a gold star for me

I know it can be a little annoying, totally cocky, even somewhat desperate to promote yourself on your own blog, but let me say this:

If there was a World Cup in getting this group of children to giggle for the camera, I could take down the entire country of Japan single handedly. If there was an Olympic gold medal given to the photographer most capable of getting them to cough up natural smiles simultaneously, I'd be wearing that puppy around my neck on my weekly trips to Kroger.

Granted, Little Man on the far right hasn't quite figured out my brand of humor, but I'm telling you, it's only a matter of time.
They always succumb to Auntie Rachel's brand of crazy.

she is smitten

My mama's girl is switching teams.

The nursing sessions were replaced with weekly Daddy/Daughter dates long ago. Now that her mother's belly is too swollen to carry her around, she's discovered the arms of her Daddy are a quite fitting replacement.

She's somber when he goes to work, squeals when she hears the garage door open later that day and makes him chase her down for a good-night kiss.

The other day I watched from the table as they filed through the restaurant. Perched on her Daddy's hip, arm dangling over his shoulder, she had a perfect view of the Chipotle ingredients. Her fingers stroked the back of his hair. As they passed the salsa choices she clutched the sides of his face and pulled him close until their cheeks were smashed together.

I don't know if she's ever been as smitten with her Daddy as she is now.

But I can't say I blame her...she has impeccable taste.

36 weeks

We're down to our final month! Baby Sister will be here in the next four weeks (give or take a few) which means:

1. I really need to pull out the bassinet. And find the infant car seat. And track down the storage bin of newborn clothes. And buy a pack of diapers. And wipes...

2. I've surrendered to the waddle on an occasional basis. Listen, the last thing I want is to walk like a duck, but sometimes it just feels so good to embrace the totter. (Especially by the end of the day.)

3. It's tough to get out of bed without grunting. Poor Dan. Hopefully this symptom doesn't escalate into a full blown professional tennis player's yelp or I might be driving myself to the hospital.

4. She weighs about six pounds.

5. Chica is running out of room on my lap. She told me so the other day as she shifted around trying to make more space. Few things make me happier than when she's sitting on me and the baby kicks her. I think it's Baby Sister's way to payback her Big Sister for all those loving smacks she likes to give me on the belly.

6. Last week was our last trip. We're staying put until she gets here. (Cue the butterflies. The nerves are taking over!)

7. No more Twister games with my firstborn.

8. I'm doing my best to savor this last little bit of being pregnant.

We'll be seeing you soon Baby Girl!!

three fourths (of july)

34 weeks

Hello 34 weeks. (yea!) Hello pumpkin head. (boo.)

It was only a matter of time.

The battle between belly and face has begun and in just a few weeks, people will be placing bets on which body part is actually housing the baby. Instead of lamenting the inevitable Saturn Head Summer 2011 Edition, I'm thanking God for another good check-up at the doctor's office. Baby Sister is a healthy girl!This week I asked Chica if there's anything she wanted to say to her baby sister.

"Yes! Can you tell her something about me?"

Baby Girl's been hearing all kinds of interesting facts about her older sister. Speaking of, she told her Daddy today to take some pictures of her belly too.
Answer me this, do you think she's milking the moment for all its worth or making a complete mockery of her mother?

Love,

One Blessed Big Head