California Adventures : Picking Blueberries

It looks like such a perfect day, doesn't it? Picking berries in the California sunshine with the ones you love the most. Ah, bliss.

Too bad both kids peed their pants within 5 minutes of each other after we had been picking berries for a matter of moments. We were prepared for Marie's accident. William, on the other hand, we haven't had to pack extra clothes for him in ages. He got a new pair of shorts and a pack of underwear out of the deal, but not after having to hang around in wet clothes for a bit. *shudder*

Ah, parenthood. We washed that loveliness down with In N' Out for lunch and some blueberry crisp later that night.

Good enough for me.

California Adventures : The Crazy Birds Park

It is usually called the duck park, but this time around it was completely infested by these creatures. Crazy, out of control, apparently starving creatures that completely monopolized our bags of bird feed.
William spent most of his time chasing them.

They deserved it.

Marie attempted to feed them,

...one seed at a time.

Good thing Grandpa was there. Momma wouldn't have had the patience for that. After feeding time was over it was time for some fun at the park.

If you want to be Marie's favorite person ever, push her on the swing. Again. And Again. And again.
William had other ideas of swinging. Fine with me.

And Grandpa thought he'd give it a go, too. He he.

Grandma joined us soon after that. Apparently we were having too much fun to document it. As it should be ...

California Adventures : Reading With Grandma

I continue to be a total sucker for pictures like this. I am trying to decide who was enjoying the stories more, Aunt Sara or the kiddos.

Pondering This

• "willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Mosiah 3:19
• The supreme examples of my pioneer ancestors ...reading Undaunted sparked this one.
• Forgiveness

Life has been full lately. So much to record. So much more planned. More documenting will be necessary.

Tonight, however, I am trying to decide how I feel about the results of my OB appointment today. The baby is healthy. Let's just put that out on the table before I worry anybody.

Yep, Squirt is healthy enough to measure in at approx. 5 pounds already. I'm 32.5 weeks. To put that into perspective, Marie weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce when she was born. She came at 38.5 weeks.

Could the ultrasound be inaccurate? Sure, but Squirt has measured consistently about 2 weeks ahead most of the pregnancy, so who knows.

Does this mean that my due date is off and Squirt will come sooner than estimated? Perhaps, although I can hardly hope for that or the last few weeks will drive me to insanity.

Does this just mean that Squirt will come around 38 or 39 weeks as expected and will be a big baby? Perhaps. Man, I don't know what I would do with a chunky newborn. It would be like starting out with a 3 month old for me.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the unknown? Lots. And lots. And lots. The end of pregnancy is torture for me. My body and the baby inside are a dictatorship. I am the humble servant forced to succumb to their will.

May they show me some mercy.

The Belly: 30 weeks and a few days

Random Thoughts of a Pregnant Woman

:: I took this picture about a week and a half ago. As I sit and write this post, I am 32 weeks along.

:: I like side profiles. The maternal "chub-chub" I have gained isn't quite as prominent from this angle. I almost look like I'm all belly, but I'm not ... oh trust me, I'm not.

:: Contractions have pretty much become non-existent except when I have to pee. For some reason a full bladder encourages contractions. TMI? Sorry.

:: I would like the contractions to hold off until about 5 weeks from now and then I would like them back. That's probably too much to ask but I'll ask anyway.

:: I found out this week that one of my bestest of all best friends is getting married on July 31st. Poor timing on someone's part, not pointing any fingers or anything ...

:: My mom (L & D nurse) did an ultrasound this week. There's a good chance she took a sneak peek of the gender. If she did, it's her little secret and I don't think any bribery will coax it out of her so don't get any ideas. For the record, Brandon and I still do not know.

:: I am carrying this baby SO low! I never feel the baby up in my ribs. All of the movement is down between my hips. Very, very strange sensation and a bit painful, I must admit.

:: Brandon and I sold our infant car seat this past summer, we were disenchanted with the brand. We were just thinking this week that we should probably start working on replacing it. Eventually ...

:: It is so strange to be in what should be my "nesting stage" but not know the gender. It really takes the pressure off of my crafty instincts to sew my little heart out before this baby's arrival.

:: I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the miracle that is growing inside of me. I will never take this blessing for granted and pray that I may always live worthy of it.

Nothing'�s gonna stop me now
California here we come
Right back where we started from
Pedal to the floor
Thinkin' of the roar
Gotta get us to the show
California here we come

Right back where we started from