Give me MO...

This weekend Greg and I went through what I want to call "New Parent Boot Camp." This consisted of Greg's first visit to meet our new doctor at the Women and Children's Hospital, our all day birth class and hospital tour and putting together Miss P's room and crib. Tonight we round it off with our Infant CPR and healthcare class.

After three weeks of organizing, unpacking and painting Greg and I are finally starting to see the end in sight for our house projects. It has been exhausting, but we have loved it. The only room left to paint is our bedroom which Greg will be working on when I head to Texas later this week. This will also be after his presentation at the Journalism Educator's conference (again so proud of him for getting the student paper award). Below are some photos of our living room, two of our bathrooms, and Miss P's room (where I've started on a mural). Three rooms what we worked on during the past two weeks. Greg has done such a great job painting all these rooms and cleaning up after the painting. I am so grateful to have him to share in this journey with.

Living room photo progression...



Bathrooms...



Miss P's Room...

Also for those who remember my sorority sister Kara and her baby James Sikes, this week a baby giraffe was born at the Dallas Zoo and they are petitioning to have her named Jamie after James. The form is available on the Dallas Zoo website or click here.

Ten Weeks

Miss P will be here in just ten weeks! Starting this week I go to the doctor every two weeks. We'll be switching insurance to University of Missouri's in a month and we still have so much to prepare for.

Yesterday I had my glucose test. They have not called yet, which I am hoping is a good sign. I guess my "Just say "not" to Gestational Diabetes" mantra worked? (Knock on wood). It is really hot here, but not as hot as Washington, DC or Texas, so I guess it could be worse. I had to break down and water the lawn yesterday after several days of waiting for rain. Next time I'll try not to be pregnant during the summer.

It's hard to believe she could be here in ten weeks, which is two and a half months.

Greg and I still have so much to do to prepare for her arrival.
I've registered Greg and I for a birthing class, I'm reading Birth Skills by Juju Sundin, I wrote up my birth plan, and we are getting her room ready. Sadly, just when I have adjusted to living in Missouri I'll be adjusting to Miss P's arrival into our family.

Greg returns from DC on Saturday morning and will be here permanently. The next few weeks we'll get him ready to start his new job, finish unpacking our house, finish painting, go to a conference for Journalism Educators in St. Louis (where Greg is receiving an award), and we'll have a yard sale.

Also in August I'll go to Texas for a baby shower for Miss P and get to see my friend Samantha who is coming into town for the baby shower from LA! A lot of exciting stuff.

These last two weeks (in Missouri) have been an adjustment. Life moves a lot slower here. I find myself craving ethnic food like crazy. Earlier this week I went and got Chinese and Indian food, although I wish I could go to Etete (on U Street) and have Ethiopian. Yesterday I heard some people speaking Spanish and it made my day. While there is culture in Columbia it is more difficult to find. In DC I could just get on the bus and hear three different languages. I guess I am experiencing a little culture shock.

That said I do love the culture of hospitality here. I've met some sweet people. I love my new neighbors and our friends the Varners. I am so thankful for all the time they have spent with me while Greg is away. I know I will get to meet some more wonderful people the longer I am here.