HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This has been a tremendously busy week for us. Maribeth, Allan and Duncan arrived last weekend during their Thanksgiving tour of California. We had a wonderful time, especially Duncan, who bonded with our puppy dog, kitties and birdie as only a toddler can. See (?) Chica sing to Duncan, and Milo show him what to do with bath water. We were very active showing them the town and the local flora, fauna, and fare. It was a treat to have an exuberant, adorable two year old visiting - made us anxious to meet our own baby girl.

While they visited, Sarah also arrived from Seattle for the week. There was some overlap, making us feel like the "family" was home for the holidays. Mostly, all were amazed at my girth and the general circumference of my ankles and lower legs. All the physical activity helped grow my legs before our eyes. Of course the tourist diet of full-fat pastries, brownie sundaes, queso-laden Mexicano food, and deep fried fish and chips may have also played a part. Luckily, I've enjoyed more energy this week than I've had at any other point in my pregnancy.

Sarah, Jack, Vanessa and I were invited to spend Thanksgiving with cousins David, Theresa, Jenny, Winston, and Aunt Betty and Uncle Wally. Theresa was a one-woman show, making a magnificent feast for us all. We had a delightful time and reviewed some old family photos, including vintage ones of the Chapman sisters. Daddio showed off the 4-D photo of Vanessa we got from our perinatology appointment last Monday, and we all speculated on just where she acquired those fabulous pursed lips.

Speaking of the peri appointment, we learned that, at the end of 34 weeks, I have grown a butterball daughter. Expected baby size at this point is 4 lbs. 11 oz. and Vanessa is measuring in at 5 lbs. 7 oz., putting her in the 87th percentile for weight. Grow, baby, grow! Auntie Anne claims Nessa is a chip off the old block, considering I entered the world at 10 lbs. 6 oz. and my poor, skinny mother did not have gestational diabetes. My mother was delighted to show me this article, entitled, Why Human Babies are Fattest and Smartest:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/82/97306.htm?z=1728_00000_1000_nb_04

Today we did some hiking at Pirate's Cove, where we crept up the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and I swang my belly over all manner of rock formations. At one point Daddio had to hoist me up onto a rock near a sizeable drop-off. Thank goodness he's been pumping iron and can squat sets of 275! That led me to believe he could be trusted to maneuver Vanessa and me to safety without sustaining cardiac arrest. Other than that assist, I impressed both Sarah and Daddio with my cat-like agility, despite my massive form. Pirate's Cove proved to be a wonderful site for a photo shoot. Here is one of the best, taken by our own personal Art Director, Sarah.

Two friends have informed us that the nickname Nessa may have some Hebrew connotations. "Ness" means miracle in Hebrew and the suffix "ah" feminizes a word, so Nessah/Nessa may be interpreted as "female miracle." Furthermore, if she is born during Chanukkah, she will be born during the festival of miracles. Fitting, don't you think?