One Last Post?

Well, when I wrote the last post, I was really hoping that by today I would have a new baby. But, alas, I do not. The good news is that I am actually glad I don't have a new baby right now because I'm nursing a sinus infection and would like to be a little healthier come birthing time. I'm on an antibiotic, though, so as soon as it kicks in, bring it on! I'm hoping we'll be announcing "It's a _____" sometime this weekend or early next week.

Our house is in a bit of chaos, what with our basement remodel starting in less than a week, but Will is really trying his best to keep things organized. The garage is packed, and the nursury is filled, as is our living room/kitchen, but most everything is at least on a shelf. Will has been working SO HARD, bringing things up out of the basement. There is A LOT. I think this has finally been a wakeup call for him, that he needs to stop hanging on to so much stuff. I feel bad that I can't help more, but I should be able to help more when we bring our things back downstairs. I am really looking forward to the finished product. I should have taken before pictures! I will take some with what is left of the basement right now and then when it's all done. Ethan has been having a blast playing in the emptying basement. All the kid needs is a paint can and a "drumstick," and he's good to go. I think he will have a hard time the couple of weeks that we will not allow him down there. Should be interesting.

As an update from last week, Ethan has been a lot better lately. I've learned that I have to anticipate hard transitions and plan ahead accordingly. He's big into making lists (i.e. scribbling on a notepad), so we often make lists for what we're going to do next, like leaving the house. And if he feels like he's being my helper, things go more smoothly. He has his moments, but I'm thankful he has been so much more pleasant to be around this week. Of course, he requires constant attention, and every day I think about how the most difficult part of having a newborn around will be giving Ethan the attention he wants. I'm very thankful that I will have a lot of people around to help out. My friends have already offered to take Ethan away on playdates, and I know that my family will be around to help give him attention, too. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he does with a new baby. I can see it going both ways, so we'll see.

I realized I never posted our sledding photos from an outting with my great friend Catherine and her son, Derek. Ethan and Derek are BFFs, though you wouldn't always believe it when they're fighting over toys! There are also some other recent pictures.

This is a VERY common thing these days. I told you: Will's been working very hard lately. He's pretty tired.

We took another trip to the Chicago Children's Museum. Ethan loves this exhibit for building.

Ethan attempted to climb up this net that leads to a pirate ship, but had to abort.

One of my best friends from college, Susie, is due a couple of weeks after me with her first, a boy. This was taken at her shower. Guess who won the Guess How Big Susie's Tummy Is game? :)

Ethan put on my snowboots - wrong feet, I think, but not bad.

One of two entertaining sleep pictures.

I almost peed my pants when I saw this one (who am I kidding, I'm 38 weeks pregnant - I DID pee my pants a bit). It was like he was trying to escape but just couldn't stay awake. Too funny.

Since we had yet to take a naked belly photo, I decided it was time, so I put the timer on the camera.

Will took this one last night. Not the most flattering light. Hello baby.