freaking out..

So I just logged on to check out all my friends' blogs. I just got a glimpse of the baby ticker at the top.

FIFTY SEVEN days until our due date. HOLY CRAP! Less than two months and we're going to meet this new little addition to our family.

Exciting. And pretty darn scary, too!

Baby Shower and a sneak peak at Baby's Room

My sister in law and aunt hosted a baby shower for Baby Domingo a couple of weekends ago. I had a great time, hanging out with my aunts, cousins, grandmas, and other relatives. Baby is already collecting lots of stuff! We've yet to put much together or get it set up in the room, but we'll get there. I keep telling myself that we've got plenty of time left...right? Unfortunately, I did not take my camera to the shower, but my grandma took lots of photos. It's highly probable that those pictures will never show up on this blog, as they will probably stay on her camera until the card is full! Nevertheless, I left that shower feeling super encouraged and blessed!

Grandpa made this ROCKIN' gift for Baby. My dad is so talented, but I had NO idea that he would go this far! I teared up when he brought it in to the shower and we love it so much that it's on display in our living room, now. Can't keep this hiding away in Baby's room, now can we? My dad is going to love being a grandpa...I can't wait for him to meet this little one! A huge thanks goes out to my rockin' sister-in-law, Erin, who gave him such a great idea! I'm going to have to come up with something GOOD when she gets pregnant! We have another shower coming up in November that some of my great friends from church are throwing for me. Considering my celebrity status at MBC, this could be HUGE...and I'm a little concerned about the size of the group. Mom, grandma, and two of my cousins are coming out for it, so that should be fun!

So Jason and I decided that we didn't want a typical nursery for our baby. We decided to make up our own theme and bring the outdoors into Baby's room. I saw a decal one day when I was browsing Land of Nod's website, and decided right then and there that I wanted to paint a tree in our baby's room. This is the near the corner where the crib will be. Unfortunately, we aren't moving the crib in for a while (therefore the finished photos will have to be taken after baby gets here), since this will still be serving as our guest bedroom for a bit longer, but you can at least get a little sneak peak. I've got ideas for how I'd like to incorporate baby's name, make a growth chart to go along with the outdoor theme, and use river rocks and sticks in creative ways. I like painting so much that I might add some other paintings to the walls to flank the closet doors on the other side of the room. This is super fun!

Please excuse the poor quality of these pictures. I took them with my phone, and it was just easier to upload them as is, rather than take better ones with our high tech camera!

jason domingo photography

so...we've started it. we've begun a photography business, and although it's still in the beginning stages, i thought i would spread the word. jason hasn't updated his photo blog in a while, but if you're interested in checking it out, the website is:

jasondomingophotography.wordpress.com

we have really been enjoying it so far. i wish i had more time to devote to it, but i know that soon i'll have more time to learn the ropes (while i'm on maternity leave i plan on learning much!). we've got a long way to go, but we're enjoying every minute of this journey thus far.

jason has done two senior portrait shoots and has a whole bunch of students lined up to shoot in the coming months. we also have a couple of family shoots and children to shoot as well. so fun! there is nothing more exciting (and a little scary) than taking a hobby and making it into a business!

Miss Sienna Slavik

Our friends' sweet daughter turned three at the end of August. They asked us to come over to their home to take pictures of her in her environment. I had the joy of playing with Sienna while Jason snapped away with the camera. This girl is absolutely beautiful! These are some of my favorites pictures from that day. (I would have uploaded many more, but it takes so long!)

Adventure with the Groves

I always look forward to a three day weekend! It's an even bigger bonus when you get to spend your three day weekend with your best friend and her family! Stacy, Dustin, and Addie came to visit over Labor Day weekend. We spent a good deal of time relaxing and enjoying each others' company, and spend a great deal of Saturday hiking at Matthiessen State Park. I had such a wonderful time! We took a large number of pictures, and since I finally figured out how this new camera and software works, I can upload pictures to the blog! I'm uploading them all pretty low resolution, but you get the idea. Not because I don't love these pics...but because it saves me a TON of time! Enjoy the pictures of our adventures with the Groves.

Little Miss Addie found an applesauce container to play with. Didn't take long before she had punctured a couple of holes in the foil top and managed to drink some, and get the rest of it all over herself and her pjs! She's so much fun!

We're heading down into the canyon area. We came near to walking more than 50o stairs during this trip. Let me tell you...I felt quite accomplished that I made it through this journey at 5+ months pregnant! There were others on the trail that I heard comments from, too..."there's that pregnant lady again." Sheer amazement that I was able to do as much as the others!

Stace and I at the beginning of the hike.

The Grove family at my favorite place here!

Addie, Dustin, Stacy, me, Jason

Snack time makes Addie happy!

All tuckered out....

Just the girls, atop Starved Rock

Daddy and Mama...not a flattering shot at all, but this proves how wearing this hike was on me. I was EXHAUSTED by the end of it...I managed to sneak in a 20 minute nap on the car ride home.

Adding to the tribe...

Here's a little announcement for those of you who didn't know....Jason and I are going to be having our first baby in about 20 weeks! I've been feeling pretty sick up until a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't been feeling up to having my picture taken. Updating the blog has also taken a backseat to the priority of just feeling good enough to function. Well...we're back in action, folks. I hope I can be better at keeping this updated!

Due Date: Jan 2, 2010 (Jason's birthday!)
Weight gain: 5 lbs.
Inches gained: 7
Pictures taken: 20 weeks

We had our 20 week ultrasound last week and everything is looking good so far. We're really getting excited, now that I can feel baby moving and that I am feeling better. Oh, and we can't tell you what we're having because we're going to be surprised when baby gets here!

Well, without further ado...my pictures at 20 weeks!

supporting our students...

...by shaving our heads!!!

One of our students recently had surgery to remove a large tumor that was in his sinus cavity behind his eye. We had an opportunity as a group of Jr High students and coaches to pray for him before he had surgery and held a prayer vigil during his surgery at the church. Because Jon was going to have to have his head shaved for his surgery, Jason decided that he would shave his head to support Jon. He made a big deal out of it and shaved his head right there at ICE. I haven't been able to find the pictures that I took of that night, surrounding Jon and praying for him and shaving Jason's head! So bummed. But I do have these...

Worship Pastor, Youth Pastor, and Family Pastor

Carlos, Jason and Arol

It's been a couple of weeks since Jon had his surgery, and he is recovering well. He was able to come to youth group last week and is going to be going back to school soon. The tumor is not cancerous, and Jon's mom was able to share their journey through this trial at church this weekend. They have an incredible story and I am amazed at how God has strengthened their faith through this struggle.