Chase!

I have to admit, I am a little bit nervous about how Chase Puppy will react to the baby coming.  We have a little less than 8 weeks to go (max!), and he is starting to sense that things are changing! He has become extra clingy and needy...and really doesn't like to have us out of site.  

Scooter couldn't care less...she is just happy for all of the boxes and bags that are all around for her to play in.  

We know they will be loyal to Parker just like they are to us in time, but hope that the process isn't too painful!

How the family celebrates...

Only in the Manoni home do people celebrate a baby by starting off with tequila shots....good thing baby Parker is my excuse to opt out :)  

We had such great goodies and crafts from Nona and Aunt Renee --diaper cake! and Grandma Preis --no one beats her cookies!  

Shower Time!

It was SO amazing to go home and see everyone this past weekend.  We are so thankful for all of the amazing friends and family that came to celebrate with us, and for the generous gifts we received from them.  Parker will be a well-dressed, much loved little boy.  Our only complaint is that the hours seem to go by so quickly when surrounded by so many people we care about.  THANK YOU to everyone-- we would be lost without you all.  More details to come...

Maternity Leave Anxiety

Today was definitely one of those "everything sucks" days. 

 I found out my maternity leave is 6 "calendar weeks" off, not 6 "work weeks" --therefore, unless little man is born 2 weeks early, my district's winter break is part of the 6 weeks instead of being additional time off. I don't qualify for any of the FMLA law or district benefits as a new employee. I'm not sure why FMLA and district policy think that just because you are new in a workplace that you don't need to be home with your newborn.  

This just kind of set the mood for the whole day...the hormones flowed and continue to flow freely. 

For right now, I think it is time for me to write my "I am thankful" list again, two months before Thanksgiving, to remind myself of how fortunate I am, instead of focusing on all of the things I wish could happen (like maybe having a winning lottery ticket!?). 

Let's hope Parker comes (safely) a few weeks early so I can soak up more time with him over the holidays!

My Little Acrobat

This is one active little boy...he has been really trying out the Karate moves lately :)  

Sleep...or Not!

It is 4:28 am....on a "school night" and sleep totally evades me.  I can't decide if it is physical symptoms keeping me awake, or mental ones....probably a combination of both.  If it isn't the acid reflux, shortness of breath, my bladder, or sciatic pain that is keeping me awake, then it is surely the anxiety...new job, impending childbirth and new baby, etc.  The most ironic part is that whenever I do fall asleep, by the time my alarm goes off, I will be cursing it --ready to be sleeping peacefully instead of getting up for work.  

This is definitely good preparation for newborn care :)  With a little less than 10 weeks to go, every spare hour will be used to prepare for this little guy that will depend on us so much!  As for this weekend....project nursery!  Goodnight...zzz.

Milestone

29.5 weeks down....10.5 to go.  I have held this week in my head as a major milestone...as it was how far along Nona was when she had me.  I guess I have felt that if 26 years ago a baby could be be born and survive at 29 weeks, then surely mine would now.  

My mom is one of the bravest people I know...and she had so many hard decisions to make at that time.  I can't imagine how hard it was for her and my dad to go through!  She has taught me to always be prepared...and to pay the extra $$ or do the extra research to make sure insurance, technology and facilities that are the best are within reach.  I am so thankful for that!  So as anxious as I am to meet my little man, here's to the next 10.5 weeks of growing that he has to do on the inside. 

A Taste of Miami

It is hard to truly appreciate college until you are working full time and responsible for real life...so it is safe to say that we both miss Miami desperately.  So we jumped on the chance yesterday to visit the Chicago chapter of one of our favorite Miami staples...Bagel & Deli, or in this case, Chicago Bagel Authority.  Even though it isn't quite the same...it is still nice to have a small glimpse of college days away from Oxford.  Yum!

 

The Boss!

Mama (Nona) and Aunt Renee just left after a great (short, wet, and cold) visit!  They got to go see Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley field--who played for almost 4 hours despite the rain.  Even though it was a quick, less than 24 hours visit it was still so much fun to see them!  It is hard to be so far way --and it will be harder once Parker is born, but I am thankful that it is a doable drive for weekend visits.

Welcome to the world!

We are so so so excited that our nephew is finally here!  Finnean Hunter, "Finn," was born yesterday, and he is adorable.  The happiness in the room as we all came to meet him was indescribable.  I am sure that just like his big sister, he has already captured everyone's hearts.  We can't wait until Parker is here...getting to watch them grow up together will be so much fun!