Baby Shower for Baby January

Don't be thrown by the photo...could be Mr. January too!

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I haven't been able to keep up with our news!

On Sunday, December 12, Jon and I woke up giddy as two kids on Christmas morning (two weeks early) and found our very own winter wonderland right outside our window.  Inches of snow covered the quiet streets and icicles hung from the bare tree branches.  It was a BIG day for us - one we had been anticipating for a long time.  We would be celebrating Baby January's upcoming arrival with our best family and friends at a baby shower hosted by our moms later in the afternoon. 

As we made our way out of the city, it seemed like we couldn't see 10 feet in front of the car, but the further and further we got away from the lake, the better the weather (seemed) to be.  By the time we reached Mokena, we only had to deal with a few large gusts of wind that blew the powdery snow across our windshield.  We arrived at Joni's house to find the party in full swing - with all of our mom's little helpers scurrying about the kitchen getting food and drink ready as guests slowly started to trickle in.

We know that a lot of work went into putting that day together and everything was perfect.  Ron's "man cave" transformed was the perfect intimate setting we were hoping for.  And all the little details - decoration, the pointsettas decorating each table, the baby photos of Jon and me, and the little "Joy" angels that went home with each guest - it was all so perfect.  The food was delicious - I have to say my personal favorites (big surprise - SWEETS) were Auntie Ellen's little baby cupcakes (complete with little peanut heads) and Auntie Linda's kolachki!  Why, oh why, did I ever schedule a doctor's appointment for just a few days following (I did not appreciate the weigh-in). 

We were so grateful for all of our guests that braved the (sometimes) nasty weather to celebrate our day with us.   Really, there aren't words to express how thankful we are for everyone's generosity and we were truly touched by ever sentiment we read in every card we opened.
If you would like to re-live (or feel like you were there if you weren't), see photos from Baby January's

Shower HERE and more HERE

Baby January's Nursery (is almost done)...

Waaaaay back in October, I started getting the nesting bug.  Jonny and I took our house off the market and began thinking about how to turn our guest room into a beautiful haven for our little addition.  We did not want to find out if Baby January is a boy or girl just to have a blue or pink room (would we want that anyway?), so we put our brains together, and pencil to paper and came up with a plan. 


Before

Jonny started work on the room right away.  Over the course of this project, he must have made 20 trips to Home Depot, or if really necessary, the dinky Ace Hardware near our home.  I can't count the number of hours he put in painting - wood, walls, nail holes - everything is perfect.  I would venture to guess, he never wants to paint again, but there was no limit of how much work he would put in for baby!  He spent days, and I do mean full days, painting roughly 60 pieces of wainscoting (with a little help from some friends, thank you Grandpa-to-be Joe and Grandma-to-be Joni), countless pieces of trim and baseboards.  I have never seen so much white paint!  His lovely assistant Libby was constantly at his side, despite our efforts to keep her away from the paint and the brushes and whatever else she could find and pick up.  We finally had to keep her out by using her gate, the poor girl just sat outside the gate whimpering for her best friend.    

At an event for preggo ladies I attended at a small baby store in the city in August and I won a "custom" bedding set from designer Annette Tatum.  I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that I know who that is, or what makes her and her products fabulous, but I do know a set of her bedding costs several hundred dollars more than I would be willing to spend.  Jonny and I went in October to look at fabric swatches (one of his favorite days in the process - he loves looking at fabrics and other textiles, ha!) and selected bedding for baby.  Based on the bedding we selected, we moved on to paint colors.  Who know what a headache that could be?  Thank you for nothing paint people at Home Depot.  The commercial you see with someone helping you choose exactly what you need is a lie.  But, in the end, and many 5 dollar paint samples later, I think we did just fine and decided to do yellow and green-blue (or is it blue-green).  To be frank, its Glacier Mist and you can decide what color that is.  More painting for Jon, more crying for Libby.  My wonderful husband bought me some paint masks that I walked around the house in for weeks so I wouldn't inhale all those pain fumes - isn't he the best?



Construction Crew



Just as the weather started to turn, Jon assembled his cadre of carpenters (thank you to Grandpas-to-be, and Uncle Frankie) and his assortment of tools (thanks to Steve Sansone and Brad Call for lending out some key pieces of machinery), and they went to work.  Libby was not a fan of the air nailer, but it did its job quickly, and efficiently.  After the wainscoting went up, we were really starting to see our vision come together.




Wainscoting work


From there, Jon reorganized the closet and installed a new fan.  Cutting shelves and designing everything to match exactly what I drew up on a piece of construction paper (am I that scary with these hormones?).  And Grandma-to-be Lois painted the closet to give it a fresh look.  We can't wait to fill it up with lots of precious baby things.  Jon, who does not love working with electric, put in a dual switch fan (more of my specifications) and did a perfect job.  The room was coming together more and more each day!

Lastly, we added the furniture and set up the bedding.  We're almost there with a few details left to take care of before baby comes, like finding the right shade for the window (I don't think baby wants to look at a brick wall all the time), and we'll add artwork and a rug after baby is born (pink or blue?). 

Baby January's Nursery Today

Please take a full look at the project here

I'm so proud of Jonny and how much work he put into the nursery!  It may have been our vision, but he has done all the work to make it perfect for baby!

Anne's Baptism

This past Sunday, the Rimkus family celebrated Anne Cecilia's Baptism.  It was a very cold day for those seven little babies (all girls!), but a nice service at a beautiful church in La Grange.  Jess' brother Nick and I were proud to stand as Annie's Godparents.  All of the babies quietly received their blessings - okay, Annie gave a little whimper, but I'm sure that water was freezing.  She's a beautiful baby girl and I can't believe how much she grows each time I see her.

  

The big question of the day was spurred at the after celebration by Aunt Judy's card to Annie.  What is the difference between a Christening and a Baptism?  Please let us know your answer (I wish Nana had the Internet). 

Photos from Annie's Baptism

And the Winner Is...

..not Linda O'Brien

The Kot Family Chili Cook-off was held at the Lake House this past weekend.  What first began as a last minute idea four years ago has become an intense and serious competition. Previous winners include Joe Wojciaczyk (2007), Karen O'Brien (Alekna) (2008), and, our very own, Jonathan Rimkus (2009).

Thanks to Baby January's general tendency to make me tired and slow, Jon and I missed the work portion of the cook-off day.  Unfortunately, our late(r) arrival meant the back breaking work of raking leaves (in the icy rain), reorganizing the garage, sealing the windows  and investigating holes being eaten in the side of the house and under the deck was left to my lovely parents, aunts and uncles.  We arrived to warm and cozy house where the guys watched college football while the ladies chatted and played a variety of games.  Libby was wild with excitement, crying and sticking her full face out the car window when we were still more than five miles away, and, of course, she was knee deep in the lake the minute she was unleashed.

As the sun set and darkness started to fall, each of this year’s seven entrants were called, one at a time, to the cook's kitchen and asked to put their chili into a crock pot and cover it with foil so no one could see what it looked like, thus barring any preconceived notions about whose would be the best.  2010 competitors (in no particular order):  Auntie Linda (who sent an email claiming victory prior to the contest, so I will name her first), Mom, Dad, Auntie Ellen, Uncle Bob, Jonny and Uncle Johnny.

 

The chili was to be judged on a scale of 1 to 5 on each of the following dimensions - Taste, Smell, Texture, and Appearance.  Heat is not a part of the competition (although some, Jonathan, wish it were).  Mom was designated as the server and would not partake in the chili tasting this year (or possibly any future years, as this is her second year with no taste buds to call her own - although she vowed each chili was delicious).

Each taster was provided with one ladle of each chili, one at a time.  One could see and hear lots of sniffing and tasting, and hmmm-ing and ohh-ing.  All participants were asked to keep all commentary to themselves, i.e., "this ain't chili," in order to preserve the subjectivity of the contest, as well as each chef's feelings.  At the end, all score cards were turned into the cook, who requested assistance in calculating the final scores.  No one was interested in being a human calculator, so Linda sprung up to volunteer. 

While the scores were being tabulated, we discovered Mom developed her own system to ensure that anonymity of each cook.  We found that the chili in pot #1 was not actually served first, nor #2 served second and so on.  It caused a lot of confusion for those not doing the actual serving.  Mom provided us with her “key” so that we could fill up on a bowl of our favorites!

Mom and Auntie Linda came in with the results.  You could cut the tension with a knife!  For the first time there was a tie!  And not just one tie, but a tie for both first and for second!  It was announced the co-winners were: ELLEN and LINDA!!!  And the second place finishers were: JOHNNY WOJCIACZYK and LOIS.  Well, to say that everyone was shocked is an understatement.  I, for one, knew how delicious my husband's chili was, and refused to believe he could be knocked from his first place pedestal to not even getting an honorable mention!  I followed my mother around insensately questioning her about her tabulation process...finally she handed over the scorecards and I discovered a grave error.  While the tabulations were correct, those "winners" assigned to the pot numbers, alas, were not.  It would seem there was a "failure to communicate" between the cook and the human calculator.  One of them was talking about the chili number being served and the other about the pot number.  (So, when Mom asked for the score for #1, she meant pot #1 and Linda provided the score for serving #1.)  This is all very confusing to read (as it was in real life), and I have suggested using one set of letters and one set of numbers next year.

I asked to speak with Linda privately; she had not only been driven to tears by her win, but was continuing to dance about the house with her little trophy.  I would have to tell her the devastating news, that not only she was not a winner, she wasn't even a second placer.  She was inconsolable.

In the end the true co-winners were ELLEN AND BOB. 
Congratulations Grossbergs. 

Yes...this is what they were wearing...




And in second place, two former winners, JOE and JONNY (Rimkus).

After this year's controversy there is no telling who or what will be submitted next year...one thing is for certain, if Baby January is anything like his/ her daddy, his/ her submission is sure to be a contender!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jack Rimkus!

Jonny's Godson Jack turned 2 this week!

Happy 40th Anniversary Ron and Joni Rimkus!

Celebrating Ron and Joni's 40th Anniversary - October 31, 2010

Baby Kicks...

Baby January has gotten very close to his/ her brand new cousins-to-be this week.  All I can say is that he/ she had a good time kicking the heck out of both of them while they were being held...a sure sign they're BFFs to be!

Baby Knox

Baby Annie

Welcome Annie!

Welcome to the World little Annie!

Lucky number 13!  Jon and I are proud to announce that today, October 13, we became Uncle Jonny and Auntie Lori for the second time in less than a week!  Randy, Jess and big brother Jack added little Anne Cecelia to their beautiful family this afternoon. 

Annie is just as sweet as can be with blue eyes and a mess of black hair and measured the exact same height and weight as Jack (6 lb. 13 oz. and 21 inches).

I'm so honored to say I have the privilege of being Annie's godmother.  I was brought to tears and I'll surely enjoy loving her up for the rest of my life.  (I will also be drowning her in pink until her parents strangle me.) 

Two thirds of the 2010/ 2011 Rimkus Baby Boom has been welcomed to the world!  Baby January - you're the tie breaker.  Can't wait to meet you!!!

Welcome to the World Baby Knox!

Uncle Jonny and Knox (2 hours old!)

This past Friday, October 8, Mark and Casey Rimkus welcomed a bouncing baby boy to the world! (Consequently, we become Uncle Jonny and Auntie Lor to a new nephew.)  I know...shocker - a Rimkus boy?  Unheard of... :)

Knox Alan Rimkus is a little blondie, eyelashes and all, and weighed 8 lbs 4 oz and was 21 inches.  We just love him to pieces.  Congratulations Mark and Casey!

I Got Mine For Baby January!

For the first time in many (many) years I got a flu shot!  In addition to protecting myself, as an added bonus I'm passing some of the immunities onto Baby January until he/ she is old enough to receive his/ her own vccinations.

This year's shot was designed to protect against three different flu viruses (including H1N1) and everyone over six months of age should get vaccinated this year. (Especially if you plan to have close contact with Baby January - we've got to cut down on the risk of exposing him/ her to the virus and protect our winter baby!) 

Thanks to everyone who has already taken the plunge and has been vaccinated:  Nana, Mom and Dad Wojciaczyk, Mom and Dad Rimkus and Daddy-to-Be!  If you go to Walgreen's you get a neat-o heart to wear on your arm so you can tell the world who you got a flu shot for.  (Some of us can't be as cool as Jonny, who got a Tasmanian Devil Band-Aid at his office.) I'm rocking my heart today and you should too!

Thanks for "listening" to my public service announcement!  Love to you all.

Baby January Rimkus

Our Celebratory Cake

Last week Jon and I went in for baby's "big" ultrasound.  This "20 week" ultrasound looks at all of baby's organs and asseses his/ her development.  The tech looks at baby's brain, heart, kidneys - basically everything! 

Baby passed with flying colors!  He/ she looks perfect.  Weighing in at 11 oz. and roughly 11 inches (if you're into produce, roughly the length of a banana), he/ she enjoyed the Five Fruit Frenzy I had a Jamba Juice before the scan and was boucing around all over the place.  The ultrasound tech was getting frustrated with all the movement because it was difficult for her to get the measurements she needed - but that just meant we got to see more of baby!  The heartbeat is regular and strong (and has been staying above 150 throughout the pregnancy so far).  Baby was doing a good job of opening and closing his/ her fist and rubbing his/ her face.  His/ her legs were also at work (check out those long legs below) and I was feeling all that kicking too!  Baby January also got the hiccups, which was cute to watch, but made me feel bad at the same time (was it that smoothie?). 

In case you couldn't tell, we turned our heads and closed our eyes when she got to the abdomen, so baby will remain he/ she until birth day (although I'm really starting to like Baby January instead of he/ she).  The only person in the world that knows the gender for sure is the ultrasound tech - since we chose not to know the gender, they don't write it on any of the paper work, so even my doctor doesn't know.

Everything is going well so far and I'm feeling great! 

Libby's 1st Birthday!

Today little Lady Liberty turns 1!!! 

Libby has brought such joy and laughter (as well as some frustration and tears) to our lives.  When Jon and I brought her home, she was eight weeks old and weighed a mere 8 lbs.  She slept most of the day and slid around our hardwood floors on her little paws.  We couldn't walk her without someone asking if she was the dog featured in the Cottonelle commercial. 

Libby went to puppy school where she was the largest dog by far.  None of her school mates were bigger than the palm of my hand.  For her graduation, Jon and I taught her to sit pretty.  Meanwhile Coco, the tiny tea cup poodle, learned to hop around in circles on his two hind legs and jump through a hula hoop for his grand finale.  I should mention Coco's master was about 12 years old.  Good effort Libs (good effort Lori and Jonny)!  We are proud of you!  In the end, she earned her diploma and still knows all the good puppy behaviors (whether or not she chooses to listen to them is her choice, but she does know what to do). 

As Libby grew bigger and bigger, she started to become quite the explorer, or more so an inspector.  She picks up everything with her mouth to figure out what it is - food, sticks, rocks and, yes, even glass once, and swallowed what we're quite sure was a firecracker.  I'm not sure if it is a good thing to call the vet's office and identify my pet as "Libby" and they say, "Oh!  Hello Mrs. Rimkus."  Libby makes a fast getaway, but slowly, she ran out of her favorite hiding places, like behind the tree in our yard (where I'm postive she thought I couldn't see her), in the coffee table or under the bed.  She had finally figured out how to get exactly in the middle of the bed where I couldn't reach her without the help of a back scratcher or BBQ tongs when she got to big to get out.  Libby loves the water - any water - including baths, lakes, rivers, rain, hoses and mud puddles.  Even though Auntie Ellen kept us prepared for summer with a life preserver of her very own, she turned out to be quite a natural.  Now if we can only get her to jump off the pier like the doggies in those agility competitions.  Maybe next year. 

Today Libby is 68 lbs. and just as cute as ever.  Sometimes she drives us crazy, but her cute little face keeps her out of a lot of trouble.  Everyday at 5:30, she jumps up on the living room chair to look out the window and waits to see Jon walking down the block coming home from work (even it if takes until after 7 to see him).  She's graduated from sleeping in her crate to sleeping just about where ever she wants, but she spends a lot of time during the night looking at us to make sure that we're okay.  She's a great retriever and, actually, quite a good goalie.  We love Libs with all our hearts and are so glad she came into our lives!

And look at her now!

She didn't like her birthday bow!!!

Libby and her Little Birthday Cake