Mother's Day Outing

For me, a perfect mother's day includes spending time outside with my family.  This year we went to the Lake Waco Wetlands, one of Waco's hidden treasures.  I think JB and I went there just a week or so before Benjamin was born and here we are again a week or so (we hope!) away from our baby girl's birth.  Last time we were there though, B was younger and it was all we could do to keep him from throwing himself into the water.  This time e played in the water without trying to get in and was interested in all of the wildflowers and little critters we saw as we hiked.  He even hiked! And picked blackberries!  I love that Mother's Day is during blackberry season--we'll have to take more advantage of that in the future.  

We stopped at the hospital on our way out to the wetlands to get our bearings again--which entrance to go in, where to park, etc.  The whole Women and Newborns floor is completely renovated since the B was born.  Nice to have a swanky setting for your pain and suffering...I mean, beautiful birth experience.  

And here are my Mother's Day helpers busy with the dishes.  Not that they don't do the dishes at other times : )

Any time now...

All Benjamin's idea.  He's moving all around and saying "the baby's kicking!"  

At 37 weeks, our daughter is full term and I've hit the point in my pregnancy at which Benjamin was born 2.5 years ago.  A couple of nights ago I dreamt that I was in the early stages of labor and as I lay there half-awake a few times I was convinced I was going to have the baby.  I was going through in my mind all of the things I would have to re-schedule and stressing about how I would get my grading done.  When I finally woke up fully in the morning it took me a few minutes to establish that no, I was not in labor at all.  She's still happily shifting around in her warm little sac.  

"Ta-da!" says Benjamin. "It's just a bathroom towel!"

It's still so much fun to see Benjamin's growing understanding of the new baby.  We were in the grocery store yesterday and from his perch in the grocery cart, he reached out, grabbed my shirt and said, "The baby's going to drink milk from those." Yes, indeed, little Ben.  I think I only explained this to him once, but it obviously made an impression : )  

Not too much else right now.  JB has finished a few projects around for the baby like painting the dresser we got for Benjamin from Midge.  And the yard is looking pretty spiffy, I have to say.  This rose bush below finally bloomed in all it's glory this year after some rather sparse years.  We were still harvesting snow peas until a few days ago, and the tomato plants are looking full and green.  Benjamin knows that when they reach the top of the trellis, Aunt Amy is going to come visit, so he likes checking their progress.  First Grammy and Grandpa from NY, then Aunt Amy.  What a month June will be!