Happy Fathers Day! Things are good here, just waiting waiting waiting for the proverbial bun to finish baking. This weekend involved steamcleaning the carpets, tidying up the house, and a run to Target for the few more things we needed (namely crib bedding and a sun hat). Pics of those are coming soon, so stay tuned. But for now, let’s get ready for Ali with some pictures of Ashley and I as kids:

And here are a couple quick mash-ups I did for a bit of fun (using Morpheus Photo Mixer):

Alright, this post is a little belated. Chalk that up to travelling this late in the game and my finishing the term yesterday. Sunday I came home and put my feet up for probably four or five hours. Seriously, they were that bad. They looked like balloons and I could no longer flex them. I’m sure a consequence of long car rides and fast food three times in as many days. Monday we went to the doc early. He did his thing and I spent the rest of the day more or less recovering. Maybe I am such a weenie? I don’t know but I’m not a fan of the effects of his sticking his whole hand up there. Apparently some progression, he can fit a fingertip in now, whereas last week he couldn’t even tell if she was head down. I’ve also been plowing my way through the second season of Grey’s Anatomy, a great incentive to spend a day "resting."

So, Friday we drove done to my parents’ in the morning. Friday afternoon and evening we mostly just hung around the house playing Jordan’s new Wii (I was sore until Tuesday!) and observing all the comings and goings and drama that seems to be the norm there. It always makes us appreciate the quiet that our house is! We also made a quick run to the mall because I wanted something to wear for the baby shower the next morning.

This is Reshma, my cousin. She was the amazing hostess (thanks again Resh!). The next picture is my mom with my great Aunt Karen (my dad’s aunt), who so graciously allowed us all into her beautiful home. The third is the dress I found at Motherhood.

Some of the lovely people in attendence (always from left to right): My aunt Yvonne and aunt Pat (married to my mom’s brothers); Two of my chiquitas, Cassandra and Cynthia; My cousin Ben’s adorable daughter Esther (and Ali’s second cousin) and my cousin Hannah; my cousins Reshma and Heather (to be continued)…

…my cousin Ben’s wife (and Essie’s mother) Katy–possibly our best blog reader, Kari, my cousin Tyler’s wife, my Nana and Ali’s namesake (Shirley); Trista, dutifully taking notes, and my mom; my grandma, Uncle Bill (he and Tony stuck it out together!), his daughter-in-law Anna, and Anna’s girls, Emilie and Gracie.

Some people must have been a little camera shy. Ahem, Alyssa. Also my aunts, Nadine and Pam. Well, there is one picture of them but they’re playing a game and something looks kind of wrong…I think my Aunt Pam was concentrating too hard. Probably why the two of them smoked everyone else! We got so many cute things, useful things, priceless and thoughtful things I can’t begin to show it all but here are some highlights (or just cute pictures):

Cassie made this blanket and, if you can see in some of the white squares, it says "ALI." My family got us this carrier, which my siblings (my being first born, lesser so) apparently lived in.

This was a high chair I really wanted and am so excited to have! Thanks Aunt Pat, Aunt Yvonne, and Grandma. Below, I’m not sure what was just opened but we look cute.

The whole experience was overwhelming! It was weird to be the center of attention like that. I feel so blessed and grateful to have such wonderful people in my life, our life, and Ali’s life. The last picture is of Kari and I. She is about six weeks behind me, carrying Abigail (Abi) Elizabeth Lewis. For anyone counting, this Friday marks two weeks until my due date!

…its mii! so we finally got to play jordan’s wii and this thing is top notch. i won’t be able to tell you anything you dont already know other than the fact that we’re fetching one. once we and the baby are fed and clothed, of course. in related news, i just wiimoted this whole post and my wrist is about to fall off.

So Tony left work early and I cancelled a standing Thursday appointment to go to the doctor this afternoon. And found out our appointment had been rescheduled to Tuesday…the one that was two days earlier…without our everhaving been notified. Ugh. Now we get to go very early Monday morning. At least we got to a nice, early showing of our movie. Which was hilarious (if not mildly uncomfortable, for me).

We walked around the mall a bit. I’m sick of all my clothes and was looking to perhaps find something cute and cheap to wear to the baby shower on Saturday but, no such luck. I might look again tomorrow in Oregon…no sales tax!

These are rather atrocious but it’s been awhile since somebelly pics were posted (or even taken) and I’m huge, low, and ready to go! The second one is up only because Tony likes it and I love him so:

We have our 37 weeks doctor appointment this afternoon. It’s amazing how much more interesting they’ve become, just knowing there’s going to be something to "see," maybe even progress to report! It’s been rainy here since Sunday night, which has given mea chance to catch up on housework and watch almost the whole first season of Grey’s Anatomy. I really didn’t want to like that show, but it can’t be helped. Not so much didn’t want to like it….more like didn’t want to get hooked on it! I’ll have to get the second season from Billie this weekend. I’m also finished up the loose ends forthis quarter. Im down to: one quiz to take, one discussion board to particiapte in three times, one assignment, one reflection, and one "presentation" that was recently downgraded to "a couple sentences, standing up not required." Good times.

This afternoon Tony and I are hoping to see what will probably be our last movie for quite awhile. We’re planning to see Knocked Up, fittingly. It’s supposed to be great and had a huge opening weekend. I may regret the decision to sit for so long but the popcorn will be worth itand, like I said, when will we get this chance again?

   I don’t know how it’s been so long since I wrote to you. Some days the time seems to just crawl but, ultimately, it flies by. You’re due to come out into the world so soon now – in just 24 days! You and I have grown so big, it seems we spend more time competing for space than happily co-existing. I still wonder what you do all day in there, bopping around and causing trouble. As long as you don’t spend too much time up in my ribs and stay away from my cervix(!), I always get a kick (no pun intended) out of all your bustin’ around.

   I hope you’re going to come early. Everyone is so excited to see you! I have dreams that you’re here all the time. I’ve also been plagued with Braxton Hicks lately and each night that it’s especially bad your daddy swears you’ve dropped a little further. The doctor said last week you’re way up there, head down but not ready at all. Maybe this week will be different, maybe all this hot weather we’ve benn having has got you looking to come out and join the party!

   I can’t wait for you and daddy to meet each other without my belly as a barrier between you. He’s so excited to do everything with you. Primarily, catch you, flip you, and give you a bath (tha’ts become his mantra)! He’s working so hard to make sure we’re going to have everything we need and trying to finagle as much time home as possible.

   Right now I’m in class, my second to last one before you come. Once again I’m waiting for everyone to finish taking a test. Why are they all so slow? I’m sure you’ll be just as smart as your dad and I…and equally intolerable of waiting on those who aren’t! Well, about five minutes until we’re supposed to re-adjourn. Which means I better hit the bathroom  

           Love,

             Mommy

Last week’s gorgeousness has been replaced by gray and overcast drizzle. It’s cooled down a bit but remains pretty muggy. Yuck. The only plus is that outside isn’t calling me today in the least. Which is good because I need to start and finish a term paper by tomorrow afternoon. Probably the reason I’m dawdling around here, here, here, here, here, and everywhere else. Please excuse that blatant linkage.

Last night/this morning I was randomly awake from three to six, then slept ’til quarter past ten. I guess I’m getting into some weird baby schedule? Maybe. The night before I had crazy-making Braxton Hicks for hours. They always seem to come when I’m asleep…or trying to be. They make me moan and groan and whine in my sleep and I feel sorry for Tony.

I can’t really think of anything to write about. Probably I’m distracted by the music playing, tv blaring, homework nagging, etc. No wonder I’m not getting anything done! I’ve been trying to update more lately (more = at least three or so times a week) but I’m notsure I’m doing a very good job. I also struggle to come up with much that’s pregnancy-centered. I dunno, Ali’s growing, I feel like a house, she gets the hiccups a lot, she seems to be dropping more every day, and I have twenty-five days until my due date!

Lastly, please check out the poll I’ve added to the right sidebar.

So, in my last post I apparantly thought there were only 30 days in May. *rolls eyes* So, happy June today. It’s been so nice out since Monday. I’m a little warm but loving it. Getting a lot of sun and really tired. I think one has an effect on the other. Went to the doctor yesterday, the first of our weekly appointments. Ali is head down, as verified by an ultrasound, but still way up there. Little girl plans to hang out, which doesn’t surprise me much. By the way, have you guessed in our baby pool yet? Check out the side of the page the link to ExpectNet! and guess before the pool is closed on the 15th of this month. 

I have a little less than two weeks of school and that makes me so happy. Even better that I’m down to one paper, three assignments, two reflection papers, three chapters to read, two quizzes and one presentation. Hmmm, that sounds like a bit more than I was thinking listed out like that. Oh well, it’ll get done and soon be over. I’m working on a 4.0 this term and I think I’ve pretty much got it (or very close) in the bag.

Beyond school and hanging by the pool, Tony and I busted out his old NES. At the moment I’m stuck on Tetris. It’s good because I can play in a very reclined position, in our bedroom (which stays cool) and get some relief from all the pressure going on down there. Which was definitely worsened by my first internal exam yesterday. Today I feel much better.

Memorial Day 2007

Tomorrow is the first day of June. Today is my mom’s 45th birthday (Happy Birthday Mom). And the last two days we’ve had eighty degree weather!  Here’s a handful of pictures, just because:

This is where we’ve been spending a lot of time.

Bird Feeder #1

Bird Feeder #2

The flower bed that has some action (one doesn’t).

The fountain Tony’s been creating from terracotta pots.

Drawer liner #3 (sorry for the bad quality, there were some lighting issues).

Drawer liner #4.

Last night I started putting together my "drawer liners." I couldn’t find any I really liked and I’ve been wanting to collage something for the room, so I decided to cut posterboard the size of the drawers, collage upongst it, and then fit it in like so. So far I’ve finished two of four. The first is a more babyish one, the second I told Tony we’d call the "daddy drawer." I know, the pictures are huge and still hard to make out, I apologize:

Today we (well, Tony) moved our bedroom around to make room for the baby stuff. It looked so cute, but I thought to myself how much we needed something on the wall. Even if we aren’t having a real nursery right now, in this house, we could still put something up to mark her little space. As I was sitting down, working on the second drawer liner this afternoon the mail comes with a package from Auntie Karlin. Words cannot describe how surprised/delighted/joyous we were. It’s contents were so perfect, so cute, so special and so timely. Here is Karlin’s little masterpiece that absolutely made my day:

And our still-in-progress "nursery:"

We then started sorting through our stuff, taking our the littlest clothes to wash, blankets to fold and the like in hopes some general organization might soon ensue. Then Shpang, Tony’s friend, came over and now we’re having a little BBQ from which I’ve snuck away to do this post. Lastly, this is a struggly shot but tomorrow marks thirty-six weeks!