Have a Snack

Lucy, at 23 months.

Now tell the truth, which would you rather munch on?

A sorry-looking piece of bologna, or the sweet cheeks and yummy rolls on this darling baby of mine?

It's a rhetorical question, of course.

Smocky Love

Thank you so much to Anna, of Pleasant View Schoolhouse (blog and etsy), for this lovely apron. It's got "Maggie Rose" written all over it.

Overdue

No, not me. I'm only 28 weeks along, still twelve to go! I meant this blog post, of course.

Yes, dear friends and relations, we are expecting yet another blessing. Nope, we don't know what flavor Baby is, but I suspect we will before Birthing Day comes around. Stan is always so excited to find out, and I don't mind, since it gives me an excuse to do a bit of shopping.

Stan has decided that if Baby is a girl, he will pick the name himself and announce it at the birth. How's that for suspense? If it's a boy, Samuel has been at the top of the list for our next son since we were expecting Benjy. I have to say, it has been wonderful to have the whole "What shall we name the baby?" question settled and put to bed before we even had a BFP.

We're due July 25th, meaning, baby will most likely show up the following week. Stan is holding out for a 42-week pregnancy--you know, so he can finish up with all of the projects that his slave-driver---er, I mean, wife, has planned for him. Hmmm, I need to find a way to make it clear to him that I am happy to compromise if it means getting to hold our new little bundle a bit sooner.

The Birthday Boy

Five years ago, at 12:43pm, on a Sunday just like today, Benjamin Thomas came into this world and into our family. It was our first home-birth-- fast, incredibly intense, but blessedly problem-free. He has been a little fireball ever since, an imaginitive, outgoing, snuggly, Smiley Jones. His brother's best pal, his little sister's favorite Protector. Always ready for a game of swashbuckling pirates or cowboys and Indians. My little Sunshine, my Benjy Bear. We love you, Mr. Boy!

These are a few of Ben's favorite things:

favorite color: blue
favorite Bible story: Moses in the bullrushes
favorite number: five (of course)
favorite song: "Mystery Lifeguard"
favorite toy: scooter
favorite stuffed animal: his puppy, Jerry
favorite food: mac and cheese
favorite book: Cowboy Sam
favorite item of clothing: "I love my camouflage vest"
favorite dessert: Oreo cake
favorite imaginary friend: Jacob
favorite outside activity: trampoline
favorite game: The Night Game, in which James, Maggie and Ben gather just before bed, on James' (top) bunk, and take turns putting on plays for each other.
favorite vacation: camping at Lopez Lake
favorite thing to do with Dad: play football
favorite thing about Jesus: "He made all of us"

He's a pretty cool kid, if I do say so myself.

Dirty Happy Baby

I tried making the pic smaller, but then you couldn't see all the dirt on my happy baby.

*Winsome mamas let their babies get dirty.*

Mama's Little House Brownie

After Maggie had her bath today, she got dressed in a brown tee, and a brown-plaid jumper from our favorite online shop, http://the-rabbit-hutch.blogspot.com/. Then she tied on one of my aprons before coming to help her Mama fix supper. The resulting combination was so charming that I couldn't resist snapping a photo so y'all could see my sweet helper, all dressed and ready to assist.

Maggie and Mama

(Maggie was concerned about her...ahem...double chin. Until I pointed out that I have one, too. Oh, and the matching aqua-colored blouses? No accident there, as anyone who knows me even a little bit will not be surprised to hear.)