last month

Summer is in full swing. Being as far along in this pregnancy that I am, it's been a tad hard to know how to approach all the fun of the season. On one hand, it's my last summer with an only child. I want to make the most of it. She's always been a girl on the go, so I want to go and do to her little heart's content, soaking up every minute of summer stuff. After all, "going" and "doing" is about to get a lot more complicated.

On the other hand, it's my last summer before another (tiny, dependent) family member (with very specific, round the clock needs) joins our ranks. Recalling all that having an infant entails makes me want to fall on the couch, prop up my feet and put Cinderelly on repeat. After all, rest time for mama is about to get a lot less frequent.

Maybe I'll ask some mamas of more than one for their advice.

In the meantime, all the summer loving has really done a number on my blogging time. Exhibit A- I'm about to post pictures from Memorial Day Weekend. Here's what may have happened a month ago. (No guarantees though because my memory stinks.)

We traveled to Missouri to see the Hinton family. Two family members were about to travel overseas so it was a great excuse to get everyone together. We spent a couple of days camping at the lake. The first night was too chilly for a swim, but just right for fishing.

Chica picked the right Hinton to help her fish. Auntie Sandra is like a fish whisperer.

Sure enough, after a little while she reeled one in with her pink princess button pole. The excitement transformed to terror when the fish started flopping on the dock. "AHHH!!! I'm scared!!"

Much better fish distance.

Here she's sweet talking her Grandad. Putty in her hands I tell you. :)

S'more face.

If you give an only grand-child a hammock, she's going to ask for a pillow to go with it.

By Sunday after church, the weather had warmed up considerably so we ventured out for swimming, boating and a tube ride.

Sweet talking her daddy. The Hinton men in general don't stand a chance.

The whole Hinton clan. Thanks for having us Grammy & Grandad!

The Hintons who flew in from Chicago. We tried not to harass them too much for some cousins.

Speaking of cousins, they drove up to see us while we were in town. Baby Boy:

Middle Man:

Big Sister:

The whole crazy crew came!

It was a memorial-ble weekend indeed! :)

someday...

Someday I won't be able to know where she is at all times.

Someday she'll feel the bitter sting of exclusion.

Someday insecurities will begin to seep into her thoughts.

Someday an opportunity to stand against injustice will present itself.

Someday an outcast will look to her for acceptance.

Someday she will be some one's boss, wife, mother, friend.

Someday she will choose who or what will be her master.

Someday someone will ask her to compromise her convictions.

Someday she'll have to discern that which is true from that which is false.

Knowing that those somedays are coming makes our todays that much more important.

"Lord, help me to be strategic."

32 weeks

According to the authority of the Internet, Baby Hinton is about 12 inches long and weighs a whopping 4 pounds. She's still a mover and a shaker with pretty predictable periods of wakefulness. I can't wait to see what she looks like. As you can see her Big Sister is all ham:
I had intended to take this picture by myself but she strutted on over to join me as soon as her nana whipped out the camera.

As for me, I'm feeling really good! I'm having mild contractions throughout the day and I'm sleeping great at night. (Granted, summer is just getting started and I still have eight weeks to go. Not to mention the fact that a single onesie has yet to make its way out of storage nor are we any closer to picking a name than we were before I got pregnant.)

Maybe this glorious state of denial/procrastination (eight weeks is plenty of time to get everything that needs to be done, done!) is a new pregnancy symptom?

I guess for now I'm just thankful for feeling this good and the sweet relief of air conditioning-without which, the former wouldn't be possible.

Girlfriend never could have made it as a pregnant pioneer.

dear daniel,

On this special day your girls just want you to know how thankful we are that out of all the other daddies out there, God picked you for us. It takes an anointed man to do all you do in the midst of such spirited women. :) Thank you for working your tail off to make us your priority.

To our fearless leader and selfless servant- Happy Father's Day!!

With love from your biggest fans,

Mama & Buggo

today...

...I'm trying to break out of my blogging rut.

...I was the last one up at my house. I could have slept all day long. I think my bed might be laced with a sleeping drug. At least Chica served me a lovely breakfast in bed. I had canned soup, a wedge of cheese, a hot dog, tea, a pear and a cookie. They were all made of plastic but hey, no calories!

...I had to miss my Sunday School class to serve in the nursery. The two-year-old boys loved my gold necklace a little too much. I need a Clorox wipe for the pendant.

...I'm 31 and a half weeks pregnant. As of three days ago, Baby Sister's foot looked like this:

She was holding it with her little hand. Now I'm wondering if she only has four toes on that foot.

...I'm thankful for functioning air conditioning in our home and both cars.

...I stared at this picture of the newest addition to our extended family and tried to imagine having one of my own in less than two months.

...I'm in desperate need of a haircut. And a brownie.

...I had a deep conversation in the car that was spurred on by a question from my ever growing Big Girl.

Recently heaven has been a popular topic. She told me I was going to have to fly to heaven on my own because I was way too big for Jesus to carry, but maybe He could sprinkle some pixie dust on me.

...I need another brownie. (Wait, what's the weight limit for holy pixie dust?)

tea cup face

vacation top ten

10 of My Favorite Memories from our Family Vacation:

10. How it was the perfect blend of relaxation on the beach (St. Augustine) and adventures in the most magical place on earth.
9. Experiencing it with friends in the same life stage. Potty breaks, pool floaties and sand castle building make for instant bonding. Plus Chica LOVED having girls there her age.
8. Eating like kings (the fresh fish was unforgettable!) at the beach. Because our friends are the grill masters we weren't living on PB&J for the week.
7. Push the talking, robotic trashcan. He lives in Tomorrowland. I loved him so much I went back twice to try and find him.
6. Watching Chica collect autographs. She was big into meeting the characters. She made sure to sign the first page of her book before the trip started.
5. Getting Chica ready for her day at Magic Kingdom during the 90 second monorail ride. Clothes, shoes, socks and hair were done by the time we reached our destination.
4. How well our Big Girl traveled now that she's older. She slept great in the big beds and used the hotel restroom all by herself.
3. Watching Chica go down her first water slide alone. Her smile was so big. Watching Dan catch her over and over. If ever there was a Daddy completely smitten with his daughter.
2. Not wanting it to end.
1. Escaping for the week with my two favorite people. We got to play hooky from the rest of the world, enjoy each other, laugh, make memories and remember what drew us together in the first place.

Thank you family members and friends for helping us have an incredible week away. Whether it was the birthday gifts or bearing with us while Danny was out of the office, we are grateful and better off as a family. Much love and appreciation to you!