Gaming Party

We had a wonderful unofficial house-warming party this three-day Memorial weekend. Friends and family came over or stopped by Friday through Monday. It was a blast! We played each other's games for a Tournament: Acceptable Losses, Clue, Dance Dance Revolution, Fable, Halo 2, Mario Kart, Poker, Street Fighter. And other games we played just for fun, like Paul's new "Blank Cards" game, Balderdash, AD&D, and Wii boxing. I'm sad I didn't take any pictures of people playing games though.

Paul and I collapsed Monday evening, totally satisfied that we'd do it again (perhaps just for Saturday to Sunday morning next time). Now all our energy will be devoted to preparing for the baby. I'm so excited to get the baby's room set up and decorated. I'll post pictures as things get done.

One Step Closer to Ready

Paul's mother threw us an amazing family shower yesterday! She went all out with our jungle/safari theme -- decorated with stuffed animals and monkey lights, put animal crackers on the cake, set up a table with safari animal stamps so people could make us scrapbook pages... it was awesome! Once again people generously gave us so many great things. I feel so much more prepared and there are only a few things left on our "to get" list. It was nice to just relax and hang out with family too.

Here's a picture of Paul's grandmother Gladys, me, Paul's mom Linda, my mom Carol.
Paul's grandmother Gladys made us a beautiful quilt! I can't wait to hang it in the baby's room.

Deliciously Spoiled

OK, now I know I am the luckiest girl. Paul wrote to the Wisconsin Cheeseman chocolate company saying that our chocolate was all melted. Today a new shipment came with more chocolate!! Aren't they cute: shaped like little apples and domes with swirls. And, honestly, they taste much better not melted.

In other news, the baby had the hiccups for the first time this week. Very strange sensation to feel a little regular ticking in my belly.

Melty Goodness

I have the best husband! He ordered chocolates for me for Mother's Day! He's so sweet and takes such good care of me! Sadly, the chocolates were shipped during the two hottest days we've had lately, so they were completely melted by the time they arrived (as you can see). But... that didn't stop us from digging in with spoons. The caramel apple chocolates had caramel running everywhere while the cherry cordials reminded me of hardening lava. So tasty!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there (including our own), to all you soon-to-be mothers (woohoo!), and all you mother-types!

30 weeks!

Wow, we made it to 30 weeks. Nice big number, only a few more weeks to go. Here's a picture of me from last night. I was probably the smallest belly in our childbirth class even though we fell in the range of due dates. Most of the other women had nice round basketballs. But I'm happy and not uncomfortable.

Hah Hee Hah Hee

We had our first childbirth preparation class last night. It was great. 13 couples all in their last trimester, sitting together. Paul and I learned so much, especially breathing (hah-inhale, hee-exhale) and relaxation techniques. It was good that the instructor made us get up and practice them, better than just reading out of a book. I have the Lamaze book too (borrowed from sis-in-law) which is great and will go in more depth than this class I think. I'll be 30 weeks pregnant tomorrow, it's hard to believe the little bit of time left!

Our baby boy is still very active. It cracked me up the other day: my stomach was making some loud noises and at the same time he was squirming around. I felt like I had a little noisy monster inside me growling to get out!

Good quote

I found this quote today and thought I'd post it.

"Faith is like spiritual oxygen. As we allow faith to freely flow within us, it awakens and enlivens our spiritual senses. It breathes life into our very souls. As faith flows, we become sensitively attuned to the whisperings of the Spirit. Our minds are enlightened, our spiritual pulse quickens, our hearts are touched. Faith fuels hope. Our perspective changes; our vision becomes clearer. We begin to look for the best, not the worst, in life and in others. We gain a deeper sense of life's purpose and meaning. Despair gives way to joy."
-David S. Baxter