What A Weekend!

I need a weekend to recover from this past weekend!  Friday started out with an uneventful morning doctor appointment for Benny and I, I am totally grateful for uneventful appointments but the 1.5 hour long wait to find out I have gained 20 lbs. was a bit painful.  Benny is doing great so that is all that matters. After my appointment I headed up to LA to meet up with my sister and niece because we had tickets to see Taylor Swift.  The concert was amazing, we (even Benny, who rocked out to the opening act) had such a good time together!  I rolled into Mission Viejo around midnight, it was a long day but so worth it.

Mari's first concert!

I had to crop myself out of this picture, I looked so tired and apparently I brought a couple chins with me!

Saturday was my second baby shower hosted by my Mom, sister Kathy and sister in law Shannon along with two junior hostess Mari and Caroline!  The shower was amazing, everything was perfect, I could not ask for anything more!  I took a few pictures before it started but did not take any during, it was just nice to enjoy the moment plus my mom hired a photographer to come take pictures so that took a lot of pressure off to capture every moment!  I couldn’t be more grateful/thankful for everyone who took time out of their weekend to come celebrate Benjamin!

Thank you to my Mom, Kathy & Shannon for everything, it was absolutely perfect!!!

My Mom made this really cute banner, I love the little police car that she included!

There were three tables for the guests and the overwhelming gift table.

Little gifts for the guests!

Caroline was the life of the party, she had one liners for everything!

This cake!!! 

I don't know what it is about it but it is one of the most amazing cakes I have ever seen!  It is simple but oh so perfect, I absolutely loved it! 

This is by far the best picture I have of my friends Elisse and Carrie!  I have known both of them for 30+ years (I feel soooo old typing that) and this just makes me smile looking at it!  Elisse flew down from Sacramento to be at my shower, I have no words to express how happy that made me!

The Sheriff's Tita Beth and cousin Jessica made the two hour trek from the Valley to come!

Cousins!

That is Benny's little BFF Aria in there!  Danielle and I are due exactly one month apart, Aria is due August 11th! 

The inspection crew!  

Gracie and Ebo had to check out all of the gifts and of course Gracie thought they were all for her!

After the shower Carrie and Elisse came over to my house and we went to dinner at Jimmy's Famous American Tavern in Dana Point, it was really good but they charged my credit card an extra $100, I'm now in the process of getting my $$$ back!

Sunday we had a memorial service to attend for one of the Sheriff’s coworkers, Willie Nelson passed away last weekend after a long battle with colon cancer, he was only 62!  Based on what everyone said about him, he was one heck of a nice guy.  I had only met him a couple times, once at the Harbor Patrol Christmas party and the time he stopped in to see the Sheriff in the hospital when he was recovering from his stroke.  Willie was there going through his treatment and made a point to stop in and see him!  

This is a terrible picture, but this is Willie when he came to visit the Sheriff!

Not sure who took this picture but I found it on FB, this was taken as the bag pipes were played in Willie's honor.

60 days left to GO!!!

60 days to go! Seriously, I am not sure how we got to the single digits in weeks to go!  Benjamin is still growing like a weed, my heartburn/acid reflux is still the worst part of being pregnant, bending over is a chore now but other than that all is good!   I had a not so fun kidney stone and kidney infection last week that resulted in several trips to the doctor and one trip to the ER because the pain was so unbearable, but after a round of IV antibiotics and one dose of very strong pain medication the kidney stone made its way to my bladder and I felt much better.  Mission Hospital took great care of us, Labor and Delivery paid us a visit, apparently that is protocol when you come to the ER pregnant, fine by me, that meant we got to listen to Benny’s heartbeat for 20 minutes and get the peace of mind that he was a happy camper in there. 

Whoa BELLY!! 31 weeks

We have been spending a lot of time outside enjoying our new grass and a lot less dirt!  The Sheriff’s Plumeria needed to be transplanted to larger pots so I have been doing that, I planted a bunch of sunflower seeds around our front yard and they are starting to pop up here and there.  Pregnancy brain has struck and I cannot remember where I planted them exactly so I have to water the entire front yard every day, lol! 

Today is Gracie’s 10^th birthday, I can’t believe I have had that naughty girl for 10 years and lived to tell about it!  She is a happy healthy pup who still loves her walks, swimming in the pool and belly rubs, she always has a smile on her face and is just the happiest dog on the block!  This morning I heard the Sheriff give her a cookie and sing happy birthday to her, it was the sweetest thing!

We also celebrated my nephew Cole’s 13^th birthday and my brother in law’s 50^th birthday, it was big birthday’s for the clan in the last few weeks!

And life is ever changing, we experienced a few sort of expected/unexpected unpleasant surprises this week that have kind of left us with a bunch or what if’s and what’s next which in turn always reminds us that everything happens for a reason and we need to be patient and roll with the punches and everything will be just fine.

Benjamin's Room - Part 2

Benny's Room part one!

Benjamin's room progress has been slow going the last few weeks, the weather has been so nice that I have been spending my free time outside cleaning up the backyard.  Last night I finally bit the bullet and had the Sheriff hang the last few things up above his crib, I was having a hard time committing to layout of the decor (It is a big decision when you are putting holes in the wall).  For the most part I am happy with the way things have turned out but something just doesn't feel right and I can't put my finger on it. It could be all the stuff on the walls, maybe a lack of a bookcase, I don't know, but honestly I don't think Benny will care! 

Here are a few pictures of where we are at with his room....

Before

After!  

The lighting is terrible, the deer and arrows need paint and either I need to add something above his name or move it up so it is centered on the wall.  And, yes, those are crib bumpers, I know they are a hot topic and there are many people who are anti crib bumpers, I hear you but I wanted them, they will be removed during the period of time they are considered really unsafe and no, I don't want to hear your opinion. :)

I found this sweet little rainbow on Etsy, Benjamin is our little rainbow baby and I wanted something to represent that!

That's it for now, we are done with his room!

Next up is packing my bag for the hospital, figure out the all important outfit for Benjamin to come home in, install his carseat and wait patiently for his arrival!