hi loves

Michelle!!!  Hi :)  Excellent to hear from you.... I am so jealous of your gardening.  Springtime is so nice in Wisconsin, too.  It has always been my favorite time to visit my sister.  So much joy and renewal in the air after you hard winters.  That SUCKS about Caleb and kindergarten.  Who lets their four year old CROSS THE STREET ALONE???  What, did they write that questionaire in 1910 when ll you had to worry about while crossing the street was a wagon and a model-t?  Ridiculous.  I am glad you like his pre-K.  And since he is a smarty then if he seems ready in a year or two you can try to skip him up a year.  I was an in between years kid... my hometown was so small that all the other kids were either 9 months to a year older or 9 months to a year younger.  There were two my same age but they both did homeschool.  So when it was time for school my parents held me in my montessori preschool an extra year, I guess they figured better to be the eldest than the youngest and they loved the montessori.  But it was always a bit awkward, and I ended up taking classes with two grades up anyways for all the subjects.  But I hated junior high so much at my backwards, hick local high school that I just skipped 8th grade and went to boarding school.  It was perfect.  I was exactly right with the other class, and it was just the right time to get out of there.  So maybe you will find a window for Caleb when you can move him up that will be just right for him :)

ok, gots to go although I still have much to say.  someday i will get on here with more than a minute to write.  today is my baby shower (fun!) in the botanical garden, and tomorrow I am 35 weeks.  In only two weeks if I went into labor my midwife would be able to deliver me at home (she does homebirth between 37 and 42 weeks).  So in two weeks I go into full on bring the baby mode.  My best friend will be here from chicago from the 8th through the 18th.  I am hoping to have the baby while she is here, so she can be with us.  I was there for both her girls, and since this is my last baby I want her to be here with me once too.  My sister will also try to make it from Wisconsin when I go into labor.  She actually made it to my birth when we were in NY, since my water broke at 7 am but I didn't start really active labor until 3pm.  She walked in the door from the hospital and things got going.  Maybe it will work out that way this time too... we shall see.   feeling good although I haven't gained a pound in 6 weeks.  That is just the way it works for me i guess, with the dietary restrictions and all the exercise from the diabetes.  Same thing with Ava, although I had gained more earlier in pregnancy with Ava.  So far I am at 18.5 pounds total, which is what I was at 28 weeks and have just held steady.  But baby is growing, and I am not tired so there is no cause for concern.  

miss and love you all so very, very much.

MaryStarr