Cell phone pics

Here is a random mix of pictures downloaded from my cell phone...

It doesn't seem like it was too long ago when camera phones first came out. Like all new technologies, I remember how it started out being so amazingly cool and everyone wanted one, but not all could afford it right away. Now they are just standard. Sometimes its weird to me living in a time when technology advances so quickly. You can bet that any new thing that comes out will quickly become faster, nicer, cheaper.

I have many pictures on my camera phone, which I'm sure you do too, and I feel like I never share them with anyone or do anything with them, so I thought ok I'll put them on my blog. (I was also inspired by Kelly's pediatrician office photos)

I suppose when we have Louisa the camera phone will come more in handy because we can send little picture messages of her. Babies seem to make everything more interesting :)

Have a great weekend!

P.S. I am feeling like labor is coming soon. Of course I hesitate to say anything for certain, based on how things have been going. However, I feel now that it could be within the next few days! (I have been feeling some contractions, nothing really strong or regular, but at least a few) We'll keep you updated.

Edit to "20 Things"

I'm sorry dear readers, but I lied to you...I have been to Canada. I did not lie on purpose...it's just that I went when I was a little little kid, and we only went up for the day while visiting relatives in Vermont. But there are pictures, proof that I was there, I just don't remember it. I didn't mean to deceive you! (Ok so maybe it's not a big deal :o)

I think I'll replace that "fact" with another...how about....

I LOVE coffee. All growing up I told myself that I would never turn into my mom when it came to her coffee habits. But, alas, I have turned into an exact copy of her. I love espresso, drip, homemade, coffee stands, yes - Starbucks even. One thing is that whenever we go somewhere that is somewhat of a trip, I always like to stop for coffee (something my mom always did which drove me crazy as a kid!) and it drives Mike somewhat crazy too because then we usually have to stop for a bathroom break. But I think it's funny and have accepted it (love you mom.) What is really ironic is my dad never drank coffee, and my husband hates it too!

Sunday's Child

While visiting Mike's parents yesterday, we somehow thought of the old poem, Sunday's Child...

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

We all looked up the day we were born on, and well, of course I was born on a Sunday. What about you? I wonder which day Lou will be born, on a Sunday like her mommy, or perhaps a Wednesday like her ahem, daddy? (hmmm, are you surprised?)

In other news, I decided to begin a new project. I was going to wait a bit, but once again, I have more time that I had thought I would. So I'm going to make a crazy little colorful quilt. The pattern seems real simple, so hopefully it won't take me quite as long as my first. (Well, having a baby might cause a slight delay, I'll give myself that :)

20 Random things

In light of me not giving birth yet, but ready to go at any moment, I admit I've had some spare time on my hands. Trust me, I am grateful for this time because I know my future is going to be much busier. However, it is a little tricky because...what do I do with myself?? It's one thing to have a peaceful day to rest, relax, and ruminate, but it's quite another to have weeks of it! Anyway, that's why I had time to write 20 random things about me. If you happen to have some time, or just would like to procrastonate something - feel free to do your own random things. You have to admit, they are fun to read.

1. I love my microwave. I use it very often. It averages about 3 uses in the morning, just heating up my coffee cup.
2. I worked at a Jewish girls summer camp on the east coast my first summer in college. Culture shock, let me tell you...they were wealthy little things.
3. I enjoy wearing things in my hair - I almost never wear it plain.
4. I used to think I didn't want to have kids (as late as high school)
5. I wish I could sing
6. I was born exactly 90 years after my great grandma (same day)
7. Generally, I prefer not wearing socks, hence I have very stinky shoes
8. My first CD was Matchbox 20 (although I'm pretty sure I had tapes before that)
9. Never been to Canada
10. I think that I might truly have a touch of OCD, sometimes I will HAVE to rearrange something that isn't how I want it. I've tried to resist an urge, but usually am unsuccessful and will have to move it.
11. I miss driving a stick shift
12. When we buy a mini van, I will insist on red. I just can't imagine myself in any other color!
13. I pop my fingers constantly
14. I think a little space between someone's front teeth can look very attractive (of course it depends on the face)
15. I have known most of my best friends since elementary school
16. I have very vivid dreams and often talk in my sleep.
17. Bite my fingernails :(
18. It took me forever to learn the concept of Minesweeper, I still stink at that game
19. I adore flowers
20. I can't wait to teach my kids how to read, this was my favorite thing about teaching.


YOUR TURN!....pretty please?

I was just noticing that I have tons of baskets. They are everywhere around the apartment. A little random, I know, but I just thought it was funny. I guess I just like them because they are so functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Maybe someday I'll learn basket weaving. Ha, now that would be random. But, my baskets are pretty, aren't they?

Around here

It's amazing how powerful the kicks are these days. She is seriously running out of room in there! A few different people (lady at McDonalds, my aunt, my mom) have commented on how low the baby is. I have to agree because, well, I can feel her down down there. I hope her little head isn't getting squished :/

I am doing okay. I feel like one positive thing about this waiting game is that it's making me less and less afraid of labor just because I want it to happen so badly now! Does that make sense? It's like getting ready to give a big speech. I remember in school I would be a little nervous for a period of time, but as it got closer I would become more just excited and would want it to hurry up and be time to do it. It's a pretty day here in Seattle and I'm just laying here on the bed taking in the light. I think I'll nap a little though....maybe I'll wake up in labor ;)

Do ya think....

...we can lure her out if we keep making cute things for her?

I made these after a few attempts using this pattern . The yarn is actually more of a pale purple, the photo doesn't really show the true color.

Quiet

I've been a little quiet lately. I'm not updating my blog very frequently or commenting on others. The three of us have been sort of laying low, and I'm sure you can imagine why. We have an appointment tomorrow and I can't say for sure but I may be dialted enough to stay there at the hospital. Mike just woke up feeling slightly stuffed up, so hopefully he will be able to avoid getting sick. This wouldn't be the most convenient time now would it? So today and for the next few days we'll be mostly huddled up in our little apartment enjoying the peace and quiet and gearing up for that big day...whenever it does come.

Bless you all!

Well, It took almost four months....

...but my baby's quilt is finally finshed!

Welcome to our apartment

*Well, it was a bit stressful but we are all moved in! I admit I did freak out a little last night (if you want my husband's perspective you can read this) but now everything is better. I'm way more relaxed now that things are mostly in place. I have a pretty organized mind, so it's difficult for me sometimes. Yes, I know I will have to be flexible, especially with children...but I am going to need to take baby steps.

Some pictures of our new pad (I just realized that we have like a half-dozen crosses :) Also, keep in mind we haven't put up any of our icons yet. We wanted to do that together)

Baby's room, although we do plan on having her sleep with us, this is a family cradle...

We'd love to have you over sometime!

I would like to say a special thank you to my sweet husband who not only had to deal with a minor break down but also worked very hard to unload the rest of our boxes in the middle of the night while I was sleeping. That meant alot to me - I love you SO MUCH.

Bless this mess!

Today we get to start moving into our new apartment upstairs! I woke up actually anticipating a long day of moving and unpacking. Guess I really am nesting!
Pictures to come of our new, lovely apartment (it may still be a little messy, but I hope to have it all cozy in no time!)

Oh, I was wondering - how does everyone check updated blogs? Might I suggest using Google Reader. A friend recommended it to me, and I really like it! It makes it easy to see who's updated when, because it's no fun to miss posts :)

More Baby thoughts

All of my thoughts, or nearly all of them, are tied up with the upcoming event of baby being born. I wake up and think, "this is one of the last days where I won't have a child to care for..." and other such thoughts. Most days we are doing something that is preparing for her to arrive, like washing clothes, picking up something here or there, picking out a stroller...you get the idea. Mike is feeling the anticipation just as much as I am. He has put together a bunch of baby items in the last few days, and remarked that seeing them all assembled makes it all the more real that she is going to be here so soon. I am trying to soak all it all up, because I know we will never have this feeling of being first time parents again. It's all so wonderful, so I'm trying not to wish the days away until she arrives.

Oh, so we got a call this morning and our dr. had to leave the office on emergency so we had to reschedule our appt. :( This made me a little sad because I was looking forward to just hearing her heartbeat again and seeing what my progression is. We will be going in on Thursday. Oh also, my mom reminded me that I was born a little earlier than expected so now I've got this feeling that Louisa could be born early as well! But of course there is no way to tell exactly so I'm going to be patient as possible. Thank you all for your well wishes, I can't wait to introduce you all to our little one once she's here!

The rocker is a gift from parents, nice huh?

As per request, a big ole' belly for you!

Rain clouds & dusk light

I took a few pictures yesterday as the sun was setting (from our little deck.) If I had to choose a favorite part of the day it would surely be dusk: that time of day when the sun is setting but is still giving a beautiful soft glowing warm light. In the house I grew up in the sun would come in through the kitchen window and make everything look yellow. I love the feeling of this time of day. I wish it lasted longer, but you know at that point that evening is quickly approaching!

We are still waiting to move into our apartment upstairs. They are doing a gorgeous new stone floor and painting the walls a color I believe is called "camel". It's actually quite nice. I think it mimics the color that I was just talking about with the setting sun. I can't wait to move in! It's really important for me to set things up, not only the baby things, but all our other stuff as well. This baby technically could arrive at any time now and I think it would be really hard on my organized mind if she came when we were still living out of boxes.

Daily Bread

This morning Mike and I made it to daily mass. I am fighting the proud feeling I have for finally going, because really I should feel no such thing. It's been two weeks since we've been back in Seattle and this is the first time we've gone on a non-holy day or Sunday mass. Maybe it's not so much that I feel proud for going, just happy that we did. This morning was one of those times when God chose to bless me with actually feeling the grace that was given to me to strengthen and encourage. Does that make sense? Every mass is special, but many times one is distracted and so it's easy to let your mind wander and forget that you are attending something that is meant to bridge the space between heaven and earth. This is true no matter how closely you pay attention, or how you are happen to be feeling that day. I am thankful for this morning because it gave me a renewed sense of purpose and understanding of where I am in my life. When we walked in the church was filled with school children, going to mass before school started. It was an unexpected affirmation; I took it as a sign that children are a big part of my future and that God has plans for me that involve them. It's not just a "barefoot in the kitchen" type of deal either. Somehow I am to take care of his little children (both my own and others), in ways unknown to me for the time being. This came at the perfect time, because lately I had been thinking about my future and what was going to be expected of me by the Lord. I had moments of worry, that I wasn't doing enough to be active in my role on earth. But this morning, God chose to give me a little peace, a little light, and a little encouragment that indeed He has a plan especially for me.

Thank you Lord, for my daily bread. Thank you for getting us out of bed and into your house to hear your voice and experience your love. Thank you for the little children of the world. Thank you for life; may we always desire meaning and purpose, every day.

Washing Baby Clothes

Just preparing for the little jelly bean to arrive. Another trip to the doctor prompted me to remember that this baby isn't far away from being here.

(and she'll need clothes to keep her warm.)

So that's one thing I'll be doing today. We can't move into our real apartment upstairs until the carpets and walls are re-done. So in the meantime I'm doing what I can and twiddling my thumbs, trying not to be too anxious a mama.

Yikes, just now I bit one of my fingernails off!

50 years

"I have taken you in my arms, and I love you, and I prefer you to my life itself. For the present life is nothing, and my most ardent dream is to spend it with you in such a way that we may be assured of not being separated in the life reserved for us. I place your love above all things, and nothing would be more bitter or painful to me than to be of a different mind than you."
-St. John Chrysostom

Yesterday my grandma and grandpa celebrated 50 years of marriage with a fairly big party. (Actually their real anniversary is December 19th, 1958) I love that Mike and I were wed 50 years after them, in 2008.

These two make a fantastic pair in so many ways. My grandma has given me some advice about marriage over the years, and one of her "secrets" of success may strike some as being pretty common sense, but she says that "we not only love each other, we actually LIKE each other too!" For them this works because over the years they have taken on many projects together, projects that do require a tremendous amount of teamwork and cooperation. First, they got married while my grandpa was still in school at the UW (hmm, sounds a little familiar to me :), they had three children, owned and operated the family drug store for 3o years, built "the cabin" (my grandpa did, even though he had never built a house before - which was okay, that's what books are for!), managed half a dozen rental houses, and built an apartment building (which is where Mike and I are currently living). Through it all they have worked as a team and we all know that they couldn't have accomplished any of this without one another. I love them so very much. I pray that my husband and I get to experience 50 years of marriage, more if that is what the Lord wills for us. What a comforting thought that a marriage can be so beautiful in a time when marriage is no longer truly respected or uplifted.

With all the grandkids (and their first great-grand child on the way!)

Cold monster

Well, how are you doing? I haven't posted in a while because it's been a busy week with everyone in town and all the Christmas events. I could sense my immune system becoming vulnerable because of an interrupted sleep schedule. Hopefully it will be a quick bug because this Saturday is my grandma and grandpa's 50th wedding Anniversary celebration and I don't want to miss that!

Now that it's 2009, I'm realizing how close our baby's birthday really is! I've been feeling overall pretty wonderful (physically) in these last few weeks. Moving was rough on my back, however just walking around during the day doesn't effect me too much, thankfully. Everything looked good at my last appt. (I think it was Monday): blood pressure, weight gain, baby's heartbeat. I have experienced the slightest bit of heartburn, but only a few times and managable with Tums. I'm very lucky overall and I thank Jesus daily for this precious gift. Soon...so soon!

I feel her move everyday which is reassuring and sweet. It is helping me get to know her a little. Although I must admit to you that my baby is about the biggest mystery to me other than God in heaven. I know she's there -we share a body!- and I feel that I love her so much already. But, boy is she mysterious because I have never met her or looked into her eyes. We have done everything together for the last 8 months, yet she knows far more about her mama then I know about her. Everyday that I wake up I get more excited about actually giving birth so both Mike and I can hold her and continue this process of love and bonding.

I don't have much else to report. I'll just be resting and fighting off this cold. I hope your Friday is great!