Party Planning

Asher exclaimed, "Clock!" about 1,000 times. He was happy.






F for fish!

I knew there was a lot of party prepping ahead of me tonight and instead of putting Asher and Soren in front of the computer for an extended period, I distracted them with new flashcards and workbooks. They were the perfect source of entertainment!

Asher LOVED the clock flashcards and Soren enjoyed the alphabet cards.

While they 'studied' I made: cake, key lime pie, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, and frosting. I also roasted corn and red peppers, sliced olives, and grated cheese. I assembled the bean dip and covered the cake in a crumb layer of frosting before we headed upstairs for bath and bedtime.

I am thrilled that Jamie is coming home tomorrow. I feel tired but also very loved and sustained. Somehow God blessed me enormously with the strength and patience to survive these past pregnant six weeks without my beloved. We are ready for him to come home.

Yellow and Pink

Mine.


Hers.

I love my new yellow loafers--they make me ache for fall MORE than ever. How do we ever survive summer? I found a matching pink pair on sale for my baby babe today. Holy cuteness. I'm not a matchy matchy type of mom (in case you hadn't noticed with Asher and Soren) but I don't mind similar or even same patterns with different colors.

I love color and I'm not going to lie...baby girl clothes and shoes are irresistible.

It's DELUXE son

Ever seen those coke commercials in a theater? There was one from YEARS ago that always made Jamie and me laugh. I found it!

Distractions

Asher with his blue taggy--all others are DEAD to him. Soren with his beloved 'pumpkin' taggy.

I try to limit the amount of time Asher and Soren spend watching tv but they LOVE their little shows. Mornings when they get up before I have showered or gotten ready I usually let them watch something, which lately has been Bob the Builder. Generally that show makes me want to kill myself because the voices of all the characters are enormously obnoxious and then there is that creepy scarecrow but in the end, it is an innocent show that I know will not expose my kids to vulgar language or scary scenarios.

Do you let your little ones watch tv? If so, what do they watch and how often do they watch?

Ideally they would read books together while I showered but that doesn't happen very often. They are good kids--my Asher and Soren. They play together well, for the most part, and seem sincerely concerned about each other's welfare. "Happy Soren?" Asher will ask. "Happy Asher?" Soren will ask. I love that they care.

Old Town with Grandma

Gas lamps of Old Town.


Trying to get a photo with both boys looking happy is nigh unto impossible.


Mommy hold you!


In all of my big blue 22 weeks of pregnancy.


My rings still fit! Yay!


Choo choo train!


Asher snugs.


Finally! Happy faces! All they needed was a cannon to stand on.


We love grandma!


Happy happy joy joy!


Putting the OLD in Old Town.

A visit from my mom is not complete without at least one adventure in Old Town. The oppressive heat of the last week kept our outings limited but we managed a farewell trip to Old Town on Saturday night. We parked on a shaded cobbled street and walked to the river. I hoped for just ONE decent photo of Soren and Asher with my mom because as usual, I didn't take enough photos during her visit.

The heat slowed us down and no one wanted their photo taken but the boys perked up once they saw the cannon. My mom and I ignored the lovers licking each other on the bench next to the cannon and let the boys climb, climb, climb. After the heat nearly annihilated us we went to Mai Thai to visit Chon and have dinner. The boys were ecstatic to see her but were not keen on her holding them. They are such curious little men!

We had a fabulous dinner with regular goodies brought to the table by Chon for the boys. My mom and I agreed that the coconut ice cream was the BEST we had ever had. Get some!

As I was pulling away from the airport moments after saying farewell to my mom, I experienced an overwhelming feeling of sorrow. I was sad that I have had to say goodbye to my husband for long stretches of time--and not just once or twice but on several occasions. My thoughts wandered to the wives who never have to experience that kind of separation. I then thought of how fortunate I am that my mom is so willing and happy to succor me during those times when Jamie is away from home. I am grateful for her visits--she is a tireless champion of my weary attempts at motherhood and she is always happy to do whatever I plan, even if that is nothing.

I am excited that she will be here again in October to share her love with Asher and Soren and our autumn baby babe. I can't wait.

Frogs and Turtles

Shortly after a cool walk through a forest buzzing with cicadas and birds we were greeted with this vista!


Hot. Holy hot.


The marshes. Usually there are loads of birds to be spotted--guess they aren't so keen on triple digit temps.


I LOVE this information!


This little guy was the first turtle we spotted.


The boys loved it and Soren declared it a 'mommy one.'



Happy!


Observant.


Thoughtful.


They look so grown up to me. Sigh.


Yay!




Huntley Meadow Park was dominated by dragonflies.

Friday morning I took the boys and my mom on a critter finding expedition to Huntley Meadows Park. I don't go to this park often but every time I DO go I marvel at how close it is and how remarkable its existence is, in the middle of an otherwise wretched stretch of hideous sprawl and strip malls.

The walk through the forest was lovely and refreshingly cool! Shade somehow works, even in these humid conditions, when there is nothing BUT shade. We heard a joyful noise of bugs and birds. Soren said it was scary and that he didn't want to see a bear. I agreed, at least about not wanting to see a bear.

Once the landscape opened to the marshland we were nearly knocked off of our feet with the HEAT. I quickly administered sunscreen and it didn't take long before Soren's face was really red--just from the heat. We suffered the heat to see a muskrat, loads of frogs, heaps of dragonflies, tadpoles, tiny fish, one goose, one red winged black bird, and an assortment of turtles. One turtle surfaced from as far as the depths must go and his muddy, rusty demeanor made him seem prehistoric and therefore creepy.

We were not out for long but it was still long enough for both boys to ask to go home. I was happy to comply. Too hot for my peoples.

22 Weeks

I have not documented this pregnancy the way I had hoped and anticipated. Surely I would have weekly updates on body changes and alterations during this final pregnancy. I just haven't carved out the time for such an important endeavor. Even with Jamie out of town life has been busy.

I can't emphasize enough how much EASIER it is to be pregnant with one baby than two baby babes. Other than getting large I hardly feel pregnant. To be more specific, I don't feel physically compromised or overly exhausted, at least not yet. I can still haul two toddlers with ease and other than the regular slowing of someone who doesn't exercise regularly, I get around just fine.

I am easily packing on the pounds and every day I hope to eat more wisely and move a little more. This baby girl keeps me amused all day long with her surprise kicks and punches. Apparently she thinks it is hilarious to kick my cervix because I am suddenly aware of that part of my internal structure due to the regular activity in those parts. I love feeling her move and wish that I could make time stop so I can pause everything to revel in her growing life and all the movements that come with her existence. She shimmies and shakes in the morning, afternoon, and evening and keeps a very consistent schedule. She's cool like that.

My nose doesn't seem to be expanding as quickly as it did with the boys but everything else on my body is enjoying a gentle spread. I feel most comfortable when I am in the pool. My mom and I have been taking Asher and Soren to the pool almost every evening and those have been wonderful experiences. Soren always asks, "The baby needs to go swimming?" I always answer, "Yes!"

I'm waiting for Jamie's return to seriously start the name discussion. There are a few I really like but I'm not sure they are the ONE.

Crafty Craft Fest

My mom has been helping me make little felt bows and she is FAST! Aren't they cute?

Surprise Party!

Jang put together this little anniversary mobile! I nearly teared up when I saw it...how sweet.


My handsome hubs, looking SO young.




Party, party, party!


Jang's spring rolls.


Onion and rosemary foccacia.


Homemade pasta with walnut sauce.


Mr. "I'm happy!" Asher.


Mmmmm, the cake in all of its fondled glory.










Jang made the sign! I love it.




This was a pretty awesome day for the boys.




Helping grandma frost the cake.


Nothing says happy nine years like a rainbow cake!


When I got home this evening Asher and Soren were at the window with the BIGGEST smiles. I opened the door to find a celebration! There was a "Happy Anniversary" sign hanging from the ceiling and immediately Asher and Soren started shouting, "Cake! Cake! Cake!" Soren was jumping and Asher was happy and I found a beautifully mangled rainbow cake on the table. The boys were SO proud of the cake and I learned that Asher suggested the design. My mom had made fresh pasta with walnut sauce, onion and rosemary foccacia, and garlic broccoli. Jang made pad thai and spring rolls. SO fun!

If your spouse is out of town on your anniversary, I highly recommend having your mom around. What a sweet celebration. I loved it.

(Not photographed: Watching Asher LICK the cake and moments later, Soren take a bite right out of the cake. Awesome.)