Baby bump and more

I never did post how I told my parents and sisters that Paul and I were expecting. It was my parents anniversary and they were driving through Twin on their way back from Salt Lake. They stopped and I gave them a card with a copy of the ultrasound in it (the 8 week one) and said that they might not be able to see the family resemblance yet, but in September they might! Then I had them open the gifts, and take the ones home for Brittney and Summer.

Summer's says "World's Coolest Aunt, "Dad's says "Grandpa in Training," Mom's says "Grandma...coming soon," and Brittney's says "Aunt- the only job I need!"

I haven't been good at taking the weekly pictures like I wanted. I've been wearing loose shirts to cover up what looks like a large Thanksgiving meal, so it was hard to find a day where the shirt actually showed what was going on. When I went in at 12 weeks the doctor said he wouldn't be surprised if I went another 6 weeks without needing maternity pants and so far he's right (I'm 17 weeks, so I plan to pass his 6 week expectation.) I may just be carrying too high to really need new pants yet.

This is me at 14 weeks...

This is me at 17 weeks... (it's not a great picture- can you tell I haven't been tanning?!)

Today 2 of my students came up and gave me a gift bag. It's not teacher appreciation day so I assumed it was for the baby and I was right. I peaked in the bag before school started and saw fabric, I thought maybe some cute sheets. But when I opened it during recess (while they were there) it was a quilt! They had made it together. It's so darling and so sweet of them. Those 2 are great girls! :-)

Paul and I are really excited to start this new part in our life. I'm excited to not have to get up with an alarm anymore (I realize a baby is an alarm of it's own kind, but it's different!) I told Paul yesterday that I had been feeling the baby, on the inside, and he said, "WHAT!? Why didn't you tell me sooner!" But I really hadn't been sure that's what it was... I'm still not positive because everyone describes it as a flutter and that's not how I would describe it. I'm pretty sure I've been feeling the baby move for about a week now.

My next appointment and ultrasound is May 5, and then we'll get to see if it's a girl or a boy! Naturally, I'm hoping it's a girl and Paul hopes it's a boy. But it'll be loved just the same, no matter what!

Monday & Tuesday in the Big Apple

I forgot to mention that Sunday after dinner we walked around Times Square a bit. We went into the world's largest Toys R Us and a 4 story Forever 21. Brittney and I are in the top windows, I'm on the right and she's on the left. I love Barbie... (well I used to.)

Monday was rainy and not pleasant weather. We started the day by hopping on the double decker red bus at Times Square and doing the south loop. We drove past the Empire State Building, Chinatown and Little Italy. We stopped to do a little shopping at Union Square and ate lunch at a Whole Foods. We got back on the bus and drove by Ground 0, Battery Park (but it was too foggy to see the Statue of Liberty).

That night we ate dinner at an Italian restaurant called Beco. Mom, Brittney, and I went to "Phantom of the Opera" and Annie and Mary Ann went to "Catch Me If You Can." Phantom was so good! It was like the movie, but on stage. I was very impressed with their effects and backdrops.

Tuesday the weather was much better! We went to the Top of the Rock and had a great view of NYC.

We took a taxi to Lincoln Square and saw the temple, which is hard to distinguish from other buildings except for the angel on the top! Hannah, Paul's cousin, met us for lunch and we did some exploring. We went to Central Park and saw the Belvedere Castle, which used to be a meteorological look out. There was an exhibit going on but guess what? It was only open Wednesday-Saturday! Bummer, but it was still a neat view.

After Central Park we took our 1st subway ride! Hannah had to be at a rehearsal so the other 5 of us got off at Battery Park to see Lady Liberty. We didn't go all the way out there because it takes a few hours and there were lots of sights to see! We left Battery Park, hopped on the subway, and headed back north towards our hotel. We made it to the Grand Central Station stop and then tried to make it to Times Square. Opps... we got on the subway headed the wrong way. We ended up in Queens. If you look at a map, you'll see that Queens isn't even on the right island!!

So we had to hurry up and down the other side to get to Times Square. Brittney and Annie wanted to get ready and the rest of us just needed to change. We let Annie, Brittney, and Mary Ann to take the first cab. Mom and I took the second (some taxi drivers would take all 5, but not when we needed them to most!) Mom and I beat them by about 2 minutes because our cabie was CRAZY! Mom had to close her eyes and remind herself to breathe. I think he went 40 down Broadway, which involved a great amount of weaving.

For dinner that night we went to Club 21. The play that night was Wicked. All other plays start at 8. But guess what?! Not Wicked on Tuesday nights!! So we got there at 7:35 and the play had started at 7. Needless to say, no one was happy. Why didn't we look at our tickets? I do not know. Anyways, the play was awesome!