Belly casting is so much fun...

I have the most wonderful wife. She allowed me to cast her belly in plaster of Paris strips. My friend Leslie, the artist helped.

There are two things you must know about Leslie. First, she says "everything is your fault, Carleh," and second, "even when its not your fault, its your fault."

So, the process began with me slathering Melissa's belly in vasoline. Keep in mind, it was not so much fun for Melissa. Gooey would be an appropriate word.

Next, Leslie and I dipped the strips into warm water and applied them to Melissa's belly in various forms of disarray. Keep in mind, Leslie is telling me I am not doing it correctly and that "your side is not going to be as good as my side."

Finally, Melissa tells us that one breast is trapped and that there are sections of the cast coming loose. We think it is because Abigail started moving and loosened the suction. We unstuck Melissa's breast and decide the cast is set enough to remove it.

We then begin reinforcing the cast (on my side) as Leslie was right, my side was not as good. We also fix spots that are a bit bare and in general make the cast smoother.

We did not make a huge mess and I had a blast, Leslie had a few giggles at my expense and Melissa, well let's just say... "Belly casting is ONLY so much fun!"

Ocean Wonders....

It seems we have decided on an "ocean wonders" theme for our darling daughter. My very sweet and talented friend Leslie, is painting Abigail's room. She is painting fish and coral and so many wonderful things on her dark blue walls.

We also have the "ocean wonders" highchair, bouncy seat, mobile, crib entertainment device, back seat mirror, travel swing and have additional "ocean wonders" items on the baby registry. There are fish everywhere in the house.

I have decided that once Abigail has "outgrown" the room, it will be my private office. When I say "I" it really means "we" as I do not decide anything without discussing it with my wonderful and loving wife. However, Melissa, who is experiencing pregnancy amnesia, does not recall this discussion. She doesn't remember quite a few discussing we have. I was starting to think, I am just very boring and she is "yes dearing" me. Not the case, as she really looks at me in complete wonder (as in I wonder what planet you are from) as to where I get these crazy ideas.

Keep in mind, Melissa has said, "I am never doing THIS again!" I would be perfectly happy with one child. Thus, the obvious conclusion is that I would get Abigail's nursery as an office when she needs more room. Not the case!

Melissa thinks Abigail will be spoiled if she is an only child and even though she says daily, "I am never doing THIS again!" She has not completely convinced herself.

So, I am sitting here wondering how much my life will change with one child, then wondering how much it would change with two.

I guess I am being a bit selfish also. I really like the way the nursery is coming together. I am a water baby and love the ocean. I find it peaceful and calming to my soul. Having the space after Abigail outgrows it would give me a peaceful place to sit and write.

I am a bit concerned about eating any type of seafood with Abigail. I envision a screaming two year old running towards the lobster tank trying to free her "friends," or conducting a "sit in" at the local aquarium to protest the "exploitation of sea life."

I will however, surely find a way to continue eating seafood, although it will be difficult doing so staring at all the stuff she owns with the theme of Ocean Wonders.