Items For Your Consideration

Item #1: My goals for today (and there are exactly 2 of them)...laundry (including the weeding out of superfluous items that bog down my laundry productivity but might be useful to someone else) and going to the grocery store.

Item #2: When I change Jude's diaper, I always say, "P.U.!" (or is it "pee-yew"? or "pea-you"?) So he has started saying, as soon as I lay him down to change him, "ahhhh-peeee!" I realize this is not that funny to anyone else, but it's one of those little things I want to remember so into the blog it goes. He's hit that point where his vocabulary has exploded. He'll tell me something and all I can think is "when did you learn that word?" My favorite right now though is his "yes sir" which sounds like "yeeehhhhh-shore."

Item #3: I am 30 weeks as of Saturday. When anyone who has children over the age of 15 asks me how far along I am and I give my answer in weeks, they look confused. So I have to quickly divide my weeks by 4 to give them an answer that will make sense to them. So when did that shift occur?

Item #4: I am 30 weeks as of Saturday. This means that in a little over 9 weeks I will, Lord willing, give birth to Simeon James via c-section. Not my preference to say the least, but at least I will be able to sit afterwards. It's sad when that is the only nice thing I can say about it. It's a tough sell--"Hey! Ok, I'm going to cut you open, staple you back together, separate you from your baby during a crucial bonding time, and then expect you to care for 3 kids 3 and under as you recover from major surgery. Sound good?" Perfect.

Item #4: I am 30 weeks as of Saturday. I had an ultrasound this week and from his profile, he looks more like Asher's us pictures. He kicks. A lot. Really hard. Which would make him more like Jude.

Item #5: The term "begs the question"...I feel this is being misused a lot these days. My understanding is that it is a logical fallacy used to describe an argument that is circular in its reasoning or that assumes the conclusion as part of the premise. But I hear people constantly using it as though it means a question that should be asked in response to whatever statement was just made (i.e. The dog got hit by a car which begs the question "Why was the dog not in the backyard?") Is this just one of those usages that has become conventional and accepted or should I start calling people out on it in a really conspicuous and humiliating way?

Item #6: I haven't eaten at Jason's Deli since Thursday and I'm really hoping that Kris will be up for dinner there tonight.

Item #7:

These are the new "Going to Mamaw and Poppy's House" backpacks. I really want to get their names embroidered on them but since the Elmo one will probably become Simeon's within the next year or two I guess I will refrain. Do you think the urge to get your children's names embroidered on everything they own is a sickness?

Jamie, Jamie, Quite Contrary

Ok, it doesn't really rhyme but it still works, no?

So we have planted a garden. A very small garden. Our garden is currently the cradle of tomatoes, squash, peppers, and I think maybe cucumbers. I can't really remember exactly so it will be a nice surprise when whatever that last plant is bears its fruit, as it were.

Our friend from church, Scott, who is an expert on all things soil, seed, and gardening related helped us plan out everything. So if it all comes to nothing, I will have someone else to blame, which is how I like to live life. Always have someone to point a finger at when things go badly. I may stitch that on a sampler.

So step one was to spend a lot of money on dirt.



Check.

Step two, Kris built 2 boxes--one 6x2 box for the tomato plants and one 4x4 for everything else. Check.

Step three was to prepare the fallow ground.



Kris dug down about 6 inches inside the boxes and then mixed up all the various soils with the dirt that was already there. So we have about 12 inches of growing depth. I would have helped him, but I have really pretty, soft, delicate hands that just aren't cut out for manual labor.

But don't think that I just abandoned him to do all the work alone. That would be so inconseiderate! No, I stepped up to the plate and hired a few workers to help him ge tthe job done.





They worked hard for a while.



But then an impromptu concert broke out and the water hose became a microphone.



I guess you get what you pay for. Oh well. At least he puts on a good show.



So now the little plants are nestled in their new dirt homes. We planted, we are watering, and we are waiting on God to give the increase!

I will blog again one day

But for now, enjoy my new favorite picture (because Jude is actually SMILING!)

25 Weeks

Breath-taking, I know. Yeah, and see that little thing on the floor in the background. Not my friend.

Little Simeon James is doing well. I don't have a date yet, but he will most likely be ripped from the comfort of his current home some time during the 39th week. So we're looking at about 14 more weeks, during which I fully anticipate gaining my usual 50 lbs. I had high hopes this time around, but alas, I am who I am. You can't fight genetics. Well, I guess you could by eating totally healthy and continuing to work out but who's got the energy for that?

And the award for "Best Mamaw in the World" goes to...

Asher and Jude's Mamaw for her work on the Fun Slide! Upon seeing Jude's disappointment as Asher and Daddy made their way up, Mamaw took control of the situation and made sure the little man did not get left out of the fun.

This and much more merriment was made at the Nederland Heritage Festival. Nederland is a small town near where my parents live so when I heard that their festival was going on, we decided to check it out last weekend with Mamaw and Poppy.

I think the boys favorite part was the petting zoo. Dirt and germs--of course they loved it.








I have a policy about avoiding rides that can be set up in a day, but decided to make an exception for the bumble bee ride. It seemed relatively safe and Asher really wanted to ride it. He had a blast of course.



We capped off the day with a ride on the carousel.



Rides, festival food (which included, but was not limited to, funnel cake, various meat on a stick, and fried oreos), and a petting zoo. Do we know how to live it up or what?

Best Friends Since 2008

As we eagerly await the arrival of the 3rd amigo (I started to write "stooge" but "amigo" sounded more positive) I can't help but reflect on the past 20 months. Asher and Jude have developed the perfect brotherly bond during that time. The are rough with each other, they yell at each other, they play made-up games together, they annoy the heck out of each other, they have to know where the other one is at all times, they laugh together, they play music together. I'm so glad they have each other and I'm so glad Simeon has such sweet brothers to show him the ropes.



They've been playing together all morning. The older they get, the more "reffing" I have to do. I struggle to let them play rough--they are boys after all. They are not wired to sit peacefully all the time and play nice, quiet, orderly games. So I try to let them have their "boy" fun, but rein them in before someone gets injured.



It's a delicate balance.

Judah Kristopher at 19 Months

My tiny newborn turned 19 months on Feb. 28. It goes without saying that, with Asher, I kept much better track of developmental milestones and what all he was doing at certain ages. So it is high time I jotted down a few things that Jude is up to these days.

--He weighs about 30 lbs. He's a big boy but is getting so tall. I counted 5 arm fat rolls on his 9 month picture and now we are down to just 2. He's wasting away and we are all concerned.

--He's very communicative but is a man of few words. Nodding gets him where he needs to go. He says Mama, Daddy, Asher, Mamaw (Muh-mie), Poppy (Pa),LOVEY (of course), banana (nana), apple, milk (ni), water, cheese, chicken (chih--usualy referring to Chickfila) book, bible, bubble, shoe,fish, yucky (gucky),crackers, cookie, {please, thank you, more, and all done (signs and says a version of the words)} various Sesame Street characters...probably more but that's all that's coming to me now.

--He follows really complex directions which amazes us because Asher did not seem to be able to do this as soon. If we tell him to go find something, even if it is in another room, he will usually go look for it and retreive it.

--A fit thrower! Oh my word. But we don't put up with that foolishness here. I get down on his level and tell him to stop or he is going to his bed. He either a) stops, b) continues the fit and gets put in bed for a few minutes, or c) stops but still asks to get his lovey and go to his bed.

--He loves Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy. Thankfully, he has recently started calling him something that sounds more like "thomas" because for a while he called him "daddy."

--He goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00. And there is no chilling out in his bed for awhile. As soon as he wakes up, he is yelling "MAAAMAAAA" or "DAAAADDDDYYY."

--He loves to wear underwear (Thomas of course--over the dipaer, sometimes over his clothes)and always asks to "tee-tee" in the potty. We've set him on there a few times and he never goes. He just likes the idea. I am in NO RUSH to potty-train him at all. We will stick with the diapers until much closer to 3.

--He answers the first question of the Children's Catechism (Who made you? God.) very clearly and the next 2 somewhat clearly. He loves to sing Doxology just like his brother and adds a very hearty "AAAAA-men" to the end. Amen is is favorite part of prayer to. We usually have to hold hands and do the "amen" part several times during the meal.

--Meals. A little more picky than I would care for. But I'm not wearing a name tag and this is not a diner, so you get what you get. The child weighs 30 lbs. so if he elects to miss a meal ot two, I say it's no biggie. He's a self-preservationist just like this rest of us--he'll eat when he's hungry.

--very into guitars. Whatever he picks up, he first holds it like a guitar and makea a strumming motion. very funny and a little weird.

--plays really well alone. he loves cars and blocks and Little People. Asher was strictly a block knocker-downer at this age but Jude will build towers.

--He and Asher have so much fun together. Asher orders him around and Jude is happy to comply. They get rough and rowdy and loud. There are no calm tea parties here.

Overall, he is a sweet little boy with a fiereceness about him. He is stubborn as the day is long but so lovable. He gives the best kisses that you always have to rub in (wet, but so sweet.) I am so thankful for him and the role he plays in our family. He is a great little brother and I'm sure will slide right into his place as a big brother, too.

My Life is a Concert

I'm Home

I have returned home from a lovely visit to Bend, Oregon. My good friend Victoria is days (minutes?) away from giving birth to two little girls! So my other good friend, Angie, and I decided to head up there and spend some time with her before life. changes. forever. (in the best way, of course.)



The day we were scheduled to arrive, Victoria's doctors decided that she should continue her bed rest in the hospital and to to take her off her anti-contraction meds. She was 34 weeks and the babies are both a good size, so we fully expected to be able to actually see the babies during our visit. Everyone was ready, especially this girl...



But alas, no babies yet. But we did get intimately acquainted with the birthing center at St. Charles Hospital and had lots of fun anyway crafting, playing games, and eating--basically what we would have done with her at home, but with lots of beeping and monitors.

The only time the 3 of us have hung out since the college/waiting tables days was for each of our weddings so it was so great to be able to spend some time together without one of us totally stressed out about a wedding! Of course, the stress of not knowing when the babies will come and how it all all go down was there, but other than that...;)

It was good to catch up but it is VERY good to be home. I would love to go back to Oregon because it truly is breathtakingly beautiful, but I think I will bring the whole crew next time!

Whatcha think?

Should I get these pictures printed out and hung in the living room. I'm thinking it would make a lovely wall collage/conversation piece.






You know--just something different.

My Sweetheart

I would give up every single thing on that other list for you. Even Jason's Deli.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that though.

things i love

monogrammed sheets

coffee with heavy whipped cream

red toile

any film based on a jane austen novel

dr. pepper

uninterupted sleep

jason's deli

when Asher says "gotfor"

when Jude holds his lovey and sucks his thumb

anthropologie

dusk

pink pearl earrings

pleasures perfume

matching little boy outfits

robins egg blue/red color combinations

james taylor songs

a washed and vacuumed minivan

eating out

black and white pictures of my kids

wearing a skirt and flip-flops

a fresh haircut

good conversation with good friends

Godiva chocolate cheesecake

the beach in Destin

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

the bulk section at Whole Foods

my J. Crew peacoat

live music in very small venues

ruffling feathers :) oh yes I do.

Zoo Season

We love having a membership to the zoo! But Zoo Season does not last long. Zoo Season, as defined by me, runs from about October to December (only on not too cold days) and then from about March to May (only on not too hot days.) Any other time, I find the weather completely objectionable and refuse to be out of doors for any length of time. But occasionally, a pretty day will surprise us in what would normally be considered off-season and I break my rule to take advantage of it.

A few weeks ago, one such day occurred. The weather was amazing--breezy and low humidity, but warm enough to not need a jacket. It was so unbelievably pleasant. Even the animals seemed happier than usual.

The boys are both at a great age for the zoo. Lots of excitement and questions and stamina. I love having two big boys!

Asher Turns 3 Pt. III/Bye-Bye Baby Bed

Asher's real birthday was Sunday, February 7. But as far as he was concerned, something magical happened at his party on Wednesday and he walked out of Chick-fil-a a fully-fledged three year old. So Sunday would have been kind of anti-climatic had not a major milestone occurred.

I am referring to the taking down of the baby bed. We have been telling him for quite some time that when he turned 3, the baby bed was getting put away and he would start sleeping in his big boy bed. If we brought up this fact from the time between Wednesday and his actual b-day, he would say, "Umm...I think I'm still 2."

But there was no more putting it off. The men of this house got out their tools and went to work packing it up!







I am happy to report he has transitioned somewhat smoothly. He is not thrilled, but he is embracing the change. Nights are better than naps. He has yet to actually goto sleep but I still make him stay in there for 2 hours. I can't make him sleep but I can make him give me some alone time. He usually comes out dressed in a new outfit. Whatever. Just be quiet.

The next day was the day of the big ultrasound so we rolled family birthday party and the big reveal into one celebration. My parents and several of Kris' siblings came over and we went to dinner. Asher got more fun presents and we revealed that we found out that Simeon was a Simeon.

I think we can consider this birthday duly celebrated. The next birthday in our little family will be an actual day of birth this summer. Hopefully I will have recovered from all of this by then.

My Other Birthday Boy

Before Asherfest 2010 began, we celebrated another very important day. My amazing husband turned 35!

You know its gonna be a good party when the guests are in their underwear before the candles are even lit.



Daddy's helpers were there to lend a lung for ALL. THOSE. CANDLES.



Oh how these boys love cake. From their first birthdays on, these boys have never passed up the opportunity.





This shot was taking by a budding photographer. He's really good but can only really offer an "up the nose" perspective right now. Can you tell this picture was taken by someone about 3 feet tall?



He's booking quickly so don't wait til the last minute.

Asher Turns 3 Pt. II

Here is Part I.

The same day as the big friend party, we went to dinner with our good friends, The Rowleys. Mrs. Kelli is one of Asher's very favorite people on this earth so it is always a big treat to see her and the rest of her gang!

We went to Pappasitos (half-price fajitas on Wednesday nights--holla!) They ordered Asher the phenomenal tres leches cake and he got to wear the birthday sombrero.



So we sang to him (again) and dug into the cake. We are ringing in 3 for sure!

But, I kid you not, the celebration was not over yet...

My Three Sons

Lest this child label himself as "The One She Never Blogged About" I will make sure I gush about the newest little Rives who will, Lord willing, join our family in late June/early July.



This is Simeon James Rives. We are so excited about having another boy. Oh the matchy-matchyness that will ensue. I cannot wait!

Asher Turns 3!

I obviously have a lot of catching up to do so I'm just jumping in. I'll start with the highlight of Asher's life thus far--turning Three. We have talked about this day for about the last 6 months.

If you asked him what he wanted to do when he turned Three, his answer, invariably, was "Go to the gym and play ba-ketball and check my email." At our gym, when you turn 3, you get to go to The Promised Land where there is a big play structure, a mini court, and an array of colorful Macs on which to play games. Asher has tasted the goodness of this place a few times when he figured out if he asks to go to the bathroom, he can sneak into the big kid zone but he is always busted and made to return to the purgatory that is the toddler room.

The irony of it all is that I hardly ever make it to the gym these days. I had lofty goals for this pregnancy which included working out as consistently as I was pre-pregnancy, but alas...I am not That Girl. I tried to be--I really did. But I am Live It Up and Get Fat While You Are Pregnant Girl. Huh--who knew?

Anyway, turning Three. It was a marathon of a celebration. It began with a small party for his friends on the Wednesday morning before his real birthday, which was the following Sunday. He has been hooked on a show that comes on PBS Sprout called "Fireman Sam" which is a kids show from the UK. So I scheduled a tour at a local fire station. Great idea in theory--until the firemen get a call about 15 minutes into the visit and have to leave. Thankfully, we run with a flexible group of friends.

During our breif visit, we did get to explore the fire trucks. First, the boys cut their teeth on the smaller truck--kinda got a feel for how it handles.





Then they moved up to the big rig.






Mamaw (who graciously took the day off to attend the festivities) and Jude (who may the be the hardest child EVER to get a decent picture of.)




Here's the crew all together (minus Isaac, Sadie, and Sophia)



Here you can see the Amazing Mamaw at work. She did such a fabulous job at this party, I am considering renting her out. She did get a big ol' smile out of Jude (not an easy feat) but of course I was shooting from the wrong angle. Did anyone get a shot of the elusive smile of Jude Rives?



Our tour was cut short, but since the next stop on the party route was Chick-Fil-A, no one seemed to mind.





Yum! Hydrogenated oil and refined sugar! Nothing but the best for my boy.





More party fun!






It was the perfect party. Play, eat, go home and take a nap!

But this was only Celebration #1...