Team Anderson

Rory and I had a playdate with Quin and Sheri Swartz on Wednesday. We went to the Deanna Rose farmstead. It was an amazing place. Completely free (I spent 50 cents on food for Rory to feed to the goats)! We had a great time checking out the animals and playing on the playground equipment. We will definitely revisit such a great kid spot.

Lots going on...unfortunately not on the baby front. I am getting a little bummed that it's not ready to meet us yet. Brad on the other hand is okay with the wait. He reminded me that as soon as the baby is born, Rory is no longer an only child, and will have to share our attention with a baby. He's sometimes very good at refocusing me.

We no longer have any pending projects. Rory's dresser has been painted and the baby's room is now the new home of the changing table. I married a great man who after sanding the dresser and letting me take a week to paint it yellow, took it upon himself to paint on the brown, orange, and pink polka dots. He's a man of many talents...now he can add furniture design to the list. We have finished the frisbee golf course and wiffle ball field out at the clubroom, and the clubroom is ready to go for the fall. Other than trying to keep up with cleaning the house (so I won't have to come home to a dirty home after the hospital), we are ready for this baby. I even dusted last night (a dreaded chore).

To be honest, I think I'm just amazingly curious as to whether it's a boy or girl. I still don't know...actually I don't even have a clue...Brad is a really good secret-keeper. It's driving me crazy! I really want to meet this little one. I am praying fervently that as soon as it's healthy enough to leave my belly, the Lord brings on our little one. Even so, sometimes I am reminded of the chaos that will be our life post-baby. I guess I can wait a few more days.

My official due date is tomorrow (5th). I have another appointment on Wednesday. On that day my midwife said we'll look about a week out and possibly schedule a day to come into the hospital and "encourage" labor to start. That's another cause for stress...I really want this to happen naturally. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep that in your prayers.

New subject. Rory can sing her ABC's and count to 11. She's pretty impressive. :) One of her favorite pastimes is to put together puzzles. She likes to sing and sometimes will sing to the baby. Having spent so much time out at the clubroom (and the land that surrounds it) recently she has become enchanted with riding tractors, lawn mowers, and four wheelers. She'll go for a ride with anyone who will take her. Yesterday Susan Lockard and Brenda Chenoweth (committee women who have become family friends) took her to her first movie in a theatre. She saw Barnyard. The report is that she sat very well throughout the movie (moving only from lap to lap) except for when music was playing, at which point she stood up in her chair and danced. Dancing is another favorite pastime. She's not really keen on swinging, although during trips to the park she'll try it if there are other little kids who appear to be enjoying themselves. Before too long, she's asking to get out. She has accompanied me to my recent weekly midwife appointments and gets very excited when we listen to the baby's heartbeat.

I have a new restaurant to recommend. Thursday night I met good friend, Sally, at her house for dinner and a short walk. We parked at the Kauffman Gardens and headed down to The Mixx (next to the Plaza Library). It was so yummy! I chose the "Create Your Own Salad" option. Romaine lettuce with dried cranberries, artichoke hearts, egg, feta cheese, and roasted red peppers, topped with a delicious Champagne Honey Vinaigrette dressing. I watched them mix it all together and was served my fare in a huge bowl with a roll on the side. Very filling. The first 5 minutes of our dinner conversation consisted of each of us oohing and ahhing over how amazingly good our food was. I will most certainly go back. Kudos to The Mixx.

Here's another reason it's great to live in Harrisonville...gas is $2.40 right now. Yippee.