IT'S A..................

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!! All 11oz of her!

I still can't believe it! I thought FOR SURE this baby inside of me was a boy. Everything about this pregnancy has been completely different from Kennedy. I know that really means nothing, but I don't know, I just really thought it was a boy. As you can imagine, I was shocked when I heard GIRL. I didn't cry though... I actually giggled! I was giddy with excitement. I love raising my girl! And we have EVERYTHING for a girl, so I was looking forward to using it all again. But aside from my excitement, Jon sat there disappointed. He's getting 'fixed' after this one, so this was our last chance for a boy. Unless the Lord miraculously intervenes :) After the ultrasound tech checked three times and actually showed us the three lines on the baby (which means 'girl parts') I was convinced. Since my mom and Kennedy went for a walk during the last part of the ultrasound, they missed the big news. We came out to tell them and Kennedy exclaimed, "But I wanted a BOY!" Last week she also mentioned how Daddy needs a boy because there's already three girls (Riley was included in the count - lol) ...so I think she was a little sad. But after I explained that she'll be able to play dolls and color with her, she was convinced :)

Right now, there's just one problem with having a girl. Names. We only have one I like so far and Jon just said it was 'ok'. So I need your help! Start sending names our way as you think of them!! We like unique, but not trendy ...and it has to go with Mae, as it will be her middle name (after Grandma's middle name). Another great thing about having a girl... I can incorporate her name into the baby's name! :) I just wish I could've called grandma today to tell her the big news. I know she'd be so excited that we're expecting another girl :)

So... 20 weeks down, 20 to go! Seems like a lot and I know I have to be patient! But I'm not ready for a newborn. I'm going to enjoy the next 4-5 months of sleeping through the night! ;)

Picture: Our ultrasound tech wasn't the friendliest and only printed this shot of her for us to take home... the creepy alien position. haha! I wish I had more to show everyone, but all-in-all, baby measured perfectly for 20 weeks and is right on track. Praise the Lord!

Grandma

Dear Grandma,

Yesterday was one year since you went to be with the Lord. I still can't believe it. So much has happened since you've been gone and I wish you were here to experience it all with us. Here are a few highlights...

Last year in April, just about a month after you passed, I decided I was going to get healthy. Over the course of 4 months, I lost 25 lbs by eating right and working out! I did it for you. You were always telling me I should take care of myself so I didn't end up with health problems later on... so I did it. And then I gained a few pounds back. But I promise I'll get those pesky pounds off again!

Kennedy turned THREE in May and we had a big party for her in the backyard. Lots of friends and family, grilled food, pasta salads and a bouncy house! I made it a garden theme... for you. I know how much you loved to garden. The kids decorated their own potted plants to take home and we ate dirt cake for dessert! It was a blast, but we missed you so much. I thought about you all day.

In June, Kennedy and I went to California to visit the Searcys and Eichlers. We had an AMAZING time. Disneyland was awesome, but really it was just great being with friends that love us all so much. They miss you dearly. Who wouldn't?

When we returned, I decided I wanted to try my hand at baking. After helping Sheena with her cake business in California, I suddenly had the desire to bake. I purchased a KitchenAid mixer on craigslist and got to work perfecting my skills. And guess what?! I'm actually good at it. Baking a few different things lead to an experiment. I dug up tons of your favorite bakery recipes and decided to blog 30 recipes in 30 days. I only got to day 12 (which I never blogged on) and I feel like I let you down. Life got busy and I didn't complete it. I'm so sorry. I promise to finish it someday.

Kennedy started school in September. You would've been so proud of your sweet girl. She did well the first day and continued to flourish. She LOVES it! We're still working on sharing and not throwing fits when she wants her way (sound like someone you know???) but all-in-all, she is a very bright, sweet, LOVING little girl. You were always impressed with her speech and ability to express herself verbally, and she continues to thrive to this day. You would be amazed by her. I know we are every single day.

Thanksgiving was hard without you. Believe it or not, I actually hosted ...and it was GOOD!! Obviously I didn't do the cooking. Just the mashed potatoes. I sure missed your Thanksgiving though. No one will ever top your cooking. I still regret to this day, not taking you up on those lessons. Speaking of, I still can't find your deviled eggs and potato salad recipes. Please come to me in a dream and tell me where they are!!! haha ;)

On December 13th, we found out we were pregnant!! We waited until Christmas to share the big news with the family. Everyone was so excited, but my mom's reaction was priceless. I'm glad I got it on tape, but we missed you there...

Jon got a promotion at work in January. He's now a garbageman! Doesn't sound much like a 'promotion', but he makes more money and comes home clean. I like both of those things. My review went VERY well in January. I work for the most amazing doctors, as you know. But the best part? I can work part time and still not sacrifice seeing Kennedy - AND I love my job (bonus). We're so blessed!

This winter has been terrible. We got dumped on the first week of February (19 inches!!) and it felt like it never let up. I'm excited for spring. It was almost 60 today! And tomorrow is supposed to be even better. Woo hoo! (It's the little things.)

A lot has happened over the course of the year and these were just a few major points. What I really wanted to tell you is that I think about you everyday - dozens and dozens of times every single day. I see you in everything and everything reminds me of you. Last summer it rained really hard. I was out and about in Brookfield and I thought to myself, right about now my grandma would be calling me to make sure we're ok. It was a scary ride home on the freeway, but we were safe. I REALLY miss those calls. Even though I thought you worried way too much, I can see why you did. Having Kennedy has made me appreciate the worry wart in you. I wish I had just one more day with you. One more day to hug and kiss you, to spend time with you doing our favorite things, to tell you I love you a million times over. My heart is still missing a vital piece - you. And although life went on, I never EVER will stop loving you and missing you. My heart aches thinking of you, but I know we'll see each other again. I love you, my dear, sweet, AMAZING grandma. Until we meet again...

Love Always and Forever,
Mo

I came across this while I was looking for something else on my hard drive. We made the video with our friends right before we got married in October 2005. 'Friends' was my all-time favorite show and I wanted to pay homage to it. Our videographer friend, Russ, filmed and edited the entire thing for us as a wedding present and I'm so thankful for the memories! We showed this at our wedding right after our slide show of pictures and people screamed and applauded afterward. They LOVED it!! Ahh... great memories with AMAZING friends. I love you all so much. Thank you for being a part of our lives. ENJOY! :)