Thirty-two weeks! Only seven to go until the big day… unless she comes sooner.

I had a checkup last week (every other week now) and everything looks just great. I suspected that she had turned from head up to completely sideways, and my doctor agreed. It is a little uncomfortable in a different way – like waking up in the night to something pushing with arms and legs extended out my two sides. It is a little bit “alien.” Here’s hoping she turns before she gets too much heavier!

Newsflash: pregnant women don’t like getting comments on their sizes. At least once a week someone says I look too small to be due in September. I am measuring exactly the right size, I am now the exact same circumference as I was with JT, and he was 8 1/2 pounds and 21 inches. So there. The next time you see a pregnant woman, if you feel like you must make a comment, try something like “Wow, you look great,” or “Those are cute shoes.”

Jim got a bit crazy doing my picture this time and was being all “work it baby” and cracking me up. Those are his hands blocking the lens, on purpose. I thought the picture actually turned out… and then we took a traditional one, because that’s just who I am. 🙂

32 weeks

When the weather was cooler, people kept saying to me, “You must be enjoying the cool weather.” I guess because I’m pregnant. Why do people automatically assume that because I’m pregnant I’m enjoying 60 degree weather in July? I smile and say nicely, “Actually, I’m a sun girl. Bring on the heat!” This weekend it has finally felt like summer: hot, home all day, reading a book, outside with JT… loving it.

We started Saturday with some laundry. JT brought his own sheet and pillowcase down to the laundry room. 🙂

We ate breakfast (and every other meal, in fact) on the deck. You know it’s going to be a great day when you have to wear sunglasses at breakfast!

After a few morning chores, we headed outside for the day. First we gave the dog a bath. JT actually helped hose down Slider but it was nearly impossible to get a picture of that… Slider kept walking slowly away from JT, and then by the time I got to the camera I didn’t have a shot anymore.

Then we broke out his turtle pool from last year (“my pool! my pool!”) and spent the rest of the morning splashing around and filling things with water. Including his hat. 🙂

Our celebration started on Thursday: the big day! I woke JT up with a song, just like last year…

Then his very first birthday present was watching the garbage truck come down the street. 🙂

We did errands in the morning and I tried to get a picture of him after lunch, but he was too distracted (here he is pointing out an airplane).

This picture is second best. I think he is saying, “This one’s for you, Mom.”

I did manage to get this one and I love it even though his hand is blurry. He looks so tan and blonde!

Then today we had his BIG PARTY at the lake – again, just like last year. His friends Aly, Cole, Eli, Sadie, Asher, Abby, Brady, Alia, Gavin, and Alona all came to celebrate with him. This year we happened to schedule the party on the same day as the annual children’s festival, so there was lots to do. We played at the playground, visited the fire truck, went in the bouncy house, ate a picnic lunch, had cupcakes, and finally played in the water. What a great party!

JT picked a chocolate cupcake and ate most of the top before declaring himself “all done, Mom.” Here is JT blowing out his candles (he got the first one on the first try and then had trouble with the second one).

I took so many pictures that I made a little video of them instead of posting them one at a time. It starts with our new family picture!

As you may have noticed, we do the same thing every Tuesday: we ski on Long Lake. This past Tuesday we invited our friends the Skagens to boat with us. Of course, we had a wonderful time!

Adam and Cole dipping their toes

Aly enjoying the bow

The kids loved the trampoline!

JT’s post-lunch nap in the shade

On Monday, we moved JT into his new room. He says it “new oom!” which is kind of funny. It used to be our guest room, and it is much bigger than his old room. I didn’t paint… but I did assemble a new toy shelf and a toy box and hang wall art and his curtain. There is a lot more space to play and it feels much more like a room he’ll use for a long time.

Here is the view as you walk in the door:

And to the right:

And don’t forget behind the door… where he has a new coat hook for his jackets, hats, and backpack. I loved asking him to go get his brown jacket and having him able to run in his room and get it.

We’ve been planning this weekend with friends since December, and it finally arrived! We spent last weekend at the Macaleers’ house on Lake Whatcom with the Agledals, Mazzoncinis, Shucks, and Windhams. That’s 12 adults and 7 children, ages 4 and under… and four of the women are pregnant. Wow!

We had a wonderful time and are planning a winter weekend in the snow with the group already. We brought our boat and Jim spent all day Saturday driving kids and adults around the lake (which is not a complaint at all; it’s a perfect day for him!). The ladies especially enjoyed planning ONE meal for 20 instead of six meals for 4. We took turns in the kitchen and got to relax the rest of the time.

Breakfast – all our meals were eaten like this!

JT and Asher playing in the yard

Some of the group waiting for the day to begin (this wasn’t posed!)

Jim relaxing after a long day of boat driving

Our evening ritual – smores, wine, and great conversation after the kids were in bed

JT’s first popsicle – strawberry guava made in the InstaPop maker – so cool!

The ladies

We did get a group shot of the kids and one with everyone but they’re on someone else’s camera… so I’m waiting on those.

JT has been enjoying dressing and undressing his Harley bear. Unfortunately, JT tries to put the outfit on Slider. She is sooooo very tolerant!

We invited our friends the Bonnells down to Long Lake to hang out with us on the first official day of summer, July 6th. It was hot and we had an awesome time! The Bonnells brought their son Brady (1) and their niece Emily (2). We also invited Kelsey (almost 5, who lives there) to swim with us.

We ended up having dinner with the Robertsons and taking our last ski set about 9:30 PM – which meant we pulled away from the boat launch about 10:30. Poor JT hadn’t had a nap and was up way past his bedtime, but he didn’t seem to notice. (Um, until the next morning. Different story.)

We got a little too much sun (not JT, but Jim and I are still peeling!) but it was worth every minute.

Jim and JT

JT skiing – he says “Hit it!”

Becky spotting. And kid holding. And flagging. And taking pictures. And feeding JT a snack. (Jim said later, “How did you do all that? Oh, right, you’re a mom…”)

Katie dares to get some air!

Cooling off with Kelsey

JT doing fish lips at Carl

JT got to play with Kelsey’s cool laptop – lucky guy – and he knew just what to do 🙂

On July 5th, we went down to our friends’ lake cabin on Lake Tanwax. We had a great time and Jim was glad to have some relaxation time after working seven straight days in a row. JT loved hanging around Eli (“Ee-i”), who is old enough to teach JT some new things but young enough to not be annoyed by a smaller friend.

Eli (almost 4) teaching JT how to bait a hook

Eli and JT in the paddle boat

Eli teaching JT how to throw Pop-Its

JT and Jim lighting fireworks

Watching the smoke bombs

JT was getting too much sun watching Eli tube – he announced, “Hat please!”

JT’s first ever hot dog – grilled over open flame!