May 19 - Third Trimester!

The third trimester is here-only 13 weeks left until Hot Lips makes her grand entrance!

Here are my stats so far:
Weight Gained: 16 lbs
Inches Grown: +5" bust, +5" waist (yes, the tummy is growing but I still have a waistline)
Food Cravings: none
Food Aversions: no food aversions, but I am VERY sensitive to cigarette smoke, even a small whiff makes me nauseous
Exercise Routine: walk approx. 12-15 miles per week with the pooches, climb the stairs at the stadium twice a week (approx. 2.5k steps per visit), perform (low weight) arm exercises 5 days a week as well as lunges
Look Pregnant? yes! Especially in tight clothes. I'm waiting for a stranger to ask if I'm expecting but it hasn't happened yet (only a matter of time). I still fit in a few pre-preggo pants, t-shirts, shorts and dresses... otherwise I'm wearing mostly maternity clothing now.


All in all, the 2nd trimester was one of great growth (both for me and the bambino). I feel huge already (note that I'm not measuring my hips..because I'm afraid to know how much they are widening!). Thinking about doubling in size in the coming months in combination with the FL heat and humidity is a little intimidating, but I know I'll handle it. Hot Lips health is the important thing, and I had an appointment today and the doctor said everything is perfect so far!

May 7 - Dessert? No thanks, I just ate a volleyball & I'm full

Hello fabulous peeps-you may be happy to know that I officially 'popped' and finally look pregnant. I look like I swallowed a volleyball!! I'll post some photos soon (I know some of you are anxious to see the growing belly that is Hot Lips). I'm not sure if I posted this earlier-but for the last few weeks you can see her moving by looking at my stomach. She seems to enjoy kicking on my right side...just as I'm laying down to sleep at night!

In other news-J.D. completed an Olympic distance triathlon this past weekend in Miami. He did AMAZING. Please congratulate him next time you see him. Hot Lips is already proud of her daddy!

And..don't forget to play the name game! We've only received a few entries so far. If you are confused as to how to play, you have two strategies:

*guess a name that you think we will choose OR
*submit a name that you think will be a great fit for Hot Lips (someone could submit a name that we never thought of before that we fall in love with).

Either way-this is a FUN contest!! Remember, yummy baked goods if there is a winner!

April 22 - The Name Game, Start Playing Now!

The Name Game

Do you think you know what moniker Hot Lips will end up with? Or maybe you have a fab name you want to suggest..either way, this contest is for you!!

Submit your entry via e-mail per the instructions below. Only 1 entry per person! We don’t guarantee that anyone’s submission will be used-but you never know!

The winner (or winners if multiple people guess the correct name) will receive delicious homemade baked goods from yours truly. Depending on your geographic location, you’ll receive banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and/or yummy cake. You’ll also be the happy recipient of an adorable framed photo of Hot Lips once she arrives (seriously..with all these great prizes, how can you not enter a name??)

Naming Suggestions (encouraged, not required)

1. Incorporate wit, whimsy or thoughtfulness into your entry.
2. Consider a character name from a book, TV show or movie, or an historical figure. The name should have a story behind it, something we can sink our mental hooks into.
3. The baby's name should not be too crazy because her last name is uncommon (she should be able to spell her full name in kindergarten without trouble). I urge you to use the name lookup services at the US Social Security Administration to gauge the popularity of the name.
4. Avoid names meaningful to you because of your own family history. We really don't care that your grandmother was named Wenceslas. Sorry.

How to Enter the Contest

1. Send an e-mail to Christine.yamokoski@gmail.com with the word "CONTEST" in the subject line

2. Propose a first name for Hot Lips. (We already have ideas for the middle name but you are welcome to make suggestions)

3. In your own words, tell us about the baby name.

**The contest is open until August 1^st**

The Winner

The winner will be announced after Hot Lips arrives. Remember: J.D. and I will not be disclosing the name until she arrives to anyone (for those of you who attempt to pry the name out of us, our lips are sealed!)

Happy Name Guessing!!

April 7, 2008 - Sisterly Bond

Fab news everyone-Hot Lips is kicking!! Both J.D. and I felt her for the first time on Friday, April 4th. It was very exciting-I have been waiting to feel the light 'fluttering' that everyone talks about but never did (which I'll admit was concerning me a little) but I'm definitely feeling firm kicks now. If you put your hand on my stomach you can totally feel them. It is unbelievable! She is swimming circles in there having a great time.

However, the most amazing thing is that Hot Lips seems to have bonded with Amelia, they are on similar cycles! She sleeps when Amelia sleeps and is active when Amelia is up and about. Even more incredible-she kicks strongly when Amelia cries (yes, our canine baby is very vocal). They are forming a sisterly bond already!

April 1- A Universal Adventure

Baby Yamo isn't born yet but I suspect she has done more in utero than most kids under age 5. Seriously, a cruise, road trips, business trips, visits to various cities in the southeast. She is an accomplished traveler already. Now we can add "Orlando Vacation" to her list.

This past weekend, one of my friends from Austin came into town and we went to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Of course, I am limited due to my current state, but I was able to do a few virtual rides (Shrek and Terminator) as well as catch some shows (Fear Factor, special effects and makeup, singing and dancing monsters [which was cheesy, but I'm a total cheeseball so I loved it]). Although I couldn't ride any coasters, we still had a blast. Needless to say, I can't wait to take Baby Yamo on the real rides (the kid rides in the next 5 years or so, and the real rides when she is tall enough, assuming she is like her parents who LOVE rollercoasters).

In terms of the pregnancy, I am thrilled to report that the nausea has more or less passed. I even cooked last night for the first time in four months (stuffed peppers, they were delish. I even made a fruit salad!). Physically, my lower stomach ligaments feel like they are stretching. Well-to be honest, they are definitely stretching-I've woken up in pain the last few nights!! I think I'll be sporting a basketball belly sooner rather then later. I will not be one of those women who doesn't show until month 7 (if they truly exist). I continue to meet women who tell me they didn't show until month 7...but I'm beginning to suspect some consider 'wearing maternity clothes' synonymous with 'showing.' Because I'm pretty certain I can buy bigger regular clothes for a long while without going maternity, but I will definitely be growing in the midsection!!

Have a great April Fools Day everyone!
*Tootles*

March 26, 2008 - Hot Lips Yamokoski

Great news-we had our sonogram yesterday and here are the vital stats:

• There is only 1 Baby Yamo (no twins, the doctor previously said there was only 1 but until the ultrasound, I wasn't convinced)
• Baby Yamo is a healthy 9oz
• And for the big news.....Baby Yamo is a SHE (I decided to find out in the heat of the moment and yes, I am as surprised as most of you..I really thought it was a boy!)

It was pretty cool seeing her (so weird typing her and not referring to the baby as it) sleeping and moving around. I had a hearty bowl of bran flakes before the appointment so she wasn't too active, but she woke up at the end and starting kicking her little feet. She even did a few mini-punches with her hands! She is a little swimmer already (J.D and I couldn't be more thrilled!). We have a DVD of the sonogram so if anyone is interested in seeing it, let us know.

As for J.D, he is already a proud daddy and is totally in love with her. He was mesmerized at the appointment and wanted to watch her all day. She doesn't know how lucky she is, she will have the best dad ever. She also has an amazing extended family. We haven't told everyone yet about the sex, but she is already well loved:
*Great Uncle Brian & Craig are planning to buy her a gray Welsh pony (for fun summers in Miami riding)
*Grandma's Yamo & Cook and Aunt Katherine are designing fun crafts
*Aunt Sarah will teach her how to apply makeup one day [and possibly baby Yamo can teach me :) since I never got the knack of it]
*Aunt Becky is planning fun summer camps in exotic foreign places
*Cousin Victoria and Baby Yamo will soon be having little tea parties!!

We also told the dogs yesterday that they have a new baby sister coming. I don't think they realize something is coming that will re-align their status in the house, but they will find out soon enough!

Oh-and as for the title of this entry, our little baby girl has fabulous lips (at least that is what the doctor and technician said yesterday-they both commented on how full and beautiful her lips were). Watch out Angelina!!

March 18, 2008: Baby Yamo Goes to the Caribbean

Greetings everyone! We just got back from our week long cruise to the Caribbean. To say it was 'amazing' doesn't even come close to how much fun we had.

We ended up with a handicapped room that was HUGE (probably three times the size of a normal stateroom) and the weather was perfect. We went to a private beach in Cayo Laventado (Dominican Republic), hiked the rainforest in Samana (British VI), snorkeled in St. Thomas (US VI) and sunbathed in the Bahamas. Of course, since it was a cruise, there was a lot of eating (J.D. was especially excited about the chocolate buffet and late night ice cream sundaes). I relaxed a lot and read 5 books.

Overall, I would say Baby Yamo had a fab first vacation!! Check out the above photo to see how much I am growing!! (I must note that there were girls on the boat with bigger guts than me (with drinks in hand)..so I still don't think anyone would know I was preggers unless you know me really well!)

Sonogram is next week, keep your fingers crossed that Baby Yamo is healthy!

*Tootles*

March 9, 2008 - Baby Yamo's First Road Trip

As many of you know, Grandpa Cook (my dad) LOVES to drive and I inherited that trait from him. Okay...so I may not drive from Conyers, GA to Buffalo, NY to Minot, ND to Austin, TX to Cape Canaveral, FL then back to Conyers, GA (in less then 2 weeks...a crazy trip my dad embarked on a few years ago). But, I do share a love for the open road. It may be too early to make a prediction, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Baby Yamo may be following in our footsteps! We just got back from a 2k mile road trip and it was a blast!!

We started by driving from Gainesville to Charleston, SC. After hours of 'car dancing' (jamming in the car to fun music) we had a delicious meal in the historic district and stayed in a quaint bed and breakfast. The next day we scoped out Myrtle Beach and Florence, SC, then visited Aunt Katherine in Fayetteville, NC. The next leg of our trip was to Raleigh, NC to visit Uncle Greg, Aunt Jill and cousin Victoria. Victoria is absolutely beautiful (see attached photo) and a fabulous baby. Although she is only 4 months old, I think she is excited about having a cousin soon!

Next up, Baby Yamo and I drove to Charlotte, NC (where we recently visited for a different business trip). It was a quick trip downtown and then we were back to Raleigh again. Luckily, Greg and Jill were happy to have us and we stayed there for the next few days. After a few days working in Raleigh, we traveled to Wilmington to visit more hospitals. We ate at an amazing italian restaurant (Baby Yamo loves baked ziti) then headed back to Raleigh for one more night (yes, there was a lot of back and forth action on this trip). After a final fun evening with the Cook's, we ventured back to Gainesville. Baby Yamo and I were rather tired and it was a long journey. We stopped every 2 hours for either a snack or to use the restroom (see previous post relating to the Camel if you are unclear..).

As if that were not enough traveling for one week, we drove to Miami yesterday afternoon and we are heading out on our cruise today. In fact, we board in less then an hour so I need to get going.

Hasta Luego!!

February 25, 2008 - Penguins & Seals & Polar Bears, oh my!

Hello fabulous peeps. We are happy to announce that Baby Yamo will be comfortably situated in an adorable arctic themed nursery. We're thinking penguins, polar bears and cute seals. If you think of any other awesome arctic ideas, please pass them our way. Grandma Yamo already bought a giant penguin to get the room started!

The color scheme is black, white and bright blue, with red accents. This theme is a go regardless of Baby Yamo's sex. So..for those of you who can't wait to start buying/sewing stuff, you can get started now with toys, books and crafts!!

Also-our sonogram is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. Right now, we're (well-really me if I'm being honest here) leaning toward NOT finding out the sex of the baby. Of course, anything could happen in the next few weeks, so we'll keep everyone posted either way.

Have a fantabulous week!

Tootles,
Christine

February 12, 2008 - Spoiled, Spoiled Princess

No, I am not referring to Amelia Peabody (although she is treated like canine royalty around our house), I am referring to me!! My amazing hubby spoiled me rotten for my 29th (yes...I decided I'm spending 1 more year in the 20s) birthday. He planned a surprise b-day dinner on Sunday night (special thanks to Ben, Carla and Karen for coming out) and grilled the most amazing steaks ever last night! Then, he surprised me with a Caribbean cruise vacation!! And if that isn't enough, he topped it all off by putting together a wedding album (we couldn't afford the professional one at the time). It hasn't been printed yet but it is absolutely gorgeous!! He was even willing to go out to karaoke (I was too tired to go) but just the though is so sweet-he knows I love to sing my heart out (and I know he hates singing with a passion).

Alas, it was a great day. Thank you so much babe-you are THE BEST!! I can't wait for our vacation, I know we will have a blast!! (and I am totally getting a spray tan before we go so I'm tan and fabulous the very first day)

*smooch*