Tree is still up. I'd rather blog. Feel special.

Well, we hope you guys had a restful Christmas. It was sooo great to finally spend one together! We made sure that we had NO plans so we could just relax over our 4 day weekend. Looks like you can't teach two old dogs new tricks. By day three we were BORED. :-)
Lucky for us our neighbors, Heather and Josh, were around. We crashed in on them for Christmas Eve after church for some Chili and the movie "Elf" - which Rob had never seen.
The rest of the week was pretty much a blur. I went to work, but no one else was there so I pretty much stared at my computer screen for three days.
I'm looking forward to our first New Years, although I don't anticipate making it to midnight. Pregnant lady be tired, yo. I can't believe we're in week 31. Only 9 more until Rockstar makes her grand appearance. We're getting excited.

Merry Christmas, and don't say I never gave you anything

These guys are awesome!

Because it cracked me up

Okay, I stole this from Diane's web page, but I thought it was too funny to pass up. It's Gizoogle. And here's the link to our website so you can see what i'm talking about.

The pregnant lady vents....

I'd just like to throw out there that I've actually learned the regiment of questions (in order) that random people feel compelled to ask pregnant people: How far along are you? Wow, you're tiny- are you eating enough? When are you due? Boy or girl? You're carrying low for a girl, are you sure? Do you have a name picked out? (pause while they try to pretend it's the best name they've ever heard of) Is that a family name?
This is normally followed by more personal questions (because apparently myself and the stranger have developed a deep, personal bond by this point) regarding my "birthing plans" and how I plan to ... we'll call it 'nourish' our child. Seriously people. A mild interest is appreciated but beyond that -- I don't know you!!!
Oh, and this is normally followed by some horrific birthing story that normally starts with "I'm sure this won't happen to you, but I ALMOST DIED WHEN..."
Here's the thing, people. You had your "moment in the sun". You gave birth, hooray for you and the miracle of life. You're done. Stop re-living your moment vicariously through other pregnant women. You're scaring the S--- out of us.


I do find all the ridiculous questions strangers feel led to demand answers to quite impressive. I swear, It's as if people think I have no doctor monitoring my pregnancy and when the "time comes" my 'big plan' is to just give birth in a box under the stairs. So I guess it was just a matter of time before I started answering them in ways that I find make the conversation more fun. I'm considering writing a book as I see that pregnant women everywhere are having to defend their ability to carry a child. I have a whole list of answers for unsolicited advice/questions, but the one I find the most entertaining is the following:

- Q: Excuse me, You're not drinking caffiene are you? 'Cause that's bad for the baby"

- A: "Well, yes, I am. But only to counteract the 4 shots of vodka I downed an hour ago... the kid hasn't kicked in a while. Hey, can I smoke in here?"

Ahh, the sarcasm lives on...

Laura is a Winner!

Well. I don't have much to report except some late news: My sister defended her thesis in Florida last week and now has a double masters degree! We are so flipping proud of her! Rob and I got a preview of her thesis- on fungus. It was soooo interesting. (hahahaha.) No but seriously, just wanted people to know my sister is smart: SMRT.

In direct contrast to my super-achieving sister, we'd just like to tell everyone we're not 'leaving you out'. No one is getting a Townley Christmas Card this year... we just didn't get to it what with all the "Rob preparing to leave the military" and "Danielle growing a human" stuff we have going on. Sorry. Happy Christmas!

White Pre-Christmas

So... We've made it through our first official snowfall of the winter season. Rob finally got his chance to go out and shovel snow- (and I finally got a break)! Plus it's not like there's really an option - imagine falling down THOSE stairs. Scary stuff....

We had a church event at our house this weekend involving starving college students who couldn't believe (with our spread of cheese, crackers, ham, chips, etc.) that we "ate so well!" Apparently they are used to splitting a pizza between 8 of them. Funny, those days seem so long ago already! And they made fun of me because I don't 'get' facebook.
This is my December picture. Yikes. I'm starting to really feel it- but I'm encouraged by the girls who keep telling me that they hope they carry the same way I am whenever they get pregnant. I'm going stir crazy though, so I'm going to start heading back to the gym- just to walk and lift the 2 lb weights. Anything to stay just a LITTLE active. (Don't lecture me, it's all under a doctor's supervision. I promise, no marathons).
Oh, and I passed the gluecose test. :-) yay! Something went right on the first try!!!

Gimme some sugar

So, I had the big glucose test today. That was a fun surprise. "Here, you're pregnant and nauseas- drink this sugar liquid in 5 minutes or less and then sit here for an hour and try to ignore your shaking hands".
Good times. They will get the results back tomorrow and as usual, "Will call me if something is wrong". I wish they would call if something is right also. Who wants to sit around and wonder how the test went all day? Plus it would be nice for once to be in with the 'regular' pregnant chicks for once. I swear, in "Analogy Land" If pregnancy were a high school, I'd be the good kid who somehow always ends up with the crowd that's caught smoking behind the gym. ...I'm pretty sure that analogy made no sense. Whatever, use your imagination.

I'm about to drive my sister to the Airport so she can go to Florida and defend her thesis. Pretty exciting because if/WHEN she passes, she will have completed her double masters! Woohoo!

8 Ladies remain in the dugout

I know you guys thought I was kidding when I said everyone I know is knocked up. Starting to believe me??
Laura and Andy G. welcomed baby Aidan Emery on Sunday night/Monday morning. Mom and Baby are both cool and should be home on Thursday. :-) Congrats, G's!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/g9g/2084475818/
Although I'm sure it's possible, I couldn't 'steal' their picture... so there's a link instead. Shut up, I'm more of an "outdoor" girl.

*Note- don't send me comments on how save their picture to my desktop and then post it here...if I cared that much I probably would have looked it up. You're big kids, click on the pretty link.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Today we are gift-wrapping, errand-running champions. We put together Rockstar's crib with moderate expertise and we have a new storm door (FINALLY) that we are enlisting help on installing later this week. At the top of our massive "to do" list, we're trying to get some packages off in the mail - one specifically that has to go to Iraq - to make sure they get to their destinations on time. Even though Rob is home this year, there are still thousands of families that will be "minus one" this Christmas. So we're working on bringing a smile to our buddy Jay's face.

We miss you, dude! (And yeah, we took the picture for you). Don't worry, Mom, we took a "nice" one as well.