Two Down...One to Go

Mom threw me a fabulous ALL GIRL Baby Shower on Saturday (With Lane as the only exception of course...he will forever be V.I.P.). We had a lovely brunch, which by the way I was starving, being that the day before Lane had spent a majority of his day on my sciatic nerve, causing an overwhelming feeling of nausea when I ate (and the absence from work). FUN STUFF! The brunch was eagerly followed by the "Girlie Games" and my sitting for many minutes opening everyone's wonderful gifts. I actually had to apologize to everyone and open the last of my gifts while standing up. I just couldn't sit any longer...everyone just brought too many wonderful things, but I am not complaining:) So two baby showers down and our Halloween Costume Baby Shower yet to come! Oh Yeah!

On Wednesday, Shane and I met up at our 2 week doctor appointment with high hopes that we could get a 'guesstimation' as to Lane's ever growing size. Dr. J said to give it at least another 2 weeks before trying to make such assumptions on little Lane's size...but can you believe in 2 weeks we have our next appointment, and then after that it's already time to move on to our once a week checkups?!?!? CRAZY! Oh. And you will all be glad to hear I gained 3lbs...but that's also without a decent B.M. in 2 days. So I wouldn't be surprised if in the next day I may lose a pound in the potty...hehehe. I know you all are loving where this blog just went:) Leave it to me.

Here are some pics from the shower...Enjoy. XOXO

All tried to guess how big around I am, but only one came the closest...

And that was my grandma. Nani Kay!

Carole really enjoyed playing Hazel's Poopy Diaper Game:)

So did Nani and Helen...They really needed to catch up on their poopy diaper knowledge:)

But it was T who came out the winner of this name that stool game. You go girl!
Oh...and I must also mention that in the organization of this game, the fire department was on speed dial as the smell of burning plastic wafted through the kitchen from the microwave. Way to go Auntie Hazel! :) (No diapers were actually harmed in the making of this game).

Mom and Channy had to pose with Lane:)

Mom, Jamie (just announced pregnant with #2), Jordan, and Lila (Greatest salsa maker ever!)Mom, Carole, Grandma Helen, and both Nani'sLane will at least be dressed like an athlete...He could still end up Pres. Of the Chess Club and we would love him just the same;)Lane got 2 adorable and oh so soft Knot Blankets...Even I can't wait to cuddle up with them!The blankie over my shoulder was crocheted by a dear friend Diane whom wasn't able to make it, because currently they are living in Hawaii (poor them) but we are anxiously awaiting their arrival back on the mainland in early November!Jamie taking a closer look at Lane's quilt I made for his crib...just don't look to close or you will see the flaws...better yet, put it down before it falls apart;)

It's Begun...

You know that point you get to when it seems like the fast forward button to your life has been pressed? Well. We're there. Where has the time gone? Seriously? It seems like I was just posting my last entry the other day, when in all actuality it's been weeks! So for those of you that check in on the Billau's happenings, I apologize for not being on the ball and keeping you all up to date with all that is going on in our "Billau Heaven". Honestly, so much has been, and is going on, that it's somewhat intimidating for me to sign on and get a post started. You all know me...'Procrastination' is my middle name (it comes after Kay, but I chose to leave it off my checks) and some things will never change.

So here goes...my attempt at bringing you all up to date.

Hmmm....Where to begin???

The nursery! Oh my gosh! The room has been totally transformed. Do you remember the pictures from a previous post on our gutting of Baby Lane's room to be? Well if not, take a moment and scroll down after you check out these pictures of the new and improved nursery!

I have to give many appreciative thanks to my mom, the artist who created the amazing jungle tree (we are just hoping it doesn't give Lane nightmares and if so I think I will trade him rooms because I LOVE IT!:) And to my mother-in-law, Carole, for rolling up her sleeves and slathering on the paint like a pro. The Grandmas-to-be did such a fantastic job on Lane's room...I must admit, I'm a little jealous of this kid already. The only credit I get is for giving excellent direction...hehehe. And for Lane's crib quilt.

I attached the cartoon jungle animals to the wall using velcro! The teacher in me came up with the idea. I thought it would be something neat for Lane (when he's old enough) to be able to take down and rearrange however he likes. My idea proved to be worthy when Matthew, Beau and Cris's 4 year old son came over and immediately went to detaching and reattaching the animals:) I gave myself a little pat on the back when I saw how cool Matt thought it was to pull things off the wall.

Moving on...

We had our first Baby Shower thrown for us last Saturday and boy did we get spoiled! The throw blanket on the glider was a gift from friends of ours whose mother has an embroidery shop. Did we, I mean Lane ever luck out! We got this beautiful blanket and even some monogrammed bibs with "Peanut" on them. How cute is that? From the coolest diaper bag (that will even look good strapped to dad) the most adorable clothes to a jungle themed bouncer and story books Lane will want to hear over and over again....we got spoiled! Thanks Pam and Steve for the great food, amazing time, and wonderful friends you surrounded us with!

After the shower on Saturday, Shane and I planned to have a few friends over to see our newly finished BBQ on Sunday. Shane and dad spent quite a bit of quality time together constructing this masterpiece. What a beauty! It makes it hard to even be inside knowing how beautiful your backyard is. Shane not only took pleasure in BBQ'n, but also pouring the ingredients into the Margaritaville Drink Machine that his folks got us for our anniversary. Luckily for me and Matthew, the mixer came with 2 pitchers, so we always had a batch of virgin waitin' for us:)

Poo Poo and Hagen also took part in the festivities, but when it came time to share seating, Poo Poo got a little on the defensive with Cris:) That's my cat!

And then there was just us again...well for now at least. After a busy weekend, Shane and I decided to spend our anniversary (Monday) quietly and as uneventful as possible. He did surprise me with 2 dozen beautiful roses while I was at work though. What a guy....oh and while I am at it, he also managed to sneak a wedding photo of ours into the announcement section of the Reno paper, which was accompanied by the poem we had chosen for our wedding programs! I must admit, it brought tears to my eyes when I saw our picture and read the words that followed. Luckily IHOP was running a bit behind, so my pancakes stayed dry:)

In closing, I am attaching a 32 week photo for you all to enjoy:) Oh. And we started our birthing classes last week. Can I just say that I almost want Shane to video our labor/delivery just so those that come after us can watch a video from this century and not the 70's! ...and I also told him he was now on grooming detail:)

I could go on and on being that it has been so long...but I will give a quick summary to finish up... a guy passed out in our class last night (but he's cool). Kindergarten is going well. Just have to retrain my brain and back it up for my new set of youngsters. Lane is doing fabulous, though I haven't gained an LB in over a month (tummy is growing rapidly still) and lastly...

WE GOT MILK!!! Will have to fill you in on some funny stories later;)

Finally Some Cooperation

So after failing miserably on Wednesday morning during our first 3D picture attempt, Friday's afternoon appointment (second and final attempt) was a success!

On Wednesday, Lane was so far down that there was no moving him...he had found his nook and was staying there. We tried everything to get our little man to move. From chocolate kisses and tootsie rolls, to calisthenics. He just wasn't having any part of it. For a half hour we stared intensely at the screen before us, waiting and waiting for the slightest movement...heck, we would have taken anything at that moment. But no. 'Difficult' is the little man in the womb;)

So with our heads hung as though we had just lost the Gold, having been defeated by the 29 week old in my tummy, Shane and I went our separate ways for the day (Shane home to work on our BBQ and I to my classroom to begin preps for Monday's fresh batch of Kindergartners). We left with high hopes that Friday would be a new day and a new position. I went and drowned my sorrows with a McGriddle and OJ from Mcdonalds...I needed breakfast anyhow.

Friday couldn't have come slower...it seemed light years away after the disappointment we experienced Wednesday. But I must say, it was surely worth the wait. We had full cooperation from our little man on the inside. Shane had missed out on our last ultrasound/sonogram due to an academy he was in, he couldn't believe how much Lane has grown. He said he could have sat there all day watching his little guy and I couldn't agree more. We were all smiles throughout the appointment...and when I say all, that includes our little man too:)

Check out this cheese for the camera!

Keeping a watchful eye.

We had no idea that babies opened their eyes while inside

the tummy!

Can you spot the birdie in this next photo?

This picture has Matzen written all over it!

He is just like his uncle Larry:)

Our Week at Lake Almanor

I figured I might as well get the belly shot out of the way. I was going to save it until last, but I know how obsessive you all can get;) I tried my best to rock the bikini at my 27 weeks...what the hell....why not?!

Okay, so back to the grind (well for Shane at least..I still have 1 1/2 weeks to go). We returned from our trip to Lake Almanor Saturday, after a weeks stay at a beautiful lakefront home. The house or "cabin" as we like to call it, slept 11 people and throughout the week we had full occupancy, thanks to the waves of friends and family we had staying with us. Here's a picture of Hagen with his towel ready and waiting on us as usual to take him swimming or for a ride on the boat. Be sure to take a glimpse at the retro material that covered the couch he's laying on...that should give you an idea as to when this house was built and to its' decor.

Our first night was spent with The Carter's (Don, Liz, Jordan and Jenna) and The Truss' (Pam and Steve) and of course The Billau's (Shane, myself, baby Lane in my belly, Dave, Carole and Hagen too) Oh. And how could I forget Cameron? My nephew, 10 yrs. of age, was able to spend the entire week with us (lots of energy). The pictures that follow are from an extremely competitive, trash talking, eye rolling, game of Cranium. It was quite the "humdinger" of a game:) Okay, so have you guessed what it is Liz, Pam and I are trying to get our guys to say??? Come on...it's sooooo obvious!

Lava Lamp!!! Yeah...the guys didn't get it either:( We may have lost that one, but trailing from behind at the beginning, Shane and I were crowned the Cranium Champs!

On Monday afternoon, our good friends The Duc's (Beau, Cris and Matthew) joined us for the rest of the week. And we also had The Housley's (Carole's family) in and out of the cabin, though mostly out, being that their grandmother had come down with an illness and was advised to not spend too much time around me, being the large bellied, hormonal pregnant woman that I am. It was a sad situation, but we all made the best of it and she is well into her healing process.

Here is a typical view from our balcony each morning. Shane swimming out on the tube to fetch the boat, and the clan waiting to climb aboard. Cameron took his first shot at wake boarding (because his Uncle Shane does it).

He was a natural!

Our Lake Almanor getaway was kinda like the movie "Groundhogs Day"...You know, how Bill Murray woke each day the same time, same music, same scene...that was our trip. We woke. We made breakfast. We went out on the boat. We ate lunch. We swam (after digestion ran it's course of course). We ate dinner. We played games. We slept. Oh...and XBox was played on a daily basis too (it kept the 10 year old busy, and a few 30 +'s too:)

Oh yeah. Before I forget. I am sure you would all be surprised to hear (then again it is me we are talking about, so you shouldn't be all that surprised) I went tubing! Beau was a bit hesitant...no wait, what am I saying...he was scared to death to pull me, but he did a fine job...too fine of a job. I actually got a little too comfortable and had to request a few turns and waves:) Cris and Matthew (age 4) had a blast on the tub, but I think Cris got a better ride after Matt decided he was through...I get to take credit for her booty soreness that resulted from this ride, being that I was behind the wheel:) Immediately after this shot was taken, Cris was bounced out of the tube about 5 feet into the air, with her body molded as though she was still sitting in that cumphy, air filled tube. Can we say booty smackin' fun!

Here are some other action shots I was able to snap of everyone showing off their water sport skills (my brother and his girlfriend, Hazel, showed up on Thursday eve, as did my folks and grandma). First we have Shane on the wake board & my brother and Hazel on the knee board.

Okay...what else went on...Oh yeah squirt gun war between dad and Cameron (10 minute rejuvenation session soon followed...with squirt gun still within reach).

Nani relaxing on the dock with a good book and mom the bathing beauty. Before our daily boating adventure would come to an end, we would sit out on the lake with the music on and wear ourselves out swimming and enjoy mother nature and the man-made lake we were on. And we will never forget Carole's talent on the piano! She could play one hell of a Silent Night:)

Shane and I also decided that Hagen should be trained as a rescue dog. He had such a great time swimming, that is at least if Shane or I was in the water. He proved to be one loyal companion.

And lastly (because I've been composing this blog for 2 hours now)...I give you...

"Scuba Shane".

Shane had such a great time playing with Cameron's snorkeling gear, that we decided we needed to take a trip into the nearest town (10 minutes away) to hunt down some snorkeling gear in an adult size:)

All in all, our first and last summer getaway was a blast.

We just wish it could have lasted longer!