The BEST Thanksgiving EVER!

We went to New York!!!

I started packing on Wednesday and I desperately wanted to bring little Milo with us, but unfortunately he had to stay in Florida in the Pet Hotel.

Thursday morning everything seemed to be going very well and smoothly. We left the house on time. There was no one on the road to the airport. Found the place to park our car right away. Got right onto the shuttle to the airport and then.... I realize I left my phone on the passenger seat of the car. At first I say, "Ok, no worries, we will tell people to call your phone." Followed immediately by "WE HAVE TO GO BACK!!!!!!" I had PROMISED Mommy that we would share together in hearing the baby's heartbeat which I had recorded on my phone from my last midwife appointment. Needless to say, the very generous shuttle driver dropped all the people off and obliged the hysterical pregnant lady and took us back to the car to get my phone. PHEW!

Getting through security in Tampa airport is about one of the nicest/easiest things around to do. I asked to have a pat-down rather than go through the x-ray and they were so accommodating and respectful. I feel like it could be kind of embarrassing to be completely pat down in the airport, but the lady really was great! I guess it helped, that I had made myself a t-shirt that says "This is what I'm thankful for" with an arrow pointing to my belly. We got lots of congratulations in the airport! Here's a great pic of my t-shirt, but an even greater pic of my beautiful cousin!

We get off into the air and I'm so anxious and excited to just GET THERE and see my parents and Serena! As she promised, she was standing RIGHT at the door we come out of and we just hugged and cried and hugged and cried! She led the way outside to where Daddy was standing with the car. I literally skipped all the way to him to give him a huge hug. Then we sat in lots of traffic as we tried to make our way home to see Mama and eat all of her AMAZING food. Serena and I took this picture in the car on the way (and texted it to Mommy so she would know I really was on my way!)

As no one besides Daddy can do, he predicted that we'd be in the drive way at 3:35pm and sure enough he had it right on! Mommy and I both started crying before we even hugged each other. Then we hugged and I showed her my (tiny) baby bump! We went into the kitchen with Serena and I shared with them for the first time the sound of the little one's amazing heartbeat. It was so special to share that moment with both of them. It's very hard not having them close where they can just come to doctor's visits with me etc. Afterwards I shared with them the narrowed down baby name list (that is still on lock down publicly until we know the sex of the baby).

We all shared in an amazing dinner (of which I ate WAYYY too much but couldn't control myself). Serena brought out all of her beautiful looking home made desserts- and because Mini Schmoop is just LOVING fruit these days, I ate a passion fruit ice pop instead! Hahahah Sorry Serena! (They still tease me about that ice pop).

We went to Aunt Vee and Uncle Gary's house later on and got to visit with a bunch of family which was so amazing. I got to share the excitement of the pregnancy with my aunts/cousins/grandma all while my mama and sister were there!

I had SO much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Friday morning we went to visit some old coworkers, and then drove straight into Queens to see my amazing inlaws. We had such a fabulous dinner with them. We ate Chicken and Rice and some yummy meat and plantain dish. I absolutely loved spending time chatting with them and catching them up on all of the very exciting things we have going on! From there we drove into Manhattan and spent an hour or so visiting with Andre's grandparents. These two are so special, it makes me emotional even trying to talk about them. They just have so much love in their hearts, it really is a beautiful thing. I am so thankful for his family.

Leo met up with us there and we took him over to Bill's Bar and Burger with us to meet up with SO many people who came out to visit with us.

We got a great big table and everyone shared in burgers, fries, milkshakes, drinks and laughs. It was so special to see how many people would go out of their way to see us while we were there. It was a better turnout than I could have imagined and it was PERFECT. We try so hard to maintain these relationships with all of these beautiful people even though we've moved and can't seem them as often anymore.

When we got home late at night, we saw that Mommy had already finished putting up her Christmas tree, and I realized that I want some "belly shots" infront of that tree. Our family has generations of pictures of beautiful pregnant ladies with those belly bumps in front of the tree, and so I did my makeup and starting posing before we had to leave for the airport today.

To anyone who knows Me, my Mom or Serena- I'm pretty sure I don't need to say that we were all a sack of tears when the family dropped us off at the airport. We gave hugs and kisses and "see you soons" and as we were checking in at the kiosk, I broke down into sobs that poor Andre didn't know what to do with me!

Although it was a very emotional trip, it was by far the most special holiday I have ever celebrated. I just have SO much to be thankful for. It feels great to be back home and in our new house, but I definitely left a piece of my heart in New York.

Matthew 6:21 ESV / 58 helpful votes

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Second Trimester!

I found this survey on a blog online and figured it would be fun to answer every now and then to track progress :)

Tuesday November 20, 2012- 13 weeks, 3 days and officially in second trimester! Baby is the size of a Peach! (wow peaches are pretty big aren't they!?:)

How far along? 13 Weeks

Total weight gain: Somewhere around 8 lbs
Maternity clothes? Mostly just maternity jeans. Otherwise still able to wear my shirts and leggings etc.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: I think switching to night shift has helped my sleep! I fall asleep instantaneously when I get home from work in the morning.
Best moment this week: On Wednesday we had the 12 week check-up appointment, heard Baby's heartbeat fast and strong AND because my uterus is bigger than expected, we get to see Baby sooner on the ultrasound! My appointment is the week after Thanksgiving :)
Miss Anything? I miss milk and cheese since Baby decided mama should be lactose intolerant for a while :\
Movement: Nothing yet and I can't wait!
Food cravings: I can't get enough oranges, orange juice and clementines!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Hmm not really too much anymore.
Gender: I've got the feeling its a boy (actually to the point of me referring to "him" by his name quite frequently!) Hoping we can find out at the ultrasound in a week and a half!!
Labor Signs: No way! Way too early and I'd freak if I did. 
Symptoms: My belly is definitely rounding out, occasional "stretchy" feelings in my uterus, and lately my back feels like it can use a good massage.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!! I had one crazy mood swing after my first night shift (totally blame exhaustion on that one)
Looking forward to: Going to New York on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving with everyone we love! Can't wait to see the immediate and extended family and all our friends :) It can't come soon enough. 

Our New Home!!

Lot's of very exciting things taking place in the Genao family!

As you all already know, Andre and I made the big announcement a week ago that we are expecting our first blessing from God! We are so excited to experience the entire pregnancy week by week to see how much that tiny baby grows. I am 12 weeks and 2 days along today and our little miracle is the size of a plum! There are many changes happening to my body (some more enjoyable than others) but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love seeing my tiny belly grow, knowing that there is a baby growing big and fast in there.

It's been very hard to be away from my our families during this process, but we've kept very closely in touch so they can be a part of the whole 9 months with us. In just over a week we will be traveling up to New York to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with our families; and BOY do we have a lot to be thankful for! I know Meema is dying to see that little tummy so she can tap tap her very first grandbaby. Titi Nina is having just as hard a time as I am being away from each other, but I know we will savor every second we have together in that short weekend we will be visiting.

In other great news, we are OFFICIALLY home owners and living in our house!

On Thursday our POD got delivered to the home from New York and was placed in our driveway. We spent Friday packing up everything from our temporary apartment and loading up the car. First thing Saturday morning, we drove over to our house. I was a little scared to see how that POD held up (I've never packed to move across country and had NO idea how well we did). Thank God, all of our belongings came out of the POD exactly how they went in there! Nothing was damaged or broken or shifted at all. What a relief!

Cousin Phil met us there at 10am and I watched (and took pictures) as he and Andre carried all the big, heavy furniture up the stairs. I made myself busy by making MANY trips with one tiny thing at a time since about a gozillion people warned me about heavy lifting. And trust me, I would NEVER do anything to my body if there was even a TINY chance I could hurt our precious little baby.

They got that POD unpacked really fast and Jeanette came over and tackled the kitchen with me. We unpacked every single kitchen box and put everything away. I can not believe how much we got done in such a short amount of time. We were practically done for lunch. (The 4 of us plowed down 30 awesome chicken wings!) Just as we finished eating, Uncle Phil and Aunt Marge came over to see our home, and we gladly gave them the grand tour.

After successfully putting our bed together, and unpacking sheets, we spent our first night in our home together. It felt GREAT to wake up Sunday morning in our home. I can't even begin to imagine how it will feel the day we bring home Mini Genao into this house. Our family is so blessed!

We made a big shopping spree at Target yesterday and bought lots of nick nacks for the house. It really is slowly coming together.

Tonight at 11pm I start my very first over night shift. We weren't sure the best way to transition, so I went to bed at normal time and woke up this morning at 6:30. We figure I should stay busy and moving all day to tire myself. Take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon to get refreshed so I can (hopefully) feel nice and energized tonight. Part of pregnancy is keeping your body clean of medicines and chemicals so the baby is not subjected to anything. Because of this- I have to make the transition to nights sans caffeine, or any sleep aids at all. Here's to hoping I (and the little one) adjust quickly!

I promise I will update with pictures soon. And to those we will see while we are in New York... I plan to take some great pics of the home and print them so we can show you.

Counting down to New York...10 days! I am so thankful. This Thanksgiving is going to mean more to me than any other has in the past.

Isaiah 32:18 ESV / 18 helpful votes

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.