Pool!

Yesterday I got the little pool out and filled it up to warm up during the day for Rylan to play in and he LOVED it! He was so excited to get his swim trunks on and hop in!

I think like most 2 year olds, splashing is his favorite thing.

The water was still a little chilly, so he never actually sat in the water, but he loved bouncing on the side. It was a good thing too, because he insisted that his wheelbarrow be in the pool with him and then there wasn't much room left for him!

Father's Day

I know, I know, Father's Day was almost a week ago, but I just got these downloaded now. We didn't do anything spectacular for Father's Day, but we had a relaxing day just hanging out together. Here are some pictures from the day.

Daddy and Rylan doing their faces - Sad
Happy

Scared

We made Nick's favorite dessert, banana cream pie. Here is Rylan helping stir the pudding.

This was one of Nick's gifts, an Aerogarden. He didn't know he was getting it, but he had mentioned he wanted one after seeing his aunt's and hearing about his cousin's. We planted an herb mix, so in about 6 weeks, we'll have fresh thyme, dill, basil, and 4 others that I can't remember right now. We're excited to try other kits later on, like strawberries! Some of them have started sprouting already, so I'll keep you updated on their growth!

Advice when dealing with a pregnant woman

I got this from a friend and it cracked me up so I thought I would share. Most of it is very true too, so if you learn something, great!

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,
I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.

1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is 'Congratulations!' with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an a$$.

2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- no one else. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase 'my baby'.

3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in #2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.

4) The body of a pregnant women should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5) Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight - ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invites her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is 'You look fabulous!'.

6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.

7) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticket master. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents.

8) Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents' home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to 'help out'. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breast-feeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.



Now, I don't really share the opinions of ALL of these, but most. Once the baby is born, I really don't mind visitors. I actually liked visitors at the hospital because I didn't have to be concerned about how clean it was. And I don't mind visitors at home either, but a phone call asking the best time to come would be appreciated. And if you come to help, I would love to let you just hold the baby while I take a shower! I sometimes struggle getting a shower in with just Rylan here, so I can only imagine how difficult it might be with 2 children!

All for a reason right?

I've realized that all the uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms that come at the end are all for a reason. My body is getting prepared to get up and feed a newborn during the night. I'm up every 2 hours like clock work to go to the bathroom and change positions, so I'm getting used to the schedule already! I haven't figure out what the awful back pain might be preparing me for though - labor maybe? I know I still have 3 and a half weeks before my due date, but I really wouldn't mind having this baby a week early. However, since Rylan was 5 days late, I'm preparing myself to be pregnant until after July 10! And I might be the only one, but I'm actually enjoying the cooler weather we've been having lately. Big sweatshirts are the most comfortable thing to wear right now, so I enjoy every day that I can still do that!

Day 7 - Last day

Sunday-
Our last day together. We started out driving to meet Nick half way. (My parents picked Rylan and I up so I didn't have to drive that far by myself with him) The city we stopped at had a little zoo, so we went there. It turned out to be a great zoo and we had another beautiful day to see the animals. I didn't take as many pictures, so enjoy these!

I was able to get really close to this peacock, I didn't even have the zoom lens on. He was showing off, but it was beautiful!

The cutest kangaroo I've ever seen!

Again, one of his favorite things because he could touch them. We bought some grain pellets so he got to feed them too. I can still hear his squeal! He loved it!

No, he doesn't normally wear a huge bracelet, he insisted on wearing Nick's watch.

These 2 little guys were my favorite, they were so spunky, but they still had umbilical cords, so they were less than a week old!

We also saw another new baby; a tiny little bison calf laid next to it's mother who was still trying to get rid of the placenta. I didn't know bison were ever that small! I'm not sure why I didn't take a picture!

Thanks mom and dad for a wonderful week! We love and miss you!

Day 6

Saturday -
Our busiest day I think! The city's summer festival thing was this weekend, so we went to the parade in the morning. Rylan sat on my lap the whole time but watched intently. He loved the bands, especially the drums. He didn't care for the fire trucks, because they were too loud, but he liked everything else. Every once in a while, he would dare to step off the curb to gather candy and give it to Grandpa.

After the parade, we went to the grocery store where Great Grandma and Grandpa were serving up samples to say hi. Rylan got a little ice cream cone and loved it! We then went home for lunch and a nap.

Later in the day, we stopped back at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house because we hadn't taken any pictures with them. Then we went to a park for a couple house just to play. It was nice to have someone else chase him around on the jungle gym as it's getting harder for me to get through those tunnels!

Before the parade, eating grapefruit with Grandpa

Ice cream after the parade

Walking with Grandpa and Great Grandpa

Rylan with Great Grandma and Grandpa

Smelling the flowers

Apparently, he touched something that he didn't like.

Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Rylan, Great Grandma, Grandma

Giving hugs

At the park

Having a snack

"Tunno!"

Day 5

Friday -
Rylan and I must have both had a busy week because by 10:30am, both of us were sleeping. A 2 hour nap for me, and a 3 hour nap for Rylan, it was awesome! After our naps, we finally had some lunch, then went outside to play some more. I took him a 4-wheeler ride around the farm and then we went to my other Grandma's house for dinner.

We took this one just for Uncle Spencer! Rylan is showing off his shirt! We miss you Uncle "Ben-sa"!

Rylan and his Great Grandma