Jarett Recently

Summertime stylin'.

He wants to be just like Daddy.

Manly bonding -- making a sandbox.

One of my favorite pics ever, except that he looks much too grown up to be my little baby.
(18 months old tomorrow)

A Word about Pregnancy #2

This post was originally meant to display some lovely and long overdue ultrasound pictures. The computer has other intentions, though, so they'll be even longer in coming.

I am currently 30 1/2 weeks along with Jarett's baby brother. The weather finally warmed up here, but the sunshine has developed an unusual strength this spring, and I find myself regularly dying of heat stroke. When it gets over about 75 degrees inside or out, I am sweltering. **Note to self: next time plan around summer.

Baby brother is healthy and, from what I can tell, quite happy. He delights in giving me swift kicks, especially when I am trying to go to sleep. I've been trying to prep Jarett as much as possible for the big change (due August 11), and when I ask where the baby is he touches my tummy, and sometimes gives it hugs and kisses. I also bought a little baby doll (it's NOT girly) at a yard sale. He likes to pat its back and find its eyes, ears, mouth, belly button, and toes. Very heartwarming, if you ask me. Today we made a paper chain to help us count down until the due date. 66 more days. **Another note to self: next time wait another month before making the chain, as it is currently long enough to climb up a mountain and hang myself with.

With No More Ado...

19 months. DONE! Now to frame it...

?!

Remember the good ol' days when you could return an overdue library book and know that you would be paying a fine between 5 and 10 cents per day? I just returned a book 4 days late and have acquired a fine of $1.25. I feel real old.

Unfinished and Finished Projects: Crib Quilt

Camden and I recently re-organized my sewing stuff. During that grueling process I realized I have about 20 unfinished projects in "storage". I felt a renewed desire to work on all of them and get some things done. Most notably, I have all but finished Jarett's cross stitch birth record that I started on in October 2009. All I lack is a bunch of french knots, which I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do right [insert violent frustration here]. I refuse to post a picture until it is actually done, but don't hold your breath. It could be quite a while.

That aside, I must pat myself on the back for what I have most recently completed. For months I have been checking on Jarett before I go to bed, only to find that the oh-so-vital light-blocking blanket that should hang over the side of his crib is mangled somewhere underneath or on top of him. I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be nice if I had a blanket that attached to the railing?" Never having seen such a blanket in a store, I opted to make it up because I needed it. So I did. No pattern. No measurements other than eyeballing approximations. No spending endless amounts of time. And (here's the best part) a minimum number of "unpicking" episodes with the seam ripper! Usually the idea of doing anything creative without a detailed list of footnoted instructions is enough to make me throw up and deny that I ever wanted to do it. I must thank my sister Michelle for her inspired advice, "Not everything has to be passed down for generations." It was true. It just needs to function as a attached light-blocker, I kept telling myself. Anyway, I finished it last night. What do you think?


Jarett seemed fairly impressed.

Easter

Just a couple scenes from a wonderful Easter. Jarett very much enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs in the yard. It got even better for him when he got to sit on the picnic blanket and eat a Skittle out of each one. Watching him, "Taste the Rainbow" had a whole new meaning. He had multiple rivers, all different colors, running out of his mouth.


We had some friends over for Easter Dinner and had a wonderful time. This is the carrot cake I made for dessert. It was probably the easiest decorated dessert I have ever made.

The results are in...

.....it's another BOY!
Ultrasound pictures to come soon. We are wildly excited around here!