Tickled Blue!

What a treasured week I've had!

So many have been overjoyed to hear the news of our baby boy....  and the ones nearest and dearest to my heart were sure to celebrate the news last week!

Jenn H has a baby tradition with her friends that is unique and so much fun.  Whenever one is expecting, they take a trip to Maggiano's in Cincinnati to celebrate the new baby to be.  I've attended these celebrations with her before, and we always have a such a good time.

Jenn has been ready to celebrate our baby with a trip to Cincinnati..... since November! :)

Last Saturday, her, Jennifer Mom & I took a road trip to Cincy.....  all in honor of the news of our boy!

We met Lauren there.....  who had our table ready for the special occasion...

Thank you sweet Lauren :)

Gifts!?  They all brought gifts!?  I've attended these with Jenn in the past and there have never been gifts.  I had no idea this would be such a celebration!  I truly felt so special and loved.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch ....lots of laughs, and new Maggiano's memories....

.....followed by a bit of shopping!

Mom already spoiling her grandson...

After a day in Cincy, we drove back and had a quick visit with Penny before calling it a night.

Who by the way.....  still does not like us.  ;)

She still does not like me (nor anyone in my family) near her .....though as you see I still try.

And in true Penny fashion.....she didn't smile until Jenn told her to wave goodbye to us all.

And then she was happy....   because she was leaving my house.

??

We hope one day she knows we love her :)

It was a wonderful day with the best of friends.....

....and a day for my baby boy memory book!

Jenn, Lauren, Jennifer & Mom.....  I can't thank you enough.  The gifts and celebration were such a special surprise.....but I'll always remember your gift of time and love the most.  To think that you donated your entire Saturday....to me....  is overwhelming.  Buying your pricey lunch (and mine!?), showering me with gifts....it's so much.  But the fact that you left your families for the entire day, just to celebrate my pregnancy..... is what I'll always remember the most.  You all are the perfect example of a beautiful friend.  Also, a very special thanks to Billy, Brad, Mike (and my dad!) ...... for letting your wives take off and leave you on a Saturday!  I know that the weekend is family time, and that Saturday is the last day of the week you'd choose to be a single dad!  Thank you for doing this for me.....in honor of our baby boy....  and for our friendship.

I love you all very much!


And that wasn't the only celebration we received last week!?

Every month we get together with a few very dear friends that Troy went to med school with.

This month, it was at our house.

I thought it was just our "normal" monthly dinner.

But this one turned into something very special.

Adam, Heather, Mona, Steve and Allison all planned a surprise "sprinkle" (as Heather called it) all to celebrate the recent news of our boy!

They showed up with flowers and balloons.... a cake.... and gifts like you wouldn't believe!?

I am still in awe over all of this.

That they think this much of our special news....  that they would plan all of this.... just for us.

At one point I thanked Heather for doing this and she said,  "we're just so excited about this baby boy!"

:)

That was my favorite part of this surprise "sprinkle."  To hear the sincerity in that comment.  And to know that they are all genuinely this excited for us.

I'm convinced that life brings us friends of all kinds, and for all reasons.  Friends that are acquaintances....friends that are there for just a season in your life....   and then life long friends.  This group of "med school friends" have become so much more than just school/work friends.  They've become a special part of our lives.  Not only did their friendship help get us through the ups and downs of med school....  but they continue to be there through the ups and downs in all of life.  They fill our home with flowers, plants, (and casseroles!) when we have a death in the family.....   and they fill our home with balloons, cake, and smiles..... to celebrate a new life.

They fill our hearts with love.

And not just on big occasions......but often daily with their text and messages of friendship.

Friends that were once "school friends"....   have become lifelong friends.  And we couldn't be happier.

Adam & Heather.... Mona...  Allison... Steve (and Shonda!)... thank you for doing this for us.  For the gifts, the surprises, and for giving us such a treasured memory to go along with the news of our baby boy.  We'll never forget it.


What a special week :)


To think that the ones nearest and dearest to our hearts are as "tickled blue" as we are....  it doesn't get any better than this!?

All of them continue to make this pregnancy....  this baby....  such a special time in our lives.

A nine months we'll never forget!


In other news....

WE HAVE NAMED OUR BABY BOY!!

I will post on this soon!

Love,

Kristin