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,