Long story short, a friend watched the kids for me so I could get some baby prep errands done. I went to Aldi and got all cocky about my parking skills. From there, I went to Target, where I grabbed a coffee, did some browsing, and then, oh yeah, hit a car. A gal was parked behind me, I didn't see her AT ALL because this van is a behemoth and visibility is nil, and I totally punctured her bumper with our tow ball. (No damage to our van, obviously, because again, this thing is massive.) Luckily, she was right there and I was able to give her my info, but dang. This isn't exactly what I'd call a good omen.
I haven't driven it since.
But let's move on to happier news, like the fact that I bought - and prepared - ninety-three pounds of meat that day. I made about 20 lbs of chicken breasts, 20 lbs of ground beef, 10 lbs of chicken drumsticks, 10 lbs of chicken thighs, four whole roasting chickens, and an entire ham, all in the name of freezer prep. I also soaked and cooked 5 lbs of beans and 2 lbs of rice. I'm in the final stages of getting it all squared away, with chicken carcasses simmering away into broth as I type this. It has been exhausting, but I'm feeling good that I've at least done something preparatory for the baby stage that is about to hit.
That all is just Friday. This week was a real doozy, so I have lots more to share. Settle in. Get good and comfy.
On Saturday morning, Penelope threw me a baby shower. We baked brownies, which we then ate for lunch alongside gummy bears and Boursin with Nut Thins. (All gluten-free, all favorites around here. She even made sure to find dairy-free brownie mix so Callista could join the fun.) Then I took a post-food nap, because that's just who I am. Then we opened gifts and played Baby Pictionary.
Setting a sassy example for my daughters, as usual.
Penelope purchased the fabric and tied this blanket herself as a gift for the new baby.
I spent Saturday afternoon at my friend Lynna's.
Sunday was luckily pretty normal - church, McDonald's for lunch, naps, cereal for dinner, Biblica (the house church the kids have started leading each week - I'll have to fill you in soon!), Narnia Club, and family movie night. This week we watched Matilda.
On Monday, Atticus spent the day in Kansas City with Todd, getting his braces tightened, watching his favorite World War II movies in the van, and eating at Pizza Ranch for lunch. He has really loved the special days that his orthotropics appointments have provided.
Tuesday was my birthday. I had fully anticipated it just being another day - homeschool, Connection Group in the evening, you know the drill. But I'd gotten a massage appointment scheduled for that afternoon, which was such a blessing as I've been in so much pain lately with this pregnancy, and then Penelope organized a gift-giving ceremony in the evening. It ended up being a really nice day.
Additionally, our Connection Group threw us a surprise baby shower in the evening. It meant so much that they would think to do something like that - I can sometimes be tempted to feel like people forget to celebrate after the second or third baby, or they see it as unnecessary, and that really bums me out. Each new life is so precious, and it's so amazing when other people get excited about celebrating each individual baby, no matter how many have come before them in the family!
On Wednesday, I finally got in to have my hair cut. (It was high time - I hadn't had it cut since last June!) I knew I wouldn't be able to get in for a few months once the baby was born, so it was kind of now or never. Then on Wednesday evening, we headed over to a friend's farm for a grill-out, since it was in the 70's. This weather, friends, is what I signed on for when I moved to Missouri. I can get behind this weather. I'll hopefully get up enough gumption to post more on this fun night next week.
Yesterday was pretty low-key at our house: we did school, and a gal from the gardening organization that's been helping me with my garden the last few years came over to bring plants and seeds for me to get in the ground. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain, so none of it has actually made it into the ground yet, but hopefully in the next few days.
Atticus' day yesterday was much more eventful, though: our friend Josiah is in an officer training program for the Marines, and he offered to take Atticus out for a training day: he learned about 'buddy rushing,' they played 'cover and conceal,' he learned about gun safety and using a compass to find his way back to a familiar place when he's lost. He even got to wear face paint and camouflage. He was in HEAVEN. Then after their big afternoon, Josiah and his wife brought pizza over for dinner and we got to hear all about the events of the day. It was such a blessing to Atticus - I honestly can't get over what an amazing gift it was for him, straight from the hand of the God who knows him, and loves him, and delights in bringing him joy.
And that was our week! In updates, Callista's doing much better - the salmonella and E. coli ran their course, and things with her digestion are starting to swing back to a sense of normal again. Not great still, but at least normal. We're starting to add dairy back in slowly to see if it messes with her, but so far things have seemed pretty good, so that's super promising.
Yes, this is how much she eats by herself. For firsts. She had second helpings after this plateful of chicken soup was emptied.
I'm now 37 weeks along and feeling every single bit of it. The massage didn't do much of what I was hoping it would for my leg cramping, so I'm still not sleeping at night, and I feel just massive. Ahhh, pregnancy is such a beautiful time.
And that was our very full (yet again!) week!
