32 weeks - Pop goes the baby!

Well, I finally started showing at about 30 weeks. It is obvious to all that I'm having a baby as almost every stranger I run into wants to know when the baby is due and what I'm having. I gladly provide them with the information they're looking for and share any details they are willing to listen to. I'm just a tad bit excited :o)

Neil is still getting use to my belly's increasing size. He keeps bumping into it when he walks by because he's used to there being more room available. This week, we got to the point that I have to turn sideways in order to hug him - we are really blown away by how quickly Mia is coming.

I'll be 33 weeks on Tuesday; here's the belly.

Tag, now I'm it!

Apparently, Kim has "tagged" me to participate in this. You know, as a child I really didn't care for this game, however this form of tag is kinda fun. Ok, here it is...brace yourself:

1) I'm a neat freak. Well, may be it's not that bad, however I do love to clean. Dusting, vacuuming, doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. I know, I'm crazy. I just love a clean house. I've even helped friends clean their bathroom (Kim) and it's a pleasure to help. My Mother did an excellent job teaching me how to keep a proper Southern woman's home...thanks, Mom!

2) I too love to sing. I've been singing since I was a kid, usually at the top of my lungs, much to the disappointment of my brother. Apparently, I used to drive him crazy, singing all day and it didn't stop once I was out of the house. Wether I was climbing a tree, hanging out on top of the roof, swinging on the swing-set or frolicking in the back yard you'd hear me singing. As it turns out, just like my brother said, it does come back to haunt you; my son, Andrew sings constantly, even at the mall, grocery store, restaurant, etc. I love to sing in the house and the car (especially in the car with Kim). I just sang the National Anthem last Sunday for our Firefighter's Recognition Ceremony, that was fun. Nothing inspires emotion more than a fantastic song - you know the kind.

3) I adore old musicals! My all time favorite movie is My Fair Lady, however also on my favorites list are Singin' in the Rain, White Christmas, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Funny Girl, Funny Face, Gigi...oh, forget it - it just keeps going. I also love Les Miserables, Throughly Modern Millie and Moulin Rouge. Going right along with the musicals theme is my love of the theater. I've seen multiple shows on Broadway and I can't wait to make it back there.

4) Going right alone with the neat freak aspect of me, is my love of organization. My closet is organized by color and sleeve/skirt length. I also have them sorted by dress, business and casual clothing. My sock drawer is organized as well. Since Nov 2006 living in San Diego, I've organized the garage 3x's, Neil's office 4x's, my office/craft area about 5x's, and the closets (we have 5) probably about 3 or 4x's. I've had people ask me to organize their closets for them, and I have for about 3 friends. Can you say OCD? Really, it's not that bad! I just like to know exactly where everything is.

5) Daisies are my favorite flower. All the women out there want roses from their husbands, but I long for daisies. They are such a happy flower and I can't look at them without smiling. They truly make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love them so much that I even got a tattoo of them on my lower back. Loving those daisies!

6) I am addicted to shopping, more specifically to Coach purses. There was a time that I owned 26 Coach purses. I know! It's a sickness! Even my dogs have Coach collars and I gave my doggie niece, Shayla one, too! I've sold many of them on eBay, but I still have my favorites. My collection is now down to about 10, plus I also have a Kate Spade, a Vera Bradley and a Louis Vuitton. My love of Coach is starting to be replaced by my love of buying clothes for Mia, Janie and Jack especially . Thank God for eBay.

There you have it, my quirks. I don't think I'm going to torture anyone else with this assignment. Geeze, Kim - once a teacher always a teacher!

Big Birthday Surprise!

Over the Labor Day weekend, I surprised my best friend with a visit to Maryland. Kim, who had been following the directions of her husband via secret notes, found herself driving to BWI at 9 o'clock on Thursday evening. On her way, she was hoping it was me coming for a visit and when she got to baggage claim to pick up the "package", she found out that she was right! Her husband, Josh and I had been keeping the secret since May, and it was so great to see her, Kate and the whole family again. It had been far too long.

Thanks for the wonderful time, Kim! I hope you had a fantastic birthday!

Beach trip

Much to my surprise, Andrew really wasn't very interested in going to the beach this year. We only took two trips, one with just Neil, Andrew and I and the other with my parents. Andrew made it very clear that he would not go in the water (the Pacific is very cold) and was certain that he wouldn't enjoy himself. Well, as always, once we got there he had a wonderful time and loved the freezing cold water. We had lunch on the beach and enjoyed the afternoon watching Andrew play, lying out in the sun and enjoying a good book.

Andrew having fun in the water/sand.

Dad enjoying his book.

Mom watching her favorite grandson play.

Andrew - up close on the beach.

Camping out...@ home

Neil and I wanted to take Andrew camping again before he left for the summer, however with my parents here and the little time we had left, we were not able to do it. So, we opted for a non-traditional camping trip...a camp out at home!

Saturday morning, I found that Andrew had some wild animals crawl into his sleeping bag...

Kickin'

Ever since I got pregnant I've been impatiently waiting for those first kicks from the baby. I remember loving watching my belly move around while Andrew was, as it seemed doing summersalts inside me. He would move my belly around like crazy; from one end to the other. Now that day is here for Mia. It started last night when I went to bed and she's been kickin' up a storm ever since.

Finally, I get to feel my little one!...now, when does it stop?!?!?!

This is one very active baby. I have a feeling that I'm going to have my hands full once she arrives. Man, can she ever move! I wonder what she's doing in there?

Summer catch-up

I finally have some summer stuff for you to check out. A few days after Andrew arrived, I got sick with bronchitis and missed out on some of our summer plans. My brother, Dave came for a visit and we were joined by Neil's parents shortly after. With my being sick, we really didn't do much during that time (sorry guys!) One thing I didn't miss was telling Andrew about my pregnancy. When I told him, he had this puzzled look on his face and then he looked at my belly not able to see how I could be pregnant without showing. Once he got over the shock he was overjoyed with the news! He is so excited that he is going to be a big brother, especially to a little girl!

Andrew hears about the baby!

I really wanted to go on the camping trip with Neil and Andrew, however I was too sick to go. Neil and Andrew packed up and drove to Lake Marina, about a two hour drive from Chula Vista. They had a great time together, doing important male bonding things. They went for hikes, cooked all their meals on an open fire and saw a bunch of wild life. They had a great time.

Andrew "King of the Mountain"; camping with Neil

Neil kickin' back at the cabin

A view of the lake

Debbie arrived for a visit right after the boys returned from camping. We visited the famous San Diego Zoo and also took a harbor cruise of the San Diego bay. While at the zoo, we took the bus tour and saw parts of the zoo that we hadn't before and then took the Skyfari that stretches over the entire zoo giving you an ariel view of the zoo and close by Balboa Park. It was great!

Andrew and I on the zoo's bus tour

A chimpanzee getting up close with the kids

Andrew and I on the harbor cruise

Andrew enjoying the sights

Last night, we went to our church's last Summer Night's party. Every Saturday evening during the summer after services, they have pizza, nachos, ice cream and drinks with all kinds of fun "rides". Andrew had a blast jumping, bouncing & sliding.

Andrew on his favorite ride - the slide.