Around noon today, we realized it was our anniversary. 
This year, no romantic dinner, no flowers, no chocolates, certainly no lingerie, unless you count the ultra sexy fishnet disposable hospital undies…
But, we gave each other the most wonderful present:
Even Anna is enjoying it:
Although, now that I think about it, I did enjoy some chocolate today. Thanks to the Benesch Brownies. Mmmmm…
I have created a subdomain for Clara: Clara.TheZaepfels.com I will do some fresh design work in a few days but there are some pictures. Here are high lights:
Here is Liz and Clara at 10:50 pm
Here is one of Clara with her eyes open at 11:11 pm
This is Martha, the nurse mid-wife, that was with us during most of labor and delivery. She was great. Having her was like having an inside person with us the entire time! She knew the best nurses to assist and also who to bump out when too annoying. (11:40 pm)
Liz is now napping and Clara is sitting in my lap as I type.
Clara Faith Zaepfel was born August 19, 2008, 10:33 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. She is healthy and so is mom!
More details and pictures as soon as Anna and the grandparents have seen here
Knowing now that I have internet access. It is entirely possible to have a web cam going. Actually, does any one have Skype?
Update: We are at 5 cm!
Yesterday, after a visit to the Mid-wives, a sonogram to check fluid levels, and some more talk with the mid-wives, we checked into the Children hospital. Before letting us go to sleep they gave Liz cervadil (sp?) to “soften her up”.
We did get a good night sleep and had some breakfast. Just a few minutes ago, they poked an i.v. in Liz. First they tried the left hand but that did not seam to work all that well. So then they went for the right. Lizzie is not very comfortable with those.
More to come!
Just under the wire at 38 and 1/2 weeks pregnant, we’re finally ready for the new baby to arrive. Whew! There’s still lots of odds and ends, especially with regards to organizing the basement/office, but, we have:
a place for my parents to sleep
Anna’s big girl room complete, with photos on the wall and all her clothes moved over
Our room and closet all set up
Cradle cleaned and ready and changing area set up in our room
Boppy ready
So… a place for new baby to sleep, eat, and poop… with that covered, we can breathe a little easier. A special thanks to Noisy Gama, who was literally worked to the bone this week schleping and cleaning and entertaining Anna non-stop.
This baby continues to be so active, it seems it wants to climb out all on its own, without the help of contractions. Ouch!
Today we had a great day!! We took Anna and Curtis to the Buffalo Zoo. Which, really, is just so nice. Small enough to do in a few hours, but still has great exhibits and lots of animals. Although, if we’re honest, the highlights of the day for them both were probably the playground, and the ride-on train. Siiiiigh.
Here’s some photos, most of the backs of their heads…
Checking out the Rhino and her new baby, Clover…
Watching the very active and noisy sea lions…
Watching the elephants…
Awwww…. watching the gorillas…
Watching the Mommy gorilla watching them…
Awwww… Uncle John and Daddy, already doing great with 2 kids!
After the zoo, the 4 of us hit the hottub, then had a nice dinner with John’s parents. Who then went out to meet his Aunt and Uncle at a club to hear a local band… while we are hanging out on the couch, with this laptop, while watching a Modern Marvels about ice cream… Huh, we’re pretty lame!
Anna is asleep in her new big girl room, for the very first time! *sniff*sniff*
Her new Froggie room is almost done - all that’s left is to transfer her clothes, hang some picture frames, bring up some toys and books, and empty out John’s closet. Sounds like a lot I guess, but small potatoes compared to the tasks we’ve been tackling the last few months.
A big thanks to Noisy Gama and NerdRope Papa, for the fabulous paint job and new mattress:
A big thanks to Tall Gama and Cece Papa, for the wonderful bedroom furniture:
And some more random photos, including those demonstrating Anna’s ability to place a trim nail in a screw hole, and then actually hammer it in. Without dinging up the paint job, I might add. -cough-cough-cough-
I thought I’d feel bad about moving her to a new room, about her getting to be so big… but actually it feels good - looking at the nursery, it’s decorated like something I want, or think a baby would want… “anonymous baby”… the new room is all Anna. All colors and patterns and things she chose herself, and it really reflects her personality right now. So I feel good about giving her a space that’s all about her.
Well! Anna has far surpassed even the most advanced of canines with her fetching skills. She reliably will go to the pantry closet, open the door, and bring you a roll of toilet paper, unwrapped even. The usefulness of this, for a 9-months pregnant Mommy, cannot be overstated. She will even make an attempt to put the new roll on the hanger, which is too difficult for her because the spring inside is so strong. But at least she tries, which is more than I can say for certain other members of this household.
… from the newly renovated “computer room”!!
First the important stuff - internet:
And the computer area:
And where Rebecca will sleep next week… heh-heh-heh, we’ll get that a little more user-friendly tomorrow night.
Anna learning to use a triangle yesterday…
We had a big day today - John’s been working like mad down here since dinner, but during the afternoon we took a trip to Darien Lake with Curtis. A little taste of what it will be like with 2 kids - turns out we like it! The water park was unfortunately way too cold for them - the air was warm, but the water was freezing and they were not interested in being put down, at all. So after lunch we decided to try the kiddie rides, since they’re both exactly 37 inches tall and the minimum is 36 inches… I was not hopeful, since last month Anna freaked out severely on the mall carousel. However, success! They really enjoyed themselves, and most rides let adults on so John could go too. Here’s some pictures of them looking cute today… and hot and tired too…
The mini ferris wheel:
On the choo-choo train all by themselves!
And what they looked like on the way home - Curtis fell asleep before we even left the parking lot… Anna spent the ride home subtly and not-subtly trying to wake him up.
So, yesterday at brunch we were discussing how if you really want to make a lot of money, you have to have your own business. Dave’s got that entrepreneurial spirit, right? (good thing this has a spell-check) Lately, Anna’s become more and more concerned about the baby not having any toys to play with, in-utero. I keep explaining that the baby is too little for toys, and just likes to swim around in there, but it’s not assuaging her concerns. And, there’s lots of people out there with more money than brains, right? So, here’s a sure-fire business idea for you - micro-embryonic entertainment devices! No more putting bulky headphones on the outside of your belly - how about an implantable tiny iPod? Or a video equipped FetusFone? I’m sure Apple could come up with more catchy names, if you team up with them. When you get super-rich, remember the little people.
Additionally, during her prayers recently, after thanking God for Curtis four times, she thanked Him for chocolate, too. That’s our girl. She’d had chocolate ice cream earlier that day, which I bet was still on her mind. (and in her hair…)
The next post will have basement pictures!!