It happens every December... I get overwhelmed with birthday plans, Christmas plans, New Year's plans and so on. This December was a bit different. I found myself overwhelmed with other circumstances and everything else just sort of took place around it. Where to start?
My 26th birthday landed every year as it does, the week before Christmas. The weather here was absolutely horrible. Ice, snow, more ice and -40 temps. The night of my birthday was just a casual Gus' night, with Karaoke and my favorite BLT! Dennis had asked me if it was okay if we celebrated my birthday the night after on the 19th. He wanted to make me dinner and stay in. I answered with an "Of course!" I don't even know if Dennis knows this but my favorite thing to do in the entire world is spend the night in with him. There are many reasons for it, but I often tell him that one thing I love most about him is that I know I will never be bored. I think he may be the only one who truly knows what that means. What a wonderful night it was!! It started with a trip to store to purchase the meal of my dreams. Live lobster, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn, bruschetta, caprese salad and bread and Italian butter! When we arrived back to Dennis' I walked into a perfectly set table, a room full of flowers and candles and jazz. It was perfect. We spent the next hour preparing dinner together (which is my second favorite thing to do with him) and dancing in the kitchen. Dennis was a little scared to dip our lobsters (which we named Bo Peep and Dr. Kenneth Noisewater) into the pot of doom, so I proudly took over. After our spectacular meal Dennis promptly brought out dessert, a tiny birthday cake with lit candles. I closed my eyes, made a wish and blew them out. What happened next may have been the most amazing four minutes of my life. Dennis then handed me a birthday card which ended with a "so...". Next thing I know he is in front of me on one knee asking me to marry him. I think this is where I tackled him! Literally! Lance Briggs doesn't have anything on me. I answered with an "ABSOLUTELY, YES!" He opened this small black box, and there was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I didn't cry in the moment, but I'm crying right now just thinking of it. Give me a second to grab a tissue.
We spent the next hour calling our family and friends and then headed to meet some friends downtown to share the news! Oh, what a night!
Dennis' preparation.
Myself and Dr. Kenneth Noisewater before he took a dip in the hot tub.
No words!!
The next week was sort of a blur. Tuesday we took off for Chicago to celebrate Christmas and drove into what just may have been some of the most frightening weather I've ever traveled in. Let's just say BLIZZARD! I wasn't feeling so hot either. I actually vomited for the first time since week 8, and I quickly remembered why I wasn't a fan of the act! It was really lovely being back at the Breiers'. Dennis' parents took us all out to dinner at "The Flame", it happens to be Dennis' favorite place back home. His dad ordered up a bottle of champagne and toasted Dennis and I's engagement and our Baby B. Another wonderful night full of phenomenal food, laughter and fantastic company! Thanks, Mike and Jane, for EVERYTHING!
"La Flame"
I woke up the next morning and drove to my grandma's house. Spent a few hours catching up before heading back to Darien. Christmas Eve was spent at Chris and Jane's house as it was the year before. Let me tell you... those people know how to throw a party! The food was crazy good, the laughing never let up and Laura shared her profound love for The Cappy! After the Breier Bonanza we headed back to Mike and Jane's to open a few gifts. As usual Jane, wait... I mean Santa brought the most comfortable pajamas and a little something special for Baby B. Dennis and I were each handed a box and told to open them at the same time. Dennis opened a Sox onsie and I a Cubbies onsie! They may just be the most adorable items of clothing I have ever seen in my life. Little does Dennis know I now simply place the onsie on my belly and quietly hum "Go Cubs Go" every morning before breakfast. What? I'm just simply trying to soothe the baby to sleep.
The Breier Kiddies
Christmas morning was an early one. More gifts (Jane and Mike you do too much!) and a plate of heaven prepared by Mike for Breakfast. Then it was back into the car for another two hours back to Cordova.
We arrived at Tom and Linda's around 10:30 and spent the next hour sharing the gift Mikey, Abby, Megan, Michelle and I had put together for our parents. It was incredible. The slideshow was better than the first. Dad shed some tears, and by some I mean he cried more than I have ever seen in my life and Linda kept giggling at her five crazy kids. Dad kept saying under his breathe "look at how grown up they all are." I think it may have been the best gift we have ever given them, and I know they were truly touched. It couldn't have gone over any better. Dennis and I then spent some time opening gifts. Santa was very, very good to us this year. I got lots of great kitchen ware, baby books and journals, and everything else in between. The rest of the day was spent eating, sleeping, relaxing and listening to Mikey talk smack to Dennis about his video game playing skills. I had to explain to Michael that Dennis' fingers were meant to play the piano, not hold on to some controller for hours on end. Needless to say Michael had his way with Dennis on the Playstation. It was an early night, and another early morning. Thanks to Mom and Dad for everything!!
Then we were off again! This time back to Darien to make it to the Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling Extravaganza! An extravaganza it was. The pictures speak for themselves.
Dennis' ensemble!!
Yeah for ugly Christmas sweaters!
Dennis and his three best buddies from high school. (Chris Moss, Mark Koeneman and Christ Neiman)
Look at that form.
I think this was after I got him a beer :)
Saturday was a day for the Wojciks. We got back into the car, drove the hour to Schereville to help my Grams and Gramps celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary! Every single one of my family members on the Wojcik side was there, every one! That task is a difficult one. My aunts and uncles put on a great luncheon. Dennis and Johnny Walker spent some time together in the early afternoon and I had the opportunity to see some of my favorite cousins. Then it was back to Uncle Walt and Auntie Debbie Kane's for more food and a Wojcik family photo session. It had been a long week, I was exhausted and still had the headache that followed me to Darien on Tuesday I simply passed out on a couch in the living room and only woke up once in the middle of the night to find Dennis passed out on the floor next to me wedged between an air mattress and coffee table. Needless to say my family was introduced to Dennis' snoring and had a good laugh about it over breakfast.
Back in the car we went and headed back to Mike and Jane's for a Pirics' family Christmas! We watched the Bears blow their opportunity to make it into the playoffs (I'm not even going to comment on this situation until my bp returns to normal)... AGAIN! More presents followed (thank you Lally and Pirics' families for thinking of me) and another round of delicious food. Dennis and I then took off for Iowa, just another three and a half hours in the car. No big deal.
If it seems like a lot in writing... well, use your imagination! It was a wonderful week, but I was happy to be home!
I had our 16 week appointment just this last Tuesday. I had some concerns over our holiday travels that I shared with the doctor. She listened to the Baby's heart (which was at a steady 152 bpm) and poked around. Just a routine day at the office. Everything turned up just fine. I did have some bleeding a few days prior so she did request that we get an ultrasound to see what caused it and do the full anatomy work up on Friday instead of waiting until week 20. Dennis and I decided that we are going to find out the sex of the Baby, so expect to see the news up here soon! We are so anxious to see him/her. I'm incredibly overwhelmed with emotions about it. I want nothing more than to see a healthy baby! This second trimester is proving to be so much smoother than the first. I had been a little worried about staying on the weight gain track considering I had just spent the last seven days gorging myself. Surprisingly, I am right on track. Four pounds between our week 12 and 16 visit. Not too bad! I look like I gained 15 :)!
Last night was the finale to our week of craziness! We spent New Year's Eve at The Three Dudes' Bar, conveniently located in Dennis, Nate and Scott's basement. Lots of friends came over to help us ring in the new year. A good time was had by all (thank you liquor carousel)! Here's to a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!! I know I've said it before, but we are so incredibly lucky to have each of you in our lives. Thank you for your love and support during the past few months. We know it may have been overwhelming, scary, exciting and all emotions that fall in between, but thank you for being there every step of the way with us. We are looking forward to meeting our little one and planning a wedding all here in the next year. Hello, 2009!!
Nate waiting for 2009.
Happy 2009!!
The source of fun for the shindig!!
*I know this is awfully long, but there was a lot to share! Pictures from the weeks' festivities will be up soon.*
