Slappy Goes To A Surprise Party

But first, Mimi made a peanut butter, chocolate cake. Aunt Tara made herself a chocolate cake the morning that she went into labor with Aiden...

Then it was over to Brian's to wait for the birthday girl to arrive.We entertained ourselves with food and drink.Conversation about hatch plug-ins.And bacon.The tension was thick in the air - would she be surprised? Would Jess' water break when she jumped up, yelling surprise?
(Jess is 39 weeks pregnant).Alison was very surprised and happy.

The party then moved from the very hot inside to the less hot backyard.

Where Maddie was taught the skill of hiding Starburst candy in various areas of your clothing by the team of Holly, Jess, Alex and Erin. Later, approximately 15 candies were found during a wardrobe change into pjs.

Slappy Is Serious

Last night, Jess had some regular but ultimately benign contractions, which Maddie obviously recognized as change in the works. No longer being the sole focus of your parent's world, is no small matter. She asserted her dominance by resting her hand on The Scrapper while watching i-phoned Sesame Streets.
(Jess is 38 weeks pregnant).

The Scrapper Gets Celebrated

Today, the Scrapper enjoyed a brunch in his honor. After deciding to remain on the inside, the brunch remained a "come celebrate him" event vs. the possible "come celebrate his arrival" event. Clearly, he feels one party is not enough for someone of his distinction.

Mimi was out to celebrate with everyone, although in actuality, she has been out since last weekend on the chance that freedom from bed rest = labor.

Kille brought all 3 of her boys, Mason, Wyatt and Everett. Wyatt and Everett are the same distance apart as Maddie and the Scrapper. Jess watched closely at the very full lap.Alex, Alison and Suzanne chilled under the tree on the very hot afternoon. Oh, yes - real men wear kilts, utility kilts.While ELF began to get friendly with the boys, her Dad being on tour, and not able to keep them at an arm's length.Mason, Scott, Jess, Brian, Holly and Liza Mae worked their creative juices over some onesies.

While Liza suggested that perhaps adult clothing would be properly referred to as twosies.Their juices' results.

Sam and Jess felt pleased the Scrapper was officially now fully cooked and commemorated. Now... we wait.
(Jess is 38 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Celebrates Her Independence

Her, as in Mom's, as it is Jess' last day on bed rest.

We celebrated by heading over to John and Erin's for their annual 4th BBQ - their neighborhood being one that specializes in humongous, personal fireworks displays.John manned the grill, making hot dogs that were divine - Jess is pretty sure that's not just the pregnancy talking.

We did have to leave before seeing many of the displays (although practice ones were going off all around us), as Mimi was jumping from one baby to the next, her flight coming in later that evening. We did get to watch Burbank's fireworks from our front porch, which were pretty, but much more tame than the Wearne household's.
(Jess is 37 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Knows A Couch Potato

Although Jess is on bed rest, she can still manage a few household tasks - feeding Maddie in the exersaucer, bottle breaks before naps, and folding laundry. She has also taught Maddie a valuable skill. After watching her mom for 2 weeks on the sofa, Maddie now knows that one should take the remote control, point it at the tv, and press some buttons to get interesting changes. Jess couldn't be much prouder.

Slappy Likes Slides And Older Brothers

Dedo strolled Maddie to the park for some fun.

He played her favorite game, and was envied by another little playground go-er, whose mom said, "Look at that little girl! She's playing with her grandfather!" Dedo appeared shocked, and replied, "I'm her older brother." He received a confused look in return.After working up an appetite, we then headed out for a trip to Señor Fish for lunch. And yes, that is a giant welt on Maddie's head - that's what some intense toddling on concrete can get you.
(Jess is 33 weeks pregnant).

Slappy and The Scrapper Get To Have Even More East Coast

With a visit from Tante!

Françoise is due 12 days after Jess. As a side note, Aunt Tara is due 10 days before Jess, so in about a year and a half from now - the pitter-patter of little feet at Christmas will take on a mob-like quality, in a cute or maybe Musketeerish, way.
(Jess is 32 weeks pregnant).

Something like this, but less variety in age. We had a BBQ to celebrate Tante's visit, and there were little girls everywhere.

There was also good food.

And good s'mores roasted over the firepit out back, but best of all was the company.

Slappy Rides A Chipmunk

With the help of Uncle Wills.

The adrenaline was flowing after her exciting ride, so she walked all the way back to her house from the park - with the exception of crossing the streets and the final half block home, where Uncle Wills carried her. That's almost a half mile.
(Jess is 30 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Goes To The Golden Gate

Park, that is - for a Mother's Day Picnic. This is the second Mother's Day for Jess, and the second Mother's Day that Maddie has gotten to spend with her BFF, Maya.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day - perfect for ball playing and cookie eating.We sat by the duck pond, which really was more of a seagull pond with turtles.
(Jess is 29 weeks pregnant).

Dad and Maddie enjoyed some air time.We all enjoyed the quality time.
And just for those of you reminiscing with us - this was the girls, one year ago in their crazy, monkey pants. Maddie was about 6 weeks old, and Maya, 10 months.

And our gorgeous two, today.

Slappy Visits The Royal Palace

This may look like any old day spent munching in Steve and Marissa's backyard.

Any warm Spring afternoon,

Spent enjoying mimosas and conversation.

But it was so much more. It was Lilly's 3rd Birthday Princess Party, and Cinderella herself was in attendance. She amazed all of the kids with her balloon creations, face painting, and story telling. She amazed all the adults with her ability to keep all of the kids en rapt and in one place.

3 hours later, the Kender-Page returned home to crash from the sugar rush and excitement. Lilly, on the other hand, was heard to have remained active for hours after her Princess Party, in a way only a new 3-year old with a 9-months pregnant mom, can.
(Jess is 26 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Does The Best Activity Ever

And so did her parents. Their activity was having their first night away, alone, together, since Maddie's birth at a gorgeous hotel in Dana Point.

It included a dinner, breakfast and lunch sans kiddo, who was happily spending time with her grandparents.
(Jess in 23 weeks pregnant).Upon their return to Burbank, a fun activity was in order and Grandpa Toby and Taisie had the perfect idea.Empty condo, open house hunting. It was awesome, and involved running from room to room, accompanied by shrieking and listening to the echo of said shrieking, with glee.All that excitement was then followed by a dinner out, where good food was had and stars were spotted. Ok - it was the former host of Talk Soup, but c'mon, who doesn't like Talk Soup.