Carolines Room **UPDATED**

So my internet at home is STILL not working. So I emailed this picture to myself from my phone. The picture isn't that great...but here is a little preview until we get our internet up.

Pray for Brooke

Tom and I learned this morning that our friend, Frankie Toner, was killed while serving our country in Afghanistan. He and his wife Brooke were married around the same time as Tom and I. We all met here in NY in the singles ward. We are so sad for Brooke and hope that you can all join us in praying for her and her family. I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for her--it just breaks my heart. Frankie was a great man. He and Brooke share a great love that could easily be seen when you were with them. We are so grateful that we had a chance to know and be friends with such a great person and such an amazing couple.

Here is Frankie and Brooke when we went out to dinner right before he left for Afghanistan in Oct. 2008.


Afghan soldier kills two coalition troops, U.S. says

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An Afghan soldier reportedly shot and killed two coalition service members in northern Afghanistan on Friday, U.S. forces in Afghanistan said.

The military, which calls the incident the first of its type "in recent memory," said the shooter also wounded another service member and then killed himself. A fourth service member appeared to be unharmed but was taken to a medical facility for evaluation.

The military passed along comments from Afghan Minister of Defense Abdul Rahim Wardak, who expressed his condolences for the service members killed and wounded. He said that he was "saddened and deeply regretful this tragedy occurred" and that the incident was under full investigation.

Wardak said that "it is too early to speculate, but the investigation will bear out the truth" and that "full corrective action will be taken."

20 Weeks

Yay! I'm half way done!!!!!!

Week 20


Baby:
The fetus measures about 5.6 (14.2cm) to 6.4 inches (16.3cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 9 ounces (255g). Your baby can hear sounds by now -- your voice, heart and your stomach growling, as well as sounds outside your body. It will cover its ears with its hands if a loud sound is made near you, and it may even become startled and "jump." The baby is moving often, too -- twisting, turning, wiggling, punching and kicking.

Mom-to-be:
Congratulations! You're at about the midpoint of your pregnancy. Your uterus is just about even with your navel. Your waistline has pretty much disappeared, but only temporarily! The risk of bladder infections increases because the smooth muscles in the urinary tract relax. Your breathing will become deeper and you may perspire more than usual from a more active thyroid gland.

Tip for the week:
To alleviate backaches, maintain good posture. Sit with a footstool or use an ergonomic chair at the office, avoid standing for too long, sleep with a small pillow under your side at the waist, and lift things with your legs instead of your back.

Names

A lot of people have asked us about names. We were deciding between Caroline, Olivia, and Madison...all with the middle name Ruth after my grandma. We decided to go with Caroline Ruth (so if you don't like it, keep it to yourself ;). Tom and I have loved that name for so long and love jamming to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond...so Caroline it is!

18 wks

It's a.....

For those of you who voted BOY...you are wrong! I can officially say that I was not wrong because a week ago I changed my vote to girl. I decided I should change it to what I wanted it to be and not what I thought it was.
"It" can now be referred to as a "she". We went this morning and she wasn't shy at all, she just opened her legs right up so we could see. I was in shock because I have been telling myself for so long that it has to be a boy!
Tom and I are both overjoyed. Thank you to everyone for your enthusiasm and caring words! We greatly appreciate it! I'm overjoyed not only because we are having a healthy baby girl, but also because I get to buy dresses and bows! Yay! Any advice from mothers of girls, baby girls, would be greatly appreciated and accepted!

Prego Picture

My internet decided to be nice to me tonight and work. Tom wants to use the computer so I only have time for one picture...my trip to NM will have to wait. Hopefully you will hear from me tomorrow about the sex of the baby. If not, check facebook since I can access that on my phone.

Here I am at 17 wks

18 wks and counting...

2 more days until we find out the sex! We are super excited! My internet hasn't worked for wks...except on my phone so I can't upload pictures of my big fat belly:( I will let you all know as soon as we find out though.

14 Wks and Counting...and a New Dwelling

Tom and I have been home sick for the past 4 days so I figure there are no excuses for not updating my blog.  I am now 14 wks! We had our 14 wk. appointment on Thursday and everything is still GREAT! It was so exciting to see the baby. He (I'm convinced it's a boy) was sucking his thumb and kicking and moving around! It finally felt so real to us. We find out on March 5th if it is really a boy so cast your vote on the side. Don't let me thinking it's a boy effect your answer ;) I am sad to say I am often WRONG! 

I am heading down to New Mexico this week to attend one of my best friends of all time, Laura Browns, wedding reception! I am sooo excited! I need to get out of here every now and then! I fit in MUCH better in New Mexico then I do here.

14 wks 2 days


me on Friday...don't mind the big screen on the piano. We had nowhere else to put it! 


 

Oh yah, and for those of you who don't know...we moved! I never said anything because lately Tom and I have become EXPERT movers. Things just didn't work out with our last apartment...mixing family and business just isn't the best choice. I think I have finally convinced Tom of this!! Anyway, we got a cute  little 2 bedroom and I am so happy we will actually have room for a baby! Plus, I am 10 min. from work instead of 1 hour! We LOVE it here. I FINALLY have the apartment cleaned and decorated...it took so long because of being sick, but I feel like I'm home now. Here are some pictures. 

Living Room


Kitchen


I hate that TV...it's just too big...but Tom HAD to have it ; )


Master Bedroom...a little small, but we don't spend much time in it so we figured we would save the bigger room for the baby/office. :) 


Bathroom...it actually has a tub...whoohoo! Oh, and thanks for the shower curtain Cathie!


Can you tell we like lighthouses?

It's True

Well, I was hoping to at least get 10 comments...but I can't let those 9 people down. For the record, I hardly ever leave comments either...I was just trying to build up the excitement. Anyway, if you've heard the rumors...they are true! I'M PREGNANT!!! I am due on AUGUST 4, 2009. I'm just a little shy of 12 weeks now. I've been seeing my doctor since I was just about 4 weeks and everything is going GREAT! :) 

We were pretty shocked that this happened so fast, considering how long it took us to get pregnant the first time. We found out right around Thanksgiving and we are SO excited. This baby is such a blessing and we couldn't be happier! :) 

I felt pretty good until about week 8 when I started getting nauseous. Pretty much since the start of the new year I've been throwing up every day. But, the first trimester is almost over so hopefully it will get better! 

Baby Gounaris at about 5 weeks

Baby Gounaris at about 7 weeks. 

Baby Gounaris at about 10 weeks

I was a little reluctant to post this last picture. I realize I am a little LARGE for someone who isn't even 12 weeks yet...but whatever...this is what I look like. I've never been one of those girls with a flat stomach...but it definitely didn't stick out this much! 

Where's the Love?

Ok people...I'm not telling you all our exciting news if you don't leave comments. Without comments how am I supposed to know anyone still reads this thing? 

Wisconsin in the Winter!

The day after Christmas I went to Green Bay, WI to visit my brother Andrew, his wife Sarah, and my 2 yr old nephew Allen. Sad to say I was not the queen of picture taking as I usually am...I was just having to much fun with Allen! I didn't even get a picture of Andrew and Sarah :( Here are a few pictures that I did get! 

Me at Lambeau Stadium...home of the Green Bay Packers!

Allen wearing my boots! 
In front of the mountain of snow that they have outside their house! 

Sleepy Allen! Saying goodbye to Aunt Sarah at 6 am at the airport :(

The CUTEST little video of Allen!

Christmas Pictures

Well, I'm a little late posting this...but it's better late than never, right? Christmas was just dandy! Here are a few pictures from the event filled day.

Tom and I
My little nephews, Nicholas and Christopher, enjoying their presents.
Uncle Tommy and  Nicholas
Me with chocolate covered Christopher!
Tom with his father and uncle. 
Little Anthony couldn't handle all the excitement :) 
Eleni (cousin), and the sister in-laws...Me, Denise, and Elizabeth. 

Christmas is Here!

Well, Christmas is just one day away! While I will have many pictures after the holidays (I am going to Wisconsin on Friday!), I have been informed that I need to update my blog : ) So, here are some pictures of Tom and I when we went to the city a couple weeks ago to see the tree! Stay tuned for more pictures and lots of family updates at the start of the new year! 




"That's what she said"

Turkey Day Pictures!!!

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! Here are a few Pictures!

Me and Tom relaxin' on the sofa

Nick in his Turkey apron!

Denise with little Anthony
Angelo, Anthony, and Tommy
Me and Christopher


Tom and Anthony!

The kids relaxing after all the Turkey!

Hello??

Hmm...I guess LacyCat is the only one thankful for anything....either that or nobody reads my blog anymore. Come on people! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know, bad Sarah, I am getting horrible at updating my blog. I'm just not doing anything fun so I have no pictures. Without pictures, I have nothing to write but stuff I would rather keep to myself. Tom and I are both just working hard.

I just got a new calling at church...2nd counselor in Young Womens...I've never worked with YW before so this should be fun. I went to YW today and it was quite different then what I grew up with in New Mexico. There were only 2 girls...14 and 15! Fun stuff. This is the first time I've had a calling other than something related to music. Although, I am still the assistant music coordinator for the ward. Two Callings...whoohoo!

We are excited for Thanksgiving coming up. We are going to my brother and sister-in laws home for the holidays. I'm making pumpkin and apple pie, and my favorite green bean casserole. They have the cutest little boys...3 of them...all 2 and younger! We are happy to spend some time with them. My brother Andrew and his wife and little boy were supposed to come too...but plans changed. I am going to Green Bay, WI to visit them right after Christmas. I haven't seen my nephew, Allen, since he was 6 weeks old so I am EXCITED to say the least!!

Best of all about THANKSGIVING, it's a great time to think and reflect on what I am thankful for. First of all, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful that because of Him, we all have the opportunity to live with our Heavenly parents again and be with our families forever. I can't even imagine my life without Him.
Next, I am thankful for FAMILY. All of them...on both sides! But most of all I am thankful for my husband. He is such a wonderful and unique person. I am constantly amazed by his amazing ideas and his knowledge. I've never been treated so kindly and loved so deeply by anyone. I just look at him and he makes me want to smile. He's always trying to make me and everyone around him laugh. I love that about him...he brings laughter and happiness to my life when sometimes I think I don't have anything to be happy about. Thank you Tom for all you do.
I can't leave out my mother...even though she is gone, I am so thankful for all she taught me and left me with. She is the reason I am who I am and I love her.
I am also so grateful for my dad and his new wife Cathie. My dads very quiet, just like me, so it was hard for me to know how he was doing after mom died. But, I KNOW that Cathie makes him happy. I can see that. I am grateful for the sweet cards and packages she sends letting me know that they both love and care about me.
I am thankful for the laughter and sweet spirits of children. Maybe it's because I was the youngest in my family, so I didn't have any annoying younger siblings...but I just LOVE children. I can never have a job that doesn't involve children. They just make my day! Yes, it's hard at times...but they are so innocent and sweet...all of them. They just need someone to love and teach them.
Last, I am thankful for my life. This year was a close call, but I am grateful that Heavenly Father let me stick around a little longer. I hope I can still accomplish many great things in my (hopefully) long life!

So...this is what I am most thankful for. What are you thankful for this holiday season?

one last thing

I was hoping that everyone could take my last name off their blogs?? Some of you have it listed in the links and some have mentioned it in a post. I don't like that when someone googles my name it can lead to my blog. Thank you so much! If you could do that as soon as possible I would appreciate it! : ) I don't want to have to set my blog to private.

My Brother Andrew has a Twin!

I just have to post this! EVERY time I see this guy I have to do a double take because I think it's my brother Andrew. They look EXACTLY the same! No joke! This guy, whose name is Barret, is in my stake here in NY (I think I stole the pic. from Jen's facebook, sorry). For those of you who know my brother...can  you guess which one is him? : ) 

WHO IS WHO?????

And...I just want to say that I love my brother! He's the best and I miss him! I haven't seen him in FOREVER. I'm so excited because Andrew, his wife Sarah, and their little boy Allen are coming to visit for Thanksgiving. HIP HIP HOORAY! Now, if only Kim could come too, life would be grand! : )

This is Andrew and I the day I graduated college!

Finally an Update!

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. We've been so busy. Nothing too exciting. Just the boring day to day stuff. Seems like there is always something to do and no down time for us. We recently moved...again. I'm thinking I won't take pictures this time. It's getting kind of old that we move so much. Our apartment in Glen Cove had a few problems...mold being one of them. We just thought that we would take the chance to get out of it while we could. We now live in Queens and are MUCH happier to live in a newer and cleaner apartment. Tom only has a 20 min. ride on the train to get to work which makes him a happy camper. My commute to work is not so hot...but I have found a closer job which is MUCH better for me.
Anyway, on to the pictures! Our good friends Brooke and Frank came to visit NY! They have been living in Hawaii for the past little while. We got together for dinner with them, Dave and Julie, and Deanna and Bryant...all friends from our days in the singles branch. Frankie was leaving the next week to fight the war in Afghanistan so Julie made him a REALLY cool and yummy tank cake!
Enjoy the pictures!

Deanna and Bryant

Me, Brooke, Deanna, and Julie

Julies AWSOME cake!

Brooke, Deanna, and half of Bryant

Julie, Dave, Frankie, and Brooke!