From The Mouths of Pups

I am still working on acclimating Jaco to the idea that come November there will be a new master in the house. It's a slow road people. A SLOW road.

Umm, Jaco? What are you doing?
Oh, I'm wearing a mask.

Well, yes. I can see that. I guess I should have been more specific, WHY are you wearing a mask?

Because you are having a baby. Obviously. Not that anyone asked me first.

Obviously? Why do you need a mask because of the baby?
I heard they smell.

Jaco!

Do they make a "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" for dogs? It's a serious need in today's world people!

Men At 'Work'

Do you guys remember that time I busted my husband and my brother in law "working" on the roof?

Well, this weekend they boys were once again "working" on digging out an area to build a deck. See?
Hard at work.
Uh, Brandon?

Even Emerson manned a wheelbarrow. We start em' young!
As the day wore on, I ended up completely exhausted(from all the hard work they were doing), and promptly fell asleep. I woke up to a strange clanking sound. I groggily pulled myself up to the window and glanced down at the men at work, and what do you think I saw?

An impromptu game of shovel/rock hackysack!
Um guys?

C'mon! Chop chop! Back to work!

Can you hear me? Anyone? Anyone? Hello?? Is this thing on?

But then I saw this...and it all became very clear.
High life huh?

Bump a la Week 18

18+ weeks! Can you believe it? Me either! That is almost 4.5 months. In a little over a week we will officially be halfway to meeting our little sweet pea, and while I am nowhere near ready, I can't wait to see the face of the tiny dancer that has been doing the rumba in my uterus every night. For someone who weighs half a pound this little one sure can dance!
Every time I look at my swelling body I am overcome with feelings. Feelings of love, yes, but so much more. I feel so blessed to be given this gift, to be privileged with the gift of life. I find myself touching my belly almost unconsciously, I'm not even sure why, I think I am reassuring myself that this is real.

Even as I look at that picture I can hardly believe that is me! Is that really me?

Izabella Grace

I would like to introduce all of you to the newest member of our family, Izabella Grace! My sister-in-law Liz delivered her today, and so far that is about all the detail I have! Matt and I are going to make the drive up to see them this evening, and I can't wait to get my hands on this beautiful baby girl!

Welcome to the world Izzy!!

Update: She is just gorgeous. She tipped the scales at 7lbs 5 oz. and is 20.5 inches long! She also has a full head of fuzzy dark hair! Liz is doing pretty well, and both she and John are taking to parenting like pros, I just about cried watching John change her diaper.

Weekend in Review

I blinked...and it was over. I feel like this was the first true weekend of summer, and in true summer style, it was over before I knew it. This post is a tad packed with info, so try to keep up.

Friday I had my monthly doctor's visit, where we learned that everything is looking great with the baby, and we FINALLY got to hear the heartbeat of our little sweet pea. I have never heard a more beautiful sound in my life than that sweet thump, thump, thump. As far as other pregnancy updates go, I still don't think I am feeling the baby move just yet, although I find myself lying in bed at night holding my breath just...waiting.

Saturday started out with a bang at my nephews 8th birthday party.

It was mayhem I tell ya! Glorious, candy fueled mayhem!

After the party Matt and I had a little cook-out at our house, then ended the evening with fishing in our own backyard, followed by a rousing game of Apples to Apples!


Sunday we went out to church where I may or may not have ACCIDENTALLY unmuted all the microphones plugged into the sound board during prayer. Hey! I never said I was any good at being the sound person, I just got thrown into this gig people!

Later on Sunday we had family over for yet another little cook-out and fishing excursion, during which not a single fish was caught, however we did learn that Jaco has developed a sudden and undying love of the water.

(psst-check out Matt's hair! He gave himself a celebratory end of the school year mohawk!)

What are the chances he's NOT scaring away any fish?

Patchwork

There is just something about a little girl...

...in a patchwork dress...

...with six teeth...

...and a smile on her face...

...that makes my heart smile.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

We have been having some seriously dreary weather here for what feels like weeks. The creek is high and muddy, the yard is mushy, the roof is leaking (uh oh...that's bad right?), so all week I have been humming the tune to "Raindrops keep falling on my head" but getting stuck right there because I don't know the words to that song.

Are you being rained on? Or is it sunny where you live? If so, can I come stay with you?

Men At Work

A few days ago my dad and brother came over to help Matt rid our backyard of some unwanted trees. It's not that we don't like trees, it's just that you could tell these were the type of trees that grew because the previous owners didn't mow the backyard.

As the boys worked, we noticed that a fourth boy seemed to be gettin' in on the action. Every time a tree would fall, my brother would use an axe to strip off the branches, then my dad and Matt would cut the trunk into wood-stove sized pieces.

As Everett was chopping the small branches, Jaco was grabbing them, moving them to the middle of the yard, and stripping off all of the branches with his teeth.


Apparently he just wanted a job all along. I'm thinking of offering him out to hire as a landscaper with a rather specific talent.


Anybody need a branch or two stripped of it's leaves by a neurotic, but adorable, mutt??

Any takers?

Hello?

Bump Watch: Week 15

Alternate Title: That girl needs a tan!

As you may or may not have noticed in the above picture, my jeans no longer button. Instead I am looping a hair band though the button hole as a handy dandy little extender!

Also...I think we can all see where the Spaghetti-O's are going. Holy derriere!