Second Quarter of 2008

It is hard to believe that this year is half over! Where does the time go? The first portion of this quarter was met with some less than pleasant weather, since May hit there's been a little bit more cooperation when it comes to things like the sun. Still we never really had a "spring" we had winter, some mild winter, some heavy winter… and then some summer. I'll take the summer – winter you may leave and return late November, thank you.

My pregnancy has been progressing rapidly and the belly is ever expanding – one would think at some point it is physically impossible to get any bigger, but nature seems to have other plans in mind and my belly continues to expand. Less than 8 weeks to go and ACE should be here! The nursery is complete – pending the arrival of one final wall hanging. It is mostly stocked with all things necessary for Ace's arrival, at least all the big furniture. We also have created a baby "station" downstairs – complete with the packnplay and a rocking chair that I found just this week at a consignment shop, for $20! I was excited for that buy. So everything is falling into place there. We started birth and delivery classes at the beginning of June, those have been helpful in hearing all our options and learning some different breathing techniques. We have 2 more classes to go and those will be done with.

The house has made significant progress over the last 3 months and just about every room is sufficiently decorated and organized. Small pockets still are a work in progress, including the garage, the closet under the stairs and the laundry room – but not too bad considering the amount of rooms in this house.

Friends and Family during this second quarter of 2008 have been around often. I was able to venture down to California for the last time sans baby in May for my baby shower there. I was able to see all sorts of friendly faces that I hadn't seen in a while and spend some quality time with my mom and grandma. It was a good trip. Here at home, Stacy and I have enjoyed many a coffee trips for chatting. Lunches with Vanessa. Book clubs have been good. I got to see Shannon and Nikki in May for an hour or so on their way back to the airport from a weekend of concerting. It was short, but excellent! Went to a stamp party in May at Stacy's and hosted one here myself this last weekend; they both were a lot of fun. Carrie came to visit for the ever anticipated movie Sex and the City. We made a whole evening out of it drinks (I use the term loosely), dinner and the movie. We spent most of the weekend shopping J in fact I exposed Carrie to three of our local malls.

Second quarter of 2008 has also seen more quilting on my part. I finally finished my friend Lori's baby quilt! Well, not her baby quilt, but the one that I made for her son. Her son that in less than a month is turning two. I then created bumpers for the cradle my grandpa made, that will live in our room for the first few months of baby's life. I'm not quiet done with those as I need to make the ties to keep it in place. Finally, I've made a quilt for Vanessa's baby. Vanessa had her baby on June 18th, a baby girl named Sabria. She's adorable and it was wonderful to visit her in the hospital.

That sums up my second quarter of 2008 – the last few days have been pretty warm. My pregnant self has been managing. The only time I've been miserable was sitting in church, the non-air conditioned church. Ugh I went to the bathroom after the sermon and a woman was standing at the sink and said "Oh you poor thing, I was just thanking God that at least I wasn't pregnant!" and my response was "good instincts!" Yah I was pretty dern miserable then, but I was well hydrated – we had wisely chosen to imbibe in some Jamba Juice that morning. J So that wraps up the first half of the year.

The next quarter will be the final weeks of pregnancy and the arrival of Ace. A much anticipated moment on many minds. Along with the celebration of our fourth anniversary, Loving Husband's birthday, and a smattering of weddings throughout. It should be a very nice summer. Happy Fourth of July everyone!