The Locks

Yesterday was such an amazingly gorgeous day Matthew, Johnnie and I drove up to the locks in Ballard to see what was happening. Daddy and Grandma Joyce were in bed sick with a nasty cold so our tourist group was much diminished.

As always, Matthew is drawn to the other kids.

The view looking out toward Elliot Bay.

The early life cycle of the Chinook Salmon on display inside the fish ladder. Unfortunately there were no fish in the fish ladder but that's not surprising considering the salmon don't start running until mid August.

Matthew and Johnnie (Kathy's brother who is staying with us for a few months until he can get back to work as a carpenter)

After watching a couple rows of boats go through the locks and the fish ladder we headed up the grassy knoll to have a picnic. Matthew was simply not able to sit still and since he wasn't disturbing anyone, I let him run.

and roll

and investigate

and fly

At the very end I convinced him to sit and have a snack to keep him going for the ride home.

Belly Update: 28 weeks

This was taken near the end of week 28. I realize that there have been much fewer pictures of the belly progression this time around. Its not just because we are much busier and I am much more tired, I think it is also because this time I feel so much bigger so much sooner and am less excited to show that off.

That having been said we are not less excited to meet this little one. We still don't have a name but have narrowed it down to about 5 options. I think that already I can see some personality developing: he is super stubborn (won't move when I poke him) and kind of shy (if I call anyone over to feel the belly when he is moving, he immediately stops). He is also moving way more than Matthew ever did so we could be in serious trouble.

I have had three ultrasounds so far and have one more scheduled for week 36. The extra ultrasounds are because Matthew had "restricted intra-uterine growth" so the docs want to keep a closer eye on things as the pregnancy continues. So far everything looks great and this little one is projected to be 7-8 lbs!

Smartass

Me yelling from the bathroom because we are behind schedule and I'm losing my patience "Eat god dammit".
Matthew's response "It's not goddammit it's porridge!"

ABA Day 22 - April 10

A Day off to travel from Winnipeg to Rapid City, South Dakota.

In the van for 5 hours, 6 to go.

Aaron and Mark still in the van, Mark finally feeling better.

A quote from a text from Aaron: "24 hours after crossing the Canada/US border at Wall, SD - home of Wall Drug and the dinosaur monument used in the major motion picture "Pee Wee's Big Top Adventure". Motel 6 never looked so good."

On Monday when I picked Matthew up from Grandma's they had a surprise for me.

They had caught a garter snake that tried to slither away out of the branch pile.

Matthew was quite taken with him.

So much so that we took him home and the snake got to have a sleep over.

In the morning (after showing the snake to Papa on Skype), Matthew carried him out to the hedge and released him to eat bugs and worms and to play with his snake friends.

Easter

Last Sunday Grandma Joyce came over for an Easter egg hunt and brunch.

Just outside the front door the fun began.

A giant bunny enjoying the slide.

There were even eggs in the holes where the dead Rhody's were.

He wouldn't carry the basket around so he often ended up with an armload.

One up in a high spot did not deter him.

Pooped out and ready to eat (more candy that is).

Quiet time.

At the end of the day there was quiet reading and if you can believe it Papa went in and sang to Matthew before he went to sleep the first night of the visit. I don't think I've ever heard my Dad sing, can you say wrapped around his finger?

Matthew and Papa had so much fun together. Playing outside, going for walks, playing with the train set and big digger in the family room and of course wrestling.

Cabellas

One of the things on Papa's wish list was a trip down to the big Cabellas store in Lacey.

A picture in front of the stuffed Elephant to send to Daddy.

Smiles with Nana.

Checking out the fish with Papa.

My little social butterfly always gravitates to other kids.

Off to find the toys.

Forced to wear a fox by Mummy. See that nice blank stare that says, I am WAY past my nap time.

By the time we were headed out and decided to stop for a group photo Matthew was done and would not pose for us. He was out cold less than five minutes into the drive home.

Three Years Old!!

We were super lucky that Daddy was back in Seattle for Matthew's birthday. We were also lucky to have Nana and Papa in town so in the hour between Mommy coming home from work, naptime, and Daddy having to leave for sound check we had a birthday celebration.

It was small but it had all the things Matthew said he needed for a birthday: cake, balloons, presents and family.

Blew the candles out all by himself.

A round of applause for the singers.

ABA Day 11 - March 31

At about 4am Aaron arrived home from Yakima for a very quick visit. We got to accompany him to sound check but while there decided that it was going to be way to loud for the baby if I went to the show.

Getting his VIP pass.

First glimpses of the band backstage.

Wondering around meeting the crew and being a social butterfly just like his dad.

A view from the other side of the stage.

Five Finger Death Punch doing sound check.

Watching Windowpane sound check from the front row of the balcony.

Getting to play Jeremy's drums from Five Finger Death Punch.