Huge Catch Up

The last couple of weeks we've been talking about how we desperately need to provide an update here, but it seems we move on.
We had 2 amazing baby showers last week. We are unbelievably lucky to have such caring and generous sets of friends and family. Our first shower was in Eastern Oregon at the farm. It was such fun to see many people I hadn't seen since our wedding reception and some even longer ago. Mom, Cindy and Friday really went above and beyond to prepare great treats and invite people who were genuinely excited to be part of wishing us well!
After returning from E.O., my friend at school hosted a shower at her house on Wednesday. Philip attended and Mom and Cindy surprised us. They came all the way from Hermiston just for the shower and evening. We were shocked and felt so loved and blessed. The school shower was also lovely. I really felt like I work at one of the best places for me in the world. Everyone there was also so genuinely supportive and made us really feel cared for. Several retired teachers and others who no longer work at Blackwell also attended to wish us well. Again, we are incredibly blessed and lucky! Our family room is just full of gifts and slightly used donated items that we can't wait to put to use. We began working on getting it all put away this weekend and will finish over the next week.
I am on a bi-weekly doctor appointment schedule now. I go to UW on Mondays and Thursdays for a check up and to have a Non-Stress Test. The nurse rests a monitor on my belly and they measure the baby's heartbeat and my contractions for a 20 minute period. All looks great and he's within normal range. I've been having a few contractions, but they are consistent with each appointment and don't hurt (in fact, I can't really feel most of them) so they are of no concern. The doctor said I'm just one of those who starts preparing early and since there is no other signs of pre-term labor he has absolutely no concern. Today he did suggest that I work up until the Holiday break and then call it quits. I think I'll be prepared to slow down by then.
Our house appears to be the only house in the neighborhood without Christmas lights up. I think we'll put together something simple outside this weekend and get a tree up. We don't want to do the extensive thing with the lights because Philip will have to do it himself and we have other priorities right now. I think we'll find a big star or something to place above the garage.
'Tis the season!