Our Dog, Duncan caught and killed a bird today in the backyard... For this little dog this is a pretty big deal, I honestly did not know he had it in him. I feel sorry for the bird, but my little handicapped dog caught a bluejay and took him out! Good Job Duncan. Rest in Peace little bluejay!

just a hodgepodge....

Just a hodgepodge of pictures. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending two baby showers. One for my dear friend Amy, who is having a little boy named Darius, the other was for my friend Tiffanie, a flight attendant. Both of these girls are having boys, and it was fun to see all the cute little boy stuff that they were unwrapping! Plus, it is so fun having friends that are going through the same things and the ones that have new little babies, and are able to offer so much advice and wisdom!!! Thank God!!!!! And the ones not having babies, who are going to make GREAT baby sitters.... God willing... :)

Brandon and I took back our "crooked" swing and got a new one. I just could not let it go that the swing was off center(by maybe a centimeter). I think a pole was bent or something, and my hormones (I might be using the hormones as an excuse) would not let me get over it... So, we now have the same swing, but it is PERFECTLY straight and I just love it!!! (so do my hormones) Is he the nicest guy or what??
I know Brandon is probably thinking I am totally crazy these days, I keep telling him it might get worse before it gets better....

Mallie and Tiffanie. We were doing light duty together at the airport and are due a week apart, so it has been really fun exchanging stories and such.... This picture is from her baby shower.

Brandon made me some "ice packs" for my ankles... It did feel pretty good.

Brandon and our little nephew Charlie, on Easter... Charlie thought this was sooo much fun, sitting on UB's head... (Brandon wants the nieces and nephews to call him UB. Sometimes the girls get it and call him UB and I do not even think they have heard of Uncle Buck....)

Jenny, Jennifer, Myself, Andrea, and Amy celebrating at Amy's baby shower! Her little guy will be 6 weeks younger than Gates.

lying in wait....

I am officially finished with work, and waiting for my baby! Yesterday was my last day of work (for now) and it was actually a bit sad. I ended up being quite fond of working in the office, and meeting some wonderful new friends, and learning quite a bit too! It will be interesting going back to flying, after seeing the other side of the job.

Happy Easter

Today, Brandon and I went over to my parent's house. We went to dinner and then to church for Easter Vigil. During communion, as my family was kneeling at the altar receiving the Body and Blood, something really neat happened. The priest gave me my bread, and then bent down and gave Gates a blessing. This really hit a chord with me and I started crying. Tears were literally rolling down my cheeks. I was very touched and this simple prayer not only comforted me, but made me realize that I am currently part of a miracle. Not all miracles are as large as resurrection and opened tombs. My baby, my daughter, is a miracle and I am being used by God to help bring her into this world.

When I looked up after taking communion and the blessing, I noticed that on one side of me was my mom crying, and on the other side of me was Brandon. Brandon was also crying. It was a wonderful Easter moment for all of us to share. Thanks to Fr. Smith, for that simple prayer really meant a lot to all of us!

Still on Schedule

The doctor said that everything looks good this morning. She said Gates is not going to be a really big baby and only weighs about 5 pounds right now. Her head is down and the cervix is still closed but really thin. I go every week now.
I chickened out about asking her for heartburn medicine. I wanted to, but got nervous... I am a bit shy. :)
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

pictures

G for Graco, I think not... G for Gates...
The swing, our dog is amazed at the swing.

Baptismal gown from Susan
and the girls!!!

Thanks for a wonderful shower! Carianne, Mallie, Aunt Terri, Jessica and Maw Maw!!! How cute everything looked!!!!

Well, this weekend we had the company of Donna Oakley! We were so excited to show her our nursery and all of the little things we have for Gates. It was really so fun to share all these things with her, for both Brandon and myself...
Brandon's family hosted a wonderful baby shower for us, and we got lots of great things. Our little baby is so blessed and I hope and pray that she feels blessed and loved every day of her life!
Brandon was busy Sunday setting up all sorts of things. He set up the pack and play, and the swing, and the bouncer. He said that the pack and play was not the easiest thing in the world to set up, but it looks good and secure! I have been washing and washing and I packed my diaper bag too. We are just really anxiously awaiting her arrival at this point!!! (well, and worrying, and fretting, and freaking out a little too...)

Brandon's mother Susan and his younger sisters gave us a very special gift at the shower. A beautiful baptismal gown and bonnet and shoes and blanket for Gates. Brandon's sister said that we would put her name and date on the blanket once the time is here. I thought this was such a thoughtful and touching gift. We have been looking at churches and hoping to find one that we felt very comfortable in. We are still on the search, so Susan said she would find out about having Gates baptized at her church.

Donna and Alan gave Brandon a new Ipod! I have never seen Brandon sooooo elated. To him this was better than anything baby related! He is sooo happy and proud and will probably NEVER EVER leave it in his truck again!!!

But, it is perfect

I got a new little container at the baby store, that separates out the correct amount of formula. I know you have all seen these little gadgets. I had this along with some bottles and pacifiers on a shelf in the kitchen. I just had not washed any of these things yet. So, I woke up this morning and noticed the package from the formula container on the cabinet. I asked Brandon where it was, and if he had washed those things. Then I looked around a tad bit more and noticed that he had it by his stuff. He had his fiber in it all separated out...

Punks

This morning I awoke at 4:45 to Brandon standing there above me. I knew right away something was wrong. When he went out to his truck, someone had broken out the driver's side window and stolen his I-pod. Glass Everywhere!

He parks in our driveway really close to our house and also close to the neighbor's house. He almost always brings his pod in at night, too. It is so scary because we felt so safe and secure (with the street light at the end of our driveway and all).

The police are coming now, to make a report and Brandon is going to take his truck to get a new window put in. I really wish we could find the little punk. (we assume it was some kid)

It could be

Easter Egg!

So, today this flight attendant at work told me I looked like an Easter Egg... I am thinking he was talking about my teal shirt... funny though, I thought. It was a man.

How do I get one of those things?

Where and how do I put one of those baby count down lines on my page? I think they are cool, but my skills are in other areas. :)

What a weekend!!!!

I went to the doctor on Friday and everything still appears normal. I am glad about this, and I will be going back in two weeks. Yesterday, I really did not do anything, I stayed in bed until my feet looked their normal size (around 1:30) and then I got up and ate lunch. We watched this crazy show about an Alaskan stripper killer and then went back to bed!!

Today, we went and saw Keelan (and Jon and Jenny) :) They all 3 looked cute, but especially the little tiny one. Then we went to the indoor minor leauge football game. This was something new, it took me back to the club days of college with all the tunes they were playing. I kind of want to download some of them now... Amy (our friends the Viteks went to the game with us) asked Brandon if he was itching to play. He said yes... I told him he had to at least wait until he had health insurance!!! (Less than a month to go on that note)

I decided I better not work tomorrow with the time change, so I am off and working on Tuesday. I have 11 days left of work, and am REALLY excited about that. (I was suppoed to have only 10 days left, but I did not go yesterday..)

Snow Day.

Well, I just drove home from work. It was the longest drive home from the airport that I have ever had!!! It was also kind of scary, at one point I called Brandon and asked him to come and pick me up because I was so scared.... I am not a very good driver, but I kept going and home I am!!! Brandon is home too, I am so glad he got to leave early. I do not like playing in the snow, neither does Brandon, neither does Scrabble but Duncan does!!!! As a matter of fact, HE LOVES IT!!!

Big Mommy

Well, here is a sideview photo, from my baby shower. I am now 33 weeks pregnant and feeling every second... I kept on looking at my feet and thinking... I guess my feet are not going to swell..... HA! I was wrong, I just did not give that enough time. Everything is swollen. This photo is not my favorite, (no offense to the photographer). I guess I am just not used to having brown hair... Hahahah kidding, that is not the problem....

Lovely Weekend.

Well, I had a wonderful, wonderful weekend. I had my other baby shower today with so many special friends. It is always so nice to share life events with your loved ones and I think them all so much for coming. So many of my friends that came to this shower are already mothers. It was quite exciting to hear them talk about their little ones and hear all of their stories and advice. (God knows I need it)....



This is Joanna, Amanda, Me, and Elaine... Amanda has 2 daughters and Elaine has a one year old son. Joanna is a newleywed. I am sure kids will come, but they are enjoying each other for now...

Jennifer and Annette hosted this shower for us and we had a great time.