And She's All Grow'd Up!

This past weekend we celebrated Ashley's 21st Birthday with her friends as well as with our family. Although it was very strange not having our Lala with us at Sunday dinner, we had a very nice time. Petey and I were very proud of ourselves. Not only did we stay up past 10:30 on a Saturday night, but we actually were out of the house!


I cannot believe Ashley is 21. We have grown so close in the last few years and I only hope to continue that relationship as we grow older. She has made me so proud with the woman she has become.

Happy 21st Ash! We love you!

Just a Day at the Beach

When we first got Bode, our trial-child, we were told that he would not go near the water if the chance ever presented itself to him. Bound and determined to prove these people wrong, we brought Bode to the beach near Petey's parents' house. Sure enough, if pavement was present, the sound of squealing breaks would have pierced your ear drums as the not so crashing waves came into sight.

Determined mommy decided Bode would in fact like, if not love the water. With enough gentle prodding on her part, Bode decided the water wasn't actually that bad and he rather enjoyed the refreshing taste of the e coli laced beverage.
Later that week, Grandma Becky took Bode and her other Grand-doggie Gage down to the beach. Apparently our little man showed a bit more courage with his cousin. Now mom and dad have one more activity to tire their forever-energetic little guy out with!

Five Months and Counting!

We reached our 20 week mark in our pregnancy...Ups, downs, and all arounds included. Morning sickness left us momentarily only to be replaced with chronic headaches and a stuffy nose. Come January 31st (or around there) all these things will be in the past and we will have a bouncing, beautiful baby boy to fill the void left by pregnancy farts and back pain. Not to mention, my constantly growing belly as pictured below. Believe it or not, it is even bigger now. We limited our photo shoots to once a month as requested by mommy, she already feels crappy enough!

So here's to my protruding belly button and stretch marks! BRING IT ON! God be with Pete in his "months" of need!

Laura: Don't ya love it?!?!

True Blue Baby!

Today was our 20 week sonogram!

As you can see above, the little one was actively sucking it's thumb on and off throughout the exam. We began with what seemed to be hundreds of measurements of arms, legs, head, abdomin, heartbeat, etc. It was amazing to see all the little toes and fingers!

Then came the BIG NEWS...

To the untrained eye, nothing. But to Shari our sonographer a little BOY! Everyone is thrilled to say the least! The Grandma's ran into eachother in Younkers right after they heard the news. Unknowingly, they both grabbed similar items which kind of freaked them out I think! They're more alike than they think! Now onto the perfect name!

Blue or Pink? That Is The Question!

This past Labor Day weekend, during our third annual Labor Day Bash, my belly was the center of attention as Pauly Thorsen performed his magic trick to determine the sex of the baby! Supposedly, if the needle on a piece of white thread moves in a circle, it is a girl. If the needle moves back and forth, it is a boy. According to Pauly, Petey and I are having a girl.

Now, the kicker is that we find out this week (Weds. 9-10-08) whether we are having a girl or a boy via ultrasound. We are so excited to find out what this little peanut is! Although we are told we're having a girl from Pauly, I still have a feeling that it is a boy. Time will tell! Until Wednesday...

It's A Boy!

Big news in the Gawkowski house this weekend! The newest addition to our home is a bouncing, 50 pound, sweet as can be little man named Bode. As you can see, he has a face only a mother could love and do I ever!

Bode was a rescue dog from the Pound Buddies Rescue at the Vector Control. Bode is an American Bulldog mix and couldn't be sweeter. He looks forward to meeting his Aunt Laura who is in California on her way to becoming famous!