Last week of freedom!

My summer internship ended last week and I headed to my parents' for a much need break from the city and some pampering, cause no one takes care of you like mom! It was great to do some outlet shopping, meet up with my college roommate and her baby and even pick up some shoes that are super wide (and velcro!) to accommodate my wider, swollen feet. With this new addition to my wardrobe I've been able to go walking for about 1 hr everyday in the morning. Its GREAT! and hopefully will slow down my big weight gain from last month... but thats another story I dont want to get into right now. The only downside to being home was being away from Mr. F for a few days. It was really tough, but made it that much sweeter to come home again.

One of the most exciting things was going to babies r' us and picking up the stroller and baby carrier. We're really in great shape for his arrival, which is awesome with school starting and I'm officially in my 3rd trimester! How did that happen?!

This is my last week of freedom before school starts so I've been busy doing laundry, grocery shopping and getting things in order, including working on my thesis proposal, which is due on the first day of class next Wednesday.

In Aiden news, I've stopped feeling lots of kicking and much more rolling. We're talking belly shape-shifting movement. Its so exciting!!

reasons why i looove friday

Not only is today Friday, one of the best days of the week, its also my LAST day at my internship. I cant believe I made it allll summer at this place, but lets be honest, its not the first boring job I've had, that quite frankly, a trained monkey could do. However, it paid the summer bills, groceries, and has helped Mr. F and I become completely free of credit card debt. Wahoo!!

And to celebrate my last day, the office is taking me out to Capigero, quite possibly the BEST gelato this side of the Mediterranean. I can't say I'm sorry to be leaving this job, but it has brought me one step closer to finishing my degree so I'll eat my gelato with a smile and enjoy the last week off before classes start.

This weekend Mr. F and I are going on yet another road trip, this time back home to see his mom graduate with her Doctorate in Pharmacy. We are all so proud of her, especially going back to school while working full time. What a wonderful example to us and our children that learning is never over and its never too late to pursue your goals.

Of course another road trip means getting out of work and hitting the road. It also means that the desperate laundry situation had to be handled pronto. I did 4 loads of laundry yesterday, made stuffed peppers and chili for Mr. F while I stay with my parents next week for a little R&R annnnd got salmon on the table for dinner last night. And just to add to the productivity, I got us all set up with Renter's insurance today... after going through everything with Mr. F's fire, lets just say its worth it! Michael Phelps may be unstoppable, but so am I! :)

3 months to go!!

Ok, first things first:

1. Cashew chicken, edible, but not so good. But Mr. F was a champ and ate it with a smile. I love that man! :)

2. 3 months from today is Aiden's due date! Oh baby!!

3. 2nd day in a row I actually got sneakers on! I loooove cooler weather and less swollen feet!

4. I actually felt a little foot (or hand) yesterday! I've been feeling where Aiden's laying because one side of my belly is definitely harder than the other and its either a head or rump, but I actually felt the definite outline of a foot or hand as it pummeled me from the inside!

5. We saw two mice in our kitchen, which is immaculate with no food sitting out. But hey, this is city living... After setting some traps for them, we realized they may be smarter than the average mouse... alllll the peanut butter was gone and the trap sitting empty. Any suggestions?

By popular demand...

A few wedding pics and maybe a belly shot or two. My mom is in the green and my mother-in-law is in the pink. Belly:26 weeks...and I maintain that the camera DOES add 10lbs, cause I'm def not that big!

Alex and Zoe

One of my favorite books as a child, a true staple in our after dinner reading was a book called Join in with us! Letters by Karen O'Callaghan. It was originally published in 1982 in England and is no longer in print. However, I put my internet searching skills to work and actually found not one, not two...but about 12 copies of the book floating around out there! I have so many memories of being a little child snuggled up on the couch with my mom and/or dad learning my ABC's. I can still recall some of the images...keep in mind I was about 3 or 4 at the time! This book was hugely helpful in teaching both my brother and I to read. Well, I called my mom with the exciting news that I found said book and she told me to order 2 of them, one for me and one for when my brother has children. Holy cow, I'm so excited!!

In other exciting news I am trying a new crock-pot recipe tonight... cashew chicken over egg noodles. Keep your fingers crossed! If it turns out well, I'll post it up here.

Annnd as the weather has been absolutely STUNNING this week, my feet have finally deflated enough to actually put sneakers on!

mmmm... diaper cake!

This weekend was so much fun! Mr. F and I didnt get to the reunion until 3am on Saturday morning, but the drive coulnt have been easier.. NO traffic!

On Saturday was my mini baby shower and I couldnt have asked for more. It was just 2 of my cousins, my grandma, 2 aunts and my mom. We sat around having mini sandwiches and I got alllll kinds of advice on everything from labor and delivery to baby gear. It was really interesting because (pardon my nerdyness...) I just read an article about fear and myths around labor and delivery in western culture because our current social structure does not facilitate many family members living in super close proximity. So in the past women would pass down stories and memories to the younger women, often removing much of the unknown aspect of major life events. Well, the gloves were off and I heard it alll! My cousin was even video taping the shower and every few minutes someone would tell her to turn off the camera and come out with some of the funniest, most blunt things. The anthropologist in me really got a kick out of it and the soon to be new mom learned ALOT!

My cousin E is also super creative and talented. She sent the cutest invitations and actually decorated the cake to match them! Then she made this adorable diaper cake. Not to mention that my uncle and cousin are both Navy SEALS, so wouldnt you know, I got a baby Navy SEAL hat! It was a blast and I feel like we might be almost ready with the essentials for Aiden to get here... He even has a bassinet ready to go!

Pillow Fight!!

It has officially happened... I had to prop my belly up on a pillow last night after waking up at 12:30 in excruciating pain. I also spent the night on the couch cause I just couldnt get comfortable in bed. Of course this lead me to call my parents bright and early requesting they bring my body pillow to the reunion....

Speaking of the reunion, I am so excited. I love family reunions, the crazy amounts of food, and just how opinionated and outspoken every member of the family is. However, I am not excited for our late night drive tonight. BUT, I did get that load of laundry done before dinner last night and I should have the "other boleyn girl" from Netflix at home, perfect to kill some time while I wait for Mr. F to get home from the hospital. Not to mention I'm getting off from work at 3pm. I love summer Fridays.

And if all of that wasnt enough...if I could bottle this weather up for a rainy day I would. It is a perfect spring day, sunny with a slight breeze and warm without being hot. Where is that hammock and good book?