We're basically done with the nursery. Paint on the walls, carpet cleaned. Just need a piece of furniture to go where the stroller is sitting. We're going to garage sales looking for the perfect dresser or changing table.

Music by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones.

I figured it's about time that you all heard from me, though I hope you have been enjoying Eric's faithful posts.  To the left is the most recent ultrasound photo of our kid, just after 28 weeks into the pregnancy.  Normally you wouldn't get an ultrasound around this time, but at my last appointment I measured a little large for how far along I am.  They did the ultrasound to make sure there isn't too much fluid or something else strange.  Turns out that I'm just having a big baby!  Not really a surprise if you know my family history--all Gordon babies are at least 9.5 lbs with a even an 11-pounder thrown in the mix!  We were relieved to hear that everything is looking normal but I am a little nervous about just how much larger this child is going to get before it tries to come out.

At this point every part of me is getting larger--my feet and ankles, my belly, my hands, my face, and even my moods!  Eric has been very patient with me. :)  We are trying to finish up the work on the house--only a little more painting and rearranging to go.  We've got the crib and the carseat, so we're feeling ok to come home with it at least.

In non-baby news, we're continuing to enjoy a lovely Michigan summer.  It's been pretty cool compared to our memory of IL summers, but it has made us a little less motivated to use the pool.  It's not uncommon for the high to be 80, even now into August!  We're hoping to take a visit to the lakeshore this week as my mom and friend Amy will both be visiting.

Eric has been enjoying his work this summer--he has had the chance to play bass with the praise band as the regular choir is on break.  He's otherwise keeping busy with constant woodworking projects like building shutters and bookcases.

My work has been a little bonkers.  I was on pediatric surgery this month, so there were some all nighters in the operating room.  Thankfully, I have completed my surgery rotations forever!  It's lots of fun to watch them, but surgeries and the whole service start awfully early in the morning!  I'll be doing nephrology (kidney specialty) this month, followed by NICU in September and Hematology/Oncology in October.  I'll be working right up until I go into labor, and then taking off all of November.  We're hoping to take an extended IL vacation in November, so if you want to arrange a time to visit with us, certainly drop us a line and let us know!  We think of all our dear old friends so often and miss you all.  God Bless!

Charlotte

I saw this on CNN: Obama's NAACP speech to mark historic milestone. The historical milestone is that this is the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party to speak to the NAACP. While I understand that they've had to wait for a while for this to happen, it's kind of a dumb way to say it. The fact is, everything Obama does is the first time it was done by an African-American presidential nominee of a major party. So, I'm going to go be the first red-bearded Swedish-American choir director living in Rockford, Michigan to make some Chinese food in the microwave now. Someone tell CNN.

In other news, I can see the baby moving inside Charlotte. I think it's strange and it's not even me that it's punching or kicking. Saying "it" all the time is tiresome, so if you want to call it "Jellybean" like Elle does, I guess that's OK.