Is Ben a Big Ben?....Our shower will be Saturday, July 19!

Although a few people have commented that they think Ben is big, according to both average sizes of American kids (CDC gov. info.) and clothing chart info., he's average and would probably fit into 3T clothes. I guess I'll tell people who come to my shower to either buy 3T clothes or 4T clothes. Pants should have adjustable or elastic waists. 4T pants without adjustable or elastic waists should have belt loops. Fall, winter, and spring clothes would be the most useful, as we're getting him in the fall.

I would be appreciative if moms would let me know what else is needed for a three-year-old boy. Due to my brother giving us my nieces' stuff and me collecting Chinese decor and children's books, we already have nightlights, child clothes hangers, dishes for toddlers, soft washclothes, outlet and cabinet protectors, a toddler bed, room decor, tons of books, although I don't mind more, and we don't need dressers because of adequate closet space. I know we need more clothes, toys, a toy box, a car seat, a stroller, and bedding. As far as personal hygeine, I have a small nail clipper, a brush and combs. We need a child toothbrush and I'm not sure what else. I am really hoping he's potty trained by the time we receive him!!! Although we love him and that would make it easier, I hate the whole diaper thing and would rather clean up the dog run because at least I don't have to get as close to it with my long-handled dog scooper. I'm p#@* paranoid. :) That was probably a bad thing to say, huh?

Celebrate at The Grape!
My mother-in-law just booked The Grape restaurant in Westmont for our shower, which will be on Saturday, July 19, for some family and friends. I look forward to it! The restaurant is a very nice, expensive place, but the rates for big groups were actually more reasonable than other places! It'll be at 12:30 and lunch will be served. We will send out invites soon. Half of my friends are going to be gone that weekend on vacations or going to weddings either out of the country or out of state. My church friends are going to throw a shower for me, as well. Friends who didn't make the first one are welcome, but not expected, to attend that one. :)

My new apron...Ben painting...Our sons...Lemon tree...I miss Italia...Horribly long winter leads to nice but reluctant Spring

I finished this sewing project before things got crazy--being matched with Ben and the corresponding paperwork, the end of the semester with three different classes of students, and receiving chiropractic treatments. Call me Martha Stewart and you're dead. But I found this out-of-style large linen dress at a thrift store and I envisioned making an apron out of it, so I did. I cut the straps off of the back, shortened them, and sewed them together to make a single apron strap that goes around the neck. I then cut the back off by cutting the sides along the seam, which I folded over and stitched. Then I used the extra material from what used to be the back of the dress to cut strips of fabric to make the ties, which I folded, stitched and then stitched to the sides of the apron. I hemmed the front so it wouldn't be so long on me. Before:

For fun, I cut out a heart from some other left over fabric I had used to make pants and a shirt. I ironed the edges under and then stitched it on with a decorative stitch around the edges. Finished product:
Thank goodness the painting I painted for "Sophie" doesn't say "daughter," but "panda" and "cherry blossom" instead. I want to do a Chinese dragon painting for Ben as well. My mom suggested I paint pandas on his wall, but I'm not sure I'm up for such a big project, and it's so permanent like that. He might want something typically boy-like when he gets a little older, like race cars. Lots to do this summer in getting ready for our precious little Ben!

April: My old Southside pal Sheila and I at the Ginger Peach Asian restaurant in Tinley Park, where her cousin sometimes sings on weekend evenings. Our sons are both three years old--how neat!

My lemon tree is growing tiny lemons!

This past long winter was reluctant to leave. March this year only brought a couple of nice days. There were more beautiful days in April and May, interspersed with cool days, so April brought in a nice, slow spring, which is unusual for Chicago, a city that seems to me to usually go from a yucki cold winter to a short spring to a nice, warm and hot summer. Got my outside flower pots planted--hope it doesn't freeze again! I can't wait for this year's Millenium Park concerts and picnicking to begin. I hope Ben enjoys picnicking in the park in 2009. Tee hee!