Saturday, January 26, 2013

Paint (and Many Thanks)




Bed is calling my name.  But I have a bit of time before my head hits the pillow and I feel like writing a little.  Plus, I just slapped on my first coat of "Big Apple Red," ninety-nine cent nail polish (you know, the N.Y.C. brand).  And unless I want to wake up with cat fur and sheet imprints decorating my manicure, I best let it dry.

So, I type...

This week was busy.  Good busy.  Tired busy.  But at the end of the day, I-feel-accomplished-busy.
I like that kinda busy. 


Monday night, Steve and I headed out to paint some pottery for baby girl's room.  We've been talking about making a date of it for months.   
The piggy bank I was hoping to find was out of stock, so I went for a heart-shaped plate.
And Mr. went with a vase.  I had to kindly talk him out of a giant cat figurine he was eyein' up.  Yes, this crazy cat lady said "NO" to the pottery cat monster.  It was scary and quite hideous.  Trust me.
It's always so relaxing - painting.  I kinda lose myself while I make a mess and let colors bleed into one another.  I don't take it too seriously and it makes it that much more fun.
I don't think Steve and I said more than ten sentences to one another the whole time we sat there. 
I like those moments - where silence speaks so much more than words.
My favorite part was signing the back of the plate.  I painted on the date and "To our sweet (baby girl's name)."  Showed Steve.  And had one of those silent moments again, where we looked at one another and smiled big teary smiles.
We're looking forward to picking them up this week and putting them in the nursery.












 We ran into my brother during a little snow shower, before we painted and grabbed a few slices of pizza.



My mom knows when I'm in need of coffee.  Even though it's decaf, I can still pretend.

Nicholas and I had breakfast together.



Friday snow...
We didn't get the huge storm I was hoping for (I'm one of the crazies who loves snow).
But it still was enough to make for pretty drives.  Especially on "country" roads.



Perhaps, it wasn't the best day to go car shopping, but
  our Mountaineer was about to blow up.  Well, the gasket actually did.  And mama and baby girl needed something safer and more reliable.  My Civic has been so good to me all these (dozen) years, so we decided to add another Honda to the family...Steve Dad will be driving "Old Betsy" once baby comes and I'll be totin' Little Miss in the Pilot.

"the mama mobile"





The title of my last post could easily be fit for this post as well.
Kind and generous are just a few words to describe some of the friends I've met through blogging. 

I have so much gratitude for the thoughtful gifts we received this week.

Last week, I went to my mailbox to find a gift from my friend, Brittany.  I "met" her last year through blogging and was instantly drawn to her happy spirit.  I loved reading about her journey to motherhood - all the excitement and joy in each one of her posts is refreshing and inspiring.  She's a beautiful new mama and her son, Bear, is adorable (and one lucky little man).

She was so sweet to think of baby girl.  In the box, was Sophie, the giraffe...my friends all swear by "her" and for years, I've been hoping I'd need good ol' Sophie.  It's times like these, I find myself so overcome with emotion.  The realness of it all sets in again and again. 

And then, a ladybug bath mit and teeny, precious socks.  



She was so thoughtful to think of me, too.  Makeup!  In colors I adore.  I tried it all out right away and walked around the house with one eye made up and bright pink lips.
Made my day.



Lora, a reader of my blog, sent a box of goodies.  Kitty treats, a calendar and candy.
I was literally telling Steve how I felt bad I forgot treats at the grocery store for the fourth time in a row the night before.  So, when I opened the box, I smiled so big.  So did Twinkie!  What a wonderful and perfect gift for this crazy cat woman. 

She made baby girl a gift, too.  I was so touched that someone I've never truly met made her something.  



When I opened this gift and card from Tami, it made me teary instantly.  Tami is one of the few bloggers I know that lives in PA, too.  It was awesome when we found out we know of and have been to a lot of the same places.   She sent us a pretty baby shoe ornament.  I can't wait to put it on our tree next year. 



Thank you, ladies.  So very much.  I am so grateful for your support and thoughtfulness. <3


My cousin, Ashley, came over tonight for a visit before she heads back to college. 



 Steve joined us for a feast while we all caught up.



Let's see...how many times have I brought up cats in this post?  Not enough.

Ashley got baby girl sweet and cute outfits that scream "I love cats" (she's another crazy cat lady... it runs in the family).



And these newborn-sized booties - I.cant.take.it.  They fit my thumbs.



31 week (okay, a day shy of 32 weeks) bump shot 



Okay, my nails have been dry for at least twenty minutes.  Time for bed. 
I'll be back next week.  I've got a lot of "special" nights of writing coming up.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and happy Sunday! <3


Thankful, Weekend Lovin',


Monday, January 21, 2013

Kind and Generous



Steve's sleeping soundly snoring loudly beside me, baby girl's kicking away (she busts out the extra fancy moves after hours), there's a fluffy at the end of the bed and I'm feeling cozy and content.
Last week was a busy one.  Every night was a late one.
It feels good to be in bed next to Steve (even if he's snoring like a beast and hoggin' the covers). 


I love opening a "new post" page - looking back on the past few days - reviewing and reflecting.

Thursday...

We had another doctor's appointment (30 and a half weeks).  Baby girl is measuring exactly where she should be - to the day.  The nurse found her heartbeat almost instantly this time.  She put the volume up to the max for us - the loudest we've ever heard that sweet sound - music to our ears.  As my doctor measured and pressed on my belly, baby girl gave her about ten giant kicks in a row.  It was adorable. 
***

I got back in the kitchen again...a little intimidated this time.  Because I just wing it mostly.  I really need to try a few recipes.

I made pumpkin gnocchi (okay, Wegmans did) and sauteed chicken with garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg and cream.
A bit fall-ish, but I could eat pumpkin "stuff" any day. 
Steve makes awesome caramelized brussel sprouts.  So, I wanted to give em' a whirl for the side dish.
 




Everything turned out great! Steve didn't gag and asked for seconds.  And the whole house smelled like fall.
Definitely will make this again!




Friday night...

My mom and I went to see my brother, Nicholas, play at one of his new spots.
He sounded fabulous.



And the grub wasn't too shabby either. 



That couple needed to desperately get a room!
***


"Kind and Generous" - Natalie Merchant


Saturday...
where the title of this post comes in


Steve and I woke up and got ready to go over to Jessica and Ed's.  We all had a girls' day/boys' day planned since last month.  When we arrived and Jessica answered the door, the expression on her face made me ask if everything was okay. 
She told me to come in and as I peered inside, my eyes met with her dining room wall... 





and then with these beautiful girls...



And I screamed.



And I cried hard.



They had a special celebration day planned for baby girl and I.
I was SO surprised.  Like, truly, had not even the slightest clue...and that doesn't happen often.
I usually peck info out of Steve or he accidentally spills the beans.  He did a fantastic job at keeping his mouth shut.  And my friends...
They blew me away with their thoughtfulness. 
I was so touched and so excited to spend the day with them.




Jessica makes the prettiest baby bouquets...filling them with silk flowers and "flowers" made with baby pieces - onesies, socks, bibs...
I've had her make a few for friends in the past and always dreamed of what my baby bouquet would look like someday...
It was perfect.   
And went in the nursery as soon as I got home.


The guys headed back to our place.  Notice Ed, with his XBOX in hand.


We headed downtown for lunch.  They made reservations at one of my favorite restaurants.
Sitting there, surrounded by so much love, I thought to myself how damn blessed I am...how we should all get together more often...how these girls, who all came into my life at different times, all mean so much to me, all know me so well
 and all more than just get along...we're all friends. 




We sat for a couple hours...sharing stories.  Some very loud and what some would consider a little out of line for lunchtime kinda stories.  But come on, when you're talking about labor and your friends are sharing birth experiences, the "v" word is gonna come out of your my mouth more times than not...and I may say it at the top of my lungs three or four hundred thousand times.  That's what girlfriend dates are about...laughing your ass off and losing track of time.  We all laughed so incredibly much that day.  It felt so good.






Back to Jessica's for dessert...


  


Everything was so stinkin' cute!  Fun sodas, hot chocolate, coffee, tea...
Sweet little tea cups - Kim said it best - "I don't think I've ever drank out of one of these things in my life!" HA!




 

Yummy and magical red velvet cupcakes. 
 I may have inhaled a red feather while sucking the icing out of the end of the straw.




They had another surprise for me. 



I had to wear the wrapping.  It was too awesome not to.





So very generous...

My breast pump

 You know this only led to more hilarious and fun stories!!

 See...



 Baby girl was movin' and shakin' after a lunch of butternut squash soup, salad, a cajun chicken sandwich, and that amazing dessert medley.  Everyone wanted to feel her kicks.
So, I got down on the floor...seemed like the logical thing to do. :)
Kim played baby girl some Bruno Mars and we watched her give a few kicks.









I love these ladies so much.  
As I've mentioned - it's all been sinking in so deeply lately.
Saturday, it sunk even deeper.
And I'm so very thankful for their kindness, generosity and most of all,
their love.
<3





***

Sunday morning, I woke up and cleaned a few offices - thinking about everything - laughing to myself, shedding a few happy tears and smiling through my pregnant lady grunts and groans that come with bending these days...

I say it often, but it's never enough...


Thank you. <3

I hope everyone's week is off to a beautiful start!
I'll see ya later this week.



Thankful Lovin'...Always,


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