spring rain

We have two amazing red bud trees in the front yard next to the street.  They're the biggest ones on the block.  Today it started to rain, and the petals of all of the blooms started floating down.  It was like a scene from a movie.  Unfortunately, the photos didn't capture it very well, but here they are anyway.  

Our trees with our neighbor's truck - it's always parked there.

A closer view.

The cats coming in from the porch.  I think they were getting wet.

The petals on the ground after the rain slowed down.

Mister Bungle checking out some petals that blew in through the crack next to the porch door.

Dandy  hanging out.  On the right is the little flower bed in the front yard.  I hope we'll get to plant something in it next weekend when the fam comes to visit and help us with some stuff around the yard.

Another view of our pretty tree.  The blue house is across the street - we love the color coming through the muted tones of the blossoms.

We especially love the color combo when you add the buds of another tree that's in the front yard.  They're almost the color of the baby's room!

something to tide you over

Until we can get the video up...

Here you go. The head is on the left side.

And - that's right - only ONE!!!! Due date: November 15.

families are great

In the spirit of our family members being ultra-great to us, Ellorie and Mom are coming down to Columbus for the weekend of April 25.  They've offered to paint the baby's room and do a bunch of stuff in the yard with me.  I'm pretty psyched.

We purchased the paint for the baby's room yesterday.  I did a test swatch on some posterboard this morning - it's exactly the color I had envisioned.  A light/bright yellow/green - Pear.

cats on porch, april 9

Yes, this post is a little late.  We had some technical difficulties loading the photos.

We are letting the cats come out onto the screened in porch.  They haven't made any attempt to climb screens or escape yet.  Here are some fun action shots.

Dandy was the first one to go out.  Note the beautiful scooter parked just out front.

Mister Bungle the scaredy cat looks for a perch.

"I'm just big-boned."

Success.  Mister Bungle on the bench.

"I'd like to come up too, please."

Looking at some birds.

Someone's getting a little adventurous.

Cat plant.  My favorite.

The boys looking at their friend Stumpy.

Stumpy the squirrel.  He has no tail.  Ellorie thought he was a bunny at first due to the large hips, stumpy poof of a tail and interesting hopping movement.  Alas, he is indeed a squirrel, and we see him around quite often.

Stumpy runs away to the tree.

looking at what I just wrote, I guess it wasn't so gloomy after all.  Oh well.

the gloomy post

Kate harasses me about not contributing, so here I am.  

I just finished our taxes, it was not a good year.  We made more than expected but didn't account for it in estimated taxes (the joy of self-employment) and got hit kind of bad.  But, hopefully with the house and soon-to-be dependent... I mean bundle of joy, we should be okay next year.  I plan to still make ordinary estimated payments and cross our fingers it will work out.

I accidentally figured out what Kate got us both for our anniversary and I'm beyond pumped.  One of our favorite bands, Man Man, just released a new album (it's sweet) AND they're coming to Columbus this Tuesday.  We saw them for free last summer at a local college and it was memorable to say the least.  We're both excited to see them again.  It will rule.

There's no way I can top that, so I'll have to think of something nice and meaningful.  That is not my specialty.

Anyway, that's all for now.  I have to go now, my planet needs me.

updates/being bored

I'm bored, so here's a family update.

I'm now officially over morning sickness. I, most gratefully, thank anyone who prayed or sent any sort of vibe my way about this one. I never actually got farther than nausea, if you know what I mean, but that was enough to make it nearly unbearable. So here I am, at 9 or 11 weeks pregnant, with no nausea. What's a girl to do?

Well, for one, try to drink lots of water. I'm a pretty good water drinker ordinarily, but I'm amazed at how un-often I hit the recommended daily intake of water. It's definitely possible for me to drink that much, but I really have to try. If you see me out on the street, and I'm not taking a drink of water, just give me a little reminder. Together, we can hit that daily quota...I'm sure of it.

Next Tuesday is Tax Day! And the big ultrasound day. We'll find out if my dread is unfounded about twins. Man, we are really not ready for two infants. Just one, please. Of course, a blog post will happen almost the instant we leave our 1:00 p.m. appointment. That'll be by 2:30, I hope. The less sick time I have to take off now, the more I have to piggyback on my regular paid maternity leave later.

We haven't purchased any baby items yet. So far we have: a sock tiger (a la sock monkey), a really soft white and green blanket, a toy (i can't think of what it is right now), 2 bibs, and I think there's something else - sorry if you gave the baby something that I can't remember right now.

Oh yeah, and Dennis is doing great.