Laundry and Lawns

We're moving next weekend. It's hard to believe it's so soon. I'm packing here and there. Last time I tried I ended up with contractions, so we'll see how things go today.

Monday night was fun. Josh and I went to Souper Salad for dinner, then to the mall to find "labor stuff". Actually, we just wanted to find some nice lotion to help with relaxing during labor. I enjoyed smelling the different kinds. One smelled like laundry soap - I think that would make me feel more stressed thinking of all the laundry I will need to do, so we skipped that one. Katie showed up about half way through our search and found some nice rain smelling spray. Josh then went to look at tools and mowers in Sears whilst Kates and I went looking for girly stuff (ie makup for Katie). I thought it would take longer to find some, but the lady who helped us was very efficient. I felt like maybe we should have more time to think about it. Sometimes sales people are so fast in what they tell you it makes me feel like I have to stop and breath or I will make a bad decision. Katie found some good stuff, though, so my fears were unfounded. :) We caught up with Josh, who had enjoyed looking at some of the professional lawn equipment and and power tools. He explained how different tools worked for us clueless ladies. I think one day I'm going to get an exam in the form of birthday or Christmas.

Life on our little area of the globe...

Josh has been busily working on the baby's nursery. He wanted to clear off the popcorn from the ceiling and paint it before I added any baby items to the room. So far it looks really good! I don't normally notice ceilings, but it really does improve the room and make it feel more new. Josh is hoping to paint one last coat before declaring it finished. Yesterday my sister wanted to help paint after a meeting that evening, but we hadn't planned on going over to the house and working since the meeting would not be over until 9:00. Josh teased that she could go over anyway and we might *wink wink* meet her there. :) The walls are pale yellow, so I won't repaint them. They match well with the classic winnie the pooh theme I've chosen for Annie's room. I'm so excited to set up her little crib and hang pictures. :)

I've stopped working and now am a full-time homemaker. It's very odd to be home, but I like it. It is nice to have time to clean and organize things, especially as we will be moving beginning of July! It's amazing how much stuff accumulates in so short a time. I also get to take naps when I'm tired - a frequent occurrence right now with the baby getting bigger. :)

5 more weeks before the baby comes! Josh is really excited to see his little girl. I told him a week ago that I was having contractions (just braxton hicks) and he got super excited asking if that meant I would have her really soon. :) I'm hoping she is a tiny bit early (like a week) so that her Grandpa can see her before he goes back up to Canada.

Now Everyone Relax

We went to our first of four Lamaze classes last night. At first I was concerned about the progress of the class when I saw the instructor. She seemed rather uptight - and she was going to teach us to relax. We enjoyed the class however and it brought back memories of Daren Streblow's comical portayal of birthing classes when she started talking about the color of amniotic fluid. "It has to be clear - it has to be CLEAR. If it's any other color...it's not clear."

It seemed a little girly in the beginning when we were broken up into small groups to "get to know each other", but it was nice to become more comfortable with the people we would be spending 12 hours with over the course of this month. I really liked how she compared labor and delivery to running. Things like starting out slow and pacing yourself (beginning of a contraction) and making small goals to get to the main goal (reaching the end of the run or in this case having the baby). The best part was when she had us show our husband's how to massage our backs. :D

I better go since my position is causing Annie to protest using her cute arms and legs against my ribs.

Cleansing breaths...Cleansing breaths.

Travels

Josh is gone at ICCM (International Conference of Computing and Missions) right now. It's really strange having him gone, since he hasn't ever since we have been married. I think we got lots of practice being separate while Josh was overseas. ;) So it's almost like he is back there, but he's not. Anyways, they are an hour ahead so I look forward to talking with him later. Hoping he can glean a lot from the whole experience.

As for me the farthest I traveled today was Kroger to fill up the car (which I have only done once a few years ago). It is situationed on a hill which requires use of the handbreak (a technique I haven't used yet in our manual transmission car). Both came about well, thankfully. Now I'm officially an adult.

There's No Place Like Home

We have been busy lately getting ready to move into a home! My parents are moving up to Canada at the end of June, and they have graciously let "rent to own" their house here. It will be strange and somewhat sad to have them far away, but I know it is the Lord's direction on their lives at this time. I'll have to keep the blog updated with lots of baby pictures once she comes.

Josh has been working on fixing various house issues. He is happier than a duck in a pond getting to use his power tools and reaping the rewards of a job well done. There have been several holes patched up and one bathroom is all grouted/caulked. I am completely clueless on home repair, so it's amazing to see Josh work away and fix things. He recieved a Home Depot book for his birthday and is loving reading through different projects. Speaking of his birthday - we will be having a celebration on Saturday. I will post how it goes. I'm rather nervous to have so many people over at one time...

Make Like a Llama and Spit

One of my favorite lines from my husband.

The days are getting so warm lately! I keep wanting to visit our apartment's pool. One day I got all ready and walked over there - only to find it locked. I spied some families this last weekend using the aqua blue oasis, so maybe I can go during the week when I'm home. Yay!

In other news, Josh was brave and dyed my hair. Waiting for the baby has made me want to try new things since I can't fit into my regular summer clothes. We read that it's safe to do it while pregnant, but it might turn out a different color than expected. Posh, I thought, it won't be that bad! So we picked out a lovely ash blonde dye (at CVS for way less than it should have been - I love coupons) and proceeded home. I read the instructions and they put the fear of blindess in me...so I had Josh read them to make sure he knew what to do. He did a wonderful job, and I did not go blind. :) After I dried my hair I noticed it didn't like quite "ash blonde" but rather strawberry blonde! Thankfully it doesn't look bad. ;)

Chivalry

Of all the Knights in Appledore
The wisest was Sir Thomas Tom.
He multiplied as far as four,
And knew what nine was taken from
To make eleven. He could write
A letter to another Knight.

No other Knight in all the land
Could do the things which he could do
Not only did he understand
The way to polish swords, but knew
What remedy a Knight should seek
Whose armour had begun to squeak.

(exerpt from The Knight Whose Armour Didn't Squeak, A.A. Milne)

Mother's Day

Dad paid us an unexpected visit during Mother's Day weekend! I found out after a babyshower on Saturday (for 2 more ladies here). Mom had no idea, so when he walked in the house all she could do was stand there speechless. :) It's nice to see him and ask how stuff in the great white north is going. I'm glad to be in Texas with warmer weather, though. Hooray for short winters. :D

On Sunday Mom made a special brunch and invited us Hewitts and my grandparents. Mom made flower arrangements for grandma and myself - one flower for each child. I had one to represent Annie. We played a rousing game of Scattegories and ordered pizza for dinner so Mom didn't need to cook.

Later Josh took me to dessert for our own little "date". He's so sweet!

May Pictures

Last night we went and found a pack&play for baby. It's great cause it comes with a bassinet and a changing table - so it's kind of like 3 for 1. The best part was we found it on sale for $30 less than the original price! The Lord has been soooo good to us in finding things for baby. 11 more weeks before our bundle joy arrives. Josh has been telling her stories so she will recognize his voice. It's so sweet. We found that she likes to have lots of space - if I sit in such a way that squishes her "room" she starts kicking like crazy! That and whenever I lay down she likes to wake up and attempt tap dancing.

Showers of Blessing

Some ladies threw a baby shower for myself and another mommy a couple weekends ago. The theme was Beatrix Potter! They did such a nice job decorating the cafe where it was held. It was a huge blessing for Josh and I. Our little baby girl will have lots of things she needs because of these ladies' generosity! One such item was a stroller/carseat/carrier. I'm really looking forward to taking walks with the baby once she arrives! I think she will be and outdoors girl. :) She's already been camping, she just doesn't know it. ;)