Marco Island and Disney World

What a trip!! Not only did we stay for two weeks in Marco Island with the Whelan family, we tacked on a couple of extra days and took a "magical" trip to Disney World so Anna could finally meet her idols...the Disney Princesses.

Marco was a lot of fun. Since I was pregnant, I obviously couldn't partake in all of the usual merriment, but this trip was truly for Anna. She spent every day doing pretty much the same wonderful things: swimming in the pool, going to the beach, swimming, eating ice cream, swimming, going in the hot tub, swimming and more...all while spending every waking second with her cousins. That was the best part - Anna was able to get in some really valuable and fun "whelan cousin" time.

The highlight of the trip was most certainly Disney World. What an incredible place for kids and what an incredible experience as a parent taking your own kids there for the first time. I wasn't prepared for how emotional and wonderful just one day at Disney with my little Anna would be.

We started the day at the "Cinderlla's Table" breakfast inside the castle. We has a wonderful gourmet breakfast while each princess came up to our table to meet Anna, talk to her and sign her autograph book. We met Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Belle and Aurora. She was completely beside herself...just mesmorized by the "real" princesses. I really have never seen her so excited!

We then went to meet her favorite - Rapunzel. Then, on to Tiana, Tinkerbell and so much more. While there, we saw (and participated in) a super fun parade and even caught a princess show. We went on some of the rides, including the tea cup, Small World and more. Anna was a trooper and loved every minute of it.

Although the day was long and tiring for a three-year-old and a pregnant lady (and even for Billy, considering her had to carry her through most of the park), we had an amazing and memorable day. The pictures and video tell the story!

Dancing the Nutcracker

Anna has fallen in love with the ballet! Well, as much as a three-year old loves ballet...it's more about the tutus than anything else. Anyway, as a holiday treat, we took Anna to a fantastic event the City of Chicago hosts, called the Nutcracker Dance-Along. Little girls get to learn real ballet dances and dance along right next to the cast of the Nutcracker.

It was such a fun day. Anna loved all the music and dancing...she's a natural. I was impressed with how adorable the entire event was. I think this may be a new holiday tradition for our family...little boy Whelan will have to learn to love it. :)

I've attached some photos and video to view the day.

Christmas 2011 - Santa definitely visited...

Merry Christmas!! We had a wonderful Christmas with all of our family. As in past years, we went to Bapa and Gaga's house on Christmas Eve and hung out with the Aunts and Uncles, opened their amazing gifts and had a great red-meat dinner. It was super fun. I think the highlight (at least for Anna) was Aunt Maggie and Uncle AJ's gift. Anna went crazy over the blue ballerina tutu, shoes, etc. She made us put it on right when she opened the gift and wouldn't let us take it off for the rest of the night.

Aunt Katie and Uncle Steve (among other things) got her the most adorable personalized fairy book and Gaga and Bapa got her her first digital camera (yes, it's a Fisher-Price kids camera) and her first boards games like Hi-Ho Cherrio and Shoots N' Latters...so fun.

However, my favorite part of Christmas was early in the morning, when it was just the three (whoops, four) of us. Anna woke up super early and could wait to run downstairs to open the presents. She went right for the biggest gifts right away...smart girl. Santa made it a "Rapunzel-themed" Christmas this year, so Anna was in Heaven.

That afternoon, we left for Marco Island, but that's for a different post. For this post, I've attached a bunch of pictures and videos of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

It's a BOY!!!!

We're having a beautiful, healthy and very active (already) baby boy! Bill and I are excited beyond words.

Not only are we thrilled that our new baby is a healthy one, so far, but, we're both really excited to that we'll be able to experience both genders...we have our beautiful girl and now we're going to be able to have our boy.

We already have a name for our little guy, but we're saving that to announce when he's actually born...and we LOVE it.

Just a little note to my precious boy:

I can't wait to meet you. I grew up with sisters and already have a girl. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have you, an adorable little boy in my life now. I will do my very best to be the mother you need, want and love. I know that I will love you endlessly and unconditionally, from the day you arrive in my arms and every day after that. We will all love you and help you grow into the man you're meant to be in this world. I can't wait to hold you...I already love you.