18 Week Pic, Check-up, and Chicago Trip

I'm REALLY slacking this week! The picture was taking at 18 weeks, but I'm several days behind in posting. Matthew and I went to Chicago for the weekend. He had some work appointments to do around the city, and since I'm still on summer break for a little while longer, we decided to spend the weekend away for our anniversary. Tomorrow (8/2) is our 3rd anniversary. We haven't been able to leave Peoria for the past two years due to commitments he had through the Bradley Alumni Association. Since the alumni stuff was moved to a different weekend we decided to take the opportunity to have a weekend away from home. It was also kind of like our last hurrah before baby.

We had quite the busy weekend. Thursday was my 18 week appt. I saw one of the doctors in the practice for the first time. He was really nice, and I liked him a lot. He listened to Baby's heartbeat (154 bpm!) asked if I've felt any movement yet (I think I have been, yea!) and answered my questions. I had a blood draw done to test for potential chromosomal defects, and was on my way. Three more weeks until our anatomy scan and HOPEFULLY finding out, in the words of soon-to-be Auntie Cindy, what flavor Baby K is. August 22nd is the big day! I can't wait :o) Friday morning we got up early and headed up towards Chicago. Matthew did his work audits and I found various ways to occupy my time while he was busy with work obligations. I found some great deals on baby clothes, so I bought 3 adorable outfits, even though we don't know what the baby technically is yet. But when they were only $6 per outfit, it's really hard to pass up! Once he finished with both appointments we made our way into the city to our hotel, grabbed dinner and relaxed. Saturday we went to Shedd Aquarium, browsed stores on Michigan Ave. and had the most AMAZING dinner at a seafood restaurant downtown Chicago. We walked along the river and just enjoyed some "us" time. Sunday we made our way out to the suburbs to stay with one of Matthew's good friends from college. Today was Matthew's final work obligation, so after he finished, we went to one of the biggest malls out in the suburbs for lunch and a little more shopping, then it was time to head home.

Well now after much rambling about our weekend, here is the week 18 picture! I will try to do MUCH better about getting week 19's pic up in a reasonable amount of time :o)