Hello
everyone!!!!!
Well,
needless to say it has been very exciting time in the Crawford House! Here are
the updates since the start of the year!
First,
Shannon got a promotion at work and I could not be any prouder of him! He has
worked so very hard and is so very deserving of this honor. Our little family
(and extended family too) are just in awe of his accomplishments and he is so
humble that I will be the one to tout his good work to the world! CONGRATS MY
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At
our 20 week sonogram on February 11, which was actually 20 weeks and 4 days. We
decided to find out what the gender of the baby was but instead of finding out
there, we had it written down and sealed in an envelope. It was so close to
Valentine’s Day that we thought it would be even more special if we revealed it
over dinner. You have no idea the patience and restrain it takes to walk by an
envelope with the baby’s gender on it for nearly 3 full days but somehow we did
it!
We
had a beautiful and intimate dinner at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. We
were seated in the wine cellar/private dining room downstairs. It was so cozy
and although we were in public, it felt private to do the reveal and by the end
it truly seemed like our own little world down there for the evening!
After
drinks (wine for Shannon and water for me of course) were ordered, we got
through our starters and then, FINALLY, we opened the envelope. We cast one
more vote before the big reveal. I have always felt it was going to be a boy
and since Shannon saw the sonogram he felt it was a boy too! So with ballots
cast, we opened the envelope to reveal a sonogram and written below was, “It’s
a boy!!!” I burst into tears of joy! We truly did not care one way or another
but when you are finally told for sure what you are having there is such an
unexplainable sense of joy!
We
have decided on the name Jack Francis Crawford. We have always loved the named
Jack and Francis is in honor of my Papa, Francis Mallon! The kids in my class
are completely obsessed with the baby and often refer to the baby as Jack Jack
from The Incredibles!
The
next day, February 15, I felt the baby move for the first time (for sure) when
I was driving to do some baby shopping and then the following Friday, February
21 Shannon felt the baby kick too! I wish I could have captured his face, it
was truly priceless! Shannon has been such an amazing support and he is going
to make such an amazing father! I can’t wait to see our baby boy in his arms.
On March 15 when talking to my mom I noticed my shirt moved. I lifted my shirt
and then saw for sure the baby moving … it was amazing! Shannon got to see it
just after that and again I wish I could have captured his face, it was absolutely
priceless! The same day we went to several baby stores to get an idea od what to do and get for the baby and all we can is THANK GOD for Amazon baby registry and not having to go into those stores ... very overwhelming hahaha!
A
part of our life that few knew about was the possibility of Shannon getting a
transfer to the Hartford, CT branch. By the grace of God we got the notice a
few weeks ago, so the Crawford clan will be New England bound a few weeks after
Jack arrives. For anyone that knows us well, you would not be surprised by this
at all. Shannon and I have never seemed to do anything in the conventional way …
so why not have a baby and move hahaha! We will be staying with my mom and dad
in Vermont for a few weeks to decide where in Connecticut we will be moving and
then Sue will be here shortly after to meet the baby!!!
My
co-teacher threw a surprise Baby Shower for me and not only did Shannon come
but MY MOM FLEW IN FROM VERMONT! I have been really surprised twice in my life.
First was my engagement and the second has to be this! It was an amazing moment
to be surrounded by my students, their parents, co-workers and family! My
students have made this pregnancy such a unique experience because seeing the
wonder in their eyes makes it all the more special. I feel like Buddha with all
the belly rubs I get from not just my preschool class but from the entire
preschool … it is pretty amazing! A huge thanks to everyone that was involved
in the surprise, it is a memory I will cherish forever!!! After the shower, my
mom spent the weekend and we made a coming home sign for Jack and went to The
Drake for High Tea … one of my favorite things! Mom also made Shannon lasagna
and meatballs! It was such a phenomenal weekend and I have said it before but I
will day it again, I am so truly blessed with the people in my life!
School
officially has only 2 weeks left! 6 days with kids, 1 day of conferences and 3
days of breaking down etc. I don’t know where this year went but it has been
amazing. From my awesome co-teacher, to my students to my co-workers, I can say
that as excited as I am about our next chapter as a family, I will miss being a
part of the FXW community! I have never loved a job like I have being a teacher
there and will look back fondly at my experience and growth as a teacher and as
an individual.
Shannon
and I are going away for a little Baby Moon next weekend. I surprised him with
the trip for a getaway weekend about an hour from here. It is near the beach
and it will be the last time we can just scoot of with Tilly! We just
celebrated meeting 4 years ago so I thought this would be fun! We are so
excited!!
Well,
I am going to end that here! The next time I write, it will be all about the
baby! I can’t believe my pregnancy is almost over. I have been so lucky to have
had such an amazing pregnancy but we are so ready to meet this baby … we are
just bursting!!!
Thank
you to everyone for the love and support they have shown us!
With
Lots Of Love,
Katie
We Can't Wait To Meet This Little Man!
