Oops! Brace Yourself!

 Yep.

Meredith asked me to go with her to her 20 week ultrasound appointment today.

She was chatting with the tech about boy names and how she and Josh had decided on one.  The tech was kind of quiet.  She talked about how healthy the baby was, how the four chambers of the heart were perfect, the spine was perfect, how cute the face was, and for us to see the hands and fingers and feet kicking, etc.  It was really exciting.

 Look at that spine and rib cage!

Then she asked who told them it was a boy?

Meredith replied, Dr. B. at 16 weeks.

The tech then said that she had looked from 3 different angles and there were no boy 'parts' anywhere and declared that this little one is a GIRL!

We were just in shock.  Mere and I both started giggling.  You know that nervous giggle.  And I had already bought all the blue flannel receiving blankets to edge, and her mom had already purchased the fabric for the nursery bedding.  We are going to pack those away for another time, and start again with sugar and spice and everything nice which in other words means PINK !

Dr. B didn't seem to be phased by it at all, and admitted he isn't very good with an early prediction.  He is a witty guy!

After the appointment, we went across the street--still in shock, I will add--and got some breakfast at Ruby's Diner and then did some fall Yankee Candle shopping along with looking at baby girl clothes in some of the shops.  Tyler was with us and he was quite good and had earned a trip to Build-A-Bear.

Pinguecula = Eye Callous

I went to the eye doctor today.  It's been about 4-5 years.  I waited too long.  My vision is fine, the prescription hasn't changed much.  That was good.

But I do have a pinguecula.  I first noticed it in August while I was in Utah.  Bottom line, it is an eye callous.  From rubbing my eye.  My allergies were driving me crazy.  I rubbed and rubbed.  I also don't wear my sunglasses like I should and another cause of an eye callous is exposure to wind, dust, and ultraviolet light.  It is like any other callous.  You get it from repeated rubbing.

What I learned at my appointment is that it will never go away.  And the only time they remove it is if it covers the cornea and iris and blocks vision.  Hopefully I've caught it in time before that!  Treatment consists of keeping my eyes moist with Systane artificial tears, and Zaditor allergy drops twice a day. And wear sunglasses whenever I am outside or driving. Who knew?

I will say this:  the drops are like a miracle.  The process of easing into a dry/allergy eye condition happened so slowly that I didn't recognize it was going on.  I just thought I needed to get a new mascara, or wash my makeup brushes more often.  Haha!  My eyes actually feel so good and I forgot what 'normal' felt like. 

Dad's 80th Birthday Party

 Lisa and I got him this shirt to wear for the party.

He is a 1931 Classic!

 Ronda making the Reading Family Salad.

Romaine, avocado, tomatoes, croutons, hard boiled eggs, and ranch dressing.

She made two batches and it was all gone.

We have known the Reading family for 53 years.

 Catching some football during dinner.

 Kristin, Clint, Jim, David.

 One of the cakes.

From Costco.  Chocolate and chocolate and chocolate.

 Some pictures and memorabilia from his Korean War days.

Lisa and I gathered and compiled and scrapbooked all his orders, letters, and pictures a few years ago and gave them to him as a Christmas gift.

 Friends and family.

We ended up having 55 people.

 Outside decorations.

 Christine and John.

 We had big mylar balloons that said 80, but the wind was blowing them around.

We were, however, grateful for the breeze because it cooled the temperature down to the 70's which was really pleasant.

 We had El Pollo Loco cater in.

Chicken, tortillas, pinto beans, mac 'n cheese, tacquitos, pico de gallo, rice, chips, and guacamole.

Keifer made a 1/2 gallon of his salsa.  Green salad and fresh fruit rounded out the menu.

 My dad with all his home teaching families.  Some of them he has home taught for over 10 years.  They love him very much and the feeling is mutual.

 Mike and Adrianne.  He gave the blessing on the food.

And yes, we all cried.

As George Banks would say, we are the Schmaltz family.

 "Happy Birthday To You!"

We sang both verses.

In our family, there is a second verse to the classic song.

"Happy Birthday to you,

May God bless you,

Happy Birthday dear Dad,

Happy Birthday to you!"

 He gave a little speech.

He loves the movie Meet Joe Black.

So he shared his 'two candle wish' with us.

To have love for one another and to share that love.

 Birthday Kiss.

 Linda's 'from scratch' German Chocolate Cake.

There are NO words to describe it!

 Linda's coconut and pineapple cake.  Also from scratch.

So refreshing.

 Opening presents.

 My Girls!
Adrianne, Meredith, Natalie, Christine.

 Shaun and Keifer.

Last present from James and MaryBeth.

We presented him with a book filled with letters of favorite memories from friends and family.  We got letters from all over the country.  They were so fun to read! Some were lengthy and some were short.  Some had lots of memories and some only had one, but each letter was a beautiful tribute to him and the book is a pretty complete picture of his life. Thank you to everyone who sent letters.

It was a great party.

Congratulations, Dad.

Happy 80th Birthday!

We LOVE you!

How To Dunk A Tennis Ball

Papa Duff,  will you help me dunk the ball?

I just need a little lift.

I'm focusing on the basket....

 Oh yes!  Here I go!

Slam Dunk!

Again, please!