Crazy Life

Today's events are too long to go into but it involved a bat (the animal), a ruptured disc, an ambulance, firemen, and surgery. Everyone is okay and we're all hoping for an uneventful Friday!

Website Wednesday - Bucketlist

Today's Website Wednesday is Bucketlist. Click HERE to see what others have included on their list. My friend Katie started one in junior high or high school (can't remember which one) and a couple years after college graduation she was on her third version. Katie left this world too early but knowing she had fulfilled so many ambitions is comforting. 

What would be on your list? I created one about 10 years ago, I need to find it. I might start working on a new one. Some suggestions I like are "plant and grow sunflowers", "learn to hot wire a car", "ride a mattress down a staircase", "create my own ice cream flavor", "travel to all 50 states" . . .

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans" -John Lennon

The Age of Questions

It's official, we've entered into the stage of questions. Here's just a few:

H: Why do people go pee-pee and poo-poo in toilets? (potty training is going great this week)

H: How do you crush submarines? (he's really into recycling videos)

H: Why don't people grow back fingers? (he knows that some lizards can grow their tails back)

Living Life

The other day, Ryan told me about his dad wanting to go snow skiing during his last visit to see us in Oregon. Well, other plans were made and it never happened. It's one of those lessons learned that life is too short so you must make the most of it while you are able.

So here begins a trip down memory lane. About 5 years ago, Ryan and I decided to spend Spring Break in Prague and Paris. I sent a summer studying in Europe and really wanted Ryan to see that side of the world. We didn't have much money but we managed to make it happen. 

We toured all the major attractions which were wonderful but it's the small things that really stand out. The above photo is a homeless lady feeding hundreds of pigeons outside of Notre Dame Cathedral. She caught a couple taking a picture of her and went a little crazy on them. I carefully hid my camera after this shot.

Here we are at The Rodin Sculpture Garden next to The Thinker. The garden was our escape from the street riots happening about a block away. If I remember correctly, they were protesting a labor law. It was a little scary but we survived.

I wish I would have taken a photo of this little deli we found. Neither of us speak French so ordering food was somewhat challenging. It was a rainy afternoon and we were famished so we popped into the closest deli. The lady (whom we nicknamed Grandma) spoke no English but somehow knew the perfect sandwich for us. We ate the world's best roast beef on a baguette underneath an umbrella and scaffolding in the pouring rain on a street corner in Paris. To this date, that was the best dining experience I've ever had. 

Another memory from this trip was our adventure to a nearby town called Fontainebleau. Ryan read about it in his climbing magazine so we decided to check out the bouldering area. Remember we do NOT speak French so locating a train to take us there was quite the quest. After hiking in the woods for about two or three hours and not finding anything, we called it quits and headed back to town. 

Whenever I go to a new city, state, country, etc. I love to browse the grocery store. Before catching the next train, we stopped at the grocery. Figuring out how to weigh and label grapes was pretty funny. I can clearly remember walking along the streets nibbling on grapes, cheese and baguettes with chocolate chips. And Ryan, I want to say to you, thanks for picking out the seeds :)

So Hard

No one can prepare you for the death of a loved one, whether they are young or old, healthy or sick, it's still heartbreaking. Elwood always said I was his favorite daughter-in-law (yes, I'm the only one) and he definitely was my favorite father-in-law. He touched so many people as a husband, father, grand-father, brother, teacher, coach, principal and friend. I don't know what we're going to do without him but I know he's watching us from above giving us one of his sweet smiles.

I always have to smile at this photo. It was taken about an hour after Harrison was born, which was after 15 hours of waiting. You can really see the love in this photo. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 

Baby Update

Well for the past couple of days I've been having contractions whenever I'm up and about. Yesterday, they started coming when I was sitting too. I called the doctor's office and they said head over to Labor and Delivery if they are frequent. Better safe than sorry, Ryan brought me to the hospital yesterday. I was a little freaked out b/c I still didn't have my bag packed and it's still pretty early for the baby. 

After monitoring my contractions and the baby's heart beat, they decided it was safe for me to go home. However, I'm on bed rest for 24 hours and need to take it easy. I can only get up to use the bathroom, eat and shower. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday so we'll see what she says.

On another note, please say a special prayer for the family and Ryan's dad a successful recovery.

ROAR

At Harrison's summer school program, he's been learning all about the circus. Tonight he was talking about getting shot out of a cannon. Do they still do that or is that just in books?

Baby H

I was reminiscing tonight and found these photos of us bringing Harrison home from the hospital. I love those long skinny legs. It's hard for me to remember him that small.

Packing

Confession, I still haven't packed for the hospital. At night by the time I get around to it, I'm pretty tired. With Harrison, I think I was ready to go three months in advance! Maybe this baby won't be a planner.

Harrison's First Fish

Someone is pretty pumped about catching his first fish. Bob and Mimi took him down to the lake and within a half an hour Harrison caught this bream. I just love his expression :)

36 Weeks!

I'm officially 36 weeks and entering into the 9th month! It's flown by but at this point it's a good thing. I'm going to the doctor weekly now. I've felt quite a bit of pressure but it's the baby dropping. This time around the braxton hicks contractions happen every afternoon and evening. I guess from being so busy during the day so I'm trying to take it easy.

The baby is growing an ounce a day and weighs almost 6 pounds (according to the internet). By next week, the baby is considered full-term! Whoo-hoo!

Note: Yes, I'm barefoot and pregnant, I just need to be in the kitchen now :) With the heat we've been experiencing lately, my flip-flops are the only shoes I can wear.

Website Wednesday - Baby Legs

I mentioned Baby Legs (leg warmers) yesterday and decided to check out their website since I haven't been there in awhile. Click HERE to find out what I'm talking about. I love the little football ones and they're coming out with a Hello Kitty line. Plus, there's now lightweight water proof ones that offers protection from UV Rays. I might have to add those to my summer list :)

The Ole Side-Snap

I was SUPER excited when I found all of Harrison's side-snap t-shirts. They are the softest, cutest little shirts. The hospital introduced us to them and it's great for the first couple of weeks. The umbilical cord needs to breathe and you don't have to worry about removing a onesie to change a diaper. Combine it with a swaddle or baby legs and you're good to go!

Construction Women

H: Mama, there's not very many construction ladies. I wonder why?

Poppin' Popper

Our first jalapeno of the season! Homemade salsa here we come.

Balancing Toes

I think Mr. H believes if he touches his nose, he'll have better balance. I call him Turtle on the balance beam b/c he's super slow. 

Last night before he went to sleep, he asked me why people don't grow fingers back. I really didn't have a good answer for him. He knows lizards can grow their tails back. What would you say . . .

Birth Annoucements

I've been thinking about the birth announcement lately. With H, I was uber organized. I had it all designed and the envelopes addressed BEFORE he was born. I still have time but I guess I'll have to create a pink and blue one.

The other day, I received the coolest birth announcement from my friend Emily. Her husband is a drummer and a huge Led Zeppelin fan so their little boy has the middle name of Bonham. The announcement was designed as a cd cover but customized for their little one. That's one talented mama!

Curtain Solution

Here's a house up the road that I'm in love with. Every spring/summer they hang up blue and white curtains and it looks like something out of a magazine. 

Well, lately our neighbors (who are renters) have been pretty loud and I'd like to just block them out. I found this rust color outdoor fabric on sale for $6 a yard and broke out the stitch witchery tape and my iron (because I don't sew). I found two rods behind the hot water heater and Ryan sawed the bottom one in half for each panel. I wanted them about a foot above the ground so when it rains water doesn't build up on them. I can tie them back or leave them open, plus they are easy to take down and wash. 

Website Wednesday - Diapers.com

Ordering diapers . . . check! Click HERE to find great deals on diapers and other baby needs. There's a neat feature that breaks down the cost per diaper, plus you can add coupons to your price. Pampers Swaddlers were my favorite for Harrison, so I went ahead and ordered two jumbo, monster boxes. Hopefully it will last a little while :)