Growing... and Growing...

Week 33 and same ole-same ole. Still tired and lazy when I get home from work in the afternoons... still getting heartburn after spicy meals... and still getting back pain all throughout the day & night!  Starting to come to the conclusion that this whole pregnancy thing really sucks! But on the bright side, only seven more weeks to go... I think I can make it!  

Amazingly, my uterus has grown about 1,000 times its original size... but even so, little Allen Jess  doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon!). Because it's so snug in my womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore (although it sometimes feels like he is!), but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. Allen's kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (great, just what I was looking forward to, being heavier!).

A Well Kept Secret

What better way to tell your family that you bought a new house...

than to have them all over for the weekend!!!

Once they all arrived and got over the initial shock, it was good to see everyone and soak up that warm Southern Californian sunshine! 

As was highly expected,

Hampton & Sammy only cared about one thing and one thing only...

...THE POOL!!!

There wasn't a day where they weren't jumping...

...or surfing in the pool!

And once the adults had their fill of the water...

It was all about hanging-out, relaxing, and enjoying some good food!

And speaking of good food... we all went out to lunch one afternoon and ate at In-N-Out! It was Dad-Oh & Moe-Joe's very first experience at the famous eatery, so we all made sure they had a good time and enjoyed their hamburgers... that is of course once we pried them out of Jei's greasy hands!  

"Nom-Nom-Nom-Nom-Nom!!!"

And if we weren't eating or hanging out by the pool...

a few of us got sucked into word puzzles!

Thank God for pools and Nintendo!

The boys had both...

so they were very happily occupied the entire weekend!  

It wasn't all fun & games! The men snuck away long enough to realize that putting together a crib required a tad bit more brain power than what was presently available! 

Meanwhile... the women just made fun of us men while hanging out in the kitchen!  

Ming & Bing weren't all that happy with all the extra company running around... especially the little ones, but that didn't stop Sammy from trying to make friends!

It wouldn't have been much of a family get-together without some sort of treat! So Jei did what she does and cranked out some delicious cupcakes for all to enjoy!

They of course came quite handy when we celebrated Jason's birthday.

A new home to break-in and a baby shower to enjoy...

we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate both than with family!  

Thank you 'High-Ridges' for making the drive...

and thank you Etheridge Elders for flying out First Class!  =)

GOOD TIMES!!!

Etheridge Home... 2.0

As if preparing for our lives to drastically change with the birth of Allen Jess wasn't enough on our plate this summer... Jei & I decided that looking, bidding, buying, and moving into a new house would provide just the right amount of stress and excitement we both felt was missing from this whole pregnancy thing! Hah... kidding of course!!!

So within the span of three months, Jei & I moved back to Elsinore from Roswell... started looking for houses for sale... found the perfect house and put a bid on it... won the bid and began escrow... took a week-long vacation with family in Florida... moved out of the house in Elsinore... and finally, moved into our new house in Murrieta!  Oh, and did I mention Jei is pregnant? Which meant we also had to find time for doctor's appointments, registering for the baby shower, and planning a look/theme for the nursery?!?!  Needless to say, IT'S BEEN A BUSY SUMMER!!!  

Even though it was stressful and busy... the move was totally worth it! We finally got out of the Elsinore slums and moved into a nice, quiet, beautiful, kid-friendly neighborhood. But not only was the neighborhood an upgrade... the house and yard were a major upgrade as well! As you can see, I have no doubt the summers here will be anything but boring!  

Jei and I find it hard to believe how much has happened in such a short amount of time. We feel extremely lucky... but most of all, we truly feel blessed to have a beautiful new place to start our new lives together with, where Allen Jess can call home!

Showered with Love

Thanks to these three wonderful ladies...

My Baby Shower was amazing!!!

Super glad my Momma was able to come...

And thrilled my Mother-In-Law was able to make it too!

A handful of good friends were able to make it which was super nice... but it wouldn't have been what it was without my wonderful family!

There were of course people I expected to see at the shower...

and then there was one (and a half) that I totally did not expect to see!

My Sister-In-Law, Rocio and her new-born baby boy

completely surprised me and totally made my day!

So while all the girls mingled, snacked, and partied...

and all the kids played with one another...

The men were out enjoying the beautiful weather playing some golf!

Not only was the weather & scenery fantastic...

but the table and arrangements were amazing too! 

Yep, that's one blessed Grandmother... enjoying her 9th Grandson... with her 10th making his appearance only a handful of weeks away!   

 A great Pastry Chef + a wonderful Baby Shower = fantastic desserts!!!

Aunt Gema really out-did herself on this one for sure!!!

As you can see... 

Alec needs all the practice he can get!  

And my Sister-In-Law, Mandi felt right at home holding the little one...

and wishing her kids were just as quiet.

After the gift opening commenced, it was quite apparent that little Allen Jess was not going to be laying around naked for a lack of clothes!

And once the shower had come to an end, Alec practiced his multi-tasking skills he'll undoubtedly need in the oh-so-near future!   

I honestly couldn't have dreamt of a better baby shower! Thank you family & friends for making the trip and for all the generous & thoughtful gifts! We truly are blessed!