One Year Older...

In theory, I should be wiser, too, but for those of you out there familiar with "pregnancy brain", I'm just happy I can still remember how to tie my shoes ;-).  

So I turned the big 2-8 on the 1st.  It was mostly uneventful, by choice.  Chris is saving all his vacation time for when our little boy arrives, so he didn't take the day off as he usually does, but Averie did sleep in and take a nice, long afternoon nap, which I know is one of the greatest gifts of all!

We normally go to one of our special-occasion restaurants, but I could not fathom paying that much when I might only be able eat a few bites!  Apparently, my babies like to take advantage of my height and stay burrowed inside, occupying 90% of my abdominal space, rather than grow OUT.  It makes eating, breathing and incubating all at the same time a little difficult ;-).  I learned that lesson with Averie (with whom I was 34 weeks pregnant on our anniversary that year).   

I had been battling an Olive Garden salad craving for weeks though, so there we went.  It was also delicious, and I took a raincheck for a dinner at one of our fancier places, to be redeemed after this baby is on the outside. 

Yesterday, we celebrated with the remainder of my family.  Chris made one of my favorites -- pineapple-teriyaki chicken on the grill, in 30-degree weather, even! -- and surprised me with a cake from my favorite bakery, Kneaders.  It was fantastic and I was grateful to have a cooperative baby who allowed me to eat my fill!

I was thoroughly spoiled in the gift department as well.  Chris bought me the Cuisinart Griddler I've been eying for months, a new case for my Nook, a book of panini recipes to try out on the new griddle and a season of Glee on DVD.  My parents/siblings gave me the waffle plates to go with the griddle (now I can make Belgians!) and a season of Grey's Anatomy on DVD, one of my favorite shows!  Now if only I could get some free time for those shows......

Last, a small pregnancy update.  I passed my gestational diabetes test with flying colors so my #1 craving -- Dr. Pepper -- is safe!  We will be scheduling a follow-up ultrasound after my next appointment in 2 weeks to check on Baby Boy's kidneys, which were slightly dilated at the 20-week ultrasound (apparently, a common issue in boys).  And, miracle of miracles, I finally took a picture!  This was 3 days before my birthday, just about 29 weeks.  Please enjoy the faucet and (clean!) countertop in the foreground :-D.