What a Busy Weekend!!!

We had such a busy and productive weekend around here!

First off, I wanted to mention that Andrea was here on Tuesday and Wednesday giving the house a deep fall cleaning in prep for Brooklyn's arrival. We were very thankful to not have to worry about scrubbing tubs/toilets, dusting, vacuuming, windexing or the multitude of other things she did that we weren't able to fit in in these last few weeks.

Friday night, I had a few friends over for a party...it was nice to have a chance to catch up (and meet for the first time in person for one of the ladies) with some old friends. It just reminded me that we don't get together nearly as often as I'd like. Unfortunately, work commitments or family commitments kept some of our usual crew from getting together

So with 13 girls at the house so with that much estrogen upstairs, Erik and Crosby retreated to the basement where Erik was happy to explore his new TV and surround sound system. Around 10:30, my mom and dad arrived and then around 11pm, most of the girls had left so Erik, Crosby and I spent some time relaxing with mom and dad in the basement.

Saturday, we hit the 38 week mark...scary to think that literally ANY DAY she could arrive and our lives, as we know them, will be totally and forever changed. Dad and Erik got up at the crack of dawn to go bow hunting while mom and I slept in, made our venture to our Starbucks for the usual (mom: white chocolate macchiato, me: caramel apple spice) then off to Target for some baby purchases, Costco for our traditional Saturday stock up and sampling fest (oh, how I love that place), Michaels for some fall home decor, Bed Bath and Beyond for the heck of it, Babies R Us for some last minute baby items then Joann's where I signed up for Wilton Level II Cake Decorating for December (it'll give me something to look forward to during maternity leave....and a few hours out of the house as I'm sure I'll be in cabin fever by then). On the way home, we picked up a DiBella's Godfather sub...so so good!

The boys had just arrived home from their Costco and Best Buy venture where dad picked out their new plasma TV. We spent the afternoon outside where dad and Erik did some pruning of the bushes and plucking of weeds, mom decorated the porch and front of the house, and I, in my sad looking 9-month pregnant state, weeded my mulch because, well, I wanted to.

We then had a late dinner at the house....salad (awesome deal at Giant Eagle) with homemade Luigi's recipe vinaigrette, shrimp scampi and spinach/mozzarella ravioli followed by tiramisu (my birthday request) for dessert. We would have gone to Springfield but it was Mars Homecoming dance so the place was full of teeny boppers. Dinner finished up late and we just relaxed the rest of the evening.

Today, we started off with my birthday Champagne brunch at Springfield where the boys had Eggs Benedict and the girls had Sunday Quiche. I subbed my fruit for their Cream of Mushroom soup and my Sunday Quiche with cottage potatoes was, yet again, a delicious choice. Since it was my birthday and I had my free dessert email coupon, I ordered the Pumpkin Pie Spice Creme Brulee which mom happily shared with me. Then it was off to Best Buy to see said-TV that mom and dad are getting and Costco where they stocked up for their trip home.

We watched the Steeler game then Erik and I then headed to Glade Pike where we took some maternity pictures against the scenic fall backgrounds and then picnicked with Crosby by the lake. God how I love our Nikon D60...as Erik said, "this camera makes my pictures look good!" We can't wait to test out our photography capabilities with Brooklyn.

While we were there, Crosby took her customary swim in the lake which then warranted a bath when she got home. Erik then headed into NC as he's in Johnstown Monday and Tuesday.

Tonight, though, I admit that I was a horrible puppy mommy...Erik had just left and Crosby was doing her usual whining. I had to go downstairs to take some photos of some items that we are selling on Craigslist. I still thought Crosby was upstairs by the door so when I came up from the basement, I went to upload my pictures. About 45 minutes later, I was searching the house for Crosby...not in any of her usual sleeping places and then I heard this little whine by the basement door and low and behold, I had locked her in the basement in the dark! The little sneakazoid must have snuck down there while I was in the back part in our storage room taking pictures. The look on her face with her downturned ears and sad expression just made me want to cry...she was like "I have no idea what I did to deserve this but I beg of your mercy." She was afraid that she had done something wrong and I spent the next 5 minutes whipping out every treat I could find trying to tell her that she was a good girl. It didn't take her long to forget and then she was back into her usual spot on the couch...asleep, of course!

Look for the first installment of Mi Casa Mondays where I'll feature a room in our house...tomorrow: the nursery!