Baby Shower, Growing Baby Bump and Baby's Room

Well, I suppose it's only appropriate to give an update on baby related topics! I had an appointment last week and as usual all is well. She's even in a head down position - which I can only hope she'll stay in. I am now going to be going to appointments every two weeks and then in a month I'll be going every week.

Last Sunday I had my first baby shower. It was put on by my cousin Jessica and my Aunt's and was held at my Aunt's house in North St. Paul. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for putting on such a lovely shower and I was want to thank everyone who was able to make it. My mother-in-law just happened to be in town and was also able to make it. We had brunch, played games and opened gifts. Everyone was so generous and Jon and I are very thankful for all the gifts.

The next day, after I brought Kathy and Jack to the airport, I finally started putting the baby's room together. So now the room is officially the baby's room and I no longer have an office or a guest room - though my brother spent the last three nights in their on our new inflatable bed on a frame. It's very fun to see everything coming together - but it's also a challenge trying to find a place for everything. I spent a large part of the day finding room in closets for blankets, towels, baby bath items, bibs, etc. Then Jon helped me put the crib together. Jon and Justin also did some hauling of furniture from basement to 2nd floor and vice versa. We are now waiting for our dresser/changing table - which should be here any day now. Then we just have final touches!

So here are some pics from the shower, of my 32 week baby bump and of how the room looks, so far!

Playing games and opening gifts at my baby shower!

All the shower guests........me and my cousin Jessica (one of the shower organizers! Thanks!)

Gma Lacher, Gma Stone and Great Gma Pfaffinger......... me and my sis, belly to belly

My belly at 32 weeks (our garden tomatoes are in the background-

just got our first ripe tomatoes today!

Baby's crib and rocker and glider (TV won't be in the room, just there for my bro's stay)

Book case we already had - still working on the decorations and books!

Visit from Kathy and Jack

Last weekend we had a visit from Jon's mom, Kathy and her husband, Jack. They flew in Thursday night and stayed until Monday morning. We had a great time and did a lot of fun things.

Thursday night we just stayed in and all helped make a dinner of mussels and corn on the cob. It was delicious and gave us time to relax and catch up. On Friday we headed down to Red Wing. There we visited a lot of shops; lots of antiques, art, gifts, etc. It's such a great town just to wander around. We also went to the St. James Hotel for lunch on the veranda and to check out it's historic lobby. Then we headed down towards Lake City. We stopped along the way to hike around Frontenac State Park - but ended up cutting that stop short because of a threatening storm. In Lake City, we checked out their marina and their Main Street. We then finished out the day by driving all the way around Lake Pepin and ended up in Pepin, WI to have dinner at the Harbor View Cafe. Jon and I have been their once before and it was just as excellent the second time.

On Saturday we got up pretty early and went to the Farmer's Market and picked up some fresh veggies and fruit. We then headed to the French Meadow Bakery for brunch. We then went to the Rose Garden, Japanese Peace Garden and the Bird Sanctuary near Lake Harriet. Considering how close these places are to wear we live in Minneapolis - it's surprising - but neither Jon nor I had even been to these gardens. The roses were in bloom and everything was fragrant and colorful. We'll definitely have to go back there again. Then that evening we had dinner at Saffron and then went to the Guthrie to see "Ella" - about Ella Fitzgerald. Dinner was delicious and unique and the play was very well done. I have to confess, I knew very little about Ella Fitzgerald, and very little of her music - but I really enjoyed it! And then we were able to catch the fireworks for Minneapolis' Aquatennial. I don't know how it can be - but every year the fireworks keep getting better! It was a perfect way to end the evening - even though leaving after the fireworks meant being stuck in traffic an extra 40 minutes!

On Sunday, their final day in town - Kathy and I went to my baby shower at my Aunt's house, while Jon stayed back with Jack. They were in charge of smoking a pork shoulder for dinner. They also were able to do some much needed work around the yard and just relax out on our patio. When Kathy and I returned we joined the men out on the patio for some relaxation. Jon, Kathy, and Jack played a little croquet while I put my feet up and then we all enjoyed our dinner of pulled pork, coleslaw, roasted potatoes and corn on the cob.

It was a great visit! It's always great to see Jon's mom and Jack. We always have a great time when they are here. We'll get to see Kathy again sometime in October when she comes back to visit us and our little one. We'll be excited to see her then, too!

Lunch on the Veranda at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing

Frontenac State Park with a gorgeous view of Lake Pepin

Jack, Kathy and Jon in the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet

Jon feeding me a sample of pulled pork

Weekend in Blue Earth

As usual, I'm a bit behind in my blogging. So, I'm going to play a little catch up. 2 weekends ago Jon and I went down to my hometown of Blue Earth for a little friend time and the 1st Annual Pfaffinger (my maiden name, in case you didn't know :) ) Family Reunion.

We got to Blue Earth late Saturday afternoon and immediately went to drop our Min Pin, Jada, off with my sister - who was, and still is, doing some remodeling at my Gma Pfaff's old house, because she and her family will be moving in very soon - a mad rush before her due date of August 15th! She has also had another new addition to her family - a Min Pin, Lucy, who is only 8 weeks old! So, Jada had an even littler minnie me following her around and trying to wrestle with her as she spent the day and night with my sister and her family.

That night I was able to spend some quality girl time with three of my high school girlfriends. We went out to dinner at the newest dining establishment in Blue Earth and then headed down to Ledyard, Iowa for their celebration for their 125th Anniversary as a town. They had a street dance and Johnny Holm's Band was playing. If you're from Minnesota - you've probably heard this group before. And I did one other time, way back in college - but I totally forgot how good and how much fun they are! We had a total blast. I spent the night drinking O'Doul's, dancing and chatting with my friends. We also got to see fireworks. It was so much fun, I made it all the way until 2am - when I was the designated driver for a couple of my friends, our husbands and my brother-in-law.

The next morning we headed to Fairmont, MN to Gomsrud Park for the 1st Pfaffinger Family Reunion. We brought our puppy, our swimsuits and a dish to pass. It was great seeing aunts, uncles, cousins and 2nd cousins. We spent the afternoon basking in the sun, taking a tour around the lakes in our boat, jet skiing (not me, but others), eating, playing bocce ball and catching up. We have plans to make this a yearly event and I am already looking forward to next year!

Here are some pics from the weekend.....

The Scene in Ledyard at the Johnny Holm's concert

Me and my high school gal pals in Ledyard

Our Family, for now: Jon, myself and our puppy - Jada

Jada........... and her minnie me: Lucy

My Family: (left to right) Jill (my youngest sis), Levi (her b-friend), Jon, me, Aaron (my step-brother), Georgie (my step-mom), my dad, Justin (my bro), Andrew (my bro-in-law), Emily (my sis), Madison (my niece)

Fun Weekend and 30 Weeks, and counting!

     Jon and I have had a relaxing and fun past few weeks.  A lot of time outside and spending time with friends.  We've also been very productive at home, getting our living room comfortable and homey after our rearranging and just generally putting finishing touches on all of the changes we've made in our home.  We still haven't done much more with the baby's room, though we do have our crib in our basement awaiting assembly (thanks Kathy - Jon's mom!).  

     This past weekend we celebrated a friend's 30th birthday on Saturday - Happy Birthday Mindy!  I went to Clifton French Park to hang out with Mindy and her family as well as a few other college friends for a BBQ lunch and lounging in the sun.  It was a beautiful, relaxing day.  Then that evening Jon and I met the same group, with a few other's for dinner at Loring Park for Mindy's Birthday Dinner.  It's such a great restaurant and wonderful food.

     The next day Jon and I attended our Birth and Parenting class at Abbott Northwestern (even though we're actually delivering at Fairview Riverside - the class at Abbott just worked better for our schedules).  I was originally doubtful that the class would be very helpful - since Jon has actually delivered babies in Med School and I attend C-sections almost everyday I work and have taken 2 semesters of Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery in Nursing school and Anesthesia school.  But when it's yourself that's actually pregnant and preparing for the labor and delivery - the information takes on a whole new meaning.  We were both really glad we went.  I definitely feel a lot better about the whole labor and delivery thing!  And now that I'm 30 weeks, with only 10 more weeks to go - the day is getting closer and closer.  Jon and I are definitely getting more and more excited!

     And here are some picks of my growing belly at 30 weeks!