Date Night

Dinner at Marzanos

Wet evening but perfect date night

Appetizer...salad and torta di formaggio

Delicious

Dessert

After dinner coffee for dad

      I've been feeling a little magoo lately after being so sick for what seems like the past 2 months....so a nice gesture from your dad was just what I needed to boost my spirit.  He text me Friday afternoon and asked me out on a date (yep after this many years he still asked me out on a date) and asked if I could be ready to leave by 5:15.  I think I've mentioned it before but your dad is usually not the typical romantic type so when he pulls these sweet romantic gestures out of his pocket they really mean a lot.  The thought of a nice date night was alone enough to make my day amazing but it ended up being even better than what I expected.  We drove in the pouring rain and traffic to a quaint little restaurant next to the PLU campus in Tacoma.  He had made reservations which was a must because this cute little converted old two bedroom house was packed.  We sat down and had a wonderful dinner, starting off with appetizers, and ending the meal a delicious lemon cheesecake.  We talked about food, friends, the rain, our week, and most importantly you.  It was nice to reconnect and enjoy a nice quiet meal and conversation and talk about our little family.  We came home after dinner and watched a movie together and it was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.  I know one day you will appreciate how special and important these date nights are in relationships.  We love you baby Hannah!! xxoo

29 Weeks...oh my!!

You are definitely growing each day it seems

                                           

I'm not usually a fan of exposed belly shots...especially mine but I've been getting too many requests so here it is

Caught your dad doing something very cute on the computer

                               

     Here are some 29 week shots. You are growing like a weed and we love it!! It may be getting a little snug in there but we are so happy you are getting bigger and stronger each week.  I definitely feel more "round" these last few weeks and it's hard to hide you anymore.  Not that I wanted to hide you but now it's quite obvious there is a growing baby in there...not to mention I feel like I officially have begun to waddle.  Not much new to report...I've been craving strawberries and watermelon lately and of course those dang chocolate shakes.  Hard to believe you are going to be here in 11 weeks it seems like time is flying by.  We got to hear your sweet heartbeat for quite sometime because of the trip to the ER...which was not fun but getting to hear you move around and your heart pitter pattering will always be a joy!!

     The last picture is a picture of your dad on the computer...pretty standard and I'm sure you're thinking "mom, why would you take such a silly picture of nothing?"  BUT...the reason I took this picture is because of what you can't see.  Your dad was intently typing and focused (usually the mini lap-top is sitting on his lap :)  while he's leaned back and looking relaxed), so I asked him what he was looking at.  He had been setting up your college fund through Washington's Get Program...which is a guaranteed education tuition program. I was so impressed and fell even more in love with him at that moment.  I love that's he's already excited about your future and wants only the best for his baby girl.  

     Happy 29 weeks Hannah and continue to cook and grow in there sweet baby girl...your mom and dad love you so.  xxoo

Vacation and Blanket Making With Grandma Chevalier

     
      I started the start of our third trimester off with a little mini-staycation.  After dealing with being so sick and just downright exhausted it was really nice to take a little break from work and just head down to Grandma and Grandpa Chevalier's house and focus on relaxing.
     
      Grandma Chevalier is an excellent talent in so many ways as you will come to find out and one of her many creative talents is sewing.  She has made quilts for as long as I can remember and the baby blanket she made for me is something I still cherish and even sleep with :) yep that's right...still sleep with.  Even your dad loves this blanket. When he was sick and in the hospital a few years back I would lay it on his hospital bed and he would play with the silky edge (he might be really upset I posted this for all our friends, family and his precious daughter to see...oh well).  Needless to say it's something that brings me comfort and have gotten more use than probably anything I've ever owned over the last 30 years.  Loving my blanket so much made me want to make you one of your very own.

      Your Grandma and I set out on a fabric search and we found the white minky fabric first and knew that's what I wanted the backside to be.  The other side however was a bit of a challenge and I was beginning to think I wasn't going to find anything I loved...until... your grandma showed me the grey and white polka dots...DONE!  We got some pink satin binding, some yarn and some batting and we were set.  Then came the process of actually making the blanket.  Thank goodness for your grandma because I had no idea what I was doing and was a little intimidated by the whole process.  We made it through each step though and over six days we finished the blanket!!  Mostly hand sewn and even embroidered your name on the bottom.  It was a labor of love and I'm so thankful and in love with the final product as I hope you will be.  Thanks again Grandma for all the help!! xxoo

p.s. The last picture is just a photo of my last day of vaca with your dad.  It was a nice and relaxing week away but it was also really nice to get back home and spend some time with my love.

Things for Hannah

Joovy Zoom Jogging Stroller

                                                       

Sammy testing out the stoller

                                                       

New book shelf and lamp

                                                           

Zoo Membership...tested out with the Savvys

                                           

                                           

clothes, clothes and more clothes

                                     
                                                     


      Shopping for you sweet Hannah has been really fun, and I usually hate shopping.  We have been buying lots in order to get ready for your arrival and these are just a few of the highlights of all your new goodies.

      Your stroller finally arrived and it came in a rather large box.  Your dad and I both had a bit of the deer in the headlights look...afraid of how difficult the assembly would be.  We were pleasantly surprised when it was all put together except the wheels...SCORE!! We both really like it so far and hope it's nice and comfy for you...Sammy wanted to test it out right away to make sure it was up to par for his little Hannah too :)

     We've also done quite a bit with your room and got a few new bookshelves and lamps and picture frames, etc...by we I mean me...(your mom) has done quite a bit.  Your dad just keeps coming in and saying..."are you sure we need anything more?!?"  He's a tad neurotic when it comes to "stuff" and he starts thinking everything is too cluttered...you'll soon see and understand what I mean.  I think it's coming along quite nice though.

     One purchase I'm really excited about is our new zoo membership.  I have always loved the zoo and it's really nice to have such a great zoo so close to us.  We have already been twice now, once with just your dad and I and the other with the Savvys.  They are zoo pros and I'm sure Lyla will love to show you the ropes :)

     Last but definitely not least...the clothes...oh the clothes.  We were so blessed and received a HUGE box of clothes from little miss Leah and the Rubi's, so your closet is already full.  I've been also adding to it here and there and it's just amazing how many cute things are out there.  Your dad rolls his eyes every time I show him something new and expresses his concern that we already have plenty...but don't let him fool you...he also has a little online shopping addiction and has been buying you Seahawks and Ducks gear too.

      We hope you like your new goodies baby girl...but by far the best thing we will get is you and we can't wait!! xxoo

26 Weeks...come and gone

   
     I have been quite the slacker on our blog lately but in my defense I've been pretty dang miserable.  My flu turned into pneumonia, which then caused me to crack a rib which was really uncomfortable and then things got even worse.  On Saturday March 30th we were heading to bed and I coughed, that's right just coughed...but suddenly I heard and felt a pop and was in complete and utter pain.  Over the next hour or so I was on the phone with my dad trying to figure out what I had done, Damien was on the phone with 911 (a little over-reaction but he was just worried), and there were a lot of tears and sad to say screaming in pain. We finally managed to slowly make it to the emergency room and they weren't quite sure what was going on.  I couldn't take a breath and the pain was awful. They ended up having to do an X-ray and ultimately said I had a bad case of pleurisy.  We monitored Hannah for quite some time doing a non-stress test and I have to say hearing her sweet heartbeat and hearing the OB nurse say Hannah seemed completely unaffected by what was going on with me and how active and normal she seemed was the biggest relief and the only thing that made the pain bearable.  So the next few days were spent in bed and in agony.  There was little to no relief and I wasn't sure how much more I could take.  I finally realized I needed to work on getting better so I began using the spirometer that the ER dr sent me home with.  I woke up Monday morning and alas....relief!! The pain wasn't gone but one million times better.  Apparently I had a partially collapsed lung, which the spirometer helped to re-inflate.  Needless to say it's been a very trying few weeks but fingers crossed the worst is over!! I'm so thankful to friends, family and especially my parents for being so great and sending messages and my parents for keeping me calm and listening to me cry at all hours of the night and day.

      This picture is obviously from a few weeks ago but wanted to explain why I have been a little MIA lately.  Hannah sure is getting bigger and a lot more active.  At night especially she is all over the place and it's exciting to have Damien feel her so much and see how active our little noodle is.