The countdown

We are finally in the double digit number of days until our little Hunter arrives! only 99 days! We can't wait to meet him and give him A LOT of love!

Oh Christmas Tree!!!

Saturday night Zach and I finally decorated our Christmas tree! We put the tree up the week before I left for California and had just a few ornaments up...now it is a "Hallmark Tree," in Zach's words. It is a beautiful tree if you ask me and it was such a blast to decorate it with my honey! We had apple cider listened to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and tried to entertain Missy from attacking the balls. Once we were done we arranged all of the presents under it. Zach thought he would play the guessing game with a couple of gifts and then a new present for me snuck its way under the tree! Missy found her new favorite spot right underneath the Christmas tree! The pictures were a little fuzzy but still very cute.

Baby Shower

My poor mother. She was coaxed into hosting a baby shower for Hunter and me on the 13th of December. Little did she know that I was actually going to attend the shower too! It was so much fun to go shopping for decorations with you mom. I always imagined my baby shower going just as Hunter's did. Thank you so much for that wonderful gift. Also thank all of you that were able to come! It was so great to see everyone and not to mention see all of the fun things that Hunter got! I can't wait to post pictures of him in the great little outfits, playing in his bouncy and working out in his gym!

Zach and I appreciate you all so much. All of the love, support and prayers are always welcomed and needed! We are always thankfull to God for putting you all in our lives and now in Hunter's life.

I'm "Home"

I arrived back in Sicilia on Thursday night in one piece! Thankfully I even got home on time! The crazy storm that is hitting the U.S. was just starting the day that I left and things were getting a little questionable in the mid-west. I safely landed in Chicago at O'Hare airport and waited for the screen to say "delayed" while I sat in a Chile's to have a bite to eat (not to mention pass the time away). It didn't feel like two hours went by when they started boarding the plane. A couple hours into the flight I got up to walk around and stretch when I found myself talking about my pregnancy with a flight attendant. She later informed me that we were the last flight to leave out of the O'Hare airport because of the storm. When I sat down I realized just how much the Lord was looking out for Hunter and me. Before I knew it we were landing in Germany. The trip back home seemed to be the "short" trip, although it seems as though that when you travel back home (even if in a car) it doesn't take as long. I think the anticipation kicks in when you are going somewhere, I know for me going back home to surprise all of you was so exciting! And for all of those who know just how much I can't keep surprises like that in you could only imagine how tough it was for me to keep quiet.

I really enjoyed the trip. Being able to see everyone and especially surprise the family was priceless. I am even more thrilled that you all were able to see me in the middle of this gracious pregnancy. Hunter has been a blessing and I know he will continue to be. I really didn't think about the fact that no one from back home would see me pregnant. Silly me.

Thank you all for a wonderful visit and thank you Mom and Dad for letting me surprise you and for having my room ready in a moments notice! I love you!

Belly flips and flops

I am not sure if all of you know what we have decided to name our little bundle of joy. His name will be Hunter William Stachurski. Hunter was a name that Zach and I finally agreed on through much debate and "sleeping on it". William is a name that has been in my family for generations. We both thought it is a very strong and Stachurski-like name. Hunter is a very active little man. In the last couple of weeks he has decided he is going to be an acrobat. I believe at times he is trying to tell me he is ready and he wants to claw his way out of my stomach. Last night he rolled and twisted so much that I just had to sit and watch my belly roll. It has been extremely entertaining and not to mention a gigantic blessing. We are so grateful and full of thankfulness that God has given us this little life to take care of and raise to know and grow in Him. We can't wait to meet our little Hunter William and dedicate him to the Lord.

Mouse Attack!

Not more than two days went by when we arrived home from Prague and our little hunter (and I am not talking about the baby) found her prey. Missy was sitting on the couch with Zach and me kickin' back when she heard a noise at the front door. I had know idea what she could possibly have heard so I peered my head around the corner to check out what she was going crazy for. As soon as I got my head over the couch I screamed. She had caught a mouse! Not only did she catch it, she killed it too! I haven't seen her in action like that in a long time so this really freaked me out. She picked it up, shook it and threw it into the wall. Zach immediately shot up to get her and started praising her for her kill as I sat there trying not to cry for that poor little mouse. I know how crazy that sounds especially with all of my complaining about the mice, but they are just so cute when you look at them. I suppose I am just a softy. Now that my little Miss has the taste of "blood" she is a great little hunter for our unwanted house guests.

Our trip to Prague

*Please excuse me while I try and play catch up!*

Prague was excellent! Very cold right now but still amazing! When we were packing for the trip Missy could definitely tell we were leaving her! She decided that she wasn't staying home and that she would just jump in the suit case so she would have to come with us. It was very cute so I had to add the pictures into our little slide show. She had a lot of fun at her Auntie Jen's house playing with her friends Dakota and Allie, to whom she will miss terribly when they leave!!

We did a lot of walking and bashing through the city. We went to the museum, the palace, the main shopping strip :), the Charles Bridge and of course made our way through the metro. Our hotel was nice and fairly close to the center of town so it wasn't that bad of a walk everywhere. Although, Hunter did let me know that he was bouncing around a lot in there! Every time we would start to walk fast he would push on the side of my stomach! The only way I could relieve the pain was to push back, silly little boy. Not only did I find out that he didn't like to be bounced around I was able to learn that I have already out grown a pair of my maternity pants. I am definitely not proud to say that, BUT they were smaller to begin with! I also realized that my jacket was a little snug too! I looked down the second day that we were there and saw it starting to split at one of the seams. So depressing! It isn't a maternity jacket so I didn't feel as bad. Looking for a coat there wasn't that fun though. I must have tried on a thousand different coats and I thought I looked like a whale in each and every one. Prague really opened my eyes to a lot of different things about my pregnancy. When we were leaving in the morning we decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Our hotel was making a few upgrades and new carpeting was one of them. A worker on one of the floors pointed out to Zach, who was in front of me, that there was wet cement spread on the ground. Watching him walk around it kind of awkwardly I thought "why did he do that?". Well I found that out after I stepped in the center of the cement. After a royal making fun of I got from Zach I informed him that I couldn't see past my belly to even notice the ground! Yes, I finally have a belly big enough to not see my toes when I look down. I never noticed it until that day and now I know that I really need to watch my step!

Aside from walking everywhere and learning about my pregnancy we were lucky to eat at some great restaurants. Every place we ate at had incredible food! Zach was in love with this sauerkraut soup we found at a pub style restaurant. We both fell head over heals for a pizza place just around the corner from our hotel. I know, I know! A pizza place in Prague and you live in Italy! This was pretty awesome gourmet pizza!

All in all Prague was an amazing experience and I really did love every minute of it.

(A LOT of pictures to come!)

Surprise!

I'm HOME! I flew in on Thursday night for a two week surprise visit! Boy was the family shocked! I can't wait to see you all at the baby shower next Saturday. Give me a call at my parent's house so we can get together and catch up!