eleven days and nine people

We were blessed to get to spend time with Michael's family this past week and a half: Michael's sister, bro-in-law, nephew; mom and dad; Michael's other sister, bro-in-law and two nephews. As always, there was much food, fellowship and fun. Some of the things we did: watch kiddos play, play Wii (often golf), attend sister's friend's wedding, double our sunday school class size where we all sat in for M's lesson, eat and more eat. D was very sweet with his baby cousin (7 months old). In fact, he treated him like a baby doll and we had to watch to make sure he was not feeding him his milk, food, etc... Perhaps the future will be calm as well??? Thanks for coming, guys!

7, 6...

We are down to about 5 names (far more manageable than the 22 or something that we had on our list until two weeks ago). Still feeling great! I don't really feel too uncomfortable even (yeah for being pregnant during the winter). I can still wear about 2-3 pairs of normal pants and a few shirts, but the belly is definitely larger all of a sudden. And the belly button timer has popped! :) See pictures below (although I can look larger or smaller depending on what I wear too). I am not ready for nights without sleep, starting over with a newborn etc... I do know I will have a hard time remembering life without our precious girl in a few months, but meanwhile...

the days of yore...

I used to be able to let D play in his room for a little while without fear of repercussions. This past week we have found the following in the morning or at naptime (which actually follows its name only about once per week). He now climbs out of the crib every naptime so the crib is officially gone for both sleep times! Off to the baby room! Now to the list:

1. his dresser--taking all 5 drawers of clothes out and dumping all over the floor
2. a huge box of pullups, wipes and spare clothes all over the floor
3. with the box of pullups gone, he got into the craft closet (in his room, but first time he had done this), and pulled out paper, stencils, tools, stickers, paper punches, etc... and a lightbox (which he broke the bulb to--so thankful he had no cuts since it was in MANY different pieces around the room!)
4. with a door lock on the closet door, he just got into thumb tacks, paper clips, some calligraphy ink that I did not remember having left out (again, God was so gracious since it ended up all over his fingers and a bit on his face, but none on the floor!)
5. with the calligraphy ink out of the way of little hands, he just dumped all 40 craft books (again not touched previously) in a bookshelf onto the floor. This included some carbon paper that I did not remember was in there. The carbon paper ended up as a blue mess on his jeans (that did come clean) and on the floor (not entirely clean). The best sight was that he then collapsed in exhaustion on his bed and proceeded to take a nap!
6. with all the above out of his hands, we are now just to toys all over the floor everytime I arrive in the room, but...nevertheless, I am still fearful about what he will find next that I did not remember to remove.

The latest two

Along with many other friends, I recently read Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman. It takes you through the life of Mary Beth growing up and into her marriage with Steven Curtis Chapman. She then relives the event of her daughter's fatal accident and all the moments since. It is a very good read and her faith, despite circumstances, is so admirable. She is very real in the story, flaws and all, which makes her that much more likeable and her story relatable, no matter your current trial.
I then read a lighter read, recommended by a librarian friend. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. It is a fictional book of letters written back and forth from the main character (a journalist) and her friends. It describes the island of Guernsey right after Nazi occupation during WWII and the lives of all intertwined on it. It is rather confusing at first until you get to know the characters but an interesting read afterward for all the historical background. Warning, it is not written from a Christian perspective and in fact, at times is a bit contrary.