Another Baby Shower!

Momma Bucell and Aunt Dot hosted a fun family shower
at Aunt Dot, Uncle Ron & M.J.'s home in Burlington on Sunday!

There was a lot of yummy food
(the heart-shaped pb & j sandwiches were my fav)
and wonderful gifts for Andy!
We had a great time.

Aunt Judy with cousins (and cousin-to-be in belly)
(from upper left) Jillian, Carolyn, Ronelle, June & Renee

Oooooh! Presents galore!!
Mama Bucell kept good notes.
Alex was broken in well with his new duty as designated "pack horse".

Maureen had the video camera out!!! Luckily the tape was running low.
Mike took photos with my camera (thank you!)

Uncle Ron posing with soon-to-be doting cousins.

June is excited to have a baby cousin,
she patted the belly and said in her soft little voice, "He is cute!"



For 4 years old, June is an excellent artist!

(oops, cut off her masterpiece)

Serious-looking brothers (good job sneaking this one Maureen!)






Gorgeous flowers from Nana Bucell!!!!

Ahhh, I love this time of year~








* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"A work in progress": the baby room!

Good thing we're having a boy- didn't need to paint the already blue walls!
(ok, anyone who knows me, I wouldn't have pink if it was a girl, anyhow! lol~)

To complete the look, just need to add a denim curtain panel and new denim
cushions for the glider & ottoman our friends Todd & Erica loaned us.
For above the crib, we have a lovely print from artist-cousin April, just need it
framed. It's a very serene, colored lithograph of a pond.
I am sure that in future photos you'll see a close-up of the crib bedding (lily pads, sort of Asian-inspired & *not* babyish).

Andy will have plenty of entertainment, note the 2 mobiles (only supposed to be used for 1st 5 months or when he can take them down).

His accumulating stuffed-animal collection will be joining the forces with the already established collection of stuffed-animal frogs. Just need to set up a section for them, I may clear a lower shelf off the (not seen) bookshelf (which he will be "rearranging" soon enough).

This device is pretty neat for keeping them coralled into a handy chair (demo'd on You Tube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZxB4qmU1zg
Though I could get crafty and devise one, "someday"....

Baby Shower

How sweet it was!

My friends tossed a wonderful shower yesterday at the Fox & Hound Tavern in Quincy.

Everything was so nice- and the food was great, too! Impressive!!
I had the "Turkey, Avocado & Bacon with spicy chipotle mayo on warm french baguette"
with fries. Yum Yum Yum!
Everyone received Pierce Bros. coffee favors:
"Baby Boom Blend... Coffee that is as smooth as a baby's butt."
Thank-you to Katie! (We were spared the baby-shower-games;;;)

It was neat seeing various buddies all in one room!
In attendance were: Mom & Wendy, w/Vivien, from Maine; Aunt Carla and cousin Dawn, w/Aidan, from RI; long-time friends originally from Hanover: Kerri, Katie, Sophia, Cristin, Nancy, Lynnie and the Vaughns: Sherri, Patti and Sandy (sorry, no Dave!!); buddies from old-time O'Brien's "vintage": Diane, Sarah, Lisa and Robin (Robin is due with "Molly" right around the same time!!); and (now former) coworkers Robin and Rachel. Yay!!!!

There were soooo many nice gifts, I better get started on those thank you notes!!


Aunt Carla (aka Grandma Moore) feeding baby Aidan.
They look so happy.
Dawn demonstrated good bottle-making technique
(and informed breast alone can't keep this growing boy fed enough!). I hope to both boob-and-bottle feed also- thankful to have Dawn as a mentor!

Wendy with Vivien as I examine some of the goods.

It was so cute seeing Vivien check out her future playmate, Aidan.
Aidan was so well-behaved, I didn't hear him make a peep the whole time.
I hope we get lucky and have a mellow little Andrew!!!
Vivy was such a little smarty, playing hide-and-seek with us, using her own napkin to cover her face to reveal it again and again!
Every time I see her I am amazed at how much she's developed.
She'll be walking any time now!

Close buddies (from left) Sophia, Kerri, (Ella staring at the boats), moi, Katie, (Sam), Cristin, Nancy (and photographer Bob) ended up for some after-shower fun at Marina Bay.

We were turned away from one venue (due to kids in tow) and shunned at another ("Where are we going to seat them.") before ending up at Krabby Joe's.
The bartender whipped up some great non-alcoholic strawberry daiqueries for me and the "Swampito" was discovered (a gross mojito with old/rotten mint leaves).

We had fun in the sun!
Ella kept us entertained (or Sophia and Kerri in action), jumping around the gazebo, making animals with play-doh, and collecting pine cones.
Sam was kept occupied by his portable DVD player (note to self: someday must get one!).....

Sophia can only imagine what it's like to have a watermelon-belly!

The leftover cake is too pretty to eat!

Thank you everyone for such a memorable day!!!!

30 Days to Go!!

Heather and Alex, happy parents-to-be.

These are ultrasound photos taken on 1/11/07.









Today's ultrasound showed baby Andrew in the best position, waiting to be born (head down, facing my back).
Because he's nestled so low, we can't see his face anymore.
Last week he did show his face briefly but had his little arm across it most of the time (blocking out the light, trying to nap?)

To estimate his weight, his femur length, belly and head circumference are measured.
Two weeks ago he was 5lb 9oz; today he is at 6lb 10oz!
Babies usually gain 1/2lb a week at this point.
With 4 weeks to go, are we looking at an almost 9 pounder?!!
Alex and I have a bet...I think under 9, he thinks over- it might be close!

Today the ultrasound computer showed an estimated due date of 7/7/07.
That lucky date, of course, is what I'm aiming for.
His due date from the 11-week-old ultrasound is still considered most accurate, which is 7/15. Great-Grandma Bucelwicz's birthday is 7/6, who knows when he'll arrive!!