Waverley's Special Treat

Today we braved the below freezing weather -yes, ridiculous for Central Texas- and made a run to the grocery store. Besides restocking the fridge and pantry just in case the little bundle arrives sooner than later, I also created a collection of snacks and treats specifically for the hospital. I had a little too much fun. Granola bars, beef jerky, trail mix, flavored rice cakes, several types of sugar-free candy (for during labor, even though I still have a bag unopened from Wilder's birth Brian had gotten me) and even the game Boggle. I almost snagged various International Coffee tins -you know, the powered flavored coffee beverages in those cute rectangular tins? I restrained myself, albeit only slightly.

The car is packed with a quilt my grandma made me, 2 extra pillows, the bag of goodies, and a sleepover bag for Wilder with several days worth of clothing just in case he has to come with me to the hospital and be transferred to MiMa's from there. My bag, on the other hand, is pretty much packed but remains in my bedroom so I can still access my make up. I made sure to bring the cozy socks Betty gave me and the nursing nightgown/robe set my mother bought me to use with Wilder -it's white with hot pink toile, perfect for welcoming a little girl into the world.

This afternoon I made a little treat for the baby shower Betty and Brooke are throwing for me, white chocolate covered pretzels with pink sprinkles. I ADORE the fabulous blend of crunchy, sweet and salty chocolate covered pretzels provide. Fun texture, outrageous taste, super easy.

*Sigh* more (restless) waiting, but being productive. Now it's time I did something constructive -I think I'll tackle some written correspondence that is embarrassingly overdue. Have a wonderful day! You can count on hearing from me tomorrow, I've become oh-so-chatty in these last days of pregnancy. So, what are you doing?

Rub a Dub Dub in a Bubbly Tub

Wubbly Bubbly Tubbly. Wilder adores his bubble baths, frequently running up to Brian and I saying, "Bubble? Bubble?" as he drags us towards the tub and pulls out the industrial sized bubble bath container. Here he enjoys a sudsy morning soak in our master bathroom tub. Good clean fun.

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News

Yes, more baby talk. I just had my weekly appointment today and I'm here share the news. First, I'm about 2cm dilated. 2nd, I'm 90% effaced. Third, the baby's head is so low the doctor is surprised she's not peeking out and winking at me.

So that sounds promising, right? Like maybe we'll have a baby soon? Well, who knows.

Wilder was induced at 38 weeks and since I'm nearly 37 weeks I inquired if we were going to do that again. Apparently the hospital has changed their policy and elective inductions are now done at 39 weeks at the earliest. That means I will most likely get to have this baby "naturally." Then again, who knows.

I am resigned to wait out the rest of the month with patience and the anticipation that she's coming closer to her due date than earlier. I already feel more at peace about it than yesterday. *Sigh* I'm happy.

That's the news!

PS: Oh, and to show once again how totally ridiculous I am, yesterday after all that talk about taking it easy, being introspective, relaxing and enjoying... I bathed the dog and cleaned all three bathrooms. It goes to show my theory is correct: once you give yourself permission NOT to do something, you can accomplish anything. I know, I'm weird. I use reverse psychology on myself.

Down Shifting

Having breached my 9th month of pregnancy I am now officially going crazy. Every morning I wake up and pray, "So, are we having the baby today? Please say yes," and subsequently I spend the entire waking hours slightly on edge as if waiting for someone to knock on the door with a million dollar check.

My motivation is missing, I've searched the house for it and can't seem to find it anywhere. It sounds like a really good idea to sit on the couch, watch movies and wait until I have regular contractions and it's "baby time." I'm not opposed to doing just this, except that is sounds pretty boring, especially if the baby comes on time and not early as my doctor predicts. That's a whole month of movie watching. I think we'll need to up our Netflix to full capacity.

Ah, I have it! Caffeine. A dose of black tea and I've got my inspiration back. Funny how joie de vivre can be found at the bottom of a cup. Still, I am taking my sister's advice and embracing this time of introversion, using it for introspection and preparation (and other things ending in sion/tion.) I think I'll follow her lead and have a pamper day today. Wilder and I shall enjoy a lovely bath soak, I'll repaint my toes, gloss up my fingernails, do a little microderming, heck -maybe even a detox masque! Yes, we walk on the wild side over here.

Talking with my dear, sweet sissy on the phone this morning I had an "ah-ha!" moment. Instead of being frustrated with myself for not wanting to do a single thing -except hurry up and have this lovely baby- I can seize this time to really focus on fortifying myself before life becomes more chaotic (and creative) than I have yet to experience. How smart of our bodies and minds to prompt us to take a "time out" in order to prepare. So before embarking on this great adventure of life with two children, I'm resting at base camp with cups of hot chocolate, soaking in the warmth of the campfire and enjoying what I have -the relative peace- at this moment. The journey up the mountain will commence soon enough and I'll be kicking myself for wanting the adventure to begin sooner than later.

After my cup of tea this morning I finished the only thing I've made Waverley so far -an embroidered wall hanging. I love it, even though the stitching is a little wobbly and crooked. Those baby blankets have yet to be made, but I'm cutting myself some slack and letting them happen when the inspiration strikes. For now, Wilder and I are off to have that soak in the tub and let our day continue as leisurely as we like.

But before I go, here's a family recipe I must share. It's the Pineapple Cheese Ball/Dip that my mother makes for parties and holidays that both my sister and I find impossible to make through Christmas without. I just whipped up another batch and am enjoying it with carrot sticks -I highly recommend it!

Pineapple Cheese Ball/Dip

by Jane Chapman

-2 8oz. pkg cream cheese or neufchatel

-1 can crushed pineapple (drained)

-2 cups chopped pecans

-1 sweet pepper (green or red add more color) finely chopped

-2 tblsp. finely chopped scallions (I use 3 stems)

-1 tsp. seasoning salt

1) In a medium bowl or mixer, mix cream cheese until smooth.

2) Stir in crushed pineapple, 1 cup of the chopped pecans, green pepper, onion/scallions and seasoning salt.

3) Roll into a ball and roll remaining nuts on the outside, or place in a container and sprinkle with remaining nuts.

4) Refrigerate overnight -it makes a huge difference the next day, all the flavors are enhanced and the consistency thickens.

*To create a dip, include the pineapple juice.

**Excellent with Wheat Thins and sliced vegetables (cucumbers, celery, carrots, etc.)

Enjoy!

A Whole New Site

Yesterday I tackled upgrading my professional photography website. It was clear that it needed more than just some tweaking and was desperate for being, well, professional. Thank you, Wordpress, for allowing me to get started for free -you have been wonderful. But it was time to say farewell and move on to better prospects, and -therefore- better business.

Enter iWeb. Thanks to you, new Mac computer with all your glorious bells and whistles, I was able to get a clean, functional, efficient site for a beautifully low price. Kind of like finding a brightly lit studio apartment right on the beach for a screaming deal when you thought you'd have to settle for a cave in a high rise. Anyway, the point is I love my new site and I wanted to share it with you.

http://kellycameronphotography.com

New Year's Honeymoon

I want to share a collection of photos from our special weekend full of warm fuzzies, togetherness, delicious food and adventure!

Brian and I celebrated New Year's Eve with dinner at Dia's Thai Restaurant in Georgetown, TX and loved every bite! I doubt I've remembered this correctly, but I ordered the Mee Sum Lad Na and it was fabulous! We loved the jasmine tea and the fried bananas in honey with vanilla ice cream. The owner, Dia, chatted with us and we had a wonderful dinner out -quite a rarity (we haven't been out to eat as a couple since...I have no idea.)

On New Year's Day we woke up late, snuggled until we were drooling for coffee, and made a lovely, leisurely breakfast. Cheese Blintzes and crepes with a delicious egg scramble, Anderson's 'Costa Rica' coffee and orange-pineapple mimosas. Yes, it was delicious! We pulled out the road atlas and decided it was time to take a random road trip, so at noon we loaded up with some sweet road tunes and headed west/southwest in the direction of Burnet and Fredericksburg.

We stopped first in Burnet's historic square -and heard crickets, it was SO quiet. We browsed the only store open, the Burnet Antique Mall on the Square, and the wonderfully sweet owner let me take photos in the store of all their fabulous wares! Oh, it is a fantastic antique store! Great prices, fun selection, terrific and friendly service. If you love antiques, if you like little towns, if you're ever in the area -you've GOT to stop into the Burnet Antique Mall on the Square! I bought stacking geese-shaped measuring cups and Brian found a monopoly-inspired Texas history board game from the 1960s that he couldn't resist. There were so many wonderful treasures I wanted to buy for family, friends -and myself, but resisted and instead snapped photos. Looking at the pictures, though, I just might have to drive back there soon and pick up a few irresistible pieces...

Back we hopped in the car and enjoyed our drive through the Texas Hill Country, passing wineries, orchards, vineyards and ranches galore on our way to Fredericksburg -a town we'd both heard tons about but never been to. We arrived close to 5pm and got an early dinner at Altdorf German Restaurant. It was delicious -every single bite! Highly recommend the Red Baron Sandwich and their Schnitzel, as well as the Belgium Chocolate Cheesecake. Holy. Cow. That was an amazing dessert.

By the time we finished our leisurely meal the sun had gone down and the moon had come up. The main street was a glow of Christmas lights and front window displays and we walked blocks and blocks, snapping away as we window shopped and walked arm in arm like the little lovebirds we are. On our way back we stopped at the outdoor skating rink and watched the elated kids and teens whirling and wobbling in little circles. One little boy looked just like we imagine Wilder will be in 5 years -a mop of blond hair, camo hunting jacket and a happy, determined look on his face as he swizzled around the rink by himself. So precious.

Listening to Ray LaMontagne and Eric Clapton's Unplugged cd, we contentedly made our way back home to Georgetown by the light of the silvery moon. Oh, what a day!

Yesterday we had a very rare treat and went to see a movie -"Sherlock Holmes." Yes, Brian loves me (I am a mystery buff and Sherlock Holmes addict.) The movie was fabulous and we both loved it. We took a trip into Austin to pick up some more Anderson's Coffee and by dinnertime MiMa and Boppa came to deliver our two Wild Things. Both Wilder and Savannah had a wonderful time at "camp" -thank you Betty & Barry! Brian and I are recharged and refreshed and so thankful for this 2nd honeymoon!

Now, when is that baby coming?...

Happy New Year!

Brian and I have been having a little too much fun with Wilder and Savannah (the dog -no, we didn't just have a baby and name her after our hound) at Camp MiMa & Boppa, and here's the proof. We enjoyed New Year's Eve with Thai for dinner and snuggled by our roaring fire as we counted down to the new year. Yesterday we made a luxurious breakfast and went on an impromptu roadtrip southwest and ended up in Fredricksburg by way of Burnett and Marble Falls. We supped at a fun German restaurant and strolled the Christmas lit main street while window shopping, taking a peek at the ice skaters in Fredricksburg's town square. The pictures are amazing -we stopped at an antique store in Burnett and the owner let me snap away with my new 50mm 1.4 lens and I can't wait to edit and share from our adventures. Oh, life is good!

Brian and I feel so refreshed and this has seriously been a 2nd honeymoon. We haven't had time together like this since... heck, we can't remember. Thank you so much, Betty & Barry, for making this fabulous time together possible. Wilder would have destroyed the antique store.

More photos to come!