Baby-to-Be Weekend

This past weekend, I traveled to NH to see family and enjoy a celebration of baby-to-be.  It was a too short trip, as often is the case, but still greatly enjoyed.  I was especially excited when we went to Parker's Maple Barn on Saturday.  This is one of those NH eateries (and country store) that everyone simply must enjoy during a visit to the area.  We tried to go for breakfast, but between the sleeping in (we're all pretty tired on a Saturday morning), getting stuck in traffic from a road race, and the long wait (this place is popular!), we ended up eating around lunchtime.  Still, I went for the traditional breakfast, the Parker's Special.  Delish!

Anoli, Dad, Me, and some random waiter guy coming out of my head....looks like I need to learn to use Photoshop....

I was hoping to get some amazing foliage photos during the visit, but unfortunately, most of the leaves have not yet turned or were just starting to and it rained all weekend (the Seattle weather was following me, I guess). 

I also got to sneak in a couple of visits with my grandfather.

The major highlight of the weekend was the baby shower for baby Hammer and myself.  I knew that mom and Anoli had been working hard to plan this event, but I had no idea of how big or elaborate they decided to go with it.  What I thought was going to be a small family shower in the living room turned out to be a full house in the church fellowship hall.  I was completely shocked by all the people there!  It was almost like looking at a timeline of my life.  There were family members, ladies who have known me since I was a baby and throughout my life in Massachusetts, many who knew me from when the family moved to NH and I went through the awkward stages of adolescence, and those who met me as I entered college and became my own person.  There were even a few ladies who had not yet met me, but knew my mom and were excited to celebrate the occasion.  I was really so touched by the outpouring of support and generous gifts.  

Mom and Anoli outdid themselves on the preparations.  You can tell they really worked hard to find a balance so that both myself and the guests would be comfortable and have a good time.  There were also lots of friends who helped to make the event go smoothly by providing food, decorations, and help with set-up and clean up.  My family kept joking that it was like planning a wedding reception with all the work that was taking place!

I don't have a ton of photos from the day since these are just from my little point-and-shoot camera that was lying around, but I'm hoping to get some more soon (hint, hint Cristyn!).  Anyway, on to the photos!

Nancy made the cake, which was delicious and sweet.  I pretty much inhaled my piece, it was so good.

We played a challenging game of partners-dress-the-baby-with-one-hand.  Let's just say that I wasn't as quick as some of the other, more experienced moms.  Apparently I will acquire this skill in the future.

My team with our half-dressed baby.  Hey, at least we got that diaper on (ignore the fact that it's pretty much falling off....)

The winners with their fully dressed baby.  

Mom made this quilt for baby in just about one day...wow!  Isn't it fun?!

Love this picture!  Cristyn and Vanessa just found out I was pregnant!

Just kidding....they are going to be my go-to moms when I'm having new mommy meltdowns in the future.

The cousin picture: Anoli, me, Kathleen, Jen, and Dee.  It was good to see them because I rarely get to attend family events.

More blasts from the past: Laurie - family friend and my piano teacher from elementary school!

And Kristin and her mom, Cindy, who knew me through my ups and downs of high school.

More "family" - Nancy, Cristyn, me, and mom.  Soon we'll be able to take a three generation mom-daughter photo, since Cristyn has a daughter too!

  Hopefully, I'll have more photos to share in the near future.  It was a really special visit and I know I will cherish the memories for a long, long time.  I'm excited to share these photos with my daughter someday.  It makes me happy to know how much both she and I are loved by so many.

Deck Disaster

Remember this post when we (we, being Noa) stripped and repainted the deck?

Well, the deck is getting it's revenge for messing with it.  We are having problems with it...BIG problems.  After our first rain, we noticed the paint bubbling up all over. 

This is not a good sign.  The paint stripper is coming up through the paint and will soon cause it to peel, which was the whole problem in the first place.  Ugh...now we have patches where you can see the chemicals coming through, bubbles, and early peeling patches.  Greeeeaaattt.....

We are so frustrated.  Now that the rainy season is here, it's pretty much impossible to to tackle this project until next spring.  My vote is to rip it out in the spring and invest in some Trex for a no-maintenance deck.  I guess we'll see what the spring brings.

Fall is Here

Temps just a little over 60 degrees.

Rain.

Fireplace roaring.

Monday night football on TV.

More rain.

Fall is definitely here.

The Days of September

September has proven to be one of our busiest months.  It started with the deck project and a Labor Day weekend wedding of some friends.  The wedding was held at a golf club in beautiful Newcastle, WA.  The wedding was held during sunset in a tent that overlooked Seattle.  It was so beautiful.  The pictures don't do it justice.

The ceremony was very classy and had some beautiful personal touches.  We had cocktail hour outside (again gazing at the beautiful view) and then went back into the tent for the reception.  One thing that was really new (to me at least) was that each table had their own cake!  Each cake was a different flavor.  Ours was a tiramisu cake....mmmm....

The head table had a cake too, which was tiered and beautiful.

And here's the happy couple, Brad and Antje.  For their first dance they graced the dance floor with an awesome swing dance.  It was a beautiful wedding and we were so honored to share their special day with them.

Later that week, some of my girlfriends here surprised me and another friend, Ashley (who is due about a month before me) with a baby shower.  They held the gathering at The Tea Room at Port Gamble.  This place is the quintessential tea house, complete with dainty desserts, finger sandwiches, big, poofy hats, and colorful baubles.  All of us chose a hat from the selection provided and adorned ourselves with beads.

Here I am with the other guest of honor, Ashley, who is due about a month before me.

Here is our guests and our table filled with treats.  Look at those yummy goodies: scones, chocolates, and finger sandwiches!  Don't you just love our stylish hats?!

We received such thoughtful gifts.  I felt so loved!

These are the lovely ladies who planned the lovely event: (L - R) Candace, Ashley, me, Amy, and Lindsay. 

A few days later, a bunch of bearded guys showed up at our house...okay, we actually knew who they were.  Mike had gathered up some of his best guy friends to meet up in Seattle and climb the ever-so-famous 14-er (14,411 feet to be exact) Mt. Rainier.  Here is the entire group before the climb: 8 guys and 4 guides.  You can see Noa in the back row, 4th from the left.

According to the guys, the climb was pretty intense.  At first, however, it started out simple, with easy trails and lush surroundings.

Soon enough, they hit snow covered ground and had to make a quick footwear change and enjoyed a bite to eat.

At this point, their views weren't too shabby.

The group started up again towards the low camp, called Camp Muir.  This is where they spent the first night at over 10,000 feet.

They stayed in one of the buildings here, a simple wooden structure with bunks.  There was also an outdoor latrine and a food tent.

The views got even better.

Mike and Noa at Camp Muir.

The next day brought about the more trecherous climbing and cooler temps.  The group had to "rope up" into smaller climbing groups in order to safely make it to high camp.

Each group had two hikers and one guide.

High camp included some tents set up at around 11,000 feet.  

After reaching the high camp, the group prepared to summit.  They had to stay roped up and had to cross deep (we're talking 100s of feet deep) cravasses.  Here's an example of one, although this one would not be one they would cross since it's so wide.  And, yes, it's pronounced crah-vah-ss.

Sometimes the terrain got really steep.

There were also parts that were not snowy, although still steep and difficult.

But, the hard work was worth it....they made it to the top!  Here is Mike and Noa.  As you can see, it was pretty darn cold up there.

A view from the top:

Soon the sun began to go down and the group headed back to high camp.  This was probably the most difficult part of the whole climb because as the sun sank, so did their natural light.  The guys had to use their headlamps to light the way back to camp.

The next day was hiking back to the bottom.  Since the guys had to hike through the clouds, they ended up getting soaked on the way down.

And they made it!  I am so proud of Noa and all they guys for what they accomplished.  I know it was truly a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

In the meantime, Jess came out for a short visit to celebrate the occasion.  We met up with the guys at the end of the week.

It was great to all be reunited again.  I can honestly say that I was pretty nervous for the group while they were away.  Thankfully, one of the guys had a way to check in through a satellite feed, which allowed all the wives to check in on their progress.  Still, nothing beats being back together again in person.

We decided to celebrate the occasion and reunion by heading out to a Japanese-style karaoke club called Rock Box, located in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle.  Six of us, packed into a private room, ordered some drinks, and turned up the tunes.  As always, it was super fun!

Just a few of the guys from the hike: (L - R) Jeff, Rob, Mike, and Noa.

Gotta start getting the baby used to karaoke early.  Hope she liked the experience because our group rocked Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" and Mumford and Sons' "Little Lion Man."

  The original room was a light blue as seen in this not-so-great photo from when we first looked at the house a year ago.

We didn't make a major change in color since I wanted to keep it light and airy (the room is pretty small).  And, I seem to be going through a gray phase, so I chose a light gray to cover the blue.  I'm really, really happy with it and I think that any accent colors I use will really pop against the walls.

The girls decided to hang out in the hall where there were less fumes.  Then we played with the iPhone.

And, it other pregnancy news, I am now fully into my 3rd trimester.  I've had a couple of minor health issues - thankfully nothing serious, just a stubborn cold and a case of tendinitis (which surprisingly can randomly develop during pregnancy).  Now I have to wear an annoying brace and have limited movement of my left hand/wrist.  We're hoping that this gets healed before the baby is born.

And to satisfy all you friends who are looking for a recent baby bump pic, here is my 30 week shot.  Baby girl is growing, growing, growing and now I am too!!

***Thanks to Mike and Lindsay for sharing your photos!