More visitors, and a shower!

Last weekend my mother came down for a visit. The Struntz ladies had decided that since weather and travel logistics prevented us from getting together for a physical baby shower, they'd throw a virtual baby shower for me! Gifts and cards started showing up a week before, though I was under strict order not to open any of them until I was given permission. Saturday morning my mom came down to visit, and we a conference call set up with everyone who was able to call it. It was so great to hear from everyone, and to know that everyone was thinking of me!

As is to be expected with technology, there was a minor quirk - one of my aunts blocked out of the conference call for some reason. But that didn't stop us! She called my mother, so we had her on my mom's cell phone, mom and me in the room, and everyone else on my cell phone in the conference call. We put both cell phones on speakerphone and had a three way relay that had me cracking up through most of the call!
Thank you to all the wonderful ladies who were able to join me for the virtual shower, and to those who were thinking of me but couldn't get on the phone at the time. And thank you, thank you, thank you for all the lovely gifts!!!

After the shower, Mom stayed for a few more days so we could visit some more, and tackle some projects around the house. In her words, she could either stay home over the February vacations and clean her house, or come help me clean mine. So we were able to tackle some of the last minute things that needed doing around the house - the dresser we'd been given by James' grandfather, that was his as a child, has been cleaned and had the dresser runners rewaxed and is now stocked with baby clothes. The desk that will be serving as a changing table was emptied of papers and filled with diapers and associated items. The fridge was stocked with the ingredients need to get some meals done up ahead of time, and I know have several crockpot meals frozen and ready to go - all we'll need to do is put them in the crock pot and add the needed liquids in the morning to have a nice hot meal ready with minimal work by the end of the day. Floors and bathrooms were given a thorough scrubbing so that post baby, I'll at least know they've been done thoroughly in the not too distant past, and can keep up with just maintenance wipedowns as needed.

There's still more to do - there's always more to do, especially in a house as prone to chaos as mine is. But we made a lot of progress, and most of the things that I really wanted to get squared away have been taken care of. Thank you Mom!!!!!!!!