The long weekend was quite satisfying at our home. It began with a mid-afternoon Ella appointment on Friday, the first of the weekly visits (we’re getting close! And by the inner feels of things lately, very close). We came home for a cozy afternoon nap with the kittens at our feet, then off to a long-overdue date night. We returned home with a thick slice of chocolate cake & rasberry sauce & devoured it on the couch in the light of an indie movie (good, yet somewhat disturbing).

Saturday morning was spent sleeping in (another simple pleasure long-overdue), then on to blueberry pancakes & a bowl of summertime fruit. I loaded the laundry & dishwasher, set them to start their work, & out we went for our day of baby errands. We were cleaning up pretty well on Ella neccessities when I realized I had to eat absolutely then. We stepped out for a quick lunch (that left me whining for more waffle fries – “I am pregnant & you are supposed to help me indulge my cravings!” Thank you, Love, for talking me out of it).

Refering back to our baby goods receipt, I realized we’d walked out of the store with $15 worth of unpurchased items. Somehow the checker had stuck them in the bag without ringing them up, & so we headed back to the store to fess up & be honest lambs. Lucky, after we paid for the goods we inquired about a slipcover I’d been coveting that was nowhere to be found in the store. As the girl went to look it up, we saw just one leaning against her computer. And it became ours. Karma? Simple happiness, at least. We finished up our planned errands, had one successful impromptu stop (a top for me for $2.15?!), then headed home fatigued & thirsty.

As I unloaded the loot, I got a burst of energy (thank goodness; nice of you to come!) & decided to sort through the piles of clothes & blankets in the nursery. I clipped about 184 of those nasty little plastic T tags. A washcloth set actually hosted 25 of the buggers. How? Why? I don’t know. It was the dumbest thing I have seen, I think. I stood over the crib & clipped & de-hung & unfolded. Smelling the pieces as I sorted them into laundry piles. I came to the bag of blankets my mom had brought over from when my sister & I were tiny, & inhaled childhood & ‘home.’ That is the best smell I know. I don’t even want to wash those blankies, but share that scent with Ella Faye instead. Wrap her in it & make her smell like home. After one or two hours of tiny outfit bliss, we settled into the couch for dinner, a movie (much better than the last – have you seen “The Devil & Daniel Johnston“?), & the rest of that chocolate goodness.

Sunday was spent with the family & good barbecue. I made a rhubarb pie, something my Iowan mother & her siblings grew up with. I tasted a bit of it in its raw state as I was baking & boy, is it fierce. So so sour & bitter. But it was delightful in the pie…I hope it reminded them of childhood in some small bit way.

Then onto our extra day off. For me it was laundry-relaxy-”Jon & Kate Plus 8″-day. I spent the entire day from late morning to midnight washing tiny garments. That girl has more clothes than I do, I’m pretty sure of it. It feels good to have that task done. I enjoy doing laundry for Ant & I, but I’ve been so hesitant to get into her stash for fear of shrinkage before wear or bleeding dyes…I am paranoid about a silly facet of motherhood already, & a tiny one at that. I haven’t started with her cloth diapers yet. We’re still on the hunt for the right kind of detergent for those. So many guidelines, such silly guidelines.

All in all it was a very nice extended weekend. Lots of duties taken care of, lots of yummy food noshed upon (doctor visit again tomorrow – I’ve likely gained more than my one allotted pound for the week). Today I am set to finish the three dollies that gazed at me as I folded & ate my way through the weekend. Ready, set, sew!

**Congrats to the winners of our NieNie auction!**

Thanks to Trupeach & Katie for their generosity! I’ll be sending the goods to you ladies very soon!

I’m so glad we participated in this sweeping of good will. At last count, there were 300 auctions being held across the globe. Some are still active on this list, so go check out some of the amazing things still being offered up! It brings me to tears to see the immense amounts being donated for items in these auctions. The Nielsons were in my thoughts all weekend, & will continue to be in my prayers. Thank you for the support, for allowing us to be a part of this beautiful band of friends, & for granting me witness of all the grace & selflessness that’s in the world.