Crazy Nesting Instinct

Tonight, as Caitlin was browsing random stuff for the house online, I asked her to name 20 house improvement projects she wanted us to do.

She was able to rattle off 14 without taking a breath. The remaining six took her a few more moments. Pregnancy is crazy.

(Oh, and #20 on the list was to make a detailed list of more house improvement projects.)

Random Tuesday Vacation

I'm sitting at home now with my french press coffee and my dog laying at my feet. Enjoying the peace and quiet and glad I'm not sitting on 95 this morning. Ian and I are taking the day to get things done (pick out our favorite daycare, visit the pediatrician, going to my 31 week appt and let in the contractors who are finishing our floors!). You know how relieved I'll be when I can cross these things off my list! Speaking of lists... no one ever mentioned pregnancy turns you into a list maniac. I even have a list of lists..... but I digress. We also have Bradley class tonight (to learn more about Bradley go here: http://www.bradleybirth.com/), which is always a welcome break to the week. Just thinking about the birth and our sweet baby for two hours each week always makes me take a step back and relax.

I've been doing a lot of baby/parenting related reading lately. For all you moms to be out there who also have a canine baby, check out this book (well not from the library, I already have that copy) I am finding this book very helpful! http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/

Enjoy the day, I'm off to work on my lists!

Baby Jedi

I may have found the best baby T-shirt ever:

(It's available here.)

Quote of the Night

Tom, Cyndi, Caitlin and I went to the Nationals-Mets game last night in the new ballpark. The seats were even better than in the old park. Before the game there was a buffet--not free like the old one at RFK, but there was a certain amount of money included on each Diamond Club ticket that could be used towards food and drink at the ballpark. So as we approached the buffet:

Server: "Are you guys having the buffet?"

Then she stops and looks at Caitlin's baby belly.

Server: "Oh, YOU'RE having the buffet!"

Crabby and Large

I am in a terrible mood today, sorry to anyone that crossed paths with me after about 4:00 today. Ian was a good sport and after we went to meet yet another daycare provider, he traipsed with me to the mall. Yes, Ian at the MALL. Well in the last week I have magically grown out of all my nice cute size medium maternity clothes, as today my shirt kept riding up and exposing my belly, AND the buttons on my maternity pants popped off (I'm not joking they're safety pinned!). So, Ian ran around the Motherhood store grabbing me size larges in short sleeve shirts (did I mention how hot you get in the 3rd trimester) and I frantically tried stuff on. I now have two new pairs of pants and 4 short sleeve shirts. I don't care that the shirts are probably too casual for work. They are cotton and comfy and they fit.

Okay, now that I've complained I'll give you a cute photo to end the post with. This was from when Annabelle was just a baby puppy! This photo always makes me smile.

Well yesterday the dr said I had a "very active baby". I guess all her activity makes me a "very sleepy mommy" b/c that's all I want to do :) If you want to look at some adorable baby photos go here:
http://bludomain24.com/~little/#

This photographer is taking pics of baby Allison when she's a newborn. I can't wait to see her.

Pregnancy Induced Idiocy

Until recently I've laughed to myself when someone made a comment about "pregnancy brain". I thought there was no way I'd become that forgetful! Never say never! Today after a regular prenatal dr's appt (that was more than an hour late) I came home to get my work stuff, let the dog out and head up to work. Well apparently I let the dog out, packed my work stuff and left.... without letting the dog back in! What a terrible mother I am! Not to mention, my neighbors may have had to listen to 5 hours of barking. Sorry Annabelle. After talking to Ian I realized I do have full blown pregnancy brain. I make two separate to do lists, in addition to post it notes on everything at work so I don't forget anything. I often pack my lunch (yay for saving $$) and then promptly leave it on the kitchen counter and leave for work. Ian says, hey remember that _____ we saw last week/did last week/etc. No.. I don't remember!

So if I've been forgetful around you lately, sorry :) My brain will return one of these days.

Apparently Thomas Jefferson was of some importance

My parents visited us this weekend. Today, we went on a whirlwind day trip to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) and Charlottesville.


Here's Monticello. It's amazing how differently large houses were constructed before modern amenities--most of the service rooms (kitchen, charcoal heater, etc.) were built under the main levels, to allow the servants and slaves to be out of sight. Some of the intricate dumbwaiters and pulley systems used to "effortlessly" prepare meals were quite ingenious.





They plant 8,000 tulips on the Monticello grounds each spring. Only half that number had bloomed when we visited--hard to believe, as the grounds seemed to already be covered with them!
















After Monticello, we visited Caitlin's alma mater in the afternoon--the University of Virginia. We took a tour of the Rotunda (pictured) and the Lawn, which is the central and oldest part of the campus. After that we grabbed some frozen yogurt at Arch's and briefly walked around Charlotteville's downtown district (the Mall).

A good time was had by all!

Materialistic and Hungry

I think our baby needs (yes NEEDS) this shirt.

I was making our list of things to do in Charlottesville this weekend and 75% of them revolved around food, haha. That's what happens when the preg lady is in charge! For all my UVA friends... this is the Cville food I'm daydreaming of:

Arches, Bodos, Carmellos, Java Java, La Taza, Little Johns and the wine at Oakencroft. Mmmm!

Springtime!

Two weekends ago my mom came to visit. We made the trek downtown to see the cherry blossoms. It was extremely crowded, but neat to see regardless! I think every new parent must take their babies to the Cherry Blossom festival because I have never in my life seen a higher stroller to adult ratio in one place before. Maybe next year we'll be one of those couples with a stroller taking precious photos of their child in the blossoms.

It's finally starting to feel a bit like spring, and look like spring, and my pansies I planted last fall are going nuts! That's one thing I love about having a house, you can plant stuff! I'm looking forward to this summer when the shastas, roses and other perrinneals I planted last fall bloom.

The IL's are coming this weekend and we're going to Charlottesville! Wahoo :) After this weekend, and Passover weekend in NY we'll be done traveling, and stay put until baby S arrives. Exciting huh?

Rainy Days, Fun Packages

Allison, your great-grandma loves you! I came home in the rain today and there was a package of beautiful hand knits just for you. Here are some photos of a few of the things.





For those cold days!

Your first doll

3 to Go

Well, exactly three months from today is Allison's due date. Sometimes it seems so far away, like when I get in the elevator at the office after walking up three (yes only three) stairs and am completely out of breath. Other times it seems like 3 months is so soon! My mind races with the million and one things I want to do before our baby girl joins this world including finding her the perfect childcare, getting the house perfectly clean and ready and having read and thought about every childbirth, parenting, infant book I can get my hands on. Not to mention trying to figure out how we want to raise her (will I tell her Santa isn't real? will I only let her eat organic foods? how to you get your child to love learning? ).

I find it quite humorous when people ask me my due date and realize it's still 3 months away and just say "oh wow!". I interpret that as "you are huge, it looks like you're ready now!" That's okay though, I love my huge kicking belly. She has a good side kick already.