Easter

I'm not feeling word-ish, but here are some pictures from our day.

This picture is out of focus on my A, but it's one I have to keep regardless.  I asked him to come outside for a picture and this was the pose he instantly struck.  I quite plausibly could start a GQ, Jr. Magazine.

And this was his equally serious picture face in the car...

But I think I'll take it over the silliness that emerges when I ask him to actually smile...

Something about this picture melts my heart.  Something about the plump child arm that still holds a basket in a way more toddler than big boy.  I'll take it for another year.

1st tooth!

to fall out.My man baby got teeth rather early, so I've been expecting loose baby teeth for the past year.  And the first didn't happen until he knocked his tooth the week before last.  He was thrilled with the extra assistance and immediately called grandmas, dad, and didn't want to stop there.  So when the tooth actually fell out last week, his grin truly grew. And so it begins.

I will eventually miss this teeny set of baby teeth.  I have never seen any quite so petite.

birthday plans

Today is my Jim's birthday. 

I've spent the past four days grading 80(ish) research papers.  That's 600(ish) pages of high school writing.  27 hours.  And a whole lot of red pen.  Yes, my brain is numb.

But I had to rush.  So I could steal my Birthday Boy away for the weekend.  On the way home from school yesterday, Savannah asked what Uncle Jim and I were going to do away for two days. 

I said "kiss."  She said "eeeeeeww."  But it's still the plan. 

We're in dire need of some Alone.

Happy 35, my Love!

baby shower cake

Cyndee colored my purple and green fondant on Friday.  My color gels are getting low and there was zero store trip energy left, so she mixed the colors herself from the basics.  I love having an artist mom whose skills can be put to good use!  The picture's lighting is rather poor so the green really doesn't look so hot...but it was my favorite in person.

With the colors mixed by other hands, this cake was fun to put together.  I love the clean lines of fondant (and the fact that no icing bags have to fill my sink in the aftermath). The bottom layer is 8"...the top 4"...so this was a petite 3-tier.

Something I learned about fondant this time around:  The fondant decorations (balls, circles, bow) keep a nice shine when you brush them lightly with vegetable oil or shortening (I simply used a small paintbrush, dipping sparingly).  It really added vibrance to the cake.

baby-building

I've always known I have a very hospitable uterus. 

Case in point:  baby #1 refused to leave its cozy spot...eventually had to be forced out two weeks overdue and after two days of pitocin. 

And:  baby #2 had the luxury of nearly twice the usual amount of amniotic fluid...he was swimming in style..a less patient mother forced this one out one week after the due date. 

But yesterday I had an ultrasound and the technician used a different, less attractive term for my baby-building paradise.  Reason for the ultrasound: to determine more precise due date after the doctor "felt" a uterus that seemed further than 11 weeks along.  

After the tech has taken a number of measurements...

Me:  So, does the due date look right?

She: Yes.

Me:  Do I just have a lot of fluid?

She: Not really.  You just have a bulky uterus.

In my head: did she honestly (and oh so casually) just call my uterus "bulky"?

Me:  I can't think of an uglier word to describe any part of a person's anatomy.

She: It's just big.  But it's healthy.  It happens.

In my head:  It happens? (to who? and why? and how?)

So, of course I came home and googled pictures of what a more normal-sized uterus home looks like at 11 weeks. 

Random googled image:

Now brace yourself because there's a definite difference in these images, my friends.  Welcome to my bulky uterus..a place for tiny humans who want to grow in style (and with space to spare!):

(this particular tiny human refused to put on a show, but the heartbeat was strong & solid..the best thing I'd heard all day. obviously.)