Week 38.5 - 1.5 Weeks Until Due Date

Lots afoot this past week and a half. My original intention was to update on Sundays, but this week I just couldn't squeeze it in. Apologies to all onlookers.

Last Tuesday night, we took an infant / child CPR course - not a bad idea for anyone who has children or will be babysitting. Check with your local hospital for a listing of courses offered.

Lisa's last day of work was Wednesday. She plans to return to work in late March / early April.

We chose to stay home for Thanksgiving and spend the day with each other - not the worst thing in the world if you can pull it off without upsetting family too much! We missed you all; Thanks- for -Giving us a little time to ourselves (corny? absolutely).

On Saturday, we picked up the crib Bob Donnelly made for the baby - a matching piece to the aforementioned changing table. And no crib would be complete without a home-crafted blanket ala Barb (also of the Donnelly variety). Very nice, very much appreciated. So, the nursery is now complete and ready for action.

Kofi & Hillary (and Zoe) were here for dinner on Saturday and graced us with fruit, cheese, and matching coats. We ate cheeseburgers and lounged by the fire most of the evening. It was perfect.

As you may know, we've elected not to find out the sex of the baby. Someone put it more eloquently than I can recall, but it was something like "one more amazing suprise on the greatest day of your life." We've got names all picked out, but we're not sharing them with anyone until it's inked.

Lisa's appointments with the OB are weekly now, and everything is right on schedule. I'll try to get to this again soon - keep checking back!

37 Weeks & Counting - Bags are packed!

This week, we put the finishing touches on the nursery - fresh paint on walls and trim, new shelves in the closet, stocked room with baby gear and clothing, moved in recliner and the changing table built by Mr. Bob Donnelly (who has all but furnished our entire house with his craftmanship).

The word on the street is that he just finished the matching crib, so we'll pick that up in the coming week.



Today, Lisa made lasagna. The plan is to freeze it so we have a few easy meals when we need them. Good idea from good friends. Her lasagna is delicious, she may need to make more next week.

Hey, thanks to everyone for attending showers, giving gifts, building furniture, indulging our questions, and wishing us well. We feel we're ready for the big change, and a big part of that is attributed to our friends and family.

Baby Hankes - Coming Soon!

Well, the time is near. Lisa is 36 weeks along in her pregnancy and, so far so good. Everything has pretty much been textbook to date, thankfully.

In September, we treated ourselves to a 'babymoon' in Point Pleasant, NJ.

We stayed at a cute hotel on the beach, took a surfing lesson, walked on the boardwalk, laid in the sun, and ate lots of seafood.

It was super.

... and we watched an old boat which ran aground overnight be "removed."

Other than that, we've just been trying to finish up renovations on the new house, which like everything else, have taken much longer than anticipated. Although, the result has been worth taking the extra time.

And Walter, the chocolate menace, has been terrific throughout it all.