Happy Birthday to Me

This year I got the best present ever:

Introducing 

Gemma Jean Stoddart

born 2:20pm September 15th

8lbs, 12.5 oz, 20.5 inches long

"Sleepytime in the Western World"...

...but I'm caught in the sleepless zone somewhere between restless leg syndrome (a lovely pregnancy side-effect) and anxiety surrounding labor & delivery. Not a total loss, it has provided web-surfing opportunity in which I am adding to my birthday wish list. I mostly just want new clothes (anything I haven't worn 3 days in a row and with room for a belly will be a much-welcomed change). There are some fun non-clothing items I've got my eye on as well. Like a pretty granny square afghan to snuggle this fall & winter. This one's amazing and she has so many more rad ones... super talented!
And this "She told her story to the stars" journal on etsy:

And at the risk of being annoyingly obsessed with miniature things... mini credit card sized poloroids! I want this camera!!! Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Camera

Still here, still pregnant

I know that posting a "sorry I never post" post is ridiculously lame. So I'm not gonna say it. I just want to clear things up in case you thought it was because I had a baby. It's not. In fact just this morning my much-adored husband did an awesome job when I asked him to shoot some prego pics of me. That's me at 39.5 weeks. The one below is a cheater TtV (done in photoshop) because I thought having him tackle my TtV contraption would be asking too much. I may have time for a few more posts before Little One arrives where I can share a few things I've been up to... If not, stay tuned to see her sweet face. I know I can't wait to.

A Splendid Baby-Moon

Last Thursday we got the crazy idea to have one last get-away before Little One arrives. We've since been told that's called a "babymoon". Jer found this great boutique hotel in Astoria so we took Friday afternoon off and hit the road. We were pleasantly suprised with how hip and cool Astoria was. Most Oregon coastal towns are a little bit backwards. Astoria is the exception. It is enjoying a revitalization period and we were enjoying right along with it. We stayed at the super cool Commodore Hotel - recently remodeled and reopened after closing it's doors suddenly in the 1960's. When bought a few years back, everything was untouched and in place as it had been for 40 years. The photos they took are what decorate the walls and the lobby is full of random artifacts. I highly recommend a night's stay there. We checked in, walked around town looking at shops and galleries, drove onto Sunset Beach (literally drove... right up to the ocean's edge, rolled down our windows and read with the sound of the sea in our ears), ate a yummy dinner at the funky yet stylish Astoria Coffeehouse, watched a movie and fell asleep to the comedy channel. Saturday brought a walk along the pier to breakfast at The Cannery Cafe, a drive-by of the Goonies house, a visit to the outlet mall, and one more walk on the beach at Seaside. It was Fab. Looking back on the pictures I took, it appears Astoria inspired me in a graphic way...

My Real Cute Baby Shower

A few Saturdays ago, my amazing sister threw me an amazing baby shower. She had the help of a few of my family and friends when it came to execution but she was the party throwing wizard behind the curtain. You must see some of her darling/brilliantly creative ideas. Sadly, I took these pictures as guests were arriving so they were rushed and don't do justice to how cute everything was. At least you'll get a little glimpse...

The "garden party" took place in my mother-in-law's beautiful backyard

 

guests were greeted by balloons

Paper poms and lanterns hung from the trees

And even tiny little girly clothes

Butterflies in the bushes

Super cute centerpieces on the tables

And my-oh-my, look at that food table!

with yummies galore

And brightly colored beverages, each with their own label containing a different profound quote about babies or motherhood

These were on the gift table but I didn't get pictures until too late...

Ang made those photo holders. Those and the frames held baby pics of me and Jer. Can you tell who's who?

This platter was loaded with favors containing Angie's homemade caramels... mmmm!

And here we are after the big event... My mom and sister are the best ever!!!

I wish I'd had my camera...

Tonight we went to "Last Thursday" on Alberta and it was so much fun. The perfect summer evening activity. Yummy food, local art and music, superb people watching. Superb. If you live in or visit the area- go. I highly recommend it. It was a fun way to feel more connected with the people in our city. When you're all standing around listening to the same street musician, it feels like life can be simple and all can be well for a moment. On our way out of the neighborhood, we patronized the coolest place ever:

That's right, The Grilled Cheese Grill. They serve a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches out of an Airstream Trailer (ours was delish) and you have the option of sitting at a picnic table or in a school bus that's been renovated with tables covered in old yearbook photos. I wish their website had pictures cuz it was seriously brilliant. You must go and partake. 

I'm back... token pregnant picture... and a WINNER!

Home from Girls Camp. Trying to catch up on sleep and rest my weary fingers. I probably braided no less than 40 french braids this week. We had a blast, ate too much and slept too little. That's me in our cabin... 33 weeks along. Can I really get bigger to the tune of 7 more weeks? Yikes!

Now on to more exciting news... We have a WINNER! I had The Mr. randomly choose a number that related to one of the lovely people who so willingly supported my fun contest. He chose.... drum roll please.... Dear sweet Natalie!!!! I was lucky enough to meet Natalie when I moved into a house full of 7 other girls back in my BYU days. Coolest girls ever, I love them to death and Nat is a total rock star. Talented, beautiful, stylish and funny funny funny. And now the owner of a pendant necklace + print. Nat, please email me which ones you'd like and I'll drop them in the mail! ALSO, to all of you who participated and so generously mentioned me on your blog (or still plan to) - email me your address and which print you like and I'll send you a mini-print as a THANK YOU.