michaelangelo would have had an iPod, too

For the past two or three weekends, Uncle Lawrence has been coming over to paint a mural in Baby McJ's room. Somehow, Paul and I decided on a Toy Story- Buzz Lighyear theme, so Lawrence came up with the perfect design. I'm taking "in progress" pictures as the artist completes his vision. I don't know how he does it-- he has a couple of shows he painting for, too plus working full time at Adrenium. I'll try to get some show info and post it here so you can see how amazing talented my brother is.

eBay never ceases to amaze me. Paul was able to find curtains, a valance and bedding (for when baby grows out of his crib) with the Buzz Lightyear theme for really good prices (the curtains and bedding together was around $50 plus shipping.) Funny thing about the sheets-- Paul got an email from the seller. Apparently, her toddler was "helping" her pack up the sheets and she didn't realize that his hands were covered in blueberry jam, so he got jam all over the sheets. She tried to wash them but was not successful in getting all the stains out-- hope that was okay! And, to make up for it, she would send some Buzz Lightyear wall stickers/borders for free. Paul forwarded the email to me and I couldn't stop laughing. (I see it as a "things to come" kind of thing.)

Anyway, everything arrived and the sheets are fine. There's a couple of smudges on the fitted sheet, but they are really hard to see.I highly doubt little McJ will mind!

a frosty valentines day

we woke up this morning and lo and behold-- snow! by lunchtime, there was nothing left. ah, well. it sure made for pretty pictures.

where's the baby?

Nadia is Natasha's three year old daughter. She was playing hostest during most of the party, asking if I needed to "pee-pee" or offering me a peanut. When it came to opening the presents, she asked "where are my presents?" Everyone tried to explain to her that the party was for Laurel and the presents were for the baby.

"Where is the baby?" Nadia would ask.

"The baby is in Laurel's tummy." Everyone assured her.

So, Nadia wasn't satisfied with that explanatio so she walked up to me between gift openings and asked, "Where is the baby?" I patted my belly and told her that baby was right here and she could put her hand there to feel for herself. Well, she put her hand on my belly, looked up at me and asked again, "Where is the baby?" She then proceeded to lift up my shirt and put her hands on my bare belly, carefully searching for Baby McJannet. I had to laugh because she was so determined to find this baby we kept insisting was right there in my belly. Unfortunately, Baby McJ was probably asleep otherwise he would have given a firm kick to say "Hey, here I am!"

our first baby shower

On Saturday, February 11th, Jillian and Natasha hosted a baby shower for me and Baby McJannet. It was a tea party that brought together the families. There was great food, great company and lots of oohing and aahing over the adorable baby outfits and baby necessities for Baby McJ. The party ended with a scrapbook created by Jillian's daughter Maddy and Kate's daughter Christina containing all the photos Jillian was taking during the shower, as well as snippets of advice given by the party goers. It was a thoughtful and very creative gift!

Here are more photos from the shower.

valentines a week early

So on Monday morning, I received a call from our receptionist.

"You've got a package up front."

"Um, is this something I can lift by myself?" (Being 8 months pregnant, with a belly out-to-there, it makes it hard to haul boxes and such.)

"Um, yeah. I think you can handle this one."

So, I trudge up to the reception area to find a Springy bouquet of flowers! From, who else, my dear husband!

He figured that since we are having our Valentines dinner the day before Valentines Day (the earliest reservation we could get at our favorite restaurant, Palomino, was around 8:45 p.m.!) why not have flowers delivered a week early and stretch out the holiday.

He's a smart one, that Paul hubby of mine.