Mr. Lanz man is growing like a weed! This picture was taken just before his two week birthday and he's 10 weeks today! I promise to post more pics soon....

We just moved to San Antonio TX on August 26 and actually officially MOVE into our new place tomorrow, Sept 4th- 206 Wing Falls. So many changes in the past few months, it's been crazy. However, I can't complain too much, I have two great guys by my side!!! I miss my family in Nashville terribly, but am excited about my mom's visit to TX already next week. I look forward to coming/going home for the holidays too- Lanz will be 6 months old.

Lanz looks just like a little Drew. If you saw pictures of Drew as a baby, you would notice the same small curls, big eyes and chubby cheeks. He has his mommy's dimple and family nose and LOVES to giggle, smile and just adores being sung to! (Loves the song, Don't Worry, Be Happy, it's so cute) The older he gets the more fun things get as you can start to see a little person emerging. It's adorable. At 10 weeks, he's 14.25 lbs and 24 inches long. A studly dude!!!

I just ordered his birth announcements today from the pictures Maggie, Drew's sister took just shortly after his birth. I can't wait to get them and send you all your copy of little dude. We sure adore him and can't wait for you to meet him, if you haven't already.

Love to all! More to come...

Wendy

Hospital Tour June 2010...38+ weeks!

Finally, I have seen where it will all begin! I feel more prepped having done the tour my mom and sister---both of whom helped me prepare with the gear I would need as well- illustrated clearly in the picture! The BREAST gear. :) LOL. Just days before my 38 week mark, you can see the belly/Mr. Lanz---whom I believe looks ready to come any day. However, my doctor seems to think there is NO way he is coming early, so I sit back and relax waiting for his arrival.

Now slowly approaching the 39 week mark this week...it's a big week. Not just because I am nearing the end of this pregnancy journey (which is awesome), but Drew comes home after 8.5 weeks in Dallas and I feel GIDDY. We finished prepping last minute things this weekend for Lanz and this Thursday, Drew and I are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary- a big milestone! I can honestly say I am so happy w/ Drew as my husband and I embrace the new challenge we are about to face---because it's together. I feel fortunate to have him along for this ride- he makes me less nervous. He's going to be the best Dad ever, I just know it. Watching him with other kids lights my spirit--and I know how excited he is to add Lanz to the family too---he beams when he talks about having our first child. Drew arrives home 1 day before our anniversary, June 10. I have a few suprises up my sleeve, but we also have dinner reservations planned for the Melting Pot---a great fondue restaurant--the bomb! Can't wait....

I'm still working, yep, no joke. I'm working up until June 18---one day before I'm officially due. Unless little Lanzie poo decides to enter this world earlier, then I will abruptly stop work. Dont' worry, I don't plan to operate off the blackberry doing IM, emails, etc while I am in early labor. The buck stops there---even if my job can be demanding. 8 weeks off full time and then I will weave back in part time for 2 weeks- then full time back on the clock. The LA time clock--from Nashville. That is, unless Drew and I move for his job....time will tell. I am praying we get to stay in Nashville, but it's out of my hands at this time. In the meantime, Drew is coming home and that is GREAT news.

The other picture above is me (pre prego days) in Austria in early Sept of 2005 in front of the Swiss Clothing Store, Lanz. They make leiderhosen, authentic german/austrian/swiss dresses/clothing. My family all came from Switzerland, hence my mothers maiden name, Lanz. So excited to have this picture to show Lanz where he came from as he gets older....I just love his name and all the meaning it has. Makes me smile.

37.5 weeks brings us to JUNE!

Ahh, in a few short days I will be hitting week 38, crazy!!!! Drew was just home for the holiday weekend and surely he could tell that the fatigue was finally setting in, along with swollen feet and hands! I swear, every week I read the "side effects" in pregnancy, it's like a check list for me. Fatigue- check. Blurred vision- check. Increase in swollen feet/hands/ankles- check. I just took off my wedding ring and bought a sterling silver band with a message engraved "Love Life"--such a perfect ring for me. :) Kmart had some great options! A few others side effects I have experienced that I won't mention, but check check check. LOL. I even found out that I have developed gingivits due to pregnancy AND carpultunnel/arthritis in my hands and wrists as well. Apparently, all are VERY common side effects to pregnancy. My trip to the dentist was a trip in a half! Seriously. The dental hygentist kept saying "wow, we are really concerned. did your past dentist not warn you or do anything about this." I kept telling her this wasn't an issue or a concern 8 months ago, but now all of a sudden- to her- seemed extremely serious. Other dentist comments were as follows: 1. we have to do a deep clean under the gums...and we might hear you screaming in the other room. 2. wow, the baby is kicking---they can tell when a mother is in distress. 3. I love doing this. It might be very painful for you, but I love seeing results. 4. this might be so painful that we have to break it up into two sessions for you. Finally, I wrap this gingivitis conversation by telling you that they were using GAWS to constantly apply pressure to the bleeding gums. It was a very positive experience. I love my new dentist! LOL.

Drew was here this past weekend "nesting"- cleaning the garage and doing several different household projects---he's in final prep mode as well. Everything is finally coming together...now if we can just get Drew home! I can see the light though...June 9 is coming quickly. YAY. Finally, he will be home. One day before our 5th wedding anniversary---I can't wait. I have a few little surprises up my sleeve and we have reservations at a local fav, The Melting Pot. Hard to believe 5 years ago we were getting married and now are having a baby. Happy Anniversary huh? Man, I am dying to meet this little guy who is kicking the heck out of my belly. He's so so so active in there. My skin hurts!

I can't say I am not extremely nervous, but all this anticipation just has me chanting "let's get this party started already!" I am constantly praying and asking God for the strength, patience and grace to be a mommy, and of course to calm my fears leading up to the new challenge---which he does daily. I am grateful for my faith at this time in my life, because Drew and I have had a rough year- or should I say a challenging year. Not just with the coming baby and that new challenge, but our jobs, travel, being apart from eachother a lot, not knowing where we will end up after this baby...so I am thankful for the peace I have found through my faith.

Drew and I are elated for Lanz to arrive. Knowing, no matter what, he will be here before we greet another month- is WILD.

xoxo Wendy

Mothers Day- 34 Weeks

Mothers Day, May 9. 34+ weeks

Photography by: Daddy Drew Duffy

Mother's Day Weekend. :) In my case, I guess it's Pre-Mothers Day weekend, although I feel like I have been dangling my feet in the deep end of motherhood for the past 8 months already. I even had a baby class this weekend in prepartion for birthing this baby, all very appropriate! :)

Saturday Drew and I hit up a great breakfast before heading to the birthing class where we met some great people and learned some facinating things! There were two reactions from us: scared/nervous and emotional. Can you guess who felt which reaction? One might think I was the emotional one at 8+ months prego...no, it was Drew. I was like a deer in the headlights---LOL! I am so excited to meet Lanz, but I can't say that the class wasn't a bit overwelming when they asked us to start brainstorming the worst pain we've ever felt and then said, "Well it's the worst pain you'll ever feel." Maybe it's just me, but that can be a bit intimidating. I know the end result is gonna be amazing & such a blessing from God, but man, I could NOT watch that birthing video. I looked away! I'm just gonna show up like when you go to boot camp and get ready to kick some butt and take some names! I've learned some good breathing skills, visuality techniques and Drew is prepped with some massage techniques. We're game for a good fight!

I loved having Drew home this weekend--spending time, getting the baby's room set up, hanging with friends, dinner with family and a hike around the lake with the dogs. It's really hard having him leave after 2 days, but feels good knowing this time we only have to go till Friday. We have our 2nd and last baby class this weekend---yay!

I had a dream about Lanz last night and what he looked like---I am getting VERY ready to meet this little guy. 5.5 weeks left. Wow. I feel pretty good, just the regular uncomfortable thing is setting in. Lanz and I still get exercise 5 days a week- a little eliptical action and light weights. I feel great after we go, but sure miss my old kickboxing class. :) Something tells me I am going early....not super early, but definitely before June 19. Partly cause originally they thought I was due on June 13, but kept the date June 19. All I know is Lanz will come when he's good and ready. Gotta love that! :)

Cravings: SWEETS! OMG. Thank God I rarely give into my pregnancy desires, but I crave them all the time. Donuts, ice cream, chewy cookies, chocolate, u name it, I wish I could eat it. I have been keeping Healthy Choice 80 calorie fudge pops in my freezer and occasionally splurge on a Oreo Blizzard at the DQ. I NEVER ate donuts before I was prego, but I have had 3 during my entire pregnancy. 3! (U know the kind with frosting and sprinkles? MMMMM) That's it. I drool everytime I walk by the bakery at my local grocery store. It's hilarious. I also crave pizza a lot more often these days---but again, only have on occassion. I have to roll my cart a little faster when I pass the frozen pizza, I won't lie. Maybe this kid wants all these goodies all the time cause I take him to the gym so much- he feels we deserve it! LOL.

Aversions: Pork and Broccoli. I loved these before I got prego---and since I have been prego, they gross me out. Strange.

Lanz. He continues to make his presence known by the constant kicking I feel morning, noon and night. Approaching 33 weeks on Friday, I feel this little dude is crammed in there so tight, he's fighting (kickboxing style) his way out. Hip and back pains have started to set in again, but I can't help but smile through the jabs, knowing that in 7 weeks, we are gonna meet Lanz Andrew. (I won't go more than a week over, so 8 MAX).

I had my 2nd shower this weekend, well, Baby Bash, thrown by my mom and sister Niki. There was a huge turn out of family and friends and it was so fun. Great food, drinks, music, beautiful gifts- a celebration of a new life that is about to begin. Drew was able to fly home (it was his weekend to be home, coincidentally) which was great. It went way too fast, I won't lie. But I really tried to savor each moment we had together as it's such a special time/new chapter for us both. Saying good bye on Monday morning was so tough, not just because I won't see him for two weeks, but the timing of it all. I say this every single time I write a post, but thank GOD for skype! We log on and see eachother every night, so it's fun!

I feel I have to multi-task to the ninth degree with Drew gone---make my list and check off one "things to do for the baby" task each day. Like returning multiples from my gift registry, tracking what we still need, etc. In addition to that, man, you never really realize all the help your spouse gives you until they are MIA and you have to do it ALL! LOL. All the work Drew does with the house, the yard, the dogs, the bills--I want to yell, COME BACK MASTER Drew! I laugh, cause some days I just straight up decide certain things aren't gonna get done. And they don't. I am still working out 5 days a week, but today, while working my fitness on the eliptical---somewhere near minute 2o, I felt some pains in the lower belly. Yeah, things are getting a little more uncomfortable, but I guess, with 7 weeks left to go, I might have to slow down a bit and just walk & do weights. LOL. For those of you that know me well, there was a time last year I was working out 4 hours a day doing cycling, kickboxing, etc. I miss my hardcore workouts, but I know it's all for a good reason. I am happy to have stayed so active for so long--it's been my saving grace. I've also started a mother's legacy book- writing in it a few pages a day and it's been fun so far. Drew is also working on a father's legacy book-something we can pass along to Lanz as he grows up, etc.

So, I have this friend who isn't prego yet nor does she have kids, say, "Being prego is like a prison sentence, seriously." She was joking around and made some great points about no alcohol, coffee, sushi, etc. I had to laugh, cause in a way, I felt that before I was pregnant too and I won't lie, at times during this whole new "chapter" in my life. But something beautiful happens to your spirit along the way. I can feel my priorities start to shift/change. Dont' get me wrong, I am counting down the days till I get a full glass of wine again, oh how I miss thee---but there is something to be said about growing a life inside of you. What a miracle to feel him moving around and kicking. Everyone said it's how I would feel, but until you go through it, it's not yet your own reality.

I plan to take a belly pic next time Drew is home on May 7. I will also post some pics from the most recent baby bash, once I get them from the family. However, the rock show pics show the belly at month 7, so not too long ago. I will say though, the belly is protruding even more than it was at 7 months now at 8 months. Drew said it looks like a prostetic. LOL.

Stay tuned for more Duffy Adventures w/ Baby Lanz....

Taking time to smell the roses...

Week 1 without Drew. Some people use the phrase "you don't know what you got, till it's gone." I am not one of those people. I might be the opposite. LOL. I love my time with my husband because he's my best friend and I actually enjoy his presence. That's not to say I don't enjoy my alone time, family time or time with friends, cause I do, but I love having him in my life to share it all with. And this week, to me, with spring everywhere around me, it reminds me to smell the roses and be thankful for what I do have, not what I don't.

For starters, I have my health and my baby's health. Thank goodness! Other than normal prego things, I have had a VERY healthy pregnancy. Secondly, my husband and I both have good jobs. We've sure been through the ringer as of late (being the past year), but we have jobs in a somewhat, ok, more than somewhat, shaky economy. We have a solid marriage & friendship, for that I am grateful. I have my faith, great family and friends. All of which are extreme blessings. Drew gets to come home for the baby bash and baby classes- that is a VERY good thing. And finally, time seems to be passing faster each day- part of which I want to slow down but I also want to continue on so Drew comes home and we meet baby Lanz! I anticipate the baby's arrival more and more each day as his kicks are only getting stronger and stronger. I walk into his room (painted beautifully by my mother Cindy) and I imagine him in there now. In 8 weeks, I am going to be mom and to me, that is a wild dream! Drew and I are thrilled as we count down the days till we meet our little Lanz.

I can still smell the roses. I really can. I just really really really miss sharing it all with Drew daily. I feel his absence everywhere in this house and in my life---especially this new chapter in a brand new book I reading/going through. Thank goodness for skype!!!

:) Wendy

31 weeks- the beginning of MANY new adventures

Well, I sit in my 1 BR hotel suite in Dallas, TX just about to start working for the LA office as I begin week 31---only 9 weeks to go. Baby Lanz is kicking up a storm, as usual. Many friends have joked the little dude is gonna come out with a mowhawk and six-pack abs giving us the universal "rock out" sign with his fingers! I'm so excited as the time grows closer to meet the little guy, but I'm sad as well today as I am leaving Drew here in Dallas on /Sunday (in 2 days) and heading back to Nashville. I never imagined I would finish the end of my pregnancy sans Drew ( I will see him every other weekend till June 5), but then again, life always proves to be an adventure, one of which I am not always the travel agent of. LOL. I KNOW we will get through this, we have a lot to be thankful for (such as our jobs) and I fully believe that God never gives us anything we can't handle. But still, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness/emptiness as I leave Drew. Thank goodness for skype---we can still see eachother.

I was always that person that LOVED being a kid, loved the energy of kids, but always worried about the responsibility of having kids and what I would be like as a parent, etc--but I knew I wanted them and HAD to have them. It's SUCH a big job. But, that's always how I've been. Anytime I am entering the unknown--I get what I call COLD FEET. I always jump in anyways, cause why not, but I think about everything that can/will happen- almost as a way of preparing myself so I can actually enjoy it along the way. (I will also admit to prolonging things I am scared of/nervous about---but again, I eventually go for it!) Some just wait and go through it, perhaps that's the best way. But, in my case, I feel I've heard all the talks about late nights with the baby, no sleep, lack of personal life, etc....and I feel I've dealt with it all head on emotionally and how I will handle it. Drew and I have had great talks and I am so lucky to have a REAL partner...so I finally feel all these great levels of joy flooding in---like EVERYTHING I am excited about in having kids. Like sharing this little life of Lanz w/ the man I love, reliving life as a kid in sorts (going through it all again), playing, learning, living in the moment like kids do, teaching him to ride a bike, camp, sing songs, dribble a basketball, roast marshmellows, swim, swing on swings---I really could go on and on. I imagine what he'll look like all the time- surely he will have parts of each of us and or our family. All I know is I can't WAUT to meet Lanz and I know Drew is just as thrilled as I am. We are ready to tackle our biggest adventure yet...parenthood!

More to come. Heck, it's only my first entry. :)