Buttermaker down on the farm...

Farm.

We went for a drive in the country this weekend and stumbled on this little farm.
It was basically Old McDonalds farm but they called it French Prarie Farm just to confuse us.
Fran is a champ! She is at work today.
I'm chewing on my finger nails more than normal. It really is so close. Frans hospital bag is packed and I am ready to start feeding her ice chips at a moments notice. Satnd back...
It's Farmer Fran.

He's lucky Fran doesn't make a sweater out of him!

This is us waiting for the "Pigtucky Derby" to start.

I got my portrait painted on some hay.

Not tall enough to ride this ride.

Someone pooped is Caspers Cornflakes.

This time next year The Buttermaker will be stoked on climbing the hay pyramid.

The Devil.

I told you!!

The Devils fat friend.

Fran why do you insist on spoiling the Devils appetite before dinner?

Fran as the pig.

Buttermaker as the pig.

The Butterball is almost cooked

The little turkey is almost done!!!!!!!
Fran is feeling a lot of settling in the lower belly region. She has the official "with baby waddle" goin on.
We finished our birthing birthing classes last week. I learned a lot of stuff that I never imagined. I feel like I could deliver the little one myself after watching 50 births on DVD. Gross.
We have been thinking of names this last week. In the spirit of the season we decided on Dracula Buttermaker Gordon. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

The leaves are starting to turn and fall which means the time is near. Stay tuned, It could be any time now.
It's a beautiful day in Portland.

Ladies and Gentleman let's give a warm welcome to Mr. Rocket

A new friend of the family has arrived.
Greg and Janice had a baby boy and named the little fella Rocket.
We visited him for the first time Saturday night. He watched with us as the Indians got their asses handed to them in the alcs.
Stupid Indians!!!
Good Job Greg and Janice!
Introducing Rocket...He's gonna be Buttermakes little buddy.

It's like Vegas baby!!!

This is really funny.
W+K (where Fran works) is taking bets on the delivery date and time. see below.
Get your bets in while you can!! You can email me with your bets and I'll be sure to call the agency booky for you.
xo
Ray

Hi All,
Fran's baby is due next month (November 9th to be exact). Do you want to bet on when it will arrive? $5 per entry, winner takes all. Winner to be determined by most accurate guess of delivery date & time. Guesses for sex, height and weight will be tiebreakers.

Either email me back with your bet or sign up on the sheet on the door of the 5NW conference room.

Bets due by end of day Wednesday, Oct 17th (just in case the baby arrives early).


Your Name:

Date of birth:

Time:

Sex:

Height:

Weight:

ONESIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Megan Liz and Lockett threw us an amazing baby shower!
It was really nice to have all of our closest friends in one room at the same time.
I was a little worried about the coed baby shower but it went off without a hitch.
There were nice appetizers, cakes and adult refreshments. mmmmm tequila.
My post is about a week late but we really want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all the support and awesome gifts!!! ONESIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(is that how you spell it)? Thanks to Kari and Joanna for making a special trip to Portland. We love you!
Personalized thank yous are going out soon. (Notice I said "yous" for all you folks in Youngstown). ; )
We played a few games, One of which everyone had to guess how round Fran was by selecting a length of string. I'm pretty sure Paulie kicked everyones ass. Another game was a Q&A about some facts of our life.The person who knew more about us won. Courtney and Whitey tied. Never would have guessed that in a million years. Nice work fellas.

We are really ready to meet this little Buttermaker. I am dying to see what the little muffin thinks about Led Zepplin.

A special little thanks to the Simons' for giving Buttermaker the awesome football plaque that they've had since they were Fresno babies in the 60's.

Here are a ton of photos from the shower. enjoy!
Love
Ray and Fran

Our lovely hostesszz Liz Lockett and Megan. Hip Hip Hoooray!

How long is the string that goes around Buttermakers house?

Nicci and Sorenne don't even know.

Of course Jim is gay so how could he know?



Paulie knew how round Fran is and that's why he gets to go home with new vinyl.

How great is Buttermakers cake?

JoJo and Melinda

Thor isn't as sweaty as I am.

Kristin and Dan. Rockers!
We worked for Kristin at Solid Snowboards in Colorado in 1994. We go waaaay back.

Illick Brought us tequila and this is how he looked to me after a couple of shots.

Thanks to Highway for hooking us up with the space.

Liz was the MC and she did a damn fine job.

Felicia is trying to figure out if I missed our first date because I got my tooth punched out or if I drove a pontiac Fiero when Fran and I met??? The Answer is sadly both.

What's a party without the most handsome man in Portland?
Too bad he wasn't there... but Dominc was.

Highway made a slideshow of old pictures of Fran and I.


Then Paulie had to bitch slap Birch Tree.

Whitey and Sorenne got Buttermaker his/her very own airbrushed shirt.

And a sweet beer cozie.

We got awesome little hats.

And a car seat from Uncle Dominic and Aunt Patty.

Onesie!!!!!!!!!!

Tieneke and Gothy.

Little cabbage at 35 weeks

Really??

Buttermaker is 35 weeks old and moving around like crazy.
A lot has happened over the last few weeks.
It's getting really close to the time that we are all going to meet this Buttermaker guy or gal in person.
We started our birthing classes. Man that's a weird sobering class. Basically getting you ready for the biggest moment of your life. I learned a lot about things that I never thought I would in that class.
I know what Wharton's Jelly is. Do you? Jus sayin'.
Megan, Lockett and Liz have been working really hard organizing a shower for us. It appears to be going great!
They have a great space rented and it should be a lot of fun. I don't know why they insisted on inviting me and every other silver back gorilla that I hang out with? Lockett assured me that co-ed is the way to go. I hope they have enough bananas!
Speaking of bananas I woke up Saturday with a hanker-in' for some sausage and cabbage and Fran remembered that it was POLISH FESTIVAL DAY!!! We went there for lunch. So damn good! I'll attach all the pictures of the food we ate. I was a bloated honorary Pole by the time we left. We then went to the park with Earl to check out the ducks. Earl didn't give two shits about the ducks but we enjoyed them. I learned that feeding ducks bread is like feeding them cupcakes. No Good!
The time is coming really quickly for us to meet Buttermaker and we are working really hard on our list of names. Nothing seems to be sticking at this point. I have a feeling that as soon as I shake that little ones hand and say "Hey man, nice to meet you, I'm your Dad" Buttermaker will say "Hi Dad my name is_______ quit calling me Buttermaker" and that will be that!
Polish food makes you strong!

This is what strong looks like!




This drunk Polish lady kept following Fran around saying "Where is more food please baby lady"?

You put money in...pierogi's come out.

The Polish are a very proud people. Dominics Dad doesn't like the Polish neighbors to roof their house on the weekend. Apparently Leo doesn't think Vodka and ladders are a good combination. "Dom it's the weekend and they're Polish...come on"

The menu is on frans mind.

Pierogi Polka anybody?

Polish soul food


Where's Buttermaker?????

These Polish goodies were right next to Jesus who was behind a TV with a mic stand and some chords. The polish aren't afraid to put jesus in the corner.


My first appearance on the blog and this dude is trying to steal the spotlight.
Whatever nice mustache!

Sleepy cabbage pierogi zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This doesn't really fit into the story but DAMN THAT'S A BIG KID!

laurelhurst Park is right by our house and they have a good duck pond. Notice frans attire. The weather has changed and it is cold and rainy. Earl even has his Grandpa coat on.


Park tough.