Holding Pattern

With the hot weather and only a few Donkey-free days left, we have been enjoying the swimming pool, and lots of other activities with Anna.



We went to a birthday party at Monkey Bizz last Sunday for Audrey, one of Anna's friends at day care. She had a fantastic time!




On Monday afternoon, we went to the library where BR Ballet Theatre put on a production of "Coppelia"- part of their "Ballet for Children" series. It was free and we were excited that the Pasquiers were also there! Anna and Sara put on a little show for us afterwards.





On Tuesday, we had to go to school for our last day of work. Since Shaun and I were both finished with everything, we just let Anna run amok around the school. Here are her
adventures:
In Shaun's classroom.



Sitting in a "big kid" desk.



Playing on the many flights of stairs.




She enjoyed popping the bubble wrap (present in enormous quantities).



We tried to pack her in a box, and she fit well!



We found a rolling chair and pushed her around. Then she insisted on pushing me! She is STRONG!!



Shaun with a huge roll of bubble wrap. Anna couldn't understand why we didn't want to bring it ALL home...



After we finished at school, we went over to the Pasquer's house to play. The kids had a good time in their new pool!



On Thursday we went to the zoo with the Pasquiers and a couple of their friends and kids. Anna was permanently attached to Sara and refused to let go for most of the day. She kept telling the other kids that Sara was HER best friend.



Here's the 39 week belly shot. NO changes- still 1 cm, -3 station. Donkey will be evicted on June 4 if he doesn't come before that on his own. I'm getting nervous about pushing out such a (predicted) big baby, hence the induction date...

Done...

Anna is into nail polish now. She obviously doesn't get that from me... but her nanny has been making sure that her fingers and toes are beautiful! Here are Nanny and Anna's matching feet.



Anna has also been quite the picture gal. She directs me to take pictures!



I gave Anna the instructions, "Do something entertaining!" This is what transpired:




Here's where she took random (and slightly unflattering) pictures of everyone on Sunday after dinner:





And then told me to take a picture of her so she wouldn't be left out!!



Here's the 38 week belly pic. At my 37 week check up I was 1 cm dilated and the baby was at the -3 station (low- I can feel his head!). I fell in the shower on Monday morning and was in so much pain I made an emergency appointment. Everything is fine, but my pelvis is killing me at the joints! They kept me in the hospital for monitoring and by the end of the day I was feeling better. However, it was kind of difficult for the doctor to check to see if I had made much progress... so we are still waiting!



Our school is being gutted and renovated over the next two years, so we are moving to another school. I had to get everything packed up, which was an incredibly difficult job because I teach an AP Biology class and had lab stuff for physics, chemistry, and biology! My students were very helpful and I could not have done it without them. Here is my classroom, completely packed:



I have 65 boxes! I won't even quantify how much old stuff I threw out. The teachers who had the room before me NEVER threw anything away! I found tests and books from the 1950's!!

So now, we are officially done. I (and everyone else) have been yelling at Donkey that it's time for him to come out now. For the past few weeks I was really stressing that he would come before I finished everything, but now I'm done and ready for him!

IT'S TIME TO COME OUT, DONKEY!!

Pooja and Ameya's Wedding

On Saturday, Shaun and I went to New Orleans for Pooja and Ameya's wedding. It was a traditional Hindu wedding with many N.O. twists! Ameya and his family arrived at the hotel in a horse-drawn carriage (from the French Quarter) and a brass band played second-line music as they proceeded down the street. I didn't take any pictures. Then, we went upstairs for the ceremony. Ameya is wearing a red shawl and seemed pretty nervous until he saw Pooja.



Pooja was escorted up the aisle by her uncle. She was BEAUTIFUL!!!



Pooja and Ameya were separated by a curtain at first.



This is after they had exchanged wedding garlands.



There was a program describing the symbolism behind the wedding rituals, as well as an emcee who explained what part of the ceremony was occurring (so like the Dhumes to make sure that everyone felt welcome and comfortable!). We were grateful for that- Hindu weddings are VERY different from Christian weddings!



After the ceremony, there was a coctail hour (and a half) with some really fantastic food and drinks. When we thought it couldn't get any better, the doors to the ballroom opened up and the reception started. Pooja and Ameya entered on a motorized cart decorated like a Mardi Gras float and threw beads. The picture below is from that, though you can't really see them.



There were many speeches, then dancing, and later there was a buffet dinner with Indian food. The wedding went until much later, but we were pretty tired. Pooja graciously took this picture with me before we left. We are so happy for Pooja and Ameya, and really pleased that we could attend the wedding! It was a truly amazing experience!



Here's the 36 week belly shot. There's really nothing else to report. Thanks to Donkey for being so cooperative- I didn't want to miss Pooja's wedding!