(My birthday surprise, Laura & I on the Waterfront- Sunday, June 21, 2008 {Great photo Amanda F!})

I am sorry that I haven't written lately. Things have been incredibly busy! I am training one of the girls in our office to take over my job in the fall and we had our AGM on the 19th. The meeting went extremly well and I got quite the surprise when Robbie announced to the room that it was my birthday and the next thing I know I had about 75 people singing "Happy Birthday" to me. It was pretty fun! I had a great birthday song from my cousin Ian when I got home that night too. Gordon had a great surprise for me. I got two new lawn chairs and an ice cream cake (anyone who was wondering what the cake lady has for her birthday.... DQ!)

On Friday I got an even bigger surprise. Drew, Em and little Clare were over visiting and the door bell rang. I went to answer it and was shocked to see my BF Laura standing there. If I was further along the surprise probably would have sent me into early labour!!! She's moving to Alberta pretty soon and I can't even think about how far away she'll be just yet. We spent the entire weekend just hanging out, eating candy (I know...not good for the baby, but oh so good for the soul!), talking and playing Wii. (George get ready because I am going to take you online!) Dr. Mario is now available for download and is incredibly addictive just in case anyone was wondering!!!

Laura left on Monday morning and then Janine was in town so we went out for dinner with her and then just the girls hit the mall. Laura S and Dan are coming tomorrow night for a couple of days and I can not wait to see them.

I really don't know what I am going to do with myself next week after all of these visit are over. I am really enjoying the company. Amanda is moving home and then to Ottawa and then I am really going to be lost. Don't get me wrong, I'm very lucky to have a couple of really great friends here in Halifax who I wouldn't trade for the world. I know I can count on them and they are always around and up for a good time. There is just something about having people around you who know what you are going to say before the words come out of your mouth and answer your question before you ask it. I know that comes with time and I am a person who has a handful of really fantastic friends that have known me for years...over 20 years for Jules and Annette.

Last week at our prenatal class we had to say what we wanted for our child...we all gave the standard answers but as I thought about it more I thought more of the long term and not just when our little one is first here. So here is my list, well at least for the babies friends:

To our little Pumpkin,

May your life be blessed with great friends who will stand by you and stand with you in every thing that you do. Friends who will go on crazy adventures at the drop of a hat and friends that will sit and hug you when you need to cry. Friends who will give you advice and not get angry when you don't listen. Friends who will take on your troubles as if they were their own. Friends who will share in all of your joy. Friends who will send you messages and call when they haven't heard from you in awhile. Friends who will travel for hours to come and visit you. Friends who will listen. Friends who will love you and believe in the person that you are and not try to change you in anyway.

Mommy and Daddy are blessed with such friends and we hope that you will be too.

Okay so that is my babblings for today. I am heading off for a mini stay-cation. I'm off work until next Wednesday. I will let you all in on our adventures...this is looking to be a very busy weekend!

Updates...

So I have been slack...a common theme for me these days. Growing a human, renovating a basement, doing cakes and trying to get ready for the AGM is taking its toll on me. I'm exhausted, I'm cranky and just have not found 5 free minutes for myself, let alone for blogging.

We had a great ultrasound on May 28. Our little one was being stubborn and wouldn't open its hands so we had a good 45 minutes of viewing time. Everything is looking great and I have my guess as to the sex of the baby but I'm not about to rush out and buy a certain colour of anything. I have finally started to feel pumpkin kicking and I think we might have a soccer star on our hands! Being able to feel the baby is making this belly a little more acceptable to me.

Gordon is working so hard on the basement renovations and his drafting that I hardly get to see him anymore. I know that its temporary and it will be great to have the summer together before the baby comes but I can't help but be a little lonely sometimes. Not that I should have time to be lonely but all I can say is thank goodness for marathon phone calls to NB and to A.F for entertaining me last weekend!

8 days until AGM. I think I might go off the deep end before that. So much to do, so little time. Thank goodness for Michelle. I am learning to let go of some control (I know...you are all surprised that I have control issues!) and just let her do some of this work. I'll still be here this weekend working on the speaking notes but by noon next Thursday it will be all over!!! YEAH!!

We start prenatal class tonight and my friend Janine is in town for the evening so I'm going to meet up with her after class is over. I'm challenged this month and I think that a pick me up in the form of a visit from my better design obsessed half!