The trifecta

Little girl happily traipsed along with Grandma and Daddy to the local downtown farmer's market.  While there, she apparently said "go airplane" pointing in the direction of the airport.  She later said, "go choo-choo train park".  So, Troy opted to take her to the park instead of the airport, and she rode her three fun rides.  She came home rejuvenated and happy!

Dutch baby

Troy made us breakfast over the weekend, and whipped up a spectacular dutch baby.  Little girl loved watching the big "poofing" up of the pancake through the oven window. She ate up her entire plateful of the pancake topped with plain Greek yogurt ("sour cream" according to her), lemon, powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Troy's field work

One day last week when the sun shone bright and the temperatures soared nearly to 100 degrees, Troy and his work buddy spent the day in the field, wading in a stream.  I don't really know the technical details of what they are doing in this photo but it looks like fun, doesn't it?!  Anything is probably better than the marathon amount of work he did in the previous three weeks, even going without sleep two nights in a row.

The unbored child

The challenge of bed rest is keeping the toddler child "unbored" while keeping the unborn child happy and thriving.  As you know from reading our blog, that this stay-at-home mom doesn't stay at home much.  We usually play with friends, find things to explore, shop stores, draw with sidewalk chalk, swing on swings, dig in sandboxes etc.  Thankfully, Grandma is here to help us with everyday chores, and especially to entertain toddler child with library story time, trips to Target and grocery, etc.  The sweltering heat limits our outdoor activities but a neighborhood pool outings with some friends provided some relief the other morning.

My awesome Grandma and me

Loving the sprinklers (though wary at first)

Bucket and shovel in water

is so entertaining!

Pregnancy update at 34 weeks

Sorry, I just found this photo of my expanding belly from last week, and thought I should post it anyway.  Other than being the laziest I've ever been, all is well.  Baby continues to look very good on the biophysical profiles twice a week.

You would think that being on bed rest and being gifted lots of time to think would make coming up with a name really easy.  I have combed through a website of every single 8500 girls names (many repeats) while lying on my side.  I have flipped through the baby name book that we used to find baby number one's name(s) which is the same book that Grandma used to name her four.  We managed to find a middle name we all like but the first name is still a mystery.

Shoe-a-holic

Bye, bye, dear friend

Lucia's favorite pair of shoes sadly fell apart the other day.  We got them from a clothing swap with some friends and since then, she often chose to wear these shoes.  Amazingly, they suited most of her outfits well.  When the sole started flapping down, we finally hard to part with them.

"Choo-choo train, say cheese"

Using her daddy's old camera, Lucia snapped a photo of her train made out of blocks.

I wanna be like Kelly!

Lucia found Kelly's very mod and hip glasses and giggled while prancing around the living room with them on her face.

At the pool last week....

We were excited to have Lorena and Kelly hang out with us last week, too.  With Troy being out of town for a conference, we ladies threw ourselves a sleepover.  We can't tell you all the details of our fun, but it did include yummy food and brain candy!  Lucia hung out at the pool one morning (sans Mommy) and looked like she enjoyed herself.  Thanks, Lorena and Kelly!

960 Saturdays

The other day while sitting in the OB's waiting room (very unusual, but this time more than an hour), I thumbed through a magazine and read a thought-provoking article. I learned that 960 Saturdays exist from the time the child is born until he/she goes to college at age 18.  GULP!  That's it?!  That's it.  Enjoy your Saturday.

What bed rest REALLY looks like....

I am resting, promise!  I nap with Lucia every afternoon, and have not done any cooking, cleaning nor lifting (except maybe a tiny bit to pull Lucia the final stretch up to bed or sofa next to me).  Since I have a funky built-in mechanism that makes me have headaches if I'm horizontal for too long, my OB agreed to let me sit up with legs stretched out for awhile.  So, while trying not to abuse that leeway, I find myself lounging in our sunroom most of the day, sometimes sitting up and sometimes supine.  My main restriction is not standing nor walking too far or too long.  I've never been so lazy in my life, but I think the bed rest edict was a good one since baby has been more active and looks great at every appointment, twice a week.

Remember this room?

 We have had excellent help this week.  I'm forever indebted to many people again for all the ways I've been helped, encouraged, and pampered.  And most especially to those who help care for our daughter.... a heartfelt thank you!  Earlier this week, Aunt Mara's super-efficiency and energy kept the house spotless and Lucia busy.   Lorena and Kelly also entertained Lucia easily.  Our days have been filled with friends dropping by, which makes Lucia happy and less bored.  Her buddies (like Neil, Audrey and others) who have visited really make her day.  And recently, Lucia thoroughly enjoyed baby Justin and tried to share all her balls, dolls and books with him.  Watching her play so nicely with him gave me great hopes for her being a good big sister.

What bed rest looks like...

... at least in theory, I should be staring at these walls unless my eyes are closed. 

Miscellaneous photos from last week

I found myself downloading some photos and trying to organize them the other day.  I happened upon some that I had forgotten about.

"Cheeese"

Love-hate relationship with bike helmet

Ladies' breakfast @ home, guys @ Pam's (she's attractive to them!)

My very awesome aunt

Blowing bubbles

outside, trying to stay cool

Sandbox at the park

And on the dinosaur slides

The boy cousins (and matching train PJs)

My cousin who entertains me (and vice versa)

Snuggled up and watching videos

Budding architects?

Back side...

Poolish fun!

Grandma blew up the pool and filled it with water yesterday.  Lucia enjoyed splashing in her little puffer fish.

31+ weeks

My 31 week and 3 day growth ultrasound Monday showed baby looking good but small. Due to concern for baby's growth restriction, I was placed on modified bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.  Likely baby will be delivered early.  So, here I lie..... totally a huge change for my usual state of being.

Play date!

The children enjoyed the park together so much.