live plants and things that are orange

We have been able to enjoy walks through Cherokee Park, no matter the weather.

Our new miniature fruit orchard.

38 Weeks, whoa mama.

What to do with 6 rotting bananas...

Katherine and Luke joined us for

ceviche and salbutes one last friday eve.

Just add raw mahi mahi that has been marinating in lime for 7 hours.

I ate a carrot, sweet potato, cheese crackers and drank an orange emergenC for lunch today. All of those things have something in common. What it is it? 

We went to our first appointment with the nurse-midwife today. You all might think that we are crazy changing our care providers at 38 weeks pregnant. Until we saw the “laboring tub” (more commonly known as a large bath tub) in one of the rooms at our new hospital, I thought we were crazy too. Because of Tyler’s new job as the lead designer at Southern Baptist Seminary we have been able to switch to where we wish we could’ve been this whole time. Sometimes, you just gotta be patient; real patient.

The UPS man delivered a real treat to our door today: A long box with stickers exclaiming that it contained “live plants”. Of course I warned Tyler to be careful when he opened it (Little Shop of Horrors anyone?). To our delight, yes, the plants were still alive but fortunately the only thing they will be eating dirt. Hopefully, if we do it right, over the next few months we will be able to enjoy Heritage Raspberries, Rabbiteye Blueberries and Northstar Cherries. I am also expecting a Clemetine tree, which I can use to add to my list of orange foods that I eat.

This kid will come at anytime now. We finished our natural childbirth class last night: We know now how a rolling pin, peppermint oil, chocolate and a very large beach ball can help reduce the pains of childbirth. Tyler got to witness his first up-close-and-personal delivery on video. He was sweating with very wide eyes and a hand covered mouth as a result. With that said, I have full faith in his abilities to aid me when I am the one panting and groaning. He is a wonderful man.

I continue to sip my red raspberry leaf tea in hopes that it will strengthen my uterus. Maybe the next time you hear from me, it will have pushed our baby out. 

Shower!

We were just dating. Barely, dating (2005) and in New York with Coury, Anne and Nathan.

We are starting a collection here of crowns. Not the Burger King type.

Baby shower friends! Kari, Dani, Stephanie. 

My BFF  Katherine threw me an awesome baby shower introduced with a slumber party the evening before. The shower was filled with great eats, wonderful ladies and great generosity overall. Not to mention handmade scrolls (thanks Anne) and crowns throughout. 

Random Shots from Camp St.

I am reading.

I wrote this on our wall when Tyler was away for a weekend. He responded.

Stairs.

Old Kentucky Whiskey box, which I brought with me from WI, with winter apparel.

Dead flowers.

Very, very dusty kitchen floor.

Tearing down the walls.

 Our wedding RSVP's.

Our first Valentine's day 3 years ago.

Drawing by Tyler.

Saturday night. Dating myself at Quill's Coffee while the husband gets sweaty kicking around a ball with a bunch of guys: How can I better treat myself than with a Decaf Miele and a chocolate cherry biscotti? Not sure. But I am certain that I am spoiling my dinner. So be it.

Demolition kitchen started yesterday; We had no cabinets or counter tops to speak of for the 1.5 years that we have been living in this house. It is amazing the motivation having a baby can put in you. Tyler is certainly feeling the pressure as these projects, and time, close in around him. But do not fret, we are spending precious moments together being lazy, reading, watching The Office, and anticipating the arrival of our new friend, Royal. I still wonder every week that passes how it is possible for my skin to stretch any further. My mom told me that as long as my belly button is not fully pressed out, there is room there. Who knew? 

Wisconsin and other winter activities

A new addition to the Camp street house, Izaak was born on January 11th. We are all happy to have him on this side of the womb.

Prepping lunch at my little sister's apartment. Tyler and I enjoyed spending time with Gracie and playing mario kart was a bonus.

My mom, sister and sister-in-law put together a nice shower for Royal. I got to be around some wonderful ladies.

Ann Rice is a gem. Who would have thought that she was in her 50's?

My oldest niece, Kassidy Grace Noel.

Me and a lumberjack. He plans to cut his beard when Royal is born. Any bets as to how long it'll be in 7 weeks?

Sisters.

Tyler and Hunter Lee, our nephew.

We had a night with Sam and Todd, eating falafels and playing Phase 10 at their apartment.

And of course, our lovely chickens. Who are, I hate to admit it sometimes, cute. 

Baby Shower Wish List for Royal

Hey everybody. Thanks for taking the time to visit our blog to see what we are still in need of. Besides Babies R Us (which there are quite a few things on there that we need), I wanted to post a list so that there is an option to support other places. So here it is!

(PLEASE CONTACT KATHERINE IF YOU PURCHASE SOMETHING SO THAT SHE CAN TAKE IT OFF THE LIST)

-changing pad cover
(purchased: reusable nursing pads)

- soft terry cloths for reusable cloths

-almond oil, (purchased: apricot kernel oil), lavender oil

-small tupperwares

-swaddler

-diaper bag

-wooden toys

-(purchased: bilingual books)
- cloth diaper pins

-if you are a mom and have a secret item that you could not live without, I will take that also

Please try to stick to one of the lists, we have gotten many things already and would like to not have repeats. And of course, share the load if you need to!

12/25-1/1

Kitchenaid Stand Mixer for my birthday from Tyler makes wonderful things.

I no longer have to clock in anywhere! First real day off. I stayed in pj's until 4pm.

Celebrate the New Year with a virgin Mojito. 

A secret spy visitor came to dinner:

Ashlee "Mug Time" Krull! All the way from Milwaukee.

Preparing the main dish for our feast of roasted chicken, potato and celeriac au gratin, spinach salad and home made bread. 

On our way to Deeb christmas with the neph's. 

trimester 3+20 LBS

The luxuries of bending over, breathing steadily after ascending a flight of stairs and sleeping on my stomach are now things of the past. I was asked to stop cleaning at work today because of how ridiculous I probably looked all bent over with a rag and Pledge. Or it could've been that my co-workers are sweet and don't want me doing things that are uncomfortable. Like eating donuts. Which I think I will stop doing because after the episode that is put before you here, I found myself in a coma like state un-able to enjoy the rest of my sunday morning with Tyler. Two days later I found out that I am anemic. Good news is that Royal is getting all the iron that he needs; because he is taking it from me. This explains the near fainting episodes that I have had at work and the occasional fatigue. But now I have little red pills that contain 325 mgs of ferrous sulfate, that is iron, to take once a day to stop these things from happening. Fortunately, I only have 5 more shifts left at the coffee shop and none of them involve me getting up at 5:30 am. Unfortunately, iron causes constipation. Hello prunes and coconut water. 

So christmas is upon us, which also means that one more year of this life I have been given has passed. That adds up to 27 now. At 27, I am 28 weeks pregnant. I would not have it any other way. If I were not pregnant I couldn't laugh as my husband puts his mouth directly on my stomach and talks to our son, saying things like "Royal, wake up! It's time to go to school!" Which ends up sounding like an orc underwater to me, so I can only imagine what it sounds like to Royal. 

Other goodies to share:

We got a centimeter or two of snow

Our chickens gave us 3 eggs this morning, I promptly fried one up. Fresh out of the vent!

My dear friend Ashlee is getting on a plane that is coming here sunday

Christmas with the Deebs this weekend

Birthday dinner tomorrow night at Havana Rumba for me!