Asheville pics

Biltmore

Biltmore

I even look preggo all bundled up. This is in the gardens at Biltmore.

Me and my sweetie

Eric's parents at Biltmore

NYC trip

Well, I've been back from New York City for a week now, and I'm finally making some time to blog. I've realized lately that unless I make time for myself, no one else will. I've got to look out for me, to stay in the best mental and physical health possible for the little Shimmeister. I've just been going so much lately, that I've absolutely worn myself out. I'm overdue for some "Nikki time". It's noone's fault but my own (for overscheduling).

Anyhow, NYC was fun and interesting to see. I really wasn't impressed to be honest. I've done enough traveling to large cities that it was very anticlimactic. I will say that I loved the shopping on Canal Street, down in Chinatown. I could've spent much more money there than what I did, given limitless amounts of cash. The boat ride out the the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island was a lot of fun. I was very disappointed that there wasn't even a lookout over the old Twin Towers Site. I got some shots of cranes, and that was about it. One of my favorite things was dinner at Beni Hana(Japanese Hibachi), probably b/c I was so hungry that night. There was lots of walking, and I'm honestly kinda over that as I enter my third trimester. Some walking is great and healthy, but after Europe and NYC, I'm done! We went and saw Mamma Mia on Broadway, which was well worth it. I want to see Lion King next time I go though. That sums up the trip as a whole, and I've got to get going. My inlaws are in town, so I'm going to go hang out some more, and visit with them.

NYC pictures

The horse pulling the carriage had really sad eyes. I just wanted to rescue him and set him free in some huge field.

My Mom and I at Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center).
Me and my cousins after our carriage ride through some of Central Park.
On the cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Me with my SIL, cousins, and my SIL BFF.
Beautiful candles in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Big 3-0

That's right, it's my birthday. Entering a whole new decade. We've got Eric's parents in town for a few days, so it'll probably be awhile before I truly blog again. I love my birthday, it's the only day the whole year where it's truly all about me. It's just fabulous! Although I never planned to be pregnant on my 30th! I promise to show some NYC pics, and Asheville pics when I get back to blogging. We are going to Asheville tomorrow for the night. I found I miss blogging when I can't find the time for it. I'll be back!

IT'S HERE!!!

OMG- MY HYPNOBABIES MATERIAL IS IN!!!  

I am so excited, I don't even know where to start.  I'm gonna download the first couple of CD's to my ipod tonight, so I can start to listen while traveling.  And of course, I'm taking my brand new book/manual for reading material on the plane.  I cannot wait to get started, I just hope Eric will get into it too.  We'll see...

New York City

Well, I leave for NYC Wednesday morning, and I'm mostly packed. Took care of that necessary evil this evening. I'm going with my mom, SIL, cousins, aunts, and a bunch of family friends. All women, no men allowed! Most of us have never been to NYC before. It's a city I've always wanted to visit, but probably just once. We'll see how I feel after this trip, I may want to go back yearly. Who knows! I'm happy not to be the only preggo on the trip. I may have a cohort if an afternoon nap becomes a necessity. I'm really excited to take pictures there- lots of prime photo ops. I'll post them all when I get home at gallery.mac.com/winternichole. So, in any case you won't be hearing from me for the next 5-6 days or so. I'm sure you'll miss me. I promise to come back. I'll probably even have a new soapbox. My hypnobabies materials should arrive tomorrow, so it'll probably be about that:-)

So as it turns out....

I'm not the only pregnant one in my family! I'm not sure how much I've posted about this (if at all), but now I can totally spill the beans! So, I have 3 sister-in-laws. (SIL) I have one brother,Davy, and he is married to Bridget. They live in South Cackalackey with the rest of the fam. Eric has one brother, Joe, who is married to Dianna. They live in Rochester, home of Dinosaur BBQ with the BEST ribs ever!!! And last but not least, Eric has one sister named Lindsay, who is married to Brian, and they live in Buffalo. Pretty much the rest of his family is all in Buffalo. So, for a period of time in July/August, me and all four of my SIL's were ALL PREGNANT TOGETHER!!! It was so much fun, but I couldn't talk about it with anybody. Linds and Bridget were still in the closet since they were so early in their pregnancies. Dianna had Gavin September 1st, our first new family member. And he is pretty darn handsome (yes I'm biased), and we can't wait to meet him! If I get Dianna's permission, I'll show you some photos of just how cute he is after our trip in November.

Now we are down to three preggos, and it's still pretty amazing and overwhelming. I'm so thankful that we are all blessed to not have major fertility issues. Infertility is a painful and expensive thing, and I know we are lucky to not be fighting that battle. Linds is due April 2nd, and Bridget is due April 16th! Talk about a busy April schedule! I also go back to work in April, so heaven knows how it will all work out. Luckily their baby showers will be while I'm on maternity leave. Eric and I still aren't sure if we'll make it to Lindsay's shower, mainly because I'm not taking such a young baby on an airplane (with recirculated air) during flu/RSV season. We'll wait and see how it all works out. We'll drive to Florence for Bridget's shower, but I'm taking sanitizing foam from work for people to use before they touch Shim. Yes, I'm a psychotic, over protective mother already- and he's not even here. :-)

Anyhow, I just felt like telling the world how excited I am to be sharing such a wonderful experience with three very special SIL's. We can all share and complain to one another...

It is so great to think about how much fun Shim will have growing up with his cousins. We can't wait for summers at the cottage in Canada, and trips to SC beaches and lakes. It will be such a blast! Now the question remains, will Gavin and Shim have more boys to join them, or will there be a girl in the mist??? Stay tuned in 4-6 more weeks for that update!