Furloughs? Fur-loves!

Yes, I know the title of this post is not witty and also maybe confusing, but it sums up our life. For those of you who don't know, lots of government employees, particularly those in the Department of Defense, are being furloughed. This means that they are being compelled to take temporary unpaid leave one day a week for 11 weeks. This means that Luke had this Friday and will have the next ten Fridays off. WHICH IS AWESOME. I love it. I mean, yeah, there is the 20% pay cut and we are going to be having a baby sometime in there and I don't feel like I can order Wingstop while Luke is at work every day, but overall, I am excited.

Some of our plans for our FurFri's (is that better? worse. definitely):

1. Go camping on Padre Island. That is the plan for this week. I am pinning all sorts of camping treats and meals. It is probably going to be unbearably hot.

2. Go to the zoo. A lot. The zoo here is pretty small (they don't have giraffes or lions) but Ivy has started to really like it and we have a membership. So we'll be there all the time.

3. Go to Dallas. Nick and Nadine always go overboard to make sure we have a great time and I love seeing family out here.

4. Go to Austin. I have been meaning to do this, but I've only ever driven through on my way to Dallas. For you natives, what are some great things we should do in Austin?

5. Grill stuff. We bought one of those tiny little circle charcoal grills and we have used the heck out of it. It is just too hot here to be using the oven every day and I think Luke loves it. Don't all men kind of love barbecuing stuff? I wonder why that is. So, also looking for good recipes for that.

6. Swimming. Ivy and I go almost every day, but it's much more fun when Luke is there. Ivy can't really distinguish men from each other very well, so every time we go she is shouting "Dada!" at every man she sees (especially Latinos) and it's just more comfortable for me when her sentiments are directed at her actual father.

7. Yard sale fest. Now I can go on Fridays and Saturdays! Which I may or may not do, depending on the weekend, but it was great this last time. We got this baby carrier for $40 and a bunch of two player games. I was sure I would school Luke at Boggle, but he has yet to be beat. This English degree is doing nothing for me! Nothing!

8. Do stuff outside. I have alluded to the heat here, and it is intense, so doing things outside requires careful timing. The mornings and evenings are so beautiful and pleasant, so I am looking for hikes and walks in the area.

As you can see, that list got a little vague at the end. But my plan is to do research each week and present a great plan to Luke for the weekend and we will do it and remember this as the summer of unlimited fun and freedom.

And then we will have another baby!

By way of an update, I am officially 32 weeks. I went in for a third trimester ultrasound at the beginning of July and the ultrasound technician was kind of a bimbo. I mean, she seemed competent, but she was like "OMG! Your baby is breech! You will probably need a C-section!" I mean, come on. You don't say that to someone unless you are a doctor. Especially since my baby only weighed like 3 pounds at the time. Still plenty of time for all sorts of turning, right? She also told me that I was measuring a week bigger than my due date suggested, which was kind of fun. My doctor didn't share her fears, thankfully, and also didn't change my due date, so I'm still officially saying September 5th, but I can't stop the hoping that it will be sooner. It's just hot. And I want to meet this girl.

As a reward for reading all that, I will tell you the name that we are liking for her : Helen Christine.

And as a second reward, here is mah body! I'm turning 25 in two weeks. And having a baby in 4-8.

Aaaaand since Ivy just strolled in after waking up from her nap, here's a little peek at her. Fresh off the iPhone.

I love her hair with a pure love.