Newest update...not much to update...

For those who were concerned, Steve has been working out and finally lost that "week 17 bloat."

Things over here are pretty steady in pregnancy land. The excitement over finding out that the peanut is no longer an "it" but actually a little girl was enough to carry us with giddyness for awhile. And I have to admit that the kicking thing hasn't gotten old for us either. She is pretty active between 9:00 and 10:30pm--not ironically the very same time of the day where I am usually stretched out on the couch and relaxing with Steve's hands eagerly on my belly waiting for yet another reminder of the little buddha within. And between pre-natal yoga classes and eating healthfully (with the occasional chocolate pop-tart--hey, nutrition counselors are still human) we're hopefully preparing this wee one for a blissful entry into the world.

And in exciting news, the little peanut will actually have her own room when she arrives--the Silvestros are moving to a 2-bedroom townhouse in Arlington, VA at the beginning of August. While this one-bedroom apartment we are currently in has been quite lovely. And while we don't know a single neighbor--as most of the residents are 70+, we will fondly miss our doorman Kaleb and our lifeguard Oleg, sniff sniff. We felt we needed a bit more space, especially because I work from home now and my "office" consists of the dining room table--"Quick, put the files , books, computer and printer in the bedroom on the floor before guests come over!" So not only will the little one have a room of her own for all her little baby stuff, but the place has a finished basement where I can set up an office. Woohoo! If anyone has free time the first week of August and wants to help us move, please drop us a line, you will get a free dinner and our undying gratitude. ;)

So now that we know the gender and everyone has provided us with their lovely name suggestions, some that we have taken into consideration, and others that didn't quite make it onto the list (Princess Jasmine, Madame President...nice rings, but...no) it's funny how many people find it difficult to believe that we would actually keep the name a secret from our family and friends until the day she arrives. Of all people, grand-mama-san Silvestro is by far the least patient. ;) Sorry gang! And for all of you curious folks, I will say that there's a name we have chosen--first and middle--that is almost a sure thing, we're even calling her that name to "test it out," hoping that it'll suit a little person a tad more than it suites my round belly!. In the meantime, we're steadfast on keeping it a secret so to all of you impatient ones out there...enjoy the next few months!! ;)

Love,
Monica

P.S. from Stevo: Yeah, you know what "she's active from 9:00 to 10:30 PM" means?? I seriously have to invest in a shotgun. It's funny how I've so easily gone from being a boy to distrusting them.... Oh, and that little townhouse is just a rental. Hopefully our little baby will get a job in a few years so that we can get a mortgage. My fingers are crossed!

Updated Belly Picture

Here's a picture of my belly at 21 weeks. That's a little more than 5 months for those trying to do the math in your head. I always wondered why, when I asked pregnant women how far along they were, they answered in weeks and not months, but now I get it--because all milestones and appointments are referred to in weeks, so now that that's how I think, too.

There's all sorts of weird math in pregnancy. Everyone knows a woman is pregnant for about 9 months, right? Um...try 40 weeks....do the math...WAY more than 9 months. Isn't there even a movie called 9-months? They should really do something about the misnomer.

The fun new thing is that I've started to feel her move inside of me! At first I thought it was just gas, but the flutters and thumps I felt were not the same familiar feelings of gas I have felt for the last 28 years and when I described those feelings to other mothers they confirmed...yep, that's the little peanut saying hello or "give me some ice cream, dammit" (yeeeeah, that's what those kicks were...let's go to Ben and Jerry's, Steve and give baby what she needs).

Thanks for the continuous well wishes, everyone!
Monica (and Steve)

Aaaaaaaaaaand it's a..........................

GIRL!!!!!

Looks like the Peanut Gallery was right. We had our 20-week ultrasound today, and little girl bits were what we saw! We also saw her arms, legs, heart, hands, feet and toes--little tiny toes. =) Of course, of all the cute pictures the ultrasound tech could've given us, she decided to print out the Skeletor View that you see above (she's horizontal & looking at us straight on, with her head on the left, eyes, and open mouth....we're assuming she's a little cuter in person...).

So, now the name search is made a little easier. We're taking suggestions---especially since all of Steve's favorite names (Captain, Earl, The Edge) are now out of the question. Something pretty enough for a supermodel princess, but also cool enough for a tomboy. "Earl"----yeah, it doesn't quite do the trick.

Steve is already shopping for the shotgun he's going to need in 16 years when our little girl goes on her first date...

Who will the little peanut look like more?

Yet another week of stalling before next week's big ultrasound. So, here are some baby pictures to keep you satisfied in the meantime!

Will the little peanut look like



Daddy Steve?


Or Momma Monica?

This week's ultrasound

Just kidding, folks. You have to wait two more weeks until we have the appointment where we are hoping to find out if the little peanut is a boy or a girl. Please take our poll and let us know what you predict!

Results of previous poll: What should Steve's dad's "Grandfather Name" be?

27 votes came in and and the winner is.... THE DUDE. G-pops came in a close second. Maybe we'll let The Dude decide for himself, but we'll surely provide the input from the "peanut gallery."

First picture of the baby belly (17 weeks)

The obligatory belly shot. Nowadays, every pregnant couple takes pictures of the expanding belly just because it's fun to see it slowly balloon as the weeks go by. We're making a flip book out of ours. And since the general public seems to have taken an interest in Monica's abdominal adventure, we thought we'd put it on here so that all our global friends could track the progress, too. We'll be selling the flip books in a few months to help fund "Its" college education--check back for details!

The Partridge Family Silvestro

**Monica had her 4-month appointment this week. Not much happened, so here are some other baby thoughts below***

Mons and I went home last weekend to the Great State of New Jersey (yes, I hear you scoffing over there...) to see the fam. It was the first time we've seen my side of the crew since we told everyone the news, so we were showered with belly-kisses and comments about whether Monica looks like she has or hasn't gained weight (the correct answer, by the way, is something like "Oh, you're starting to show and you look amazing!").

While we were there, my dad took me down to the basement where he has his drum kit set up. As he hammered away at perfect renditions of various U2 songs (very impressive!), it got me thinking: How cool would it be if the little dude or dudette, and future sibling(s), grew up playing instruments--and then we could have a family band?? I could sing, Mons could...play tambourine...and at least one of the kids would have to play bass, because a good bass player can be hard to find. We'd tour the world, release multi-platinum albums, and show that not every family band needs to be as dysfunctional as the Jacksons, nor as weird as the Hansons. We'd live in musical harmony.

That is, until the kids start asking for more money, arguments erupt over writing credits, everyone stops doing their chores, and we split up over "creative differences." We'd perform one final, farewell concert on the roof of our condo building and then everyone would go off to start solo careers, even the goofy one who can't sing.

Yeah. Maybe we should think this through a little more...

I guess there are other things to do as a family. You know that Monica will have the kids in the kitchen learning to cook. Maybe we could be one of those families that cooks on TV--like butter-filled Paula Deen and sons, or like that Italian family that's always on the Today Show. A baseball team is out of the question--I have a feeling Monica could do without having first trimester nausea every other year for two decades, plus there's no way we're putting 9 kids through college unless they all get jobs in pre-school (which would be nice even if we only have two or three!).

I suppose that the best thing to do would be to just take things as they come and enjoy each step of the way, wherever we end up. And if we don't turn into some famous family unit, I guess that'd be alright.

In the meantime, I've got my headphones propped up against Monica's belly, playing "Where the Streets Have No Name" for some little ears--just in case...