Christmas has come and gone... preparing for the NEW year, and our NEW life!

I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas!!! Since I was a little kid, it seems as though the month of December and Christmas comes and goes faster than any other month! This year especially, the month flew.. as we count down the days until Ty gets here! On Dec. 23rd I had a doctors appointment, they did an ultrasound to make sure that everything is still on track and to measure the little guy. They are guessing him to be right at about 5 pounds as of 3 days ago! Thats right on with where he should be! He only has a couple more weeks left until we can finally see him, and I can hardly wait! Work is getting tough. Not that I gained a huge amount of weight so far (20 lbs. to be exact) but imagine just gaining 20 lbs over 8 months..and its all centered around your lower abdomen. If you haven't been pregnant, take my word for it... its a huge adjustment. Cutting my toe nails and shaving my legs is a luxury theses days! And its not a pretty sight! So working days in the ER, especially busy days, will flat out exhaust me! But its ok, I only have 1 more month left... and since for nurses at a hospital 12 hour shifts are what we work, its not even 7 days a week. 3 days is full time, and thats plenty theses days!

On a different note, I got a new MacBook laptop for Christmas from the greatest husband ever! Anyone that knows me, knows that I love to snoop around the house and try to secretly find out what Im getting for Christmas! Usually I have an idea (Im a pro, I've been sneaking since a young age) and this year... I thought I was getting BOYZ-2-MEN concert tickets! HAHAHAHAHA. Im not going to lie either, I was excited! (are they even still a group?) But when I opened that lap top up, I was speechless! Thanks baby, your the greatest! <3 Well time to wrap this up... i'll post a 34 week pregnancy pic up later!!!

Nicole at 34 Weeks.


Ty's Room all Done. THANK YOU DUSTIN!!!!!!

Ollie talking to brother Ty

Picture from my new camera...


I just wanted to add that I also had an Awesome Christmas. Nicole and I really do have the greatest family and friends. Sunday night we went to Best Buy to pick up my new camera. I have been wanting one for a few years and just didn't want to spend the money. So as a late Christmas present Nicole and I went and picked up a Nikon D3000 with 2 different lens. It is SO NICE and the pictures are amazing. You will be seeing more from it shortly. Well hope everyone had a great Christmas and we wish you all a safe and blessed New Year. 2010 Already!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost Time

Well Nicole and I went to the doctors on Wednesday for I think or 31 week visit. That is just crazy to me. It seems like just a month ago or so we were driving to sarasota to our first appt. The appt. was great and the Dr. said everything is perfect and that Nicole is right were she needs to be.

Ty's due date is February 5th. Nicole starts her maternity leave on February 1st. We asked the doctor how far past the due she lets people go before inducing them. This led to Nicole telling her that she starts her maternity leave on the 1st and the doctor said if we wanted to we could schedule it for the 1st. This will eliminate the crazy drive from venice to sarasota (which I was kinda looking forward to) and it also gives Nicole a full 12 weeks with Ty before going back to work. We are so excited.

Dustin finished up the mural in Ty's room and it is absolutely amazing to say the least. I will post up pictures when I get home later. If anyone needs a mural done or wants some artwork for the house PLEASE check out: www.designsbydn.com

You will not be disappointed. As you can see on his site and the pictures of Ty's room, Dustin has an amazing talent.

My birthday was on the 6th of December. That night we went down to my moms for some BBQ Pork and to just hangout and play cornhole. It was a great time. And on Thursday Dustin and Vanessa had us over for a birthday dinner. Dustin made his chicken pasta stuff and it is almost better than his artwork. One of my favorite things to eat now a days. Hanging out over there with Dustin, Vanessa, Derek, Tiffany, Nicole and myself I realized how lucky we truly are. Nicole's family is amazing. I always here people bitch about there In-Laws and well I can not relate to that at all. I have THE BEST In-Laws anyone could ever ask for. They have helped with so much in the past 8 years. It will be impossible to ever repay them but I think when Grandpa Joe and I get to take Ty to his first baseball game that will be a good pay back!!!! I am so thankful for my Mom, She has been an amazing mother and has always done all that she could to make sure we had what we wanted growing up. Even if it meant her working 2 jobs to make the extra money. As a kid you don't realize what that means. You just want the newest and coolest thing. Well as an adult I understand all that my mom had to do and I thank her for that. My Dad and both brothers now live in North Carolina. It will kinda suck for them not to be here the day Ty is born but they will be down at the end of the month.

I also realized what amazing friends, both old and new, Nicole and I have. As you have read our relationship with Dustin and Vanessa is really more like an extended Family. They are like brother and sister. Dustin is such and awesome dad and has taught me alot about being a new dad. What to expect and "what not to expect." haha Vanessa has really been a huge blessing to Nicole. Now instead using google for every question and freaking herself out, She just calls Ness. Both of them are amazing parents and we feel very fortunate for them to be apart of Ty's Life.
As well as Derek and Tiffany who also are like brothers and sisters. They are very genuine friends and will help out with anything they can. Ty is going to have alot of Aunts and Uncle's who are amazing people.(Dustin and Vanessa are going to be IN-Laws we decided Lily and Ty are getting married.)

One friend I haven't said much about is my Best Friend Reid. Reid and I met about 10 years ago while working for the same company. We instantly hit it off and became really good friends. Over the years Reid and I became like brothers. He was the first to know that I was going to ask Nicole to marry me. Then Him and his wife Kim took me to go ring shopping. He was one of the first people I told about Ty!!! He will definitely be one of the people in the waiting room while Ty is being born. So a huge thank you to you and your family Reid. I love you guys and we are so happy to have you and your family be apart of Ty's Life. (and I can't wait for that first fishing trip with him!!!)

well I have rambled enough. Just sitting at work thinking about all this and thought I would share it.

And last but most important Thank You to my amazing Best Friend,Wife, Mommy to be Nicole. You are the biggest blessing in my life and I love you with all my heart. Thank You for all you do and for being the amazing person you are. only about 6 more weeks baby!!!!!!!!!!

Tis' The Season!!!

November has come and gone, putting is closer to the due date!!! 9 weeks left! In November, I had 2 baby showers (one for work, hosted by a great friend (Rickie) & one for other friends and family given by 2 of my aunts!! I had an amazing time at both, and thank you very much to those who came and for all of the gifts! Ty's one lucky baby already!

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun! We had dinner at my parents and really enjoyed the time with my family! For some reason, this year especially I felt more aware of the things I was thankful for. I know everyone hears me do my fair share of complaining about working in an Emergency Room, but being there has opened my eyes to a lot of things, and I think has helped me not take anything for granted. This year, I felt more than ever before, thankful for good health! For not only myself, but for the health of my friends and family.
Having to tell someone 2 days before Thanksgiving that they are loaded with cancer, from her brain to her spine and suggesting to her that the wedding she was planning for herself and her fiance scheduled for this coming January should be rescheduled for a much sooner date really put things into perspective for me!
Also made me thankful for my parents, that they have devoted their entire lives to giving me the tools in life I need to be who I am today. Taking care of children who you know don't stand a chance in this life (may sound harsh... but also true) because of the way their parents choose to raise (or not raise) them is absolutely heart breaking!
For my husband, whom I know will never hurt me in any way because of disagreements we have in our marriage!
For my sister, because I know when that day comes when our parents are gone, and she is all I have left, she will always stay by me and never let me be alone on holidays. To see older people when they have nobody else, be taken to an ER the day before major holiday's is also hard to watch, knowing that the reason they are being dumped is so that others taking care of them can "enjoy" their day with out having a "burden" to take care of.
Lastly, thankful that God has chosen Drew & I to be parents. I never realized how hard it is to have a healthy successful pregnancy. At least once a week, we tell someone in the ER that they have had a miscarriage. Now being pregnant that is harder than ever. You really don't realize how fragile pregnancy and new life is, it should never be taken for granted. And should be cherished very gratefully!
On a happier note, we were for the 2nd year in a row part of the Venice Christmas Parade! Drew's shop had a float in it! Iy was a lot of fun! Ollie was not a part of the parade this year, he gets a little freaked out by all of the lights, and music and people! (not a surprise for those of you that know him)
Lastly, we have about 9 weeks to go until Ty is here... Wahoo :) So excited!!!! Dustin is coming to the final stages of his room, which looks more and more amazing with every session that Dustin completes : see pics below :