I'm doing better!

After three weeks of sickness, we are all beginning to return to normal! The "bug run" began with an ear infection for Caleb--the first one he's ever had--and a nasty cold, which I caught a few days later. Just as we were beginning to gain some ground from that, we both got a stomach virus--also Caleb's first! David managed to steer clear of most of it until a couple of days ago; so needless to say, we're all sick of being sick! I think the worst part has been being confined to the house and not being able to be around people--we've all gotten so stir crazy at times, it's terrible! One relief we've had is that the weather is warming up, and on one of the first spring-like days, we were able to get outside and hang the swing we gave Caleb for Christmas. He loved it! I think the fresh air and laughter did us all good. Thankfully, though we are rounding the corner to wellness, so that now Caleb can finally give his usual response when you ask how he's doing: "I'm doing better!"

Baby shower!

A couple of Saturdays ago, my precious mother gave me a baby shower at her house. Everything was decorated beautifully, and I really enjoyed this special time with family and friends as we celebrated the coming of my little girl. The afternoon began with game time, led by my aunt Mary. We laughed alot as we tried to guess baby items, got prizes for the heaviest purses, and waited in anticipation to see whose tiny plastic baby would be "born" (melted) out of their icecubes first. Then we moved on to gifts, and I received lots of pink wonderful girlie things! It was a fun change from the blue that I'm used to! The afternoon concluded with delicious snacks and a special cake made my my aunt in the shape of a baby carriage. Thanks, mom and family, for a memorable time!

"Fire Engine!!"

A good friend of mine changed careers a couple of years ago, and he is now a fire fighter for Gwinnett County. He serves at a station in Lawrenceville, GA, and a few Saturdays ago, Caleb and I went to his fire station and took a tour. Caleb was in awe. He wandered around the fire station saying "Wooowww!" Every Saturday is Caleb & Daddy time. I'm trying to line up meaningful things for us to do together. If anyone has any ideas, please email them to me.

Anticipation...

The anticipation is building for all of us as our little girl's arrival is only 7 weeks away! It has been so neat to tell Caleb about her these last few months, and to see his excitement grow as my belly grows. He asks about her all the time, and he loves to put his little hands on her and feel her move. It's always interesting to hear his ideas of what she's doing in there. Sometimes he'll try to take a peek through my belly button. According to him, she's usually taking a bath, though occasionally she'll be at the park or playing with his weeble wobbles. A bit of his protective nature is coming out, as he makes sure we don't wake her up: "Shhhhh! The baby is sleeping!" One time, he asked her, "So, how was your day?" When he didn't get a response, he looked at me and said, "She's not listening to me!"
It always brings a special joy to my heart when he gives my belly a big hug and then leans down, kisses her, and says, "I love you!" He's told me that “She’s gonna come out one day, and I’m gonna share with her and be nice!” I hope the transition will go as smoothly as that, but I have a feeling we'll all have our days when adjusting from 3 to 4 will be difficult. The growing pains will be worth it, though, as we begin to experience a bond of family love that is deeper than we ever thought possible. And the best part is, we're already beginning to experience that love...

A special visit

Last weekend, we were able to spend some time with my (David's) brother Josh, who's been in Korea with the Marines for the last year. He was able to have a week of emergency leave due to our grandfather's death. So he and my mom met us in South Carolina for the afternoon and evening, and it was great to see him. Caleb had fun playing with his "Unca Josh" and getting to see "Garney" again, too. In a couple of weeks, Josh will be coming back to the states to be stationed in North Carolina, and we'll be glad to have him closer for a while.