A silent plea

Hopefully the weather will hold out this weekend & everything will go smoothly for us. In the meantime, I'm getting the house & ourselves ready while my hubby's working his butt off to get things done last minute. As it is, he may have to work on Friday evening. Here I am crossing my fingers that he doesn't!!!

Another baby in the family!

I just got the news that my hubby's cousin & his wife had a baby girl about 6 lbs! Good news is that mommy & baby are fine. More details to come later.

Visiting Ants

Yesterday my youngest sister came over in the afternoon & evening to play with my son. The two of them jumped on our trampoline for over an hour! After playing a game where our son would hide under the trampoline while his aunt tried to get them, they laid down on the trampoline & waved to all the airplanes passing over. Then back to jumping for another 30 minutes or so!!! He really enjoyed having someone to jump with since Daddy's been working so hard & Mommy just can't jump with her baby belly. After a delicious dinner, we watched the movie 'Manchurin Candidate' which was terribly slow & boring. If I hadn't been too tired to move, I would've gone to bed instead. (LOL) My youngest sister then spent the night in the guest room, before heading to work in the morning.

Today we ran out to get some any traps & spray for the few we're finding in the kitchen area. Problem is we can't see where they are coming from. I guess it's that time of year though. I also found some summer maternity clothes (mostly jumpers & a few summer tops) at two local resale shops. All I would really like are some additional tank tops & possibly a few casual summer dresses. Otherwise I'm managing okay on clothing, even if the heat is killing me & our gas bill! (LOL) In the resale shops, my son behaved the best ever for me while I tried clothes on.

This afternoon we baked some cookies & then played with another neighbor & her girls outside before jumping on our trampoline & coming inside for dinner. Then we started a bath early so my son could take a nice long one & still get to bed at a decent time. Tonight after he goes to bed (which he's doing very well by himself after a book & milk), I'll be finishing laundry so we're all caught up.

For those who are curious, the baby's been moving a lot lately & the cramping is reducing. It's nice things are going smoothly, even if my back is really achy from the baby weight. We're so lucky to be having this second child. Every day I'm thankful for that, despite the aches & pains. We can't wait for our son to have a baby brother or sister. I really have no guess which sex it is right now & could care less as long as it's healthy. Although a girl would be great to possibly calm my son slightly & even the odds in our family! (LOL)

Memorial Day Lunch

A family lunch for the holiday!

Our son plays with his uncle & cousin during lunch.

Our son creates a monster with his uncle's & cousin's help!

Camera fun at dinnertime

Giggles at the Park

After returning from the weekend, my hubby & son had fun playing at the park, especially this frog slide. Now that he's older, he's much better at climbing.

A unique swing!

Trying the balance beam.

Enjoying the moon above them, they slide down one after another.

Chasing Mommy with the bike!

Water fun

We took a nice drive on the boat after breakfast. Our son is now at the age where he really enjoys the water (as you can see), even if it was a bit chilly for the day.

Geese on a family outing.

Got all his beach toys & ready to go!

Having a quick dinner before heading home to Daddy!

Visible movement

The baby's movements are now starting to become stronger & visible without touch. Last night it seemed to be dancing & was jiggling my belly like jello! It was so funny. It's so cool to feel & see the baby's movements at once. My son felt the baby move this morning but really didn't think anything of it. I think he just thought I moved my belly myself. That would be a pretty good trick, wouldn't it? (LOL)

Morning Games

This morning after our son woke me up, he said "wake Mommy, it's morning". We watched Thomas the Train movie for about 15 minutes while he ate some breakfast (but not much). Then when Grandma woke up & the dogs came out, we all played downstairs. Although it's chilly now, it looks like it will be a nice day & is already starting to warm up.

Ready...

Aim...

Fire!

Grandma puts the ball in to start another round!

Back again

Although it rained the entire drive to my in-law's, the weather cleared up so my son & I could enjoy the outside weather before it rained again.

Our son enjoys his car but still learning to steer.

Grandpa shows our son how to fill the bird feeder.

Grandpa gives our son a ride on the riding lawn mower but had to return in the rain.

Deadline time

A few times a year, my hubby has a deadline for his projects where he has to work day & night in addition to weekends. That time has come so my son & I are going to have the weekend together so my hubby can work & get what he needs done without interruption. I truly appreciate & understand how hard my husband works for us. I am very lucky to have been so blessed with someone so wonderful & loving.

Senate & Bills

I almost never talk politics here but this has really got my goat. So if you don't want to hear it, then stop reading now...

Senate passed a new war spending bill to further fund the Iraq War without troop withdrawal but say they'll still challenge the president's politics in the future. It seems like less than six months ago, they passed troop withdrawal which the president then vetoed only to send MORE troops this year. I understand the House, Senate & President are supposed to work together & balance each other out but this is ridiculous. The Senate basically stood up to the president & when he pushed back, their actions seem to say "we don't agree with you still but we'll give you what we want & forget what the majority of American people want".

Now very importantly I want to make it clear that I have relatives & know others who are in the military & I completely support our troops for what they are doing. I can't imagine the horror they face everyday. What I don't support though is our goverment continuing to send more & more of our people to fight a war that shows no progress or end.

Frankly I think any president our country votes next cannot possibly be worse or do more damage to our country than our current president has already managed & continues to do. I can't wait for this nightmare to end & have a president who takes into account & makes his decisions on not only what best for our country but what the people want.

We need a president who will stand up for the people of this country & admit when he's wrong instead continuing to make things worse. I guess he figures "why not add more fuel to the fire, right?" We need a president who makes his or her decisions based on what the people want... NOT what his personal agenda or opinions are!!!

Mama Time

Tuesday night we had a belated celebration for Mother's Day & my father-in-law's birthday. Our son really loves blowing out candles on birthday cakes! Will post some pictures soon. My mother-in-law really loved the home video DVD I made for them of our son.

Wednesday my in-laws took our son on an outing for the day so I was able to get a lot of things done in & out of the house. I even managed to do something just for me, which was wonderful. They had a nice day & we all had dinner at our house afterwards. Then a very cleansing bubble bath & off to bed for everyone.

Today my son had a couple temper tantrums for whatever reason. THAT was fun... let me tell you. The best one was while we were in the shower; so we both got wet but had to get out right away. That was a tad bit frustrating.

In other news, our son's adjusting to going to bed by himself. We go potty, brush our teeth, have a little milk, read a book & say goodnight. As long as we leave his door wide open, he goes to sleep by himself now. Of course, he finds various reasons to get up two or three times each evening (like every child) but then he's pretty good. That will be very helpful when the baby comes this fall.

Also he's all registered to start preschool this fall so hopefully he'll be completely potty trained by then. He does okay half the time when we're out but it's working. He's even surprised us by going himself a few times. I even pulled over on a country road once away from home for him to go potty; thankfully he's a boy so it was easily handled. His biggest challenge is dressing himself. I think he knows how but he just gets frustrated & gives up. Anyhow, here's us crossing our fingers!

The pregnancy is still going well at 25 1/2 weeks (i.e. 6 months & 1.5 weeks). There's more stretching going on right now so there's a bit more cramping & itching than normal. The baby moves steadily throughout the day & seems to favor the ribs & my left side.

A busy life

Isn't amazing how busy how everyone is these days? Our lives just seem to go faster & faster always flying by us. Sometimes life changes too quickly for us to keep up with but somehow we all do.

The best hubby ever!

I have the best husband ever! This morning at 1 am, he ran out to pick up a strawberry shake, tomatoe slices & bacon because I had a taste for it. How awesome is that??? The shake tasted like the best I ever had!

Seven hours!!!

Somehow I slept seven hours straight last night! I don't remember getting up for something to drink, eat or pee. Wow... I can't even remember how long it's been since that happened.

After years of not jumping...

Our son loves the trampoline my parents gave us (that they used to have) & helped us set up in our backyard.

"Okay Daddy... I'm understand the rules. Now can I jump?"

Grandma bounces Mommy up in the air!

My youngest sister does a split!

Grandma takes her turn!

Celebrating Mothers

Secret giggles

Mommy reads her cards

Our son likes his new Shrek characters from Mommy & Daddy.

Our son immediately started to use the stickers from his aunt.

Playing with Shrek & storytime while we wait for our food.

My youngest sister & her nephew!

Sharing some laughs!

My youngest sister & her boyfriend