Birthday weekend & nursery progress

My birthday was this weekend. Patrick and I celebrated with dinner and a Hawks game that night. Yes, I do love Hawks games. I feel like I have to explain that when I tell people what we did for my birthday, otherwise most people are probably thinking, "What was Patrick thinking? Taking his wife to a basketball game for her birthday...he has no clue!" Ha-he does...and it was a perfect night. We used to be able to go to the games a lot when he was in sports marketing-but since he's not with that job anymore we haven't gone as much, so it was a nice treat. 

Before dinner...

Sweet little birthday arrangement waiting on me when I woke up on my birthday...flowers, Toms ballet flats, Hawks tickets, and dinner reservations...and a few sweet treats too. :) 

We went to South City Kitchen. This is where we went on our first date too. It was the first time we'd been back. We might have to make this a more regular celebratory dinner place...super yummy! 

Zaza Pachuuuuuuuuuuulia warming up 

I get slightly giddy when I'm at games. If only that was Bibby instead of Hinrich though...

Got to spend Saturday with this sweet little guy...

My parents came in town for my birthday and as a little birthday treat, my dad painted the nursery for me. Here's a before picture...

Busy painting...

Almost there...

Putting the crib together

Not the finished project, but what we have so far. Love walking by and seeing that sweet crib...just a visual reminder of how much sweeter our life is soon going to get. Can't wait to meet her! 

As for other baby updates, she's moving around a lot more. I'm feeling her a ton during the day. Probably one of my favorite feelings ever. Patrick has been able to feel her a bunch now too, and my mom even got to feel her move this weekend. You can also see the little jumps if you watch my stomach closely. Enjoying this time, feeling great, and looking forward to welcoming her home in a few months. 

New Orleans

Last weekend Patrick and I traveled to New Orleans for a long weekend trip. He was a groomsman in a college friend's wedding there, and we decided to make a long weekend out of it. You know, make it into a "baby moon"...any excuse to get a fun trip in. New Orleans is a city all about eating (and drinking-but being pregnant, I stuck with water and decaf cafe au laits), so we visited lots of different restaurants while we were there. Luckily to counter the caloric intake, it's also a big walking city. Other than a few trolley car rides and the cab to/from the airport, we walked everywhere we went. Pretty sure we got in at least a good 5 miles a day while there. Here are some pictures of our trip...

Lafayette Square...this is where the nerdy teacher comes out in me. We study Marquis de Lafayette in 4th grade, so I might have been a little extra excited about this...although it was a beautiful park regardless. 

We were told we must go to Mother's and the line that formed outside convinced us we'd made a good choice. Honestly not the best food, but I think it's more just the place you have to go. Lots of pictures on the walls of famous people that have been there too. 

Trolley car ride with the guys before sightseeing. 

A little sweet treat along the way...this is also the place that made both the wedding and groom's cake. De.lic.ious. 

Posing with my baby bump under the Baby Bump store...I don't think I got the pose quite right. 

Headed to the rehearsal. Unfortunately the trolley was waiting so hair in face and closed eyes...this was the only one we got. Ted and Laura are in the middle-the bride and groom. Bill and Jenny are on the right-they got married almost a year ago. 

Sweet, sweet couple...

Groomsmen roommate picture

Time for a toast...

Super nice restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was...probably the fanciest dinner I've been to. Lots of fun had by all. 

Gorgeous church where the wedding was held

 

This is probably my favorite wedding tradition now. In New Orleans it is really big to do a Second Line Parade-they get a jazz band, close down the streets, everyone gets white handkerchiefs, and we all dance down the street-led by the bride and groom. You can see the trolley in the background that had to wait too. So cool...

Breakfast hosted by the groom's parents the morning after the wedding

Cafe du Monde

 mmm...beignets and cafe au lait. yes please. 

St. Louis Cathedral across the street from Cafe du Monde

We ran out of time to go on the actual tour of the National World War II museum, but had fun looking around the lobby at all the neat things they had. 

Couchon Butcher-yes, I realize the name doesn't sound too appealing but this place was good enough to get lunch at twice. If you're going to New Orleans, this is a must.

Such a fun weekend! 

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

That's what little GIRLS are made of! So I'm a little behind on updating the blog, but 3 weeks ago we found out that we're going to be welcoming a little girl in July. We would have been thrilled either way, but it is just so much fun to know now. We decided to not find out in the doctor's office and to find out together at home...just the two of us. No big revelation party, just a sweet night at home. Here's some pictures I took to capture the moment. Patrick also made her a little video.

Although on a blue sticky note, it says "Congratulations, It's a girl!"

No clue what we're looking at...glad there was a note attached.

Before Patrick's basketball game that night, we stopped by Target to get a few girly things. First little onesie and 2 hair bows...

Her dad wore one of the head bands to his game to show his team we're having a girl! Don't worry, we've already given it a good wash.

...and now, the naming process begins. It might take the two of us a little while to agree on something. I'm determined to have a name early enough for some cute monogramming to be done. :) 

Kick baby, kick!

Saturday I felt my first really big movement from little baby McGuire. Up until now I've felt little flutters and even a small poke that I think was a kick, but this time I think it might have been a full flip! Maybe it was the waffle with syrup that I had that morning...if so, I might have to try that more often! Either way, it was the first big, undeniable movement from our little one. Such a special moment. With pregnancy- your body changes, you feel emotional, you crave things, you might feel nauseous...these are certainly things that tell you you're pregnant, but there is nothing that tells you like when you feel him/her move! A very special moment...I look forward to the many more! 

I had Patrick take a picture of me to document the special day. :)  The bump is certainly starting to make itself known. 

We find out on Tuesday if our little one is a boy or girl...we can't wait!

Happy Birthday!

Patrick's 29th birthday was on Thursday, so we celebrated with his favorite-a meal at home. Every birthday of his has been a struggle for me because I think he would want to celebrate like I would-a nice date away from the house. Every year I ask him what he'd like to do-and every year it is the same response..."just have a night at the house with you." And he's actually serious. After several years, I think I'm beginning to learn that. 


His traditional birthday dinner since I've known him has been: crab cake sandwiches, sweet potato fries, salad, and a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I was determined to make homemade sweet potato fries even though we've found some really good and extremely easy ones at Trader Joes that are already made. To me, a birthday dinner means you have to make it more difficult too, right? It is all in my head-something else I'm trying to learn too. I did have some help from good ole Fresh Market with the crab cakes though. Last year I cried when the crab cakes didn't turn out as pretty and perfect as I wanted. And I wasn't pregnant then. So this year, I got some help. 


On a separate note, we also got a new camera! It's been on my wish list since we found out we have a little one coming. I knew exactly what I wanted my Christmas money to go to-and we finally got around to doing it! I'm slightly obsessed and hope that the new camera will motivate me to fix my problem of not documenting our life enough. From the looks of these pictures, maybe I documented the birthday dinner a little too closely. I was excited about the new camera though! 

And here's just a little random one from one of our "family dinners" last night. Realizing now I should have gotten one of the guys too. I'll learn this whole documenting our life thing eventually.