The Evolution Continues

Once Diego finished the crib, I couldn't get my hands on a mattress fast enough. I ordered one from Amazon (so much easier than going to a store) and it was delivered 3 days later. That very day I got the mattress in, as well as all of the linens on. I LOVE the way it all looks together. Diego found the matching rug, so we've rolled that out as well. It's hard to tell but on the book shelf is Jorge el Curioso (in Spanish), Le Noel de Madeline (in French) and Uncle Remus Stories(in Southern). We're going for multi-cultural children! I think that the picture with Ashley in front of the crib is a site I will see very often.

And the basement/office is also progressing nicely. I've gotten a bit more organized and Diego has moved a bunch of furniture for me. The next thing to get is a futon, and I'm hoping to do that in a couple of weeks. In general, I'm very pleased with how all of the household projects are coming.

Speaking of projects, just this morning Diego was perusing the plans to make a glider. I love the idea that so much of the nursery furniture was hand-made by Diego.

31 Weeks

With these latest photos, I think it's pretty obvious that Baby Rincon is growing and growing. I wouldn't normally point this out, but if you look carefully, you can see how the shirt is starting to actually pull over my belly. I think this is the last picture in this shirt.

At 31 weeks, I'm still feeling good. Some things are getting harder to do - tie my shoes or roll over in bed. But I still have a pretty good energy level. Today I raked the back yard and I'm still working out a couple of days a week. My only real complaint with pregnancy has been heart burn and I'm learning that it will get worse before it gets better. So when I'm taking Tums at 8:30 in the morning, I think - only 9 more weeks...

Baby Rinc0n is a very active baby. S/he started out moving every evening between 9p & 11p, but sleeping the rest of the time. Now, the baby is regularly active twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon and from 7p to 11p. While the movements don't always feel good (I think his foot is permanently positioned right next to my liver), it's always exciting. I've been caught often zoning out of a meeting or conversation to gaze down and watch my stomach and the baby move. At a recent work meeting, two friends were watching from across the table!

The (new) Office

While the office is technically up and running in the basement, we still have some settling in to do. Diego got all of the furniture moved around - about 4 heavy pieces of furniture all had to be moved to a different floor - and the computer & internet set up and running. I, however, am lagging a little in my organizational duties. The long term plan includes a futon down in the basement for those house guests who may prefer a room that is not across the hall from the baby, or for tired parents who need a quiet place to nap. Slowly, slowly we are getting there.

It's Officially the Nursery now!!

While I was in Atlanta visiting family, Diego was hard at work in the garage finishing up the crib. Then this weekend, he patched some drywall, touched up some paint, and steam-cleaned the carpet of the office. Last night, we assembled the crib - which now officially makes that room the Nursery! It was a very tender and exciting moment for us both. I have ordered a mattress, but it will be about a week before I can post pictures of the crib all dressed up.

Diego's next project is to build a glider chair for the nursery. Then, he's going to strip & re-paint an old dresser that we will be using as a changing table. Those last two things will finish up the nursery furniture. We have about 10 more weeks until Baby Rincon arrives and we are right on schedule for baby prep.

Muffles

I sometimes worry that Muffles gets a bit of a bad reputation as a cold-blooded rodent/ small mammal/ frog killer. While it's true, she is all of those things, there is a very sweet side to her as well. I sometimes have a little trouble getting comfortable these days. Muffles, however, has no problems finding a cozy napping spot - whether it's on the cat bed or on me!

29 Weeks (a week ago)

I'm not sure if from this picture, one can appreciate the growth of the belly (and baby, I hope) over the last two weeks. Believe you me, it's been a lot of growth! It's a good thing the weather is cooling off because I don't think I'll be able to wear this shirt much longer - my belly just won't fit. I'll try to get another photo up next week, showing the two-week growth.

A Siblings Trip to Atlanta (10/7-10/9/06)

Two weekends ago, I met up with Dodie, Mom and Uncle Randolph in Atlanta. (Randolph, Lauren, Aunt Clare and Grandfather live there.) It was fun to hang out with my siblings - as well as to see Mom with HER siblings. Grandfather, at 98 1/2 is doing fantastic! It's always a treat to see him. [Correction: GF is 97 1/2 - but no less fantastic!]
Randolph and Lauren have a "black lab/chow" mix-breed dog, Shadow. He was recently shaved and now looks adorable. (You all know I'm a sucker for a cute dog.)

Site Under Construction

I have several photos to post from the last week or so, but the home computer is currently dismantled and sitting in the basement. This makes it particularly difficult to download pictures, log on to the internet, etc. The good news is that this is the next big step in converting the office to the nursery!

Hopefully, we'll be back up and running at home by the weekend - so stay tuned for updated belly pictures, nursery-under-construction pictures, crib pictures, and some photos from my trip to Atlanta this past weekend.