Pappap's 90th

in PA. It was a whirlwind weekend... but also a blast.

new baby to share my dad's birthday.

got an e-mail from "Aunt" Lindsay this afternoon:

WELCOME: DAVID MICHAEL HAMILTON
born: 204pm
wt per stuart: 8lb 4oz
length: stuart "doesn't care about that stuff"
how Sara did per Stuart: "she put Dwight Schrutte to shame"

She got the baby's room "finished" just in time!

Happy Birthday to my dad too!

Happy belated birthday!

pumpkin muffin, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

to my wonderful Erik.

We had a breakfast together on the go that morning... Erik had Physical Therapy for his back... (he's MUCH better now, but we're still not out of the woods quite yet) and then we got to take him to work.

I love Matthew's cheesy smile.

tag- I'm it...

I was Tagged by Carrie!

1) Choose the 4th picture folder on my computer
2) Choose the 4th picture
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 other people

well- I have 2 places on my computer where pictures are... the place my camera automatically loads them, and a separate drive that I'm supposed to move them to...

so, you have picture #1:



which is a picture of our downstairs sofa. I took this picture as a before picture last year when I thought I wanted slipcovers. We put the slipcovers on, steamed them out all nice, and then sat down to watch a Steeler's game... when we were finished, it looked as if we'd thrown a big wrinkly rag over the couch- so back to the store they went.

next we have picture #2:




Matthew learning to open the refrigerator door this summer. I think I may have lready blogged this.... I can't remember.

as for other people to tag... um... paige and kent, if they can play... and maybe Sarah ?
that's about all folks- cause Sara has been taged and this came from Carrie. I need more friends to start blogging... :)

speaking of blogging- happy 1 year bloggaversary to me...

So- this is the game that Nick (and Carrie) brought over when we watched Shiloh last week... I didn't really get to play, but it sure looked like fun- so much fun that Erik and I went out the next day to look for a deal on it... no deal found, but Erik did help me to realize that I had money leftover from birthday gifts- and thus I present to you, the first game I've ever purchased for myself- Boom Blox.

There are different types of games you can play, and different techniques. I think my favorite is where you play against another player (sorry, no online play available for this Wii game as far as I know...) throwing baseballs at blocks to knock them down for points.

I've had to shy away from playing lately though... While I realize that my time to play during nap time is limited (In about a month nap time will be the best sleeping time of all for me), I also realize that I have a book to finish, and another book to start and finish- so that my mind will be fully prepared for this wonderful occasion.

I really am looking forward to the whole experience this time. We recently took a look at Matthew's birth video and it was INSANE. I looked like a 1/2 dead person- and people were treating me as such too. Looking back on the video of everyone taking their turns to stand by the bed, pat me on the arm and kiss me on the head, you'd have thought I was on my death bed- or in a casket. It really was that bad looking.

It all makes me feel really sorry for the gal I saw leaving the doctor's office the past visit. Her mom and grandma and little sister were with her... "Holy! The Doc-tor said she's 2 centimeters di-lated!! She's gonna go inta labor tonite!! That's what he said "tonite!!" I had to step in... the doctor is not a psychic. He can not know these things- she could walk around that way for another MONTH. They didn't care to hear what I had to say though- the doctor said it.... it must be FACT. (yet another example that it pays to be an informed consumer)

Best. Weekend. Ever.

snacks, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

This weekend was AWESOME.
On Saturday, Erik and I celebrated my birthday by checking out some yard sales (we only came home with 5 small toy cars for Matthew), then going to a movie with friends. When we went by my parents house to pick Matthew up, they were preparing a cake for a celebration with my aunt, uncle and cousin.

The next morning, we got up and got ready for Church. Erik was an Acolyte, and I wasn't looking forward to sitting through Mass with Matthew- all alone. He just gets too fidgety 1/2 was through and this pregnant body of mine has a hard time physically holding on to him during those times.
I lucked out though. As I was sitting in the parking lot, waiting for the previous Mass to end, so Matthew and I could go inside and wait... who should show up at my window but Erik's parents and grandmother!! They'd been invited to the baby shower later that day and so they drove in to surprise me!

crafting, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

At the baby shower- we had an 'alternative' activity planned- making stuffed baby blocks for the little one! I can't tell you how great an activity and gift this was for me. I know I'll cherish each and every block for many years to come! Many many thanks to Sara and Carrie for planning it!

working hands, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

everyone worked so hard on their blocks... I have 6 of them here with me- and I think there are another 3 or 4 that were still being worked on. My sister, self proclaimed worst sewer at the party, shared a block with Erik's Grandmother. I'm so thrilled that the 2 of them were able to work together to make a block, rather then trying to pass the craftiness by.

surprise visitors, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

about 1/2 way through the party, we had some surprise visitors with a surprise gift. A DOUBLE STROLLER! Some friends went in with Erik to help pay for it, and let me tell you, it's pretty awesome. Matthew was way excited about getting to ride in the stroller with Baby Shiloh- and has been telling me about it any time we walk past the stroller, which is currently 'resting' in the middle of the living room.

ice cream cake, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

our surprise visitors also brought ice cream cake! What a great way to cool down on a 100 degree day!

stuffing a block, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

ISO, INO,IWO:Books

These are three books I'm interested in taking a look at/ owning soon:

Ina May's Guide to Child Birth, By Ina May Gaskin

The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin

and Birthing from Within, by Pam England and Rob Harrowitz

all highly recommended from our Bradley teacher (and DOULA!!!) Angela.

also- for Matthew, I'm in search of a good deal on this book:
What A Baby Needs, from the Sears Children's library. We already have Baby On The Way, Which he loves... and looking now, I see that they also have a potty book.

There are a few of these books (Ina May's particularly) that I'll end up searching out on my own if not received this weekend... Though I don't really know what to expect, this was my gift last year...

newly sealed driveway, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

A re-sealed driveway, Which Matthew loved watching happen...

my 2007 birthday present, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

and I loved because it helped things look better, and got rid of all of the weeds growing in the cracks. :)

Wasn't he the cutest 'baby'?? (from the back even...)

Matthew watching the guys work, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.