Yggdrasil Weekend - Part Deux

Sandy, my personal Art Slave - came up last weekend to finish the mural in the baby room. She worked practically around the clock, asking only for food and coffee (mostly coffee). She is seriously considering doing murals as a side job and I am proud to be her first shining testimonial. It is totally magical and we love it!

The Sun and Sandy's dragonfly
The Moon

Vidofnir - The rooster that lives high in the tree.

Dvalin - one of the deer that nibble on the tree . There are four deer representing the winds.
Ratatosk - The squirrel who carries gossip back and forth between heaven and hell.
A toad for Craig - why not?
Nidhog the serpent.

32 Week Silliness

Interpretive Dance with belly
Maybe I shouldn't have had so many of theeessseeee.

Snowfrolics

This is us
In the last snow she will have never seen
The baby that is
-Craig

Where Would YOU Rather Be Born?

This doctor's office and hospital....

- OR -
This doctor's office and hospital???


Long story short, due to insurance problems we ended up getting a much better situation for this birth. Isn't it funny (and great) how life works out like that sometimes? Ha cha chaaaa.

"Lunch" with Melissa

Was not just "lunch" at all. I should have known better and I did have my suspicions, but it was still a shock to walk into McKeever's with Meliss, Sandy and Cole and see Diane (her mother), Michelle and Jackie (sisters), and Kathy (family friend) all sitting there grinning around a big mound of presents, flowers, homemade chocolates, homemade shower gifts... I have attended both of Melissa's baby showers and I know these people don't mess around. But when it is focused on you, that laser beam of love is so intense - kind of like staring at the sun. Everybody laughs at me because I have said please, no pink and purple princess crap - they were all very sensitive which was very sweet. Melissa showed GREAT restraint in getting just one Minnie Mouse on her recent trip to Disney. Anyway, they all spoiled us r-o-t-t-e-n and we love you for it.

Krip - Ahhhhh - lu

Craig likes to call it Cripple You - cracks him up:)

"A new kind of educational institution dedicated to the inquiry into what creates a fulfilled human life." Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (google it) is the most amazing vacation I can take without a plane or a long drive from my house. Shoot, if even beats some of those vacations... Four days and three nights and I can come out completely energized from the food, yoga, workshops, dancekinetics, music, people, massage and overall total relaxation. My last hurrah with Sandy before it's all baby, all the time:) She can come when she gets older - they have great stuff for kids to do. Craig is game to come someday too.

Here we are, excited and heading out...

The front of the building - a great long history that I won't go into.

Can you find Francis of Assisi?
Our humble quarters
When's the last time you saw a sign like this in a restaurant?
Would not normally post a picture in my bathing suit - but I love this one...
Om Shanti - Peace, Yall

An Era is Over

The symbol of my youth/freedom and the coolest car I will probably ever own, my Subaru Brat of 16 years is sold and gone. I had gone back and forth with this decision for the past 3 years. My reasons for parting with this beautiful machine... 1) The northeast rust monster has decided it wants the car and in a couple more years it would be worthless 2) I don't need 2 cars - I have a great Outback which has proven itself to be great for trips to the dump/drive-in too, and 3) my main reason - this car has a lot of live and love to give. It only has 160,ooo miles and these cars have been known to go over 300 no problem. I got a good price for it, but started to sniffle a little when he was counting out the bills and then as no one could see me in the dark I cried like a baby when those tail lights went down Wilkenson Hollow for the last time. Pregnancy hormones? Somehow this time I don't think so...

Mitch Appreciation Day

And long overdue, I must sheepishly add. He is always there when I need a hand and I often need help to keep my ship from sinking in the Big City. He is thoughtful, understanding and basically saves my ass quite regularly. With the baby, he helps me park the car and calls often to make sure we're all okay. With friends like these you don't need many more. He's going to hate that I wrote all this mushy stuff about him, but tuff titty Mitchy.

Here's Mitch and I with Penelope - a present from Caroline and Claire. Dig the waiter in the background.

Here you go Mitch - the picture you wanted of the parking spot that you finally got after 20 years - the closest spot to your house at the corner of 3rd Street and Macdougal... N-I-C-E.

A picture I really like of Craig & Mitch

Cousins Caroline and Clarie

They came to the shower in Virgina - then in the same week they came to New York. So after not having seen them for years I got a double dose of Caroline and Claire. They came with another cousin of Caroline's, Zachary (sorry, Zach you blinked for the photo::)) and friends Julie and Andrea. I think they had a blast - here they are on Canal street with all their loot. I, by the way, am a terrible haggler.
For my other Cousin and Fairy GodMother Nana who has all the skinny on this being the year of the Golden Pig. More on that later....

A Pile of Cuteness from the West

Annie and Mac have sent us a giant pile of the cutest clothes you ever saw from when Mac was a baby. I remember her as a swirl of color and flowers as a little girl - well actually she still is a beautiful swirl of color and flowers. Everything was all rolled up in a giant barrel and smelled of San Diego. I had to post Mac's note too- very sweet.... Thank You, Guys - we love you!!!!!!!

Cover Mama!

Melissa is my friend and neighbor who is frankly in a little trouble for posting this without me knowing about it - so I stole it from her blog. I knew this was for the March issue - my only pregnancy job - which I don't really mind (who wants to work when they are all fluidey (yes, that's a word), pukey and don't have to???) I am glad I got at least one pregnancy job so I have the keepsake. I actually think it came out nice even though the background looked totally different at the shoot and my hair is not even close to that color, but hey...

Burgesses DO Shower

We even bathe sometimes. But seriously, THANK YOU Phebe, Nora and George and Joan for a GREAT baby shower weekend. Also, a warm fuzzy thanks to Nanouche, Anne, Caroline and Claire for flying out. Check out some photos....

Everyone right before we all split on Sunday. Should have done this the night of the shower, but we didn't and so don't have Gregg, Connie and the kids in this photo....
Craig with Lambchop
Dinner - YUM


Nora and Claire Cuteness
Phebe and Me
Claire, Phebe, Craig, Nora, Claire and a slice of Gregg
Opening Anne's gift of art "Hummingbird Fling"
Craig wearing a stroller blanket
Nora schmearing everyone with the baby cake (Mango Mousse - SO delish)