a very grover christmas

This Christmas we received the greatest gift of all- the gift of life (our baby miracle). And ironically it was during the christmas week (Week 18) that i began feeling "flutters" and baby movements in my tummy! It makes me smile and giggle every time the little one does a little kick or somersault! We spent our traditional Czech Christmas Eve at my sister's: Czech Christmas Eve dinner (mushroom soup, fish, and special potato salad - I made the salad for the first time this year and so proud of myself!) and then us girls hid in Chloe's room and waited for Jezisek (baby Jesus) to come and deliver gifts. I always enjoy seeing the sparkle of wonder in Chloe's eyes, and reminsce how magical this was for my sister and I growing up. Although my parents were far this Christmas, they were near our hearts thanks to Skype! On Christmas Day, Brad and I surprised each other with our gifts and stocking stuffers, I made a delicious pancake breakfast, we lounged in our pajamas and watched funny christmas movies, and then took a sunset duffy cruise around Newport bay. Jezisek and Santa were very tech-y this year as Jezisek brought me a new phone and Santa Brad got me a cool new laptop! Jezisek was also especially generous to our baby Grover (thank you aunt Petra, uncle Bryan, and cousin Chloe for all of baby's christmas presents!)

In keeping with the start of new family Grover traditions, since Christmas is the season of Giving, Brad and I donated to some of our favorite charities: Toys for Tots, UNICEF, Greenpeace, and March of Dimes (in honor of baby grover). Here is a list of our old and new Grover holiday traditions we hope to keep up yearly with our growing family:
1) Roger's Gardens christmas tree picking, annual ornament, and visit with Santa
2) Newport Christmas Boat Parade holiday party
3) Elf on the Shelf. Thanks Laura for this cool idea! check it out: www.ElfOnTheShelf.com
4) Traditional Czech Christmas Eve & Jezisek
5) Christmas Day morning pancake breakfast and christmas movies in our pajamas
6) Donating to charities of our choice, and Adopt-A-Family (when our kids are older).

Click below for more xmas photos:

Grover Xmas 09

baby's first gifts!

Baby Grover is not even out of my tummy yet and already he/she is being spoiled by friends and family! Baby started receiving gifts the minute we announced our pregnancy, and continues to be showered with love :) The cute gifts make us even more excited to find out Baby Grover's sex..... we just have to wait one more week now! Baby is also lucky to already have a group of little buddies to play with, congratulations to our friends Jamie & Greg, Mike & Lisa, Laura & Matt, Erin & Chris, Kristen & Joe, Michelle & Brad, Rhonda & Carlos, and our cousin Simona & Petr on their pregnancies! 2010 is turning out to be THE Baby Year!


Thank you Laura & Greg for the super soft Froggie and adorable little argyle socks! (Baby will be matching Daddy now!)


Thank you Auntie Petra & Uncle Bryan & cousin Chloe for Baby's first plush Winnie the Pooh security blanket!



Our baby will definitely be the trendiest baby on the block with this hilarious onesie, thank you Mike & Lisa!


Thank you Bethee for baby's earth friendly onesies, we can't wait to teach him/her to take good care of our earth :)

Newport Xmas Boat Parade Wknd

School's out for winter break and what better way to kick off the holidays then with the annual Newport Boat Parade! Brad and I started the wknd with our new tradition of visiting the beautiful Roger's Gardens to pick out our tree topper (every year we plan to come back here as a family to get our xmas tree and a new ornament). Then the rest of the wknd we had fun with our friends and family at our holiday pre-party and duffy boat parties. It was also an evening in which Baby Grover, Baby Brandt, and Baby Kocicka (in our tummies) got to hang out! We finished off the wknd with a bang..... the finale fireworks show! Thank you to our friends and family who made it so special (and for Mike & Lisa who spent the wknd with us), can't wait for next year! xo

it's a bird, it's a plane........Nooooo, it's a baby bump!

There's a little baby growing inside of me, unbelievable!.... and it's starting to look like it. Nearing my 17th week, i have a real baby bump! I'm beginning to regain my energy, and continuing to crave beef, cream cheese, fruit juices, watermelon, oranges, mandarins, blueberries, bananas..... oh and my favorite treat of all: chocolate banana milkshakes (Brad makes the BEST!)

baby grover's first movie

Last month (on Nov 6th) we had our 12-week ultrasound appointment. It was also our first time seeing our precious baby's profile and watching the little one suck his/her thumb and move! It took our breath away :) Brad videotaped as our midwife described baby's body parts and played the heartbeat for us! can't wait to show this video to little grover one day!

The Grovers celebrate 6 years of love :)