Downpour

The last few days have been totally cool. Yesterday, Michael and I went to Babies R Us and ordered the crib and dresser for Jensen's nursery, paid for in part by a gift card sent from Amykat. In that respect, it was fun to feel like a girlfriend was kind of in on the deal.

We're still thinking about a glider, but it feels really good to have the major components on the way. The crib is a lifetime crib, meaning that it will later convert into a toddler bed and finally change again into a regular full sized bed when he needs it.

Then, today was great! Michael got together with some of our co-workers from school and threw me a surprise baby shower! I was completely shocked! Our friends were amazingly generous, and we got a ton of stuff for the baby. Gifts included a bottle warmer, a bath set, an entire set of sports-themed crib bedding and a scrapbook. They also had someone (it wasn't signed, and no one fessed up at the party) paint a congratulations poster with an adorable picture of a baby. It's so cute we're actually going to have it framed and put it in the nursery. (When I can get it, I'll post a photo for all to see!)

This was added to the wonderful and beautiful box of goodies that Conner sent not long ago. Not only did she send a ton of clothes, but also a really helpful list of other things that I'll need to have to help when the baby comes home.

It's so sweet that so many people have taken an interest in our building a family. The further along I get, the more I really feel like I am surrounded by a huge circle of love and comfort. Even though I'm nervous, under it all, I know everything is going to be fine.

Nyam, nyam, nyam

Today was actually kind of an easy day. Yay!

My kids watched Freedom Writers, so there wasn't a lot of work there.

After school, Michael and I took off right away so we could run some errands. We took his suit to the cleaners and got his haircut. He's being honored tomorrow night at the New York Sports and Athletic Club for his work with Beat the Streets wrestling club.

Then, we went to dinner at Thai Angel in Astoria. I am at "that point" in the pregnancy where I am all about the food! I've been keeping cards for all of the cool restaurants we eat at and am putting them in my pregnancy scrapbook. For those of you who haven't sounded it out yet, "nyam" is like the cute sound you make for babies when you want them to eat. (Also used a lot on cuteoverload.com )

Hope everyone is enjoying food as much as I have been!

Oh, and Cat-so happy to see a comment from you! Glad you are back in the States and I am also looking forward to seeing you whenever you're able to stop by the City!

Countdown

I am so ready for school to end. There are only about 14 days left, and it is going soooo slow! Tomorrow is a "professional development day," so there are no kids coming, but the administration is planning to "professionally develop" us using all day workshops. Blah.

Besides that, I am working on grades, as they are due tomorrow, and trying to get some things done around the house in between grading sessions.

This morning I got dressed and was ready to leave the house, only to find out that my shoes shrunk! I wore flip-flops today and will have to set out soon to find out how many of my pairs of shoes still fit me. Hopefully some of this experience is just swelling and will decrease after I have the baby and lose the weight.

Okay, time to go. I'm going to try making homemade meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight.

Nesting

I spent a looong time at Babies R Us recently. I had gone there a few times in the last couple of months, but apparently was a bit anxious about having the baby and was unable to actually purchase anything, therefore leaving empty-handed, even after shopping for quite a while and sometimes even putting things in my basket. This week, however, was different.



I had some really fantastic talks with my Getaway Girls, who have been so wonderful and supportive, and most of my anxiety has more or less dissipated.



During my shopping, I figured that since Father's Day is coming up, Michael should have his own care kit for the baby. I selected a somewhat manly diaper bag (as manly as it can probably get) and some basics-a few bottles, 2 outfits that will be appropriate in Oct or Nov, some pacifiers, diapers, a box of travel wipes, and a rattle. Michael was thinking he was going to get a bottle of Polo for Father's Day. Wow! Won't he be surprised!



We did decide on a sports theme for the nursery, but that didn't stop me from getting a couple of cute stuffed animals and a big, plush blanky to spread out on the floor for him play on.



Today, I took Michael back to the store with me, and I think (we have to measure the room carefully first) we have decided on a furniture set. Right now, we have a full size mattress on a frame and a bookshelf in there. However, Celine is only with us on the weekends, so the mattress isn't necessary most nights. First, to give us space, the full size mattress has to be moved to Michael's Dad's house, where we can store it under the bed Celine has over there. We have decided to get a sleeper chair (like a sleeper sofa, only the bed that folds out is a twin) and the baby will get a crib that "grows" into a bed with rails, and finally, a regular full-sized bed. We'll also get a dresser that has a top that can double as a changing table. So, the decisions have to be solidified, but I think we're very close to beginning to build the nursery.