A Wonderful Weekend

It's hard to believe that we (hopefully) only have one more weekend to go before Baby Staggs arrives! While Chad traveled to Columbia to work on our rental house, Gracie and I enjoyed some Mommy/Daughter time as well as some much-needed visitors. I had forgotten how truly difficult the end of pregnancy can be, and it was so nice to have some distractions and help around our "nest."

The weekend sort of started Thursday. Gracie and I made chili and cornbread for dinner even though it was almost 80 degrees outside. Gracie loves, loves, loves to help with baking activities, so she got to mix the cornbread batter and crack the "eeg."

The next two pictures are proof that I really do *need* a new SLR digital camera simply for the shutter speed: I swear she was smiling so sweetly half a second before my point and shoot actually took the picture.

After our hearty Thursday night meal, we sent Chad off to Columbia on Friday morning. Gracie and I spent the day coloring, cleaning, and hanging out. Evan and Scott, great friends and Gracie's Godparents, arrived at dinnertime bearing Zaxby's and birthday gifts. G and I were both so excited to have friends to play with!

Aunt Evan went a little crazy in the dress-up department and got everything a 2-year-old could dream of! Here's our girl decked out in everything except her princess dress and pom-poms :o)

We were cracking up because the "crown" that came with her new tu-tu looks more like a loofah sponge than a ballerina headpiece :o)

Next, she tried out her pom-poms. Pom-poms are some of her favorite things in the world. She walks around shaking them and yells "Go! Go! Dada!"

Of course, we all had to get in on the dress-up act! My favorite was definitely the Fancy Nancy boa, and I was hoping that the "magic wand" would help me go into labor.

Check out the GIANT belly and double chin :o))

Evan added panache with a pair of flower shades.

Scott was, obviuosly, just thrilled to be included...

All that playing and acting silly can really wear a girl out!

After a way-too-short visit, Evan and Scott left Saturday morning for the Carolina game, and my mom, Grammy, arrived as they left. We spent Saturday opening a registry at Babies R Us , playing on the playground/shopping at the mall, eating Olive Garden To Go, and watching the Gamecocks pull one out against Vandy. This morning we woke up, went to Walmart to stock up for the next few weeks, packed a hospital bag, and began preparing for the little one's arrival. I am SO grateful to her for helping me gain a slight peace of mind. At least now I know this baby won't be naked for the first week of it's life :o)

Overall, it was a wondeful weekend, and we are very glad to have "Dada" back at home! Thank you to Aunt Evan, Uncle Scott, and Mom for coming to visit and helping out! I love you guys and miss you terribly!