Mr. & Mrs.

Our good friends Dan & Erin were married in La Crosse on Saturday and baby M got to attend her first wedding. Unbeknownst to my OB, we traveled on Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning (don't tell her, at 38 weeks along I will definitely get a verbal lashing). Baby M and I had a little chat on Saturday morning on the dos and don'ts of making her debut while 3 1/2 hours from home and she agreed to stay put for at least another 24 hours. The day was perfect - sunny and cool enough that the groomsmen didn't sweat to death in their tuxes for the outdoor ceremony.

It's official!

Baby Mama (It does not help my case here that Erin is the teeniest little thing you've ever seen)

The Willes & The Maios

Making the best of an unusual place setting. That may or may not be my second piece of cake.

We left Sunday morning before the crack of dawn - 5:30 a.m. to be exact - so that we could be back in town in time for Matt's baseball game. His league team, the Orioles, was in the playoffs and it was a big game that their star catcher could not miss. I dropped him off but returned in the 7th to find the O's up 5 to 2. In the 8th Matt slammed a 3-bagger that kicked off a 5 run rally. The Orioles won it 10-2 and go on to next weekend - if they win next Saturday, they will be in the championship on Sunday! Matt has a loooooong history of being on teams who don't win as often as they, say, lose, so this is a fun change of pace for us both. Little miss M and I might need to have another one of those mother-daughter chats before next weekend's games.

1 Month To Go

We have less than one month to go. Everything is going smoothly so far. Sarah is anxious for the kicks in the ribs every 10 minutes to be over with. But she is a trooper.



Here is a preview of what the baby may look like:

Blasphemy

Obviously this shot was set up. Baby M, like her daddy, would never drink a Bud over a Miller.

College Reunion/Baby Belly

This weekend has long been set aside to pre-celebrate the rapidly approaching wedding of our good friends Erin & Dan. Actually scratch that, the weekend was set aside just for Erin. Our gorgeous bride-to-be has all of the details in place for a terrific wedding on September 6 in La Crosse. I was originally going to be a bridesmaid, however a certain someone (I won't name names) decided that she would prefer to be born in September. Erin stood up in our wedding and I was really looking forward to standing up in hers. However my service has been reassigned and I am the Executive in Charge of Stuff for the day. I look forward to using my size to my advantage (examples: "Hey, get over there for that picture or I will sit on you!" or "That shade of lipstick is not bride-approved. The belly says use this one instead!").

Bride-to-be Erin, second from the left

The festivities begin on Friday afternoon as we were ladies who lunched. Our friends and former roommates Emily and Jen came in from the Twin Cities, and another Jen joined from Eau Claire. After lunch Erin and the J's went off to do a little shopping, while Emily and I took off for downtown. Emily has always been into photography and is now starting her own business on the side, so a few months ago I agreed to let her shoot me for the notorious belly-shots for her portfolio. I had no idea what I might be getting into (Demi Moore I'm not), but Em and I choose a few outfits and decided to hit downtown for some great urban settings. We ended up shooting at the Yacht Club, the Lakefront, Third Ward, and in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue (at 5:30 on a Friday. Yes, pregnant girls in heels can still run). Then we did a few family shots in the backyard with our furry son. A couple of the shots are below, and you can check out a few more of the three-hundred-and-some images here (the entry date is August 10). For those in MN or western Wisconsin looking for a great photographer, I recommend you give her a call pronto!

Baby Belly on Orange

A belly any Brewer would be proud of

Saturday started off early as we were due on the greens at 11. We had exceptionally cute Team Kearns t-shirts (Ireland & clovers are Erin must-haves) and our golf-pro bride led the way through the course. I took my job of rider very seriously and was sure to flag down the beverage cart when the other girls felt a little parched. After the bride putted and chipped her way to victory we had a mini-shower for her, followed by dinner out (at an Irish Pub, natch) and then downtown for bars and clubs. Well, downtown for all but yours truly. I was in charge of dropping off - good car pool practice, no?

Go Team Kearns!

Is she going to be a gorgeous bride or what?

Baby M has her 34 week appointment tomorrow. Next weekend Matt and I are off to the cottage for a mini-break. Can't wait!

Weekends with Friends

We've spent the last few weekends taking a little break from baby world and spending time with close friends. We took Brian & Jen and their 1 year-old, Ford, up to the cottage the second weekend of July. It was a little chilly but that didn't stop Ford from jumping straight into the water. I suspect that Matt was not prepared for just how busy a one year old is, but Jen and I made sure to give the guys a couple of hours to relax sans baby. In fact, Brian taught Matt a new game: beer darts. I won't lie, it's not that safe, but it does look fun. Matt generously offered to play it with me and a can of root beer. What a guy.

Ford expertly helps me steer the pontoon (with Brian dutifully blowing up the floatie in the background)

Jen and Ford let the breeze flow through their hair

First mate Ralphie, keeping a watchful eye for danger

Matt taking his turn with beer darts. Yes, the goal is to have your dart nail your opponent's beer which is sitting precariously between their legs. Good times!My favorite shot of Ford, making his 'smelly' face while covered in some kind of root vegetable.

The next weekend we made the trek up nort' to visit our friends Scott & Anna, their 6 1/2 month old Ethan, and their new pup Izzy. We also got to hang out with Kyle & Robin and their new addition, Miles, and our friends Shawn & Melissa too. This was our first chance to meet Miles and we haven't seen Ethan since he was 6 weeks so it was about time we all got together again. The ladies kept occupied first with the wee ones, and then with the Wii itself. Competition on the Mario Kart was intense, however Melissa flat out schooled us every time. The big treasure find of the weekend was a pair of shoes...for baby M. They're red patent leather driving mocs. How could I say no?

Starting her young. In the words of the late Yves Saint Laurent, "Fashions fade, but style is eternal"
Baby M hangs out between her two buddies, Ethan on the left, and Miles on the right

Ethan's dad Scott shows Matt how the pros do it

Wii ladies work hard to concentrate on the task at hand. Melissa, on the left, wiped the floor with us. Robin (Miles' mamma), Anna (Ethan's mamma) and I could only watch and learn from the master

Third trimester

For those of you keeping tabs, we are in the third trimester. Only 10 weeks to go. It is getting down to the wire people. Sarah is doing a great job with everything and she is feeling pretty good. Although, the fatigue after a long day at work is starting to set in. Again. I was able to get this shot while she was sound asleep after work. She had no clue.

Baby M's First Party

When I told my good friend Jen that I was pregnant a few months ago, the first words out of her mouth were "I'm throwing your shower!" I'm not one to argue, so this past Sunday that declaration came true in the form of a gorgeous party for baby m. We got piles-o-goodies that will help our baby be brilliant (baby Einstein toys), clean (several tubs and lots of bubbles), and well documented (a camcorder - thanks G&G Martin!). I was delightedly overwhelmed by everyone's excitement for our new addition, and was especially excited to announce to the eagerly anticipating crowd that we are expecting a girl (woo hoo!). As I said to our guests, I owe a huge thanks to both grandmas for 'sponsoring' the shower, as well as to Jen and her motley crew of helpers for transforming my house into a magnificent, stylish party. We are very, very lucky to have such great friends & family. Enjoy the pics below - more to come soon.

Above: hostess with the mostess Jen at the brunch table; the cakes - one diaper, one delish; Jen, her henchwomen (Heidi on the left, Tracie on the right) and big mama