Now we know where historians can put the "The Rookie slept here" signs

Hi everyone! I hope this email finds all healthy and happy. We got to see a good number of you last Saturday for the Rookie's party in Rock Creek Park. For those who came out, thanks so much for braving the heat and bugs to make it a wonderful celebration of the great DC (plus some MA) community that this guy will become a part of. We loved having all of you there and appreciate that you came-- we all feel very loved and supported!
In fact, it was so great to catch up with friends (I'm guessing there were 40 people or so there) that, combined with the cold I got at the end of last week, I am now totally speechless-- or, at least, I have lost my voice. Today was the worst-- when the cold that was in my head finally put a full assault on my throat instead. I'm glad that the symptoms in the top part of my body seem to not impact my midsection-- the Rookie seems fine and dandy, kicking up a storm. My coworker claims I was so much bigger today than before the weekend-- the Rookie must be doing some of that fattening up that is typical of this time (below-- he weighs about as much as a honeydew melon or more!). Could be because I haven't been able to do my most-days 4 mile or so walk since Wednesday or so... busy and just too exhausted after getting up way too often at night.
With the help of Mom, Bub, Kate, and Jen, we are now well on the way to being set up for the Rookie's arrival. Specifically, we've reorganized our bedroom to fit the Rookie's Pack and Play (thank you Cole, Wout and Cam!) across from our bed-- this will be his bed (it kind of operates as a bassinet) until perhaps we move out of our place. One of our dressers now holds a great supply of clothes for our guy-- I'm not one of those folks that is obsessed with baby stuff, but feeling him move as we put away clothes he'll be wearing over the next year is pretty touching. In addition, we have made the corner of our dining area a "Rookie nook" and that's where his growing library of books and also stuffed animals and toys are. This is displacing the "Chris' book nook" so he's working on moving some other stuff around. For those who've never seen our place, we have a uniquely-shaped one bedroom-- our building is a triangle between two streets, so it's not at all your typical square-shaped blocky apartment and makes it fun, but a bit of a challenge, to organize around. Overall, it feels great to be mostly ready for him when he comes (which I still hope will be in around five weeks, but we're "full-term" starting in two.
While it's certainly easier to type than it is to try and speak, I think it's time for me to kick this cold's butt by getting some good rest. Our upcoming week, and really weeks, are pretty low-key: not any real travel, and continuing our every-other-Thursday checkup + group class. We'll be decorating the bellycast this week so pass on your ideas before then! :)
Love to everyone out there from our little family settling in here...
xoxoxo merrie