In case you couldn't tell, I got a haircut, too

You don't mind an entry chock full of pictures, do you? Good. Because I am very tired and these images are the only reason I was motivated to post tonight.

Last week, Luke, Kara, and I spent four days up north visiting family, prompted by the fact that my new brother-in-law, Jason, was on a two-week leave from duty in Iraq, and not only did I have to miss his and Ryan's wedding (remember my Saint Joe scare?), he was deployed before Kara was born, so he still hadn't met his niece. We wasted no time getting them properly introduced.

Uncle Jason was happy to see Kara, though he admitted at one point, "I don't know what to do with her!" Here they are both looking to my mom for further instruction.

For our four nights away from home, we spent the first and last one at Luke's parents house and the middle two with Samantha and Dan. My sister is just over a week away from her due date, which just so happens to fall on the anniversary of her wedding. Little Danny Junior's arrival is eagerly anticipated by all.

(Here would be a great place to include Samantha's picture, except that I didn't take any. Bad big sister!)

Here's Luke reading to Kara one of the mornings we stayed with Samantha and Dan. I'm including it because Kara munching on her bunny's ear--the one that has helped her recover from a rough sleep patch these last couple of months--is way adorable, and it showcases one of her very favorite books: Gossie and Gertie, which is actually part of a Gossie-and-friends-type series. MY favorite is the one about BooBoo because it talks about burps, and what could be cuter then a story about a gosling who burps?

 

On Saturday morning, our little family stole away for a couple of hours and drove to Navy Pier. It was Kara's first time seeing Lake Michigan, and Luke and I had a blast strolling her down the boardwalk and giving her a view of the water. The Pier is one of my favorite Chicago landmarks, so it was probably natural that I felt a ping of sadness over not living closer and being able to see it any old time we wanted. Staying in Indianapolis is the best option for us right now, but part of me holds out for the chance of someday making the move to northwest Indiana, where the grass is green and the commuter trains are pretty.

Later that afternoon I attended a surprise baby shower for Molly (I know she'll be sharing pictures soon) (hint, hint, Molly), and while I was gone Luke and Kara hung out with my mom, who was ecstatic over having so much time with her granddaughter. There are some especially cute pictures over at Parents, where Kara's reading Grandma's face Helen Keller style and Grandma's teaching Kara this "so big!" move that she absolutely loved.

(Notice Kara's travel chair? It's a Chicco Caddy Hook-On Chair we can use at places where a high chair isn't available. It was thirty-five bucks and works like a charm, though Kara did cling to me for dear life the first couple of times she was in there.)

Kara likes the hustle and bustle of Chicago, but she also enjoys the quiet calm we experience when we visit Grandma and Grandpa Dunscombe. Also, Grandpa provides adequate lap space for naps.

The next day, before we headed out of town, we stopped to visit Molly and Jack. They were both excited to see Kara, because Molly has baby girl fever and Jack still gets a kick out of Kara's "Oopsie" video. I think they had a good time with each other, though Jack was not thrilled with Kara's tendency to drool on his toys.

Jack's like, "What are you doing with my bus, woman?" and Kara's like, "Boat?"

I don't know why innocent pictures like this make me want to joke about a future pairing, but they do, except then I get weirded out contemplating my baby daughter's potential love matches. Forgive me, Jack.

Molly and I juggling small children and fetuses (feti?) in utero. Neither of us expected to get knocked up with surprise babies this year, but who does? And anyway, there's nobody I'd rather freak out with.

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Now, the random stuff.

My Hoosier Momma shirt turned out to be too small, so my embarassment over wearing it can wait until next year. Maybe we'll just save it for bedtime.

It looks like the top three venue choices for BlogHer 2009 are Portland, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. I voted for St. Louis because it's closest in proximity to Indianapolis, but I would be way stoked to visit Philly again. I went there with Luke in 2004 to visit his best friend. We visited Old City and Valley Forge and took a ghost tour and all of it was awesome. Luke is actually encouraging me to sign up next year and even suggested that the four of us (!) could go together and turn part of the trip into a mini family vacation. I am so all over that; I really did have a great time last year. My only hang-up is my purpose for attending: my personal blog is often left to collect dust, so ads are definitely not a part of my near future, and sometimes it's difficult to keep up on the one I get paid for. Am I looking for larger readership? More freelance work? Or simply network (Amalah, for the love of God, PLEASE SAY YOU'RE GOING IN '09) and have a good time? Is that good enough?

I suppose it doesn't really matter. Luke's on board with my going, and I bring in enough money from blogging that attending a conference like this would be totally worth it. Count me in.

This week has been great to me, baby-wise. I entered my thirteenth week and experienced an energy surge that didn't come until closer to week eighteen with Kara, and my work unveiled a new maternity leave policy, effective immediately, that pays six weeks at one-hundred-percent salary. Words can't express the impact this will have on my life, but I make the attempt over at Parents.

On the housing front: Luke, Kara, and I will visit three more houses on Indy's south side. Wish us luck.

Lastly, Kara is just nine days away from turning eight months old and making the cutest "mamadadababa" babbles you've ever heard in your life. On Monday morning, Luke will take her in for her first professional photo shoot. I didn't realize how bummed I'd be over not being able to join them, but I'm already leaving early that day for an ob/gyn appointment, and things are too busy for me to take off the whole day. Where did the time go? When did my sweet baby girl go from this:

To this?

Hell if I know, but damn if she isn't the most beautiful person I've ever met.

Comments

[Lynne]

Kara is absolutely one of the cutest 9 month olds I've ever seen. She always looks so happy. Absolutely adorable.

I love your new hair cut. It suits you very well!

[Marriage-101]

Love the haircut! Also this last pic of Kara and the pic of her munching on her bunny made me LOL.

[Molly]

What a great group of pictures! And those two kids there together? What a match, although I don't think either one of them have caught on to the concept of "what's mine is yours and yours is mine." They'll need to work on that before they reach the altar. ;o)

I too can't believe how big Kara has gotten so quickly. She's all personality now, and I loved snuggling her up this weekend.

The shower was fantastic indeed, and I will get more pictures up soon. Also, I love your hair cut. I think that's my favorite length on you.

[eva]

I TOTALLY voted for Portland because it's my favourite American city. Oh and a mere 5 hour drive away.

You and your haircut look great. And the kid - adorable as always. My husband STILL sometimes doesn't know what to do with Megan so Ryan's husband shouldn't feel bad:)

Oh and we bought the Phil & Ted "Me Too" chair that's almost identical to your Chicco chair and LOVE it but feel ripped off that Chicco isn't more available in these parts because P&T cost us $74!!

[Fraulein N]

Love the pictures! I keep forgetting you're pregnant because you're just so dang TINY. I hadn't heard BlogHer '09 might be in Philly. If it is, I hope you make it; I'd love to meet you!

[Gris]

Delurking to say I think your hair looks sooooo cute!!

And Kara is the prettiest little girl in the world!

[Erica]

She is beautiful and adorable and I just want to squeeze those cheeks;0) Can you tell I have baby fever? I like your hair by the way. Very cute!

[Mrs. Higrens]

I'm down with Philly (or St. Louis, but Philly is closer and I can get there on the train!). It will take the year to convince DH I need to go and meet all my heroes in person.

You, Kara, and Luke all look great!

[Isabel]

Damn,you all look good. I love your new hair and I love seeing how much Kara has grown. (Molly looks great too. I love that you are prego together!)

If BlogHer is in Portland we can stay at my house (for FREE) and make the 3 hour drive everyday. I'm sure that won't be bad at all. HAA!!

[Christina]

Not that I am at all surprised but you guys are doing SO fantastic! I would love to know how "tall" that little beauty of yours is. She seems very tall for her age, but Nate is pretty short for his, so.
Good luck with the house hunting, I know its getting old but you will be so glad when you find your home it will have been worth all of the time!

[Must Be Motherhood]

You look fantastic! Glad the energy level is back up--just wait until you feel the first kicks sooo much earlier than you did with Kara. You'll be astounded!

Lake Michigan looks so welcoming in the summer, doesn't it? My son got to go swimming there once this summer and won't stop talking about it. I'm like eeeehh, enjoy the Indy splash parks, dude.

[elizabeth]

Oh, all the pictures! Everyone is adorable. And your haircut is so cute! And if everything could exclamation points!! Wee!

[Jenny]

Yes, she is!!
I so wish I could have met her in person when you were up here for the weekend.
But it was terrific seeing YOU!

[Lindsey]

I love your hair-cut and your baby! Those are all great pictures! Kara looks so long in the picture with Luke's dad. LOL She is going to be tall like Luke!!

[Amy]

Hey, my Cabbage Patch Kid had one of those hook-on-table-seat things!