So much has happened since my last post, I almost don't know where to start . . . Let me try! This weekend was my first (of two) baby showers. I am 30 weeks pregnant now, so showing nicely. The whole weekend was a dream.

The action really started on Friday (Dec 12). I got a text message from my mom in the middle of the night asking me to call her when I got up. When we connected I got the news that my aunt and cousin from NC had flown in - as a surprise to everyone - for the weekend. What a special treat!! How nice of them to come ALL this way.

I met Kristine and her two kids for breakfast (my favorite meal of the day) on Friday morning. Then around 11 am, two of my DC girlfriends arrived for the weekend. Layla and April flew here from DC to hang out for the weekend and attend the baby shower.

First we met Jeff at Lime for lunch on Friday. After a filling lunch of tamales and enchiladas, the girls came back to the house to settle in. Once the car was unloaded we headed back out for some neighborhood gallivanting. We hit the local toy/book store - Simon Says Read. It's such a great shop for a small selection of classic toys and a LARGE selection of children's books. I shop there often for neighbor kids birthday gifts, but soon I suppose I will be a regular in my own right! After the girls got gifts for their kiddos, we grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and headed to 29th Ave. Nail Salon for manicures. WHAT FUN!!

Not long after we got home Jeff came in from work. Soon it was time to get dressed and head out for our evening on the town. We spent the evening shopping, drinking and dining our way through Larimer Square, a section of downtown Denver. First stop was some light shopping/browsing at Cry Baby Ranch. Then we went to Corridor 44 for one quick drink. It's a very fun champagne bar that has the best selection of champagnes by the glass. Jeff and I suggested the girls try Gruet, a New Mexico champagne that we like quite a bit. I think they enjoyed it as well. After they had one glass of champagne - and I had a few sips - we hit dinner at Osteria Marco. This is such a great Italian restaurant with tons of small plates. We just nibbled our way through the menu. The best parts were the meat and cheese trays, including some pistachio mortadella and some house made ricotta cheese. YUMMY!! We kept it light though, saving some room for dessert. We left Larimer Square and headed to one of the newest (and most popular dessert spots in town - D Bar Desserts - where we all sampled some tasty treats. I tried the lava cake since the waitress highly recommended it. They were on the cover of the Denver magazine this month for their cake and shake. Layla tried that. It all looked delic! We got home around 10:30 pm. Now that's a busy day and a late night for little 'ole me.

Saturday proved to be just as busy! Jeff and I got up early. We had adopted a family from a local charity for Christmas. Saturday was our drop off day. We stopped by Mom's first to pick up the things she'd bought our family. Then Jeff and I headed to their house to drop off our wrapped gifts. It was such a nice feeling to help this young family. Jeff and I aren't doing a whole lot for each other this year for Christmas. With a baby on the way and some unpaid leave we will end up taking, we pulled in the financial reigns, but it was certainly a nice way to spend some of our Christmas budget! The family spoke no English (Spanish), so we couldn't really communicate with them, but they did have someone write us a very nice thank you note, so they gave us that. I hope they have a very merry Christmas!

After we left there, Jeff and I ran into the grocery and picked up a few items for dinner. We were having seven people for dinner Saturday night and needed a couple extra items. Then Jeff went with me to see my friend Erin who gave me a cute hair style for my party. That was fun and very nice of Erin - who wouldn't let me pay. Then we came home and I quickly changed to get ready for the shower.

The shower was wonderful. The girls had pulled out all the stops to make this a wonderful event. It was at Kristine's house. She'd moved all her living room furniture to make room for rented tables and chairs for about 20 people. They had brown linens and the silverware was tied in personalized ribbons. Tanna Rae made the floral centerpieces out of toy trucks. CUTE! Tanna Rae had also drawn some giraffes and a stork that were hanging on the wall. ADORABLE - they're hanging in my nursery right now. The buffet spread was amazing. Sarah picked out the tastiest cake ever - chocolate and coconut. The gifts were amazing as well - TONS of big items from friends who were there and others who couldn't make it. We got a car seat, a high chair, a bouncy seat, a swing, an exersaucer, our small stroller, crib sheets, a diaper genie, tons of clothes, lots of books, etc. I was so touched by everyone's generosity.

Somehow, in a few different loads, we managed to get everything home. It stayed in the living room for 24 hours. We had other plans! Jeff and I relaxed for a little while, but soon there was work to do. We were cooking for 7 people: Mom, me, Jeff, Katie, Susan, April and Layla. We had strip steaks, gratin potatoes, asparagus and salad. Lots of wine was consumed (by the others) and we had a great time talking and eating.

Sunday morning the wind down started. April, having been away from her 9 month old for the first time, took an EARLY flight home. I didn't even hear her wake up and leave. When we finally did wake up, we saw ALL the snow. Denver got a few inches and the roads were icy. We left early to take Layla back to the airport. Then Jeff and I came home and settled into a nice relaxing Sunday. Before we got too lazy, we put away all the baby gifts, so our house was back in order. Then we hit the basement where we watched some football and napped on the big sofa. After a few hours of rest we got up, made a frozen pizza for dinner, and put together a few of our new baby gadgets. We got the swing and the high chair assembled. Jeff figured out the diaper genie. We made good progress. I worked on thank you notes until late in the evening and got a good number of them done. I have just under 10 left to write.

Today, Monday, we woke up to COLD weather. The high today is 16. I think it was 10 degrees BELOW zero as we were taking the trash out. Brrrr. I met Jeff for lunch at Mezcal and then he went with me to the doctor for my 30 week appointment. George is still measuring big - by about a week or so. He's also still breech. He's been in a breech presentation the whole time. The doctor thinks he's very likely to stay that way. What - who wants to be upside down all this time?!?! ;) So, she said that a C-section is looking more and more likely. I'm fine with that and Jeff is too. The heart rate was looking good still - 150s. We made all my appointments for the rest of the pregnancy. So, I am set there. I got the green light to head to Vegas this week and Ohio next week. My doctor wrote me a note to board the planes in case I get hassled by the airlines. She says it has happened to her - she was denied boarding once. So, I should be set there.

Things are coming along nicely! I'm looking forward to my Vegas trip - where Mom is joining me. Then we'll be in Ohio for my other shower and Christmas. What a fun week that will be. I hope everyone is doing well and is getting ready for the holiday!

XOX
Liz