36+ weeks: Gratuitous Photo Post!

Here's a good shot of this 36 week belly! How much bigger can we get?? 

Baby Whoosie's burgeoning collection of books and toys - lots of great hand-me-down books from the nieces' babyhood collection that I remember fondly. The latest additions are the totally weird and fantastic Ugli doll from my wonderful coworker Joni and a very soft giraffe from Rebecca in Portland. 

Feeling responsible - the carseat, about to be installed! 

Baby's first handknit - a gorgeous sweater made by auntie Bre: 

And baby's first quilt! Also made by auntie Bre (she's prolific!). It's so sweet - fairy tale themed with scenes from the Princess and the Pea, the Owl and the Pussycat, etc...And lots of beautiful, gender neutral colors :)

Below is a very precious gift that absolutely surprised me - beads from many friends and family all imbued with wishes, hopes or blessings for me in labor and for my transition to mama-hood with little Whoosie. It includes scarlet runner beans from Megan's garden, handmade beads, powerful coral, glass, ancient amber, silver words of encouragement, sparkling agate, the sweetest tiny pearls, a stolen Wilson family heirloom (Gemma!), the first ring my dad ever gave my mom, and many more. It makes me so happy to think about all of these amazing and strong women in my life and I feel very lucky to have this small representation of all of them to carry with me! On a side note, if you look closely you will see there is also an ice cream cone, a heart, a pig, and a large, blingin' faux diamond. These beads are from my 7 year old niece Julia and my 4 year old niece Harper. When my sister asked Julia why she picked the huge diamond for my necklace, she said "because it's pretty and it will make auntie KC think of me." Priceless. 

A birthday message from Julia - instantly made me burst into tears. She's a surprising and sweet kid, and her excitement about her new cousin has been so lovely to see: 

If you can't read it, she wrote, "Happy birthday, KK! I think that you are going to be a very good mama and Whozie will be cute."  

Cj nesting - painting the back shed blue to go with the marigold chicken coop! 

 We love you all and are getting so excited to meet our little baby!