We're Expecting a Baby Girl!

Here's the story:
I made an appointment for a 3D/4D ultrasound for December 27th, 2010.  It was our Christmas gift to each other.  We were so excited!  All I wished for was that our baby was cooperative and allowed us to find out the gender. Well, she had other plans in store!

The 3D/4D place was very nice.  It's also a pregnancy spa so the atmosphere was calm and smelled good :)  Our technician was a sweet guy who's birthday is on my due date 6/20.  We payed for 15 minutes of viewing time so we knew we didn't have long.  Now here is where it gets interesting.... when he pulled her up on the screen our baby had crossed legs with the umbilical cord on top of her private part and her hand was on her face!  This was not cool at all!  Jon said she was acting demure.  Well, I think she was acting shy!  Can you imagine!  Crossed legs, umbilical cord in between her legs, and her face covered up!

Lucky for us our guy was very determined to tell us what we are having.  He had me flip around on all sides, jiggle my belly, press down real hard to try and get her to move.  On top of that she had the hiccups so her poor cute little 5 ounce body was jumping up and down!  Awww!!

30 minutes later and he announced it was a girl!  Jon and I were thrilled, even though everybody and their mother (years before I was even pregnant) had predicted a girl.  After our appointment we headed to Babies R Us with Jon's mom.  She purchased Clara's first outfit.  It was such a sweet gesture :)

On a side note: No one knew I was pregnant until recently. At 6 weeks I told my sister Stephanie and my brother-in-law Jared (he and Jon gave me a priesthood blessing at 6 weeks).  At 9 weeks I told my co-worker and boss. At 10 weeks I told my parents and Jon's parents.  I announced it on my blog last week (for my 2 loyal readers :)  And finally I facebook announced it on Monday.  Having had 2 previous M/S I found it comforting to keep it ultra-secret.  So please don't be offended if you just found out.  To be honest I'm still a little worried and pray that the next 5 months can be as smooth as possible.

Just because I can't resist, here's one more pic!

I know you can't see much but check out her bony hands!  Too funny!!

Goodbye 2010!!

(Your occasional bloggy Claudia in front of Georgetown cupcakes in D.C.)

Hello.  I have fallen into the category of world's worst bloggy.  Well, it's still 2010 so how 'bout I squeeze one out for kicks :)

This year is finally (almost) over.  I have a confession to make... I started the first second of the year in tears.  I had waited and counted down for the year 2010.  It was the year my husband would graduate and I would be a mother.  But wait, my husband still had one more year of schooling left (MBA degree) and I was still too tense to try and conceive again. I thought this year would drag like for eternity and I/we would continue hanging out in limbo.
But.......
2011 is right around the corner and I know, I know, President Monson has taught us to live for today and not focus so much on the future.  Here's the thing though, my marriage although wonderful has been revolved around school.  School delayed me from motherhood, school has caused debt, school has...do I sound like I'm complaining? What's your point Claudia? Well here it is folks, hubby graduates in 4 months, April 29th 2011 and May 2nd, 2011. April=MBA and May=Pharmacy.
June brings us a baby and so that is why I can't wait for 2011 to start.  There will be no tears from this gal (ok, there totally will be but these will  be tears of happiness!)

D.C. Part 1

I shipped off to Washington, D.C. on September 24th. I had never visited our nations capital and the thought of seeing my husband there and doing a little sightseeing thrilled me.

Me at the airport

When we arrived at the D.C. we called our gal pal Adriana.  She picked us up at our hotel and played the best tour guide. 

 Isn't she gorgeous!  

We ate at this quaint French bakery and it was delicious!  

It was really warm outside so we decided to stay in Adriana's air conditioned car.  She drove us all over D.C. and it couldn't have been more perfect.  I can't thank Adriana enough for being the best and sweetest tour guide :) 

Check out these sweet pic's: 

The Pentagon was by far the most impressive building in D.C. It's enormity takes your breath away!

8 Weeks

(Jon driving on his way to Charlotte)

Jon spent 4 weeks in Washington, D.C. I can speak for him when I say he loved it!  Before he headed to D.C. Jon spent 4 weeks in Charlotte, N.C. Yes, if you do the math this means I survived 8 weeks without the love of my life by my side.  It was difficult but I can tell you it was a growing experience for me.


Two things that were tough was the passing away of our neighbor Katie and my car needing some fixing. Katie was our dear neighbor from next door who always had our back.  She had lived in our neighborhood for 15 years.  She lived alone with her 2 cats and 1 dog (who passed away 2 years ago).  She loved watching "Dancing with the Stars" and I loved calling her up every week to discuss the eliminated couple.  She fought a valiant battle against Cancer and I take comfort that she will not be experiencing any more pain.  We shared the true gospel of Jesus Christ with her and she was so receptive in hearing what the missionaries and our home teacher, Devon Cole, had to say.  She was given a blessing of strength and I am so appreciative of the priesthood.


4 weeks into my loneliness and with the passing away of my neighbor, my car was sick. This normally isn't a big deal but my car was the only thing that kept me connected to other persons.  Being new to my job I really didn't want to miss a day of work so I said a little prayer, called my dear friend Amber E., and looked up some bus routes.  I never missed a day of work!

26

I celebrated my birthday this year with the gals from Gainesville Book Club. When I volunteered to host the final book of the hunger Games series I hadn't realized it would fall on my birthday. With that in mind, it couldn't have been a more perfect birthday! My hubby was out of town but he sure made up for it in more ways than one.

My hubble started out my birthday morning with this message:


Sweet Claudia, I love you so much. I only wish I was with you for your birthday. Thinking about it makes me so grateful for the health and happiness that we have. Thank you for coming to Earth. In honor of your dear heart, I've made a $50 donation to Facing Africa - NOMA. This is a charity that I've come across recently, and that I believe does good work. They perform facial reconstruction for African children that have suffered deformities from malnutrition and gangrene. Please don't look at the link - it's devastating


This was so wonderful of him! I headed to work and had a wonderful time. I received the most beautiful roses I had ever seen. Thanks Martha Stewart!! (and my hubbles!) 

My coworkers made me a cake and sang to me :) Too fun!!

After work I headed home where dinner was waiting for me! Jon had ordered a filet mignon. Can this fella be anymore wonderful! Why yes, he can...I checked my email and in it was a musical letter narrated and sung by my one-and-only. I wish I could share it with you but Jon is a little coi. But I will share this small excerpt:      
                                                                                                                                         

My Dearest Claudia,                                                                                                                

On your 26^th birthday, I think of your vitality, your boundless love and joy.  A friend of yours said that you “act younger than you are.”  That is because you are not jaded – you have not closed yourself to the world and the people around you.  You let yourself feel and experience what is happening around you.  If that makes you young, then I hope you’re young forever, since you make me younger, too.  Together, we have to face the fate described by the Arcade Fire:


“If the children don’t grow up, our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up.”

My lovable baby nephew! I had to include this pic because it makes me smile :) 

Today

(Me waiting for the bus to pick me up)

Today I rode the bus. My car is acting up and so its at the doctor. I took it in yesterday and sat around for 2 hours for the mechanic to tell me he can't fix it. So today I went to plan B and took it to a transmission shop. Now I have no husband and sadly no car. I feel stranded and naked. I don't like that combination. I pray I get my car back so I can see my family on Saturday, go to the Temple, eat Colombian food, and get a haircut. After work today I will be getting a ride from a nice but interesting fella. My friend Amber is a sweetheart. She offered to give me a ride to work and I think I will be giving her a call.

What I am grateful for: public transportation, friends, my car and chocolate.

Sealing

Guess what Jon found?! Our Sealing Day pic's :) Jon and I were sealed for all time and eternity at the Orlando Florida Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was such a beautiful sunny day in Florida. We were surrounded by our dear friends and family. I loved it!!

February 5, 2005

I remember it being the brightest day outside. I love how everyone is squinting in all the pics!

My dear friend Janelle!

Jon and our Bishop

Me and my sweetheart

My family- oh how I love them! 

Veronica, me and Jon

Veronica is one of my dearest friends. She has one of the sweetest sons! She also took these pics on my sealing day.

Justin and Janelle 

We loved our game nights with the McMurray's! 

My sweet brother Andres got us the most beautiful framed picture of the Orlando Temple. 

It currently hangs in my living room and I hope to always have it! Thank you bro!

My Thoughts

 (me building a headboard and working on my mad building skills!)

Dear J,


I have never wanted my husband more than I do RIGHT now. He's my eternal partner. I wrote Jon an email asking for help. Help b/c I miss him so much it hurts. I no longer believe in soul mates. Because if I have a soul mate out there I would have to tell him, "sorry, I've already found my partner. His name is Mr. Boress."

******

Thank you Jon. Thank you for joining my church. I know for a fact that I would have given you up had you not believed in this Gospel. But I am so glad you opened your heart and believed. The best part was having witnessed your transformation.
I've never wanted you to change- I fell in love with you before you were a member, before you held the priesthood. I just knew for a fact, 100%, that your hangups would become lighter had you believed in Jesus Christ. I wanted you to have peace in your soul. I knew the only way you would get peace was to join the true Church of Jesus Christ.
So here we are. You are a priesthood holder. You are a beautiful man. I love you- I love who you were before and I love who you are now. But I can love you for eternity because of your faith. So yes, I want to thank you. Don't be stubborn and accept my sincerity. Accept the fact that I believe you to be a close replica of my dream man. You fill in the details I never dared imagine. I had my standards for my dream man. 1.) Priesthood holder 2.) great husband 3.) great father 4.) blue eyes (although I've accepted green) 5.) great smile, and the rest is fuzzie b/c you've filled in the rest. YOU, not anyone else. Just you my love. My partner. my eternal companion.

Love forever and ever,

"The bride of your youth."

My Baby Nephew

On May 5th, 2010 my sister Janeth gave birth to a baby boy. She named him Kevin Jared Conte. When I got the news at 5:00am that morning from a proud new grandmother-my momma-I knew life was about to get even more lovely. I remember she handed the phone over to Jared so I can congratulate the new proud papa. I asked him how he felt and his reply, "it feels weird and so cool!, made me smile. I promptly made plans to meet the new little man that would steal my heart.

I fall instantly in love. As soon as I held Kevin for the first time I felt as though I've known him forever. 

My sister is a natural with Kevin! 

Our lifelong friend Esperenza came over while Jared the rest of the fam was at Jared graduation. I can't begin to tell you how much she means to us! We love her!! 

My brother in law and new proud papa Jared graduated a few days after Kevin was born. What a week! 

After this picture was taken Jon took a nice nap!

Knock Off Wood!

3 months ago I wanted a sewing table. I decided I wanted to build one instead of making a purchase. Good ol' google led me to an awesome website called Knock Off Wood. I downloaded the plans to build a table and went to my local Home Depot where they cut all the wood for my future table. I started working on it and realized it was bigger than I had wanted. This is due to my brain thinking I had enough room in my living room. I didn't. But that was OK b/c I ended up with 2 great saw horses that I built and it made me happy!


My mother in law offered to give me her sewing table and that made me even happier! I refinished it and decided to use oil based paint for the first time. The paint associate at HD was right- oil based paint gets EVERYWHERE! But it was so worth it b/c it feels smooth and not rubbery like latex paint. I felt so satisfied knowing that the same table that was used to make Jon's Halloween costume's will be used to make sewing projects for my children.

The plot thickens........

Fast forward to two weeks ago and here is the dialog that led to my new adventure with wood:

Jon: I want a video game chair.
Claudia: But I worked so hard refinishing the one I purchased from Good Will. It's pink and cute.
Jon: The springs broke.
Claudia: How 'bout I build you one.
Jon: Hmm, we'll see.

So here we are today and I did it! I went to Knock Off Wood and built me a gorgeous red "Jon Chair". I highly recommend you visit the website.

#1 I downloaded THESE plans
#2 purchased some wood at HD (Home Depot)
#3 asked an associate to make some cuts for me please
#4 sanded, (my favorite part!)
#5 screwed the wood pieces together
#6 painted
#7 and patted myself on the back!

You can make anything!

Here is my process:

Amy Butler

Eeek!-in the best possible way!

Amy Butler has created wallpaper for one of my favorite wallpaper companies, Graham & Brown. I love everything there is about Amy Butler's genius designs. From fabric to home furnishings. I usually love independent fabric designers but Amy is my exception. She is like my Vera Bradley (whose designs I'm not a fan of but I know a lot of my friends love her).

Check out her site at

AMY BUTLER

& her wallpaper:

CASASUGAR

Memory Card

I'm emptying my memory card. Let's see whats on it.


I tried to replicate the table in this pic:


I sewed this cushion and skirt! What a fun project. Tara Janson came over and helped me with it. I have so much fun sewing with friends.

I baked Challah and made sandwiches with it for Tara, Jon and myself. Mmmmm

I cut Jon's hair yesterday and apparently I did not cut the back straight. So he had me take a picture and show me what to do.

I'm giving this rug away.

The end.