Thursday, September 20, 2007
Summer's bounty in the fall
A trip to Lowes with my friend Michelle yesterday prompted Joe and I to return to Lowes in the evening and purchase some of the flowers I had planned on planting in the front beds next spring. Fall is the time for planting and since the store had the flowers I wanted, we planted them now instead of next year.
Here's what the yard has looked like over the past year and a half, ending with the newest additions: black-eyed susans, coneflowers, and white daisies. I think the coneflowers will flower next summer (there are no unopened buds) but the black-eyed susans are in full bloom and the white daisies are covered with buds ready to open. Looks like we'll have some color soon!
PS. We LOVE loropetalums (the three purple shrubs in the front/middle) - they've just taken off this summer, despite some rather severe drough conditions.
Here's what the yard has looked like over the past year and a half, ending with the newest additions: black-eyed susans, coneflowers, and white daisies. I think the coneflowers will flower next summer (there are no unopened buds) but the black-eyed susans are in full bloom and the white daisies are covered with buds ready to open. Looks like we'll have some color soon!
PS. We LOVE loropetalums (the three purple shrubs in the front/middle) - they've just taken off this summer, despite some rather severe drough conditions.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
3D and 4D shots of our baby!
Just got home from our 3D/4D ultrasound appointment and have some neat shots - and video - to share!
Our baby was sitting in the breech position with her feet up to her face. In these shots you can see her face, her feet and her hands all together! She still has some time to flip around into the proper birthing position but for now, the breech position makes for some fun photos!
The best was getting her to kick on cue. She had been moving while we were in the waiting room but settled down when it came time for the ultrasound. So towards the end, I tapped my belly and she kicked back. My belly popped up, so I tapped again and the second time we got to see her foot kick on the screen!
Note: Some of the shots look like she has her eyes open or just a little weird; that's just the nature of the ultrasound. She had her eyes closed the entire visit, but graced us with a lovely yawn and a tongue poking out at one point also!
Little smile
Big yawn
Feet and hands
Peaceful baby
More peaceful baby
Our baby was sitting in the breech position with her feet up to her face. In these shots you can see her face, her feet and her hands all together! She still has some time to flip around into the proper birthing position but for now, the breech position makes for some fun photos!
The best was getting her to kick on cue. She had been moving while we were in the waiting room but settled down when it came time for the ultrasound. So towards the end, I tapped my belly and she kicked back. My belly popped up, so I tapped again and the second time we got to see her foot kick on the screen!
Note: Some of the shots look like she has her eyes open or just a little weird; that's just the nature of the ultrasound. She had her eyes closed the entire visit, but graced us with a lovely yawn and a tongue poking out at one point also!
Friday, September 14, 2007
RAIN!
A month and a half in the waiting...Ok, so maybe I'm a dork for taking photos of the rain but hey: 1. I got to use the action speed setting on my camera; 2. Our new sod appreciates the FREE tasty beverage; and 3. Our soon-to-be hefty water bill appreciates not having to add this evening's watering to the list.
Please make there be more where this came from!
Oh no you don't!
Yesterday Joe spent a while outside waiting with zoom lens while watching our neighbor's hummingbird feeder. We see the hummingbirds often fighting while flying up into the trees, but Joe caught this shot when a second bird decided to fly in for a snack while the dominant male was dining. Needless to say, bird number two left a little hungry.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Insta-yard!
Christmas has arrived early for me . . . and Santa brought just what I asked for: a new yard! No more weeds, no more red clay (at least not visible to the naked eye), no more mud. (Did I mention the weeds? We are now free of crabgrass!)
(One from the archives - the before picture)
The landscape guys arrived on Friday afternoon and started stripping the yard of all growth.
Then on Saturday, they continued by filling the one-day-to-be-filled beds with top soil, landscape fabric and mulch and adding a layer of top soil to the rest of the yard.
Monday they arrived with a giant truck-load of sod!
We now have a beautiful yard (just picture some shrubs, flowers and trees) where Indi can roam and sniff and lay in her sunbeams without laying on rocks and clay.
Yay for insta-yard!
(One from the archives - the before picture)
The landscape guys arrived on Friday afternoon and started stripping the yard of all growth.
Then on Saturday, they continued by filling the one-day-to-be-filled beds with top soil, landscape fabric and mulch and adding a layer of top soil to the rest of the yard.
Monday they arrived with a giant truck-load of sod!
We now have a beautiful yard (just picture some shrubs, flowers and trees) where Indi can roam and sniff and lay in her sunbeams without laying on rocks and clay.
Yay for insta-yard!
Our crazy dog!
Our yard has been in a state of disrepair since Friday afternoon as we await the arrival of new sod today. Indi has been in a similar state of disrepair as the yard has mostly been off limits to her since that time.
This morning I let her out with me while I was taking some "before" shots that I'll post with the "after" shot when we have the sod.
She ran around like a nut, creating a huge dust pile wherever she ran. She's crazy!
This morning I let her out with me while I was taking some "before" shots that I'll post with the "after" shot when we have the sod.
She ran around like a nut, creating a huge dust pile wherever she ran. She's crazy!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
The boys are back in town
This weekend Joe went with Jason and Scott to ride in the MS150 in New Bern, NC. For those watching the weather - specifically Tropical Storm Gabrielle - you might have wondered if they were rained out.
Yesterday they were all able to ride the first 100 miles. The plan was to ride another 100 mile (essentially making it the MS200!) but the 75 mile and the 100 mile rides were canceled, leaving only the 30 mile ride. So they rode in the MS130 this weekend!
Here they are while unpacking their bikes before hobbling to their respective houses to soak in their respective tubs.
Sore muscles abound in this house. Wonder who will rub MY back tonight?
Yesterday they were all able to ride the first 100 miles. The plan was to ride another 100 mile (essentially making it the MS200!) but the 75 mile and the 100 mile rides were canceled, leaving only the 30 mile ride. So they rode in the MS130 this weekend!
Here they are while unpacking their bikes before hobbling to their respective houses to soak in their respective tubs.
Sore muscles abound in this house. Wonder who will rub MY back tonight?
Last weekend
Last weekend we took Indi to a nature park up a little north of Raleigh. Here are some pictures from that walk.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Could get away with murder?
So, we're getting our yard prepped for sod this weekend; sod will be set out on Monday. Our county is in the midst of water restrictions due to the severe drought conditions, so I was told by someone who worked for the Town of Clayton to call the "code enforcement officers" to find out about getting permission to water our sod every day for 2 weeks.
I called. Here's a snippet of the conversation:
Lady: Clayton police.
Dale: Yes, I was told to call this number and speak with the code enforcement officers about watering my yard on the restricted days.
Lady: Hold please.
Another lady: Animal control.
Dale: Yes, I was told to call this number and speak with the code enforcement officers about watering my yard on the restricted days. Since you're animal control, perhaps I have the wrong person.
Lady: No, that's me.
Dale: Great! We're getting new sod this weekend and I wanted to find out how to get permission to water on the restricted days as we have to water the new sod for at least 2 weeks.
Lady: That's fine.
Dale: Great! Do you need my name and address for the record?
Lady: Um...... No, I have so many things to keep track of right now. You'll be fine. If anyone shows up or questions you, just tell you spoke with me.
I had to ask her what her name was just for my records, since they don't seem too hung up on keeping such things.
So, I'm wondering. If it's this easy to break the water restrictions and water every day, what other rules might we be able to break - er, bend - easily?
I called. Here's a snippet of the conversation:
Lady: Clayton police.
Dale: Yes, I was told to call this number and speak with the code enforcement officers about watering my yard on the restricted days.
Lady: Hold please.
Another lady: Animal control.
Dale: Yes, I was told to call this number and speak with the code enforcement officers about watering my yard on the restricted days. Since you're animal control, perhaps I have the wrong person.
Lady: No, that's me.
Dale: Great! We're getting new sod this weekend and I wanted to find out how to get permission to water on the restricted days as we have to water the new sod for at least 2 weeks.
Lady: That's fine.
Dale: Great! Do you need my name and address for the record?
Lady: Um...... No, I have so many things to keep track of right now. You'll be fine. If anyone shows up or questions you, just tell you spoke with me.
I had to ask her what her name was just for my records, since they don't seem too hung up on keeping such things.
So, I'm wondering. If it's this easy to break the water restrictions and water every day, what other rules might we be able to break - er, bend - easily?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Stamps to brighten your day
Needed new stamps and while in line at the post office, I noticed these beautiful stamps. If I happen to mail you anything in the next several months, one of these gorgeous stamps might grace the envelope!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Busy Sunday
Woke up this morning and went for my usual 2.5 mile walk with Indi, but this time I added on a new loop as we explored the new trail behind our houses. Not sure how much mileage that added, but I walked for probably 25 minutes more, so we guessed I probably walked between 3 and 3.5 miles. Good stuff!
Then, while contemplating breakfast, I decided that I really wished I had bought some pancake mix at the store this past week. So, Joe and I hopped into the car and went to the grocery store with a list to make a yummy Sunday brunch. Eggs, chicken sausage and pancakes with bananas and syrup. Hit the spot!
Then onto those little things that I have been neglecting. Baby stuff. Thanks to the huge generosity of friends and my parents, we have more baby clothes than I ever imagined! I have slowly been washing / drying / sorting them, and today was the big sort and store. Below you'll see the a "before" collage with many little piles of clothes; after you'll see all those little piles neatly (and age-organized) in giant ziploc baggies. I love giant ziploc baggies!
Whew! All that folding. Time for a nap... or at least a snack, now that my large breakfast has settled.
While I was sorting baby clothes, Joe was installing our much needed (and much overdue) curtains! Woohoo! We finally have curtains in our bedroom and the little sitting area (no more bright street lights at night time) and the baby's room is also curtained. She'll sleep nice and cozy now. Pictures of the baby's room to follow... whenever we get our furniture delivered and assembled.
She'll have more clothes than I do. Perhaps we're creating a monster. She'll grow up with an insatiable appetite for shopping and a need for a closet the size of her bedroom. Yikes!
I love giant ziploc baggies! They're also perfect for traveling!
Then, while contemplating breakfast, I decided that I really wished I had bought some pancake mix at the store this past week. So, Joe and I hopped into the car and went to the grocery store with a list to make a yummy Sunday brunch. Eggs, chicken sausage and pancakes with bananas and syrup. Hit the spot!
Then onto those little things that I have been neglecting. Baby stuff. Thanks to the huge generosity of friends and my parents, we have more baby clothes than I ever imagined! I have slowly been washing / drying / sorting them, and today was the big sort and store. Below you'll see the a "before" collage with many little piles of clothes; after you'll see all those little piles neatly (and age-organized) in giant ziploc baggies. I love giant ziploc baggies!
Whew! All that folding. Time for a nap... or at least a snack, now that my large breakfast has settled.
While I was sorting baby clothes, Joe was installing our much needed (and much overdue) curtains! Woohoo! We finally have curtains in our bedroom and the little sitting area (no more bright street lights at night time) and the baby's room is also curtained. She'll sleep nice and cozy now. Pictures of the baby's room to follow... whenever we get our furniture delivered and assembled.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Belly shot!
Here's me at 20 and 24 weeks for comparison. A little larger, but not such a huge belly yet. Big enough, though, to warrant a little shopping trip to the maternity store tonight (managed to hit the summer sales - 2 pairs of shorts, a bathing suit, capris and a skirt all on sale) and found 2 bonus items (not maternity, but they work just as well) on sale at Banana Republic!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
What's a trip to Virginia...
...without a trip to the doctor? In the past few visits, I've gone to the doctor for some near bronchitis and a lyme disease scare (diagnosis: eczema of the belly button. Who knew!?). Last night I said to my mom that I had just about made it through a visit without a trip to the doctor. Within the hour, I was eating my words as my dad drove us to the emergency room at Fair Oaks hospital.
In a nutshell, all is well with me and baby - just a thing that could happen with pregnancy, but being this is my first (so no previous experience to go on) and I was not near my regular OB, we felt a trip to the ER was the best thing to do. Much like when your dog limps in the morning but walks fine at the vet's in the afternoon ("He *was* limping really bad this morning"), what I was worried about didn't happen again.
My mom thinks that I'm addicted to ultrasounds (earlier in the day we were talking about people being addicted to getting tattoos), so this was a way to get one in. After arriving at the ER (where I was expecting to wait for three hours before being seen), I was hurried up to the Labor and Delivery area where I was admitted and attached to the fetal and contraction monitor. Fetal heartbeat was great; no contractions on my end. Both good news. The doctor ordered an ultrasound to measure both the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby and the thickness of my cervix. After a nice long ultrasound (where the technician had a difficult time gathering measurements of the baby due to her uncooperativeness - there was no nice baby profile shot this time), all was pronounced excellent and we were discharged. So, at the end we did spend about 3 hours at the ER, but not sitting in the waiting room. Whew!
Baby's moving around a lot this morning, so that's comforting, both to me and to Joe, who was stuck in Ohio and waiting for update phone calls all night.
Next trip to Virginia, I think I'll opt for just a small paper cut or a minor bruise. Nothing that requires a trip to a doctor, thanks.
In a nutshell, all is well with me and baby - just a thing that could happen with pregnancy, but being this is my first (so no previous experience to go on) and I was not near my regular OB, we felt a trip to the ER was the best thing to do. Much like when your dog limps in the morning but walks fine at the vet's in the afternoon ("He *was* limping really bad this morning"), what I was worried about didn't happen again.
My mom thinks that I'm addicted to ultrasounds (earlier in the day we were talking about people being addicted to getting tattoos), so this was a way to get one in. After arriving at the ER (where I was expecting to wait for three hours before being seen), I was hurried up to the Labor and Delivery area where I was admitted and attached to the fetal and contraction monitor. Fetal heartbeat was great; no contractions on my end. Both good news. The doctor ordered an ultrasound to measure both the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby and the thickness of my cervix. After a nice long ultrasound (where the technician had a difficult time gathering measurements of the baby due to her uncooperativeness - there was no nice baby profile shot this time), all was pronounced excellent and we were discharged. So, at the end we did spend about 3 hours at the ER, but not sitting in the waiting room. Whew!
Baby's moving around a lot this morning, so that's comforting, both to me and to Joe, who was stuck in Ohio and waiting for update phone calls all night.
Next trip to Virginia, I think I'll opt for just a small paper cut or a minor bruise. Nothing that requires a trip to a doctor, thanks.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Carrying a large puppy?
Found out at my routine OB appointment this morning that I am 22 weeks (knew that) but am measuring at 24 weeks. And I have PUPPS. PUPPS stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (certainly a mouthful) but a more pleasant way to say it is I have an itchy rash all over my belly. Fun stuff.
All the ultrasounds we've had have put the baby right on track for her December 7th arrival, so today's large measurement may be just a growth spurt. Docs will see how I measure in the coming weeks.
As for the itchy skin, let me go take care of that before I scratch it all off!
All the ultrasounds we've had have put the baby right on track for her December 7th arrival, so today's large measurement may be just a growth spurt. Docs will see how I measure in the coming weeks.
As for the itchy skin, let me go take care of that before I scratch it all off!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
My daemon
I started reading "The Golden Compass" in preparation for the upcoming December movie (however, likelihood of me actually seeing it on its release date is slim to none as it's release date is also that of little baby). However, in looking at the site, I found a section where you answer 20 questions and are assigned a daemon of your own.
A daemon is the external form of a person's soul and are paired with a human of the opposite sex.
This is my daemon: Araphon, a snow leopard - my profile says that I am modest, spontaneous, inquisitive, sociable and solitary.
Find out what your daemon is.
A daemon is the external form of a person's soul and are paired with a human of the opposite sex.
This is my daemon: Araphon, a snow leopard - my profile says that I am modest, spontaneous, inquisitive, sociable and solitary.
Find out what your daemon is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
