Preparations

This past weekend, my mom and dad came into town for a visit.  My dad was able to work with Michael both days on installing gutters on the back of our house.  And for my Mom, well I had a whole list of things for us to accomplish!

I had been saving a number of big baby items for when my Mom could be here to do them with me.  Since we were still in Minnesota when I was pregnant and delivered Joseph, I missed having the opportunity to do those mother/daughter type things together!   So, we made up for it this time!  :)    In addition to playing with Joseph and taking care of him from naps to meals, we got lots of fun baby stuff done!  It really was a fun and special time for me!

Saturday morning, my mom brought out a surprise gift for me.  It was a gift card bouquet from her, my sweet sisters and several cousins and aunts and a close friend!  Everyone sent in gift cards to Target, Walmart and Babies R Us!   The basket was also full of some baby essentials.  My mom put it all together and it was absolutely adorable!   I'm so thankful for everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness!     Then we headed to Babies R Us where she and my sisters bought our new double stroller!  We put it together on Sunday and after spending 30 minutes trying to get the cup holders on, we decided to actually follow the instruction book and then it went a lot easier!

After buying the stroller, we headed to the mall where I got a new purse, made a return, and bought a coming home outfit for the baby!  Then of course all that productivity made us hungry so we headed to Black Walnut Cafe for a yummy lunch with Joseph who was quite the trooper during our shopping trip!

That afternoon, we got out all of Joseph's old clothes and got them washed.  We also lined the shelf drawers in Joseph's dresser he is using now and moved over all his clothes to make room in the changing table dresser for the baby clothes.   That night we all headed to dinner at Fish City Grill and enjoyed some relaxation time!

The guys were able to finish the gutters on Sunday afternoon before mom and dad headed home.  Joseph had an absolute blast with Gma and Gpa Eckel!  And we are so very thankful for both of their help with everything!    After they left, I got the pacifiers all sterilized and ready for sweet baby boy!   With getting these last big things done, I'm really feeling much more ready in many different ways.  The big day will be here soon!

My adorable gift card bouquet!

Love seeing his little name in writing

One more pic of the basket bouquet!

Michael and Dad getting started on the gutters

Working hard!

And of course Joseph insisted on being outside with the boys anytime we were home, so Grandma played tools with him in Daddy's toolbox

Getting started on putting the stroller together

All put together and ready for action!

Me and Mom

Joseph with Grandpa and Grandma!  Oh how he loves them!