Junior

On Thursday, July 17th, Jim and I heard Junior's heartbeat for the first time. I am 12 weeks along and it was amazing that to finally have real confirmation that I am indeed pregnant. The heartbeat was in the 170s. If the wives tales are true then we are having a girl. It is said that if the heartbeat is really quick then it is a girl. If the heartbeat is slower than it is a boy. The doctor said that there was no truth to this wives tale but we will find out for sure in September. September seem like a million years away but I keep on having to remind myself that it is only 2 doctors appointments away.

Yesterday I went to the doctor for a 1st trimester test. This test checks for signs of Downs Syndrome. I am not in a high risk group but, I figured, since my insurance was willing to pay for it...I might as well get it done. It is always better to be in the know. During the test, I received my first ultrasound and everything looks good. It is amazing how developed it is already. It was moving its arms to its face and kicking its legs...I think this is a sure sign that it will be a soccer player.


Here is Junior...

Frank Turns the BIG 50!

Our dear friend Frank turned the big 50 on Wednesday, July 16th. On Saturday was the big birthday bash.

One of the activities at the party, besides beer drinking and bags, was a group paining. All of the guests were assigned 2 numbered puzzle pieces that they were responsible for painting. If our puzzle piece had a letter on it then we had to incorporate the letter into the paining. Once the painting was completed a secret message would display. Everyone really got into his or her painting.

Jim painted a Killepitsch bottle....

Here is the finished product...

The message is a bit was a bit hard to read but is says, friends are the sunshine of life. I loved this idea, so much fun!

Thank you Frank and Manuela for a great evening!

Quick Trip to Seattle

On Friday, June 27th Jim and I headed to Seattle for a whirl-wind trip. We arrived in Seattle last in Friday night. On Saturday, and the whole time we were there, it was absolutely beautiful...the temperature during the day was in the 80s with VERY little humidity. Chicago's weather was humid as all get out but in the 70s. I always say, there is no better place in the country then a beautiful day in Seattle.

The main reason that we went to Seattle was for Remy's Bridal Shower on Saturday afternoon. The event was held at my uncle's glass studio (http://www.jamesnowak.com/) and we had about 15 girls. We had a fun afternoon of socializing, eating some fabulous cake (created by Miss. Jackie), and playing silly games.

On Sunday Jim and I help Joe and Remy move. They had been living in the same one bedroom apartment on Westlake for one too many years. They finally decided that they needed more room so, they upgraded to a spacious 2 bedroom apartment in West Seattle.

Sunday night Jim and I had a great dinner at my parent’s house with my parents, my uncle's Animal and Bennett, and My Aunt Ellen and Uncle Larry. It was very nice to be around family!

Due to all the great vacations, that Jim and I have had this year I do not have any extra days off of work so, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I worked from the Redmond AT&T office. It was great to be back in this in the Redmond office, I missed all of my old work friends!

Monday was Joe's 29th birthday so we met up with Joe, Remy, and Corrine for a delicious pizza dinner. One more year and Joe will join Jim and I in the 30 club.

Wednesday night we took the Redeye back to Seattle. We arrived around 6 am and then it was back to work. It was great being in Seattle and I can't wait for the next time!!

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

As soon as we got back from Ireland Jim got a message that he had to go away for work for 2 weeks! Poor Jim, we literally washed his clothes from Ireland, repacked him, and away he went. One of the weekends that Frank, Manuela, and I went to see Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park Illinois. Jim had been there already with my mom but it was the first time for me. He is a bit of information from http://www.oprf.com/flw/:

"Oak Park, Illinois is home to the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings and houses, with 25 structures built between 1889 and 1913. It was in our village that Wright developed and perfected his signature Prairie Style architecture, emphasizing the use of interior light and open spaces in low, earth-hugging buildings. His designs changed the course of 20th century architecture. Many of the Wright houses and buildings in Oak Park and River Forest are registered National Historic Landmarks. "

Here are a few pictures of the homes in Oak Park:

Frank's Studio...

Prairie Style & my favorite of the day...

It was a fun day! Thank you Frank and Manuela for hanging out with me while Jim was gone!!