Overdue update - part 2

Since we got back from Denver, it's been a whirlwind of activity for both of us. We'll start with the home renovation project.....

We started the bathroom project back in June and possibly bit off more than we could chew. It's coming along and we're finally getting to the stages of having it look completed and not just a messy work zone. The tiling actually went in this evening so we have a floor! All we need to do is tile the walls around the tub, paint and install the appliances and fixtures. We've definitely made a lot of progress. This is a good thing considering the fact that the nursery is packed full of construction materials and we haven't even started setting up baby furniture.

Here is Brina, being a good construction dog.

Also here is a picture of what the floor looks like! Still messy and needs to be grouted and cleaned...but here's what it looks like!

Hopefully final pictures of the bathroom and nursery will be coming in the next few weeks!

Brian is busy in school. Brian is very busy in school. Any spare time is now dedicated to finishing the bathroom as well so life has been a bit crazy for him. It will definitely be a relief for him when he can focus more attention back in lab again.

I'm finishing up a summer class right now and continuing work at church. It will be a relief for me when this class is over and I can focus more attention on preparing for baby. We've been attending childbirth classes at Johns Hopkins (where we will deliver) and that has been really informative for both of us. We got a tour last week of the labor and delivery department and got to see the nursery with the cute tiny babies. That was definitely a highlight....knowing that we'll have one of those soon! I hit 32 weeks today which is a big and important landmark. If I go into labor now and deliver baby now, he'll be small but will be more or less fully developed. So now we just wait and see how long he decides to stay in there! Hopefully until the bathroom is done. I've started having lots of braxton hicks contractions. I'll take that as a good sign that my body is starting to prep for arrival day. Hard to believe we're getting this close! I don't have any up to date prego shots but this one is from 29 weeks so it'll give you an idea. Sorry I have such a sour look on my face in this picture. I'm bigger now...but not much. I'm waiting to "pop" but it hasn't happened quite yet. I was shopping in Old Navy in the maternity section the other day and the sales attendant walked up and said "excuse me..you know you're in the maternity section right??" I just nodded my head yes, not sure how to respond. I guess it's better that than people thinking I'm 40 weeks when I still have 8 left to go.

So there's a brief update from the Roelofs household. We're heading to the beach this weekend with our Bible study for a retreat. We rented a beach house and we're getting our year going with some fun in the sun! Will continue to post as more starts to happen!

Overdue update- Part 1

Hi everyone

I know it's been ages since we last posted....so probably nobody is even bothering to read anymore...but here's to getting readers again before baby arrives!

First to fill you in on the goings on in the last few months. We took our second major vacation of the summer and went to Denver for a week in the beginning of August. We spent the majority of our time up in the mountains with the family. Having niece Makenna (2 1/2) and nephew Levi (5 months) around all the time was good practice and gave us a good idea of what is in store for us in the next few years! We relaxed, did some hiking, biking, saw a musical, Brian went fishing, played games and overall had an awesome time. Thanks to the Denver family for an awesome vacation!

Then we came down from the mountains in time for a weekend of showers and fun! Sister Emily, cousin Rachel and bff Lindsay threw a wonderful baby shower on Saturday. I was literally "showered" with amazing gifts, and wonderful words of wisdom about parenting and being a mother. Thank you so much guys for all the hard work! Thanks also to everyone who came for the wonderful gifts! I can't wait to start posting pictures on the blog of baby wearing all his cute new things! Then Sunday came and there was another shower from my Denver family! It was so wonderful to see everyone; even got to see Tazelaars who live in Arizona who we never get to see! I love getting together with everyone. It reminds me a lot of family get togethers up in the mountains when we were little kids. Again, we got lots of wonderful gifts that we can't wait to use! Brian and I each brought an extra suitcase along and we filled all 4 of them to the brim to get everything back to Maryland. Thank you so much everyone for everything! What a wonderful vacation!