A "DIY" brag...

After living in our house for a mere 16 months, we finally decided to finish our kitchen backsplash ;) It's been a source of debate--stainless steel? tile? What to do? Well, Peter and his handy DIY dad finished it off! Peter and I decided on glass mosaic tile from Waterworks and his dad stuck them up there. Peter finished off the alignment and grout and voila!:

Before:





After:

Before:

After:

Now if we could just get some sort of blinds up! Every morning I hear grumblings from Peter about how we have to get them up in our bedroom..maybe that would be a good idea before the baby comes!

Those crazy Rapaczynskis...

Some pictures from Rebecca's birthday fete in East Hampton. Of course Dad had to bring in some Asian influence, so he dressed himself and Trent (Tessa's boyfriend) in his traditional Chinese jackets from his last trip to his beloved land:





And then Rebecca and Mom had to get their picture taken with the guard..just like all those tourists in London always want pictures with the guards in the big hats who never smile:

I came to the conclusion that Tessa and I are the only normal ones in the house:

A couple of shower pictures...

Here are a couple of pictures from my shower. Frankly, I selected only a few because in the rest of them I look like a huge heffer. I am sure it was the camera, and not that I actually look that large ;)

Tessa and I admiring Kevin's beautiful Cinderella popup book:



The cake!:

All the pretty pink presents:

We had a very nice time and I am very grateful for all the wonderful gifts that I received--we are almost fully stocked now!

Sorry we've been MIA...

but it's been a little crazy around here! Phil & Claudia were in town from Monday to Saturday. We got some major painting in the nursery done, but we are still finishing our circles--we are almost done, so I can't wait to post pictures of the completed project! We also are almost done putting up the backsplash behind our stove, which we've been meaning to do since we moved in!

Other than household stuff, not too much exciting to report. Peter had his birthday on Friday and we went out for a nice dinner at David Burke Primehouse downtown--it was actually really good!

Wow..there are quite a few exclamation points in this post..I think I have been sniffing too much paint ;) Off to finish..I promise I will post a bunch of pictures soon..

The little Alien...

Here are some pics from the elective 3D ultrasound that we did on Saturday before my baby shower. Unfortunately, I think we did them a little late, because she looked awfully crowded in there--plus she is head down (ready to go!!!!), so it was hard for the tech to get some face-0n shots of her (and we confirmed--it is definitely a her!).

And apparently she is either really crowded in there or she is a future gymnast...yes, that is her foot up by her head and hands :)

Some more pics that wouldn't post...

Tessa in Aspen:


Tessa & I on the top of Independence Pass:

Colorado Road Trip..

Tessa and I returned from our Colorado road trip all in one piece! We got back on Thursday and I had my big 3D ultrasound and shower on Saturday..so lots of pictures to come...

First off..our Colorado pictures & story:

Day 1: Arrive in Denver and rent car. Drive to Boulder where we are starving and have dinner at Juanita's on Pearl Street. After a little walk, we get back to our hotel (Marriott) and conk out.

Day 2: Lunch at the Med in Boulder. Spend all day driving to Telluride. Stay at the Peaks Resort and head down to downtown Telluride via gondola for dinner--what an experience--heading straight down in the pitch black night in a gondola!

Day 3: Walk around Telluride and have breakfast.
Drive to Crested Butte (stopped at the weirdest McDonald's ever on the way..keep that in mind if you plan to Big Mac it in Gunnison, CO). Dinner in Crested Butte.

Day 4: Breakfast in Crested Butte.

Afraid of Keebler Pass, so we drove around and took Independence Pass to Aspen. Arrive in Aspen and walk around and shop :) Dinner at my favorite: Takah Sushi. Stayed at the Hotel Jerome.

Day 5: Lunch at my favorite: Johnny McGuires. Walk around a bit, hit Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a caramel apple and head off to Vail. Arrived in Vail where weather was pool worthy, so spent an hour relaxing and then ate a yummy Italian meal at Campo de Fiori.

Day 6: Breakfast at hotel (Sonnenalp) and a short walk around Vail. Head to Denver to go to the airport and go through the worst rain storms ever (Tessa sleeps through it all). Head home...

Some Michigan pictures..

We survived the trip to Michigan! Just kidding--I'll give credit where it's due. It's very nice up there-the lake was great and the towns were very cute. We had some great meals (mostly at home, since we were a whoppin' 9 people at the smallest). Paul rented a boat the first day we were there, so Peter and the kids went tubing, which they thought was a blast, while Claudia and Karen and I went shopping (my idea of a blast).
Other than that, we just hung out and relaxed. If it weren't for the 6 hour drive, we would consider vacationing there more often! Of course the dogs had a blast and were pretty depressed to come back home.

Here are some pics:

Peter & the other Kate Karafotas:

Kira teaching Ajax some manners:

Just Jack:

Peter and the wife Kate:

That's about it from this end..stay tuned for some nursery pics. The room is almost clear and taped for painting..next stop: painting circles--fun fun!

Off to Michigan...

We are off to Charlevoix, Michigan tomorrow! Phil & Claudia have rented a large house there for a month and we can only go for 3 days..between Peter's work and my vacation schedule, this was the only time that worked. Apparently it is quite nice. Having never been to Michigan before I am reserving judgement until I see it for myself ;)

As promised earlier..here is a picture of the happy family at Tessa's graduation:

A note from Kona...

I am here to speak my mind.

I am not sure about this kid thing. I know my mom is having one-since her belly keeps getting bigger and bigger. They keep telling me that the human baby won't replace me, but I am a little concerned...how will mom & dad have enough time for me and all my lovin' needs and a baby as well?

I figured I would let it go..but then my cousins invaded the house-Jack, Kate & Kira. And now this...

And this!

Some political pictures to brag about..

Here is a picture of Dan Seals with a certain famous Democrat senator who is quite popular these days:

And here is a Fourth of July parade shot--that's my portrait on the banner!

The day is here..my last!

Well, tomorrow, the 29th is my last day at work! So exciting..and hopefully it will leave some more time for posts on this blog! I decided that I wanted to do some travelling and entertaining in July & August and the only way I could do that was to leave. In addition, I am excited to work on my photography and get the nursery prepared!

This weekend, Amy & Mike are coming to visit..we plan on doing the architecture cruising, checking out Navy Pier and having a yummy fondue dinner....

Two Years Ago Today...

We did this:

And this:

And this!:

In the words of the ever-romantic Peter...

"It seems like it has been so much longer."

Baby's First Photos...

Finally, here are some of our scanned ultraound shots..they are a bit blurry, but frankly, so was the baby! Maybe it was too much juice, or just that hyper-Rapaczynski/Karafotas personality, but she wouldn't sit still!

This first shot is the gender determination confirmation shot..looking up at the butt and feet:

A little side profile shot..can't quite see whose nose she has yet..but it looks straight so far ;) :

And the "Oh, woe is me, no more pictures" shot. Quite the little drama queen already..

Everything has been going well..BabyK has been moving about a ton. Peter thinks there is an alien living inside me..but I am pretty sure it is just a little babe.

More updates to come...names, nurseries, showers, oh my!

They say it's your birthday...

Well, the big day is here..I am now officially old as dirt. I don't feel as old as my 30 years, but I guess I better get used to it. Everyone keeps telling me that the 30's are the new 20's, but I think that's like saying "Oh, rain is good luck on your wedding day..". Inside they are just thinking, "better you than me you old hag!".
Anyways, today will be celebrated with getting my hair cut and colored, and a manicure/pedicure. Then Peter is taking me out to dinner. Nice, low key and relaxing.
This weekend, we are off to see my sister graduate from high school. Just a note to put our ages in perspective-when I was graduating from high school, my sister was finishing kindergarten. Oh, how the years fly!
In baby news, little girlie K has been kicking and moving a ton. It's great to feel her..and very reassuring. Peter even felt it for the first time last night.
Will post soon with lots of pictures (ultrasound, the wedding I shot, graduation)...

Tickle us pink!!

Well, the big Ultrasound yesterday was a success! We saw the baby moving around like crazy. They looked at the chambers of the heart, the brain, the femur, the spine and all sorts of other important stuff. What we didn't see?? Any boy parts!! So, it turns out that we are having a little girl!

It was great..Peter does seem very excited. He keeps saying.."We're having a girl! We're having a girl?" We were both expecting boy, so it was a bit of a surprise!

We celebrated by taking the dogs for a walk, where Ajax played incredibly well with a little 7 year old girl in the park. Then off to the mall briefly to look at some watches (for Peter) and some cribs and such. Then a celebratory meal at PF Changs.

Today I am shooting a wedding! Off to go prepare..

Oops...

I had the best intentions of updating weekly! But nothing really knew has been going on..so I have been a bad girl.

In other family baby news, my cousin Manuela had her baby on Saturday morning (May 13)..a surprise girl named Sophia Josephine. She was induced on the day of my grandfather's funeral..thus the middle name-my grandfather's name was Joseph. Manu labored for 17 hours only to have a c-section :(

Here is a picture..she is adorable!

Hopefully we'll have some exciting news of our own tomorrow..our big ultrasound is at 4:45pm. Here's hoping the little one cooperates..

We've "fallen out of good standing"...

or at least Peter has..I guess I never was in good standing..

There has been discussion in the house regarding the possible baptism of "Oscar". We even settled on doing it in the Greek Orthodox Church (I figure, if all the talk about Jesus can make me somewhat uncomfortable, then at least if it is in Greek, I won't understand half of it). Plus, I understand that the traditions are what is important to Peter..

Slight roadblock...

From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website:

A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Chrismation must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish.

And then...

Canonical and theological reasons preclude the Orthodox Church from performing the Sacrament of Marriage for couples where one partner is Orthodox and the other partner is a non-Christian. As such, Orthodox Christians choosing to enter such marriages fall out of good standingwith their Church and are unable to actively participate in the life of the Church. While this stance may seem confusing and rigid, it is guided by the Orthodox Church's love and concern for its member's religious and spiritual well-being.

I am, however, having pasta for breakfast.

No new news...

Well, I am in now in week 14...safely nestled in the 2nd trimester! I am very excited about that. With my new status comes a new inability to fit in my pants and a protruding belly which has been the subject of several people's comments. I am afraid it is bloating at this point, but at least I have an excuse not to suck it in!

Our doctor's appointment on Friday went great. We heard the heartbeat..and right away! As soon as Dr. Kim put the doppler on my belly, we heard it thumping away. The sound can't be described..it was pretty amazing. Other than that, she just answered some questions.."When can I dye my hair?" (Now, but maybe wait a little longer)..."When can we find out the sex?" (two weeks after my next monthly appointment..so the week of May 15th).."When will I start to feel movement?" (Probably around 20 weeks).

In other exciting news, I had sushi for lunch today..yum! Well, I didn't have any raw fish, just a shrimp tempura roll and a california roll..but man it was good!

I think we might be getting close to ordering a chair for the nursery to be! Stay tuned for more exciting updates....

Assumptions...

Well, it has been brought to my attention that I repeatedly referred to Baby Karafotas as a "he" in my previous post. Oops! I haven't spilled any beans..we don't know the sex yet. However, both Peter and I have a strong feeling it is a boy...given the lack of boys on my side of the family, it just seems like karma is about to give us a swift kick in the ass :) Not that boys are all bad of course..but they do get a big annoyed when you dress them up in little dresses and take them shopping (well, not Peter..but you know--the usual boys)..

When I told mom that the man in the equation is responsible for the sex of the child and that Peter thinks it is a boy, she said to me.."I understand the biology...but that doesn't mean he gets to decide"...

So we will have to wait just a bit longer to find out. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow--I think I will schedule our big ultrasound then. Hopefully it will be in the middle of May. Until then we will continue to wonder..but I guess it's only a 50-50% chance either way!