Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Hmm.. if only that were true. Obviously, I'm not done, because I'm still around, pregnant as can be. But seriously? Yes, I am "done." The picture I have included for your viewing eyes is me at 38 weeks pregnant, taken a week ago. I can't wait to be holding our sweet little man in my arms and not like this in my big belly!
I had a doctor appointment on Tuesday, where they informed me that I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. This could obviously mean a couple of different things, either any day or a few more weeks, who really knows. However, the biggest obstacle that we would like to overcome is this weekend. Brant is presenting a paper at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) conference in San Francisco on Sunday morning. It is huge honor and I wish I could join him while he is there. But alas. Maddie and I will remain in Pasadena, staying away from the hospital at all costs, until he returns. He leaves early Saturday morning and returns late Sunday night, so we just have to make it through those 2 days!

We are trying our hardest to think positively and plan on nothing happening, but each day it seems to get more difficult. I can feel my body progressing every few hours, and it is hard not to think that we are right around the corner with labor and delivery. We do have a contingency plan if the unfortunate "perfect storm" does occur. We have some fantastic friends and neighbors who are "on call" for me all weekend long, which would include watching Maddie and also taking me to the hospital and staying with me until Brant were to arrive. Whew! The unknowns of when a baby will be born! Never is it a seemingly convenient time, and yet, the timing will be absolutely perfect.

Nevertheless, we are pushing through, excited to get this show on the road, while also being filled with a few feelings of anxiety because we know what we are about to head into. My last day of work is next Wednesday, and then I will have close to 10 weeks off. Ahh. I'm looking forward to that break. With or without a baby, I just need to mentally step away from it all.
On Friday, we will welcome Brant's mom into town for several days, followed by a visit from my mom for several more days. We are very much looking forward to time spent with both of them, and bonding time for them with the kids (not to mention, the extra helping hands!!).

So, there you have it. You are about as up-to-date as you could possibly be. Keep your ears and eyes open for our big announcement!!

Maddie's First Haircut!

We finally bit the bullet and took Maddie to the salon to get her first haircut. For the longest time, we had no desire to rush the experience. We did not feel as though her hair needed a change, continuing to enjoy the ponytails on the top of her head. But the last few months we've started to change our tune, noticing her hair needed to be "cleaned up" just a bit.

For the initial haircut, I desired to take her to a kids salon, complete with toys, bright colors, balloons and fun chairs to sit in while the hair is being cut. We settled on a place called Little Kuts, which successfully met all of these requirements, although not quite to the extravagant detail I would have expected in Pasadena.

Maddie did well, considering how particular, stubborn and cautious she can be in unknown situations. The biggest hang-up for her was getting her hair squirted with the water bottle. She really did not approve of this method, but we managed to get her through it, while showing her all the pictures from the past few weeks on my camera, and throwing multiple books her way throughout the process. When the woman finished cutting, we actually kind of looked at her and asked if she could cut some more. We both realized that we had come into this thinking there was going to be quite a dramatic difference, when really, she was just "cleaned up," as I guess we had originally desired. All in all, it was a necessary and successful experience...and I was sure to take pictures to document the occasion (did you expect anything less?)!

Her royal frog throne, prior to any water coming into contact with her head. Distractions at work.Look at that hair!She was totally serious throughout the whole ordeal.The TV also provided a much needed distraction. :) Minus the "scowl" on her face, look how grown-up and cute she is!Hey! There she is!The back-side of her "cleaned up" look, along with her pink balloon she got at the end of the hair cut. Additionally, although not pictured, she received a certificate indicating she had her "first haircut," along with a lock of her curl that was cut. Self-portrait, trying to capture the overwhelming cuteness in the room. :) You can't totally tell in this picture, but I had my hair cut and colored this last week, too. We are all dolled up for our littlest man to make his appearance!Contemplating how great it feels to have a cute new do!

Trick or Treat!

Maddie had her first trick-or-treat experience this year, and it was a great success! She dressed up as Princess Belle and was just as excited and content to be in her pretty yellow dress with her orange pumpkin, than anything! We joined our friends, Shawn and Michelle, and their kids, Mateo, Maddison and Aubri, and headed over to some Fuller communities that are located nearby campus to trick-or-treat. It was the perfect set-up, great for little kids and just their speed. Enjoy the pictures!
The Princess kisses her Prince Charming.
Maddie and Mateo, ready to go!And we're off! Maddison and Maddie, taking over the streets with fairy and princess cuteness.She's a fast learner...surprise, surprise. :)Michelle and I took the kids around the apartments, while Brant and Shawn manned the strollers (and baby Aubri).This is serious business.But also silly-business.Maddie's final verdict on the evening's activity.I think you can agree that it was a successfully fun and memorable evening! :)

Carving Pumpkins

Last Sunday night, we partook in our first official pumpkin carving tradition as a family. In fact, it was the first time Brant and I have carved pumpkins together in our entire relationship - we're talking 11 years here, people! Don't bother asking why it has taken us this long, because I won't have an answer for you...I don't even know. We both grew up carving pumpkins, but it never translated over into our dating/marriage relationship. Who knows.

Regardless, we cleaned up our dinner dishes, turned on some fun tunes, and set to work. Maddie was not interested in changing out of her clothes, and knowing she wasn't really going to be getting all down and dirty with the pumpkin, we decided to let it go. Please do not judge us for the fact that she is dressed in her Sunday best.

Maddie is all set-up, ready to go! She even made sure to bring her trick-or-treat pumpkin over to the table to join in the fun.
Bring it on.Wow, Daddy!Checking it all out...what is that stuff?!Do you dare me to touch it, Mommy?Loving us some pumpkin carving!Let me try!Hmm...not so sure about this anymore.Maddie would rather stick to what she is comfortable with...hugs......and kisses, too!Trying my hand at the knife, which I'd say I did pretty well.So serious.Wohoo! The pumpkin is now smiling!It made Maddie smile.And Daddy, too!What a great memory we made, and are excited to *finally* make this into a yearly tradition!

30 at Disneyland

Brant's actual birthday finally arrived on Sunday, the 23rd. My body's alarm clock woke me up at 6:45 (lame!), and I was inspired to make a secret run to the store before the rest of the household began to stir. Who knows why I didn't plan on this ahead of time, but it all worked out perfectly. I came home with a special breakfast and birthday balloons (which Brant enjoyed for 30 seconds, before Maddie claimed them to be her own - note in the picture above, the balloons are specifically sitting in the chair next to Maddie at the table. This has been the pattern for every meal since Brant's birthday). It was a great way to kick-start our day of fun!
Happy Birthday to Brant, from the festive Disneyland Resort!Okay, folks. This is only 1 week old - take it or leave it! I am approximately 36 weeks pregnant in this picture (give or take, depending on who you ask). Yup, kind of ready to be done.Our way of getting a picture with the giant Mickey pumpkin, without waiting through the ridiculously long line - just taken from a distance.We enjoyed a special birthday dinner at Cafe Orleans, a place we have never been to before. They are famous for their Monte Cristo Sandwiches. Seriously, look at that thing! It made for a delicious left-over lunch the following day!
One final ride for the night. It was a special day, celebrating our favorite guy!

Brant's Birthday Bash

On day 2 of Brant's Birthday Celebration Weekend, we spent the day at Huntington Beach with some good friends of ours. It just so happens that they own 2 surfboards, which is an activity that Brant has only done once before this weekend, and desires to do much more of. They have three little ones, ages 4, 2, and 8 months, with the middle one being a girl named Maddie, too!
It was the perfect combination for everyone: a day at the beach, surfing, and a friend for everyone to hang out with.

The weather was in the upper 80s in Pasadena, and was incredibly clear and beautiful all the way there, until about 1/2 a mile from the coastline - of course! It actually felt more like home (although still much warmer), with all the marine layer/gray clouds that were out.

Maddie, happy to be at the beach! Surf's Up!

Maddison Grace and Madelyn Mae, happily playing with the sand between their toes!

Daddy is all ready to go catch some waves!

I wanted a picture with Brant, prior to him coming in soaking wet.
Of course, all the kids had their own agenda that had to take priority - daddies must come and play in the water before hitting their boards! Brant, with our fearless little water baby, along with Shawn, and his kids Maddison and Mateo.

Time to head out!

Birthday Boy, sitting on his board, which I hear is a lot more difficult that it looks.

Maddie really enjoyed collecting seashells, and couldn't take her eyes off the little treasures inside her bucket.

She's telling me all about her seashells.

Michelle, and baby Aubri, lounging on the beach chair...

...while the other 3 kids were running around, chasing seagulls flying above us. :)

Brant and Shawn came back in to a take a break for a little while. Upon returning, it was revealed that Brant's wetsuit had been on inside out the whole time. He was a bit chilled from the experience, to say the least. It took him a little while to peel the suit off of his body, while the other 3 adults enjoyed the hilarious spectacle of his struggle. :)

After we finished on the beach, we walked around the adorable town of Huntington Beach. The sun came out for a bit, but it was incredibly windy, so it still never quite warmed up the way we were hoping for.

We ate dinner at BJ's, enjoying some incredible pizza - another one of Brant's favorites! And, yes, Maddie has her binky in her mouth...I don't really need to get into the "why" or "how we got to that point." Let's just say it was a very full and fun day, filled with friends, stimulation and no nap. :)
Happy Birthday, Brant!! We all had so much fun celebrating YOU today!