PastaNoodle 38 Weeks

All is well. Estimated size as of today is 7.5-8 lbs. 1 cm dilation. Dr. Tran says 7 days minimum.

Christmas 2006

Christmas photos - not labeled yet:


Christmas began for us on Friday night when Barb's parents arrived. On Saturday night Nick, Heather and Elissa came over for dinner. On Christmas Eve Barb, Ted, Kathleen and I went over to Dan and Marge's for dinner with them, Joe and Joanne. Family Family Everywhere! Here is a photo of 37.5 week pregnant Barbara in front of the Pastalaniec's (senior) Christmas Tree. We had Galumpki and a new idea for Perogi - smothered in spinach Madeline.





Christmas morning we headed back to the Pasta Senior household to start Christmas and eat lots of Christmas cookies and leftover Galumpki. Christmas afternoon was spent on replacing Dave's Chiminea - Joanne gave him a new one. Tadd and Dave stole a sledgehammer from the Johnson's, only to have the old chiminea break up in their bare hands!



Nick, Heather and Elissa came over to open Boyce Family Gifts (plus this Xmassaurus from the Wheatley's that terrorized the cat and Elissa!)






Elissa's new wagon!








Dinner for 12 after Marge, Joanne, Dan and Kerry join us.

Pastanoodle at Full Term!

So, in theory, Pastanoodle is full term and ready to be born today. The next 3 weeks are just bonus. We had our 37 week check-up on Monday. Dr. Tran says that we are textbook on stats right now and to expect a 2007 baby. Those of us actually paying taxes for this branch of the Pastalaniec family may think otherwise! For those single male readers - yes, Dr. Tran is married with children.

Common theory now is the the birth date will be 12/28/06, to coincide with the A&M bowl game, or 1/8/07 to coincide with watching Florida with the Johnson's in the BCS championship game.

In other words, everything is fine. Preparations are 95% complete, we are now fully trained in baby care, and we are ready to go!

Christmas in Texas

Only in Texas: While hanging Christmas lights a week before Christmas I was mosquito bitten, sun burnt and nearly dehydrated. Pictures soon!

PastaNoodle: Week 36

OK! We are now at 36 weeks. 1 more week until "term" and 4 more weeks until the due date.

Although some thought Barbara might have dropped, Dr. Tran says not yet. PastaNoodle's heartbeat was real hard to find this week, when Roxanne finally found it, PastaNoodle appeared to have just woken up and had a rapid heartbeat. Everything is normal at this point - no signs of coming labor.



Our doctor, Dr. Nicole Tran (yes, an Aggie)












Dr. Tran's nurse, Roxanne - a die hard LSU Tiger fan.

Holy House of Loreto

Today is the holy day celebrating the "Translation" of the birthplace of the Virgin Mary from Palestine to Loreto Italy in 1294. This site, which we had never heard of, is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in Europe. Discussed by our Celebrant at Sacred Heart today.

Sacred-Destinations
Catholicism.org

The 6th Annual Christmas Ale Tasting was a blast, as always. This year the field of ales was limited to 12. The winners, Clinton and Eric, guessed 5 right in the blind tasting - giving them the honor of going first (and last) in the white elephant gift exchange.

Elissa settles in for the ale tasting







Astute guests study their ale samples







Tiffany and Joanne (as well as Barbara) serve up the ale samples







The co-winners battle for the right to the first gift in the time-honored contest of rock-paper-scissors- best two out of three. Eric was victorious..




To the victor, the prize... Dave as Borat (old bad mustache from the late 1990s when I was also called Sabotage, after some bad Beastie Boys song.)





Rhonda picked juggling balls - Elissa wants!











Greg wins the Dave as Borat shirt on the final trade of the 3 trade limit for this valuable item. Created by Jennifer.









Elissa, the Molson Golden Girl, goes for a ride around the house courtesy of Eric