great minnesota get together

Yesterday we ventured off to the Minnesota Fair. It was probably the longest it's taken anyone to go through the fairgrounds; I can walk about 8-12 minutes without feeling completely wiped out. So we took lots of breaks to people watch, and our meandering pace would've bored many. But we loved our date! Charlie is so patient and caring; I just love hanging out with that man!

Sweet Martha's chewy chocolate chip cookies and endless ice cold fresh milk, why else do people go to the fair?!

32 week tummy in my cute and comfy PPP dress! 

I was able to finish Little Mr.'s modern quilt this week. I like how it turned out. The backing is a flannel and I haven't ever put the block of coordinating fabrics on the back, but I think it makes the backing better that way. I like making my own quilting patterns (not that I quilt much, really "quilty" is not my style...)

At my 32 week appointment today all looked great! Little Mr's heart rate was 146, cervix measured in at 2.4 or so, and we got to tentatively schedule the cerclage removal for the end of September! (week 36).

Charlie and I both feel ready for our little man to come live with us. I'm sure somethings will be different, but for the most part we can see him fitting into our lives very easily without much disruption. I think the pregnancy itself has been more disruptive to our normal life than the baby will be. Everyone tells us the BIG changes come with two kiddo's. So we're not stressing. God will provide the grace and strength we need for each new day of this parental adventure.  

I've been reading some great books, i hope to write a quick post with things that have really stuck out to me. Hopefully in the next couple of days.  

cheer up you boards

Upon waking yesterday we decided to clean up (at least the look of) our little grilling/sitting deck. 

It was looking dreadful.

 But afterwards it was looking spruced up, cheery and inviting:

Amazing what some effort and a little paint will do!

Now, I need advice... last year I uprooted 20-year old weeds and vines from under the deck space, and by the house... see it in the picture?  All I've managed to plant there are some hasta's and 2 other little plants. I need them to come up every year on their own, no fussy stuff. What should I plant?  (Morning/mid-day sun and then shade).

tum tum pics et cetera

Quick update on the little boy living inside me.

Left: My caring sister-in-law and her kiddo's sent me a countdown paper chain weeks 30-38, it serves as the only decoration specifically for Little Mr so far.  -yeah, not even started buying anything, or decorating anything for baby or his room. I figure he won't notice anyways, right?

Right: Baby bump at 28 weeks 5 days.

This is Little Mister's quilt I've been slowly working on when my back permits. (That's been the only tough part lately- fairly uncomfortable back pain. I bought a brace and that helps some. -Probably a fairly normal pregnant mom problem, huh?)

Left: Little Mister hanging out inside at 30 weeks 2 days. He's really moving all the body parts now, not just hands and feet...I feel shoulders, backs, bunzies, elbows and he's discovered my ribs. Um yeah. 

Right: Little Mr. at his Dr.'s apt yesterday- 30w 3d. He was looking rather squished in, and insisted on keeping his face squished against the placenta so we couldn't get a good picture of him. His stats were fabulous.  He's weighing in at 3lbs. 14 oz., (measuring about 1-2 weeks ahead) and is in the 70th percentile for 30 week babies. (OB says it's cuz Charlie and I are so tall). His heart rate was 153. 

Charlie and I spent the remainder of the day yesterday at our favorite beach, soaking in this amazing weather we've been enjoying- mid 70's and a breeze and sun. It's PERFECTION.  Last week I braved my bikini and have since decided I may not do that again until after I have my body back. LOL!

I love relaxing there, yesterday there were two 8 year old boys fishing off a nearby dock all afternoon, and they were equipped with a tape measurer, poles, and TONS of spirit. Every 10-20 minutes one would yell "I got one!, look, look!, It's a HUGE one!"  I had to laugh. Oh the charm of a sunny, boyhood afternoon- and the thrill of catching 5 inch sun fish! LOL! Charlie said he spent many afternoons at the cabin doing the same thing, (but he said catching 30-50 per afternoon). -I love imagining Charlie as his sparky little boy self from years ago.  I can't wait to watch our Little boy enjoy such innocent pleasures.

Today my husband woke up energized to do house projects. So I'm posting this while he's on a home depot run. We're going to attempt to spruce up our deck. I'll post pictures sometime if it turns out.

Enjoy your day!

spoken recently

After seeing a pre-pregnancy cardigan on me, with one button closed around my mid-section: 

"Hang on little button!" (in a silly voice).

Giggling to self waiting in the car: "I think I just witnessed my first waddle!"

Anytime of day, multiple times: 

"How's the Little Guy? Is he busy? Is he awake? I love you little baby" 

-The speaker shall remain anonymous. :-)

seven years in

Today we're celebrating 7 years of happy togetherness.

I'm glad I'm on this life journey with you my love!

instant childhood summers

There are a few smells during that season that instantly transport me back to young summer days with my sisters...

One is BLT's. We had them Thursday night for supper and it smelt divine. We must have had those frequently when I was little.

The second is wet pavement (from rain or the hose). I used to think I could smell the rain, but in fact I think it's the hot, wet sidewalks that trigger that thought/memory.

Third is Waterbabies (or any other really, we just used this one lots) sunscreen. Some friends (the kiddo's I used to watch) walked in my front door a couple weeks ago, on their way to the pool. MMmmmmmm. They smelled delish'. Many a day us girls slathered that stuff on. (and too many days where we should have -the little brown spots on my arms at 30 years of age remind me of that).

ohhhh, one of THOSE

It's come to that. I'm (it's) one of THOSE blogs. Kids and baby updates and pictures.

I promise I do have other thoughts, but this season has been a little consuming. And I'm not sure how to share with the "blogosphere" my other musings right now. There's a lot spinning around in our lives. Sometimes I wonder what my life will look like in just one short year...oh how things can change- and FAST. (yet sometimes not fast enough). hummmm...

So back to the blog I've become. (happily, btw):

In this picture you'll see a paper chain hanging from the window- this was lovingly made by my niece, Emma and my nephew, Elliott. They made one for each day to help me count down the weeks until Little Mr. turns 30 weeks. So fun; and the chain is rather short now! YAY! And then we have a couple of things we've bought/made for our little son; and I hung them in the closet, it really helped me to get excited about thinking about this little guy coming to our home one day.

A close up of some cute little clothes for him:

I ordered this very newborn little outfit for Little Mr. to wear right away. It's SO tiny and cute. I also crocheted a cotton blanket to coordinate.

This is us at 26 weeks: (yes, they're self portraits. Do you wanna know why? 'Cuz I usually get dressed if I have to run to the Dr. or something and then I get home and slip comfy clothes right back on, and so if I wanted a picture of real clothes I couldn't wait for Charlie to get home.)

Week 27, 4 days: (Tuesday, yesterday)

Seeee, this is me, in said comfy attire... no makeup and all. See what I spare you by doing self portraits when I'm presentable!? LOL!

Our little boy is really growing on us, it's almost like he communicates through the kicking sometimes. (He still is super powerful and active). But seemingly responds to our touch and voice. We already love him so much- and we tell him. We're getting so excited to SEE his little face and touch and kiss those busy little hands and feet.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago I got to start "modified bed rest". I can sit up, walk around more and even have 2-3 outings a week (to go out to eat or the movies or some other low key activity)!!! I just also need to make sure I'm resting lots, and not lifting or exercising, etc. PRAISE THE LORD! Being up has been so wonderful. I've not been having contractions, and baby is growing and measuring perfectly. I've just had back pain and random other muscle pain, probably from being sedentary for so many months.

I've been sewing. This is some of the fabric I'm going to make a baby blanket with. And pictured are a few of the other things I've made. (diaper bag, and blanket, and burp cloths). And my friend Sarah surprised me with a darling taggie blanket and two burp cloths she made with "Little Mr" embroidered onto them. SO thoughtful and cute! Such a good reminder of the story we'll get to tell our son- about the ARMY of friends and family and acquaintances who prayed for his life before anyone ever met him.

Hopefully one day soon I'll be able to write about a non-baby something or other.

I've been reading a couple of books. This one on Grace Based parenting is really good so far. -good for parents at any stage. (here's my post about it).  And for fun (book club) we're reading Second Time Around...an easy summer read.

We've been able to go sit at our favorite spot on Lake Minnetonka a few times lately too.