35 and counting

Saturday will be 35 weeks pregnant -- only 5 to go!  So yesterday, Dexter and I went up to RVA to have a few photos taken by our friend Jenny to mark the occasion.  There can never be too many baby bump photos to remember this phase in life!  I find it hard to believe that we're fast approaching the end of this time.  I have really enjoyed being pregnant (probably because I have experienced no sickness or other problems) and I think I might even miss it a bit.  I will be glad to sleep on my stomach again, though!

So now the question is: Do you think I'm carrying a boy or a girl?  I've already gotten two votes for a girl.  I have no sense, really.  I hope we're having a girl.  My sister in law gave birth to a boy this week, and all my friends who are pregnant or who have recently given birth have boys.  I'd say it is time for a girl in the mix.  What do you think?

Also, a special thank you goes to my friend Brooke who has provided pretty much all of my maternity clothes! (Everything I'm wearing here, for sure).  It is great to be able to get so many things from others who have gone through this.  We have quite the stockpile of supplies already which is very helpful!

the breakfast nook

Our kitchen is long and has a natural separation of kitchen space and other space. We got a small table and called the other space our breakfast nook. Never mind that we've never actually eaten breakfast there. Perhaps some day.  It is nice to have the table there in the kitchen so that Dexter, or others, can sit with me while I'm cooking.

Last week, Dexter painted the nursery! It is still a catch-all room, and there's not much to show for it yet, so we'll have to wait to share more photos of that. With left over paint from that project, we decided to paint the nook.  It looks good.

Let me remind you where we came from:

This was the day the previous family was moving out, and our first look at what would be our new home.  Needless to say, we were not overly encouraged at the prospects ahead of us.

Unfortunately I don't have any of the after photos of the nook. Just of the kitchen so I'll post that here just so you can get a sense of how vastly things improved.

Already it was brighter with the white paint and new tile floors.  We are so thankful...even if it did take 3 long months for them to finish all the work!

On Thursday Dexter got out the paint again and went to work.

Not too bad for an after-work project, I'd say!  I'm still not totally sold on this yellow color for the baby's room, but we'll live with it for now, I guess. I hope that with other things in the room it won't feel so strong. 

There's still a few more things we'd like to paint (a wall in our bedroom, possibly the guest room) but I think for now we'll focus on other things.

Like getting the nursery in order! 7 weeks to go!

two

Monday was our second anniversary!  It seems hard to believe that it has already been two years since:

(just a few of my faves from the day)

Also this weekend we reached 32 weeks in the pregnancy, and Sunday was Dexter's 32nd birthday, so it was a big weekend for us!  To celebrate all these momentous occasions - and to get away for what might be the last time before baby comes - we went to Malu Lodge which is just a little ways away from here.  Even though we weren't so far away it felt like another world.  

The change of pace was exactly what we needed for the weekend, giving us time to reflect on two years, the upcoming baby and changes that will bring, as well as to look into the future years together.  As I said - 2 years down 70 to go!  

Malu has 1800 acres to explore, so we set off to the "plunge pool" walking over the river and through the woods. It was beautiful!

 probably not the brightest idea of all time

I relaxed by the river while Dexter was taking artsy photos and exploring the plunge pool

When we arrived back to our room, we saw this spectacular sunset.  Forgive the excess photos.

 32 weeks

Being away from the city (or security) lights meant that the night sky was spectacular, too! No photos of that, but we stood outside and enjoyed the stars, and even got see a shooting star!  It was a good night.

Just in case you think I went alone, here's proof that Dexter came, too. Here he is reading some dental journal in the sun and enjoying the slower pace of life.

our little cottage

We anticipate good things for this new year of our marriage.  A new baby! New responsibilities for Dexter at the Dental Clinic, changes big and small lie ahead of us and we look forward to them all.