9 weeks

We're back in GF...where the low today reached -2. Yay.

Our trip to VA was fun but went by too quickly. We got to see Sommer, had tapas with the Nonakas, shopped with L. Penn and had dinner with Bethany. All the sisters, Brian and soon to be brother-in-law Randy, took Bubs out for a belated 21st birthday at Liberty Tavern. Brian had the duty of making the turkey for the Tinaves thanksgiving, which was attended by Cheryl's fiance, Randy, and his parents. We became addicted to Showtime's "Dexter" and even braved Tysons Corner on Black Friday, albeit at 8pm for half an hour. Brian left early Saturday morning and had to miss Cheryl and Randy's engagement party which was held that afternoon. We're looking forward to their wedding in Seattle next Labor Day.

The past week has been pretty busy here in GF. When Chilly got back from DC, we went out and got our Christmas tree! Saturday evening brought Northern's Christmas party at Sanders Restaurant. The food was good, the band ended early, but the party still went late.

This is our last Christmas without a baby! We are only NINE weeks away and reality is setting in. Next year we'll have to worry about both Buttercup AND the baby pulling ornaments off the tree! Our "travel system" (car seat, stroller, carrier) arrived this week and is assembled, waiting for its first use. Chilly is hesitant about traveling with the baby. She realizes that people travel all the time with little children... but she's never had to do it. The crying baby, short lay-overs, baggage restrictions, using the restroom with the baby - her concerns are many... and this baby has a pretty full travel itinerary starting in May 2009!

We attended birthing class and a baby care basics class. We saw lots of videos of live births, (all the women had epidurals... Altru has about a 93% rate each month for epidural births) learned breathing and relaxation techniques (Chilly promptly fell asleep) and Brian wore an empathy suit (35lbs of water). For the five minutes he got to wear it, he constantly felt his own breasts and said "I've always wondered what it would be like to have breasts, and now I know that it's everything I thought it would be!" We're still not sure about getting an epidural, both future grandmas says to get one, Aunt Amy G. didn't have an epidural with all three of her boys! Our doctor visits are every two weeks now and they are the shortest appointments ever because of how easy the pregnancy has been. Besides the obvious bulge in the stomach, there have been no signs of pregnancy at all! No swelling, no stretch marks, vomiting, cravings, etc. - maybe it's been too easy, maybe the baby is waiting for birth-time to be a pain?

Then again... there are still nine more weeks for the above to happen!