busy, breakdown, baby

Busy, breakdown and baby... pretty much sums up why I have not posted for so long. First of all, I've been pretty busy the last few weeks. I'm driven to get some house projects done before it gets too hot out. But before we do house projects we have to pay our respects and travel all over the state of Iowa to go to graduation parties (not to mention the cost of gas now adays). Then we finally have a good weather day last weekend and the power washer we're borrowing breaks down. The biggest stresser has been trying to figure out and help plan our extended family vacations - figuring out vacation time (which I'm trying to save for maternity leave), money, and a road trip have seemed to consume my last bit of energy. My work has also been a bit frustrating lately so even that has me agitated and tired. So now, I'm close to a break down. Not only is equipment breaking down but so am I. I haven't had a "good cry" in awhile but I know it's coming (hopefully no cookie lady will be there). And the last thing is "baby". We have a baby due in less than three months so my body is slowing going from quick and mobile to slow and tired. Basically, I used to be a bunny and I'm now a turtle. The sad thing is, is that I'm not really that big yet. I'm just getting started with a projectile belly.

On a good note, Phil has the baby room painted (and it looks great) so we just need to rearrange it before Harlie comes. I've got my windows cleaned for the year. The garden is mostly started and seems to be growing for the most part. I know Wendell sees the plants and he calls them "flowery". We have Phil's parents coming up this weekend and my mom is coming up to visit during the week for a few days. So I have some helpers coming!! Maybe my to do list will get done soon! Then once our "vacations" are planned then maybe I can sit back and let summer happen. I've already decided that this might be the summer of taco's, peanut butter/jelly sandwiches and paper plates. Quick, easy, and little clean up!

Well, hopefully next time, I'll have some pictures to show you but for now.. I'm off for a break before Wendell gets up from his nap. Thanks for listening. Sorry if there are typo's, I'm too tired to proofread...

what's new?

This first photo is my little Wendell. Yes, he is INSIDE of the kennel. When we first had Wendell I said that I would never let him play in there.. cause it's Buster's space. But after lots of begging and nagging from Wendell then I let him go in, assuming Buster would go somewhere else to hang out. But usually Buster stays and the two of them have their dog/boy time. Every once in awhile, Wendell even insists that I lock him in. Yes, I will admit for short amount of times I allow this to happen.. only because he (Wendell) starts yelling at me if I don't lock it (seriously). So here, he is, with Buster, just hanging out in his little hide away spot.

This next photo is of the long overdue hair cut that Wendell needed. Phil buzzed it off so he now has a buzz cut. He did very well sitting there for about 20 minutes and then the little hairs starting itching his neck. Of course, I don't have any picture of him after the cut but I'll post some soon. But I think he looks cute, sitting on his little chair with a "cape" (dish towel) on.

And the next photo is of our garden.. Phil just planted a few days ago so it's officially started. We still have the other half to go but he's got a good start. Soon we will be watching the plants grow, weeding, and eventually some fresh produce. Phil knows he'll have to take on most of the work load this year but I'm sure he'll love doing it.. especially with a two year old to help : )

For those of you who don't get to see me often, here is a picture of me at about 25 weeks. I meant to attach it to the last blog entry but didn't get to it.. so here it is a week late.

So that's what's new with us.. what's new with you??

baby update - 25 weeks

I'm not sure when I last updated any of you on baby life but I had another appointment today and all went good. I'm just over 25 weeks and will be in my third trimester soon.. and can hardly believe it. When I was first pregnant, I told myself to not think about it too much or I'd either worry or become impatient. I think the time has come that I better start thinking about having a baby! I haven't really gotten that big either (even though I've definitely gained weight) so I guess that's why I don't think about it much either. But lately Harlie has been moving like CRAZY and I feel jabs quite often. I'm just now starting to not sleep so good because I can't get comfortable. But it doesn't help that I have a bit of a cold/wheezing either. Last weekend we bought the paint for Harlie's room, it's a light purple and yellow. Close to this and this. Then we also have some bug (butterfly, bee, dragonfly, lady bug) stickers to put up that will make it VERY colorful. Phil will hopefully get to paint here soon then we can start arranging the room. I also ordered a cradle mattress and sheets so that she can sleep downstairs in our room for the first few months. We have bought Wendell his big boy bed but probably won't transfer him over until after Harlie comes.. I just think I'll want him confined as long as I can : ) I also need to start thinking about our "birthing plan"... and what we'll do with Wendell. I never really went into labor last time so I'm not sure what to expect this time. I'm in a lot better health/shape this round so I'm really not sure what to expect. I still exercise 3-4 times a week, and am still jogging about once a week for 30 minutes. My last jog wore me down though so I think I'll be reducing to 25 minutes here soon. I also just ordered a work out video that should help me with stretching and strengthening. Even though I can still walk/jog, I feel very "tight" and not very flexible so I would like to do more stretches. My back has been hurting a little more but it's so much better than when I was pregnant with Wendell so I can't complain. I'm hoping my work out tape will help with my back. I think that about covers everything!

pizza anyone?

Hey all ~ I have been drooling over making this pizza for the last three days so tonight I finally made it. The recipe is out of the book we just got from MMO a few weeks ago.. basically it's a very simple bread dough as a crust but then is cooked at 550 degree's. I didn't know my oven could get that hot, but it sure did! Anyways, the pizza only bakes for about 10-15 minutes and then it's done (we're talking raw dough, veggies and cheese all cooked to perfection in a short amount of time). This time I did an Italian style pizza which basically means I used fresh cut up tomatoes instead of pizza sauce. I'm a sauce lover so next time I'll probably add normal pizza sauce. I just found a new recipe to make my own sauce that I've been wanting to try so I guess we'll be having pizza again in a few days : ) I loaded this one up with veggies so then I didn't have to fight Wendell on eating his veggies 'cause he ate them with the pizza. The pizza got a bit well done but it tasted just fine. I guess next time I'll watch the time a little more, I didn't realize a minute or two was so precious but with this hot oven every minute counts. It was delicious and very easy to make. Let me know if you want the recipe.. for those at MMO you can find the recipe in the book (pg. 135-137) and I just used the basic bread recipe that I already had make up. Very soon, I will come up with a recipe for the BEST home made pizza ever.. I'm very close with just a few more things to work out. Let me know if you have any tips from your own experience!