i want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Oh wait, I AM a hippopotamus..... Santa must have delivered early this year. He apparently is the only one to deliver early =)

Today is the official due date, and I think it will come and go just like the last 7 days have come and gone. It is a blessing, nonetheless, to get to this day because now I actually know that the baby will come. As a first time mom, I expected to be late, and now I will be. Bring on the anticipation.

I must say, though my heartburn has taken on a whole new rare and awful form, the emotional strain of the last week(s) of pregnancy are, for me, far worse than the physical. Certainly I expected to be physically uncomfortable, but I was unprepared for the mental game. Perhaps I should have waited to post the picture with the gun this week?

I've been thinking a lot about Mary and what it must have been like traveling on a donkey (that's a labor inducing trick I haven't tried), to get to a stable, to deliver the Son of God. Imagine that anticipation. She must have been an amazingly strong, faithful, and Godly woman... of course she was, God picked her to deliver Jesus. At this time of my impending delivery, I am drawn to her story and her strength of character and her Labor of Love.

Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite Christmas songs in the Andrew Petersen 'Behold the Lamb of God' Christmas program.

Labor of Love

It was not a silent night, there was blood on the ground. You could hear a woman cry n the alleyways that night  on the streets of David's town.

And the stable was not clean, and the cobblestones were cold. And little Mary full of grace, with the tears upon her face, had no mother's hand to hold.

It was a labor of pain. It was a cold sky above. But for the girl on the ground in the dark, with every beat of her beautiful heart, it was a labor of love.

Noble Joseph at her side. Callused hands and weary eyes. There were no midwives to be found, in the streets of David's town, in the middle of the night. So he held her and he prayed, shafts of moonlight on his face. But the baby in her womb, He was the maker of the moon, He was the Author of the faith that could make the mountains move.

It was a labor of pain. It was a cold sky above. But for the girl on the ground in the dark, with every beat of her beautiful heart, it was a labor of love. For little Mary full of grace, with the tears upon her face. It was a labor of love.

39 weeks. I couldn't find a watermelon or a gun.

40 weeks. I told you I was huge! When I look at this picture, I understand why strangers ask me if I am having a Christmas baby. I look like I could go any day! The vegetable for this week was a pumpkin. I had saved my pumpkin from Halloween, but it was quite moldy. Mike was thrilled to throw it out. We improvised with a bag of satsumas that probably weigh at least 5 lbs. Maybe not quite 7, but really.. the weight of the baby is any one's guess at this point.

In very exciting news, we are thrilled to announce that Mike's cousin Hilary had her beautiful baby boy, Collin Everett McLeod, yesterday 12/22 in Akron Ohio. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Lord, Thank you for allowing me to carry this baby to term. I pray for an ounce of the grace that Mary had, and I thank you and praise you for the noble man that you have placed by my side.  

We can not wait to write an 'It's a girl/It's a boy' post. Oh, I suppose important info is that we will be induced on 12/31 if the baby hasn't come by then. However, my OB is fairly certain we won't even need to get to that point.

Merry Christmas. We love you all! Heather, Mike, and Owcy

swallowed a watermelon

This picture accurately describes how I feel today... I am 39 weeks, and I am mentally done with being pregnant. I think I've hit "the wall".

You HAVE to check out the blog where I this picture. It's hilarious, and it really did lighten my mood. 

http://www.pregnantchicken.com/

Enjoy =)

Just for the record, a small watermelon is the fruit of the week, but I couldn't find one.. even at Whole Foods. This shouldn't come as a surprise since it's December 16th =) This lovely lady and her watermelon (and her gun) will have to do. I'll post pics of my belly later this weekend.

take a leek

I'm sorry.. I couldn't resist the title of this post. Taking a leak is the story of my life these days (as I'm sure you can imagine), and I wonder if the folks @ babycenter.com found themselves clever for picking a 'leek' for week 38 of pregnancy? I find them clever, nonetheless, and I think this vegetable is highly appropriate.

These pictures make me look enormous.. perhaps that's just because I am? I really don't feel as big as this picture looks, and I think that's a blessing. I'm still relatively physically comfortable, just battling the classic 3rd trimester exhaustion and swollen ankles. I figure that's to be expected.... and I have lots of time to sleep and put my feet up this week. I plan to take full advantage!

I feel like I am holding a sword. Just FYI, these leeks turned in to potato leek soup, and I must say it was delicious.

Yesterday we went to church with our friends the Culbertsons. Baby Girl C is due Feb 15, and we can't wait for the babies to be friends. Here we were pretending that Owcy is a boy, and this was the first kiss of little boy Wade and little girl Culbertson. Hey, it practically worked for Mike and me, so it's not totally out of the question!

We had an OB appt today. Baby is fully engaged, but there have been no other changes. I think it's tucked in tight for the next few weeks.

We love you all, and we can't wait to tell you of the arrival! Love, Mike & Heather

Christmas is Coming...

The goose is getting fat. This year, I am the goose! Actually.. I feel very compact. I can't believe I am already this pregnant.

This post about the past week is a bit delayed, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Babycenter says that BBW should weigh about 6 1/3 pounds @ 37 weeks, but we know from the US that it's likely bigger than that! However, I must say that we saw the OB today, and she thinks the baby will stay less than 8 lbs based on my measurements. I suppose it's any one's guess at the point. Either way, BBW is at least 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

 This past weekend, Mike and I got to see Illinois play BBALL at the 'Battle of Seattle"; Illini vs Gonzaga. We had a blast with friends from both Illinois and Gonzaga. I crack up at Mike at sporting events.. he can not be disturbed as he is so intent on everything on the field/court etc. I love his concentration. I tried not to ask too many questions, and I think I succeeded. Haha.

 Illini won! They looked great. Let's hope they don't keep up that cohesive team-ness so that Mizzou can beat them on the 22nd in the Bragging Rights game. If Baby Wade isn't here by then.. I am counting on that game to send me in to labor =)

 On the way to game we were stuck in traffic on I-5, and we happened to be behind what (to us) was an absolutely hilarious dichotomy of Christmas trees. The SUV on the left went the classic route, but this Lexus in front of us had a disaster on top of it. We laughed for 5 minutes.. I must admit this was much needed comic relief because we were just leaving a scene which included the dog eating my parents Christmas gifts and many tears shed by the uber-prego woman. Poor Mike. Nonetheless, we appreciated this Charlie Brown moment..

 Sunday I was blessed with baby shower #3 thrown by a lovely group of ladies from Church. It was wonderful. L-R: Beth, Wendy, Steph, Yours Truly, Rachel, Danielle, and Rachel. They had great games, company, food, etc, and it's always wonderful to spend a Sunday afternoon in the company of great ladies.

 We've also been working hard on the nursery. Mike is done painting, and it looks absolutely beautiful! The next few pics are the 'finished product' of what we plan to have done before the baby comes. Here's the cradle which we will keep in our room. This way we can leave the guest bed up for a few weeks so that grandparents can come stay!!

 The walls look fresh, clean, bright, and beautiful. Also.. these are the curtains made by Grandma Cooper. Don't they look fabulous?? She also made the crib skirt (equally beautiful and to be highlighted later).

Here's the dresser of our dresser + crib combo set. It's full of clean clothes and just waiting for baby! Let the nesting begin (or continue)...

I had a strange dream this week that I actually gave birth to triplets. Two of them were newborns, and one was the size of a 4 year old. I was so stressed out b/c I didn't have any clothes for the 4 year old =(. My mom thinks maybe this is foreshadowing.... I hope not!

Ok, I know I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow, so I will post pics of this week soon. I have to run by the store, though, for my veggie of the week. I just have 2 days left in this quarter.. that includes 2 papers, 2 presentations, and a day of clinicals. I am so close I can taste it. I've never wanted a quarter to end so badly.. there are SO many other WAY more important things to think about right now....

We LOVE you all, and we can't believe we'll get to introduce you to Baby Wade THIS month!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2010 was an absolute blast. Dave and Becky came in to town to celebrate with us, and I am just constantly amazed by my wonderful my in-laws. 

Thanksgiving morning started out with a black cloud of smoke escaping my oven as I pulled out breakfast. The sauce on my monkey bread leaked out of the pan and melted into a thick goo on the bottom of the oven. That wasn't my ideal plan for impressing the in-laws, but I'm sure it will turn in to a story for years to come. We all took turns scraping the goo off of the bottom so that we could turn the oven back on to roast the turkey.

Fortunately, we got the oven clean as a whistle, and that turkey roasted up in no time. It turned out well, thanks much to Becky who was a huge help making dinner! I couldn't have done it without her!

This picture is blurry, but I thought it was adorable. Poor Oskee is used to her sleep, and she really wore out trying to keep up with 4 adults for 4 days.

D&B also helped us pick out colors for the nursery, and so Mike has been working hard yesterday and today getting it painted! My back is out of sorts, so I've just been helping with the taping/prep, etc. He's doing a fantastic job!!

Here's a picture against the newly painted nursery wall. BBW @ 36 weeks. I didn't buy the crenshaw melon for this week because we all know that the baby is bigger than a silly melon anyway. Besides, where does one find a crenshaw melon?

I officially feel much bigger in the last few days...

 Here's another great shot of our Oskee girl. She loved licking up the turkey juice that dripped on the floor...

Today we took her to the Christmas tree farm, and she had a blast smelling everything and getting muddy. The tree is now in the house, and it smells fantastic in here!

We are so blessed and thankful for family, friends, health, and this tiny babe on the way. Mike and I are getting so excited to meet Owcy!

Until next week.... we love you all!!

BBW

I think we should change the nickname from Owcy to BBW (big baby Wade). Apparently, measurements can be deceiving because this 'little' one is actually larger than average. It weighed in at 6.5lbs in the ultrasound this morning. Praise the Lord that we have nothing to worry about. As always, the ultrasound was wonderful. Modern technology is amazing, and I can't believe my baby is still in the womb, yet I already know it has 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 kidneys, 4 heart chambers, etc. Hope you enjoy the profile pic from today. It was hard to capture as Baby was playing peek-a-boo. It kept moving it's hand in front of it's face. You can see the hand at the bottom of the picture.

Three special cheers go out to my wonderful hubby who got chains on the tires so that we could 'bear' the 2 inches of snow on the Seattle roads. Well, it was snow yesterday. Today it was ice because they didn't send out the snow plows or salt trucks until this morning...even though the snow started falling Sunday night. Oh well, now it's a snow Tuesday at home!

Cheers! Heather, Mike, Owcy/BBW, and Oskee (who LOVES the snow!)

blessings and babies

I said earlier this summer that I wanted to have many posts with this title, and today seems like a great day for that!

Church this morning was awesome. The service started out with the baptism of 7 babies and 2 of my current favorite praise and worship songs. How is a preggo supposed to make it through that without crying? Well, I didn't in case you are wondering. Waterworks McGee was at it again =)

I feel like God totally blessed me today with the passage that the sermon was about. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace that He is in control of this baby, He LOVES this baby, and He IS taking care of it.  

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". Phil 4:6-7.

May the Grace and Peace of our wonderful Lord Jesus transcend your Thanksgiving week.

Our love to all of you! XO, The Wades

"Honeydew" list

It's crunch time around the Wades.. we are counting down to only 5 weeks left before little Owcy's arrival! Our honey-do list is growing and shrinking at the same time. I suppose that is good, as we are at least getting some things accomplished! If only we didn't keep adding to it as well.... We've got the dresser/changing table in the nursery and loaded with clean newborn clothes. Mike's been working hard getting new blinds and curtains hung in the nursery, and soon we may tackle some painting. He's also currently working hard on making dinner, and it smells delicious in here. You are all welcome to come to the Wades tonight. I have got a keeper, that's for sure!

 Here's 35 weeks. Baby should be about 18 inches long and tipping the scales at 5 1/4 lbs...

We are hoping Baby is that big at least. My measurements at this week's OB appointment haven't changed since they last measured two weeks ago, so they are concerned that little Owcy isn't growing. We're scheduled for an ultrasound next Tuesday to make sure everything is ok. It is going to be so so hard for me to not peak when they are down in that 'gender revealing' area. Mike is committed to the surprise though, so I think we'll turn away again!

Re: the not growing baby.. .worst case scenario is that they have to induce me after the ultrasound if they are really concerned. So, even the worst case scenario results in a healthy baby in our arms. We'll keep you updated though!

As I get closer to delivery, I get more and more emails about the pregnancy do's and dont's, checklists, coupons, etc etc. This week I got an email about the craziest celeb baby names of the year.. aren't you glad we didn't chose any of these names:
Draco Verta (boy).. I love Harry Potter as much as the next guy, but really?
Buddy Bear Maurice Oliver (boy).. Mike Cooper says 'Don't poke the bear". Likely you shouldn't name your child anything with bear in it either..
Sundance Thomas Jennings (boy). Sounds kind of girly to me...
Beatrix Carlin Sweetin Coyle (girl), as in Potter?
Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis Becker (boy). Looks like they couldn't make a decision here.

Here's a quick Papa Cooper update: His heart procedure went well last week and he is back to work and feeling well! We are so glad! Also, we are anticipating a wonderful visit from Gaga and Papa Wade for Thanksgiving, and we're SO excited.

Thanks for your prayers and your love of Baby Wade. We appreciate you! Love, Mike, Heather, and little Owcy

parenting prep

This blog post is brought to you by insomnia, heartburn, and hunger. How do those things go together? Well, I think it's just called: the third trimester. It's good prep for what is to come, and I've been sleeping really well this week (especially for me), so I don't mind being up at 2:45 to share with you all. Both TUMS and oatmeal have also been ingested, so now I just wait for that all to kick in and re-try this nights sleep. In the mean time, I'll share with you what has been going on in the world of the Wades this week.

Another terrible  symptom that I am experiencing is the loss of my uterine tracking device. Let me explain. When I was growing up, my brothers, dad, and I would consistently lose or misplace things in the house. This was no big deal because we lived with Jill Cooper who has a fantastic 'uterine tracking device' as we called it. She always knew where everything was (even when I was trying to hide something under my bed). She's so good. Up until now, I had inherited her uterine tracking device. Praise the Lord! Apparently, my uterus is otherwise occupied because I have lost some things this week that apparently I depend on a lot... my blue tooth, my palm pilot with my medical programs (it's where I look everything up), etc. I feel so handicapped! I need this device back. So now I am on to praying to St. Anthony.. "Tony, Tony, look around, some thing's lost and must be found....."

Mike and I are slowly entering the world of parenting by caring for this little Oskee. We think it's hilarious how we negotiate who will take her out for her morning/evening walk based on our schedule for the next day. She's recently recovering from a UTI (poor pup), and so we've been discussing her excretion at length. But she is giving us (or at least me) a run for our money the last few weeks. Mike is so much more patient with her than I am (I am sure that does not shock any of you), but I am frustrated! She's eating the strangest things.. literally my homework (I swear, the dog ate it), CDs, pens, two of my textbooks this week, her plastic 'pet hair magnet/remover', 1/2 a loaf of bread (off of the tall counter..explain that one), etc. She's also taking up peeing in the house (mind you this is after the UTI was diagnosed and a week plus into her antibiotics). These recent behaviors are a stark contrast to when we first brought her home in July, so I'm confused! I'm not a huge fan of this behavior, and I am just so frustrated because I don't know how to communicate with her... hence the parenting prep. I think this is all just a tiny morsel of a taste of what is to come. So Mike is researching to remedy the 'bored' dog scenario, and I am working on my patience. If any of you dog owners have any advice, it would be appreciated!

Ok.. enough complaining. Here's a BLESSING!! Baby Wade is moving like crazy, and Mike gets to feel it all of the time. Many many times a day I see a 'nobbly bit' (foot, elbow, knee, etc) sticking out of my belly, and I love it! We are So blessed by a healthy 34 week baby.

Well.. it appears I have also lost the cord that uploads pictures from the camera to the computer. I'll look for it this weekend and try to post the 34 week picture with the cantaloupe.

Thanks for enduring this long post! Love, Heather, Mike, Owcy, and Oskee

33 weeks

Hello bloggers. Time is flying at the Wades, and all is well. We skipped week 32 because the vegetable was a jicama, and I ran out of time to go find one! I was thinking this week that you know you are tired when the 'fruit of the week' is something that doesn't require you to find a new recipe that incorporates it and/or cook it at all. Enter week 33.. we are a pineapple! Hooray. Thank you to TJs who had them on sale for $2.99, and I am an all around happy camper!

Baby now weighs a little over 4 pounds (how did that happen?) and has passed the 17-inch mark. Babycenter also notes that little Owcy is "rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look". Thank God! I bet it is quickly working on it's old man look however.. I feel like all Caucasian babies look like old men when they come out!

Last weekend we went home to STL to attend an Illinois vs Purdue football game and take a trip down memory lane with Mike. It was absolutely fabulous (no surprise there!). Stay tuned for a full post about those adventures, but for now enjoy this sneak peek. Who ever thought I would fall for a man in orange and blue?

LOVE, Mike, Heather, and Baby Wade (who has discovered my ribs this week)

biggest loser

Well, Oskee and I've been having a weight competition, however, we are going in different directions. She most certainly wins the 'biggest loser' award. We've had to tighten her collar twice, so hopefully that's a good sign. We are worried that we're not feeding her enough though, because lately she's been really digging around the house eating things... like pens, washcloths, tags on the couch, almond flax bars (she was very regular the next day), rocks, etc. She's either hungry or bored! So what do you think, does she look smaller?

                                         Oskee BEFORE (August 2010)

                                        Oskee AFTER (October 2010)

We did buy her some new toys in case she's bored and not hungry. She's at least lost enough weight now to run after them when we throw them!

 Oskee in her new bed. Finally I found a bed I can wash! Her old bed was disgusting and smelly (though she probably loved those qualities about it!)

Baby Wade's growth continues. This week we are at 16 inches long and 3.3 pounds (apparently the weight of 4 naval oranges). Babycenter says we are headed into a growth spurt as well. I may be huge by next week. It hasn't yet found it's sweet spot in my uterus, I think it switches sides daily. I LOVE feeling it move, and it seems to be more reactive lately to touch, Mike's voice, etc. SO sweet.

Here are my before and after shots... 

Mom BEFORE (June 2010)

Mom AFTER (Oct 2010)

Is this carrying the baby high or low? I have no idea.

    31 weeks. This week has brought with it a host of new 'experiences'. I am so short of breath that I have to breathe deeply just listening to lectures. It is better when I stand for sure, as I have no problem exercising. Weird, huh? Also, those nice Braxton-Hicks contractions have set in. Mike and I can totally feel the difference between the contractions and my otherwise 'soft' belly.  My meals also need to be adjusted. Mike and I went to Panera on Wed, and I couldn't make it through a 'you-pick-2' soup and salad in one sitting. There must be something pressing on my stomach.

We had another good visit with the OB this week, and we just praise God for this healthy baby!

Here's Babycenter's take on what the baby looks like.  

 Here's Dad showing off his tricks with the oranges. He had to dislodge the cartilage from his sternum in order to keep the juggling going. Haha.. This is a Dan Bennett joke. He was this hilarious comedian that we saw in Alaska. You can preview him here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQpfFvkBQK0

Here he proves Newton's 3rd law of legislative physics: For every affirmative action there is an equal and opposite reactionary.

OH.. and the blogging poll is closed. Looks like the majority of you think Baby Wade is a boy!!

WE love you all so much of course! Mike, Heather, Owcy, and Oskee

cabbage patch kid

We are officially in the 30s. 30 weeks. Where has the time gone? Baby is growing, and these pictures look much bigger than I feel. I suppose that's a good thing!

So at 30 weeks, baby Wade is about 15.7 inches long (how do they know that), and weighs almost 3 pounds. The vegetable of the week is supposed to be Chinese cabbage. You vegetable connoisseurs will know that I am actually holding bok choy. It's close, right? This week, it's just putting on fat and working on it's eyesight. I hope it has Mike's eyesight.. 

I also wanted to post some pictures of my fabulous shower in STL! Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of my gracious and creative hostesses, Judy Davies, Debbie Wright, and Renee Schuster. Most of you that follow this blog know them, but in case you don't they are gracious, beautiful mothers (and grandmothers) who really worked hard to honor Baby Wade, and we feel truly blessed by them.

 The multitudes of cakes. Judy baked and created each of these masterpieces. She's our very own Martha Stewart.

 This is a close up of the 'flower' pots.. they are actually little cupcakes! How did she get the icing to do that? I can't believe her creativity.

 (L-R) Aunt Bev (Mike's aunt), Gaga Wade (Mike's mom, Becky), and Mary Ann Nieders (Carson and Olivia's other Gaga)

 There are So many pictures of gifts galore, and my camera ran out of battery before we got to most of them. This picture highlights my little helper, Abby Roam (Debbie's granddaughter). She's adorable, and I haven't seen her since she was two months, so this was a special treat! Also, this blanket was hand made by my mom's friend Michelle. It's SO beautiful.. it brings me to tears =)

I LOVE this picture. May be 3 generations of girls.. may be a little boy? I don't know! There are 5 days left to cast your vote on this blog!

Aunt Claire drove in from Columbia. So good to see you my dearest friend. Thank you for coming.

So again, I leave the reflections of this blog feeling humbled and blessed by family, friends, and a healthy baby. Thanks for sharing in our journey. LOVE, the Wades

butternut has a nice ring to it

In life you want to be the age of 29 forever. Is that how it is is pregnancy too? 29 weeks seems to be starting out fairly well, and I feel good. Not too big, not too small. Babies is moving. Sounds like everything is just right...

29 weeks also seems like a big one for baby. It's growing rapidly now (wait, hasn't it been all along?). This week it weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. The muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain – which is busy developing billions of neurons. I wonder if my being in school during this pregnancy will have any impact on  the development of the brain. Mama's brain is working x-tra hard, so does that transfer to Baby?

The skeleton is also hardening, so I have been really focusing on the calcium. Does is matter that it's in the form of cookies and milk?

I had a good visit with my OB this week. I love seeing her. She's so encouraging, and I just love knowing that everything is going well. My uterus is measuring 29cm. It should match up with the week of gestation, so bingo! We are a go. I also got my flu shot (and rhogam) so maybe it was the combo, but I was asleep by 7:30 on Thursday night. So much for getting some extra homework in... oops! Give your self some extra time for rest when you get this year's flu shot.

Also, MIKE IS HOME! He got home last night, and I could not be more thrilled. It's good timing too because our birthing classes are on Monday nights, and I might have had an emotional breakdown at birthing class last week. What's a preggo girl to do without her husband? It did make me eternally grateful, however, that I will have Mike by my side for the real event. I couldn't imagine it without him. I am tearing up writing this, so it's time to let you go.

Until next week when we transition to that big 3-0. We love and miss you! Heather, Mike, Baby/Owcy/little Tyke/ little nugget/blessing of our lives etc etc

uncle ry guy

This is a special post dedicated to Ryan who fed his to-be niece-or nephew VERY well while in STL, as any good to-be uncle would do.

I also wanted to post some pictures of his delicacies to make you drool. I am consistently amazed by his knowledge regarding the art and science of cooking, and it is SO awesome to watch his passion blossom.

The beginnings of what would be the World's best Paella. And when I say beginnings of.. I think this might have been at hour 3 of braising. YUM!

Finished product. This paella had chicken, chorizo, prawns, and mussels. I don't use acronym very often (ok, ever), but OMG. Lucy/Owen was HAPPY. So was mama bear.

Who has two thumbs and is ready for paella? This guy!
 

    Yummy salad with home made Balsamic dressing, toasted pine nuts, peppers.... drooling yet?

Always a pretty table with Ryan Cooper around..

Finishing touches. A perfect apple pie. I have never made a pie that didn't run when I cut in to it. This pie was flawless (AND delicious). He also made the dough out of organic whole wheat baking flour, 6 million sticks of butter, and a splash of love. Though impressive, I don't know that I am quite up for attempting my own dough yet. He makes it look so easy, though!

Brotha and Sistah at Araka, Chef Cooper's new digs. He came out to say hello to us when we had dinner there. So sweet. So what do I do? Embarrass him by making him take a picture with me. He said some of the kitchen staff call him 'Verde Cabeza'. Green head. I think it's catchy.

Just a few quick photos of our food at Araka. I already had the camera out, so why not? This was my mom's Amish chicken, Brussels sprouts, etc. I think this was the best chicken I have ever tasted.

Succulent Duck paired with wheat berry and a beautiful salad. I had never tried wheat berries before, but I am totally buying some next time I'm at Whole Foods. It's like a sweet and bigger bulgar. Also, delicious.

I ordered the Lobster pasta with all kind of mushrooms. The restaurant makes its own pasta, so I had to try it. Besides.. I just can't resist a variety of mushrooms.

So, moral of the story is, you should go to Araka (it's in downtown Clayton), or figure out a way to invite yourself to my parents' house when Ryan is cooking. Also, apparently you shouldn't invite me, because I've just admitted to eating off of everyone else's plate. What's a preggo girl to do?

We love you Uncle Ryan! Love, Heather and a very happy babe.