A Horse (or Two) of a Different Color

I have been meaning to post this for some time now but you know how things are! We have 2 new members of the furry variety to the family. Logan had been wanting a colt to train for a long time and the opportunity came up for that to happen. We had known of a woman close that bred Appaloosas. Logan's horse growing up was an App and this woman had happened to have bought the daughter of Logan's horse. Well turns out that she had used that horse to breed and so the horses she had now were the great grandchildren of Logan's horse Chinook.

So we went out and were looking at the colts to see if any caught our eye and one did. While we were looking at them in the field another older 3 year old kept following us around being curious. Well, when Logan went to talk to her about the cold, the woman basically said she would give us the other 3 year old because no one seemed interested in her because she didn't have a lot of color (that's the main reason a lot of people would want an Appaloosa would be for their spots and coloring). Well, of course Logan jumped at the opportunity and well, now we have 4 horses.


This is Lace - the 3 year old. She was as wild as a mustang when we brought her home (which is a whole story in itself trying to get her loaded onto a trailer). She had pretty much been left to her own out in a field with the brood mares and colts and yearlings and like I mentioned before, no one was really interested because she didn't have loud coloring. Well Logan worked with her and she was as easy as pie to train. In only a few weeks she was leading and even riding like she had done it for years! She is such a good girl - I have even ridden her several times and she is just a wonderful horse!


And this little guy is Co - short for Cochise. He was just a weanling when we got him and is such a funny boy! He definitely has a lot of color as you can see and it will be interesting to see if he keeps the coloring he has now or lightens up - a lot of time Appaloosas will change their coloring as they get older, often lightening up some.

It will be some time before he will be ready to ride - horses aren't ready to ride until they are 2 and he will be a year old in the Spring. He can be taught the basics and already knows how to be lead with a halter on.

So there are the 2 newest Morrisons - yep, we are crazy but at least not boring!!

Here We Sit...

Look who's sitting up like a big girl! Still slightly wobbly but I can't believe it!

June's First Halloween

It might look like June went as a Ladybug but she was really a 'June' Bug :)






Thank you for those of you who still check back from time to time on the blog! I honestly haven't forgotten - work + baby = exhaustion as I am sure most of you know! I do have a big up-date post that I have been trying to work on. All sorts of things going on on Rancho Morrison! Keep checking back on me!

Fun and Farm Update

A quick post - that seems like that's all they are anymore! I am scrambling around getting things ready to go to the beach (yeah, you heard me - I am going to the beach with a 12 week old - ack!). I am very excited to go but sad a little too because it's my last week before going back to work. Ugh. That's a touchy subject that I don't even want to think about right now. Not just the going back to work part but the leaving June with a babysitter part - many emotional meltdowns have occurred so far... I am positive it will be harder for me that it is for her though!

So, to tide everyone over, Mom came to visit us yesterday and here are some cute pics captured during the visit -





Just so it's not a complete baby-centered blog, here's a little farm update - garden veggies are cranking out! I found time to freeze about 4 gallons of corn with tons more waiting to be picked. Tomatoes will be ready probably by the time we get back from the beach. On a sad note, my guinea hen is no longer with us - not sure what happened to her. Her and her guinea hubby had been going out for long strolls and I had suspected that she had a nest somewhere across the road. They always came home at night but one night she didn't come home - I think it was 4th of July weekend. Sadly she never turned back up - I am pretending in my mind that she just found another place to live. Our male guinea is still here though and doesn't travel much anymore :( I am trying to talk Logan in to getting another hen or two.

Well hold on to your hats for baby beach pictures once we get back! I hope this week lasts a LONG time!!

Knit Chick

June finally got to wear her lone 'summer' knit that I made while I was pregnant - she really loved it too!! She got to wear it for her first trip to the yarn shop and was a hit! She seems very pleased with herself.

Cloth Diaper Success

Finding time to go to the bathroom or take a shower is hard enough with a 7 week old baby, much less daily postings to my blog. To everyone that checks back daily I apologize. There is a lot I would like to write about but honestly, I would much rather spend my time watching June be June - cute and funny (and fussy some of the time). She has become very alert which has it's ups and downs - ups because she interacts with us and it's fun. Downs because she always demands my attention when she is awake and doesn't like 'alone' time quite yet (Mommy on the other hand LIKES alone time and ISN'T GETTING IT!).

Ok, so this post is about our use of cloth diapers. I wanted to start using them from the beginning but the covers we have wouldn't fit her tiny petite little body so I had to wait (she wasn't a fan of them up under her arm pits). With a steady weight gain, we started using cloth during the day about 3 weeks ago. I use cloth diapers during the day because I am home with her and am able to check and change her more often and I am using disposable at night because they are more absorbent and changing June's diaper is such a circus act anyway that I don't want to wake her up or disturb her at night any more than needs be!


Here is June with one of her Bum Genius wraps - I am also using the Bummies Super Whisper Wraps which I like a lot too. I am still getting the hang of folding the pre-folds and getting them situated so she doesn't have a blowout (happens more than I would like).

Right now I have a total of 5 diaper wraps - I am in the process of knitting a felted wool wrap which will be done in the next week or so (a minor set back this morning when Moses decided to drag it across the house and I lost about a row of stitches - just not in the mood to pick them back up yet!). I wish I had more wraps but these will do for now - the only down-side is I have to do laundry about every other day to every 3 days due to leakage into the wrap (it does stay well contained IN the wrap though - I think it's also a bit of user-error as I am still learning placement of the folds).

Washing them is amazingly easy - since June is nursing, her poos are not solid so no 'emptying' the diapers - just chuck them into the pail to await washing. I am using a Tidy Cats litter pail for her cloth diaper pail and it works great! Keeps the animals out and the little bit of odor in - no big deal. I wash them on the longest cycle and then at the end I add an extra rinse cycle to make sure the detergent is out. I use a half of a cap of detergent and a scoop of Oxy Clean - no fabric softener (it can mess with absorbency). I then hang them out to dry on the line and any stains that are left MIRACULOUSLY disappear in the sun. I can't believe it either - it's amazing. I meant to take a 'before' and 'after' picture of a stained diaper but never got around to it - I will try to remember for a future post.


So, that's the progress here. June is growing like a weed - I can't believe she is almost 2 months old! Wow!!! Time flies and fortunately I have a whole month more with her - it will be so hard going back to work and I wish I didn't have to but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it! Not thinking about it for now! Soon I will post the wool diaper cover pics and pattern and may even get some garden pics in :)

Smiley Happy Babies

As if I needed any more reason to believe June is going to be a Daddy's girl!







Happy first Father's Day to my husband and Happy Father's Day to my dad!! :)

Daddy's Girl

June Claire Morrison

Everyone that has ever had a newborn knows why I haven't posted yet! Even though they say newborns sleep around 18 hours a day - you still can't find time to do what you need to do or want to do for that matter :) So the moment you have all been waiting for - let me introduce Miss June Claire Morrison - born Monday, May 18th...





All of the Gory Details:
If you remember I was supposed to be induced on Wednesday and I REALLY didn't want to be induced so Sunday night we started the 'natural induction' experiments. We had tried all of the typical ones - long walks, rides on bumpy roads, etc. None of them even came close to working! I had a lot of people keep telling me to take Castor oil but I was very leery about that due to having a VERY touchy stomach! Well, Sunday night I said forget it and took about 2 tablespoons!

Nothing happened except frequent bathroom trips for a LONG time and I was really regretting having tried it at that point! Around 2:30 in the morning I started having pretty serious what I thought were stomach cramps. I tried to ignore it as long as possible but finally had to wake Logan up to see what he thought. He started timing when I had the cramps and we realized they were coming regularly and lasting about the same time - gosh, they must be contractions!!

Around 4:00 a.m. we headed to the hospital - by then they had moved to my back and I was having back labor - NOT FUN! I got hooked up to all of the machines and was checked and was 1 cm dilated! Woo hoo! Finally getting somewhere! About an hour later I was 3-4 cm! I figured things would go quick but they really didn't - I am telling you, this baby did not want to come out!! She was determined to stay for a little while longer :)

Skipping all of the technicals, June was born at 3:59 p.m. on Monday, May 18th! I did it WITHOUT an epidural - yea me! I did however have to have an episiotomy plus I did some pretty major tearing so I have a billion stitches - I am just now getting to the point where I can get around easily. Logan was great and was a wonderful coach and June is already a daddy's girl! Here are the rest of the stats:

Weight - 7 pounds, 15.9 ounces
Length - 19.25 inches

She really is a very good baby! She was VERY cranky in the hospital and the first night we had her home (Tuesday - they only made us stay 24 hours which was very nice!) but has since settled in and adjusted very well. She is sleeping well and eating well and everyone - especially mommy and daddy - are very pleased!

So, be prepared for a barrage of baby pictures to come - I will try not to overload everyone - we still have other things going on in our lives, just nothing as cute or as important :)

Going Insane

Attention Baby - it is time for you to come out! You have been in there plenty long enough now and all you are doing now is getting uncomfortably large. Do you want to be in there forever? I am thinking so! There are a LOT of nice people that really want to meet you and will not leave your mommy alone until you come out! I am beginning to feel like a telephone operator answering the phone all day long only to tell people - no, you are not here yet and no I don't feel any different. It's getting old...Please come out!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you tell I am done with all of this? Yep - still pregnant - officially now a week overdue. My doctor's appointment on Wednesday told me the same thing I have been hearing for weeks now - I am effaced but not dilated. I was sent up to the hospital after my appointment to have some tests run to make sure we are both doing fine (I am pretty sure the baby is doing better than I am at this point!). I had an ultrasound first - which was exciting since I hadn't had one since week 20. They were checking to make sure fluid levels were still good - they were. I got to KIND of see the baby - she is so smushed in there it was hard to make things out! The technician tried to get a picture of her face for me but she was so far down in my pelvis it was impossible. She kept saying - I just can't believe you haven't gone into labor yet with as far down as she is! Um...yeah...ME TOO! Oh - and her guess was that the baby is 8 pounds, 10 ounces - I really hope that's high!!

My second stop at the hospital was for a non-stress test to make sure the baby's heart rate is doing what it should be doing and that her moving or contractions were not putting too much stress on her. Oh - guess what? I am having contractions - or so the monitor told me!! I swear I either don't feel them or didn't know that's what was going on but the nurse said I had about 10 contractions while I was there. Ok - so why aren't they doing anything??? The test went great and she responded exactly how she should be so all in all - good news all around. Except that I don't have a baby yet!!

So, that's what's new so far in baby-birthing news. You can be assured that this time if she hasn't come by Wednesday I will NOT be postponing the induction since I will be inching closer to 42 weeks at that point. Who would have guessed that I would still be pregnant at this point? Unless something dramatic happens between now and Wednesday I probably won't post again until after the little one is here. Maybe this weekend? I am not holding my breath...

Induction-junction

Oh - I should have written yesterday! I changed my induction date to NEXT Wednesday in the hopes that things would happen on their own. I will be 41 weeks on Friday so it isn't going way, way over but seriously people, I figured I would have a baby by now! I go to the doctor's tomorrow to see if anything has changed (fingers crossed!) and then they want me to go have a non stress test at the hospital to make sure baby is still A-OK in there. Fun fun! Looks like we are going to make it past the 13th - this baby must be extra comfy in there! More updates tomorrow if things don't happen sooner :)

Still Hanging in There!

I made Logan take my 'last' pregnant picture last night and thought I would share against my better judgement. Remember, my due date was FRIDAY...




I have thought a lot this weekend about being induced on Wednesday and I think I may have jumped the gun a little. I am going to try to go in on Monday and talk to my doctor and see if we can't move the induction to the NEXT week if I unfortunately make it that long. I won't be 41 weeks until Friday the 15th so I am really not pushing it very far along - plus unless she comes on her own, I didn't really like choosing the 13th to be her birthday - haha. Dorky - yes, I know, but what can I say? I will try to update the 'new' date and see what the doc has to say about it all. Send me labor vibes (please!!).

Last Trip to the Doctor

Well, today was my last 'official' trip to the doctor and unfortunately there isn't a lot of news to share. I have been effaced for going on several weeks now with the baby's head engaged (in 'position') - my doctor said today she things I am about 80-90% effaced (thinned out). However, the same story I have been hearing for weeks is I am still not even the tiniest bit dilated. How disappointing! This baby has decided she does not want to come out!!

So I had to make a tough decision today - to induce or not to induce. I wanted to be 100% natural about how things went but I am to the 'I don't want to be pregnant anymore' phase so we (Logan, myself, and the Dr.) decided that if I haven't gone into labor by next Wednesday (the 13th) I was going to be induced. Not exactly the plan I was hoping for but I still have plenty of time to go into labor naturally. Personally, I really don't want a 10 pound baby and at this point she is just hanging out in there getting bigger (and bigger, and bigger!). I was a little anxious about all of this but like I said before, I still have about a week to get the ball rolling. My 'official' due date is tomorrow, Logan's grandmother's birthday is Saturday, and his sister Kelsey's birthday is Sunday! We'll see if we hit one of those dates!!

Send me dilating thoughts! And soon!!

Heaps of Handmades!

Yep - still just me here. No baby yet and I am starting to have the sinking feeling I am going to have a late baby instead of an early/on-time one. I have tried to tell her it's much more fun on the outside but she insists on staying put for now. I am 'officially' on maternity leave as of yesterday so I guess it could be worse but the sitting around is maybe harder than the working!

In the mean time, I thought I would show off some of the neat gifts she has gotten already before even being born! I must say, I know a lot of crafty people and I feel so fortunate that they have showed off their talents and skills by making the baby some neat gifts! I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

My grandmother crocheted this and set it to us as a surprise the other day in the mail!

My mother's friend Pam knitted a beautiful blanket and matching hat.

Peggy, the best camp cook ever from HPC (where Logan and I met), quilted this blanket - it is pink fleece on the back and very soft!

This wonderful Fair-Isle sweater was knitted by a lady we go to church with. It will be perfect when she is older! It makes me want to improve my knitting skills for sure!

Last but certainly not least, my mother knitted some super cute things for the baby!

Adorable knit bibs and a close up of the buttons attached.



Baby's first 'Easter' bunny!

It's a little hard to see the pictures but on the left washcloth, there are two cute little baby feet and the one on the right has a 'B'

I was hoping to have some more knitted stuff to show off myself but with working I was worn out at the end of the day. I might try to wrap up some unfinished things this week but the lure of being lazy for one last week. Hopefully the ball will get rolling soon but I am not holding my breath! Maybe the next time I post it will be to introduce the brand new Morrison? Let's hope so!

Update

Just a quick update for anyone who is wondering! Yes, I am S-T-I-L-L pregnant and the heat we have been experiencing is making it very difficult! Since last Thursday I have had tremendous (literally!) swelling in my feet, ankles, legs, and hands BUT luckily Friday is my last day of work!!! I WILL be celebrating!

I had a doctor's appointment just today and while I am very much effaced, still no dilation. I have the added pressure that my doctor is going out of town for the weekend so I had better wait until at least Monday! I have a feeling I am going to make it well into my due date (next Friday) and then some maybe!

Until then, I will be at home resting with my feet propped up and hopefully get some things done that have been on the back burner for awhile now. I have a book I am trying to finish and some knitting that has been seriously neglected - I can't remember the last time I sat down to knit - just from being tired and emotionally drained (oh yeah - and swollen!).

Wish me luck and I will try to post if anything MAJOR happens :) Maybe I can alert everyone when labor begins ;)

Baby's First Concert

I learned a hard lesson this week.
1. I am not 20 years old anymore
2. I can not stay out super late on a 'work' night and expect to be good to go the next morning
3. Pregnancy amplifies #1 and #2 - especially at 37 weeks

On Thursday evening, Logan and I plus a few of our friends went to go see the band Old Crow Medicine Show - a bluegrass/folk/country band that we all really like. They came to Radford University which is only about 30 minutes away and the tickets were relatively cheap compared for what they usually are for the band so we all said - hey why not? I had a doctor's appointment right after school (everything still a-ok - the head is RIGHTthere according to dr. but not dilated yet) then we ran home and changed clothes and headed out.

We had a lot of fun and it was an amazingly good concert - it was in a small auditorium so luckily there were seats I could sit down in when I got tired (which was pretty often). All in all we survived but I was so wiped out when I got up on Friday (I won't even say what time we got home - let's just say it was LATE) and my feet were about as swollen as loaves of bread. Logan suggested going out to eat yesterday evening and I couldn't even stand the thought of being out - we came home from work and I immediately laid down and we had leftovers for dinner! I learned my lesson!!

So, things are progressing nicely - I told Logan if I could make it through one more week of school I would be happy (even though my 'technical' start of maternity leave is May 1st I don't care at this point). It's hard to believe my due date is only 3 weeks away and my doctor pretty much told me it could be any time now - I don't like the part of not knowing but I guess all I can do is be as prepared as I can - bags are packed, car seat is installed, crib is set up - we're good to go!

On that note, it's time to go get the house in somewhat of a decent shape. Here's a picture of the baby's first concert she ever attended:


I 'secretly' shot a short video of the concert with my camera but unfortunately it is just a hair too big to upload straight to here so instead, here is the music video for probably the band's most popular song 'Wagon Wheel'


Enjoy!

In Search of the Holy Grail

Logan and I have decided to do something that is virtually unheard of - at least around here it is. We have decided to use mostly cloth diapers for the baby. I can hear people 'ewwwwing' as I type because it's just not something most people would consider anymore. Our reasons are simple enough -

- It's a lot cheaper - think of how many packs of diapers you have to buy A WEEK compared to something that you reuse over and over
- Better for the environment - it takes disposable diapers approximately 550 years to decompose in a landfill!!! Ack! That times x number of diapers I will be using a day - hmmm - as a part of our trying to live as 'green' as possible that just doesn't sit will with me.
- Healthier for baby - babies get far less diaper rashes when using cloth diapers plus I can't even imagine what kind of stuff is IN a diaper that makes it suck up all of the moisture.

Of course we got some disposable diapers for baby showers and free samples and such AND I will probably use what we have - especially for the first week or so and also on trips and heaven forbid I ask a babysitter to use cloth diapers. If it was up to me and my budget the baby wouldn't have to go to a babysitter but I am pretty sure we aren't going to be living off of Logan's salary any time soon (maybe I should start playing the lottery).

The only problem I am running into is availability. It is close to impossible to find cloth diaper-related supplies around here. I have aquired a lot of 'prefolded' type of diapers and have about 3 AIO (all-in-ones - they are the diaper and cover all together). I don't mind using the pre-folds except I am having a HARD time finding diaper covers to put over them. I have 2 of the Bum Genius AIO's and as I was searching online they had a wonderful idea of folding the pre-folds into the AIO's so you don't have to wash everything, just the prefold. I am still searching for some covers and am going to bring it up to my sewing-Queen mother-in-law to see if maybe we can make some.

I don't know why this is harder that it should be for me wanting to so something productive but I guess it has to do with living where we do (in the south) and the mindset of most people of not even wanting to give it a try. I have always thought Logan and I really aren't like 'most people' and it becomes evident when we try to do something like this!

Mine!

Cleo is pretty sure all of the new baby stuff is for her. Especially the bouncy-seat...
She especially likes the vibrating feature.
By some miracle, none of the kitties have bothered the pack-n-play we have set up in the office/bedroom area! I am already weaning them off of sleeping in the bedroom with us and it seems to be going well - even little Moses is semi-OK with the arrangement although I do let them in first thing in the morning for a cuddle before I get in the shower. The count-down is on - 4 1/2 more weeks (give or take) to go! Any bets for birthday yet?

Partying Baby-Shower-Style

I swear I have not dropped off the face of the Earth! This past week has worn me out completely but was fun! Last weekend my 'City Mouse' friend Becca came up and gave me a WONDERFUL baby shower along with friends and our church family. I can't believe how many people showed up and all of the great things we got! I am still overwhelmed (and still sorting and washing and putting away!). Here are a few pics of the fun (but exhausting) day!

Becca 'holding' the baby (this is after the shower and you can tell how tired I am!)

Both my and Logan's family

I just love this picture because I actually DON'T look pregnant from behind! I have definitely carried all of my weight up front.

After the shower it's assembly time!

There are, of course, a ton more - I will try to figure out doing a slideshow and add them on at another time so you can get the whole 'feel' of the shower! It has definitely made everything more real now having baby stuff everywhere and a stroller and a car seat in the car. It's hard to believe that I'm down to the final countdown - 6 more weeks!! I am starting to check things off of my list and be ready. The crib is ordered so that will REALLY make a difference getting that set up. I told Logan last night that every time I walk into the baby's room it starts looking more and more like a bedroom. Furniture is set up, we bought new knobs for the dressers (which by the way were my dressers growing up) and I moved the rocking chair in there. A few more finishing touches like curtains and pictures should definitely do it!

Hopefully this week will be a little calmer. I don't have a million appointments and to-do's scheduled except for our very last baby class! Next week starts Spring break where I'll get a little bit of a rest in my final stretch of work. It's becoming very real, very fast that's for sure!!

Is That Normal?

I can tell my body is going through a major hormone overload as of late just by the way I have been feeling - and acting! I have been very weepy lately, it hasn't taken much to set me off into a fit of tears which I really don't like. I think it kind of freaks Logan out too because I am not really a habitual cryer - normally just when I am mad and frustrated (the DMV tends to make me cry...).

I can also tell big changes in my body. I have trouble bending down to pick something up or tie my shoe or whatever - it never fails I drop a marker or paper or something in class and hope that one of my kids will pick it up for me because it takes an act of God for me to get down and up again without making grunting noises. Pleasant...My ankles and feet have taken on a very Fred Flintstone-esque shape to them - fat and flat. The warm weather at the beginning of the week was AWESOME because I could wear sandals that let them 'spread out' a little but it is just one of those things I have to cope with. Oh - and my bellybutton 'timer' is nearing it's popping point. Gross.

I can tell I am slowing down a LOT - I am tired and achy (good excuse for a bath in the evenings but since when I have I needed an excuse?). So how many more weeks? Haha - 8 as of now...I am REALLY hoping I make it to at least week 39 - that is my 'planned' last day at school and I am such a planner it's going to push me over the edge to not be ready if I do go earlier. I am hoping that I will enjoy that last week to myself and I can actually get something done to prepare for the baby instead of being antsy and impatient. I am currently having a hard time with focusing - I haven't knit in awhile because I just can't see to get my head into it and have a paper due for a class I took that I REALLY need to sit down and write but curling up in bed or watching tv always sounds so much more inviting. Any suggestions for a motivation surge?

Belly pictures will be coming soon - I am beginning to feel like a blimp but from what everyone tells me I am all belly so I hope they are not just being nice! :)

I Miss...

Wow - 40 weeks is LONG. They say it flies by and I guess to some aspects it does, but seriously, after it's all said and done with I will have been pregnant for close to a YEAR. As I am 29 weeks, going on 30 now, I have been thinking about some things I won't miss about being pregnant...

I miss...
-Wearing my wedding rings. I had to take them off about 3-4 weeks ago or they wouldn't be coming off...
-Bending over.
-Laying on the floor to watch TV without having assistance getting up.
-Sleeping on my stomach. Unfortunately I am a stomach sleeper and I have had a mega-hard time getting used to sleeping ONLY on my side per every pregnancy book I have read. Say what you want but a pillow under my stomach and knees does NOT equal a good night's sleep!
-Wearing normal clothes - particularly t-shirts. Although the stretchy pants ARE quite nice...
-Walking up stairs without getting out of breath.
-A good margarita.
-Seeing various parts of my body.
-Not having to use the bathroom every 2.3 seconds
-Never having experienced heartburn ever before.
-Having ankles.
-Having a memory.

I know it sounds like I am awfully complain-y but really I am not very often. I have had a relatively easy pregnancy so far and have feel generally great - I am ready for there to be a baby now and hope the next 11 weeks go quick - I am sure when it is here I will look back and realize how easy I had it for now!! Next week we start..."Preparation for Parenthood" classes. WOO! This will be EXCITING! (anybody have any tips to make Logan a little more enthusiastic? I might have to drug him.

New Shoes

On Sunday, Logan learned the fine art of shoeing a horse from his dad. His dad had learned years back from a friend of the family that is a farrier and they would ride with on a regular basis. We still use the same farrier for our horses but at $80 a horse, it gets pricey real quick - especially when you have 2 horses and they have to be replaced x number of times throughout the year.

Poor Daisy got to be the test subject. She is an old pro at having shoes and stands really well. Plus Jetta has never had shoes put on her before and is still young so we probably will have a farrier do her shoes the first time or two.

Logan did a really good job as far as we can tell. All of the nails came out the other side and the shoes are still on a day later :) It's hard work and takes a lot of practice that is for sure! You have to have the strength to squat down holding the horse's leg plus file, nail, clip and adjust all at the same time!

So here are some pics of the learning process...



Daisy was a pretty good sport about it all and as patient as could be expected!

Oh - by the way...I found my old digital camera...What did I say? As soon as I bought a new one the other would show up. Well it did show up - almost 3 months later. I found it in all places but the drawer of my night stand. Now - what it was doing there I will NEVER know and why I didn't see it the million times I open that drawer to get chapstick or tweezers or whatever who knows. Chalk it up to pregnancy brain then. I love, love, love my new camera though so I don't regret buying it - anyone want to buy a very nice Kodak EasyShare camera? :)

Smuggling Basketballs?

I can't believe it's been almost 10 weeks since I had last taken a picture of my 'baby belly'. Like all good intentions, I had planned on taking a picture once a week to compare the changes - hmm, wouldn't that have been cool? Well my first trimester I felt all bloated/sick/gross, the beginning of the second trimester I just felt fat - not really pregnant. Now however, we've rounded out to a nice pregnant belly!! Oh - then of course there was the case of the missing camera...Still looking for that darn thing. It's probably in a landfill somewhere...

So - here are the pictures at 27 weeks because I know that's what you have been waiting for, then we'll meet back up at the bottom...

Here's the front shot. I think I have been pretty lucky to just 'gain' all in the front. Now I could be wrong - if I look fat somewhere else, just don't tell me. I HAVE been extremely lucky so far (knock on wood) to not have any stretch marks - I have been very diligent about lotioning up every day - even though all of the books say that doesn't help at all...It could also be the 3 gallons of water I drink daily.

And of course here is a 'side shot'. Does it look like I am smuggling basketballs yet?

So there they are. Please ignore the dirty bathroom mirror in the pictures - that part of nesting hasn't kicked in yet. However, the urge to declutter EVERYTHING and vacuum every other day sure has. We were out of school for most of this past week due to snow and I broke down eventually and shampooed the living room carpet. I fought the urge to shampoo the carpet in the whole house since I wouldn't really have anywhere to go that wasn't wet carpet and it was WAY too cold to open windows to air everything out!

Exciting exciting. I can tell baby is starting to run out of room in there because every movement feels amplified and she has been kicking me in the ribs hard enough to about cripple me. I can't believe how fast it's moving now - I was told this would happen. After next week, my doctor's visits will be every 2 weeks (and I thought monthly was a pain!). I am starting to run out of steam too. Oh - and let's not forget the labor dreams that I have been having - last night it was that Logan forgot the camera and I made him go home from the hospital mid-labor to get it. I am sure pictures will be the last thing on my mind!

Cute Overload

Cleo and Gabby were both off napping in the sun and Moses needed someone to play with. What a better target than a huge dog that could eat you in one bite? (Of course Appy would never do that - she loves her kitties!!)

Hmm, this ankle looks awfully tasty!
**By the way - Moses also likes to drag trash from the cans around the house along with socks and undies - I haven't take to throwing granola bar wrappers on the floor quite yet!**

Oh yeah - the foot is even better - much more tender!

Umm...Excuse me...that's my foot!




There's nothing better than a good snuggle after wrestling with an animal 100 times your size :)