She's gone

It's taken me several days before I could post something. It's so surreal still. My best friend, Allie, died in a private plane crash on Sunday, April 15. Her funeral services were Friday. She was an amazing and inspiring woman! Allie was about to graduate UC Davis Medical School as a doctor in emergency medicine (her lifelong dream!) and would have started her residency there this summer.

We met during my sophomore year at college (I was a year ahead of her), we were suitemates in the dorms. We went to Disneyland together when I graduated in 2000 and had so much fun together--two girls living it up!

She was the maid of honor at my wedding and was such a big help in planning it in the three months we had. She was gorgeous and smart and so generous. She was my own personal on-call doctor during my pregnancy and even before that. She was the best friend I could call any time. She gave me my cat Orion. This past week and a half has been one of the hardest of my life! Heavenly Father must really need the best angels right now to have called her home.

How does my garden grow?

Inch by inch and row by row. Dad and mom came over last Saturday to help with taxes and to start our garden. Yay! We now have strawberries and a few different kinds of tomatoes in the ground. Naturally, I watered the garden well yesterday afternoon (gorgeous weather!) and it rained this morning. Oh well. I'm so excited to have a garden started.

Quiet Passing

Grandma Rose passed away this morning. I am sad that she is gone (and will never meet our baby in this life), but it was a quiet ending. Mom was with her these last few weeks as the cancer spread quickly inside her. This morning, mom noticed that she simply stopped breathing. How peaceful!

Grandma was great at giving hugs and making people happy. She made yummy Pizelles (Italian anise waffle cookies) and I am glad I have the recipe so I can continue to make them in her honor! She always had a chocolate bundt cake and a bowl of candy on the counter when we came over. I also remember being very young and asking if she would make her chicken soup for me because I loved it so much. From her, I think I got the desire to crochet things without a pattern. She made lots of Barbie clothes and I am thankful that she made a baby afghan for us last Christmas. She will be missed, but her spirit lives on!

first baby shower

Last Saturday, some friends from my old church threw me a wonderful baby shower. I was overwhelmed: the table was overflowing with presents, *half* of the gifts were from people who couldn't make it to the shower but wanted to give me something. Lots of wonderful (blue!) outfits in a range of sizes. Even some great other stuff like plastic bowls/plates/utensils, washcloths, diapers, Diaper Genie!, baby monitor, carrier, bouncer... wow! Their generosity amazes me. The food was great too!

The Big Move

We're all moved into our new place! We had so many people helping us, we are so grateful!! We are bouncing off the walls with happiness at how big our new place is. Our furniture shrinks before our eyes. The boxes are mostly organized at this point. The two cats can't seem to stop stalking and exploring. Of course, the occassional new sound (or any excuse) sends them running across the house. They are entertained.

Here's a picture of part of our HUGE sunroom/game room. Can you find Paul peeking out? That's the couch and TV at the far end, Paul's pile of Construx boxes to the right. I'm standing (taking the pic) almost at the near end, with a few feet behind me.

A month later

Here's me and my belly at 22 1/2 weeks along. Big difference when you compare photos, it's fun. And I'm only going to get bigger... At least I have a nice set of maternity clothes now (which I am using almost exclusively) and a baby room to work on if I get anxious. I am very happy.

Seriously, to the ceiling

I just had to post this picture. We are packing like crazy today, yet, somehow, Orion finds a place to curl up. He's so cute!