Prairie Baby Has Arrived

The Prairie Baby has arrived!!!

He's as sweet as can be.

Baby Room

The baby's room is (pretty much) ready and just waiting for baby to arrive.

We've got the crib, and rocker, and changing table.

.

The green sheep on the wall are a vinyl stick-on that I ordered online. I thought about painting something on the wall, but I decided a stick-on (that I can remove) would be easier than having to repaint an entire wall when I no longer want it there.

.

I love, love, love the curtains. Yes, they're a little feminine. But the room needed a little softening. And if I have a baby boy, I don't think he'll notice the curtains. For a while.

.

I have this picture hanging above the changing table. I may regret that, when baby gets a little older and starts touching everything. Then it might have to go. But for now, it's pretty.

.

And here's the bookshelf, for toys and books.
.

But the best part is the bookends. I found them at a Christian bookstore, and I just love them. When I saw the little lambs, I had to have them.

.
And, finally, here's the bassinet, which is in our bedroom.


.

Now all we need is baby!

Aunt L.

My aunt L. passed away on June 3rd, at age 45. I've put off writing this post because I felt like I just couldn't find the words. I still can't really believe she's gone.

My aunt had rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 3 or 4 years old. She was my dad's younger sister. She was always very involved in my life, and in all of her nieces' and nephew's lives. She had...what...40 nieces and nephews? I've lost count; someone will have to correct me. My point is, she had many, many nieces and nephews, and she never once forgot my birthday. I think it's safe to say that she didn't forget the birthdays of any of the other nieces and nephews either. But we weren't the only ones that she was interested in. There were also all of the spouses and children of her nieces and nephews, the people at church, the people at her apartment building (where she used to live), the young girl she mentored...I could go on, and I'm sure there are more that I don't even know about. She had a talent for making many people feel that they were individually special to her.

Aunt L. got married a few years ago. She was very happy, and it was easy to see what an effect her marriage had on her quality of life.

She was even a fan of this blog. She said it made her want to write one of her own. So it's only fitting for me to pay tribute to her on it.

She recently had a severe flare up of her arthritis. She'd had some medication changes, and was going to physical therapy. She ended up with severe infection, and passed away in the ICU.

Her funeral service was beautiful. I mean, really beautiful. I kept thinking about how she would've loved it.

I'm told another aunt (Aunt C.) has this picture of Aunt L. standing next to the sign for Finland, Minnesota, pointing up to it and smiling. And all Aunt C. can picture now is Aunt L. standing by the sign for Heaven, pointing up and saying, "I made it!!!"

And we all know she did, and is now pain-free. I love you, Aunt L., and I'll miss you forever.

Mini Baby Shower

Part of my contract for the last year has been to spend one day a week teaching at the college. The women I worked with there were great, and on my last day they surprised me with a mini baby shower.

.

.

Did you notice the "1st Annual Cake-Off" sign? They also decided to have a little competition over who could make the best cake.