so. many. blessings.

We've recently moved.  It was a ton of work both packing and unpacking (which is still something we're working on since we've been here a whopping 7 days), all the cleaning, organizing, etc.  But we were so thankful to have so much help from family and friends -- many thanks to each of you!

This new place feels so much more like our home already than our apartments in Urbana ever did the last two years.  And the more we get organized and settled in, the more I love it!

We had our first appointment with our new OB yesterday - I was apprehensive at first because I really liked my OB in Urbana.  But I must admit that I think I like this OB even more.  And here's why:

• He walked in with a small St. Peter pin on his white coat...clearly Catholic.
• The nurse informed me before he came in that he and his wife are expecting their 11th child any day now.  Pro-life perhaps? :)
• His approach and personality are a perfect fit for Drake and I -- he's extremely down to earth and very intelligent.  He's not worried about this pregnancy at all and even disagrees with the diagnoses I was previously given (with compelling evidence to back it up) as a result of the complications I encountered in my first pregnancy.
• He assured me that the likelihood of my being able to carry the baby to at least week 35/36 is extremely high.

We've been able to go to daily mass everyday this week as a family - man oh man am I ever getting spoiled having my dear husband home all day everyday.  We registered at this parish yesterday and got the ball rolling with Baptism preparations for our little lady.

We've already had several dinners and fun time together with family and friends even in just the one week that we've been here.  It's so nice to have moved closer to many familiar faces.  We were able to celebrate Drake's birthday with family as well as his mom's birthday, welcome my brother home from Africa, have a couple meals and a morning at a local splash pad with some dear friends, and we have plans nearly everyday next week as well.

It's hard to not look too far ahead, but right now we're really soaking in the family time together!

It's been a while since I've posted...and despite my best intentions, I'm doubtful that I'll have much time to post in the next couple of weeks.  I absolutely plan to follow up on my most recent posts about teachings of the Catholic Church (one in particular) once we get our Internet up and running in our new place.

And speaking of, our major move is this weekend!  My dear husband has recruited plenty of help in loading up the truck on Friday night with 90% of our belongings, and we hope to be on the road bright and early Saturday morning to meet more help whom we've recruited and who have so graciously agreed to help us.  It's a bit of a tease, though, because we need to come back for another week so that Drake can finish up his last week of work.  And I wasn't interested in being apart for a week, so I'm coming back too.  We'll be "roughing it" in our apartment by sleeping on an air mattress (Thomas in the pack n' play), having only a couple of dishes, our microwave, a few books and toys for Thomas, just enough clothes for the week, etc.  And then we're at our new place for good, and many new adventures begin!

Please send up a quick prayer for our family -- God has truly blessed our journey so far, and we're relying completely on His divine providence through it all.  Thanks!    

We're signing our lease for the duplex tomorrow.  I have some paperwork, one check for the down payment, one check for the first month of rent, and our drivers licenses all ready to go. 

And. I. Am. Pumped.  Great (and hugely residential) neighborhood, a shaded front yard, driveway, garage, full basement, washer and dryer, lots of storage, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room, mailbox.  Bonus?  Great landlords who are ever so kind, prompt in responding to emails/phone calls, and who themselves are excited about us moving in.

God is so good. So very, very good.

And on an unrelated note, He led me to a pro-life OB office who accepts our insurance and who had room in their schedule for me starting in mid-August.  I only continue to see His hand in every aspect of our lives - amen, amen, amen! 

a (delightful) day trip

We (and by "we" I mean my family, of course) had quite the successful day-trip up to the suburbs today, making it safely there and back.

First stop was JoAnn Fabrics where I stocked up on fabrics for nursing covers that I hope to sell via a little online business.  I'm trying to use time now to make some baby items (nursing covers, burp cloths, and hoodie towels specifically...hopefully in coordinating colors so people can mix and match them).  I'm hoping to open the shop a month or two after Baby #2 arrives.  Oh, and with several coupons and my mom's employee discount, I saved nearly $75 on fabric.  It. Was. Wonderful.

Oh, and speaking of Baby #2, we're not divulging the name this time.  I found it a bit stressful last time hearing name opinions from so many when we were on the fence about our firstborn's name, so you'll just have to wait until the Fall.  Sorry.

After amazing JoAnn savings, we had another delightful stop - Portillo's.  If you're from the northern suburbs, I need say no more about the gloriousness that is Portillo's dining.  And if you've never had it, please add it to your bucket list.  You'll be so happy that you did.

Our third stop was a duplex in Lombard that we'd been eying on Craig's List.  And, my friends, we think this is quite possibly "the" new place, for the next few years or so, that is.  A garage, yard, full basement, washer/dryer, driveway all give it a very home-like feel.  It's a two-bedroom in our price range, and the landlords could not have been any nicer.  They're even okay with us not moving in until August.  We're sending in our application on Monday as we continue to pray that God would make it clear to us if this is not the place for us.  It's the first place we've looked at that both Drake and I could picture ourselves living in...and it's actually less than 10 minutes from some dear friends, including the only other young Catholic mom I know in the suburbs.  Plus, it's a less than 30 minute drive from the grandparents and close to several other family members.  So we are very hopeful about this place!