Small Victory

Today I reached a milestone. For the first time in several months I was able to put on a regular pair of shoes. No more flip flops, no more slippers. I finally have my feet back!

1 week

Hard to believe an entire week has come and gone. She is changing every day and we are trying to savor every moment.

Christmas has finally arrived!

After a very long wait, our Christmas miracle is finally here. Arriving a few days early on December, 20th at 7:22 AM, we feel so blessed to introduce our new daughter to the world:

Carmen James Skurski

6 lbs, 10 oz, 19 inches

39 weeks...

The house is decorated, the stockings are hung and now we wait.  Although, the waiting is almost over as in less than 2 days our little girl will be here.  Call her comfortable, call her stubborn...she is currently breech and as a result will make her grand debut into this world by c-section on Monday the 20th.

We are excited, anxious and wait in anticipation for our lives to change for the better.  Never have we looked so forward to a Monday.

Belly at 39 weeks

Little Skurski's Christmas Stocking ready and waiting.

Our soon to be family of three.

Ready

It's incredible to think how quickly nine months can go.  At the beginning it felt like Christmas was a lifetime away, but now it is right around the corner, 19 days to be exact.  We are ready. Ready to finally meet and hold our baby girl.  Ready to start a new chapter of our lives and become parents. Ready for the long, sleepless nights that we will manage because we have so much love for our daughter.  We've been waiting a long time and the wait is almost over.

We've been busy over the last several months with preparations and the nursery is now waiting and ready for our new arrival.  We hope our little one will enjoy her new room.  Santa, we are ready for our Christmas miracle.

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!  We woke up to another dusting of snow so it looks like it may be a "white" Thanksgiving which is fine by us, as we'll be bundled up inside enjoying watching the snow fall and eating way too much turkey.

We really do have so much to be thankful for, above all our family and friends and the amazing little girl still currently in my tummy.  Little one: we can't tell you how much we love you and how often we think about you.  You will add so much fulfillment to our lives and we can't wait to finally meet you in a short few weeks.  You truly are a blessing.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

34 weeks and lots to celebrate

At 34 weeks, we are nearing the home stretch with 4 - 6 weeks to go...that is if our little Christmas Miracle decides she wants to arrive on time.  It's been a wonderful week for us all and we were blessed to hear her heartbeat and get confirmation she is cozy in my tummy and doing just fine.  We were also honored with two showers this weekend to help us prepare for her arrival where great advice and inside tips were shared from family and friends and little baby Skurski was certainly spoiled with some very special gifts.

Thank you to everyone for making this experience such an incredible and memorable one.  We are very lucky to have you all in our lives and for all of the love and support you have shown us.

  

34 weeks; the size of a honeydew melon

Couple's Shower:

A festive evening filled with good food, baby trivia and laughs and such thoughtful gifts, but above all, a memorable time with our nearest and dearest friends.  Thank you: Jenn, Jamie, Hillary and Nate for hosting an unforgettable evening.

Family Shower:

The perfect afternoon paired with homemade cupcakes and candy, famous mothers, cuddly blankets and darling little outfits, and an all-around good time with family.  A big thank you to: Rita, Christy and my amazing nieces Katie and Megan for your thoughtfulness and creativity and for a wonderful day honoring baby Skurski.

 

Happy Halloween!

A Halloween tradition, carving pumpkins with the Bendiksen's.

Choose your pumpkin wisely. 



Even Anna got in on the carving action this year. 

What a big helper, she loved scooping out the pumpkin guts.

  

The final product.





HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the love of my life. Today is about celebrating you. Another year passed, but so much to look forward to!  Can't wait for what is next. 

I love you very much.  Enjoy your day.

Expanding...

I love my belly.  It is ever expanding and a wonderful reminder of the miracle happening inside.  I rub and talk to it often, letting our little one know how much she is loved. Jimmy sings her the occasional Christmas tune getting her prepared for her holiday arrival and she usually enthusiastically responds with a kick or an elbow.  Not exactly sure if that is her way of communicating she likes the music or if she is telling him to stop singing...he's hoping for the former.  Regardless, every kick, punch and movement is treasured.

17 weeks

18 weeks

21 weeks



25 weeks



27 weeks



29 weeks and counting...

  

Weekend in Victoria

Last weekend we were able to get away for a few days to Victoria for a mini vacation.  We took the Clipper, saw the sights, went to the spa, ate good Guinness pot-pie, walked the town in the beautiful weather and were able to relax.  Time went by much too quickly, but it was a good get-away weekend while it lasted.

A lovely welcome.

What a beautiful city.

Jimmy's first pedicure--can you tell a difference?

A trip to Butchart Gardens.
A definite must-see.  Otherwise known as the "flower zoo."

Lots and lots of beautiful flowers.
Every variety and color you can imagine.

 

Posing for a pic in the rose garden.

The famous Empress Hotel. 
No, we didn't have high tea, but enjoyed admiring the landmark.



Night Life.





The Perfect Day

Today I had my first baby shower, a luncheon thrown by Mona Godderis, a lifetime family friend who has know me since the day I was born. 

• The setting was breathtaking...The Georgian Room at the Olympic Hotel
• The food was a work of art...lobster cakes, finger sandwiches with flare, everything had the perfect touch of elegance
• The gifts...the most thoughtful and heartfelt I could ever imagine
• The company...six amazing woman who are very important in my life

But, the best part was a surprise, the best gift of all--my Mom.

All the way from Arizona to be here for my special day. 
 I was speechless, shed tears and was oh so happy to have her here.



The setting for the perfect day.

The very special ladies: My Mom, Gretchen, Mona, Sylvia, Bunny and Julaine.
 I'm so lucky and feel so honored to have such wonderful people in my life and I can't wait for little baby Skurski to meet them all. 



The Hostess who orchestrated the perfect day. 

 Baby Skurski is blessed with a baptism bracelet, the most adorable little outfits straight from France (très chic!) and a very special doll I longed to have when I was three that my little girl will now have as a favorite friend.



Everything is "just ducky!" 
An adorable assortment of ducks for my little one from Aunt Julaine--from outfits to bath time and snuggly  friends.



Baby Skurski will be so happy looking at the beautiful hand-painted pink roses for her room  from "Grandma Gret" who's craft and artistic ability are truly breathtaking.



The "Pack N' Play" from Bunny--
can't wait for Baby Skurski to arrive so she can use this fabulous invention. 



A Christmas Baby needs a Christmas stocking. 
Baby S now has the most beautiful hand-made one I've ever seen. 
 I have a feeling Santa will be good to her this year!



The perfect ending to the perfect day. 
A sincere thank you to everyone for making this day so memorable.  I am overwhelmed with the love and generosity shown to me and my little one to be.  I can't wait for her to meet all of the wonderful women in my life who have already shown her so much love.