Weekend Plans

After a particularly rough day, Dustin came home and stomped around the house for a few minutes. An ample amount of time passed before I asked him what his plans were for the night. His answer?
"Get drunk and type up hate emails."
In mock disgust, I reminded him that is was only Thursday and implied that MAYBE getting drunk and sending out hate mail might not be a good use of time.
Promptly and with confidence, he said, "I know that. Just wait to see what I got planned for tomorrow night."

Dustin's Truths

Last night, while making the belly cast that we received as a cool gift, I asked Dustin what he'd like the baby to refer to him as. I made suggestions like "Papa", "Dad", "Daddy", "Pop". It wasn't even a second while I paused to think of other options when Dustin said, "It can call me Captain".

Technically Full Term

Last Wednesday, July 1st, we were deemed full term. Anything after 37 weeks is good to go. The doctor claims that the babe is approximately 7 pounds and growing at just the right pace. It's head is LOW and it is in the right position for delivery (down and facing my tail bone) and I can attest to that personally. It has just been in the past 2 weeks that this shit is getting uncomfortable. I whine a lot and can't seem to sit still for longer than 5 minutes without some sort of pain, pressure, pinch, push either from me or the baby. Sleep is a distance memory as my waking thoughts are of this little person that we are soon to meet. It is difficult to wrap our minds around the fact that the birth is a huge, inevitable thing now and that we really have no idea of WHEN it is going to happen or HOW it is going to happen. Save your comforting words of "it'll be fine" and "you are prepared". We know, we know. But we are also first timers at this and pretty friggin' excited. C'mon, baby, enough already. Come out and meet us. I swear we are waaaaay cooler than people are saying.
(I'll update with pictures later... computer/camera match up is on the fritz).

The Drum Roll, Please!

I'm not sure what has been more of a miracle... creating a new life in under 10 months or creating the space for it to live in.
View of the entry way off of our living room

The changing table area

Upclose of mirror and stencil detail

Crib

Gliding chair

Table

Our welcoming family silos

A special thanks to every one who helped get this room started and finished. Dustin and I have been spending a bit of time in this room now that it is finished because it is so clean and peaceful. I have my morning coffee in the rocking chair and I often find Dustin just staring in the window from the door. We're a bit jealous of the baby, really. Lucky kid.

The Mother of All Baby Showers

Wow. When my sister-in-law, Megan, and oldest sister, Bekki, put their powers together... significant party times happen. They are one powerful super-aunt.


This is just the beginning of lovliness...


The two co-throwers...


Dustin started off the henna decorating portion of the party...


Nearly everyone joined in on decorating my baby bump...
Aunt Megan and us


Grandma Robbie


Ta-dah!


The food was so, so tasty! Indian/Moroccan fusion...


Pretty water...


Individual lemon cheesecake desserts that my mama made...


Loving it...


Aunt Bekki, Me/baby, Grandma Cynthia who thanked Dustin and I for doing this ALL for her!


A year ago, I would have laughed at the thought of having a baby shower at my house. It was a wreak and Dustin and I were still in contemplating-starting-a-family mode. Neither seemed doable just yet. But, as I am growing accustom to saying, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES. I was so honored to have this shower thrown for us and am every so appreciative to all of you who came together to celebrate our new family.

Great. Now I'm crying. Again.

I thank you. Dustin thanks you. Our belly fruit thanks you.

Pond Be Gone.

Last summer, things were different. Very, very, very different. I was scared of our yard. We were overwhelmed by it's treacherous pond and critters that had taken over. There were piles of river rock strewn about and shards of glass and old trash bits littered throughout the soil. It was dry and barren looking. I chose to ignore it while Dustin tilled it and flattened it in preparation for a day like the one we had in May.

Ol' Yard


Some might think that the quickest way to light a fire under some very tired asses is to rub to sticks together. Nay. Rather, have them offer to stage a baby shower at their home by the end of May and see what results you get then, eh?

Mature willow tree with new supporting plants


New front walk way that was once cement sidewalk



Current view of corner of landscaping



Current view of east side of house


Current view from back corner of house

Mug Shot

It's probably safe to assume that we all have the mug shot of Nick Nolte from a couple years back burned into our minds. Like, for eternity. If you aren't familiar with the image, 1)Where have you been? and 2)Oh! OH! PLEASE allow me the pleasure of being the first to introduce you to our dear Mr. Nolte on what appears to be the tail end of an extraordinarily fantastic night or the very beginning of a horribly bad one. Either way, his face is showing an all too familiar feeling.

P.S. Been there. Done that. Regrettably and with complete abandon.

Most mornings, it appears that Curtis is also part of the late night crowd. His fur, while typical for his breed, seems to have a mind of it's own. Like a mood ring, it tells us what to expect for the day. "Up and at 'em fur" means that we have to be prepared with lots of toy throwing and erractic energy. If the fur is flattened and docile, we are in for a treat! Maybe even a mid-morning nap... for Curtis and us. I should write to Nick Nolte and see what, exactly, his hair was trying to tell us. From my best guess, it was crying out for help. And a really deep conditioning.