Introducing.....

....baby bump at 17 weeks.

More Baby

13 weeks along
Due Feb 24th
Momma not showing yet....



I have a couple of questions for all of you out there:
1. What are your top favorite baby items you can't live without?
2. Where do you get your favorite maternity clothing items?

Pictures of Baby Santini

This baby is truly a miracle! After 4 years of infertility, a miscarriage, and medical uncertainty, we've been tremendously blessed.

Happy, Happy, Happy

I don't remember the last time I've been able to eat ice cream. Disgraceful, I know. Dairy and sugar make my insides mutiny.


Enter......

Sooooo good! The ice cream is dairy free because it's made from coconut and is sweetened with agave instead of sugar. Low glycemic index, all organic, and it tastes fabulous! And there's a ton of fabulous flavors. Well- I assume they are fabulous. I've only tried this one. But I will make it my personal quest to try them all so that I can be a proper authority on the matter. For you. Then I can tell you which kinds are the best. I'm good like that....

A Picture I Found

I found this picture on my sister's facebook page. Many of you have never met one of the most influential people in my life- my sister Brooke. Though her life is a constant, quiet battle, she has touched so many people. 

And her life is made happy and bright because of the two people who take care of her. My parents are truly a team. Throughout Brooke's life, they have taken turns staying nights at the hospital with her, providing personal care for her, and stayed home from family events to be with her.


I can't say much more than the picture itself can show- a picture is worth a thousand words. 

My 30th Birthday

JD does birthdays GOOD. It's one of his talents. He should open a business: a one-stop shop where you can get help with planning romantic birthdays and receive legal advice. I wonder what we'd call it.....


He did not disappoint this year. He actually went WAY over all expectations.

Unfortunately the pictures we took did not turn out that great, but you get a little taste of our weekend. It started with me coming home from work on Friday and JD throwing me in the car and heading to DC. We had a great meal at The Melting Pot- Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Fondue, followed by their famous salad with a fantastic raspberry vinaigrette, and ending with a meat platter dipped in a citrus broth fondue. Heaven!

Then, JD pulled a stunt that only he could. He asked me if I had any idea what we were going to be doing (every aspect of the weekend was a surprise) and I admitted that I thought he was taking me to Wicked. He stopped, got an embarrassed look on his face and said- "Oooo... That would have been a good idea." I started to back pedal- "No, of course, whatever you've planned is perfect!" Next thing I know he's having "problems" finding a bridge to go back over to Maryland and we end up by the Kennedy Center. JD is the only person I know who can surprise me when I know exactly what's going on.

These costumes were on display and were exquisite. I think I could drum up a place to wear this emerald green gown!

JD has a thing for taking pictures of me in front of the stage. I should have known- he did it when we were dating. Now every time we go to a show, I have to stand up in front of an entire audience and get a snapshot.

Part of the scenery

LOVED it!

After the show, JD whisked me away to stay in a hotel for the weekend. My Italian Stallion packed 2 suitcases full of everything he thought I'd need or want. He probably packed enough for 2 weeks, but he wanted to be sure I had options. I'm tellin' ya- that one's a smartie!

I've been dying to go to the farmers' market in Old Town Alexandria. It's the oldest continuously running farmers' market in the US. It takes years to get a booth there. We went for breakfast.

Then off we went into the western part of Virgina.

JD discovered that there's a lavender farm that lets you come and pick lavender. You can purchase all kind of lavender products and make lavender wreaths.

They also had a couple of baby goats roaming around. Did you know that these are fainting goats and every time they hear a loud noise they faint? Imagine- a whole field of goats keeling over when a motorcycle drives by! I MUST see that some day!

We ended our day in Maryland at Medieval Times.

It's a place you go for dinner.

With no silverware.

And a jousting match

Complete with sword fighting, horses performing tricks, and lots of strobes and fog. It was awesome!

The last gift JD gave to me was returning to the hotel and INSISTING that I get to sleep in. We went to a 1:00 church in Alexandria and headed home. What an amazing birthday! And what an amazing person to share it with!

Swearing In

JD was sworn in today as a member of the Virginia Bar.

I wanted to swear too, so I jumped into the action.

The VA Supreme Court in action.

Anyone want to sue anyone?