Dandelions

Caden was looking out into our front yard this afternoon, when he decided he needed to notify me that we have "lots of dandy-flowers."

Someday I'll tell him they are weeds.

Week 26 Day 3

Weight: 151.5

My total weight gain is still at 11.5 pounds. 

Things have been going smoothly.

We've gotten the nursery painted a second time; we're really happy with this color and glad we did it!  It's an excellent color of gray now.  You can see it in the background of the photo this week. 

I've been feeling lots of movement from baby.  It seems the last week or so that it is much more pronounced than before. 

Weekend before last I spend time cleaning out the garage and picking up outside for spring.  Now that we've done that, the next step is the basement!  Most of our summer things come to the basement for the winter so we can park two cars in the garage.  Now that all that is back in the garage, I can find all the boys baby things and organize the basement to keep us moving along on our before baby to do list!

We're hoping to complete our baby registry this weekend.  I'll be relieved once that is done!  It feels great to check things off the list, even if it is going slower than I'd like to see it. 

Another Step Into Adulthood

As I mentioned before, my father-in-law passed away last week.  The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of family, grieving and exhaustion. 

I've been at a loss for words.  And more than words, I've been at a loss for knowing what to do. 

I feel as though this process, this event is somehow a milestone in my journey through adulthood and aging. 

I don't feel old enough to be doing this, but is anyone? Ever?  People much younger than me have dealt with worse. 

I've done what I know how to do.  I've stood by my husband, followed his lead, and been a quiet, yet supportive wife.  I may now know what to say, but I do now how to sit there and just be there for him.  That I can do.  I've taken care of the kids, our pets and our house, to allow him the time and freedom to spend with his mom and siblings who live 90 minutes way.  I've cooked and baked to provide hot meals for them, because that I can do.  And now, I continue to be there, and I continue to take care of the things at the house the best I can. 

I'm trying not to ask too much, and taking care of as much on my own as I can, which can be difficult since both of our cars have broken down in the last week, and I cannot fix those.  I'm doing more than I'm used to, while trying to prepare for baby and keep up with schoolwork.  

I'm certainly busy, and yet it doesn't feel like enough.

He reassures me it is, but would he dare demand more of his expectant wife?  I'm not sure he'd say if it wasn't. 

A Dreaded Question

There is one question I get frequently, and it always bothers me.  I usually hesitate when I answer.

When people learn I'm expecting, mainly those that don't know me or don't know me well, they ask:

"Is this your first?"

And I immediately cringe, every time.  

While yes, this will be my first baby; it is not my first child. 

When I say yes, which is an honest answer, I feel like I'm not giving fair attention to my boys.  I may not have carried them, but they are still my boys; I am their mother too. 

I always feel the need to explain myself.  That generally leads to confusion and/or awkwardness. 

Perhaps I shouldn't let it bother me so; I'm sure it is one of many things that will arise over the years of our blended family that will bother me. 

Where is week 25?

I don't expect there will be much of a post for week 25 seeing as we're most of the way through it already. 

My father-in-law passed away this week and we've been with family. 

We are grateful for the kind words and offers to assistance we've been offered.

Honey Recipe

On the way home from school tonight, the boys were admiring the many daffodils that are blooming. 

Caden informed us all that the daffodils are part of the recipe the bees use for making honey.

Such a smarty that boy of ours is.  :)

Why does it smell like dog food?

Sunday morning, the kids and I were driving home from church when one of the boys asked me why it smelled like dog food.  I had smelled it just then too and had no idea why it smelled like dog food in our mini-van.  We hadn't bought dog food recently, there was no reason for it.

We went home and on about our business not giving it another thought.

That is until a few hours later when we all got in the car to run several errands and get groceries.

We're not too far down the road, when the kids and I notice it's smelling like dog food again.

I look down at my feet in the passenger seat, and they're surrounded by dog food.

Keith immediate scolds the kids for putting dog food in the car.  Despite the both denying it.

Another mile or so down the road and my feet start getting hit with falling dog food.  It's clear more dog food has accumulated on the floorboards.

Keith immediately apologizes to the kids, and we start to pull over at a local golf course to asses the assumed rodent damage.  

We not have mouse traps set in our garage and the dog food has moved to the basement for storage.