Week 30

Seriously??? Only 10 weeks to go? only 10 weeks to go?! ONLY 10 WEEKS TO GO!!!

well, actually it could be more....or it could be less....

Where did the time go?

I took a look back to about one year ago...and interestingly enough it was about one year ago that we decided that the donor egg process would be the next step toward our seemingly impossible dream of having a child.

It was February 5, 2009 that we had the Milazzo Family meeting to ask Mackenzie to be a donor...we were so hopeful, so excited...

It was about 31 weeks ago that we found out that Mackenzie wasn't able to be a donor...we were devastated...

It was about 30 weeks ago that we found out that three embryos were being donated to us...we were elated...

ahh...the highs and lows of infertility...

Isn't it amazing to think that in this picture little McKenna had just been implanted and was working her way towards being a part of our family? 30 weeks ago. Amazing.

I am just overcome with emotions...I am so so thankful...I feel so lucky, just so lucky

30 weeks...wow.

Dinner was on the agenda for Wednesday night this week with mom, dad, Kris, and Mackenzie. Lizzie had class and wasn't able to be there. Mom made a delicious meal of spaghetti, meatballs & italian sausage, with milk & cookies for dessert - yum!

playing Rummy before the men got home

din din

baby belly pics...jacket zipped...

jacket unzipped...

bare belly...ahh!

we haven't measured in awhile...mom decided tonight would be a good night to measure again...Brian got the honors, 41 1/2 inches...

Brian & his baby girl holding hands
(she's been moving around like crazy, even to the point of making my stomach change shape)

close up of our girl

Week 30 info: McKenna's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds ( like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Week 29, a Bachelorette Party, Flat Stanley, a Bridal Shower, and the Super Bowl

Whew!...this week was a complete whirlwind, packed from beginning to end....check it out as I take you on a picture story...

Here I am at my 29 week doctor's appointment. That's Flat Stanley sitting on my lap, my cousin's daughter, Hailey sent him to me to visit for the week. It goes along with a project they are doing at her school on the Flat Stanley book. He was very excited that he got to hear McKenna's heartbeat which measured 148 beats per minute! My mom came with me to the appointment as well, it was really neat to share that moment with her. My belly measured a perfect 29 inches, and as if you couldn't tell from the photo my weight continues to increase as well.

here is my momma and Stanley sitting at the desk

One of my best friends and roommates from college, Courtney Vermett, is getting married on March 20th. On Friday night we celebrated her bachelorette party in the city. It sure was an interesting perspective being at a bachelorette party without having anything to drink. I'd have to admit it's a lot more fun joining in on the craziness! :)

Renee & I arrived first at the Hard Rock Hotel...here we are in the lobby
we were ready to party!

dinner at Sweetwater Tavern & Grill
table 1

table 2

The Future Mrs. Stafford!

Val, Renee & I in front of the wall covered in college pics of Court!

me, Nay & Jamie (Renee's sister) in the hotel suite

at The Baton Club

Saturday morning was the annual Graham School Fun Fair. Brian & I headed over to support my school, plus, Stanley wanted to make an appearance!

playing games

going through the obstacle course

time for some cotton candy...

...and popcorn!

After the fair, we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening over at my mom & dad's house. We had to make sure to get in our weekly dinner and my weekly belly bump pictures! Also, Lizzie got home from San Francisco on Friday night, so we got to hang with her and celebrate her birthday.

29 weeks!

Week 29 info:

McKenna now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Brian & I got Lizzie the "Big Top Cupcake"...have you seen the infomercial? hilarious!

it looks more like a Smurf's house than a cupcake!

a special thanks to Diane Vaca - one of my mom's best friends - for the absolutely delicious football eclairs...McKenna loved it! :)

...and I mean...loved it!

Trippy missed Lizzie!

Sunday was another jam packed day...first was Courtney's bridal shower....

the bridesmaids!
Brooke (Courtney's sister), Courtney, Renee

Val, Maria, and me

opening gifts

Courtney & the mom's!

roomies!

Later on that evening we headed back over to my parents house to watch the Superbowl...

for fun Lizzie and I bet $5 on the game...here I am handing over my $5...

our huge platter of nachos...

wings, fries...

...and our Big Top Cupcake!

Lizzie, Trippy, and Brian watching the game

Hot Pocket, anyone?

Who: Me, Brian, our friend Greg and his girlfriend Anne

What: Comedian, Jim Gaffigan's Mr. Universe Show

Where: Chicago Theatre, downtown Chicago

When: Saturday Night

Why: Because Jim Gaffigan is absolutely HILARIOUS!

After a delicious dinner and drinks at Elephant & Castle Restaurant, we headed to the 9:30pm Jim Gaffigan show at the Chicago Theatre, where we preceded to laugh our a#$ off.

sweet home Chicago

Greg checking out the old fashion elevator for one in the parking garage... looked pretty dangerous, so we took the stairs

Birthday: Part 2

Thursday night we headed back over to my mom & dad's house for part 2 of Mackenzie's birthday. Mack's favorite shrimp and pasta dinner was on the menu along with salad, garlic bread and of course birthday cake! Here are some pictures of her special day #2.

Krissy's gift to Mackenzie - a new shredder!

doesn't it stink getting older?!

the dinner crew...a few of Mackenzie's friends came too

(Dad and Lizzie were both out of town)

Mackenzie & her best friend and roommate, Ashley

Mackenzie & her friends headed out to celebrate,
we stayed back, watched TV, and snuggled on the couch with Trippy!