She works hard for [no] money...

I have had such a busy day! I volunteered at Our Daily Bread (soup kitchen) all morning...with Mommy, Daddy, and Grandmom Louise. I liked helping other people...Mommy says I get that from both parents/families. Mommy (and I) was a server while Daddy was a food runner. It takes a lot of volunteers to feed all those people. I'm making Mommy's belly big so the apron barely fits!

After ODB, we decided to work outside because the temp is finally under 90 degrees. Mommy and I weeded and trimmed bushes while Daddy cut grass and edged. Darn, our yard is really big. Mommy says she and Daddy bought a house with a yard knowing that I would come along some day. I think it was really for Daisy and Regis, but I'll play along with her. It is a lot of work, and I'm thinking I may prefer condo living.

Babymoon

We had a great babymoon this weekend in DC. I guess it was really for Mommy and Daddy but I was obviously along for the ride. I attended my first concert on Friday evening. Mommy says it's important I'm exposed to good music as early as possible (can you say iPod for my nursery!). She says no "Baby Beluga" for me. We suffered through 95+ degree temps to enjoy the jams of Dave Matthews Band. Daddy and I enjoyed our first DMB experience but Mommy was bummed they didn't play some of her faves. Oh well...next time.

This morning I got another first -- a massage. Okay, technically it was Mommy's -- Daddy surprised her with a mother-to-be massage at the hotel. However, I really enjoyed it, too! I wonder if The Red Door does mother - daughter specials? I think I could get used to the girly treatment.

After a yummy brunch, we rounded out our babymoon with some culture. We attended a matinee at the Shakespeare Theater. Mommy and Daddy laughed a lot at the comedy but I couldn't make out too much because of all those funny British accents.

Beginning the 25th week

Since Mommy and Daddy were enjoying the yummy food at the reunion, I should start putting on some of the famous baby fat -- just to fill me in and make me not so wrinkly in here. I know it's just me in here now, but I don't want to get a complex worrying about the wrinkles. (I heard Grandmom Sharon and some others mentioning something about Rohrer family crow's feet. Let's hope I get Grandmom Louise's smooth skin genes.) I'm looking good at 13 inches long when I stretch out and picking up some ounces...weighing in at just under 2 pounds this week.

You all stay cool during this heat wave. Soak up the air conditioning!

Greene County is the place to be...

This weekend we journeyed west to Pennsylvania to a family reunion to see lots of Mommy's great-aunts, uncles, and cousins galore! About 150 people swarmed around tables of food while non-stop gabbing -- it was quite impressive. While Daddy was amazed with the never ending display of desserts, Mommy doesn't think she's ever seen that much fried chicken or kielbasa on one table. Mommy missed the bingo but Daddy enjoyed the reunion meeting which had serious reality show potential. Later as we drove to the farm (I look forward to cows on a future visit), Daddy said he probably has never been to such a rural location. City boy! Before "Reunion: Day 2", we toured Morgantown so Mommy could show Daddy her old stomping grounds from her WVU days. Given the number of bars we saw, it is surprising that Mommy ever graduated. Wonder if Mommy is going to let my apply there one day?

Sign us up for next year -- the 100th reunion. I might win the prize for youngest guest.

Starting the 24th week

We just finished at the doctor's office and Mommy and Daddy got a chance to hear my heart beat and hear me swimming in the pool (aka Mommy's tummy). Mommy was reassured that I am indeed growing bigger and bigger in here. I am over a foot long already and allegedly have plenty of room, but I saw those photos on the doctor's walls and it looks like it's going to get pretty tight in the coming months. And although I sometimes feel a little pressure when Mommy bends over, I am doing just fine, eating well and getting plenty of r&r. For some reason, I tend to be more active in the late evening (can you say night-owl which is in Daddy's genes!). I wanted to give Mommy some special attention while Daddy is working. Daddy promises he'll finish up those crazy overnight shifts so they will be "in it" together at night when I arrive. I wonder if they will fake sleep like when the dogs bark in the middle of the night - each trying to avoid getting out of bed to deal with the noise. Ha-ha. I'm looking forward to having both hear me when I giggle/cry, change my diapers, clothe me - and yes, feed me. I think I'll be hungry a lot.

Starting the 23rd week

Hey - I have surpassed the 1 pound mark...finally! Are we celebrating yet? Was that the reason for the fireworks last night? I am trying to give an occasional "kick out", my in utero version of a shout out. And guess what? I am beginning to show my "real self" - meaning you get what you see, Mommy and Daddy.

Mommy and Daddy better be prepping for life with me! I sure hope Mommy gets the 3 months of escape -- I mean bonding -- time from her job. Hopefully Daddy will get some bonding time, too! I really love the idea of Grandmom Sharon & Pop-pop Roger taking care of me while M & D are working, at least for as long as they can before I start wanting to hang out with kids my own age.

Sis-Boom-Bang

Mommy says it's the hottest summer in recent years. Given that it's only July, I think she's exaggerating. But then again, the forecast is for 100+ for the next several days. While it really doesn't bother me, I don't think Mommy likes it too much. Luckily, friends and family are kind enough to share their pool passes with us. I like that floating sensation when Mommy is in the water. Mommy thinks that if she swims with me in her tummy that maybe I'll turn out to be a swimmer. She mentions something about scholarships...I'm not sure what those are but they sound pretty important. She mentions scholarships when she's reading to me, too, so it must have something to do with smart or sporty. I plan to be both!

On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy made us all dress up in red, white, and blue -- the dogs, too. I think we probably looked like dorks but apparently it's a tradition that everyone follows this weekend. We walked around the neighborhood with hundreds of other people, bikes, dogs, old cars, and the big fire truck. At the end of the walk, there were cupcakes. I like a walk that ends with cupcakes.

We were enjoying what I think was a picnic given the potato salad and shorty chairs that Mommy is having trouble getting in/out of. Then all of a sudden there was pretty music. Mommy said the music was coming from the symphony and I could hear her and Daddy singing along to some of the songs. Let's just say I don't think I'll be getting any good vocal genes so I can forget my aspirations of opening for U2 one day. As the music was ending, there were really loud bangs. I was startled and had to give a little kick. Mommy told me to relax because the bangs come with lots of pretty lights in the sky. She said I'll enjoy it much more next year. I'm not so sure.