Last night Kris and I had dinner plans with Amanda and Dean and Mary and Fred. Annika went to Auntie Shelly and Uncle Dale's house for the evening. As we were getting ready to leave for their house, Annika asked me if she could play the piano and with the Legos at their house. I told her maybe and that she would have to ask Auntie Shelly. She happily put on her shoes (by herself!) and her coat (with mommy's help). When we pulled onto their street, Annika knew just where we were and really started to get excited. When we pulled into their driveway, Auntie Shelly was waiting at the front door for us. As I was getting Annika out of her car seat, she literally squealed with delight and started squirming her way out. She was so excited to see them! And when I brought her inside, I took her coat off and she immediately went to Auntie Shelly and then asked where Uncle Dale was (downstairs at the time). It makes me so happy that Annika is comfortable there and it's so great to see her so excited. I told her mommy and daddy, who was in the truck still, were going out to dinner but that we would be back later to get her. She looked up at Auntie Shelly and said "Mommy has to go." And then she was busy looking for toys to play with. I got a hug and kiss good-bye and then I was gone. I don't think Annika cared in the least!

When we got back from dinner, Annika met us at the door with the biggest grin on her face. She grinned so hard that she wrinkled her nose up. It was completely adorable and had both Kris and I scooping her up for hugs and kisses. As we walked in, Shelly pointed to the floor where there was row after row of balls and cars and trucks, all neatly lined up. Shelly said that Annika must have some of her mom in her as she pointed to the toys. Yep, Annika definitely displays some of my engineering tendencies once in a while. After a few minutes of chatting and picking up, Annika put on her coat and cuddled in my arms. She was tired and it was over an hour past her bedtime. As we were driving away, I think Annika was asleep within blocks of their house. We are so lucky to have such great family who truly love Annika and want (and sometimes offer!) to watch her for us. It makes me a bit weepy thinking about it but that could also be because I'm nine months pregnant and have been weepy no less than 4 times in the last week. Sigh.

The exciting part of last night's dinner though was Mary and Fred's big announcement. Mary's pregnant! I am so, so, so excited for them! It's still very early (only 6 weeks along) but things are going okay so far. Betas are rising appropriately and hopefully Mary will get in for an ultrasound this week to make sure everything is where it should be and developing on track. This was a long time coming as they have been trying for almost two years. I admit that I started crying when she told us the news last night and I have been thinking about her nonstop since. She was going in for another beta today after a bit of a scare late last week. I breathed a huge sigh of relief this afternoon when she called with more great beta news. And guess when her due date is? September 4th! Her baby and Annika could share birthdays! I can't wait to share this amazing experience with her. I already am rounding up books nad information to send her. Yay!