Growing this damn baby

I’ve been mostly wrapped up in the Godmother’s visit, having her here shames me into actually cooking meals. And doing laundry. And making conversation. And occasionally getting off my lazy butt to do stuff, like go to the park.  I spend the majority of my time, however, growing this baby and becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and then taking a nap or twelve.

I’ve been very neglectful taking pictures this time around, so the Godmother insisted on taking a couple of belly shots. Ignore the face, please, I look like I was repeatedly stung by bees, but DOOD. My belly is big. I’m at 29 weeks and measuring at over 30. I feel like if I whip around fast enough I’ll throw the Earth off its axis.

On the lake

My dad worked his boat magic and the boat was good as new, and the trip went off without a hitch.  The day was beautiful -- warm, but not too hot.  We stayed out all day snacking, swimming, hanging out and enjoying the view.  I think my favorite part is driving around and exploring all the little coves around the lake.  When we decided to leave the kids were sufficiently exhausted, although Charlie spent most of the day on the boat snacking rather than swimming.  That kid, I tell you.

After we left the lake we went back to my dad's house to have some dinner and unload the boat.  Leaving there (much later), with full tummies and sleeping kids, I fell and busted my knee, wrist and hand on his driveway... typical, right?  A ridiculous ending to an otherwise fabulous day.

Gearing up

We've been visiting the river at the end of our street just about every other day, in preparation for our trip to the lake.  There was some problem with the boat motor, so my dad's been working on it and just got it fixed.  We're going out tomorrow, all day, and I'm SO EXCITED.

I'm a little worried about Charlie -- she doesn't want to go into the water down by the river, so we'll see how she does on the boat.  She was such a waterbug last year, it cracks me up thinking about the difference from last year to this year.  All she'll do now is stick her feet in, and throw rocks.  Phoebe and Marissa, of course, jump right in, and Phoebe can almost swim without her floaties -- she's getting very bold.

I'm looking forward to hanging out all day, swimming, eating, relaxing, and throwing the random child in the water.  Depending on how things go I just may never come back -- I wonder if I can get WiFi on the boat....

Can it just be summer forever?

Seeing lots of progress with the garden, I go out there once or twice or eleven times a day to check on things. A little obsessed? Maybe. Hopefully we'll see some actual veggies here in the next few weeks, but there isn't much for me to really, you know, DO. Except poke around a bunch.

The neighbor ladies showed Phoebe and Charlie how to do hopscotch the other day, so Bryan drew them a crazy-ass Dr. Suess type hopscotch course.  With flames, because we're just hip like that.

LOVING this summer, I think it's our best ever.

Happy June, homies

What I’ve been up to (clearly not blogging): growing stuff is big around here.  Currently I have one planter box with beans, strawberries, romaine, tomatoes, zucchini and carrots.  I have a second (small one) planned for all tomatoes, with maybe a red chili plant and a jalapeno plant — both for Bryan.  The husband will be putting in a third small box a little later, that I’ll be planting with more lettuce and carrots for sure, and maybe some other things if I find something that strikes my fancy — I’ll probably look into crops I can plant later in the season.

The husband built all the boxes for me, and has been clearing out the plot next to our house to plop them down.  They’re pretty damn awesome, and although we didn’t take great pains to make sure they were level, they’re doing their jobs pretty well.  The kids love checking the progress of our seedlings every day, and there’s always something new to see.  I’ve gotten lots of compliments from the neighbors about how well we’re doing — considering that pretty much everyone out here has a vegetable garden, their compliments mean A LOT.  It also makes me feel more confident that I’m not screwing it up too badly.

We’ve been doing some very light landscaping around the outside of the house, including a rhododendron in the front, a few small bushes, some evergreen shrubs on the side, and a bed of lilies in the back (I’m most excited about the lilies).  I need to figure out somewhere to plant my tiny little lavender plant where we can all enjoy the smell, but am getting a little tired of digging up sod and putting in edging.  It makes my back hurt just thinking about it.  This place is starting to look pretty damn nice, though, and I can’t wait until the plants and shrubs start filling out. 

Also, I’ve been growing the baby, which is far easier than planter boxes and landscaping, lemme tell you.  I have an appointment on Friday to find out if it’s an innie or an outie (shall we start a betting pool?) and CAN HARDLY WAIT to know.  I think I need to know more than Bryan does, and just about everyone I’ve spoken to thinks it’s a boy.  Hmmm.

I have pictures all up in the camera but have yet to take them off… I’m itching to get outside 99% of the time, and can hardly be bothered to sit on the computer when there’s dirt to rake and weeds to pull.  I’m hoping to have some time soon, though, because I’m damn excited to show off all our hard work!