Preggie Pic

Ok, for you out-of-towners who've been asking for it, here it is at 20 weeks. If you wondered, I got my first expectant mommy bonus today. At the smoothie place, I ordered a kid size, but the guy said he thought he'd give me a regular. It has its perks.

"Urban Camping"

Maybe this is a new phrase for you. We had to name it that because if we called it what it really was (an adult sleepover), some eyebrows would be raised. It was all good, clean fun, I assure you and one of the most fun weekends ever.

Amber and Joe cooked up some excellent home-made pizzas for dinner. And Dea accomodated my weird allergies by serving up a yummy cherry dump cake. Mmmm. Then, we all gathered 'round for battle of the sexes party games--Cranium Wow and Mad Gab. The next few hours were just good hangin' out time. As one of the preggies, I conked out earlier (2:15am). My husband took full advantage of my slumber by playing with fire and gasoline. Fortunately, everyone still has their eyebrows.

The morning came much too early, but Amber and I got up to make the breakfast buffet. I love the pic where everyone else is zoned out watching Saturday morning cartoons. And that was followed by more dozing. I guess I'm not much of an adventuress, but I couldn't have had a better time in a tent in the woods.

Baby Thompson...

is a boy! What a neat experience the 20-week ultrasound is! We were so excited to find out.

P.S. His name is a secret. Not because we want to torture you, but because everyone has strong opinions about names (myself included). We don't want to be dissuaded.

P.S.S. Due date is May 27.

Happy New Year

Ok, I confess, I didn't stay up long enough for the count-down. But in my defense, my sweet husband wanted to take me to Magic Kingdom the next day. That meant getting up pretty early. Our theme park guru friends Gary and Amy were our trusty tour-guide companions for the day. They knew where everything is and how to avoid long-line waiting. Although the gates closed for a few hours because the park had reached capacity, we still rode everything we wanted to.
Amy is also preg-o, so when we needed a little nap, we just took in the Carousel of Progress, a lovely place for a snooze.
Word to the wise: Go to Orlando in the winter! It was awesome. I don't care if I ever go in the summer again.

Christmas Cap

Christmas '07 was a nice one... Derek, his parents, and I had been practicing for months with the San Jose Church of Christ (a capella) Chorus, and we were finally able to perform. As an expectant mom, the song, "Jesus Loves You, Little One," a new arrangement of the children's classic "Jesus Loves Me," made me misty. We appreciated the opportunity to participate even though we don't attend their church. It was a neat, family bonding experience.




The opportunity to see my family was great, but brief. Excitement was in the air, knowing next year we would have a tot in tow. The best part was seeing them all, but I must give honorable mention to Mom's delicious chocolate-covered cherries. They're unlike anything you find in the store.






Both Derek's family and mine were able to hear Baby Thompson's heartbeat, thanks to a rental doppler. I highly recommend it. And one of the best surprises was being able to feel the baby punching and kicking, rather than the obscure, infrequent flutters. Hope your's was as merry!