YESTERDAY MY ANKLES STARTED SWELLING

...granted it was hot and sweaty (I wore ankle strap sandals probably for the last time this whole summer) and I my feet stayed stationary on my hour bus ride home, because of unforseen smelly man sitting waaay to close to me. I went to bed with high hopes of seeing my inside ankle bones again in the morning.

Alas, no such luck. The insides are still resembling a puffer fish and I'm pretty sure I have about 1 pair of shoes that fit my chubby stump feet right now. I'm only a tad bit worried because this technically isn't supposed to happen until my 3rd trimester. And I'm only a tad bit disappointed because I was hoping that by the time this happened I wouldn't be able to see my feet or ankles. I prefer to choose ignorance when it comes to the puffiness of any part of my body.

I was going to post a picture of said ankles, but I can't bring myself to do it. Not yet at least. I need to keep at least the majority of my dignity for another, let's say, 10 weeks, but probably only 6 for sure. So all of the pictures in this post will be of Maggie because I believe she is sorely under appreciated on this blog and the next story is about her.

In other exciting news, Sunday night Maggie blew chunks on our freshly cleaned sheets. J.rue told me he'd take care of (please remember this phrase) the sheets while I got our obnoxiously large and complicated mattress cover off. After about 10 minutes of battling with the cover I headed downstairs to stain spray and sanitize. I took care of the monster pad first and then got the sheets that j.rue had so lovingly crumpled up and thrown to the bottom of the stairs. 

As luck would have it, I put my hand right in the puppy barf. Of course it was silly to assume that the throw-up would actually be "taken care of". Lesson learned, when j.rue "takes care" of dirty sheets he contains the toxic substance and throws it down the stairs. It's fine, I just didn't know. Now I do. So I was loudly dry heaving, while I'm sure my eyeballs were protruding out of their sockets a little further than what is healthy or usual, and trying to get the stomach substances off of the sheets before washing. I knew I was going to loose it, my stomach is still kind of wussy, but I was desperate to not add to the chaos. I really didn't want J.rue to have to "take care" of that either. By the way, I love my husband, and was not upset by him at all during this process. Really, honestly, and truly.

All of a sudden my body kicked into some strange survival mode and I started singing "This Land is Your Land" at the top of my lungs, I even remembered all the words. While this was happening I was contemplating the ridiculousness of the situation but amazed at my subconscious's ability to act so quickly in such dire times. Then I was proud that I could think/sing so many thoughts at once. It's impressive, right? I won't question it. That song got me through the smells and stains, and I'm hoping through 2 am baby blow outs and bloody whatevers. I'll keep you updated.

However, when I was a baby I threw up in my dad's mouth once. Of course it was an accident, as far as I remember, but karma is consistent in catching up to me, so I'm sure there will be lots of barf in my future. Lots.

To round everything off, I've heard that having dogs while pregnant 1) reduces the child's allergies once out of the womb and 2) allows the child to get used to barking and loud noises. I'm praying for both, especially since I've wanted to put a puppy adoption add in the paper more than a few times in the past week. Just kidding, kind of, but not really. But really, I'm sure I'll feel the same way about my kids at some point or another, so the dogs are safe, because they were here first.

...and we love them.

23

Week 23 was a good one. It was almost extra nice because I had a few people ask me how far along I was and I couldn't quite remember. Come to find out, I was thinking 22 weeks, when I was actually 23, and am now 24, it makes the waiting a little less agonizing. I've been feeling more tired than I had in the last few weeks, but I swear to you it's because she's going to a gargantuan growth spurt. The week before I hadn't felt a sing movement above my hip bones, how's that for a low rider? Then lo, and behold, she finally started to feel a little cramped and has moved north. As I type this she's doing her morning step aerobics on my right side, just around my belly button. It's her way of greeting the day. Last night if I pushed hard enough (hopefully that's not bad?) I could actually feel where she was, and not just kind of, but some kind of bum/head/elbow/knee. I loved it and I'm pretty sure she didn't. The more I poked and prodded, the more she migrated to my right hip bone, and that doesn't feel so great. We have a feisty one on our hands. Other than that little disagreement, we're golden.

Over the past few weeks I'm also finding myself getting bored out of my mind. J.rue has been working late and I get an hour of interrupted reading time on le bus, so once I get home I don't totally feel the need to relax. I need to be busy in a bad way, and I think j.rue agrees. I'm a little pathetic when he gets home, as in clingy and needy, which honestly honestly honestly, is not like me at all. The poor boy needs some unwinding time, and I have not been obliging. So, for his sake and mine I've started a list of house projects that need to get done and I got a small part-time job with a friends company this weekend that I'll be starting soon. Thank the stars above.

On Saturday we went mini golfing and snow cone eating with our friends, Jake and Heidi, and their baby (my baby's future, bf) Holden. He's just the cutest little squirt. I lost terribly and horribly at the golf, of course. Jake and Heidi schooled both of us, badly. So, being the losers we bought the winners some shaved ice and all was well. After they came over to our house and the boys did what they do best: xbox and the girls (and Holden) just chatted. Heidi is one of those friends that I could talk to for about a million hours. We're so alike, even in looks. Throughout our first year up at the U people were constantly asking if we were sisters. Technically, I say we are. Just because. Soul sistas, ya know?

See? Just the cutest! On Sunday J.rue took a stab at his new calling at church, we'll just say it involves 5 year olds and boogers. Later that evening we went up to eat at my grandparents. My grandma made her signature meal, pot roast, potatoes, and about 1,000 different kinds of veggies from her garden. We were all pleasantly stuffed for rest of the evening. Apprently, there was also some important basketball game on last night that the boys just had to watch. So after dinner was cleaned up and desserts were dishes everyone migrated downstairs to watch the game. My grandma and I opted to watch a PBS murder mystery upstairs instead, much more entertaining. I really am blessed with some of the most amazing grandparents, especially my grandma. Those little moments that we get, just the two of us, are treasured and remind me just how much I am loved.

We did have quite to event last night after we got home, but I think that's a blog post in and of itself, so I'll save it for another day. Let's just say we're prepping for some babies over at Ruesch Manor.

SUMMER WEEKENDING

Don't you love that it's Thursday, almost a brand spankin' new weekend, and I'm just not getting to last weekend? I'm feeling quite adamant about this because there were so many summer things involved. J.rue and I both had last Friday off, and it was a sweet sweet Friday. We made sure to make plans with our weekend regulars, and decided that it would be best to keep them by our side the whole weekend. Three day weekends are a lovely thing in and of itself, but add the right season in? Well, that makes it just downright dreamy.

^^ We started our Friday with the femur sized corn dogs. They were just as good as remembered, but this time we added honey. Honey + corndogs, really just takes it to the next level. If you're on Main Street in  Kaysville, make sure to stop. Don't worry you can't miss it, there's always a crowd.

^^ The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging outside, reading magazines, and watching the apple of our eyes run around the backyard. She attempted a nap outside, but the outside is just too distracting for her little brain right now.

^^ When the little miss did finally go down for a nap it was with promises to go and see the llamas once she awoke. Promises were kept and right when she woke up we were greeted with the question "see yamas?" So, we did. They were a little rude this time and wouldn't come right up to us like usual, but in their defense it was quite hot and they had some nice shade. That night we decided to keep the partay going and have a sleepover. The next morning was full or more relaxing, small errand running, and naps. I love naps.

^^ That evening we headed back to Ruesch Manor for some splash pad and hobo dinners. The boys readied the fires while we prepped the tin foil dinners and then they headed off to the splash pad with Brookie and we supervised the cooking of the food. It was difficult work, but someone had to volunteer. Melinda and I always have the best conversations when we find ourselves alone. She's one of the few people I can really tell anything too. Everyone should have a Melinda.

^^ Once the water baby got back the boys fished out our dinners and set up our table. Brookie is probably the best supervisor that we could ask for. She means business.

^^ And then we feasted. J.rue claimed to not be a lover of all things hobo dinner. Of course he was the first and only one to finish his whole plate. I'm thinking we've converted him, which is good, because this won't be our last hobo dinner date. At least if I have my way.

^^ The rest of the evening was spent roasting huge marshmallows. Melinda declared she would eat 100, then I decided on my weight in marshmallows. Just to make sure we reach our goals, we'll keep this a regular thing. J.rue managed to burn his tongue. He was sad when no one really felt bad for him.

^^ The puppies also decided to partake in the marshmallow goodness. Well, rather they more begged until the soft one (me) obliged them with melty mallow leftovers. Maggie handled to goo like a champ. Coop on the other hand, well, we're still fighting to get the fossilized gunk off of his mouth. Way to go Coop.

^^ I'm pretty sure I out ate everyone as far as marshmallows go, but I am trying to reach a goal here. And look at those puppies how could I not give them my left overs?

^^ Sunday morning we headed back over to Clinton to watch Brooklyn while her parents spoke. They both did a lovely job and Brookie was so good, especially since I came prepared with a stock of fruit snacks. That girl loves her fruit snacks. So much that she would sometime forget to chew and swallow. I'm just glad we didn't kill her while her parents we up there speaking to the congregation. That would have been awkward.

^^ We wrapped up the weekend with a trip over to my mother's house. One brother was ordained a priest and the other had a birthday and is getting ready to put in his mission papers. Obvs we're a really photogenic family. This is really the best we could do after about 11 tries. We're just an attractive bunch.

See? Wasn't that worth the wait? I know I'll think so next year. Looking back over summer blog posts is the best. Dontcha think?

22

...or the week that I decided that I just MUST eat my weight in roasted marshmallows this summer. The nice thing about this is that my weight seems to be steadily climbing meaning, more marshmallows!

I had a doctors appointment last Wednesday and we went through the normal drill: pee in a cup, get weighed (it's very important to do this in THAT particular order, so just remember that), blood pressure, and waiting. Then the doc came in and attempted to listen to the heartbeat. He gave me a tiny heart attack because he couldn't find it right away. I pointed him a little more south and the wooshing rang loud and true. You guys, she's sitting about as south as possible. Really and truly. I don't think I've felt a single movement above my hip bones, and I'm long torsoed, so there is a lot of unused space up there. Somehow I'm still expanding in no mans land though, which I find to be particularly unfair. My doctor said that she'll eventually get too big to fit in her happy place and take up more torso space. I then asked if there was a chance she would just get stuck in between my hips and I would grow extensively in pant sizes. I don't think he 100% understands my humor, but just kindly shook his head and assured me that she would migrate north eventually.

I also brought up the topic of induction. Not that it's a huge deal when she comes (as long as it after 38 weeks - just a personal goal) I'm just an annoying type A and would like to know that she will be here on or before October 7th. My hopes were slightly dashed when he said 41 weeks was the best time to induce, but I'm not going to be too sad about it, I just now know that she'll be here no later than October 14th. But, my darling daughter child, if you are anything like your mother, you will be early or prompt. But, there is also a solid 50% chance you'll favor your daddy's way of life and come late and forced, like on the 14th of October. Please don't do that to me. Okay, you can if you want. I feel like I'm on the wrong side of a one sided relationship right now.

As far as cravings go, they've been pretty tame. Except for the pizza rolls. Much to my chagrin, over the past 2 weeks I have been madly craving Totino's pizza rolls. I've gone through 1.5 bags of 90. Basically, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus the occasional snack. Gross right? I think so, but nonetheless. I am proud to report that I made myself a batch for breakfast this morning and they just didn't do it for me. I'm hoping we're out of the woods with that one and we can go back to things like fruit and well, fruit.

I know that I claimed to not take "bump" pictures anymore, and missing the past few weeks of documentation have made me a little sad, so I'm still going to do them once in a while, because what the heck. Everything changes so slowly that I'll be sad when I'm told it looks like I'm hoarding a large melon under my shirt and I didn't even see it coming. Plus, these are the only pictures I have to document any kind of stomach bump, and I mean, not cute.

See what I mean? These are actually from our weekend, which was gloriously full of summer things. I plan on elaborating tomorrow with lots more pictures. Actually I have almost a full line-up of posts for this week and that never happens! So, tomorrow: weekend. The next day: maybe something about the puppies and Thursday or Friday I think I'll tell you her name. Just because I want you and her to get acquainted just a little better.

TOO MUCH TV

I have an issue with TV, as in I watch it waay too much. Actually, when I think about it, I don't really watch TV at home or during my downtime, it's more while I'm at work. How awful is that? Really and truly I do spend a chunk of my time advising real live students, promise. But in the wee hours of the morning (7 in the am) and later into the afternoon (3:30 and on) I'm usually doing paperwork, filing, other ridiculously mundane tasks. Thus the beauty of watching TV at work. And really, when I think about it, that's mostly what I use my ipad for, a portable TV. I'm okay with it.

Besides watching too much TV period, I get into shows too much as it is. Once, j.rue asked me why I liked watching shows more than movies. I, in my most serious and matter of factly ways, explained that with movies you get 2 hours and bam, done. The movie people are out of your life. I don't know about you, but I don't really get too attached to anyone or anything after 2 hours. But shows, oh shows, they give you months, if not years, of drama and tears and laughs, and I mean, really, how do you not get attached to that.

For example, my weird infatuation with Desperate Housewives. I watched those ladies every Sunday night (or Monday day, depending on the year you ask me) from my freshman year in high school to the year after I graduated college. Yup, 8 years. It's ridic. The show isn't even that good, a little dramatic for my taste. However, I've found that once I get started, I need to see my TV characters through. I'm loyal like that. I also have a thing where I won't start a new show unless I can start from season 1, episode 1, because really, the beginning is the most important part. If you miss it you'll always be wondering...what? Exactly. I know, right?

So back to the point of this post, except is there really ever a point to my posts? I decided that I wanted to re watch the whole 8 seasons of my ladies on Wisteria Lane. So I did. And I just finished today. Do you know what you should not do while you are pregnant? Watch all 8 seasons of Desperate Housewives. Especially the last 2 seasons. They make me all emotional inside, making me cry on the outside. At work. And just like when it ended a year ago, I feel all sad and empty. Just like when LOST ended. Of course I'm only sharing this with you because you are my nearest and dearest friends who I know would never judge me. It's just how it is. Oh prime time soap operas, you get me every time.

Now, with that being said, I think I'm going to start re-watching all of the seasons of How I Met Your Mother, because, well, I need to find out who the mother is now! Netflix has really unleashed my TV monster. Never have so many season 1 episode 1s been available to me.

J.rue and I both have tomorrow off, so toodles for the weekend!

JUST SOME THINGS

Last Saturday j.rue and I went up to Logan to go to the temple, j.rue had never been before and it's been several years for me. I was super excited, I love traveling to temples. We really are so blessed to live within driving distance of so many. Well, we got up there, I proudly handed the worker my recommend and...I found out it had expired on May 31st. It was June 1st. I was not happy.

Luckily j.rue has some cousin that live up on Logan that were available to hang out with us 2 hours earlier than planned. The boys kept themselves busy chatting about, actually I don't know what they were busy talking about, boy things, giving the three of us ladies a chance to catch up. Karalee and I are due exactly 1 month and 1 day apart from each other. It was so fun swapping pregnancy stories and comparing symptoms. Our impromptu get together inspired a larger scale Ruesch cousin get together later this month. I'm hoping there will be toasted marshmallows involved, and since it's at our house, I actually know there will be.

I know that my blog has turned into a total baby blog, and I do apologize for that. It's just what takes over 80% of my thoughts during the day. The other 20% is work and you just really don't want to hear about that, promise. I just can't wait to meet her and the only thing that keeps me sane is doing what I can to feel prepared, which totally will never happen (the feeling prepared part), but it's all about the process, right? So at this moment in time I've added these additional details to the nursery prep:

-deciding between two lovely paint colors. this or this.

-settled on this mobile (i think).

-ordered this print and her two sisters.

Everything else is still up in the air. I know that I don't want a themey room, so I figure if the colors pretty much go together? I still don't know. I think this room planning is giving me too much anxiety. Which, honestly, how dumb? She won't be in there for a while after she's born. Plus she's a baby. I just need to calm down and get the basics done. Really, I'm a little ridic.

I have two more things for you.

1. I just went about two weeks without seeing my niece. I hated it. It just blows my mind how fast little people change, and she's done her fair share as of late. Miss Brookie Jayde, slow down, k? Oh she's a fun girl.

And to close, I've been dreading the postpartum body. I know it's horrible to worry about such little things when you've just had a baby, but I do. I just can't help it. I also know that it's totally up to me how I choose to handle it. That's why I love coming across posts like this. Uber Chic for Cheap is doing a whole series on dressing a postpartum body. Please and thank you.

21

Last week was most most favorite week of pregnancy thus far. Little Rue was ever so present with her movements, and really, those little jabs are still my most favorite things. She was even so kind as to give her grandma and uncle Cale some high fives. She's just getting more and more polite as she matures. I'm so proud of my girl! I've started feeling more like myself than I have pretty much since December, which can I just say, is about the best thing ever. Not feeling like yourself for 5 months is rough. I've been able to keep my house clean, exercise, and I even stayed up until 11:30, and I'm not even lying.

At this point, b.rue is weighing about a pound (I know it's all relative, I'd like to think she weighs 9 actually) and is about 10.5-11 inches long and I'm starting to feel it more and more. I have a doctors appointment on Wednesday and kind of want to know if she's sitting lower than normal. I ask because I haven't felt a single movement above my hip bones and good golly she loves to nestle right up against my bladder and what feels like my tail bone, and she's out for the count. If we can get through the night with only 4 bathroom trips, we count that as a success.

J.rue is getting more and more excited for his upcoming role as dad. I think the nesting bug has even hit him. Yesterday, and yes I know we're big fat Sabbath breakers, we spend about 4.5 hours cleaning and organizing his half of the bedroom. Actually, 4 of those hours were JUST spent on his closet. No, that is not one of my usual over exaggerations. That boy has clothes, oh so many clothes. And I guess we can change that to had because I'll be taking about 12 pounds of just t-shirts to the DI sometime this week. J.rue did sweet talk me into using my far superior folding and organizing skills. I told him he owes me something good, and once we were done, he agreed. His closet is the most sparkly clean it's been since the day we've moved in.

I don't know how nesting has affected other pregnant gals or if I even know what nesting is yet, but I have this innate need to have my whole house spotless before little rue gets here. It's a little obsessive, but I'm making it closer to my goal one cupboard at a time. Funny thing is, I keep putting off her room. Probably because there is a gargantuan bed her in tiny mouse hole of a room right now and not much can be done about that. And probably because I'm overwhelming myself with room ideas. I think I need to just start going, so this weekend, we're getting that bed out. That room will be painted by the end of this month. My little flower cards came on Friday night and really, I just can't wait to slap these puppies up on the wall:

I've also found what I'll be using for a mobile. The website says to not hang these over a crib, but I'm pretty sure they're just heavy duty paper and I'll just make sure they're unreachable. Really Land of Nod, we're not all dumb. 

In other Ruesch news, Cooper and Maggie managed to eat about a half of a chocolate sheet cake by themselves in the dark of the night. I'm proud to report that neither of them have died...yet. Sneaky little turds. I woke up Saturday morning and noticed that the paper plate our friends had brought us cake on was 1) empty and 2) licked clean. At first I though j.rue may have gotten hungry after I ditched him for sleep, but after he vehemently denied it (I may have woken him up, demanding why he ate ALL of the cake), all of the pieces quickly fell together. Our dogs feel that if there is a will there's a way, and there was an opportune chair left un-tucked that evening. Lucky for the fur children, they have stomachs of steel. I'm really just mostly upset that I didn't get to have any cake. This particular friend of ours makes delicious desserts.

And also, it's a Monday!

SUMMER IS BASICALLY HERE

First of all YAY! It's was a gnarly winter. Seondly, meaning, I need to start planning all of the super fun amazing adventures j.rue and I will keep ourselves busy with over the next few months. Well, that's what I have done in the past. Remember my most ridiculous bucket list last year? Kind of dumb. Maybe got through 1/4. This year, I'm too tired to do that and I'm just moving too slowly. We're going to be a little more realistic this year, so here we go:

Summer Bucket List 2013:

1. Take every other Friday off with J.rue. Scheduled. I'm over the moon about this.

2. Go to Fairview, meaning j.rue will go to ride 4-wheelers and I'll sit on my bum and read.

3. Kaysville 4th of July fireworks. Food at my house before.

4. More Kaysville corn dogs (about the size of my femur) and Wendy's frosty cones. Really any good food opportunity that presents itself.

5. Swimmin'

6. Read at least 5 books.

7. Backyard marshmallow roast with people we love.

8. Driving range & mini golf, because I'm so great at both of those.

9. Farmers markets (SLC&Ogden) at least 2 Saturdays

10. Our annual Lava Trip in September

11. I honestly do not think that we're going to be making it up to Lava in September, much to my mother's chagrin, so I'm going to add one more just in case. I want a solid 10: a walk to the dollar theater for a late movie. That is one thing that we'll probably be doing much less frequently next summer, so we should take advantage.

Much better yes? It's weird to think that this is our last summer before little rue joins us. Not that she's going to cramp our style or anything, she's more than welcome to join us for next summers festivities. But it's even weirder to think that she'll be coming right about when this summer will be winding down. It's going to go by so fast. I'm so ready/not ready.

20

Things are most definitely starting to slow down around these parts. Ever since January I'd had some big milestone to look forward to; when to tell everyone, when I would stop getting sick, finding out the gender. Plus we had a few crazy weeks of family, family, family, which we loved of course, but oh my goodness! It made May fly right by. Honestly, I'm ready for some things to slow down. Summer is so nice that way. October is going to come soon enough and I really want to enjoy this last summer with just the two of us.

I'm guessing 21 weeks will be quite similar to 20 weeks. I look the same and feel the same. Everyone that sees me says they can barely tell I'm pregnant. I thank them profusely for this compliment because I know it won't last too much longer. I'm reveling in non maternity t-shirts. I spend most of my down time either doing or thinking about projects that I'd like to get done. This weekend I spray painted somethings. I even attempted to spray paint some new doors, but that was ugly, so they'll be paint brush painted next Saturday. J.rue also tried his hand at training Cooper to be he golf ball retrieval dog. It started off well and then turned into j.rue running after Cooper, while Coop tried to balance 3 golf balls in his mouth. J.rue then gave up his dreams of a golf ball retrieving dog.

Little Rue has continued to communicate with me through jabs and kicks, which still make me swoon. I hope I never take that feeling for granted with any of my pregnancies. It really is an amazing thing. I think j.rue finally felt a little flutter Friday night, but nothing big. He's just not that patient yet. So for now, it's just her and I communicating through our special language. Yesterday I got my "21 weeks" email from Baby Center. Apparently she's about 3/4 of a pound and about 10.5 inches long. I know she's folded up in there like a little origami crane, but folks, 10.5 inches is not messing around.

I also love watching J.rue add her into our everyday conversations. J.rue is the kind of guy that doesn't really like to talk about things until they're actually happening. Like I mentioned before, he would talk about names, but not really anything else baby related. It's so sweet to watch his eyes light up when he talks about his daughter. He's so excited to be a dad and I know he'll be good at it.

We had a lovely 3 day weekend. We spent time getting little projects done, eating lots and lots of food including 49 cent slurpees, yes please, and hanging out with family and friends. Yesterday  we had a little family bbq and then went to visit a few family grave sites. I love how beautiful the cemeteries look during these holidays. There are flowers galore and precious family stories being told. I'm lucky to have been raised in a family who taught me what Memorial day is really about. And while the BBQs and swimming are always an added bonus, it's the perfect time to honor ancestors, especially those who fought so hard for the freedoms we enjoy today. My Grandpa is one of my hero's and greatest example of patriotism. I love this country that I live in. 

He looks grumpy, but that's just a facade he puts on. He's really just the biggest softey you'll ever come across. All of his grandkids and great grandkids will attest.

YESTERDAY I RODE THE BUS HOME AGAIN.

While riding the bus I fell asleep, remember how I sang praises to my bus naps? I do not love bus naps anymore. Yesterday I fell asleep and missed by bus stop. Woke up RIGHT as we were leaving. So I had to sweet talk the bus driver to stop on the side of the road to let me of. And then...I walked back to my stop. It didn't look to far, but it actually kind of was. My pride was hurt just a little and honestly I really don't know why. I did feel kind of like a vagabond, with my two oversized bags and all. I really just needed a shopping cart.. I hoped and prayed the whole way back to my car that someone wouldn't honk and wave as they drove by. No one did, and I was saved. But then I just had to laugh because really, why do such ridiculous and embarrassing things happen to me? Maybe they happen to others as well, it's just not written about? I like to think that. If something embarrassing happens to you, do me and yourself a favor, just write about it. You know why? Because it makes you feel better. I love how therapeutic writing is. I really could just write and write for hours. I won't subject you to it though, really because, really you guys.

I've also fallen in love with Carter's. Some of their stuff is a little over the top, but their jammies. Oh! their jammies. And they have lots of good deals. I bought a few little fleece outfits for $5.99 a piece. Honestly, I don't LOVE the fleece, but they look so cozy. And they were $5.99. We will be on the cusp of winters frigid months when she makes her appearance. Poor baby.

Last night we had some of our sweet friends over. I took no pictures because we were just too busy talking and stuffing out faces. They brought us dinner, I told you they were sweet, and she made a white chocolate raspberry cheese cake. With cream. Yes please. Cheesecake making isn't her only talent, she's also going to school for interior design and graciously offered to help me decorate little rue's room. That's what the discussion focused on most of the night. She is so talented, I'm excited to see what we come up with. This is our starting point:

Plus some gold probably. I'm a little in love with gold right now.