Easter weekend in IL

Easter weekend flew by in a flurry of family, food and fun.  We were a little wary of how Callie was going to do with the long car ride to IL, but she took it like a champ.  She slept nearly the entire way out and back needing only one pit stop each time.  Somehow my pregger bladder made it with only the one stop as well.  I'll choose to take it as a sign that gummy bear will do well on car trips - which would be awesome considering it's a minimum of three and a half hours to see any immediate family.

Saturday morning we had brunch (read: yuuum) with some of the cousins at Gretchen and Tim's house.  Gretchen is Brian's cousin and is also pregnant, due about a month before me.

Gretchen and I showing off our bumps.

Callie's first encounter with a cat at Gretchen's.  She wanted to play, the cat did not.

Saturday night we celebrated Brian's grandpa's 80th birthday.  It was a fun night with indoor bocce ball and great food and seeing his mom's side of the family.  His grandpa didn't want any gifts, so instead Sue put together a beautiful and thoughtful book that she asked everyone to submit a page for.  It was fun reading through all the old memories and stories people have with him.

Sunday morning we had Easter brunch with Sue's side of the family, filled with more delicious food (thank you stretchy waist band).  I hesitantly tried my first scallop, not being much of a seafood person, and ended up going back for seconds. Before we left, Brian and Joel walked around the yard and picked out some plants to split and take home with us to transplant into our landscaping.  We also took home a few loaves of completely homemade bread - including grain Joel purchased and milled into flour himself.  Between all the things that he and Sue are learning to do (mill flour to make bread, make cheese, can, make soap, etc) and those that her sister and brother-in-law already do (raise chickens, keep bees, grow and can many different kinds of foods, among many other things) I'm pretty sure we're all set for an apocalypse - assuming we survive, of course. I've decided that I should probably take up some survival skills so I don't have to bum off everyone else.  Maybe I'll start off slowly and bring out my yogurt maker...hopefully there is electricity after the apocalypse.

Bleeding hearts that we transplanted from Joel and Sue's yard.  One of my favorite plants.

Sunday night.  I think it's safe to say she was a little tired.

I came away from this weekend with two big thoughts running through my head.  First, I feel so unprepared for this baby.  Secondly, I love having recent and soon-to-be moms (read: Brian's cousins) share their tips and tricks with me.  They're honest and upfront and it freaks me out but it makes me feel better too.  In nine days we find out the sex of the baby.  Nine days!  I'm actually kind of nervous about it.

19 weeks! Almost halfway already!

A rather hilarious picture from this past week.  She looks like she's pretending to be an insane bunny.

Love,
-K