Little paper lanterns

We have white paper lanterns in our office downstairs, and they create a really pretty glow! I hate the ceiling lights because they create such stark lighting, and these were a good alternative!

When we started talking about the nursery a few months ago, we discussed getting lanterns for the baby's room so we wouldn't have to turn on a bright ceiling light on in the middle of the night for diaper changes, and feedings.

I found a great website that specializes in these paper lanterns- all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Of course...we decided to go with PINK! We bought 5 packs of 10, and had to assemble them ourselves. We had a pretty good system going, and TEAM DORR worked well together!

I loooove the way they turned out- so cozy, sweet, and delicate looking! Not to say we'll never use the ceiling fan lights, but I think these will be more pleasant to squint at at 2am :) Another cool thing about these- John put them on sort of a dimmer switch, and there are three different settings of 'brightness' so we can adjust them according to how bright we want the room!

The process begins...making the lanterns.

Here they are before they were strung on the light cords.

One view from the room, a little blurry.

Safety first...John will one foot on the glider, and the other on the foot rest :)

Water Camping

Two years ago we went camping on 4th of July weekend with some friends on an 'island' in Seaford, which is only about 10-15 minutes away, but feels much further because it's so remote! It was a lot of fun, but there were some rough points: it was really hot (over 100 degrees) with NO shade at all, no bathrooms, and we had to swim to get to shore because the boat would get stuck if we went any further.

We haven't gone camping there since that summer, much to my happiness...until tonight. John planned a last-minute night out camping with some friends a few days ago, and decided to go back to that little island in Seaford. I decided I'd go for a few hours, and hang out, but not spend the night. John kept telling everyone it wasn't that bad, and that we'd just barely wade to the shore. Ummmm- ok, John! I knew better...

People most definitely had to more than wade. I'm so lucky I got to pull the 'pregnancy card' on this one, and was able to be brought via air mattress to the shore! I stayed for about three hours, and most everyone else stayed overnight.

I'm not always the best sport when it comes to living outside what is comfortable to me...and this was no different! (I'm thinking being almost 9 months pregnant played a pretty big part in this.) I didn't sleep at all last night from a horrible backache, woke up early to get ready to host a baby shower, was on my feet all day, and camping in the sand on the beach just wasn't something I was looking forward to. Although I felt that way, I also reminded myself that these impromptu trips with friends will be few, and far between when we have a baby. I am also so outgoing that the thought of missing out on a social event with friends nearly kills me! I'm glad I went for a short time- and I'm also glad I left when I did!

Here are just a few pictures from the night.

John multi-tasking. Sharpening his stick, while eating his hotdog.

Betsy, Rae, and Katey

Me being brought to the shore via air mattress. Thanks John, Stew, and Jon!

This is what we pulled up to on the boat. 'Come on Leah, it's not that bad...'

Sooooo tired after a long day!

Katey & Piper's Baby Shower

Today I threw (with the help of some awesome friends) a shower for my best friend Katey! She's pregnant with her second child- a girl...Piper Grace Toller! She's due three weeks after me, and it's been fun being pregnant at the same time; sharing the experience together.

It was a small, intimate shower...and it was really nice! Since it's another girl she's having (and she's due the same season as when Rae was born), Katey and Matt decided not to officially register anywhere. Instead, everyone at the shower bought them gift cards to either Babies R Us or Target (where she likely would have registered). Some people came with other little gifts too, which was so nice of them!

Katey has an insane sweet tooth, so of course we did a sweet/dessert themed shower! We had all of her favorites: carrot cake, different flavored cheesecakes, monkey bread, mud pie, fruit skewers, chocolate covered pretzels, twizzlers! Her sister Betsy and I joked that we should pass out puke bags or insulin to people as they leave...since they'd be in sugar shock! Katey loved it, and that's all that matters!

This is the last baby shower of the summer- phew! There were a lot: Jess', Claire's, mine, and Katey's all within two months!

Katey opening some presents

The cavity table...

Avery and Kai...only a few weeks left!

The cake we made out of the favors

Claire and the awesome diaper cake she made for Katey

Katey and the soon-to-be BIG sister

Avery @ 35 wks, Kai @ 34 wks, and Piper @ 32 wks

Cute shoes for Baby Piper

Sandi (Katey's mom) bought Avery, Kai, and Piper matching baby clothes

Let me count the ways...

I have awesome friends, and I am so blessed!

John and I aren't crazy about the demographics of where we live, and there's no amazing scenery. We have the beach nearby, which is cool- but far cooler are the people we've gotten to know and love here over the last 5 years!

I was invited to BUNCO game night tonight at a friend's house, and it was so fun! It was a simple night of playing a game of dice...yup, that simple. But it was so fun to laugh, and play with these girls!

Let me count the ways I'm blessed...

Claire, Angela, and I

Danielle, Rochelle, Claire, and Angela

Shannon and I...showing you the ingredients for fun!
Preggo Claire
Shannon, Claire, Angela, and Lindsay

Danielle rollin' in $$

The waiting begins...

There's only a few weeks left until Avery is due to arrive- about 5 1/2 weeks to be exact! People ask me a lot, 'Has it gone by fast?' and I think my answer changes depending on the day. I can definitely pinpoint certain times during my pregnancy that it's gone by fast, and others when it's dragged on. I kind of think I'm in the dragging stage.

It feels really strange to not be back at work, when all of my teacher friends are, and so I think that contributes to days moving slowly. Also, I've reached the point where I'm getting uncomfortable: my hips, my back, and just my body overall is about done with carrying all this extra weight around.

But as soon as I say, or type that- I remind myself to be thankful because there were months, years, when I would have given anything to feel back pain due to pregnancy- haha! I'm also very blessed to not be working right now full-time as a classroom teacher! It's one thing to be pregnant, and work through the whole pregnancy, but I think it's a whole different story to be pregnant and working, have the summer off, and then go back to work almost 9 months pregnant. I really can't imagine setting up a classroom, and getting everything ready for the first day/week of school with the little sleep I get, and how uncomfortable I am.

So....the waiting begins! Because I've read so many stories, and have heard so many people talk about preterm labor, and I mean super preterm...like delivering at 25 weeks or something...it's kind of been something I've been worried about, and preparing myself for. I'll be 35 weeks this weekend, and the doctors say babies born anytime after 34 weeks don't suffer serious medical conditions, and their stay at the hospital won't be long. They are typically healthy babies who develop, and grow the same as babies who are born full-term! Yay- that's great news!

September is childbirth class month for John and I! We have a childbirth class every Wednesday night during the month of September, two Mondays we have a newborn care class, and on one Monday, we have a tour of the hospital (specifically the labor and delivery floor). John's not so crazy about the birthing class we're taking, but I don't know if any guys actually enjoys the classes. A lot of the information we already know, but my point of view is that even if we only learn 1 thing during the class- it's worth it to me! I mean, I would never want to enter into something as serious as childbirth without knowing everything I could, and knowing I've educated myself.

So...the waiting begins! Please pray for John and I; that we even now will prepare our hearts, minds, and home for Avery! I know it'll be a huge change in our lives, and it will definitely have an impact on our marriage, friendships, and everyday life.

In with the new

I've been in quite the cooking 'rut' the last few weeks. I don't feel like cooking, and if I do cook- it's nothing special! I go through these times with cooking...our relationship can be rocky at times. Sometimes I have really excited, and adventurous, and consistent with cooking. And then there are times when I am lazy, indifferent, and far from consistent with cooking. There's really no excuse for it- I've had the whole summer off to try new recipes, go food shopping, and really think about meals. There were a few weeks where I was really good about cooking a few times a week, and trying new things...

I'm trying to get better about it, since I know it's a good habit to get into: cooking at home, and sitting down with John to have a nice dinner with good conversation. Soooo- I looked up some new recipes, and found one that looks good: spinach lasagna rolls!

I'm not much of a recipe follower. Recipes really intimidate me, and I much prefer to make my own recipe/creation. And I can say with my head held high that I'm pretty good on my own. But this time I decided to use a recipe- and I'm hoping it works out well :)

34 weeks

This week marks 34 weeks (8 1/2 months pregnant), and boy do I feel it! I've had such a great pregnancy so far, and I hope it stays that way! I am starting to feel much more uncomfortable now that I'm nearing the end. My hips get tight if I'm standing/walking too long, and it's just overall uncomfortable to move- haha! I really can't imagine getting much bigger than I am currently, and it scares me that I still have 6 weeks left of growing to do! Thanksfully there's not much left on our radar before her due date: no more weddings, no more traveling, and I'm not starting work this year- so that'll be nice! My best friend Katey's baby shower is this coming weekend, and then after that- no more baby showers! (There were 5 this summer!)

Here is what BabyCenter.com says about Avery's development:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.