Monday, June 27, 2011

Our not so Green thumb this year

It has been a particularly mild and wet Nebraska summer so far.  I really shouldn't complain about this since it has been actually nice to be outside and I don't sweat to death at night.  Normally, Nebraska summers outdoors are incredibly hot and sticky, then when the sun goes down the bugs attack you until you give up and go back inside.  Especially for a pregnant lady, this summer has been awesome temperature wise!  There is one sad part of this weather, however. 
This is our garden last year on July 5th. 
This is our garden today.  Not quite as impressive, I know.  We didn't do anything differently either.  We planted at roughly the same time, and we ignored it the same amount.  
The only thing that doesn't seem to mind this wet and cool summer is this yellow squash plant.  We have already harvested two squash from it, and obviously we will have a few more very soon. The tomato plants do have some little green tomatoes starting to grow, so I know they will come in time, but I was so looking forward to caprese salad by now. 
That biggest tomato plant from last year was a yellow pear tomato plant, and I couldn't find anywhere selling starts for one this year.  I was bummed because I enjoyed those yellow pears so much last year.  Lucky for me, there are a ton of volunteer yellow pear tomato plants springing up everywhere in there!  In the picture, all of those tomato plants along the fence line are volunteer.  I don't really know how to handle it, if we need to get rid of some of them or just let them go to town, but I'm so happy that I'll get to have them again this year. 
At least the hollyhocks are looking gorgeous! 

Friday, June 24, 2011

Hobbit Feet!

I have hobbit feet!  Without the hairiness, as Jason points out.  
They are puffy and sore all the time!  That is all, I just wanted to complain a little. 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Tiling takes a long time

Jason wants me to brag about his backsplash project.  
After agonizing about the tile for months, we finally decided on brown subway tile.  Here is the first row completed!  It took several hours to get it right. 
Several days later, he has completed three rows!  I can't wait to see the finished product!  And I think we're both looking forward to having our kitchen clear of tiling debris.
I especially love the way it looks behind the sink! 

Monday, June 20, 2011

As Ready as We'll Ever Be!

The baby room is ready!  And by that I mean it has been cutified to my satisfaction, not that I actually have everything we'll need for a baby bought and set up.  I've tried to anticipate those needs, but I'm certain that I'll be sending Jason to the store frequently for things that I didn't even think about but now desperately need.  That I think will be part of the learning curve when she comes home. 
The last detail for the room was completing these little letters for above her crib.  I saw them on Etsy.com for $12.99 a letter, and my Mom convinced me I could make my own.  I think they turned out great!  They have little wooden birds and flowers glued on them. 
Jason set up the crib as a surprise for me!  I added a crib sheet and the blanket my Mom picked out for Grace to complete the look.  
I hung up the banner from the baby shower in here as well.  As you can see, I have enough diapers for a week maybe.  
Her dresser is appropriately decked out in knicknacks including a green piggy bank, a chenille bunny made by Kathleen, and her first collector Ty Bear.  All going with the pink and green color scheme, of course!  We also have 258 size 2 diapers from Costco that should get us through a month I'm guessing when she is big enough for that size. 
I have the essential boppy, which even my doctor told me to get, and some friends are letting us borrow their infant swing.  How great is that?!
Here is the stroller and carseat.  Grace, we're ready for ya!  But if it suits you okay, I wouldn't mind if you stayed in there a couple weeks longer ;)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Cutest Baby Shower Ever

Gini threw me a truly fabulous baby shower!
 I love this banner she had made.  Everything for the shower was pink and green, which are the baby room colors, and she incorporated the bird theme in many places!  It was the best baby shower I could have imagined.  In the background of this picture is Melissa, and I hope she doesn't mind that I caught her in this picture.  She is due a couple weeks before me, and looking gorgeous!   
The food was very tasty and beautiful!
Alisha is obviously ready to pop also!  We played several tasteful games.  Luckily, a balloon was not necessary for me because my clothes are already stretched to the limit!  
Everyone is ready to play the game!  
To win the game, you have to walk a short distance with a quarter between your knees and drop it in a jar!
I was super good at it, if I do say so myself :) 
I received several handmade items, like this little hat and matching booties from Kathleen!
I also received many practical items, like this diaper genie from Anne.  Look how excited I am!  I hear you can't live without one of these!
Anne made the most impressive looking cake you've ever seen!  It was really yummy also!  
Everyone got to take home little bird soaps as favors.  
Good times were had all around.  Thank you so much, Gini!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Wounded Pride and Eardrums

I've been a bit reclusive lately from the internet.  You could call it busy, because I have been, but I've also been a bit depressed.  I rear ended someone, totaling our car and battering my emotions.  When Jason and I drive together now I stamp my foot on my imaginary break and gasp needlessly at oncoming traffic.  Jason is dealing with this pantomime while he drives in stride.  I'm getting over it, but I definitely drive like an old lady now.  But I guess that isn't a bad thing!  We are loathing the car shopping experience, but as soon as that is over I can put it all behind me.  My air bag burn is getting much better and my spirits are lifting a bit. 
 So, here I am, getting a bit huge!  I'm feeling baby Grace moving around a lot more, and Jason can feel it too.  He says he is ready for her to come out.  Hold on now!  Does this mean that labor is imminent??  Can't I just skip that part??  I have exactly 3 work appropriate shirts that I can stand to wear in this summer heat,  so it is either those or t-shirts, take it or leave it!  Oh, and my Mom gave me all three, yay Mom!  I hope they hand out those moms know best genes at the hospital, because I'm going to need it! 
 Thompson Music went to the International Trumpet Guild in Minneapolis last week, and it was a lot of fun!  Here is the picture from the ITG website of our booth.  I think it says, "Thompson Music.  We like pizza!"  I was trying to put my plate down because I saw the guy with the camera run in, but apparently I wasn't fast enough.  The camera guy really did not care one bit that I was saying "wait" in between a mouthful of pizza.  So hello trumpet lovers of the world, witness a pregnant lady and coworkers scarfing pizza surrounded by trumpets!  It is a magnificent sight to behold. 



This is a video montage that Mike made. You can get an idea of the trumpet craziness we endured. I'm not sure if Grace loves loud trumpet playing or hates it, but she definitely moved around a lot during that week.  She especially loved/hated the Mahler 6 Minnesota Orchestra concert we attended.  Momma loved it!! 
The only thing I have left to say is the peonies are finally blooming in our yard!  Also we have these purple things that look like giant asparagus when they first come up out of the ground.  I really need to figure out what they are called.