Happy New Year!!

Stephen and I are staying home tonight. No big deal, I'd rather stay home and be comfy and I think Stephen just really isn't up for the going out thing right now either. Our New Years Resolutions? Stephens is to be a good dad...=) He already is to me if he's making resolutions like that. Mine is to bring our baby boy into the world with a healthy start. I want to teach Michael so many things and spoil him. I know Stephen feels the same way. I know we're going to go through alot more changes together and I feel like we both have the same outlook and goals as far as raising our baby boy. I'm so excited for Feb to get here.
I've spent most of today painting stuff for the baby's room. I'm so excited that I took a more creative and inexpensive approach to decorating his room. Now all we need to do is set it all up. I can't wait. Here are some pics. =)

So Christmas went great. Stephen invited a couple of his friends over who were staying in the barracks. And together we made a great Christmas lunch/dinner. Stephen did the turkey and I handled the rest. WITH NO CASUALTIES OR FOOD POISONING!! lol. I was so glad everything came out great. Stephen loved his presents. I got him a Tom Brady jersey, some patriots flip flops, and a tool kit with everything in it that he needs. He got me a Dooney and Burke bag that is just gorgeous with the matching wallet and a beautiful pair of earrings. We really did well for eachother this year. Not that the presents matter but it was great to be able to spend Christmas just the two of us. Boston and Daisy loved their presents. We had them each a stocking with treats and toys and i kept two of the four bones Stephen's mom sent so they had something to open for Christmas..plus it keeps them quiet when company is here. So here are some pics I took of stephen and food and gifts and another preggo pic of me...getting huge!!!!

Happy Christmas Eve

Stephen is finally home. He left a little over two weeks ago to fill in on a boat in St. Pete. While I'm glad he got to go back to the states for a bit, i'm even happier that he's home. I picked him up yesterday from the "aeropuerto" around 1130 and we fought traffic to get home. He says I've gotten bigger...i absolutely feel bigger, that's for sure. Beached whale comes to mind when someone asks how I am doing. He had a great trip and was even part of the opening ceremonies for the St.Petersburg bowl..he was part of the American flag shaped like the u.s. But because of a stupid basketball game on ESPN, they skipped over taping the opening ceremony and went straight to kick-off.
Tomorrow is Christmas and I am so thrilled. It's our last Christmas just the two of us. Next year we'll have little baby boy to flourish with gifts and start the traditional "fib" about Santa bringing presents. I can't wait. We're normally in Mass at his parents' house for this time of year but because of my massive belly and risk of having a baby soon, we opted to stay home and spend it here. I love Christmas in Mass...the snow on the ground and absolutely frigid cold makes it all come together to feel like the holidays. It's almost difficult to listen to Christmas music here when it's 85 degrees out. So, we'll have some company over tomorrow and I'll attempt not to food poison them or burn anything. Let's hope it goes well. I'll post pics tomorrow of our gifts and food, etc. Dr appt on the 29th...so i'm hoping i have more great news to report.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Saw my little man today

Our baby boy is doing so well...he's estimated 4lbs at this point..which is good. everything is developing nicely...and apparently he's a comedian already. he was sticking his tongue out during the ultrasound..i have pics to prove it..lol.

he's definitely still a boy...lol not shy at all. i can't wait to meet him, i'm so excited.

me, i've gained 6 more pounds..rounding me out at 26 lbs since i started this..and ten more growing weeks left. I'm anemic so he has me on iron pills...i guess that it's normal..he didn't seem too concerned. 10 weeks left chicks...i can't wait.


oh and p.s. they've warned me about his big head lol

Stephen wasn't able to come today because he left suddenly yesterday for Florida for two weeks. ahhh the joys of military and the amount of time they give you to prepare for such things....either way, i got a cd with the pics on it so i can show him when he gets home...or email them...

so here's a few comical pics you might enjoy...i cry everytime.

What a week

Thanksgiving has come and gone...with a full belly but a sad heart. Maw Maw Vern passed away on Thanksgiving day. We knew she wasn't far away after Mr Gary passed, that just destroyed her and she hasn't been the same since. She had a heart attack a week or so ago and told them she was ready to go. She joins Mr Gary (her son) and her husband. They've been torn since april of 2007 when her husband passed, then joined by Mr Gary this October and now she follows. She had a great and busy life...ending at age 78. We will miss you Vernice Brunies.

We went over to the neighbors for thanksgiving dinner. I made the only thing I ever make and that is cajun cheesy chicken..yum. Usually a crowd pleaser but I had an assistant this time that didn't measure the amount of salt he put in the pot. Bless his heart, he was just helping..lol. Love you honey.

Friday was nothing major to sneeze at. Heidi and myself went to Kmart to get a few things and I came back to get the house ready for company. Who will be here in a few hours, and we're still working on the last minute things. Oh if i weren't so tired all of the time now, it would all be done. Eddie comes today and then Thursday his sister and her husband will be here for the weekend. We have lots of fun stuff planned and I'm sure plenty of pictures to take. Stephen hasn't seen his friends since Lanelle's (sp) wedding last October.

Not long until Christmas though and I can't wait. I've been waiting for this holiday since June. Mainly because it comes and goes so fast and then it'll be Feb before you know it and Michael Patrick will make his grand and hopefully painless entrance into the world. It's amazing how much you can love someone you've never met. Everytime he kicks me in the ribs or plays in my belly, i can't help but almost cry and laugh at the same time. That's our baby boy in there! Stephen is so excited about the baby coming. He got to feel him kicking for a good while the other night and his face said a thousand heartfelt words. It's amazing how something so great is so close but so far away ya know.

Michael, we can't wait to meet you. =)

Dr. Appt

Starting weight in June: 154lbs
Weight today: 174 lbs
I'm 5'9
27 weeks
He says baby is going to be big =)

And my dr turns to me and says Meeda (means, look or hey in spanish) You need to slow down (in his sweet puerto rican concerned accent). Then continues, "Have you ever had Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico?" "No.", "The Puerto Ricans, we will try to feed you...you need to be careful!"

Although I laughed at his sincerity and calling me "grande", I have gained 20 lbs thus far and feel like an Ogre....Fiona the Ogre to be exact. I love my dr, but where's my shirt that says, "Thanks, pregnant women love to hear about how huge they are"

R.I.P. Gary Brunies

On October 22nd Gary W. Brunies passed away from congestive heart failure. He will be and is greatly missed. We had his funeral at Our Lady of the Isle Catholic church the following Monday and said our goodbyes. Though he's gone he lives in spirit as we can't quit telling his funny stories and laughing about the fun times we all shared. I am incredibly saddened because he will not be around to see his grandson Michael be born into the world. I'm sure Michael would have loved to listen to his paw paw tell stories about his childhood. I managed to write and delivery a eulogy that truely did him no justice. He is and was such a great person and it does not seem fair to have him leave us so soon at the age of 57.
While I have been here, we have taken the kids out for halloween (i'll post pics later), a surprise baby shower was thrown (pics later) for Kassi and I, and on November 4th 2008, Kassi's daughter Morgan Rae was born into the world at 7:48 pm weighing in at 9lbs and .8oz stretching out at 21 inches long (pics later as well).

Plenty of tears have been shed this trip and just as much as they were sad, they were happy as well. It is unfortunate that Mr. Gary could not be here to share it all with us.