Smoot Family gathering

This past weekend, we traveled to Wisconsin Dells to meet up with some of Eric's family members. His mother, sisters, cousin and a few nieces and nephews were able to meet us there for some fun and relaxation. We all really enjoyed our time together -- sleeping in, meals together and of course swimming and playing in the water park at the Great Wolf Lodge! Hopefully we can do it again next year and the newest addition to the Smoot family can splash his/her legs around in the water too! Here are some pics of Baby Smoot's family members..

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu

Our lil' Halle or baby Barack??

What will our little angel look like?? I think that's something that nearly all parents-to-be ask at one time or another. And it really is amazing to think about --- genes from two people creating an entirely new unique human being! Wow!! Eric has brought this up often in the past few weeks as he watches my belly grow larger. "Do you think the baby will be our little Halle or our little Barack?" he's asked a few times. Blue eyes, brown eyes? Straight hair, curly hair? Darker complexion or lighter complexion? Well, only 15 weeks until we find out - how exciting!

We can't believe how fast the time has gone already!! We will be traveling the next few weekends to spend time with our wonderful family and friends in Minnesota and Seattle, so we will post lots of pictures of the baby's special families in the coming weeks! He or she is so blessed to have such great people who will be part of his/her life!

Dresses, dresses and more dresses...

At the 22 week mark, I've come to LOVE dresses!!  That's right Mom - the daughter that you've previously known to dislike dresses and skirts - she now LOVES them!  

As my belly has started to expand the past few weeks, my outfits of choice are now dresses - if I had a different one for each day that's probably all I'd wear!!  Loose...comfy... no tight waist band...no unzipped pants needing the "bella band" holding them up -- they're absolutely perfect!!  Now I just have to get Eric to take me on a shopping spree for more - he should be excited, right??  The girlfriend he's always known to wear pants now wants to wear dresses!  When's the trip to the mall??

Outside of my latest wardrobe update, things with Baby Smoot are going well.  He/she is moving bunches - constant little tiny kicks and flutters to let me know how things are going in there.  Eric was able to feel the little munchkin from the outside for the first time last week also - which was pretty exciting for both of us!  

Thanks for your continued love and support!

Baby Feet - 20 weeks!

"I think he/she will be a runner," Eric said after leaving the ultrasound appointment yesterday. "Did you see how long the leg bones were?"

This was Eric's first time seeing the little angel on the screen and I think he was excited to finally see what I've been feeling in my belly the past 20 weeks. This whole event, which has been a bit surreal so far -- finally became reality in the ultrasound room.

Our little munchkin weighed in at 12 ounces and measured 10 inches long -- right on target! Keep getting healthy and strong little angel! We love you!

I turned the rest of today's posting over to Eric...

It's a miracle -- to think that this little person is a part of both Jennifer and I. It was unbelieveable to see what a clear picture the ultrasound can give you - it all suddenly becomes so real! All of the body parts and organs -- the eyes, nose, spine, ribs, toes, fingers, liver, brain, heart, lungs --- were so incredible to see! It's such a blessing to see that everything with the baby's development is going so well. This experience was very emotional...I felt shocked, happy, blessed and absolutely amazed all in a matter of a few seconds.

A little update...

We've made our decision ... our 20-week ultrasound is on Monday -- and we will be able to find out if our lil' munchkin is a boy or girl. However, we've decided to leave it a surprise! We think it'll be more fun to wait until he or she joins us to find out if it's a little princess or prince!

The baby is beginning to let me know he/she is around -- little flutters and movement are quite frequent in my belly - especially after I eat. Sorta strange but very cool! I haven't felt any definite kicks yet, but I'm sure they'll come soon enough. It's amazing to think that the baby is already about 6" long and weighing about 1/2 pound - we'll find out the exact measurements on Monday - so be sure to check back. We'll post some recent pics then also!

Finally, thanks to everyone for all of the encouraging words and support that you've already provided to us as we spread the news and get more excited about this next step in our lives!

Have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend!

What's Our Story?

I've had a few requests from some of you wanting to hear more about our story together. Well, here you go....a very, very brief synopsis...

Jenn -- a very busy Physician Assistant working in family medicine in the daytime, pediatrics on Tuesday nights and with honorable military men and women on the weekends -- has always wanted to be a Mom! For how long? Probably since I was carrying along my "baby doll" everywhere I went as a child. Looks like my wish has come true, and I couldn't be more excited!! Most days I am in awe that this little miracle is actually real - growing and developing inside my body!

Eric -- a personal trainer and business owner of the largest personal training/rehab studio on the Northshore of Chicago -- is probably a bit busier then Jenn. (Working is something that both of us will need to balance out once this little guy/gal joins us!) An All-American track runner at Purdue University -- we wonder if our little munchkin will pick up track&field like dad, basketball like mom, or something totally new!

Our Story -- Eric and I met almost 3 years ago. My mom likes to tell people, "He knocked on her door." However, that's not quite true. Yes, I guess he did "knock on the door" -- but it wasn't my house nor was it intentional. I just happened to be nannying for one of my favorite families, when Eric stopped by to drop something off for them. (The mother happened to be one of his clients.) Well, within a week or so, we had both let Marie know that we were interested in one another. Our first date came a few weeks later and we dated for about a year and a half! Hitting some roadblocks as life often presents, we decided to take a little break - mainly to make sure this was what we both wanted. (Of course, at the time we made that decision, I thought it was the worst idea possible, but looking back now, I think it was the best thing that ever happened for us!)

Our trip to Africa this past February "rekindled" things for us - and wahlah - look at the souvenior we brought back! I really don't think it could get much more special than this! We're proud to say that we are stronger and better than ever as a couple and are excited to see what the future holds for both of us and our little "miracle-in the making!"

Latest Count - 16 weeks!

So I'm at the 16 week mark already!  Wow - time is flying!  I visited my doctor for a check-up today (no fun ultrasounds this time)...but everything is still going well.  The little one's heart was beating at 154 beats per minute - and even though I've heard it before, it's still such a cool thing!  I figured it was finally time to take a "belly" photo while it still looks like there's no evidence of a baby.  I know that will change in the next few weeks as I begin to pop out a bit.    

At 16 weeks the little one is already making facial expressions, hiccuping, making fists and even has eyebrows and eyelashes.  Oh yes, and he/she is spending lots of time on muscle development and strengthening - watch out Redefined!

Next up - watch for some words from "Dad-to-be" coming soon!  Also, be sure to participate in our poll -- should we find out the sex of the baby?? We'll be making that decision in the next 4 weeks before the next ultrasound!

2nd Baby Picture at 13 weeks - May 19, 2009

Measuring 3 - 1/2" already! First "headshot"

Baby Smoot at 8 weeks old -- April 13, 2009

Just a little peanut...

Exciting News!

By now, most of our family and friends have heard our exciting news -- we are expecting a baby this November -- on Turkey day to be exact! It's been a bit surreal the past few months, but after some ultrasound pictures and my clothes beginning to feel a bit tighter, the news is finally seeming to set in!! The Little Smoot news came as a bit of a surprise and I find the following quote quite fitting -- "Life is what happens when you're busy planning other things." We think it's so special that this new "little life" is finding it's way into our lives and we can't wait to meet him or her! Since our family and friends are spread out in so many different cities and states - a blog should be a perfect way to keep you all updated! Hope you will enjoy!