Sophie

One night last week I was extremely tired after working almost 10 hours that day. Darren had also had a long day, starting at 5:30 am and working 11 or 12 hours in the heat all day. We were both WAY TOO TIRED to play with Sophie and especially too tired to take her for a walk. Then I remembered something that I read probably over a year ago in the "Ten Commandments of Dogs". It was something about how we have our work, our friends, our hobbies... our dogs only have us! So... needless to say, Sophie got to go for a walk that night.

Yes, she may be slightly spoiled. She may be a bit naughty from time to time. She's a little high maintenance. But she's our baby and we love her.


Dogs Ten Commandments
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years - any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me - it is crucial for my well being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment...You have your work, your friends, your entertainment...
I HAVE ONLY YOU!

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when you're speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it.

7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hands but I choose NOT to bite YOU.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long or my heart may be getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for ME if you are there. Remember that I love you.

Future Soccer Player

Baby Malcolm has been kicking up a storm the past few weeks. The kicks are getting stronger and stronger and you can actually see them now. It is the coolest, craziest thing to watch your belly move all around!! Darren finally felt the baby move last week around 27/28 weeks.

I also have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for a couple of weeks now. They tend to be stronger during the day when I am up moving around and on my feet. Its a totally normal thing and really isn't painful. It just feels weird, like a tightening feeling across my entire stomach.

Life is a Bowl Full of Cherries

26 weeks and counting! The countdown is on! Only 14 more weeks until my due date! I am getting so excited. Not fully ready as far as diapers purchased or car seat bought, but definitely ready to be a mommy!


This weekend I attended the baby shower for my cousin Matt Barber's wife, Kim. There are 4 of us cousins expecting babies before Christmas! Matt and Kim are due in August. Darren and I in October. Andrew and Kathy in November, and Joe and Melissa in December. This reminds the grandma's-to-be of the time back in 1980/81 when there were 4 sister-in-laws pregnant at the same time (one of those babies being me). I wish I had a scanner to scan in the photo from back then.


Here I am getting some practice with my cousin Jade and Mindy's little boy, Tucker. Although, with his blonde hair and light blue eyes, I'm pretty certain he would NOT pass for mine and Darren's!


This weekend my cousin, Hannah, came for a visit. She is 13 so I tried to plan some fun activities for us to do together. We went to see "The Proposal" on Friday night. Saturday she painted some pottery and got a manicure while I worked for a few hours in the afternoon. Saturday night we made a delicious dinner of Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. Sunday we attended church in the morning. We wanted to go to the aquatic center in the afternoon, but the weather didn't cooperate so her and I painted more pottery while Darren went to help some friends who had some major storm damage from the storm that passed through Waterloo/Cedar Falls on Thursday night. Sunday evening we went to the Waterhawks Ski Show. It was an event-filled weekend. Hannah likes to come spend a few days with us every summer, its fun to think that next year she'll be here helping with 9 month old baby!





Have I mentioned the cherry trees we have in our yard? Last year I was too nervous to try one. I don't know if I thought they would be poisonous or what, but didn't want to find. Anyway, a few weeks ago Darren talked me into trying one of the cherries and now I am hooked! I can't get enough! They are deliciously sour (which I have been craving during this pregnancy).

Independence Day Weekend

Friday Darren and I both had off work and we got the opportunity to test out our parenting skills on our friend Tessa and Eddie Johnson's 8 week old baby, Carter. We had him at our house for about six hours on Friday. He was a very good baby and we can't wait to babysit him again and have play dates with our little one! It was also nice to see how Sophie would react to a baby that little. She was amazing and I felt like a proud mommy! She licked his toes a few times, but was really more interested smelling his car seat than she was in him!

Saturday we slept in and had kind of a lazy day around the house. The weather wasn't the best here, so my plan of getting a tan wasn't an option. Bummer! We went to Mom and Dad Malcolm's in the afternoon to visit and then to Hampton for the fireworks at Beeds Lake after hitting up Tropical Snow! Its what I'm craving these days and neither Cedar Falls or Waterloo has one anymore! Sophie didn't like the fireworks very much and I was getting tired, so we left before they were finished.

Sunday we went to church and then out for lunch after. In the afternoon, my friend Erika went with me to Target to help me register for Baby Malcolm! It was lots of fun, but slightly overwhelming! I'm so glad I brought her! Darren worked in the yard on Sunday afternoon and I relaxed. Registering wore me out! I'm definitely starting to feel more tired these days, I can definitely tell I'm nearing the third trimester!

This morning I had another doctor appointment. They measured me and listened to baby's heartbeat (which was 134). Doctor says, "Baby is growing!" I go back in four weeks for another appointment and my blood glucose screening.