5-5, just for you Dana

My friend Dana B (I have to use last initials now that I have 2 friend Dana's, both with blogs!) tagged me on her blog to post the 5th picture in the 5th file of our photos. Her 5th picture captures my feelings these days...it was of her when she was 5 days past her due date with Bella. :) Anyway, so here you have it folks: our 5-5 is of Chad sitting across the table from me at dinner the night he proposed. And I decided that while I was posting that, I'd go ahead and take a moment to brag about that magical evening, since he went all out for me. Don't worry, I'll tell the short version. He was living in Cleveland and I was in Kansas, and he surprised me by showing up on my doorstep one night. Well, first there was only a package on my doorstep that contained a video he made of himself talking to me about how much he loooooves me and then footage of him traveling to Kansas to me, and when the video was done he was literally on my doorstep! But he didn't propose at that point. We first went to dinner and then he drove me to his parents' house where he had transformed their living room into a romantic proposal spot. And the rest is history...

A day or 2 after he proposed. Definitely one of the happiest times of my life!

Hot Date

The Broadway musical Hairspray came to Cleveland's Playhouse Square last weekend, so Chad and I made a date out of it and went to dinner and the show. Unfortunately I have no pictures of us in our hot-date appearances (as hot as you can get at 9 months pregnant), but we had a great time! Gotta get these dates in before we have to think about getting babysitters!

Baby Shower

A couple of weekends ago, my lovely friend Jen hosted a shower for me at her house. It was so much fun - thank you Jen for all the work you put into it! The biggest crack up was that about 50% of those in attendance are also pregnant - I am surrounded by pregnant friends! :) From right to left we represent half of a year of babies: me due in February, Emily - March, Peggy-April, Jen - May, Helen - June, and Olga due in August. Ha!

Jen, the hostess with the mostess

Jen set up a table where people could decorate bibs and onesies - such a cute idea! Me in the background getting ready to be a mommy by holding the cuddliest baby ever - Baby Bella.

Who Are You Baby???

So, don't expect any preggo pictures after this...I'm feeling quite large these days! This pic was taken at 36 weeks and now I am 37 weeks, which means Baby is now full-term! We are getting so curious to know when this child will grace us with his/her presence and WHO this child will be! The heartbeat was 160-something last week and 139 this week, so no hints there. Several weeks ago, people kept asking me if I was uncomfortable yet. Naively, I was like "No, I feel great - never better." Then about 2 days later the late stages of pregnancy finally kicked in. Totally uncomfortable to sit/walk/sleep/breathe/move/anything/everything. I'm exhausted during the day and can't sleep at night. It's currently 2:30 am if that's any indication. Seasoned mothers laugh and comment..."get used to it because you won't sleep for the next 18 years!". So encouraging. Continuing to work full-time has been a challenge since I don't function well without sleep! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade it for the world, because it's all worth it to get to become a family of three, and I feel totally blessed that Baby seems healthy and growing as it should. And Lord knows I'd take this tired/uncomfortable 3rd trimester over sick. all. the. time. 1st trimester any day! But, Baby, aren't you ready to come out yet and meet us?

Ikea getaway

Last weekend, my dear cousin and friend Emily left her own two darling kiddos at home and came for a quick visit - one last girls' weekend before Baby comes! We decided to take a day trip to Pittsburgh, PA (about 2 hours away) to explore Ikea for the day. Note this is the only picture we have because we were way too busy shopping after that to think about pictures! We had a great time and did plenty of damage at Ikea, bringing home lots of great loot. Chad, rock star husband that he is, had supper made and ready when we got home! What a great day! Thanks for visiting Emily!

Take a Hike Old Man Winter!

Ok, I must vent a little. So we live in Cleveland. That means snow is expected, and long winters. I get that...this is my 3rd winter here. This January, however has been exceptionally snowy though and COLD! On the news the other night, the weather man (who is no Merril Teller, but he gets the job done) said that we have had snow/freezing rain 45 out of the last 51 days and we are already more than 20 inches over the January average of snowfall so far! Yikes! Don't get me wrong, some days I do enjoy the beauty of the snow, because it really does look quite lovely. And if I wasn't 8 going on 9 months pregnant, perhaps I'd have to go out and play in it or go sledding. But I am and have always been, a warm-weather lover, so Spring, anytime you are ready, so am I.

Guessing Game

32 weeks!!! As we are now approx. 8 weeks away from Baby Time, it seems to be a good time to start collecting your guesses on the gender/size/date of birth/hair-bald/whatever you want to guess. Unfortunately for me, my mothering/women's intuition has not seemed to kicked in, so I have no inclination one way or the other...boy, girl....your guess is as good as mine, so I may as well see what you all think. Chad thought he knew for a while, but now seems as unsure as I am. Anyway, please leave your guess under the comments and be sure to sign your name. Secret blog stalkers (you know you're out there :) are welcome to guess as well. Feel free to document (along with your guess) any supporting data for why you are guessing what you are guessing (i.e., heartbeat, family history, the way I'm carrying, whatever floats your boat). The winner will receive the gratification of being the winner (lame I know), unless I can think of an interesting prize by the time the baby comes. Really, this is all to amuse me and help pass the 8 grueling weeks to the finish line. Happy guessing!

As a refresher - Baby's heartbeat has been in the 150's until my last couple of visits and dropped into the 140's. Baby is pretty active, especially in the evening. I haven't had too much heartburn - only on occasion. What else? I had horrible morning sickness the first 14 weeks, and after that it's been smooth sailing. No food cravings, or really any other major changes other than I am carrying around a basketball in front. Good luck!

28 weeks!

Yesterday marked the entrance into the 3rd trimester and we're in the home stretch! The baby has been growing a lot lately and moves constantly. We're getting anxious to meet our little peanut!

Eigsti gang

The Eigsti clan bid fond farewell to a well-loved couch, "good ol' green". Mom and Dad Eigsti had the couch for numerous years and the time had come to say goodbye. We all had one last cozy sit on the couch while Dad gave us a scenic driving tour of the Eigsti estate in the old red truck.

Kayla loved riding in Grandpa's truck!
Thanksgiving/"Christmas" day family time
Micah and Ethan wore matching sweaters - too cute! If we have a boy, you can bet father and son will be matching next Christmas! :)
We did our gift exchange at Thanksgiving this year, since we won't be together at Christmas. Check out the cute hat Cherise got for Ethan!

We miss you all already!

The Many Faces of Chad

Our nephew Andrew, 3 1/2, is very into taking pictures lately. Chad kept him entertained for a long time one afternoon by letting Andrew take pictures of his silly faces. Andrew giggled and giggled and after every picture said, "Make more funny faces!". These pictures make me giggle, too. I love this guy! He's going to be such a great dad!