A beautiful fall day

Before A's baby brother arrived, we took A to the Fall Carnival at our church. A dressed in what else? A Seahawks' cheerleading outfit! We saw her cousins, S and A, at the carnival and stopped for a photo.
We also went to a new (to us) park, and A and her friend R spent some time on the play equipment. More and more each day, it seems she is becoming a big girl, which, for me, included when she graduated to the "big" swings.

Impatient . . . yes

After a perfectly beautiful weekend of playing with J and A, I was disappointed to wake up this morning to no contractions, no broken water, no pain. Just another day in paradise. One reason: I don't really want to go to work anymore. My students have been fine. That's not the problem. I just want to be home for a while. Reason #2: I'm ready. So, why wait? The longer I wait, the more grading, phone calls, etc. that I have to deal with. My sub is ready, and so am I. So, I say bring on the contractions. My friend S says to be careful for what you ask for.

J doesn't understand why I am quite so vocal about my desire for pain this time. Reason #? why men do not have babies. It's not that I WANT pain. I just want to go into labor naturally this time. I want to know what actual contractions feel like, not Pitocin-induced contractions. I want to know my own threshold for pain. I want to experience labor. J has said more times than not that if he was the one having the baby, he would arrive at the hospital announcing, "Bring on the epidural," or something to that effect. Not me. This time, I want to know how it feels, and frankly, if I can't take it, THEN I'll say, "Bring on the epidural." But, not before. My friend's reflexologist says if I'm feeling anxious, then why would the baby come. He can feel my anxiety, she says. I don't know about that. All I know is that I'm not afraid, so how could I be anxious. Impatient, yes. But anxious? No. Bring it on!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to Bi-Zi Farms pumpkin patch again this year, and A had a great time. This year, she was much more outgoing with feeding the animals, running through the corn maze (thus the muddy knees), climbing the hay bales, picking out pumpkins, and riding in the wheel barrow. It was a beautiful day, and we took advantage of it before the rains set in. I have about 2 1/2 weeks left of my pregnancy, so hopefully the next picture you'll see of me will be with our new little guy! J thought A needed a ride in the wheelbarrow, and she was all grins as she rode with the dirty pumpkins. Two years ago, she wore a pumpkin costume for her first Halloween.
A and her cousins climbed the hay bales for a fun photo. It was probably the only time all afternoon when they sat still!

Portland Children's Museum

We took A to the Porland Children's Museum the day after her birthday. They are doing an exhibit right now on Arthur (think Marc Brown books), but we thought the whole museum was fabulous. Here are a few highlights . . .

1) An entire section devoted to shoveing rubbery pieces into buckets. A had quite a good time filling all of the buckets.
2) A supermarket and restaurant, complete with shopping carts, a check-out and fun food to fill your cart. I thought this section was adorable. She knew right what to do when she saw the cart. Doesn't she look like she's on a mission?
3) A water area, where she donned a large smock. J and I had as much fun in this section as she did, floating objects between the pathways.
4) This was a current tub, where she could float salmon down the currents or change the flow of the currents by moving the dividers. J was on a mission to make the fastest flowing current possible.

We'll definitely have to go back soon!

A's 2nd birthday

Our daughter loves moving vehicles - namely cars and trains (which she calls "choo-choos"). So, we bought her another train set for her birthday. This one has a bridge and a level to make it start and stop. So far, she likes turning both trains on at the same time. And, she says bye-bye to her choo-choos when we leave the playroom. How cute is that?
We also found a playhouse for her. She was eager to have us come into her house, as uncomfortable as it was, and stay for a while. She also wanted Sam, one of our cats, to come in. But, it appears he's a bit hesitant to venture in.
She and J also played with some bubbles.
When her cousins and friends came, then she got to show off her new house. Cousin A quickly took on the job of sweeping out the new floor.
I made her a train cake. All in all, I think A had a great birthday! Where did the time go?

A sweet moment!

One afternoon in August, it was unusually quiet. So I rounded the hallway in search of my daughter. Lo and behold, she sweetly sat on the stairs, hugging her puppy with a huge grin. Luckily, she was still smiling when I ran back with my camera.

New York in August

A and I flew to NY to see my family at the beginning of August. I had been wanting to see where my brother and sister-in-law live, as well as where my brother J has been living since January. They warned me that I just might want to stay after I see what it's like. And now I understand why they love it so much. Thanks for sharing your secret with us!

We enjoyed lots of family time. A colored with her Uncle J.
We attempted a round of mini-golf. Mom's quite the golfer, if you didn't know already!

A got to catch up with her grandma and grandpa. By day three or four, she was willingly giving hugs and kisses to everyone. She was especially enamored with Auntie C.

One evening, Uncle J donned his clowning outfit for a children's carnival. A was pretty scared of him, as you can see by her expression.

We were also able to celebrate Mom and Dad's 30th wedding anniversary! Congratulations you two! I'm glad we were all together to celebrate with you!

Guess who?

J bought A a Mr. Potato Head. I'm glad she didn't try to put on the eyes!

This morning I was in the kitchen, and A was unusually quiet. Quiet usually spells trouble when you're dealing with a 22 month old, but today it spelled creative.
A put two of my shirts on (one on and one over her head), as well as two of J's boxers (look closely near her ankles). I think this is hilarious, and it is a good reminder not to leave the folded laundry on the couch. Apparently it's just too tempting!

Family Vacation

When A neared the ocean, she was initially a little scared (it IS awefully loud). But, after seeing her courageous dada venture out into the deep blue sea (or ankle deep, at least), she had to do it for herself. And, once was NOT enough. Her smile was enormous, and she rapidly signed the words "more" and "please" over and over again until she had her fill.
J, with his mom, sister, neices and daughter, enjoying the late afternoon in the sun.
J and his sister, R, bought body boards on Friday and had a blast! R had a few battle wounds and they were both tired and sore the next day, but that didn't stop them from wanting to go back in for more!
A and her cousins shared their first jaccuzi bath together. They were fairly inseperable during our vacation, and it was fun to see how much they enjoyed eachother.
Auntie R was A's backseat entertainer when we took a short car trip

down to the Newport Aquarium.

Tons of sand to shovel before I sleep, and tons of sand . . .

What a difference one year can make! Last year, A was content to view the beach from her stroller, but this year there was far too much sand with which to play.
When J built A her very own pool of water, A's delight in her new muddy pond was contagious. Soon, all of the girls were standing and sitting in it and having a wonderful time.

There were no masterpieces created during our stay, but A

had a great time moving sand around.

The Dog Days of Summer

We took the plunge today and tried out a fun, free water fountain for kids at Esther Short park. After temperatures that soared the day before, any form of refreshment seemed exciting, and this place didn't disappoint! Here is A all decked out and ready for some water fun!

A's cousin S (above left) and cousin A (below center) joined us in the water.

Good times had by all!

Happy 4th of July

J was off in the woods being wild at heart, so A and I went to the Ridgefield 4th of July parade with our good friends H and R. My mom made this fun patriotic dress for A last year, which she wore, but, as you can see, can still wear it this year. In fact, she received many compliments. Go mom!

This year she seemed much more engaged in the parade and only got upset when the little league baseball teams squirted water all over her. But, hey, it was a bit upsetting to me too! Refreshing on a hot day, though.

We ended the day at S and M's house for their annual 4th of July barbeque. We missed J's contribution to the fireworks, but S did an excellent job. And, what 4th of July party could be complete without our heartfelt, be it sad, rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A"? Thanks for a great party, S and M!

It's a . . . . .

Here I am at 21 weeks (just over 5 months for the layman)!

Boy!

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails
That's what little boys are made of!

Tomorrow's the big day!

Tomorrow we are going in for our ultrasound. I have my own prediction. What's your's?

Goodbye 7303! Hello 6905!

During Spring break, J and I started looking for a bigger house. Little did we know that the house we would choose was only nine blocks from our first house. So, over Memorial Day weekend, we made the long move.

A ate her first chocolate covered donut on the first morning in our new house. Despite all of the changes and adjustments that come with being in a new house, A seems unscathed, wouldn't you say?
We hauled boxes until about 1 p.m. and then quickly got started on painting the family room. J and I agreed that the seafoam color needed to go, and go NOW!

Thankfully, we were able to set up the living room with no immediate painting necessary.

Very Belated Easter Adventures

A's first experience with an Easter bunny didn't start off too well, and, too be honest, I completely understood. Is this not the most freakish Easter bunny you've ever seen?

It got a little better once the rain stopped, and we could let A explore the football field sectioned off for 0-2 year olds. J faithfully carried the basket as she watched all of the other equally confused children be prompted to "pick up an egg" by their parents.

Fortunately for us, my parents came to visit over Spring break, and A enjoyed her first Easter basket.

Doesn't A look lovely in her Easter dress from ND Grandma and Grandpa?

Announcing . . .

Our newest addition was 10 weeks and 5 days, according to yesteday's ultrasound.

Shamrock Run '07

So . . . I participated in my first ever 5k run on March 11th with about 13,000 of Portland's finest. I had fun, especially because it didn't rain! And, I think I'll do another for Cinco de Mayo. The race photographers captured the following lovely photo at the very beginning of the run -- in fact I think we're barely moving. But, I thought I'd show you this one, instead of the three UGLY ones of me at the end. I'll spare you the details. Can you tell which one is me? :)

http://www.backprint.com/go.asp?18571115