We're in California with the Pattersons!

I just want to take Kate and Michael's lab (sil and bil) home with us! Yes, this is what she normally wears due to health issues. She seems to not mind at all.

Grant isn't really a fan of sharing his Momma.

Here is a pregnant picture of me for those who have been asking.
Random pregnancy comment of the month: A lady said to me "Oh, I love how you're wearing your hear frizzy now!" Well, lady, the reason why it is being worn CURLY NOT FRIZZY is because the top of my hair broke off early in my pregnancy and I've been trying to grow it back out to wear it straight again.

Rain follows us wherever we go

We'll just say we didn't wake up to a pretty morning like this in CA today. But everyone ventured out to Napa with me in the rain. And rain, it did!

If finally stopped raining. We were able to get outside for a bit. Yep, I was the pregnant lady at the wineries but it was still beautiful scenery.

So . . . In Our Spare Time . . .

For a while I've been saying we need to remodel our powder / master bathroom. (Bet all you folks that have new construction homes are jealous that we have a powder / master combo!) It is gross and nasty. I hate taking a shower in it. And you can't fix it no matter how hard you try to clean. I have cleaned it with bleach since we bought the house. Then . . . came the pregnancy so I couldn't sit on my knees on the bathroom floor with a toothbrush and bleach anymore. David had to clean. . . and after about one cleaning, it was declared that we'd get a new bathroom. Last day before our demo.

Just as soon as the room was gutted, we found out our tile we be at least two weeks arriving so now we're living kind of like we're back in the dorm going down the hall and up the stairs for showers. Dust was everywhere. I dusted the house three times in one week and finally declared I won't dust again until the bathroom is finished.

We live in an area where we've never left something on the side of the road over night and it still be there in the morning. Well, our tub was pulled out on a Tuesday and it made it to Saturday sitting in front of our house. By Friday, I told the contractor to start making an alternative plan to rid us of the tub but he was confident it wouldn't make it through the weekend. Sure enough, David and I were standing in the backyard and I thought I heard the tub moving. We went into the house to peer out the window at a couple tugging and pulling on the tub trying to put it up in to their truck. I was so scared they were going to give up. I wanted to go help them. But with some rearranging of their pickup truck and some rope, they tied it in and away they went. If the bathroom is ever finished, we'll post some pictures.

Also, in our chaotic life, we have gone to Nashville, to my parents, I've been to Tampa, David is still on how weekly Nashville outings, and we are currently at David's parents. I am taking classes online at night to renew my teacher / administrator certification. The classes have reminded me that I firmly believe teachers in general talk too much and I will really cry if I have to go back to the classroom, but I also think one should always have a backup plan if needed so away I work.
Work has begun on the nursery. The walls have been painted, twice I might add because the first shade of gray looked blue. A changing table that converts to a buffet has been purchased. Finally, out of concern (terror) created in my on behalf of the store we were purchasing the crib from that it might take 10 weeks to arrive, we have a crib. We went to order it as the store was closing to ensure we'd have plenty of time to set up. Oh, it wasn't going to take 10 weeks. In fact, they had the one David (we) wanted in stock. Glad we rushed around!

Slight delay . . .

Been quite busy here on Cherrydale so I haven't had time to post the latest ultrasound pictures from our last appointment two weeks ago. Good appointment. Concerns from the previous appointment were found to be nothing to worry about. All is well. Details on the current craziness around our house to come!

We're having a GIRL!

Darsey Maylisbeth
"Darsey May"

The picture isn't the best. Apparently she's a bit camera shy. We'll try again for a better profile next month! And, yes, we're aware that the first day of school each year will be a nightmare for here with such a unique name but we couldn't resist!

19 weeks

Baby:
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. (borrowed from http://www.babycenter.com/)

Momma:
Daycare: A few weeks ago I was calmly sitting in my hairdresser's chair getting a highlight. I mentioned I was pregnant upon which she launched into asking me if I was planning to keep working and asked me what daycare lists I was on. I immediately started to panic and wanted to rip the foils out to get in daycare line. It hadn't occurred to me that daycare would be so stressful. We had considered our options. There is a very good daycare near my office and almost on David's way home. I assumed Baby would just go there if we opt for care outside of our home.

Daycare here doesn't operate on the "call ahead for your table" concept of Outback Steakhouse. Nope, it's more like trying to get a reservation at Folks Folly or Ruth's Chris for New Year's Eve at about 5 pm on New Year's Eve. You get on a waiting list, pay a deposit, and begin to pray. We are on two waiting lists. One David went by himself for a tour and left our deposit. I'm sure they were more than impressed that Baby's Momma was no where to be found. But we had to act fast. Whomever was off next had to go on a daycare hunt. Luckily, this daycare thinks they'll have a spot mid-July for us, which is only about 6 weeks after we need it. Our second choice isn't looking so good. Without a sibling already enrolled or being a church member, a family can expect to wait 12-18 months. Now why do they accept 6 week old children if you may have to wait up to 18 months for a spot? Even I can't plan that well. The thought of transferring churches to move us up on the list did cross my mind. Just kidding. Sort of! Seriously, I pray that this works out.

In other news:
Not too many clothes fit.
I've been told I "waddle" by a near stranger. Thanks! Glad to know those 15 miles a week of speed walking are paying off!
This baby has got to be pounded on my bladder every time I try to run.
I have already lost my brain - scheduled two baby showers on the same day approximately seven hours driving distance apart!
Caffeine has never really been a challenge for me until now! Why am I sleeping 8+ hours and waking up exhausted?

Dad:
I took David to Baby's R Us to show him all the crazy contraptions one can spend money on for a kid. I think his emotional state has moved a bit from sheer joy to overwhelmed. So glad he's coming to my side! Regarding how our lives are about to change, David says to me this week, "UGA is playing in Starksville (Mississippi State) next football season. We'll have to go."
Maggie - "Umm, honey, a sitter for an entire day+ isn't going to come cheap."
David - "Oh, yeah."

Millie:
If I sit on Momma's belly enough, can I squash the baby? No? Let's try "making bread" on it. Maybe I can stab the baby. And food! Why won't Mom feed me anymore? I'm starving. (Feeding occurs when litter box clean out occurs so Millie has to wait on David to get home.)

Tahoe:
I am almost six years old and for my entire life have been lifted up into the back of Mom's car by Dad or her for car rides. Why is Mom now making me jump up by myself and mumbling something about "I won't be able to pick you up soon so if you're coming for a car ride, put yourself in the car. . ."?

Nursery:
More to come in a few weeks.

Fall is here!

We love fall! Mums, pumpkins, UGA football, turning the AC off, and the season that I think matches Tahoe's fur color the best!