Heat+Car+Gummies=Mess

I haven't indulged in my gummy craving as of late, so to celebrate my 37th week, I decided to live a little via squishy little shark confections. Honestly, it was probably more of a "I am missing lunch to shop at Home Goods" impulse buy, but anyhow, I learned an important lesson...

Not sure if the mess above is edible - we'll see how desperate I am for gummies tomorrow.

Welcome Willa June

A million (belated) congratulations to our friends Andy and Linda, who welcomed Willa June on July 1. The little darling was 7 lbs 14 oz. and 20 inches long. And, she made quite the entrance! Linda woke at 1:45 a.m., they left the house at 2:45 a.m., were stuck behind a train en route at 2:59 a.m. and after arriving at the hospital and 1.5 pushes later, Willa met the world at 3:17 a.m. Whoa!





She joins big brother Everett at home in Lansing.










We visited Linda and Andy back in March to talk birth plans, doulas and cloth diapers. And Linda, two weeks shy of her due date, was a real trooper at our couples shower. I'm thrilled to know that Baby Spurgeon will have a pal when we drag her to the annual MSU Grove Street tailgate reunion, hopefully starting this October!

19 Meets 36

Taken at 36 weeks, 6 days and 44", on a day that reached 98 degrees. Next time I need to plan this a little better. April baby, anyone?

Strawberries for Sal

Really, it is Blueberries for Sal. And strawberries for Maggie and Will. But seriously, a few days ago I enjoyed my last piece of the sweet, sweet strawberry pie made from berries picked by Will, my mom and me during our time in Escanaba.


Now strawberry picking isn't hard, but at 8.75 months pregnant, was a tad awkward - all that scooting along in the dirt and trying not to squish the not-yet-ripe berries. Not to mention resisting the temptation to eat every single one.


Good thing I had Grandma Betty and Will with me to pick the berries.

And Will to carry the booty.


We cleaned three flats of berries, made and took back to Milford 6 pints of jam, and enjoyed some serious pies at the Escanaba shower.

I only wish strawberry season lasted all summer. (It would help my enlargement.)

Links at 36

Last weekend, Will and I hit up Edgewood for a round. Sadly, I could only make it 9 holes, and even that was a struggle. I am truly in the home (belly) stretch!

Cradling Bob

Back in 1978, a young couple prepared for their first child. The proud father-to-be, wanting to make something for their baby, decided to build a cradle. The baby was me. The proud father to-be was the current grandfather-to-be, Bob. That was 32 years ago, so in this shot, my dad was the same age I am now. It's hard for me to believe he was ever that young. And even harder to believe that some day, my daughter will think the same thing about Will and me.


Since then, 23 other babies have slumbered sweet dreams my cradle. Appropriately, Little Miss S will be baby 25. Baby Walter was ousted two weeks ago, so this anxious mama could get her ducks in a row. And on Thursday, Grandpa Bob drove 7 hours to deliver the cradle to Milford. (He arrived at 6pm and was gone by 7am the next day - crazy man!)


It fits in our room wonderfully, though Owen has mixed thoughts about the new piece of furniture. Just wait until he meets his new baby sister! Oh my...

I feel so fortunate to have such loving parents, and a dad that would hand build me a cradle and deliver it to my home 32 years later, for my baby. Thanks, Dad! You're going to be an awesome Grandpa.