Reuniting

Last night was my 10 year high school reunion.  Wow.  10 years!  I feel bad because I didn't take a single picture nor was I in any pictures with anyone there but, I had a great time.  The great thing about it is was that it was my husband's reunion too.  We actually graduated together in the same year but, because our class was so large, we didn't know each other.  Yes, I knew of him but, we weren't friends or anything.  It was nice to go and see people we both knew in a time in our lives that was so distinctly different (he was in hockey and tech prep, I was in choir and honors....way different sides of world at our school).

So, I thought it would be sort of cool to share this dorky little questionnaire I found on a website about how you change (or not change) in 10 years!

Residence: HS? In Franfkort with parents.  Now? In Frankfort with husband (in my defense, we lived in Chicago for 4.5 years!)
Job: HS? Assistant Mgr at Marcus Theaters.  Now? Ecomm Marketing Associate
Pets: HS? Parents cat, Willlow.  Now? Our cat, Madeline
Love: HS? Boyfriend.  Now? Husband
Music Selection: HS? Ska, Punk and Rock.  Now? Anything by Rap but mostly Indie.
Activities: HS? Choir.  Now? Yoga and working out.
Biggest Fear: HS? Failing at becoming a doctor.  Now? Currently, birthing Baby Owl!
Biggest Accomplishment: HS? Being the Wench in Madrigals.  Now? Having a successful life and career.

Oh, and just to add on one little note....Yes, I wore heels to my reunion and they were these fabulous Calvin Klein numbers!

Latest Obsession

Because I can actually partake in fall fashion (I had to essentially ignore spring and summer), I have been extra excited about buying clothing.  Though most of my clothing comes from thrift stores and resale shops, I do buy some things new.  Especially when I feel that they are unique.

On my facebook, I follow Wanelo which likes to post pretty things to my wall everyday.  Normally, I try my best to ignore all the unique products that pop up but, this time, I just couldn't.  I just HAD to purchase a pair of tattoo socks from Post on Etsy.  I personally bought the first ones but, they are all so beautiful, I may have to go back and get some more!

9 Months

I can not believe that I am posting about being 36 weeks pregnant already.  It seems like this pregnancy has just flown by in retrospect.  I only have 4 weeks until my due date and I feel 50% completely prepared and 50% completely unprepared.  I have never really been good with the unknown so I think that is where the unpreparedness feelings come from.  This last month has been so hectic with the fire, attempting to train backups for my job at work and the reality of it all; having a baby, a son, someone who depends completely on me and my husband to raise him.  I know in the back of my mind I'll be a good mother but, I can't help feeling panicked about some things.  I suppose all moms go through that. 

The most exciting thing aside from knowing Little Owl will be here is the realization that I will be able to fit into normal, non-maternity clothing soon!  I am so obsessed with reading about the Fall's fashion because I had to essentially ignore Spring and Summer. 

Unimaginable Week

It has to be one of the worst weeks I have ever dealt with in my life.  On Tuesday night, I got a call around midnight from our local fire department saying that my parents' house had been struck by lightening and was on fire.  My husband and I rushed to their house (which is across town) to find the entire second floor engulfed in flames.  It took 8 towns of fire trucks and 2 and half hours to put out the fire.  Luckily, they were out of town on vacation in Colorado and their 10 year old Persian cat, Willow, was saved by a neighbor.  However, they lost almost everything and because they had driven to CO, I was off two days from work to deal with the insurance companies, the media (whom I have learned can be completely rude), and getting a few salvageable items out of the house. 

It was so incredibly scary to see the fire and deal with the aftermath.  My parents have been doing well dealing with it but, I know we have lost so much including many family photos, our baby books and baptismal outfits and childhood toys.  Though my brother and I are both married and live in our own houses, knowing some of this is lost is heart ache.  Especially as I am about to have my son.  It really makes you think about what is important in life....

6 weeks left....

I can't even begin to believe that there are only 6 weeks until my due date.  Ok, I can believe it but, it just seems to have gone by so fast.  Today I spent a good amount of time washing...well, everything.  As a side note, I HATE laundry.  Usually the hubby does it because he can't stand to have laundry sitting around so, once there is a full load ready, he is gearing up the washing machine.  However, this is not the case with baby clothing, sheets, sock, etc.  He isn't exactly sure why we need to wash everything before the baby wears it but, I know you have to.  So, I spend the day doing just that. 

But, I did get a chance to take a break and paint my nails.  For anyone who has been pregnant, you understand that things like painting your nails is one of the only things you have A: control over and B: make you feel pretty while pregnant.  Since all things fashion (eg. shopping, scouring fashion websites and blog, etc) seem pointless when you have a 40 inch waistline, the best you can do is focus on beauty.  Today, I painted my nails with the IT color of the fall, Chanel's Peridot nail lacquer.  Normally, I would never consider spending $24 on a bottle of nail polish but, it IS Chanel and it is an amazing color.

Hiccups

For some reason today the baby had hiccups at least 5 different times.  Usually he has them for maybe a few minutes and they are pretty subtle but, today was completely different.  Since he is head-down already, they were also uncomfortable.  I will let you guess why.  :)

My mom got me this dress at the boutique where I had my 3D images of the baby done.  I actually love this dress and sort of wish it wasn't a maternity dress so I could wear it after the baby is born.  Luckily it isn't really trendy so I can keep it and use it one day when we move on to another little owl. 

Being Baby Busy

I know, I know, my blogging has suffered lately.  However, with all the baby stuff going on, including our baby shower and getting the nursery ready, I have just lacked time to edit photos and post.  I am sure anyone who has expected a baby completely understands.  Right now, I am 33 weeks and on cruise control until I hit full term and start seeing my doctor every week.  My mother delivered both my older brother and I 10 days early so, I am prepping for doing the same...even if I don't, better safe than sorry.  So I have been spending an exorbitant amount of time washing bedding, clothing and diapers, figuring out how in God's name things work (like folding up my stroller to fit in my car, holy geez) and most time-consuming, training someone to do my job for my maternity leave at work.  Which, I must say, has proven more difficult than I originally thought.  Regardless, I wanted to share a few pictures of the nursery!

This is the room.  Ignore the random pile of baby stuff in the corner and what looks like a demonic cat coming out from behind the bed (I promise, she is completely harmless!)

Baby Owl's crib.  I love, LOVE this crib because it is simple, modern and there is a built in drawer on the bottom that is perfect for stashing extra linens.  The paintings were done by a friend of ours who recently moved to Shanghai with his wife.  They are both slightly abstract takes on places in Chicago (which will forever be out home even though we now technically live in the suburbs).  The one on the left is of Grant Park and the one on the right is of the Botanic Garden coy ponds.

The crib head-on....and YES, those are Ugly Dolls.  I chose stuff that doesn't really scream "BOY!" so I could reuse the bedding for Baby Owl #2 sometime in the distance future.  To make it somewhat boy, I just added boyish accessories.  Like Ugly Dolls.

He already has a large collection of stuffed animals, as you you can see....

I am a huge, huge fan of children's books (probably because my mother was a children's librarian when I was growing up) so I started him a collection of books and stuffed animals to go with the books. 

And just in case you were wondering, here was me at our baby shower.  We have a large amount of men on both sides of our family so, we held it at a brewery in the city called Haymarket Brewery.  A friend of ours co-owns it.  They brew their own beer and instead of baby shower favors (that no one ever takes home yet you spend too much money on), we paid for the beer.  It was a great day and we had an amazing time with family especially family from out of town.  We planned it the same weekend as my brother's wedding so everyone would be in to celebrate with us.  

Opening some books....including French versions of my favorites like Madeline and Le Petit Prince.

My aunt knitted me a blanket which I loved.  That would be my husband next to me as well as my mother (in the black shirt) and my mother-in-law all the way to the right.  

Me with my cousin Claire.  She lives in Boston so I don't get to see her that often.  She is 9 years younger than me but a foot taller than me (I am the shortest person in my entire extended family and I am 5'6).  Claire knits beautifully and owns an Etsy shop called Tumble Tower.

And here is me...8 months pregnant....standing in front of a line of malt bags they use for making the beer!