Week 19

Week 19...wow!

When we found out we were pregnant - already 15 weeks ago - I thought that this was going to be the LONGEST pregnancy ever. Each stage seemed forever away ... I wanted to start showing, I wanted to feel the kicks and nudges, I wanted to wear maternity clothes and I wanted people to notice that I was pregnant.

Now, I'm right in the heart of pregnancy...where did those 15 weeks go? Time has seriously flown. I'm already showing, I'm already feeling kicks and nudges, and I'm already wearing maternity clothes. I'm PREGNANT! How did all of these stages seem so far away...but yet happen so quickly?

In only 4 days (Thursday, Dec. 3!) we already get to know the gender of our bitty baby! Where has the time gone?

Week 19 info:

Baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato.

Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

For my birthday my mom & dad got me a gift card from Macy's for the sole purpose of picking out and purchasing a maternity winter coat. Katie & I headed out on Wednesday ... check it out...

whoa! you might be asking yourself...is that Rachel's belly already?!

um...no...we had to make sure that this coat would last for all of winter so we used one of the "bumps" off of a mannequin. The saleswoman said that it adds 4 months...I'd agree with that! But it did help us to pick out the coat...this one was perfect!

With all of the excitement of Thanksgiving, my mom, sisters & I totally forgot to do my weekly measurement and picture...so it was just Brian & I again...

we didn't have a cloth tape measure

we had to pull out twine to measure around!

Trip wanted to be part of the action

39 inches!

belly bump by the Christmas tree!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ahhh Thanksgiving...what a most delicious time of the year! I have found that I REALLY love turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, and everything else that comes with this special Thursday in November.

Every year I am given the job of bringing the green bean casserole...and yes, it is the most delicious green bean casserole you will have ever tasted...I put CHEESE in it! Cheese = good

Trippy loves it too, of course!

As we have done for the past forever, Brian & I (and Trip!) made our way to not one, not two, but three houses to celebrate this holiday of thanks with our families. We first went to his parents house and had a great time with his mom & dad, his brothers, Eric & Kevin, Uncle Doug, & cousin Collin. Yum, yum, yum!

Brian & Doug back from getting more wine...

Brian got one with a cork and Doug, a twist off...

hmm, which one do you think was better??

Eric & Kevin relaxing watchin' the Macy's Thanksgiving parade

dinner time at the Witko's!

Kevin, me, Brian, Collin, Rick, Eric & Doug

me - CranApple juice...Brian - wine

Towards the later part of the afternoon we then headed over to my parents house for some after dinner fun. Brian & dad watched football and us girls (mom, Kris, Liz, Mack & myself) sat at the table chatting, laughing, and playing Rummy. It didn't take long to break out the turkey for turkey sandwich #1 of the day. I love leftovers!

tired of Rummy, pulled out Rummikub!

me and mom took first and second place

Bri, Mack, Kris

I love my sister!

Mackie & Trippy

Around 6pm we headed over to Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rick's house for dessert. Uncle Rick's family was in town for the holiday and the Witkowski's came over for dessert too! We had a nice big crowd. It was nice to all get together at the end of the day, the perfect chance for Brian & I to be with both of our families. We are very lucky how close our families are....not only in distance!

...views of the party...

Witkowski boys...Eric, Brian, & Kevin
when did Brian become the short one???

me, Mack, Kris, Barb & Grandma Mary

Milazzo Family Picture

Dudek Family Picture - Danny, Aunt Lynn, Uncle Rick, & Mikey

Mark, Al, Lori, & Nick
(Uncle Rick's sister and family)

Throughout the year we may forget to express our graditude or give thanks. But, then Thanksgiving comes and it gives us the chance to really think about what we're thankful for in our lives. What are you thankful for? Have you yet answered the question?

I've thought a lot about what I'm thankful for this year. There's some big things, small things, obvious things, and not so obvious things...

I'm thankful for my family, my in-laws, and my friends...duh?! who isn't? can you dig deeper?

I'm thankful for my husband Brian. I've never met a more loving, thoughtful, caring, generous, and supportive person. Without him, I may never have gotten through everything the past 3 years. I'm the luckiest person in the world to get to spend the rest of my life with him.

I'm thankful for Dr. Hickey and the Hinsdale Center for Reproduction for making our dream of having a child come true. I'm thankful for the family who so graciously donated their embryos...not knowing who the recipient would be...and who are totally unaware of the gift they have given us.

I'm thankful for Baby Witko and the sweet little kicks and nudges that I'm starting to feel stronger and stronger everyday.

I'm thankful for the selling of our townhouse...which miraculously sold in only 19 days.

I'm thankful for my students. They are the hardest working kids in my school - they really never get a chance to just chill. Every year they answer with hard work and everlasting love. I'm so lucky to have the chance to be a part of their learning and their lives.

I'm thankful for my Trippy girl who makes me smile everyday. I love her snuggles and her kisses...and I even love it when she "talks" back to me when she's in trouble.

...now for some silly ones...

I'm thankful for McDonald's and their delicious Big Mac's...I think I'm going to see if Brian will run out and get me one right now! (yes, this has become my obsession/craving ;) McDonald's Big Mac's = heaven)

I'm thankful for anything mint...mint ice cream, mint M&M's, mint Oreo's, mint, mint, mint!

I'm thankful for our new FAKE Christmas tree and the fact that I won't have to water it and vaccuum under it every other day!

There are so many things I'm thankful for...my list could go on and on...I'll continue to tell God how thankful I am for Him and all that He has provided me...I couldn't have a better life or better people who surround me each and everyday. Thank YOU for being one of those people.

Start of the Holiday Season

It's November 22, and this past weekend we already celebrated the start of the holiday season. I swear it gets earlier and earlier every year! Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday season...I mean who doesn't love it when Starbucks comes out with their red holiday cups and their delicious holiday drinks. I'm telling you, there is nothing better than a Gingerbread Latte. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to begin my Christmas shopping. I think I'd like to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner first!

On Friday night, we had Brian's holiday party for his company, ESI Consultants Ltd. It was at Walter Payton's Roundhouse here in Aurora. We had a really nice time. It's always a great chance for me to catch up with some of the wives who recently I've only seen at the company events. It's amazing how much our lives have changed each time we see one another!

On Saturday, we headed up to Long Grove, Illinois for a ribbon cutting for the official opening of Archer Road and Parking Lot. This was a project that Brian worked on. He worked on the design and construction for the project. After the ribbon cutting, we headed over to the village square (with Santa and the Mrs.!) for the Christmas tree lighting and official start of the holiday season for Long Grove.

Christmas carolers entertain us with a few favorites!

Maria Rodriguez, the Village President speaking before the ribbon cutting

Brian was asked to come up for the fake ribbon cutting photo op!

the new Archer Road sign

you can't start the holiday season without Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Brian was not very enthusiastic about me wanting this picture... :)
hey, you have to be in good with the big guy!
also...it's baby's first picture with Santa!

Brian in the village square with the Christmas tree

Brian standing on Archer Road...doesn't it look great?!

He didn't want to pose with the parking lot...I think he'd had enough pictures!

Brian standing next to his project sign

my turn!

Brian & I had a really nice time together shopping and walking around the village square. It was neat to get to see one of the projects that he's worked so hard on. Usually I just get to hear about them, but rarely do I get to see them. Plus, in my book, there is nothing better than getting to spend the day with your #1.

...oh, and we didn't have to sit through the Notre Dame double OT loss to UConn...

After the ribbon cutting, we met one of my bestest friends, Katie and her husband Steve out for dinner at Francesca's at the Promenade. We had a delicious dinner and good drinks - the bartender even made me a virgin Mangotini - yum! To Katie's chagrin, he also made her 2nd one a virgin...yes, it was delicious, but when you can drink, it's just not the same!

Thanks Katie and Steve! We had a great time! I'm not sure why the four of us don't hang out more often! Love you guys!

Steve & Brian

me & Katie

Week 18 and Family Literacy Night

Another tough week to schedule our weekly dinner. We all had things going on after work and Dad was out of town. When all was said and done, it was impossible to find a day. It's pretty impressive is that this is the first time in 18 weeks that we haven't had dinner together. I'd say that's pretty good. Obviously, next week will be much easier...with Thanksgiving and all!

Week 18 info:
Head to rump, baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If it's a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If it's a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from during an ultrasound.

This week has actually been pretty amazing with baby. About 2 weeks ago I began to feel the 'flutters' that everyone talks about, but only around 8-8:30pm when I was settled for the night laying on the couch. Yesterday, Friday, I felt baby moving just about all day long! I felt baby while I was teaching, while I was doing paperwork on the computer...I didn't have to concentrate on that area of my body in order to feel it...it just happened...and it was amazing. Brian keeps trying to feel it, but it's definitely not strong enough to feel outside of the body yet. It'll be even more exciting when Brian can experience what I've been feeling.

On Thursday night, my school had Family Literacy Night. From 6:00-7:15pm Graham School families came to school to enjoy a night of literacy. Cookies and milk were served and there was even a special teacher performance! A few of us teachers then capped off the evening heading to Tommy Nevins, a local irish pub.

Even though we weren't able to have our weekly family dinner, I had to keep the weekly picture and measurement going. My friend, Katie stepped up to the plate and we snapped the picture during Lit Night!

interestingly I was only 37 inches this week...hmm...

Kelly Adams, Jen Michaels, Katie, & me!
Jen took the picture and Kelly helped!


We sang and danced to three Michael Jackson songs that were rewritten to fit the literacy theme...here are pictures from "A B C" (we also did Thriller and Read it!)
A, B, C

Come on won't you read with me...

in a car, or a library...in a tree

A, B, C

Come and read with me

Yeah!

Graham Teachers (well, a few of us) celebrating a successful Family Literacy Night!

By the way...yesterday was November 20th...only 5 months to go until my due date!!!