This and That

Mary told me a story this morning. I'm not sure why all my toddlers have been convinced they need company while on the potty, but I suspect it is so they will have somebody to talk to while they take care of business. (It works out well for me, actually, since I can monitor their rate of t.p. usage.) Her story went like this: "Mom, Me tell you a story. Once upon a time a boy went outside. Then a man said 'Nanny-nanny-boo-boo'. That was all, but I was impressed. I don't remember the other kids even attempting to make up a story at only two and a half. So, that settles it... our Mary Mae is fantastic. ;-)

Baby and I reached another milestone this weekend: 25 weeks. This is significant to me because Robert was born at 25 weeks; I always feel a little better after passing this point, and it is kinda neat in that I have seen first hand exactly what a 25-week-old baby looks like. It's strange that such a tiny baby makes me feel so big! In the comments, Mom F. said that my exercise may make my labor and delivery "different", and that made me smile. I've read that exercise makes l&d quicker and easier. If it goes any easier or faster this time than it did the last two times, I'll wake up one morning to find Baby already born!

We have been enjoying unusually spring-like weather, unusual for the U.P. at least. Most of the last two weeks we've had highs in the 50's and lows just below freezing. Usually there is still significant snow cover through March, but our snow has almost completely melted. I really enjoy being able to go outside in just a t-shirt, and the kids are (of course) running around barefoot. Chances are we will get at least one more snowstorm before the snow season is over, but who knows... My dad always says "it is perfectly normal to have abnormal weather". I'm just glad this spring is "abnormal" in such a pleasant way.

That's all for now, God bless!

Eew...

If April 1st were not landing on Holy Thursday this year, I'd totally be making a from-scratch version of this cake for April Fool's Day.

Quick Pregnancy Update

We had a nice visit with the midwife today. Baby has really had a growth spurt, which almost explains why Mama gained about five pounds this month. ;-) We are easily able to feel little hands, feet, elbows, and knees in there... the fun part is trying to guess what knobby bump is what. At 23 weeks and 4 days I'm measuring 26 weeks, but measuring ahead is pretty normal for me. Baby is definitely head down, and his-or-her heart rate was around 140. My blood pressure was 112/70 which is really good for me; usually during pregnancy my bp is at the high end of normal. She said that can probably be attributed to the fact that I'm continuing to exercise. I think my fluid intake (about a gallon a day, almost all water) helps a lot, too. It is about time to get another picture; I'll try to remember to do that this weekend.

That's all I can think of. I'm feeling good, eating and resting well and getting through the day with just enough energy. Really, I can't ask for more than that! Every day I thank God for this precious little soul He has entrusted to us, and I ask that Baby will be safe and healthy.

God bless!

Beautiful Days

The last few days, we have been blessed with unusually beautiful weather. It is hard to believe that it is still late winter, and not yet early spring. The snow is completely melted back from our driveway and the roads. Last night, for the first night since probably November, we did not get below freezing. The old guys at the market keep saying not to count on spring yet; that we're bound to get more snow, and that March could still turn out to be a nasty month. My reply is that they are right, but that won't prevent me from appreciating every moment of these beautiful days.

In fact, I've been so inspired by the weather that I've decided to start updating my long-neglected Weather Blog again. Today I posted the snowfall report from this week's paper. Looking at March of last year, on the only day I recorded (March 2) we had a low of -22* and a high of 21. Contrast that with last night's low temperature of 33 and the high so far of 56.

Breaking news- Rain! As I'm writing this, Robert came in and said there is water falling from the sky in liquid form. There's something else we haven't seen since November. ;-)

Not to go on and on about the weather, but to quote Joseph: "Lord, thank you very much! I give you thanks for the rain, the stars, the moon, everything."

Amen.

God bless!