Spring in Tsaile

Well, I don't know what happened to the last couple of months.

Actually, here's what happened to it:
At the end of March, beginning of April, we had a great week-long visit from my parents and their current exchange student, Fatma (aka Fabby) from Kenya. We did some fun hiking around here, and took a trip to Monument Valley. (I can't believe I'm nearly 23 weeks pregnant in this photo!)

From Rick, Carol & Fabby visit

Thanks to my mom's help and excellent sewing/re-upholstery know-how, we finally took on and finished a dumpster diving chair redo while I had her here. Then we all headed to Albuquerque, where I did some much needed shopping. Found some great second-hand maternity clothes, and we scoured some antique and thrift stores for a new dresser. While we intended to find something for the baby's room to use as a changing table, we ended up finding an awesome dresser set for ourselves instead! You could call it mid-century Danish modern and it was a really amazing price! I love fun used finds!!!

And it meant we could use my old dresser in the kiddo's room. Speaking of which, there is currently still a pile of furniture, junk, boxes, and an un-assembled crib cluttering the room where we will bringing home fig in a matter of weeks (what?!). I guess I should get on that...

We also had a fun weekend in Durango, CO, where Ryan had a conference. I did some shopping, and went to a Green living expo where I got some great info and ideas for our future dream home. April also meant more progress on our greenhouse garden.   We had grown a bit of lettuce through the winter but it was time to plant more.  We put in a couple varieties of lettuce/spinach, some beets, broccoli, onions, scallions, and we dared a couple tomato plants that we have had to coddle from some cold nights, but they're hanging in there.  We also planted some onions and garlic outside a month or so ago, and followed that up yesterday with carrots, broccoli and beet seeds!  We did have snow last week, though (yes, snow!), so we still have to be cautious about freezing temperatures. 

Alas, it's already nearing the end of May.  This month started out with a birthing class in Albuquerque.  It was a good experience and we both learned some things that will definitely be helpful when the time comes to use it in a mere two months or so (eek!).  Then on to Ohio!  We spent a wonderful week in Cleveland, visiting with friends, hanging out at home, actually enjoying the humidity!

From Cleveland - May 2011

Ryan was also pumped to be able to see the currently stellar Cleveland Indians play at home, not once, but twice.  And then we headed south to Cincinnati for a wedding.  Here's the optometry crew at the fun photo booth: 

From Subler's wedding

Many thanks to my wonderful aunts and mother for hosting a lovely brunch the next day, where I was showered with lots of love from friends and family!

From Cinci Baby Shower

Julie and Dave were also wonderful hosts last Saturday for a backyard BBQ in our honor.  It was a wonderful day of good weather, great food, fun yard games, and lots more love from our local family!  More on that when I get some pictures. 

This post is already getting long, but to catch everyone up with a more specifics on the pregnancy, here's the latest:
A glimpse of the belly which was taken about a week ago:

From Cinci Baby Shower

-I'm nearly 31 weeks along and it's suddenly hitting me how close to the end we're getting! 
-I am certainly feeling bigger and bigger by the day, but everyone tells me how small I am for how far along.   ...I'm fine with that! 
-Still miraculously wearing two normal (but low-rise) pairs of jeans, with a little help from the Belly Band.  But otherwise definitely in maternity clothes (most of which are second hand, thanks to friends, some key thrift store finds, and my mom's help!). 
-Despite a small belly, Baby S seems to be growing well and is healthy and active. I'll find out more later this week when I go for my next appointment.
-Thankfully I feel great and the normal pregnancy symptoms I've been having are relatively minor.  Let's hope it stays that way for the duration...
-The very nice Hispanic lady that checked me out at Home Depot last weekend informed me that I'm having a boy.  It wasn't a question, it was a statement. (Although I'm still counting on finding out FOR SURE the old fashioned way.)