Crumpet can swim!

Today we took Crumpet to the Golden Retriever Rescue's beach blast at a local member's house.  She hasn't had a chance to go off-leash near water until today and we weren't sure if she'd be willing to get her paws wet.  However, much to our surprise (and hers!), she can swim.... with a little coaxing!

Excuse the humongous pregnant woman in the video.

These are just some other pictures from today:

Co-Ed Baby Shower

Peggy & Paul hosted a small co-ed baby shower/luncheon for us on Saturday for our Maryland friends.  It was beautiful and it was such a nice day for Anthony and me.  Bella certainly has everything she needs whenever she decides to make her appearance!  We are lucky to have such generous friends & family to help us transition to "family life".  

Big thank you to Peggy & Paul for everything they did to plan & coordinate.  The food was AMAZING (as usual) and everything looked perfect too...  

The cake that Peggy & Maggie made.... it tasted as good as it looks!

Bella Rocchio M&M's

The favors: Miniature Roses.... They looked so cute :)

My previous boss (Honora), Kinsey (Anna's baby), and Isabella (Honora's daughter in the plaid dress)

 Our friend, Jess, and week-old Ava and Allie

 Dar & Ava

 Brionna, Isabella, & Jack

 Brionna & Cara (the other Deaf/HH teacher I work with)

 Parents-to-be

 

Maggie (Peggy's mom) made an adorable sweater for Bella as well as a bib & hooded towel... 

Soooo excited for her to use them!

Less than a month to go until her due date!  We are so excited to meet her....

And now...

...we have a mattress!  One step closer to "ready".

Bella's Room

It's not quite done yet.... There will at some point be a mattress and a changing pad on the dresser and some other things I'm still playing around with....  but this is where we are so far.  Anthony helped me hang up the mirror and pictures today and humored me by moving things "an inch this way" or "an inch that way" until it was "just right".  :)

"Baby Bella" banner courtesy of Lauren Miller. :)

Pittsburgh Baby Shower

Last weekend, Anthony's mom threw a beautiful baby shower for me.  It was so nice to see so many of my family & friends all in one place.  I am so grateful for all the generous gifts for Baby Bella!  I can't wait to put them to good use!  Thank you to Amy for organizing, hosting, and planning every detail of the shower!  I can't believe how much work she put into it!  Thank you to Lauren for her sharing her talents in helping with the favors, invitations, decorations, and thank you's!  Thank you to Renee for her decorating and cooking help.  Thank you to Anthony for coordinating the food efforts - it was a delicious meal with plenty left over!  Thank you to everyone who came early to set up or stay late to help clean up!  Thank you to Annie, Kecia, Katie, & Nicki for helping with prizes & gift organizing!  And thank you, Peggy & Paul for helping to bring half of Bella's gifts home because it would have never fit in our car! 

The Cake - yellow with a chocolate layer in the middle.... it was soooo good.

 The table decorations - It looked beautiful!  They did an awesome job!

 "Awaiting Baby Bella" - Big Thank You to Lauren Miller who contributed the banner, invitations, and favors (and Thank You Cards!)

 Mommy & Daddy "To-Be"

 My mom & me

 My Mom, Brandi, and me

My friends from IUP all made it into town!

From left to right:  Me, Nicki, Katie, Andrea, & Kecia

Many, many, many thanks to everyone who helped out with the shower!  It was such a nice day!!