Knees

Josh and I have found ourselves wrestling with the questions and reality of what it takes and means to be a parent. Although we've had months to mull this over, the dawning reality has a way of bringing these thoughts to the forefront of our minds with greater frequency and urgency. What kind of mom will I be? What kind of dad will Josh be? I'm confident in the Lord's guidance, provision and mercy on us as we begin this new journey.

We haven't even met this precious bundle and already I've called her everything from a punkin to a stinker to a brat (I know, I know but it was in a moment of pain and discomfort inflicted by Patootie). In the last couple of weeks I have developed discomfort in my right rib cage. Today, at my check up I discovered why. The little stinker has her knee wedged into my rib cage applying almost constant pressure. It seems to be a favorite place of hers...Thank you Patootie.

The check up was another routine appointment. Today I got to see Patootie briefly (less than two minutes) on the ultrasound as they checked her position. I saw the back of her head and that precious little knee. All things look good according to the doctor. We're very grateful. In two weeks I have the doctor's permission to begin wanting Patootie to be born...two weeks...sheesh. That is no time at all. A theme as you will notice from other posts, she can't come just yet...we've got too much to do. Of course, I've heard that these little bundles of joy often operate on their own time schedule.

Acts of Service

Today was shaping up to be very similar to every other Friday. I came home at lunch to see Josh (since he's off early on Fridays). Josh was talking to a neighbor so I came in the house alone and was struck by this thought "Josh must have been REALLY busy since he got off work." The house was SPOTLESS, beautiful. So when he walked in the door I remarked about the cleaning fairy that visited the house. He corrected me, fairies, not fairy. As it turns out, Josh had been busy since he got home but on baby duty not cleaning duty. The women in our small group took over our house this morning and cleaned the place top to bottom, left some food in our freezer and a giftcard for Josh and I to go out and have dinner together. Josh got to hang out with two of his favorite babies from our church while their moms went to work.

Its hard to describe the feelings that have overwhelmed me the rest of the day. The thoughtfulness and generousity of these women has moved me greatly. They hit right at the heart of something that is dear and precious to me, my home. They were caring for my home out of their unselfish desire to serve. I don't know if they will know how much this means to me because I'm certainly not doing a good job of conveying this in words. Thank you for blessing my family.

I LOVE three day weekends

The weather cooperated (mostly), our schedule was relatively open and we had a three day weekend. There is something very relaxing/satisfying about going at one's own pace for a whole weekend, especially as the clock ticks down on "life on our terms." I am doing my best to savor each moment. For the first and probably the last time in a while, Josh and I got to just do life together from trips to the dog park to walking around the Lafayette reservoir to running errands.

We weren't completely anti social, Josh took 2nd place at the first annual lawn olympics, organized by some friends in our Sunday School class. We also had dinner with my parents and sis and brother in law to celebrate my parents return from their vacation.

This weekend I was feeling inspired from sewing to cooking and loved the time I had to dabble in pastimes I enjoy. Josh and I became inspired after watching an episode of Throwndown with Bobby Flay and made homemade potstickers...YUM. I couldn't bring myself to deep fry them though so we settled on a healthier pan fried alternative. My sewing projects amounted to receiving blankets and burp cloths for the website Brieanne and I are going to put together for our little side business. More to come about that later. The tricky part about sewing was getting my posture just right so I avoided jabs in the ribs from Patootie.

Slowly but surely we are ticking little projects off our "to do before Patootie comes list." Last week we got our new slider and bathroom window installed. The slider is heavenly, no more holey screen, no more squeaky off track slider. Patootie's room will also be getting a new, enlarged window in the coming weeks and then we can put the finishing touches on her room. Oh and of course, I'm still in love with my washing machine and there was more laundry to do this weekend.

Today we celebrate 34 weeks for Patootie and I. I'm thankful I'm still in the "I enjoy being pregnant" state because we've got more to do before this little one arrives.

Channeling my inner laundress

I never knew an appliance could bring such satisfaction and excitment until the day our washing machine arrived. I have not lived with a washing machine within my four walls since I left for college. I didn't even appreciate the convenience of having a washing machine at one's fingertips because I was spoiled and my first load of laundry was done in my college dorm. So for the last ten years I've been living the life of laundry cards and quarters and trucking the laundry down the hall or across the grass to some sort of community facility - that is until now.

Josh and I have deliberated really since we found out we were having a baby about getting a washing machine. Our place does not have hookups for laundry or the space for one and we aren't allowed to plumb for a traditional washing machine. Since we are in the game of saving money we did some research about the cost of the machine, our average monthly laundry cost ($1 to wash, 75 cents to dry but going up this fall to $1.25 and $1 respectively), our anticipated laundry cost with a baby, and the price of convenience for having a machine in our house and not having to wait for an available machine. We figure within six months we can recoup the cost of the washing machine and start getting ahead from there. A huge factor in the decision to make the purchase was our desire to use cloth diapers - both Josh and I have skin allergies and figure the likelihood is pretty high that patootie might too.

We settled on a Haier model that does 11lbs of laundry, comes with castors and a quick sink adapter, fits into my closet downstairs (easy rolling distance to the kitchen sink), has three different wash temperatures and four cyles (including sanitary, great for doing diapers). So, it arrived Wednesday and Saturday we got the machine set up and ready to function. I've been doing laundry ever since. A drying rack on our patio and a makeshift clothes line have provided the perfect compliment to the machine. Our house has that fresh laundry scent and I love it (can you tell?).

Patootie and I have reached another milestone. We're now in the 8th month (32 weeks) of pregnancy and development. Josh and I have been amazed at how quickly the time has gone and how much more we want to get done before she arrives.

Patootie Poll

I've posted a new poll. Check it out on the lower left. <-- When do you think Patootie will arrive?

Road Trips, Weddings & Runs

It was off to Southern California for us this past weekend. Josh's cousin Cale got married to the lovely Lauren. The Northern California Smiths got to catch up with the Oregon Smiths and extended family.

Our sister in law, Jen, and Lola

Josh competing in the race through the pines, a 5K around Lake Gregory. Josh competed for the first time in this race 20 years ago, almost to the day.
Lola, waiting for Josh to cross the finish line.
Josh and I (what he's lost around his tummy, I've gained - ha ha ha).
Josh and Lola, taking a rest.

Cale and his lovely wife, Lauren.

Josh and his brother, Adam.

Josh and I.

By the end of the weekend, we were all tired. Gary & Lola taking a nap.

Marathon Man

Here's a look at Sunday's marathon.

Climbing Mt. Shasta - Check

Run a marathon - Check

Its been a busy summer for Josh! We were blessed to have the diversion of family and friends during the weekend. That really helped all Josh's nervous energy, he channeled it well, even making us lunch!

Sunday morning dawned foggy and cool (typical for a San Francisco summer). Josh and Nik left for the city at 4:15 a.m. so they could get to the starting line in time and prepare for their 6:05 a.m. start time. Gary, Janice and I waited at mile 20 with Brieanne and Brandon. Brandon joined the guys there and ran with them almost to the finish line for extra encouragement. (What a guy!) We cheered them on and received a sweaty hug from Josh as he went by then hurried back to the finish line (on foot) to greet them there. I'll give a little shout out to the support crew who walked a total of seven miles to cheer him on. Way to go US!

Brieanne gave us a brief architectural tour on the way. (The MOMA, CJM, a building Brandon's company designed, etc.) We got there just as Josh crossed the finish line!

What an achievement. Josh plans to run another marathon but probably not this one again any time soon (too hilly).