14 weeks

No actual pictures of Pockets this time, but this is what he/she supposedly looks like at 14 weeks. Actual size: 4 inches.

I got to hear a heartbeat on the doppler for the first time yesterday. It took them quite a while to find it; this baby is a wiggler! It was like tuning into a radio station when you're in a moving car; just when you get it sounding clear and perfect, it moves on you. It kept flitting between picking up my heartbeat and picking up Pockets', which was pretty cool as it provided a clear distinction between the two sounds. I knew the moment the doctor first found it because it was about twice as fast as mine: 152 beats per minute. So how does that fit into the Old Wives' Tales for gender prediction?

If you're wondering, we are going to try to find out the gender of this child. We need all the preparation time we can get if we have to get a wardrobe for a girl! That appointment is scheduled for June 28, 2011. So you can all look forward to that with us :-)


Next update will contain pictures of our trip to Annapolis and of our little 1-year-old reason for going: a little boy will have traveled halfway around the world to become part of a new family in Annapolis, and he'll be baptized and welcomed into an even larger family on Sunday. Welcome baby Thomas!!

Why I Love Craigslist

Due to a lovely person's spontaneous decision to try to clean out her house of unnecessary stuff, we came away very rich on Saturday. Among our haul was about 20 maternity items for me, and THIS for Miles:

His very own big boy bed! Complete with mattress Crayola sheets, pillowcase (not shown), comforter and ABC pillows. He loved it immediately, as we suspected he would.

However, the question was, would he sleep in it?

I won't lie. Saturday was a bit rough. Naptime, when it happened, ended up being about 45 minutes long. He's quite confused by the ease with which he can get out of bed. At night on Saturday there were a lot of night wanderings, which we silently redirected each time. Twice in the past couple nights we've checked on him before turning in, only to find him curled up asleep on the floor.
But last night was loads better, with just one night waking. And he hasn't slept anywhere but his bed (and the floor, briefly) for the past two nights. Hoorah!

Oh, and the bed, mattress, and linens were a total of 30 dollars.
Start searching craigslist! What will you find?

Random, but I had to include: Miles and Papa camping out on the floor. I loved this.

Free Beauty

I believe I have posted before about Price House Nature Center and what a blessing it has been for us. Yes, make that several times. It's just a little garden park and nature center, probably not so extraordinary, but I have still not gotten over the fact that it's right in my neighborhood and completely free.

Every week, I can bring my son to romp in the fenced garden and yard, be greeted by name by the director, Dr. Mike, play with his dogs, learn from the student volunteers, visit the turtles, identify animals in the display, do a craft, read a book in the cozy kids' corner, color, do a puzzle, play with the other kids, occasionally see a slideshow or specimens brought that day, and otherwise enjoy a yard and garden that I do not tend- and never once be asked for money. I find it astounding, completely the reverse of how the world usually works. This town run park is the grace of God to me in a world of owing and paying.

We can enjoy the park during all daylight hours, and just now it is an exquisite privilege. The irises are here!!

This used to be rows of stubble, not too long ago.

Miles can't believe his good fortune either. (Actually he's exclaiming about a bird)

Have I mentioned how much I love the color peach?

He ran between rows, smelled individual flowers, climbed the fence, chased birds and otherwise frolicked for probably 45 minutes.

Look, a hokie-themed iris!

Does anyone know what these are called?


How about these? What are these, please?

This is both a short walk from my house and an even shorter walk from my work. I can go on my lunchbreak.

Just look. Not even Solomon in all his splendor. For real.

Height comparison :-)

Mmm, peace. Free peace, free beauty, free quiet. May I never take it for granted wherever I find it.

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
-Anne Lamott

Wedding!

We were so delighted to be in Geneseo for Claire's (Kate's daughter, my stepsister) and Matt's wedding! With the help of the Barshingers (thanks for the B&B experience, guys!!), we broke the journey north into two easy portions. We landed in Geneseo just 15 minutes before the wedding. Miles woke up a big cranky, but was in quiet awe throughout the sunny, beautiful ceremony.

Papa and son, getting comfortable before the wedding.

...and getting a bit silly. But not too silly!

I love Southern NY! This was the view from our seats...

For some reason I was in love with all the birdhouses.


Hooray! The bride was so lovely!

Saying their vows, written by themselves, under the trellis before a splendid landscape. It was seriously windy and freezing and threatening rain until JUST before the ceremony began. Then the sun abruptly came out and it was warm and mellow and perfect. I am sure the bride and groom arranged it somehow.

After the ceremony. This is, believe it or not, what often happens if you ask Miles to smile for a picture.

I didn't get great pictures of the reception; my camera is just inadequate. But this can at least give you an idea of how exquisite Claire's gown was, and how happy they were. It was a beautiful day.
Oh, and I RUE that I did not get any pictures, but Miles was having a total danceathon! He rocked out while the string quartet was playing after the ceremony, and when the band struck up he had the greatest little butt wiggling caper you can imagine. I was too busy enjoying myself to get the camera. I shall do better in future? Maybe.

No road trip is complete without fast food! I maintain that, at least with kids, it can scarcely be done without Chick-fil-A and/or McDonalds. We hit the same McDonalds coming back that we did back in December. This time, Miles bravely went down the big slide!

I still can't believe we all coped as well as we did. Jon was in the middle of exam week/papers due hell, Miles is 22 months old, I was 11.5 weeks pregnant... but we were all fairly comfortable and enjoyed the adventure!

Next road trip is slated for July. Will we be seeing any of you, dear readers?