2nd Wedding Anniversary

On Monday Walleye and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it's been two years already - feels like yesterday!  To celebrate we both took the day off, had a lazy morning then drove down to the cities for lunch at The Melting Pot, did some shopping on our way back home and then at night bought blinds for the nursery and started our baby registry!  It was pretty fantastic! 

A while back I read on someone's blog something similar to the below...

Where/how did you meet: He was my neighbor two doors down and after a few weeks of “stalking watching” him I decided to go introduce myself (of course it helped that I had some liquid courage and friends over to encourage me!).

How long have you known each other: since September 22, 2007

How long after you met did you start dating: The night we met! We’ve been inseparable ever since!

How long did you date before you were engaged: 1 year, 3 months, 1 week and 1 day

How long was your engagement: almost 10 months

How long have you been married: 2 years 2 days

What is your anniversary: October 24

How many people came to your wedding reception: about 220 people - we were expecting quite a few more but it was the height of the H1N1 outbreak so several guests couldn't make it

What kind of cake did you serve: The guests had carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and we had a fake cake with a real top layer that was white cake with raspberry filling and fondant frosting

Where was your wedding: The Church of St. Stephen – the same Church his parents were married in!

What did you serve for your meal: Chicken breast, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and buns for the adults and chicken nuggets and fries for the kids

How many people were there in your bridal party: 15 (5 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, 2 ushers and 2 personal attendants and 1 super adorable flower girl)

Are you still friends with them all: I believe so – however one of the BMs and I have not talked in months but not sure entirely why

Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony: I got a little misty eyed but not as much as I thought I would

Most special moment of your wedding day: Toss up – officially being announced Husband and Wife or when my DH and Dad hugged after my Dad handed me off

Any funny moments: The guys in the wedding party dancing their way into the reception wearing pink, feather boas. 

Any big disasters: A few...

1. The cupcakes were horribly decorated (exactly how we told the bakery NOT to decorate them) and were dry and had no flavor. 
2. A few days before the wedding the flower girl’s mom had a seamstress pressing the FG dress and the seamstress burnt a hole in the top of the FG dress – the seamstress found some fabric (that in my mind sort of worked but was not nearly as cute as the original) and sewed a new top.  It was just ok. 
3. One of the BMs ordered a dress in a size too small for her because her Mom told her she would lose the weight by the wedding and when the dresses came in 4 months prior to the wedding she put off picking it up/trying it on until less than a month before the wedding (the night of my bachelorette party) because she knew it wouldn’t fit.  It didn’t.  Not at all.  Wouldn't even zip up more than half an inch.  Less than a month to go.  She told me she found a seamstress who was able to take out the seams and let it out but what she neglected to tell me was that the seamstress took at least three inches from the hem and sewed a panel down the side!  It looked horrific! 

Where did you go on your honeymoon: Our mini-moon right after the wedding was to the North Shore to stay in a super nice, three story, 5 bedroom, 3 bath million dollar “cabin” for 4 days (which we both got really, really sick during).  A month and a half later we went to Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas for a week. 

If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change: A couple things...

1. My dress…it was so not what I wanted.
2. I wouldn’t have one of my BMs (yes the dress one somewhat because of the dress incident but mainly because I didn't really want her in it in the first place but felt I had to have her in it since I was in hers).
3. The cake vendor.
4. A written list of what pictures I wanted my photographer to take so we didn’t forget anyone.
5. Go over the beginning of the wedding more during practice – i.e. the Mother’s were escorted up to Ave Maria, then let the song finish before the GMs and BMs started up the aisle (they started right away) so the timing was all off.

What is your song: “Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park and “At Last” by Aretha Franklin

What did you dance your first dance to: “At Last” by Aretha Franklin

Describe your wedding dress: strapless, unique, ivory, it had a lace bust with beading, then the rest of the bodice and skirt was all ruched, taffeta, that from right to left got longer at an angle, there was a lace with beads ruffle under the hem and then more taffeta to complete the skirt.  It was pretty and all, and was “so me” according to my Mom but not the dress I wanted but it was on sale for a good price and my Mom and Sister both said it was so flattering.  There are two other dresses I wish I would have gotten – they were the only two dresses out of the hundreds (ok maybe it was closer to 75 dresses tried on) I tried on that I got teary eyed…I should have known…

What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding: A really beautiful mixture of fall flowers in oranges, yellows and deep red – calla lilies, daisies, mums, roses, fern frawns, wheat, maple leaves.  Then tied to it I had my Grandma’s locket with of both of my grandparents wedding pictures in it.  DH had an orange/rust calla lily, mini roses, fern frawn.  The MOH, BMs and FG had a mixture of my flowers (minus the calla lilies).  The GM had boutonnieres of one of the flowers but can’t remember which one. 

Did you have the traditional something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? Of course!! 

• Something old: my Grandmother’s locket with wedding pictures of both sets of Grandparents in it tied to my flowers.  (I really wanted to wear my Mom’s headpiece and veil but it didn’t work with my dress and needed major repair.) 
• Something new: my dress and veil. 
• Something borrowed: my crinoline from my lovely cousin and my headpiece from a BM (whose wedding I was also in). 
• Something blue: My shoes!  So cute!  And then my sister found these adorable blue crystal stickers to put on the bottom that said “I DO”. 

Did you and your husband exchange wedding gifts? Yes, he gave me a beautiful white gold heart shaped pendant with the journey diamonds in it and a white gold chain.  I got him a fancy fillet knife (Lake of the Woods maybe?!?), engraved with: “To the catch of my life…BGFSH 10.24.09” on the blade.

Are your wedding bands engraved? Mine is too thin to be engraved but DH’s is…”BGFSH 10.24.09”

Whirlwind

It's been a while...especially for me!  I feel like the October has been a whirlwind of non-stop activities.  Things the last week or so have been incredible crazy busy - at work and home!  We have a new $45 million building scheduled to start construction in November on campus and I am in charge of organizing the groundbreaking ceremony - complete with guest speaker Governor Dayton!  YIKES!  Not to mention all of my other regular duties.  In the evenings we have been visiting daycares.  Weekends have been busy traveling, housework and cleaning out the room for Lucky.  Not to mention Walleye and his friends have been "getting the woods ready for hunting".  I didn't know one needed to do that but apparently they do!  :)

Our trip was fantastic!  And I didn't get sick this year!!!  I was surprised as the last two years I have. (Although I am still sticking to my story that I get sick as a reaction to the flu shot I get the same time every year and this year we went on vacation before the shot!)

Here are some pics from the trip:

We wanted to hike to the top of that peak but figured it would be a little too much so chose a smaller one just across the way.

One of the many State Parks we visited. 

After a day of hiking we each had our own evening drinks...I fancied mine up by putting it in a wine glass! 

Sunset over Lake Superior outside our "cabin".

Heartbreak Ridge - a beautiful tree canopy lane we drove. 

Early morning (like 7:30 am) hike at the State Park less than a mile from our "cabin".

When we got back from our trip I emailed my family pics and a quick "We made it home.  Had a great time." and my mom's immediate response was "Did you make reservations for next year yet because your Dad and I will come to your house a take care of Lucky?".  Not "Glad you had fun." or "Great pics."!  Guess they're a little excited about their first grand baby!  :) 

Today marks Week 19! Hard to believe I am almost half done!  Still one of the luckiest pregnant ladies I know as I still don't have much for symptoms and have been very blessed with no morning sickness or anything worse than a few headaches here and there, heartburn almost daily and the occasional constipation.  Next Friday is the 20 week ultrasound and I can't hardly wait.   

North Shore Bound!

Walleye and I are both looking forward to our mini-vacay!  It will be so nice to get away and not have anything to do or anywhere to be for a few days.  Plus the leaves are at 75 - 100% where we are headed and the forecast is awesome!  We are so lucky!  We only have reservations for 2 nights but since we both have Tuesday off we are talking about finding a place to stay one more night. 

Oh I just can't wait!!! 

4 years ago tonight

 my world changed forever!  Four years ago tonight I met Walleye!  Read all about it here.

The last four years have been amazing!  I am so lucky to be able to spend my life with this man! 

Thank you God for bringing us together! 

14 weeks!

I still can't believe that I am 14 weeks pregnant!  It does not feel real!  I am so very thankful for this wonderful blessing. 

Last weekend was a blast but also extremely exhausting!  I spent most of Thursday night baking and cooking, as well as a lot of Friday - I was careful not to push it too much and tried to sit as much as possible and take breaks (i.e. reclining on the couch watching the Price Is Right) throughout the day.  Then at night and Saturday morning I finished up the cleaning.  I didn't do my usual super deep clean but the house was still very presentable. 

Saturday my sister arrived first around noon, then my cousin K and her adorable kiddos around 4 and my dear friend S around 4:10.  We got to sit and chat for awhile before the other guests arrived.  We ended up having about 19 adults and 11 kids so it got to be quite loud and chaotic but I loved every minute of it.  The party is a blur for the most part but they usually are.

After everyone had eaten Walleye and I ran through the house to make sure everyone was outside and called everyone's attention and he started off by thanking everyone for coming and saying how much we appreciate their friendship.  And then at the end he said "Oh and we're having a baby!"  Not exactly how I had hoped/planned it would all go but with all the chaos of 11 kids all under the age of 8 we just had to roll with it. 

We had a few people say they had a hunch but for the most part everyone was (pleasantly) surprised. 

We ended the night with a bonfire and s'mores!  I think I crawled into bed around 1 am - I don't even know the last time I was up that late! 

Sunday my friend S, my sister and I were up and on the road to a huge craft fair by 9 am.  Normally that's not so late for me but with not getting to bed until 1, not to sleep until well after 2:30 and getting up at 6:45 to shower and make sure breakfast was ready, it made for one tired Sunfish.  The craft fair was fun - and HUGE.  We were there for a good 4 hours and didn't even see everything.  It was a great time with my sis and friend.

That evening my sis helped me make 4 dozen cupcakes and decorate them with pink and blue frosting and a pink or blue question mark on them for Walleye to take to work on Monday.  They turned out so cute!

Monday I slept in some and then my sis and I went to a diner for breakfast as the thought of cooking anything really didn't sound appealing to me.  After we ran a few errands and then she had to head home.  I spent the remainder of my day baking/decorating 6 more dozen cupcakes for me to bring to work the next day!

I feel like I came to work on Tuesday to relax!  :)  But all in all it was a great weekend and I wouldn't change a thing. 

And not to mention I am so relieved that everyone knows now!  It was getting really hard not to say anything and to keep track of who did/didn't know! 

BIG weekend coming up!

I am so stinking excited for the weekend!  Thank goodness it starts for me in 1.5 hours!

Tomorrow I have off to clean, cook and bake for Saturday.  It's our 2nd Annual Wedding Party BBQ on Saturday!  I love, love, love to throw parties and hosts dinners.  It's been a while since we have seen some of our wedding party (and their kids) and I love getting together those friends who support us and our relationship so much and were a big part of our special day.

The BBQ is also our chance to tell our friends about Lucky!  We are still unsure about how exactly we are going to make the announcement.  You see, Walleye can be a complete stick in the mud sometimes and doesn't get the fun out of making big, grandiose announcements.  He thinks my idea of getting a group picture and the first time saying "Say Cheese" and the second time say "Walleye and Sunfish are expecting!" and capturing their reactions on film (is that the right term for digital cameras?!?!?) won't work and isn't the best idea.  His idea is to just blurt it out as guests show up.  BORING! 

In the end it doesn't really matter how we tell them - just that we get to tell them and in person. 

Then Sunday not only is it VIKINGS football opener but it is also a huge craft fair in a smaller town about 45 minutes north of us.  My sister and I are heading up to the craft fair early Sunday morning and from what I hear it is so big it will take us all day! 

Then because it is Grandparents Day on Sunday we are going to give my MIL her "Grandma" t-shirt and tell my FIL (if he is back from his latest vacation). 

And because there is so much going on all weekend I took Monday off too so I could kick back and relax!  :) 

Fantastic Weekend! (for the most part)

What a fabulous weekend!  I hope everyone’s Labor Day weekend was as good! Great times and fantastic weather!  Windows open in the house all weekend, plenty of sunshine and beautiful temps!

I got to have lunch with my cousin/sister/best friend K on Saturday and she brought me three bags full of baby stuff! It was the very first baby stuff we’d gotten – surprisingly I hadn’t even purchased anything yet.  It was so fun to look through and then show Walleye!  Saturday night we visited my MIL. 

Sunday after Mass, I cleaned and started to get things ready for the BBQ while Walleye and my BIL fixed Walleye’s brakes and Sunday night we grilled ribs. 

Monday was my favorite day!  It was a date day with Walleye.  We slept in, then went to a county park about 20 minutes from our house and did some walking of the trails, had a picnic lunch, stopped by Treasure City (the biggest tourist trap gift shop I have ever seen) and ended the date with a shake from DQ! 

It really was a fantastic weekend.

Saturday night we went to my MIL’s to tell her and called my BIL over – which was perfect because Free Loader was in town picking up her kids from the mall so she wasn’t able to be there. 

It went ok telling my MIL and BIL.  My MIL started in on all sorts of advice – from telling me we told too early as a lot can still happen until after 3.5 months (I’m telling you she doesn’t get that a lot has changed in the medical world since she was a nurse 25+ years ago).  She went on and on about not sharing the name with anyone until after the baby is born.  And then how we are not supposed to give in to the nursery decorating business and actually spend any money to decorate the nursery with a specific theme.  I tried to let it all go in one ear and out another but it was hard.  She does it with this whiny almost crying tone of voice and just doesn’t know when to stop reiterating her point.  This could be a long few months ahead of us if she keeps this up!

My BIL was ecstatic!  I don’t think I have ever seen him smile so big!  It was pretty cute.

We did ask that they not tell anyone, including Free Loader’s kids, until after our BBQ next weekend.  We also said we would tell my FIL when he returns from his vacation.  And we would tell Walleye’s great aunt after the BBQ (his great aunt lives with my BIL). 

After we told them I went home and Walleye went to my BIL’s to look for brake parts and apparently that’s when the not telling anyone rule was broken.  I guess Free Loader walked in the garage about 30 minutes later with kid number 4 in tow and the first thing my BIL did was blurt out that we were expecting.  Then Sunday when Walleye was over fixing the brakes Free Loader’s 6 year old walked in saying she knew a secret about us and that we were going to have a baby.  Seriously?!?!  What part of “please don’t tell anyone, including the kids” did they not understand.  Now we are certain the kids will say something to Walleye’s Great Aunt before we have a chance or worse my FIL!  I am so angry.  I am certain that Saturday night when they show up at the BBQ one of them will say something before we have a chance to make our announcement.  I did text my BIL that I was disappointed that they told the kids and to be sure no one says anything until after we have a chance to make OUR announcement.

And just when I was starting to be less mad at my BIL over this whole vacation fiasco.  Dear God please help me let go of this anger towards my BIL and I suppose Free Loader too.

Thank goodness in a week the news will all be out in the open!