Getting settled

But still a looong way to go.  It's been a pretty disrupted week, although lots of good stuff happening too.  Progress on the house continues, though slowly.  We are waiting on the paint to get touched up - which should be done tomorrow or the day after - before going into full unpacking mode.  There are other small things to be done inside that I'm less worried about, and the porch is actually starting to look like a porch.  It still feels unsettled, with boxes in many rooms and covering the basement, workers in and out, etc.

It's also been a bit disruptive for Grady because Matt and I actually got away for our first overnight trip over the weekend.  We spent a lovely day and evening at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast, enjoying unseasonably warm weather, a beautiful hotel, and way too many cookies.  It was so nice and restorative to get away and reconnect a bit before baby whatsername arrives.  Matt then left for NYC for work.  So things just aren't quite "normal."  For Grady, a toddler who likes his routines, this has been a bit difficult, compounded by having a pretty nasty cold.  He's still our sweet boy, cracking us up and making us smile - just a bit more, hm, how to say this, opinionated than usual.

Anyway, with all the turmoil, not a lot of pictures still.  But I have some shots of Grady modeling his new hat from his Auntie Mimi and the new blanket she made for the baby.  I am so relieved Mimi sent the blanket - takes the pressure off me finishing the one I'm working on!

Two funny stories about Grady.  One would be better on video, but I tried to get him to do it tonight and he refused.  When we went to Tucson over Christmas, Grandpa gave Grady the book "Uncle Wiggly and the Sugar Cookie," a hand-me-down from my childhood.  Grady LOVES the book.  He especially loves the bobcat who tries to nibble Uncle Wiggly's ears.  Grady asked to read it so many times that Matt started getting pretty into the characters, giving Uncle Wiggly a southern accent, and Mrs. Moo Cow a high voice.  I was reading the book to Grady and we got to the page with Mrs. Moo Cow on it.  She says something like "Hurry Uncle Wiggly.  It's Sammy!  He's stuck in the mud and can't get out."  Anyway, we got to that page and I said, "Grady, what does Mrs. Moo Cow say?"  He puts on this super high voice and says "Hurry Uncle Wiggy, Hurry and help Sammy!  Stuck in mud!  Help!" and then in a deep voice "MOOO!"  It was so funny.  He's done it a bunch since then, and I'll keep trying to tape it.

The other funny story.  Grady was having a snack.  I had been petting Besa, and there was some cat hair floating around.  I got up to do something in the kitchen and I hear Grady say "NO cat hair!  Mine milk!  Stop it!  Time out!"

Okay, revised poll for baby girl.  We are currently thinking about three names: Clara, Shay, and Tessa/Tess.  Here are our concerns for each.  On Clara, I'm worried that it's becoming too trendy.  It's jumping in popularity, although is still not even a top 100 name.  I also don't love the obvious nickname of Clare, although I do think Clara is lovely.  On Shay, it's sort of a departure from all our other favorite names, which are pretty traditional - Shay has probably never been a character in a Jane Austen novel.  Matt's also not sure on the one syllable thing.  For Tess/Tessa, again with the cat.  I'm not sure you all understand how often we talk to/at Besa.  It would sort of be like naming the girl Trady.  So - poll #2, to the right.  Let me know what you think.  And as always, feel free to contribute your own suggestions by email or in the comments.

Oh, and quick addition.  I forgot to mention that I had agreed to do some maternity shots for a photographer in town for her portfolio.  I've never been much of a maternity photo sort of girl, so I wasn't sure what the outcome would be.  I actually think the pictures came out beautifully.  Here's my favorite.