Birthday Dad

Saturday was Andy's birthday (and our wedding anniversary) so Aiden and I did our best to make it a fun weekend for Dad. Of course he barely rested or relaxed all weekend and still insisted on cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, etc. etc. Even though I'm off of strict bedrest by now and can help a little, I think we've created a machine that can't be stopped! (I know, I need to shut my mouth and be thankful). But we did manage a few birthday weekend luxuries... Hapa and Grandma stopped by after visiting their newest grandchild Phoebe (who missed piling another family milestone on June 26th by only one day) and took us all out to the Flying Goose Brew Pub for lunch. Nothing like a huge burger and a few beers on your birthday... then later that day we went to the June Jam (outdoor concert) at Musterfield Farm.




And on Sunday we had a dragon-hunting picnic at Low Plain in New London. It was a great feeling for me to be able to go for a little walk outside (only about 700' but it took me 15 minutes!) and to sit and enjoy the pond, croaking green frogs, diving kinfishers, and lots of dragonflies zipping all over the place. We caught or identified a half dozen new species for the town of New London too, so not a bad afternoon. Aiden is getting really good at catching dragonflies himself. Well, he mostly catches damselflies (the really skinny ones- they're often blue...) since they're slower, but he knows how to swoop and then flip the net over to catch them in the pocket. He caught about 4 different species himself, and had a great time. I was the photographer, for the most part, but enjoyed every minute of it.

Lilypad Forktail female, the only damselfy that rests its tail on the ground when perched.

Welcome Phoebe!

No, we didn't have a baby yet! But last Friday Andy became an uncle and I became an aunt for the first time! Micah and Becky welcomed their little girl, Phoebe Louise Dean, into the world. We are so thrilled for them, and know that they will be wonderful parents. Congratulations Micah & Becky!

We won't get to meet Phoebe until after our own little girl is born, but we're looking forward to that day. By then I'm sure M&B will have the feeding, diapering, swaddling, rocking and general lack of sleep down pat! We'll have to re-learn from them... unless it's like riding a bike...

Cousin Time

Jeni and Ciara came to visit us today and the cousins had a great playdate together. It was a hot one, so Aiden & Ciara squished and splashed into our miniscule kiddie pool (time for an upgrade, I think) and went through many of Aiden's toys in the garage. Only a few minor sharing issues... Aiden has some work to do in the coming years on learning how to share his own toys. He's fine at school, but those toys are not "his" which turns out to be a notable distinction. We ordered a pizza, ate popsicles and homemade chocolate chip cookies (baked by Ciara!) and made sock puppets inside when it got unbearably warm out. Jeni and I tried to chat in what few moments the kids would allow our attentions not to be entirely focused on them... but it was fun just to watch them playing so we didn't mind too much. Hopefully we can plan another visit after Aiden's sister arrives :)

A little freedom

Since I have reached the 35 week milestone this week, I've been released from "strict" bedrest and am now able to sit up in a normal chair and even walk around a little. The object is to gain back a bit of strength before the baby comes without overdoing it and causing labor when it's still a few weeks early. Obviously it's a delicate balance!

Aiden's getting to be a little speed demon on his bike...

With my new set of restrictions, I was able to go to a concert on the green (Andy drove me literally one street over and I walked about 100 feet to a chair), over to the elementary school parking lot (again, driven and then sat) to watch Aiden and Andy ride bikes, and even for a "fat-lady float" on Lake Sunapee. There are no photos of me floating in the lake, and that is for a good reason (you don't need to see anyone 8+ mos pregnant in a bathing suit).

Friday concerts on the green

I was completely exhausted after this flurry of activity (which included no more than 20 minutes actually walking around the house or anywhere else) and slept for 12 hours straight afterwards. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle a newborn if I don't get some muscles and energy back soon!

Lake Sunapee State Beach- such an awesome place for little kids to swim!

Summersweet

We regained our parental duties this weekend with Aiden at home again, and had a nice weekend despite the fairly miserable weather. Aiden and Andy went to PYO strawberries (first rite of summer!) at Edgewater Farm and loaded up tummies and quart baskets with fresh berries. Round One of fresh berries, that is. We plan to hit the raspberries and the blueberries (and maybe blackberries if I can find some) later in the season. We've also been eating fresh bok choy, lettuce and spinach out of the garden every day, and Aiden picked the first few ripe cherry tomatoes this afternoon. Snap peas and the tomato glut can't be far behind...



I got outside in my reclining chair in the backyard for awhile, and for a change of scenery Andy and Aiden drove me the mile or so to set up my chair at the beach on Little Lake Sunapee. They played soccer in the sand (Aiden was USA, Dadoo had to be England...or whatever other world cup team he chose) and we had a picnic lunch. It was not warm (barely 60) but that didn't stop numb-boy from getting soaked. We swear he has no cold receptors.

Looking forward to next weekend when I can officially walk around a bit more. I'm planning to take it really easy and see how things go (after all, I have been lying down for the past 2 months and have no muscles anymore!) but if the baby's not threatening to fall out I'll try to build up a little strength before she arrives. Got to be able to lift those dirty diapers!

More adventures for the little man...

Aiden got to spend a second weekend in a row with Grandma & HaPa in Vermont. He is so eager to go on these "stay overs" as he calls them that we are starting to wonder whether he just wants to get away from us! Actually I think it's more that he knows he'll have more adventures and get more 'special treats' (i.e. homemeade ice cream) at his granparents house than at home.

Last weekend's big adventures included a folk music festival outside on the lawn at Shelburne Museum, a trip to the farmer's market (complete with cupcake mounded high with frosting), and a raw milk and cheese party at a local farm. Oh, and pizza and playtime at Gerritt Pottmeyer's house... being quite a bit older than Aiden, Gerritt has the coolest toys! Robots and huge plastic guns! What could be better?

Gerritt at the Folk Music Festival

Dad/HaPa enjoying the music and nice weather

Gerritt's cool toys!

Last Week of School

This week was the end of Aiden's first year at Windy Hill School. He enjoyed his preschool program so much, and we feel really lucky to have such a great school option so close to our home. On Thursday they sent home a CD with dozens of photos of Aiden they'd taken over the course of the school year, so I thought I'd post some of our favorites here. Next week starts summer school! (not the remedial kind)

Escape to Vermont!

Last weekend Aiden escaped from our normal routine of staying home all the time, taking care of Mom/me, and having to spend unprecedented amounts of time keeping busy on Mom's bed, even sometimes when it is very nice out. He spent the weekend in VT with HaPa and Grandma, mostly having fun at the camp on Lake Champlain. At least that is how he would view last weekend. The other way to look at it is that HaPa and Grandma kindly offered to take Aiden for a few days so that we could have a break and Andy could actually get a significant amount of chores done. Either way it worked out beautifully.

Aiden had a great time at the camp's opening weekend, complete with temperatures warm enough for a boat ride and playing in the kiddie pool (though not quite warm enough for a dip in the lake). On Memorial Day they went to the big parade in Vergennes where there were fire trucks, clowns throwing penny candy, and political dignitaries galore. I have a feeling Aiden was not impressed by Senator Bernie Sanders or VT Governor Jim Douglas, but the rescue trucks and candy definitely made an impression. But most of all he loves spending time with Hapa and Grandma. And they must enjoy it too since they've signed on for Round 2 this coming weekend!