I <3 Kelly.

Dear Roomie. I miss you and had so much fun with you this weekend! I hope we get another girls weekend soon, I know Chloe is dying to spend more time with you.

I miss Margaritas and Steaks with you.

I miss Margaritas period.

I miss you period!

Love, Your Bestest, Favoritiest Roomie Ever.

This past weekend I went to Saratoga to visit my old roomie Kelly (Aunt Kelly)! Not only did we get in a FULL day of shopping at the fabulous Stanford mall but I also got to spend her birthday with her!!! We went to a comedy club which was a blast and I guess that I just don't realize how much I LOVE Kelly and need her in my life until we see each other. It's like we were never apart! Seriously - I have this amazing friendship with Kelly that nobody has ever come close to ... Point is, I had more fun than you would even know! We had such fun adventures, only got lost a few times, bought a houseplant that was dubbed "George", made fabulous funfetti cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (she's the best baker ever!) AND MORE!


Please enjoy the blurry pictures from our weekend!

What is this?!

Soo...I was feeling guilty today about not having anything exciting or adorable to post about ...

(and despite the request for a belly shot, I won't subject anyone to one of those at this point)

Anyway...

As Chris and I sat on the couch tonight, Chris begins telling me how BIG Fifi is getting (by Fifi he means Jen's Huge a** expanding waistline...in the nicest way of course), when the doorbell rang!!

What is this?!



Could it be something new to post about?!! Why YES, It is!!!


Let the record show that today, Chloe got her first ever very own package in the mail from her cousin Ashley (and her mommy and daddy of course).


You won't believe just how cute the goodies she got are! ... ok... ok.... ya got me; if you know Tracee and Ashley's taste, you won't be surprised at the cute factor of her very first set of towels... and they're monogrammed! OK. Stop blabbing and show the pics already, jen!




OMG. Stop it. Do you see the ridiculously cute caterpillar?! Get.Out.Now.

You have GOT to be kidding me!

Technically we're 20 weeks now and according to a very trusted source (thenestbaby.com), Chloe is now the size of a cantaloupe!

I just can't believe it...although I am starting to look like I swallowed a big melon, it really doesn't seem possible.

I've been having so much fun buying little things for Fifi., I can't wait to harass her with her cute outfits and cuddle with her in her soft blankets... but all the excitement that I have towards her arrival just makes me realize how precious the time I have right now with Chris is.

It seems like once September comes, it'll be a million years before we get to sleep in or just laze around on the weekends, and lately I've been having a lot of dreams about vacationing - (perhaps because deep down I know that I'm going to have to live vicariously through my vacation dreams for a long time since there aren't any in the cards for us) - I had the most amazing time in Aruba in my dream last night, it was so REAL! I've heard you'll have crazy dreams while you're pregnant and I'm sure that wasn't what they meant but I'm not going to complain!! The only downside was waking up to my alarm at 5:45 am...Aruba doesn't have alarm clocks!

Haha. In any case., I'm sure it'll be an adventure and I know we'll love the ride...especially if we can steal away to Aruba again...but maybe this time we'll bring Fifi since Chris has already looked at me like I was a crazy lady when I brought up the idea of vacationing sans Chloe. I'd think that after a year or so he'd be able to let go for a week or so...right?? Who am I kidding; she'll have him wrapped around her little finger.

As Promised...

As promised in my post earlier this morning...Pictures of Ollie the Octopus and Lulu the Lamb...imagine us toting these throughout the Mission Viejo Mall! (fat chance, ha!) We had the store take them out the back way and inconspicuously put them into our car...however, we didn't know until we got home that they were facing backwards and everyone that drove by us (in Newport Coast, nonetheless) could clearly see them! They must have thought we were nuts!!

Ollie the Octopus and Ashley... and Ollie with Tracee... I wonder who we REALLY bought Ollie for??

Pictures of our goods!! (on a side note, we bought a fabulous dresser/changing table today on a whim!), AND... our Crib is in!!! (We just have to pick it up!) Could it get any better?!

Here's Lulu the Lamb on our dresser which is displaying some of Chloe's new outfits!! It's such a treat going to all the uppity stores for baby clothes shopping!...like tracee said it's like skid row for crack addicts! True dat.

Please note the adorable polka dot dress and her chic coat (below) for when she visits Ashley and Tracee! The back has the most ridiculous bow and pleats. Get out of town.

Ok... Perhaps I can make Chris go get the crib now...

Baby Shopping WOOHOO!

So don't be disappointed that there aren't any pictures in this post... but I just had to tell you how much fun I had FINALLY being able to shop for Fifi! I went to Orange County over the weekend and had a fabulous time visiting my sister and adorable little Ashley as well as my parents! I can't believe how cute (and HUGE) Ashley has gotten!! She's such a ham and loves to dance on her tippy-toes like a ballerina!

So, to recap some of the fabulous finds of the weekend... I must first note that Grandma and Grandpa Richey bought Chloe's Bedding! I'm so excited for the crib to get here now and set it all up and take pictures!! SO CUTE.

Let's see...we also got a TON of adorable clothes... AND my sister took me to register at Babies R Us! It was so much fun using the gun (although my trigger finger hurt afterwards!)...

And my (i mean Chloe's) blanket collection is growing!! Haha. Yes... I have to admit I'm jealous that she's being showered with so many adorable things...although technically I am the one who gets to play dress up on her!!

I'll post pictures of our Lulu/Ollie adventure soon... Oversized chairs in the shape of animals from Babystyle are hilarious! (so is my sister sitting in a chair made for a 2 year old). Oh geez.

Oh My!

It's a......

FIFI!

Her cute little name will be Chloe Lynn!

YAY!

I am so so excited!!!

..Girls are just So darn easy to buy cute clothes for!!

We Took The Big Plunge!

Well...We did it... That's right, we took the big plunge...

... And bought our Crib!

Haha. Not what you were expecting, was it?! After weeks of oogling over cribs, we decided on our favorite, it got fabulous reviews and was a great price!! Can't beat that, can ya?

Here's a pic of our newest addition (which will be arriving in just a few weeks!)

It also converts to a full-size bed, it's nice to think it might last that long, but it's probably wishful thinking!

It's the little things...

That make me smile! I'm so glad Chris is home, it was weird having him away. I think that was really the first weekend that I've spent alone at our house, and it was definitely the first time that either one of us has flown without the other person since we met. Ok. With those milestones out of the way, I have to admit that I'm enamoured by the idea of moving! I like new adventures and new places and I think that (with a pool), I could really be okay in the blazing hot heat! I wonder how long that would last?

Since many inquiring minds want to know how the trip went, I'll summarize how it was although Chris posted a comment on the last blog entry. The guys in Arizona like him, and there is a good chance we'll end up there, but Chris and I know in the back of our minds that this isnt the best time to go; when he initially interviewed for Arizona, they were talking more in the timeframe of September (It would be nice if I could continue to work at my job for a while longer before leaving). Of course, if the offer comes along, we would probably try and find a way to go since the contract is up here the beginning of 2009. Long story short, this exact job wouldn't be the best fit for us (Chris would travel a lot to other countries, including the Middle East, Yuk!) and there are a lot of other openings in Arizona right now so we're hoping we can hold off on going a while longer.

And since this is Fifi's blog... I'm not going to show you what Fifi is this week, since it's an ugly Onion! No child of mine is an onion, however he/she can now hear us, and I've heard enjoys classical music... And to answer the infamous question, no... we haven't felt Baby J yet, and I'm ok with that considering I know I'll be poked and kicked for a good 20 weeks or so anyway, although I'm sure it is quite magical, especially after the 10000th time. :) Hehe.

Have a great week!

16 Weeks and more!

Lots of news to report today! This morning I had my 16 week checkup. The Dr. said everything from our last ultrasound was normal and actually moved my due date up to September 2nd because I was measuring ahead. YAY! I was then told that I could go to the Ultrasound facility (just a few doors down) and make my appointment for our BIG ultrasound! (so far soooo good...)

So on my merry way I went, (and on my nicest behavior so I might just get what I want)..,

...and what did I find but what must have been the most unhappy receptionist ever who certainly didn't want to help make my life easier so that I could go down to Orange County and see family and perhaps do a little boy or girl shopping in a couple weeks. :(

You know what she did? Booked my appointment for the day AFTER I was planning to get HOME from the OC. (she swore up and down there was absolutely nothing available until that exact date). nice.

Was she Crazy?!

So began what I believe the very first moment of serious pregnancy hormones (Chris may have a different idea of my mood levels)... I maintained my composure, booked my day-late-and-a-dollar-short (literally) appointment and went back to work. I know I should have been thrilled just to have the actual date set, but man she'd really ruffled my feathers and my plans!

So...for the most part, I got over it as the morning passed...

BUT I just decided to call their other office on a whim and see if THEY had any availability... they didn't, BUT the first office I went to this morning DID have an appointment for the day I was planning on going DOWN to OC. WTF!? That unhappy woman this morning had lied to me! (not nice). So I appreciatively scheduled my appointment and now have my fingers crossed that mean lady from the other office never catches on!

Our appointment is scheduled for April 4th at 9:00 a.m. YAY!

Ok... Now to the weekly update...


Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

Have a good day!

Hectic Much?

It seems like life is throwing us into a whirlwind right now. As if Chris taking 5 classes at once wasn't enough of a stress, It gets more interesting...

As of last Friday morning, I was really beginning to think that baby J would be a so-cal chick (or dude), at least for a while after birth.

Chris was scheduled today for an interview in Arizona next Monday (yes, he'll be flying out on Easter!). Now I know that everyone has job interviews, etc, but how many of them do a preliminary interview in person with a rep in California and then fly you out there to interview and have lunch with the big Cheeses, (while giving him an extra day to "explore phoenix")?? Actually sounds like one of those gimmicks where Airfare, Hotel and other expenses are free after just a quick 5 hour seminar!

The realization that something of this nature could possibly happen is particularly daunting right now. I had already been contemplating furniture arrangement for the nursery!! I had already decided that I could, Maybe, just maybe, keep on truckin' at the Surgery Center until September and then play it by ear... But who in Arizona is going to want to hire a 5 month pregnant (or more) chick and know she'll need some maternity leave soon!?

I haven't wanted to talk about what we'll do with the condo or working or anything yet because I don't want to put too much emphasis on the unknown regarding this job, there are quite a few things that would stop us from being able to move forward with our lives, particularly one condo by the freeway with brand new windows (which are heavenly I must say)!

I'm not sure how 'fresh' of a start this would give us considering we'd probably have to rent out the condo and make up the mortgage difference while we (most likely) rent something in Arizona... It's hard to accept that we'll be moving even further away from family than we already are, although I know my ASU-Alumni sister would be making the trip to visit us (GO Sundevils!) Haha. I'll have my pitchfork ready...On a side note, did they pick that mascot because it's hotter than he-l-l in Arizona?! I'm sure to those who are ASU alumni, that was a dumb question. Well, please enlighten me.

And now as I sit here and type this, I overhear Chris on the phone with his family saying, "I need to make sure I support my family"... Yup. Gushy McGusherson (aka. baby mama) started to cry.

*shhhh* Don't tell Chris...

Week 15!

We made it to Week 15!

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.

No huge changes to report... although I am starting to look pregnant to people I see daily, which is pretty exciting!!

Petunia Picklebottom?!

So after a very much needed weekend away, I find myself contemplating how amazing a diaper bag can make you feel! That's right. Grandma Johnson bought us a Petunia Picklebottom bag in Baroque Roll... The picture online doesn't do it justice, it's so much more beautiful in person!! I will be the most fashionable person in Santa Maria!!! (JK... We all know I already am)... You can see our new bag at :



http://www.petuniapicklebottom.com/collections/original/boxybackpacks/baroqueroll/



Hope you have a great week!! I think I just might make it through the week without going absolutely nuts!

Week 14!

Not a whole lot to say today... I'm just so relieved that tomorrow is Friday! I'm not sure I could take much more stress at work... working extra hours when you're pregnant really throws a girl off! Update for Week 14:

Babycakes is the size of a Lemon!

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

2nd Trimester!

It's official. Today we're 13 weeks, which according to TheNestBaby, means we're also entering our 2nd trimester!~ (it seems like nobody can decide if it's 12 weeks, 13 weeks or 14 weeks, so I'm stickin' with 13!)

The first few weeks went by soooo slow, every day was a huge milestone for me... then the weeks started to go faster and faster. Now that we're here, I feel like I can finally breathe a little sigh of relief. That's not to say that Deep Down inside I'm not completely freaking out about everyhing that could possibly go wrong.

Work has been so hectic for Chris and I and I'm dying for a break! Luckily Chris will have a short break from school after next week ...



I'll leave you with Fifi's 13 week Update!

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

Blogging

So, Since I'm such a great follower, I've decided to join the bandwagon and try to start a little blog for Fifi. Since we live nowhere near our family, we know all too well that the hardest thing about being an Auntie and Uncle has been having to miss out on so much of our nieces (yup, we've got 4!!) lives and only hear about them from a distance !

Sooo let's re-cap. As of today we're 12 weeks (we will be 13 weeks on Wednesday technically). I've restrained myself as much as possible in regards to buying adorable baby things, however, I couldn't help but get Chris a little tipsy on Valentines Day and he willingly agreed to go buy the stroller I've been swooning over since...well since I got pregnant!! And YES. It works for a boy and a girl... I wouldnt ask Chris to push a pink stroller!! (well not yet at least...his time to accept defeat will come...)

Big purchase #1 for Fifi outta the way...only 8,000 more things to go! How Exciting!

Fifi's Ultrasound

Today was our ultrasound to see if Fifi was going to be special - still no word on the special part (it was a screening for Downs Syndrome and Trisomy 18)... well we all know Fifis going to be special but anyway ... The answer to the question everyone has been waiting for is No, we still don't know if it's going to be a boy or girl and won't know until 20 weeks (for those of you counting like us, that's almost 8 more weeks!)...However, the doctor did say that he is 60% sure it's a girl and to remember that he left himself a 40% margin for error... *sigh* doesn't he know that I want to start shopping NOW?? (i have included a money shot for anyone who wants their shot at guessing... and no...the white thing near the you know what isn't franks and beans). Who thought my life would come down to looking for BBQ items at an ultrasound?? :)

Anyway, enough about the boy/girl stuff. Baby Johnson was just going to town during the ultrasound and kept squirming and swimmin' all around inside the oven (yes, that being me). Fifi even had it's hand up above it's head (see pic), it's amazing, we could see it's legs kicking, it's toes and even it's fingers and nose!! The picture doesn't do what we saw justice!! Enough Talk, on to the pics!