21 Weeks

Not a whole lot of news to report this week. Owen's starting to move around more and more each day--or rather I can feel the movement more and more each day :) On Sunday I went to JoAnn's to get the last fabric that I mentioned was going to be on sale and they were out! I couldn't even believe it...I was so upset because there had been an ENTIRE bolt of fabric there just a few days before. Someone bought the WHOLE thing :( So I had to go with "plan B" which, as it ended up, I think worked out better anyway. The fabric that I was looking for was a striped fabric and it just so happened that I had picked up a swatch of fabric with a different striped pattern at Fabric & Fringe a couple of weeks earlier. Well, when I pulled it out and looked at it, it matched my other fabrics perfectly! Tony also added that he liked the "plan B" fabric better anyways so I went to get it and they had it! I am relieved to have all of my main fabric bought & paid for now. I can't wait until the nursery furniture gets here so that I can start sewing, yea!

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I also kinda, sorta started cleaning out the closet in Owen's room. So far all I've really done is to move the winter coats from his closet to the guest room closet, and take a few other things out to be put in the attic...but hey, it's a start, right? :)

Well, I guess that pretty much summarizes this week. Going home to pack in a little while (I'm posting this at work) for St. Simons. I'm looking forward to a fun packed weekend with friends and some relaxing on the beach...maybe my Bulldogs will actually show up and put up a fight against the Gators...hey, ya never know!

21 Weeks: This baby is BANANAS :)

At about 7 inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid.

Your baby still has a great deal of room in the womb — though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault.

With all that moving going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, he sleeps as much as a newborn--perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day!

20 Down, 20 To Go

So as I post this and then look at the ticker above, I'm realizing that in order to achieve a more accurate picture of how Owen's growing this week, I should probably post at the beginning of the week instead of the end of the week , but....I'd rather be less accurate and be able to do more of a reflection of the past week instead :) I'm sure no one really cares either way, but I just thought I'd bring it up in case anybody's been confused.

So, wow, half way done. This time has FLOWN by!!! It really feels like we were in Italy yesterday finding out, but in the same amount of time that has passed since then, the two of us will become the three of us. Okay, I have to stop thinking about that, I'm starting to freak myself out!

On Sunday Tony and I ordered the furniture for the nursery--it take about 4 weeks to get here so we should have it by mid-November, yea! My wonderful, AWESOME parents wanted to buy the crib as a gift to Owen and actually ended up buying the dresser/changing table combo for us as well. We are SO INCREDIBLY grateful for their generosity...that helps us out in a HUGE way! I must say, for anyone who may be searching for nursery furniture, Baby Junction in Acworth has very reasonable prices. Here are the pictures of what we ordered except that we ordered them in white, not the natural color pictured here...

Okay, so I must brag on my husband for a minute--Tony has been a real trooper lately. He went to not one, but TWO fabric stores with me this past weekend. I have one more fabric to get--don't worry, I won't drag the husband along for this one--and it goes on sale on Sunday so I'm holding out until then. After that, I will have all that I need to sew Owen's bedding, YAHOO! Okay, for anyone who's ever sewed, you're probably thinking there's no way she's done...things always come up when sewing, you're going to have to go out and buy SOMETHING else...and you're probably right...so I will revise that to say that I will have all the major things that I need in order to sew his bedding :)

Well, I guess that's about it for this week. Next week I will actually be posting early because we're headed down to St. Simons & Jacksonville for the UGA/UF game, YAHOO!!! I can't WAIT to sit on the beach...but not as much looking forward to the mass of orange & blue that will be paired ever so trashily by jean shorts and the occasional mullet. Case in point, see below...

I mean, COME ON, even their beloved quarterback wears the "jorts"...this is just tooo stinkin easy!!!

20 Weeks: Owen's the size of a Cantaloupe

You've got a heavyweight in your belly now (well, in baby terms, anyway). Your little champ weighs about 10 ounces and has a height—crown to rump—of about 6 ½ inches. Think the size of a small cantaloupe.

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium this week—a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells.

Your baby boy’s testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks.

almost halfway there--19 weeks!

Well, 1 more week (actually less since I'm posting this on Friday and my weeks change on Mondays) and I'll officially be at the 1/2 way point! That sounds so wild to me! I feel like it was just a few days ago that we were finding out and now time has flown by and this pregnancy is 1/2 way finished. Not a whole lot of news this week really. I'm starting to feel movement more regularly now--it's not a constant yet--but Owen did keep me up for a while longer than usual after a 2am potty break last night. The best way I can describe the movement is that it's kind of like my belly has hiccups or there are bubbles popping inside me--nothing like anything I've ever felt before for sure. As little guy gets bigger I'm sure the movements will feel more and more like "kicking," but for now it's hiccups for this baby bump.

I love UGA football...anyone that knows me, knows this...but I am so glad to get a break for a few weekends so that Tony and I can get a few things done at home! Today mom and I are going to look at (and hopefully buy!) Owen's crib-I'm really excited about that! (Tony's bowed out of the baby bed decision giving me full reign to pick it out--furniture shopping isn't exactly his idea of a great time!) At some point, I also plan to get some paint samples and fabric samples so that I can get the nursery decorating project going. I'm sure there will be a bit of house cleaning and yard work mixed in there as well, but I'm surely not complaining as this cooler weather is such a blessing...God is so good, it is BEAUTIFUL out there today!!!

19 weeks: Owen's the size of a MANGO

6 inches long this week and about 8 ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango. and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and other movement you've possibly started feeling by now.

Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.

It's a... (18 weeks)

BOY!!!!!


We had our BIG ultrasound on Wednesday and found out that we're having a little baby boy! We're so VERY excited!!! The u/s lasted about 30 minutes and we got a video out of it (old school video tape not DVD otherwise I'd post a clip) Hopefully we can transfer it though and then I can post some action shots of him moving all around! Now we're getting into shopping mode (or at least I am) and starting to look for all kinds of fun stuff...stroller, car seat, fabric to make my bedding...the list goes on and on, FUN!!! We have a book that we are using to help us called Baby Bargains and it's fabulous! It sorts through all the brands and tells you pros/cons of each and points out the junk that we don't need that all the baby stores will try to sell us. It's a pretty fantastic tool and I highly recommend it for sure. Tony's headed to Knoxville this weekend to see the Dawgs take on the Vols so it's just lil' ol me at the house this weekend. I don't think I'll have trouble finding things to do now that we know it's a boy...I'm sure I'll get myself knee deep in some sort of project :) Well, that's about it for this week. Here's an updated picture of me and the "baby bump". It should have been the 4 month picture, but I'm a few weeks late :) In this picture I think it doesn't look like my "bump" is quite as big as it really looks (to me anyways) now...maybe it's the white shirt? You get the picture though...

Introducing OWEN DICHIARA...

18 weeks--Our lil' sweet Potato:

This week your baby is hitting the height chart at 5 ½ inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about 5 ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner). And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please…): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month.

You'll also catch a glimpse of all the movement your baby's doing — twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!

Also in working order is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup — a skill that your baby has by now).

for the love of benadryl (17 weeks)

Well, I've been a little "under the weather" this week :( I have had some allergies or a cold...not sure which one...with congestion and some sinus issues. Let me tell you, that doesn't mix too well with pregnancy. Unknown by me until this week, there's a pregnancy side effect that some women get called excessive saliva--ew, gross. I will spare the gory details, but apparently a cold and/or allergies (which ever I may have) can aggrevate this condition and let's just say I've had my fair share of miserable, looooooonnnng nights lately. I did however, get another hero in my life this week, (don't worry Court, you didn't get back seat--you just have to share co-ownership of the title now) the RN at my OB, Linda, and she's super. She worked with me for 2 days to help me find a solution so that I could get some rest and yesterday the remedy was discovered--BENADRYL. That stuff is just plain fantastic and I finally got some sleep last night, hooray!

Now, on to bigger, and better things...

So I'm starting to feel movement quite frequently lately. Sometimes I can talk to Flair and get it going which is way fun. Oh yeah, and apparently he/she likes orange juice (my one craving) because every time I drink it, I start feeling movements. Tony keeps trying to see if he can feel movement, but no success yet...I guess it helps that I can feel it from the inside and that helps me figure out where to put my hands.

Also, 5 days from now we shall retire the name Flair and be able to start using the real name! Good thing too, I mean what poor kid wants to go around with the nickname Flair their whole life...especially a girl, can you imagine? So, next time I post, I will be posting with our baby's real name...YAHOO!!!

Last, but not least, here the stats on Flair "the onion" this week...

17 weeks--An Onion

Baby is about 5 inches long and more than 3 ½ ounces — the size of your open hand or an onion.
Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises — the dog barking, the doorbell ringing — will actually startle him/her. Your baby's eyes (which have fortunately finished their migration to the front of his/her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed.

And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for feeding. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.

sweet, sweet sleep & an avocado (16 weeks/4 months)

So, I pretty much owe my sanity and well being to my dear friend Courtney Lott. Yep, she let me borrow the grandest gift in the entire universe--a body pillow made especially for pregos--it's incredible! THANK YOU AGAIN A MILLION TIMES COURT! Now, a pillow may not seem like such a big deal to some of you, but toss and turn every night for 2+ weeks not getting much sleep and get up in the morning to a very uncomfortable lower back ache--throw in a couple of trips to Athens sleeping on an air mattress, oh yeah, and a child growing inside of you that's currently the size of an avocado--then you'll be singing my tune. All that being said, a message to all you ladies out there: as soon as you find out your pregnant, go out and get one--beg, borrow, or steal (okay, don't steal) but get one. If you happen to be a guy reading this: get one for your expecting wife and you'll be granted a get outta jail free pass for at least a couple weeks (sorry, can't promise you longer, but hey, cut her a break she's got a lotta hormones goin' crazy in there!)

Okay, enough about that. Back to the avocado reference above...so, I get weekly e-mails from the website http://www.whattoexpect.com/ and they're great. Lots of tips and advice and such. One of the coolest things is that each week they send you a pic of what your child looks like that week and also a reference to some sort of produce so you can get an idea of the size of the child growing inside you. It's really pretty neat and produces a great visual aid. Anyway, I think it's pretty interesting so I thought I'd start posting a little info at the end of my blogs each week on what's going on with Baby Flair so here it goes, produce and all ;)

Week 16: Our Lil' Avocado

Baby has both eyebrows and eyelashes but is still quite skinny since there's no baby fat yet.

The crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches, and weight is around three ounces.

Tiny bones in baby's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice.

The backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now — strong enough, in fact, to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more.

Baby skin is practically translucent now, so if you were able to take a peek, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin.

Boy??? or Girl???

We find out oh so soon whether Baby Flair will be a boy or a girl...take a guess now and come October 3rd, we'll see who's right!!!

Opinion Polls & Market Research

NUMBers (15 weeks)

I don't think that it's a coincidence that the first part of "numbers" is the word "NUMB." Numbers really do make me NUMB, especially when it comes to pregnancy! It's so strange to me that Tuesday marks 16 weeks--which is 4 months. However that's just 14 weeks gestational (whatever that means) and I still have 6 months until my due date, not 5 (well, not quite 6, but closer to 6 than 5). Have I lost anyone else here, because these NUMBers just don't make sense! Anyways, just something to think about...or not :)

Tony and I went to our church's consignment sale yesterday and got a lot of great stuff! We only spent $100 and we got several wonderful things--including a brand new, in the box, never opened Baby Bjorn. (Those are about $80 in stores for those of you who haven't been shopping for a Bjorn lately). We also got a swing that, of course, Margo is scared to death of. We've left it in the living room for her to get used to. I guess we're going to have to do that with all the baby gear since we have such a wimp for a dog--I can't wait to see how she reacts to a stroller, now THAT is going to be amusing :) It was a fun trip--yesterday was the first time we bought anything for Flair* so that was really exciting and really made us start to realize that this baby isn't too far away from his/her arrival!

*I don't think I've "blogged" this before, but Flair is the name that we've somehow adopted instead of referring to baby as "it" until we find out whether or not we're having a girl or a boy.

On another note, we're FINALLY getting another vehicle, HOORAY!!! Well, I guess I can't breathe a complete sigh of relief until it's in our possession, but that will happen later this afternoon so I suppose the sigh of relief can come half way out :) We're picking up a Honda Pilot this afternoon and we're really excited. At first we were really just looking at Pathfinders to replace the one we lost, but then that got really difficult. When you want to buy from a private party, it's hard to limit yourself to one type of car. So, we started looking at Pathfinders, Pilots, 4runners, and Nissan Muranos and we've ended up with a Pilot. I'm excited b/c I like the Pilot best--at first we thought we couldn't afford one, but we landed a good deal so it's all worked out great :) Anyways, here it is, we're pretty pleased with the find!

Week 14

I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and all is well! I finally got to hear the baby's heartbeat--so neat! The midwife kept having to move the monitor all over my belly because as she put it, "we have a very active child!" I also kept hearing this kind of loud bumping/static noise in there with the heartbeats--I thought it was just the monitor moving all around, but it was really the baby kicking. That was so cool to experience :) Baby's heartbeat was 152 bpm. I also scheduled my 18 week appointment for October 3 where we'll get to find out if we're having a girl or a boy--we can't wait! Tony, my mom, and his mom are all going to come to that appointment with me so that should be pretty fun.

I have had a handfull of restless nights this week--I sure hope the sleepness nights aren't starting already! I just can't seem to get comfortable and I toss from my left side to my right side and back again...not to mention the frequent trips to the bathroom, haha! I have buying a night light on the top of my list--I'm afraid I'm going to run into the wall or the bed or something and break my toe!

We're headed to Athens this evening for the GA/South Carolina game tomorrow, another night game-FUN! We're now on our 3rd air mattress purchase and we're taking an egg crate and a memory foam pad to put on top--I sure hope it will be comfy! Maybe I'll get some much need rest tonight, we're just gonna play games and order pizza I think :) Then I get to sleep in tomorrow, yea! I live for the weekends :) Plus I'm looking forward to some Game Day pancakes in the morning, yummo!

13 Weeks

Pretty much the same ol' stuff around here lately :) Feeling pretty good still and haven't had a bout with nausea in a week or so. Life is about to shift into fast drive as the beginning of UGA football is only 3 days away! I'm excited, but a little unsure of how I'm gonna keep up this year :) I suppose I'll just have to take naps out at our tailgate...think that will work? Me neither! Oh well, I'll survive. I really feel like my belly is starting to stick out more now...not really in a cute pregnant way yet, more of in a "did that girl eat too much food?" way. I'm just kinda ready for it to be evident by sight that I'm pregnant without people debating on whether or not Hannah's eating too much junk food :) Oh well, I'm sure I will take on the round belly look soon enough and then I'll be wishing it were small again, haha! I did get a prenatal workout video in the mail the other day, it's called "Complete Pregnancy Fitness with Erin O'Brien" and it's fabulous! It's such a great workout without making me feel like I'm overdoing it. As an added bonus, it has a workout for getting back into shape after the baby is born too. It is so refreshing to finally actually get a great workout now. Especially since my doctor won't let me run anymore and when I "lift weights" (I use that term quite loosely) it's such light weight that I feel like an idiot and I'm not even breaking a sweat! Well, I have my next appointment in a week--I'll be 14 weeks along--and hopefully they will tell me then that we'll be able to find out the sex at the next appointment at 18 weeks! I sure hope so :)

12 Weeks

Just reached mile marker 12 and the nausea is pretty much nonexistent now...YAY!!! I'm really feeling a lot better--less tired and much more energy. Not to mention I'm eating more normal foods so that's a comfort as well. I'm just not used to all those starches and it felt so weird to be eating them, but it's all that was palatable. We are passed that so all is well and back on track with a more "Hannah-like" diet--more fruits, veggies, and lean meats! I even ordered a prego workout video yesterday so I can keep in shape since it's 100 degrees + out there and I almost melt every time I step foot outside! My doctor had me stop running when I found out I was pregnant so I'm going through withdrawals! Hopefully this video will be good and I can keep in shape with it ;) I think my belly is starting to poke out a little more too--I'm going to take my 3 month picture when I get home this afternoon and will post it soon. I know I keep promising pics, but there hasn't really been much to show until now. I am definitely ready for some cooler weather, that's for sure! I don't like being cooped up inside because it's too hot, but it's almost hard to breathe when I'm out in the heat of it...fall, here I come, I can't wait!

Not to mention that it's almost football season, I'm pumped! 10 Days till UGA kickoff and I just can't wait to sit between the hedges and hear the trumpet playing from the end zone as I watch the Dawgs charge onto the field! Our first two games are night games--my favorite! I sure am hoping for an exciting season--a season in which we beat the pants off of those jean shorts...we're long overdue!

Other Dichiara news...Tony got into an accident yesterday on his way to work. He was hit by some woman pulling out of the car line at Kemp Elem. and she smacked his car a good one, so hard in fact that Tony almost flipped over. She t-boned him on the passengers' side--thankfully which was unoccupied--smashing in that side and screwing up the back wheel quite a bit. While this was a definite no-fun event, we are just thanking God that he wasn't hurt. Tony was so calm and cool about it....I on the other hand was a bit shaken up. I was on my way to work and I immediately turned around and went to get him. He assured me that he was okay, but I just had to see him and put my arms around his neck. We're still not sure if the car is totalled or not--I think we'll find that out this afternoon. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit angry with the woman who hit him at first (I didn't see her, but I was mad at her in my head)...she almost hurt my baby. Then Tony helped me realize that accidents happen. A car is replaceable, my wonderful husband is not, so I am counting my blessings and thanking God that Tony is alright and that she was uninjured as well.

I want to end on a happy note so I'll share that my lil' brother, Matt, is in town, yay! I got to see him 2 nights ago for dinner and had lunch with mama & him today, which was too short, but lots of fun. We're also going over there tomorrow night to have dinner with my family so I'm really looking forward to that. I don't get to see him nearly enough and it's so fun to hear about his "adventures" he has kayaking and doing all of his outdoor activities. I can hardly believe that he graduates college in December, he's not a kid anymore! He's really a lot of fun to be around and I'm looking forward to tomorrow night :)

11 weeks and counting...

...and feeling pretty good! I am almost 11 1/2 weeks pregnant and it's hard to believe, but I only have 1 1/2 weeks left in my first trimester! The nausea is letting up some and, while I'm still quite tired, it's nothing like it was a few weeks ago! Despite moments of nausea and exhaustion, this time has flown by! I cannot wrap my mind around the thought that, 6 months from now, I will be wrapping my arms around a beautiful baby. God truly knows what he is doing when he gives a couple 9 months to prepare for a baby--there's just so much to do! And I thought wedding planning was a lot, but that's just for one day--this is preparing for a life! Of course there is so much we still can't do yet--nursery decorating, "gear" buying, "baby proofing," etc. since we don't know if we're having a girl or a boy yet (that's only about 7 weeks away, YAHOO!)--but I'm still a little overwhelmed at times with all that is in store. Someone needs to come out with a "baby planning book" with the folders and stuff of what to do each month like they have for wedding planning. Maybe I'll invent it and become rich (hey wait a minute, maybe I shouldn't have shared my ingenious idea on the internet!) Seriously though, we are just so excited and looking forward to all that God has in store for us in these 6 months leading up to the birth of our first child. I am doing a "belly documention" each month...maybe if I get brave I'll post those pics on here soon :)

On another note, yesterday our very dear friends Courtney & Emory Lott received official legal guardianship of their precious 4 year old Mina that they have been caring for over the past year...GOD IS SO GOOD! Hopefully they will also receive full adoption soon, but for now we are just praising God that sweet Mina is in the care of this wonderful family that loves her so much! Updates to come soon...

Prego Update :)

So I'm about 10 1/2 weeks along now and feeling pretty good...most of the time. Other than being tired all the time (I think that's pretty much a given!) I do get a bit of nausea (and sometimes ginormous waves of it!) from time to time, but it's nothing I haven't been able to deal with. I went to the doctor this past Tuesday and had an ultrasound done. I got to see the most amazing little creation that God has ever blessed me with--moving and kicking all around. It is so humbling and awe inspiring to be able to get a peak at the miracle that God is knitting together inside of me. Oh, and this kid must take after me with all the dance moves being thrown down inside my belly :) It was the most awesome experience I have had thus far in my life. The only think missing was not having Tony by my side to share in the joy. He had to start back at work this week so he was unable to come. He was there for the first ultrasound though and that was special to share in the experience of seeing our baby's heart beating. Also, he did get to see the picture I brought home on Tuesday so I guess that was his consolation prize :) I am feeling a whole lot of stretching going on in and around my belly which is quite a weird experience. I can't wait to feel the sweet little kicking one day soon too, I know that will be so incredible. Well, I suppose that's about it for now, I am really going to try and keep this thing updated as often as I can...let's see how that goes! :)

Italy!!!

Tony and I got back from Italy 2 weeks ago and it was absolutely WONDERFUL!!! We went to Venice, Milan (stuck for a day due to a train strike), Cinque Terre (our FAVORITE!!!), Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. We had such a blast, I don't even know where to start!

Venice was absolutely beautiful with St. Mark's Square and the Grand canal (pictured above) and all. We spent 2 days there before heading onto to Cinque Terre (again, we had a stop in Milan-not worth mentioning cause we really didn't do anything but wait for the train strike to end).

Cinque Terre was glorious! We stayed in Monterosso and did a hike of the towns--we took a train to the last town and then hiked 7.5 miles through the 5 gorgeous towns--Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and then back to Monterosso. The picture above is the start of our hike.

Then onto Florence where we went to the Academia and saw David, toured the streets of Florence seeing their Duomo (church), Ghiberti's bronze doors, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge (pictured above). We were there for the Feast of St. John, so we got a special treat of watching a 45 minute fireworks show over the Ponte Vecchio bridge...it was awesome!

Then onto Rome! We saw the Spanish Steps (pictured above, top) and St. Peter's Square and Basilica where Pope Benedict (pictured above, middle) made an apperance and gave the crowd his Papal Blessing, pretty cool! We also saw the Trevi Fountain (pictured above, bottom) and threw a coin over our shoulder to assure we'd one day return to Rome. We also found out something EXTREMELY EXCITING while we were in Rome....I'm not posting that news until the end though so you'll just have to wait! ;)

On the way to Sorrento, we made a stop in Pompeii. We did an audio tour and learned a lot of intereting things about the town and history of Pompeii. It's amazing how Mt. Vesuvius' pretty much coverered the entire town, but all things considering, the town is in pretty good shape, I'd say. Pictured above is the temple of Jupiter.

Then onto the beautiful city of Sorrento! It was so quaint and gorgeous and we had such a nice time exploring the 2000 year old Greek streets, exploring the lemon groves, eating cannolis (Tony's favorite!) at the lookout point--a beautiful view of the coastline and town, and just enjoying Sorrento!

While we were in Sorrento, we took a day trip by jet boat to Capri. We hiked down to the Blue Grotto, but the water was too rough to go in, so we just did a little swimming and cliff jumping. Then we explored the town a little while before heading back to Sorrento.

From Sorrento, we took a train to Rome (via Naples-all we saw there was the inside of the train station though) and then an overnight train to Zurich, Switzerland. In Switzerland we had a day to walk about town, but after lunch it started to rain so we went and took a much needed nap. From Zurich, we flew to Toronto, Canada. We promptly got into a rental car and drove to Niagra Falls. It was beautiful, but the surrounding town is ridiculous--Gatlinburg times 10. To add to the madness, it was Canada Day so everyone and their mother was at Niagra Falls :) After that we drove back to Toronto, had dinner, and called in an early night. The next day we got back and flew home to Atlanta! All in all, it was the best trip we've ever taken and we have a FABULOUS memory...while in Rome, we found out we're having a BABY!!! We are truly excited at God's awesome blessing He's bestowed upon us and we eagerly look forward to all the wonderful things He has in store for us--not only over the next 9 months, but as we raise our family! We are BLESSED!!!

Our trip to NYC!

For our 2 year anniversary in September we went to NYC! It was the first trip for both of us and we had such a blast being typical tourists and seeing all there is to see in the Big Apple. We're taking some of Tony's students back in April and we can't wait to make our second trip :)

Here we are on the boat ride out to see the Statue of Liberty!

On top of the Empire State Building :)

A night out on the town in Time Square

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