August 18 - Hello, world! My name is Julia!

Here I am!
*Julia Elise
*6 lb 1oz
*19 inches
*9:54pm

This is the first photo ever taken of me. Aren't I a cutie! More to follow as soon as my parents get out of that hospital! I can't wait to go home and settle into my new home.

August 15 - Stand Up, And Cheer with Us, the USA is Fabulous!

Another tired morning after staying up late to watch Olympic coverage. I told myself I would only watch the first 2 women's gymnastics events (which started after 11pm) and catch the rest in the morning, but I couldn't tear myself away! Kudos to everyone, last night the USA rocked the house on multiple fronts!!

• Beach Volleyball-okay, I admit I'm not the hugest beach volleyball fan and I usually fast forward through most of the sets but I actually watched the whole first set last night when May-Treanor/Walsh overcame a deficit to keep their streak alive. Well done chicas!


• Swimming-what can I say, it was simply an amazing night in the cube. Metals for Coughlin (tied for the most metals by a US female swimmer in Olympic history!), Soni (she beat Jones!! major upset!!), Lochte, Peirsol (1-2 in the backstroke!!) and Phelps, Lochte (1-3 in the IM, way to go guys!)


• Gymnastics-of course, as you all know, this my favorite event of the games. I was concerned after the Chinese gymnasts were overscored on the beam (seriously-they each had multiple, noticeable bobbles and WEREN'T PENALIZED!!) but the judges finally got it right on the floor and the American's went 1-2!! Congrats to Liuken and Johnson, they were fantabulous! I was so excited that I didn't sleep for an hour afterward. I also want to congratulate Semenova of Russia, she was great-I think she deserved the bronze metal.

As far as Hot Lips goes...she is a big fan of the Olympics already, especially the gymnastics. She was flipping and somersaulting the entire evening (especially during the floor routines). Tonight, we'll watch more swimming (it will be the toughest race for Phelps, the 100M fly) and start track and field. I'm also psyched for the individual diving events (hopefully we can sneak in a metal, it will be tough, the Chinese really are the best in the world when it comes to diving).

I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon (39.5 week check-up) so I will keep everyone posted!! It is really just a waiting game now...!

August 11 - USA! USA! USA!

If you are like me this morning, you are a tad tired from staying up late to watch the Olympics last night-but man was it worth it! The 4x100M free relay was one of the best races in history! J.D. and I were cheering so loud in the living room that we woke up both dogs from a deep slumber and I thought I might go into labor from all the excitement (no, it didn't happen). Congrats to Phelps, Weber-Gale, Jones and Lezak for showing the "Frenchies" who rules in the pool!

I can't wait for tonights coverage-Phelps will go for his 3rd gold metal in the 200M free and we get to see the men's gymnastics team final. I'm so proud the US team made the final, especially considering that both Hamm's pulled out last minute due to injury. Go Horton and company!

In non-Olympic news, I had my 38.5 week check up on Friday and everything went well. My next appointment is this Friday and then the following Thursday (if I make it that long). The doctor estimates that the baby will be 6lb8oz when she is born, it will be interesting to see how close he is!

Oh-I discovered a new love for Hot Lips-ABBA!!! We had the pleasure of seeing Mamma Mia! this weekend and she loved all the singing and dancing..especially 'Dancing Queen'..she was really jamming when that song came on.

*week 39 'status check' - I'm still feeling fabulous! I've embraced the bump and don't mind showing it off. I guess this is how most women feel in the 2nd trimester. Oh well-I'll take feeling good now for however long it lasts; I know I'll be a sleep deprived mommy soon enough!

August 4 - The Name Game is Closed!

Okay peeps-Friday was the last day to submit name entries and a few of you got them to me just in time. Thank you to everyone who participated. I know some of you couldn't decide on just one name and emailed me multiple names..so while J.D. and I reviewed every name that we received, if you submitted multiple names you aren't officially entered into the contest. Sorry!

Here is a list of the submitted first names:

• Alexis
• Ana/Anna
• Ava
• Ayn
• Bailey
• Bella
• Bonnie
• Chloe
• Cindy
• Harper
• Isabella
• Joy
• Justine
• Layla
• Lily
• Lydia
• Madison
• Molly
• Olivia
• Seven
• Winnie

J.D and I narrowed our list down to two potential names and ONE of those names is listed above. Feel free to guess which name you think it is, but remember, you won't find out the actual name until she arrives!

*I understand that some people may not like every name listed above (hey, they aren't all my favorites) but this is a fun game so if you want to email me comments, please keep it positive!

August 1 - Calm Before the Storm

Okay peeps-so I'm now 8.5months pregnant and I must say that other than back pain when I first get out of bed in the morning (which goes away after being active for about 10min) this is the BEST I have felt since I've been pregnant. I had a doctors appointment yesterday and he said it is definitely unusual to feel so good this late in the game (he said most women are begging to be induced a this point, especially during the humid summer months).

In other news-the carseat is installed, the baby's bag is packed (and in the car) and we've filled out the baby book (as much as we can at this point). The baby's room is officially 100% done (J.D. installed a shelf last weekend and we put up the penguin piggy bank, some picture frames and books) and it looks fantabulous. This weekend, we're planning to have our bags packed and we'll start cooking and freezing dinners.

Oh-and we still haven't formalized a name yet, I guess that is pretty important!!

July 23 - Drop It Like It's Hot!

Many people have been inquiring if my stomach has "dropped" yet and I'm happy to say that it has! Personally-I don't see much of a difference, but my girlfriend was recently out of town for a week and a half and when she saw me she immediately said "wow, your stomach finally dropped!" J.D. also confirmed it during our morning walk today.

So I want to comment on being "big" pregnant during the summer. From all the horror stories I heard, I was expecting to be really uncomfortable and miserable due to the heat and humidity. Well, don't get me wrong, it is insanely hot outside, but I really don't think being pregnant in the summer is so bad. Unless you are spending hours outside in the direct sun, it is completely doable! I've found that limiting my time outside, wearing light clothing and staying hydrated (luckily I love plain water) does wonders for the body!

I still can't believe we are at 36 weeks. The month of July is flying by! August is just around the corner.

Oh-and an update on the name front. We still haven't decided on a name for Hot Lips but we have narrowed it down to 3. What are those 3? Sorry-many of you have tried to pull the names out of us but our lips are sealed until the big day! There is still time to submit a name to the contest!!

July 17 - Five Pounds of Love

Okay, she isn't quite 5lbs, but 4lbs 15oz is pretty darn close! We had our 35 week sonogram today and Hot Lips (current weight estimated at 4-15) is doing fabulous. She was sleeping during the entire photoshoot, but she was super cute sucking her little fingers! She is healthy and if she packs on the typical 1oz a day between now and our due date, we are looking at 7lb baby girl.

July 9 - Tiny Dancer

Okay peeps-this is a few months late but here is the sonogram we promised you. J.D. worked on it last night and it is fantabulous! Make sure your volume is turned on, the bambino is dancing along to music!

July 7 - A Splash of Color!

Fabulous news everyone: J.D. and I are almost complete with Hot Lips nursery. We worked on it this weekend and it looks fabulous!! It is bright, cheerful and FUN! The only thing we have left to do is install shelving above the dresser (to display the munchin's book collection as well as a few misc items like the penguin piggy bank and picture frames).


Amelia helps organize all the baby stuff (and check out my 8-mon preggo belly!)


Amelia & Guinness love to hang out in their baby sister's room!


Check out the adorable penguin quilt, fun arctic animals on the wall and the cool, colorful centipede above the window!


Red Hot Closet and Dresser (the pack & play and carseat base will be moved out to the car soon)

Fabulous flower lamp

July 1 - Sunshine Shower

Our Florida shower was this past weekend and everyone had a fantabulous time (thanks for putting on a great event Cara!!). Once again, Hot Lips was showered with lots of love. In addition to books, adorable outfits and stuffed animals (including a black lab stuffed puppy that looks just like Amelia!), we received a lot of necessities: diapers (hundreds of them!), wipes, diaper rash cream, stain sticks, baby bathing essentials, baby medicine and a special 'mommy survivor kit' from one of my girlfriend's who recently had a baby (you know...all those things mom needs after giving birth that you never think about!).

J.D. was out of town during the shower (he was in Tampa to see his best friend's baby girl who is only 2 weeks old) so he and I have a hot date this weekend to go through all the baby shower spoils and to finish setting up the nursery (put up curtains, hang a quilt on the wall, etc). I'm so excited to get the room together, I think it is going to look amazing!

Oh-and check out the below photo. My girlfriend Carolyn had this towel made especially for the baby-it is fabulous!! If you have trouble reading it-it says "HOT LIPS XOXO"