heart attack waiting to happen.

We adore our little house. When I discovered our sweet 1938 cape cod in a quaint little neighborhood with giant trees and winding roads near our favorite Norfolk places, I knew we had found our home. We knew that it was small, but with a large backyard there was potential for expansion. And then our family began its expansion. At the point Henry arrived we began seriously contemplating a major addition. And when that second little line arrived on that pregnancy test this past late winter, we knew it was time to stop contemplating and get the ball rolling. Having an architect for a brother really came in handy at this point, as we were able to sit down with Thom and get him to flesh out the current attainable version of our 'dream home' (my actual dream home consists of secluded acres of land, lots of glass and steel, and ocean views). We simply need a larger kitchen/family room area, another full bathroom, and an extra bedroom, preferably a large master bedroom with a nice big walk-in closet. Oh yeah, and a screened-in porch that the family room and master bedroom could both open up into through nice sets of french doors.

We contemplated just moving to a larger house, but we couldn't find anything in our price range that matched our current location or the criteria by which we deem housing suitable for our family needs. With plans in hand, we were somehow able to secure funding in this god-awful market. We decided to act as the general contractors ourselves to save money. Mike's mom has run a breakfast/lunch shop for 25 years, and she has many regular customers who work in various areas of construction. Foundation guys, plumbers, electricians, etc. Through her and some of our own connections we were able to lock-down some people to help us get the addition done. People warned us of the stress this type of thing causes, and how it always runs over-budget and over-deadline. But I was so excited that we were moving forward with this thing that I didn't even allow that part to phase me.

At first the novelty of having a port-A-potty and a giant back hoe in our yard was very exciting. (Our name is even stenciled neatly on the front of the port-a-potty- hello this years christmas cards!!) Things moved pretty quickly past the environmental/preliminary building inspections we needed to obtain permits, etc.; the foundation was quickly dug, concrete filled in, sand dumped, bricks beautifully laid. Now we are just waiting on a building supplier to come up with the necessary materials from our blueprints so that we can order what we need to frame it up. This has been the most frustrating part, thus far. Which is ridiculous, because it shouldn't be. We have already dumped one supplier and are just waiting on another (anyone reading this about to build something? DON'T USE PRO BUILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Long story. Will save it for some other time. Let's just say that I'm not playing mrs. nice guy any longer. And this time around I might even take freaking prisoners, dammit.

Needless to say, the novelty of the back hoe and even the port a potty have sort of worn off. Perhaps I will feel better about everything once the materials are delivered and the framing begins. In the mean time I'll just keep my fingers crossed that this baby doesn't arrive any time before she is supposed to. And the next time we decide to build something, it won't be with a crazy two year old running around and another one on the way. Actually, the next time we realize we need to build something, we will probably just move.

man in the van

Look at my nerds:

with their matching shoes:

M.I.A.

I am cranky and tired and need a vacation. A 'laying on the beach in Mexico' kind of vacation.
If you are feeling the same, check out my girl below. She'll perk you right up, promise. I just have to make it through to Friday- deerhunter at The Boot. holler.

bucket head.

It has been forever and a day since I've posted... I have been staying quite busy with my pregnancy. Our little lady is just kicking away, and my anticipation of her arrival is filled with such happiness. My love for little Henry just grows so much every day; the thought that this sort of love will be doubled soon just blows my mind. I think back often to when I was in the last months of pregnancy with Henry. There is so much waiting and wondering; wanting to see and hold this tiny person that has been growing inside of you (for what seems like an eternity). There is nesting, worrying and wondering, a bit of apprehension about how things will change. Then the baby is born, and nothing could really prepare you for the reality of it. Before Henry I had zero experience with babies. I had various stints as a babysitter, but nothing that prepared me for the reality of dealing with an infant. Those first months are so sleepless and tiring, and your body is still trying to re-acclimate itself from the toll of pregnancy. It takes quite a while for things to reach an even keel again (not that they will ever be the same- which is a good thing, it just takes a while to realize this). This pregnancy is so different in that I feel more prepared. I thought I was so prepared last time, with all of my baby manuals, gear, etc. This time around I am more prepared without any of those things.

Henry will be two in a very short couple of months. Every night we carry out the same bedtime routine- after dinner and a bath Mike and I snuggle with him on the couch and unwind with a little Sesame Street. And every night I think "kid, where have you been all of my life??!! you are truly the bees knees!!" and then I realize- oh yes, you have been inside of my heart this whole time. all of my love, my hopes, and dreams. And now you are outside of me, my love, and Mike's love all out there in the open. And I guess this is the part that really scares the hell out of parents, because of course you want to protect your love with all of your will and might. But you also have to set it free. There is a balance, and I guess most of my every days are about trying to figure out that balance. And here there is another little one inside, kicking away, a whole bunch of love waiting to be set free. I will miss being pregnant- I feel more beautiful and strangely alive this way (maybe it is because I felt so awful and wished so much for death the first few months of "morning" sickness); there is something so primal and amazingly spiritual and even animalistic about being pregnant.
I wish I could bottle all of this up and really remember it forever, because this is likely the last time I will be pregnant. Two is a great number, and I think we are sticking with it.

We have undertaken a huge project, which is another big reason why I haven't updated in awhile. I can't wait to share news of it here, but it will be just a bit longer. Let's just say that every morning when I wake up and look out the window, I mutter under my breath: we must be insane. But more on that later.

I'll leave you with some lovely shots of Henry and I fooling around and of him raiding my tupperware drawer. The kid loves to put stuff on his head. Bowls, buckets, boxes, pots and pans. What can I say? We lovingly refer to him sometimes as "bucket head." Well, he is his father's son!



(he likes to put stuff on my head, too)

flower shop.

We are working on the flowers for a big wedding this weekend, and I couldn't help but to share some shots of what we are working with. I absolutely love it when the flowers come in and I'm able to enjoy the way they look en masse, after having been processed (our way of saying cleaned, i.e. stems re-cut and foliage that will be below a water line removed) but before being arranged. This wedding is at the Botanical Gardens, and the bride wanted tropical colors of deep yellows, oranges, fuschias, with bright whites and greens, and pale pinks thrown in. The lighting isn't great in my mom's living room so it was hard to get some good images, but you get the idea. Gorgeous, gorgeousness. Hundreds of orchids, lilies, and roses. I'm off now to continue working- we just received an amazing shipment of 100+ gloriosa lilies- splendid!!

yee haw.

We had to make a run to the Bass Pro Shop this weekend to get a gift certificate for Mike's dad for father's day. We had never been to this big box 'wilderness' shop before, but had heard some buzz surrounding the place for their kid-wowing giant fish tank and awesome collection of 'stuffed animals.' A tad naive and certainly not a hunter, I had imagined a big selection of cool plush animals; but lo and behold it was a collection of stuffed formerly living animals. Oh. Duh. I wish not to offend any one reading here, but this place was a redneck's fantasy land. Pork rinds? Check. Camo travel neck pillow? Why check, of course. For people who typically scoff at all things 'redneck', we somehow managed to have a bit of fun- much to the non-amusement of the staff. Mike said he kept waiting for Jeff Foxworthy to jump out at us from behind the merchandise displays; it was really sales people who were monitoring us because of all the picture taking and maniacal laughter. And when we were done, we were done (I couldn't take Mike yelling "Git 'er done! one more time). We rushed away to try to shake off some of the camo vibe, stopping just long enough to admire a few Obama bumper stickers scattered about the lot. Who would have known?

nice fish tank. maybe try the marine science museum instead, though.


where did Mike and Henry go?


don't shoot!!


"bucky done gun" (p.s. attention girls who are six months pregnant- if you attempt to wear a belted dress, you will shudder if there is any photographic evidence. I love that dress, but the belt just isn't gonna work any more...)


pork rinds? check, sir!!


camo neck pillows? why, check it is!


arctic cat. vroom.

father's day weekend

Early on Friday I determined that we would just proclaim the whole weekend "father's day weekend." This is mostly because I am lame and lack the patience to wait to bestow Michael's father's day gifts upon him until Sunday. I have been very nonchalant about it, telling him not to be dissapointed by a very small present and that things would be very low-key. He has been wanting a seat for the back of his bike (his bicycle, not motorcycle- I'll never let Henry on the back of his Triumph. ever.) so that he and Henry can cruise around the neighborhood. He takes this alone time with Henry quite seriously, and believe me, I am always happy to oblige. So I got him a sweet little cocoon seat for Henry to ride in. Also, both of our ancient ipods died at nearly the same time. We have been ipod-less for about a month now, and it is beginning to really get to us. Mowing the grass and riding in the car are impaired tasks minus the ipod. Not to mention all of the whining I've heard about the cd detritus growing in the car. Technology has spoiled us and there is absolutely no turning back at this point.... so I snuck over to the Apple store this week and picked up a nice little 8gb nano for him. (The thing is ridiculously tiny by the way. It seems like it should have some more meat on its bones for the cost. But that's just me...) And last but not least, I ordered a swell little print from Etsy a couple weeks ago by none other than the awesome Ashley G. She is linked to the right as "kitty genius." I have admired her work for some time, and am thrilled to at last own one of her prints. Perhaps this part of the gift has ended up being a little more for me than him.... hmmmmm. But certainly we will both enjoy looking at it and living with it.

I went out as much as I could because despite working really long hours, Mike always has time for both me and Henry. And it is always quality time. I love him more than anything in this world (well of course Henry is close behind) and always feel happy when I can really show him. I try to every day (keeping the sweet tea pitcher full), but who doesn't like scoring some sweet loot every once in awhile?!

bump watch '08

Me and Twittering Bird compare baby bumps. This was taken a couple of weeks ago; we have both popped a lot more since then... She will probably kill me for posting this (even though it is not even a bad shot), but I seem to remember a picture she posted a couple of years ago on Flickr in which I was very pregnant with Henry at the fair in Chincoteague, and it was an ultra unflattering shot of me eating a french fry or something. So there you have it.

Obama!

Tonight feels like such an historical evening as Obama is clearly our nominee. His speech tonight was so beautiful and
moving; I look towards the future now with a feeling of hopefulness.

Happy Birthday Brother

You are the best-est, most goofiest big brother, drunkle, and friend we could ever wish for.
Happy Birthday, old man. This photo is a little off-season as you can see, but I really like
the shadow of mom touching your arm as it is projected on the wall behind you.