Computer woes

I know - It's a goofy looking picture, but I've never had the privilege of parking in a "special" parking spot before!

I just did one of those stupid computer things...I just wrote a nice LONG and flowery post about my trip to Michigan last week, highlighted with pictures and everything. I went to preview it and saw one thing I wanted to change. I don't even remember what exactly I did, but when I attempted to go back to the editing page to fix it a little warning bubble popped up and said going back will delete any unsaved changes. Well, I hadn't changed anything yet so I figured I was good. Turns out I hadn't SAVED anything yet either. So - blip - just like that it's all gone.

So for those of you who really enjoy a long, detailed post...sorry! You'll have to add the flowery imagery yourself (I'll give you some clues in parenthesis). For those of you who hate reading through all the garbage to get to the point, you're in for a treat - just skip the parenthesis!

Basically, I spent last week in Michigan visiting my family and some friends while Brad was at the cabin hunting. It was a wonderful week (add in details about why it was wonderful) and I loved being able to reconnect with my parents, sister and brother-in-law, some extended family (they spoiled me with baby showers) and some high school friends (add in details about how blessed I am to have so many godly women in my life, etc.).

Some highlights were meeting my first second-cousin on my mom's side. Ian was born the day I arrived to my cousin, Scott, and his wife, Kelli. (Add in details about visiting and holding a four-day-old newborn and the flood of emotions which that caused in me - both of excitement and a little trepidation of having one of our own soon.) And my cousin and friend from my dad's side, Laura, was due with her and her husband's first baby while I was there, and she went into labor the day I left, so I didn't get to meet him - Bennett. (Add in details and memories about how we grew up sharing and enjoying many things and experiences together since we are only two weeks apart in age and have been friends since we can remember...And how fun it's been to be pregnant at the same time. I got the good end of the deal with her being two months ahead of me - she got to prep me for each stage that was to come!)

Here's a picture of the two of us at the shower with my dad's side. I am about 31 weeks along and she is 40 weeks. I think she has the cutest looking pregnant belly I've ever seen! :)

Also, I got to indulge myself, and introduce our baby, to the treats of the Dutch/West Michigan cuisine: pea soup (followed by a chaser of Tums), apple dumplings, banket (spelling?), locally grown and picked-with-love apples, and tuna casserole. Sadly there was no balkenbrij to be had. (Add in details about how, yes, it's a strange food and Brad would have strongly objected to my subjecting our child to balkenbrij before it can make its own food choices but it's in my womb so I get to taint our child with my eating preferences! Add smiley face.) (Also add in ponderings about whether or not the food is actually a Dutch tradition, or just something I associate with it...) And, yes, I love food and enjoy eating.

I think the last thing I wanted to include was how fun it was to share this child's night life with my mom and sister. (My dad and brother-in-law got in a little bit, too, but my mom and sister really got into it and it was fun for me!) The baby is at a very active stage now, and pretty predictable. Usually in the later evenings, and almost anytime I lie down to rest, is when the baby starts to squirm, wiggle, jolt, kick, punch, or just migrate (it seems) from one area to another. Mom and Deb had fun watching my abdomen be molded and jolted as the baby moved and, of course, feeling the baby move around. They also got to hear the baby's heart beat - for those of you who don't know, at this point in pregnancy the heart beat can be heard by just placing your ear on the stomach and finding the right area. Of course, I don't get to experience this since I can't put my ear on my stomach. (Add in whatever flowery details you want here.)
It's amazing how long I can still make a post even after trying to summarize and cut down on what I originally said. For those of you who stuck with to the end...well, hope you enjoyed it anyway! :)