Activities around the house

I haven't updated this thing recently, and here's why-- we've been busy!!

Take a look at some of the activities Jared and I have been doing around the house. I've been on a sewing kick these days and felt the need to take care of a few things before our newest arrival errr.... arrived.

First, the baby had to have a magic blankie just like Leah's (but different colors, of course).

Then I decided to FINALLY finish up the baby quilt that I started working on over 4 years ago. It has sat in our house with unfinished binding since January 2006. Go me and my fast project-finishing skills self.

Next I decided to make this other baby blanket for the newbie, similar to one a friend of ours had made for Leah. (Leah got a lot of handmade baby blankets when she was born. I didn't want this kiddo to feel left out right from the get go.)

And finally, I made this nursing shawl (it's folded in half in the photo so it actually provides twice the coverage) and little carry bag. I've still got a few miscellaneous projects I'd like to tackle, but for now I think I may need a bit of a breather.

While I've been sewing up a storm, Jared has been going buck-nutty with gardening.

He started by creating these mini greenhouses for some of our newly planted vegetables just in case we should have an unseasonal cold-snap, such as tonight. (As I type this, it is 34 degrees outside and there is snow falling in Houston.)

Then he built some new garden beds to house some blueberry bushes (they are planted in the bed above, but you can't really see them)...

... another new bed for some grapes...

... and a third garden bed for some blackberries and raspberries. (This is the one I will be frequenting most.)

And then he planted two apple trees, one peach tree, and one plum tree. Here's hoping all of these plants produce and we end up with some delectable fruit this summer!

Soooo... did you know we're having another baby? Yes? Did you know we were having that baby fairly soon? I didn't think so. Time flies when you are having fun, and we are currently less than 3 weeks from our due date of March 15th. I guess in some ways that could mean this baby could come 'any day now'. Yikes!!

I look funny in this photo. The smile is clearly fake, possibly because it was super cold out that morning and possibly because I was leaving for the commute of death in about five minutes (this is the most likely of the two), but Leah looked cute, so I figured I'd get over myself and post it.

Leah was being super sweet and wanted to give the baby nice pats. Apparently she has to lift up my shirt to do so.

Since 2nd baby is so close to making its debut, our friends offered to watch the Little Miss for a night so that Jared and I could go out on a nice dinner and a movie date to PF Chang's and to see Avatar. Thanks guys! :)

We don't let Leah watch TV too often, but Sesame Street is certainly becoming a favorite. I don't know why she gets such a kick out of Elmo, but apparently he is the greatest thing on earth. Here she is in her Elmo trance, snacking on some raisins. I particularly like how she's propped her foot up in the coaster holder as an added touch.

A little post-tub time Babe watching. I had to censor her in this one. :)

I came across this poem on another blog that I follow, and I felt compelled to share it with everyone. It really touched my heart and reminded me that our children are really only on loan to us for a little while, and that we have no idea or control over how long that "little while" will be. And every time I read it, I just want to scoop Leah up and hold her tight. So read it, and once you are done, go hug your babies (no matter how old they are) and remember how blessed you are to have them in your life.

GOD SAID
“For a little while I’ll lend you a child of mine for you to cherish while she lives, and mourn for when she is gone. Look after her for me! It may be two or three years before I will call her home.

Will you care for her?

She’ll bring you love, joy and happiness and should her stay be brief, you’ll have a whole host of memories as solace from your grief.” I cannot promise she will stay, since all from the earth returns to dust, but there are lessons taught below that I want this child to learn.

Will you love her?

I’ve looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true, and from the masses that crowd life’s lane at last I HAVE CHOSEN YOU. Now will you give her all your love and not think your labor in vain and turn against me when I come to take her back home again.

I fancied that I heard you say to me: “Dear Lord your will be done, for all the joy your child shall bring the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter her with tenderness. We’ll love her while we may, and the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay. But should the angels call her much sooner than planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”

“I’ll lend you for a little while a child of mine, God said, for you to cherish while she lives, and mourn for when she’s gone.”