Quick note

Holy cow! Strollers are expensive. No wonder we bought the one we did. Problem is that it is starting to wear out. Imagine that after two years and plenty of off-road trips. I do have some basic requirements of strollers, as does Tom, and there doesn't really seem to be a match that isn't insanely expensive. Those that match for being compact, sturdy, lay flat or sit up, not a jogger, can have a kid bundled for winter, and don't come with umpteen zillion accessories are pretty much the European styles that run upwards of $1000.00. Yes, I got the number of zeros correct. That is insane.

Problem is that Americans seem to like the wide strollers that are made for walking around a mall. The European styles seem to be made to walk all over town, get into small shops, over cobblstones, and keep a kid warm because you are out walking around in the winter. Hmmmm...Sounds like us. I guess it will be keep shopping and see what we can find second hand. I'll make do with a stroller that is trying to wear out long before I spend that kind of money on something that is only used for a couple years. Especially considering I think I was on my 3rd car before I spent that kind of money on my own transportation. Besides I don't want to end up obsessing if something gets spilled on the stroller, or Bear runs it into something. That happens. If we spend tons of money on it I'll never want to use it for fear I'll do damage to it.

Okay, I think I'm done complaining about the insanity. :)

Summer's end...

School has started for Tom and so Bear is in daycare again. I guess this means summer is officially over. I didn't think it had really started yet. The time is flying this year.

Bear is a complete chatter-box. He wakes up talking, talks all day, and goes to sleep talking. Whew! I've noticed that even after only a week of daycare he is picking up new things to say. Now he says "One, two, go!" He apparently loves to go play at daycare. He was very bummed this morning that he couldn't go to "school" and see his friends. Thank goodness he enjoys it. And of course, one week in and he has the sniffles again. That takes no time at all. The speed a cold can travel amongst a bunch of little kids is impressive. Then of course it is brought home to Mom and Dad. Oh goody.

Let's see, other Bear highlights: He is 3 foot tall and skinny. Loves to play in the garden. Isn't fond of bugs. He likes to look at them, but doesn't want to hold or touch most of them. He likes to eat pickled asparagus and okra, but doesn't like pickled cucumbers. Normal pickles are out. He loves Marshmallow Matey cereal and strawberry milk. He is an absolute clown. If he discovers something make you laugh he will keep it up. He is very much a dog lover too. Actually he loves animals in general. Dogs are a favorite, but he likes them all.

In other news: We find out the likely sex of Bear's sibling soon. Other than that not much has changed on that front. Other than my front that is. It is starting to grow. People may start to notice soon. I've noticed since I'm starting to feel all the little wiggles now. I'm excited for Tom and Bear to start to be able to feel the little one.

Off to tuck someone in for a nap...

Made me a liar...

Well, he did it. I said he won't even taste green beans and then what does the kid do? Every time he goes past the bowl of green beans on the counter he grabs one, tastes it, and then spits it out. The funny part is that he won't stop tasting them now. Goof ball.

Today feels a bit like fall. I'm anxious for fall to be here and yet it doesn't feel like summer ever really got here. The late rains pushed summer into the last couple of weeks. Oh well, I don't mind that we haven't had oppressive heat most of the year. I feel like I shouldn't rush things, but I love fall. I love the slight sense of urgency to stock up that comes with the cooling weather, the smell of the dried grass and rotting leaves, the oranges, yellows, and browns, and all the holidays that come with fall. I don't think there is anything that I dislike about fall, other than it doesn't last long enough.

School starts soon too. That will mean a change in schedules for us. We might even end up with weekends off together like normal people. I don't think we've had that since the first year we were married. Not sure what we'll do. With school it will be super busy though. Tom will be teaching and taking classes. Bear will be in daycare again (here come the runny noses). My schedule shouldn't change. Tom is considering still working on weekends, so we may not get those days off. We shall see.

I should be off to see what I can do about getting green beans blended up and frozen for the little one. Although I will give a quick update there. The last couple of doctor appointments we've heard the little heart beat and this latest one we could hear movement. The ultrasound is scheduled for next month. That is the one we will find out which sex they think the baby will be. Yes, we are finding out. It helps with names and will help to let us know if we need to pick up a couple pink onsies or just sort through Bear's clothes.

Other than that things are pretty normal. You can't really tell I'm pregnant yet. This is good since most of the guys at work don't know yet. They get to be real mother hens and it drives me bonkers. I am certainly feeling more pregnant and I've felt the baby move a bit. That is the one thing I like about being pregnant. Otherwise, someone else could do this part for me. I love the kiddo at the end, but the 9 months prior to that is the pits.

Well, off to make some baby food...

A few random thoughts...

I still can't believe Bear is two. That means this blog is as well. Time sure does fly. It seems like not very long ago I was pregnant with Bear, and now I'm pregnant with his sibling. Amazing.

I think I'm looking at the passing time as I realize we are already into the second week of August. I swear I was just marvelling that it was already June.

Bear is funny with his food tastes. Doesn't like carrots, but loves peas out of the garden. Doesn't like asparagus unless it is pickled. Likes pickled okra, but not beets. And he won't even taste green beans. Usually he is good about tasting food, but not green beans. This is funny because as a baby that was practically the only baby food veggie I could get him to eat. Now he won't touch them. He still loves basque chicken and General Tso's chicken that Tom makes. And to drink one of his favorites is "bubble water." Translated into adult: S. Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water.

I suppose I should see if the kiddo is up from his nap yet. He's been down for awhile and I think I heard a thump or two from his room.

Bear updates

Just thought I would finally provide some updates on Bear himself...

He is somewhere between 34 and 36 inches tall. He doesn't like to stand still long enough to get a measurement. He weighs almost 34 pounds and talks up a storm. It seems like his vocabulary is exploding. Half the time I don't even know where or when he learned a word. He is most definitely at the repeat word stage. Looks like we'll have to mind our mouths now.

As far as personality showing through, he is still an imp. He loves to play outside, with his dog, and his trains. Bear likes to help with whatever we are doing. He almost always puts his dishes in the sink (has only broken a couple doing this). He gets cranky when he's hungry or hot. Can't blame him here. It must be inherited. He likes to go for bike rides with Tom too. He's a bit of an adrenaline junkie. The faster you go with whatever he is on or in the better he likes it.

He just gets more and more fun the older he gets. We can almost carry on a conversation now. He cuddles more than he ever did as a baby. I actuallly get hugs and kisses now even though he still likes his alone time.

That's about it for now. I'd better get the kitchen cleaned up so I can do a little canning today. Green beans are ready and I got huckleberries at the farmer's market yesterday. Time to get busy.