State Fair Fun!

Well, we had another busy weekend as we're nearing the end of my pregnancy (just less than 3 weeks left to go!!). Jon's father, Jack, and his wife, Cynthia, came to visit us from afar. Jack from Memphis (where he does consulting work during the week) and Cynthia from San Francisco (where she lives full-time and Jack calls home on the weekends - for now). Our visit basically revolved around food - and needless to say - I'm still full today!

Friday night we went out and had a very nice dinner at Mission American Bar & Grill at the IDS Tower. Then Saturday we all headed out to the State Fair. We arrived around 10am there and headed directly to the Miracle of Birth Barn. There were actually two animals that were having their babies! It was very cool to see brand new baby piglets and a brand new baby cow - I couldn't help to think of my imminent delivery. Then the rest of the day was dedicated to finding good eats and visiting the animal barns. Between the 4 of us we did pretty well at sampling the food - here's what we had... Deep Fried Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Cheese Curds, Lefse, Deep Fried Pickles, Smackaroons, a Pronto Pup, Pig's Cheeks, Cow-Lickers (Bacon dipped in Chocolate), Sweet Martha's Cookies, and Deep Fried Fruit on a Stick! I think I covered it all. I actually did quite well at getting around and proud to say I lasted all day with minimal rest periods! We headed back home around 4pm. And somehow we managed to think of food almost immediately and smoked a Prime Rib on Jon's Famous Smoker and ate yet again before retiring for the night. And wouldn't you know it - we were at it again the next morning and went out to Brunch at Hell's Kitchen - which I've decided I do really love. Maybe it's the new location, but I had been there 2 times before and never thought that it was as great as everyone had said - but this time I just really loved my food and the new place's atmosphere!

After brunch we said our goodbyes and dropped Cynthia and Jack off at the airport. All in all it was a very fun and delicious weekend. But my weekend wasn't quite done yet. I actually had one more dinner to attend... my baby shower with my coworkers! It was originally going to be at my coworker and friend, Angela's, house - but she came down with a very nasty case of Strep and was out of work all week and was in no shape to host a get-together - so another friend and coworker took the reins and reorganized and we ended up going to a restaurant by my house that both Jon and I really like, Cafe Levain. I had a great time. It's always nice to see and hang out with people outside of work. And though the service was a little slow (very unusual in my experience) the food was excellent - as always. And with the gifts I received - I'm definitely feeling pretty darn ready ! We're ready any time now! Thanks AAPA CRNA's!

Dinner at Mission American Bar & Grill

Enjoying Deep Fried Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Playing dress-up with the goats!

Mmmm... Pig Lickers!!

A little lesson on Sheep Grooming

Cheers to more excellent food!

Me, Jon and his father, Jack (not a big fan of smiling - as you can see!)

Breakfast in Hell (Hell's Kitchen that is)

On to the next wonderful dinner - and Baby Shower at Cafe Levain

Waiting for some excellent grub

Time for some gifts, thanks guys!

Just what I needed, how did you guess?!

Standing with a diaper cake (and it's maker -such a nice, crafty person) - so cute AND practical

Some of the excellent CRNA gals from AAPA (oh and Craig)

Busy Weekend in August

Last weekend Jon and I had a lot of fun hosting and entertaining some friends from out of state. A close friend from Jon's college days at Tuft's, his wife and their 20 month old daughter visited for a few nights from Tucson, Arizona. They arrived on Friday afternoon and left Sunday afternoon. The weather was awesome, so we took advantage and spent a lot of time outside. Friday we just stayed here at our house, visited, spent time in our back yard and had a great seafood dinner that included a lot of our garden's bounty. Then on Saturday we headed to the Sculpture Garden near the Walker and then splashed around in Lake Nokomis and finally heading to Brasa for dinner. We said our goodbyes on Sunday after a relaxing brunch here at our home.

Then I promptly jumped into my car and headed down to Blue Earth to meet the newest addition to our family, my nephew Brooks! I was able to take Monday off, so I spent the evening hanging out with my sister, bro-in-law, parents and niece and nephew. Brooks is adorable and I spent a lot of time holding him - getting a little taste of what my life will become in just a little over 3 weeks. He is a very content baby and I hope to be so lucky. If my daughter is anything like him, I feel confident that I will be able to handle it!

On Monday I spent a few more hours with my new nephew then headed back home after lunch! And I've been working on the our baby's room since. Now we have pictures and other art work on the wall and we have nearly doubled the baby's wardrobe thanks to my niece, Madison's hand-me-downs - thanks Sis!

This weekend should be almost as busy as Jon's dad and his wife Cynthia will be coming tomorrow and leaving on Sunday - then I have a baby shower with my work colleagues and friends on Sunday evening! So look forward to another post on all that fun!

Ana has discovered the independence of using the doggie door!

Jon and his good friend, Dave Krivan, enjoying a cigar!

All of us at the Sculpture Garden.

Ana, myself, Katherine, David and Jon.

Me and my belly in front of the Cherry and the Spoon.

Entertaining Ana with the sights and smells of flowers!

Jon and I at Lake Nokomis - notice the very fashionable maternity swimsuit, thanks Mindy!

The Krivan Family (Ana, Katherine and David) at the Lake.

One last group photo!

In Blue Earth, my niece, Madison, kissing her new brother - Brooks!

Getting some practice in with my nephew!

My bro-in-law, sis and their new baby boy!

My Belly: 36 weeks!

Meet Brooks Allen Lea...

Jon and I are Auntie Mandra and Uncle Jon for the second time! My sister Emily and her hubby Andrew had their baby boy on Wednesday, August 19th at 4:11pm. He was 8lbs 8oz and 20.5 inches long. His name is Brooks Allen Lea. He's adorable! I will be heading down to Blue Earth to visit on Sunday and Monday and I can't wait to meet him. Here are a few pics!

What will Little Miss M look like?

Well, there are only 4 more weeks to go. So, now Jon and I are really getting excited to meet our daughter and to find out what she looks like. For now we'll have to keep guessing at what she may look like. Here are some baby and little kid pics of Jon and I to give everyone an idea of what Miss Baby McCue may look like!!!

Pics of wee-little Jon--------------------------Pics of wee-little Mandra

The Countdown Begins

Just 6 weeks left (well actually 5 wks 4 days as I'm writing this moment!) And that doesn't seem that far away to me! In the last couple of weeks since my last post I've been doing more stuff for the baby's room. We got our dresser in place, I've bought more items, cleaned the closet out, organized, and washed baby clothes (in Dreft, of course)! Now I feel like I'm in kind of a lull, which has been nice. I'm finally feeling, more or less, prepared.

Here are a few pics of the baby's room, a little more put together and some pics of me and my belly at 34 weeks!