Strawberries and such...

Judson and I had a quite the berry-picking adventure with JuliAnn and Madi on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, my camera was on the fritz, so JuliAnn had to take all the pictures.  She got some terrific ones, which I hope to get from her before too long.  In the meantime, you can click here to read her post and see some really cute pictures of the kiddos.  Judson got far dirtier than I anticipated, but he had a blast and ate about a pound of berries...some ripe, some rotten, some completely white, and some with stems.  It was really something.  I'm happy to report it didn't seem to affect his digestive system.  He did have a slight rash on his neck yesterday, but it was gone today.

And one other post-to-come: my dad came up today to install the cabinets he made for our entryway.  It's a three-part unit: a hutch that faces our dining area, a long desk with a bookshelf and tons of great drawers, and a bench that opens closest to the front door.  It's gorgeous and fits perfectly.  I can hardly wait to organize it!  I'll post pictures once we get the desk top installed.  (We're planning on granite, since slabs can be purchased so inexpensively these days.  We haven't bought anything yet, however.)

Judson's dream-come-true

Judson had a terrific weekend, complete with two of his favorite things.  First of all, we went camping and he got to spend two whole days living outside (that post is coming...hopefully soon!), and since all he wants to do is play outside and get dirty, he was one happy camper...literally.  :)

Then when we got home, Justin and Mandy were here mowing our field.  (They'd rented a tractor to mow their new property and generously offered to do our field, too.)  Judson was incredibly tired, but he perked right up when he saw who was here.  He and Mandy played outside while I got a few things done.  And then he got to drive the tractor with Justin once the mowing was done.  Such a happy boy!

Being silly

 

 We didn't get a picture of him and Mandy on Sunday, but this is a great one I took recently and have been meaning to share.

Well, hello, third trimester.

I was hoping to have some fun 3D/4D ultrasound pictures to add to this post, but alas, that was not meant to be.  We went in yesterday morning for our complimentary 3D/4D ultrasound (that's what the diagnostic imaging place calls them...not sure why, but I'm sure Nate could explain it to you :).  We had the same tech for the fourth time in two pregnancies (the only time we haven't had her was when we had our dating ultrasound early on in this pregnancy).  She's great, and she tried so hard, but Baby just wasn't having it.  He or she was content to stay in a head-in-the-pelvis, nose-smashed-into-the-uterine-wall position.  We did get to watch some fun yawns and such, but in terms of pictures, we came away with four fairly creepy ones, which I will not be posting.  I was just thankful that I didn't dream of alien babies with pig noses last night!  :)

I will be 29 weeks tomorrow, and I really can't believe it.  I am happy to report that the stabbing groin pains have actually gotten better.  (If you prayed for me, thanks!)  I'm tired, but other than that, feeling really good.  I love this point in my pregnancies, and I think it's because the movements are stronger and I love feeling random body parts jutting out.  (I realize I will be changing my tune if Baby starts jabbing me in the ribs or doing some other movement that causes me pain.)  I almost hate to mention this, but so far haven't had any Braxton-Hicks contractions, which I was having constantly by this time with Judson.  They're not painful, just annoying.

Since I can't leave you with any fun baby pictures, you're stuck with pictures of me.  :)

28 weeks this time..and looking like this tank top may not make it for all of my pictures.  Dang!

28 weeks with Judson

Celebrating the first day of summer...

...and the warmest day we've had.

We met Jess and five kiddos (two of her own and three daycare kids) at Memorial Park in Wilsonville today.  (As an added bonus, JuliAnn, Madi, Kari, and Kade were all there too.  Fun!)  It was our second time to play in the fountains this year, but the first with a camera.  Judson absolutely loved it.  He was so much fun to watch...and listen to!  He was constantly doing these happy shrieks that just cracked me up.  If you think these pictures are overkill, you don't want to know how many I actually took.  Oh, the joys of digital photography!  :) I especially love my digital SLR, which allows me to actually capture the action.

 

Completely off the ground

With only one exception, the hat stayed on the entire time.  He's figured out that it keeps the sun out of his eyes.  Now I just need a navy blue one to go with his swimsuit and shoes.  :)

Daddy's Little Helper

Phil and Bridgett gave Judson a wheelbarrow full of goodies for Easter.  Literally.  It had a shovel and watering pitcher, bubbles, puzzles, a book, and plenty of candy that Nate and I scarfed down.  :)  Nate has been working really hard outside - and it looks tons better - and he's been using our wheelbarrow a lot.  So Judson decided to lend a hand. Nate was moving dirt, so he'd load up Judson's wheelbarrow and his own, and they'd take their loads to fill in some low spots near the field.  It took a lot of effort on Judson's part, but he stuck with it.  He probably made five trips the first day (LONG trips, including a hill), and he always dumped it right where he was supposed to.  Except when it spilled before he got to his final destination.  Then he'd say, "Oh, no!" and use his hands to try to put it back in the wheelbarrow.  He's helped on more than one occasion, but I only have pictures from this particular day.  He's also put his wheelbarrow to use hauling rocks, weeds, and water.  I am so thankful to have property for this boy to "help" with and explore! :)

How cute is that?!  I almost couldn't stand it. :)

 

Helping Mama weed

The first bike ride of the summer

Last weekend was sunny and warm and we decided to go on a bike ride at Minto Brown Park after dinner.  Judson wasn't so sure about his "hat" at first, but didn't care once we started moving.  My stomach had just reached the size that makes bending over uncomfortable, so I wasn't very comfortable on my bike, but we had a great time nonetheless.  I may have to get a "cruiser" if I want to ride any more while I'm pregnant...

I'm just not sure Judson's going to like sharing the bike trailer next summer...he pretty much takes up the whole thing! :)

Funny kiddo

Most of us can agree that little kids say the funniest things.  Though Judson is only speaking in two-word phrases at this point, he's already saying some pretty cute things.  At least his parents and grandparents think so.  :)

When we were in Colorado, he was able to convince my mom to let him try whatever she was drinking.  (At home, we usually only have water and milk, so he was very intrigued by juice and iced tea.)  One night she was having wine with dinner and he wanted some.  She said something like, "Wine isn't for babies," and then we went on with whatever conversation we were having.  Pretty soon, he asked for it again and she said, "What did I tell you, Judson?"  He got a serious look on his face and said, "No, no," in the same tone he uses for the cat when Moses jumps on the table.  It was awfully cute...and impressive, too, since he had to translate what she'd said to him the first time.  :)

One other drink story happened the other day.  He likes to say "coffee" now when he sees Nate or me drinking it.  The other day I took my coffee outside while he played.  When it was time to come in, I let him carry my mug.  (Needless to say, it was not one I cared about.)  There was one drop of coffee left in there, and of course he drank it.  I asked him if it was "icky" and he said, "Mmm.  Good."  Funny kiddo, indeed.

Yet another flying experience for Judson

Judson and I recently got home from a nine day trip to Colorado with my mom, Anna, and Macy.  We had a great time with Fleeta (and various other family members we saw briefly) and enjoyed BEAUTIFUL weather! The temperature was between about 75* and 89* every day we were there.  It was fantastic, as was spending extended time with "Feef", "Gaggi" (he can't quite get "Grammie" yet!), Anna, and "Mimi."  I will admit, however, that Judson is not at an easy age to travel with.  Shocking, I know.  :)

He did well on the airplanes to Colorado, though, in his excitement, he was definitely on the loud side.  Overall, it was just a very long day of traveling and we were SO ready to get to Canon City!

Sitting in the carseats while eating snacks at PDX...waiting for Mom to come back from parking the car.  We checked the carseats...we just waited for my mom to come before we checked in.

 The two factors working against us regarding Judson's overall behavior on the trip are the fact that he's definitely starting to throw fits and he just didn't sleep well.  Not a good combination.  But we did have plenty of times where he was lots of fun, and everyone was really understanding when he wasn't lots of fun.

I took Judson to a park on about half of the mornings we were there (while Macy was napping and Mom was getting Fleeta ready).  Then he'd eat an early lunch and go down for his nap.  (On the mornings I didn't take him to the park, it was generally because he went down for a morning nap.  Sometimes he was back in bed by 8:30 am because he'd woken up so early.)

Once he was up from his afternoon nap, it was often pool party time.  One day he spent THREE HOURS in the pool.  It was great!  No chasing after him required.  :)  Macy joined him from time to time.

One afternoon we went on the "Scenic Royal Gorge Railway."  It was a fun little train that was perfect for the kiddos and ended with a great view of the Royal Gorge Bridge.  Judson loved it!  Unfortunately, Fleeta couldn't ride it with us, but she did get to see us on it and she was perfectly happy with that.

We also went walking on Tunnel Drive one evening.  It was still HOT, but lots of fun.  Judson didn't want to ride in the stroller on the six tenths of a mile back to the car.  He ran most of it, "pushed" Fleeta's wheelchair for quite awhile, and was carried a little (when he stopped one too many times).  At one point, he found the perfect handles on Fleeta's wheelchair and somehow tripped or just let go with one hand or something (I was watching, but it happened so fast).  The next thing I knew, he was being dragged by one arm!  He didn't let go; I had to pry his hand off.  The gravel scraped up his legs and belly a little, but he didn't care one bit.  Tough guy.

We have to tie Fleeta's legs on during our Tunnel Drive walks.  Otherwise her feet just keep bouncing off. :)

He's got a stick in his hand, though it's hard to see.  Such a boy!

Running to catch Grammie...not sure what she's doing.  :)

The blurry background makes it look like they were going really fast, but they weren't.

Love her!

 I'll close with some random pictures of other fun times...the park, feeding ducks and geese, walking along the Arkansas River, time with Jack and Donna, and so on.  It was indeed a very special trip!

Checking out Fleeta's wheels.  Fascinating!

The little wheels are very fun to spin, apparently.  Both kids liked to do it.  :)

Love this picture!

He will pose with other people, but refuses to pose with me.  Little stinker.

Like mother, like daughter.

Judson has been great about wearing his hat lately, but this was the first time he kept sunglasses on.  They were Macy's. :)

No food today...just throwing rocks.  Not at anything. 

This goose thought there might be some food involved.

Modeling his "new" hat from Uncle Jack.  It says, "Your Basic Hat."

Party in the shade.  It was nearly 90*!

Macy and Annie

Should she haul him around as much as she does?!  He's half her size!  

Macy's teeth grew SO MUCH while we were together.  It was pretty crazy.

She started making a pig noise/face in Colorado and generally would only do it when I asked her to (no one else) and pretty much EVERY time I asked her to.  It totally cracked me up.

I probably shouldn't even point this out, but I swear I only wore that blue tank top two different days.  Apparently those were the days we took all the pictures.  :)

Lunch in the airport in Denver...and the only time Judson sat still for the 2+ hours we were there.  He was pretty wild the rest of the time, but we were in an unpopulated area and I was so glad he was getting it out of his system before we got on the next plane.  He crashed in the stroller about ten minutes before we loaded and stayed asleep over an hour.  Praise the Lord!  It made for a very nice flight.  :)

Not a great picture, but our only evidence of everything we hauled.  Actually we did very well packing-wise, but with car seats and a stroller, it really added up.  :)

***No matter what I do, there are often weird spaces in my posts that I CANNOT do anything about.  It drives me crazy, so I thought I'd at least mention that I realize they're there.***