Vacation?

Coming up with a title for this post was difficult because there were so many that I could have used! Ultimately we worked ALL weekend so if anyone thought they were getting a 4 day vacation they were quite wrong. Michael and Claire came to visit us last weekend and helped get the little mans room ready. It was a weekend filled with LOTS of work, LOTS of laughing, LOTS of good food, LOTS of fun and LITTLE sleep.

They flew into Gainesville late Wednesday night and we were all up early Thursday morning checking things off the very long "to do" list. Mark and Michael primed and painted the baby's room on Thursday while Clarie and I worked (yes, that means "work work", not "fun work"), and then ran errands. We started an art project (you'll see the final form later in the post), went on a Lowe's run for the boys, bought fabric to re-cover the rocking chair, and washed the multitude of baby clothes we've already accumulated. Satchel's was our dinner and reward that evening.

This child already has more clothes than the rest of us! A culmination of purchases, presents and hand-me-downs.

Friday we went to Manatee Springs (we had to let them have a little fun while they were on "vacation"). The weather was beautiful so we took a picnic lunch, then walked on the boardwalk out to the river and swam in the springs. Our swim was shortened slightly when we heard there was a snake on the bank beside the spring . . . it turned out to be a large water moccasin! The ride home was made more enjoyable by milkshakes and when we got home it was back to work on all of the projects around the house.

The beautiful spring run

Gorillapod self portrait

The snake as it started to slither away . . . yuck!

Saturday the boys worked all day, painting the dresser and bookcase, and building the changing pad holder. Claire and I ran errands again (I think Lowe's ended up being a daily visit), finished the craft project, and sorted and folded (and re-sorted) all of the baby clothes we washed on Thursday. Thursday night was spent putting the clothes back in the closet and hanging everything on the walls.

Our art project . . . I just need to put pictures in it and once he's born we're going to put his name on the top of the green frame.

Sunday, Mark and Micheal painted the changing pad holder, Claire cleaned the blinds, we put everything back in the room and added as many finishing touches as we have ready. Then, we switched gears and made a big Easter dinner to have with Gater and Cheryl. Check out my food blog soon for a more detailed post about the meal. We made Grilled Meats and Vegetables with Saffron Orzo, and a Gluten Free Carrot Cake. The meal was delicious and we were all able to relax for a few minutes before the evening was over. It was "early" to bed (I think we were asleep before midnight) because their flight home was at 6:40 this morning.

The changing pad holder for the top of the dresser.

Claire cleaning the blinds.

The grill master . . . cooking our yummy Easter dinner.

The weekend went by quickly but we all had a great time. Although we (especially the boys) worked the whole time we were able to spend 4 fun days together which doesn't happen often. Bailey also enjoyed the company, and Baby Boy must have been excited about his room because he did his first noticeable somersault in my belly over the weekend. It was very obvious this weekend that he is one very loved little baby! The room looks great! Now all we need is a crib(it's on back order until the beginning of June) . . . and then a baby :-)!

The finished product . . . almost.

Late Sunday night, trying to muster up the energy for one more picture.

Our awesome helpers!

Practicing his Daddy skills with the Leapfrog.

Time for a diaper change.

Michael practicing his uncle skills . . . we were obviously quite tired at this point!