Holiday Weekend

A day off from work is always appreciated in the Jones house. Friday after work we took our cars to the local police station and they inspected our car seat bases and car seat. We had installed them pretty well ourselves (the very helpful police officer gave us a B+) but he just made it all a bit more snug. We feel better now.

Saturday we went grocery shopping and then went to the mall. I wanted some $1 Old Navy flip flops. By the time we got there around noon, there were only black and brown flip flops left (which is what I wanted anyway) and we had to wait in line 30 minutes to pay for them. Crazy! Then I came home and napped.

Sunday my parents and nieces came to visit for the day. We had pizza for lunch and Friendly's for dinner. My Dad helped Peter install our screen door and Mom cleaned our shower. I'm spoiled and I love it.

Monday we slept in, finally, and then we dropped off my car at the garage for inspection and stopped at Artsfest on our way home. We did a lot of walking, maybe 2 miles or so. Amazingly I didn't swell too badly but Peter and I did each get a little sunburn. Peter volunteered at the at shelter and I made hot dogs and beans for dinner - our own little picnic.

Yesterday Peter had another day off and I took a half day. I had a Dr. appointment and that went very well. Nothing exciting. Weight and blood pressure good. Baby's heart rate good. No signs of labor that I know of. We're just waiting!

I'm Not on Vacation

Just thought I'd clarify. I know someone who just got back from Florida, someone just about to leave for Florida, someone in the Dominican Republic and someone in Las Vegas. Yet I'm at home... working. It makes me sad.

However, if I must be home, at least it's been a good week. Saturday we took Nutmeg to the vet for ear mites. This is probably the 3rd time they've come back and we want them gone for good before the baby arrives. Fortunately Kenny doesn't get them as well, they can be very contagious. So now we're giving her ear drops twice a day. Not so easy.

We went into Harrisburg to have my driver's lisence renewed. Figured that would be easier to do before the baby arrives as well. Funny how our schedule is already dictated by this yet to be born baby. After that we went grocery shopping and then visited Greek Fest at our local Greek Orthodox church. We go every year and the food is amazing. We brought home dinner and dessert and enjoyed a very lazy evening.

Sunday we taught Sunday school and then ran a few errands. Peter's Dad visited on his way home from Baltimore. I made cookies and froze a bunch so I have some homemade cookies to eat after the baby is born. I've already got some meatloaf and chicken rice tortillas in the freezer for later and I'm adding a lasagna tonight. We will not starve after having a baby. I know our friends at church will take care of us too. Peter says they owe us because we've provided meals for 3 other families when they had children, haha. Karma points at a Brethren in Christ church?

I had another great Dr. appointment this morning. Nothing too exciting but everything still looks terrific. The midwife said "See you again next week unless you have that baby." and I just thought "Yeah, right.". This Friday I'll be full term (37 weeks) so it's safe for baby to come anytime. I think it'll definitely be June before she arrives though. Just my feeling.

One Month to Go!

We're hoping to meet our little Pumpkin in less than a month. It feels both very close and so far away at the same time. I started packing for the hospital this week and feel that we have most everything we need. I even got 3 free diapers in the mail today! We picked up our stroller and car seat last week and Peter put them together. We still need to install the car seat bases in our cars but then we're set to go.

This past Saturday we went to Philly with friends. For her birthday, one of our small group friends wanted to visit a medical museum. It was the weirdest, grossest stuff I've ever seen. The best part was the gift shop (complete with syringe pens and gummy tape worms). We also saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. We had beautiful weather and overall a really good day. It may be a while before we fit in another day trip like that.

Monday I had a very good Dr. appointment. I met another of the 4 doctors and I'm only scheduled to meet one more. I bet the one I don't meet is the one on call when I deliver, haha. I'm sure they're all fantastic. Blood pressure, weight and baby's heart rate were all good. I'm going to weekly appointments now. The end is in sight!

As I'm sure you picked up from this post, I'm ready to have this baby. However, I'm still feeling terrific! Peter and I are just so excited to meet our little lady and learn what parenting is all about. So to balance the post a little I thought I'd list a few of my favorite things about being pregnant:

1) Without a doubt, THE best thing about pregnancy is baby movement. I love feeling hiccups and jabs and stretches. I love that I was able to feel movement so early and Peter could feel it from the very beginning too! I love seeing the movement from the outside - little volcano peaks when she pushes an elbow or heel out, seeing a hand or foot move quickly from one side of my belly to the other, jiggles, belly quakes, big butt lumps. It's all so amazing and awesome. I'm really going to miss it.

2) Maternity clothing. All of my clothes are very comfotable. I haven't buttoned a button or zipped a zipper in months! And best of all - I can get away with being more casual at work because it's very easy for me to say "This is all I had that was clean and fit me!".

3) Not cleaning the litter box. Peter is a saint. Not only has he taken over the litter box duty but he's always offering to do the dishes or the laundry or absolutely anything else I just don't feel like doing. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

4) Baby clothes! We have an entire nursery full of the cutest little clothes you will ever see. We are so richly blessed by friends and family and it is definitely one of the best things about being pregnant.

5) Naps. I get to take them whenever I want... guilt free!

So there you go. I do enjoy being pregnant very much. I'm just at the point where the idea of holding my little girl in my arms is much more appealing than having this belly.

The Nursery

Two posts in one day!

The nursery is pretty much done. We feel we have most everything we need. Bring on the baby! Above the crib we hung the quilt that came with the bedding set. Above the dresser/changing table we hung the crib bumper that my Mom doctored. Between the bumpers we plan to put the name decal we bought. No - begging won't do you any good. We aren't sharing the name till she's here, haha.

In other exciting news - according to my ticker (above) I have just 39 days to go! Of course that's if she's not late but I'm still going to be excited about it. I sat in the nursery today and read Pumpkin "Guess How Much I Love You". This little lady already holds the key to my heart.

A 3rd Baby Shower!

But this one was not for me. I got to watch this time! Yesterday Peter and I drove to Jersey for a shower for my friend (and former college roomie and bridesmaid) Linz. It was about a 2.5 hour haul but we didn't get lost this time (a first for the 3 times we've been to that general area). We even made it a few minutes early.

Peter hung out with the guys at the lake house while we partied it up at a local (and very elegant) restaurant. I would guess there were 15-20 ladies there and everyone seemed to have a really great time. The food was incredible - I had the crabcakes.

I think Linz had fun and she got some really adorable gifts. I was exhausted once we got home last night but it was a really great day. So excited for you Linz! Best wishes in these last few weeks.

A Birthday Party!

We are quite the party people lately. Peter turned 29 on Wednesday and I surprised him by inviting some friends over for cake. We had a really nice time and Peter was totally unsuspecting.

Last night we brought the pack-n-play and swing downstairs and found them a semi-permanent home. I'm starting to believe that eventually there will be a baby in this house to make use of all this stuff! I've currently got baby blankets in the dryer and bibs, bath towels, etc in the washer. We're getting ready, one step at a time.