37 weeks

Yay!  A less blurry picture! 

I reached 37 weeks on my 30th birthday, yesterday.  Kind of a big milestone.  Now I can officially deliver in the birth center with no problems as long as everything is normal (before that she'd have been a 'preterm' baby and we'd have to go to a hospital).

It's not something I was worried about - but it's still a nice date to reach.  Technically she's term now and can come any time.  Owen was right on the money - I went into labor the day after my due date - so I'm expecting she'll be close to that as well.

There's a nice simplicity in having another 1st baby.  Dec 1 matches quite well with Feb 1 - I think.  Less than 3 weeks to go!

35 weeks

I am so bad at getting these done now.  And bad at getting non-blurry pictures.  And bad at posting them.  Wow.  

On the positive side - I'm doing something.  Which will be really nice in a year or two when the memories of this amazing, precious time start to really fade.  When I'm looking at my 21 month old daughter thinking, "how were you ever inside of me?" and "how did you get so big?"  Probably right before I think, "Where did my sweet baby go?" and "I can't believe you just made that much of a mess."

I've been looking back at my pictures from Owen - same crummy photos - different background - and just in awe that he was ever in that giant belly.  (Which, incidentally, I think WAS actually bigger than it is this time, if that's possible.)  I wish I could jump back and re-experience some of that time again.  Not that I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE him being here.  

It's just such an incredible time.  

32 Weeks

30 Weeks

Ok - so I admit that these are really, really late in getting posted.  I've had them on my computer for a loooong time waiting to be edited.  But they are legit - and better late than never! 

28 Weeks

Sugar and Spice

Today, Jon and I had another amazing opportunity to get a sneak peak at our next baby.

It's a girl!!!

She is delicate and tiny and beautiful.

We didn't get too many photos BUT we did get a video...what a treat to be able to watch her kick and stretch again and again.

I have to admit - the idea of raising a little girl used to scared me.  But I am 100%, totally, completely confident that SHE was planned to join this little family since before time began.  And that is thrilling to me.

I'm glad we have these next few months to settle in, she and I.  Months of morse code taps and rolls.  Months to dream and pray and invest in her future and into her sweet, gentle spirit.

Ice and Snow

Lately I've been taking long walks on the canal.  I can't begin to describe how beautiful it is in the winter months.  The trees are bare and offer a stunning view of the partially frozen river.  The air is still and, except for a few brave runners and bikers, the path is just as quiet.  I love walking down there, thinking, praying, contemplating both little and big things.  It's refreshing in many ways.

This year its been cold enough that the canal has been frozen solid for a few weeks.  Jon and I went for a walk yesterday and saw this - kids and adults playing shinny, or pond hockey.  (Shinny is some Canadian word for it - according to Jon!)  There were a ton of people - more than it looks like in the picture.  The ice was really hard - it looked much better than even the rink ice around here.  What a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  

It's also the time of year when Zoe catches up on her heater worship.  She'll sit staring at the glowing space heater for hours.   Cute little fat fluff-ball.

I love pears

Probably too much. Is this a pregnancy thing? I brought a pear to work today, thinking I would save it for an afternoon snack. But then I thought about it. Once it was in my brain, the idea of a juicy, delicious pear would not leave.

The poor thing couldn't even make it through a photo shoot.

Almost Fall!!!!

The weather has gotten much chillier the past two days. Today it was in the 60s and raining. It feels very fallish. This makes me really happy for a few reasons:

1) fall is my favorite season. It means beautiful weather, spectacular colors, warm clothes, cuddling (with Jon - *wink*), warm drinks, soup, the start of the holiday season (not that I have a particular affinity for the actual holidays - just the general season), and family.

2) it always reminds me of 'back-to-school'. You know, the new pencils, new teacher, fresh paper smell of the back to school time. It automatically causes me to want to start something fresh. Hmmm...combined with nesting I wonder what THAT will bring?

3) this year it means that the baby is that much closer to being here. I'm not rushing you little guy - I'm just enjoying being excited about you.

Here are some sneak preview pictures of what the fall will bring around here. I'm cheating a little because they're from a few years ago - but I just can't wait!

The river from walking on the canal.

What the driveway will look like. A perfect carpet of brightly colored leaves. BEAUTIFUL!

In other funny news - and totally changing the subject - this is what I did this week to illustrate the dangers of having a smooshy brain.

Our dear friend Marcia (remember - just had adorable baby Evan) had one major food aversion while she was pregnant.

Chicken.

I mean - she couldn't stand to be in the same place where chicken had been. It was really, really bad.

The lovely Marcia.

After Evan was born I decided to make her and Mark a meal that they could heat up in a crockpot when they needed. So I got everything ready and sent it over with Jon one evening. I made them...

Chicken Stew.

I didn't realize until just yesterday (three days later) and was horrified...absolutely horrified. Marica was so gracious though and said that she ate it anyway. She is wonderful.