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.