Friday Surprise

The Thursday before my baby shower E told me not to make plans for that Friday night between 6-8 and to come straight home from work. Well that got me wondering. What could he have up his sleeve? The only thing I could think of is that maybe he had someone coming to the house to pamper me for two hours. He’s never done that before but that was the only thing I could think of that could take two hours and be at my house. Well 6pm came and went and no surprise, but at 7pm the door bell rang and when I opened the door there were a bunch or balloons and hiding behind them was my Meghan!!! She came all the way from Indy to be here to celebrate the Baby shower with me! She had been here for all the special events in my life and I am so lucky to have her as a friend. We have never lived in the same town. Her Dad lives down the street from my Mom and she would visit for two weeks during the summer, but those two weeks we were inseparable. From the first time we meet we were instant friends, It was like we had always known each other. Despite the distance between us we have always been very close. She stayed with me until Sunday and it was a great three days with her. We spent a lot of time talking Sunday morning and it’s so weird to think we’ve been friends for 13 years, and even weirder to think we are both going to be moms. Our lives have changed so much in 13 years; everything has changed, except our friendship, that will be forever. The next time we see each other we will both have babies, that still seems so crazy. I can’t wait to see her again; the next trip Jillibean and I will be going to Indy to meet Peanut!!

Furniture/Bedding

We had been looking everywhere for baby furniture. I could spend all day searching the internet and comparing cribs/dressers/bassinets. There where so many to choose from it was getting confusing. We also found that many stores didn’t have things in stock, they had pictures to look at and then you could order them and pay high shipping costs, so things didn’t seem as affordable as they were marked.

A friend at work told me she was selling some furniture and invited us to look at them before she put them in the paper. I could not wait to go and when the day came it felt like Christmas or something I was so excited. So in February E and I went to her beautiful home and found she had exactly what we were looking for; the furniture was perfect and so beautiful. On our way home that night she called to say she and her husband had talked and she said they knew we had just bought a new home and this was out first baby so we had a lot to still buy, so they wanted us to have all the furniture as a gift. I was in complete shock; I had nothing to say back to herand that doesn’t happen often. This was such a huge gift and meant so much to us. They gave us a crib with mattress, a dresser/changing table, cradle with bedding, bassinette and even a toddle bed with mattress that matched the other furniture. I love it all and can’t express to them enough how grateful we are. I wrote them a poem (all by myself!) and took a picture of the furniture and put them in a frame together at the baby shower so that everyone else could see the incredible gift we had been given. The poem went like this:

Peanut

On January 10th I got a very exciting phone call from one of my closest friend’s husband. I was a little worried at first but I heard her talking so I knew she was ok. When I picked up the phone he said “What did you do to my wife?” I knew right away what that meant!!!! She was pregnant too! They have been married almost eight years and for eight years I have been asking her when she was going to have a baby, and she’d say well when you are? So once I was I told her tt was her turn now, but she in school getting her masters so she planned to wait till she was done with school and they had built a new house, well I guess little Peanut was not wanting to wait that long. Peanut will be here the end of August and I am so excited for us to be pregnant together!!! Meghan & Jeremy will be wonderful parents and I am so happy for them. Jeremy is thrilled to be a Dad, just like E, and I so happy for Meghan that she has the wonderful support of her husband, it makes all the difference.

Her first DVD

Her first DVD is Cinderella. Her Daddy loves DVD’s and wanted to get her her first one. We can’t wait to watch it with her, but from what we here we won’t be saying that later after it’s been played over and over again all day! We have also bought her Bambi too!

News Years

For New Year we took Grandma down to the Keys to be with my family for the holiday. I love being there; it’s one of my favorite places. We got there Friday night and got up early Saturday morning to go out on the boat. Being on the water is so peaceful. We enjoyed yummy food and great company. We also got to show everyone the video of the ultrasound; it was great to watch it with everyone. I can’t wait to take Jillibean down there; I hope she likes it as much as I do and her Daddy too. My cousin Alex is 3 and it will be neat to watch her show Jillibean all the things she likes and just watch them play together. Life is changing and I can’t wait.

Is it a girl or a boy?

This was the day I had been waiting forever for. I just had to know who was inside me. We did not have a preference and would be happy either way, but everyone one else seemed so sure it was a girl. So the day was finally here to find out.

E had taken the morning off to go with me; he wouldn’t miss this for anything. We got to the clinic and were called right back. “Momma Bird” is friends with the ultrasound tech so it was nice to have someone I know. She hurried us back to the room and was quick to get started. As soon as we could see the baby for the first time I was amazed. It was unreal to actually see what has been moving around in there. The first thing we saw were feet, big ones! The baby had its feet up by its head so we would see two feet and then the top of its head and then feet again, it was so cute. E and I had talked about whose feet the baby would have, his cute nice normal feel or my big Pasquis feet, well it looks like the baby got mine! We saw the profile and everything look good. Now it was time to see if the baby would show us if it was a boy or a girl. The tech said if you look right here we have two little legs, it likes the baby is sitting on the camera and right here you see three little dots, that means we have a GIRL!!!!!! I started crying as soon as I heard the word; I’m going to have a daughter. What an amazing moment. I was so happy just to know who my little one is. I can now call her by name and talk to her about all the things I can’t wait to do with her, all the things I want to teach her and most of all I want her to know how much she means to her Daddy and I and how we’ve thought about and talked about her for so long now, she is our world. We have always said that if we had a little girl she would be name after E’s mom Jillene and she will have my Great Grandmother’s middle name, Annmarie. My nickname is Beans, short for Ninibeans, so we have been calling her Jillibean.

Christmas Day

We woke up Christmas morning to open presents with Grandma. E was so happy to have his Grandmother with him on Christmas, I think that’s all he wanted for Christmas (well his toys too). Grandma wasn’t expecting much but we had to spoil her and we tried to do it with things that had meaning. We put together a photo album of all her family with a picture of her and Grandpa on the front. Eric picked out her favorite perfume and I put together a Book of Days that has everyone’s birthdays and phone numbers and address so that she has it all together in one place. And of course she had to have chocolates, we got her Turtles, one of her favorites. E and I spoiled each other too since it was our last Christmas as a couple, next year it will be all about the baby and we can’t wait. I got him clothes and DVD’s (of course) and video games. I got lots of clothes, since I can’t fit most of them anymore, and perfume. He also surprised me with a new Coach purse. I have never been into name brand fashions but I just love the look of Coach. A friend had one and I thought it was just the cutest thing and was going to get one till she said how much they cost. I was shocked and would never spend that much, but E found an outlet mall ( with a little help from Des) and got a really good deal. He knows I would never spend that on myself especially with the baby coming so he wanted to give me one last spoil and I love it.

The three of us went to Dad’s for diner. D’s grandmother and E’s got along real well and had a good time with each other. We had a yummy prime rib diner and then exchanged gifts. It was a wonderful Christmas; I can’t wait to see what next year will bring!

Christmas Day

Who's Belly is bigger?

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning E and I were lying in bed when the baby started moving. E had tried to feel the movements before but without any luck. A couple of time he thought he felt something but wasn’t sure, this time he knew. He got a real hard kick and knew for sure he had felt the baby. I think it makes it seem more real to him that he can now feel the baby move.

That night we had my family over for Christmas Eve diner. I made a big ham that RB had given us along with all the fixins. After a yummy meal we all kicked back to watch March of the Penguins. I was sitting with Dad and during the movie the baby started moving again. This usually happens after I eat, I think the baby loves food as much as I do (and Dad too, it’s a Pasquis thing). Dad put his hand on my belly just as the baby gave a hard kick (well I guess they are kicks). It was so neat for Dad and E to both feel the baby on a special day.

Christmas Shopping

Oh what fun Christmas shopping is!!! This year it was hard to stay focused on what I needed to be getting because all I wanted to do was shop for the baby or look at baby things. I can’t wait to do that next year. It seems like everywhere I turn there are babies. I went shopping one day and was talking to my belly asking the baby if it was a boy or a girl, and then every where I went there were baby girls, I didn’t see one boy that day. Maybe it’s a sign??? Or maybe just coincidence. We'll find out on December 29th, that’s when we get the first ultrasound!

Aunt Meggie sent Baby Beans it’s first Christmas present. The baby got red pajamas with the little flap on the butt that folds down and it says Baby Bean’s 1st Christmas. It’s so adorable I just need the baby to go in it!!!! K from work got Baby Beans a Christmas present too, all wrapped up pretty. It was so neat to see a present under the tree for the baby!

December 13th what a GREAT day!

I finally felt the baby move. I was just sitting at my desk working away when all of a sudden I felt something. Was that what I think it was? Or was it just gas? I wasn’t sure if I really felt what I think I felt. Then a little while later I felt it again, oh yeah, that was the baby. It really moved I couldn’t believe it. I called E right away and then told everyone I saw that day. It seems like I had been waiting for this forever and it finally happened. December 13th is also Baby Beans Aunt O’s birthday, maybe the Bean was sending a Happy Birthday to Aunt O!!

3rd Appointment

November 28th, I was 16 weeks pregnant. This was my first appointment at the OB office, the first two at been at the main clinic, but from now on I go to the office just for preggo chicks. There was a lady waiting to see that doctor that was drinking this orange drink. I was not sure what it was but she was pretty pregnant, so I couldn’t wait till I could drink that stuff too, since that would mean I was closer to meeting my little one!!! These appointments are pretty quick, get on the scale, check blood pressure and listen for the baby’s heart beat. That’s it, I was in and out in 20 minutes. I didn’t know I’d get to hear the heart beat every month, I’m so excited

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we went to NC to see E’s family. We took both our four legged baby’s with us and they both behaved themselves which made me proud. Rudy got to go on his first hike through the woods and was very happy to lead the way. He did a great job and even got to ride in the back of E’s truck, that made him a very happy boy! And the princess was her normal princess self, lying around and being pampered. E’s cousin was 34 weeks pregnant and her belly was so neat to watch. You could see Miss N moving all over the place, it made me want to be able to feel my little one even more. We had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner as always, I was stuffed and ready for a nap. E’s Grandma came home with us to stay for a while. We had made sure when we found a new house that it had room for Grandma, so we were excited to bring her home.

My birthday

For my birthday this year Eric got me a machine to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I was so excited!!!! We had to try it right away. My whole life now is about the baby, I don’t want anything for me just things for the baby. The baby’s all I think about and I have never been happier!!! To celebrate we went with D & D to the Melting Pot for dinner. Yum! Yum! Everything was great, the appetizer, dinner and especially dessert, that was defiantly my favorite part!!!! A huge bowl of melted chocolate with yummy things to dip in it, what else could a pregnant chick (or any chick for that matter) want???

My 2nd Appointment

Eric came with me to my next appointment, it was a very special occasion. We were going to hear our baby’s heart beat for the first time. We brought a small tape recorded with us so we could record the precious noise and be able to play it again and again; and also to be able to share it with all our family and friends. The doctor found it fast and it was a strong little beat, to me it sounds like a horse galloping. It’s unbelievable to know that there is another person inside me, it blows my mind. I can't wait to feel the baby move!

My First Appointment

I went for my first appointment on September 29, 2005. I waited about 30 minutes to see the doctor, but it felt a lot longer. The longer I sat there the more nervous I got. I’m not sure what I was nervous about, but I couldn’t help but cry. They were happy tears mixed with the worry of the unknown. Would the baby be healthy? Was I really pregnant? Would I be a good mom? Would I like my Doctor? How can I wait nine months when 30 minutes seems too long?

Then they called my name and all my crazy worries subsided, for the moment. I then got to meet my new doctor for the first time; my old one didn’t deliver babies anymore so I had to find a new one. I asked everyone I trusted who they recommended and I was only told of one, Dr. J. I was nervous about changing doctors so that made me feel a lot better, and the best news was she accepted my insurance and was taking new patients.

After my first appointment I knew why she came so highly recommended! She was great, down to earth, explained things so I could understand and made me feel like I was talking to a friend not a doctor. I’m really happy with her! After that first appointment I finally told my boss RB and the rest of the office. I didn’t want to share my news at work until I had seen a doctor and knew that I was really pregnant. Well I couldn’t wait to get back to work so I didn’t have to hide my excitement anymore. I told RB first and shared with her that the baby’s heart started beating in NYC, and what an amazing thing that will be to share with the baby one day. She said baby must be a girl since it got it’s heart beat in NYC!!! Maybe, we’ll have to wait and see.

A Day in New York City

On Saturday September 17, 2005 RB had asked our team to join her at seminar for the day. It started at 8am and was in Orlando so she requested that we all meet at the office at 6am. When we arrived there was a limo waiting for us, she said since we had to leave so early and would return late, she didn’t want anyone having to drive. After getting situated in the limo she passed out breakfast she had picked up for us at McDonalds. After about an hour in the car someone asked where the seminar was. We were told we it was at the Hotel in the Orlando International Airport. When we arrived we were dropped off at the hotel entrance, but I didn’t see any signs about a seminar that day. It was only 7am, so I thought we were just early and they hadn’t put them out yet. RB wasn’t sure what floor of the hotel it was on so she said to take the elevator to the next floor and we’d ask someone. Well the next level was the arriving and departing flights. There were couches outside the elevator so she said we’d take a seat and she’d get out her papers and see where we were to go. As we sat she took out an envelope and as she removed the papers her hands began to shake. She stood and looked around at us as she told us “Well there really is no seminar today, but I’d like to invite you all to join me for a day in NEW YORK CITY!” We all went crazy, some were in shock, some were jumping up and down and everyone was ecstatic. What an incredible surprise. Well no one on the trip knew about my little surprise, and I was nervous about flying and going that far away so early in my pregnancy, but there was no way I was going to miss out on this once in a life time adventure!

We flew a Jet Blue flight leaving at 7:15AM. Once aboard the flight RB passed out personalized goody bags for each of us, each full of the things we’d need for the day like a camera, breath freshener, lighters (for those that needed one), gum for the flight and a magazine about NYC. Each seat on Jet blue even had their own TV, so I did what I do every Saturday morning, I watched Spoongbob. You are never too old for cartoons! With all the excitement and the cartoons, the flight was over before I knew it. When we arrived in NYC there was another limo waiting to pick us up. From the airport to our first destination we all took turns calling our loved ones to tell them where we were. When I called E we had just arrived at our first destination, Central Park, I said “Baby guess what, I’m in a limo looking at Central Park!” and he said “Babe Central Park is in NYC not Orlando.” “I know that’s where I’m at!!!,” I said. “WHAT??”

We all got to take a horse and buggy ride around Central Park and then it was back to the limo and on to the next stop. We took a quick tour around the original Macy’s and then back to the limo so we didn’t miss our lunch reservations at Tavern on the Green. Wow what an amazing place that is. I was in total delight being there, it was so beautiful and the food was great too! I think I could have stayed there all day, that was my favorite place. From lunch it was on to the musical Hairspray. I had never been to a musical before so I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved it. It was a blast and taught you something too. From there we did some souvenir shopping while RB picked us up some dinner at Carnegie Deli. I bought Baby Beans’ first Teddy Bear there in NYC and I can’t wait to tell the baby all about where the teddy bear came from! We ate our huge sandwiches on the flight home, what a way to end the most amazing day. I think I said amazing more that day than any day before. When I got home that night I read my daily journal that tells what changes the baby experienced each day, and that was the day the baby’s heart started beating, amazing huh?

Central Park & NYC Skyline

NYC Macy's

The original wooden escalator in Macy's

Tavern on the Green

The girls of BR arriving for lunch at Tavern on the Green!!!

Nice Limo Huh?

Inside Tavern on the Green

Hairspray