Little Pun'kins

I have been blessed during this pregnancy to be able to share the experience with two friends.

EMILY

Emily is the art teacher at my school. Her classroom is right next door to mine. One day, I went in to say "Hi," and I found Emily in her office, resting with the lights out. "What are you doing?" I demanded. She then gave me her happy news. Coincidentaly, I took a pregnancy test the very next morning...when I got to work, I walked into her office and swore her to secrecy! These last 9 months we have visited each other daily and shared our joys and trials. She gave birth to a little boy last Thursday - Lucas Allen! Congratulations, Emily! My fellow teachers are now awaiting news of the birth of another little boy - Aaron Robert Shenk - scheduled to be delivered in just five more days! Of course, he is welcome to come early if he chooses!! The teachers at work threw a surprise shower for me to celebrate. Here I am - I think this is my only "belly picture" from this pregnancy!

DANIELLE

I have also had the pleasure of sharing this pregnancy with my very good friend Danielle. Danielle and I were roommates just before we were both married in 2005 - our weddings were 3 weeks apart. One day, back in February, Danielle called me, and she said, "How is everything?" I said, "Fine..." (not wanting to spill the beans, yet). "Are you pregnant?" She asked. "Why would you ask me that?" I shot back. "Because, I had a dream, and in the dream you were pregnant," she said. "Well I just found out YESTERDAY!" I replied. She then revealed to me that she was "late," too, and promised to keep me posted. About two days later, I got an email from her, and the subject line said, "Sure enough..." How funny!

Danielle's daughter, Isabelle, turned two years old in August, and for a while, she and Andrew were in the same class at daycare. And here we are now each having our second child just two days apart from each other! (Danielle is scheduled for an induction on October 8th!) This past weekend we decided to take our kids to Circle S Farms here in Grove City. What a sight we were - two very pregnant moms chasing around two adventurous toddlers! Andrew thoroughly enjoyed himself, even though we decided AGAINST taking a hayride on the big flatbed pulled by a tractor. (It just wasn't the opportune time for early labor.) He and Isabelle were so cute together. And, uh, I just popped over to Danielle's blog a minute ago to see if she posted any of these pictures, yet. Yeah...so I guess that picture up there ISN'T my only belly shot from this pregnancy. Thanks a million, Danielle. The link to her blog is over there on the left, if you'd like to see it. Here's our little pun'kins.