17 Weeks

   I'd like to share an opportunity that you might be interested in. A couple I know is adopting a baby boy from Ethiopia, and they are trying to raise money with a raffle. Here is what they are offering... "We are raffling off a stay in a cabin/chalet 2 miles from downtown Gatlinburg the weekend after Valentine’s Day, February 22-24. It is a 2 night, 3 day stay courtesy of Butch and Becky Duke of Uncle Bud’s Log Cabin Rentals. The cabin is called Nature’s Playhouseand it is awesome. Click here to see all the details and for a virtual tour. It sleeps 6 with 2 KING size beds and a sleeper sofa. It also has a big over sized Jacuzzi hot tub. Tickets are $25 each, and for every 2 tickets you buy, you get a 3rd for free. The drawing will be held on January 31st at noon. Once the winner is drawn, Butch and Becky will mail the winner a travel packet that includes directions, your key and other details 10 days before your getaway. " If you are interested, go to Laura's website at www.pitterpatterart.wordpress.com 

   I had a pretty good week at work, and it was a 4 day week. Friday we had professional development, and I went to a workshop called "Every Move Counts." The premise of the class is that every child can communicate in some form, and we were shown some ways to look for their communication signals. On a shallow note, we had a generous hour and a half for lunch and finished the workshop an hour early. 

   On Saturday we ran errands and rented "Eagle Eye." On Sunday I got some things done around the house, like re-organizing closets and the pantry. I think we may be nesting. I've heard this happens during pregnancy where you have the urge to clean and finish home projects before the baby comes. The baby should be about 5 inches long and weigh 5 ounces this week. His/her skeleton is hardening and sweat glands are forming. I'm supposed to be sleeping on my left side now which is hard to do all night. I got a body pillow earlier this week and it's helping some. 

   We went to Tony and Shaina's for homemade pizza and games. They made two delicious pizzas from fresh ingredients from Trader Joe's. The guys wanted another shot at Trivial Pursuit. We offered to play Cranium to let them build their confidence, but they insisted on Trivial Pursuit. I have to admit they did better, but we still won. Against mine and Shaina's will, the game lasted until almost 1am, and by that point I didn't care who won!  

   Wednesday, season 5 of "LOST" starts and we are excited to see what will happen!