baby, baby baby oh baby

Well, we certainly had a whirlwind week! Most of it was spent making sure everything was ready for the baby shower and working. You were kicking up a storm earlier in the week, but it seems you have tired of the poke, poke you kick game... I keep trying, but you don't seem interested.  We've been playing music for you, which makes you swimmy!  Friday, Daddy and I went to school and picked up a bunch of plants to give out to our friends and family to thank them for coming.  We also walked around Philadelphia putting up posters for the beer store.

Not looking my best, but Batman doesn't seem to mind

 Before we knew it Grandma Iline  and Aunts Dani and Aimee had arrived and we were off to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. Chef Robert made us a delicious Pastrami burger, but you and I had already filled up on amazing pork belly and octopus fried rice! Apparently, all the foods we are introducing you to will help you be a good adventurous eater.

Saturday, Daddy and I were getting the final preparations for the party; he stayed up late to get the pork smoked just right, we orbdered buffalo wings and all the items Jodie and I bought were brought up to be placed out. But... we were so ready... we had lots of time left over! So, Grandma and your two Aunts and I had some time to sit and relax, we made signs for the soda and beer and soon, people starting arriving.

Baby, you are such a lucky kid... we have the BEST group of people who are so excited to meet and play with you.  Everyone commented on my pretty dress that Aunt Dani gave me (so comfy!) and how good I looked and what an awesome kid you are going to be.  Your daddy and I are so proud to have such good friends who love and support us. Oh, and we got so many amazing gifts! You are going to be the most stylin' kid!

Soon, Jodie and Erica and I will start painting your room... it'll probably take two days, but it will be really great.  I already have it planned out; big blue sky with puffy clouds and a big tree and a pond with lots of animals. Makes me want to paint something fun for Daddy and I to sleep with too!

It's mom's birthday!

Hey baby!

Just wanted to share that it's my birthday today and my greatest gift ever is you and Daddy. I hope you enjoyed the massage this morning and our new "tap tap, kick" game that we are playing.

It was a really busy week, but one of the highlights was getting to play with these guys

Baby chicks!

 aren't they adorable?  you will get to meet some chicks someday too, baby.  I also planted lots of potatoes at my friends farm and had a lot of meetings.  I'm getting pretty busy and so these posts are hard to get to sometimes, but I'm making the time now for it.

It is so beautiful outside, I wish you could see it.

our Magnolia tree

This is the first year I haven't been sick on my birthday in quite a while, so I'm quite happy about that. I hope you enjoy dinner tonight, and I'll talk to you soon.

20 Weeks!!!

It's a milestone baby!!! We are halfway there :)

You are the size of a cantaloupe!

Everything is as it should be according to the doctor, although you were pretty stubborn; curling up and turning your back on the ultrasound technician while she was trying to measure you, tsk, tsk.

That top right picture looks like you are planning something...

Anyway, the rest of this week's post is going to be pretty pictures I took during a trip to Morris Arboretum. I was playing with some filters on my digital camera, and I think they came out rather interesting. 

                

                  Cornus officinalis Japanese cornelian cherry

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood

Crocuses

Mermaid with Scarf and Mittens

 

I can't wait to take you there!

And now for the weather...

You are the size of a Mango!

A-lo-ha!

How fortuitous, because this just happens to be the week of the Philadelphia International Flower Show and the theme is Hawaii! See? Already, you are right there with the trends!



I am feeling you kick! Or rather poking at me! Especially when we play music or Daddy taps a rhythm on my stomach.  It mostly just feels like "poke, poke" but it's still reassuring, and now I can tell the difference between gas and a kick. We have another ultrasound in a week, and we cannot wait to see how much you've grown. I definitely have a "bump", but since I am still wearing jeans and sweatshirts, it's not too obvious to the general public.  Which is nice, because I am NOT looking forward to perfect strangers offering me unsolicited advice and touching me without permission!

Seriously...

Also, as you may or may not know, we bought a new (to us!) car-- a 2004 Honda Element! Perfect for hauling babies, plants, beer supplies and animals around. We are counting down to Baby Shower here with our adopted family and then the trip home, I know I will need the refresher before the Markets start up at the beginning of May... so excited about that!  I have worked out a leave of absence from work and hopefully afterwards, Daddy and I will be able to take turns taking care of you while also taking care of the brew store, the markets and all our other responsibilities! We are also still thinking up names... we've FINALLY made a list and will be whittling it down (ooh, whittling! Can't wait to teach you how to whittle, squee!)

Anyway, just a quick(ish) update on all that is happening.  I know I haven't been updating, but there isn't as much to tell the Internet world as there was in the beginning... things are just moving along at a nice, steady pace... which does not make for interesting blogging!