Baby Craig Gets Showered With Love in SF

Baby Craig, and his parents, were so lucky to have another wonderful shower. This time the shower was in San Francisco at the amazing (i.e. magazine worthy) home of Ashley and Jesse (who are happily newly engaged ... eeek!) and was hosted by Ashley, Jesse, Auburn, Jenny, and Leah. Many friends and some family came out to celebrate Baby Craig. Good homemade food, an assortment of beverages, and some funny games were had.

Baby Craig received many gifts off his Babies R Us Registry, including a stroller, baby bottles, eco friendly baby care products, a travel bed for Baby Craig's planned fall travels, play gym, crib mobile and soother, feeding products, and more! [If you want to see pics, they are in our registry]. Baby Craig also received some other very cool gifts like a handknit blueEnergy sweater (pic below), handknit strawberry cap, Cal Bears gear, Oregon Duck gear, the softest blanket in the world (that mommy wishes were a tad bigger!), adorable monkey rug, monkey clothes, and more (did you catch the monkey theme yet!). Mommy Craig was super spoiled by the hostesses with an amazing gorgeous designer purple diaper bag (pic below)! We all feel so blessed and thankful (Baby Craig just kicked in agreement as I wrote this!). Thank you to our hostesses (and Jesse) and to all our friends and family for your time, thoughtfulness and generosity. We can't wait for Baby Craig to meet you all.

The food spread. Leah made dairy free cookies and rice crispy treats that were so yummy. Ashley made dairy free (and not) quiche that tasted like the real thing, Auburn made dairy free (and not) french toast strata that was to die for, and Auburn's mom Elaine made the fixins for BLT's with bacon that she hand carried from Wisconsin!!

The adorable monkey diaper cake made by Jenny!

The amazing blueEnergy sweater that Baby Craig's grandmother Lolo hand knit!

Lorelei and Jenny - best friends (and former next door neighbors) for over 20 years!

Lorelei with Ashley Krupski (holding sleeping Isabella) and 3 (of the 4) hostesses Jenny, Ashley Rupp and Leah (L to R). The 4th hostess Auburn had already left (it was her birthday weekend so she was such a trooper because she had a full calendar). We had so much fun that many of us camera happy girls didn't take many pictures! This picture was taken just before the last of us left.

Lorelei with Leah's adorable daughter Isabella

Lorelei and Mathias with Scott and Karen's adorable daughter Lauren.

The mommy couch! These lovely ladies, Izabel, Karen and Leah, gave their thumbs up and nods of approval on the mommy approved and kid tested gifts!

Mommy Craig's gorgeous and amazing new diaper bag - thanks ladies!

More Nursery Progress

It's beginning to look like a baby room. Papa Craig made Mommy Craig's Sunday last week and put together the crib. He also hung some art, including the animal prayer flags that were purchased at the Oregon Country Fair to bless the room with a little Oregon hippie spirit and good vibes. And the gorgeous and amazingly comfortable glider and ottoman that Baby Craig's Grandparents Linda and Richard gave him (Grandma Linda had the chair custom covered to match the room! THANK YOU!!!) found its place in the corner by the window. Mommy Craig can't wait to finish organizing everything. Nesting in high gear now.

Baby Craig's Monitoring Going A-OK!

Baby Craig starts getting monitored at the hospital twice a week. He has been checking out A-OK. Although, he is quite shy it seems, and despite being very active for mommy when she is working or trying to sleep, he likes to nap during the testing, prompting a little prodding by the nurse, juice and more monitoring time! It has been fun to see him on the ultrasound. He's now head down and has some meat on his bones - simply adorable. We'd post the ultrasound pictures, but they still look a little funny and while they are beautiful and tear jerking to mommy, probably not so much for anyone else. You'll just have to wait until he makes his entry into the world in approximately 6 weeks (if he's on or near due date).

Baby Craig Shows His French Side

Mommy Craig received some cute maternity clothes from French Grandma Colette. They are quite comfortable and fun! Thank you Colette.

Baby Craig Goes for a Test Drive

Our current car, the beloved Betty the bullet, has served us very well. She is 20 years young and still going strong. As many of you know, Papa Craig is very fond of Betty. But, we want to make sure that Baby Craig, and his parents, are as safe as can be when driving on the mean streats of Berkeley (and elsewhere), and so we are getting Baby Craig a new car (and Betty a companion) that has all of the latest safety features (i.e. side airbags, etc.). Baby Craig took the Honda Fit out for a spin this weekend and was very impressed - the closest thing to a replacement Betty (who is also a Honda). Papa Craig was very happy that Mommy Craig was pleased enough with the Fit (we tested the cargo space with two carseats and luggage) to forgoe the CRV test drive (cause we all know that Mommy Craig loves nicer, bigger, better things). Still have some research to do and will test drive the competitor from Hyundai, but the Fit is in the lead.

32 Weeks - Baby Craig Starts Extra Monitoring

We've reached the 32 week mark. Here is Baby Craig wearing a top that Papa Craig got from India - the 10 year anniversary (dating) trip that Momma Craig didn't get to take in large part to keep Baby Craig safe during that fragile 1st trimester.

Because of slightly elevated second trimester screening results, Baby Craig will now be monitored at the hospital 2x a week for any signs of pre-term labor or preeclampisa. Our first appointment is this Friday, where we will get to see Baby Craig via ultrasound again! We are hoping that everything remains normal and Baby Craig goes to term and that will be the most likely result. We are happy that we'll be watched closely in case there are any issues so they can treat them right away. No cause for concern at this point, just a precaution to keep Baby Craig safe. We'll keep everyone posted.

Baby Craig Gets Showered With Love in LA

Baby Craig took his last flight in utero and was showered with love in Los Angeles this weekend. It was a beautiful day for an outdoor brunch, the food was good and plentiful, and the guests amazing. Baby Craig is so thankful for all the sweet gifts and well wishes. Baby Craig received quite the wardrobe - he will be one stylish dude - and lots of great books. And, thanks to the sweet Michael and Pat, Baby Craig has his car seat now. Thanks everyone!

The Happy Grandmother!

The excited Great Aunt Debi and Cousin Taylor

The Excited Aunts to Be Candace & Pam (and Lulu)

Baby Craig, Mathias and the "Godfather" Michael

Papa Craig with his good friend Bora - they didn't plan the outfit, they swear.

Grandpa Richard with his Cousin Tony

Longtime friends (and former next door neighbors) Diana and Pam

Part of the Children's Bureau Crew - Nancy, Michael, Emma and Lorna

The diaper cake made by Aunt to be Pamela

The dessert table

The lemon-raspberry cupcakes

The jungle cupcakes

The party favor cookies made by Mama Craig, Papa Craig and Pamela

Baby Craig takes a dip after the party to cool off and relax before embarking on the drive home to Berkeley