Guy Party

Sharon had a baby shower this past weekend and guys were not invited, so I decided that we would have a guy party and celebrate our independence. We would drink beer, eat red meat and watch all the preseason football we could handle. Oh yeah, baby sit the kids.





Here are the rest of pictures from the weekend.

The Little Engine that Could... (Maybe)

We all joke about how babies have it made - eat, pee/poop, sleep, play, and repeat. Life in the uterus I'm sure is very similar; however, recently each night Miss Itty has changed it up a little bit. Last Friday we found out that she is currently breech. If you think about my "bump" as a clock, her head is at 12 and her feet are tucked in nicely at 6. The doctor wasn't worried and said she still had plenty of time to spin herself around. Then this week her attempts to spin around began. I had just gotten into bed and was reading her a Dr. Seuss story when she began moving her head down towards 9 and trying to move her feet up towards 3. She tried, and she tried, and she tried. Eventually after what felt like hours of her trying to use my internal organs as leverage points she gave up. I finally understood the disappointment parents feel when their child isn't successful at a task he/she tries really, really hard at. Then last night after Dave read her another Dr. Seuss book she began trying again. This time though she was trying in the other direction, so her head was moving down towards 3 and her feet were trying really hard to spin towards 9. Dave loved watching all of her movement and was amazed at how much we could see and how she was poking out my belly button. He decided to read her yet another story for encouragement. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful again - but she did try longer this time. She worked at spinning herself during the entire 2nd story and then continued after he had left the room. We still have time, so maybe if I read her The Little Engine that Could each day she will keep trying to spin her little body.

SURPRISE!!!

Over the past week Dave has been very vague about our weekend plans, which is strange for him - especially since if the sun is shinning we on a weekend, then we go boating. However, yesterday afternoon he came home and said I had to be showered, in my blue dress, with make up on, and my hair blown dry by 1pm today because we had plans. Through yesterday evening and this morning he kept asking me if I had any clue what we were doing at 1pm today, if I was curious, and if I had any guesses. Honestly, I was just feeling bad that I had gotten so relaxed during my summer vacation that my husband felt he needed to tell me to shower, dry my hair, and wear make up. I admit I haven't worn make up regularly this summer, but I have showered and dried my hair almost every day.
So this afternoon we hopped in the car and began driving all over Cornelius. There was road construction on a nearby road, so Dave went into major short cut and back road mode all trying to navigate up towards Davidson. In Cornelius we have this cute, old house that has been restored and turned into a Tea House. They serve a variety of teas and yummy finger foods. He dropped me off by the front door and asked me to wait for him while he parked the car. As we walked into the house I was really beginning to wonder what he was up to, this was not his normal style. He quickly told the hostess we were looking for the Priscella Room, which was when she spilled the beans and said, "Oh, for the baby shower? It is right through there." Dave's glowing face fell as he escorted me into the room. There were 6 ladies/moms from my neighborhood (and a 7th on the way) surrounding a beautifully set table. I quickly found out that 2 of my neighbors had orchestrated this gathering asking for Dave's help with the guest list and in getting me to the Tea House at the appropriate time.
We had a lovely tea time, with Strawberry Green Tea and Apricot Tea and many yummy finger sandwiches and desserts. During our time the other moms shared many stories and a lot of advice, while I told about yesterday's doctor's appointment and described our nursery and Dave's overall excitement during this time. Towards the end of our time I was directed towards a table of gifts. As I opened the gifts many of the moms explained why the items in the bag or basket were "essential". I absolutely loved hearing all of the advice and definitely received many items that I wouldn't have picked up on my own, but totally understand what makes them essential and probably would have sent Dave out for in a panic at some point after Miss Itty arrived.
While this afternoon is technically called a "Baby Shower" I did walk away feeling like it was more of an initiation to the "Mommy Club!" Yes, Baby Orr was showered with gifts, but I was showered with knowledge and essentials and got to spend time with 7 women in my neighborhood who will help me out as I navigate this new path into the mommyhood world.

Daddy - Daughter Time

Dave has enjoyed reading a variety of books each night to my belly. This began in June when a classroom parent gave me the book, Oh, Baby, the Places You Will Go! A book to be read in utero. While reading this story Dave was able to feel Miss Itty for the first time. He has really enjoyed reading to her each night he is home and watching my belly for her reaction to the story. By watching her reaction each time we have concluded that she likes to have stories read to her, but she really likes the rhythm of Dr. Seuss.

Dave's fascination of watching and feeling her move has also led him to give my belly zurberts, poke it, or give it small "baby quakes". This week Miss Itty has been a lot more responsive to this play time. On Tuesday he would give my belly a zurbert and she would immediately kick or punch the area. This continued for a few moments and Dave left the room in a strut like any proud father would. Last night he attempted to listen for her heartbeat, I had read recently that soon he should be able to hear her heartbeat as she got into position and she became more cramped for room. Unfortunately he wasn't able to hear that heartbeat, but he did get a nice kick or punch in the face by his daughter. Again he was the proud father who rejoiced in this play time and put his ear back on my belly to wait for her to hit again. Of course Dave was not left disappointed and quickly felt a little thud.

This week of Dave being home each evening and watching this daddy-daughter time has been wonderful; however, I think it may impairing their ability to sleep. They both seem to be wide awake after this time - Dave goes off to play on his computer or to catch up on missed TV from his time in Indiana and Miss Itty continues to swim and move around.

And the building continues...

Tonight Dave and I built the Play Yard (Chicco's version of a Pack 'N Play) from my parents. Dave reminded me of a young boy on Christmas morning. He very quickly ripped open the box and pulled out the play yard. It was neatly packaged in the travel container (which not all of the parts will ever go back neatly into this bag again). The frame came out first and was opened up, like a petite tailgating tent. Then pieces were snapped in, rings with animals were hung, parts were zipped together, and using the directions only once we had a Play Yard/Changing Table/Bassinet all in one. It was quite an adventure and made us realize that Miss Itty will be here in less than 3 months...

Jake even entered the room to watch.

Happy Birthday David!

David celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday!! The day started with me getting up early to help out our neighbors and David not leaving for work until 9, he claims he wasn't feeling the early wake up on his birthday - I think he wanted to hear me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY again. :-) After he left for work I began working on his birthday cake. David requested a giant chocolate cupcake using the pan Julia had given me for Christmas. He also requested that the giant cupcake have white icing on the bottom and chocolate icing for its top. Slowly throughout the day the cupcake began to take shape.







Finally when David got home from work around 5, the kitchen was clean and the cake was ready. A very eager birthday boy was ready to eat his cake and open his birthday present and cards. We began his celebration with cards, gifts, and cake, and then continued the celebration at Tenders (a local fast food restaurant), a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot to research gas grills, and ending with an evening boat ride.