beep beep back it up to father's day

When I watch G play with his Deeda, it's clear the boy is sure his dad is as cool as whatever superhero is in vogue that week. Just view the sword fight photos I've posted at snapfish for a glimpse at the look in G's eyes...

This year Deeda got a rice cooker and G can hardly wait to fire it up. In fact, it wsa one of the things that came up on the car ride home from the beach. He also got an original painting by G-man himself and a very special T-shirt made at school.

sum sum summertime

Summer is here. we know in H-town because we had three consecutive days above 100 last week. Good thing we were headed to Galveston for a long weekend with the neighborhood gang.

We weren't sure what to expect after Ike, but agree Galveston looks far better than we anticipated. There is damage. There are homes gone but there are also entire beachfront neighborhoods standing.

After Destin last May, G had one observation. "This water is nasty," he declared without solicitation. We had to laugh. But as far as the gulf goes it was cooler than bath water and we've seen it worse. Our observation is that the semi-private beach makes a huge difference over a public pocket beach and the big bridge seemed bigger when we were younger.

We joined the latter part of a week long trip the Friends of Red core group whipped up. In all, my head count was more than 25 including the kids. I am so grateful for this little network we have of really fun families. What a great time!

We know G had a good time because he literally didn't stop talking the entire way home. I've never heard him so on fire. Ever. And the pelican dove into the water, and they launched the sail boat, and we built a sand castle and my kite broke and I don't like watermelon and, can we watch Spiderman when we get home?... The child's mind was on what seemed to be an endless loop replaying the whole thing.

The kid was exhausted. We'll all sleep well this Sunday night.

Pictures are posted at snapfish. I continue to have a thing for people walking away... so there's a lot of that and I was having fun trying to create silhouettes. This is one of the lessons learned in the photography class I took last June, from which I have yet to complete the homework. Someday. Skill or luck, cute kids on a beach are always a good subject to play with.

spaghetti squash

Week 22 is spaghetti squash. The vegetable reference points to the size of the baby crack me up. But they're very helpful! Thank you babycenter.com for vegetable references and details on the defiance toddlers exercise as part of "normal" behavior. Thank you very much.

Somehow I hit and passed the halfway mark in this pregnancy and it seems I've only just gone public. While I fully expect time to slow waaaaay down in the heat of the summer I have to mark these recent weeks as a time that I've felt great! My only complaint being the back/left leg ache.

The belly went from maybe just overweight to totally pregnant overnight sometime last week. I will post a photo eventually. Next doc visit is the big glucose test. I am holding out hope we don't have to do that whole thing again.

The name game is in full swing and we're not telling. So no asking. Try to enjoy the surprise. At least we know it's a boy! In the mean time you're welcome to call him Tiquan or Buzz, both nicknames that have stuck. G wants to name him Buzz (as in Lightyear). Tiquan was the wonderfully wry suggestion from Grandaddy.

Make way for baby

The new office (old dining room) is nearly up and running. I am working in it as I type. We love it! Special thanks to Nana and her Raben painting skills. Also, for the record, she was right about the color all along. Next up, baby room which may also entail an upgrade for G's room.

This week marks 20 weeks. Half way. Despite a back ache that moves down my left leg and some swelling (already) in my ankles, I feel really good. My zits are finally clearing up a little and from time to time I can feel a little movement - which has me always wishing I could feel more. I am looking forward to a big karate style kick.

This was the first night I heard the sound of heat in the air: Cicadas. Today it was 94 but the weatherman confirmed it did feel more like 100 with the humidity. It's going to be a long, hot summer. But I have my eye on the prize: Halloween and the holidaze season from home with "bebe brudher."

Coming Right Up

Couple days last week, G made me breakfast. Cereal with bananas (arranged neatly around the outside of the bowl) and then a piece of toast. When he offered me a diet coke and I accepted he said, "coming right up" as he dashed to the fridge.

This does help make up for the fact that the child seems to be crying more often than not these days. Someone breathes on him and he's in tears. What is that?

Choo! Choo!

Blog is behind life again. Catching up.

Memorial Day weekend we went to Dallas to visit Grandaddy and Nennie. In a repeat performance of last year, G enjoyed the pool to the fullest. By Deeda's calculations we logged a good 8 hours of swim time. I know I logged a two hour nap and some time on a float in the sun. Ahhhhhh.
In between dips we took an old fashioned train ride from Grapevine to the Ft. Worth Stock Yards. A good time was had by all -- despite the fact the train was robbed by cowboy bandits on horses half way there...

And that was just the beginning of the fun! G hooked 'em on a real live long horn and then we saw a cattle drive down the main street of town. After the afternoon gunfight, the conductor called, "all aboard" and we headed home. G snuck in a much needed nap on the ride.

I thought G might cry when it came time to leave. He did his big shoulder shrug and said, "I am sure am gonna miss Grandaddy and Nennie."