Hello, Iris!

We just got back from the hospital with our new baby, Iris Grace Arnold. She was born on monday night, weighed 10 lbs 1 ounce, 20 inches long, and is a pure delight. She's excited to meet you!

nesting for kara

I am officially the mother bird now. I have been working way more than I probably should this last month trying to get everything ready. I needed to make up for 6 months of morning sickness and 2 more months when I was so exhausted I felt like I couldn't do anything. I'm still exhausted, but I finally got panicky about nothing being done and had no choice but to work through the exhaustion.

I'm finally feeling on top of everything. The papers are all organized, every surface of my house has been cleared off and cleaned up, I have all the essential baby things out and in their proper place; my long to do list is as done as it needs to be. Things are seeming in order just in time for chaos to take over in 2 days.

I even got some grown-up furniture. The couch and love seat are my first pieces of furniture that I didn't buy used or have to assemble. As much as I love Ikea, it feels like I'm finally an adult.

So, three cheers for a clean and orderly house, and three cheers for only 2 more days of pregnancy!

p.s. This picture is only to document my truly huge belly and truly puffy pregnant face, for those of you who didn't believe me. Please don't click on it and make it any bigger than it needs to be.