How far along are we? 36 weeks!  We've been hoping to get to this milestone for a long time.  Hooray!

My belly is:  Ginormous

Highlight of the week:  Getting to this week is the highlight of the week, honestly.

What's Cheeseburger doing these days?  Causing me to eat the largest lunches imaginable.  Kicking me in the bladder.

Any odd cravings?  No specific cravings, but I am hungriest at lunch, and have been eating everything that's not nailed down as a result. 

Any feelings about the gender? No.  But the debate about Drew Brees Bernard rages on in the wake of the Saints' brilliant victory...

What do you really miss? Oh, wow.  So many things.  Moving without grunting like I am doing manual labor.  Moving without doing manual labor.  My toes.

What are you excited about? Meeting this kid!

What are you not excited about? My ankles. Labor.

Have you had any deep thoughts this week?  Well, this was the week that I was "supposed to" return to work full time, but my doctor has instead cut me back to 6 hours of work again.  Pregnancy is one long realization that you are not in charge.  Of anything.  :)

Hooray goes to:   The Saints, of course!  And everyone who is expecting ANOTHER 20 inches of snow on the East Coast. 

Cheeseburger's Chariot Awaits

Though this weekend is really all about the SuperBowl in our household, we managed to distract ourselves by doing a few things for Cheeseburger while we waited for the big kickoff.

To wit, we needed to get ready to bring Cheeseburger home from the hospital.  Durel tackled the carseat installation with poise and confidence:

And made sure that we're ready to go!

Hard to believe that we used to drive a Jetta and a Ranger with jumpseats in the back.  We're growing up, folks!

Hope this finds everyone well. 

-- Heather 

Cheeseburger's Baby Shower!

Last Saturday, Cheeseburger and I were celebrated in grand style at our very own baby shower.  My co-hostesses conspired over thousands of miles to concoct the perfect party!

Two of my lovely co-hostesses, Danielle and Kristina, realized that they must have been separated at birth.  Talk about kindred spirits!

Jessica, the remaining co-hostess, whose home we invaded for the party, surrounded by dear friends:

(Courtney, Letty, Jessica, and Shameika)

 And of course, Miss Ava, who also graciously welcomed Cheeseburger's party into her home.  She's already told me that she wants to babysit!

The "cheeseburger" theme was well-represented, as we ate yummy sliders from Terra Burger (sustainable, too!  awesome!) and Cheeseburger's identity was alluded to on the amazing cake (note the ankle band):

Good friends, generous gifts, and good times were in abundance.  I could not be luckier or feel happier!

(Terra, Diane, Melinda, Suzahna, Stacy)

(Ms. Megan is ready and waiting to share her wardrobe with Cheeseburger if it's apros pos...)

To everyone who planned, attended, sent wishes and shared the joy, thank you. 

-- Heather

Week 35 Update

How far along are we? 35 weeks. We'll hit the super duper magical 36 week mark on Monday!  Uh, that means we are about to be parents...

How are those maternity clothes?   They are really great, but I think yoga pants and tshirts are better.

Highlight of the week:  I am allowed to work for 12 hours this week.  Which means I can actually get a few things accomplished!  It's a joy to be back at work, it really is.

What's Cheeseburger doing these days?  Giving me an outie.  Making sleep challenging.  Kicking me, especially when it's time to eat.

Any odd cravings? The cravings seem to be tapering off.  I eat when I am told (kick kick).  The million dollar question is whether I will revert to my non-red meat eating ways when I am no longer eating for two!

Any feelings about the gender?  No, but we are getting reeeeeeeeeeeally curious.  But I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  If it is a boy, we are NOT naming him Drew Brees Bernard.

What do you really miss? Sleeping on my stomach.  Having as much caffeine as I want.  Wine. 
What are you excited about?  Meeting this kid! 

What are you not excited about? My ankles.  Labor.  (Just being honest.)

Have you had any deep thoughts this week? I have some of the best friends in the world.  My shower was on Saturday and I am at a loss for words to describe how generous and loving they are, or how supported and honored I feel. 

Hooray goes to:  Danielle, Kristina, and Jessica, for being the hostesses with the mostest at the shower. 

Week 35 and The Salt Lick

My wonderful and fabulous baby shower was this Saturday.  It was a totally perfect day!  More on that in a bit.

For now, let me fast forward to the way we spent our day on Sunday, with a trip to the historic Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas.  Much like New Yorkers like to debate the best way to get uptown/downtown, or like Marylanders like to debate the best crab cake recipe, Austinites like to debate the virtue of the many barbecue joints in their midst.  All debates aside, people agree that the Salt Lick is just goooood.

Kristina and Jamie joined us in our barbecue journey.  We were all abuzz with anticipation.  The food didn't disappoint!

Happy happy barbecue eaters...

with very large, 35 week bellies!  This picture is at a horrible angle, but Shakira's hips don't lie, and neither does my belly.

Happy 35th week!

-- Heather