We had a great shower

Greyson and I wanted to thank those of you who made it to our baby shower. We really were glad you could all make the long trip to be there to celebrate with us. Everyone was so generous. I still have 2 more bags of things to go through from the shower but it looks like we are just about ready for these babies. Ready in terms of supplies that is. Mentally we still need at least another month to prepare. And I especially want to thank Jenn and Brian for doing all the work to host the shower. You did a huge amount of work and we really, really appreciated it. Jenn especially looked wiped out when she finally got us all out the door.

This 3 day weekend was nice. I spent a few hours yesterday laying out on a mat in the shade reading a book. All three cats joined me. Greyson has been busy enjoying the sun by going for runs with Ada, learning how to windsurf and taking long bike rides. I get fairly envious as I sit on the couch and watch him leave but he shouldn't have to give up his life just because I am stuck on the couch.

My father said he was going to come back up to help with some jobs around the house. I will have to get my "to do" list updated. And I know Jenn has some things on her list like powerwashing her deck.

Well I hope you all are enjoying the sun and survive the last few weeks of school. Many of you will be off for the summer before you know it. (then you can be up here helping me)

Mel

Frying Chicken (from Mom/Jan)

Yes, I know it is unhealthy, but I feel every American-blooded woman should know how -- and maybe a few men. Anyway, I tried frying chicken this weekend, and it was a big mess with very poor results. Any cooking hints out there?

Hanging in there

I talked to Melanie this afternoon, and she's hanging in there. Babies are at 30 weeks tomorrow.

Only 3 weeks of school left, not that I'm counting.

Went to Costco to buy meat for barbecued short ribs on Sunday, but they had none. I'm trying to come up with plan B.

XOXOXO
Mom

you're invited

All family and friends are invited to celebrate Melanie and Greyson’s baby shower this Sunday at 1:30.  Please join us. 

We are planning to barbecue and have a few games for the kids. 

No words needed for our Noah

bedrest upgraded

Well I had another ultrasound today to check if things were progressing, hoping the answer would be no. Unfortunately things were slightly worse than last week so I am now on full bed rest with getting up only to use the bathroom, get a drink of water or a snack or to move to the couch. I am also now on medicine all the time to slow down and lessen any contractions. Now it is just one day at a time. My primary goal is to make it to 32 weeks- so 3 weeks and 1 day to go.

I shouldn't be left alone with the internet anymore. All I do if find horror stories of babies born early and all the problems they have. I need to try to get back to doing some work but it is hard to get focused on that.

Aunt Sharron called me up yesterday and said they were having a garage sale tomorrow with all of her and Kim's baby items. I could come look through all of the baby stuff before the sale and have any of her items that I wanted. I was going to take her up on it before I got derailed. But I think Jenn if going over after work tomorrow and see if anything is left that I would like.

Greyson has been pretty good to me, bringing home dinner, getting me popsicles, filling my water. He is definately earning his keep lately.

That is all, hopefully I won't have anything to report for awhile,

Mel

My new dogs

I have two new small dogs, a Westie and another Fox Terrier. I have named the Westie "Molly" and came up with the name of "Lucy" for the Fox Terrier. If you would like to see these cute dogs you will have to travel to our home in Sweet Home. Mom is training them not to jump up indiscrimatly and I am working on stopping them from barking at strange noises or our next door neighbors. I made sure to get shock collars and check them often; so far they are learning the yard boundaries very well. I have placed food and water in two spots because Charlie was a little possessive at first. I have been trying to get "Lucy" to fetch, but so far she won't bring the ball all the way back. Charlie taught Lucy to race around the big trees, splash thru the creek and complete the circuit crossing the bridge. They did this around 3 times. Molly is sweet but very short. She likes to be near me; in fact she is laying at my feet under the computer desk as I type this. Whenever I am on my knees pulling weeds she is right by me while my two Fox Terriers are roaming the rock garden. All of my pets seem to really enjoy the sunshine and the large yard. I have noticed that several of my lilies have been flattened. It is getting late so I will put my puppies to bed, strap on the CPAP mask and call it a day. Love to all, Dad.

Sweet Home News (from Mom)

We are grand-dog sitting this week for the Porters, so there are 3 small white dogs running around the place. When I volunteered to do this, Traci neglected to mention that one of the dogs is in heat! Haven't seen any neighbor dogs in the vicinity so I really think she probably is over it. Charlie is having fun bossing the other two around. We had a wet spot on the carpet the first night, but Mollie has been sleeping in the kennel since then. The other two are good sleepers.

Our lawnmower broke so we shall be ready to bale hay by next week when its supposed to be fixed. We are having wonderful warm weather so everything is growing extra fast.

This has been a busy week for me with 3 work evenings--board meeting on Monday, Parent internet safety meeting on Thursday, and our big parent-teacher club auction on Friday. And this weekend I need to get my first draft of that grant finished so I can start the editing and revising stage.

I have written the pregnancy weeks on my calendar so I can keep track of when we (the royal "we", but in actually just Melanie) get to 37. There are lots of birthdays in June and July so I wonder if she'll hit one of them: Tucker, Grandma Far Away, Greyson, Traci, Anita, Brian, Joanne and Gabe. Better odds than the lottery. Chris is definitely the long shot on August 8.

If you get tired of the view from your couch, Melanie, you can always come down here for a week and watch the view from my couch. There is a lounge chair on the deck.

Grandma Far Away has lots of pretty flowers on her deck and front porch/yard this year. I really like the hanging baskets that are in nurseries this time -- lots of different combinations of flowers. Mine are small white flowers with just a dash of red petunias. My strawberries are getting bigger but still very green. Our tomato plants must have set down roots because they are growing. Wish I had a spot for some corn.

Enough rambling.