Relay for Life, Ride the Ducks, SDC, and a penguin...

Like I said before - a busy few weeks were ahead of me during my last blog!
Steven and I enjoyed Relay for Life a few weeks ago. We participated with our good friends, the Phinneys. Craig was diagnosed with Colon/Rectal cancer just over a year ago - and went through many of the same surgeries that I have - so I was able to talk to him and help him through things. We became fast friends and have developed an awesome relationship - both professional and personal (friendship). We stayed until about 11:30pm, and at that point, I turned into a pumpkin - must be a pregnancy thing.
The following evening, we joined the Phinneys and many other close friends at our surgeon's house - Michael Page - to listen to a private concert by David M. Bailey. This was the first time I've heard David, and his story. He was awesome, it was awesome, and a good time was had by all.

We painted Benton's room last week - and have worked on it this week too. It's ALMOST done! However - the crib - being made by Steven's TALENTED father - isn't going to be ready this weekend like we had hoped....so, more time to clean and prepare the room!

Thursday-Sunday was spent in Branson with my family. We met on Thursday evening - mom, dad, Matt, Drew, ETHAN, Steven, and I - and rode the Ducks. The first thing Ethan told me on the ride was "I LOVE VACATION!" He's 2 1/2...he's too cute! We went to SDC the next day and spent a wonderful day there. Ethan was able to ride a few rides with his dad and mom, and grandma too. Steven and I mainly set out - but he was able to ride Powder Keg. Benton prevented me from riding anything but the train and the great shootout...but I still managed to have a good time! Saturday was shopping in the morning, and a frantic dash to find me contacts/glasses as mine broke while we were there - boo! We ended the evening at The Dixie Stampede - which was great food and a really good show. Sunday morning was breakfast and on the road home...wow...a lot of stuff crammed into a few days - but it was great to spend time with the family. My nephew is the cutest thing on earth (right now of course - may be a close second after Benton arrives!) and he had a blast this weekend....
Pictures will come soon - I need to get the off of Steven's computer.

Steven's dad and step-mom are coming this weekend. They're going to Newton to the race, I'm staying home. 90+ degree weather in late July in Iowa for 10+ hours watching cars make "another left turn" doesn't really float my boat...but Zeno's does! (Friday night baby - here I come deconstructed Taco Pizza - yummmm....)
Until then...

wow...long time, no blog!

The girls got together this weekend in Topeka to meet Amy's baby - Ronin Alan. He's 4 1/2 months old and just absolutely precious!! Of course - we were all too busy talking to take pictures - but we did get a few in before we all left. These girls are my life. We've known each other since about 3rd/4th grade - all attended East Cross United Methodist in Bartlesville together. We've all gone our separate ways since about 6th grade, but somehow - we've managed to stay close and get together (not as often as we'd all like - but we manage somehow).

Somehow - we all managed to also be pregnant (well, sort of) around the same time too! Left to Right - we have Rebekah - who's due in Jan, Amy - who just had Ronin in March, Megan - who's due Oct 17th, and me - who's due Oct 21st. We couldn't have planned this is if we wanted to!

We had a fabulous weekend with great hosts (thank you Wiggs family!) We managed to stay up until 1:30 am or 2 am on Monday morning, talking about life and babies (of course!) Ronin gave me a welcome to mommy hood by graciously spitting up on me Monday morning after his breakfast - it wasn't too bad, and I'm sure he was just making sure I'd get used to it. Benton was responding to sounds of Ronin's crys this weekend too! Amy and Dan are currently working with Ronin to self-soothe, and we were allowing him to cry it out for a while Monday morning while we were talking...well, Benton took exception to this and kicked me a few times, trying to get me to make him stop...at least that's what it seemed like to me.

I also had the chance during this quick trip to see my friend from high school, Amanda, get married. The wedding was lovely and the bride was beautiful! Of course - did I take pictures? no...bad bad bad me!

We have our next Dr appt tomorrow! We'll get to hear the heartbeat again - get measured for the first time (fundal height) - and.....gestational diabetes test (UGH!) We had an ultrasound last week to see more anatomy and he's measuring just a tad big (1 lb 11 oz, supposed to be 1 lb 7 oz) so we'll see what Dr Morgan has to say about that.

A big weekend planned with lots of things going on - Relay for Life Friday night, haircut Saturday, concert with the Phinney's and Page's Saturday night, and nursery work on Sunday! I'll try to be more diligent about taking pictures and posting!

Love you guys!