily say that we got one we both like, but here are just a few of the other precious moments we had...

osteria panevino

Mike always wonders why I put money into decorating our "vacay home" so instead of going out and buying frames, I decided to make my own temporary ones out of scrap paper that I already had. For those of you who know me, I love quotes so I've started a quote wall in the den, starting with the theme of Thanksgiving.  We shall see how far it grows before we move in May.

iHeartRadio has put me in the absolute best mood!  Since I woke up at 8 AM it has been on nonstop at our house.  The channel of my choice? 97.1 Wash FM, of course, because all they play is the classic Christmas songs.  I don't want to say that Thanksgiving is being overlooked this year, but since we're in SD and it's going to be so different, I thought it'd start Christmas celebrations a little earlier this year.

My Skype session with James was very personal, meaning he basically was this close to the camera the entire time.  He sits in a chair now and mumbles about his day, new words he say can, etc.  I cannot wait to get my hands on him in December when we're home for 2.5 weeks.  In 4 weeks this wish will become reality... but who's counting?  :)  Clearly me.

Side Note: Osteria Panevino is a restaurant downtown that Mike and I went for a date night dinner.  It's Italian food that's delicious and of course we had to stop off at Ghirardelli's on the way home so Mike could get a "real" ice cream.  He wanted me to have some, so I chose berry (thinking it was a healthier option).  Healthier? Probably.  As good? Not according to Mike.

And we are officially hooked on Showtime's 'Homeland'.  If you have the channel, get on it... fast.  The series is so addicting and what's best is that season 1 and most of season 2 is on On Demand, so you're able to catch up without missing an episode.